We've been testing smart thermostats for over a decade, so know that convenience, ease of use, and longevity are the most important factors here. That's why until not that long ago, a Honeywell thermostat from 2012 was still in our guide. Well, until we got the chance to try the Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat.

Honeywell Home's past devices were more like traditional thermostats with smart features, but the X8S puts it toe-to-toe with Google's Nest and Ecobee's platforms, with a smart home display and the ability to control multiple devices from one small wall-mounted unit.

But that not to sideline Ecobee and Nest; these are the two most recognizeable names in the smart thermostat market and Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential are fantastic options if you prefer Google's ecosystem or are after a more budget-friendly device.

The best smart thermostats you can buy today

The best smart thermostat overall

The Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat is actually more like a smart home display that can also set the temperature in your home. The company has actually been making smart thermostats for longer than better known names like Nest and Ecobee, but these didn't quite look the part, so the others got more recognition.

But the X8S changes all of that, as the practical color display isn't just there so you can adjust temperatures. It looks quite a lot like the Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5, which isn't a bad thing. And apart from tweaking settings, you can also view your smart doorbell's feed (so long as it's a Ring doorbell or First Alert device).

Our experience with this integration was a bit mixed; the video feed worked really well, but audio performance was patchy. But, it's not really the main point of your smart thermostat, so I think of it more like a perk of this reasonably-priced thermostat, rather than why you'd buy it in the first place.

The installation wasn't quick (it's quite fussy, and if you've not done a thermostat installation before, you might want to look for a professional to help), but once it's in place, it's one of the most straightforward (in a good sense) smart thermostats. The screensaver which shows current temperatures in text is also really useful.

But one of the highlights is the room-based controls. You need additional remote sensors to do this, but once those are set up, you can tell the thermostat to prioritize temperatures in different rooms. While we were testing, we used it to pump up the heat in the bedroom, which is often colder than the rest of the house.

And you automate routines around which room you want to use. As our reviewer noted: "I could set the X8S to use my bedroom's temperature as the priority around 9:30 p.m. to heat it up prior to me going to bed, then have it switch back to the thermostat as priority around 10 p.m."

• Read our full Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat review

Best budget smart thermostat

While the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a great alternative to the Honeywell Home X8S, it's the Smart Thermostat Essential that I think is the more interesting option. It strips the device back to its, erm, essentials and focuses on keeping the initial outlay down and controlling temperatures.

The device also supports Ecobee's remote sensors, so you can prioritize or adjust temperatures in different areas of your home. It works well, but you need to buy them separately. Even adding just one brings the cost almost to the price of the Smart Thermostat Premium (which has a sensor included).

But if you're after a smart thermostat that you can set and forget (to a degree) this is the best option without breaking the bank. The most useful function here is the integration with Google, Apple and Amazon's smart assistants. So you can adjust or check the temperature with quick voice commands and automations.

The device itself doesn't scream premium, but it's not going to look wildly out of place in most homes. But for the most part, you won't actually need to interact with it, especially if you make good use of the scheduling feature in the app, which allows you to set daily, weekly, and nighttime schedules to keep your home comfortable.

• Read our full Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential review

Best Nest thermostat

For the fourth generation of the Nest Learning Thermostat, Google gave it an AI upgrade and a makeover that means that it looks a lot like a larger version of the company's Pixel Watch 4. The design is much sleeker this time around, but if you're upgrading from a previous model, it's the new software that'll matter most.

But before you even get to any of that, there's one other hugely important change; you don't need a C-wire to power the device, which should mean it's easier to install in a wider number of homes (and you don't need to buy an adaptor kit) and puts an end to taking it off the wall to recharge when the battery runs out.

And that change makes the new motion-activated Dynamic Farsight feature, which is a bit like an overview of temperature, time and weather, a lot more useful, as it's always there at a glance as you walk by, if you want it. Plus, the thermostat's learning capabilities are AI-powered now, so can learning more about your habits.

This now falls under a new Smart Schedule feature in the Google Home app, where scheduling suggestions will line up for you to approve or reject. These micro-changes may not seem like a lot, but right now (as of March 2026) energy prices may rise, so any way to keep costs down seems like the right move.

The thermostat also now considers the outdoor weather when making these changes too. So on a sunny and warm day, it may drop the heating inside to allow the house to warm naturally in the sun. The Nest Learning Thermostat is also the only one on this list which comes with a room sensor included.

You can buy additional ones, but if you have a spot in the house where the temperature varies a lot, you can add the sensor and get the Nest thermostat to manage that area separately.

One of the biggest improvement comes from Google's support for other smart home platforms, like Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home, and for the first time on a Learning model, Matter. So if you have other smart home devices or prefer to manage them outside of Google's ecosystem, you can do that.

Is the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) a long-term investment?

My only reservation with recommending anything made by Google is that the company has a propensity for discontinuing products and services. The Google Graveyard lists almost 300 products that Google ended, and while there's no suggestion that it'll do the same to Nest, the inclusion of AI features worries me.

Those are very 'of the moment' and there's no telling what'll actually happen to the tech over the next decade. If you buy it based on those functions and then Google ends them (as it did to features on several Fitbit watches after buying that company) you don't have a choice but to get a new device.

In early 2025, the company also announced the end of support for the first and second generation Nest devices from the pre-Google days, which also killed all smart features. Those had only been in the wild for a decade, and once the switch off happened, you had to get a new thermostat.

Of course, no device lives forever but it's hard to be fully behind Nest, especially when Honeywell released the Honeywell RTH8580WF back in 2012, and still supports it 14 years later, even though it was discontinued several years ago. That hypothetical aside, the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is easily the best in Google's ecosystem.

• Read our full Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) review

Also tested

How we test smart thermostats

The best way to test a smart thermostat is to use it first-hand in your home, and that’s exactly what we do. We assess how easy it is to install and set up, which is important considering most smart thermostats are designed to be installed by the homeowners themselves.

During the trial period, we put each smart thermostat through a set number of tests to see how it handles different situations. We consider how well it responds to changes in temperature and whether we can easily create a schedule. If it comes with an app, that’s also assessed for navigation and effectiveness.

The same goes for connectivity to smart home hubs or devices; if it works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Gemini, or HomeKit, we check its performance there too. Any additional features are trialed as well so we can get a full picture of the product.

How to choose the best smart thermostat for you

Before you pick up one of the best thermostats, there are a few factors to consider to make sure that the model you choose is the right one for your home.

If you have a large house, or areas where the temperature is quite different to other rooms, then you'll want to go for a model that supports additional sensors. You can place these at specific points and have the thermometer adjust the temperature separately in those places.

All of the models in our guide can do this, but only the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) comes with a sensor. For the Ecobee and Honeywell Home models, you'll need to buy any you want to use. And with the Nest device, it only has one, so if you have multiple areas to control, you'll also need to invest in more.

You should also look into other features of interest, such as geofencing, where you can set the ideal temperature for when you're out of the house and for when you return. It’s also worth checking if the smart thermostat is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant/Gemini, and Siri.

While most smart thermostats will work with Alexa or Google Assistant, fewer will work with HomeKit. However, the newer Matter smart home standard will make it easier for smart home devices to connect and talk to one another, which should, in theory, open up HomeKit to a greater number of gadgets.

FAQs

This comes down to figuring out what AI work you want to do with it. Over the past few years, our team of computing and AI experts has tested systems of all sizes and found that AI laptops fall into two categories:

• A laptop that can run an AI model locally: With free-to-use models like OpenAI's GPT-oss models available to download and use locally on your own system, laptops with incredibly powerful graphics are critical to making them run.
• A laptop offsetting day-to-day AI tasks onto an NPU: In the Apple world, it's called a Neural Engine. But for everyone else, it's the NPU — a subsection of the processor in a lot of consumer laptops today that handles the tasks you may not even realize use AI, like blurring the webcam background or live video transcription.

These days, the best AI laptops strike a balance of offering both of these capabilities, so rest assured, these machines will make the most of AI to power through workflows, give your games an uplift and more.

Right now, my easiest recommendation is the Asus ROG Flow Z13, packing a monster AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 — capable of running a 120-billion-parameter AI model in a small, portable frame. Dell has come back in fine form this year with its Dell XPS 16, and with the Intel Panther Lake CPU it packs, it's a beast for local AI work.

But there's more to put on your radar, like the reliable MacBook Air M5 or even cheaper Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11. And yes, even Snapdragon X2 laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x have arrived, and they have plenty to show off. We're also gearing up for Nvidia RTX Spark laptops built for running local agents, and Googlebooks designed for Gemini AI, taking AI laptops to new heights. We'll keep you updated with the latest news.

Whatever you're looking to use AI for, here are the AI laptops not to miss out on.

The best AI laptops you can buy today

The best AI laptop overall

Why is this the best overall AI laptop?

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 isn't just a breakthrough in gaming with that monster integrated graphics on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip. As the name suggests, it's also a mini marvel for running massive local AI models, too. And it's all packed into a slim, lightweight 2-in-1 that you can take anywhere with you. There's even a special ROG Flow Z13 Kojima Edition (with the highest specs) for all you Death Stranding fans.

AI performance by the numbers

Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP AI Performance Results

Slide through to see each benchmark

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)

10792

03,7507,50011,25015,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	10792

Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)

18268

05,00010,00015,00020,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	18268

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What do these tests mean?

Analyzing the numbers

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 perfectly bridges that gap between casual and pro AI users — coming with all the Copilot+ PC features that run efficiently off the built-in NPU, but also having the raw horsepower to run anything up to OpenAI's GPT-OSS 120B model. As we found with the ROG Flow Z13-KJP Edition, the highest configuration offers even more AI-powered potential.

It's a seriously impressive feat, but it will cost you. At a minimum of $2,099, this is a pricey system to buy. But to get the model that will support massive LLMs, you'll have to shell out over $3,000 for the option with 128GB of shared system memory.

That being said, if you've been looking to localize your AI, this has been my favorite low-profile way to go.

• Read our full Asus ROG Flow Z13 review

The best budget AI laptop

Why is this the best budget AI laptop?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 is a wonder in a climate where laptop prices are suffering from the RAM crisis, especially when it comes to reliable AI performance for less. A lot of that is thanks to the Intel Wildcat Lake chip it comes equipped with, bringing worthy performance at a budget-friendly price. At the right cost (grab this for its frequently discounted $799 or under price tag), this is a great option for office workers and students looking for power efficiency and speed for AI tasks.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11: AI performance

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11
AI Performance Results

Slide through to see each benchmark
we've tested in Geekbench AI

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

10030

03,7507,50011,25015,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	10030

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

10764

03,7507,50011,25015,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	10764

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

14161

03,7507,50011,25015,000

Geekbench AI NPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	14161

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What do these tests mean?

