The best Dell laptops are powerful, versatile devices, often found in our list of the best laptops overall - and for good reason. With powerful multitasking capabilities and sleek, stylish designs, every one of the laptops below is worth its price tag.
Our current top pick for the best Dell laptop in 2025 is the Dell XPS 14, a stellar work laptop delivering strong overall performance and MacBook-beating battery life in a compact, portable design. For those seeking quality on a budget, I'd recommend the new Dell 14 Plus.
All the laptops we review are run through the same suite of rigorous benchmarking tests, which we use to determine performance in a variety of areas including battery life, gaming performance, daily productivity workloads, and raw processing power. No matter who reviews it, we always take the time to properly use each laptop in real-world scenarios to identify its strengths and weaknesses from the end user's point of view.
Even though Dell has - rather controversially - ditched the iconic XPS and Inspiron branding for its latest line of laptops, some models are still available, several of which are still among the best ultrabooks on the market and remain in our ranking below (for now, at least) along with some newer designs. I've also included a guide at the bottom of this page to help explain Dell's new laptop naming conventions!
As someone who's reviewed more than seventy laptops over seven years working as a computer hardware journalist for not just TechRadar but also PCGamer, GamesRadar, T3, and Maximum PC, I've long been a fan of Dell's excellent XPS range - but I've not let that cloud my judgment when making this list. I'll be honest, though: there's no denying that Dell's laptops are among the best on the market, and I've tested enough of them over the years to feel 100% confident saying that.
The Quick List
The best Dell laptop overall
The definitive all-rounder, last year's Dell XPS 14 retains the top spot in our list thanks to its Intel Core Ultra chip backed by a powerful NPU and discrete Nvidia RTX graphics card. The gorgeous OLED display it boasts is the cherry on top.
Best value Dell laptop
Dell's new 14 Plus laptop is a soft successor to the affordable Inspiron 14, with a sensible base price but configurable with either Intel Lunar Lake or AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB storage.
Best Dell laptops for creatives
Simply put, the Dell XPS 17 combines a super-powerful RTX 4080 GPU with a massive 4K screen making it the ideal choice for content creators of all types wanting a large canvas to work with.
The best Dell gaming laptop
Going all-in on AMD, the Alienware m17 R5 impresses with some excellent gaming performance backed up by a large display with a staggering 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for high-end gaming.
The best 15-inch Dell laptop
Although the Dell XPS 15 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does offer excellent performance backed up by a Raptor Lake Core i9 CPU that’ll appeal to all laptop users.
The best 2-in-1 Dell laptop
Take the already pretty great Dell 14 Plus, add a 360-degree hinge with a touchscreen, and you've got a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with sensible pricing and good overall performance - just don't expect to be playing the latest games on it.
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The best Dell laptop for business
The Dell Pro 14 Premium is a high-end professional productivity machine, boasting the latest Intel Core Ultra vPro CPU with NPU for boosted local AI performance along with excellent battery life and a collaboration touchpad.
The best value convertible Dell laptop
There’s no reason why you should have to shell out serious money for a convertible Dell laptop as the Inspiron 16 2-in-1 shows with its hybrid design and mid-range pricing.
The best compact Dell laptop
Dell might have shifted to the new 14- and 16-inch industry standards, but you can still buy the fantastic XPS 13 if you're looking for an ultra-compact ultrabook.
Best Dell laptop overall
The all-new Dell XPS 14 sees a massive shake-up in the hardware for the company’s compact laptop thanks to the utilization of Intel Meteor Lake silicon and a display that’s hard to beat for its size. Under the hood, you’ll find the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with a staggering 16-cores (22-threads) with a max boost clock of 4.8GHz for far stronger and more consistent performance than previously seen.
What’s more, the new Dell XPS 14 leads the charge with a staggering 3.2K OLED display which is among the best laptop screens that we’ve ever tested. This self-lit panel tech means you get deep inky blacks combined with bright and vivid colors which are far stronger than the usual IPS LCD that we typically see at this size. The screen is augmented by new up-firing speakers which provide loud and clear audio playback (far better than down-firing offerings).
✅ You want the best of Intel Meteor Lake right now: The improvements delivered by the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H cannot be understated and the powerful NPU should keep it nicely future-proofed.
✅ A strong battery life is a must: While Apple’s hardware has the XPS 14 beat in terms of longevity, there’s no faulting the 10 hours on a single charge, nor the fact that the battery takes just 30 minutes to juice back to 100%.
❌ Leading performance is essential: While the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is an excellent processor, it’s not quite the best you can slot into a laptop, and the same can be said of the RTX 4050 GPU for its price tag.
❌ You have limited funds: Even the Dell XPS 14’s base configuration doesn’t come cheap at $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,998.60. For the same money, you could get a mid-range gaming laptop with a more powerful GPU inside, or a respectably powerful Ultrabook from a competitor, but you’re missing out on the design prowess.
