After a year of remote learning, it’s a pretty unavoidable fact that your kids may need a laptop now. However, it might be easier between actual class or even homework assignments (or at least provide greater peace of mind) to have your kiddo equipped with their own laptop so they don’t have to interrupt your work. Just a few years ago, buying a laptop for your kids may have seemed excessive, but today it’s a no-brainer for many parents. We’ve previously covered the best tablets for kids, and now we want to help parents choose the best laptops for kids, too.
Fortunately, buying a laptop for your kid in 2021 doesn’t mean investing in a unit that costs thousands of dollars. Instead, brands like HP, Microsoft, Acer, and others now offer deeply affordable laptops that can better withstand the ups, downs, and tumbles your kid may put a notebook through. Plus, with more companies making Chromebooks and Windows laptops, it’s easier than ever to find an option that will work best for your kid’s needs — without it costing an arm or a leg to do so.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up eight of our favorite kids’ laptops to ensure your kid can get work done — our selections below.
1. Lenovo Chromebook C330 Laptop
BEST OVERALL
We love Chromebooks for their ease of use and decidedly inexpensive cost, so choosing one for your kid’s laptop is an easy choice. It just so happens the Chromebook C330 from Lenovo is our overall best choice. Thanks to the convertible keyboard, both a tablet and a laptop are not only really price-friendly but are super durable, which will be sure to make parents happy. In addition, the C330 is Lightweight, quick-charging, fast-booting, and comes with a touchscreen; it’s a fantastic option for your young child to grow into over the course of a few years.
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2. ASUS L210 Laptop
RUNNER-UP
Clocking in with around 10 hours of battery life, 64 GB of storage, and an 11.6-inch display, the ASUS L210 is our choice for the best runner-up’ laptop for kids. ASUS smartly offers the L210 in both a Windows and Chromebook configuration, providing options for those who want some flexibility of choice. No matter which laptop you select, you’ll be getting a computer that’s great for any continued remote learning or a durable, lightweight option that’s great to carry to and from school or to have around to make homework easier.
ON SALE!
3. HP Stream Laptop for Kids
BEST FOR TWEENS & TEENS
If your teenager needs something for middle school and beyond, the HP Stream kids laptop is an exceedingly helpful option to have since it includes full access to Microsoft Office 365 for, well, 365 days. With that full year of Office access, your child will be able to make Powerpoints and craft papers in Word with ease. Additionally, the 11.6-inch display includes 32 GB of storage and 14-hour battery life in a deeply portable package. The HP Stream was designed to be super kid-friendly, and while your son or daughter may have said goodbye to remote learning, this is still a great device for young people.
Read More: The Best Back To School Laptop Deals
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Laptop
MOST DURABLE
Crafted from super durable gorilla glass, Acer’s Chromebook Spin 311 is a great kids’ laptop if your child isn’t the most careful person in the world. The tablet-to-computer hybrid functionality is quite a bonus for those who want to give their kids some more versatility in their laptops. The Chromebook functionality allows the Spin to boot faster than a normal computer, while the 2.21-pound weight makes it lighter than your kid’s textbooks.
5. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2-in-1 Laptop
BEST 2-IN-1
The Lenovo Duet Chromebook makes for a fantastic option for your kid to grow into with a fully removable keyboard. The tablet functionality can be used for simple tasks while they’re younger before adding the keyboard to do something more advanced. The full HD display makes it great for video watching on long trips or for using a compatible USI pen to draw and design different projects. Plus, the price makes it deeply affordable.
6. Microsoft Surface Go 2 Laptop
BEST MID-LEVEL
Looking to spend a little more on a product for your kid? The Microsoft Surface Go 2 laptop is a fantastic choice that straddles the line between tablet and laptop. Like many laptops on this list, it’s small, portable, and light, making it easy to transport. However, where the Go really succeeds is in its power: the Intel processor and 8 GB of RAM make it lightning fast to use. Plus, the high res touchscreen is great for drawing on or watching videos.
7. Google Pixelbook Go Laptop
BEST HIGH-END
With a really impressive battery life (clocking in around 12 hours), blazing-fast speeds, an included HD webcam, and more, the Google Pixelbook Go is our choice for the best high-end kids’ laptop. While the Go is probably best for teenagers, it’s a great choice to help your kid get a lot done. The keyboard feels great to use and runs on the fantastic ChromeOS, making it easy to accomplish schoolwork. Plus, the vivid HD touchscreen display makes it great for your streaming-obsessed kid too.
8. Apple iPad Pro Kids Laptop
BEST TABLET
Okay, a caveat here: You may need to buy a keyboard to take full advantage of the power of the iPad Pro, but even if you don’t, the Pro is more than capable of filling the void of a kid’s laptop. The powerful M1 chip is now capable of plenty of multitasking functionality, making it easy to accomplish most schoolwork in a breeze. Plus, with the powerful Liquid Retina display, watching videos or playing games (once work is done, that is) will look gorgeous on the stunning 11-inch screen.