Greatest gaming Chromebooks in 2023

All Chromebooks can have some enjoyable with Android video games, however the best possible Chromebooks for gaming open up many extra prospects. Triple-A titles from cloud streaming providers like NVIDIA’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming are an choice, and much more intense choices from Valve’s behemoth Steam platform, which is in beta for ChromeOS, will be performed. All these video games require loads of horsepower to fulfill efficiency calls for. The excellent news is that a lot of the massive Chromebook manufacturers, together with Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and HP, are stepping as much as the problem. We have handpicked these superior gaming machines to make sure you get the precise {hardware} for the job, whether or not you are streaming video games or enjoying them domestically.

Our picks for the highest gaming Chromebooks in 2023

Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE is likely one of the first of its form, providing up a platform designed particularly to deal with cloud streaming and native gaming. Past gaming, it is also a prime choose in relation to the general greatest Acer Chromebooks due to its high-end construct high quality, attractive show, and speedy processor. The most typical configuration accessible now features a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU with built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. Acer does listing a Core i7 choice, although it appears to be a lot more durable to seek out right now. The 516 GE is most generally accessible with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM. Amazon presently presents moveable SSDs at as much as a 2TB capability, although this doubtless is not vital except you are going all-in on native Steam gaming.

The laptop computer has 4 audio system with DTS Audio and a sensible amp to spice up the sound; two of them hearth up from the keyboard whereas the opposite two level down from the bottom. The keyboard has customizable RGB lighting and its anti-ghosting properties assist with frantic gameplay. Even if you’re having fun with quick video games, the massive 16-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price will be capable of sustain. The whole lot will look {smooth}, and the 2560×1600 decision with 100% sRGB shade actually would not get significantly better.

This Chromebook is able to tackle sport streaming due to a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a blistering wired connection and Wi-Fi 6E for a dependable wi-fi sign. It is also one of many fashions explicitly supported by the Steam for ChromeOS beta. Should you’re searching for a well-rounded Chromebook with cloud and native gaming on the forefront of its priorities, this can be a excellent place to start out.

The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is a beautiful convertible laptop computer that may excel at cloud gaming and it is also on the Steam beta compatibility listing. Its Eleventh-gen Intel Core CPUs aren’t as fast because the newer Twelfth-gen chips present in another choices right here, however they will nonetheless ship a good native gaming expertise. Simply make sure you splurge for a Core i5 or Core i7 chip with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics in case you’re trying to get pleasure from some native Steam titles. The CPUs are joined by as much as 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and as much as 512GB of storage.

The 360° convertible hinges maintain a 15.6-inch contact show with 1920×1080 decision. It has a 16:9 facet ratio, as much as 250 nits brightness, and slim bezels for a contemporary look. The very best half? It is obtained a 144Hz refresh price for a super-smooth gaming expertise. The keyboard is snug for typing or gaming with a minimal 1.4mm of journey and its anti-ghosting properties provide you with an correct enter. It would not have customizable RGB lighting, however it does have a backlight and highlighted WASD keys.

A scarcity of a local Ethernet port means you may largely depend on Wi-Fi 6, however you possibly can at all times add an Ethernet adapter to attach by way of USB-C. This can be a modern and versatile laptop computer with loads of completely different efficiency ranges accessible, supplying you with loads of alternative to get what you could have a little bit of enjoyable from top-of-the-line Asus Chromebooks round.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad lineup has at all times been about maximizing worth and this gaming Chromebook isn’t any completely different. It prices greater than our different prime picks in some instances, but it has a high-end function set that ought to enchantment to many individuals. The large 16-inch show has a crisp 2560×1600 decision with a 120Hz refresh price and is rated for as much as 350 nits of brightness. It additionally has 4 audio system, the webcam has a 1080p decision and privateness shutter, and Wi-Fi 6E is offered for a speedy wi-fi connection whereas streaming video games. There is not any native LAN port, however you possibly can at all times use an adapter with one of many USB-C ports.

Should you’re trying to check out some Steam video games, it is really helpful that you just follow a setup that includes a Core i5 or Core i7 CPU. The U-series chips seen on the IdeaPad aren’t as highly effective because the P-series chips in one thing just like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, however you possibly can nonetheless get respectable gaming efficiency. It is all powered by an enormous 71Wh battery.

The keyboard is on level with four-zone customizable RGB lighting and anti-ghosting properties. Its 1.5mm key journey additionally makes for a cushty day of typing. Should you’re searching for an entire lot of laptop computer that may simply deal with cloud gaming and native Steam gaming, you may get an awesome one within the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (16″) for an awesome worth.

The brand new Acer Chromebook Spin 714 refreshed for 2023 is one in every of our prime picks in relation to the general greatest Chromebooks in the marketplace at the moment. That is all due to its modern convertible design, 14-inch contact show, webcam with 2K decision and privateness shutter, Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for {smooth} cloud gaming, and powerful battery life. Whereas it is a superb all-around choice for energy customers and professionals, it may possibly additionally double as a gaming machine due to its thirteenth Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics and Steam assist.

Video games look nice on the 14-inch show and its FHD+ decision choice, and the convertible design means you possibly can flip it round for a pure Android gaming expertise. Its Intel Core U-series CPUs put up a powerful struggle, although you might need to contemplate a laptop computer with P-series CPUs in case you plan on largely gaming domestically with Steam. In any other case, you possibly can get pleasure from cloud gaming to your coronary heart’s content material. This Chromebook can excel as a accomplice in your work life, however its gaming capabilities will maintain you in entrance of the show when the day’s finished.

