The best Chromebooks for students are portable and powerful enough to take to class. They are also affordable so that they won’t break the bank.
You’re lucky if you are looking for the best Chromebooks that are more affordable than comparable Windows laptops or MacBooks. A quality Chromebook will usually be more than enough to meet the needs of students, without creating unnecessary distractions in the classroom.
A Chromebook has many benefits, including a battery life that is comparable to the best laptop and touchscreen displays that are HD or better that allow for interactive learning that is intuitive and easy for younger students.
Chromebooks are a great choice for older students. They offer powerful, connected devices that can be used to sync student work to cloud storage.
Believe it or not, kids, this happened before cloud storage was even a thing.
There are many options for students and their families. Not every Chromebook is the right one for them. We’ve tried many Chromebooks over the years and have compiled our top picks to help you and the family compare your options and choose the best Chromebook for you.
How to test and select the best Chromebooks for students
We don’t usually set out to test how Chromebooks will perform in different educational environments. There is just too much to know about education. We do however test a Chromebook’s performance, battery life, features, and functionality. And we evaluate its design with an eye toward the type of user it is intended to serve.
We use the Chromebook in our daily work to run benchmarks to determine performance relative to other models, and to gauge its average battery life through multiple tests.
It’s a great Chromebook for college students and teens if it’s capable of being used by a tech journalist. While some Chromebooks with lower specs are not suitable for working adults, we can still assess its basic functionality, durability, and that is what a young child requires from a Chromebook.
We can trust that the device will be able to meet the needs of students younger than us if it has sufficient battery life and is reasonably priced.
Our experts select the best Chromebooks for students
The Acer Chromebook 314 is a close contender to the perfect Chromebook. (Image credit: Acer)
1. Acer Chromebook 314
Overall, the best Chromebook for students
Specifications
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 14 inch LED (1333 x 768) high definition
Storage: 32GB eMMC
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There are many reasons to buy
+Exceptional battery life and performance+Bright, crisp display
Avoidable reasons
-No touchscreen average power
Imagine your ideal school Chromebook. Even if it isn’t the Acer Chromebook 314, it’s close enough, especially considering its price. It is not surprising that Acer knows how to make the best Chromebooks for students.
The processor is the only weakness, especially considering the price. However, the Celeron 1.1GHz Celeron works well for general school work as well as research. The only 4GB memory means that it will struggle to handle many Chrome tabs. However, even the most powerful laptops have trouble with too many Chrome tabs.
We are impressed that a Full HD 1080p LCD display is available at such a low price. However, the 314 range does not offer touch, which could limit your Android app usage if you need it. Acer claims a battery life of up to 14 hours. We recorded 13 hours in our tests. This makes this an excellent choice for students who need to get through school.
Read the Acer Chromebook 314, review
The HP Chromebook x360 12 is tougher than it looks. (Image credit: HP)
2. HP Chromebook x360 12″
A Chromebook too cool to be used in school
Specifications
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB
Screen: : 12-inch HD (1333 x 921 3/22)
Storage: 32GB SSD
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There are many reasons to buy
+3:2 aspect ratio is good for productivity+Excellent value
Avoidable reasons
-Average battery lifetime-Just HD display
The HP Chromebook x360 range was designed for education markets. This Chromebook x360 range is also designed for students on a tight budget so it won’t drain your pencil funds too much.
The dependable, affordable 1.1GHz Intel N4000 processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage keep costs low. The 12-inch touchscreen makes it light and portable but still very usable.
Although the 1366×921 HD resolution is the main problem, it’s balanced by a 3 to 2 ratio which makes browsing and writing more enjoyable. The tablet folds into a tablet and has a wide range of ports. It also includes an additional stylus. It’s also quite funky for such a low price so teens won’t be embarrassed to use it with their frenemies and friends.
Read the HP Chromebook 360 12b full review
(Image credit: )
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
This Chromebook-tablet hybrid is the best for students
Specifications
CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor
Graphics ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X
Screen: 10.1″ FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 400 nits
Storage: 64 GB of eMMC
+Portable and lightweight+Long battery life+Very economical
Avoidable reasons
Small keyboards will not be an issue for many- Might not be as powerful and useful as advanced university students.
