We put the best video editing Mac and MacBook laptops to the test - and after extensive review, these are our top picks, whether you're cutting a feature-length film or creating clips for online.
Apple's line-up of laptops and desktops have long been a favorite across the industry thanks to its speed, power, and those beautiful, unmistakeable designs. And in our experience, they absolutely excel at content creation. After reviewing the best video editing laptops, best MacBook and Macs, and the best MacBook Pro, we've rounded up all the top picks for video editing on a Mac.
For the best video editing MacBook overall, we recommend the MacBook Pro 14-inch - the ideal machine for most video editors and all sorts of projects. For the best video editing Mac, our top pick is the Apple iMac 24-inch. Both are kitted out with the impressive M4 chip and more than enough RAM to make editing videos seamless. Check out our full thoughts below, with other picks to suit every kind of project and budget.
Looking for the right app? We've also tested the best video editing software.
Update: After our last update added the M4 models for most Macs here, I've now included the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) and the powerful Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) with new reviews for both.
Best video editing Mac and MacBook: Quick list
Best video editing MacBook overall
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is our top pick for most people. Equipped with the M4 chip, this laptop is fast, portable, and beautifully designed.
Best video editing MacBook on a budget
Ultra-lightweight, slim, and affordable, the MacBook Air offers excellent performance in a cheap and compact package with the new model boasting an M4 chip.
Best video editing MacBook for professionals
If you want the fastest and the best, and you don't mind paying for it, then the M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro is a creator's dream.
Best video editing Mac
Arguably the best all-in-one desktop you can get, the iMac will breeze through most video editing projects - and does a lot more besides.
Best budget video editing Mac
The Mac mini, as the name suggests, is a space-saving desktop machine. Compact, it offers serious performance at an affordable price.
Best video editing Mac for professionals
If you need a machine for professional video editing, the Mac Studio is tailored to creators who demand workstation-level performance.
Best MacBook for video editing overall
✅ You need a versatile, portable powerhouse: Ideal for multitasking and resource-intensive workflows.
✅ You want a brilliant display for creative tasks: Perfect for photo editing, video work, and presentations.
✅ You value all-day battery life: Easily handles a full day of work or travel.
❌ You need a larger screen: The 14-inch size may feel limiting for detailed tasks.
❌ You’re on a tight budget: This is a premium-priced device.
❌ You require extensive ports: Limited connectivity might require additional dongles.
💻 The MacBook Pro M4 14-inch is a compact yet powerful laptop that excels in performance and display quality, making it perfect for professionals on the move.
The best MacBook for video editing, really, is any laptop with an M-series chip, which will breeze through everything from office apps to complex video editing. But our pick overall goes to the MacBook Pro 14-inch. This laptop boasts a beautiful display and the powerful M4 or M4 Pro processors easily handle editing videos at a professional level.
The design is classic Apple - you can spot a MacBook a mile away, and this version is no different. Almost identical to the previous edition, it's sleek, slim, silver or space grey, and stunning. Port selection is good by Apple standards, with three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, an HDMI port, and a slot for an SD memory card.
The performance proved excellent during our review process. The M4 and M4 Pro processors are even more efficient, offering superb performance and a battery that lasts around 18 hours in our battery life tests. We especially like the fact that, unlike other laptops, the MacBook Pro won't throttle performance when you're using the battery. For video editors on the go, this will be a lifesaver.
Yes, it's expensive - like all MacBook Pro laptops, this is an investment. Here, the crazy thing, though, is that there are still people who are running first-generation Apple Silicon MacBooks, especially the M1 Max chips, that have not noticed any slow-down or performance drop. So, really, the only reason to upgrade from any Apple Silicon to the M4 is if you want an even greater performance boost because there's a good chance you haven't noticed any slowing down yet, unlike what you probably would have experienced with a former intel chipset.
Read the full Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) review
Best video editing MacBook on a budget
✅ You prioritize portability: Lightweight and sleek, perfect for working on the go.
✅ You need long battery life: Easily lasts through a full day of work or study.
✅ You want excellent performance for everyday tasks: Perfect for emails, video calls, and light creative work.
❌ You need extreme performance: We clocked some stuttering when editing 4K at 120FPS.
❌ You prefer a larger screen: The 13.6-inch display might feel cramped for multitasking.
❌ You need multiple ports: Limited connectivity might require adapters or hubs.
💻 The MacBook Air M4 is an excellent choice for professionals and students seeking portability and dependable performance.
If you're looking for the cheapest MacBook for video editing, you can still pick up an M1 Pro or M1 Max MacBook Pro. They may be older models, usually refurbished, but they're still excellent machines for the price. Check our our Apple MacBook Pro 16-in (M1) review for more details.
But for the latest model, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is a great pick for those who prize portability, value for money, and what many consider Apple's best laptop (including our reviewer).
