The very best Chromebook you should purchase in 2026

Chromebooks have quietly change into a few of the most helpful laptops for on a regular basis duties. They boot quick, keep safe with computerized updates and sometimes value far lower than conventional Home windows or Mac machines. Fashionable Chromebooks additionally feel and appear higher than ever, with brighter screens, stronger processors and designs that vary from easy clamshells to versatile 2-in-1s.

Whether or not you want a laptop computer for varsity, streaming or a conveyable possibility for journey, there’s probably a Chromebook that matches your routine. After testing the highest fashions, we picked the very best Chromebooks you should purchase at the moment that will help you discover one thing that balances efficiency, worth and reliability.

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Desk of contents

Finest Chromebooks in 2026

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer has reliably produced a few of my favourite Chromebooks for years now, and with the newest Chromebook Plus 514 mannequin, they’re actually hitting the candy spot of worth and efficiency. At solely $350, it’s cheaper than my earlier decide for the very best Chromebook (Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus) and improves on it in a number of methods.

The large spec enhancements are a more moderen processor (Intel’s Core 3-N355 chip) and a spacious 512GB solid-state drive. It’s additionally lighter than Lenovo’s machine and has a reasonably spectacular array of ports, together with two USB-A and an HDMI port along with the anticipated USB-C jacks. The 14-inch touchscreen is vibrant and clear and has the marginally taller 16:10 side ratio that you just don’t usually discover in laptops at this worth level – they’re often caught with narrower 1080p shows. One factor the Acer offers up compared to the Lenovo is a 360-degree hinge, however I’ve at all times discovered that to be a moderately area of interest characteristic that isn’t a compelling promoting level.

Design-wise, it is a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, nevertheless it’s simply skinny (0.71 inches) and light-weight (3.1 kilos) sufficient to really feel compact and straightforward to journey with. The keyboard and trackpad, in the meantime, really feel a lot better than I’d count on on a laptop computer at this worth. The backlit keys are massive and have satisfying journey, making it nice to kind away on for hours at a time. And the glass-covered trackpad is clean and enormous; my solely criticism is that it often was activated by the aspect of my palm whereas typing.

The primary downsides are that the audio system and webcam are fairly mediocre. Audio is tinny and lacks depth, whereas video calls confirmed a definite lack of dynamic vary within the digicam. They’ll definitely do in a pinch, and they’re anticipated corners to be minimize on a reasonably budget-priced laptop computer – however in case you take numerous video calls or need higher onboard audio output, look elsewhere.

Battery life is about what I anticipated for an Intel-powered Chromebook. It lasted over eight hours whereas enjoying again a locally-stored video file, and I received slightly beneath seven hours whereas going via my regular workday (numerous Chrome tabs, a handful of net and Android apps like Hold, Google Chat, YouTube Music, Lightroom and Todoist). That’s not distinctive, however until you actually should be away from energy for lengthy intervals frequently it ought to be adequate (particularly at this worth).

As this Chromebook was simply launched this summer time, Google is promising software program and safety updates till June of 2035. (If you happen to’re nonetheless utilizing this laptop computer 10 years from now, I applaud you.) Given the combo of efficiency and functionality at this worth level, Acer’s newest Chromebook Plus 514 is simple to suggest for anybody who desires a no-nonsense laptop computer. However in case you’re the form of one that plans to make use of their Chromebook all day, on daily basis, you would possibly need to take into account our improve picks.

Professionals

Comparatively compact and light-weight
Respectable efficiency and battery life for the worth
Giant storage cap
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show

Cons

Tinny audio system
Mediocre webcam

$350 at Costco

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s brand-new Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is minimize from a really related fabric as the usual 514 we suggest, however beneath the hood there are some main upgrades. It’s one of many first Chromebooks to make use of MediaTek’s Kompanio Extremely 910 chip, moderately than the usual Intel or AMD fare. This makes a serious distinction in how the Spin 514 performs. There are not one of the occasional slowdown or hiccups that also occur on Intel-based fashions when you’ve got too many home windows or apps open. Tabs not often have to reload and pop again up rapidly on the uncommon event that they do. Music or video playback by no means skipped no matter what else I used to be doing, and Android apps like Lightroom labored swiftly and easily.

