10 Laptops With Best Battery Life

Wally Nowinski
editor

Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our laptop database and find the laptops with best battery life available in 2024. Here are our top picks.

Our criteria for the laptops with best battery life:

  • Battery: We placed large emphasis on battery.
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized laptop recommendation
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10 Laptops With Best Battery Life

1
Apple 13.3”

MacBook Air (2020)

BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: B+, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 13.3"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Thin, very light
Battery: Excellent




Expert Summary
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is considered to be at a midrange price level and offers 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. It's powered by the Apple M1 chip, which includes a 7-core GPU. The battery capacity is strong, supporting up to 15 hours of typical usage, which, alongside its weight of 2.8 pounds, makes it very portable. The 13.3-inch screen is an IPS panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, not a touchscreen, and has good color accuracy with full coverage of the sRGB space and almost full coverage of the DCI-P3 space, enhancing the display quality. It doesn't have a number pad but features a high-quality backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for security. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt and charging. The MacBook Air is fanless, thus operates silently, and is well-regarded for its build quality and heat management. Its performance is good for general use scenarios and fair for 3D/machine learning and engineering tasks, so while it's not tailored for intensive gaming, it's a reliable choice for everyday productivity and entertainment.
Pros
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent build quality
  • Best keyboard quality
  • Silent, fanless operation
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Only two USB-C ports
  • No touchscreen available
  • Limited upgradeability
  • Moderate performance for 3D tasks
2
Apple 13.6”

MacBook Air (2022)

BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: A-, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 13.6"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Very thin, very light
Battery: Excellent




Pros
  • High screen pixel density
  • Excellent battery life
  • Silent, fanless operation
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Strong general use performance
Cons
  • Not suitable for high-end gaming
  • Limited hardware upgrade options
  • Minimal port variety
  • No touchscreen available
3
Acer 14”

Swift 3

BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.7
General: B+, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Thin, very light
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The Acer Swift 3 comes at a lower midrange price with a solid balance of features for general consumers. Its Intel i5 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics offer good performance for everyday tasks and some light gaming or creative work but aren't optimized for more demanding 3D, machine learning, or engineering software. Equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, it should handle multitasking and ample data. The 14-inch IPS display provides decent color accuracy and viewing angles, though it's not the best choice for color-critical work. The laptop is quite portable, weighing under 3 pounds, and has a good battery life that can support typical usage for around 12 hours. Additionally, build quality and heat management are rated good, making it suitable for mobility and use in different environments. With a variety of ports including USB-C and Thunderbolt, connectivity is versatile, but the absence of an Ethernet port might be a drawback for some. A backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader enhance usability, although if you're looking for a laptop with a higher refresh rate, better speakers, or dedicated gaming features, other models may be more fitting.
Pros
  • Large storage space
  • Sufficient RAM for multitasking
  • Latest generation Intel processor
  • Integrated high-performance graphics
  • Lightweight and slim design
Cons
  • Moderate battery life
  • Lacks number pad on keyboard
  • Speakers are of fair quality
  • Not designed for intense 3D tasks
4
BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: B+, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Fair
Portability: Thin, med. heavy
Battery: Very Good




Pros
  • High-resolution screen
  • Strong build quality
  • Good heat management
  • Long battery life
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
Cons
  • No touchscreen
  • Heavier than some laptops
  • Limited upgradeability
  • Not ideal for fast motion use
5
BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: A-, Gaming/AI: B+, Eng/Design: A-
Size: 16.2"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Thin, med. heavy
Battery: Best in Class




