If you're on the hunt for the best MacBook, then you're in the right place. There are a number of Apple laptops to select from, so we've done detailed review work to bring you our list of the best Apple models on the market, as rated and ranked.
All of the below MacBooks can be customised and configured to better suit your budget and the sort of power you're seeking – that's something to remember when you're shopping, as the spec you see listed doesn't have to be the final selection that you order.
For those thinking about school, college or university, check out our best MacBook for students guide, as student discount applies – and we've prioritised the more budget purchases, as applicable. We've also got carefully curated guides to the best laptop overall, should you not be 100% fixed on Apple and its macOS operating system.
T3's Top 3
Best MacBook overall
Apple does make even more premium MacBooks in its Pro line, but the 15-inch Air with M4 processor will be a great fit for most. It runs silently, offers heaps of power, and although it costs a little more, its design is more up-to-date than the older-gen processors. If you want to do significant CPU/GPU-demanding projects, however, then consider a MacBook Pro instead.
Best budget MacBook
As older M2/M3-powered Macs are now hard to find, the M4-powered MacBook Air brings the most up-to-date design and is a savvy purchase for a little less money than the larger 15-inch model. It runs silently and is very powerful, just like the larger variant. But, really, it's the price compared to the rest of the Mac range that'll make this MacBook the winning option for the budget-conscious.
Best premium MacBook
If it's raw power that you're seeking, then a MacBook Pro is the way to go. It won't be silent like its Air cousins, and the design is thicker to allow for heat dissipation and cooling, but you'll have more oomph to work with for more serious tasks. The 14-inch Pro is a great option for portability, but if you want yet more than a 16-inch model ups the scale and power (and price!) yet further.
The best MacBooks we recommend in 2025
Best overall
For many it's the larger 15.3-inch display of this MacBook Air will make it the very best option on the market. Otherwise, generally speaking, this M4-toting model is an echo of the 13-inch equivalent – only physically larger.
That bigger scale doesn't cost it to excess in the small-and-light category, though, as Apple has somehow made the 15-inch Air barely any thicker or heavier than the 13-inch model.
As said in our original review: "The 15-inch MacBook Air's sell is simple: it's a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it's got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus).
"There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it'll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many, that'll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams... except now it's a reality."
Best affordable
After its 2022 redesign, the MacBook Air has received a number of silicon-based upgrades, cumulating in the M4-toting model for 2025.
Unlike the Pro models with this chip, however, the Air features a fanless design for silent operation. The 13.6-inch form factor will make this the best Apple laptop for many people – plus it costs less than the 15-incher. Indeed, it's so good that it netted the T3 Awards 2024 'Best Laptop' prize.
The M4 MacBook Air is much cheaper than the larger 14- and 16-inch Pro models, but you do miss out on some features: there's no HDMI slot and no SDXC card reader, for example, while throttling means you'll get higher performance from the Pro models. However, most aren't going to need that, so we think the Air M3 is the ideal balance.
As said in T3's full MacBook Air review: "The redesign of the MacBook Air was a major revelation. Adding Apple's M4 silicon into that mix gives this laptop even more life. And cutting the effective price generation on generation makes it even more appealing for those seeking a portable 13-inch laptop."
Best pro
Replacing the excellent 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro, the updated MacBook Pro design is in its M4 form – with a new M5 replacement arriving in 2025 too. You can also buy it in M4 Pro and M4 Max options.
There were aesthetic changes in 2021, and while the 2024/5 models don't change anything visually speaking – save for the Space Black finish – it's still a great laptop with superb battery life, plus small new additions such as HDMI 2.1 (for 4K/240Hz output) and Wi-Fi 6E speeds.
Gone is the Touch Bar of old – its last appearance is on the now-discontinued 13-inch 2022 Pro model – and while the display still has a notch (just like the MacBook Air models featured above), we think it's hard not to fall in love with its bright Mini-LED charms.
The 14-inch model here slightly edges out the 16-inch model in terms of the balance between power and portability – it's a little lighter and a little smaller if you need something that you can carry around.
But the 16-inch model is also a 5-star product, with even better battery life, but an even higher price. You can go wrong either way, unless you don't need this level of performance, in which case look elsewhere on this list.
