The best laptops 2025 tested, reviewed and rated

Having rigorously evaluated countless laptops from every major brand, across diverse form factors, and spanning all price brackets, we proudly present our definitive compilation of the finest laptops available for purchase in 2025.

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My goal is to assist you in discovering the top laptops of 2025, well in advance ofBlack Friday 2025. We are already observing a multitude ofearly Black Friday laptop dealsthroughout November, and I anticipate many of the devices featured on this page will receive enticing price reductions by the time the main event arrives (Black Fridayfalls onNovember 28ththis year).

Therefore, if you wish to ensure that any laptop you buy is a worthwhile investment, regardless of your budget, I am here to guide you. With nearly two decades of experience reviewing and writing about laptops, I have personally selected each model on this page to offer you the most accurate purchasing advice.

Not only has every laptop here been meticulously chosen by myself, but each has also undergone exhaustive testing by TechRadar's expert computing team (you can delve intohow we test laptops, and explore the comprehensive methods we employ to push laptops to their limits during our evaluations). This ensures you can be confident that only the absolute best laptops have earned a place on this esteemed list.

Our top recommendation for the ultimate laptop remains theApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4). Its unparalleled performance, premium build quality, and exceptional battery longevity have yet to be surpassed, although Microsoft'sSurface Laptop 13-inchhas come remarkably close. Struggling to decide between the two? Good news – we have a dedicated article where we pit theMacBook Air (M4) against the Surface Laptop 13-inchto determine which one merits your hard-earned money.

This page is continuously updated to feature the very latest laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks, alongside crucial buying guidance to help you select the ideal laptop for your specific requirements. You can shop with peace of mind, knowing that any laptop we endorse here is genuinely worth the expenditure – especially if it benefits from any Black Friday price reductions.

This page was updated on11/19/2025with new laptops and buying advice as we approach Black Friday.

I have overseen TechRadar's laptop coverage for over 10 years, and during this period, I have personally reviewed more than 100 laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks. I regularly refresh our best laptops list with the newest models, and my primary objective is to ensure that TechRadar's guide provides the most effective buying advice and recommendations for everyone, irrespective of their budgets or needs.

Eager to get straight to our top laptop recommendations? Below, you'll find a concise summary of our selections. You can then navigate to a more in-depth review of each pick, complete with our price comparison tool to assist you in finding the best deals.

Quick Picks: The Best Laptops of 2025 at a Glance

Best overall

The best overall

Apple has once again delivered the world's premier laptop with the 13-inch MacBook Air, now featuring the M4 chip and a new, more accessible price point.

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Best budget

The best budget

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is our new choice for the best budget laptop currently available. It boasts a Chromebook-like low price but operates on Windows 11, offering greater versatility – and its specifications are impressive for the cost.

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Best Windows 11 laptop

The best Windows 11 laptop

Microsoft's latest Surface Laptop 13-inch is our pick as one of the best laptops you can acquire in 2025, serving as an excellent demonstration of Windows 11's capabilities.

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Best thin and light

The best premium thin and light laptop

While the Surface Laptop mentioned above is a superb Windows 11 device, it's more of a versatile all-rounder. For those seeking flagship hardware and design, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i stands as the ultimate thin and light laptop of 2025.

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Best Ultrabook

The best Ultrabook

If you're in search of the finest Ultrabook of 2025 – a laptop that embodies peak design and performance – then the Asus Zenbook S 16 is our recommendation. It's expensive, but it's a breathtaking laptop in almost every aspect.

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Best value

The best value laptop in the world

Dell's Inspiron series of laptops has consistently provided outstanding value, combining affordable price tags with elegant designs typically found in more expensive devices, and the newest Dell Inspiron 14 Plus maintains this tradition.

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Best student laptop

The best student laptop

In need of an excellent yet affordable and powerful laptop for students? I recommend the M3 MacBook Air, which has seen a price reduction following the release of the M4 model.

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Best Chromebook

The Chromebook

The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is our latest choice for thebest Chromebookmoney can buy in 2025, owing to its accessible price, robust construction, and reliable performance.

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Best laptop for creatives

The best laptop for creative applications

For creative professionals with the appropriate budget, the latest MacBook Pro featuring the M4 or M4 Max chip represents an exceptional investment due to its sheer power, build quality, and unwavering reliability.

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Best for gaming

The top laptop for gaming

If you're seeking the ultimate gaming laptop and cost is not a concern, the new Razer Blade 16 will perfectly suit your needs, integrating powerful components (including Nvidia's newest RTX 5000 series GPUs) into a sleek and lightweight chassis.

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Best OLED laptop

The best OLED laptop

Our new pick for the best OLED laptop is the superb Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+, which boasts a breathtakingly vibrant OLED screen, alongside some of the best mobile hardware available – all at a highly competitive price.

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Best budget gaming

The best affordable gaming laptop

The Acer Nitro V 15 is an outstanding budget gaming device. It comes with a selection of Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs, enabling it to deliver gaming performance far beyond its price point.

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Detailed Reviews

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

Our expert review:

Applehas once again launched the finest laptop available, with the newMacBook Air 13-inch (M4). This refresh not only introduces the enhanced power of the M4 chip, effortlessly handling daily tasks as well as more demanding workloads like video editing and music recording, but it also comes at a reduced price point, making it by far the best laptop you can currently acquire. There is simply no other laptop in this price category that offers the same combination of performance, design, and build quality. A new and improved webcam integrates convenient AI-powered tools to elevate video call quality, and the new Sky Blue color option provides more choices for selecting a MacBook Air that aligns with your preferences. If you desire a laptop with a larger display, consider theMacBook Air 15-inch (M4)instead.