Pros
  • High-resolution display
  • Long battery life
  • Excellent build quality
  • Superb speaker quality
  • Premium business laptop
Cons
  • Higher price point
  • Limited portability
  • No touchscreen
  • Heavy at 4.7 pounds
6
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.7
General: B+, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Med. thick, very light
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The HP EliteBook 845 G9 is set at a lower midrange price and targets business users with its premium features. Its 14-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and above HD resolution is crisp and offers good color coverage, making it suitable for general work and some image editing. The combination of a capable AMD Ryzen 5 processor and AMD Radeon graphics can handle everyday tasks easily and even provide fair performance for 3D rendering and light engineering work. However, for tasks that require high-end graphics processing like intensive gaming or advanced machine learning, the performance may not be optimal. The 512 GB storage and 16 GB RAM are sufficient for most users, but if you require more space, there is an available storage slot for upgrades. With its backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and a good selection of ports including USB-C, this laptop has modern connectivity options. This laptop is relatively lightweight at just over 3 pounds, making it very portable for on-the-go professionals. Its battery life is solid, allowing for up to around 12 hours of typical use, which is beneficial for long workdays away from the charger. Overall, the HP EliteBook 845 G9 is an excellent choice for business and general use, offering a balance of performance, portability, and features, though it's not the best choice for high-end gaming or the most demanding engineering simulations.
Pros
  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Good battery life for typical use
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
  • Excellent general use performance
  • Rich sRGB colorspace coverage
Cons
  • No hardware ray tracing support
  • Fair 3D/machine learning performance
  • No touchscreen option
  • Limited port selection with no Thunderbolt
7
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.7
General: B+, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Med. thick, light
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is a budget-friendly option with decent computing power, courtesy of the AMD Ryzen 7 processor, making it suitable for everyday tasks and some more demanding applications. It offers a satisfactory amount of storage and memory, with options for expansion. The integrated Vega 8 graphics can handle light gaming and graphical tasks, but may not be ideal for intensive gaming or high-end graphic design. With a weight that balances portability and build, it's a good fit for on-the-go use while maintaining a 14-inch display, which has a resolution favouring productivity and content consumption. Battery life is adequate for a day's work, and the laptop has a backlit keyboard, which is helpful in low-light conditions. Keep in mind, though, that while it's versatile enough for general use, professionals needing advanced computational or graphical capabilities may find it limited.
Pros
  • Affordable midrange price
  • Decent performance with Ryzen 7
  • Good display resolution
  • Solid battery life
  • Compact and lightweight
Cons
  • No dedicated graphics
  • Limited port selection
  • Build quality is average
  • Average speaker quality
8
BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: A-, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: A-
Size: 15.3"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Very thin, light
Battery: Excellent




Expert Summary
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) comes with an appealing combination of features for those who prioritize a blend of performance and portability. It has a larger 15-inch display and a powerful Apple M2 chip with ample memory for smooth multitasking and everyday tasks. However, note that it's priced in the upper midrange spectrum. While it has a very slim design and light weight, enhancing its portability, it may not be the first choice for those seeking the utmost in gaming or intensive engineering due to its display limited to a standard refresh rate and integrated GPU. It offers fanless operation for a silent experience and a backlit keyboard. Although excellent for general use, performance may be fair for more demanding 3D and machine learning applications, and good for engineering tasks. Battery life is solid, allowing for extended use between charges. The MacBook Air has a top-tier build quality, excellent keyboard, and great speakers, making it a strong all-around laptop, but the premium price reflects its status as a high-end Apple product.
Pros
  • Large, high-resolution screen
  • Lightweight and thin design
  • Long battery life
  • Silent, fanless operation
  • Excellent build and keyboard quality
Cons
  • No touchscreen
  • Limited ports availability
  • Average 3D performance
  • No Ethernet port
9
BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: A-, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: B+
Size: 15.3"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Very thin, light
Battery: Excellent




Pros
  • Lightweight and thin design
  • Fanless, runs silently
  • Excellent keyboard and build quality
  • Superb webcam and speakers
  • Good screen color accuracy
Cons
  • No touchscreen functionality
  • Limited port selection
  • Moderate 3D performance
  • Higher price point
10
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
5.0
General: A-, Gaming/AI: B, Eng/Design: A-
Size: 13.3"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Thin, very light
Battery: Best in Class




Expert Summary
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) sits at an upper midrange price point and is equipped with a 24GB RAM and 1TB storage space. It features the Apple M2 processor with a dedicated GPU from the same series, ensuring high-quality performance, particularly for general usage. The laptop boasts a 13.3-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, which does not support touchscreen functionality. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, fine pixel density, and bright display with extensive color coverage, making it suitable for color-critical tasks. However, it's not optimized for high-refresh scenarios like competitive gaming. Its thin and light design, with a weight of 3 pounds and a thickness of just 0.61 inches, enhances its portability, yet it still provides a robust battery life of about 20 hours for typical use. The MacBook Pro includes two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports for versatile connectivity, though lacks Ethernet, HDMI, and expandable RAM or storage slots. The keyboard is backlit without a number pad but incorporates a fingerprint reader for added security. Its high ratings in various quality aspects such as keyboard, build, and heat management reflect an overall premium design, although its performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks is considered good but not top-tier compared to specialized workstations. This makes it more suited for professionals and creatives who prioritize design, battery life, and general performance over gaming or highly intensive computational tasks.
Pros
  • Long battery life
  • High-quality retina display
  • Excellent build quality
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Powerful M2 processor
Cons
  • No touchscreen available
  • Limited port variety
  • Expensive compared to peers
  • Not upgradable post-purchase