The 15 Best Chromebooks For Kids In 2024, According To Experts
Easy-to-use, multi-featured Chromebooks truly inspire children to work and play.
Reviewed by Francisco Gaytan, Technology expertFrancisco GaytanTechnology expertSpecialty: Senior Software EngineerExperience: 21 years
Francisco Gaytan is an experienced full-stack developer with expertise in various programming languages and technologies. He's been in software development for over 20 years, starting his journey in 2002 out of curiosity and a love for coding. Moreover, Francisco is an active content creator who loves exploring new gadgets and shares his excitement through unboxing videos.
Written by Wedetso Chirhah, MA English wedetso chirhahMA EnglishSpecialty: Literature, Electronics, Automobile and Homeware ProductsExperience: 13 years
Wedetso Chirhah holds a masters degree in English Literature from Mangalore University and has over 13 years of experience in content. He has written content for more than 15 B2B websites and edited school books before joining MomJunction as an editor.
Edited by Shreya Vishwanathan, MSc shreya vishwanathanMScExperience: 5 years
Shreya is a gold medalist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from SGT University, Gurugram. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from Amity University, Gwalior. Her interest in human behavior and extensive years of learning and training in psychology has instilled in her the skills to understand the consumer psyche to optimize the reader's experience.
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If you are looking for a device that can assist your child’s school projects, you should consider investing in the best Chromebooks for kids. A Chromebook is an affordable laptop and can be the ideal play and work companion for children of all ages. It helps your child search for information and data on the Internet and learn new subjects.
If you are confused about the features and functionalities of a Chromebook, worry not. We bring you a list of some innovative and best-selling Chromebooks that you can buy for your child.
A Chromebook is a laptop that runs on Google’s Chrome operating system and uses the Chrome browser. Since the primary user interface is a browser, the operating system predominantly uses web applications, and most of the data is stored in the cloud-based storage system instead of the device itself. For this reason, Chromebook is ideal for use at places where there is an active internet connection.
Due to their limited access to other apps, Chromebooks have been widely used in education, where children only need the Internet to research information. The operating system is simple to use and has a fast boot time of just eight seconds.
Chromebooks are quite popular among students and are believed to account for almost 60% of the computers used in schools across the US (1).
If a simple multimedia Chromebook is what you seek for your child, then you must take a look at this product from Acer. Take a look at this review video to get more information on the product.
Pros
Chromebook 11 features a widescreen display, which is ideal for watching movies and videos. Your child will enjoy watching educational videos and images on this screen.
The screen has an anti-glare panel, which minimizes strain to the eyes.
The kid-friendly Chromebook comes with a USB 3.0 port, which allows for faster data transfer compared to standard USB 2.0 ports commonly found in most laptops.
Cons
A few users reported that the operating system tends to work slowly when taxed with multiple tasks.
It is an ideal Chrome OS laptop for teens who tend to store several large files on their device. This review video offers a more detailed explanation of the Chromebook for students.
Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required | Color: Blizzard White | Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.77 inches | Item Weight: 2.64 pounds
Pros
This Chromebook from Lenovo comes with a 64 GB of storage, and also has a slot for an SD card, which further expands the total space available.
The hinge is designed to flip the screen flat and fold the device to use it as a tablet.
Despite the compact shape, the laptop comes with several essential features such as a USB-C port, an HD webcam, Bluetooth, and WiFi.
Cons
A few buyers felt that the image quality and the touch experience with the touchscreen could have been better.
This is ideal for children who tend to handle their gadgets roughly, leaving their parents anxious. You may check out a reviewer exploring and testing the device in this video for a better understanding of this product.
Color: Blue | Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required | Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches | Item Weight: 2.6 pounds
Pros
The Chromebook’s screen edges have rubber bumpers that can soak in bumps and drops from a low height.
The rubber on the edges of the lower half of the device offers a firm grip of the device.
The reliable keyboard is spill-resistant–no more worrying about your child accidentally spilling some beverage on the keyboard.
The hinge is designed to move up to 180°, which lets the user set the perfect viewing angle.
The premium laptop has two storage options: 32GB or 64GB, which makes it a flexible buy.
Cons
The lettering on the non-backlit keyboard is light blue over black keys, which can be difficult to view in low-light conditions.
Buyers felt that the screen resolution could have been better.
Our Tester's Experience
"This Chromebook’s durable build has stood up well to my son’s rough use. It does not lag even when multitasking, and the battery life is commendable. I noticed some WiFi disconnecting issues, but that has been very occasional."