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Design

The latest MacBook Air maintains a largely consistent design with the earlier M2 and M3 models, albeit with an upgraded webcam and the addition of a Sky Blue color option. It presents a sleek, contemporary appearance that is both easy to transport and comfortable for extended work sessions. This continuity does mean that port selection remains restricted, which won't be a dealbreaker for many, but if you have numerous peripherals requiring connection, you'll need to invest in aUSB-C hubor consider a MacBook Pro.

Performance

Equipped with the M4 chip, currently Apple's newest generation, the new MacBook Air 13-inch delivers excellent performance, particularly for routine tasks such as web browsing and document creation. It also supports Apple Intelligence, though the AI tools currently available are somewhat underdeveloped. While this isn't the most potent MacBook, its price point offers a reliable workhorse that Windows 11 competitors will struggle to match.

Battery life

Apple states that the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) can achieve up to 18 hours of Apple TV show playback and 15 hours of internet browsing. Our own tests confirmed that you can anticipate at least 14 hours on a single charge when using the new MacBook Air for various activities. This implies you can comfortably go several workdays without needing to recharge, which is truly impressive.

Price

The MacBook Air 13-inch has always represented Apple's best value laptop, and it has become even more attractive, now starting at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699. This is a price reduction compared to the M3 model's launch price of $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799. While this doesn't place it in budget laptop territory, the performance and build quality offered for the price are seriously impressive, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a Windows 11 laptop that provides a similar level of refinement at this cost.

💻 Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air remains my favorite laptop. TheMacBook Air 13-inch (M4)has an excellent build and design, working on it is a pleasure, and the M4 provides all the power I need for the widest range of tasks. I appreciate the long battery life, bright, colorful screen, and clear audio. Read the full review:Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

Acer Aspire Go 15

Our expert review:

I have decided to refresh our best laptops list, and after several years where ourbest budget laptopwas consistently a Chromebook of some type, I am now recommending a budgetWindows 11laptop: theAcer Aspire Go 15. Allow me to elaborate.

For a period, laptop manufacturers were selling budget Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptops equipped with underpowered or obsolete hardware, solely to achieve the lowest possible price. The issue was that no matter how inexpensive a laptop with an ancient processor, 64GB of storage, or merely 4GB of RAM was, Windows would barely function on it. This meant that even at very low prices, these laptops represented a waste of money. Concurrently, thebest Chromebookswere redefining expectations for super-affordable laptops, as the lightweight ChromeOS operating system performed significantly better on comparable hardware than Windows.

ChromeOS isn't without its limitations, however, and not every application compatible with Windows 11 has a ChromeOS equivalent (though many have alternatives). This is why I am so pleased to witness a revival in budget Windows 11 laptops that areactuallyworth purchasing, such as the Acer Aspire Go 15. While the ultra-cheap base configuration is advisable to skip, the slightly pricier version we reviewed includes anAMDRyzen 7 octa-core CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious 512GB SSD. These are all very respectable specifications, ensuring Windows 11 runs very smoothly, making it an excellent budget choice for individuals who don't wish to (or cannot) spend a lot on a laptop, but require the flexibility of Windows 11.

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Design

The Acer Aspire Go 15 won't win any design accolades, but its straightforward and practical aesthetic means you won't feel awkward retrieving it from your bag in an office, coffee shop, or meeting. Its generous 15-inch screen offers decent resolution, though colors often appear muted, and its brightness is lacking. It feels light and portable, despite its larger dimensions, and while it lacks the solid, premium feel of more expensive laptops, it doesn't convey an impression of fragility either.

Performance

Provided you temper your expectations, the Acer Aspire Go 15's performance will pleasantly surprise you. We did not review the absolute cheapest option, which I believewouldstruggle to run Windows 11 smoothly (you truly shouldn't be buying a Windows laptop with only 4GB of RAM in 2025). However, the mid-range (and still very affordable) model wedidtest competently handled daily tasks, including word processing and spreadsheet creation. It could also stream 4K content without any buffering or pauses (though, naturally, the screen's native resolution is 1080p). We even managed to getCyberpunk 2077, a very graphically demanding game, running at a respectable frame rate, though this is definitelynota gaming laptop.

Battery life

The Acer Aspire Go 15's nearly 12 hours of battery life in our tests was good, though not the longest we've encountered, meaning that for most users, this laptop will easily last a full workday or school day on a single charge. This further demonstrates that you no longer have to settle for poor battery life when opting for a budget laptop. That said, if extended battery life is a top priority, you should explore some of the more expensive laptops on this list, or choose a Chromebook if you aim to keep costs as low as possible.

Price

The Aspire Go 15 begins at $299.99 / £299.99 (approximately AU$450), which is in line with Chromebook pricing. The base model, however, is quite underpowered, but the good news is that it's available in a range of configurations, all competitively priced. This means most people should find an Acer Aspire Go 15 model that meets both their needsandtheir budget. If you appreciate the price point of Chromebooks but find ChromeOS unsuitable, the Acer Aspire Go 15's price tag combined with Windows 11 makes it a fantastic alternative.

