The Best Laptops Under $500 in Canada (2026)
BestLaptop.ca Test Team
Reviewed and tested in-house · Updated 2026-06-08 · Test Bench 1.2
How we test →Under $500 in Canada you should set realistic expectations: a capable everyday machine for browsing, documents, and streaming. We focused on which models hold up best at this price.
We weight Canadian value and everyday usability above raw performance.
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Our picks at a glance
| Role | Laptop | Score | Price (CAD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) | 7.5 | $449 | Details |
| Best Mid-Range | ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 | 7.2 | $499 | Details |
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025)
Overall score
Test Bench 1.2
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025)
- Best for
- School, browsing, budget buyers
- Tested config
- MediaTek Kompanio Ultra, 8GB
- Price (CAD)
- $449
The Chromebook Plus 514 is an efficient, affordable Chromebook with very long battery life and a touchscreen. It is a strong pick for students who live in the browser and want all-day endurance under $500.
What it does well
- + Excellent battery life
- + Affordable
- + Touchscreen included
What it does poorly
- – ChromeOS app limits
- – Only 128GB storage
- – 8GB RAM
Who should buy it: Students who want an affordable, long-lasting browser-first laptop.
Who should skip it: Anyone who needs Windows or macOS apps or lots of storage.
Available at: Best Buy Canada, Amazon Canada, Walmart Canada
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Overall score
Test Bench 1.1
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
- Best for
- School, browsing, budget buyers
- Tested config
- Intel Core i3-1215U, 8GB
- Price (CAD)
- $499
The Chromebook Plus CX34 is a strong choice for students and budget buyers who live in a browser. It has good battery life and a usable keyboard for under $550. ChromeOS limits offline and pro software, so it is not for everyone.
What it does well
- + Affordable
- + Good battery life
- + Light and quiet
What it does poorly
- – ChromeOS app limits
- – Plastic build
- – Only 128GB storage
Who should buy it: Students and shoppers who mainly browse, write, and use web apps.
Who should skip it: Anyone who needs Windows or macOS software, or lots of local storage.
Available at: Best Buy Canada, Amazon Canada
How We Picked
We weight Canadian value and everyday usability above raw performance. We start with every laptop we have tested on our current Test Bench, then rank them by the scores most relevant to this use case. We adjust for Canadian street price and retailer availability, and we note where a laptop only makes sense when discounted.
We do not accept payment for placement. We buy or independently source the laptops we test. Read our editorial policy.
How We Test
Every laptop goes through the same standardized tests for display, performance, battery life, keyboard, build, thermals, and ports. We measure real battery life at a fixed brightness and report sustained performance, not just peak benchmarks.
How to Choose
Start with your main use case and budget, then prioritize the two or three categories that matter most. For most people that means battery life, display quality, and a comfortable keyboard. Use our results table to filter by the specs you care about, or our compare tool to weigh finalists side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptops under $500 in Canada?
Our top pick is the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025), which scored 7.5/10 in our testing. The Chromebook Plus 514 is an efficient, affordable Chromebook with very long battery life and a touchscreen. It is a strong pick for students who live in the browser and want all-day endurance under $500.
How did you choose these laptops?
We weight Canadian value and everyday usability above raw performance. We buy and test each laptop using our standardized Test Bench and factor in Canadian pricing and availability.
Are these prices in Canadian dollars?
Yes. All prices are in CAD and reflect current pricing at major Canadian retailers, which can change.
Compare these picks head-to-head
Still deciding between our top picks? These side-by-side comparisons break down the differences with our test data:
Real tests. Smarter laptop decisions.
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