The best MacBooks you can get in 2025: Should you buy an Air or...

Best MacBooks 2025: The M4 Air takes the top spot

Overview

Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.

We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.

Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. We were excited to see that the latest M4 MacBook Air starts at a relatively budget-friendly $999. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale if you shop third-party retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams.

Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs. Air

With today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?

If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.

Apple M4 MacBook Air on a tabletop

Testing the all-rounder M4 MacBook Air. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Apple M4 MacBook Pro on a tabletop

Testing the super-powered M4 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M4 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.

What is the best MacBook?

After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2025. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best.

Our Pick

Photo of the M4 MacBook Air on a table

The Good & The Bad

The M4 chip is fast and powerful
Runs very quietly
Better FaceTime camera
More affordable than ever before

Refresh rate is capped at 60Hz
Runs a bit hot when performing heavier tasks

Our review

Read our full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M4).

Who it's for

Apple's latest MacBook isn't the biggest upgrade over the M3, but it still packs in a better processor, some new features, and a much more competitive price (starting at $999), placing it firmly as the MacBook with the most overall value. If you need a decently powered laptop for your daily life but don't want something as overkill as the newest MacBook Pro, the M4 Air might be a great fit for you. And if you already own a MacBook Air model that precedes the M3, we think the M4 is well worth the upgrade.

Why we picked this

The latest take on the compact MacBook Air features a powerhouse of a CPU in Apple's M4 chip. It's 24 percent faster than the M3 Air, according to Mashable testing data, and in the top five speediest laptops we've ever taken for a spin. It runs near-silently, but does get a little bit hot under pressure thanks to the chip's "almost overkill" amount of horsepower, said Senior Editor Stan Schroeder in his review of the laptop.

Also new in the M4 MacBook Air is support for two external monitors while not in clamshell mode, as well as an upgraded 12MP camera. Unfortunately, the display's refresh rate is capped at 60Hz — hopefully, we get an upgrade in the near future to at least 120Hz.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of the M4 Air, though, is the new price. The 13-inch version of the laptop starts at just $999, and the 15-inch version starts at $1,099. That's $200 cheaper than the M3 Air was at launch. At a time when most tech device prices are going up, it's nice to see a price decrease from a large company like Apple. This doesn't happen often, so take advantage of the deal while you can.

Details

Apple MacBook Pro (M4) on a desktop

The Good & The Bad

Longest MacBook Pro battery life
High-quality webcam
Speaker system sounds amazing
Extra Thunderbolt 4 port
More base RAM
Top-tier processor

No Face ID
Pricey for most people

Our review

Read our full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M4).

Who it's for

The new M4 MacBook Pro is for the people who want all the top-of-the-line specs with zero compromises. While Qualcomm Snapdragon processors have been catching up (and sometimes beating) Apple's M3 chips recently, the M4 once again puts Apple back on top. With Apple's speediest and most powerful processor to date, the new Pro is game to tackle any task — just be ready to drop $1,599 at the very least. We can't say it's the best value when it comes to MacBooks (that goes to our top pick, the M3 Air), but if you're a professional user who needs the absolute best, then the M4 Pro is certainly the MacBook that can do the most.

Why we picked this

The M4 version of the MacBook Pro is by far the fastest and most powerful laptop that Apple has released to date, so of course it's on our list. Turns out, it's yet another stunner of a computer, receiving high marks from Gedeon. She wrote that the M4 Pro is "everything we hoped for and more," highlighting the machine's performance, battery life, and audio as some of the best improvements.

"The M4 chip is a monster that must be haunting Windows PCs' dreams," Gedeon said of the new processor. During her testing period, the MacBook Pro blew the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip out of the water when it came to performance benchmarks, and that's really saying something, because those newer Qualcomm processors are some of the best out there. "The 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro continues to have angelic audio that sounds like it's been tuned by a choir of heavenly beings," Gedeon also wrote, maintaining the high bar that MacBook speakers have set in the past.

