TOP PICK 
Model
BLW's Score
91
89
87
85
84
MSRP
Price not available
$1,077.64
$1,269.97
Price not available
$885.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 2.4 GHz
Intel Core i7-7Y75 3.6 GHz
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
16GB LPDDR3
16GB DDR3
8GB
16GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
512GB SSD
512GB SSD
128GB SSD
512GB SSD
Display
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
13.3” QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
14" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 617
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
OS X
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10
OS X
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
3.02 pounds
2.65 pounds
2.9 pounds
2.75 pounds
2.4 pounds
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 2.4 GHz
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
OS
OS X
Weight
3.02 pounds
Model
BLW's Score
89
MSRP
$1,077.64
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7Y75 3.6 GHz
RAM
16GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
13.3” QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
2.65 pounds
BLW's Score
87
MSRP
$1,269.97
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR3
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.9 pounds
Model
BLW's Score
85
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz
RAM
8GB
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 617
OS
OS X
Weight
2.75 pounds
BLW's Score
84
MSRP
$885.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7 GHz
RAM
16GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
14" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
2.4 pounds
Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
These days everyone is fond of travelling and everyone wishes to carry their work while they are on trip or vacation. Nothing can be more beneficial than a lightweight laptop if you’d like to carry your computer while travelling.
There are also other benefits of having a lightweight notebook regardless who you are including a businessman, professional or a college student. These kinds of light notebooks are extremely easy to carry around and they give you a full freedom to use it.
For professionals, owning a laptop is a smart choice instead of having a desktop at their office. Most of the lightweight laptops usually come with a battery backup of more than 6 hours.
There are countless other reasons why one should consider a laptop over desktop and you can easily work from your comfort zone such as your bed. One can also easily connect external hardware to the laptop in case you have some specific needs.
Most of the latest ultrabooks come with a touchscreen display which is very beneficial if you want to run some applications through touch. There was a time when desktops were the most powerful and mean machines due to their processors but thanks to Intel, they have created smart yet portable processors for lightweight laptops.
You can even play some of the most complicated games with full HD graphics settings on latest laptops. Moreover, USB ports make it extremely easy to connect external hardware to it. One of the biggest advantages of laptops is that they can be used completely wirelessly which allows users to use it just about anywhere.
It also enhances the overall productivity and gives you the freedom to entertain yourself in your spare time. Now it has become a lot easier to do your work or studies on such portable and lightweight laptops.
Even if you are a gamer, we can tell you that you can play all your games on a laptop without compromising the performance. However, there are many things that you need to keep in mind while buying a new laptop such as your games, applications, usage, multi-tasking, etc.
Check Also: 10 Best Thin Laptops
What to look for in the Best Lightweight Laptop?
There are many applications and games that demand a bigger display and in that case we recommend looking at our guide of the best 17-inch laptops. On the other hand, if you don’t have any specific requirements you can easily enjoy 14-inch display with great portability benefits.
When it comes to laptop, there is a wide range of screen sizes available and you can choose from 10-inch to 17-inch as per your needs and purpose.
Also remember, a good RAM can enhance your working and gaming experience in many ways and it will also help you while multi-tasking.
In addition, the latest processor from Intel is recommended if you want a powerful machine for more intensive tasks. When it comes to desktops, they can be upgraded easily at any time but it’s not the same with laptops so you’ll have to take decisions while buying it.
You Can Check Also: 5 Best Laptop for Engineering Students
Our Top Picks for Best Lightweight Laptops
1. Apple MacBook Pro 13
Specs:
With space gray body, the Apple MacBook Pro is a wonderful lightweight laptop under $1500. The 13-inch Retina display and its less than 3 pounds weight is what make it one of the best laptops you can buy.
Thanks to its display, it can deliver up to 2560 by 1600 pixels of maximum resolution. The advanced Intel Core i5 dual-core processor can boost up to 3.6 GHz making it one of the fastest laptops ever.
It comes with 8 GB of LPDDR3 RAM which helps with multi-tasking and running intense applications. It also comes with Intel Iris Plus graphics 640 that'll help you with games, applications and overall speed and performance.
Apple's latest touchbar feature helps with navigating some of the most popular applications. This model is currently available in two colors that include Silver and Space Gray. Unlike the older models, this one comes with Mac OS X Tiger and not Sierra.
Two thunderbolt 3 ports are also included for external hardware connectivity and it seems the sound quality of speakers has been improved remarkably. It features 256 GB of SSD on which you can easily save all your files, games, videos, music, etc.
We have listed it as one of the best lightweight laptops due to its overall performance, weight, value for the money and solid build quality.
