Key takeaways
- Best Chromebook: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 ($649 – $749).
- Best value Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($299 – $399).
- Choose a Chromebook Plus model for faster performance, better screens and Google AI features.
In this article
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The best Chromebooks of 2026 are faster, smarter and better built than ever. Google’s Chromebook Plus standard guarantees solid performance, good screens and built-in AI tools, and some models now offer OLED displays and premium designs. Here are our picks for every budget.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price on Amazon.
Quick answer
- Best Chromebook: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 ($649 – $749)
- Best value Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($299 – $399)
- Best convertible Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 ($599 – $699)
- Best Chromebook for cloud gaming: Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE ($499 – $649)
- Best Chromebook for students: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 ($399 – $499)
- Best detachable Chromebook: Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 ($299 – $369)
Chromebooks compared
| Product | Best for | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | Best Chromebook | Buy | 8.8/10 | $649 – $749 |
| Acer Chromebook Plus 514 | Best value Chromebook | Buy | 8.4/10 | $299 – $399 |
| Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 | Best convertible Chromebook | Buy | 8.6/10 | $599 – $699 |
| Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE | Best Chromebook for cloud gaming | Buy | 8.3/10 | $499 – $649 |
| ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 | Best Chromebook for students | Buy | 8.3/10 | $399 – $499 |
| Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 | Best detachable Chromebook | Buy | 8.0/10 | $299 – $369 |
Our picks in detail
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
Best Chromebook · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $649 – $749
Key specs: MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 16GB memory, 14-inch OLED touchscreen, 13-plus hours tested battery
Why we picked it: An OLED touchscreen, MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip, 16GB of memory and long battery life make this the best Chromebook available.
Pros: Best Chromebook display with OLED · 16GB memory · Long battery life · Premium build
Cons: Expensive for a Chromebook · No stylus included · Glossy screen
Buy it if you want the best premium Chromebook available.
Skip it if you only need web and email on a budget.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Best value Chromebook · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.4/10 · Typical price: $299 – $399
Key specs: Intel Core 3-N355, 8GB memory, 128GB storage, 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen
Why we picked it: For around $300 to $400, the Chromebook Plus 514 is fast, has a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen and gets years of updates.
Pros: Excellent value Chromebook Plus · Touchscreen · Fast for ChromeOS · Google AI features
Cons: Plastic build · Small storage · Average speakers
Buy it if you want the best-value Chromebook for school or home.
Skip it if you need Windows or Mac software.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514
Best convertible Chromebook · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $599 – $699
Key specs: MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 12GB memory, 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen 2-in-1
Why we picked it: The Chromebook Plus Spin 514 folds into a tablet and pairs strong performance with long battery life.
Pros: Fast, efficient chip · Convertible design · Long battery life · Premium feel
Cons: Pricey for a Chromebook · Pen sold separately · Some Android apps scale poorly
Buy it if you want a premium convertible Chromebook.
Skip it if you want the cheapest ChromeOS laptop.
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE
Best Chromebook for cloud gaming · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $499 – $649
Key specs: Intel Core 5 120U, 8GB memory, 16-inch 2560×1600 120Hz display, RGB keyboard
Why we picked it: A 16-inch 120Hz display and RGB keyboard make the Chromebook Plus 516 GE ideal for GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Pros: Big 120Hz screen · Great for cloud gaming · Strong performance for ChromeOS · Good keyboard
Cons: Heavier than other Chromebooks · Battery is average · Pricier than basic models
Buy it if you want a large-screen Chromebook for cloud gaming and multitasking.
Skip it if you carry your laptop all day.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Best Chromebook for students · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $399 – $499
Key specs: Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB memory, 256GB storage, 14-inch Full HD touchscreen, 13 hours tested battery
Why we picked it: Fast Core i5 performance and 13 hours of tested battery make the CX34 a reliable school laptop.
Pros: Fast Core i5 for ChromeOS · Long battery · Touchscreen · Good keyboard
Cons: Heavier than some rivals · Plain design · Average display
Buy it if you want a fast, reliable Chromebook for students.
Skip it if you need a convertible design.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
Best detachable Chromebook · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.0/10 · Typical price: $299 – $369
Key specs: MediaTek Kompanio 838 or Snapdragon 7c, 4GB–8GB memory, 10.95-inch 2K touchscreen, detachable keyboard
Why we picked it: A tablet with a keyboard cover, ideal for kids, reading and light typing on the go.
Pros: Tablet and laptop in one · Very portable · Long battery · Pen support
Cons: Cramped keyboard · Modest performance · Small screen
Buy it if you want a cheap detachable for kids, notes and travel.
Skip it if you type for hours every day.
Who should buy a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are ideal if you spend most of your time in a web browser, Google Docs, Gmail, YouTube and streaming apps. They are fast, secure, update automatically and are hard to slow down with malware. They are not suitable if you need full Windows or Mac software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud desktop apps, specialist engineering tools or most PC games. Compare options in our Windows laptop vs Chromebook guide.
Which Chromebook should you buy?
If you want the best experience, buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. Most buyers will be very happy with the Acer Chromebook Plus 514. Choose the Spin 514 for tablet mode, the 516 GE for cloud gaming, the CX34 for students and the Duet 11 for kids.
Chromebook Plus explained
Chromebook Plus models meet Google’s minimum specs: modern Intel Core i3 or MediaTek Kompanio chips or better, 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage, Full HD IPS displays and 1080p webcams. They also get AI features like Help me write and advanced video call effects. Always prefer a Chromebook Plus over older basic models.
What to check before you buy
- Check the Auto Update Expiration date.
- Choose 8GB of memory or more.
- Look for a touchscreen if you plan to use Android apps.
- Check the webcam and microphone quality if you take online classes or join video calls often.
- Consider the screen size: 14 inches suits carrying; 15 to 16 inches suits home use and cloud gaming.
What to skip
Common mistake: buying an old Chromebook with a Celeron N4000 and 4GB of memory because it is cheap. It may lose updates soon and feel slow.
When to buy
Chromebooks see their best prices during back-to-school sales and Black Friday, when Chromebook Plus models often drop below $300.
Compare more options
Search Chromebook Plus on Amazon See top-rated Chromebook Plus on Amazon
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Chromebook in 2026?
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 with an OLED touchscreen, 16GB of memory and 13-plus hours of tested battery is the best premium Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the best value.
What is a Chromebook Plus?
A Google certification for Chromebooks with stronger processors, at least 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage, Full HD screens and better webcams, plus extra AI features.
How long are Chromebooks supported?
Newer Chromebooks receive about 10 years of automatic updates from their release date. Check the Auto Update Expiration date before buying.
Can Chromebooks run Microsoft Office?
They can run the web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus Android apps, but not the full desktop Office apps.