💻 TheAcer Aspire Go 15is fast at executing everyday tasks, from light productivity to entertainment. However, the display is too grainy and hard to see at many angles, while those seeking some graphical prowess will be left wanting more. But if you can settle for these drawbacks, there aren’t many better Windows alternatives for this kind of money. Read the full review:Acer Aspire Go 15

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch

Our expert review:

After revitalizing the Surface Laptop line with last year's model, Microsoft has now introduced a smaller, more affordable version of the Surface Laptop for 2025 – theSurface Laptop 13-inch, and it is now our top choice for the best Windows 11 laptop in 2025.

The new Surface Laptop 13-inch offers pricing and build quality that rivals the MacBook Air, featuring attractive color options and an overall premium look and feel that other laptop manufacturers, aside from Apple, struggle to emulate.

The fact that it comes with a lower price than last year's model is also a significant advantage for consumers; however, it's important to note that to offer the Surface Laptop 13-inch at a more economical price point, Microsoft has made certain concessions – and we're not just referring to the smaller screen.

For instance, this is a less powerful laptop than the larger models, utilizing a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip rather than the more potent X Elite chip that powered the previous iteration. It also comes exclusively with 16GB of RAM, meaning you cannot configure it for more memory, though for most users, 16GB will be entirely sufficient.

Regarding the screen, it's smaller and has a lower resolution than the previous model, offering a 60Hz refresh rate, half of the 120Hz supported by the last version. This might sound like a rather significant and puzzling downgrade, as newer models typically boast more powerful hardware. However, it makes sense when you consider that Microsoft, having discontinued the affordable Surface Go lineup, is now positioning the Surface Laptop 13-inch as the most economical entry point into the Surface ecosystem. The larger, more powerful 2024 edition is still sold but as the premium, high-end model. This strategy means the 13-inch Surface Laptop is actually an excellent choice for most people, delivering a premium experience at an accessible price.

Get the best deal on your next Microsoft product withour Microsoft coupon codes.

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Design

Microsoft's Surface devices have consistently been stylish products, and the latest Surface Laptop maintains this trend, even with a reduced price. It features a thin and lightweight chassis that is easy to carry, yet feels sturdy and premium. We particularly admire the new purple colorway, though this is exclusively available on the higher-specced model. However, the screen's quality has been diminished compared to the more expensive 2024 model.

Performance

For everyday tasks, this laptop performs admirably, and Windows 11's Arm-compatibility has significantly advanced. However, it's far from the most powerful laptop on our best laptops list, and the M4-MacBook Air (which tops this guide) offers substantially superior performance. Furthermore, if you're seeking a laptop for gaming, you should explore other options, as this device is clearly not designed for such usage.

Battery life

Like other Arm-powered laptops, the Surface Laptop 13-inch is remarkably power-efficient, resulting in excellent battery life. We observed it lasting over 17 hours during our tests, and in real-world use, it even endured an entire 15-hour flight.

Price

With the new Surface Laptop debuting at a more accessible starting price than last year's model, this device offers brilliant value for money, featuring a build quality and design that makes it appear and feel like a much more expensive device. While Microsoft made compromises to keep the price down, the outcome is a great-value laptop that is more accessible to a wider audience.

💻 TheMicrosoft Surface Laptop 13-inchis a gorgeous laptop that is great for everyday and productivity tasks with some of the best battery life of any laptop of its size, but its weaker Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chip falls far short of a similarly priced MacBook Air 13-inch, making it much harder to recommend unless you absolutely don't want a Mac. Read the full review:Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

Our expert review:

Lenovois not only one of the world's leading laptop brands but also incredibly innovative, and theLenovo Yoga Slim 9iserves as an excellent illustration of this, as well as being one of the finest laptops you can buy right now. This is a breathtaking premium laptop that is exceptionally thin and lightweight, while simultaneously incorporating some of the very best and newest mobile hardware. We were particularly impressed in our review by the 'Tidal Teal' color scheme of this laptop, as well as its stunning 4K OLED screen. We also lauded its outstanding performance, but all of this comes at a price. A very high price.

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Design

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is among the most aesthetically pleasing laptops available in 2025. In fact, we would almost venture to call it beautiful, with its gorgeous and distinctive colorway, breathtaking 4K OLED screen, and exceptionally thin and lightweight design. If you're seeking a laptop that looks fantastic and makes a statement, then this is the device to acquire.

Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i model we reviewed demonstrated impressive power – our reviewer simultaneously had 20 Microsoft Edge tabs open, and thanks to its substantial 32GB of RAM, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i operated flawlessly. Windows 11 as a whole runs swiftly and smoothly, and the integrated webcam is capable of high-quality footage, though we noted during our review that in low-light environments, there was discernible noise (visual artifacts). The screen is superb, and the Dolby Atmos-capable speakers are among the best you'll encounter in a laptop, making this an excellent machine for media consumption.

Battery life

While the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i excels in nearly every aspect, it falls slightly short in terms of battery life. This is not to imply it's poor – in our battery life benchmark, where we looped a 1080p movie with screen brightness set to 50%, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i lasted just under 10 hours. Thus, you should be able to use this laptop for an entire workday without needing to charge, though the battery will deplete faster if you're using the laptop for more intensive tasks. The only reason it's a slight disappointment is that rival laptops exist with significantly longer battery lives. TheMacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro), also featured on this list, lasted an incredible 21 hours and 32 minutes in the same test.