See Related Reading: 10 Best Laptop For Programming
2. Dell XPS 13 9365
Specs:
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the first and best lightweight laptops that comes with just about 2.7 pounds of weight. It is known for delivering all the latest features inside its ultra-slim body which is extremely easy to carry around and use.
If we talk about its dimensions, it is less than 0.6-inch slim with closed display. Its 13-inch full HD display provides great resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels and we have also included it in our guide of best 2-in-1 laptops. It's currently available in only one color, Silver which matches perfectly with its design and body structure.
It is fully loaded to handle some of the most intensive applications and games thanks to its 7th generation Intel Core i5-7Y54 processor and 4 GB of RAM. Its storage space might not be sufficient for everyone as it comes with 128 GB of SSD but it will give you the boost you require for managing the loading time.
You will also find it real easy working with its touchscreen display even while using it as a tablet thanks to its pre-installed Windows 10, Infinity Edge display and Stylus pen. All in all, if you want a laptop that you can use it at just about any place even while traveling then you're going to love this piece of hardware from Dell.
3. HP Spectre x360 - 13t Stylus
Specs:
HP is certainly one of the reputable and best laptop brands. The HP Spectre x360 is among the most desired laptops of all time. It might not be affordable for everyone as it will cost you over $1200. Its Dark Ash color is really unique and one of the kind.
It is a high-end notebook that only few people can afford and it comes with an exceptionally great 13-inch full HD display with TrueVision technology and resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. It has multi-touch enabled for users who'd like to play games and run compatible applications. We highly recommend it for graphics designing, video editing and AutoCAD.
With the latest 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor, performance is never going to be an issue. It also packs 512 GB of SSD and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM for best performance possible.
Unlike other machines listed in this guide of best lightweight laptops, this one includes 512 GB of SSD which is currently the maximum one could get. For user-friendly and smooth experience, it comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 Home edition.
A big thanks to Bang & Olufsen, it delivers the best audio quality in the industry and even Apple's MacBooks can't compete. Just like Dell XPS 13, this one also comes with a Stylus pen which is compatible with Microsoft Ink.
Its design is exactly what made it popular among professionals and students. All in all, if you're on the market for the best convertible lightweight laptop then look no more as this is the most powerful device you can buy.
4. Apple MacBook Air
Specs:
Apple MacBook Air is the latest lightweight and portable laptop made by Apple. It is amazingly slim, light and extremely easy to carry around. Unlike older models, it is available in several colors that include Silver, Gold and Space Gray.
We have listed it in our article of best laptops under $1200 as it is a complete package for portability and power. It is known for its advanced features such as Retina display, backlit keyboard and a long lasting battery life.
The 13.3-inch display is a perfect size for a device and it also helps with easy transportation. The screen resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels is something we have never seen before in such a small device.
The overall weight of the device is very low compared to other notebooks in similar budget. Intel Core i5 processor with 1.6 GHz and turbo boost of up to 3.66 GHz is a perfect companion for performance, when needed, without sacrificing battery life.
It also comes with 8 GB of RAM and Intel UHD 617 graphics which are more than enough to handle complicated tasks. Its 128 GB SSD helps with the overall performance and boot time. It runs on latest Mac OS and can run many well-known applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Sony Vegas, MS Office, etc.
It also comes with one two Thunderbolt 3 (Type C) ports that can be used for charging the device or connecting external storage and monitors. Its battery life is unbelievable with 12 hours of juice while watching movies, making it a great multimedia laptop.
5. ASUS ZenBook 3 UX490UA-XS74
Specs:
The ASUS ZenBook 3 UX490UA-XS74 is one of the best thin laptops of all time. Its latest model is lighter, thinner and tougher than ever. It is known for its state-of-art cooling system as you'll never experience any kind of heating issues.
It is fully loaded with top class hardware that includes 14-inch full HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. You'll certainly love watching movies and pictures on it and it also features a color reduction technology.
For unbeatable performance, it comes with Intel Core i7-7500U processor along with 16 GB of RAM for multi-tasking. Measuring less than an inch thick and with just 2 pounds of weight, it is among the most powerful and portable laptops.
If you compare it with other lightweight laptops, you'll see it is way better due to its sleek design and metallic body. Its touchpad comes with an in-built fingerprint sensor that saves your time while entering the passwords.
Overall, it uses high-end hardware and from looks to performance, it has everything that a top class notebook should have.
6. Microsoft Surface Pro
Specs:
The latest model of Microsoft Surface Pro is known as just that and not as the Surface Pro 4. If you're serious about buying it then it will cost you a little over $1500. It is highly known for its lightweight body and slim design.