Everything about the design of the Dell XPS 14 screams premium, including its machined aluminum chassis (in platinum or graphite) which tapers off at the edges. While it’s not going to be for everyone, the touchbar row replacing the function keys, and invisible trackpad, also go a long way to separating this machine from your average run-of-the-mill Ultrabook.
The main star of the show with Dell’s latest flagship device is the performance though. That’s because the Core Ultra 7 155H does an incredible job of holding its own against Apple’s M3 chip found inside the latest MacBook Pros. The Intel CPU delivers solid gaming performance and fantastic productivity chops bolstered by the NPU on the chip. While the RTX 4050 is the weakest of Nvidia’s Lovelace line-up, it’s still powerful enough to provide a consistent gaming experience at 1080p resolution.
While the Dell XPS 14 may not have as good battery life as the aforementioned Apple laptop, it does offer up to 10 hours of longevity. For context, that’s a significant lead over the previous model’s average of about seven hours. Meteor Lake is far more efficient than Alder Lake and Raptor Lake, and it shows in spades here.
Just keep in mind that this laptop doesn’t come cheap even at its base configuration. The starting price for the new Dell XPS 14 is a hefty $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,998.60, although this can be maxed out to as much as $3,399 / £3,238.99 / AU$5,999.40 which nets you 64GB of RAM and a 4TB NVMe SSD onboard. Simply put, there’s no better Dell laptop on the market than this one in 2024.
Read our full Dell XPS 14 (2024) review
Best value Dell laptop
Our US computing editor, John Loeffler, was genuinely surprised by how much he enjoyed using the Dell 14 Plus when he reviewed it this year. While expected the 14 Plus to be a modest successor to the Dell Inspiron line, it exceeded his expectations in several key areas.
Priced from $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298, it offers configurations with either Intel Lunar Lake or AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB storage. This makes it a compelling option for students and everyday users seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank.
✅ You want great value for money: There are cheaper laptops out there, but none that deliver the same price-to-performance ratio as the Dell 14 Plus.
✅ You’re in the market for a super portable PC: With a super-lightweight build and slim, compact chassis, the Dell 14 Plus is about as portable as it gets for working on the go.
❌ You need a great display: If you work with image or video editing, investing in something with a higher-end screen is a must.
❌ You want to run demanding workloads: Although the Dell 14 Plus offers solid everyday performance for its price, it's not well suited for high-intensity tasks like gaming or 3D modeling.
The 14-inch display is OK, though its 300-nit brightness can be limiting in bright environments. Its battery life is impressive, reaching around 13.5 hours on a charge, which comfortably supports a full day of work.
However, John noted that the keyboard feels a bit stiff, the trackpad is average, and the speakers are underwhelming, as is its display. While it’s not suited for heavy gaming or professional creative tasks, it handles daily productivity tasks with ease. Overall, the Dell 14 Plus delivers excellent value and design for its class, just don't expect the world from it unless you invest in the higher-tier configurations.
Read our full Dell 14 Plus review
Best Dell laptop for creatives
The Dell XPS 17 (2024) might be the finest iteration of Dell's large-form-factor XPS laptop yet. Packing some mighty internal components including 14th-gen Intel CPUs with Intel's neural processing unit for AI workloads and up to a mighty Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card, this is a professional laptop that can handle just about anything you throw at it.
All that processing power is wrapped up in a stylish chassis with a beautiful UHD+ display and comfortable keyboard, with Dell's XPS line once again setting the standard for what a good work laptop should be. It powered through our benchmark suite when we reviewed it, and our only real point of criticism is that it lacks a 1080p webcam, opting for a slightly less sharp 720p one instead - well, that and the fact that the high-end configurations of this laptop get expensive rather quickly.
Read our full Dell XPS 17 (2024) review
The best Dell gaming laptop
Dell's Alienware range of gaming laptops is the most recent brand to release an 'AMD Advantage' edition exclusively packing AMD internal components, and it might just be the best one yet. The Radeon RX 6850M XT laptop GPU performs fantastically, offering top-notch gaming performance and a pricey but not unreasonable cost.
It won't melt your thighs either - unlike most gaming laptops, this Alienware model has a nifty cooling solution that really works, keeping your device from getting too toasty during long gaming binges (though the fans can get pretty noisy under heavy system loads).
It's worth noting that this configuration is only available in the US right now, although other models of the Alienware m17 R5 are available in different territories - we raved about the quality of the sturdy, RGB-equipped chassis and large, bright display in our review, so if you're looking for a high-end 17-inch gaming laptop, the m17 R5 is an excellent choice.
