Today's top-of-the-line lightweight laptops offer an excellent blend of mobility and computing power, so you don't necessarily need a big, bad laptop. Thanks to major advances in battery technology in recent years, you can often go an entire day without a readily available power source while traveling, commuting, or simply working remotely. But because most smaller laptops can't quite fit dedicated graphics chips, these thin and light clamshells undoubtedly won't be able to offer the same graphical performance as their bigger, heavier brethren.
We are here to help you find the ideal lightweight laptop for your needs, as this specific category of laptops has expanded rapidly. From ultrabooks-defined as laptops with an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 CPU, an SSD, and a maximum thickness of 1.5 cm-to non-ultrabooks-that still pack a punch for their size, we have it all.
We've considered price and design as well as performance, and offer a variety of price points to suit everyone from the budget-conscious student to the hybrid worker.
Dell Precision 5480
What sets the Dell Precision 5480 apart from the competition is that it's their smallest mobile workstation. For me, it's one of the best solutions for taking pro-level performance on the road, as it combines excellent build quality, incredible performance and long battery life in a slim 14-inch design.
Of course, there are things to consider. Less power than other larger models is a trade-off for portability, so those looking to run the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications may need to look elsewhere. However, considering what this little machine can do and how long it can do it in a single session, it is one of the best mobile workstations out there.
LG Gram 17 (2022)
The LG Gram 17 (2022) is the largest of LG's latest line of ultra-thin laptops. It is an improved model of the LG Gram 17, which we reviewed favorably in 2019 for its exceptional performance in creative applications and incredibly thin and light design.
The LG Gram 17 is an excellent option for creatives of all stripes, including writers, digital artists, and music producers, thanks to its spacious 17-inch display and 16:9 aspect ratio. When you don't need to browse as much, this larger screen laptop is easier to use and weighs a little less (1.34kg) than some of the other laptops on our list, but it also makes for a less cumbersome experience.
In terms of specs, it's also a pretty competent laptop, which makes sense given the somewhat high price tag. The battery life is also quite good.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
We think the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is the best lightweight laptop for business because of its excellent performance and long battery life. At just 1.2 kg, this laptop is one of the lightest on our list, yet it still has room for a 14-inch screen, a 13th-generation Intel Core CPU and up to 32 GB of RAM.
It also has some excellent built-in security protections, making it a fantastic option for mobile business users. However, it only has integrated graphics, so you may want to look elsewhere if you need to do graphics-intensive tasks such as animation or 3D rendering.
Asus ROG Flow Z13
Okay, so we're cheating a bit by including the Asus ROG Flow Z13. Including the keyboard folio increases the weight from just 1.2kg to 1.53kg. So it's not nearly as portable and light as some of the other items on this list.
Still, it's a great piece of mobile gaming gear. Despite its light weight, it is one of the largest gaming notebooks we have ever tested.
However, its performance is slightly inferior to some of its competitors. Asus is pushing the boundaries of the 2-in-1 form factor in gaming with the ROG Flow Z13. It's really well built, and we were pleased with the quality during testing, even if we did wish it was a little more ergonomic.
HP Elite Dragonfly G4
The lightest laptop on our list is the HP Dragonfly G4, which weighs just 990g and has an impressive array of features and specifications. We also like this laptop for commercial use. It's very customizable in other areas, but again, it lacks the specific graphics you need for creative work.
This laptop can do a lot and last a long time thanks to its 2-in-1 form factor, which includes a 3K touch display option, powerful 13th generation Intel Core chips and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Our sister site Techradar tested the laptop's battery life and got almost 11.5 hours of video playback.
Lenovo Tab P12
If you're looking for something really light and cheap, the Lenovo Tab P12 is a fantastic option. It's much less expensive than other laptops because it runs Android instead of Microsoft Windows and has an optional detachable keyboard that makes it more portable.
It also has a sizable 10,200mAh battery that can power the device for many days with moderate use and easily last all day. You won't even need to pack a charger if you're going away for a few days.
However, there are certain unavoidable drawbacks to any kind of gadget. Compared to a real laptop, the keyboard is smaller and less comfortable. Of course, you cannot run old Windows software on an Android smartphone. But that doesn't really matter when most of your work is browser-based. And the Android platform has no shortage of applications. This is a fantastic little ultra-portable device for the money.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315)
If you are looking for a powerful all-around laptop that is portable and powerful, you should definitely consider the Dell XPS 13 9315. It's perfect for business executives, creative professionals and students alike because it's light, thin and powerful enough to handle most tasks.
For people who cannot decide between a tablet and a regular laptop, this device is perfect. The amazing 13-inch touchscreen panel slides out to reveal tablet mode when you want to use it without the keyboard. It is great for taking notes and doing digital art or graphic design because it also has a stylus.
Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
Building on many of the features we love about the M2, 2022, the Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) is an incredibly thin and light laptop available in 13- or 15-inch sizes, depending on your preference.
It is faster and performs brilliantly on almost any task thanks to the ingenious Dynamic Caching technology. Given the current state of Apple's silicon, we're not shocked, but it's still miles ahead of what many thin and light laptops can offer.
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) has the best battery life - it easily lasted 15 hours in our tests, while Apple says it can last up to 18 hours. So you won't have to worry about plugging in for power as you work all day.
If you already own an M2, there's no need to upgrade to an M3, as the price difference - which is a pretty significant jump - between the two models isn't really worth it. However, if your existing MacBook Air is an M1 or earlier model, the M3 is your best option for a laptop that will last into the future. If the M3 is out of your price range, it's worth looking at the M1 and M2.
ASUS Zenbook S13 OLED
Our top pick for the best thin laptop of the year is the ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED. Not only is it one of the lightest and thinnest computers I've ever used, but its performance is truly outstanding. Similar in weight and size to competitors like the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air, it is a pleasure to work on and look at thanks to its incredibly crisp 2.8K screen.
Because of its extreme thinness, bigger bricks are still a better option for tasks like video editing and 3D work, but for mobility and overall performance, the Zenbook S 13 OLED is now the best option available.
You may want to read the detailed review of Asus ZenBook S13 OLED.
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