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Chromebooks are popular, affordable, and seemingly everywhere, but are these Google-powered laptops decent picks for gaming, too? They can be—with caveats. Some Chromebooks are now specially designed to play games via cloud-based gaming services, and we've tested most of the field. PCMag has been reviewing gaming laptops and Chromebooks since their creation, evaluating Chromebook performance, battery life, connectivity, display quality, and other features in our reviews and lab tests. (We test more than 100 laptops of all stripes every year.) Our top pick for the best gaming Chromebook is the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, which packs a high-refresh-rate display, a fast-polling keyboard, and a speedier-than-most Wi-Fi radio, all tuned for cloud gaming. But it's hardly your only option. Here's a rundown of our best-bet Chromebooks for gaming, a detailed guide to all the aspects of gaming on ChromeOS, and a spec chart comparing our top picks.
Our Top Tested Picks
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025)
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025)
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
EDITORS' NOTE
August 15, 2025: With this update, we've revised our advice on game-streaming services in relation to Chromebooks, sparked by news of Steam soon leaving ChromeOS. (We've added details on other current services and system requirements.) Our product recommendations remain unchanged and have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we have reviewed and evaluated nine new laptops for potential inclusion in this and our other laptop buying guides.
Best Overall Gaming Chromebook
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025)
- Boosted productivity and gaming performance
- High-res IPS screen with 120Hz refresh rate
- Four-zone RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting
- Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet
- Below-average battery life
- Non-touch display limits Android app use
The second iteration of Acer's gaming edition Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025), is built for cloud game streaming. It's stuffed of gamer-friendly features, like a new CPU for boosted performance, a high-resolution IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet support for smooth streaming, and an RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting for fast-paced input. But it's also a high-quality Chromebook overall, with excellent productivity performance and AI-enhanced features under the Chromebook Plus brand. Plus, at its list price, it's the most affordable gaming machine you'll find, so long as you're OK without a proper GPU.
This deluxe laptop is built for existing Chromebook fans who want to game or gamers who want to ditch the bulky laptop or desktop for an affordable, portable Chromebook. The design balances portability, productivity, and gaming with a cost-conscious price but still includes RGB eye candy.
Best 2-in-1 Convertible Chromebook for Gaming
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714
- New AI features supercharge ChromeOS
- 12 months free Google One with Gemini Advanced
- Versatile, durable 2-in-1 design
- Intel Core Ultra processing and on-device AI
- Excellent battery life
- Clear, colorful touch screen
- Pen not included
- ChromeOS still has quirks
Though not as affordable as some Chromebooks, Acer's Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is the best ChromeOS-powered laptop we've seen, especially for Android gaming. It packs a capable 2-in-1 design and a powerful Intel Core Ultra processor, plus two fistfuls of AI-powered upgrades, including a 12-month trial of Google's Gemini Advanced. We already loved the Spin 714's elegant design and quality construction, but the latest model ups the ante with the smartest version of ChromeOS we've seen yet.
This one is for anyone who wants the best that ChromeOS with Android support has to offer. Whether you're into productivity, creativity, student life, or just chilling at home, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is as close to perfect as Chromebooks get.
Best General-Use Chromebook for Gaming
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025)
- Impressive CPU performance
- Pleasant keyboard and touchpad
- Lots of connectivity
- Attractive, friendly design
- A bit of flex to the chassis
- Basic 1080p display easily outclassed for not much more
- Enough battery for a workday—no more
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025) earns our pick for a "Plus" model for ChromeOS gaming with its impressive performance and user-friendly design. Equipped with an updated Intel Core i5 processor, it delivers potent CPU performance, making it suitable for productivity tasks and light gaming. The comfortable keyboard and pleasant touchpad enhance the overall user experience, while extensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 7 and multiple ports, add versatility. The 1080p display is ideal for schoolwork and casual gaming, and at a competitive list price (often discounted), it presents an exceptional value. This Chromebook is ready to handle Android apps, online games, and streamed gaming services, making it a well-rounded choice for users seeking a capable device.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025) is ideal for budget-conscious shoppers and anyone looking for a reliable device for both work and play. Its combination of performance and features makes it a smart choice for users who want a Chromebook that excels in productivity while providing legitimate gaming options. Whether it's tackling school assignments, enjoying Android games, or streaming high-end PC games, this Chromebook delivers an excellent experience for a super-affordable price.