Read the full Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage review
Best 15-inch Dell laptop
While ultimately more of an iterative upgrade over its predecessor than a sweeping innovator, the Dell XPS 15 still does enough to justify its place on our list as the best 15-inch Dell laptop that money can buy. Our review here is of the 2023 model, which features either the 13th-gen Core i7 or i9 CPU depending on configuration, and that pairs beautifully with the Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card for some seriously powerful productivity potential. Despite being a couple of years old, it still holds up admirably - watch out for our upcoming review of the Dell 16 Premium that will replace this model.
Of course, pairing either a Core i7 or i9 CPU with an RTX 4070 GPU means that the Dell XPS 15 can also be considered quite the fearsome gaming laptop, made all the better by its OLED panel. With a 3.5K resolution, this laptop’s screen looks simply stunning whether you’re consuming media, engaging in some heavy productivity tasks or gaming (even if you’ll need to knock things down to 1440p resolution for the latter).
✅ You’re after an Ultrabook that can do it all: The Dell XPS 15 impresses with an excellent GPU for 1440p gaming and intense productivity combined with a powerful CPU to handle everything else, with a stunning OLED display on top.
✅ You want plenty of configuration options: You can choose between either a Full HD or 4K display here with a wide variety of storage options meaning you’ll only need to pay for the hardware you’ll actually use.
❌ You want the best value for money: The Dell XPS 15 justifies its price tag with its performance but there’s no getting over the fact that you’re paying a premium for that high-end brushed metal chassis and OLED display.
❌ You want a laptop that runs bleeding-edge hardware: While the RTX 4070 is a commendable GPU, it’s not the best you can find in a machine of this price range, as some RTX 4080 gaming laptops are available for a similar outlay, offering a bit more grunt.
In our testing, we found that the Dell XPS 15 delivered strong performance across the board both when gaming and when put under stress in our industry-standard benchmarks. That’s not too surprising given the Intel Raptor Lake CPU and mid-range Nvidia Lovelace GPU combo, but the slight stumbling block is performance could have been improved by including an RTX 4080 instead, which is common in this kind of price bracket. The RTX 4070 is a decent performer with its 8GB VRAM, but you may feel the pinch more compared to the RTX 4080’s 12GB of video RAM.
As for the battery life of the Dell XPS 15, it might be solid, but it’s unspectacular. Our testing revealed about eight hours of longevity when used for casual working tasks, but you’re going to see that time cut down dramatically to around an hour or two when doing something as intensive as gaming. Fortunately, the laptop charges up from flat in just under an hour, so you shouldn’t need to constantly sit within reach of an AC adapter with this notebook.
Read our full Dell XPS 15 (2023) review
Best Dell 2-in-1
Our US computing editor, John Loeffler, recently got to spend about two weeks with the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1, and while it’s not perfect, he found it a surprisingly solid value, especially for students.
At a starting price of $649.99 / £849 / AU$1,498.20, it’s one of the more affordable 2-in-1 options available. Performance-wise, it handled day-to-day tasks well, such as general productivity, web browsing, and video calls.
The Intel Core Ultra 256V configuration with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage that he tested has an impressive battery life, running over 15 hours on a single charge.
That said, he found that the display left a lot to be desired, especially for a 2-in-1. At just 300 nits of brightness with limited color coverage, it felt too dim and flat, especially since the obvious use case for a 2-in-1 is note-taking or drawing.
The overall design of the laptop is practical and clean, and while the keyboard and webcam are decent, the trackpad felt a bit sticky. Still, this machine offers real versatility at a price students and budget-conscious users will appreciate. If you can live with the display, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 delivers excellent value for everyday productivity and casual use.
Read our full Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 review
Best Dell laptop for business
Busy office workers looking for a flexible work laptop, look no further: Dell's enterprise-grade Latitude series has bowed out in favor of the new Dell Pro line, but they're still fantastic business laptops - exemplified by the excellent Dell Pro 14 Premium.
With a shiny new Intel Core Ultra vPro processor and up to 32GB of RAM, this machine is the perfect office workhorse - and with a rich set of security features (so much so that our reviewer noted they "may be overkill for non-business users") plus a nifty collaborative touchpad function, it's a versatile and effective laptop.
Oh, and the battery life? Almost 21 and a half hours in our video playback test - beating out the Dell Latitude laptop that previously occupied this slot. If you want a pro-grade laptop that can see you through a full workday and then some, this is the one to pick.
Read the full Dell Pro 14 Premium review
Best value convertible Dell laptop
It's a few years old now and certainly not the most exciting laptop Dell has ever put out, but if you're looking for a versatile hybrid touchscreen laptop for everyday work that won't cost the world, the Inspiron 16 2-in-1 is a great choice.
