Laptop
In 2025, the laptop market is more dynamic than ever, offering a range of devices that cater to diverse needs, from ultra-portable productivity machines to powerful gaming rigs and budget-friendly options. With advancements in AI integration, processor efficiency, and display technology, choosing the right laptop can be both exciting and overwhelming. This article explores the best laptops of 2025, based on expert testing and reviews, covering various categories to help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle, work, or creative pursuits. Whether you’re a student, professional, gamer, or casual user, there’s a best laptop here for you.
What Makes a Great Laptop in 2025?
Before diving into the top picks, it’s worth understanding the key factors that define a great laptop in 2025. Performance remains paramount, with new processors like Apple’s M4, Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite pushing boundaries in speed and efficiency. Battery life is another critical consideration, with top models now offering 15–20 hours of runtime, making them ideal for all-day use. Display quality, whether OLED, mini-LED, or high-resolution LCD, enhances both productivity and entertainment. Portability, build quality, and features like AI-driven tools or versatile designs (e.g., 2-in-1 convertibles) also play significant roles. Finally, value for money is crucial, as laptops range from under $300 to over $2,000, depending on the use case.
Top Picks for the Best Laptops of 2025
1. Best Overall Laptop: Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M4, 2025)
The Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch with the M4 chip takes the crown as the best laptop for most people in 2025, balancing power, portability, and affordability. Starting at $999, it’s $100 cheaper than its predecessor, making it an even better value. The M4 chip, with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, delivers exceptional performance for tasks like photo editing, light video editing, and multitasking, scoring 14,849 on Geekbench 6—well above the category average. Its fanless design ensures silent operation, and the 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560×1664) offers vibrant colors and 363 nits of brightness, though it lacks the vibrancy of OLED panels.
Weighing just 2.7 pounds and measuring 0.44 inches thick, the MacBook Air M4 is incredibly portable, perfect for students and professionals on the go. Its battery life exceeds 18 hours, making it a reliable companion for long workdays or travel. The keyboard and haptic touchpad are industry-leading, and the new 12MP Center Stage webcam enhances video calls. However, it’s limited to two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the 60Hz refresh rate may feel dated next to competitors with 120Hz displays. For macOS users or those seeking a premium yet accessible laptop, the MacBook Air M4 is unmatched.
2. Best Windows Laptop: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13-Inch, 2025)
For Windows users, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 stands out as the top choice, particularly for its class-leading battery life of nearly 20 hours—outlasting even the MacBook Air M4. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, this laptop offers strong performance for productivity and AI-driven tasks, with improved compatibility for Windows-on-Arm apps compared to earlier models. Its sleek, MacBook-like design, weighing 2.96 pounds, combines portability with a premium build. The 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, ideal for work and media consumption
Starting at around $1,200, the Surface Laptop 7 offers configurations up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It excels in everyday tasks and light creative work, though it’s not suited for high-end gaming or intensive video editing. The port selection includes USB-C, USB-A, and a headphone jack, but a docking station may be needed for extensive connectivity. For those who prefer Windows and want a laptop that rivals the MacBook Air in design and endurance, the Surface Laptop 7 is a stellar option.
3. Best Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Gamers seeking a high-performance machine will find the Razer Blade 16 to be the best gaming laptop of 2025. Priced around $3,000, it’s a premium choice, but its specs justify the cost. Equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU and AMD Ryzen 9 processor, it delivers over 60fps in demanding titles. The 16-inch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution offers stunning visuals, perfect for immersive gaming and content creation. Its sleek, aluminum chassis weighs 4.4 pounds, balancing portability with power.
The Razer Blade 16 also boasts a customizable RGB keyboard, robust cooling, and a wide port selection, including HDMI and Thunderbolt 4. Battery life, at around 8 hours for non-gaming tasks, is decent but not exceptional. For gamers and creators who need top-tier performance and a premium display, the Razer Blade 16 is a worthy investment, though budget-conscious gamers may prefer the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 for better value.
4. Best Budget Laptop: ASUS Vivobook S 14 (Q423SA-U5512)
For those on a tighter budget, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 offers an impressive blend of performance and affordability at around $850. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 16GB of RAM, it handles everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and streaming with ease. Its 14-inch 3K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a standout, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling that rivals more expensive models. At 2.87 pounds, it’s highly portable, and its 17-hour battery life ensures all-day productivity.
The Vivobook S 14’s customizable RGB keyboard adds a fun touch, and its sturdy build quality belies its price. However, it’s not suited for heavy gaming or professional-grade creative work due to its integrated graphics. For students, casual users, or anyone seeking a reliable, stylish laptop under $1,000, the Vivobook S 14 is a top contender.
5. Best 2-in-1 Laptop: HP Spectre x360 14 (2025)
The HP Spectre x360 14 is the best 2-in-1 laptop, offering versatility for users who want a device that doubles as a tablet. Priced around $1,400, it features a 14-inch OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a bundled stylus for note-taking or sketching. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7, it delivers strong performance for productivity and light creative tasks. The 360-degree hinge allows for tent, tablet, or laptop modes, making it ideal for presentations, media consumption, or creative work.
Weighing 3.2 pounds, the Spectre x360 is slightly heavier than ultrabooks but remains portable. Its battery life of around 13 hours is solid, and the large touchpad and comfortable keyboard enhance usability. The port selection, including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, is practical. For users who value flexibility and premium design, the Spectre x360 14 is unmatched in the 2-in-1 category.
6. Best Business Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (2025)
For professionals, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition is the top business laptop, combining durability, performance, and security. Priced around $1,719, it features an Intel Core Ultra processor, up to 64GB of RAM, and a 15-inch display for multitasking. Its full-aluminum build is MIL-STD-810H certified, and it weighs just 2.7 pounds, making it highly portable. The 15-hour battery life and features like a privacy shutter, fingerprint reader, and optional IR facial recognition ensure enterprise-grade security.
The ThinkPad X9’s keyboard is among the best, and its 1080p webcam with facial recognition supports seamless video calls. It offers a wide port selection, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI. While expensive, its robust feature set makes it ideal for business users who need reliability and performance on the go.
Choosing the Right Laptop for You
When selecting a laptop, consider your primary use case. For general use, the MacBook Air M4 or Surface Laptop 7 offers the best balance of performance and portability. Gamers should prioritize GPUs and high-refresh-rate displays, as seen in the Razer Blade 16. Budget-conscious buyers will find excellent value in the ASUS Vivobook S 14, while professionals may prefer the ThinkPad X9 or Spectre x360 for versatility and security. Operating system preference (Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS) and budget also play significant roles—Chromebooks are great for web-based tasks, while macOS excels for Apple ecosystem users.
Conclusion
The best laptops of 2025 cater to a wide range of needs, from the ultra-portable MacBook Air M4 to the powerful Razer Blade 16 and the versatile HP Spectre x360. Each model excels in its category, offering cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design. By considering your specific requirements—be it performance, portability, or price—you can find a best laptop that enhances your productivity, creativity, or entertainment. With these expert-tested options, 2025 is a fantastic year to invest in a new laptop.
