Let's face it: having a laptop for school is a necessity. But toting around a bulky, slow computer from five years ago is not the vibe. Opting for a Chromebook is a solid choice for students: they're lightweight, fast, and typically cost far less than Windows PCs or Apple MacBooks.
Chromebooks run on ChromeOS, a streamlined operating system that integrates with Google Drive, making it easy to navigate to apps like Google Docs, Google Drive, and Gmail so you can stay on task and in touch with teachers and classmates. Even better: Chromebooks have leveled up the past few years, offering more power, storage, and features powered by Google's Gemini.
What is the best Chromebook for students right now?
ZDNET's staff has extensive hands-on experience with PC hardware, including our top laptop choices and a variety of Chromebooks. While deciding on the best Chromebooks for students, we take a holistic approach by using the devices we test over the course of a week and assess their performance across different tasks.
The Chromebook I recommend most for students is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. It's extremely thin and lightweight, with a surprising amount of power under the hood and a brilliant OLED display.
Also: The best lightweight laptops of 2025: Expert tested
It's not going to be the top choice for everyone, however, so we've included other models from some of the top names like Lenovo, HP, and Acer, for a variety of use cases. Here's how these top five Chromebooks stack up for your school and study needs.
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The best Chromebooks for students in 2025
Show less View now at Amazon View now at Samsung View now at Best Buy Slim, light, and expressly portable, Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus makes an impression on campus with its AMOLED display and premium form factor.
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