Do you remember when tablets would take over the world with their revolutionary capabilities? That might still be possible with the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Googlebook!
This hybrid tablet/snap on keyboard design is perfect for students and classrooms. It allows for easy tablet browsing, quick Netflix watching, and still has a keyboard for when you are in need.
It boasts a powerful ARM processor, which can run for 21 hours (yes, you read that right), and is an amazing computer package. Although the trackpad and keyboard are a little sloppy, you still get the stunning Full HD+ display. The best part is that it comes at a very affordable price.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is incredibly responsive. (Image credit: Acer)
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 713
The Chromebook for students with the best performance
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i5 11th Gen
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 13.5″ (2256 x 1504) 3:2 Touchscreen
Flash memory storage: 256GB
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There are many reasons to buy
+Great performance and powerful specs+Gorgeous touchscreen display
Avoidable reasons
No physical privacy shutters for webcams
Evo-certification is not a common feature on Chromebooks, but the Acer Chromebook Spin713 is. This certification signifies that this portable meets a higher standard due to its 11th gen i5 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphic and 8GB RAM. The 13.5-inch screen is also higher than the 1080p screen most laptops come with. The Spin 713 isn’t the most attractive looking portable available. It also lacks some expected features, such as a privacy shutter for its webcam. These flaws can be overlooked when you consider how great everything else is.
The Acer Chromebook 714 is a premium and seriously solid chassis. (Image credit: Acer)
5. Acer Chromebook 714
The best Chromebook for students that is durable
Specifications
CPU: Intel Pentium 4417U – Intel Core i5-8350U
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics610 – UHD Graphics620
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 14′ Full HD (1920×1080) 16/9 – 14′ Full HD (1920×1080) 16/9 Touchscreen
Storage: Flash memory 32GB to 64GB
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There are many reasons to buy
+Seriously solid chassis made of metal+Long battery life
Avoidable reasons
-Slightly out of date styling – Keyboard a little mushy
Acer Chromebook 714 is the best Chromebook for students in recent years. It has a sturdy chassis and is highly recommended by those who want more power and durability.
Although it’s not very fashionable, its decent performance and long battery life make up for the lack of fashion sense. These are even more essential if you are working with your classmates, doing homework, or streaming a favorite TV episode at lunch.
The quad-core processor is capable of light content creation tasks. This makes it an excellent choice for film and photography students with limited budgets.
Read the Acer Chromebook714 review
The Dell Chromebook 3100 is solid and has a long battery life. (Image credit: Dell)
6. Dell Chromebook 3100
Best Dell Chromebook for Students
Specifications
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 1.GHz
Graphics with Intel HD Graphics
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 11.6 inches HD screen (1366×768) (optional touch).
Storage: 16GB to 32GB SSD
There are many reasons to buy
+Standard and durable+Long battery life
Avoidable reasons
-Can be slow-Heavy due to its small size
Dell offers a line of Chromebooks for education. The lowest-end Chromebook is the Dell Chromebook 3100 series. The next step up is the Dell Chromebook3400 line.
This entry-level model from Dell embraces functional design. It’s not a Chromebook that will excite but it can be used to educate. Its rugged design with strong hinges and long battery life are two big pluses.
The 2020 model comes with an updated Intel Celeron N4020 processor at 1.1GHz and 4GB of memory. The 16GB storage is not enough and the screen size of 1366×768 is very poor. You should also ensure that you have the touch screen if you want the best Android apps.
View the complete review: Dell Chromebook3100
Students will appreciate the Acer Chromebook 15’s larger display. (Image credit: Acer)
7. Acer Chromebook 15
This Chromebook is the best for students.
Specifications
CPU: Intel Pentium N4200
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 505
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 15.6 inches, FHD (1.920 x 1.080).
Storage: 32GB eMMC
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There are many reasons to buy
+Amazing battery life+Lovely large screen
Avoidable reasons
-Maybe too big -Not the best touchpad
The Acer Chromebook 15, which has a 15.6-inch larger display, has a lot to be loved.
