Best Chromebooks for Gaming

Chromebooks have skyrocketed in popularity. Whether for work or play, Chrome OS-based laptops offer a lot of flexibility. Because of its lightweight nature, Chrome OS typically uses fewer system resources than the average Windows or macOS PC. While Chromebooks may not deliver gaming performance on par with true gaming desktops and laptops or current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, Chromebooks can comfortably play many different video games. But you’ll want to pick out the right Chromebook for the job. Check out the best Chromebooks for gaming!

Are Chromebooks Good for Video Games – Can You Use a Chromebook for Gaming?

When you think about gaming, a Chromebook probably doesn’t come to mind first. However, Chromebooks are shockingly competent for gaming on the go. Since you can install Android apps on Chrome OS, you’ve got access to a bevy of different native Android games as well as PC or console Android ports. Additionally, Chromebooks can run many different emulators for playing retro video game ROMs.

Likewise, you can install Linux programs on Chromebooks, so it is technically possible to run apps such as Steam on a Chromebook. What’s more, cloud game streaming offers a nifty solution to gaming on a Chromebook. Although you may not be able to install the latest AAA titles from Steam, GOG, or Epic, gaming on a Chromebook is surprisingly solid. So yes, while a dedicated gaming laptop or desktop will trounce a Chromebook in terms of raw performance, you can use a Chromebook for gaming, and Chromebooks are good for light gaming.

What Games Can a Chromebook Run?

Because of Google Play Store access and the Chrome web browser, you can play a lot of games on a Chromebook. Native Android video games such as Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile run flawlessly on Chromebooks. You can find many different PC or console ports in the Play Store as well including Android versions of Doom, Doom II, Baldur’s Gate, Grant Theft Auto: San Andreas, and a slew of others. With Fortnite for Android, you can even play Fortnite on a Chrome OS laptop. Cloud game-streaming services including Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud with Game Pass, and Steam Link run flawlessly with either Android apps or in a browser.

Additionally, emulators for Android let you play tons of older games on a Chromebook. You can install emulators such as RetroArch, PPSSPP, and Dolphin which let you emulate tons of systems including more recent platforms like the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP), Nintendo GameCube, and Nintendo 64. From Android apps to cloud gaming services and emulators, there’s no shortage of games to play on Chrome OS.

What games can you play on a Chromebook?

• Native Android games (i.e. PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9)
• Android ports of PC or console games (i.e. Doom, Doom II, Half-Life 2, Titan Quest, GTA San Andreas, etc.)
• Cloud game-streaming services (i.e. NVIDIA GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, Steam Link, Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming)
• Retro game ROMs via emulators (i.e., RetroArch, PPSSPP, Dolphin, etc.)

Best Chromebook for Gaming Overall – Acer Chromebook 516 GE

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is an exceptional purpose-built gaming Chromebook. It features a blazing-fast Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage. There’s a crisp 16-inch 2560 x 1600 120Hz refresh rate display with a 16:10 aspect ratio that’s excellent for productivity. You’ll find an RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology which ensures correct key presses.

As a Chromebook optimized for NVIDIA GeForce Now’s top tier, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE lets you enjoy 120Hz gameplay thanks to its cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E wireless and 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet wired networking. With Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE, you’ll enjoy best-in-class performance, a terrific display, and long-lasting battery life. Additionally, the 516 GE is lightweight and easy to tote around. Unfortunately, it’s a bit pricey and the onboard speakers leave a bit to be desired. Still, if you want a big-screen Chromebook that’s equally capable for work and play, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is the best Chromebook for gaming overall.

Pros:

• Powerful Intel Core i5 CPU, Intel Xe Graphics
• Up to 512GB SSD
• Excellent port selection: 2x USB-C, 1x USB Type-A, 1x Ethernet, 1x headphone/mic 3.5mm combo jack, 1x full-size HDMI 2.0
• Reliable Wi-Fi 6E AX211 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless networking
• Lightweight – 3.75 lbs.
• Compact (14 x 9.8 x 0.84 inches)
• Solid RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology
• Gorgeous 16-inch 120Hz refresh rate 16:10 aspect ratio 2560 x 1600 WQXGA IPS screen

Cons:

• Pricey
• Middling onboard speakers

Best Premium Gaming Chromebook – ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip

The ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip sports a blistering 144Hz refresh rate for fast-paced gaming. It’s available with an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, Intel Xe graphics, and up to 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage. The 1920 x 1200 16:10 144Hz refresh rate screen looks lush and vivid while gaming, watching movies, or working.

Thanks to its Wi-Fi 6E, you’ll enjoy a reliable internet connection for cloud gaming. And the RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting features is a real treat to type on. There’s even a striking orange accent on the WASD keycaps which are regularly used for PC gaming with a keyboard. Sadly, the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip is a bit expensive. Furthermore, the built-in speakers aren’t the best and the gray keyboard doesn’t work well with the backlight enabled under some circumstances. Despite a few minor quibbles, the ASUS Chromebook CX34 Flip is the best high-end gaming Chromebook on the market. You might also consider the cheaper but still capable ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip.