We say 'won't cost the world' - this device does still start at $1,000 (£780 / AU$1,600), which is a bit steep for the average 2-in-1 laptop, but this isn't the average 2-in-1: most hybrid laptops pack a 13- or 14-inch display, but this Inspiron's beefy UHD+ display is a whopping 16 inches, bigger than the majority of 2-in-1s around right now.
That means the Inspiron 16 fills a rather unique niche, but is arguably the very best at what it does. The only significant downside is the resultant increase in weight - and the lack of a garaged stylus, which would've been nice to see. If you want a powerful 2-in-1 but don't want to downsize, snap this up.
Read the full Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 review
Best compact Dell laptop
If you want something ultra-compact and portable, the Dell XPS 13 is the way to go. Although the XPS line has been seemingly retired by Dell, it still sells the 13-inch model, which I gave 4.5 stars to in my review thanks to its fantastically compact design and good all-rounder performance.
Despite being so thin and light (and boasting a gorgeous 3K OLED screen in some configurations), the XPS 13 also delivers absolutely incredible battery life that blows away the competition, almost reaching a full 24 hours in our video playback test. It's an easy recommendation - just bear in mind that you might want a USB hub, since the port selection here is decidedly limited.
Read the full Dell XPS 13 (2025) review
Dell's laptop name changes
As I've noted above, Dell has recently initiated a branding change for its laptops, meaning that the names of new products are breaking from convention. The first wave of these new laptops included the new Dell 14 Plus, found in the list above.
Essentially, Dell is doing away with the Inspiron and XPS brands - as well as the enterprise-grade Latitude and Precision ranges - and consolidating everything under its own name: Dell. So the Inspiron and Inspiron Plus simply become Dell and Dell Plus, while the XPS will be Dell Premium. Meanwhile, the enterprise brands will all fall under the new Dell Pro brand.
The number remains unchanged, still indicating the display size of the laptop - although notably, it looks like Dell is moving to follow the industry shift towards 14- and 16-inch laptops instead of 13- and 15-inch models.
Why was this change implemented? It's not entirely clear; the Inspiron and XPS brands were strong, recognizable laptop models. For Dell to throw away the strength of that branding seems unusual to me. But, then again, I'm not a marketing manager at Dell. In any case, be assured that we'll still only be featuring the very best models in this ranking of the best Dell laptops.
How to choose a Dell laptop
Choosing the best Dell laptop is easy if you've got plenty of funds to throw at it, but it becomes a lot harder if you're trying to purchase within a limited budget and want to know that you're getting the most bang for your buck.
Luckily, the current generation of Intel processors proves that we're currently in a golden age of CPUs that deliver excellent performance without costing the world - thanks for that, Intel. That means you can snap up a perfectly capable laptop without having to spend a ton of cash.
When looking at buying a new laptop, a budget should be the first thing you set. From there, it's all about deciding what features matter most to you: screen size is a good place to start, since everyone has their own preferences for how big a laptop should be.
Next, consider what you'll actually be using the laptop for. If it's just going to be for video meetings and answering emails, you can probably get away with lower specs - think an Intel Core i5 or Core Ultra 5 processor and a minimum of 8GB of RAM. If you're planning to play the best PC games on it, though, make sure you get something with at least 16GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card - not CPU-integrated graphics like Intel's Arc or Iris Xe offerings.
Keep battery life in mind, too - if you're going to be bereft of access to a wall outlet for long periods, you'll definitely want something with all-day battery longevity. Check out our reviews of the laptops above for a more detailed breakdown of how long a laptop can last on a single charge.
Lastly, be sure to think about how much storage space you'll need: if you plan to use cloud storage (like Google Drive) for your files, you probably won't need to splash out on a 1TB or larger drive for your laptop. In our experience, 512GB is plenty for most users - unless you're planning to install a bunch of games, in which case 1TB should be considered the minimum.
How TechRadar tests the best Dell laptops
TechRadar reviews laptops, including the best Dell laptops, on four different criteria: price, design, performance, and battery life. We make sure to use all laptops throughout the day so we get an accurate reading of how well it performs from the moment it comes out of the box to when its battery finally needs a recharge.
Price may not be an issue for everyone looking for a new laptop, but we make sure to note whether a laptop’s asking price is the going rate compared to the competition or if it’s a bit higher or lower. We also want to help you snag a deal on the newest tech, so we often include a price comparison tool as well.
Design is a crucial part of every laptop, and we don’t just mean how sleek or impressive it looks. We consider if there are enough ports for all your devices and the overall usability of each notebook. For example, if you type all day you wouldn’t want an uncomfortable keyboard - you’d want something that types efficiently and doesn’t hurt your wrist or fingers over time.
Performance and battery life go hand in hand when evaluating laptops, as some laptops are known to have their performance decrease as the battery drains. By running the best Dell laptops all day, we get an accurate feel for how the machine performs at every battery percentage while also making sure it’s got a long-lasting battery for all your computing tasks.
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