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Laptops come in all shapes and sizes these days, but one of the most popular types are ultrabooks, which are incredibly light and thin, proving a great option for on-the-go work. But what are the best ultrabook options that you can currently buy?
We’ve rounded up the very best ultrabooks right here, making sure to adhere to a large range of budgets. Every laptop on this list has been reviewed by our team of experts, achieving at least a 4-out-of-5 star rating.
But what exactly is an ultrabook, and what distinguishes it from your average laptop? While Intel initially coined the term for its own range of ultra-portable laptops, it has since been used to reference any laptop that’s noticeably light and skinny. For our top 10 ranking, we’ve narrowed down the criteria to only include laptops with a maximum screen since of 14 inches, while ruling out any portable that’s either thicker than 20mm or weighs more than 1.5kg.
And if you’re not bothered about the portability factor and just want a great all-round laptop, check out our Best Laptop list instead. Otherwise, check out our best ultrabook ranking below.
How we test
Every laptop we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, performance, screen quality and battery life.
These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how well it runs the most frequently used apps.
We also make sure to use every laptop we review as our primary device for at least a week to ensure our review is as accurate as possible.
Dell XPS 13 OLED
Best overall ultrabook
Pros
- The absolute best laptop screen for the price
- Speedy productivity performance
- Class-leading laptop design
- Lots of configuration options
Cons
- Short battery life
- Stingy port offering
The Dell XPS 13 OLED is the best ultrabook you can buy now, excelling in every key department. It has a speedy performance thanks to the 11th Gen Intel Core chip, and has a jaw-dropping display thanks to the OLED screen.
It’s also astonishingly skinny, to such an extent that Dell hasn’t been able to fit on the rectangular-shaped USB-A port. You do get an adaptor in the box as a compromise, but it may still be a deal-breaking faff if you’re happy to pick a slightly chunkier laptop.
But nevertheless, this is an outstanding laptop with a huge range of configuration options so you can customise the specs to your liking. If you don’t mind splashing the cash, this is out top ultrabook recommendation.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Dell XPS 13 OLED Review
MacBook Air (M1)
Best Apple-made ultrabook
Pros
- It’s so fast thanks to M1
- Exceptional battery life
- Strong app support
- Great keyboard
Cons
- Poor webcam
- Same design as before
- Poorly positioned (and only two) USB ports
If you’re not a fan of Windows and would rather opt for macOS, then the MacBook Air M1 is the best ultrabook you can buy. Apple has supercharged the performance with the new M1 chip, making it one of the most powerful laptops on this list by a remarkable distance.
It also has a great battery life, comfortable keyboard and a lovely 2560 x 1600 resolution display for your Ted Lasso binges. It’s even powerful enough to dabble with entry-level content creation if you fancy editing the odd video on the go.
The biggest issue with buying a MacBook Air right now is that a new model is expected to launch later this year, with the MacBook Air 2022 seeing a sleeker design and more powerful M2 chip. But if you can’t wait until then, the existing Air is still a fantastic choice.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: MacBook Air M1
Surface Laptop Go
The best 12.4-inch ultrabook
Pros
- Incredible value
- Small and classy design
- Excellent performance
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Low-resolution display
- No keyboard backlight
- No fingerprint scanner on base configuration
If your chief priority is buying a compact laptop that’s easy to fit in a small bag, then the Surface Laptop Go is your best bet. Its screen is a dinky-sized 12.4-inches, making it noticeably smaller than any other laptop on this list.
Despite its small size, this laptop is still powerful enough for day-to-day tasks such as office spreadsheets and university coursework. The keyboard feels great too, so you don’t need to worry about your fingers cramping during a long essay. And best of all, it’s incredibly cheap with an RRP of just £549.
