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Best Chromebook for gaming in 2024 – our top picks

Here are the best Chromebooks for gaming available today.
Last Updated on April 15, 2024
The best white Chromebook for gaming, set against a vibrant blue background.

If you’re on the hunt for the best Chromebook for gaming, we’ve got you covered. 

Chromebooks are not meant for gaming, and they usually cost less than a regular laptop. However, some of them are a bit expensive as they are packed with hardware built for casual gaming. You can find Chromebooks featuring processors from the Intel 12th-gen lineup paired with decent RAM. 

As for the display, you can find WQXGA, QHD+ and similar screens with a high refresh rate of above 90+. However, with the ones meant for playing Android games, you shouldn’t expect anything fancy. For such games, we also recommend checking our top picks for the best Chromebooks under $300

It can be challenging to find the best Chromebook for gaming, as there are hundreds of options available in the market. You have to carefully look at the specifications and features of the Chromebook and choose the one that offers the best value for money. 

To help you kick off the research in the best possible manner, we’ve selected a few options we think are the best Chromebooks for gaming in the market today. So, without any further do, let’s check them out.

Products at a Glance

How we picked

We’ve used our expertise to find and research the best Chromebooks for gaming available in the market. We selected the Chromebooks based on their specs, features, and other notable aspects that make them stand out from the rest. We are also constantly looking for new options and update our list whenever we find something worth getting. So, make sure to check back here to explore more Chromebooks for gaming.

Our Recommended

Product Reviews

1
PROS
  • Powerful CPU
  • 8GB RAM
  • 144Hz display
CONS
  • Expensive for a Chromebook

If you’re looking for the best Chromebook for gaming, we suggest you check out the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34. Chromebooks are usually meant to be cheaper than regular laptops, but this one leans towards the expensive side due to its specs and features.

The Vibe CX34 comes packed with the Intel Core i5-1235U 1.3GHz processor. The processor has 10 cores and 12 threads, and its frequency can be boosted up to 4.40GHz. This makes it a decent processor for gaming and basic tasks. As for the graphics processor, we have the Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Coming down to the storage and RAM, we get a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM. The storage could’ve been better, but this is what you normally get in Chromebooks. As for the RAM, it is enough for casual gaming.

For the display, we have a 15.6-inch FHD screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9. On top of that, it has a refresh rate of 144 Hz, something that improves the gaming experience. Overall, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 is a powerful machine. It does not disappoint when it comes to aesthetics with its beautiful design. As a cherry on top, the Chromebook also has an RGB backlit anti-ghosting keyboard.

2
PROS
  • Powerful CPU & iGPU
  • 120Hz display
  • 1600p resolution
CONS
  • Design may not be for everyone

As you can probably guess from the name, the Acer Cloud Gaming Chromebook 516 GE is specifically geared towards gaming. By that, we don’t mean cloud gaming services, as it’s quite capable of running Steam for ChromeOS thanks to its 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P paired with Intel Iris Xe graphics. While gaming Chromebooks are expensive, this one is still relatively cheap when compared to other options present in the market, something that makes it the best budget Chromebook for gaming.

The processor has 12 cores and 16 threads and features a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.40 GHz. This makes it one of the most powerful processors you’ll see in a Chromebook in terms of single and multi-core processing.

On top of this, it comes with a 16-inch 1600p resolution display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The high refresh rate gives gamers an edge in competitive FPS games. While you’re unlikely to reach around 120 FPS with the hardware packed inside the Chromebook, you can certainly achieve it via cloud gaming. However, for that, you’ll need a good internet connection.

If we talk about storage and RAM, we get 256GB SSD paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM. We also get a solid selection of ports, including an ethernet socket for that all-important ethernet connection for cloud gaming. Overall, the Acer Cloud Gaming Chromebook 516 GE is an excellent choice for those who want something powerful yet not as expensive as the first option on our list.

