Best Chromebook with Backlit Keyboard: Top Picks for 2024

1. Hp Chromebook Plus 14 Laptop

We spent some time with the HP Chromebook Plus 14, and while its bright display and responsive trackpad are certainly appealing, the keyboard’s key travel felt a bit shallow for my preference. Typing for extended periods required a bit more effort to ensure accuracy.

The build quality is decent for the price point, with a solid-feeling chassis that doesn’t flex excessively. The speakers, however, are a bit tinny and lack any real bass, which is a shame for media consumption.

This Chromebook is a solid choice for students or casual users who prioritize a good screen and a portable form factor. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming with ease.

However, if you’re a writer who spends hours crafting long documents or a programmer who types extensively, you might find the keyboard less than ideal. Those seeking a richer audio experience should also look elsewhere.

2. Hp X360 Chromebook with Google Ai 14

The HP X360 Chromebook offers a versatile 2-in-1 design, allowing for tablet and laptop modes, which we found quite useful. The touch screen is vibrant and responsive, and the inclusion of Google AI features is an interesting addition for task management.

However, the keyboard, while backlit, has a slightly mushy feel to each keystroke. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it lacks the satisfying tactile feedback some users might expect. The fan can also become audible under heavier loads, producing a noticeable hum.

This device is ideal for users who appreciate flexibility and want to experiment with AI-powered suggestions for their workflow. Students and professionals who move between different tasks and environments will find its convertible nature beneficial.

Anyone who demands a truly silent operation or a crisp, clicky typing experience should probably steer clear. The AI features, while promising, are still quite niche and might not be utilized by everyone.

3. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Laptop 14

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 stands out as a strong contender for the best Chromebook with a backlit keyboard. We found the keyboard itself to be quite comfortable, offering decent key travel and a satisfying click with each press, making extended typing sessions a pleasure.

The display is bright and offers good color reproduction, which is great for watching videos or editing photos. However, the webcam quality is rather mediocre, producing grainy images even in well-lit conditions. The build, while sturdy, feels a bit plasticky to the touch.

This Chromebook is a fantastic option for students and remote workers who need a reliable machine for productivity tasks. The comfortable keyboard and good screen make it suitable for long work or study sessions without causing fatigue.

If you prioritize top-tier webcam performance or a premium metal chassis, this might not be the perfect fit. Those who are very sensitive to minor creaks in the plastic construction might also want to consider other options.

4. Hp Chromebook 14 Laptop

We tested the HP Chromebook 14 with the Intel Celeron N4020 processor, and while it handles basic tasks like web browsing and email adequately, the performance can feel sluggish with multiple tabs open. The backlit keyboard is present, but the keys themselves have a very shallow press, making it feel less substantial than other options.

The build quality is quite basic, with a noticeable amount of flex in the lid and keyboard deck. The display, while functional, is not particularly bright and can struggle in direct sunlight. The overall impression is that of a budget-friendly machine, which it is.

This Chromebook is best suited for users with very light computing needs who primarily use it for simple web browsing and perhaps some light document editing. It’s a no-frills device for those on a tight budget who need a portable Chrome OS experience.

Anyone expecting snappy performance for multitasking, demanding applications, or a premium typing experience should definitely skip this model. Power users or those who frequently switch between many applications will find its limitations frustrating.

5. Asus Chromebook C425 Clamshell Laptop 14

The ASUS Chromebook C425 offers a sleek and lightweight design, making it very portable. We appreciated the slim bezels around the display, which contribute to a modern look. The backlit keyboard provides decent illumination for typing in low light, though the key spacing felt a bit cramped for my larger hands.

While the keyboard is backlit, the keys themselves have a somewhat hollow sound when typing, which can be a bit distracting. The battery life is respectable, getting us through a full workday without needing a charge, but the charging brick itself feels a little flimsy.

This Chromebook is a good choice for students or frequent travelers who need a stylish and portable device for on-the-go productivity. Its slim profile and good battery life make it easy to carry and use in various locations.

If you have larger hands and prefer a more spacious keyboard layout, or if you’re sensitive to the sound of typing, you might want to look at other options. Users who need to charge multiple devices simultaneously might also find the single USB-C charging port limiting.

6. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus 14

During our testing of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus 14, we found its backlit keyboard to be a definite highlight, offering comfortable typing even in dimly lit environments. The keys have a satisfying travel, and the backlighting is evenly distributed, making it easy to find your way around without looking directly at your hands. The 14-inch display also provides ample screen real estate for multitasking, which is a big plus for productivity.

However, I did notice that the chassis, while feeling reasonably sturdy, does exhibit a slight flex when pressed firmly. It’s not a dealbreaker for everyday use, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re prone to putting significant pressure on your laptop. The overall build quality is good for the price point, but it doesn’t quite reach premium levels.

This Chromebook is ideal for students or professionals who need a versatile device for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming. The ability to flip it into tablet mode is also a nice touch for casual media consumption. It’s not designed for heavy-duty creative work or demanding applications, so those users should look elsewhere.

7. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Laptop 14

When considering the best Chromebook with a backlit keyboard, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Laptop really stands out. We appreciated the crispness of the backlighting, which provided excellent visibility without being overly bright or distracting. Typing on this machine felt fluid, with keys that offered a good tactile response and a quiet operation. The 14-inch screen is bright and clear, making it a pleasure to work on.

One minor annoyance we encountered was the placement of the function keys; they felt a bit cramped, and I occasionally hit the wrong key when trying to adjust brightness or volume. It’s a small ergonomic quibble, but one that can become noticeable during extended typing sessions. The overall performance for ChromeOS tasks was snappy and responsive.

This Acer model is a fantastic choice for anyone who spends a lot of time typing documents, emails, or browsing the web in various lighting conditions. It’s particularly well-suited for those who value a clean, uncluttered typing experience. However, if you require a device for complex video editing or high-end gaming, this Chromebook simply won’t meet those demands.

8. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Cb514

The acer Chromebook Plus 514 CB514 impressed us with its backlit keyboard, which offered a consistent glow and comfortable typing experience. The keys have a nice depth to them, and the backlighting is perfectly calibrated to aid in low-light situations. We found the 14-inch display to be sharp and vibrant, contributing to an enjoyable visual experience for both work and entertainment.

While the keyboard is a strong suit, I did find the trackpad to be a little too sensitive at times, leading to accidental cursor movements. Adjusting the sensitivity settings helped, but it took a bit of tinkering to get it just right. The overall build feels solid, though the plastic construction is evident upon closer inspection.

This particular Chromebook is well-suited for students who need a reliable machine for note-taking and research, or for remote workers who frequently type in different environments. Its portability and ease of use make it a great everyday companion. However, users looking for a premium metal chassis or extensive port selection should probably pass on this model.

9. Hp Chromebook 14 Inch Display

We tested the HP Chromebook Laptop with its 14-inch display and Intel Celeron processor, and its backlit keyboard was a pleasant surprise for a budget-friendly option. The illumination was even, and the keys provided decent feedback for typing. The 14-inch screen offers a good amount of space for browsing and basic productivity tasks, making it a functional choice for casual users.

The primary drawback we identified is the performance ceiling imposed by the Intel Celeron processor. While adequate for light ChromeOS usage, it struggled with more demanding multitasking or opening multiple complex web pages. The keyboard, while backlit, felt a bit mushy under prolonged typing, lacking the satisfying tactile response of higher-end models.

This HP Chromebook is best suited for individuals who primarily use their device for web browsing, social media, and light document editing. It’s a good option for a secondary computer or for someone who doesn’t push their laptop hard. However, if you anticipate needing to run multiple applications simultaneously or require a snappier experience, you will likely find this model too slow.

10. Hp 14

During our evaluation of the HP 14, we found its backlit keyboard to be a functional addition, providing illumination for typing in less-than-ideal lighting. The keys offered a standard typing feel, and the backlighting was consistent across the board. The 14-inch display provides a decent viewing area for everyday computing needs, making it a practical choice for many users.

However, we did notice that the overall build quality felt a bit plasticky and less premium than some competitors. While it’s sturdy enough for regular use, it doesn’t inspire the same confidence as more robustly constructed laptops. The trackpad, while functional, lacked the smooth gliding sensation we’ve come to expect from higher-end devices.

This HP 14 is a solid choice for students or home users who need a no-frills laptop for web browsing, email, and light office work. It’s a straightforward machine that gets the job done without unnecessary bells and whistles. Those seeking a premium feel, exceptional performance for demanding tasks, or a particularly responsive trackpad might want to explore other options.