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11: Analyzing the numbers

Along with its spacious 15-inch (1920 x 1200) IPS touchscreen and strong battery life lasting over 10 hours as tested, this laptop will take on-the-go professionals and students far with its AI capabilities.

The Slim 3i's Intel Core 7 350 chip delivers steady, reliable speed for the vast majority of daily tasks, which is what most budget buyers really need. As our lab tester put it, working across multiple spreadsheets and apps was seamless on this machine, with enough stamina to get through most of a workday without hunting for an outlet.

Despite this being more of a "budget" chip, Intel Wildcat Lake performs way better than you'd expect it to. Its CPU AI performance results are some of the strongest we've seen in a laptop, even if its NPU is more behind the competition. That means being able to quickly create AI-generated visual content, draft emails and copy, touch up webcam quality and more on the fly. Expect real-time AI interactions that react quickly to any prompt you throw at it.

• Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 review

The best value AI laptop

Why is this the best value AI laptop?

Now packing the might of the latest Snapdragon X2 Plus chipset, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x not only delivers greater AI performance to power through AI agents, multimodal content generation and more, but it also comes at a value-first price that's well below $1,000. Throw in the sharp, bright 15-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) touchscreen and a long battery life of 15 hours (thanks to that 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU taking the pressure off), and you've got yourself a reliable yet affordable AI machine.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x: AI performance

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x AI Performance Results

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)

7726

02,0004,0006,0008,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	7726

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)

84958

025,00050,00075,000100,000

Geekbench AI QNN (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	84958

1 of 2

What do these tests mean?

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x: Analyzing the numbers

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x has hugely benefited from the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip inside, as you'll be surprised to find it beats the likes of Apple's M5 chip when it comes to raw AI performance (not when it comes to GPU-intensive tasks, though). And in our benchmark tests, we found its background AI features and performance punchy enough for real-world use.

Along with AI working in the background to summarize documents, boosting webcam quality (which is needed, as we found its 1080p camera to be grainy) or taking full advantage of Copilot features, expect its AI power to help out with light photo and video editing, content generation and running autonomous AI agents.

All that for just $900? The IdeaPad Slim 5x shows that Lenovo knows how to bring value to a laptop. Just watch out for its subpar speakers.

• Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x review

The best AI laptop for power users

Why is this the best AI laptop for power users?

Yes, it's a gaming laptop (and it comes with an equally large gaming laptop price). But with RTX 5090, Nvidia went in hard on improving AI performance. Pair that with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a huge total wattage being pumped through these internals and impressive thermal management, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is a clear favorite for AI power users.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18: AI performance

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 AI Performance Results

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Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)

9724

02,5005,0007,50010,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	9724

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)

23227

07,50015,00022,50030,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	23227

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What do these tests mean?

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18: Analyzing the numbers

While an NPU handles everyday AI tasks well enough, I’ve found that you really need the raw power of a GPU to push things further. With the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX paired with the RTX 5090 in this machine, I’m getting an incredible amount of AI processing capability — 1,837 TOPS, to be exact.

That kind of performance means I can breeze through demanding creative AI tasks, like complex text masking in Adobe Premiere Pro, and even train my own AI models if I want to. The sheer parallel processing power here makes this setup an absolute beast for anything AI-related.

• Read our full Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 review

The best AI laptop for casual users

Why is this the best AI laptop for casual users?

For many, AI is at its best when it seamlessly works in the background without delay and doesn't impact the performance of day-to-day tasks. That's exactly what the MacBook Air M5 offers, and while it's now (unfortunately) $200 more thanks to Apple's price hikes, its incredible boost in AI performance and power across the board makes this laptop our top choice for most general users.

Apple MacBook Air M5: AI performance

Apple MacBook Air AI Performance Results

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Apple MacBook Air (M5)

6843

02,0004,0006,0008,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	6843

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

25654

07,50015,00022,50030,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	25654

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

56968

015,00030,00045,00060,000

Geekbench AI NPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	56968

1 of 3

What do these tests mean?

Apple MacBook Air M5: Analyzing the numbers

Apple continues to turn its Neural Engine (that's an NPU in Windows speak) into a force to be reckoned with, as the MacBook Air M5 boosts its AI-driven potential to new heights. In its AI GPU test, its performance has tripled compared to the M4 model, so expect even smoother, faster AI tools in apps like Final Cut Pro.

Of course, it's also primed to handle Apple intelligence features, including writing up drafts, audio and video summaries, playing around in the Image Playground and plenty more.

With M5, the MacBook Air now comes with 512GB of storage by default, which takes away our pain point about the M4 laptop's 256GB simply not being enough for space and heavier AI workloads. For $1,299, the MacBook Air M5 gives everyone incredible AI power at their fingertips, whether it's offloading tasks in the background or running AI models.

• Read our full MacBook Air M5 review

Apple's MacBook Air was originally $1,099, but now starts from $1,299 due to the Cupertino tech giant raising prices as of June 2026. While its not as valuable as it once was, it's still one of our top picks for most users after a laptop with AI features.

The best AI Windows laptop

Why is this the best Windows AI laptop?

The Dell XPS 16 (2026) delivered some of the highest numbers we've seen in our benchmark tests, but it hardly comes as a surprise, considering the Intel Panther Lake (the Core Ultra X7 358H, to be exact) it packs. It's only made better with the gorgeously premium design it comes in, along with that 16-inch Tandem OLED touch display.

This machine will blaze through complex AI tasks, turbo boosted by its CPU and GPU cores, while its NPU efficiently takes the pressure off (leading to a long 13-hour battery life). It brings serious TOPs for AI performance to the table for running any LLM.

Dell XPS 16: AI performance

Dell XPS 16 AI Performance Results

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

8991

02,5005,0007,50010,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	8991

Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

60004

020,00040,00060,00080,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	60004

Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

58170

015,00030,00045,00060,000

Geekbench AI NPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	58170

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What do these tests mean?

Dell XPS 16: Analyzing the numbers

We've seen high numbers when it comes to AI performance, but the Dell XPS 16 moves the needle in all departments. The CPU, GPU and NPU scores are through the roof, even compared to the extremely strong Asus Zenbook Duo (2026).

Getting through general AI tasks will be a breeze, with plenty of room for LLMs to power through, while those Intel Arc Xe3 graphics cores are more than capable of completing generative-based AI tasks, whether that be for video editing or 3D machine learning-based workloads.

The NPU also gets some brownie points, making the most of the 50 TOPS by working on improving background tasks with AI while helping it last a full workday without needing a charge (according to our battery tests).

The Dell XPS 16 is one zippy machine for AI, and just about the finest Windows laptop you can get right now. But if 16 inches is a tad too big for your liking, then the equally impressive Dell XPS 14 (2026) will do the trick.

• Read our full Dell XPS 16 (2026) review

The best AI Macbook

Why is this the best AI MacBook?

The MacBook Pro M5 Pro may not be a major upgrade at a glance, but a peek at the numbers under the hood will show you just how far Apple's latest Pro silicon has come. This AI PC has some of the strongest numbers around, thanks to its improved Neural Engine, allowing it to take on all Apple Intelligence features without breaking a sweat, and take full advantage of Machine Learning tools in apps like Final Cut Pro for video editing.

MacBook Pro M5 Pro: AI performance

Apple MacBook Pro AI Performance Results

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Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

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Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

7028

02,0004,0006,0008,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	7028

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

34167

010,00020,00030,00040,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	34167

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

57420

015,00030,00045,00060,000

Geekbench AI NPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	57420

1 of 3

What do these tests mean?

MacBook Pro M5 Pro: Analyzing the numbers

See those numbers? They're some of the highest on this list, and that means the MacBook Pro M5 Pro is capable of handling any AI tasks — whether it's running complex AI models locally, such as the 32-billion-parameter Qwen2.5 coder LLM, or advanced generative options like StableDiffusion running entirely on-device.

Over its M4 Pro predecessor, the M5 Pro chip delivers big gains with its boosted 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU and that 16-core Neural Engine. In fact, its AI GPU score has doubled compared to the previous chip, showcasing the uplift you'll get for image generation and AI-enhanced video edits. Oh, and expect mind-blowingly fast interactions with Apple Intelligence.

While the M5 Max is undoubtedly beefier, the Neural Engine differences aren't major. So, if you're after a powerhouse for AI tasks, machine learning-driven 3D animation and more without breaking the bank on the most expensive model, the MacBook Pro M5 Pro is the sweet spot.

• Read our full MacBook Pro M5 Pro review

As with the MacBook Air M5, the MacBook Pro M5 Pro has had a price increase. Originally $2,199, costs now start from $2,499 as of June 2026. It's now more expensive than ever, but for powering through heavy-duty AI tasks, this is still a laptop worth considering.

AI performance benchmarks

Laptops built for AI shouldn't just have strong performance overall, but also enough power to handle machine-learning features. For a better look at how each laptop in this guide performs when it comes to AI-based tasks, check out how they compare in our Geekbench AI tests. It's simple: the higher the number, the stronger the laptop.

Best AI Laptops Geekbench AI Test Results

Slide through to compare each benchmark with
different laptops we've tested

< Prev

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score)

Next >

Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)

10792

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

10030

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)

7726

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)

9724

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

6843

Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

8991

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

7028

03,7507,50011,25015,000

Geekbench AI CPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	10792
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	10030
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	7726
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	9724
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	6843
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	8991
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	7028

Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)

18268

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

10764

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)

23227

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

25654

Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

60004

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

34167

020,00040,00060,00080,000

Geekbench AI GPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	18268
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	10764
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	N/A
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	23227
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	25654
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	60004
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	34167

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)

14161

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

56968

Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)

58170

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)

57420

015,00030,00045,00060,000

Geekbench AI NPU (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	N/A
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	14161
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	N/A
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	N/A
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	56968
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	58170
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	57420

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)

84958

025,00050,00075,000100,000

Geekbench AI QNN (Quantized Score) Data

Product	Value
Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP (AMD Ryzen AI Max 395)	N/A
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 11 (Intel Core 7 350)	N/A
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (Qualcomm Snapdraogn X2 Plus)	84958
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)	N/A
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	N/A
Dell XPS 16 (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H)	N/A
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	N/A

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Also tested

We've tested hundreds of laptops, and over the past couple of years, many have come with plenty of AI power. Not all make the cut for this list, though, but that doesn't mean they're not worth looking at. So, here's more to check out.