It's slim, lightweight, and perfectly designed for cutting content at home, in the studio, or on the go. During our own tests, we had no issues when editing four 4K 30fps streams simultaneously - however, we did see some playback stuttering when we tried to perform the same test with four 4K 120fps clips. So, it's not a rival to the MacBook Pro on that level, but it's also a lower price.
Performance elsewhere was just as good, with the machine capable of performing a full range of general tasks, like running office apps or browsing the web, and even gaming (up to a point, at least). And as with previous models, the battery life remains impressive, lasting 14 hours on a single charge, and charging to 50% in just 90 minutes.
For some editors, the screen may be small at 13.6in, but it's still stunning with its Liquid Retina display making it easy on the eyes when working long hours on post-production. For the price, it's hard to beat.
Read our full Apple MacBook Air (M4) review
See if you can save money with our Apple promo codes.
Best video editing MacBook for professionals
✅ You need high-end workstation-level performance: Handles demanding tasks like 3D rendering and 8K video editing.
✅ You want a large, vibrant display: The expansive screen is perfect for multitasking and creative work.
✅ You need extended battery life: Up to 22 hours of productivity.
❌ You prefer a lightweight laptop: The 16-inch model is less portable than smaller options.
❌ You’re on a budget: This is a premium investment.
❌ You don’t need extreme power: For simpler tasks, a MacBook Air or 14-inch Pro may suffice.
💻 The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) is the ultimate MacBook for video editing professionals who demand power, screen space, and exceptional battery life.
Looking for the absolute top MacBook Pro for editing your videos? Then the 16-inch M4 Pro-powered laptop gets our recommendation.
This machine, gorgeously designed as you'd expect, is a beast in the performance stakes. That M4 Pro chip proved highly impressive in our benchmark tests - quicker in every way to previous M-series processors. As a result, workflows became much faster. For example, when opening up and editing 4K videos in Adobe Premiere Pro, we found it remarkably fast, and when adding effects and using AI tools, these were displayed instantly. The laptop didn't even need to think about rendering the scenes.
It's super-expensive and it's probably overkill for most video editing projects. But if it's the best of the best you're after, this MacBook Pro offers top-dollar performance for a top-dollar price.
Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) review
Best video editing Mac overall
✅ You want an all-in-one solution: The iMac eliminates the need for additional peripherals.
✅ You value a vibrant display: Ideal for photo editing, video calls, and presentations.
✅ You prefer a clean workspace: Its compact design keeps desks clutter-free.
❌ You need portability: The iMac is a stationary device.
❌ You want upgradability: The iMac cannot be upgraded or modified.
❌ You’re on a tight budget: The iMac is more expensive than standalone desktops like the Mac Mini.
⌨️ The iMac (M4) is a stylish all-in-one desktop perfect for professionals seeking simplicity and visual excellence.
The Apple iMac 24-inch (M4) combines a sleek all-in-one design with a stunning 24-inch Retina display, making it ideal for creative studios or home and office workspaces.
The M4 chip provides excellent performance. In our experience, this remains one of the greatest all-in-one devices thanks to its raw power, sleek and iconic design, gorgeous display, and simplicity. It's a pane of glass on an aluminum stand, yet its capabilities are remarkable.
The iMac is one of our favorites for professionals who have a lot of virtual meetings, want to keep a clean desk, or need a desktop to keep in their office, and don't want to clutter things up with peripherals or monitors. It's also a top choice for video editors and creators thanks to the beautiful and crisp display with vibrant colors. The screen itself is a gorgeous 4.5K resolution, and also boasts P3 and True Tone technology for color-accurate edits and exports.
Apple takes the term AIO and truly makes a device that can stand on its own. You could grab just the iMac, utilize the mouse and keyboard that comes with it, and be set for any video project.
Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch (M4) review.
Best video editing Mac on a budget
✅ You need an affordable desktop solution: Ideal for small businesses or home offices.
✅ You want versatile connectivity: Perfect for integrating peripherals.
✅ You prefer a compact setup: Saves desk space without sacrificing performance.
❌ You need portability: The Mac Mini is designed for desk setups.
❌ You want an all-in-one solution: Requires separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
❌ You require extreme power: For heavy workloads, consider the Mac Studio.
⌨️ The Mac mini (M4) is a versatile and cost-effective desktop, perfect for small-scale professional use.
Now sporting the impressive M4 and M4 Pro chip, the Mac mini isn't just the best Mac for video editing for most users - it's one of the best desktops you can get. The design got a refresh and smaller dimensions but kept the same overall aesthetic, fitting between an Apple TV and a Mac Studio. It's small, stylish, and takes up very little space.
In our benchmark tests, the performance proved excellent. The Mac Mini, overall, was fast and efficient and even had no issue playing games. Few other desktop systems can touch it, let alone ones this small.
The price is less than half of a decent M4 MacBook Pro, making it a good alternative if you'd prefer a desktop over a laptop or if you want to save some money, if you're working primarily in one location, or if you already have all the peripherals you want.
