Top 10 Chromebooks with a backlit keyboard [2023 edition]

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ChromeOS has advanced way beyond its initial construct. Chromebooks of this day and age are multi-faceted, and bring something for everyone, even if you require a device with a backlit keyboard. Some genuinely top-tier Chromebooks have that feature, and if you’ve been meaning to get one for yourself, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will go over the top 10 Chromebooks with a backlit keyboard in 2023 that you can take into due purchasing consideration. We’ve gathered various devices from different budgets, so you’ll find something suited to your preferences here. With no further ado, let’s get cracking.

10 of the best-backlit keyboard Chromebooks in 2023

After reviewing multiple Chromebooks for years, we’ve cherry-picked the following devices as the most substantial ones for the purpose at hand. Make sure to go through each entry diligently for the best results. You’ll find Amazon links at the bottom of each Chromebook for easier access to buying them.

1. Acer Chromebook 514

Starting this list off is the critically acclaimed Acer Chromebook 514. Note that this model is without the manufacturer’s “Spin” moniker, meaning it’s a non-convertible Chromebook. However, what the 514 lacks in that department, gracefully makes up for performance, reliability, port selection, and pricing.

Right off the bat, it comes with an LED-illuminated keyboard that feels comfortable to type on and has a decent click mechanism made even better with the decent key travel. The facilitating touchpad, too, is painted of the same quality. Clicking it repeatedly feels excellent, and the whole unit seems much thought went into it.

As for the performance, expect rock-solid functioning from the side of the 514. It has a MediaTek Companio 828 2.6 GHz octa-core processor with 4 GB RAM and a 64 GB hard drive. In addition, it sports a stunning 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080p) IPS screen with admirable viewing angles. All in all, this device is relatively easy to recommend, given its overall value.

2. Asus Chromebook Flip C433

Sporting a budget-friendly price tag of $298, the Asus Chromebook Flip C433 is a device of many talents. It’s a touch-enabled 2-in-1 convertible specimen that can offer you the flexibility of different viewing modes, whether you’d like to turn it into a tablet or, perhaps, set it down on a table in a “tent-like” form to consume content collaboratively.

The Flip C433 features numerous ports: two USB Type-C ports (Gen 1), a single Type-A (Gen 1) port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Its other unique peripherals include a volume rocker on its left side and a dedicated power key for instant shutdowns or power-ups.

Moreover, the tech specs on paper are reasonable at this price point, and the device’s overall performance is more than adequate. Employing an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor along with 8 GB RAM, and 64 GB hard drive size, the C433 is capable enough to offer a well-rounded ChromeOS experience, should you give it a shot.

3. Asus Chromebook Flip C436

Moving on, we’ve got our hands on the Asus Chromebook Flip C436 this time around, which is a premium-end, expensive Chromebook—costing $788—that does it all more or less. It employs a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor with a 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080p) IPS display. The device doesn’t weigh much and guarantees top-tier portability day in and day out.

Additionally, its keyboard is backlit and feels great when typing on it. You can tell by picking up the C436 that it’s just bursting at the seams with quality. The device’s hinge can be lifted with just one finger, thereby amounting to no wobble and benefitting from that extra weight allotted to the bottom lid of the Chromebook.

What’s even more desirable about the C436 is its long-lasting battery runtime. Thanks to the 42Wh battery in the unit, this Chromebook will last around 12 hours of regular usage. Last but not least, the added pinch of future-proof features, such as Wi-Fi 6, make the device worth looking into.

4. Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Next up, being our favorite, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the best Chromebooks ever made. A high-quality display with a towering screen, spectacular performance, appreciable build quality, admirable speakers, decent port selection, and a robust keyboard with backlighting—you name it; this one has it all.

The Spin 713 is not so pocket-friendly, though, priced at $679, but given the value proposition here, you’re still treating yourself to an exceptionally worthy Chromebook. The specs sheet tells us that the device has an Intel Core i5 processor with 2-in-1 touchscreen capability, not to mention the seemingly brilliant 13.2-inch 3:2 aspect ratio screen.

For those who prefer hooking up their Chromebooks with an external monitor for either video conferences with Google Meet or multimedia purposes, the Spin 713 also comprises an HDMI port. Talk about a well-informed port selection on a device that never lets down in the performance, visual, or quality department.

5. Asus Chromebook Flip C434

As discussed above, you may confuse the Chromebook Flip C434 with its predecessor C433. However, we have a major upgrade from a build perspective, not to mention the upscaled performance and an even slimmer, high-quality display. If you know how ChromeOS operates, this device will fulfill your requirements like a champ.

The metal body of the C434 instills excellent durability in its name. As for the keyboard, expect noiseless typing, admirable key travel, and a great overall backlit experience that has been further improved from the Chromebook that came before the C434. The same can be said for the device’s trackpad, which feels smooth and snappy.

