Best gaming Chromebooks in 2024

The Chromebook has become the “do-it-all” device, more than worth its value. And you’d be forgiven to think that gaming doesn’t fall into its area of expertise, but Chromebooks from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo say otherwise. They handle the best Android games and glorious Triple-A titles, too.

With Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now letting you play the latest and greatest without relying heavily on a Chromebook’s power and the recent wave of Chromebooks primed for gaming, the reliable machines have become a viable option for gamers of all kinds. They boast 120Hz displays, RGB-lit keyboards, and more. These days, you’ll even find Steam for Chrome OS (still in beta). Whether you’re after the best Chromebook with a side of gaming or a Chromebook tuned for play, this gaming Chromebook list will help you stream or play on-device without a hitch.

Top gaming Chromebooks

Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE is one of the first of its kind, offering a platform designed specifically to handle cloud streaming and local gaming. Beyond gaming, it’s also a top pick when it comes to the overall best Acer Chromebooks thanks to its high-end build quality, gorgeous display, and speedy processor. The most common configuration available now includes a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. Acer does list a Core i7 option, though it seems to be much harder to find at this time. The 516 GE is most widely available with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM. Amazon currently offers portable SSDs at up to a 2TB capacity, though this isn’t probably necessary unless you’re going all-in on local Steam gaming.

The laptop has four speakers with DTS Audio and a smart amp to boost the sound; two of them fire up from the keyboard while the other two point down from the base. The keyboard has customizable RGB lighting and its anti-ghosting properties help with frantic gameplay. Even if you are enjoying fast games, the huge 16-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate will be able to keep up. Everything will look smooth, and the 2560×1600 resolution with 100% sRGB color really doesn’t get much better.

This Chromebook is ready to take on game streaming thanks to a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a blistering wired connection and Wi-Fi 6E for a reliable wireless signal. It’s also one of the models explicitly supported by the Steam for Chrome OS beta. If you’re looking for a well-rounded Chromebook with cloud and local gaming at the forefront of its priorities, this is a great place to start.

The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is a gorgeous convertible laptop that will excel at cloud gaming, and it’s also on the Steam beta compatibility list. Its 11th-gen Intel Core CPUs aren’t as quick as the newer 12th-gen chips found in some other options here, but they’ll still deliver a decent local gaming experience. Just be sure to splurge for a Core i5 or Core i7 chip with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics if you’re looking to enjoy some local Steam titles. The CPUs are joined by up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

The 360° convertible hinges hold a 15.6-inch touch display with 1920×1080 resolution. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, up to 250 nits brightness, and slim bezels for a modern look. The best part? It’s got a 144Hz refresh rate for a super-smooth gaming experience. The keyboard is comfortable for typing or gaming with a minimal 1.4mm of travel and its anti-ghosting properties give you an accurate input. It doesn’t have customizable RGB lighting, but it does have a backlight and highlighted WASD keys.

A lack of a native Ethernet port means you’ll mostly rely on Wi-Fi 6, but you can always add an Ethernet adapter to connect via USB-C. This is a sleek and versatile laptop with plenty of different performance levels available, giving you plenty of opportunity to get what you need to have a bit of fun from one of the best Asus Chromebooks around.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad lineup has always been about maximizing value and this gaming Chromebook is no different. It costs more than our other top picks in some cases, yet it has a high-end feature set that should appeal to many people. The huge 16-inch display has a crisp 2560×1600 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and is rated for up to 350 nits of brightness. It also has four speakers, the webcam has a 1080p resolution and privacy shutter, and Wi-Fi 6E is available for a speedy wireless connection while streaming games. There’s no native LAN port, but you can always use an adapter with one of the USB-C ports.

If you’re looking to try out some Steam games, it’s recommended that you stick with a setup featuring a Core i5 or Core i7 CPU. The U-series chips seen on the IdeaPad aren’t as powerful as the P-series chips in something like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, but you can still get respectable gaming performance. It’s all powered by a huge 71Wh battery.

The keyboard is on point with four-zone customizable RGB lighting and anti-ghosting properties. Its 1.5mm key travel also makes for a comfortable day of typing. If you’re looking for a whole lot of laptop that can easily handle cloud gaming and local Steam gaming, you can get a great one in the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (16-inch) for a great price.

The new Acer Chromebook Spin 714 refreshed for 2023 is one of our top picks when it comes to the best Chromebooks on the market today. This is all thanks to its sleek convertible design, 14-inch touch display, webcam with 2K resolution and privacy shutter, Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for smooth cloud gaming, and strong battery life. While it’s an excellent all-around option for power users and pros, it can also double as a gaming machine thanks to its 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics and Steam support.

Games look great on the 14-inch display and its FHD+ resolution option, and the convertible design means you can flip it around for a pure Android gaming experience. Its Intel Core U-series CPUs put up a strong fight, though you may want to consider a laptop with P-series CPUs if you plan on mostly gaming locally with Steam. Otherwise, you can enjoy cloud gaming to your heart’s content. This Chromebook can excel as a partner in your work life, but its gaming capabilities will keep you in front of the display when the day’s done.

As the best Chromebook available right now, there’s a lot to love about the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. The device is a major workhorse, boasting a 13th Gen Intel i3-1215U processor and a substantial 10-hour battery life, so it’s fit for work, study, and wouldn’t you know it, gaming. More so in the cloud gaming department than locally, though, as its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity offers reliable streaming without the nuisance of input lag.

