Whether you’re looking for portability, performance, or a low price, one of these computers should fit the bill
Laptops from Apple, Asus, and HP are among the best performers in CR’s ratings.
By Nicholas De Leon
Shopping for a laptop can be a lot like buying a car. Endless makes, models, and trim levels to sift through, only you don’t get to pop the hood or take a quick spin around the block before handing over your credit card.
Here at Consumer Reports, we like to remove the guesswork from your purchasing decisions. We buy every laptop at retail, just like you, and run each one through a full slate of lab tests in our facilities just north of New York City. We measure processing power, display quality, battery life, and more, then turn the results into clear, easy-to-read scores. Right now, we have ratings for more than 170 laptops and over 30 Chromebooks.
We also keep a close eye on pricing. At the moment, a global shortage of memory and storage chips, driven largely by insatiable demand for AI data centers, is pushing up the cost of RAM and solid-state drives. Some manufacturers are responding by trimming specs on entry-level models or raising prices on new ones. At the same time, a fresh crop of laptops powered by cutting-edge chips such as Intel’s new Panther Lake processors are making their way to stores, and retailers are clearing out last year’s models at steep discounts to make room. That means a 2025 laptop at a reduced price could be a smarter buy than a brand-new model.
Whether you want something budget-friendly, ultraportable, or built for creative work, our tested and rated picks below can help you cut through the noise. For more insight, check out our laptop and Chromebook buying guide.
Best Windows Laptops
Of the over 170 laptops in our ratings, these Windows PCs are among the best of the best, combining powerful performance, high-quality displays, and impressive battery life.
LG Gram 17″ (17Z90TL-H.AUB8U3)
This LG Gram delivers a rare combination: a large, 17-inch matte display in a laptop that weighs just 3.1 pounds. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with 32GB of memory, it handles everything from web browsing to video editing with ease in our tests. Battery life is the real headliner: The model powered along for more than 18 hours in our web-browsing test, an outstanding result for those who need a laptop at the ready beyond a full workday. If you want a big screen for multitasking or updating spreadsheets but don’t want to feel it weighing down your bag, this is one of the best options we’ve tested.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro – NP960XHA-KG2US
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is a high-performance laptop that excels at both creative work and entertainment. It features a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and an OLED screen, which our testers like for its rich color, deep black levels, and sharp detail. This combination makes demanding tasks, such as video streaming and photo editing, feel incredibly crisp and responsive.
HP OmniBook X Flip – Copilot+ PC – 16″
The HP OmniBook X Flip – Copilot+ PC is a versatile 2-in-1 convertible built for productivity and creative work. The “Flip” design adds flexibility for different modes, while the Intel Ultra 9 processor provides snappy performance. The laptop’s standout feature is the OLED touchscreen, which delivers impressive color and clarity, making it an excellent choice for both media consumption and hands-on creative tasks.
Best Laptops for Travel
What good is a laptop if it’s too heavy to carry around or constantly begs to be plugged in? If you travel often or just like to move from room to room without lugging a power adapter, these lightweight, long-lasting laptops are worth a look.
Apple MacBook Air -2025
The 15-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 chip delivers nearly 15 hours of battery life and weighs 3.3 pounds. It’s fast, portable, and well-suited for everyday use. Apple also sells a 13-inch M4 version, which we haven’t tested, but previous 13-inch MacBook Air models have consistently been top performers. Travelers may find the smaller model a better fit due to its lighter weight—and, of course, it costs less, too.
Asus Zenbook S 14 14″ – UX5406SA-PH79T
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a standout option for frequent travelers. At just 2.6 pounds and under an inch thick, it slips easily into a carry-on, and its battery lasted nearly 20 hours in our web-browsing test, which is one of the longest run times we’ve recorded. The 14-inch OLED touchscreen punches above its size with vivid, accurate colors and strong contrast, making it a pleasure to use for everything from presentations to streaming. Under the hood, an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 32GB of memory keep it snappy for productivity work and even some light gaming. If portability is your top priority but you don’t want to sacrifice performance, this laptop earns its spot.
HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14″
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i is an ultraportable that doesn’t skimp on display quality. Weighing just 2.6 pounds, the laptop pairs a vibrant 14-inch OLED touchscreen with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 32GB of memory, delivering strong speeds for productivity and creative tasks like photo and video editing. Battery life hit 17.5 hours in our web-browsing test, enough to get through a cross-country flight and then some. The model also ships with Windows 11 Pro and an 8.3-megapixel webcam, a nice touch for professionals who spend a lot of time in video calls. The trade-off is somewhat modest 512GB SSD for heavy media users, so if that’s you, you may want to budget for external storage.
