When it comes to the best student Chromebooks, there are a different set of options. Education Chromebooks are designed to be used in a classroom full of kids, as well as being carried around in an overstuffed backpack. Water-resistant keyboards, reinforced hinges and ports, and all-day battery life are the norm. The best Chromebooks for students are the ones from ASUS. Some of our other favorites are listed here.

ASUS Chromebook Flip C214

(Image credit: Android Central)

ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 (C214MA-YS02T)

Ready to pull an all-nighter.

The best Chromebooks for students are the ones that are compact,durable and have an excellent experience. The screen is easy to see in a wide array of angles, and the zinc alloy hinge allows you to change the orientation of the screen as needed. A 2-in-1 Chromebook allows your student to interact with lessons with a keyboard and mouse, or directly with the touchscreen.

The option for a C214 with a built-in stylus is a great inclusion for those who have problems touching smaller touch targets accurately or those who like to doodle in tablet mode. I use a stylus for precision tapping in tent/tablet mode and for reading webcomics while eating powdery snacks, which is what I use it for most often.

I have adored the usefulness of a stylus for precision tapping and to keep my screen clean while I'm eating powdery snacks.

The C214 will last the whole school day and some homework if you have a single charge, meaning you don't need to look for a charge. Even if your child loses or breaks the in-box charger, you can find a replacement at an affordable price, because the C214 uses a 45W Power Delivery Charger.

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The C214 comes with a 32GB of storage, but there are also two additional ports on the side of the device. The sides of this model have a clothespin edge so that it is the perfect size to insert and remove cards. As a nail-biter, this small joy speaks to the attention to detail that has been taken with the rugged, reliable C214.

There is only 32GB of internal storage here and only 4GB of RAM, but it is enough for schoolwork, research, and twitch streams. The corners and outer shell of the Chromebook are scratch resistant. The keyboard is spill- resistant, and the ports are reinforced, so hopefully it will be able to survive a few years of chaos with your child.

The only problem with the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 is that it has been around for three years. We are due for a replacement model, but with an AUE date in June 2027, the C214 will last you 4-5 years before it loses updates, and by then, your kid will be ready for something more powerful.

Dell Chromebook 3100 2-in-1

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My schools used to fill their computer labs with Dells back in the day, and the Dell Chromebook 3100 2-in-1 is one of the most popular and durable Chromebooks.

The 3100 2-in-1 has a microSD slot and a headphone jack. When they can fit the same size, spare parts are always appreciated. There is no stylus option here, which is a shame, but performance is decent, and there is an 8GB RAM configuration that I highly recommend getting if your kid has been having issues with Meet or Zoom crashing on their old school-issued laptop. There was an option for 64GB of storage, but that seems to have vanished, which is a shame.

I recommend that most users get a 2-in-1 Chromebook, and that studious children get a 2-in-1 as well. tent mode turns the 3100 into a digital art easel when used away from classroom desks or in the car. It is worth the extra cash.

The Dell 3100 is three years old, but Dell hasn't announced a successor yet, so I don't expect to see another option released in the near future.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

(Image credit: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Over the last several years, Acer has had several generations of the CP311. The latest one is a great option for parents that want their child to have a Chromebooks with a long support life ahead of it and enough power for distance learning, or for full-time adult work, as I worked full-time on this Chromebook for a month. We noted in our review that this Mediatek-powered Chromebooks is perfect for students who know how to take care of laptops because it can handle a six to ten tabs at a time.

This isn't as rugged or rough-and-tumble as the Dell 3100 or the ASUS C214, but that doesn't mean you have to pay for all the extra kid-proofing. While most Chromebooks have a decent level of durability, there is no replacement for buying an Education model, so be sure your kid won't do anything like throw their laptop or stick crayons in the USB-C port.

The Spin 311 (3H) only has a single port for both the A and C ports, which is important because most other Chromebooks have multiple ports. It is easy to get by on just one side of the laptop if you want to charge from either side. Since there is no expansion of the card, you will need to figure out the storage level you need before buying.