It is an ultra-portable touchscreen Chromebook with a lightweight design, making it a great option for high school kids who want to carry it to school.
Product Dimensions: 13.94 x 0.89 x 10.39 inches | Item Weight: 5.51 pounds
Pros
The Chromebook for students weighs less than 2.8 pounds (1.3 kilograms) and has a thickness of 13.7 millimeters. It makes the device lightweight and compact enough to be placed in any bag.
The hinge of the Chromebook can rotate 360°, which means you can place the screen in a position of choice. It has a durable design, with the body made entirely out of metal.
The touchpad is large for easy access of the user interface, and the keyboard is backlit.
This easy-to-use device has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
This Chromebook strikes a perfect balance between price and features. The portable Chromebook is also known for its excellent performance.
Color: Black | Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required | Product Dimensions: 11.37 x 8.04 x 0.7 inches | Item Weight: 2.54 pounds
Pros
You can buy the Chromebook in three storage configurations: 16, 32, and 64 GB.
The keyboard is spill-resistant, which means it can tolerate a small amount of liquid spilled on it.
It offers an incredible battery life of 11 hours, which means it can last a day of usage at school while providing reliable performance.
The Chromebook only weighs 2.54 pounds (1.15 kilograms), which makes it convenient for a child to carry around in their backpack.
Cons
The processor may come across as underpowered. Some users reported the device to be slow and good enough for internet browsing and everyday tasks but not complicated multitasking.
A few users felt that the build quality of the laptop could have been better.
Our Reviewer's Experience
"The limited app compatibility aside, this system has been perfect for my basic needs, such as browsing and emailing. Its straightforward design and quick start-up are also major pluses. Besides, it's also compatible with all kinds of streaming services."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,274 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
This Chromebook from the trusted brand Samsung provides a comprehensive set of features that work for teens and adolescents who need a laptop for more than just browsing.
Color: Black | Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required | Product Dimensions: 11.06 x 8.72 x 0.55 inches | Item Weight: 2.38 pounds
Pros
The 12.3-inch LED screen boasts a resolution of 2400×1600, which provides excellent clarity. It is a useful feature for kids who want to see every detail of their work.
This budget pick comes with a touchscreen and a stylus (pen), which can be used to draw or write on the screen.
The battery life stands at 9.75 hours, which means your child can use the device longer between charges.
The backlit keyboard allows the child to type easily, even in the dark.
Cons
The Chromebook is on the pricey side. It is best suited for older teens since children may not be able to tap into the full potential of the device.
Customers report phantom touch (touchscreen responds without any touch) and failure of the touchscreen after some months of use. However, these are attributed to a manufacturing defect in their specific unit.
This innovative Chromebook offers some significant choices in memory and storage options, types of screens, among others.
Color: Black | Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required | Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 11 x 2.9 inches | Item Weight: 4.4 pounds
Pros
The laptop is available in three storage choices: 16, 32, and 64 GB. The 64 GB variant is available with a touchscreen. You can explore the options and pick one that is best suited to your child’s style of usage.
The device comes with a 10-hour battery backup, which lets the Chromebook last a working day.
The touchscreen version comes with Corning Gorilla Glass screen, which has ten times greater scratch resistance than standard touchscreen panels.
Cons
A few users encountered software and hardware issues that were limited to their device.
If you are looking for a Chromebook with long battery life and key features, such as HD displayand powerful processor, this HP laptop could be a perfect choice. It has a MediaTek MT8183 processor that ensures a great multimedia experience without draining the battery.
Color: Ash Gray | Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required | Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 11.2 x 3 inches | Item Weight: 2.36 pounds
Pros
It features an Octa-core CPU and GPU graphics processors that conserve the battery while performing everyday tasks.
It has a large screen and streams videos in high-definition. The anti-glare display ensures clear vision.
Its Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5 configurations provide instant, flawless, and stable connectivity.
The lightweight chromebook for little hands features a sleek design, and its long-lasting battery makes it travel-friendly.
The screen has a compact size of 11.6 inches but comes with a decent resolution of 1366×768, which is more than HD (1280×720), and thus sufficient to give a good image quality.
This Chromebook with an anti-glare display for eye protection minimizes eye strain and allows extended usage of the Chromebook.
The 4GB RAM provides adequate power for the child to browse the internet and multitask with Chromebook apps smoothly.
Many parents shared that HP’s Chromebook comes very handy for completion of their children’s homework and school projects.