What's coming next

As AI continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, the hardware continues to catch up. We're now seeing a new wave of laptops geared towards AI, and we're here to update you on what's coming.

• At the Microsoft Surface RTX Spark event, we got a better look at the newly announced Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra. This is the most powerful Surface laptop by far, with Nvidia's RTX Spark chip delivering faster performance for local AI tasks and 3D graphics, including gaming, and a world-first magnetic break-away USB-C charger. Prices start at $2,599, with a higher-end dev box model costing $5,999, and a launch date of October 16. For a comparison, check out Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra vs. MacBook Pro M5 Pro.
• Googlebooks are here, Google's new lineup of premium laptops. These are a step up over Chromebooks in terms of price, running Googlebook OS that combines features of Android and ChromeOS. Mainly, these are built from the ground up for Gemini AI, with features such as its Magic Pointer that gives context-aware suggestions on anything on screen by wiggling the cursor. It also comes with higher-power chips, including Intel Panther Lake and Snapdragon X Elite. We've benchmarked the first five Googlebooks, and we've been impressed with the results so far.
• The Apple MacBook Ultra is rumored to steal the spotlight at an upcoming Apple event, expected to be sometime this October. Not only is it tipped to feature a touchscreen OLED display, but also the might of an Apple M6 Pro or M6 Max chip, which will power through AI work. But only time will tell, so stay tuned.
• Nvidia RTX Spark is the company's first all-in-one processor for laptops that's as powerful as we've been expecting. This ARM chip comes equipped with 6,144 CUDA cores, the same ones found in Nvidia's best graphics cards, and aims to power through local AI tasks and more. Along with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, we can expect 30 laptop models and over 10 desktop variations with Nvidia Spark inside coming up. We'll have more hands-on time with each Nvidia RTX Spark laptop as they arrive, and in the meantime, here's a hands-on look at Nvidia RTX Spark laptops.

Best AI Laptop: Frequently Asked Questions

How we test AI laptops

To choose the best laptops for AI, we put each one through its paces with some brutal testing. Let me explain all the tests you saw above.

• Geekbench AI CPU test (Quantized score): The CPU's main purpose is more generalized towards keeping your laptop running smoothly. But as AI becomes more and more fundamental to the entire system, it's important that these cores are ready to handle machine learning applications. The Quantized score is the mean result of how well the device performed across a whole set of AI tests.
• Geekbench AI GPU test (Quantized score): For the more advanced generative side of things, like video editing, the Geekbench AI GPU test puts the graphics card (or integrated graphics) to the test to see how performant it is for all the parallel tasks that need to be completed in machine learning.
• Geekbench AI NPU test (Quantized score): Whether it's the Neural Engine on a MacBook or the NPU on a Windows laptop, this part of a chip is purpose-built to handle AI tasks and offload that pressure on the CPU. The faster this is, the better your system will be at those day-to-day AI tasks like webcam picture improvement.

There is one exception, though. Chromebooks do not have AI benchmarking tests available, and since all of their AI tasks are completed entirely on the cloud, the main thing to consider is Wi-Fi speed here.

Tackling pet hair is one of the biggest challenges for even the best robot vacuums, which is why we build pet hair tests into our standard testing. So if battling pet hair is your top priority when shopping for a robot vacuum, this guide is for you.

The five vacuums featured in our guide all aced our pet hair tests, featuring large-capacity self-emptying dustbins and powerful mops that can break down dribble and tracked-in paw prints.

Our new top pick is the Roborock Saros 20, which surpasses its predecessor, the Saros 10R, with market-leading suction and unbeatable obstacle avoidance. On a budget? The cheapest option we can wholeheartedly recommend for pet hair is the Eufy Omni C28.

You've likely seen the news that the US is banning all new foreign-produced "advanced robotic devices" from being sold and marketed in the US. If you're wondering what, exactly, the ban covers, the FCC defines an "advanced robotic device" as "a mechanical mobile device weighing over 4.4 pounds (including its ground or docking station) that is capable of locomotion, navigation, and obstacle avoidance and can be operated from a distance". Put simply, this covers the vast majority of robot vacuums on the market.The ban is also specifically concerned with foreign-produced robot vacuums. So, it doesn't matter where a company is based; if it produces its products outside of the US, they will be subject to the ban.What the ban doesn't do is stop retailers from selling robot vacuums that have already been approved by the FCC. All robot vacuums currently for sale in the US have been approved by the FCC, including all those on this list. However, if a manufacturer wants to sell a new model that has not been authorized, they must apply for conditional approval to prove its products do not "pose a risk to national security".Additionally, all robotic devices already authorized for US sale will continue to receive software and firmware updates that "mitigate harm to US consumers" (e.g., software vulnerability patches) until January 2029.

Best overall

In a market full of high-spec robot vacuum mop hybrids, not all prove worthy of being the best for pet hair, but the Roborock Saros 20 is our exception. With its class-leading 36,000 Pa suction, it excels at pulling up embedded pet hair and debris from carpets and hard floors alike.

The Saros 20 ousts the Saros 10, which won the top spot in our guide for a full year until its successor was released in early 2026. On specs alone, it's the most powerful robot vacuum we've tested, and its StarSight system uses advanced 3D and RGB cameras for mapping and obstacle avoidance, so you can trust it to navigate around pet bowls, toys, and furniture without getting stuck. Another addition is its anti-tangle tech. The robot uses a main brush and a side brush to sweep up hair, preventing it from tangling or wrapping around the vacuum brush, which is a common issue we encounter in robot vacuum reviews.

In our reviewer's 710 square feet of lower-ground flooring, the Saros 20 tackled everything from scattered kibble to fine dog hair without missing a beat. After a week of regular cycles, she barely had to think about maintenance. Where the Saros 20 stands out is its ease of use. The self-emptying dock handled dustbin chores, and removable filters prevent allergens from re-entering the air. In addition, the mop pad washed itself automatically, and thanks to its AdaptiLift Chassis, the Saros 20 was able to mount double-layer thresholds of up to 1.77 and 1.57, so it cleans multiple rooms efficiently with no manual intervention.

Where the Saros 20 does fall short is mopping. Although it features a hygienic self-cleaning roller mop, which is generally our preferred mop style, this did miss a few spots in our tests. For a flagship model of this price, that's disappointing, so if mopping is a top priority for you, we recommend taking a look at the Dyson Spot+Scrub AI.

Read our full Roborock Saros 20 review

Best budget

We test robot vacuums at all prices, but it's our pet hair tests that regularly expose the downsides of a cheaper robot vacuum. With the average budget model offering lower suction, they can struggle to pull out deep-rooted fibers from carpets and around baseboards. But if you're on a budget, the Eufy Omni C28 proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve great pet hair cleaning power.

Scoring an impressive 87% in our pet hair test, the Omni C28 holds its own among a selection of expensive contenders. During testing, the vacuum stayed on top of tracked-in debris and daily shedding, handling everyday mess without hassle. It's also self-emptying, and the brand claims you'll only need to empty its bin bag every 75 days, although this will depend on the amount of pet hair you're dealing with! One of the big advantages of having a self-emptying vacuum with a bin bag design is that it keeps pet hair and dust from the air when you empty the dock, which is ideal for those who suffer from allergies.

We encountered a fairly common issue in our pet hair tests when reviewing the C28. The strong jet of air released during cleaning would sometimes blow pet hair into areas the vacuum had already covered, which brought its overall score down. This won't be so much of an issue on carpets, where pet hair will cling to your floor.

Mopping was good, not great, and our reviewer felt that the Eufy's navigation system didn't compare to the smooth operation of more premium Roborock models. But for a vacuum of this price, we'll take some bumping and chaotic navigation, so long as it actually cleans — which the C28 does.

Read our full Eufy Omni C28 review

Best for carpets

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow steps up as a carpet-cleaning powerhouse, delivering a formidable 20,000Pa of suction and all the carpet power we needed. It even comes with a live video function and an in-built pet mode that lets you check in on furry friends remotely.

In everyday use, the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow’s cleaning abilities impressed us. During our hands-on rounds with test debris like Cheerios, cat litter, and layers of pet hair, it tackled most messes with confidence. While it excelled at vacuuming up dry debris and lighter pet hair, it sometimes struggled with dense clumps, especially those that tend to tangle. This is likely to pose more of a challenge on hard floors, where hairs can gather in corners or along baseboards, but on carpets, it provides plenty of suction to pul embedded pet hairs from deep in your carpet strands.

Pet households will appreciate the generous dustbin bag, which means fewer trips to the trash and less hands-on time dealing with full bins. For high-shedding pets or busy owners, this translates to noticeably reduced maintenance over the course of a week.

If edge performance is a priority, the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow does fall short of Roborock’s flagship Saros 20. Unlike its sibling, it lacks an extendable side brush, so it leaves a bit more debris along walls and corners. This may matter in deep-cleaning routines.

For pet owners with lots of carpet and a desire to outsource daily vacuuming, the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow delivers robust cleaning and hassle-reducing capacity. Just factor in the premium price and be aware of its limitations with dense pet hair and edge cleaning.

Read our full Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow review

Best for hard floors

The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai makes hard floors look spotless. When we put it to the test, we found that its roller mop removed every trace of dried tea stains, thanks to its heated mopping system that sprays 140°F water directly onto the floor. So if your pets track mud and dribble water over your hard floors, it's up to the task.

In our hands-on tests, we watched it power through daily dust, crumbs and hair, methodically tracing the outside of rooms and then mopping and vacuuming back and forth to ensure not a strand of pet hair was missed.

What sets the Dyson apart for fur-prone homes is its Fluffy Optic roller. A vivid green LED lights up debris along walls, baseboards, and in corners, making fine dust and stray hair visible and easily captured. If you've got a Dyson vacuum, this might well be a feature you already enjoy to ensure you don't miss a spot, so it's great to see Dyson adding it to its robot vacuum lineup, too.

Maintenance is refreshingly hands-off. The bagless self-emptying bin quickly docks and vacuums itself out, so you don’t have to empty a messy dust cup after each cleaning. This upgrade saves time and hassle for busy pet owners. However, the dock is bagless, which means allergens may re-enter the air when emptying into your trash.

The 18,000 Pa of suction is good, but not great. For deep carpets we'd recommend the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow or the Roborock Saros 20 over the Dyson, although neither aced their mop tests in the way the Spot+Scrub did.

The main trade-offs: it’s large and commands a premium price, which may be overkill for smaller homes or those with mostly carpet. For pet owners who want immaculate hard floors and minimal daily upkeep, the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai is the clear winner.