For under $500, you can expect a slick 2-in-1 design, a decent 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display, and all the perks that come with Chromebook Plus. That’s an excellent deal, especially if you want to power through multiple Chrome tabs. It’s a shame its 13th Gen Intel power and 8GB of RAM doesn’t translate to formidable gaming power, as it won’t be able to handle the more demanding PC games out there. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t ideal for lighter titles on Steam or hard-hitting Android games on the Play Store.

It’s portable enough to game on the move, even if it’s on the heavier side, and can last a whole day of work and play without needing any juice. If you find yourself away from a desk more often than not and enjoy tackling less demanding titles after a day’s work, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus will happily oblige. Plus, making the most of your internet speeds means seamless cloud gaming.

When we reviewed the 13-inch Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, we noted that “it even doubles up as a decent way to consume content and play mobile games.” This remains true today and it’s now as affordable as ever, barring any major sales events since its release. You can reliably find this Chromebook for around $400, making it the most affordable option on the list. Its 11th-gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU and 8GB of RAM will technically work for local Steam gaming, though you’ll have a much better time with cloud gaming on this setup.

The 13.3-inch display has a crisp 1080p resolution and is touch-enabled to go along with the convertible design. It has top-firing speakers for unmuffled sound, its Wi-Fi 6 radios offer a reliable wireless tether for streaming, and the USB-C ports can be used for a wired internet connection (with the right adapter). This laptop won’t absolutely blow you away with its speed and display quality, but it remains a top option for those who need a quality Chromebook for work and play without overspending.

Note that there is also a 14-inch Flex 5i released in 2023 with 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. It is significantly more expensive at $800 and is currently only available for Costco members. Unless you really want to set yourself up for years to come and have deeper pockets, the 13-inch Flex 5i from 2021 should remain a solid choice.

HP’s 2023 Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a successor to the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, a business-focused convertible laptop released in 2022. However, unlike the older model that could rotate around 360 degrees, the new Dragonfly Pro is a clamshell notebook with a focus on blending work and play into one premium device.

Our HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review noted that “the Dragonfly Pro’s streamlined, understated looks shouldn’t be mistaken for plainness or laziness on the part of HP’s designers.” Indeed, this is a sharp laptop that nails pretty much every aspect, from the 14-inch QHD+ display with 1,200 nits brightness and 100% sRGB down to the quad speaker setup and RGB keyboard. It can rightly sit among the best HP Chromebooks to buy.

HP offers just one configuration, but it has the right stuff to handle cloud gaming and even some local Steam titles. It’s powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, along with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The 8MP webcam offers better resolution than any others on this list, the large touchpad and keyboard are comfy and accommodating, and it even has four Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E. This is a pricey Chromebook, but it should be able to handle anything you throw its way. Grab it in ceramic white or sparkling black colors.

Buying a Chromebook generally means you’re locked into a set of hardware that the manufacturer puts together, but that’s not the case with the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition. Its RAM and storage can be upgraded after purchase, you can outfit it with up to a 1TB SSD straight from the factory, and you can even customize the ports with the ability to swap them out down the road. In our Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review, we mentioned that it’s a perfect choice for enthusiasts and geeks who love playing around with their devices.

The laptop costs quite a bit more compared to many other options on this list, but it is definitely a unique product. The base model comes with a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. It also has 8GB of DDR4 RAM that can be upgraded to 64GB, and a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.

You can opt for an Ethernet port for cloud gaming, HDMI, or DisplayPort, depending on your external display, as well as USB-A, USB-C, and a microSD card reader. As for the display, the 13.5-inch screen has a boxy 3:2 aspect ratio, boosted 2256×1504 resolution, 400 nits brightness, and 100% sRGB color coverage.

Getting the best Chromebook for gaming

Chromebooks aren’t just about optimized internet productivity for workers and students, as many now have the right stuff under the hood to venture beyond Android games (even though modern Android gaming can already be quite demanding). With upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity to breeze through cloud gaming from GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna, and capable internals that can handle waves of the best games on Steam, you’ll find that the latest Chromebooks for gaming are worth their weight in gold (or V-Bucks, depending on the games you’re playing).

That’s why the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is our top choice, as it ticks all the right boxes to make games shine. Its dazzling 16-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate makes frame rates buttery smooth, its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and handy 2.5Gbps Ethernet port make cloud gaming a cinch, and an RGB-lit keyboard with anti-ghosting matches that gamer aesthetic. It can also handle games locally, offering up to 2TB of storage.

To really make the most of playing Steam titles locally, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip should be your go-to pick. While the 11th Gen Intel chip may be older, it’s backed by having i5 and i7 Intel Core options, 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. That’s plenty to handle a wealth of games on Steam, and these titles can be shown off on its 15.6-inch touch display with an enviable 144Hz refresh rate. While still a tad pricey, you’ll find it’s much more affordable than many Windows-based gaming laptops.

If budget is on your mind, but gaming still takes precedence, look no further than the gaming-ready Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. This affordable machine is made to game, with a 16-inch QHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate, 12th Gen Intel Core U-series chips, a Wi-Fi 6E connection for cloud gaming, and a four-zone customizable RGB-lit keyboard — all for under $500. Its U-series processors can’t quite match the power of others on this list, but there’s more than enough here to enjoy cloud gaming and light local gaming at its finest.