After we reviewed the 13-inch Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, we famous that “it even doubles up as a good option to eat content material and play cellular video games.” This stays true at the moment and it is now as inexpensive as ever, barring any main gross sales occasions since its launch. You possibly can reliably discover this Chromebook for round $400, making it probably the most inexpensive choice on the listing. Its Eleventh-gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU and 8GB of RAM will technically work for native Steam gaming, although you may have a significantly better time with cloud gaming on this setup.

The 13.3-inch show has a crisp 1080p decision and is touch-enabled to associate with the convertible design. It has top-firing audio system for unmuffled sound, its Wi-Fi 6 radios supply a dependable wi-fi tether for streaming, and the USB-C ports can be utilized for a wired web connection (with the precise adapter). This laptop computer will not completely blow you away with its velocity and show high quality, however it stays a prime choice for many who want a high quality Chromebook for work and play with out overspending.

Be aware that there’s additionally a 14-inch Flex 5i launched in 2023 with thirteenth Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. It’s considerably dearer at $800 and is presently solely accessible for Costco members. Except you actually need to set your self up for years to come back and have deeper pockets, the 13-inch Flex 5i from 2021 ought to stay a stable selection.

HP’s 2023 Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is a successor to the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, a business-focused convertible laptop computer launched in 2022. Nonetheless, not like the older mannequin that would rotate round 360 levels, the brand new Dragonfly Professional is a clamshell pocket book with a deal with mixing work and play into one premium system. Our HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook evaluate famous that “the Dragonfly Professional’s streamlined, understated appears should not be mistaken for plainness or laziness on the a part of HP’s designers.” Certainly, this can be a sharp laptop computer that nails just about each facet, from the 14-inch QHD+ show with 1,200 nits brightness and 100% sRGB all the way down to the quad speaker setup and RGB keyboard. It will possibly rightly sit among the many greatest HP Chromebooks to purchase.

HP presents only one configuration, however it has the precise stuff to deal with cloud gaming and even some native Steam titles. It is powered by a Twelfth Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics, together with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The 8MP webcam presents higher decision than any others on this listing, the big touchpad and keyboard are comfortable and accommodating, and it even has 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E. This can be a dear Chromebook, however it ought to be capable of deal with something you throw its means. Seize it in ceramic white or glowing black colours.

Shopping for a Chromebook typically means you are locked right into a set of {hardware} that the producer places collectively, however that is not the case with the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version. Its RAM and storage will be upgraded after buy, you possibly can outfit it with as much as a 1TB SSD straight from the manufacturing unit, and you may even customise the ports with the flexibility to swap them out down the highway. In our Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version evaluate, we talked about that it is an ideal selection for fanatics and geeks who love enjoying round with their units.

The laptop computer prices fairly a bit extra in comparison with many different choices on this listing, however it’s undoubtedly a novel product. The bottom mannequin comes with a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU and built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. It additionally has 8GB of DDR4 RAM that may be upgraded to 64GB, and a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. You possibly can go for an Ethernet port for cloud gaming, HDMI, or DisplayPort, relying in your exterior show, in addition to USB-A, USB-C, and a microSD card reader. As for the show, the 13.5-inch display screen has a boxy 3:2 facet ratio, boosted 2256×1504 decision, 400 nits brightness, and 100% sRGB shade protection.

Getting the very best Chromebook for gaming

Chromebooks have come a great distance since their introduction, and we’re now getting right into a interval the place high quality gaming is a viable choice. Just about any Chromebook can deal with your normal Android sport, however the capacity to host a cloud gaming session or play video games domestically by Steam requires a sure degree of efficiency and set of options.

Regardless of your selection of supply technique — whether or not it is fashionable streaming providers like GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, or native gaming by Steam — all of the laptops collected above can deal with a high quality gaming expertise. Meaning they’re able to a dependable and quick Wi-Fi connection (or, even higher, they’ve an Ethernet port), sufficient RAM (8GB or extra) and storage to assist all of the apps and video games you could possibly need, and, particularly within the case of Steam gaming, sufficient CPU and built-in GPU efficiency to ship a {smooth} expertise. In fact, not each Steam sport will run completely on a Chromebook, however the listing of video games that carry out nicely continues to develop.

With all this in thoughts, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is our prime choose in relation to gaming Chromebooks. It is designed particularly for gaming with a 16-inch QHD+ show with 120Hz refresh price, choices for quick Twelfth-gen Intel Core P-series processors, loud and wealthy sound, and an RGB keyboard. Its native Ethernet port is a boon for on-line multiplayer periods, and its quick M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD has loads of house to retailer video games domestically. This can be a nice choose for most individuals, particularly as costs degree out.

And in case you’re trying to maximize worth, Lenovo’s 16-inch IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook must be an awesome selection. It shares most of the identical options as the highest Acer choice, with a 16-inch QHD+ show and 120Hz refresh price, quad audio system, and RGB keyboard, although its Twelfth Gen U-series CPUs will not fairly match the P-series chips. Nonetheless, it is accessible at an awesome worth that will get higher throughout Lenovo’s frequent gross sales occasions.