As remote workers, we understand the need for a WFH laptop that’s powerful enough to multitask all of your important programs—and that’s doubly true if you’re using high-performance, resource intensive software like a video editor. To find the best laptops for working from home on the market, we tested and researched a variety of options, paying close attention to each contender’s computer processor, graphics card, storage capabilities and battery life. After comparing dozens of choices, we named the Dell XPS 13 as our top pick for most WFH employees thanks to its lightweight build, powerful processor and long battery life that can last a full workday (and then some).
We relied on our tech editor's expertise and our team's WFH background to find the best laptops for ... More working from home.
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But not everyone runs Windows—so if you find yourself firmly on team Apple, the MacBook Pro 14 (M3) is our top recommendation. That said, all of our favorites are fit for a variety of workloads and careers. Ahead, the six best laptops for working from home. For more WFH essentials, consider our guides to the best home printers and portable monitors.
Our Top Recommendations
Best Laptop For Working From Home Overall: Dell XPS 13
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | Graphics: Intel Arc graphics | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13.4-inch OLED touchscreen | Resolution: 2,880 x 1,800 | Battery: Up to 27 hours
What’s notable: Its battery life and lightweight design is unmatched, making it a great choice for professionals on the go. It also features a stunning touchscreen display that produces crisp, clear images.
What could be better: Its 60Hz refresh rate isn’t as smooth as some other laptops, so it isn’t the best option for creatives or professionals who regularly work with video.
We named the Dell XPS 13 the best laptop for working from home overall because it offers a solid balance of performance, battery life and lots of storage space for all your files. While previous generations have been considered some of the best laptops to date, the latest XPS 13 model goes a step further: it was designed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X processor in mind, which brings AI NPUs—hardware specially designed for AI and machine learning-related tasks—front and center for an enhanced performance and improved battery life.
Tack on 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and you can expect speedy multitasking and plenty of space to save large files—all in a package that only weighs 2.6 pounds, so it’s one of the lighter laptops available right now. You get a gorgeous 3K OLED touchscreen, too, so images are rich and clear. Battery life lasts around 20 hours, give or take.
That said, the display only hits a 60Hz refresh rate. Those who work with video may not feel it’s enough for their needs. It also only has an Intel Arc graphics card, so don’t expect to play graphic-demanding games and the latest AAA titles on it.
What’s notable: At under $600, it offers an impressive balance of power and versatility for the price. It has a good selection of ports to connect all your must-have peripherals and a high refresh rate for demanding work tasks.
What could be better: The 512GB of storage may be too small for professionals who need to save large amounts of files.
If you’re seeking a laptop for lighter office tasks like web browsing, Zoom meeting and creating presentations, we recommend taking a look at the Dell Inspiron 3530. The entry-level Intel Core i5 processor provides an impressive amount of processing power and efficiency for the price—at just under $600, it’s less than half the price of the Dell XPS 13. And with a 10-hour battery life, you should be able to power through your full work day and take your work on the go if needed.
It’s also worth noting that unlike the Dell XPS 13, the Inspiron 3530 has a 120Hz refresh rate, making videos and games smoother to the eye. Couple that with a 1080p display and the onboarded Iris Xe graphics, and the laptop is good enough for playing casual games like Stardew Valley. Could the storage at 512GB be better? Absolutely, but if you plan to use cloud storage for most of your files, that won’t matter too much. You’ll also have plenty of ports for all your needs, including a USB-A and microSD card reader, too.
What’s notable: Its powerful processor can handle demanding tasks, plus it’s one of the most lightweight laptops on the market.
What could be better: Unlike other computers on our list, this laptop can’t fold flat to be used as a tablet.
Of all the laptops we’ve reviewed, the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 12 is our top choice for small businesses. Its strong processor performance can tackle jobs big and small, from creating presentations and schedules to editing photos and videos. It’s lightweight yet sturdy, and the battery lasts up to 15 hours, so you don’t need to worry about rushing to a power outlet—an especially handy feature if you frequently work outdoors at local pop-up events and markets where outlets are sparse. Aside from battery life and processing power, the keyboard and mousepad stole the show during testing. We found the mousepad to be quick and responsive, and we loved the typing experience on the keyboard—movements felt natural and we could type for multiple hours in comfort.
While the build quality is sturdy and durable, the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 12 doesn’t fold flat, meaning it’s not as versatile as some of our other picks. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, consider the Asus ZenBook Duo or Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC, our picks for the best work-from-home laptop for creatives and best 2-in-1 laptop for working from home, respectively. Both models do a better job than the Lenovo ThinkPad at providing a tablet-like experience for writing or drawing.
