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The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hunter·May 24, 2026

Best Chromebooks Under $500

Top 5 Chromebooks under $500 reviewed and ranked for performance, display, battery, and value.

Quick answer

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is our top pick for chromebooks under $500 — an averaged 4.6/5 across 3 published reviews at about $599.99. Runner-up: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (~$409).

Read the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review →$599.99 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook PlusTop Score
(3 sources)
$599.99Best for: Buyers who want one versatile device for work, school, and entertainment, with a premium feel and tablet mode at a mid-range price.
$599.99 · Check Price on Amazon
2ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
(3 sources)
$409Best for: Students and hybrid workers who prioritize all-day battery life and fast multitasking in a no-fuss clamshell.
$409 · Check Price on Amazon
3Acer Chromebook Plus 514
(3 sources)
$395Best for: Buyers who store a lot of files locally or want the most storage and speed per dollar in a lightweight clamshell.
$395 · Check Price on Amazon
4HP Chromebook Plus 14a
(3 sources)
$359.95Best for: Buyers who prioritize a comfortable keyboard and a tough, cool-running chassis for basic schoolwork and browsing.
$359.95 · Check Price on Amazon
5ASUS Chromebook CX15
(3 sources)
$269.99Best for: Budget buyers and households who need a cheap, large-screen second laptop for casual browsing, streaming, and light tasks.
$269.99 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Pcworld.comTomsguide.comItpro.comTechradar.comNotebookcheck.netPcmag.comLaptopmag.comLon.tv

The full ranking

How we rank →
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
#1 · Top Score
Best for: Buyers who want one versatile device for work, school, and entertainment, with a premium feel and tablet mode at a mid-range price.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
from 3 sources$599.99as of Jun 7

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the best all-around Chromebook under $500. It pairs a genuinely premium aluminum 2-in-1 chassis with a bright 1200p touchscreen, a quick Core i3 processor, and the Chromebook Plus feature tier. Reviewers across Tom's Guide, PCWorld, and Laptop Mag praised its build, display, and performance for the money, and PCWorld handed it an Editors' Choice award. Battery life is merely good rather than great, but as a do-everything pick it leads the field.

Strengths
  • — Premium-feeling aluminum chassis with a sturdy 360-degree convertible hinge
  • — Bright, crisp 14-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen with a roomy 16:10 aspect ratio
Watch-outs
  • — Battery life is good but not class-leading at around nine hours
  • — No included stylus despite the 2-in-1 tablet mode
$599.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 →
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
#2
Best for: Students and hybrid workers who prioritize all-day battery life and fast multitasking in a no-fuss clamshell.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
from 3 sources$409as of Jun 7

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the endurance and performance champion under $500. PCWorld clocked over 13 hours of battery and praised its fast multi-core Intel CPU, generous ports, and comfortable keyboard, awarding it an Editors' Choice. PCMag rates it 80% and calls it an excellent pick around $400. Its 16:9 1080p display is solid rather than special and the chassis is plainer than the Lenovo, but for stamina and speed per dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Exceptional battery life, over 13 hours in PCWorld's test at low brightness
  • — Strong performance from Intel Core i5/i3 options with up to 10 cores
Watch-outs
  • — 16:9 1080p display is competent but no longer stands out
  • — PCMag noted it lost some ground on battery versus the prior generation in heavier use
$409 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus →
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
#3
Best for: Buyers who store a lot of files locally or want the most storage and speed per dollar in a lightweight clamshell.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
from 3 sources$395as of Jun 7

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the storage-and-value pick: a light 14-inch clamshell with a standout 512GB SSD, snappy Intel Core i3-N305 performance, Wi-Fi 6E, and all-day battery. PCWorld called it a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage and felt as quick as pricier peers, while TechRadar praised its speed, display, and sleek design. The screen is a touch dim, but for local storage per dollar nothing here comes close.

