The top laptops of 2025: winners across all categories

After testing 89 laptops released in 2025, some models emerged ahead of the competition. From budget-friendly options to high-performance gaming laptops, here are the best picks in every significant category this year.

Best budget laptop of 2025: HP Omnibook 5

If you're shopping for a reliable laptop under $400, the HP Omnibook 5 is the standout choice. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, as well as traditional clamshell and 2-in-1 designs, it offers an impressive balance of performance, build quality, and price.

Key specs:

• Processor: Current-gen
• Memory: 16 GB
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Screen: Decent quality for the price

Where other laptops in this range cut corners, the Omnibook 5 excels with a strong chassis, solid screen, and robust internals. Its downsides? The 14-inch model can get warm during charging and is somewhat heavy.

Best value laptop of 2025: MacBook Air (M4, 13" and 15")

Apple's MacBook Air with the M4 chip delivers exceptional value in the sub-$1,000 range. Currently available for as little as $750 (256 GB version) or $950 (512 GB version), this laptop is a no-brainer for most users.

What makes it stand out:

• Fanless design for silent operation
• Accurate trackpad and good speakers
• Excellent battery life

However, it’s not without flaws. The MacBook Air does not yet feature a fast refresh rate screen or Wi-Fi 7, which some competitors offer.

Best premium laptops of 2025

Winner (macOS): MacBook Pro 14 with M5

The MacBook Pro 14 retains its crown as the go-to premium macOS laptop. Thanks to its M5 processor, remarkable battery life, and the usual Apple build quality, it offers unrivaled performance in a lightweight, portable package.

Key highlights:

• Display: Mini-LED panel
• Build quality: Excellent, with a well-thought-out port selection
• Performance: Handles intense tasks without throttling, even unplugged

Despite a few knocks, like the absence of Wi-Fi 7 and its large notch, it remains a top pick for power users.

Winner (Windows): Lenovo ThinkPad X915 (15-inch)

For Windows loyalists, the Lenovo ThinkPad X915 (15-inch) delivers a premium experience. Its stunning OLED screen, lightweight design, and dedicated USB-A port make it versatile for professionals and enthusiasts.

Key advantages:

• Superior keyboard layout
• Long-lasting battery for lighter tasks
• Decent integrated graphics (on the 7-series)

A small complaint: ThinkPad enthusiasts might notice the absence of Lenovo’s signature red TrackPoint, but that’s a minor gripe in an otherwise stellar device.

Best gaming laptops of 2025

2025 was another year of innovation for gaming laptops, and specific models stood out across budget and premium categories.

Best budget gaming laptop: Lenovo LOQ

Priced attractively, the Lenovo LOQ avoids the common pitfalls of budget gaming laptops. It offers:

• Display: 100% sRGB gamut
• Build: Solid construction without quality control issues
• Performance: Delivers sufficient power to the GPU

Its trade-off? The LOQ is noticeably heavy.

Best value for money: Lenovo Legion 5i

The Legion 5i offers unbeatable value around $1,000. Its highlights:

• Display: OLED panel
• Processor: Intel Aerolake HX, delivering high efficiency
• Gaming Experience: Comfortable keyboard and compact design

However, poor speaker quality and awkward port placement hold it back from perfection.

Best premium gaming laptop: Lenovo Legion 7i

The Legion 7i is a true powerhouse, with a bright 500-nit OLED display and a keyboard tuned for comfort. Key specs include:

• Intel HX-series processors for smooth multitasking
• High wattage GPU for top-tier gaming
• Memory upgradeability

Best portable gaming laptop: Asus Zephyrus G16

The Zephyrus G16 balances power and portability. Improved cooling, better fan control, and decent battery life make it a great all-rounder.

Best 16-inch gaming laptop: Asus Strix Scar 16

Delivering an impressive gaming experience, the Strix Scar 16 excels with its comfortable design and powerful components like the Intel Core i9 HX CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU. Unlike some competitors, it stays cool while gaming and avoids heating up around the keyboard deck.

Best 14-inch gaming laptop: Asus TUF A14

The TUF A14 may not be the flashiest choice, but it gets the fundamentals right. Its excellent cooling system, light frame, and stellar battery life make it stand out in a competitive category.

Best 18-inch gaming laptop: Alienware 18 Area 51

The Alienware 18 offers a luxurious experience. With a curved front edge and commodities such as a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard and dual-moded keyboard's buttons.