Being a 21st-century student isn’t cheap. Regardless of whether you’re still working through your senior year of high school or suffering an empty wallet in collegiate life, classroom expenses can make it difficult to succeed. One thing most modern students can’t function without is a laptop that allows them to work virtually anywhere. Though typically costly, if you’re in the market for a new laptop, these best Chromebooks for students can deliver the necessary functions and suitable specs at a wallet-friendly price.

There’s an option for all budgets and needs, from Chromebooks with large hard drives to an option with LTE functionality. Pinpoint the model that suits you best; be mindful of overall portability, hard drive sizes, RAM, and price. While your new laptop won’t need a mouse, the best mice for Chromebooks minimize the inevitable frustration caused by using the trackpad.

Our favorite Chromebooks for students in 2023

When you’re a student, multitasking is a necessity to thrive. So, with the right tool like the Lenovo 14-inch IdeaPad Flex, multitasking can be a breeze. There’s no shortage of ways this Chromebook can help with daily needs. Whether the 14-inch convertible laptop is used in tablet mode or its standard keyboard layout, the 13th Gen Intel i3-1315U six-core processor powers a feature suite to help students of any grade level.

The midweight Flex 5i’s 8GB RAM keeps taxing programs running, so whether you’re editing the cover image of your presentation in Photoshop or jotting down pages of notes in Word, the IdeaPad won’t falter. There’s also plenty of space to store a semester’s worth of work on the 128GB SSD, and the flash-based drive offers a rapid boot-up and quick access to all of your files.

The 14-inch model may have a dim screen at only 300 nits, but it features a 1080p HD front-facing privacy camera, two 2W Waves MaxxAudio speakers, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity. With one USB-A 3.2, dual USB-C 3.2, and a universal microSD card reader, the Chromebook Plus offers an array of ports, though it lacks a Thunderbolt port. If high-speed input is needed, you can always work with one of our picks for the best Chromebook docks.

We praised the Flex 5i 13-inch model for its unwavering, fast performance, and the 14-inch version is a welcome improvement.

Need to keep your Chromebook budget as small as possible? Acer's Chromebook Spin 311 can be shopped for about $200, making it our best value pick and one of the best cheap Chromebooks. Of course, it can't compete with the more expensive options when it comes to raw performance and display quality, but it can easily handle a student's workload. It has a MediaTek octa-core MT8183 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage, with a battery that can run for up to 15 hours on a charge.

The 11.6-inch touch display is sized perfectly for smaller hands, and the convertible design allows it to be used in tent, stand, and tablet modes when the keyboard and touchpad aren't required. The HD resolution also won't look as grainy at this size. Above the display is a 720p camera with HDR capabilities to help with video conferencing, and ports include USB-C, USB-A, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

This Chromebook should be a great option for younger users who don't need a lot of performance power. It's durable, the keyboard is sized right for small hands, and it's certainly affordable. If you're shopping for students at the elementary age, the Spin 311 and the HP Chromebook x360 11 should both be well suited to the task.

If you're looking to land one of the best convertible Chromebooks for your student, Acer's Spin 714 for 2023 should be a top choice. Its 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor (CPU), 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD will easily handle anything you throw its way, and the battery can go and go. Acer claims 10 hours on a charge, with fast charging capabilities to boot.

I tested the previous generation in my Chromebook Spin 714 review, and I managed to get more than eight hours on a charge when going about my usual productivity work. Streaming video with 75% screen brightness, the Spin 714 lasted a whopping 16 hours. This should be comparable to the 2024 model with newer CPUs.

The 14-inch touch display has a crisp 1920x1200 (FHD+) resolution, made taller thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes it ideal for mature students tackling large projects and more involved tasks requiring heavier multitasking. The Spin 714 can handle inking with a USI pen, but there's no longer one included with the laptop. The charging silo has also been scrapped. Acer bumped the webcam up to a 2K resolution for this generation, making it even better at video conferencing. If you have a student working remotely, this will do a great job.

The Chromebook Spin 714 costs more than many of the other picks in this roundup. However, the performance, display, battery life, and convertible design with military-grade durability certification make it worth the price for students who need a reliable and versatile laptop. Be sure to check out our roundup of the best Acer Chromebooks for more options if this one is out of a reasonable price range.