Strengths
  • — Huge 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, far more local storage than rivals
  • — Feels as quick as pricier peers in everyday ChromeOS tasks
Watch-outs
  • — Display tops out around 315 nits and can look dim in bright rooms
  • — 16:9 1080p panel is less spacious than the Lenovo's 16:10 screen
$395 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus →
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
#4
Best for: Buyers who prioritize a comfortable keyboard and a tough, cool-running chassis for basic schoolwork and browsing.
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
from 3 sources$359.95as of Jun 7

The HP Chromebook Plus 14a is a sturdy, comfortable everyday Chromebook with a standout keyboard and cool-running design, all in the Chromebook Plus tier. Laptop Mag praised its build and typing experience but flagged a below-average display and middling i3-N305 performance. It is a dependable, no-drama clamshell for basic productivity and browsing, but it is outclassed on screen, storage, and speed by the higher picks here, landing it fourth.

Strengths
  • — Surprisingly comfortable, satisfying keyboard for the price
  • — Sturdy chassis that feels ready for daily commuting and school bags
Watch-outs
  • — Intel Core i3-N305 performance trails the best at the price
  • — 14-inch 1080p display is dimmer and duller than average
$359.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus →
ASUS Chromebook CX15
#5
Best for: Budget buyers and households who need a cheap, large-screen second laptop for casual browsing, streaming, and light tasks.
ASUS Chromebook CX15
from 3 sources$269.99as of Jun 7

The ASUS Chromebook CX15 is the budget pick: a 15.6-inch ChromeOS laptop that often sells around $159-199, with a crisp matte 1080p display, a decent keyboard, and about 11 hours of battery. Reviewers are clear about the trade-offs, PCWorld (78%) and Tom's Guide (80%) both call it good value but slow, and the entry-level 4GB RAM bogs down under multitasking. As a minimum-viable, casual-use Chromebook it delivers a lot for the money, but it is the slowest option here.

Strengths
  • — Outstanding value, often around $159-199
  • — Large 15.6-inch 1080p matte display that resists glare
Watch-outs
  • — Entry configs ship with only 4GB of RAM, which fills up fast
  • — Celeron N4500 is slow once you open more than a few tabs
$269.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecLenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook PlusASUS Chromebook Plus CX34Acer Chromebook Plus 514HP Chromebook Plus 14aASUS Chromebook CX15
CPUIntel Core i3-1315UIntel Core i5-1335U (i3 option available)Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)Intel Celeron N4500 (2-core)
RAM8GB8GB8GB LPDDR58GB4GB-8GB LPDDR5X (config dependent)
Storage128GB eMMC128GB SSD512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD128GB UFS128GB eMMC
Display14" 1920x1200 IPS touch, 300 nits14" 1920x1080 touchscreen, 16:914" 1920x1080 IPS, 60Hz touch14" 1920x1080, 16:915.6" 1920x1080 matte IPS
Weight3.52 lb3.17 lb3.15 lb3.2 lb3.51 lb
Battery~9 hoursUp to 13+ hours50Wh, all-day~8 hours 50 minutes42Wh, ~11 hours
OSChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS
Ports—USB-C, USB-A, HDMI——USB-C, USB-A, HDMI

Frequently asked questions

What is the best chromebooks under $500?
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is our top pick for chromebooks under $500, with an averaged rating of 4.6/5 from 3 published reviews. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the best all-around Chromebook under $500. It pairs a genuinely premium aluminum 2-in-1 chassis with a bright 1200p touchscreen, a quick Core i3 processor, and the Chromebook Plus feature tier. Reviewers across Tom's Guide, PCWorld, and Laptop Mag praised its build, display, and performance for the money, and PCWorld handed it an Editors' Choice award. Battery life is merely good rather than great, but as a do-everything pick it leads the field.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
ASUS Chromebook CX15 (around $269.99) rates 3.9/5 in our analysis. The ASUS Chromebook CX15 is the budget pick: a 15.6-inch ChromeOS laptop that often sells around $159-199, with a crisp matte 1080p display, a decent keyboard, and about 11 hours of battery. Reviewers are clear about the trade-offs, PCWorld (78%) and Tom's Guide (80%) both call it good value but slow, and the entry-level 4GB RAM bogs down under multitasking. As a minimum-viable, casual-use Chromebook it delivers a lot for the money, but it is the slowest option here.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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