Best Budget Chromebook for Gaming
Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook
- Responsive 12.2-inch touchscreen
- Low price
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent port selection
- Flexible 2-in-1 design
- Middling Intel N100 processor
- Storage limited to 64GB eMMC
- Lagging battery life
- Plastic construction with unwanted chassis flex
The Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is our favorite low-cost Chromebook for gaming, a 12-inch laptop that's petite and lightweight, with a convertible design that works as both laptop and tablet. The port selection is above average, and the performance is fast enough for the OS's browser-centric approach. Longer battery life would be nice, but this Chromebook will still get you through the day, making it ideal for casual users who want something that's easy to bring along and quick at web browsing and running apps.
For an ultraportable that's also light on price, the Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is a smart choice. Whether you're using it to take notes in class or tackle Android games at night, stream movies on the couch, or enjoy the best games Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming platform has to offer, the Flex 3 is the best Chromebook for gaming we've seen that should fit the very tightest budgets.
Best Chromebook for linux Gaming
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
- Ultra-affordable
- Excellent battery life
- Chromebook Plus features enhanced with AI
- Sturdy design with plenty of ports
- Capable touch display
- Small storage capacity in most models
- Underwhelming performance
- Keyboard isn't backlit
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is another excellent Chromebook Plus model, with the emphasis on a budget-friendly price. For such a low price, you get a capable ChromeOS laptop that offers more than 14 hours of battery life, a sturdy design with plenty of ports, and a touch display that's great for tapping and swiping in Android games. But our favorite benefit of the new model is probably the AI-enhanced Intel Core i3-N305 processor and way-above-average 512GB SSD. That beefier processor and storage combo makes it a perfect choice for dual-booting with linux, opening all sorts of new gaming opportunities.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is an excellent affordable pick for any budget-conscious buyer. We especially love this Chromebook for its processing power and sizable storage, which make linux gaming possible. Budget shoppers interested in loading up a linux distro will appreciate both the price and the capable hardware.
Best ChromeOS Tablet for Android Games
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9
- Among the least expensive convertible laptops on the market
- Sharp touch screen
- Tablet portion has a high-quality build for its price
- Headphone jack is back
- Test model includes stylus pen
- All models include bundled keyboard
- Middling performance and battery life
- Keyboard has squishy keys, is designed for smaller hands
Though it may not be the most powerful option on the market, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 stands out as the best ChromeOS tablet for Android games, thanks to its aggressively low price and versatile 2-in-1 design. With a sharp touch screen and a sturdy build, this device is perfect for casual gaming and everyday tasks. Don't expect robust performance from this light model; its seamless conversion from tablet to laptop is what makes it an ideal choice for people who play lots of tablet games. The detachable tablet portion will be more comfortable to hold for longer gaming sessions than a rotating 2-in-1 could ever be, and features like front and back cameras offer more phone-like feature support than a convertible laptop does.
This tablet/laptop hybrid is perfect for students, younger users, and budget-conscious individuals seeking a dependable device for online activities and light, touch-based gaming. If you need a versatile tool for entertainment while spending as little as possible, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 is an excellent choice that meets essential needs without unnecessary frills.
