If you're shopping for a school laptop, a Chromebook can be an affordable fit for writing assignments and joining video calls. These laptops run Google's ChromeOS and mainly use websites and Android apps, so check that your school's required software is compatible before buying. Then look for something easy to carry, with a comfortable keyboard and enough battery life for classes. We'd also favor 8GB of RAM if you tend to keep lots of tabs open.
Google is gradually moving from ChromeOS to Googlebook OS, but the first Googlebooks are pricier laptops, leaving room for inexpensive Chromebooks. Just check the model's support deadline; ChromeOS updates are scheduled to continue through mid-2034.
We've bought and tested over 180 laptops. Below are our recommendations for the best student Chromebooks you can buy. You can also see our recommendations for the best budget and cheap laptops, the best 2-in-1 laptops, and the best Windows laptops.
Since 2021, we've tested dozens of laptops every year. We buy our laptops to avoid bias and, following a rigorous methodology, test nearly every part of the laptop so we can deliver results you can rely on. We use a wide range of equipment to perform our tests, including a colorimeter, a Mecmesin MultiTest-i System Test Stand, and various performance benchmarking suites.
Want to know more? Check out our How We Test Laptops article, where we give you a broader overview of our review process, from the moment we purchase the product to the final review.
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Best Chromebook For Students
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:14"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe best Chromebook for students we've tested is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024). This 14-inch convertible is a great option for anyone needing a simple device for light tasks they can access through a web browser or for media consumption. It has a sturdy build, a compact design, and a battery that lasts easily through a typical school day. Its FHD+ display supports pen input and gets reasonably bright, though reflections from windows or overhead lights can be distracting. You'll need to buy a stylus separately, and there's nowhere to store it on the laptop. It's also getting harder to find new, so your choice of configurations and retailers may be limited.
Configuration-wise, the base Core Ultra 5 115U model with 8GB of RAM is likely more than adequate for most students. There are more powerful configurations with Core Ultra 7 CPUs, but they're harder to find, and the performance increase might not be noticeable if you only perform light tasks. Don't worry too much about the storage, as you can upgrade it later on since the device uses a standard, off-the-shelf M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. Ports comprise two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4s, a USB-A, and an HDMI. There's no fingerprint sensor or facial recognition camera for added security or quick logins, though that's fairly typical for Chromebooks.
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Best Budget Chromebook For Students
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:15.6"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) is our pick for students on a tighter budget. Compared with the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024) above, it has slower processors and a dimmer, less colorful display, and you can't fold it into a tablet. However, its larger 15.6-inch screen has room for an assignment beside your research, and its comfortable keyboard includes a numpad.
The base Intel N50 processor is fine for basic schoolwork. 4GB of RAM is workable for a few tabs and apps, but we'd favor 8GB if you regularly multitask. Configurations with an Intel N150 or N250 processor offer more processing power, too, so they're worth considering if the price increase is modest.
Ports include HDMI and two USB-Cs that support charging and an external display. The main drawbacks are its washed-out screen, which struggles in bright classrooms, a touchpad that occasionally misses movements, and a blurry webcam. Its battery may also fall short of a full school day, so you'll likely need to bring the charger.
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Best Compact Chromebook For Students
SchoolGamingMultimediaWorkstationBusinessForm Factor:Size:10.9"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBIf portability and tablet use matter more than a large workspace, consider the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022) instead of the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) above. It's a 10.9-inch ChromeOS tablet with an included, detachable keyboard, making it easy to carry in a small backpack or hold for reading. It's especially suitable for younger students, though its cramped keyboard and small screen aren't ideal for typing long assignments or working across multiple windows.
This tablet sports an FHD+ display, which looks nice and sharp on a smaller device like this. It gets bright enough to combat glare, and unlike other similarly priced devices, it doesn't look washed out. Unfortunately, there's no headphone jack, so you'll need a USB-C audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones. As for performance, the Snapdragon processor can handle simple tasks like web browsing and video playback; just don't expect to do any heavy multitasking. The battery lasts around 14 hours of light use, but less than five hours of video playback. Unfortunately, the Duet 3 is getting harder to find due to its age, but it's still being sold new if you look for it.
Notable Mentions
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Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 11 (2024):
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 11 (2024) is an alternative to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022) if you want a headphone jack and longer software support. However, battery life drops from nearly 14 hours of light use to eight or nine, making the Duet 3 better for students who prioritize battery life. It's also very hard to find.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 20, 2026:
We replaced our budget and cheap picks with the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) as our 'Best Budget Chromebook For Students' due to its availability and price-to-performance. We also updated the introduction and Notable Mentions.
May 09, 2025:
We've verified that all picks are still valid and available. The picks remain the same.
Mar 12, 2025:
Minor text changes for conciseness and clarity. There has been no change in recommendations, as all picks are still valid and available.
Jan 22, 2025:
Verified that all picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations.
Nov 27, 2024:
Added the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) as a Notable Mention. Removed the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip (2023) from the Notable Mentions because there are better options.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top Chromebooks for students to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper laptop wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our Chromebook reviews. Most laptops are available in various configurations, and the table only shows the results of the model we tested, so it's best to see the full review for information about other variants.