The nine best Windows laptops in 2022: Options for all budgets

There are thousands of models of Windows laptops to choose from. Trying to make sense of which are the best laptops and which are to be avoided can take hours of research. Some are made for productivity, others are designed for gaming, and there are lines specifically for customers who are minding their budget. The best Windows laptops offer a combination of all of these specialties. So, which is the best one for you?

When you’re choosing a Windows laptop you’ll likely spend hundreds of hours on; there are many things to balance. Finding something that will fit your budget but also meet your needs is the hardest step for most people. The best laptops aren’t cheap, but they don’t have to be the most expensive either.

The best way to find the laptop for you is to narrow down the most important aspects of its design. Do you care more about portability, productivity, gaming, or price? Is screen size and resolution vital to you? These are all things to consider when choosing a Windows laptop. You may also consider what kind of keyboard is built into your new computer. And what kind of hinge or lid materials are you more interested in? Also are you looking for premium or interested in the best laptop deals?

Today’s best deals you can get now on a Windows laptop:

• Save 18% on an HP Pavilion 15 Laptop and get it for just $772.99
• The ASUS ZenBook 13 OLED laptop is down over $150 at Amazon
• The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro has a huge $250 discount today
• Get 11% off an MSI Modern 14 Professional Laptop if you hurry now

If you’re ready to upgrade your Windows laptop or need a reliable on-the-go rig, we’ve got your back. Check out our top picks for the best Windows laptops of 2022.

Best overall Windows laptop: Dell XPS 13 Plus

Why we picked it

The XPS line of Dell ultrabooks is well-known to be some of the best Windows laptops out there. This is our favorite because it took what was already a great computer and made it more modern. You can configure this in many different ways, even with an OLED touch display that we loved. It offers a great design and, even though it only has two ports, it does come with accessories like a USB-C to USB-A adapter and a USB-C to headphone jack adapter to help make your life easier.

It only weighs 2.71 pounds, making it incredibly portable. This features an updated keyboard and trackpad from other XPS models. It is one of the top-performing laptops, thanks to either the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor that you choose. It comes with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM, depending on what you need.

What to note about it

This could use longer battery life, but it comes with Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. You’ll also be impressed with the fingerprint reader added for security purposes. There’s so much this laptop can do and it’s one of today’s best deals out there.

Best big screen Windows laptop: Dell XPS 17 9710

Why we picked it

The XPS 17 9710 is Dell’s top-of-the-line laptop for content creators. It’s been updated for 2021 with Intel’s 11th Generation Tiger Lake processors and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs. At $1,549 starting price, it might seem a little pricey, but it’s well worth the investment. While there was an update in 2022, we still prefer the 2021 model. This machine is packed with power. It features a Core i7-11800H CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 graphics chip (or optional RTX 3060). It strikes a great balance between performance and energy savings. Plus, its modern chassis and gorgeous 4K display make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for the best laptop.

Regrettably, the XPS 17 lacks when it comes to portability. It’s not overly heavy, but a 17-inch screen might make it unwieldy for some. This is more of a desktop replacement, not something to take with you on a trip. Because it has that big screen, battery life is average as well. Also, the AC adapter for this laptop looks like it connects via regular USB-C. However, it’s actually a semi-proprietary charger. It supplies more power than a standard USB-C can. So, you can charge it with any USB-C adapter. But, don’t expect it to charge quickly or charge while using it without using the included adapter.

What to note about it

This is more of a jack-of-all-trades device. It does everything a person could want out of a PC well without being the best in any one category. Those that want all the features and performance of the XPS 17 in a slightly smaller package can check out the XPS 15.

Best Windows laptop for gamers: Razer Blade 15 Advanced Gaming Laptop 2021

Why we picked it

The Razer Blade 15 Advanced is the best laptop for gamers who need a powerful machine that they can take with them on the go. Its thin and light design makes it easy to carry around, while its powerful GeForce RTX 3070 graphics processor ensures that you’ll be able to play even the most demanding games. This boasts an Intel 8-core i7 processor and a 15.6″ display that gives you a ton to look at. That makes this a powerful gaming laptop. So whether you’re playing games or doing work, this laptop can handle it all.

