Raising Kids Gear and Products The 9 Best Laptops for Kids of 2022 The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is sleek and easy to use for any family member By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 21, 2022 Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. While pencil and paper are still important school supplies, these days, so is a laptop. Whether your kid is just starting school, learning virtually, or a high schooler with tons of homework, there will come a time in their academic life when a laptop will be helpful. They may also want one for streaming, playing video games, doing their own coding, and other fun online activities. Reviewed & Approved The Lenovo Chromebook C330 rotates 360 degrees, so your kiddo can use it in tent, tablet, stand, or laptop mode. For a netbook, we recommend the HP Stream 14. There are tons of different laptops to choose from, so consider the operating system, storage capacity, and processing power to ensure your child can work efficiently. We carefully considered design, processing power, ease of use, operating system, storage, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best laptops for kids for any budget, needs, and family lifestyle. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Lenovo Chromebook C330 at Amazon Best Budget: Tanoshi Scholar at Amazon Best Netbook: HP Stream 14 at Amazon Best for Tweens: ASUS L210 Laptop at Amazon Most Versatile: Microsoft Surface Go 2 at Amazon Best for Teens: Apple MacBook Air at Amazon Best for Family Use: Acer Swift 3 at Amazon Best for Toddlers: LeapFrog 2-in-1 at Amazon Best for Little Kids: Lenovo Chromebook 3 at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for Why Trust Verywell Family? Best Overall: Lenovo Chromebook C330 4 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 360-degree flexibility Affordable Long battery life Cons Not suitable for intense gaming use Requires a Google email The Lenovo Chromebook earns our top spot because it's sleek, simple to use, and lightweight, making it a great choice for families. The Chromebook rotates 360 degrees, so your kiddo can use it in tent, tablet, stand, or laptop mode. For younger kids that are used to tablets, this computer has a touchscreen, so there’s a smooth transition from one device to the next. The built-in webcam is perfect for Zoom calls or remote learning and the Chrome operating system is easy to use with Google classroom. Operating System: Chrome OS | Screen Size: 11 inches | Touchscreen: Yes | Storage: 64GB How Much Screen Time Should I Allow? Best Budget: Tanoshi Scholar Amazon View On Amazon View On Tanoshikidscomputers.com Pros Well-built and sturdy Affordable Made for kids Cons Limited storage capability Two color options: purple & blue Specifically made for children, this affordable laptop is perfect for schoolwork and academic enrichment. This pick has a detachable keyboard and touchscreen functionality. It arrives preloaded with apps for distance learning like Google Docs, learn-to-code apps, and other gaming apps. With a focus on privacy, the Google Family Link app is also pre-loaded and there’s a sliding webcam cover for additional safety. Operating System: Android | Screen Size: 10 inches | Touchscreen: Yes | Storage: 32GB Best Netbook: HP Stream 14 2.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On EBay Pros HD Screen detail 14+ hour battery life Preloaded with some apps Cons Limited storage capacity Requires extra steps for Google classroom access The word “netbook” is often interchangeable with the term “notebook” or “laptop,” making for confusing terminology. They’re usually lightweight and nimble, made for work on the go. This choice fits the bill! Perfect for schoolwork and entertainment, the 14-inch screen will be appreciated if your kiddo will be streaming shows after school. The Microsoft-based system may be helpful for older students and the computer comes with access to Office 365 programs for one year. Operating System: Windows 10 | Screen Size: 14 inches | Touchscreen: No | Storage: 64GB How to Set Limits on Screens Best for Tweens: ASUS L210 Laptop Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Lightweight 12 hours of battery life Cons No touchscreen Number pad can be hard to use At less than one inch thick and a mere 2.3 pounds, tweens will have no trouble toting around this pick. They’ll love the 180-degree lay-flat hinge feature, which is super helpful for group projects or working in collaborative settings. When homework gets harder, there’s a backlit keyboard and an innovative 6-inch number pad. Reviewers praise this choice as affordable, easy to use, and able to handle whatever task a modern tween can throw at it. Operating System: Windows 10 | Screen Size: 11.6 inches | Touchscreen: No |Storage: 64GB The Best Kids' Headphones That Always Hit the Right Note Most Versatile: Microsoft Surface Go 2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Pros Sturdy, high-quality screen Appropriate for casual tasks Touchscreen Cons Type cover keyboard sold separately Limited battery life Perfectly portable, this versatile option can be used as either a laptop or tablet. If you want the “type cover” keyboard, it’ll need to be purchased separately, but it’s a seamless connection. Additionally, this tablet works with a surface pen and mobile mouse, both sold separately. This is a helpful option for families who may want the versatility of a tablet for streaming and the functionality of a laptop. Operating System: Windows 10 | Screen Size: 10.5 inches | Touchscreen: Yes | Storage: 64GB Best for Teens: Apple MacBook Air Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Pros 15 hours of battery life Reliable and long lasting High-speed processor Cons Expensive investment Only runs macOS The lightest, fastest MacBook available is expensive but worth it for older, more responsible teens, especially those that have art-inspired work or will be using the laptop for a few years to come. With up to 15 hours of battery life, this innovative powerhouse of a machine boasts a new M1 processor that’s super fast and the lack of a fan makes this a silent computer. Light and portable, the high resolution and bright display stand out among other options. Since MacBooks