The biggest issue with this ultrabook is that its screen resolution is an underwhelming 1536 x 1024, making it a poor choice for streaming video. But otherwise, this is one of the best ultrabook options available, representing fantastic value.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Surface Laptop Go Review
Acer Chromebook Spin 513
Best Chromebook ultrabook
Pros
- Super-light and portable design
- Sharp display with decent colours
- Outstanding battery life
- Whisper-quiet performance
Cons
- Flat speakers
- Mediocre performance
- No keyboard backlight
Chromebooks were once renowned for being heavy and clunky, but they’ve come a long way in the past couple of years. The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is actually one of the lightest laptops on this list thanks to the super-efficient Snapdragon 7c inside. The performance isn’t spectacular, yet still offers a smooth experience for the likes of web browsing and spreadsheet work.
This laptop also features a flexible hinge, allowing you to fold it back like a tablet. Furthermore, the inclusion of a touchscreen means it’s possible to zoom in by simply pinching the display. Battery life is great here too, while the Full HD screen is superb at this price.
Of course, ChromeOS is limited compared to Windows so it may not be the best option if you frequently download obscure software. The lack of a keyboard backlight is also disappointing if you fancy working after dark. But as the cheapest ultrabook on this list, it’s an excellent option for those on a budget.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Review
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7
Best value ultrabook
Pros
- Great value price
- Fantastic battery life
- Speedy performance
- Nice Full HD screen
Cons
- Basic design
- No Thunderbolt
- No fingerprint scanner on select models
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 is one of the best-value ultrabooks on this list, packing in premium features for a reasonable price. The Ryzen 4000 chip offers a great productivity performance, while also ensuring the portable can last over 14 hours on a single charge.
You’re also getting a lovely 14-inch Full HD display here, making it a good option for Netflix and YouTube addicts. Factor in a comfortable keyboard, and it’s clear that this ultrabook is a great all-rounder.
It’s not perfect, however, as it misses out on premium features such as a fingerprint scanner, while the design does look a tad bland compared to the competition. But if you’re more bothered about substance over style, this is a fantastic ultrabook that deserves a place on your shortlist.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7
Honor MagicBook 14 (2020)
Best budget 14-inch ultrabook
Pros
- Student-friendly premium style
- Superb value
- Pleasant typing experience
- More than capable productivity performance
Cons
- Webcam positioned on keyboard
- Below average display
The Honor MagicBook 14 is one of the cheapest Windows laptops on this list, despite featuring an Apple-reminiscent design, comfortable keyboard and a performance greater that most devices at this price point. Don’t get us wrong, this is no powerhouse laptop, but it will happily get basic tasks done without much issue.
It’s a great alternative to the Surface Laptop Go if you want a bigger screen, with a 14-inch panel and a Full HD resolution. The screen quality is admittedly sub-standard, but it will be difficult to find anything better at this price.
Our biggest complaint is the annoying keyboard-placement of the webcam, which provides an unflattering view up your nostrils, but that’s a minor issue when you consider how cheap these excellent laptop is.
Reviewer: Adam Speight
Full Review: Honor MagicBook 14 (2020)
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Superb battery life
- Competitive performance
- Plenty of ports onboard
Cons
- Concerning build quality
- Reflective screen could be an issue outdoors
- Lack of Caps Lock indicator
The Acer Swift 5 is one of the lightest laptops on the market, weighing a smidgen over a kilogram. It’s also really affordable, available for around £800. You’re getting a superb performance here too, thanks to an 11th Generation Intel Core chip.
Despite the low price, it’s hard to see where Acer has cut corners. Its dainty size and weight means it’s incredibly easy to lug around, has a very respectable battery life at ten hours and boasts some bang-up-to-date features such as Wi-Fi 6 support and even the option of a dedicated GPU.
The only negative points we can think of is that the build quality isn’t as good as more expensive alternatives, while the reflective screen may become irksome when used outdoors. But if want a laptop that’s astonishingly light, the Acer Swift 5 is one of your best options.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Acer Swift 5 (Late 2020)
Asus ROG Flow X13
Best gaming ultrabook
Pros
- Superb, versatile design of laptop and dock
- RTX 3080 delivers great gaming speed
- GTX 1650 is a solid eSports chip
- High-quality display
Cons
- Laptop and dock design won’t suit everyone
- Laptop is sometimes too hot
- Middling battery life
- Minimal laptop connectivity
It may seem odd to see a a gaming laptop make an appearance on a ‘best ultrabook’ list, but Asus has managed to make this portable so compact that it comfortable meets the criteria, weighing just 1.3kg and measuring in at 15.8mm tall.