Lastly, another glaring highlight of the C434 is its reliable performance. Using an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor along with 8 GB DDR3 RAM and 64 GB eMMC flash storage, this Chromebook works well with Android apps, installs them swiftly, and integrates with the Crostini Linux terminal without breaking a sweat.

6. Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Behold the world’s first-ever proper gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. Times are changing, and this device right here is solid proof of the constantly evolving state of ChromeOS. When the operating system started, people mocked it for its inclination toward web browsing and the inability to do anything outside of it.

Fast-forward to 2023, and Google has worked closely with Valve to bring official Steam support to a select number of Chromebooks. If you have one of the devices compatible with Steam alpha, you can download the world-popular game launcher and enjoy best-in-class Steam games right away on the Chromebook.

And what better vessel to employ than Acer’s top-of-the-line 516 GE? This one doesn’t just come with a backlit keyboard—the peripheral features adjustable RGB lighting. On top of that comes the blazing-fast performance of the Chromebook, followed by its glorious 16-inch QHD (2560 x 1600p) IPS display: a real Acer specimen, this one.

7. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14

Among its other strong points, such as having a top-tier backlit keyboard and great speakers, the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14 is one of the best convertible Chromebooks you can buy now. The build quality is brilliant, and you genuinely feel that premium vein stretching across the unit when you pick it up and hold it in your hands.

However, it is a little heavy, weighing about 4 pounds. Still, what the Inspiron Chromebook 14 lacks in portability, it duly makes up for its top-of-the-line performance, high durability, and the inclusion of a USI stylus. Apps installed from the Google Play Store run like a dream, not to mention the unwavering support of Linux apps for more productivity.

Furthermore, you’ll find the pricing of the machine to be pretty competitive. Its MSRP is $599 for a configuration with an 8th-gen Intel Core i3-8130U processor, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB hard drive size. The display panel is IPS, and the touchscreen feels fluid and smooth. It’s a great overall package that you can probably get for a discounted price these days.

8. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

If you’re all about aesthetic appeal with a pinch of quality and power under the hood, consider aligning your proclivity for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. This is the famed successor to the original Samsung Galaxy Chromebook, which was criticized for its lofty $1000 price tag at launch.

Following its janky release, Samsung decided to push out the next entry in the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook line-up and came up with the Galaxy Chromebook 2, boasting an easier-to-bear price tag with the same amount of charisma and flash as the first Galaxy Chromebook. The device in question retails today for about $589 and is worth looking into at this price.

Employing a 10th-gen Intel Core i3 processor with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 has several positives that outweigh the downsides. It boasts a robust battery runtime of about 10 hours, enjoys a fantastic QLED screen, and is built like a tank. All this is on top of the admirable LED lighting of the device’s keyboard.

9. Acer Chromebook 317

The Acer Chromebook 317 will probably be the largest you’ll ever use. The “17” in the 317 is shorthand for the number of inches of the Chromebook’s screen size. This 17.3-inch monster is capable of reliable performance with its Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage.

It also has a backlit keyboard, but beware that some models of the 317 don’t come with one. Do confirm this with the retailer whom you’re buying the Chromebook from before proceeding with the purchase. On Amazon, the device is priced at $240 right now, which is highly competitive considering the overall footprint of the Chromebook.

Although there’s no HDMI port, the 317 comprises a duo of USB-C ports on both sides, not to mention the 3.5 mm headphone jack and the microSD card reader slot. If you require an HDMI port for heightened connectivity, check out these high-rated USB-C hubs for the best results.

10. Asus Chromebook CX9

At long last, we have a Chromebook that seemingly has it all at our disposal. Before the inception of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, the Asus Chromebook CX9 reigned supreme as the world’s best Chromebook, given its build quality, technical specifications, keyboard, and trackpad quality, display, and overall performance.

Whether you’re out in the market looking for a high-quality Chromebook to work remotely or a device to help you write code and dive into programming sessions, you’ll find the name of the CX9 popping up in almost every “Top 10 Chromebooks” listicle. Why? Because it’s simply that good—we kid you not.

This premium Chromebook has multiple configurations to its name, with one of them featuring an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. Moreover, this model’s borderless 14-inch display is touch-enabled with a 1080p resolution. However, the panel is IPS, the viewing angles are great, and the unit is military-grade durable.

Conclusion

Chromebooks have been making great strides recently, with more top-ranking Chromebook manufacturers coming out with one innovation after the other to push the tech-induced boundaries of ChromeOS. The devices of this realm come in all sorts, shapes, and sizes today, effectively indulging users’ diverse use cases.

This guide has looked at the best Chromebooks with backlit keyboards. Some of these devices are true all-rounders that can handle gaming, entertainment, work, and other purposes like a dream. Let us know in the comments section what device you went with. As always, Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!