Pros:

• Beefy Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, Intel Xe Graphics
• Up to 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage
• Gorgeous 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display with 16:10 aspect ratio and 144Hz refresh rate
• Superb connectivity: 1x USB Type-A, 2x USB Type-C, 1x full-size HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack, 1x microSD card slot
• Great networking with Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E
• Lightweight (3.97 lbs.)
• Compact (31.95 x 23.49 x 2.09cm)
• Long battery life
• RGB backlit keyboard and orange-accented WASD keycaps

Cons:

• Expensive
• Average speakers
• Gray keyboard doesn’t work well with backlight in some environments

Best Value Gaming Chromebook – IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook

The Lenovo IdeaPad is a value-packed gaming Chromebook. It features an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of in-built storage space. You’ll appreciate its generous 16-inch 2560 x 1600 WXQGA screen and fast 120Hz refresh rate. And there’s a good all-day battery that lets you play and work from virtually anywhere. As is expected from the Intel i3 processor, performance isn’t the greatest. Moreover, the IdeaPad gaming Chromebook utilizes cheap eMMC flash storage instead of a faster SSD boot drive. At the end of the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad gaming 3 Chromebook delivers phenomenal bang-for-your-buck.

Pros:

• Good Intel Core i3 CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics
• 8GB of RAM, 128GB eMMC flash storage
• 16-inch 2560 x 2600 WXQGA 16-inch 2560 x 1600 120Hz refresh rate screen
• Extremely affordable
• RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting
• Lightweight
• Easy to carry
• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• Not the most powerful processor
• Tinny speakers
• Uses cheap eMMC flash storage instead of SSD

Best Productivity Chromebook for Gaming – Acer Spin 714

The Acer Spin 714 is arguably the top Chromebook on the market. Boasting Intel’s Evo platform, the Spin 714 features a 12th gen Intel Core i5 CPU mated to Intel Iris Xe graphics. As such, its video performance is impeccable. You’ll find a gorgeous 2K IPS display with a unique 3:2 aspect ratio for an added 18% more vertical screen real estate. As a 360-degree convertible notebook, the Acer Spin 714 can be used as a traditional laptop or in a tablet mode. At 3.02 pounds and merely 0.67 inches thin, the Spin 713 is compact and easy to carry around. Despite its lightweight frame, the Acer Spin 713 comes with MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability.

Connectivity is absolutely fantastic. You’ll find Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, an HDMI output, USB 3.0 Type-A, a pair of USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort alongside power delivery, a microSD card slot, and headphone jack. Its built-in 256GB SSD drive and 8GB of RAM should be more than sufficient for gaming. The onboard microSD card slot is perfect for storing games and freeing up the internal hard drive.

Sporting a lovely 2K 2256 x 1504 (200 PPI) 3:2 13.5-inch IPS display, attractive aluminum chassis, and MIL-STD durability, the Spin 714 is beautiful yet rugged. While the 3:2 aspect ratio is a nice touch that provides more vertical screen space, the non-standard screen dimensions may be offputting to some users. Though it’s great for productivity, widescreen content will be letterboxed. Similarly, Spin 714 features large bezels compared to the almost non-existent bezels that have become the industry standard on laptops, monitors, and TVs. Still, the Acer Spin 714 is hands-down the best Chromebook for gaming, productivity, and entertainment.

Pros:

• 2K 2256 x 1504 (200 PPI) 3:2 13.5-inch IPS display
• Convertible 360-degree laptop/tablet functionality
• Intel Evo platform with Intel 12th gen Core i5 CPU and Intel Xe graphics
• 3.02 lbs.
• 0.67-inches thick
• Excellent connectivity – Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 1 x HDMI, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with DisplayPort and power delivery, microSD, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x headphone jack
• MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability
• Long-lasting 11-hour battery life, quick charging (4 hours of use in just 30 minutes of charging time)

Cons:

• 3:2 display may not appeal to some users
• Thick bezels

Best Premium Gaming Chromebook – Google Pixelbook Go

Google’s Pixelbook Go is a high-end Chromebook that’s suitable for gaming. Available with up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 4K Ultra HD display, the Pixelbook features powerful processing capabilities. Its 12-hour battery is long-lasting. At just over two pounds, the Pixelbook Go balances power and portability. The backlit “Hush” keyboard remains comfortable as well as quiet to type on. What’s more, the Pixelbook Go sports a touchscreen display.

Android and Linux apps run extremely well on the Pixelbook Go. For gaming with the likes of Google Stadia, the Pixelbook is more than up to the challenge. Impressively, the Pixelbook flaunts a 1080p webcam, higher than the 720p webcams prominently embedded in most Chromebook and laptop bezels. Flaunting a sturdy, attractive design, the Google Pixelbook Go is a stylish Chromebook. Unfortunately, the price tag is pretty high. Granted, you do get quite a robust machine for the cost. But for the money, you could get a budget gaming laptop instead with far more horsepower.