Read our full Dyson Spot+Scrub AI review

Best for odor

The best robot vacuums for pet hair should stay on top of dirt and dander, but very few can also erase odors. That's where the Euft Omni S2 comes in. With in-built fragrance diffusers, it could be a real game-changer for those who have become a bit nose-blind to the pet smells in their home.

Fragrance diffusers aside, the Omni S2 offers a formidable 30,000 Pa suction and an impressive 89.25% overall cleaning score in our lab tests. Its generous 84 ounce dustbin means far fewer emptying sessions, and in hands-on use, the S2’s self-emptying dock smoothly pulled all of the debris from the robot after each cleaning run.

When it comes to mopping, the S2 proves it’s more than just a strong vacuum. On hard floors, it left no streaks or residue. In our sticky ketchup spill test, the S2 fully lifted the mess in a single pass, something few competitors manage. It handled tracked-in pet mud effectively, reducing the need for manual spot-cleaning.

Against rivals, the Omni S2’s suction is a clear step above the budget-friendly Eufy C28. However, it's a very expensive pick, almost matching our top pick — the Roborock Saros 20 — despite offering lower suction power.

Navigation is where the S2 shows its quirks. It tends to skirt around tightly grouped debris at the edges, and while it rarely tangled with pet hair, the airflow sometimes left strands along baseboards. Obstacle detection is generally reliable, though the S2 occasionally hesitated near chair legs. For most homes, these are minor trade-offs, and easily overlooked if your priority is odor-erasing tech and powerful mopping.

Read our full Eufy Omni S2 review

Also tested

Although we put plenty of robot vacuums designed for pet hair through extensive testing, not every model made the final selection, despite a great performance.

However, if you're still looking for an alternative to suit your needs or budget, check out our other options below.

How we test the best robot vacuums for pet hair

We spent hundreds of hours putting a variety of robot vacuums through first-hand testing in both lab and real-world settings.

In our lab testing, we replicated common household flooring surfaces and debris by sprinkling an area of flooring with about 20 grams each of pet hair on both hardwood and low-pile carpet.

We then ran the robot vacuum in a specified 5 x 5 ft area, to measure how effective each vacuum is at picking up dog hair (primarily sourced from an English Cream Golden Retriever), 20 grams of kitty litter, and 20 grams of Cheerios cereal.

In evaluating the best robot vacuums for pet hair, we chose them based on their scores in our pet hair pick up lab tests, kitty little or cereal and tufts of pet hair on each. Additionally, we evaluated user experience, ease of setup, and smart features including ability to avoid objects, ease of emptying, noise level and overall value.

While real-world testing isn’t as rigid as our lab tests, it is primarily based on user experience in real homes — and with real pets! Similarly, we narrowed down our top performers based on extensive criteria.

For instance, how powerful is it to get rid of pet hair and dander on different floor surfaces? Is it able to cross thresholds well? Does it navigate and avoid obstacles well? Is it easy to set up, and connect to the app?

These are just some of the questions our team of reviewers answers when evaluating each robot vacuum and determining which is the best model for pet parents.

How to choose your best robot vacuum for pet hair

Before buying a robot vacuum for you and your pets, there are a few factors to consider. How many pets are in your home and how much are they actually shedding? Is it long-haired or short fur and are they shedding on a regular basis?

Secondly, what type of floors do you have around the home? If you have mainly hard floors, having one of the best robot vacuum and mop hybrid models would be essential for both pick-up power and scrubbing pet messes or any other stains on floors. Plus, choose a robot vacuum that is user-friendly, and easy to operate.

In any case, here are the top features you should be looking for when buying a robot vacuum for pet hair.

• Suction
  It's important to consider suction power, as this will determine how thorough your cleaning results will be. Ideally, a model of 10,000 Pa range is adequate for pet hair. While more advanced models like the Roborock Saros 20 has 36,000 Pa suction.
• Specialized brush rolls
  A good robot vacuum should be well equipped to handle plenty of hair. Look out for anti-tangle brush rolls to prevent any clogs or hair tangling.
• Dust capacity
  A smaller dustbin will need emptying more often, especially if you have multiple pets! Opt for models with large capacity dustbins to reduce the frequency of emptying out.
• Self-emptying
  You can find this feature on many premium models, and some can even hold up to 75 days worth of waste before needing emptying. Essentially, the robot vacuum will empty itself into a larger dustbin in the charging base once it’s full, saving you the trips to the trash can. If undecided, check out our guide on whether robot vacuums with self-emptying bases are worth it.
• Smart features
  Some of the most common features you'll need are mapping, scheduling, no-go zones, target rooms, and multiple floors. You can also find advanced models that come with an extendable sweeper arm, a flexi-lift chassis, or built-in cameras, should you wish to spy on your pets when you're not home. But don't be swayed by things you won't use; you'll save money by being focused.
• Battery life
  Another factor to consider is the battery life, especially if you'll be using it on a daily basis. If that's the case, it's worth buying a robo vac that comes with a base, so it can charge itself between runs. This way it won't run out of charge mid- cleaning, and delay your session.

At Tom's Guide, we’ve tested the leading options across those needs to help you find the best fit. The MacBook Air M5 remains our top all-round choice, with its powerful everyday performance, lightweight design and excellent battery life for the price. But there are other options if you want a Windows machine, a dedicated gaming rig, exceptional battery life, ChromeOS simplicity or a laptop built for upgradeability.

We have more laptops and updates to look forward to, including Nvidia RTX Spark laptops, such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, along with Googlebooks and the rumored MacBook Ultra. We'll keep you up to date on the latest news.

I'm here to guide you through the laptops worth buying right now. Read on for our expert advice, lab testing and hands-on reviews to help you find the laptop that's right for you.

The best laptops you can buy right now

The best laptop overall

Should you buy the MacBook Air M5?

The MacBook Air M5 has (unsurprisingly) taken over its M4 predecessor as the best MacBook and best laptop for most people reading this list, as it's hard to beat the mighty performance it offers at its cost. This time, though, its starting price is $100 more.

Now starting at $1,299 for the 13-inch model and $1,499 for the 15-inch (but expect plenty of regular discounts), the latest MacBook Air may share that familiar lightweight, durable design, but its upgrades under the hood put its competition on notice. With faster M5 performance, double the base storage at 512GB, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and longer battery life, this laptop ticks all the right boxes.

Buy the MacBook Air M5 if

✅ You want a do-it-all laptop: With its M5 chip, along with its other notable upgrades, the latest MacBook Air takes its multitasking power to new heights, for web surfing, video editing and even some AAA gaming.

✅ You need a laptop that lasts: Now with 15 hours and 30 minutes of battery life, the M5 update makes the MacBook Air one of the longest-lasting laptops around, especially at its price. For those on the move or who don't want to rely on a charger, this laptop brings the stamina.

Don't buy the MacBook Air M5 if

❌ If gaming is a priority: While the M5 is more than capable of playing demanding PC titles (like Resident Evil 4 Remake), it understandably isn't made for gaming. So don't think this will be your main gaming driver.

❌ You already have an M4 or M3 MacBook Air: Despite the impressive performance gains the M5 delivers, along with the 512GB base storage and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, this is more of a modest update. There's still plenty of software support left in those still-amazing laptops!

Who is the MacBook Air M5 best for?

💻 The MacBook Air M5 brings it home yet again, this time with notable upgrades that make this laptop better than ever. Yes, it's now $200 more for both the 13- and 15-inch models after Apple's price hikes, but this gets you a very welcome 512GB base storage, Apple N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and longer battery life at over 15 hours.

This isn't the upgrade to grab if you already have an M4, or even an M3, MacBook Air, but for frequent travelers, students and anyone who wants a reliable notebook that will be your trusty, lightweight companion, this is the best laptop to buy — especially when the inevitable discounts arrive to drop its bumped-up price tag.

• Read our full MacBook Air M5 review

Thanks to Apple officially raising the price of MacBooks, the MacBook Air M5 is now priced from $1,299 (or $1,499 for the 15-inch model). That's a $200 price increase, and that's after the $100 surge in cost over the M4 model. While the price has gone up, we still rank it as the best laptop for most. We're constantly on the lookout for deals, so if we can find it at a lower price, be sure to grab it!

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The best value laptop

Should you buy the MacBook Neo?

Apple has changed the landscape of budget-friendly laptops with its MacBook Neo. It's almost strange to have a MacBook take the crown as the value laptop to beat, but for the performance, design and features it presents for $699 ($599 for education), it's clear this laptop raises the bar.

The MacBook Neo comes with an A18 Pro chip, originally found in iPhones, but it still manages to run circles around Chromebooks and Windows laptops at similar prices and beats the MacBook Air M1. Plus, it comes with many of the perks of the MacBook Air, including a comfy keyboard and lightweight design (this time with fun colors). Trade-offs include paying extra for Touch ID, a lack of Thunderbolt and no keyboard backlight. But for its wallet-friendly price, this is no doubt the best value laptop around.

Buy the MacBook Neo if

✅ You need a budget-friendly, versatile laptop: From day-to-day tasks to delivering long battery life, all wrapped up in a slim, lightweight design, the MacBook Neo makes for a fine machine for traveling professionals, students, families and anyone who just needs a laptop that won't break the bank.

✅ You want solid performance for less: Despite a lack of the usual M-series chipset, the MacBook Neo's A18 Pro can power through multiple tabs and apps without breaking a sweat. We noticed occasional lag every now and then, but hardly a deal-breaker. For this price, it's incredibly speedy.

✅ You like a splash of style: Who doesn't like a sturdy, all-aluminum laptop with fun colors to bring your at-home setup or office to life? Coming in Silver, Indigo, Blush and Citrus, the MacBook Neo is eye-catching.

Don't buy the MacBook Neo if

❌ You want the perks of other MacBooks: The MacBook Neo doesn't come close to matching the performance of its Air or Pro siblings, which is expected, but it's a shame there's also no keyboard backlight, and Touch ID (with more storage) comes with a $100 price hump. Plus, 8GB of RAM isn't all that much.

❌ You need Thunderbolt connectivity: With Thunderbolt ports becoming the standard for many laptops, not seeing one in the MacBook Neo is a letdown, and limits the type of connections (to monitors, for instance) you can make.

Who is the MacBook Neo best for?

💻 The MacBook Neo is Apple's successful attempt at a budget laptop, and it ticks all the right boxes and makes the right (if annoying) trade-offs for it to be the value laptop for most.

