Best Chromebooks of 2026

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 represents a significant upgrade to an already award-winning line, delivering a premium ChromeOS experience powered by Intel's Core Ultra 5 115U processor. This 2-in-1 convertible features a 14-inch WUXGA touchscreen, 360-degree hinge design, and integration with Google's Gemini AI features. Reviewers consistently praise its exceptional keyboard, impressive battery life exceeding 15 hours, and solid build quality. The device targets students and professionals who need reliable web-based productivity with the flexibility of tablet mode. While it delivers strong performance for everyday tasks and stands as one of the best Chromebooks available, the tinny speakers and higher-than-average price point represent notable compromises.

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus represents a compelling entry in Google's Chromebook Plus tier, delivering hardware specifications that exceed baseline Chromebook standards while maintaining affordability. This 2-in-1 convertible features a 14-inch touchscreen with a productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio, Intel Core i3-1315U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, qualifying it for Google's enhanced AI features. The device balances performance, versatility, and build quality, earning recognition from multiple reviewers as an ideal choice for students, remote workers, and budget-conscious consumers seeking a flexible computing platform. While the Flex 5i excels in everyday productivity tasks and offers a comfortable typing experience, it makes deliberate compromises in areas such as battery longevity, material construction, and accessory inclusion to achieve its competitive positioning.

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 represents a significant advancement in budget-friendly Chrome OS computing, offering double the performance standards previously expected in this category. This 14-inch laptop delivers responsive everyday performance through Intel Core processors, ample connectivity options, and Google's Chromebook Plus features including built-in AI capabilities. The device targets students, home users, and business professionals who need a reliable machine for web-based productivity without requiring Windows or macOS-specific applications. While it faces minor limitations in battery endurance and display aspect ratio, the CX34 establishes itself as a compelling option through its comfortable keyboard, touchscreen capability, and military-grade durability testing.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus represents a significant evolution in ChromeOS hardware, combining ultraportable design with premium materials and display technology. At just 11.8mm thick and weighing 2.45 pounds, this 15.6-inch Chromebook claims the title of thinnest and lightest in its category. Samsung equips the device with a stunning AMOLED display, Intel Core 3 processor, and dedicated Google AI integration through a new Quick Insert key. Professional reviewers consistently praise its build quality and performance, with PCMag awarding it an Editors' Choice recognition for premium clamshell Chromebooks. The device targets users seeking Windows ultrabook-level construction without leaving the ChromeOS ecosystem, though its premium positioning places it well above typical Chromebook pricing.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 emerges as a compelling budget Chromebook that delivers meaningful value through thoughtful component selection rather than flashy features. With configurations offering either Intel Core i3-N305 or AMD Ryzen processors, 8GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 128GB to an impressive 512GB SSD, this device addresses the common shortcomings that plague many budget Chromebooks. The 14-inch WUXGA display delivers sharp visuals, and the comprehensive port selection including dual USB-C and dual USB-A connections provides flexibility rarely seen at this tier. While compromises exist in display brightness, speaker quality, and keyboard refinement, the Chromebook Plus 514 demonstrates that budget devices can prioritize the fundamentals that matter most for productivity and daily use.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 represents a refined iteration of Lenovo's popular detachable Chromebook series, offering a compelling blend of portability and functionality in an ultralight package. This 2-in-1 device pairs an 11-inch touchscreen tablet with a detachable folio keyboard and kickstand, weighing just over one pound as a tablet and two pounds fully assembled. The Gen 9 model features an all-metal aluminum chassis with Corning glass, a significant upgrade from earlier plastic-heavy iterations, while maintaining the affordability that made the Duet line popular. With a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and Chrome OS optimizations, it handles web browsing, document editing, and media consumption with competence, though it clearly targets users with modest computing needs rather than power users.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook stands as an impressive evolution in Chrome OS tablets, combining a brilliant 13.3-inch OLED display with genuine all-day battery life in a versatile 2-in-1 package. While its Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor won't satisfy power users, the device excels at web browsing, content consumption, and light productivity tasks that define mainstream computing. The included keyboard and kickstand transform this tablet into a legitimate laptop replacement for students and casual users, though its detachable design brings inherent stability compromises compared to traditional clamshell Chromebooks. With software updates guaranteed until 2029, premium build quality typically reserved for higher-priced devices, and an OLED panel that punches well above its weight class, the Duet 5 represents exceptional value for users who understand its performance boundaries.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 represents one of the most affordable entries in Google's Chromebook Plus initiative, bringing 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core processors to a large-screen Chrome OS device at a competitive price point. Equipped with an Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 15.6-inch Full HD display, this laptop targets students, remote workers, and everyday users who need reliable web-based productivity without the premium price tag. While it excels at multitasking and offers a spacious typing experience with a responsive touchpad, it makes concessions in display brightness and battery endurance that position it as a practical rather than premium choice.

The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition represents an ambitious fusion of repairability philosophy and ChromeOS simplicity. Powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1240P processor with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, this modular Chromebook delivers strong performance alongside a distinctive 3:2 aspect ratio QHD display at 400+ nits brightness. The laptop's defining feature is its complete modularity: expansion cards slot into four Thunderbolt 4 ports, allowing users to customize which ports appear and where, while internal components like RAM and storage can be upgraded to 64GB and 1TB respectively. Framework constructed the chassis from 50 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum with recyclable packaging and carbon-offset shipping. Build quality exceeds typical Chromebook standards, with reviewers consistently praising the aluminum construction, excellent keyboard, and precision trackpad. However, the device carries a premium price point for a Chromebook and omits features common at this tier, including touchscreen support and a fingerprint sensor. Battery life tests reveal 6.5 to 10 hours depending on usage, falling short of many competing Chromebooks that regularly deliver 10 to 13 hours. ChromeOS updates are guaranteed through June 2030, providing seven years of software support from its late 2022 launch.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 represents a meaningful evolution from its predecessor, addressing key performance shortcomings while maintaining the compact form factor that made the original popular. Built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, this detachable 2-in-1 delivers sufficient performance for everyday ChromeOS tasks while maintaining excellent battery life. The included keyboard and kickstand eliminate the need for expensive add-ons, and the bright 2K display provides sharp visuals in a portable package. However, the compact size that enables portability also creates compromises in typing comfort and screen real estate for multitasking.