Price

Starting at $1,759.99 / £1,800 / AU$3,849 when we initially reviewed it, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is undeniably a very expensive laptop. However, for this price, you are receiving an exceptionally premium device featuring not only some of the most powerful mobile components on the market but also an outstanding thin and light design that truly distinguishes itself. So, while the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i won't be the best laptop for everyone, if your budget allows and you're seeking the finest thin and light laptop currently available, you will be highly impressed with your investment.

💻 The gorgeous OLED display, great audio and portability, along with the unique camera-under-screen design, are just the tip of the iceberg here. TheLenovo Yoga Slim 9ialso delivers great performance for this form factor, though you’ll have to pay a pretty penny for it. In use, the only real issue is the poor port selection, most notably the missing audio jack. Read the full review:Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

Asus Zenbook S 16

Our expert review:

If you're in search of a premium thin and light laptop with cutting-edge features and best-in-class design, then theAsus Zenbook S 16could be the perfect device for you. It's our new selection for thebest Ultrabook of 2025, thanks to an incredible design with portions of its body crafted from ceraluminum – a composite of aluminum and ceramic, making it easily one of the most aesthetically pleasing laptops we've ever tested here at TechRadar. It looks equally impressive on the inside with a 3K OLED screen that delivers exceptional image quality, and it performs astonishingly well thanks to powerful components like theAMDRyzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and 32GB of RAM, ensuring Windows 11, and virtually any application you need to run, feels fast and responsive. However, all these premium features come with a premium price, meaning this won't be a laptop we'd recommend to those on a tight budget.

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Design

As we stated in our review, "Aesthetically speaking, this is undeniably one gorgeous laptop," and we stand by that – the Asus Zenbook S 16 is easily one of the most attractive laptops we've tested in years. Much of this is due to its 'Scandinavian White' colorway and sophisticated ceraluminum material, which truly sets it apart from competitors. This material also keeps the laptop feeling wonderfully light, despite its relatively large 16-inch display. If you desire a laptop that will truly capture attention when you reveal it, then this is the machine for you.

Performance

The Asus Zenbook S 16 model we received for review was equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, alongside a substantial 32GB of RAM. This configuration ensures that daily tasks fly by – and even more demanding activities like music production and 4K video editing are handled with ease. The latter is made possible by the robust AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics, which even allow for some gaming (though we don't recommend it, as this is definitelynota gaming laptop –check out the Razer Blade 16 in this guideinstead).

Battery life

Achieving just under 15 hours during our battery life test, which involves running a looped video file at 50% brightness, the Asus Zenbook S 16 provides ample power for extended periods away from a power outlet. Combined with its thin and light design, this makes it a fantastic laptop for frequent travelers. In real-world usage, our reviewer obtained between 10 and 12 hours on the battery, meaning you should comfortably get through an entire workday on a single charge. However, rival laptops at this price point can offer significantly longer battery life.

Price

Make no mistake, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is not an inexpensive laptop, but it still offers excellent value for money given its stunning design, brilliant screen, and overall top-tier performance. While its price tag is far from budget-friendly, it's not exorbitantly expensive. For your investment, you're acquiring one formidable laptop.

💻 The Zenbook line has frequently offered some high-quality laptops, and the newAsus Zenbook S 16is no exception - great all-rounder performance, reasonable pricing, and a fantastic physical design meld together to form a laptop that almost reaches perfection. It only falls short of a five-star rating due to its middling battery life. Read the full review:Asus Zenbook S 16

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

Our expert review:

The best value laptop you can buy in 2025 doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be the very cheapest laptop out there (check out our pick for the best budget laptophigher up in this guide if you want a laptop with a rock-bottom price), but what itdoesmean is that the laptop provides excellent value for money, offering features, performance, and build quality that matches or even surpasses much more expensive laptops.

That's exactly what theDell Inspiron 14 Plusdelivers. Dell's Inspiron line has consistently featured solid mid-range laptops, and the latest Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7441) model continues this trend. In ourDell Inspiron 14 Plus review, we were very impressed with the laptop's performance and design, and its extremely long battery life was particularly noteworthy. While this laptop is still on the pricier side, it offers unbeatable value for money that puts rivals such as HP and Apple to shame.

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Design

While the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus's design leans towards the conventional, there's no denying it's a stylish and modern thin and light laptop that appears more expensive than it is. Although a few elements, such as the keyboard and touchpad, prevent the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus from feeling truly premium, you won't find a better-looking laptop at this price point.

Performance

Provided you maintain realistic expectations, the capabilities of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus will impress you, offering solid and dependable performance in Windows 11 with most applications. For daily use, this is a fantastic value laptop – but if you require a device for video editing, gaming, or complex tasks, you're better off exploring other options.

Battery life

In our review, we discovered theDell Inspiron 14 Plusboasted phenomenal battery life, lasting almost 18 and a half hours on a single charge – and we could work on the laptop for three full workdays with 50% battery still remaining! This is seriously impressive, especially considering the affordable price of this laptop.

Price

While cheaper laptops exist, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is our choice for the best value laptop in 2025 because it punches above its weight, particularly in terms of performance and battery life. Instead of investing in a premium flagship model, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a more affordable alternative with minimal compromises.

