Picking up one of the top laptops for kids allows your child to work and play on something that’s perfectly suited to their needs.
Whether at the kitchen table or at school, a laptop - rather than an all-in-one computer - means that they’re able to take their studies (and YouTube binging) on the go. With so many laptops out there, though, and it not always being clear which are actually good fits for younger ages, we’ve tested, reviewed and ranked some of the best ones to consider.
- Best tablet for kids: Hardy devices for young people to enjoy
Our priorities for this list are durability, performance and affordability - so, you won’t find any high-end MacBook models or ultrabooks here. These aren’t intended as powerhouses, but, instead, as useful machines for young users.
Our Top Pick: Best Kids Laptop
For
- Exceptional trackpad Stylish design Comfortable keyboard
Against
- Slow storage Limited screen brightness
The Acer Spin 513 is a perfect option for younger users doing schoolwork, or really anyone who needs a fairly cheap laptop for emails, web browsing and watching videos.
It feels very sturdy, despite being mostly plastic and both the keyboard and trackpad are a delight to use. This one comes with a touchscreen display and it can be folded over and used like a tablet, which is especially handy when running Android apps in ChromeOS.
Low asking price 14-inch 1080p display with metal lid Office 365 bundles are available
Intel Pentium processor isn’t very powerful Only 64GB storage built-in
The Asus Vivobook is an incredibly cheap laptop and it should be sufficiently durable thanks to its robust metal lid. It’s surprisingly stylish and lightweight too, for a budget option.
Arguably the best part is that the Vivobook runs full Windows, in a price range normally reserved for Chromebooks, meaning it will be compatible with anything your child might need to do for school. What’s more, it often comes bundled with Office365, so your kid can get on with their homework straight away.
Solid and comfy keyboard Good battery life Rugged construction and hinge design
Massive bezels on the screen Some touchpad annoyances
The Acer Spin 311 offers tremendous value for money. The keyboard is great and the flexible hinge design lets you use it as a chunky tablet. The screen is pretty solid too, albeit on the smaller side with large bezels.
It’s not the prettiest thing in the world but its rugged exterior will stand up to the inevitable knocks and tumbles that a kids laptop will be subjected to. Unlike some of the options on our list, this one has plenty of ports so you can connect it up to all manner of peripherals.
Well priced Long battery life Lightweight and portable
Magnetic components pop off too easily The only port is a single USB Type C
This two-in-one tablet and Chromebook is stylish and exceptionally well priced. It comes with the keyboard cover in the box, unlike Microsoft’s Surface equivalents, and at a much lower price too.
It’s compact, lightweight and has superb battery life making it a great pick for kids. The only things we aren’t so keen on are how easily the magnets disconnect and that the device only has a single USB-C port. This means you can’t use wired headphones and charge at the same time unless you have a hub of some sort.
Affordable starting price Fantastic vivid display Clever design and kickstand
Keyboard cover not included Performance could be better
The Surface Go 3 is without a doubt the most premium-feeling recommendation on our list. The aluminium housing looks sharp and the Alcantara finish on the keyboard cover is simply luxurious on the hand.
The starting price is surprisingly low too, though you’ll need to consider the cost of the keyboard cover, as it’s not included. If your kid needs the full Windows suite and the option of using it as a tablet appeals, then the Surface Go 3 is one of the finest options out there.
How to choose a kids laptop
Choosing a laptop for a kid is no easy task, there are so many options both on the hardware and software side. Hopefully, you’ve spotted something suitable in our recommendations, but to help ensure that you’re getting the best machine for the job, here are a few things to think about before committing.
How old are they?
This is an important one as it’ll change your priorities drastically. For younger kids, we think durability should be a primary concern as the laptop will no doubt be getting knocked about a bit. We think it’s often wise to consider a cheaper device as it will lessen the blow when it eventually breaks. Performance isn’t likely to be a top priority, these days any laptop can handle web browsing, YouTube playback and word processing tasks.
If you’re shopping for an older kid, then performance will become more of a concern. Ideally, you want a device that will last a while and if they are showing an interest in things like graphic design, video editing or gaming then it’s important to find a device that will allow for these activities. In this case, you might be best looking at our guide to the best laptops for students instead.
Chrome OS vs Windows
It’s crucial to figure out which operating system will be best suited to the work your child needs to get done. Windows is one of the most popular operating systems in the world and, as such, it offers the greatest level of flexibility and is compatible with pretty much any software you can imagine. The downside is that Windows requires a bit more horsepower to run and so Windows laptops tend to be more expensive and have shorter battery life than their Chromebook counterparts.
Chrome OS is a simpler operating system that is based largely around Google’s Chrome browser. Chrome OS can run smoothly on lower-spec devices, meaning you can get snappy performance from cheap hardware. It also has the benefit of being able to run Android apps, which makes touchscreen Chromebooks very versatile devices. If your child will need to run any special software for school or a hobby, though, there’s a good chance it won’t be compatible.
How much should you spend?
When it comes to laptops and Chromebooks, there is a gigantic spread of price points. As you might expect, the more you spend, the more capable of a machine you will get. In our guide, we have focused on the cheaper devices as the majority of kids will only really need the basics.
However, if you’re buying for older kids or are looking for a device that can be shared among adults and children, then you’ll likely benefit from spending a little more. You might want to check out our guide to the best laptops or best Chromebooks available for more premium options.
Kids laptops we also recommend
While the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is a superb Chromebook option, it’s not necessarily the right laptop for every child. That’s why we’ve also selected the following laptops for you to also consider.
