The 12 Best Laptops for Kids of 2022

How We Selected the Best Laptops for Kids 

We chose the best laptops for kids by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and studying the features of more than 30 products on the market. We considered operating systems, size, features, ease of use, design, and value when deciding our picks. We also reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on healthy screen time and eye health, and consulted with Madeleine Mortimore, MEd, education research and innovation lead at Logitech, and Steve Coxon, PhD, professor of education, executive director, Center for Access and Achievement at Maryville University, for considerations and product recommendations. 

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.

“While many schools have gravitated toward Chromebooks due to their relatively low cost, I’ve found much more success with Windows PCs. A PC laptop will run just about any software, from educational and productivity applications to the most demanding games,” says Coxon. “It’s also a benefit that most PC laptops have headphone jacks, USB ports, and HDMI, allowing students to connect easily to just about anything. And trust me, you never want to be in charge of a class of 8-year-olds pairing wireless headphones!”

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.

“Apple also presents some great options, especially for students focused on video and graphic design; however, costly adaptors are needed to connect to many non-Apple devices such as projectors and robotics,” Coxon explains.

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 schoolkids. 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. 

“It’s vital to consider what your child will use the laptop for: using the internet or doing most school work requires a lot less power than gaming or video editing,” says Coxon. Keep in mind how their usage may evolve over the years, as well.

Battery Life

No matter how your child will be using the laptop, battery life is an important feature you’ll want to consider. Depending on the device, the battery life of a laptop lasts anywhere from a few hours to a full day. 

“A lot of the mobile benefits of a laptop go away when students need to plug into a socket,” Coxon says. “With a large number of free and low-cost cloud services and ever-improving Wi-Fi speeds, a large and battery-draining hard drive is becoming less necessary unless students are working with large video files or gaming (which I recommend is limited to zero to two hours per day). A 1-terabyte (1,000GB) solid state drive (SSD) is more than sufficient for most kids and teens.”

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. 

Cost

Laptops are available at a variety of price points, but only you know your family’s budget. “Price is obviously a paramount consideration for most of us, and parents should consider that the laptop lifespan is likely only about three years,” explains Coxon. “Thus, I largely consider laptops that cost around $400 to $800. My experience suggests that you can get a quality laptop at this level, but at lower prices you are likely skimping on quality and speed that will lead to headaches later. Of course, the sky is the limit and you can easily spend around $4,000 on a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, but solid gaming laptops can be found for around $800.”

Features

From touchscreens to detachable keyboards, laptops are made with several useful features. While not every feature is a necessity, there are a few that can make using a laptop easier for kids. “At young ages, more than for older kids, a touchscreen is very handy on a laptop. Young children naturally want to touch and manipulate programs directly on the screen and most come to educational settings with experience with touchscreens,” Coxon tells Verywell Family. “However, it’s important for them to get some practice with trackpads and a mouse. Although a touchscreen remains a nice feature, it may be an unnecessary extra expense for students at about age 9 years and older.”

“For early childhood and elementary-age students, it’s key to provide children not only with a laptop or tablet that is easy to use, but tools that enhance their learning experience,” says Mortimore. “A finger on a touchscreen works fine for pre-K children, but it’s a rather blunt instrument with limitations for growth. A stylus can help young kids express themselves more easily and accurately, while also developing skills that set students up for future success. Everyone must learn to write as a lifelong skill, and providing a stylus can also help kids practice their handwriting skills. It’s helpful for kids in middle and high school, too. Research shows that when it comes to students retaining what they learn, the act of physically annotating during lessons can make a significant difference.”

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. 

Additional reporting by Katrina Cossey

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her BA in professional media. Her love for service journalism and helping others led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. When she’s not writing and researching, you’ll likely find her outdoors with her husband and their thrill-seeking toddler son.