💻 TheDell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441is, in my mind, a solid alternative to the MacBook Air. While that’s not exactly unique, this laptop does a good job at it as it’s very portable, has snappy day-to-day performance, and comes with a very long battery life. Read the full review:Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

Our expert review:

Despite no longer being the most recent model, theApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)remains one of thebest MacBooksyou can acquire in 2025 – particularly if you're a student. This is because with the introduction of the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4), which features at the top of this page, many retailers are reducing the price of the M3 model, making it an excellent option for students who desire a premium laptop for work and study without a substantial financial outlay. One important consideration, however, is that Apple itself is no longer manufacturing or selling the M3 MacBook Air, meaning stock at other retailers will gradually diminish. Therefore, if you've been contemplating purchasing one, now is the optimal time.

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Design

The MacBook Air M3 retains the same design as the preceding M2 model – a choice we approve of. It remains a stylish and modern-looking thin and light laptop, embodying Apple's renowned design and build quality. The presence of only two USB-C ports does mean that connecting numerous accessories will necessitate a USB hub, however.

Performance

The MacBook Air is equipped with the M3 chip – and two versions are available: a base model with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, and a more powerful version with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Some base models also come with 8GB of memory, which is quite low by today's standards, but Apple has also released a base model with 16GB, which is much better for modern workloads.

Battery life

According to Apple, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) can achieve up to 18 hours of Apple TV show playback and 15 hours of internet browsing. However, in our battery life benchmark tests (which involve playing a looped 1080p video), the 13-inch MacBook Air lasted slightly less, at 14 hours and 19 minutes. This is an excellent duration for a laptop of its power, though it is marginally less than the previous model lasted in the same tests, which could suggest that the performance boost has come at the expense of efficiency.

Price

The MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) launched at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799, which was slightly higher than the older M1 MacBook Air's launch price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,599. Now that the M4 model has launched (with a cheaper starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,699), the M3 model has received significant price reductions to assist retailers in clearing stock.

💻 TheMacBook Air 13-inch (M3)is easily the best laptop that money can buy for students, especially thanks to new price cuts since the M4 model came out, though we recommend boosting the memory and storage space when ordering. That makes it more expensive, but far more future-proof. Read the full review:Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch

Our expert review:

TheHP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inchis our newest selection for thebest Chromebookyou can purchase in 2025, owing to its premium design and build quality, while still maintaining impressively low prices ($549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749). Granted, this isn't the cheapest Chromebook available (check out the Asus Chromebook CM14 higher up in this listfor our budget pick), but it's still considerably more affordable than most Windows 11 laptops, and certainly any MacBook. Yet, it offers dependable performance that will suffice for virtually any daily task you require. As a Chromebook Plus device, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch features relatively powerful components for a Chromebook, meaning that ChromeOS and its applications feel fast and responsive. Furthermore, the 1080p screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is easily one of the finest displays you'll find on a Chromebook, and it surpasses most displays found on other budget laptops in this price range. During our review of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, we particularly appreciated its performance with productivity apps like Google Docs, and we also connected a Bluetooth gamepad and played mobile games includingAsphalt Legends Unite, again with impressive results. If you're looking for a new Chromebook, this is easily the best you can buy right now, and it's a worthy entry on our best laptops list in its own right.

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Design

Like other Chromebook Plus laptops, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch boasts a much more premium design (and build quality) than standard, less expensive Chromebooks, and it feels solidly constructed. Its compact size makes it an easy laptop to carry for hours, though this does mean that the keyboard layout feels somewhat cramped.

Performance

As far as Chromebooks go, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is an excellent performer, with the Chrome OS operating system booting quickly, and applications running impressively smoothly. Again, being a Chromebook Plus device means it's equipped with relatively powerful components for a Chromebook, resulting in daily tasks running smoothly, and you can even play games on it (from Google's Play Store). Certainly, it cannot compete with more expensive Windows 11 laptops or MacBooks, but for the price, you'll struggle to find a better-performing laptop.

Battery life

Even with its large 15.6-inch 1080p screen, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch's battery lasts impressively long, with the laptop enduring 10 hours and 41 minutes during our battery life test, which involves running a looped 1080p video with the screen at 50%. It also charges rapidly, going from 30% to full in just 90 minutes.

Price

Chromebook Plus devices are typically a bit more expensive than standard Chromebooks, and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is no exception. However, compared to other laptops, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch offers excellent value for money with a fantastic display, premium design, and solid performance that other laptops at this price point struggle to match. It also frequently goes on sale, making it an even better value during sales events likeBlack Friday.

💻 TheHP Chromebook Plusis a smooth and fast performer with a great build quality and premium feel. It handles light productivity, streaming and gaming with aplomb, barely putting a foot wrong during my time with it. The display is equally impressive, and battery life is good to boot. Read the full review:HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch

MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)

Our expert review:

ThisMacBook Pro 16-inchcomes with the excellent M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, which, despite the launch of the M5 chip, are still Apple's most powerful pieces of silicon, offering incredible performance, especially when it comes to creative tasks such as video editing. Throughout our time testing the M4 Pro version, we found the 16-inch MacBook Pro could tackle even the most complex tasks with ease – and with a battery life well in excess of 20 hours – this is the best laptop for creatives who desire the freedom to work anywhere they choose. While Apple has recently released a new MacBook Pro 14-inch model with the M5 chip, I firmly believe that for creative professionals who require large screens and the most powerful hardware possible, the M4 Pro or M4 Max versions of the 16-inch MacBook Pro are a superior choice.

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Design

There's no apparent new design for the M4 Pro or M4 Max MacBook Pros, which is disappointing in some aspects, but it remains a fantastically attractive laptop. However, there have been subtle design tweaks, including Thunderbolt 5 support, an improved webcam, and an optional nano-texture coating for the screen.

