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For a desktop browser with a clearly documented way to block built-in AI features, Firefox is the best-supported alternative in the options covered here. Firefox 148 added an AI Controls section with a single switch for blocking current and future AI-enhanced features, plus controls for individual features. Brave is another option to consider, but its published performance results are its own macOS test—not a universal ranking. If your real concern is Chrome’s memory or battery use, you can also try Chrome’s built-in performance settings before switching.
No browser can be called universally “lightweight” on this evidence: resource use changes with the device, workload, tabs, extensions and browser version. And browser-level AI controls do not remove AI features provided by a search engine or website.
Which browser should you try?
| Option | AI controls | What the performance evidence says | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefox 148 desktop | Single control to block current and future AI-enhanced features, or individual controls for listed features. Mozilla says preferences persist across updates. Mozilla | Brave published a macOS test with Firefox included; those vendor-reported results are not a general ranking. Brave | You want a distinct alternative to Chrome and a clearly documented desktop control for built-in AI. |
| Brave | Hiding the Leo icon does not necessarily disable the related feature code. Brave says complete removal generally requires desktop Group Policy; that route is unavailable on Android and iOS. Brave Help | Brave reports lower memory, CPU use and page-load energy than Chrome in its own desktop macOS comparison. Conditions and limits matter; details below. | You want to evaluate Brave’s built-in blocking and are comfortable treating its benchmark as vendor-published evidence. |
| Chrome with performance settings | This keeps you in Chrome; the settings below manage memory and energy, not a decision to leave Google’s browser ecosystem. | Chrome offers Memory Saver and Energy Saver controls on desktop. Google Chrome Help | Your main problem is resource use, not Chrome itself or its AI integration. |
| Opera | Do not assume a change of brand means no integrated AI. Opera’s October 2025 announcement described Aria in several desktop and mobile products and expanded its AI capabilities. Opera | No comparable performance figures are established here. | Only if you are willing to check the controls and features in the specific Opera product and version you plan to use. |
How to block Firefox’s built-in AI features
Mozilla says the AI Controls section arrived with Firefox 148 on desktop. It offers a broad block for current and future AI-enhanced features, or the option to choose which listed features remain enabled. Mozilla’s published list includes translations, PDF image alt text, AI tab grouping, link previews and the sidebar chatbot. The sidebar may connect to third-party chatbot choices, but disabling that sidebar alone is not the same as managing every AI-enhanced feature.
- Update to Firefox 148 or later on desktop.
- Open the browser menu and choose Settings.
- Open AI Controls.
- Use the main control to block AI-enhanced features, or adjust the listed features individually.
For the version rollout and control details, see Mozilla’s announcement and its instructions for using AI Controls. These are controls for Firefox’s own browser features; a website or search engine can still offer its own AI tools.
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What Brave’s “lighter” benchmark actually shows
Brave’s September 2, 2026 comparison tested Brave, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on macOS. The following averages are reported by Brave for that test; they should not be read as guaranteed results on other operating systems, devices or workloads.
| Browser | Mean memory use | Mean CPU utilization | Average energy per page load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brave | Approximately 1,200 MB | Approximately 33% | Approximately 31.1 mWh |
| Chrome | Approximately 1,750 MB | Approximately 47% | Approximately 32.5 mWh |
| Edge | Approximately 1,620 MB | Approximately 53% | Approximately 35.3 mWh |
| Firefox | Approximately 1,650 MB | Approximately 78% | Approximately 36.1 mWh |
The figures are useful as a description of one test, not proof that Brave will use less memory or energy for every reader. The benchmark was published by Brave, and the evidence here does not provide an independent, comparable multi-platform test. If performance is decisive, compare browsers on your own device using your normal sites, extensions and open tabs.
Brave also says its v1.85 update cut its ad-block engine’s memory consumption by 75%, estimating a roughly 45 MB default saving across desktop and mobile. That figure concerns the blocker engine—not a 75% reduction in the memory use of the whole browser. Brave’s update note explains the claim.
Can you make Chrome use less memory or battery?
If you want to keep Chrome, desktop Memory Saver and Energy Saver address different resource concerns. Google’s help page documents these performance settings; Energy Saver applies to desktop devices with batteries.
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Memory Saver
Memory Saver deactivates tabs you are not using so active tabs can run more smoothly. A deactivated tab reloads when you return to it. The available levels are Moderate, Balanced and Maximum. Tabs may stay active when they are playing audio or video, sharing a screen, showing notifications, downloading files or containing a partially completed form.
Energy Saver
Energy Saver reduces image capture rate and other background tasks when Chrome is unplugged or the battery is low. Google warns that you may notice a difference in gaming and video performance. The documented setting is for desktop devices with batteries; it is not a description of Chrome mobile’s performance controls.
Google’s instructions and current control details are in Personalize Chrome performance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose—and switch without surprises
The right choice depends on what “without Chrome’s AI features” means to you. If you want a documented desktop-wide block, Firefox is the clearest fit among these options. If you mainly want to lower resource use, first try Chrome’s settings or assess Brave’s results against your own workload. If your requirement is that no AI-related code be present, a visible toggle or hidden icon may not meet that standard.
Quick Recap
- Check the platform and version. Firefox’s documented AI Controls are for desktop Firefox 148 and later. Brave’s complete-removal route generally requires desktop Group Policy and is unavailable on Android and iOS.
- Decide what “off” means. Blocking browser-integrated features, hiding a button and avoiding AI features on websites or search engines are different goals.
- Test your everyday workload. Use the sites, tabs and extensions you rely on, and check for any site-specific behavior that matters to you.
- Plan the move. Before switching, check how you will transfer or access passwords and bookmarks, configure sync, and replace any extensions you depend on. The evidence cited here does not establish a comprehensive comparison of those features across browsers.
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