Lenovo has produced a half-dozen or so generations of the Flex 3 and Flex 3i Chromebooks, and we've now arrived at the eighth-gen Flex 3i model. This Chromebook's display has been resized to 12.2 inches, yet the overall size of the laptop hasn't changed (and in some cases has shrunk by a couple of millimeters). The touch display has an FHD resolution with good color, and the bezels are slimmer than ever.

A two-tone color design in Abyss Blue covers a durable convertible chassis that's as comfortable as a tablet as a standard laptop. The Flex 3i is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom N100 CPU with a boost clock up to 3.4GHz, as well as 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. You won't want to take on any major projects with this hardware, but it will easily cut through productivity work and web browsing.

Port selection is decent with dual USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2, HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and a microSD card reader. Lenovo has also positioned the volume rocker and power button on the side of the chassis for easier control when in tablet mode.

HP's Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is designed for professionals and enthusiasts who want an exceptional laptop running ChromeOS. This translates well to post-secondary education, where a laptop is used day in and day out for lectures, homework, and casual downtime. Students need something durable and powerful enough to handle any work thrown their way, and this laptop does the job.

The Dragonfly Pro boasts a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU matched up with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. This is currently the only config available, but that may change in the future. Nevertheless, this is enough power to handle college-level work, at least as long as your student isn't getting into any specialized fields. The 14-inch touch display has a crisp 2560x1600 (QHD+) resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. It can hit up to 1,200 nits brightness — no issues working outdoors with this display — and it boasts 100% sRGB color reproduction.

In our HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review, we noted that the laptop can go for about seven hours on a charge when handling casual tasks like streaming and browsing. Under a heavy load that number drops by about half. That's an OK trade-off for many people who need the performance and extra features. This is one of HP's best Chromebooks you can buy today, and it should treat your college student well for years to come.

Having a 2-in-1 Chromebook that can fully detach is a great way to set your student up for any situation they might encounter. With the keyboard and touchpad hooked up, the Duet 5 can be used as a normal laptop, while removing it turns the laptop into a true tablet. It has a gorgeous 13.3-inch OLED touch display with crisp 1920x1080 (FHD) resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color, and up to 400 nits of brightness. The only downside is its glossy finish, but the extra nits combat that. A pen isn't included, but you can add a Lenovo Active Pen separately for inking.

The Duet 5 isn't all looks. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. It'll run through productivity work with relative ease and won't mind multitasking. Lenovo claims the battery can go up to 15 hours, and even if that comes down a bit with regular use, you're still getting through a full school day. This helps make it one of the best Lenovo Chromebooks you can buy today.

Four speakers pump out quality audio, and the dual-camera setup is perfect for conferencing or stills; the back camera hits 8MP while the front camera hits 5MP. The laptop's compact size means ports are limited to dual USB-C 3.2, but you can always connect a dock or quality USB-C hub made for Chromebooks.

The younger the student, the less important a powerful rig is to their education. That’s where Chromebook models like the HP Fortis 14-inch G10 come into the equation. They’re not overly stocked with features, and their specs are just powerful enough to run basic programs without driving up the price.

The base model Fortis 14-inch G10 Chromebook has an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. That can be upgraded to a Celeron N5100 or Pentium N5000 processor, 8GB RAM, and either 64GB or 128GB storage, which can add a boost of power that may or may not be necessary based on the class’ requirements.

The 14-inch screen can be upgraded from its standard 1366x768 HD LED model to either a touch version of the same resolution or a touch or no-touch 1920x1080 FHD screen. All options are on the dimmer side, with a relatively low brightness of 250 nits.

Regardless of the configuration you opt for, the Chromebook features Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 support, a USB-C input, dual USB-A, microSD support, an HDMI port, and a standard headphone and microphone jack. The Fortis 14-inch G10 Chromebook isn’t one of HP’s higher-end models, but it still boasts quality construction that will last the school year.

When you’re pursuing an education that takes you out of the classroom and into a digital environment, you need to consider several factors. The first is ensuring you have a processor that can run communication software along with your institute’s designated virtual classroom. While AMD’s Ryzen 3 7320C is mid-grade, it offers more than enough power.

Secondly, you need a device that can sustain a stable connection, and the available Wi-Fi 6 connection will prevent disconnects and video call lag. Finally, you’ll need ample storage and enough RAM to prevent hiccups when multiple programs need to be run at once. Equipped with 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD, ASUS’ 14-inch 2-in-1 makes this a versatile machine ideal for distance learning.