Performance

Our independent benchmark tests revealed a decent performance boost over the M3 Pro model (we tested the M4 Pro version of this year's 16-inch MacBook Pro). While the leap wasn't substantial enough to warrant an upgrade from the M3 generation, it does mean that the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the most powerful laptop Apple has ever created – and it outperforms most Windows 11 laptops in its price bracket. If you desire Apple's very best hardware, this is the device to get.

Battery life

Once again, Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro boasts industry-leading battery life. In our tests, it easily lasted over 20 hours on a single charge. This not only means you can work for multiple days without needing to plug it in, but it's also remarkable how this laptop delivers such high performance while simultaneously offering battery life that extends for days.

Price

The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro/M4 Max) is an incredibly ambitious laptop in terms of both hardware and design, and it's targeted at creative professionals who demand powerful mobile hardware. Yes, it's an expensive laptop – but if you require all that power, it's well worth the investment.

💻 I loved reviewing theRazer Blade 16, a gaming laptop that delivers power and style in spades, offering best-in-class performance in games and even managing to hold its own as a day-to-day work laptop thanks to the improved battery life. Nvidia RTX 5000 GPU options bring DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation to the party, and some small but smart design tweaks from the previous model help make this an even better high-end laptop. Read the full review:Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Razer Blade 16

Our expert review:

If you desire the ultimate gaming laptop, and price is not a significant factor, then you should seriously consider the newRazer Blade 16. Featuring Nvidia's latest RTX 5000 series laptop GPUs, including the ridiculously powerful RTX 5090, this is a sleek and slim machine that can rival even themost powerful gaming PCs. However, all of this comes at a (very) high price, with a starting cost of $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95 – and that price quickly escalates when you begin upgrading components.

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Design

Razer produces some of thebest thin and light laptopson the market, so it's unsurprising that the Razer Blade 16 continues this trend. Forget thick and bulky gaming laptops – the Razer Blade 16 demonstrates that powerful gaming laptops don't have to be massive. It also features one of the finest screens you'll find on a laptop and a keyboard that is a pleasure to type on.

Performance

You won't find a better-performing gaming laptop in 2025 thanks to the high-end components Razer has integrated into the Blade 16. Even PC gamers who typically prefer desktop PCs will be impressed by this laptop's power, and you'll have no trouble playing the latest games for years to come at their highest graphics settings.

Battery life

Gaming laptops are not renowned for their long battery lives, but the Razer Blade 16 pleasantly surprised us, lasting seven and a half hours when not used for gaming – meaning you could use this as a work laptop without needing to charge during the workday. When gaming, the battery life was approximately two and a half hours, which is to be expected given the laptop's powerful internal components.

Price

As with most Razer laptops, do not anticipate a budget device. The Razer Blade 16 is an extremely expensive laptop, and while it offers a stunning design, excellent screen, and some of the finest mobile gaming technology on the market, it also means that this won't be a laptop everyone can afford. If your budget can accommodate the steep asking price, however, you'll be acquiring an awesome gaming laptop that will serve you well for many years.

Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+

Our expert review:

We were absolutely astonished during our testing of theAsus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+due to its stunning design – which includes an excellent OLED display that makes colors truly vibrant, and with a 120Hz refresh rate, it feels fast, fluid, and responsive. The integrated Harman/Kardon speakers also make this one of the finest-sounding laptops globally, making media consumption on the Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ an absolute delight. It also houses the Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, delivering performance and battery life that rivals the M3-powered MacBook Air (which also utilizes an Arm-based chip).

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Design

The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ demonstrates that you don't have to spend a fortune to acquire a visually appealing laptop. Its metallic chassis is stylish and modern, while incredibly thin bezels ensure that the stunning OLED screen remains your primary focus. It also comes with a good selection of ports, including two USB 4 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a Micro-SD card reader, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and an HDMI out.

Performance

In our tests, the Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ performed incredibly well, proving that its Arm-based Snapdragon X chip is no slouch, even when compared to Intel-powered laptops. The more energy-efficient chip in the Vivobook S 15 meant that the laptop remained almost completely silent while we put it through its paces. One area where it did fall short, however, was graphics performance, so you might consider purchasing a different laptop if you're looking for something to edit videos or create 3D models.

Battery life

Asus rates the Vivobook S 15 at 70WHrs for its battery capacity and promises approximately 18 hours of battery life. In our tests, we found it came close to that promise, lasting around 17 hours on a single charge. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a laptop they can use for multiple workdays without concerns about charging it.

Price

When it comes to price, the Asus Vivobook S 15 is impressively affordable for what you're receiving. With a price tag of $1,299.99 (£1,299.99 / AU$2,699), it packs in some serious hardware for that cost, though there's no denying that it is still an expensive laptop.