Maybe extra importantly than the way it feels now, the Spin 514 ought to really feel snappy for years to come back. There’s simply extra room for this chip to deal with growing efficiency calls for through the years. Benchmarks from the Android model of Geekbench 6 assist illustrate this: the Spin 514 scored 2,526 on the single-core CPU take a look at, 7,687 on multi-core and 18,020 on the GPU take a look at. For comparability, Acer’s recently-released Chromebook Plus 514 with an Intel Core 3 chip scored 1,150, 4,407 and 5,932 respectively. Clearly, benchmarks don’t inform your complete story, nevertheless it’s illustrative of how performant this chip is.

This goes for AI-related duties, as properly – the MediaTek chip consists of the corporate’s NPU 890, which is rated at 50 TOPS (trillion operations per second). In observe, meaning the assorted Gemini-powered AI instruments in ChromeOS will run quicker than they do on an Intel machine. If you happen to’re eager to attempt these kinds of options, the Spin 514 is an effective possibility.

Past the MediaTek chip, you’ll discover 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage; I’m shocked that it has much less storage than a laptop computer that prices half as a lot, however 256GB is mostly lots for ChromeOS because it depends totally on the cloud. The keyboard, trackpad and touchscreen show are all glorious, and battery life is phenomenal. I received greater than 14 hours of video playback from the Spin 514, and hit over 9 hours of use if I wasn’t pushing issues too arduous.

The audio system are additionally a step up over those in the usual Chromebook Plus 514; whereas they’re not the very best laptop computer audio system I’ve ever heard, they’ve a considerably fuller tone that’s much less tinny. Sadly, I can’t choose the webcam at this level because the mannequin I reviewed didn’t have the ultimate webcam {hardware} in place. Mine has an ordinary 1080p digicam, however the ultimate mannequin promoting in Finest Purchase steps as much as a 5-megapixel webcam. That ought to provide considerably higher video name high quality, however with out testing it I can’t say the way it appears in observe. That mentioned, the 1080p webcam on the pc I examined had stable coloration stability and was lots sharp for my makes use of.

The mannequin I examined is promoting at Finest Purchase for $700, a excessive worth that feels truthful given the standard of this laptop. Acer additionally plans to promote the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 straight from its website with 16GB of RAM and a high-res, 2,880 x 1,800 display screen for $750. That’s a pleasant display screen for that worth, however I wager most individuals will likely be proud of this mannequin. And whereas this laptop simply got here out, we’ll be keeping track of Finest Purchase to see if it will get any worth reductions within the coming months, as a result of then it’ll be even simpler to suggest.

Professionals

Nice battery life
Glorious efficiency
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show
Fairly skinny and light-weight for the worth

Cons

Costly
I want there have been USB-C ports on either side
Audio system and webcam are simply okay

$699 at Finest Purchase

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer first launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make gadgets appropriate for cloud gaming and up to date it in 2024 with Intel’s Core 5 120U chip. The excellent news is that you just don’t should be a gamer to understand the Chromebook Plus 516 GE. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch show with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and a 120Hz refresh price. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming service helps as much as 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Final tier so that you’ll get to see these advantages. This laptop computer additionally helps Steam, but another excuse avid gamers is perhaps concerned about attempting it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.

It additionally consists of Intel’s Core 5 120U chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop computer’s measurement, it’s good that Acer didn’t skimp on ports right here: there’s an HDMI port, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet and a headphone jack. The keyboard has gamer-friendly LED lights which you can customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and cozy keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up experiences. The trackpad is massive and responsive as properly.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly gentle for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t verify the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll certainly dip in case you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal net searching. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will probably be proud of this mannequin.

As for help, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032. That shorter help timeline is my important concern about this laptop computer at this level — I’m retaining my eye out to see if Acer updates this mannequin quickly or if there’s one other newer decide with an extended help window.

