As we move into 2024, the 13-inch form factor does seem to be fading away, with 14-inch laptops becoming more and more the norm. Nevertheless, there’s still solid options available right now and these are the top ones that we’ve reviewed.
There are a huge number of laptops out there, with the likes of Acer, Asus, Lenovo and HP launching multiple models each year, making it difficult for the average person to find the perfect option. That’s why we’ve decided to help and create this best 13-inch laptop list.
When considering a 13-inch laptop, you still have plenty of options, even if the industry seems to be moving towards boosting the popular size up to 14-inches. There are decent picks available from the likes of Dell, MSI, Apple, Asus, Lenovo and more, but this list features the absolute best.
So, how do we decide what warrants a place on this list, as well as our wide range of best lists on Trusted Reviews? All of our picks have been tested by our experts. The testing involves using the devices on a day-to-day basis, just like a typical user, combined with industry-standard equipment to get detailed benchmark results that allow us to compare in detail.
You’re likely here because you want a compact laptop but, if you’re on the fence and fancy casting your net wider, we’ve also got guides for the best budget laptop, best student laptop, best gaming laptop and the best Chromebook.
Best 13-inch Laptops at a glance
How we test
Learn more about how we test laptops 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 test is as accurate as possible.
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)
Best overall 13-inch laptop
Pros
Fantastic performanceSleek, updated designExcellent keyboard and trackpadLong battery life
Cons
Expensive starting price and upgradesMore colours would have been niceThe M1 version remains an excellent buy for less
The Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) is a wondrous all-rounder that’s main flaw is simply the higher price you have to pay for such a pristine package.
When Apple introduced the M1 to the MacBook range, it was quite the revelation but the design sorely needed a boost, and that’s exactly what happened with the 13-inch MacBook Air M2. For your money, the M2 version of the Air offers high-end hardware with a recycled aluminium unibody design. It does drop the famed wedge shape of Air models past but the boxier design is stunning in its own right.
Despite its wonderfully portable size, the MacBook Air M2 manages to pack in plenty of power and battery life. Not only can the M2 comfortably eat up intensive productivity tasks, even creative work like 4K video editing is well within this device’s reach. This is all impressively achieved without a fan too. For battery life, this 13-inch laptop is able to manage upwards of 13-hours.
The 13-inch display is a key part of the redesign from the previous model, donning a 13.6-inch panel to be exact. It does come with a notch but it is easy to ignore and it allows the bezels to be significantly reduced around the rest of the laptop. The IPS LCD QHD+ display offers impressive brightness and strong detail.
Reviewer: Max ParkerFull review: Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) review
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)
Best luxury 13-inch laptop
Pros
Exciting modern designTop drawer keyboard and trackpadBright and rich OLED displayThin and light
Cons
Performance not competitive with rivalsUnderside gets warmPoor battery life
The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) may not quite reach the heights of the industry-topping Dell XPS 13 that dominated the 2010s, but its new design offers an impressive glimpse into the future.
This 13-inch laptop stands out for what you lay your eyes on once you open it up. First, the bottom half offers what Dell calls a lattice keyboard. This essentially means there are no gaps between the keys, and it looks great. Morever, the performance is more than up to standard, offering a typing experience that is up there with the best of them. You then have the invisible haptic trackpad, which has no borders but your muscle memory will do the trick. Not only do these cutting edge features look remarkable, they operate at a high level too.
The display keeps the whole thing rolling, with our review model providing a stunning 3.5K OLED panel. The result is a remarkably accurate display that offers luscious colour and bags of detail. Despite its smaller size, this is absolutely a display you’ll revel in watching video on.
Under the hood, this sleek device is backed up by an Intel Core 13th Gen P-series processors, which adds up to plenty of juice for productivity work and the ability to dabble in creative tasking.
Reviewer: Adam SpeightFull review: Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) review
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
Best dual-screen 13-inch laptop
Pros
Dual-display portability Strong 13th Gen Intel Core i7 performance Crisp and accurate display Good keyboard and stand
Cons
Lacking a physical trackpad Software still has some way to go Few useful modes
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i was a rather unique proposition until recently when the dual-screen 14-inch Asus Zenbook Duo burst onto the scene. If you’re into the idea of two 13-inch displays in a remarkably compact form factor, then the Yoga Book 9i is worth considering.
Admittedly, this Lenovo dual-screen marvel isn’t perfect, with a high price and the lack of a physical trackpad. But, what it does offer is very impressive. There are very few other devices that can offer this level of portability and productivity in one package. We found the dual-displays to be of huge benefit when it comes to multi-tasking and the fact it’s easy to take on the go too just makes it that much sweet.
The displays themselves are vibrant and accurate propositions, coming in at 2.8K resolution and using OLED technology. The result is lush and detailed, making it ideal for watching videos, dabbling in light creative work and productivity.
