The best Chromebooks for kids are durable, easy to use and inexpensive. Budding young tech wizards need a safe but accessible framework to learn and develop in the new digital age, and this is where the Chromebook comes in.
The best student laptops will normally be one of these simple sleek notebooks. The Back To School 2023 season is here, we're going to help you figure out which one would be best for you and your child.
Chromebooks are essentially laptops, after all; they simply run on a different – if more lightweight – operating system, ChromeOS. You can count on us to share our computing wisdom, and that’s what we’re here to do. For your perusing pleasure, here are the best Chromebooks for kids in 2023.
There aren’t a lot of Chromebooks out there that can surpass the Acer Chromebook Spin 311’s price to performance ratio, let alone add a great feature set to the mix. This is not just among the best Chromebooks out there; it’s one of the best value ones as well, offering that coveted 2-in-1 design, excellent touchscreen functionality, a 720p HDR webcam, and a USB-C port for a price of entry that’s less than those of its rivals. That design is great too, as are its keyboard and touchpad, which are surprisingly satisfying to use.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 holds the top spot not just in this list but is also the number one recommendation on our best laptops for students. This is one of the best-value Chromebooks out there, boasting excellent touchscreen functionality that'll help your kids get adjusted very quickly. A simple but efficient design offers an intuitive touchpad that'll be easy for little ones to navigate, and a satisfying keyboard for them to work on.
Parents will appreciate the built-in malware protection of ChromeOS and this Chromebook’s 15-hour battery life while the kids will appreciate its light 2.31-pound weight, because no child enjoys carrying a heavy backpack around. Finally, while Acer hasn’t shared any rugged ratings, this is a robust piece of kit, which everyone will appreciate.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 311
One of the best looking Chromebooks is also among the most premium ones. The Google Pixelbook Go may be Google’s most affordably-priced offering, but as far as student Chromebooks go, it still costs a fortune. It’s might not the best option for the younger kids. Middle and high school kids, however, will love that stylish chassis that they can show off to their friends and peers. Plus, it's simple but sturdy and can definitely take a beating or two.
That being said, for a premium offering, there are some missing premium features here: a biometric login, perhaps. Yet there’s still plenty to love here.
You’re getting a premium Chromebook experience as well, its excellent performance is only matched by its amazing silent keyboard that delivers a hushed operation and very satisfying feedback. Since tweens and teens can’t help but stay in touch with friends, they’ll love that 1080p webcam – a feature that will defiantly come in handy for online classes or catching up with friends.
Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Go
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is super affordable and the perfect choice for younger kids or students who are just starting their computing journey. You can grab this bad boy for a little over $200 in the US now, with a similar price across most other places. For that price, you'll be guaranteed super long battery life, a touchscreen with a hinge for collaborative work or tablet use and a pretty sturdy chassis.
It might not measure up to the higher-end Chromebooks out there, but it's a perfect first laptop that'll take pretty much whatever your little one has to throw at it. Plus, swapping between laptop and tablet mode gives you a 2-in-1 benefit of having just one device to learn on, and another to play games and watch films on.
Read the full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
The HP Chromebook x360 maxes out at more than $700, but that’s only if you want the works, internal-wise. While high school students might benefit from such higher configurations, they’re probably more than what the younger kids need. But, that’s exactly what makes this Chromebook from HP great – it comes in several configurations that tout various levels of power and three different screen sizes. That means that there are several options to choose from. Whatever grade your kid is in, there’s something in this line you’ll deem worthy.
As for the fun stuff, it has a great screen with touch and stylus support... if you want to give your creative child a little extra, that is. The stylus may not be included in the price of the Chromebook, but it’s an excellent addition if someone in your family dabbles in art or design (or really if they just want to be cool and take notes in class sans wasteful paper).
Read the full review: HP Chromebook x360
Drops, spills, and bumps are a kids’ laptop’s worst nightmare, and if you’re dealing with a particularly rowdy or accident-prone child, the Asus Chromebook Flip C214 is among the best Chromebooks for kids. This clamshell is designed to take a beating, with an all-round rubber bumper, a chassis that’s scratch-resistant, a keyboard that’s spill-resistant, and hinges that will probably outlive your kid’s childhood days.
The two USB-C ports, stylus support and touchscreen, 2-in-1 design, and long battery life are mere – though still much appreciated – icing on the cake. Need more? It even has two cameras – on above the screen and one below the keyboard that’s meant to be world-facing when it’s in tablet mode.