Best Premium Chromebook for Gaming
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
- Super slim and light
- Stunning AMOLED screen
- Snappy performance and class-leading battery life
- Useful port selection
- Productive keyboard with Quick Insert, Function keys
- Expensive
- No webcam privacy shutter
- No touch screen
- Lackluster speakers and webcam
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a fantastic all-around Chromebook, thanks to its capable Intel processor choices, 8GB of RAM, and premium, ultra-light design. This laptop's spec sheet adds up to an ideal Chromebook for streaming games, even if it doesn't have a touch screen, but Samsung's stunning AMOLED panel seals the deal. This better-than-OLED screen enhances the visual experience whether you're streaming AAA games or completing homework. Throw in some of the best battery life a Chromebook can muster, and the Galaxy Chromebook Plus becomes an easy pick—provided you're willing to pay extra for premium perks.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is ideal for gamers who want a premium Chromebook with excellent performance and for anyone who prioritizes a high-quality display for gaming and media consumption. This is the luxury Chromebook experience that just happens to be a fit for gaming.
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The Best Chromebooks for Gaming in 2025 Compare Specs
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025)
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025)
You're probably familiar with Chromebooks, the laptops running ChromeOS, Google's browser-focused operating system that leverages online storage and apps to offer functionality on par with a basic Windows or Mac laptop. As simple, inexpensive machines for everything from checking email and social media to writing papers and joining Zoom calls for classes and work, Chromebooks are well-suited to today's always-online life. But many recent Chromebooks add gaming to the mix. From online games and Android apps to streaming game services, you can enjoy downtime on a Chromebook more than ever.
The first few Chromebooks made explicitly for gaming are now a couple of years old. No Chromebook then or now qualifies as a "traditional" gaming laptop with a discrete graphics processing unit (GPU), playing demanding 3D games on the laptop itself. Streaming your game experience from powerful cloud servers to your Chromebook's display is the name of the game with Chromebooks. But these low-cost systems are ideal if you want a lightweight machine designed for use with those cloud gaming services. Today, you have several distinct approaches to playing games on Chromebooks, and even a couple of ways to enjoy today's most popular games.
How Does Gaming on a Chromebook Work?
While the term "gaming" may call to mind high-powered gaming laptops or Microsoft's and Sony's dedicated family-room consoles, the reality is that the gaming world is much larger than the so-called AAA or big-budget titles that major studios release. From retro games to the casual games that make smartphones so entertaining, plenty of gaming opportunities don't require an expensive GPU and a big gaming desktop or laptop.
At your disposal today are four main ways to game on Chromebooks, each with unique considerations for the type of hardware you have:
You can rely on browser-based games that need nothing more than visiting a website.
You can run Android games as apps within ChromeOS, giving you access to all the best games in the Google Play Store.
You can stream games through cloud gaming services like Nvidia's GeForce Now.
If you're willing to do some work, you can install a handful of linux games directly onto your Chromebook.
Our How to Play Games on Your Chromebook guide has more details, but we'll briefly discuss your options here.
Browser-Based Games: Play It Straight in Chrome
The simplest options for Chromebook gaming are browser-based games. These work right in the Chrome browser, without requiring a download or potent hardware. They range from basic versions of chess and checkers to old-school classics like Pac-Man and Doom, along with a vast number of indie games that are free to play online.
Retro games are freely available for playing in your browser via several legitimate websites, from Classic Games Arcade to the Internet Archive's coin-op arcade. Google even has its own collection of browser-based games, called GameSnacks, that run in HTML5.
While many of these games are accessible via the right website, installing a browser extension can enable some games for play in the Chrome browser. These are the simplest game options on this list, and most game extensions are free. And an important perk: They also have the benefit of letting you play offline.
For these games, you need nothing more than a Chromebook that can go online. The selection is a bit limited, but you might recognize a few titles, like Flappy Bird and Temple Run. Most work with a keyboard and mouse, but they may also offer support for game pads and touch screens.
These games are the perfect option for the average Chromebook because they don't rely on local processing power, large install files, or special input devices. And since they're browser-based, they'll work on any Chromebook, including school-issued systems.
