Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: which is the king of laptops?

With some of the best laptops of 2025 hitting the scene recently, it can be hard to determine which one is right for you. With Dell releasing a new and improved iteration of its powerful Dell XPS 13 as well as Apple fighting for the laptop crown with its M4 Macbook Air 13-inch, which one is the better device?

We’re pitting the 2025 editions of both devices against each other, being sure to consider a wide range of comparisons and use cases. From price to performance, from design to display, we’re covering it all.

Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Price

While both of these laptops are seemingly hitting the same nail when it comes to target audience based on specifications and design, the Macbook Air is a fair bit cheaper than the Dell XPS 13. With a starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, this is much more affordable than Dell’s asking price of $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,198.80, particularly in regions outside of the US.

It’s worth noting that these prices are for the lowest specification of each model with the Dell XPS 13 - our current top pick of the best Dell laptops - going up to a whopping $2,349.99 / £2,634 / AU$4,899.40 while Apple’s effectively maxes out at $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,399 for relatively similar specifications.

• Winner: MacBook Air

Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Design

As expected from two of the best laptops, both of these devices are absolutely stunning. The Dell XPS 13 comes packed into a lightweight, ultrathin chassis that looks fantastic and makes it simple to take absolutely anywhere with you without having to worry about your shoulders slowly starting to collapse under the weight of your laptop.

In our review, we found that the keyboard felt great to type on, though one downside is that the touchpad is ‘invisible’ - this poses an issue with accessibility as you can’t feel the difference between the palm rest and the actual touchpad. There is also a lack of ports on this laptop, with only 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports - you’ll likely be relying on Bluetooth for peripherals with this device.

In comparison, the Macbook Air also comes with a sleek and superb chassis which again looks breathtaking. It’s super light, weighing almost exactly the same as the XPS 13, making it a great option to pop in your backpack and take on the go with you. The Macbook Air is actually thinner than the Dell XPS 13, measuring in at 1.13cm to Dell’s 1.48cm - and while this sounds marginal, it's enough to notice the difference.

While testing, we found that the keyboard was amazing to type on with great travel and response for a device so thin. The Macbook Air poses a similar issue when it comes to lack of ports, with only 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 for charging. However, one point that ensures the Macbook Air wins this round is that you don’t have to lock off an entire Thunderbolt port for charging.

• Winner: Macbook Air

Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Performance and display

When using the Dell XPS 13, we were absolutely blown away, with it posing not a single issue during its entire testing period. It was fine for real-world usage, easily coping with the countless Chrome tabs we might have needed, and also held up exceptionally when being put through its paces during our benchmarking process. While the fans started whining during the 3DMark benchmarks, this is to be expected, and it remained silent during all other usage.

The screen on the Dell XPS 13 is the real 'wow factor' for this laptop. You get a top-spec 3K (2880 x 1800) InfinityEdge OLED touch display which provides excellent picture quality and color range. Even when benchmarking, which results in some choppier frames, it still looked fantastic.

Similarly, the Macbook Air performed exceptionally well, from everyday productivity usage right down to intensive benchmarking. No matter what we threw at the system, it ran smoothly and with ease even down to playing AAA titles - something which would have been unimaginable on a Macbook even just a couple of years ago. Performance-wise, the base configuration edges out Dell's laptop thanks to its superior iGPU, but it's a close fight.

The Macbook Air display features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina panel (Apple's signature display type, found on most of the best MacBooks and Macs) with 2560 x 1664 resolution and 500 nits of sustained brightness. It is brilliant for everything from gaming, down to content creation or even watching movies but the XPS 13's OLED panel is certainly the better screen, so this one ends up coming out as a draw.

• Winner: Tie

Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Battery life

While both devices deliver great battery life, one is just that much more exceptional. The Dell XPS 13 comes with a promise of 24-hour battery life and in our review we found that it delivered just that, giving us 23 hours and 26 mins of usage in our TechRadar movie test. This laptop will easily see you through a full workday and then some, and also charges super fast going from empty to 80% in an hour while not being used.

On the other hand, the Macbook Air claims up to 18 hours of battery life and delivered just under 15 hours in our active benchmarking. While in theory this sounds dwarfed when compared to the Dell XPS 13, it’s still pretty amazing. Again, this device will easily last you a full workday and then some, but it just doesn’t quite live up to the competition here. Another downside is that this device doesn’t charge as quickly either, taking 90 mins to reach 50% charge.

• Winner: Dell XPS 13

Which one should you buy?

Although the MacBook Air technically won more categories, it’s hard to determine a clear overall winner when it comes to these devices. While the Dell XPS 13 takes home the crown when it comes to battery life and display quality, the Macbook Air does come in at a significantly lower price point and also boasts more ports and a thinner design.

While both of these laptops are absolutely fantastic options for those looking for a new device whether it be for work or pleasure, which one you pick up will be based on your needs and how much you’re willing to spend. If you prefer Windows and want something that will last you days without needing a charge, then the Dell XPS 13 is likely the one for you. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to save some money where you can but still need a high-end device, then the Macbook Air will probably suit you better.