We were surprised by the impressive battery life on offer too. Despite powering two displays, we were able to get around 12 hours out of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.
Reviewer: Adam SpeightFull review: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review
MSI Prestige 13 Evo (2023)
Best 13-inch laptop for battery life
Pros
Strong productivity performanceExtremely thin and lightFans rarely get instrusively loudGreat keyboard
Cons
Sub-par displayHigh pricePoor webcam
In contrast to our luxury Dell XPS 13 Plus pick, the MSI Prestige 13 Evo is all about function, with strong performance and long battery life.
Getting the negative out of the way, the Prestige 13 Evo certainly doesn’t offer up the fanciest of displays. But it’s a testament to the rest of the device that, if it did, this would likely be a contender for the best laptop around.
Despite being a 13-inch laptop that is impressively thin and light, this MSI Prestige 13 Evo manages to sport very few compromises. The performance here is ideal for productivity users who have several tasks to complete at once or are in need of many tabs being open. The small chassis and power surprisingly doesn’t add up to loud fans or a warm body, with both rarely disturbing you.
The battery life is the star of the show, with this device’s modest 75Wh cell managing close to 16-hours of battery life. That means you’ll be able to get roughly two days of work out of this laptop under the right conditions. The keyboard isn’t compromised either, offering up surprisingly good travel and a satisfying click, though the keys are slightly small.
Reviewer: Adam SpeightFull review: MSI Prestige 13 Evo review
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023)
Best thin and light 13-inch laptop
Pros
A near-flawless OLED displaySuitable productivity performanceGood battery lifeJaw-droppingly thin and light
Cons
Irritating fan noiseBattery capacity and graphical power worse than last genHigh starting price
Like the Dell XPS 13 Plus, the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) isn’t the peak device is the range’s history but, in 2024, it remains a strong option.
The Zenbook S 13 OLED really is a sight to behold. The previous model was truly excellent while being impressively thin and light, but the 2023 version takes this even further. This newer laptop revamps the design of the lid, using sustainable materials to create a unique and eye-catching look, and it’s backed up by being just 13.9mm thin and weighing 990 grams.
The 13-inch screen on the Zenbook S 13 OLED is another highlight too, as you might expect from its name. The 16:10 2.8K OLED panel offers an experience that truly defies its smaller size. The resolution means there are tons of detail, the squarer aspect ratio is ideal for productivity and the thin bezels create an immersive vibe. It’s top-notch in terms of colour accuracy and makes watching video a joy.
This laptop won’t knock your socks off in terms of running whisper quiet or having a long battery life but the productivity performance is up to snuff. It largely kept pace with competitors in our benchmarks and you’ll be able to run upwards of 20-25 tabs in Google Chrome with little trouble.
Reviewer: Adam SpeightFull review: Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) review
Asus ROG Flow X13
Best 13-inch gaming laptop
Pros
Superb, versatile design of laptop and dockRTX 3080 delivers great gaming speedGTX 1650 is a solid eSports chipHigh-quality display
Cons
Laptop and dock design won’t suit everyoneLaptop is sometimes too hotMiddling battery lifeMinimal laptop connectivity
A thin and light 13-inch gaming laptop? No, you aren’t dreaming. The Asus ROG Flow X13 (2021) is our favourite 13-inch gaming laptop, and it isn’t just because it is one of the few devices to warrant this moniker. It is truly impressive in its own right.
The ROG Flow X13 can be viewed in two different ways, either as a thin and light gaming machine that can run the latest games at entry-level settings or, on top of all of that, something to be paired with Asus’ ROG XG Mobile external graphics chip to gives it more performance heft.
The laptop itself is an impressive feat of engineering, managing to offer a lightweight and trim 13-inch design alongside gaming-friendly features. It may not suit serious eSports types but the keyboard is pleasingly crisp and offers surprisingly good travel. The display errs on the side of gaming prowess, with FHD+ resolution alongside a strong 120Hz refresh rate. However, it is 16:10 so it will equally suit productivity tasking.
When paired with an RTX 3080 version of the XG Mobile, this combination managed upwards of 90fps in fidelity-focused titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and Borderlands 3. For those craving higher refresh rates, we managed to hit that 120fps sweet spot in our Dirt Rally test.
Reviewer: Mike JenningsFull review: Asus ROG Flow X13 (2021) review
FAQs
Is 13-inch a good size for a laptop? It really comes down to personal requirements but there is certainly nothing inherently wrong with a 13-inch laptop. It is likely the ideal size for those who crave portability but still want enough space on a display to get things done. Is a 13-inch laptop good for students? It will depend on the requirements of your study but, for writing essays, research and browsing the web, 13-inch laptops offer plenty of room. If you are someone who likes to have windows side-by-side then, if you don’t have easy access to a monitor to pair a 13-inch laptop with, you may want to opt for a larger size.