Cons
Some buyers reported hardware issues, which was quite likely due to receiving a defective product.
Our Reviewer's Experience
"Setting up this device was a breeze, and the battery lasts almost eight hours once fully charged. It posed slight lag issues when too many applications were running, but updating it solved it. Also, Bluetooth compatibility makes it easy to connect to different devices."
Caution
Beware of online phishing. While Chromebooks are designed to be safe and secure, they have certain limitations compared to Windows laptops and are vulnerable to malware attacks.
This Chromebook is for kids who want their machine to stand out from the sea of gray or black laptops.
Color: Red | Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required | Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 13 x 0.8 inches | Item Weight: 3.1 pounds
Pros
You can buy the device in three color options – red, blue, and black. Each version presents a change in the color of the overall exterior of the Chromebook.
You get a USB 3.0 port and an SD card slot to expand the device’s storage capabilities.
The battery life is an amazing 10 hours, which is useful when your child needs to work on projects for a long time.
Cons
A few users reported software bugs and problems in the preloaded Chrome OS.
My Personal Experience
"This system strikes the right balance between performance and practicality. It's very lightweight and easy to use, and its speed is commendable. Although not perfect for gaming, it works well for my child's streaming and educational needs."
If you are looking for a basic Chromebook for occasional internet browsing, then the Series 5 Chromebook from Samsung will do a great job.
Pros
The 12.1-inch LED screen provides good color contrast and brightness.
Despite the small size, the laptop comes with several useful features like stereo speakers, a webcam, and a memory card slot, which can read memory cards of four format types.
The small Chromebook manages to get a decent 8.5 hours of battery life, which is sufficient for a child who will mostly use the device for internet browsing.
Many users love the low weight of the Chromebook and felt that it was as good as a tablet with a keyboard.
Cons
The processor’s capabilities are on the lower side. It is at best good for internet browsing and running simple apps. Do not expect it to perform extensive multitasking.
Our Tester's Experience
"Apart from the atypical keyboard design, using this laptop has been straightforward. Its speed for simple web tasks is also noteworthy, and the sleek design allows me to carry it wherever I go."
If you are looking for innovative Chromebooks with convertible designs for versatile use, this Chromebook from Acer could just be the one.
Color: Silver | Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required | Product Dimensions: 8.11 x 11.42 x 0.74 inches | Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
Pros
It has different connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The Gorilla glass-enabled HD screen has an In-Plane Switching technology that allows you to use it as a tablet.
The Chromebook has one USB Type-C port and supports transfer speeds up to 5Gbps.
Its battery lasts for up to two days.
The machine offers 4GB memory and 32 GB of space to store and play all your kid’s favorite shows.
Cons
The display may not be highly durable.
The touch screen may not be very responsive.
Our Reviewer's Experience
"Featuring a lightweight design and long-lasting battery life, it decently manages everyday tasks. While its touchscreen functionality aids transitions, I would have liked the video quality to be better. Still, its versatile design has made it an excellent buy."
The laptop hinge allows your child to fold the screen backward and use the device as a tablet.
It comes with a touchscreen pen, which lets the user sketch, write, magnify, and take screenshots.
It is a lightweight Chromebook with a weight of just 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms).
The microSD card reader lets your child store school projects and carry them on the go.
Cons
A few users felt that the responsiveness of the touchscreen could have been better.
Our Reviewer's Experience
"Despite boasting a long battery life, this device stays cool even when I use it for hours. Its keyboard is also ergonomic, and the ability to run Android apps is a boon. I would have liked the touchpad to be more responsive, but on the whole, the system works flawlessly."
The 13.3-inch IPS FHD bright screen offers a maximum display resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.
The backlit keyboard allows your child to type efficiently even in low-light situations.
The 10th-generation Intel core i3 powerful processor makes it a compelling choice for school and professional work.
With excellent battery life–up to ten hours–it will last a full school day’s usage without shutting down, making it an excellent choice for kids.
Cons
The volume of the user-facing speakers may not be loud enough.
The laptop’s build quality could have been better.
Our Reviewer's Experience
"Solid build and a responsive touch screen are the standout features of this Chromebook. I have been using it for streaming, email, and document editing, and it has worked without a hitch. Besides minor audio issues, it's been an excellent find."
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.
How To Choose The Right Chromebook For Children?
Consider the following list of features when shopping for a Chromebook for children.
Laptop or two-in-one: Some Chromebooks work like conventional laptops, and then there are the two-in-one models that also have a touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge. The hinge allows you to fold the screen fully, moving the keyboard to behind the screen so that you can use the device as a tablet. The two-in-one model can be ideal for older kids or high school students who may use it extensively for projects.