💻 I think that theAsus Vivobook S 15is an absolutely phenomenal piece of kit. With an aesthetic that’d make even the Milano fashion houses jealous, it combines the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a beautiful OLED display, plus some serious hardware under the hood to deliver a phenomenal laptop experience with outstanding battery life for day-to-day usage. Read the full review:Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+

Acer Nitro V 15

Our expert review:

TheAcer Nitro V 15is our new selection for thebest budget gaming laptopof 2025, thanks to its solid performance when playing the latest PC games at 1080p resolution and its relatively affordable price. These days, it's becoming increasingly challenging to find a decent gaming laptop for under $1,000, so it's excellent to see Acer release the superb Nitro V 15, which offers gamers the opportunity to play the newest titles without spending a fortune. With a choice of Nvidia's budget GeForce RTX 5050 8GB or GeForce RTX 5060 8GB, you can also utilize DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation (MFG), two features that can significantly help the Acer Nitro V 15 perform well beyond its weight class when it comes to gaming. During our time testing this laptop, we managed to get the graphically demandingCyberpunk 2077to hit an impressive 211fps (frames per second) at Ultra graphics settings and DLSS upscaling set to 'Balanced'. That's incredibly impressive for a gaming laptop at this price, and would not have been achievable a few years ago. Of course, there are some trade-offs, especially regarding the bulky design, and gaming performance cannot match more powerful (and expensive) gaming laptops. However, if you're seeking a budget gaming laptop that makes minimal compromises, then the Acer Nitro V 15 is the ideal laptop for you.

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Design

The Acer Nitro V 15's design is rather minimalist, and while this means it's a laptop you wouldn't feel self-conscious using in non-gaming environments (like an office or school), it also means it's a bit unremarkable. Still, it feels robust and well-constructed, though there is a slight flex to the keyboard and trackpad, which hints at the budget aspect of this gaming laptop. The keyboard does feel good for typing, though it's not thebest gaming keyboardwe've had the pleasure of using. It's also quite bulky, making it not the most portable gaming laptop, but it does mean you get a decent selection of ports, including Ethernet, HDMI, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C.

Performance

The Acer Nitro V 15 we reviewed comes with an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, and it does a very competent job of playing even demanding games at 1080p. We were achieving frame rates of over 60fps when playingCyberpunk 2077with Ray Tracing set to its lowest preset, which is quite impressive considering this laptop's low price. The display was bright and vibrant, and contrast between light and dark was very good. However, the fans did become quite noisy while we were gaming – though that's often a trade-off when playing graphically demanding games on a laptop.

Battery life

The Acer Nitro V 15's battery life is neither terrible nor particularly impressive. In our battery life benchmark test, where we played an HD video on loop with the screen at 50% brightness, the Acer Nitro V 15 lasted six and a half hours. For more demanding tasks, such as gaming, it lasted just over an hour and a half. Still, this isn't dreadful for a gaming laptop, especially a budget one, and it charges quickly.

Price

With the Nitro V 15, Acer has successfully walked a fine line, offering a low price tag without making too many compromises. The RTX 5060 in our review sample did an excellent job of running modern games at high settings, proving that you don't need to spend a fortune to play PC games – though that's not to say that no compromises have been made whatsoever.

💻 TheAcer Nitro V 15is a capable 1080p gaming machine with a surprisingly vibrant display to boot. The amount of heat it generates can be a little disruptive, and certain aspects of its design hint at its budget pricing. It’s an admirable effort, all things considered; the competition in this budget space is stiff, but the Nitro V 15 acquits itself well. Read the full review:Acer Nitro V 15

Honorable Mentions & Buying Advice

New laptops are released every month, and while this guide features the very best of the best, many worthy alternatives are worth exploring, even if they didn't quite make it onto our primary best laptops list.

Here are some honorable mentions of other laptops we've tested that are worth considering:

What are the best laptop brands?

The leading laptop brands include Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and HP, each possessing unique strengths. For example, Apple crafts brilliantly designed slim and light laptops, while Dell offers an excellent range of high-end ultrabooks, alongside affordable devices and Chromebooks. Lenovo is renowned for producing robust business laptops (and some superb 2-in-1 laptops), and HP has recently been creating some gorgeous laptops that rank among the world's best.

When it comes to gaming, the top laptop brands include Alienware, Asus, and Acer.

How much RAM does a laptop need?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a crucial specification to consider when choosing a laptop. For a Windows laptop, you'll want at least 4GB – though we would actually recommend 8GB for many users. This will ensure the laptop performs well for years to come. Budget Chromebooks can function with less RAM, such as 1GB or 2GB.

Battery life considerations

Finally, there's battery life. This is likely one of the most significant factors you'll weigh when selecting a laptop. The best laptops must enable you to work – and play – for hours on end without frantically searching for a power adapter. Modern laptops are increasingly power-efficient, leading to extended battery lives. For a laptop to be included in our best laptops list, it must offer a battery life of five hours or more.

You should also aim for a minimum of 8GB of RAM, though 16GB is more future-proof. Recently, Microsoft suggested that 16GB of RAM would be the minimum requirement for the next generation of 'AI laptops'. For Chromebooks, however, 4GB of RAM is generally sufficient.

Types of laptops:

How We Test Laptops

Every year, hundreds of laptops are released, but only the truly exceptional make it onto this list. So, what criteria must a laptop meet to be recommended in our best laptops guide?

I’ve been updating TechRadar’s best laptops page for almost 10 years, and here are the factors I consider when deciding which devices should be featured on this page – and where.

Why you can trust TechRadar: We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best.Find out more about how we test.

Value for money

This is probably the most critical consideration when it comes to selecting the best laptops to recommend to you. Regardless of whether it’s a powerful gaming laptop costing thousands of dollars, or a humble budget Chromebook, each device must justify its price tag by excelling in the tasks it’s designed for.

Battery life

This is another enormously important factor for many people when looking to purchase a new laptop. One of the greatest advantages of laptops is their portability – but if you constantly need to seek out a power outlet to continue using your device, you will quickly become very frustrated.

