The perfect Chromebook you should purchase in 2026

Chromebooks have quietly turn into a number of the most helpful laptops for on a regular basis duties. They boot quick, keep safe with computerized updates and sometimes price far lower than conventional Home windows or Mac machines. Trendy 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 transportable possibility for journey, there’s possible a Chromebook that matches your routine. After testing the highest fashions, we picked one of the best Chromebooks you should purchase as we speak that can assist you discover one thing that balances efficiency, value and reliability.

Desk of contents

Greatest 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 value and efficiency. At solely $350, it’s cheaper than my earlier choose for one of the best Chromebook (Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus) and improves on it in a number of methods.

The massive 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 fairly 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 facet ratio that you just don’t usually discover in laptops at this value level – they’re normally caught with narrower 1080p shows. One factor the Acer provides up compared to the Lenovo is a 360-degree hinge, however I’ve at all times discovered that to be a fairly area of interest characteristic that isn’t a compelling promoting level.

Design-wise, it is a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, however it’s simply skinny (0.71 inches) and lightweight (3.1 kilos) sufficient to really feel compact and simple to journey with. The keyboard and trackpad, in the meantime, really feel a lot better than I’d anticipate on a laptop computer at this value. 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 grievance is that it often was activated by the facet of my palm whereas typing.

The principle 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 reduce on a reasonably budget-priced laptop computer – however if you happen to take a variety of 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 obtained somewhat underneath seven hours whereas going by my regular workday (a lot of Chrome tabs, a handful of internet and Android apps like Hold, Google Chat, YouTube Music, Lightroom and Todoist). That’s not distinctive, however until you actually have to be away from energy for lengthy durations frequently it needs to be adequate (particularly at this value).

As this Chromebook was simply launched this summer season, Google is promising software program and safety updates till June of 2035. (Should you’re nonetheless utilizing this laptop computer 10 years from now, I applaud you.) Given the combo of efficiency and functionality at this value level, Acer’s newest Chromebook Plus 514 is straightforward to advocate for anybody who needs a no-nonsense laptop computer. However if you happen to’re the sort of one that plans to make use of their Chromebook all day, every single day, you may wish to take into account our improve picks.

Execs

Comparatively compact and lightweight
Respectable efficiency and battery life for the value
Giant storage cap
Stable 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 reduce from a really related material as the usual 514 we advocate, however underneath the hood there are some main upgrades. It’s one of many first Chromebooks to make use of MediaTek’s Kompanio Extremely 910 chip, fairly than the usual Intel or AMD fare. This makes a significant distinction in how the Spin 514 performs. There are not one of the occasional slowdown or hiccups that also occur on Intel-based fashions you probably have too many home windows or apps open. Tabs hardly ever have to reload and pop again up shortly 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 return. There’s simply extra room for this chip to deal with growing efficiency calls for over time. 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 the whole story, however it’s illustrative of how performant this chip is.

This goes for AI-related duties, as properly – the MediaTek chip contains 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. Should you’re eager to attempt these types 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 usually lots for ChromeOS because it depends totally on the cloud. The keyboard, trackpad and touchscreen show are all wonderful, and battery life is outstanding. I obtained 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 one of the best laptop computer audio system I’ve ever heard, they’ve a considerably fuller tone that’s much less tinny. Sadly, I can’t decide the webcam at this level because the mannequin I reviewed didn’t have the ultimate webcam {hardware} in place. Mine has a regular 1080p digicam, however the last mannequin promoting in Greatest 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 seems in observe. That stated, the 1080p webcam on the pc I examined had stable colour steadiness and was lots sharp for my makes use of.

The mannequin I examined is promoting at Greatest Purchase for $700, a excessive value 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 value, however I wager most individuals will probably be proud of this mannequin. And whereas this laptop simply got here out, we’ll be maintaining a tally of Greatest Purchase to see if it will get any value reductions within the coming months, as a result of then it’ll be even simpler to advocate.

Execs

Nice battery life
Glorious efficiency
Stable keyboard, trackpad and show
Fairly skinny and lightweight for the value

Cons

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

$699 at Best Buy

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 units 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 have to 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 charge. 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 likely to be eager about making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.

It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120U chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop computer’s dimension, 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 could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and cozy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up stories. The trackpad is massive and responsive as properly.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t affirm the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll absolutely dip if you happen to’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet shopping. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who needs an even bigger Chromebook will possible 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 conserving my eye out to see if Acer updates this mannequin quickly or if there’s one other newer choose with an extended help window.