RAM and storage: The RAM capacity of Chromebooks can be anywhere between 2GB to 16GB. A 4GB RAM should suffice if your child needs it only for homework research, creating basic school projects, and light internet browsing. If your child does all the said activities and is also a heavy multimedia user, then an 8GB RAM is a good choice to ensure smooth and fast performance. A 2GB RAM is useful only for light internet browsing while 16 GB is suitable for heavy users such as older teens who code and test software applications.
Screen size: The minimum screen size is 11.6 inches, and it can go up to 15.6 inches. Chromebooks with an 11.6-inch screen are highly portable. Bigger screens make the device bulky but can deliver an incredible quality of images and videos. It is best to go for 12.3, 12.5, or 14-inch screens for better visual quality and portability.
Types of ports: Chromebooks can come with slots for USB and HDMI cable as well as a slot for an SD card. Most Chromebooks have a USB slot, while some with an HDMI port can be useful for presenting projects. SD card slots will let you get more storage space outside the cloud.
Chrome OS version: Prefer Chromebooks that run the latest version of the Chrome OS. The latest versions will have the most number of bug fixes and interface improvements. Also, the older versions are sometimes made obsolete, forcing users to upgrade to the newer versions eventually.
Chrome OS expiration date: Google updates Chrome OS every six and a half years from the date of the first release. After that, an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) comes into effect, and the device will no longer receive updates from Google (2). The device will continue to work as usual, but it will not receive any new features. AUE should not be a concern for children who will use the device for multimedia consumption purposes. However, children using it for school projects and extensive educational work may be impacted.
The higher you move in the specification range, the more you are likely to pay. The price you pay for your child’s Chromebook will depend on the child’s requirement and the desired features.
When you want your child to focus on only research and not games or other distracting apps, get them one of these best Chromebooks for children. Boot up the system for the first time while the child is watching, so that they learn how to handle it better.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Chromebooks good for kids?
Yes, Chromebooks allow your children to access their work with fewer distractions. Moreover, they are ideal because they aren’t effective for multimedia and gaming options.
2. What Chromebook do schools recommend?
Usually, schools recommend Chromebooks with 4 GB memory, an Intel processor, and a 16 GB hard drive.
3. Are Chromebooks good for middle schoolers?
Unlike college students, middle schoolers generally don’t need to run programs or high-end applications. Middle schoolers can easily browse the web and access the content needed for their work.
4. Are Chromebooks safer than laptops?
Yes, Chromebooks are generally safe as they come with built-in security features. However, Chromebooks also need antivirus protection to protect your data from malware.
5. Can I block YouTube on my Chromebook?
Yes, you can block Youtube by following the right settings. You can also uninstall the app on your Chromebook.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah is our in-house writer, reviewer, and editor who specializes in electronics, automobiles, books, and household items and prioritizes careful research, analysis, and comparison to bring our readers the best-in-class products. If your child needs a Chromebook for schoolwork, he has compiled a list of the best Chromebooks for kids to help your children learn more on any topic they want. Wedetso has provided the pros and cons of each product to help you choose a suitable one that suits your needs.
The Bottom Line
Millennial children need the latest gizmo and gadgets for their school. Investing in a Chromebook can be a good idea if your child is looking for a work-play companion. While comparing various available options, you may shortlist a Chromebook with the best RAM storage, multiple ports, the latest operating system, and a reasonable screen size. Pick a compact and lightweight Chromebook, as it would enable your child to carry it with ease. Our top recommendations are the Lenovo Chromebook C330, which has 64 GB memory and flips easily, the Samsung Chromebook 3, with an impressive battery life, and the HP Chromebook Laptop, which has a large, anti-glare display.
References
MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
Francisco Gaytan is an experienced full-stack developer with expertise in various programming languages and technologies. He's been in software development for over 20 years, starting his journey in 2002 out of curiosity and a love for coding.
Wedetso Chirhah holds a masters degree in English Literature from Mangalore University and has over 13 years of experience in content. He has written content for more than 15 B2B websites and edited school books before joining MomJunction as an editor.
Shreya is a gold medalist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from SGT University, Gurugram. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from Amity University, Gwalior. Her interest in human behavior and extensive years of learning and training in psychology has instilled in her the skills to understand the consumer psyche to optimize the reader's experience.
Poulami is an associate editor at MomJunction. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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