Read our full Apple Mac mini (M4) review
Best video editing Mac for professionals
✅ You need extreme performance: Perfect for 3D rendering, video editing, and large-scale simulations.
✅ You want a compact desktop: Fits comfortably in any professional studio setup.
✅ You require versatile connectivity: Extensive ports ensure seamless integration.
❌ You’re on a tight budget: Considering the cost, it’s an investment for high-end users.
❌ You need portability: The Mac Studio is designed for stationary use.
❌ You prefer an all-in-one system: Requires additional peripherals like a monitor.
⌨️ The Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) is the ultimate desktop for professionals requiring unmatched power and versatility in a compact form factor.
While the Mac Pro is one of the best video editing workstations from Apple, for most professionals, the Apple Mac Studio will be more than sufficient for almost all post-production use.
The new model comes with either the M4 Max or M3 Ultra chip - both of which are suitable for pro-grade editing, with the latter being slightly more powerful (and more expensive). In terms of design, there's no real change to previous models, with the compact workstation measuring 3.7 x 7.7 x 7.7in, making it a good pick for just about any home or studio use.
During our own testing, we had no trouble using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit 4K footage, and could smoothly scrub through the timeline without the Mac Studio slowing down, stuttering, or otherwise disrupting our workflow. Similarly, we liked how speedy the internal SSD was, quickly loading and saving even complex video projects without fuss.
Specs-wise, it might be more Mac than many video editors need - we'd recommend opting for the M3 Ultra version if you're rendering 3D models or working on feature-length animation, while the M4 Max is, while powerful, better suited to more general professional-level video editing. Either way, this machine is adept at enhancing the editing process.
Read our full Apple Mac Studio review
Best video editing Mac and MacBook: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video editing software for Mac?
Adobe Premiere Pro is our top pick. Like the Apple Mac itself, the program set an industry-standard in the creative sector, packing a mighty range of Hollywood-grade tools for post-production work. Apple Final Cut Pro, meanwhile, is an excellent choice if you want to stay within the Apple ecosystem without compromising on pro features. We’ve outlined the major differences between the two in our comparison guide Adobe Premiere Pro vs Apple Final Cut Pro.
Modern Macs also come with the free Apple iMovie preinstalled. It’s nowhere near as powerful as many editors on the market, but it is free and easy to use, making it one of the best video editing software for beginners. If you’re wavering between the two Apple video editors, we’ve compared both in our guide iMovie vs Final Cut Pro.
For more options on mobile devices, we've tested and reviewed the best video editing apps.
What is the best free video editing software for Mac and MacBooks?
Apple iMovie is a great free program for editing videos on Mac and MacBook - for the simple reason that it comes pre-installed on most modern Apple devices. It's very simple to use, completely free, and works across almost every device.
For more options, see our review of the best free video editing software.
How to choose the best video editing Macs for you
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
When selecting the best video editing Mac or MacBook for video editing, there are a number of considerations before making an investment.
Desktop or laptop
Both Mac and MacBook devices excel at video editing, so consider how and where you'll work. You'll find a wide range of MacBook laptops, from the Pro line-up to the lightweight Air models. Apple's desktop range is more limited, but very powerful.
Specs
You can find older MacBooks running Intel processors - and if you're looking for a budget video editing Mac for basic projects, these will be fine. However, we recommend opting for an M-series chip - even an M1 processor will perform well, with the M4 line being the most powerful. If you're using the best 3D modeling software, best VFX software, or engage in 4K editing, and 360° video editing, choose a device with good graphics and plenty of RAM for a seamless experience.
Ports
Depending on what peripherals you intend to use, you'll want to check for port selection and connectivity. Slim laptops tend to have fewer ports, especially with Apple devices, so look out for options such as a HDMI for connecting a monitor. For more Apple extras, we've reviewed the best MacBook Pro accessories, alongside the best monitors for MacBook Pro, and the best monitors for Mac mini.
Beyond video editing
With the right specs, you'll also have no trouble running the best graphic design software or visual effects apps, which are performance-driven programs. For this reason, you see a lot of crossover between video editing Macs and the best laptops for graphic design and best laptops for photographers.
How we test the best video editing Macs
Our team of expert reviewers have tested out a massive range of creative hardware, including the best monitors for video editing, the best photo editing PC, and the best graphic design laptops. We take the same rigorous approach for all our hands-on reviews.
When it comes to testing the best video editing Macs, we're looking lots of different aspects. To start with, we examined their RAM, CPU, and GPU to get an idea of how well they could run heavyweight video editors like Adobe Premiere and other graphic editing and 3D rendering apps.
We evaluated the storage options available, and how swiftly the SSD loads the operating system and applications. We examined the portability and designs of the different Apple products to gauge what type of video editing user they'd be best suited for. We also considered the prices of the products and the colors they come in, among other things.
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