Best Chromebooks (2026): Most Are Bad, but These Aren’t

I was pleased to see that the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 didn’t skimp on a poor-quality touchpad. This goes a long way in improving the experience of actually using the laptop every moment. I wasn’t annoyed every time I had to click and drag or select a piece of text. The biggest weakness of this one is undoubtedly the screen, which is true of almost every cheap Chromebook I’ve tested. The colors are ugly and desaturated, giving the whole thing a sickly green tint. It’s also not the sharpest in the world, as it spans 1,920 x 1,200 pixels on a large 16-inch screen. But in terms of usability and performance, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 offers excellent value for money, combining an Intel Core i3 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For a Chromebook often on sale for $350, this is a steal.

While we’re here, let’s go even cheaper, shall we? Asus has two inexpensive Chromebooks that I tested last year and were mildly impressed with. The Asus CX14 and CX15 Chromebooks. Note in the name that these are not “Chromebook Plus” models, meaning they can be configured with less RAM and storage, and even use less powerful processors. That’s exactly what you get on the cheaper configurations of the CX14 and CX15, which is how you sometimes get prices as low as $130. I definitely recommend the version with 8GB of RAM, but whichever one you choose, both the CX14 and the larger CX15 are mildly attractive laptops. You’d know that’s a high compliment if you’d seen how ugly Chromebooks of this price have been in the past.

With these, however, I appreciate the relatively thin bezels and chassis thickness, as well as the larger touchpad and comfortable keyboard. The CX15 even comes in a striking blue color. The touchpad isn’t great, nor is the screen. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, it suffers from poor color reproduction and only goes up to 250 nits of brightness. It also only has a 720p webcam, which makes video calls a bit difficult. But this will be true for almost all competitors (and there aren’t many).

Of the two models, I definitely prefer the CX14, as it doesn’t have a numpad or off-center touchpad, which I’ve always found difficult to use. Listen, no one will love using a computer that costs less than $200, but if that’s what you can afford, the Asus Chromebook CX14 will at least let you get away with it without too much frustration.

Whatever you do, don’t just go to Amazon and buy any old $100 Chromebook for your child. It’s worth spending more to get something with better battery life, a more modern look, and decent performance.

Other good Chromebooks we tested

We’ve tested dozens and dozens of Chromebooks over the past few years, reviewing every major release across the entire price range. Unlike Mac and Windows laptops, Chromebooks tend to last a little longer and don’t refresh as often. I stand by my picks above, but here are a few standouts from our testing that are still worth buying for the right person.

Photography: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster