The industry might be gradually shifting towards 14- and 16-inch devices, but the best 13-inch laptops are still going strong - offering the perfect balance between performance and portability. Despite their compact form factor, these laptops don't sacrifice power, leveraging the latest internal components to provide
We've tested quite literally hundreds of 13-inch laptops over the years here at TechRadar, with our computer hardware experts rigorously testing every single one to see what they're really capable of. We've gathered together the cream of the crop here for you to peruse, featuring excellent laptops like the M3 MacBook Air 13-inch and the Dell XPS 13 Plus, both of which stand among the best laptops on the market regardless of screen size.
Whether it is a student laptop you need or the best business notebook, you'll find the best 13-inch laptop for you here. Don’t forget to take a look at our included price comparison tool to find the best laptop deals right now.
The best 13-inch laptops
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The MacBook Air was already one of the best laptops in the world, and its recent specs bump thanks to Apple's new M3 chip only made it better. Not only that, but it does away with the price hike seen with the M2 model, and offers a greater generational performance leap from M2 compared to the M1-M2 transition.
The base specifications are a little lackluster (256GB of storage doesn't cut it these days, Apple), but if you're willing to shell out a little more to upgrade to the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model or better, you're getting an incredible laptop with a stylish and lightweight chassis.
Of course, the signature fanless design of the MacBook Air returns, meaning this laptop chewed through our review testing process in total silence, and thanks to the M3's excellent thermal efficiency the Air didn't even get that warm when we tried playing games on it - something this MacBook can actually do now! The trademark Liquid Retina display looks fantastic too, whether you're gaming, watching videos, or even just browsing the web. This is basically the best 13-inch laptop money can buy right now - so unless you're a strict Windows user, snap this MacBook up.
Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review
Now onto its fourth generation, HP's Dragonfly G-series ultrabooks are lean, mean productivity machines. Geared towards busy office professionals who need a speedy laptop that's easy to take on a long commute, the Dragonfly G4 is simply one of the best laptops HP has ever made - boasting a 13th-gen Intel CPU and a gorgeous WLED display.
Unlike many compact laptops (looking at you, Apple), the HP Dragonfly G4 doesn't skimp on ports either, offering two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one USB-A, a headphone jack, and HDMI for easily connecting a second monitor or TV without the need for a Thunderbolt adapter. With stellar overall performance in Windows and a starting weight of less than a kilogram, this is a serious businessperson's laptop - just bear in mind that it comes with an appropriately steep price tag.
Read our full HP Dragonfly G4 review
Asus has set a new standard for compact ultrabooks: one that's not only powerful and effective as a laptop, but also good for the planet. The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED is constructed and packaged using recycled (and also recyclable) materials, meaning you don't have to feel guilty about e-waste with this laptop.
It's also just a generally strong Windows ultrabook, packing a 13th-gen Intel Core 17 CPU and an excellent 2.8K OLED display. In our review, we praised the speedy performance, incredibly thin chassis, and comfortable keyboard. It also offers a wider selection of physical ports than many of the laptops on this list, and even brings some highly competitive battery life to the table, able to go 12 to 14 hours between charges.
Read our full Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) review
Since the launch of its M3 sibling (seen in the current top spot of this guide!), the 2022 MacBook Air has become a bit cheaper - but it's still a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a macOS device at a slightly lower price, since it's cheaper than the M3 model and is now often seen on sale. Despite this, it's still plenty powerful, even delivering on par single-core performance with the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) during our benchmark tests.
We found its performance was exceptional throughout testing, tackling 4K video editing and music production workflows fast and in silence (thanks to its fanless design). Meanwhile, its battery life received a 5-hour uptick, giving it 16 hours of use on a single charge, while its screen is bigger and its design is better.
We may not have gotten those full colors that the iMac 24-inch is sporting, but you’re getting a far more modern design here. It’s even thinner and smaller while offering a bigger screen size.