It’s admittedly not the most powerful gaming laptop around, featuring a modest GTX 1650 that’s only capable of 1080p gaming. But Asus is giving you the option of bundling it with a ROG XG Mobile external GPU, which provides the power of an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU when plugged in.
Pairing this ultrabook with a eGPU is admittedly very pricey, but it’s well worth the cost for those people who fancy a laptop for both on-the-go productivity and AAA gaming.
Reviewer: Mike Jennings
Full Review: Asus ROG Flow X13
Asus ZenBook Flip S (UX371)
Best 4K OLED 2-in-1 ultrabook
Pros
- Great high-end design
- Superb screen quality
- Satisfying, speedy keyboard
- Cheaper than rivals
Cons
- Not quite as powerful as rivals
- Underside becomes hot
- Middling battery life
The Asus ZenBook Flip S is impressively light and slender, yet still manages to include a 180-degree hinge, enabling you to flip it back into the form of a tablet. This makes it an incredibly versatile ultrabook, especially if you like to doodle and sketch on a touchsreen.
What’s more, it features a jaw-dropping 4K OLED display which looks absolutely marvellous. If you frequently watch the likes of Netflix and Disney Plus on your laptop, then the Flip S is one of your best ultrabook bets.
Asus had to limit the performance power to achieve such a form factor however, so you may be better off looking elsewhere if you’re planning on engaging with heavy-duty work such as video editing. But if you really like the idea of a hybrid laptop with a 4K OLED display, then we highly recommend checking out the ZenBook Flip S.
Reviewer: Mike Jennings
Full Review: Asus ZenBook Flip S
Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021
Best high-performance Windows ultrabook
Pros
- Sharp, bright screen
- Excellent build quality
- Attractive design
- Quiet fans
Cons
- One-spec approach leads to a high price (in the UK)
- Slightly shallow keyboard
- Quiet cooling comes with a slight performance hit
The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021) gives us serious MacBook Pro vibes, despite weighing just 1.33kg. It features a blazing-fast Intel Core i7 processor and has a super-sharp 3000 x 2000 screen resolution.
The lack of a discrete GPU means it won’t be able to take on as many heavy-duty tasks as the MacBook Pro, but that’s the trade-off when opting for a laptop as lightweight and skinny as the MateBook X Pro. Elsewhere, it boasts a top-notch build quality, quiet fans and a touchscreen.
The biggest issue with this laptop is its price, as you’ve got to pay a fair whack for the lofty specs. The webcam is also embedded into the keyboard, giving viewers a look up your nostrils. But if you’re looking for a classy ultrabook with a high-end performance, the MateBook X Pro is one of the best ultrabook options currently available.
Reviewer: Andrew Williams
Full Review: Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021)
We also considered…
FAQs
Intel originally coined the word to represent light-weight Windows laptops with a speedy performance provided by Intel Core chips. But the term has since been adopted by the wider market to represent any productivity laptop that is light and slender. For this list, we’ve set our own criteria: every laptop needs to have a screen size 14-inches or smaller, weigh no more than 1.5kg and to be thinner than 20mm when closed. Both Macs and Chromebooks can be included as long a they meet that criteria.
Ultrabooks are great for on-the-go work, since they’re light and small enough to carry around in small bag. If you frequently take your laptop to work or university, you’ll want an ultrabook that doesn’t add unnecessary weight.
Ultrabooks are usually not built for gaming, as dedicated GPUs generally weigh a lot. There are of course exceptions, such as the Asus ROG Flox X13, but you still not going to get a high-end gaming performance by opting for an ultrabook. You can still use cloud-streaming services such as GeForce Now, Google Stadia and Game Pass Ultimate though.
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Trusted Reviews test data
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