Android Games: Play Phone Apps on Your Chromebook
Next are Android games, played using the support for Android apps built into all Chromebooks from the last few years to today. (Be sure to check if you have an elderly model.) From simple clickers to complex RPGs and action titles, the Google Play Store is stuffed with games that can now be enjoyed on any Chromebook, with a couple of caveats.
Two things are important to note. First, you may not be able to play some Android phone games properly unless your Chromebook has a touch screen. Second, students may be out of luck, since most school districts turn off Android support by default. But if you're one of the millions of Chromebook owners who can freely use Android apps, you can enjoy a wealth of gaming options through the Google Play Store, from viral hits like Among Us and Wordle to a wealth of games in every genre.
Really, any of the best Android games we recommend for phones will work well on ChromeOS—but here's the catch. As noted, with Android games designed for phones and tablets, you'll definitely want to get a Chromebook that offers touch capability.
We'd strongly suggest a 2-in-1 design for anyone who wants to use smartphone-centric Android apps on their Chromebook. Detachable tablet 2-in-1 designs do have an edge over rotating convertible 2-in-1s when it comes to Android gaming. Some of this is due to the form factor—detachable tablets are slimmer and lighter than laptop-size convertibles. If you're playing a game for more than a few minutes, the extra weight of a convertible laptop (with its keyboard) will be a real drag. But it also has to do with a tablet's features, with extras like front and rear cameras and more sensors. These can give you a more phone-like experience than any laptop masquerading as a tablet ever could.
Streaming for Fun: Gaming in the Cloud
If you want to play mainstream AAA games on your Chromebook, you can only do that through cloud game-streaming services. The most widely supported platforms are Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Game Pass Ultimate), Amazon Luna, and PlayStation Plus Premium. Many new Chromebooks offer free trial periods for these services, so you can test them before subscribing long-term.
Past attempts at cloud gaming have been short-lived, with major players like Steam and Google shutting down their respective services. But that doesn't mean cloud gaming is on the way out—quite the opposite. Services like GeForce Now and Luna have introduced increasingly demanding AAA games to play on lightweight hardware, often with instant access and cloud saves across devices.
The major cloud gaming services mentioned above run directly in the Chromebook browser and support most recent models. However, top-tier streaming (1080p, 4K, ray-tracing) is best on Chromebooks with at least 8GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 6E, and a midrange processor. Always check your Chromebook’s specs against the minimum requirements posted by each cloud gaming service. Most mainstream Chromebooks (including many budget models) support GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Luna. Models with lesser specs may limit resolution or session quality.
A More DIY Approach: linux Gaming on ChromeOS
Finally, because ChromeOS is built on the foundations of the linux kernel, you can try running linux games on your Chromebook. This arrangement opens up a whole range of software, much of it available for free.
However, once you shift to storing and running programs locally, you need a machine with more processing power and roomier storage than your typical Chromebook. That means a model running on an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen chip rather than the low-powered Arm processors common among budget Chromebooks. You'll also want to step up to more memory and larger, faster solid-state drive (SSD) storage instead of the limited eMMC flash memory of economy models.
That settled, you'll find two paths to take on the linux front: You can go the official, Google-approved route and install linux apps using Crostini, or you can install a full linux desktop using Crouton. Both options are explained in our guide How to Install linux on Your Chromebook, and either will let you access the linux game catalogs on Steam and GOG.
Gaming on ChromeOS: Still a Stretch, But Plenty of Fun
We've covered a whole bunch of options for enjoying games on a Chromebook: a round of Pac-Man in your browser; popular Android phone games; streaming games through Nvidia or Amazon; even installing the linux operating system just for games.
But at the end of the day, it's worth pointing out that not even the best Chromebook will match the cheapest of our choices for the best cheap gaming laptops. Instead, ChromeOS gaming is all about giving you some fun ways to leverage what laptop hardware you already own, or need to buy for other, more critical purposes. Still, if you want to go Chrome and play, just refer to our picks and spec comparison table listing our current gaming Chromebook favorites.