Now at $699, you'll get good performance from its impressive A18 Pro chip, long battery life that lasts over 13 hours, a vivid 13-inch display, the lightweight design of a MacBook Air with striking color options, great audio from its side speakers and the speediness of macOS. If you're fine with the sacrifices Apple has made, and only need an affordable machine for browsing the web, accessing apps, working on documents and more, you'll be very impressed with the MacBook Neo.

• Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review

As with the rest of Apple's range of MacBooks, the MacBook Neo has seen a $100 price rise. While now priced from $699 (and $599 for students), it's still a great laptop for value at this cost, especially compared to its competition. However, we'll be sure to keep watch for any deals to help you save on this excellent budget-friendly machine.

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The best Windows laptop

Should you buy the Dell XPS 14 (2026)?

The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is the comeback we’ve all been waiting for. By ditching some of the controversial design aspects of previous models—along with the “Dell Premium” branding, the company has delivered a true MacBook Pro competitor. While it can get pricey, there’s a lot to like here.

Starting at $1,599, you get a relatively thin and light machine that’s perfect for traveling with. Upgrades like a tandem OLED panel and a stronger Intel Panther Lake chip make this notebook even more enticing. Right now, it’s arguably the best Dell XPS laptop we’ve seen in years. Well, that and its bigger sibling, the Dell XPS 16 (2026), which we also strongly recommend if you're after bigger (OLED) screen real estate.

Buy the Dell XPS 14 (2026) if

✅ You want an ultraportable Windows laptop that’s as good for productivity as it is for gaming: Thanks to Panther Lake, this laptop can handle most of what you can throw at it.

✅ You need a long-lasting laptop: While the OLED model we tested only lasted 12 hours and 23 minutes, that’s still impressive endurance for a non-Snapdragon X Elite Windows machine. If you get the entry-level model, you can get over 20 hours of battery life, based on our testing.

Don't buy the Dell XPS 14 (2026) if

❌ If you’re married to Apple: This one kind of goes without saying, but if you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, any Windows laptop will be a hard sell. Also, an entry-level MacBook Pro M5 offers stronger performance and longer battery life than the higher-end $2,199 XPS 14 we reviewed.

❌ You need a microSD card: If you’re a creative, not having a microSD card slot could be a deal breaker. Keep that in mind when considering this laptop.

Who is the Dell XPS 14 (2026) best for?

💻 The Dell XPS 14 has a lot going for it, thanks to its new practical design, strong Panther Lake performance and efficiency, and tandem OLED upgrade option. While a return to form, it still retains some of the better aspects of the past, such as the glass touchpad and snappy keys. Dell wisely listened to its users and delivered a machine that’s worthy of the XPS branding.

I’ve always been a fan of the XPS line, so I’m glad I can now recommend the latest model without adding a list of caveats. Beyond being a return to form, Dell has delivered an all-around fantastic machine that’s ready to go wherever you travel.

If you’re a Windows user who wants a slick-looking and portable machine that’s as adept for work as it is for gaming, this one comes with my highest recommendation. Looking for a bigger screen? The Dell XPS 16 will impress just as much.

• Read our full Dell XPS 14 (2026) review

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The best budget Windows laptops

Should you buy the Dell XPS 13 (2026)?

The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the rare budget Windows laptop that actually delivers long battery life and a sharp 2.5K touchscreen — two things you rarely see together at this price. In our battery test, it lasted 14 hours and 29 minutes, which is very impressive for a machine in this class. The screen isn’t just high-res on paper: that touchscreen adds a lot of value and makes this feel like a more expensive device than most competitors in the $700 range.

Performance is another area where the XPS 13 punches above its weight. Our entry-level unit (8GB RAM, 512GB storage) scored 7,952 on Geekbench 6 multi-core, but what matters more is how it feels day to day. During a typical workflow —15 Chrome tabs open, YouTube streaming in the background — it never slowed it down. In short: you’re not paying for nothing here. This is the kind of value-to-performance ratio that reassures you your money’s well spent.

Buy the Dell XPS 13 (2026) if

✅ You want fast, reliable day-to-day performance: The XPS 13 breezed through my typical multitasking — think 15 Chrome tabs and YouTube in the background — so routine work, browsing, and streaming won’t leave you frustrated.

✅ You need a laptop that lasts all day: In our battery test, the XPS 13 ran for 14 hours and 29 minutes of continuous web browsing — enough to get through classes or a full workday without plugging in.

✅ You carry your laptop everywhere: At just 2.2 pounds, with a sturdy aluminum chassis, the XPS 13 is genuinely comfortable to haul between rooms, classes or commutes.

Don't buy the Dell XPS 13 (2026) if

❌ You need a sharp webcam: For those who go on video calls often, know that the XPS 13's 1080p webcam can make you look blurry and washed out. It's serviceable, but not the best around.

❌ You want plenty of ports: With only two USB-C ports and no headphone jack, the XPS 13 doesn't give you a lot to play around with, especially if you want to connect extra peripherals, like a mouse, keyboard and more.

Who is the Dell XPS 13 (2026) best for?

💻 The Dell XPS 13 (2026) has value written all over it, and it makes it an easy recommendation as the best budget Windows laptop to buy. At under $700/£700, this laptop offers reliable performance for everyday tasks, an ultra-lightweight and thin design that's anything but cheap and all-day battery life at over 14 hours.

If you’re a price-conscious Windows user, like a student, remote worker or anyone who needs a dependable daily driver, the Dell XPS 13 gets the basics right, and then some. Just don’t expect workstation-level performance or gaming chops, and you’ll find a lot to love for the money.

• Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

The best gaming laptop

Should you buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14?

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is my personal favorite gaming laptop you can buy — primarily because it doesn’t forget about the “laptop” part like a lot of gaming systems do.

This refreshed model packs a ton of power into that sleek MacBook Pro-esque aluminum shell in the form of the latest AMD CPU and Nvidia RTX 50-series GPU combo. But the more things change, the more they (fortunately) stay the same, thanks to that gorgeous CNC-milled utilitarian aesthetic and a mesmerizing OLED display.

If you need more raw horsepower dedicated to gaming, there are more performant options, and I recommend you check out our best gaming laptops list. But for a better balance of all elements that still delivers big on power, the Zephyrus G14 is a near-perfect pick.

Buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 if

✅ You want a beasty gaming machine: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 + Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 makes for a monstrous pairing of power. Combine that with improved cooling and DLSS 4, and you can run the latest AAA games at over 140 FPS in max settings.

✅ You don’t want other people to know you have a gaming laptop: The standard gaming laptop design is pretty cringe. I always feel uncomfortable pulling one out. But the Zephyrus G14’s tastefully utilitarian CNC-milled aluminum construction looks fantastically subtle from every angle.

✅ You care about a good screen: That 3K OLED panel is a real marvel to look at — presenting all your favorite games with a real HDR quality that pushes impressive color and a deep contrast ratio.

Don't buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 if

❌ Battery life is a chief concern: This is more a problem I’ve found with gaming laptops as a whole rather than this specific model. But it’s worth noting, as the stamina levels of such highly demanding internals does drop the battery life in day-to-day use to below 7 hours of casual use.

❌ Webcam quality matters: The 1080p webcam remains unchanged from the Zephyrus G14 last year, which means you’re getting quite the grainy picture that struggles with low lighting.

Who is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 best for?

💻 The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a fantastic gaming laptop that kept me entertained across 5,000 miles of travel, balancing performance and portability perfectly. The OLED display makes all your gaming look incredibly colorful and immersive, the speakers have been improved, and it’s impressively thin and lightweight.

This is the best gaming laptop for folks who actually want to take their gaming laptops with them on occasion. Most gaming laptops are so big, heavy and poorly optimized that they're basically desktop replacements, since they're best left on your desk for their entire lifespan.

Not so with the Zephyrus; while battery life while gaming still isn't amazing, this thing fits in a backpack fairly easily and doesn't look out of place in a coffee shop or classroom, so you can take it to school and sneak in some gaming time at lunch. It's the best laptop for anyone who wants a gaming laptop that can double as a work device in a pinch.

• Read our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review

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The best Chromebook

Should you buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14?

Not only is the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 the best Chromebook you can buy right now, but it’s also a mighty laptop overall that shows ChromeOS is on a whole new level. That premium finish with stellar ergonomics and a mesmerizing OLED display puts Chrome on full glorious display.

Pair that with a new Arm chip that guarantees peak performance and power efficiency, and a truly AI-infused operating system that feels legitimately helpful rather than intruding with a chatbot every opportunity it gets (looking at you, Windows 11), this is a capable coworker through anything you’re doing.

Buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 if

✅ Your work/life revolves around Chrome: There’s a lot of us out there. Google Chrome is the center of pretty much everything you do in the day-to-day. If that’s you, the Chromebook Plus 14 is a top pick with an operating system built entirely around this browser — paired with a ton of next-gen AI smarts to boot.

✅You don’t want the Chromebook compromises: A lot of Chromebooks come with serious cutbacks to keep costs low. Lenovo has ditched all of that with the Chromebook Plus 14. That design is impressively premium and utilitarian, the keyboard and touchpad feel amazing, the Kompanio chip inside is fast and packs good stamina (13+ hours on one charge), and the OLED screen is beautiful.

Don't buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 if

❌ You want a budget Chromebook: If you’re OK with those Chromebooks, you can get that Chromebook Plus experience for cheaper. You are definitely getting what you pay for at $649 with that aluminum shell, OLED display and powerful internals, but that is a slightly higher price for a Google laptop.

Who is the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 best for?

💻 The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is a standout laptop, offering a well-built design, a stunning OLED display, and a sharp webcam. It's best for anyone who knows you can get by with just a Chromebook, but you don't want to compromise with a low-quality display or a paucity of ports.

And while you are still limited in what you can do by ChromeOS, this AI-enhanced system can be awfully productive. So if you have steady Internet access and you're looking for an all-day productivity device for under $650, this is an excellent choice.

• Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 review

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The best laptop to repair and upgrade

Should you buy the Framework Laptop?

When it came out we called the Framework Laptop the Anti-MacBook because it's everything Apple doesn't do in laptops: repairable, upgradable and respectful of your rights as an owner.

I was initially excited about those promises but dubious the company could deliver on them without some glaring sacrifices. But now that I’ve used one myself, I’m happy to report the Framework Laptop is as good as advertised.

With its intentionally easy-to-repair design (you can pop pieces off this laptop and get at the innards in minutes, with no tools besides the spudger it comes with) and super cool swappable Expansion Card ports, the Framework Laptop 13 is a versatile ultraportable that's one of the best laptops you can buy if you care about your right to repair and tinker with your devices.

