15-16-inch laptops are very popular, and for good reason. They give you plenty of room to place windows side by side, lots of space on the keyboard deck to rest your palms, and often have a full-size keyboard with a numpad, which is great for those working with numbers. Plus, their larger chassis allows for a more effective cooling system, resulting in better performance. Although some are bulky and hard to carry, most 15- and 16-inch laptops are thin and light enough for on-the-go use.
We've tested over 180 laptops, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best 15- and 16-inch laptops. You can also see our recommendations for the best 13-14-inch laptops, the best 2-in-1 laptops, and the best laptops for graphic design.
Since 2021, we've tested dozens of laptops every year. We buy our laptops to avoid bias and, following a rigorous methodology, test nearly every part of the laptop so we can deliver results you can rely on. We use a wide range of equipment to perform our tests, including a colorimeter, a Mecmesin MultiTest-i System Test Stand, and various performance benchmarking suites.
Want to know more? Check out our How We Test Laptops article, where we give you a broader overview of our review process, from the moment we purchase the product to the final review.
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Best 16-Inch Laptop
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsThe Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4, 2024) is the best 16-inch laptop we've tested. This premium model can handle everything from general productivity tasks like web browsing and word processing to demanding workloads like simulations and 3D rendering, provided your software supports macOS. That said, if you're buying new, consider its successor, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5, 2026), which we're currently testing. The newer model offers M5 Pro and M5 Max chips with faster CPU and graphics performance, along with faster storage for transferring large files. You also get more storage to start with: 1TB on M5 Pro configurations and 2TB on M5 Max models. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 round out the upgrades. It has a bright 120Hz display, an optional nano-texture finish to reduce reflections, a 12 MP camera with Center Stage support, and Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed accessories and external displays.
For Windows users, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (2024) is a premium workstation alternative. It's configurable with Intel Core Ultra processors and various NVIDIA discrete GPUs, including GeForce and RTX Ada Generation models. These make it an option for professional software that requires Windows or NVIDIA graphics. It supports up to 64GB of RAM, and unlike the MacBook Pro, its memory and storage are user-upgradeable. Multiple displays are available, though only the top-end 4k+ OLED panel has full DCI-P3 coverage. That said, if you're buying new, consider the newer ThinkPad P1 Gen 9. Its Core Ultra Series 3 CPU options and NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell graphics make it a better choice for demanding work. It also supports up to 96GB of RAM, giving you more room for large projects and heavy multitasking.
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Best Upper Mid-Range 15-Inch Laptop
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsIf you have a lighter workload that consists mainly of general productivity tasks like web browsing and word processing, consider the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026). It's less expensive than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4, 2024) above while still giving you everything you need for everyday work. You get a similarly premium build, along with a tactile keyboard, haptic touchpad, and 12 MP Center Stage webcam. Just keep in mind that its fanless design means performance drops during prolonged demanding workloads. Compared to its predecessor, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025), the 15-inch M5 brings faster processing and storage, doubles the starting storage to 512GB, and adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. You still give up the MacBook Pro's brighter 120Hz Mini LED display, and you also get only two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, so a dock may be necessary.
On the Windows side, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (2025) is a great alternative. It's an ultraportable designed for general productivity, and it has a tactile keyboard, haptic touchpad, excellent webcam, and full-sounding speakers. You get more ports than on the MacBook Air, including two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and an HDMI port. Its 120Hz OLED display gives you deeper blacks and smoother motion than the Air's IPS screen. It's also typically more expensive than the MacBook Air. We've ordered the 2026 model of the Lenovo, which should provide a performance boost thanks to its newer CPU options and higher RAM ceiling. We'll update this rec as soon as we've reviewed it.
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Best Mid-Range 16-Inch Laptop
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsIf the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) above is more than you want to spend, consider the HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026). It gives you a large Windows laptop with a comfortable keyboard, a responsive touchpad, and useful ports for accessories and external displays. You give up the Air's sturdier build and better haptic touchpad, but the HP still provides a good everyday experience. Display quality depends on the configuration: basic IPS panels look washed out, while OLED options produce richer colors and deeper blacks. Most have a lower resolution than the Air, although a sharper 120Hz OLED option is available.
The OmniBook comes with Intel, AMD, or Snapdragon processors. The basic Ryzen AI 5 430 handles browsing and moderate multitasking comfortably, but trails the Air's M5 in demanding work. Faster options, including Ryzen AI 7 and 9 and Intel Core Ultra 9 processors, make the HP better suited to heavier workloads. We recommend at least 16GB of RAM for the best experience. Some configurations also have replaceable memory, letting you upgrade later. The Ryzen AI 5 430 configuration lasts over 12 hours of light use, though battery life varies across the family. Snapdragon versions introduce potential software compatibility issues, so Intel or AMD models are preferable if you rely on specialized Windows programs.
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Best Budget 16-Inch Laptop
SchoolGamingMultimediaWorkstationBusinessBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsThe best budget 16-inch laptop we've tested is the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023). It gives you the same screen size as the HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026) above, with a comfortable keyboard and a large, responsive touchpad for everyday work. You give up the HP's wider choice of displays, though: the ASUS's IPS panel looks washed out and struggles with glare in bright rooms. Still, the Vivobook feels reasonably sturdy, is easy to service, and remains portable despite its large screen.