Of course, battery life expectations will vary depending on the type of laptop. For Chromebooks and modern MacBooks, a duration of around 10 to 20 hours between charges should be anticipated.

Windows laptops based on AMD or Intel hardware should offer approximately 10 hours on a single charge, but the latest range of Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops, also known as ‘Copilot+ PC’ devices, should provide battery lives comparable to Chromebooks and MacBooks.

Gaming laptops, however, will typically offer around four to eight hours of battery life. This is because they prioritize performance over efficiency, and their high-powered components can rapidly deplete any battery when playing games. These gaming laptops, along with powerful workstation laptops often referred to as ‘desktop replacements,’ are usually designed for use while plugged in. Nevertheless, you should expect at least a few hours of battery life for when you’re using the laptop for less demanding tasks such as emailing and editing documents.

Hardware specifications

When reviewing laptops, I also examine the internal components of the device – commonly referred to as the hardware specifications. This provides a clear indication of how well the laptop will perform, whether it offers good value for money, and if the laptop will be future-proof.

When I use the term ‘future-proof,’ what I mean is that if you purchase a laptop, you won’t need to upgrade or buy a new one for a long time. A laptop with older hardware might be cheaper, but if you feel compelled to buy a new laptop after only a year or so, it will ultimately cost you more in the long run.

Depending on the type of laptop you’re seeking, the hardware specifications will differ. For standard Windows 11 laptops, I recommend 8GB RAM as a minimum, but ideally 16GB, 512GB of storage, and a current-generation Intel or AMD processor.

If you wish to utilize on-device AI tools, such as image generation, then you’ll want to look at the new range of ‘Copilot+ PCs’. These laptops meet specific criteria set by Microsoft to enable them to use AI features in Windows 11, such as having 16GB of RAM and a dedicated NPU (neural processing unit) capable of 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

If that sounds like a lot of jargon, don’t worry, as these laptops will be clearly labeled with Copilot+ PC branding, signifying that they come with the appropriate hardware.

When looking for a MacBook, you’ll want to ensure it has a new M-series chip, with the M3 currently being the most recent. Entry-level MacBooks come with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD, and while this is acceptable, I recommend opting for 16GB and 512GB if your budget allows, as this will ensure it continues to perform well for years to come.

As ChromeOS, which Chromebooks use as an operating system, is not as demanding a piece of software as Windows 11 and macOS, Chromebooks do not require as high specifications – and that’s why they are often considerably cheaper than laptops and MacBooks.

Thus, an older processor, 4GB of RAM, and even just 64GB of storage (due to Chromebooks extensively utilizing cloud-based services) should provide decent performance on a budget Chromebook. However, investing in a Chromebook with 8GB of RAM, a larger SSD, and a newer processor will significantly enhance your experience.

Design and build quality

When selecting laptops for this guide, I seek products with stylish yet functional designs. Laptops should be sufficiently compact for easy portability, while also being comfortable to use for extended periods.

The design should also convey a sense of solidity and reliability, capable of withstanding minor bumps, drops, and scratches.

Our comprehensive testing process

We recognize that a new laptop constitutes a significant investment, which is why each laptop on our list has been rigorously tested by our team (read more onhow we test laptops). We integrate these laptops into our daily routines to comprehensively evaluate their performance, in addition to running industry-standard benchmarks like GeekBench, PCMark, 3DMark, and the latest PC gaming benchmarks.

Our assessment encompasses examining a laptop’s design, with particular attention paid to aesthetics, portability, and overall comfort for everyday use. We also consider any supplementary accessibility and security features such as haptic feedback, key backlighting, fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, and physical privacy shutters for the integrated webcam.

On the performance front, we employ a combination of real-world tasks and synthetic benchmarks to ascertain the laptops' capabilities. We test all laptops within a given model year using the same benchmark versions to ensure consistent comparisons across reviews for the devices you might be considering. And since benchmark scores can sometimes be challenging to interpret, we leverage our expertise to elucidate these scores, helping you compare the performance of competing laptops in easily understandable terms.

Battery life is another critical factor we measure. We track how long we can use each laptop before requiring a recharge. Additionally, we conduct our own battery life test, which involves looping a 1080p movie until the battery depletes, a proprietary web surfing script, and the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark, which simulates real-world usage such as web browsing and document creation. These tests provide us with a clear understanding of each laptop's battery longevity.

Finally, we consolidate all our findings and compare them to the laptop’s price, thereby determining if it offers optimal value for customers.

Meet Our Expert Reviewers

Every laptop in this guide has been thoroughly and independently tested by our team of laptop experts, including members of TechRadar's computing team, as well as experienced freelance reviewers. Meet some of the experts below who have reviewed these laptops and helped me create this best laptops list.

Lance Ulanoff

During his almost 40-year-long career in tech journalism, Lance has reviewed hundreds of laptops for TechRadar, as well as Lifewire, PCMag.com, and more. If you're looking for advice on whether or not a laptop is worth buying, there are few people in the industry with as much knowledge and authority as Lance.

John Loeffler

Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, and PC gaming. Over the five years John has been working at TechRadar, he has reviewed numerous laptops, specializing in gaming laptops, where he uses his components expertise to cut through the jargon and tell if a device is worth spending money on.

Zak Storey

Zak has been writing for TechRadar since 2015 and was previously Editor-in-Chief of our sister publication Maximum PC. He has also written for PCGamesN and Trusted Reviews, so testing and recommending the best laptops comes naturally.

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, overseeing computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3, and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he's reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.