Windows is the most widely used operating system, so it isn't surprising that tons of Windows laptops are on the market. You can find ultraportables for general productivity, 2-in-1 convertibles, tablet PCs, gaming laptops, as well as powerful workstations that can replace your desktop PC. There are also many brands, with each company releasing new laptops yearly, making the buying decision even harder. We've compiled a list of our top picks to help guide you, and hopefully, you can find something that suits your needs. To reduce complexity, this article only contains productivity laptops; we have a separate article for the best gaming laptops.
We've tested over 180 laptops, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best Windows laptops. You can also check out our picks for the best lightweight laptops, the best 15-16 inch laptops, and the best laptops under $1,000.
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 Windows Laptop
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:15.3"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe best Windows laptop we've tested is the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025). This premium ultraportable is on the pricey side, but you're getting a lot for the money. The 15-inch unit has a very sharp 120Hz OLED display, an amazingly comfortable keyboard, a large haptic touchpad, and an excellent 1440p webcam with facial recognition. Performance is as you would expect of a high-end ultraportable sporting an Intel Lunar Lake chip: plenty fast for general productivity tasks but not ideal for highly intensive workloads like AAA gaming or 3D rendering. Battery life is outstanding, lasting around 15 hours in light use.
You can also get a smaller 14-inch model, but it has a smaller battery and lacks USB-A. Its base display is a lower-resolution 60Hz OLED, although you can also get it with the 120Hz OLED found on the bigger model. Both sizes have up to 32GB of non-upgradeable RAM. Ultimately, regardless of the size you get, you end up with a very well-built Windows machine.
Another worthy mention is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 8th Edition (2026), available in 13.8- and 15-inch sizes. As with the Lenovo, the overall user experience is generally excellent. Its bright, flicker-free 120Hz IPS touchscreen suits those sensitive to OLED flicker, though reflections are more distracting and blacks won't look as deep and inky. Its ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processor handles everyday work well; check software and peripheral compatibility first though, as not all software works on ARM.
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Best Mid-Range Windows Laptop
School & WorkMedia ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:13"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:YesRefresh Rate:120 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:8 GBIf you don't want to spend too much on a premium model like the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025), the Dell XPS 13 (2026) is a solid mid-range option. This 13.4-inch model has a sturdy aluminum chassis that's exceptionally thin and light, making it easy to carry around. You give up the Lenovo's OLED blacks, larger workspace, and haptic touchpad, but its bright and sharp IPS touchscreen has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Its battery life is outstanding, with our unit lasting around 15 hours of web browsing.
Its Intel Core 5 320 processor is adequate for general productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing, but isn't ideal for demanding workloads. We recommend the 16GB memory configuration; the 8GB model we tested is very limiting when doing more than one thing at a time, and the RAM isn't upgradeable, so err on the side of caution and get more RAM if you can afford it. The keyboard feels satisfying to type on, but the mechanical touchpad has a small usable area and can struggle with tracking near the edges and dragging. Another compromise is connectivity: you only get two USB-C ports, with no USB-A, HDMI, or headphone jack. The webcam is serviceable rather than a standout, and screen reflections can be distracting in bright rooms.
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Best Budget Windows Laptop
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe best budget Windows laptop we've tested is the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023). This 16-inch model is a reliable everyday laptop that's portable despite its larger screen. It's relatively sturdy and easy to service. Compared with the Dell XPS 13 (2026), you get a larger screen and more ports, but a less premium build and a dimmer display. Its AMD Ryzen CPUs are fine for basic tasks like web browsing, text processing, etc. Our tested Ryzen 5 7530U configuration supports charging over USB-C, but not video output or Thunderbolt 4. Its battery lasts over eight hours of light use or around six hours of video playback.
Although its display is large, the IPS panel looks slightly washed out and isn't bright enough to combat glare in well-lit settings. Also, the speakers sound boxy and unnatural, so this laptop doesn't provide you with the best multimedia experience.
Newer M1605NAQ configurations with Ryzen 5 150 or Ryzen 7 170 processors can be easier to find at budget prices. They share the same basic design, but use DDR5 memory and have two USB-C ports; our performance, battery, and port results don't apply directly. Check the exact configuration, and favor 16GB of RAM for multitasking or budget for a memory upgrade.