Its AMD Ryzen processors handle browsing, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations comfortably. We recommend a configuration with 16GB of RAM for multitasking; if you get an 8GB model, you can add more memory later through its expansion slot. You also get a decent port selection, including three USB-A ports and HDMI. Unlike the HP, however, its USB-C port doesn't support video output, so you'll need an HDMI port to connect an external monitor. Battery life is another compromise: it lasts just around eight hours of light use. ASUS has released a newer version of this laptop, the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1607, which we expect to be similar overall, but its better Ryzen AI processor options will provide more headroom for demanding tasks.
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Best Cheap 16-Inch Laptop
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsIf you want a large laptop for basic tasks at a lower price, consider the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026). Its 15.6-inch display and comfortable keyboard make it a good fit for browsing the web and writing documents. You also get useful ports for accessories and an external monitor, so you can set it up at a desk without needing a dock. Compared to the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) above, you give up processing power and the ability to install most Windows programs. Still, ChromeOS offers plenty of web and Android apps for everyday tasks, making the CX15 a practical option if your needs are simple.
The basic configuration has enough processing power for light work, while faster processor options give you more room to work across several tabs or apps. Models with 4GB of RAM are workable for basic browsing, although Chrome may unload inactive tabs and reload them when you return. We recommend 8GB if you tend to keep lots of tabs or Android apps open. Unfortunately, the display looks washed out, the touchpad sometimes misses input, and the battery may not last a full workday. Video playback drains it in under six hours, so keep the charger nearby for longer viewing sessions.
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Best 16-Inch Gaming Laptop
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationBuild Quality:Brightness:Typing Quality:Touchpad:Ports:See all our test resultsBattery Life (Web Browsing):hrsThe HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) is the best 16-inch gaming laptop we've tested. Its Intel Core Ultra processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs deliver smooth gameplay in demanding games, with options ranging from an RTX 5060 to an RTX 5090. Faster configurations give you more room to turn up graphics settings without sacrificing frame rates. Performance also holds up well during long gaming sessions, although the fans get extremely loud.
Display options include a 165Hz FHD+ IPS panel and sharper 240Hz QHD+ IPS or OLED panels. All support variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing, while the OLED option gives you deeper blacks for gaming in dark rooms. There are plenty of ports for a mouse, external monitor, and other accessories, including Ethernet for a wired internet connection. Memory and storage are replaceable, so you can upgrade them later. That said, this sturdy laptop is bulky and heavy, making it better suited to a desk than frequent travel. The keyboard feels mushy, and its closely spaced keys can take some getting used to.
Notable Mentions
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ASUS ProArt P16 H7606 (2024):
The ASUS ProArt P16 H7606 (2024) is a Windows alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5, 2026) for content creators. Its OLED touchscreen supports pen input, and its programmable dial provides shortcuts for editing tools. However, its battery life is much shorter, so you'll need to keep your charger close.
See our review -
LG gram Pro 2-in-1 16 (2026):
The LG gram Pro 2-in-1 16 (2026) is an alternative to the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5, 2026) if you want a large Windows convertible. Its 120Hz OLED touchscreen provides deeper blacks and smoother scrolling, and you can fold it into a tablet for drawing or taking notes.
See our review -
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8th Edition (EP2-60881):
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 8th Edition (2026) is a Windows alternative to the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5, 2026), as its sharper 120Hz touchscreen makes scrolling look smoother than on the Air. It offers Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite processors; they can't quite match the M5 in most applications, although the Elite gets close.
See our review -
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024):
The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) is a step up from the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) if you can spend more. Its sharper, more colorful 120Hz display makes videos look better and scrolling smoother, while its faster processors provide more headroom for multitasking. However, it's bulkier and still limited to ChromeOS apps.
See our review -
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) GU605:
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) GU605 is a more portable alternative to the HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) if you want a gaming laptop that's easier to carry. That said, its lower-power RTX 40-series GPUs deliver less gaming performance, and its soldered memory can't be upgraded.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 02, 2026:
We completely overhauled the article with updated and new picks, including the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) as the new 'Best Cheap 16-Inch Laptop' option. We've also revamped our Notable Mentions.
May 22, 2025:
We've replaced the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15 (2024) with the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025) because the MacBook Air is cheaper and provides a better overall user experience. We've also added the ASUS ProArt P16 H7606 (2024), the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15 (2024), and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) GU605 as Notable Mentions.
Mar 28, 2025:
Minor text changes to provide information about the new M4 MacBook Air. No change in recommendations.
Feb 07, 2025:
We made small text changes for conciseness and clarity. We also replaced the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (2023) with the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) as a Notable Mention because the 516 GE provides a better user experience overall.
Dec 18, 2024:
Replaced the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2023) with the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2024) since the M3 model is discontinued.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best 15- and 16-inch laptops to buy. In addition to the test results, we factor in the price (a cheaper laptop wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no laptops that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our laptop reviews, sorted by price from low to high. Most laptops are available in various configurations, and the table only shows the results of the model we tested, so it's best to see the full review for information about other variants.