The M4 MacBook Pro also received high marks for its battery life, which lasts around 17 hours (the best we've ever seen in a MacBook), and the webcam, which got a nice bump in quality from 1080p to 12 MP. As for negatives, there aren't many. We think the lack of Face ID is a glaring oversight — let's put that notch to use, please — and that the price tag is a little bit high. Still, if you're keen on splurging, we say, "Go for it." If you want something that's a touch more affordable, try the M3 MacBook Pro, which is bound to go on deep sale now that the next iteration is available to the public.

Details

Photo of the Apple MacBook Air (M2) in front of a cloud background

The Good & The Bad

Bigger display, but overall lighter
Fantastic keyboard
Great performance from the M2 chip
Thin and light frame is still a winning design

Not enough ports
Refresh rate should be better

Our review

Read our full review of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2).

Who it's for

Those who want processing power that's comparable to the M3 MacBook Pro and Air (but want to save some extra cash) will find the M2 MacBook Air to be a match made in heaven. The 13-inch model now starts at $999 — less when it's on sale — and although it's not the "best" MacBook in terms of specs, the complete value of the M2 Air leads us to believe that it's the best MacBook for most people.

Why we picked this

Apple's 2022 iteration of the MacBook Air is no longer the best version of the laptop that you can get, but it's still a great option if you're looking to save a few hundred dollars. Featuring the still-impressive M2 chip — Apple has since introduced the more powerful M3 chip for both the MacBook Pro and Air — the thin and lightweight laptop is still an absolute workhorse, so don't be fooled by its size. Coming in a 13-inch option, the Air scores high marks in the portability department, making it a great on-the-go machine. Tech Reporter Alex Perry went hands-on with the laptop and gave it a high score not just for its performance but also for its stellar battery life and a keyboard that's "to die for."

The 1080p FaceTime camera works surprisingly well in low light, and the four-speaker audio system is ready to go for surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The port options and refresh rate are two things we didn't love about the 2023 Air, but it doesn't bring down the overall value of this fantastic laptop all that much.

Details

Apple MacBook Pro (M3) on a table next to a plant

The Good & The Bad

Great battery life
Best performance thanks to the M3 chip
Top-notch audio
14-inch display is just right
More affordable than new M4 MacBook Pro

Base model should have more RAM
Port selection isn't up to pa

Our review

Read our full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).

Who it's for

Like the recently-released M4 MacBook Pro, the 2023 version of the Pro is best suited for creatives who regularly run processor-intensive apps like photo and video editing software — and who want to save $150. Its long battery life and high-quality speakers also make it a solid pick for anyone who likes to listen to music during marathon work sessions. If you're not using power-hungry apps every day, we think your money may be better spent on a MacBook Air. Now that the M4 version of the MacBook Pro is out, you may be able to get a better deal on the M3, so keep an eye out.

Why we picked this

Released in 2023, this MacBook Pro is equipped with the M3 chip, and it's one of the most powerful MacBook models on the market. Gedeon praised the laptop for its performance and battery life, as it was able to handle heavy usage for around 17 hours. She also noted the display as a highlight, not only for the beauty of the Liquid Retina XDR screen, but also for its size. The 14-inch model is, in our opinion, the perfect median between the MacBook's usual 13-inch and 16-inch options. Gedeon also enjoyed the device's audio system, saying that this MacBook Pro in particular "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market."

Unfortunately, the M3 MacBook Pro is still one of the most expensive MacBooks, so make sure you're ready for the investment before you lock in your choice. But with the release of the M4 MacBook Pro, it'll probably be easier to get the M3 at a discount, which is in important note to keep in mind. The selection of ports is also pretty underwhelming on this model — you'll have to be willing to switch over to a mostly-USB-C setup.

Details

You can't judge a laptop by its appearance or advertised specs alone. As such, Mashable utilizes a rigorous hands-on testing process to review and recommend the best laptops to our readers, drawing upon takeaways from real-world usage and the results of industry-standard benchmarks. We record the findings of our testing in a rubric, and each laptop gets scored on a five-point scale on the basis of performance, design/build quality, battery life, and value. Read our full laptop testing methodology.