While its compact size may affect performance, the Razer Blade 14 is the perfect laptop for gamers who want a powerful machine that doesn’t look like a traditional gaming laptop. The sleek, all-black design is complemented by the Razer logo backlight, which gives it a bit of understated flair. It learned from the previous models’ difficiencies and has innovative cooling to help the heat dissipation. The 1TB of SSD is a top option and you can customize this in multiple ways.

What to note about it

However, like most gaming laptops, don’t expect it to last long on battery under load. It does only feature a 1080p resolution with refresh rate support up to 360Hz.

Best Windows ultrabook: Dell XPS 13 (9310)

Why we picked it

If you’re looking for a super thin-and-light laptop that you can take on the road and complete most productivity tasks with, the Dell XPS 13 (9310) is the laptop to get. It offers a razer-thin design, along with a stunning OLED display (if you buy that upgrade), and more than enough performance chops for most.

The base model doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles as some of the others, but it’s still pretty solid. On it, you’ll get an 11th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 4K 13.4-inch display. It can be upgraded, however, to an Intel Core i7 chip, with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 3.5K OLED display. Of course, you’ll pay a pretty penny to get those upgrades — but at least they’re available.

What to note about it

So what are the downsides to this laptop? Well, the added features and different configurations can get a little pricey. Also, the webcam isn’t that great, and the OLED display can shorten the battery life. Still, no matter what configuration you get, you’ll love the Dell XPS 13.

Best Windows 2-in-1: HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T

Why we picked it

If you’re looking for a laptop that you use like a tablet, then the HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T is probably the way to go. Using the device in tablet mode isn’t necessarily as easy or intuitive as something like an iPad, but for occasional tablet use, it will absolutely get the job done.

Despite being more versatile than many other laptops, the HP Spectre x360 14T is still as powerful and as impressive. This particular model of the laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, coupled with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. That is easily powerful enough for all productivity-type tasks. It’s not a gaming or video editing machine, but most users won’t need that anyway. It also has a fingerprint sensor for security.

The display on the HP Spectre x360 14t looks great too. The base configuration is a standard 13.5 1920 x 1280 display, but you can upgrade it to offer a 13.5 3000 x 2000 OLED display.

What to note about it

The only downsides? The device is expensive, especially if you upgrade away from the base model.

Best budget Windows laptop: ASUS ZenBook 13

Why we picked it

The Asus ZenBook 13 was completely redesigned in 2021 and comes with the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and a full HD OLED panel for stunning visuals. Plus, the Radeon graphics give you good (not great) performance and vibrant colors. However, the lack of Thunderbolt 4 support and headphone jack means it’s not quite perfect.

You might think that the Asus ZenBook 13 is a bit pricey for a “budget” laptop at $899.99, but that’s a bargain for what you get. An OLED display is unheard of for laptops in this price range, and its i7-1165G7 is very competitive. The battery test passes with flying colors. Sadly, there is a significant drawback to this laptop.

What to note about it

The ZenBook 13 only comes with 8 GB of RAM at the base price point. This wouldn’t be a big deal if you could expand it later. But, the memory is soldered to the motherboard, and there is no slot for an extra stick. We consider 8 GB to be the absolute bare minimum RAM a laptop should have, and you’ll notice some sluggishness outside of basic tasks. However, every budget laptop makes some sort of compromise, so those wanting to get one cheap should be prepared to be disappointed in some aspect.

More Windows laptops to consider

If you have liked the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro previously, it may be hard to consider a Windows laptop. Offering flexibility is great and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is brand new this year. It features an incredibly long battery life, a 13.5″ touchscreen, and studio mics for video calls. You can snag this Microsoft Surface Laptop for under $1,000.

For a better budget laptop with a big screen, the ASUS Vivobook Laptop offers an HD display. There are so many configurations that it can be whatever you want it to be. The 17.3″ HD+ screen with an LED backlight display gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It’s only $559.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offered a new model in 2022. Boasting Windows 11 Home and Intel Iris Xe graphics, it’s efficient and the picture is vivid. It’s easy to use and offers a ton of connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.0. With a speedy performance, and the fact that it’s just over $750, it can’t be beat.

If you want to be able to utilize Amazon Alexa with your laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 is a top option. Utilizing an AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor has this able to surf the web with ease and handle a bunch of programs at once. With Purified Voice technology, it will help you take work calls from home. This is an incredibly affordable laptop.

More laptops coverage: the best laptops in 2022: 12 best laptops for all budgets