It might just be the lightest laptop in the world weighing just around 1.7 pounds. In case you can afford it for your school going kid then this is the best possible device money can buy. The 12-inch touchscreen display features PixelSense technology to deliver you the brightest and sharpest image quality.
It can be viewed from almost any angle and comes with the resolution of 2736 by 1823 pixels. On top of that, it features Intel Iris HD graphics for casual gaming and video editing tasks. For smart performance, it comes with 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and 8 GB of RAM.
For storing all your files, music, movies, games, etc. it comes with 256 GB of SSD. When we talk about the design, you can't compare just about any machine with the Surface Pro. Even when it comes to battery life, no other laptop can beat it and it features almost 14 hours of backup while playing videos.
It includes a micro SD card reader for quick data transfer. We recommend this notebook to people who can afford it and thanks to its full HD webcam it is one of the best laptops for Skype.
7. Razer Blade Stealth Ultrabook
Specs:
Razer is the brand usually known for their top-notch portable gaming laptops. So if you are on the market for a lightweight gaming machine then this is what we recommend. It is one of the high-end machines that'll cost you a little over $800.
If we talk about the weight, it is less than 3 pounds which makes it a great choice for travelers. It comes with a remarkable 13.3-inch QHD display with the resolution of 3200 by 1800 pixels. It can be amazing for watching HD videos as well as for playing 3D games.
It is quite loaded with power thanks to the 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor. It can process just about everything with ease and we also recommend it for multi-tasking. Its 16 GB RAM along with Intel's processor will deliver enjoyable performance.
It includes a 256 GB SSD for storing all data files and movies. Windows 10 is pre-installed for smooth and user-friendly experience. We are big fans of the slim chassis design.
It packs Thunderbolt ports so you don't have to worry about the connectivity. The Razer Chroma keyboard is available with up to 16.8 million colors and it uses anti-ghosting technique.
8. HP EliteBook Folio (Renewed)
Specs:
HP EliteBook Folio is available with a backlit display and a super thin body. This is certainly among the best lightweight laptops at under 3 pounds and anyone can carry it easily while traveling.
The 14-inch HD display delivers the resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels along with anti-glare technology. One can easily use it for long hours without hurting their eyes. It can also be used as a tablet thanks to its unique design and touchscreen display.
It features Intel HD graphics for better picture quality and you'll be able to run 4k movies with ease. Intel Core i3 processor along with 8 GB of RAM is more than enough to handle most of your tasks even while multi-tasking.
Pre-installed Windows 10 Professional works best for most of the people. Its storage might be an issue for people who like to store all their data locally as it comes with only 180 GB of SSD.
9. Apple MacBook Air
Specs:
Apple MacBook Air Retina is listed in more than 50 percent of our laptop buying guides and it is also the favorite choice of most of the reviewers. It's ultra-slim and extremely lightweight laptop with less than 3 pounds of weight and features a long battery life .
It can be a great companion for frequent travelers as it weighs very less compared to other regular machines. The latest model is very affordable and it delivers the best performance.
It packs a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor along with turbo boost technology that can reach up to 3.6 GHz. With 8 GB RAM, you can easily open multiple applications at the same time. Thanks to the 128 GB SSD drive, you get all the boost you need while loading the applications, files and games.
It is well-known for its battery life of 12 hours and it also includes a backlit keyboard for day sleepers. When it comes to webcam, Apple delivers the quality like no other notebook and a 5 MP rear cam is perfect for frequent video callers.
10. Acer Chromebook 11
Specs:
The Acer Chromebook 11 is one of the most portable laptops on our list. It weighs only 2.5 pounds and has a great 10+ hour battery life.
The Celeron processor is sufficient for browsing the web and writing emails or reports. This is a Chromebook, so don't expect to run most Windows applications on it. However, Microsoft Office products are available as cloud applications.
The display is relatively small. If you'd like a slightly less portable laptop with a larger display, there are a range display sizes for this Acer Chromebook line. See the product link for other options.
Overall, it's a light weight and stylish laptop. If you want something you can throw in a backpack and not know it's there, it is an excellent choice. At around $200, it's difficult to find a more budget-friendly laptop than this one.
Conclusion
So these are our picks for best lightweight laptops and we know that you won’t regret getting one of these. To be honest here, we haven’t only considered the weight to decide the best laptops but also other things that include specifications, brands, value for the money and customer service.
You can take the final decision depending on your budget and overall needs. We also recommend checking out our other guides in case you have any other specific needs. We have covered most of the topics that include buying laptops and we’re pretty sure that you’ll find the laptop for your exact needs.
