The sheer number of brands and configs can make picking the perfect Windows laptops a bit challenging. However, all of those choices also mean there’s probably a notebook out there that has everything you need. Before you start searching, it’s important to figure out how you plan to use your next laptop and how much you want to spend. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a premium ultraportable, a compact gaming rig or a beefy mobile workstation, we’ve got a list of our favorite Windows laptops that have been tested by editors across a range of prices and setups.However, one important thing to remember is that it’s only been a few weeks since CES 2024, when most of the big OEMs showed off all of their new models for the upcoming year. So for anyone hoping to buy something with the latest and greatest hardware, you may want to consider waiting until later in 2024 when more of these new systems become available for purchase (and after we’ve had the chance to test them out).
Quick OverviewMore options
Dell XPS 13
Best Windows laptop overall
$1,099 at Dell$1,292 at AmazonSee more options
Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Laptop
Best budget Windows laptop
$347 at Amazon$440 at NeweggSee more optionsMore options
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best Windows laptop for gaming
$1,299 at ASUS$950 at AmazonSee more options
Lenovo Yoga 9i
Best Windows laptop with a 360-degree hinge
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13″ 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Sapphire Microsoft Copilot
Best Windows laptop with a 2-in-1 design
$850 at Amazon$1,000 at MicrosoftSee more options
MSI Stealth 14 Studio
A powerful, thin-and-light option
$1,900 at MicrocenterMore options
Razer Blade 18
A super high-end option
$3,500 at Adorama$3,500 at Amazon$3,800 at NeweggSee more optionsSee 2 more
Performance
The challenge when thinking about performance is figuring out your sweet spot. That’s because while a laptop with blazing speed is nice, you may be paying for more oomph than you need. But if you skimp and get a weak processor, even simple tasks can become a chore and you might end up in a situation where you need to upgrade again sooner than you’d like. Performance is more than just clockspeeds too, so we also consider things like fast wake times, storage speeds, multitasking and more advanced features like support for ray tracing.
Display and webcams
Regardless of whether a notebook has a touchscreen or a more traditional panel, we look for bright displays (300+ nits or more) that are easy use outdoors or in sunny rooms, accurate colors and wide viewing angles. Screens with high refresh rates are great for competitive gamers, while those with wider color gamuts are important for content creation. And even if you don’t plan on spending a ton of time on video calls, every laptop needs a decent webcam (1080p or higher).
Ports and connectivity
Even with advancements in cellular modems and WiFi, dedicated ports for transferring data or connecting peripherals can make or break a laptop. Ideally, all but the thinnest and lightest systems come with three USB ports, while things like built-in SD card readers can be extremely handy when trying to import media from a camera. And if a notebook is saddled with a slow or outdated WiFi modem (we’re looking for Wi-Fi 6 or later), that’s basically an immediate disqualification.
Battery life
It doesn’t matter how powerful a laptop is if it conks out when you need it the most. Typically we look for runtimes of at least eight hours on a charge, but longer is always better. That said, on gaming machines with thirsty GPUs, you may have to settle for a bit less. And on bigger machines, it’s also important to consider if the system can charge via USB-C or if it needs a larger, proprietary power brick.
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Dell XPS 13
Best Windows laptop overall
Screen size: 13-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 12th-gen Intel Core i5/i7 | Installed memory: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 512GB | Weight: 2.56 pounds | Battery life: Up to 12 hours
It’s no surprise that we love the Dell XPS 13. It’s thin, lightweight and it has one of the best screens you can find on a 13-inch ultraportable. And while the XPS 13 doesn’t have the fastest CPU around, a 12th-gen Intel chip is more than enough for a basic workload. The latest XPS 13 model is the slimmest yet, though it loses the headphone jack in the process. If you need a 3.5mm port, or you’re just looking to save some money, it’s also worth considering the slightly older XPS 13 models. And if you want to future-proof your next laptop a bit more, consider the XPS 13 Plus, which comes with 13th-gen Intel processors and is currently the best Windows laptop for college students in our book.
For 2024, Dell is phasing out the classic XPS design for the one we’ve seen on the XPS 13 Plus, which will simply be called the XPS 13 going forward. You may want to hold off on picking up a new XPS until the latest models become available, which is expected to happen sometime in Q1.
ProsLightweight and attractive designStrong performanceLovely screenConsNo headphone jack$1,099 at DellExplore More Buying Options$1,292 at Amazon
Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Laptop
Best budget Windows laptop
Screen size: 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 11th-gen Intel Core i3 | Installed memory: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 3.64 pounds | Battery life: Up to 10 hours
There’s a reason we selected the Acer Aspire 5 as our top choice in our best budget Windows laptop guide: It’s sturdy, fast enough and offers decent battery life. We typically don’t expect much with laptops under $500, but the Aspire 5 has consistently been a solid performer. It’s an ideal laptop for students or kids, or for anyone who isn’t particularly demanding. We’re also surprised by the port selection it offers, including HDMI and Ethernet. While we normally don’t recommend laptops with just 8GB of RAM and tiny 128GB SSDs, those specs are more excusable in the Aspire 5 since it’s so darn cheap. Just think of it as a slightly more capable Chromebook.
ProsIncludes HDMI and Ethernet portsSturdy designDecent performance for the priceConsLackluster display$347 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$440 at NeweggWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best Windows laptop for gaming
Screen size: 14-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7/9 | Installed memory: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 3.53 pounds | Battery life: Up to 10 hours
Read our full review of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
One of our favorite gaming PCs for years, the ROG Zephyrus G14 remains our choice as the best gaming laptop for most users. It weighs just 3.5 pounds, it sports AMD’s powerful new Ryzen chips and it also has the company’s fastest Radeon RX 6000-series mobile graphics. The ROG Zephyrus G14 has a sleek retro-future aesthetic, a comfortable keyboard and a smooth 144Hz, 14-inch screen. While you’d be more immersed in a 15-inch notebook, those typically cost more and are far heavier than the Zephyrus G14. If you’re looking for a balance between power, style and value, the G14 is an excellent option.
ProsPowerful performanceSleek designGreat 14-inch, 144Hz screenConsA little on the heavy side$1,299 at ASUSExplore More Buying Options$950 at AmazonPhoto by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Lenovo Yoga 9i
Best Windows laptop with a 360-degree hinge
Screen size: 14-inch | Touchscreen: Yes | Processor: 13th-gen Intel Core i7 | Installed memory: 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 3.09 pounds | Battery life: Up to 14 hours
Read our full review of the Lenovo Yoga 9i
Adaptability is the biggest strength of a 2-in-1, with devices like the Yoga 9i capable of transforming into a number of different modes at a moment’s notice. And even though it’s got a relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo still found room on the Yoga 9i for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner and a clever rotating soundbar to ensure audio sounds good in any position. Lenovo also includes a free stylus in the box though, sadly, unlike previous models there isn’t a dedicated storage slot for it on the machine anymore. And while its general design hasn’t changed much, Lenovo has improved the Yoga 9i’s performance with updated 13th-gen Intel processors.
ProsGorgeous OLED displayPowerful speakersStrong battery lifeFour USB-C portsPhysical webcam shutterIncluded stylus and travel sleeveConsWhiny fansShallow keyboardNo built-in stylus storage$1,400 at Lenovo
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13″ 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Sapphire Microsoft Copilot
Best Windows laptop with a 2-in-1 design
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