Execs

Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh charge
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 recognize the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Best Buy

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a wonderful laptop computer – but when I used to be going to select one Chromebook to make my main laptop, it might be Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14. To me, it feels just like the replace to Google’s own Pixelbook Go that we by no means obtained. Which means it’s skinny (0.62 inches), mild (2.75 kilos) and solidly constructed with out being terribly flashy. Nevertheless it feels much more fascinating 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 pleased to see it in the next decision, however I believe it strikes an excellent steadiness between sharpness and total high quality with out going to 4K the place battery life is likely to be 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 likely to be a matter of non-public desire 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 be much less liable 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, virtually 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 colour copy and a pointy image total. The audio system are additionally one of the best I’ve examined on this newest roundup, with spectacular music playback regardless of the laptop computer’s skinny dimension. 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 nice issues I needed to say about it apply right here as properly. It’s extraordinarily responsive in day after day use and will carry out properly for years to return; AI efficiency utilizing numerous Gemini instruments was additionally fairly snappy. And the Lenovo’s battery life is one of the best of any Chromebook I’ve examined, lasting over 14 hours in our video playback take a look at and about 10 hours of normal utilization throughout my typical workday.

General, the Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 14 are very related and you’ll’t go flawed with both in case you are in search of a high-quality laptop computer that’ll work properly now and into the long run. I worth the Lenovo’s OLED display screen, keyboard and higher audio system over the Spin’s 360-degree hinge, however your mileage might differ. For me, although, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is one of the best Chromebook you should purchase.

Execs

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

Cons

Costly
Small variety of ports

$749 at Best Buy

Greatest Chromebooks FAQs

What’s Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Home windows?

That is most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops available on the market, so why hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests many of the applications you’ll be able to run are internet 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 virtually as shortly.

In fact, simplicity can even be a significant downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker if you happen to’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do the vast majority 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 enhancing instruments to the Google Pictures app on Chromebooks – it gained’t exchange Adobe Premiere, however it needs to be useful 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 can even run Android apps, which enormously expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies broadly, however 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 normal enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do properly?

Put merely, internet shopping and actually something internet primarily based. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous social media websites are among the many commonest each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you may anticipate, in addition they work properly with Google providers like Pictures, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can try this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and secure platform.

As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you happen to’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will 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 in your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop computer to make use of cell information.

Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain shortly 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 reality 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.

Should you’re eager about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full 12 months of Google’s AI Pro 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. On condition that this plan is $20/month, it’s a fairly stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embrace instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Pictures Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in a number of prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: Should you rely closely on a particular native utility for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS system. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video enhancing, however it can be the case in regulation 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. Should you’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 shouldn’t be having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks usually are not 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 larger screens which have greater refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with providers like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these providers, however the excellent news is that enjoying trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unattainable. 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 wish 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 cupboard space. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any system with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d advocate most individuals get in the event that they’re in search of one of the best laptop computer they’ll use every single day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have no less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor, each of which needs 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 lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have no less than a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.

In fact, you will get greater specs or higher screens if you happen to want, however I’ve discovered that mainly all the things 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 nearly each Chromebook ever, however an excellent 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 checklist costs usually coming in underneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to a number of the finest laptops you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it’s best to anticipate to spend no less than $400 if you need a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market accessible at a low value which may be appropriate as secondary units, however an excellent Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even one of the best Chromebooks normally price lower than one of the best Home windows laptops, and even one of the 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 advocate spending that a lot. Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further cupboard space, like a higher-capacity SSD. In fact, you additionally typically pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally 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 choose for finest total Chromebook for years, and it’s nonetheless one of many higher choices you could find for a fundamental laptop computer that doesn’t break the financial institution. It’s a number of years older than our present high choose, 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 sometimes prices $500, which feels excessive given its a number of years previous and Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is just $350, but when you could find it on sale and may’t discover the Acer it’s price a glance.

ASUS CX15

This Chromebook is extraordinarily inexpensive – you’ll be able to at the moment choose it up for less than $159 at Walmart. That value and its massive 15.6-inch display screen is principally what it has going for it, because the Intel Celeron N4500 chip and 4GB of RAM powering it doesn’t present good efficiency if you happen to’re doing something greater than shopping with a number of tabs open. Should you’re searching for somebody with extraordinarily fundamental wants and have a small funds, the CX15 may 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 lightweight, at 0.46 inches and a couple of.6 kilos, however 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 facet ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is excellent, and the keyboard is stable, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts all the things to the left. At $700 it’s not low cost, however that feels truthful contemplating its dimension and capabilities. Should you’re in search of a giant display screen laptop computer that can be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.

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