Maximize Your Productivity With Apple Intelligence
Amazon
Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3
CPU: Apple M3 Pro 12-Core | RAM: 8GB Unified Memory | Graphics: Apple M3 GPU 18-core | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14.2-inch | Resolution: 3,024 x 1,964 | Battery: Up to 22 hours
What’s notable: Apple’s signature Liquid Retina Display looks gorgeous in most scenarios, while its M3 processor provides excellent performance for a variety of professional tasks.
What could be better: Certainconfigurations with more power and storage can get very pricey; the top-of-the-line model costs over $3,000.
Apple fans, we present to you the MacBook Pro 14 (M3)—it has the best blend of performance and efficiency thanks to the new Apple M3 processor. For those who want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, it pairs seamlessly with other Apple devices, so you can chip away at work from your iPhone or iPad. We also love its 22-hour battery life (enough to last for over a full workday) and Liquid Retina XDR Display—a big pro for video editors and creatives who want crisp, clear displays.
The MacBook Pro 14 (M3) also comes with Apple Intelligence, a.k.a. an in-house AI framework that can complete a slew of tasks, including help you write emails, create images for presentations and more. Apple also offers a more advanced M3 Max version of the MacBook Pro 14. Just keep in mind that when you start adding in higher configurations, the price hikes significantly.
Best Creative Laptop For Working From Home
Double Your Display Real Estate
Asus
Asus ZenBook Duo (2025)
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | Graphics: Intel Arc| Storage: 1TB SSD| Display: 2 x 14-inch OLED touchscreen| Resolution: 2,880 x 1,800 | Battery: Up to 13.5 hours
What’s notable: It comes with two gorgeous OLED displays, both of which offer significantly more screen space than the average WFH laptop. Both screens are touchscreens—great for creatives who want to write or draw with the companion Asus pen.
What could be better: The laptop lacks a dedicated GPU for 3D rendering, meaning it struggles to run some graphics-heavy applications.
Two screens are always better than one, especially when you’re a creative professional or someone who prioritizes multitasking. After testing the Asus ZenBook Duo, we’re fully obsessed with its dual-display real estate. You can opt to use it like a traditional laptop or prop it up to use the two 14-inch OLED displays at once. We found the extra display to be a a game-changer for creatives—you can use the Asus pen to hand write or draw on the touchscreen. If the Bluetooth keyboard runs out of battery life, no worries: tap six fingers on the lower display and a keyboard with custom controls opens. You can also tap two fingers to open a mousepad on the touchscreen for flexibility, too.
Its main issue: it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU, so don’t expect to run graphics-heavy applications, and that was our biggest noted drawback during our testing. But for multitaskers, the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and 32GB feel speedy and responsive for most of your needs.
Best 2-In-1 Laptop For Working From Home
Use As A Laptop Or Tablet
Best Buy
Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC (11th Edition)
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Graphics: Snapdragon X Plus GPU | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 13-inch OLED touchscreen | Resolution: 2,880 x 1,920 | Battery: Up to 14 hours
What’s notable: Its two-in-one functionality means you can go sans keyboard. Battery life is also impressive; it lasts 14 hours off a single charge.
What could be better: We don’t love that the keyboard is sold separately, which makes this option more expensive than other models on our list.
In our opinion, the Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC (11th Edition) essentially perfects the two-in-one model, combining both AI features and top-notch performance. Tack on a powerful battery life that lasts up to 14 hours and a lovely OLED display, and it feels like a workhorse built specifically for flexibility. We also love that it’s easily portable, clocking in a hair under two pounds.
That said, that lighter weight is before adding on the keyboard, which also just happens to be sold separately. It’s a hard pill to swallow buying a keyboard separately when the “tablet” portion of the setup already is fairly pricey. For those on tighter budgets, you can swap out the OLED display for LCD and reduce the cost by up to $500, give or take and depending on sales. But for the price, you get 512GB of storage and 16GB RAM which is pretty standard for most needs. Keep in mind that for a two-in-one, you’ll need to place the laptop on a flat surface since it uses a kickstand, too.
The Forbes Vetted team works entirely from home, and we rely on our laptops to stay connected to our coworkers and complete day-to-day tasks, like maintaining our hundreds of tech and electronic guides. By leveraging our personal WFH experiences and in-depth product research, we’ve published several guides on home office essentials, including the best home printers and Wi-Fi extenders in addition to this roundup.
Author of this guide and Forbes Vetted consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has spent the past six years testing and reviewing the latest in consumer technology. Isaacs has personally tested many laptops and can speak to benchmarking, build quality and more. She has also tested products for related guides, like the best gaming TVs, Android phones and writing tablets.
To gain additional insight on what to look for in the best work-from-home laptops, we consulted James Robbins, General Manager at Dynabook Americas, Inc. He emphasized the importance of a good laptop processor and display.
To ensure our recommendations are up to date with the latest offerings, we frequently update this guide. It was last updated in June 2025 by tech updates writer Alexandra Garrett, who also has experience testing laptops and computers.
How We Chose The Best Laptops For Working From Home
To determine the best laptops for working from home, we leaned on our own expertise and consumer reviews while looking at bestselling models from top brands and comparing key features.
We selected models from brands we know and love, such as HP, Dell, Apple and Lenovo. We’ve tested and used laptops from several of these brands and they all scored high in positive customer ratings, durability and performance.
We evaluated features that matter most for work-from-home laptops—specifically, powerful processors, clear and bright displays, extensive battery life and a lightweight construction.
Because every remote work has unique tech needs, we included options that span a variety of budgets and tasks. For example, the Dell XPS 13 is great at editing colorful images and video, while the MacBook Pro 14 M3 is our recommended choice for those who primarily use Apple applications.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Laptop For Working From Home
All work-from-home laptops should make it easier to do your job not just from home, but from anywhere. However, depending on what you do for work, your specific needs may differ. Below, we break down the key factors to consider when shopping for the best work-from-home laptop.
Operating System
One of the first factors to consider when searching for the best WFH laptop is your preferred operating system: popular options include Windows, macOS and Linux. Make sure to consider compatibility with your existing hardware, personal preferences and the different types of software and support you’ll need.
Performance
A laptop’s performance refers to how well its processor, or CPU, tackles different tasks. According to Robbins, processing power is key to smooth multitasking and productivity. “The processor is the backbone of a laptop’s performance, especially for multitasking,” he says. Most work-from-home laptops use processors from Qualcomm and Intel, while Apple computers use Apple’s proprietary chips. Regardless of the brand, it’s important to make sure the processor is from the most recent generation; laptops with newer processors can load pages and software quicker than those with outdated processors. For Qualcomm, it’s the Snapdragon X Elite. For Intel, it’s the 14th generation or Core Ultra.
Display
When you’re staring at a screen for eight hours a day, a bright display can make a big difference. OLED screens are excellent at showing high-contrast images with rich colors, making them a solid choice for video or photo editing. If you’re looking for brightness in all types of lighting, LCD screens are likely a better choice.
In addition to the level of clarity and brightness, it’s also crucial to consider the overall size of your display. “A 14-inch or larger display helps reduce eye strain and offers an overall more comfortable experience,” says Robbins. This size fits well in most work bags, making it a good choice for those who need a more portable option.
Portability
Are you in a hybrid role? Or do you travel frequently for work? If so, we recommend paying close attention to the size and weight of your laptop. Although these factors don’t matter much when you’re in the home office, they can make a big difference when you’re working on the go—a lighter, thinner laptop is easier to pack and travel with than a bulkier one. While all of the laptops in this guide weigh under four pounds, the lightest is the Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC (11th Edition), weighing in at just under two pounds.
Battery Life
Although you may be able to get away with a shorter battery life of eight to 10 hours, a longer-lasting option can relieve the stress of searching for an outlet during work hours, especially if you prefer to be untethered and work from your living room, kitchen or outdoor space. Of all our picks, the Dell XPS 13 offers the best battery life at up to 27 hours, which is more than three full work days.
Connectivity
Many remote employees choose to optimize their WFH setup by pairing accessories like a mouse, keyboard and monitor to their laptop. In order to do this, the laptop needs to have multiple ports. Some common ports you may need include USB-C, USB-A and HDMI. Most WFH laptops should feature a combination of these ports and others; however, some laptops have more than others. For example, the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 12 has numerous connectivity options—including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack, SIM slot and others—while the Dell XPS 13 only has two USB-C ports. If you find that you’re lacking the ports you need, you can always add a docking station that expands the number of peripherals you can connect at once.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After researching and testing dozens of laptops, we determined the Dell XPS 13 to be the best laptop for working from home. It has an impressive battery life and is designed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X processor for a strong performance. We also like that its lightweight design makes it easy to transport.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly WFH option, we recommend the Dell Inspiron 3530. It features the entry-level Intel Core i5 processor, which packs in an impressive amount of computing power for the price. It also has a 10-hour battery life that’ll last a full work day.
According to our testing and research, Dell is the most reliable laptop brand. Dell laptops are versatile, dependable and high-quality, making them a good choice for a variety of work and play tasks, including photo editing, project management and more.
