PickedTech
Buying guide

Best Chromebooks of 2026

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best Chromebook for most people at about $440–$450. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is PCMag’s premium pick, and Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 is the best convertible.

By PickedTech Editorial TeamLast updated Prices & specs checked Oct 2026

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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best Chromebook for most people at about $440–$450. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is PCMag’s premium pick, and Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 is the best convertible. Best for most people: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, $439.99. Best premium: Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, $749. Best 2-in-1: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14, $524.

Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Oct 2026)
PickProductBest forPrice
Best for most peopleASUS Chromebook Plus CX34most people$439.99–$449
Best premiumAcer Chromebook Plus Spin 714a premium Chromebook$749
Best 2-in-1Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14a 2-in-1$524
Best big screenSamsung Galaxy Chromebook Plusthe best screen and battery$774.99

This list draws on Wirecutter’s[1] Chromebook guide and PCMag’s[2], both updated October 2026, with prices checked October 2026. Chromebook Plus models meet Google’s minimum specs for better performance and AI features. For Windows and Mac options at similar prices, see best laptops under $500 and best laptops for college students.

Which should you buy? Our quick picks

Best for most people
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Wirecutter’s top pick; ~$440–$449
Check price (opens in a new tab)
PCMag’s top pick; $749
Check price (opens in a new tab)
$524 at Amazon
Check price (opens in a new tab)
AMOLED; $774.99
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How do they compare?

Chromebook prices (Wirecutter, PCMag; Oct 2026)
ChromebookPrice seenScreenPickBest for
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34$449 (Walmart); $439.99 (PCMag)14-inch 1080p touchWirecutter top pick; PCMag budgetMost people
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714$74914-inch convertiblePCMag best for most peopleA premium Chromebook
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14$524 (Amazon, 256GB)14-inch convertibleWirecutter 2-in-1 pickA 2-in-1
Acer Chromebook Plus 516$649 (Best Buy)16-inchWirecutter big-screen pickA bigger screen on a budget
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus$774.9915.6-inch AMOLEDPCMag big-screen pickThe best screen and battery
Lenovo Chromebook Duet (Gen 9)$599.99Detachable tabletPCMag detachable pickA tablet that’s also a laptop

The picks in detail

Best for most people

1. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Best for: most people

Wirecutter’s[1] top pick has an Intel Core 3 100U, a 14-inch 1080p matte touchscreen, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It weighs 3.15 pounds and lasted 9.5 hours in Wirecutter’s battery test. PCMag[2] also picks it as its budget choice. It doesn’t fold into a tablet, and the speakers are poor.

Price (Oct 2026): $439.99–$449 Source

Pros

  • Fast for the price
  • Matte 1080p touchscreen
  • 9.5-hour battery (Wirecutter)

Cons

  • No 360-degree hinge
  • Poor speakers
  • Some chassis flex (PCMag)
Check ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 price (opens in a new tab)
Best premium

2. Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

Best for: a premium Chromebook

PCMag’s[2] best Chromebook for most people has an Intel Core Ultra chip and on-device Gemini features in a convertible design. It costs $749, and the pen isn’t included.

Price (Oct 2026): $749 Source

Pros

  • Core Ultra performance
  • Convertible design
  • On-device AI features

Cons

  • Pen sold separately
  • Pricey for a Chromebook
Check Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 price (opens in a new tab)
Best 2-in-1

3. Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14

Best for: a 2-in-1

Wirecutter’s[1] 2-in-1 pick is fast and has long battery life. It was $524 at Amazon with 256GB of storage. It’s pricey and heavy for a Chromebook.

Price (Oct 2026): $524 Source

Pros

  • Fast
  • Long battery life
  • Folds into a tablet

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Pricey
Check Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14 price (opens in a new tab)
Best for a bigger screen on a budget

4. Acer Chromebook Plus 516

Best for: a bigger screen on a budget

Wirecutter’s[1] big-screen pick has a 16-inch display and was $649 at Best Buy.

Price (Oct 2026): $649 Source

Pros

  • 16-inch screen

Cons

  • Bulkier to carry
Check Acer Chromebook Plus 516 price (opens in a new tab)
Best big screen

5. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Best for: the best screen and battery

PCMag’s[2] big-screen pick has a 15.6-inch AMOLED display and class-leading battery life. It costs $774.99. The screen isn’t a touchscreen.

Price (Oct 2026): $774.99 Source

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • Class-leading battery life (PCMag)

Cons

  • No touchscreen
  • Expensive
Check Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus price (opens in a new tab)
Best for a tablet that’s also a laptop

6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet (Gen 9)

Best for: a tablet that’s also a laptop

PCMag’s[2] detachable pick is a tablet with a keyboard cover for $599.99. Performance is middling. For tablets, see best tablets for students.

Price (Oct 2026): $599.99 Source

Pros

  • Detachable keyboard
  • Portable

Cons

  • Middling performance
Check Lenovo Chromebook Duet (Gen 9) price (opens in a new tab)

Also considered

Dell Chromebook 14: PCMag’s[2] classroom pick at $569; its TN display has poor viewing angles.

CTL Chromebook Plus PX141GXT: PCMag’s business pick at $699.

Chromebook vs Chromebook Plus

Chromebook Plus models meet Google’s higher minimum specs, including a 1080p screen and more RAM and storage, and they get extra Google AI features. Every main pick here is a Chromebook Plus except the Lenovo Duet.

Should you get a Chromebook?

Chromebooks suit web apps, Google Docs and streaming, and they’re easy to manage for kids and schools. If you need Windows-only software or games, see best laptops under $500 or best laptops under $700.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Chromebook?
Wirecutter[1] picks the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34. PCMag[2] picks the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and calls the CX34 its budget pick.
What is the best 2-in-1 Chromebook?
Wirecutter[1] picks the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 14-inch. PCMag’s[2] top pick, the Acer Spin 714, is also a convertible.
Are Chromebooks good for college?
For web-based coursework, yes. Check your program’s software needs first; see best laptops for college students.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. Wirecutter: The best Chromebooks (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
  2. PCMag: The best Chromebooks (Oct 2026) (pcmag.com)
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