3
PROS
  • Good for Android games
  • Lightweight
CONS
  • Storage could have been better

For Android games, you don’t need something flashy, as unlike PC games, they don’t require powerful components. For such games, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3. In fact, we think that the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 is the best gaming Chromebook for Android games. 

The Chromebook features the ‎Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c graphics coprocessor, which can run Android games smoothly without lagging. As for the CPU, we have the Snapdragon ‎2.55 GHz octa-core processor, which can handle gaming and everyday tasks pretty well. Speaking about storage, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 has a 128GB eMMC. For those who are hearing about it for the first time, eMMC refers to Embedded MultiMediaCard storage and it is mostly found in mobile devices and smaller laptops.

As you’ll be focusing on Android games only, you’ll be fine with the 128GB of storage. As for the RAM, we get ‎4 GB of DDR4 RAM, thanks to which you won’t face any performance issues.

Coming down to the display, it is an 11-inch 2K multitouch screen. The refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, but this is something you’d already expect from a Chromebook meant for Android games. Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 is an excellent Chromebook for those who only want to play Android games and push through basic daily tasks. 

4
PROS
  • Fairly strong Intel CPU & iGPU option for a Chromebook
  • 120Hz display
  • 1600p resolution
CONS
  • No RGB keyboard

The 14″ Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is the latest iteration in a line that has previously included the 13.5″ Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (another solid high-end pick). This version offers an Intel 12th-gen CPU along with the classic 2-in-1 convertible design that lets you transition between a laptop and a tablet.

The version we’ve picked comes with 512GB of SSD storage, something that is not common in Chromebooks. As for the processor, we get the Intel Core i5-1235U, which comes with 10 cores and 12 threads with a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.40 GHz. While it may not be the best processor, it is still excellent for casual gaming and basic daily tasks. As for the RAM, we get 8GB of DDR4 RAM in this Chromebook. This is the standard cap for nearly every Chromebook device, so we can’t really complain too much about it. Ultimately, it will run non-demanding games on low graphical settings that don’t require more than 8GB of memory.

Although the Spin 713 comes with a 2K screen option, we’ve picked this 1200p variant of the newer model as it’s a better option for gaming due to its components. You can rely on it for gaming via Steam for ChromeOS rather than using Cloud services. However, the screen’s refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which may be a negative point for those looking to play competitive FPS games. Overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a great option for those who want the best 2-in-1 Chromebook for gaming.

How to pick the best Chromebook for gaming

As Chromebooks are not usually meant for gaming, it can be challenging to find the one that suits your needs. Here are a few things you should consider before making a final purchase. 

CPU

You’d want to go for a Chromebook that features at least an Intel 12th-gen CPU which is powerful enough for casual gaming and other everyday tasks. These CPUs also feature integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics processors, which are decent for gaming. You’d want to avoid going for a Chromebook with a weak processor, as you’ll instantly regret your purchase. 

Storage

While you shouldn’t expect to find a big storage device in a Chromebook, you should at least get one with 256GB SSD. If you decide to get anything lower than that, you’ll find yourself constantly deleting old data to install something new, which can start getting annoying at some point. 

RAM

While you won’t need more than 4GB RAM for Android games, you’ll need at least 8GB of DDR4 RAM for PC games. Therefore, make sure to get a laptop that has 8GB or more of DDR4 RAM. This will not only help in gaming but also improve the overall performance of your Chromebook. Much like the best Chromebooks under $200, 4GB of RAM is found in cheaper laptops that can handle Android games, but nothing more than that. 

Display

For gaming, you’d want a display that is not only bigger but has a high refresh rate, preferably above 75 Hz. The screen should also be at least 1080p, as the visuals will look poor on anything lower than that. On top of that, if you’re planning to use your Chromebook outdoors or in well-lit environments, make sure to choose one with a bright display, preferably something above 300 nits. 

Our Verdict

We think that the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 is the best Chromebook for gaming. It features a powerful Intel Core i5-1235U 1.3GHz processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage. On top of that, we also get a 15.6-inch FHD display with a refresh rate of 144Hz, which can improve the overall gaming experience.