The 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus is also outfitted with dual USB-C 3.1, a USB-A 3.0, and headphone/microphone ports, adding even more options for peripherals and accessories. For all its perks, the 14-inch 2-in-1 suffers in the same way most Chromebooks do. Its screen is on the dimmer side, at only 300 nits. Granted, that’s brighter than lower-end Chromebooks, but don’t expect impressive visibility.

The sleek and portable Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go has a trick up its sleeve for students who need to stay connected everywhere, even outside Wi-Fi 6 range — it's available with 4G LTE connectivity via Verizon or AT&T. That means you can get an internet connection everywhere your phone does, allowing you to hit deadlines off campus or while traveling. This makes it one of the best Samsung Chromebooks for mobile students.

The laptop weighs just 3.2 pounds and measures 0.63 inches, making it easy to carry around in a backpack or sleeve. Performance is light, but the Intel Celeron N4500 CPU with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage can still handle productivity work and assignments. Samsung claims it can hit about 12 hours on a battery charge, though that number will likely come down a bit in real-world use.

The Galaxy Chromebook Go has a 14-inch display with HD resolution, anti-glare finish, and 220 nits peak brightness. It would be nice to see an FHD resolution at this size, but the relatively affordable price would climb higher. As for ports, it has two USB-C, one USB-A, a microSD card reader (perfect for expanding that eMMC storage), and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Best Chromebook accessories for students

The Chromebooks that are listed above can all stand firmly on their own, but adding some great Chromebook accessories can make a student's life just that much easier. The handful of accessories collected here can get your student off to a quick start.

• 

  Logitech M720 Triathlon

  Best mouse

  $35 $40 Save $5

  The Logitech M720 Triathlon is a great wireless alternative to your Chromebook's touchpad. It's comfortable, can be paired with three devices simultaneously, and the battery can go for years. This is one of the best mice for Chromebooks, but it only works with right hands.

  $35 at Amazon $35 at Best Buy

• 

  Logitech K585 Slim Wireless Keyboard

  Best wireless keyboard

  $40 $50 Save $10

  Logitech's K585 Slim Wireless Keyboard connects to your Chromebook via Bluetooth or its designated receiver for a more comfortable typing experience. Complete with a built-in phone holder, the keyboard is ideal for travel and distance learning.

  $40 at Amazon $50 at Logitech

• 

  Lacdo Laptop Sleeve Case

  Best sleeve

  Your Chromebook is going to take some abuse as it's carried around a school, which is why we recommend this great Chromebook sleeve from Lacdo. It's affordable, it can fit devices from 11.6 to 15.6 inches in size, and it comes in a bunch of different colors.

  $15 at Amazon

• 

  Anker 341

  Best USB-C hub

  It's rare to land a laptop with the perfect selection of ports, but this handy USB-C hub from Anker can fill in any lacking hookups. It has SD and microSD card readers, HDMI, USB-A, downstream USB-C, and passthrough USB-C to keep your Chromebook charged up. Use it with up to a 4K display at 30Hz.

  $35 at Amazon

• 

  Dell S2721H

  Affordable 27-inch monitor

  Dell's S2721H only costs about $200, and it's frequently on sale to boot. It has a 27-inch IPS panel with 1080p resolution and 75Hz refresh rate, as well as plenty of ports to connect your laptop. Dual built-in speakers can help your laptop's output, and it's all wrapped up in a sleek design.

  $200 at Amazon

• 

  Baseus PowerCombo 65W USB-C charging station

  Best charger

  Baseus' PowerCombo USB-C charger is a fantastic complement to a Chromebook, with dual USB-A and dual USB-C ports to maximize the device's efficiency. The portable power strip also features two AC outlets to charge even more devices.

  $50 at Amazon

Boosting your education with the best Chromebook

There are dozens of Chromebooks on the market. How do you know which is best suited for an educational setting? It’s difficult to pinpoint, but any of the models listed above will deliver the performance and functions needed to keep up with yearly studies. The best overall pick, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, is a fantastic balance between cost and power. Despite its lower price tag, it offers a mid-range processor and plenty of storage and RAM to keep up with your homework.

To save a little more on your Chromebook purchase, consider our best value pick, Acer’s Spin 311. The 11-inch monitor may not look like much, but the 2-in-1 design turns the touchscreen into a functioning tablet. This model is best for younger students that don’t need extra power, or for majors that are largely text-based.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 2023 edition is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, as is the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, but both are stacked with components ideal for curriculum requiring more power. Young students should set their sights on the HP Fortist, while the ASUS 14-inch Chromebook Plus will serve distance learning students best.