Performance: The laptops we review get put to work as our primary computers. This includes trying any unique software or use cases they support. We also subject all of our loaners to a multi-app/tab stress test and Primate Labs' Geekbench 6, which measures CPU performance in common tasks. Gaming laptops get put through additional graphical benchmarking.
Design/build quality: As we're using a laptop, we zero in on certain components to evaluate its build quality. These include the display, keyboard, touchpad, webcam, speakers, and ports. We also assess its overall aesthetic and portability.
Battery life: To gauge a laptop's stamina, we conduct a battery rundown test that involves playing a looped 1080p version of Tears of Steel, a short open-source Blender movie, at 50 percent brightness and 50 percent volume. Ideally, we hope to get at least 16.5 hours of battery life from a MacBook.
Value: We determine the ultimate value of a laptop by comparing its performance, design/build quality, and battery life to other laptops with similar pricing, specs, release dates, and use cases. We consider any accessories it comes with, any upgrades from its predecessor(s), and its future-proofing. Ideally, we hope to get at least 16.5 hours of battery life from a MacBook.

Which generation MacBook is the best?

This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for as low as $849.99.

close-up of m1 macbook air keyboard and ports

A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable

the m2 macbook air open to home screen

Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following Apple's June 2025 WWDC keynote, we think it's time to consider upgrading to a more recent MacBook if you haven't already. This is because macOS Tahoe — the company's new operating system launching this fall — will be the final software update that's compatible with the older, Intel-based MacBook models. Only MacBooks containing an Apple silicon chip will receive future updates post-Tahoe, which means Intel Macs are on their way to becoming obsolete.

A breakdown of all macOS-Tahoe-compatible Macs can be found on Apple's website. The list is as follows:

MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
iMac (2020 and later)
Mac mini (2020 and later)
Mac Studio (2022 and later)
Mac Pro (2019 and later)

The good news is that there's never really a bad time to buy a MacBook, especially if you're shopping for a previous-generation model with the M2 or M1 chip. Those tend to go on sale consistently at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for at least $150 off, if not more. Newer MacBook models aren't much harder to find at a discount at the very same retailers depending on the configuration you choose.

But to us, the best time to buy a MacBook is definitely during a big sale event like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. That's where you'll get the real bargains on coveted Apple laptops, as well as other Apple devices. You can often find discounts any time a new model is introduced, too — it almost always comes with a price cut to the previous-gen model, which we just saw with the M3 MacBook Air and Pro.

It's all up to your personal preference, but if you're still not sure, consider what you'll be using your MacBook for. Will you be taking it on the go and using it during travel? Then opt for a 13-inch or 14-inch model. If you're going to be doing photo and video editing, or even using it often to watch entertainment, you'll want to go for a 15- or 16-inch MacBook. To us, the smaller MacBook Pro sits at a great median point of 14 inches.

It depends on what apps you'll be running most often, but the newer MacBooks — the M4 chip line — should get about 17 to 18 hours per charge. Go back any further, and you'll be sacrificing some juice, no doubt.

If you want your laptop to be able to handle multiple demanding tasks at once, we recommend getting a model with 16GB of RAM. This will cost you a bit more, as MacBooks typically start at 8GB, but you'll notice the difference. When it comes to storage, 256GB is enough for most people, especially if you take advantage of cloud storage options. For professionals that regularly deal with large files, then 512GB is a good starting point.

MacBooks are kind of in a league of their own when it comes to laptop shopping, but if your goal is to buy from a different brand and maintain that MacBook-esque quality, you're actually not completely out of luck.

When it comes to Windows laptops we recommend checking out the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7. It has a 23-hour battery life, which crushes MacBooks, and boasts similar performance. The HP Omnibook X and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 (Gen 9) are also intriguing options if you want to try out a Copilot+ PC or 2-in-1.

If you're shopping for a gaming laptop and want something reminiscent of a MacBook, you can definitely narrow your search down to the Razer Blade 14 or Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. The former has some pretty incredible battery life for a gaming laptop, and the latter is a big winner when it comes to display and chassis design.

photo of author

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.