Finding the best Chromebook for kids may sound daunting, but it's a lot simpler than it seems. Google's user-friendly laptops are renowned for their affordability, and ChromeOS makes it easy for anyone to use its system — kids included. This translates to a low-cost device that can be used to learn and play efficiently without encountering technical jargon or fretting over accidental spills.

Along with specialized apps for kids of all ages, including educational options, Chromebooks are always a safe bet for little ones. The problem is there are many Chromebooks to choose from, but this list includes the best options that are affordable, durable, and easy to use. And if you're only looking for a screen, the best kids tablets will do the trick.

The top Chromebooks for kids

In our Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i review, we noted that one of the pain points was the asking price, but otherwise, the laptop had "plenty of power and zippy storage, [...] a great keyboard, and is light enough to be used on the go." And now that the regular price has come down below $500, you can pick it up with even fewer concerns. Sure, it's starting to show its age with 11th Gen Intel Core processors, but the AUE date extends to June 2029, so you'll still get enough power to tackle just about any task.

The 11th Gen Core i3-1115G4 chip is better than just about anything else in this roundup, and it's paired with 8GB of DDR4X RAM and a 128GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) for zippy transfers. The convertible design lets you rotate the display around for tablet mode, and the touch display is ready to accommodate. It has a sharp 1080p resolution, and at 13.3 inches, there's plenty of space for handling homework. Speakers flank the comfy keyboard and deliver un-muffled audio, while the Wi-Fi 6 connection provides reliable internet.

This is a great option for users who can handle a slightly larger device and need the extra power that the Intel Core processors can provide. Plus, it's one of the best Lenovo Chromebooks around.

Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i review.

The Chromebook 3110 is one of the best Dell Chromebooks out there today, especially if you're looking to buy on the cheap. You can usually pick up a model for about $250, which lands you an Intel Celeron N4500 CPU, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, and an 11.6-inch HD display with an anti-glare finish. You can even upgrade to a touch display for just a few dollars more, which is recommended if you're buying for a younger child. LTE connectivity also seems to be an option in some markets, but in any case, Wi-Fi 6 is on board.

The laptop's chassis can withstand a hard life of drops and scratches, the keyboard is best used under smaller hands, and there's even a 720p webcam for video conferencing. Dell claims the battery can go for six to 10 hours on a charge, which should be enough to get through most of a school day without searching for an outlet. If this isn't quite what your kid needs, we have a roundup of the best cheap Chromebooks with plenty more options.

Acer's Chromebook 516 GE is our top pick for the best gaming Chromebooks out there, and any parents buying a new laptop with gaming at the top of their kid's priorities will want to check it out. It's also one of the best Acer Chromebooks in general, capable of tackling just about any task.

It's built from the start to handle cloud and local gaming best, all thanks to the 12th Gen Intel Core P-series processors, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, plenty of LPDDR4x RAM, and lots of speedy storage space. There are also four speakers with DTS Audio tuning and a smart amp for impressive sound, and the keyboard has RGB lighting that can be customized.

Perhaps the best feature is the 16-inch display with 2560x1600 (QHD+) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 100% sRGB. Wi-Fi 6E and an Ethernet port are also available to handle cloud gaming better. It won't be easy to find a greater display for gaming than this one, especially at the asking price.

HP's Chromebook x360 13b is a relatively fresh release that leans on a 13.3-inch touch display with 1920x1080 (FHD) resolution and inking capabilities, modest MediaTek Kompanio 1200 CPU eight-core performance, and lasting 47Wh battery life. It weighs less than three pounds, it's about the size of most 12-inch laptops, and it should have no problems keeping up with daily use and abuse.

The convertible design is perfect for younger users, and it has plenty of ports (including a microSD card reader and dual USB-C) for connecting accessories. The keyboard is comfortable, the touchpad is enormous, and there's a 720p camera above the screen for video conferencing. While it usually costs about $450, at the time of writing it's down to $370. This is part of HP's frequent in-house sales on laptops, and with some savvy shopping, you shouldn't have to pay full price.

Need a high-res display without all the gamer add-ons? The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 can deliver. Its 12.4-inch size makes it easy for smaller hands to hold onto, yet it packs in a touch display with 2560x1600 (QHD+) resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. This is great for kids who can't stand a low-res screen, whether it's for homework, browsing, or streaming.

An Intel Celeron N4500 CPU delivers OK performance with long battery life (Samsung says up to 10 hours on a charge), and it's joined by 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of eMMC storage. This isn't going to win any races, but it will still handle productivity work while making it through most of the day without needing a charge. By way of ports, the laptop offers two USB-C (with one used part-time for charging), one USB-A, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Be sure to check out more of the best Samsung Chromebooks for more selections.

The Lenovo Flex 5i might take the top spot in this roundup of great Chromebooks for kids, but we can go cheaper and still get the Lenovo perks of durability and a comfortable keyboard. The Flex 3 is more compact at 11.6 inches, with a lighter build and HD touch display, perfect for younger users. You still get the versatility of a convertible build — and it has lots of ports, including USB-C and a microSD card reader — plus, the battery will go more than nine hours before needing a charge.

This isn't the most powerful Chromebook, but the MT8183 CPU with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage will be enough to handle homework, browsing, and streaming with ease. Prices seem to hover around the $200 mark, with plenty of opportunities to buy it for an even cheaper rate during sales.

If you're after the latest Chromebooks have to offer, namely the "Plus" perks, then the Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip will give kids plenty to check out. Along with access to Magic Eraser, free months for Adobe Photoshop, and Pixlr Premium, this Chromebook also has plenty of power to handle any task kids throw at it – whether it be doing homework, streaming shows, or learning about different apps. That's thanks to the Ryzen 3 7320C processor under the hood, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD for plenty of storage.

While its 14-inch touch display with 300 nits of brightness is a solid screen, it could do better with a 16:10 aspect ratio rather than 16:19. Still, as a laptop primed for studying and streaming, the Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip is made to last.

Acer's Chromebook Spin 311 is one of the best Acer Chromebooks out there, especially if you're shopping for something affordable for your kids. It regularly takes the top spot when it comes to cheap laptops, generally coming in at around $210. Its MediaTek MT8183 CPU isn't going to blow you away, but paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of eMMC, it will easily handle the needs of younger children. In addition, battery life is outstanding at around 15 hours from a charge.

The 11.6-inch touch HD display's chunky bezels make it easy to grab onto in tablet mode, while the keyboard and touchpad are small enough to suit young hands. This isn't the most glamorous Chromebook out there, but it should offer exceptional battery life while being able to take a beating.

Getting the best Chromebook for your kids

The right Chromebook for your kids should be durable enough to withstand accidents, light enough to carry around without much effort and have a long enough battery life to last a full day at school. Moreover, it shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg, especially if your little one is prone to breaking things.

That's why the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i comes out on top. It sports a flexible convertible design with a solid 13.3-inch FHD touch display, fair specs under the hood with an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) that lasts until 2029, and a great price that sits around $350.

If you're after an even more affordable laptop with durability to boot, the Dell Chromebook 3110 will do you no wrong. While basic, it offers a long battery life of up to 10 hours and essential specs that will allow young kids to browse the web without hassle. But if money is no object and gaming is at the top of the priority list, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is worth a look. It has enough processing power and storage space for work and play — and the 16-inch 2560x1600 (QHD+) resolution display more than seals the deal.