I recommend grabbing the 64GB option since few 11.6-inch Chromebooks have it. More internal storage is important when it comes to apps for the sake of compatibility, as most can't properly utilize external storage due to quirks in the permission structure of the Chrome OS.

Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook

(Image credit: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

The Flex 5 Chromebook is the best value in Chromebooks today because it offers up all the features you would want in a mid-size Chromebook without costing a semester's worth of allowance. The laptop is less than an inch bigger than the C214, but it has a larger screen, backlit keyboard, and nice speakers. You get a more powerful Intel Core i3 processor and more internal storage for Linux apps and Disney+ movies when you're bored in study hall.

To quote Han Solo, "she's got it where it counts, kid."

The Flex 5 is just as good for an older child as it is for adults. You get a comfortable, evenly-backlit keyboard for late-night procrastinated projects and a pair of big, front-facing speakers on either side to keep the tunes going while you work. The port configuration is the same as the C214, but you will need to be more gentle on this laptop if you want it.

The battery here should last you a whole school day and homework, and you should be able to charge it back up with the in-box 45WPD charger. Not many families have a wi-fi 6 routers, and even fewer schools do, but you should still get better wi-fi stability with it.

The Flex 5i is the successor to the Flex 5 and it has a slightly lower battery life due to having more power in the same body, but it also has 85% of all other parts and specifications. It is next to impossible to find the 8GB version of the Flex 5i because of the constant fluctuations in availability.

Acer Chromebook Spin 713

(Image credit: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

If you don't have a lot of money to spend on a new laptop but need all the power you can get in a Chromebooks, then you should look at the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. The 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor is capable of handling things that you need to throw it at, along with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB NVMe solid state drive. That is important because it is faster and lasts longer than the eMMC storage most Chromebooks use.

The Spin 713 is on the list of Steam Alpha-approved Chromebooks. It can handle any game streaming services. The Spin 713 is perfect for those who want to install Linux apps, which is good news for kids who need to run a programming or CAD program. Many IT professionals and programmers use a Chromebooks because they are low maintenance and can do everything they need.

The Spin 713 has all of the juice that you would need, along with a backlit keyboard. What about port selection? The Spin 713 has dual Thunderbolt 4 ports for faster charging and transfer speeds. There is a full-size HDMI port, 3.5mm audio jack, and even a microSD card reader. The Spin 713 only has a single port on the right side.

The feature that you will adore every single day is the 13.5-inch screen, which gets to a bright 450 nits, so you can use it outside. The screen is a 3:2 aspect ratio, which means you can see further down a webpage at one time, especially when you split-screening your research paper and that TED Talk stream. It was boring and educational.

HP Chromebook x2 11

(Image credit: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

The HP Chromebook x2 11 with its 2K display and ultra-premium design was one of the more surprising releases of the year. Instead of opting for a traditional design, we have another option in the category. The x2 11 has an 11-inch display with a 2160 x 1440 resolution capable of reaching up to 400 nits of brightness.

The x2 11 is powered by the same chip as the Spin 513 from 2020. Unfortunately, this is where things start to get a bit frustrating, as the Chipset from Qualcomm just can't keep up with multitasking on Chrome OS. Even with 8GB of RAM, the storage is holding back the device from reaching its full potential.

The Chromebook x2 11 is a great companion device. The USI stylus in the box is attached to the side and can be charged while it is attached. It is something that we are still hoping to see from more Chromebook makers, but HP definitely nailed it here.

The case and keyboard cover in the box are not much to write home about. The x2 11 is better used as a couch device to sit back and watch some movies or read a book. The overall design is almost perfect, but the performance is questionable, so make sure you find a sale before buying the Chromebook x2 11.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5

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The original Chromebook Duet became an instant hit when it was released and is still available in stores. It made everyone realize that Chrome OS on a tablet could be good, as opposed to the experiment that was the Google Pixel Slate.

Considering that people kept buying the Duet, it was likely that the company took its time and didn't feel pressure to rush another option to the market. The new Chromebooks Duet 3 and Duet 5 series are chrome OS tablets. The Duet 3 is fine, but we prefer the Duet 5.