Specs compared
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UK RRP
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CPU
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Battery Hours
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Resolution
HDR
Refresh Rate
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Audio (Power output)
GPU
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Display Technology
Screen Technology
Touch Screen
Convertible?
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)
£1249
$1199
€1499
CA$1499
AU$1899
Apple M2
Apple
13.6 inches
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
1080p
52.6 Whr
–
30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 CM
1.24 KG
B0B3BJD4F4
MacOS
2022
03/08/2022
–
2560 x 1664
–
60 Hz
2x Thunderbolt 3, 1x MagSafe
–
Apple M2
8GB
–
Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Space Grey
IPS
–
No
No
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)
£1719.38
$1849
–
–
–
Intel Core i7-1360P
Dell
13.4 inches
512GB
720p
55 Whr
–
295.3 x 199.04 x 15.28 MM
1.26 KG
–
Windows 11 Home
2023
–
–
3456 x 2160
Yes
60 Hz
2 x Thunderbolt 4
4 W
–
32GB
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
White
OLED
–
Yes
No
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023)
£1499.99
$1399.99
–
–
–
Intel Core i7-1355U
Asus
13.3 inches
1TB
FHD
63 Whr
–
296.2 x 216.3 x 10.9 MM
990 G
–
Windows 11 Home
2023
20/06/2023
–
2880 X 1800
Yes
60 Hz
2 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Audio combo jack
–
–
16GB
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
–
LCD
IPS
No
No
MSI Prestige 13 Evo (2023)
£1499.99
$1499
–
–
–
Intel Core i7-1360P
MSI
13.3 inches
1TB
–
75 Whr
–
299 x 210 x 16.9 MM
0.99 G
–
Windows 11 Home
2021
–
–
1900 x 1200
–
–
2 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-A, 1 x Micro SD, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Headphone Jack
–
–
16GB
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Pure White, Stellar Gray
LCD
IPS
No
No
Asus ROG Flow X13
£1498
$1769
€1548
–
–
AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS
Asus
13.4 inches
1TB
yes
62 Whr
1 18
222 x 299 x 15.8 MM
1.3 KG
B09F5ZNL79
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
2021
05/10/2021
GV301QH-K5243R
1920 x 1200
–
120 Hz
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x audio, 1 x HDMI, 1 x ROG XG
5 W
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
–
Dual-band 802.11ax wireless, Bluetooth 5.1
Black
LED
IPS
Yes
Yes
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
£2104.20
$2099.99
–
–
–
Intel Core i7-1355U
Lenovo
13.3 inches
1TB
–
80 Whr
–
299.1 x 203.9 x 15.95 MM
1.34 KG
B08HJ32VN6
Windows 11 Home
2023
–
–
2880 x 1800
Yes
60 Hz
3 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x Headphone Jack, 1 x E-Shutter Switch
8 W
–
16GB
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Tidal Teal
OLED
IPS
Yes
Yes
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Trusted Reviews test data
‹
PCMark 10
Cinebench R23 multi core
Cinebench R23 single core
Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
3DMark Time Spy
CrystalDiskMark Read speed
CrystalDiskMark Write Speed
Brightness (SDR)
Black level
Contrast ratio
White Visual Colour Temperature
sRGB
Adobe RGB
DCI-P3
PCMark Battery (office)
PCMark Battery (gaming)
Battery Life
Borderlands 3 frame rate (Full HD)
Horizon Zero Dawn frame rate (Full HD)
Dirt Rally (Full HD)
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)
–
8100
–
1928
8968
–
–
–
2913.7 MB/s
–
503 nits
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)
5082
8663
1552
1637
8872
2309
10455
1829
6819.51 MB/s
5078.85 MB/s
383.7 nits
0 nits
0:1
6700 K
100 %
99 %
99 %
7 hrs
–
–
–
–
–
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023)
5580
–
–
1870
7602
2428
8296
1589
6892.75 MB/s
5165.25 MB/s
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11 hrs
–
–
–
–
–
MSI Prestige 13 Evo (2023)
5872
–
–
1899
9529
2539
10464
1882
6697.39 MB/s
–
471.5 nits
0.28 nits
1710:1
6800 K
98 %
79 %
80 %
14 hrs
–
–
–
–
–
Asus ROG Flow X13
6078
–
–
1357
7466
–
–
3306
2358 MB/s
–
297 nits
0.17 nits
1747:1
6421 K
97.3 %
71.2 %
68.6 %
5 hrs
1 hrs
1 hrs
40
31 fps
54 fps
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
5211
6306
1626
1635
6987
2152
7255
1702
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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