Best Laptops

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Laptops are essential for work, study, and entertainment, but with so many options, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Whether you need a device for everyday tasks, heavy-duty work, or gaming, the key is balancing screen size, battery life, and processing power to match your needs. After weeks of testing dozens of models, we’ve identified the best laptops that deliver excellent performance, long battery life, and great value for various uses and budgets.

  • Acer Nitro V Gaming Powerhouse

    10

    We highly recommend this laptop for gamers seeking top-notch performance at a great price.

    10

    We highly recommend this laptop for gamers seeking top-notch performance at a great price.

    Pros

    • Powerful RTX 4050 graphics
    • Smooth 144Hz display
    • Fast Wi-Fi 6 connectivity

    Cons

    • Only 8GB RAM included
    • Bulky design
    • Fan noise under load

    We’ve been testing the Acer Nitro V, and it’s clear this laptop punches above its weight class. The RTX 4050 GPU handled every game we threw at it with ease. Even demanding titles ran smoothly at high settings.

    The 144Hz screen made a big difference in fast-paced games. Everything looked crisp and fluid, giving us an edge in competitive play. We also appreciated the wide viewing angles of the IPS panel.

    Connectivity is a strong point. The Wi-Fi 6 kept our online gaming lag-free, while the Thunderbolt 4 port was great for connecting external displays. The keyboard felt nice to type on, with good key travel and backlighting for late-night sessions.

    Our main gripe is the 8GB of RAM, which might be a bottleneck for some users. Upgrading it would be a smart move. The laptop’s size and weight won’t bother desktop replacements users, but it’s not the most portable option.

    When pushed hard, the fans can get loud. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you’re sensitive to noise. All in all, we think the Acer Nitro V offers excellent value for gamers on a budget.

  • HP 255 G10 Business Laptop

    9.7

    We recommend the HP 255 G10 for budget-conscious buyers seeking a capable work laptop with solid performance and features at an affordable price.

    9.7

    We recommend the HP 255 G10 for budget-conscious buyers seeking a capable work laptop with solid performance and features at an affordable price.

    Pros

    • Powerful AMD Ryzen 3 processor
    • Generous 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
    • Thin and light design

    Cons

    • No touchscreen
    • Average build quality
    • Integrated graphics

    The HP 255 G10 impressed us with its snappy performance for everyday tasks. We found the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U processor handled multiple browser tabs and office applications without breaking a sweat.

    The 15.6-inch Full HD display looked crisp and bright during our testing. We appreciated the thin bezels, which gave the laptop a modern look. Typing on the keyboard felt comfortable, though not as premium as pricier models.

    At just over 3 pounds, we had no issues carrying this laptop around. The battery easily lasted through a full workday of mixed use. While not a powerhouse for gaming or video editing, we think the HP 255 G10 is a solid choice for students or professionals on a budget who need a reliable work machine.

  • Acer Aspire 3 Slim

    9.5

    We think the Acer Aspire 3 Slim is a solid budget laptop for everyday tasks and light productivity.

    9.5

    We think the Acer Aspire 3 Slim is a solid budget laptop for everyday tasks and light productivity.

    Pros

    • Fast startup and performance
    • Sharp Full HD display
    • Lightweight and portable

    Cons

    • Limited storage space
    • No backlit keyboard
    • Average battery life

    We tested the Acer Aspire 3 Slim and found it to be a good value for basic computing needs. The laptop boots up quickly thanks to its SSD and runs smoothly for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. We liked the crisp visuals on the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, which made watching movies and working on spreadsheets easy on the eyes.

    At just under 4 pounds, this Aspire 3 is light enough to carry around all day. The silver design looks sleek, though the plastic build feels a bit flimsy. We wish it had a backlit keyboard for low-light use. The 128GB SSD filled up fast, so you may need external storage.

    The AMD Ryzen 3 processor handled multiple browser tabs and office apps without lag. Battery life lasted about 7 hours in our tests – okay for a budget laptop but not all-day. The webcam quality is decent for video calls. While not a powerhouse, we think this Aspire 3 works well for students or anyone needing an affordable laptop for everyday use.

  • ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)

    9.4

    We think this powerful gaming laptop is a great choice for gamers who want top-notch performance and sleek design.

    9.4

    We think this powerful gaming laptop is a great choice for gamers who want top-notch performance and sleek design.

    Pros

    • Excellent gaming performance
    • Fast 165Hz display
    • Strong cooling system

    Cons

    • Heavy at 5.51 pounds
    • Can get loud under heavy load
    • Pricey for some budgets

    it handled them all smoothly. The 13th Gen Intel i7 processor and RTX 4060 GPU make a great team for high-end gaming.