Buy the Framework Laptop if

✅ You care about your right to repair: I've never seen a laptop that's easier to open up, fiddle around with and put back together. No other laptop on the market can match the Framework in this regard, so if you care about being able to repair and upgrade your laptop, this is the one for you.

✅ You're plagued by port envy: On most laptops, the ports it comes with are all you get. The Framework is different: you can change what ports it sports by buying hot-swappable Expansion Cards that you plug into 4 slots on the bottom of the laptop, and each can have one port on it. So you can swap out 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports for 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, a DisplayPort out and an Ethernet jack, for example.

✅ You like a tall screen: The 3:2 display ratio of the Framework's screen feels a bit taller than the displays found on most laptops, and it's great for working with "tall" things like long documents, emails, coding projects and more.

Don't buy the Framework Laptop if

❌ You're scared by pieces of your laptop coming off: The Framework is well-designed and sturdy, but because it's designed to be taken apart you may occasionally find yourself accidentally doing something like popping the bezel off the screen. This is a feature, not a problem, but it can unnerve new owners.

❌ You don't want to pay extra for ports: The Framework offers unrivaled port versatility thanks to its Expansion Card system, but it does require buying a handful of Cards for all the ports and other options you want, some of which could be easily lost or misplaced.

Who is the Framework Laptop best for?

💻 The Framework Laptop is a remarkable piece of tech. It's a great laptop for getting work done, but more than that, it's a statement of purpose, a clear example that every other laptop maker could be building and selling us more repairable, sustainable laptops if they cared to as much as Framework does.

While it can be a bit daunting to open and upgrade, this is the ideal laptop for DIY fans, right-to-repair fanatics and anyone who wants to take a little more ownership of their tech. It's also an ideal laptop for curious students who love to tinker and take things apart. It's a fantastic investment if you care about your right to repair and upgrade your own laptop.

• Read our full Framework Laptop 13 review

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The longest-lasting laptop

Should you buy the MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro?

While the MacBook Pro M5 is strong, the latest MacBook Pro M5 Pro takes performance up several notches. With that power comes even longer battery life, knocking its M4 Pro predecessor and finally going past 21 hours.

It’s the longest-lasting laptop Tom’s Guide has tested, but it still brings everything we’ve come to adore about the MacBook Pro, like its gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display, full-height function keys, amazing speakers and plenty of ports. All that, along with its performance boost, makes this one of the best laptops around — especially for power users.

Buy the MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro if

✅ You need top-notch performance: Sure, the M5 Max still has it beat, but the M5 Pro is no slouch. For the money, you’ll be getting one of the fastest laptops ever for video editing, creative work, coding and more.

✅ You want all-day battery life: Lasting 21 hours and 10 minutes in our battery endurance tests, the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro will take you through a day of work and a night of entertainment without needing a charge. Prepare for a full day of battery life.

✅ You don’t want to pay for an M5 Max model: The M5 Max model is powerful, no doubt, but it also costs over $1,000 more. For those who need speedy performance without paying a fortune, the M5 Pro offers this in spades.

Don't buy the MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro if

❌ You’re on a budget: Not everyone needs the performance that the M5 Pro offers at its pricey $2,699 starting cost ($200 more than the last model), and may find the base MacBook Pro M5, and even the MacBook Air M5, is more than enough to handle their workload and daily activities.

❌ You’re waiting for a big upgrade: Despite the impressive performance boost the M5 Pro offers to the MacBook Pro lineup, that’s about it when it comes to notable updates. You may want to wait a little longer for a larger revamp…

Who is the MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro best for?

💻 The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro, yet again, boasts the best battery life of any laptop we've tested to date, along with incredible performance, a beautiful display and a familiar yet reliable design. For a big-screen laptop that can power through anything you throw at it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better.

Right now, this is the best laptop for most power users, whether that be for photo/video editors, animators, Mac game fans and anyone after peak portable power. It’s pricey, but worth the investment for years to come.

• Read our full MacBook Pro M5 Pro 16-inch review

The MacBook Pro with M5 Pro has had a considerable price jump, thanks to Apple's price increases for MacBooks. Previously $2,199, it is now priced from $2,499 after a $300 increase. While it's still one of the most powerful laptops around, expect to pay more for it. Of course, to help you save, we'll be finding deals to keep the price down.

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The best MacBook Pro

Should you buy the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5?

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is one powerful laptop, which is all the more impressive when you consider its svelte 3.4-pound chassis slips into a backpack with ease. Of course, that's no surprise given that the company has been iterating on this design for years. The addition of an M5 chip under the hood takes the 14-inch MacBook Pro to new heights, making it the best MacBook Pro for most folks thanks to its unbeatable combo of size, performance and price.

That said, in our battery tests, it didn't fare as well as the older MacBook Pro M4, which managed an additional two hours between charges.

Buy the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 if

✅ You need to edit videos on the go: And I'm not talking iMovie clips, either - I'm talking about working with Final Cut and Adobe Premiere to edit videos while you're away from desk. The M5 chip is built for this kind of work, and it will serve you well.

✅ You plan to work outside often: The M5 MacBook Pro is the first to come with the optional nano-texture glass coating, which costs $150 extra but helps stop glare from bright light-which is great when you work outdoors a lot.

✅ You want a MacBook that'll last for years: M1 MacBooks are still (barely) viable, so it stands to reason that M5-driven notebooks could potentially last you 5-10 years. This could help justify the admittedly high initial price.

Don't buy the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 if

❌ Gaming is important: The M5 MacBook Pro runs Mac-compatible games pretty well, but it's not the best gaming laptop for the money. If you care about gaming performance, go with one of the best gaming laptops instead.

❌ You own a MacBook Pro M4: The M5 MacBook Pro is more capable than its predecessor, but not by much. If you already own a recent MacBook Pro and you're not craving the nano-texture coating, there's no reason to rush out and upgrade.

Who is the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 best for?

💻 The MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 is typically one of the best laptops for video editors, programmers and anyone who wants a more powerful Mac than the Air but doesn't want the big 16-inch Pro. It's also pretty good at running games that are optimized for the M5 chipset, so game fans won't be left out in the cold.

• Read our full MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 review

The MacBook Pro with M5 is now priced from $1,999 after Apple raised the price across MacBooks. That's a $300 price increase over its original $1,699 cost. It's a steep rise, and not quite the value find it once was. However, if you can find it at a discount (we'll keep an eye out), this is still the best MacBook Pro for most.

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The best 2-in-1 laptop

Should you buy the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)?

2026 is the year of the laptop, and the new Asus Zenbook Duo just proved why. In my time testing it, I've been truly blown away — easily the best Windows laptop I've used in a long time.

Why? Well I could talk about the thoughtful redesign of the whole chassis to make a dual-screen laptop all the more portable, durable and seamless to use. But in reality, it comes down to what's inside.

That Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a breakthrough for Windows laptops with impressive CPU performance, a mind-boggling GPU and power efficiency that keeps both of those screens running brightly for over 11 hours of use.

Throw in improved ergonomics on that keyboard deck and a sturdy hinge to use in landscape or portrait, and you're onto a winner (albeit an expensive one).

Buy the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) if

✅ You want to transform Windows 11 productivity on-the-go: There are many great Windows laptops out there, but you can't deny that two screens are better than one when using Microsoft's OS. The dual OLED displays on here are mesmerizing with brightness and color accuracy.

✅ You want the best all-round performance: Some chips focus on blazing performance, and some aim for power efficiency. The Intel Core Ultra X9 nails both, while also packing a GPU that challenges even Nvidia gaming laptops while sipping that battery life.

✅You care about good ergonomics: Looking beyond the virtually zero latency of that touchscreen's inputs, the keyboard attachment has a top notch typing experience, and the trackpad has undergone a vast improvement to feel all the more smooth to browse and snappy to click.

Don't buy the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) if

❌ You're on a budget: The Zenbook Duo comes in at $2,099. Not only is that quite a hefty price increase over last year's model, it does make it an expensive system all-round. Not to say it doesn't earn its price tag in capability (hence why it's on this list), but if you're tightening the budget, you may want to wait for a deal.

Who is the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) best for?

💻 The Asus Zenbook Duo is an excellent Windows laptop that uses a second screen to rewrite what productivity looks like on-the-go. Touch-typers will love that keyboard deck, flipping between both of those delightful OLED screens is a cinch, and the redesign brings those screens almost seamlessly together.

But the real superstar here is Intel Core Ultra X9, which unlocks so much performance potential with that monster GPU and CPU speed uplifts — all while marrying it with serious power efficiency.

And while it is a pricey option, there's nothing better in the Windows space right now for nailing your intensive workloads by day and playing by night while not having to worry about your battery %.

• Read our full Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) review

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The best MacBook Air alternative

Should you buy the MSI Prestige 13 AI+?

The latest MSI Prestige 13 AI+ isn't just a blow-for-blow MacBook alternative for those sticking with Windows. In fact, it shows Apple exactly what "Air" means: even lighter and more compact, all while delivering the same solid all-day battery life and strong ultraportable performance — this time with the might of Intel's Panther Lake.

At just 1.9 pounds, this is the lightest laptop we've tested. That alone is a triumph, especially for a laptop that can handle multitasking and play Cyberpunk 2077 at 40 frames per second (with Intel's XeSS 3). And while there are some sacrifices, including lackluster speakers and a fuzzy webcam, the Prestige 13 AI+ is an excellent choice for on-the-move Windows users. Oh, and that 2.8K OLED display? Glorious.

Buy the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ if

✅ You're hunting for a featherweight, high-end laptop: Carrying the Prestige 13 AI+ is a delight thanks to its 1.9-pound chassis and compact frame. It's the lightest laptop we've tested, and its build means you don't sacrifice confidence for portability, as the refinements made over the last-gen model make it far sturdier.

✅ You enjoy a gorgeous display: With a 13.3-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED screen, this laptop is great for binging your favorite shows on, and you can bet it offers up a flood of colors and crispy details — more so than the MacBook Air's.

✅ You want reliable performance: While it doesn't quite match Apple's M5 chip, the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 on board is more than capable of handling demanding workloads, and is even able to play high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 thanks to Intel XeSS 3.

Don't buy the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ if

❌ You're after all the premiums: There have been some sacrifices made to cut down this laptop's weight, and that includes speakers lacking bass, and a 1080p webcam that makes you look spongy.