Pros:

• Up to Intel i7 CPU
• As much as 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
• 1080p or 4K display
• Backlit keyboard
• 1080p webcam
• Long-lasting 12-hour battery life
• Touchscreen display

Cons:

• Expensive

Best Mid-range Gaming Chromebook – HP x360 Chromebook

HP’s x360 Chromebook is a well-priced Chromebook. The optional Intel i3-10110U CPU bests the i5-7200U. It can be had with 8GB of RAM and a 64GB eMMC module. The backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and webcam all make the HP x360 a slick machine that’s capable of serving as a laptop for work or school. There’s a microSD card slot, two USB-C ports, a USB Type-A header, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack. The Intel i3 variant is great for gaming and can run most Android games or emulators with buttery smooth graphics. Unfortunately, the 64GB eMMC storage is pretty paltry. However, an onboard microSD card slot is perfect for additional storage space.

Pros:

• 14-inch 1080p display
• Up to Intel Core i3-10110U CPU
• Great connectivity: 2 x USB-C (one with power delivery, one with DisplayPort video out), 1 x USB Type-A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, microSD
• Backlit keyboard, webcam, fingerprint reader
• Up to 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC

Cons:

• Paltry storage space

Best Budget Chromebook for Gaming – Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a good, cheap Chromebook for gaming. You’ll find an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display. Under the hood, there’s an Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and a 64GB eMMC module. Its Intel UHD graphics 600 are competent enough for light gaming.

Particularly considering its price, the IdeaPad 3 features mind-blowing connectivity. There’s a microSD card slot, two USB Type-C ports including one with video out and one for charging, a pair of USB 3.0 Type-A hosts, and a headphone jack. For emulation, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can tackle higher-end systems such as the PSP, N64, and even some Wii or GameCube titles. Native Android games such as Grand Theft Auto San Andreas are more than playable, even with the IdeaPad 3’s low-end CPU.

The Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Intel UHD 600 integrated GPU isn’t terribly powerful. And its 64GB of storage space is fairly low. Yet, for the price, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a terrific Chromebook that delivers shockingly decent native Android gaming as well as emulation performance.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Intel Celeron N4020 CPU, Intel UHD 600 iGPU
• 1 x microSD card slot, 2 x USB Type-C ports (one with video out, one for charging), 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A hosts, 1 x headphone jack, AC Wi-Fi
• 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC

Cons:

• Low 64GB storage space
• Not much RAM at 4GB
• Weak CPU/GPU combo

What to Look for in a Chromebook for Gaming

For basic web browsing such as office productivity or school work, almost any Chromebook will suffice. But for gaming, you’ll want a powerful Chromebook with enough storage space to house your apps and games. Here’s what to look for in a gaming Chromebook!

CPU: Since gaming and emulation are pretty hardware-intensive, you’ll want a decent processor. An Intel i5 or higher will work well, or you can find Chromebooks rocking AMD Ryzen embedded chips for a graphics boost. Even Intel Celeron-based machines can suffice for cloud game-streaming, native Android gaming, and emulation. However, serious gamers should snag a Chromebook with a beefier CPU.

GPU: Most Chromebooks ship with integrated GPUs, although some Chrome OS laptops come with dedicated GPUs. The Acer Spin 713 includes an Intel Xe dGPU at its core for excellent graphics processing, and many AMD Ryzen embedded Chromebooks provide awesome gaming performance.

RAM: Memory is key for multi-tasking. You should snag a Chromebook with at least 4GB of RAM, but 8GB or higher is even better.

Storage space: Because you’ll be gaming and installing ROMs, you’ll want plenty of storage space. 64GB is the absolute minimum amount of hard drive space you’ll want. I’d recommend a 128GB or better yet 256GB SSD instead.

Display: 1080p is the sweet spot for most Chromebooks, and games will look just fine at 1080p. Still, many game-streaming platforms like Google Stadia have rolled out 4K support. And if you’re a streaming video buff, a 4K panel will afford gorgeous picture quality.

Connectivity: Think about what peripherals you want to hook up. For gaming, you’ll likely need a gamepad and can use either a wired or wireless game controller. Having access to a microSD card slot is essential for ROM and app storage. Video output capabilities using HDMI or USB-C lets you connect your Chromebook to a television, monitor, or projector for big-screen gaming. Especially for game streaming from the cloud, you’ll want good Wi-Fi support so if you’ve got a Wi-Fi 6 router, you may want a Chromebook with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility.

Price: Cost is a crucial consideration. Think about your budget and find a Chromebook that fits the bill. There are Chromebooks ranging anywhere from $130 USD to over $1,000.

Best Gaming Chromebook FAQs

Best Chromebooks for Gaming – Final Thoughts

Ultimately, while Chromebooks aren’t purpose-built for video gaming, you can easily game on a Chrome OS laptop. With Linux and Android app support as well as compatibility with browser-based cloud gaming services and emulators, there’s a large library of games you can play on a Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE, ASUS CX34, and Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook 16 are the best overall gaming Chromebooks. We also like Acer’s Spin 714 as a solid productivity ChromeOS laptop that’s capable of gaming. The Google Pixelbook Go is a fabulous high-end Chromebook for gaming. HP’s x360 14 Chromebook provides a wonderful experience for work and play without breaking the bank, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a cheap but good Chromebook.

Your turn: What Chromebooks do you recommend for gaming, and what games are you playing on your Chromebook?