Professionals

Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh price
Loads of ports
Core 5 chip gives loads of energy
Giant and spacious keyboard
Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer

Cons

Not everybody will respect the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Finest Purchase

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a superb laptop computer – but when I used to be going to select one Chromebook to make my major laptop, it could be Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14. To me, it feels just like the replace to Google’s personal Pixelbook Go that we by no means received. Which means it’s skinny (0.62 inches), gentle (2.75 kilos) and solidly constructed with out being terribly flashy. Nevertheless it feels much more attention-grabbing than the generic laptop computer vibes I can’t assist however get from Acer; smaller bezels across the show and the ridged, textured underside of the laptop computer make it really feel extra premium and distinctive.

The OLED touchscreen is a standout. Whereas it’s the identical decision because the Spin 514, it’s noticeably brighter and colours are extra vivid with out feeling blown out. I’d be comfortable to see it in the next decision, however I believe it strikes stability between sharpness and general high quality with out going to 4K the place battery life is perhaps affected.

I additionally love the keyboard and trackpad, each of which simply really feel barely nicer than these on the Acer. The keys don’t have fairly as a lot journey, however they really feel extra stable and barely much less wobbly. It is perhaps a matter of non-public choice at this level as each keyboards are superb, however I really feel like I can kind quicker and extra precisely on the Lenovo. The trackpad can also be much less susceptible to unintentional enter from my palm after I’m typing. There’s a fingerprint reader beneath the keyboard for biometric authentication too, which is one other good luxurious to have. The trackpad is clean and fairly massive, nearly as huge because the one on my MacBook Professional.

Different particulars just like the webcam and audio system are properly executed right here, as properly. The 5-megapixel digicam is my favourite out of the assorted Chromebooks I’ve examined, with correct coloration replica and a pointy image general. The audio system are additionally the very best I’ve examined on this newest roundup, with spectacular music playback regardless of the laptop computer’s skinny measurement. Lenovo says these audio system help Dolby Atmos, and music had extra depth and element when enjoying Atmos tracks from Apple Music. However even with out enjoying Atmos content material, the Lenovo’s audio system merely sounded superb.

As for efficiency, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 runs the identical MediaTek Kompanio Extremely 910 chip as Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514, so all the great issues I needed to say about it apply right here as properly. It’s extraordinarily responsive in everyday use and may carry out properly for years to come back; AI efficiency utilizing varied Gemini instruments was additionally fairly snappy. And the Lenovo’s battery life is the very best of any Chromebook I’ve examined, lasting over 14 hours in our video playback take a look at and about 10 hours of ordinary utilization throughout my typical workday.

Total, the Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 14 are very related and you’ll’t go incorrect with both in case you are on the lookout for a high-quality laptop computer that’ll work properly now and into the longer term. I worth the Lenovo’s OLED display screen, keyboard and higher audio system over the Spin’s 360-degree hinge, however your mileage could range. For me, although, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the very best Chromebook you should purchase.

Professionals

Nice battery life
Glorious efficiency
OLED show is sharp and vivid
My favourite keyboard on a Chromebook
Premium design is skinny, gentle and fashionable

Cons

Costly
Small variety of ports

$749 at Finest Purchase

Finest Chromebooks FAQs

What’s Chrome OS, and why would I exploit it over Home windows?

That is most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops in the marketplace, so why hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many of the applications you’ll be able to run are net primarily based. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you usually get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll fully reset to manufacturing unit settings nearly as rapidly.

After all, simplicity can even be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program could be a dealbreaker in case you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all of their work in an internet browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness without having a full Home windows setup.

Google and its software program companions are getting higher yearly at supporting extra superior options. For instance, Google added video modifying instruments to the Google Photographs app on Chromebooks – it gained’t substitute Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it ought to be helpful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the net in 2023, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks may run Android apps, which vastly expands the quantity of software program obtainable. The standard varies broadly, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as properly. Between Android apps and a basic enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do properly?