❌ You’re after more power for the price: The Prestige 13 AI+ is an ultraportable, so it won't be stuffed with the performance you'd get on similarly priced notebooks. While impressive, its £1,299 (not available in the U.S., yet...) price is quite high if you're looking for breakneck speeds.

Who is the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ best for?

💻 The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ is for buyers who want Air-level portability, crave a premium OLED display, and prefer Windows. If you need maximum battery life, raw power, or the Apple ecosystem, better fits exist. That said, it's hard to deny just how much power and premium features this laptop packs in such a compact, lightweight frame.

For those seeking a light, stylish and enjoyable ultraportable, though, this MSI is a very strong Windows option.

• Read our full MSI Prestige 13 AI+ review

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Best MacBook Pro alternative

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra?

Samsung finally brings its flagship laptop back in the spotlight, and we can attest to how brilliantly it shines. The Galaxy Book 6 Ultra is a powerhouse machine that's up there with the MacBook Pro, so there's now another reason to flock to Windows if you're after plenty of power for creative work and gaming.

With Intel Panther Lake inside, or the option to choose a mighty RTX 50-series GPU, you can expect strong performance across the board. It's only made better with its long 15 hours of battery life, along with its gorgeous OLED touchscreen and sleek, thin design. Sure, there's a lot of Samsung bloatware, and all this comes at a high price, but you'll find there's a lot to love about the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra. For another great (and slightly more affordable) option, though, the equally amazing Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro is worth checking out.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra if

✅ You run heavy creative software: The Galaxy Book 6 Ultra’s Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 7 CPU (especially the X7 and RTX 5070 model) brings desktop-class muscle to demanding creative and professional tasks, ensuring smooth performance even under heavy workloads.

✅ You want a best-in-class display: With its 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen, the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra delivers exceptional color, contrast and resolution. That makes it a standout choice for anyone who values top-notch visuals.

✅ You work mostly away from outlets: Lab results show the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra can run for over 15 hours on a single charge, so you can work or create all day without reaching for the charger. And that's with its OLED display and powerful internals running rounds under the hood. It's impressive how long it lasts.

Don't buy the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra if

❌ A pure Windows experience matters to you: Samsung loads this laptop with extra Samsung-specific apps and utilities that clutter the experience, so if bloatware is a dealbreaker, this isn’t the cleanest premium choice. That said, if you're part of the Samsung ecosystem, this will work in your favor.

❌ You prefer a keyboard with more depth: Our reviewer noticed the keyboard is too shallow, so each key press doesn't have much travel before bottoming out. That can wear out your fingers if you're typing for hours on end, but that's hardly a major flaw compared to everything else this laptop offers.

Who is the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra best for?

💻 The Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra makes an extremely strong case to be one of the best laptops on the market right now. It covers all areas with flying colors, from its strong Intel Panther Lake performance (along with the optional RTX 5070 throw-in) to its dazzling OLED touchscreen. Oh, and its amazing 15+ hours of battery life.

It's a laptop that will make the MacBook Pro sweat, so if you prefer to use Windows 11 for all your power-hungry tasks, then the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra should be on your radar — if your wallet allows it.

• Read the full Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra review

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Also tested

Below, I've gathered all the great laptops we've tested that don't quite make this list, but are still good alternatives well worth considering if they meet your unique needs, or if you can't find your first choice on sale.

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Coming soon

There will always be another laptop coming down the line, and we're here to keep you updated on the latest machines to put on your radar. Here's what's coming up:

• During the Microsoft Surface RTX Spark event, we got a better look at the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra. Not only does it feature Nvidia's RTX Spark chip for greater performance for local AI tasks and 3D graphics (that includes gaming), but it also has a world-first magnetic break-away USB-C charger. It's a powerful machine, but also a pricey one. Prices start at $2,599, while a higher-end dev box model costs $5,999, with an October 16 launch date. You can check out the differences between the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra vs. MacBook Pro M5 Pro.
• Google announced its new lineup of laptops: Googlebooks. Now, they finally have a pre-order date set for September 21. Built for Gemini Intelligence and designed to work in the Android ecosystem, these machines are expected to compete with high-end Windows laptops and MacBooks, with professionals and power users in mind. With the first Googlebook set to be from manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo, these could be contenders for this guide. Check out the biggest differences between Googlebooks and Chromebooks.
• Prepare for the Apple MacBook Ultra, expected to be announced in October. The long-rumored laptop is expected to boast an OLED touchscreen in an all-new design, and will likely come with an M6 chip. We expect this to be either an M6 Pro or M6 Max, considering its "Ultra" moniker, but only time will tell.
• Nvidia RTX Spark is here, the company's first all-in-one processor for laptops that's as powerful as we've been expecting. This ARM chip comes equipped with 6,144 CUDA cores (the same ones found in Nvidia's best graphics cards), meaning its integrated GPU can deliver performance equivalent to an RTX 5070. Not only will this offer exceptional power for gaming on a single chip in thin, lightweight laptops, but it also aims to change the way we interact with Windows with agentic AI. We can expect 30 laptop models and over 10 desktop variations with Nvidia Spark inside coming up. Pricing is still a mystery for these devices (prepare for them to be expensive, though), but they're set to launch this fall. In the meantime, here's a hands-on look at Nvidia RTX Spark laptops.
• Qualcomm announced its new Snapdragon C chip, set to bring a new wave of budget laptops priced around $300 to $400. Targeted at students, families and small businesses, laptops with Snapdragon C are made for general tasks, such as web browsing, video streaming and productivity. But we can also expect an integrated NPU for on-device AI tasks. We can expect the first Snapdragon C laptops from HP, Lenovo, and Acer, with one of the first being the Acer Aspire Go 15. We expect these to arrive sometime later this year.

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Best Laptops: Frequently Asked Questions

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How to choose the best laptop for you

To help you make choosing the right laptop for you easier, here's our expert advice on the key factors and features for different needs.

• Work and productivity: If your #1 priority is having an easy-to-carry PC you can use to answer email, prep documents and get work done on the go, you want a modern ultraportable that's light, comfy to use and offers great battery life. I generally recommend the MacBook Air M5 (macOS) or the Dell XPS 14 (Windows 11) for this, since they're both light, capable and long-lasting. And now there's the latest MSI Prestige 13 AI+ as the lightest you can get! If you're technical and like the idea of upgrading and repairing your own laptop, I wholeheartedly recommend you check out the Framework Laptop instead, since you can modify and upgrade it for as long as you own it, in a way that no other laptop can match.
• Gaming: If you plan to spend a lot of time gaming, you want a laptop with a speedy CPU, a discrete laptop graphics card and plenty of RAM. If you plan to play at higher than 60 frames per second, a screen with a high refresh rate is also critical. Personally, I recommend the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 since it satisfies all these requirements while remaining pretty portable, but if you adore macOS, the MacBook Pro M5 is also pretty good for gaming if you restrict yourself to games optimized for Apple silicon.
• Creative work: If you plan to do a lot of 3D work, audio/video editing or demanding content creation, you will want a laptop with a powerful CPU, a discrete GPU (or powerful integrated graphics) and plenty of RAM to handle demanding workloads. In that sense, you want something like a gaming laptop (but ideally with better battery life and lighter weight), and you also want a sharp, color-accurate screen. This is why I generally recommend the MacBook Pro M5 or the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra for such uses.
• Casual use: If you just need a laptop for basic writing, browsing the web and binge-watching YouTube or your favorite shows, you can save yourself a lot of money with a budget-friendly laptop. I recommend the MacBook Neo if you prefer macOS, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x for Windows or the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 if you're okay with a Chromebook and have reliable access to Wi-Fi (because Chromebooks can't do much without an internet connection).

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How we test laptops

In our never-ending quest to find the best laptops, I put every computer we test through a barrage of synthetic and real-world tests to benchmark how well it performs compared to the manufacturer's claims, and compare how good it is relative to the competition.

These tests include, but are not limited to: measuring the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house colorimeter, using a heat gun to measure the heat generated by the laptop after 15 minutes of strenuous work, and using a mix of real-world and synthetic benchmarks to test how well a laptop performs at various day-to-day tasks.

I put all laptops through the Geekbench CPU performance benchmark tests as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. I also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, a video transcoding test to gauge how well a laptop can cut video and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

There are also gaming benchmarks that I use — testing a basic game like Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to gauge how good it is at running games compared to other laptops. I use this old game because it runs on a wide variety of laptops across different prices, sizes and operating systems, so it's great for comparing performance.

Of course, when testing dedicated gaming laptops, I run benchmarks for many more demanding and popular games, including Assassin's Creed Shadows, Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong. For more information on our testing process, check out our guide to how we test.

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Windows laptops now cover far more than the everyday notebook, from slim machines built for commuting and study to powerful models for gaming, creative work and local AI work. The challenge is working out which features are worth paying for, and we've done the hands-on testing to figure this out.

Currently, the Dell XPS 14 (2026) is our top Windows laptop for most people, with its fast performance, slim design and long-lasting battery life. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) offers strong value if you're just looking for an affordable laptop for everyday work and entertainment, though. For gaming and portable power, look no further than the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

A new wave of Windows laptops featuring Nvidia RTX Spark chips is here, with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra showcasing the performance these machines offer. Expect to see more of these laptops in this guide once we finish our hands-on testing. For our top recommendations worth your money, follow this guide to find the right Windows laptop for you.

The best Windows laptops you can buy right now

Best Windows laptop overall

I have an easy time recommending the Dell XPS 14 as the best Windows laptop for most folks because it sports a new design that ditches many of the controversial parts of prior models. It also packs a serious punch thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 3 Panther Lake chip.

It's no coincidence that this XPS takes design cues from MacBooks, with the chassis featuring softer, rounded corners and the machine clocking in at a light 3 pounds. We also get the return of physical function keys and a haptic touchpad with clearly identifiable boundaries.

Then there's the gorgeous 2880 x 1800 InfinityEdge tandem OLED touch panel. Thanks to it, you get incredible contrasts, vivid colors, and vibrant HDR that makes other panels look dull in comparison.

Performance is just as impressive thanks to Intel’s Panther Lake architecture. Built on the 18A node, this chip delivers strong performance for everyday work and even gaming. The latter is especially noteworthy for a laptop featuring an integrated graphics card. You get the best of both worlds here.

For all these reasons and more, this is the Windows laptop we recommend most often to those in the market for a new notebook for work, school or play. Now, if you're after an even bigger display to get more out of Dell's marvelous OLED, the Dell XPS 16 (2026) is well worth your time.