Read our full MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro may not be reinventing the wheel but that’s okay. It’s a great, if somewhat unexciting, 13-inch portable that rivals the MacBook in a lot of ways. It’s not only very light and provides great day-to-day performance, but also has the kind of battery life most other laptops aspire to, making this the ideal laptop to take on the road. On top of that, it’s a fully featured machine that integrates well with Samsung devices, such as the company’s smartphones for an Apple-like ecosystem.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book Pro review
HP might have shifted its Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop range up to 14-inch configurations as of this year, but the 13-inch model is still available and, quite frankly, still rules. A gorgeously compact device with a sleek finish and bright OLED panel, this Spectre can easily pull double duty as an office laptop and a tablet, perfect for those who like watching films or making digital art in their off time with the included smart stylus.
The 2022 release date means this model only has a 12th-gen Intel processor, but thankfully the 12th generation is when Intel introduced its split-core design, providing a massive boost in performance and power efficiency - the gap between 11 and 12 is far wider than that between 12 and 13, so don't panic. The only real downside here is the price - this is a decidedly premium laptop, and with an OLED display, the higher-spec configurations get pricey very fast, so bear that in mind.
Read our full HP Spectre x360 (2022) review
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MSI has long been an underdog in the premium laptop market, but the Prestige 13 Evo is a venerable effort from the Taiwanese manufacturer to steal the ultrabook crown. With a stylish aesthetic and an ultra-thin design, this is a laptop that looks like it means business.
Thanks to some useful security features - including a physical webcam privacy shutter, facial recognition IR camera, and a fingerprint scanner - it also actually does mean business. With an Intel Core i7 CPU and up to 32GB of RAM, it can power through daily office tasks with ease, and the 1080p webcam and high-performance microphone array make it great for video meetings. The only place the MSI Prestige 13 Evo really falls down is the screen: it's fine, but at this sort of premium price point, it would've been nice to see a higher resolution or an OLED panel.
Read our full MSI Prestige 13 Evo review
It's hard to fault the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) despite the fact it hasn't arrived with any new design updates. After all, the M1 version was already pretty impressive, and this M2-powered model kicks things up a notch with more power and longer battery life.
So, while this model looks pretty much like its predecessor, it's a much better choice if you want the most powerful 13-inch MacBook. Our testing shows that it's achieved better performance in both single and multi-core CPU tests, making it a much more capable multitasking machine than the M1 model or the competing Surface Laptop 4. It also lasted almost two hours longer than the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch in our battery life test. This is right for you if you're looking for the best 13-inch laptop that lasts longer and juggles different apps without breaking a sweat.
Read our full MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) review
At this point, we doubt that the Dell XPS line can do anything wrong. Its yearly updates have consistently made it to our best laptops list, and they’re only getting better. The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a step forward for Dell's flagship product, seeking to deliver a slightly more premium level of performance while still retaining that ultra-compact chassis.
It's a frankly gorgeous laptop to look at, from the super-vivid OLED display to the minimalist keyboard and touchpad. Thanks to an Intel Core i7-1360P processor, it chews through daily workloads like it's nothing and we noted in our review that it felt great to use. The only real downside here is the limited port selection (just two Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB-Cs) but the same can be said of several laptops on this list, and it comes with USB-A and 3.5mm jack adapters in the box, which is a relief.
Read our full Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) review
Two 13-inch screens still count as a 13-inch laptop, right? Yes, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i features not one but two gorgeously vibrant 2.8K OLED touch displays, making it an absolute demon for multitasking. Add in a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU and a 1TB SSD, and you've got a seriously high-end laptop that's sure to turn heads with its unique design.
Lenovo has positively crammed the Yoga Book 9i with additional features, too. The magnetic folio keyboard doubles as a kickstand, allowing for several different modes, and it also comes with a smart pen that works wonderfully on the twin touchscreens. The built-in IR camera lets you log in with just a smile thanks to Windows Hello, and in our review, we even found that despite the two displays, it boasts all-day battery life too!
Read our full Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review
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