First, the display is IPS, Full HD and touch enabled. However, you need to consider the additional weight that lugging it around will add.
The budget Intel Pentium processor impressed us as it was able to keep up with our needs, which is a significant improvement over the Celeron models. The 14-hour battery run time that we measured could be the best thing about the student Chromebook.
View the Acer Chrombook 15 review
The Asus Chromebook Flip balances portability, size and weight. (Image credit: Asus)
8. Asus Chromebook Flip C436
This 2-in-1 Chromebook is the best for students
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i3-10110U
Graphics with Intel HD Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 14 inch Full HD (1920×108).
Storage: 128GB SSD
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There are many reasons to buy
+Good performance+Premium build
Avoidable reasons
Average battery life – Not very robust
The Asus Flip has existed for almost as long Chromebooks, and each version has remained a solid yet stylish workhorse. This Flip C436 update replaces the magnesium-clad chassis and adds the latest 10th-gen Intel CPU.
This Chromebook is the perfect student Chromebook. It has plenty of storage and memory, so you can do your classwork quickly. You also have a 2-in-1 format for taking notes and reading assignments. Its 14-inch screen balances size, weight, and portability perfectly.
Although it is costly, you do get a lot of value for your money. But is this the right thing to gift a child in school? It’s unlikely, but it will be a great Chromebook for college-level work.
Read the complete Asus Chromebook Flip CR436 review
How to choose the best Chromebook for students
It can be difficult to determine which Chromebook your child requires if you don’t know much about Chromebooks. It is vital that your child has the right tools to succeed in school.
There are some key factors to remember when shopping for a Chromebook for students.
For younger students (i.e. in primary, elementary and middle school), focus on durability and price. These kids will be very happy with the Chromebook so don’t worry if it’s too expensive. As long as it can withstand a child’s negligence, it’s okay. These specs are irrelevant as schools will be teaching lessons to the Chromebooks with the lowest power and least expensive. Higher specs will not be an option.
Secondary/High School Your child will likely need something stronger than a school-issued Chromebook. They’ll be researching, writing papers, and maybe even editing videos using web apps. You should consider getting at least an Intel Celeron or AMD Athlon processor. However, if you have the budget, an Intel Core i3 processor or an AMD Ryzen 3 CPU, that will be a great option. If your child is required to use third-party apps or school-provided apps, 8GB RAM is a good option.
If your child or you are heading to university, now might be the right time to get a Chromebook that is more powerful. It can carry you through four years of undergraduate studies. You should aim for an Intel Core i5 processor or AMD Ryzen 5 processor with at least 64GB- 128GB actual SSD storage and a minimum 8GB RAM. You might pay twice as much for a Chromebook than some of the top Ultrabooks . These Ultrabooks can run full-featured Windows OS and are just as powerful. It’s okay to ask yourself if this Chromebook is right for you.
Are Chromebooks worth the investment for students?
The answer is yes before a student reaches the university level. A Chromebook is the best computer for students in elementary and primary school. It does everything it is supposed to and keeps distracting apps away.
Students can still use a Chromebook for secondary/high school work, but they are more powerful and cost-effective.
It all depends on what program you choose to study at university. However, unless you are studying a STEAM program that needs specialized hardware or requires programs not available on Chrome OS, a Chromebook will be able to take you through graduate school.
Which Chromebook is best for teenagers?
Although the brands may not be relevant, there are some specifications that you should focus on. A reasonably powerful processor, such as a Core i3/ Ryzen 3, 8GB RAM and 64GB SSD storage, are all necessary for teens to be able to do their schoolwork. These add-ins, such as a 2-in-1 form factor and touchscreen, might be helpful at this age.
What are the cons of a Chromebook’s Chromebook?
The Chromebook’s app catalog is the biggest disadvantage. Although it does have access to the Android App ecosystem, many of them aren’t optimized for Chromebooks. Many won’t even work. Many of the most important apps you may need for school or work might not be available. However, there are always web-based alternatives for almost any app so it is not impossible to edit a photo or video on a Chromebook.
