Best Comptia A+ Study Guide (2026): 5 Compared

A help-desk hopeful staring at the CompTIA exam objectives needs a guide that matches the current test, which is where this best comptia a+ study guide list comes in. Five study guides are compared below for the A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams, on edition currency, practice material and format, with every figure taken from the listings.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	CompTIA A+ Study Guide by Hopperfield	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	CompTIA A+ Study Guide by Walker	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Security+ Certification Kit by Chapple	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A+ Complete Study Guide by Docter	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Network+ Study Guide by Lammle	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

CompTIA A+ Study Guide by Hopperfield

Hopperfield Education·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An exam-focused A+ study guide for Core 1 and Core 2 with an e-learning platform, exam simulations and IT case studies.

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Pros

• Covers 220-1201 and 220-1202
• 5,000+ question pool and 1,300+ flashcards
• 261 pages, published March 5, 2026

Cons

• Platform access terms not stated
• Shorter print length than the Exam Cram
• Video lessons cover study technique only

2

CompTIA A+ Study Guide by Walker

Shawn Walker·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An all-in-one A+ manual for Core 1 and Core 2 with labs, practical exercises and an AI trainer platform.

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Pros

• 1,200+ questions, 1,100+ flashcards, 60-question sessions
• Platform access does not expire
• Labs and exercises included

Cons

• 165 pages, shortest print length here
• Published June 30, 2025
• No answer key details stated

3

Security+ Certification Kit by Chapple

Mike Chapple·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits exam takers who want a study guide and a practice test book together; skip it if you want a single volume.

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Pros

• The description names a 9th Edition study guide and a 3rd Edition practice tests book
• The listing states one year of complimentary access to the Sybex online learning environment after activation
• The description says the study guide was completely revised to align with the latest exam objectives

Cons

• The spec table lists a 7th edition, which does not match the 9th and 3rd editions named in the description
• The listing gives two page counts, 704 pages and 1,008 pages, so check the count before you buy
• The listing shows two publication dates, November 2023 and January 11, 2024

4

A+ Complete Study Guide by Docter

Quentin Docter·9.2/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For readers taking the A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams, not Security+, in two volumes.

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Pros

• Two volumes cover the A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exams in one set
• Lists 1920 pages, a sixth edition and a complimentary online test bank
• The spec table states an audience level of Beginner

Cons

• Aimed at A+ exams, not Security+ SY0-701, so skip it for Security+ study
• At 1920 pages, it has the longest page count of all ten listings compared
• The listing says only hundreds of practice questions, with no exact count

5

Network+ Study Guide by Lammle

Todd Lammle·9.2/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For readers taking the Network+ N10-009 exam, not Security+, with domain-by-domain review.

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Pros

• Covers Network+ N10-009 objectives domain by domain, as the listing states
• Lists hundreds of practice questions, flashcards and a glossary of key terms
• Sixth edition dated May 7, 2024, with 1024 pages

Cons

• Covers Network+, not Security+ SY0-701, so skip it for a Security+ exam
• At 1024 pages, it is far longer than the Security+ books listed here
• The kit listing bundles this same guide, so buying both repeats content

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More picks to compare

• Quentin Docter A+ Certification KitStudy guide, practice tests and review guide bundle for both coresCheck on Amazon
• A2 Learning A+ Flashcards430+ flashcard deck for Core 1 and Core 2 reviewCheck on Amazon
• David Bayne A+ Exam CramCram-style review with four complete practice examsCheck on Amazon
• Audrey O'Shea A+ Practice TestsHundreds of domain-by-domain practice questions with online test bankCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five picks lists a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best comptia a+ study guide

Match the edition to the exam

Both full guides target Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). The Hopperfield was published March 5, 2026 and the Walker on June 30, 2025. See all certification exam prep lists for related exams.

Count the practice material

The Hopperfield platform draws on a pool of over 5,000 questions with 1,300+ flashcards; the Walker platform offers 1,200+ questions, 1,100+ flashcards and 60-question timed sessions. The Exam Cram in the more options adds four complete exams.

Pick the format that fits

The Walker listing says its platform access does not expire. The Hopperfield platform works across devices with video lessons on study technique. For the Security+ exam that often follows A+, see best study guide for security plus certification.

Before you buy

• Check the edition covers 220-1201 and 220-1202, the exam versions these listings target.
• Check whether the online platform access expires; the Walker listing says it does not.
• Check the print length against the study time available: 261 pages against 165 pages stated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which exam versions do these guides cover?

The Hopperfield and Walker guides both state Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), and the Docter 2-volume set states exams 220-1201 and 220-1202.

How many practice questions do the listings state?

The Hopperfield platform draws on a pool of over 5,000 questions; the Walker lists 1,200+ questions and 1,100+ flashcards. The Exam Cram in the more options includes four complete exams.

Are the Network+ and Security+ books A+ guides?

No. The Lammle book targets Network+ exam N10-009 and the Chapple kit targets Security+ exam SY0-701; both are listed here as next steps after A+.

Still deciding? Our top pickCompTIA A+ Study Guide by Hopperfield

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Related lists

See every licensing and certification list and all test prep lists.

More lists: security plus certification guides, CISSP books and security+ study guides.