last a long time and tend to hold their value, this could be a wise investment for teens. Operating System: Mac OS | Screen Size: 13.3 inches | Touchscreen: No | Storage: 256GB The 22 Best Gifts for Teens of 2022 Best for Family Use: Acer Swift 3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Pros Lightweight Sharp display Excellent performance Built-in Alexa Cons Expensive 11 hours of battery life An award-winning option, this laptop is a high-functioning machine with a high price tag. It’s best as a family computer that’ll get a lot of use by everyone, which helps to balance out the high cost. Lightweight with moderate battery life, the family-friendly machine has an embedded fingerprint reader and the convenience of Amazon’s Alexa built into the computer. Reviewers note the excellent performance and well-made construction as stand-out features of this machine. Operating System: Windows 10 | Screen Size: 14 inches | Touchscreen: No | Storage: 512GB Best for Toddlers: LeapFrog 2-in-1 Amazon View On Amazon Pros Preloaded learning games No internet required Cons Limited capabilities Can only use preloaded apps For toddlers that want to be like mom and dad, this affordable laptop toy is a great option. Made with a flippable screen, the laptop toy easily converts from a laptop with the keyboard to tablet mode. There are five learning modes so kiddos can focus on ABCs, numbers, games, music, and sending messages. This product is customizable, allowing parents to program the Leapfrog with your child’s name so it’s easy to master spelling. Choose between two color options, green or pink, and your toddler will stay busy for hours. Operating System: N/A | Screen Size: 10.04 inches | Touchscreen: No | Storage: N/A The 7 Best Toy Laptops for Kids of 2022 Best for Little Kids: Lenovo Chromebook 3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Pros Touchscreen Simple interface Affordable Cons Limited storage 10 hours of battery life An amazing machine for younger kids or adults with limited processing needs, this laptop is portable, affordable, speedy, and works well. It's also simple to use. Power this laptop on and it’s ready to go. The touch screen makes it extra easy for young learners, especially if they’re tracing letters on the screen or more adept at touching rather than typing or clicking a mouse. While it doesn't support high-tech computing needs, it is perfect for younger kids who don't need extra frills and features. Operating System: Chrome OS | Screen Size: 11.6 inches | Touchscreen: Yes | Storage: 4GB Final Verdict The Lenovo Chromebook C330 (view on Amazon) is a versatile option that is lightweight, affordable, and able to keep up with your kiddo. For a premium laptop that will last for years to come, the MacBook Air (view on Amazon) is really unbeatable. It features an incredibly fast processor, long battery life, and a totally silent fan. What to Look for in Laptops for Kids Operating System The difference between a Chromebook and other laptops is the operating system. Chromebooks are laptops running on Google’s Chrome operating system. A Google email is preferred but if your child doesn't have one, they can use any email to log in through Google. Chromebooks tend to be lightweight, less expensive, and easy to use but will need workarounds or web-based versions of Microsoft Office programs. Other laptops run on a variety of operating systems, including the Microsoft Office Suite or Apple's OS (for MacBooks). These are typically costlier and have more memory and programming capability than Chromebooks. Programs must be downloaded from the internet or purchased separately. Processing Power Most kids won’t need a ton of processing power to do their everyday work. So, nearly all new computers will be able to hold up to the demands of modern school kids. For a new laptop, look for processor speeds to be between 3.50 to 4.2 GHz. For older kids, gamers, or those with lots of demands, the higher end will be more desirable and suitable for gaming. Storage With so much of your kids' work in the cloud, laptop storage has become less of an issue. Typically, for most kids and families, 256GB of storage will be plenty, especially if you don’t have a ton of saved videos, photos, games, and music. Most of this material can be uploaded to the cloud or a backup drive if needed. For a good gauge, check how much storage and usage your child has on their current laptop to guide your needs for a new one. Frequently Asked Questions What age should a child have a laptop? The right age to get a laptop for your child really depends on your child, their needs, and your personal preferences. Some kids may need a laptop for school, others may simply enjoy a laptop to watch movies, search the internet, or play video games. Some families decide to wait for middle or high school before getting their child a laptop, while others choose to get one for their preschooler. Do kids need a laptop for school? Some children need a laptop for school, others don't. This will depend on their school, their age, and how much homework they have. Some teachers focus more on using paper and books, while others have shifted to doing most schoolwork online. Plus, some schools will provide laptops for children to use. How long should my child be on a laptop? How long a child should be on a laptop depends on many factors, including your personal preferences, how they are using the laptop, their age, and their school needs. Generally, the younger the child, the less time they should spend, with around 1 to 2 hours a day the max for kids 5 and under. Parenting experts say less is more but that each family should create a limit that works for them. Why Trust Verywell Family Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, an 8-year-old son, and a 4-year old daughter. With two parents working from home and two out of three kids attending virtual school for most of the school year, Maya’s become an unofficial expert in computers, Zoom, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and more. Her two boys love their Chromebooks (although in an ordering snafu only one has a touchscreen—oops). She and her husband appreciate their MacBook computers for work. 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