The best 13-inch laptop 2019: the top 13-inch laptops we've reviewed

In the market for the best 13-inch laptop your bank account can afford? Well, you’ve come to the right spot.

It’s not easy trying to get by without one of the best laptops these days, as they’re essential for so many reasons. There’s only one real reason, however, to go for one of the top 13-inch laptops: they’re just the perfect size. 15-inch laptops are too large, while anything less than 12-inches will have you squinting. 

The best 13-inch laptops, however, hit that sweet, space-saving spot. They’re ideal for getting your work done, as well as enjoying movies on Netflix at the end of the day.

Choosing one of the top 13-inch laptops for you will depend on your individual preference and needs. Do you want a simple and straightforward laptop, or are you partial to one with all the fancy bells and whistles? Do you need a 2-in-1 laptop that can turn into one of the best Windows tablets with just a flip of the display? Or do you want to skip Windows 10 entirely, and opt for one of the best Macs, backed up by macOS Mojave (or soon, macOS Catalina).

There are a few excellent 13-inch laptops to choose from. Whatever your needs are, you’ll find the ideal match on this list.

1. Huawei MateBook 13

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce MX150 (optional) | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD (2,560 x 1,440) | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

It’s not often that we find a 13-inch laptop that ticks all the right boxes, especially one that doesn’t compromise on anything. The Huawei MateBook 13 is one of those very few devices. Rocking the latest Intel Whiskey Lake processors and Nvidia MX150 graphics in a chassis that really should be too small to fit them all in, the Huawei MateBook 13 is a powerful machine that can easily slip into most backpacks or medium-sized tote bags. Even better for users who cannot afford to splurge, it’s budget-friendly. What more could you ask for?

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13  

2. Dell XPS 13

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i3 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

While its changes over last year’s model are subtle, there’s no doubt that the Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best 13-inch laptops money can buy. On the high end, the 4K display delivers a sharper picture across the board. Even if you can’t afford the highest end model, the dashing design, long battery life and SD card slot aren’t going anywhere. More importantly, you’ve got a quad-core processor regardless of configuration you end up with. The Dell XPS 13 is, without a doubt, one of the best 13-inch laptops right now.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

3. HP Spectre x360

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Nvidia GeForce MX150 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch full HD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) touchscreen | Storage: 256GB – 2TB PCIe SSD

One look at the HP Spectre x360, and you’ll be hard-pressed to argue that it’s one of the most beautiful laptops on the market today. That gem-cut build means it’ll get your work done in style. It’s not all skin-deep, however. This stunning 13-inch laptop is packed with the latest Intel hardware as well, so you know it can get your work done. And, if that’s not enough, it can also be flipped around into tablet mode. The HP Spectre x360 really is one of the best 13-inch laptops out there.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

4. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

While the 13-inch version isn’t the most powerful Surface Book 2 right now, it still makes for one of the best 13-inch laptops on the market. Whether you’re a professional or a creative or even a student, the Surface Book 2 will handle your daily workload effortlessly and in style. What’s more, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is much improved this time around, complementing the robust quad-core processor. And, unlike many other 2-in-1 laptops, the keyboard is removable to make it much more manageable, as well as thinner, when in tablet mode.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2

5. Razer Blade Stealth

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce MX150 (optional) | RAM: 8-16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD - 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) touchscreen | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

You may be expecting a gaming laptop, especially given Razer’s reputation. But in reality, the Razer Blade Stealth just happens to be one of the best 13-inch laptops to buy today. It’s thin, light, and packed with the latest Ultrabook-class internals – including dedicated MX150 graphics, which means you can play your favorite titles on the go. The 8th-generation Intel Whiskey Lake Processor makes this laptop a force to be reckoned with. Of course, that comes at a cost. However, the sheer style and build quality might be worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth 

6. Asus ZenBook 13

CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U | Graphics: Intel UHD 620; Nvidia GeForce MX150 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) wide view touch display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

If you’re looking for a speedy and svelte 13-inch laptop to schlep around with you – and you don’t mind sacrificing some premium features, then you’ll love the Asus ZenBook 13. Coming in at just half an inch thick and weighing only 2.5 pounds, this is the ideal laptop for traveling. But, don’t think you have to compromise on power with all this portability. The Asus ZenBook 13 boasts quad-core Intel chips, 8GB of RAM and up to 1TB SSD. Its combination of power, portability and pretty easily makes it one of the best Asus laptops around. The only thing you’re missing here is a USB-C port, but it’s easy to overlook, especially on a laptop as stylish as this.  

Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 13 

7. HP Envy x360 13 (2019)

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3300U – AMD Ryzen 7 3700U | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 6 – Radeon Vega 10 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 256 GB – 1TB SSD

Thanks to its sleek 13-inch design, this 2-in-1 is slimmer that you would have expected, which works in your favor when using it in tablet mode. There are other compelling reasons why you must consider the HP Envy x360 (2019) when sorting through the best 13-inch laptops on the market. This one boasts a premium build, 9 hours of video playback and a performance that will get you through most of your schoolwork and project, all without burning a hole in your pocket.

Read the full review: HP Envy x360 (2019)

8. Surface Laptop 2

CPU: 8th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense display | Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD

The early Surface Laptop had our vote for one of the best 13-inch laptops, due to its stunning screen, competent internals and solid build quality. We are, therefore, happy to find its sequel, the Surface Laptop 2, doing everything better and taking some features to a new level. You won’t find any drastic changes, but the faster 8th-generation CPUs, 8GB of RAM and, most importantly, the removal of Windows 10 S all add up to making the Surface Laptop 2 one of the best 13-inch laptops right now.

Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2

9. Lenovo Yoga C930

CPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: Up to 16 GB | Screen: 13.9-inch UHD (3840 x 2160) - 13.9-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Glossy Multi-touch with Dolby Vision | Storage: Up to 2 TB PCIe SSD

While slightly bigger than your usual 13-inch laptop, this nearly 14-inch 2-in-1 challenger has a few aces up its sleeve – including longevity, power and durability. This means that the latest Lenovo Yoga C930 will last users long enough to get through their day-to-day workload and some entertainment at the end of each day. To round it all out, this device also has a nice display with deep colors, a solid keyboard and a decent trackpad. It may not have the best graphics performance, but it definitely more than makes up for that, making it one of the best 13-inch laptops 2019 has to offer.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930

10. MacBook Pro (13-inch; mid-2018)

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 - i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 - 655 | RAM: 8GB - 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina display | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

The MacBook Pro 2018 feels like the final form of Apple’s pro series laptop since its 2016 redesign. It still boasts that thin and light design, while also bringing a wealth of improvements both to the hardware within and the Butterfly keyboard outside to make it quieter and more reliable. With this redesigned keyboard, you don’t have to worry about it breaking all because a piece of dust appeared under the spacebar. If you need an ultra-portable workhorse running macOS Mojave and can justify the cost, the 2018 MacBook Pro won’t let you down.

Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid-2018) 

Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article

• Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptop 2019