Put merely, net searching and actually something net primarily based. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many commonest every day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly count on, additionally they work properly with Google companies like Photographs, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can do this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and steady platform.

As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so in case you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get many of the similar apps which can be in your telephone on a Chromebook and preserve information in sync between them. You may also use some Android telephones as a safety key on your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop computer to make use of cell knowledge.

Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s undoubtedly an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain rapidly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the newest model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as properly, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Lastly, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the straightforward truth that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

If you happen to’re concerned about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full 12 months of Google’s AI Professional plan — this combines the same old Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 p.c again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a bunch of AI instruments. You’ll get entry to Gemini in Chrome, Gmail, Google Docs and different apps, Gemini 2.5 Professional within the Gemini app and extra. Provided that this plan is $20/month, it’s a reasonably stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Photographs Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in just a few prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: If you happen to rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS gadget. That’s most true in fields like picture and video modifying, nevertheless it will also be the case in legislation or finance. Loads of companies run on Google’s G suite software program, however extra nonetheless have particular necessities {that a} Chromebook may not match. If you happen to’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the large draw back will not be having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks will not be ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra affordable possibility with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and a few {hardware} companions introduced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in thoughts. From a {hardware} perspective, meaning laptops with greater screens which have larger refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that enjoying trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unimaginable. You may also set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are pondering of after they need to recreation on a laptop computer.

What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?

Chrome OS is light-weight and runs properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for may not be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any gadget with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d suggest most individuals get in the event that they’re on the lookout for the very best laptop computer they’ll use on daily basis.

Chromebook Plus fashions have a minimum of a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor, each of which ought to be greater than sufficient for most individuals. These laptops even have a minimal of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, which ought to do the trick until you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is good in today of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have a minimum of a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.

After all, you will get larger specs or higher screens in case you want, however I’ve discovered that mainly every part included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.

Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as properly, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This help web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you’ll be able to to maximise your help.

How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with record costs usually coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to a few of the greatest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it’s best to count on to spend a minimum of $400 if you’d like a stable every day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market obtainable at a low worth that could be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will value extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks often value lower than the very best Home windows laptops, and even the very best “common” laptops on the market.

There are a handful of premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Typically, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and additional space for storing, like a higher-capacity SSD. After all, you additionally generally pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient, and there are a number of good premium Chromebooks within the $700 to $800 vary at this level.

See Additionally:

Different Chromebooks we examined

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

This was our decide for greatest general Chromebook for years, and it’s nonetheless one of many higher choices you’ll find for a primary laptop computer that doesn’t break the financial institution. It’s just a few years older than our present prime decide, so its processor isn’t contemporary and it solely has 128GB of storage. It additionally gained’t get updates from Google so long as newer fashions. Nevertheless it nonetheless combines a pleasant display screen and keyboard with stable efficiency. This laptop computer usually prices $500, which feels excessive given its just a few years outdated and Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is barely $350, but when you’ll find it on sale and might’t discover the Acer it’s price a glance.

ASUS CX15

This Chromebook is extraordinarily inexpensive – you’ll be able to at the moment decide it up for less than $159 at Walmart. That worth and its massive 15.6-inch display screen is especially what it has going for it, because the Intel Celeron N4500 chip and 4GB of RAM powering it doesn’t present good efficiency in case you’re doing something greater than searching with just a few tabs open. If you happen to’re searching for somebody with extraordinarily primary wants and have a small price range, the CX15 would possibly match the invoice. However simply bear in mind that you just get what you pay for.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, launched in late 2024, is among the extra distinctive Chromebooks on the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and light-weight, at 0.46 inches and a couple of.6 kilos, nevertheless it manages to incorporate a 15.6-inch show in that body. That display screen is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and vibrant, however its 16:9 side ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is superb, and the keyboard is stable, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every part to the left. At $700 it’s not low cost, however that feels truthful contemplating its measurement and capabilities. If you happen to’re on the lookout for an enormous display screen laptop computer that can also be tremendous gentle, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.

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