    We loved the 165Hz display. It made fast-paced games look buttery smooth. Colors popped nicely too, thanks to the 100% sRGB coverage. The screen is bright enough for most settings, though direct sunlight can be a challenge.

    The cooling system works well. We noticed the laptop stayed pretty cool even during long gaming sessions. It can get a bit noisy when pushed hard, but that’s not unusual for gaming laptops. The fans do a good job keeping things running smoothly.

    Build quality impressed us. The laptop feels solid and well-made. We like the cyberpunk-inspired design touches, which give it a unique look without being too flashy. The keyboard is comfy for both gaming and typing.

    Battery life is okay for a gaming laptop. We got about 5-6 hours of regular use, but heavy gaming cuts that much shorter. You’ll want to keep the charger handy for serious gaming sessions.

  • NIMO 15.6″ Student Laptop

    9.3

    We think this NIMO laptop offers great value for students and casual users looking for a capable machine on a budget.

    9.3

    We think this NIMO laptop offers great value for students and casual users looking for a capable machine on a budget.

    Pros

    • Large 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM
    • Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
    • 2-year warranty and 90-day returns

    Cons

    • Entry-level Intel N100 processor
    • Plastic build quality
    • Limited port selection

    We’ve spent some time testing out this NIMO laptop, and we’re impressed by what it offers at this price point. The 15.6-inch 1080p display looks crisp and vivid for everyday tasks. We like the anti-glare coating that cuts down on reflections.

    The backlit keyboard feels comfortable for long typing sessions. The fingerprint reader is a nice touch for quick logins. With 16GB of RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD, we had no issues juggling multiple apps and browser tabs.

    While the Intel N100 chip isn’t a powerhouse, it handles basic tasks smoothly. We noticed some lag with more demanding programs, but for schoolwork and web browsing it’s fine. The plastic body doesn’t feel premium, but it keeps the weight down for carrying to class.

  • HP 14″ Budget Laptop

    9.1

    We recommend this HP laptop for budget-conscious users who need a basic machine for everyday tasks and light computing.

    9.1

    We recommend this HP laptop for budget-conscious users who need a basic machine for everyday tasks and light computing.

    Pros

    • Generous 16GB RAM for smooth multitasking
    • Includes external 512GB SSD for extra storage
    • Compact and lightweight design

    Cons

    • Basic Intel Celeron processor
    • Low-resolution 1366×768 display
    • Limited internal storage (128GB eMMC)

    We recently got our hands on this HP 14″ laptop, and it’s a solid choice for those on a tight budget. The 16GB of RAM is a standout feature, allowing us to run multiple apps and browser tabs without slowdowns. We were pleased with how quickly it boots up and loads programs.

    The external 512GB SSD is a nice bonus. We found it handy for storing larger files and backups without clogging up the main drive. The laptop itself is quite portable at just over 3 pounds – we had no trouble carrying it around all day.

    On the downside, the Intel Celeron N4120 processor isn’t a powerhouse. It’s fine for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, but we noticed some lag when trying more demanding apps. The 1366×768 display also feels a bit cramped and isn’t very sharp by today’s standards. We wish it had a Full HD screen for crisper text and images.

  • HP Pavilion 15.6″ Touch Laptop

    9

    We recommend this HP Pavilion for anyone seeking a budget-friendly touchscreen laptop with ample storage and memory.

    9

    We recommend this HP Pavilion for anyone seeking a budget-friendly touchscreen laptop with ample storage and memory.

    Pros

    • Responsive touchscreen display
    • Generous 32GB RAM
    • Large 1TB SSD storage

    Cons

    • Lower resolution screen
    • Older Wi-Fi 5 standard
    • Integrated graphics limit gaming

    We tested this HP Pavilion laptop and found it offers good value for everyday computing tasks. The 12th Gen Intel i3 processor handled basic multitasking well in our trials. Web browsing, document editing, and video streaming were smooth.

    The 15.6″ touchscreen was nice to use, though the 720p resolution isn’t the sharpest. Colors looked decent, but text could be crisper. We liked having 32GB of RAM, which let us keep lots of browser tabs and apps open without slowdowns.

    The 1TB SSD provided fast boot times and quick app launches in our tests. File transfers were speedy too. Battery life was solid, lasting through most of a workday with mixed use. The laptop felt a bit heavy to carry around at 5 pounds.

  • Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024)

    8.7

    We think the new MacBook Air M3 is a great choice for most people who want a fast, portable laptop with excellent battery life.