• Read our full Dell XPS 14 (2026) review

Best value Windows laptop

It’s outstanding what Dell has managed with the XPS 13 (2026) for well under $1,000 — a slim, 2.2-pound laptop with battery life that lasted 14 hours and 29 minutes in our test. Right out of the box, the XPS 13 feels like a true travel companion: slim, durable and light enough to disappear in a bag, so you’re never weighed down on the move.

Inside, you get practical specs that hit the sweet spot for everyday tasks. The Intel Core 5 320 Wildcat Lake processor and 8GB of RAM (configurable up to 32GB) handled our typical workload, up to 15 Chrome tabs and a background YouTube video, without a hitch. Storage starts at a fine 512GB, so you’re not pressed for space even if you work with lots of documents, photos or class projects.

What pushes the XPS 13 ahead of most value laptops is its touchscreen display. Our reviewer, Tony, found touch controls as responsive as the touchpad’s, with every gesture registering instantly. That's a rare win at this price. Whether you’re scrolling through spreadsheets or swiping between windows, it just works, and helps the XPS 13 feel more modern than most sub-$1,000 competitors.

Compared to competitors like the Dell XPS 14 or the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra, the XPS 13 is both more affordable and easier to carry. You’ll give up some extras (no OLED panel, fewer ports, and a less powerful CPU), but you’re saving hundreds of dollars.

You will have to live with just two USB-C ports and no headphone jack, and the webcam is merely passable for video calls. But if you want the best blend of price, portability and proven all-day performance, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the value pick we’d recommend for work, school, or everyday use.

• Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

Best premium Windows laptop

The Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra stands out for its dazzling 16-inch AMOLED display, top-tier Intel Panther Laker processor and optional RTX 50-series GPU, which easily puts it in the upper echelon of premium Windows laptops. That said, it also has the price to match.

In typical Samsung fashion, the gorgeous anti-reflective (2880 x 1800) OLED touchscreen delivers deep blacks, intense colors and makes every on-screen detail pop. Even better, it's made for gaming, too, with a variable refresh rate scaling between 30Hz and 120Hz.

Sporting an Intel Core Ultra 7 356H CPU (up to a mighty Intel Core Ultra X7 358H), you can expect desktop-class speed on even the most demanding creative or professional workloads, something that even puts the MacBook Pro on notice. Even when we stress-tested RAM performance by loading up 45 Chrome tabs and running heavy photo edits, the system never stuttered. It's an ideal pick for multitaskers and power users who can't afford slowdowns, and that 15 hours of battery life is the cherry on top.

Beyond sheer performance, the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra's chassis impresses with its minimalist, slim profile and premium materials that feel satisfying to type away on, even if it's a tad on the heavier side at over 4 pounds (but still lightweight for a 16-inch laptop). The speakers surprised us: audio is full and punchy, with crisp highs and enough bass to make music and calls genuinely enjoyable. That's a rarity in Windows ultrabooks, and a highlight if you care about sound quality.

The biggest trade-off here is the preinstalled Samsung bloatware. While it doesn't cripple performance, the extra apps and utilities clutter the otherwise clean Windows experience, and you'll likely spend time uninstalling or disabling what you don't need. But that's just one blemish on an otherwise polished premium package.

This is one pricey machine, but if you're after one of the finest Windows laptops that will last you for years to come, the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra is well worth the investment.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra

Best Windows gaming laptop

This one is still hard to top. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) doesn't need another yearly update, even if we were expecting it, as it already boasts some of the strongest specs you'll find in a gaming laptop of this size and price.

To get its problem out of the way, battery life isn't this laptop's strong point, with under two hours when gaming, and around six hours for general use. But really, that can be said for all Windows gaming laptops. Other than that? It's a triumph.

From its beautiful 14-inch (2880 x 1800) OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and speedy 0.2ms response time to its mighty Nvidia RTX 50-series performance (all the way up to an RTX 5080), this laptop will conquer the visuals, speeds and demands of the most demanding PC games on the market. That's also backed by its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB for previous storage.

From Cyberpunk 2077 to Black Myth: Wukong at their highest settings, you can expect to reach 50 frames per second (FPS). Oh, but that's with Nvidia's DLSS turned off. Really, expect frame rates to reach 150 FPS and higher, depending on the games you play and the settings you tweak.

It's also a beauty to look at, with its CNC-milled aluminum chassis, glass-topped trackpad and chiclet keyboard. Its design isn't screaming that it's a gaming laptop, either, and it's nicely compact to take with you wherever you go.

For gamers after a reliable, portable gaming machine, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 continues to be our champion that doesn't disappoint.

• Read our full Asus ROG Zephryus G14 review

Best 2-in-1 Windows laptop

We're at a point where dual-screen laptops have become mainstream, and the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) is the best of its class. This really puts the "two" in 2-in-1 laptops, as this gorgeous machine gives you a variety of ways to use it. Even better, thanks to its mighty Intel Core Ultra X9 388H CPU, it can be used for just about anything.

This one is pricey at $2,099, but what you get in return is a premium-built, powerful laptop boasting dual 14-inch 3K OLED touch displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. As you can imagine, the display is a feast for the eyes (as our reviewer rightfully puts it), with impressive brightness and color coverage for those rich, deep visuals.

Its premium-feeling form factor (although on the thicker side, understandably) can be easily utilized to swap between a normal clamshell laptop and an amazing dual-screen setup, with a movable keyboard deck that feels great to type on. So, that makes it ideal for productivity, but it's also a fine machine for creative work and gaming.

Think playing Cyberpunk 2077 at over 60 frames per second (with Intel's integrated XeSS 3 tech), and breezing through multiple apps and tabs. Despite its dual screens, this laptop also comes with a long 14 hours of battery life, too.

If you've got the money to spend, the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) aims to last you for years to come. Plus, you won't need to hand over an extra bit of cash for a second monitor, and this one comes with you on the move.

• Read our full Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) review

Best Windows laptop for creators

I mean, if you're partnering up to make a GoPro-ified version of a laptop made for creators, it better hit the mark. Thankfully, that's exactly what the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition (PX13) does, so much so that our reviewer even states that it's the "true Windows MacBook Pro."

Now, that also means it has the price to match, at $2,999. What do you get in return? An absolute powerhouse with an uber premium, sharp-looking design boasting a 13-inch 3K OLED touchscreen. That's an important factor for creative work on the move, as the screen here offers up high visual details and accurate colors, with zero latency on touch response.

Powering it all is the mighty AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 CPU, delivering strong performance for 4K photo and video edits. Thanks to the integrated Radeon 8060S graphics, this will shine bright for 3D creative work (and plenty of demanding gaming), so rest assured, this ProArt has the chops to take on all manner of multitasking. And that 128GB of DDR5X RAM? Insane.

Plus, it has ample battery life for what it offers, coming in at over 11 hours, which means getting creative on the move. It's a shame there's no full-size SD card, but at least there's a microSD card slot for those who do have a GoPro. And really, don't bother with the Asus-exclusive AI apps.

If you thought MacBooks were the only reliable laptops for creators, the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition (PX13) has now proved us wrong.

• Read our full Asus ProArt GoPro Edition (PX13)

Best Windows laptop for battery life

The Dell 14S stands as the longest-lasting Windows laptop we’ve tested, clocking 20 hours and 41 minutes of battery life in our continuous web surfing test. That’s actually the exact same time as the non-OLED Dell XPS 14 (2026). The difference? The Dell 14S has a marvelous OLED touchscreen, which is an impressive feat.

Battery isn't its only highlight. The Dell 14S' Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor we tested handled heavy multitasking with ease: we kept dozens of Chrome tabs open and even streamed a 4K YouTube video in the background without a stutter or battery anxiety. If you need to work untethered all day, this is the Windows machine that won’t quit.

The 14S also comes with a comfortable keyboard and a stylish, compact 14-inch design that's easy to carry around and take out at a coffee shop or while you're traveling, and its battery life means you can continue to use it all day without having to worry about charging it constantly. It's a true on-the-go laptop for professionals and students.

MacBooks tend to be among the best laptops for battery life, but just to compare the 14S to the MacBook Air M5, you’ll get a clear stamina win — the Dell goes a full five hours longer on a charge — plus the bonus of a sharp OLED touchscreen and a generous array of ports, something MacBooks still can’t match.

While it's affordable enough for what it offers, it's still not a powerhouse like the XPS 14 and XPS 16 siblings, nor is it cheap enough to fit all budgets. But if you're looking for one of the longest-lasting laptops on the market right now, the Dell 14S is it. It's only made better with its sharp OLED touchscreen and solid all-around performance.

• Read our full Dell 14S review

Best Windows laptop for productivity

Many of us are just looking for a laptop to get things done, without having to pay for all the premium flair that will largely go unused. If that's the case, let me introduce you to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x, boasting exceptional battery life and an efficient Snapdragon X2 Plus processor for a price that won't break the bank.

Just how long can this laptop last? In our lab tests, it ran for an impressive 15 hours and 24 minutes on a full charge — meaning you can leave your charger behind for all-day meetings or travel without fear of running out of juice.

Drafting articles, firing off emails, organizing spreadsheets, and juggling web tabs all felt zippy and responsive, thanks to the big performance from the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip inside. It's the kind of performance you want when your workflow can’t afford those annoying slowdowns or stutters, especially for more everyday tasks.

That 0.61-inch-thin chassis also makes this one of the most portable 15-inch laptops around — perfect for commuters or anyone who regularly sets up shop in different locations. Plus, connectivity is another strong point: two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports (including DisplayPort support), HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack and a microSD card reader — pretty much all you could want.

Still, it’s not perfect. Video calls are a weak spot, as the built-in webcam delivers grainy, laggy images in every app our reviewer, Dylan, tried. If crystal-clear conference calls are critical for your work, you might need to budget for one of the best webcams (we highly recommend it). And for power users, this won't be able to keep up.

Prefer reliability and versatility over flashy extras? The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x is the Windows laptop we'd recommend most, especially at this sub-$900 price.

• Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Gen 11 review

Performance test results

CPU speed isn't everything, but putting a number on it can go a long way towards helping you understand exactly how fast a laptop is in relation to the rest of the options available to you.

We use Geekbench for these tests, as it assigns each laptop a score for its performance in single-core workloads and multi-core workloads. The single-core score is often a little more meaningful because not all apps are optimized for multi-core performance, but many are, so it's good to consider multi-core performance as well.

I know. Windows 11 isn't in the best spot right now, especially when it comes to bringing performance down (thanks to Copilot AI). However, it is getting better, so it's only up from here (fingers crossed).