Best Laptops for Content Creation
If your workflow includes editing 4K videos, processing large photo libraries, or designing digital art, you’ll want a laptop with serious power. That means a fast processor, plenty of memory and storage, and a large, high-resolution display to give your creative projects the crisp color and space they need. These laptops are also ideal if you’re doing any sort of programming or coding work.
Apple MacBook Pro – Nano-texture display
The MacBook Pro is a strong choice for creatives who work within the Apple ecosystem. The latest model offers a range of configurations and includes an optional nano-texture glass display. This finish reduces glare from overhead lighting and sunlight, which makes it easier to work in bright environments. Photo and video editors will appreciate the improved visibility when editing in studios or on location.
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (18 HX AI A2XWGKG-012US)
The MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI is built for heavy lifting. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 275HX processor, 32GB of memory, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, it posted some of the fastest speeds we’ve measured, tearing through video editing, 3D rendering, and demanding games. The big, bright 18-inch display with a 240Hz refresh rate delivers accurate colors and wide viewing angles, a real asset for creative work. At 6.8 pounds, the model is more of a desktop replacement than a travel companion, but MSI backs it with a generous two-year warranty. If you need raw performance for content creation or gaming and don’t mind the extra heft, this is a powerful option.
HP OmniBook X Flip – Copilot+ PC – 16″
The versatile HP OmniBook X Flip pulls double duty as a laptop and a tablet, thanks to a 2-in-1 convertible hinge and a responsive touchscreen. The unit is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with 32GB of memory and a roomy 2TB SSD, more than twice the storage you’ll find on most competitors, which is a real perk for creators with large media libraries. The 16-inch OLED display delivers rich contrast and a wide color gamut, and battery life came in at nearly 15 hours in our web-browsing test, impressive for a machine this capable. At 4.1 pounds, the laptop is manageable for travel, making it a solid pick if you want creative horsepower in a flexible form factor.
Best Budget Laptops
The phrase “budget laptop” might conjure up memories of clunky plastic builds and painfully slow load times, but the less expensive models of today can offer surprisingly solid performance for routine tasks, often for well under $800. In fact, some top picks land closer to $400. Even Apple users can find bargains, with Walmart still selling the 2020 M1 MacBook Air for $600, offering a great value for a small spec downgrade compared with newer models.
Want even more choice? Be sure to read our in-depth article on the best budget laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks.
Samsung Galaxy Book4
For those with a bit more to spend, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 offers a significant performance boost for just over $500. Its standout feature is the 16GB of memory—double what’s typical at this price—which makes multitasking and switching between apps feel much smoother. Paired with a modern Core 7 processor and a 15.6-inch screen, it’s a budget-friendly laptop that hits the sweet spot of performance and value.
LG Gram 15″ Laptop – 5U50T-G.ARS2U1
The LG Gram 15″ proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a reliable everyday laptop. With an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD, it handles email, web browsing, and office work without issue, though you’ll want to temper expectations for heavier tasks like video editing or gaming. At 3.6 pounds, the model is light for a 15.6-inch laptop, and the anti-glare display is easy on the eyes in bright environments. LG’s Gram line also earns high marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our surveys, which counts for a lot when you’re shopping on a budget and want a machine that will hold up over time.
Best Chromebooks
Chromebooks don’t try to do everything, which is what makes them appealing. These lightweight, easy-to-use laptops run on Google’s ChromeOS and are built for simple, everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, streaming videos, and working in Google Docs. They’re not designed for heavy-duty work like video editing or gaming, but for casual users and students, they’re often more than enough.
It’s also worth noting that Acer and Asus make a lot of Chromebooks, and most of them are fairly similar. So if the exact model you’re eyeing isn’t available, don’t sweat it because chances are there’s another one with nearly identical specs and performance.
That said, here are a few standout options to consider.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 -14″ (CP514-5HN-K6DY)
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a convertible that folds flat into a tablet and ranks among the fastest Chromebooks we’ve tested. The MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor and 12GB of memory breezed through web browsing, Google Docs, and online apps, and the battery life stretched to nearly 18 hours in our web-browsing test, which should be enough to outlast a full school or work day with room to spare. The 14-inch touchscreen displays vivid colors with strong contrast, though the glossy panel can catch glare in bright rooms. At 2.9 pounds with 256GB of local storage, this is a well-rounded pick for students or anyone who wants a capable, affordable machine without the complexity of a full Windows laptop. Google will continue delivering OS updates through June 2035, so the device will likely serve you for years to come.
Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook Plus
The Asus ExpertBook Chromebook has a clean, “professional” design and a sturdy build, making it a good pick for school or light office use.
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