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Best Windows Workstation
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBFor those needing a powerful workstation for demanding tasks like 3D modeling, simulations, or content creation, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (2024) is worth considering if you can find a suitable configuration at a reasonable price. This 16-inch model is configurable with Intel Meteor Lake CPUs, up to a Core Ultra 9 185H, and various NVIDIA discrete GPUs, including GeForce and RTX Ada Generation models. You can get up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage, and these components are user-upgradeable, so you can add more later if needed. There are three display options: a 60Hz FHD+ IPS, a 165Hz QHD+ IPS, and a 60Hz 4k+ OLED panel. The latter is best for color-critical work like video editing, as it has full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
It has a comfortable keyboard, a large haptic touchpad, and an excellent 1440p webcam. There are plenty of ports for peripherals and external displays, including one USB-A, three USB-Cs (two Thunderbolt 4s), an HDMI 2.1, a fast SD Express 7.0 card reader, and a proprietary charging port. You can charge the laptop via USB-C, but since the USB-C ports can only take up to 135W, the battery may lose charge if you perform intensive tasks at the same time. Keep in mind that while the keyboard doesn't get very hot under load, the fans get pretty loud.
We bought the newer Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 9 and will be testing it shortly.
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Best 2-In-1 Windows Tablet
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:13"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBIf you like the 2-in-1 tablet form factor, check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 13 12th Edition (2026). Compared with a conventional laptop like the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025), its built-in kickstand and detachable keyboard make it more versatile for drawing, taking handwritten notes, or watching videos. It's substantially less stable on your lap, though, and the keyboard can feel cramped during long typing sessions. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processor handles everyday work well, but, like the Surface Laptop mentioned above, it's best to check that your apps and peripherals are compatible with Windows on ARM.
The choice of display is tied to the processor: the Snapdragon X2 Plus model comes with an LCD panel, while the X2 Elite model has an OLED panel. Both are sharp 120Hz touchscreens; the latter gives you deep, inky blacks, though its flicker might bother sensitive users. Our OLED configuration lasts over 11 hours of light web browsing; the LCD model has a smaller battery, so don't assume the same runtime. The optional Flex Keyboard has a haptic touchpad and supports Bluetooth, allowing you to use it even when detached from the tablet. Unfortunately, like the stylus, you must purchase the keyboard separately. You still get an excellent front-facing camera, a facial recognition camera for quick logins, and a back-facing camera you can use to scan documents.
Notable Mentions
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Dell XPS 14 (2026):
The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is an alternative to the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025) if you need more processing power or memory. Higher-end models offer stronger integrated graphics and up to 64GB of RAM. However, the Lenovo feels a bit more premium, and the 15-inch model has a better battery and more ports.
See our review -
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024):
The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) is an alternative to the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025) if you prefer a 2-in-1 convertible. Performance is similar, but the Lenovo has a brighter display, more key travel on the keyboard, and a longer battery and better port selection if you opt for the 15-inch version.
See our review -
LG gram 16 (2024):
The LG gram 16 (2024) is another good alternative to the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (2025). This model is lighter and more compact than the Lenovo even though it has a bigger screen. However, its magnesium alloy chassis doesn't feel as sturdy, and it isn't available with an OLED display. Its 1080p webcam is also noticeably worse.
See our review -
Lenovo IdeaPad 5a 2-in-1 14 (2026):
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5a 2-in-1 14 (2026) is an alternative to the Dell XPS 13 (2026) if you want a convertible with pen support. It has more ports and replaceable RAM, though its basic IPS screen looks washed out. The Dell is lighter, feels more premium, and lasts longer on battery in our tests.
See our review -
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (2024):
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (2024) is an alternative to the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (2024) if you need more processing power. It offers Intel 13th and 14th Gen HX CPUs and higher-end NVIDIA GPUs. It's a very bulky laptop, though, and the overall user experience isn't nearly as good as the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 28, 2026:
We've refreshed our Windows laptop recommendations, adding the Dell XPS 13 (2026) and Microsoft Surface Pro 13 12th Edition (2026) as the 'Best Mid-Range Windows Laptop' and the 'Best 2-In-1 Windows Tablet' options, respectively. We've also updated the remaining picks' text and the Notable Mentions.
Jun 03, 2025:
We've verified that all picks are still valid and available. The picks remain the same.
Apr 04, 2025:
Replaced the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15 (2024) with the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (2025) because the Lenovo has a wider port selection and better app compatibility.
Feb 10, 2025:
Replaced the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) with the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) in the Notable Mentions because the OmniBook is easier to find. Small text changes for conciseness.
Dec 19, 2024:
Replaced the HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2024) with the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) because the Acer has better performance and delivers a superior user experience overall. Removed the Lenovo Yoga 6 13 (2023) from Notable Mentions because it's hard to find. Added the LG gram 16 (2024) and the Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (2024) as Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Windows laptops you can get. 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, flagging limited stock where relevant.
If you prefer to make your own decision, here's a table of our Windows laptop reviews. You can adjust its filters and sorting to compare the models that interest you. 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.