It is powered by the same platform as the Chromebook x2 11. The base model only has 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of eMMC storage, and that is a good thing. You are more than likely to find some great deals on the model with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Not only will you want the extra memory with this mobile-first chip, but the storage is more reliable and faster than eMMC.

Similar to the Chromebook Duet, a keyboard and kickstand case is available, but there is no USI stylus in the box. If you don't have one, there are some great options available.

The missing USI stylus is our biggest gripe with the Duet 5. It is too flimsy to be used on anything other than a desk, which should be fine for most, but is definitely something to keep in mind. There is a chance that you will run into power limitations with the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. The Duet 5 was more than capable for most tasks. If you have a tendency to use a lot of tabs and have different apps open, you might be better served by a Chromebook with a traditional processor.

HP Chromebook 11a

(Image credit: HP)

The best Chromebooks for the first half of 2020 was the Lenovo Chromebook C330, which was my beloved run-and-gun. The battery lasted all day, there were just enough ports for what I needed, and it was lightweight, so it was not a chore to carry it around all day. We can get the same performance for less in the HP Chromebook 11a than in the Lenovo C330.

The C330's 8173 processor was 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 This isn't as battle-tested as HP's EE Education Editions, but it is still a tough little device that should be able to stand up to a bit of wear and tear. You should get a full school day and some out of a single charge, because the processor is easier on the battery.

Unless your child likes to jam crayons into ports, you don't really need a second port here. The design here is not new, but the Indigo Blue color contrasts the black and silver ones.

What makes the best Chromebook for students?

You may be tempted to go with a non-touch model, but fight this urge! These days, Touchscreen Chromebooks are not much more expensive. Students who play educational games or use artistic apps are more likely to interact with them. If you don't like touch targets, it's okay to skip the stylus on the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214.

The two-year-old models are still being sold at regular price because the new models haven't gone on sale yet. Younger kids will be served well by the C214. Chromebooks were in short supply for most of last year, but supply has rebounded and is stable at this time. This back-to-school season, we might get some student Chromebook deals after no real sales last year.

The standard size for Chromebooks is 11.6 inches, which is small enough to be portable while still being big enough to get your work done. For teachers who stay in one room most of the day, smaller and lighter laptops are better for students who need to carry their laptops between periods. If you want something larger than a standard spiral notebook, head on over to our best Chromebooks guide for those recommendations.

Why use a Chromebook for students in the classroom?

Many schools use Chromebooks in the classroom because of several reasons, and each one is important as the next.

  • Powered by Google — Google is a household name for technology, and school districts know the company will be around to offer support for the life of the product.
  • Ease of use — Chrome OS is a lightweight system that's easy to find your way around, even for younger users and parents that aren't tech-savvy.
  • Security and administration tools — Chrome OS is designed with security at the forefront (since Chromebooks are also aimed at the Enterprise space), and a G Suite administrator can lock things down to meet the needs of a school system's IT policies.
  • Price — Chromebooks designed for classroom use can be bought in bulk for hundreds of dollars less than other devices like iPads and Windows laptops.
  • Parents can provide a Chromebook, too Because they are inexpensive and easy to use, parents can provide a Chromebook for a child who isn't in a 1:1 school program or during the summer recess.

School systems are understaffed and cash- strapped, yet they are responsible for shaping the next generation through their formative years. School officials have told me that this is the most frustrating part of their job because sometimes they can't provide teachers with the tools they need to teach. Chromebooks are a great option for school districts that don't have enough money.

A teacher needs to guide a student in the classroom and a student needs a gateway to learn. Automatic updates and the ability to sign in to any device and have your profile available are small things that a consumer may take for granted.

Chromebooks are designed to be used with Google's educational suite of applications.

It is possible for Chromebooks to work with consumer applications like Gmail or Google Keep. Students and teachers can work online or offline with these apps and services.

It is difficult to tell if an app that stores its data in the cloud is a good one, but you will know when you pick up a completely different Chromebook. It's great for students because they can get back to work after they spill water on their Chromebooks and have to get a new one.

The perfect foundation for education can be found in Chromebooks and the educational application suite.