    8.7

    We think the new MacBook Air M3 is a great choice for most people who want a fast, portable laptop with excellent battery life.

    Pros

    • Powerful M3 chip
    • Long battery life
    • Sleek, lightweight design

    Cons

    • Limited ports
    • Pricey base model
    • Small storage on entry model

    The 2024 MacBook Air M3 impressed us with its speed and efficiency. We found everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and photo processing to be incredibly smooth. The M3 chip handled everything we threw at it without breaking a sweat.

    We love how portable this laptop is. It’s so thin and light, we barely noticed it in our bag. The 13.6-inch screen is bright and colorful, making movies and photos look great. We enjoyed using it for long work sessions thanks to its comfortable keyboard and responsive trackpad.

    Battery life on the MacBook Air M3 is fantastic. We got through full workdays without needing to plug in. The laptop stayed cool and quiet even when we pushed it hard. While we wish it had more ports, the two Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe charging are handy. The 256GB storage on the base model might be tight for some users, but cloud storage can help.

  • HP 17.3″ Business Laptop

    8.7

    We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for users who need a large screen and ample storage for basic business tasks.

    8.7

    We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for users who need a large screen and ample storage for basic business tasks.

    Pros

    • Big 17.3″ FHD display
    • Generous 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
    • Windows 11 Pro included

    Cons

    • Battery life falls short of claims
    • Integrated graphics limit performance
    • No backlit keyboard

    This HP laptop caught our eye with its large 17.3″ Full HD display. We found it great for multitasking and viewing spreadsheets. The anti-glare coating helped reduce eye strain during long work sessions.

    We were impressed by the 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. Apps opened quickly, and we could keep lots of browser tabs open without slowdowns. The 12th Gen Intel Core i3 processor handled basic tasks well, but it’s not ideal for demanding software or games.

    The laptop felt sturdy, but at 4.6 pounds, it’s not the most portable option. We liked the full-size keyboard with number pad, though we missed having backlit keys. Battery life was disappointing – we got about 5-6 hours of real-world use, far short of the claimed 9 hours.

  • HP 15-inch Powerhouse

    8.6

    We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday tasks, offering good performance and features at a reasonable price.

    8.6

    We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday tasks, offering good performance and features at a reasonable price.

    Pros

    • Fast 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
    • Ample 512 GB SSD storage
    • Long battery life with quick charging

    Cons

    • 8 GB RAM may limit multitasking
    • Integrated graphics not ideal for gaming
    • Plastic build feels less premium

    We got our hands on this HP 15-inch laptop and were impressed by its snappy performance. The 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor zipped through our usual workload of web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without breaking a sweat.

    The 512 GB SSD gave us plenty of room for our files and programs. We loved how quickly the laptop booted up and loaded apps compared to older models with traditional hard drives. The 15.6-inch HD display looked crisp and bright for most tasks, though creative pros might want something with higher resolution.

    Battery life was a pleasant surprise. We got through a full workday on a single charge with normal use. The fast charging was handy too – it juiced up from empty to 50% in about 45 minutes when we were in a hurry. While 8 GB of RAM was enough for our needs, heavy multitaskers might want more memory. The plastic body felt sturdy but not as premium as some pricier laptops.

Buying Guide

Choosing the best laptop can be tricky. We’ve put together some key things to look for to help you find the right one.

Processing Power

The processor is the brain of your laptop. Look for recent generations of Intel Core or AMD Ryzen chips. More cores and higher clock speeds mean better performance.

Memory (RAM)

We recommend at least 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking. 16GB or more is great for demanding tasks like video editing.

Storage

SSDs offer much faster performance than traditional hard drives. 256GB is a good starting point, but 512GB or 1TB gives you more room for files and programs.

Display

Screen size and resolution affect your viewing experience. Full HD (1920×1080) is standard, while 4K offers sharper images but uses more battery.

Battery Life

For portability, aim for 8+ hours of real-world battery life. Read reviews to get accurate estimates beyond manufacturer claims.

Build Quality

A sturdy chassis and good keyboard can make a big difference in daily use. Try laptops in person if possible to test the feel.

Ports and Connectivity

Make sure the laptop has the ports you need. USB-C, HDMI, and SD card slots are useful for many users.

Here’s a quick reference table for laptop specs:

ComponentMinimumRecommended
ProcessorDual-coreQuad-core or better
RAM8GB16GB
Storage256GB SSD512GB SSD
Display1080p1080p or higher
Battery6 hours8+ hours

Remember to balance your needs with your budget when choosing a laptop.