Best big screen
For some people this entry on our list will actually make sense as the number one option to buy. But then it's also the most expensive, given it's the biggest and most powerful MacBook going. It's also the most powerful, and if you've got super-high demands then the 96GB unified memory model is untouchable compared to what the competition can offer (and can be expanded to 128GB).
If you really want to go all-out on a MacBook Pro then the 16-inch top-spec model fits the bill: as you can tell from our 16-inch MacBook Pro review, it's a stunner in terms of both its looks and its performance, though bear in mind that this larger version is not as easy to carry around as the 14-inch edition.
The price rises steeply as you start to configure the 16-inch model though – the early 2025 release with M5 silicon is the starting point, while M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are also available for even more power. Despite all of this power, the laptop stays impressively quiet and cool even when faced with more demanding tasks, while its battery life is still decent too.
The 16.2-inch 3456 x 2234 pixel resolution display is absolutely gorgeous from any angle too – and just like the 14-inch model, the brightest you'll find in the MacBook line-up.
External monitors and other peripherals can be connected through one of the three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. There's also HDMI 2.1 out (with 4K/240Hz monitor support), an SDXC card slot, and a 1080p webcam to ensure all your comms and connectivity are on point.
How we test Apple MacBooks
Just as we test any of the best laptops here at T3, a key part of our testing the best MacBooks is living with each Apple product and treating it as if our own – that gives the best real-world experience and understanding of the important factors such as design, portability, battery life, software highs and lows, and so on.
The team at T3 has many years of experience in reviewing the best MacBooks, so we're able to contextualise and understand how one model relates to another, generation on generation, using that knowledge to point you to the best buys – even if they're the older models.
In addition to a true lived-with approach, we do of course use benchmarking tests to gauge how a MacBook sits on the map in terms of CPU and GPU performance, so you can get an understanding of how certain operations may fit your workflow best. This is good to show year-on-year upgrades, plus how the latest MacBook might compare to, say, a gaming laptop or Windows laptop competitor.
Then and only then, following many days if not weeks of use, we bring the final verdict – including areas to improve upon, in addition to highlighting the positives – including a score out of five, with the 5-star award being the highest accolade offered on T3.com and by T3 magazine.
How to choose the best MacBook for you
When it comes to selecting a MacBook there's a couple of major pointers to consider: screen size and portability, power requirements, silent operation, and of course the price.
Apple makes MacBooks in all kinds of screen sizes now. The 11-inch and 12-inch models of old no longer exist. Instead there's the 13-inch standard, as per MacBook Air models, which grows to 15-inch for the larger model in that range. The Pro line-up, meanwhile, is 14- or 16-inch only.
Regarding power, Apple now uses its own silicon in all of its current MacBook models, ranging from the original M1 through to the latest M-series, including 'Pro' and 'Max' and 'Ultra' options with ever more processing power.
The higher up the grade you go, the more unified memory there is available, with up to 128GB RAM available at the top-end. You can only acquire that with the most powerful MacBook options, though, as the base Air won't deliver to this level.
There's also no point in overpaying for excess power if your needs simply won't demand it. The Air is great for all manner of tasks, including the use of decent editing programmes, but the Pro models really turn things up a notch. As a result, the latter range needs more cooling, which means fans, which in turn means more noise and less battery life.
The biggest factor for many people, however, will simply come down to price. If you're looking to spend under four figures, then you're going to be buying an older model rather than the very latest on offer. That's not always a bad thing, though, as you'll still get years of use.
FAQs
Can you install Windows on a Mac?
MacBooks run Apple's operating system, macOS, by default. But you can load Windows by installing it through Parallels Desktop. This is a paid extra, should you need it.
Most major apps available for Windows are also on Mac, with some exceptions – do look into availability should you be studying a specialist subject where particular software is required.
Are MacBooks worth it?
While Apple products have long been known to be pricey, they're also not overpriced – a Windows laptop that's just as thin, light and powerful is likely to cost a similar sum.
Do keep in mind that many of Apple's current laptops only have USB-C ports, so you may need to buy adapters to attach regular USB hard drives or accessories.
Note there are also different charging speeds based on the power (Watts) of the plug you buy. Check out T3's MacBook plug options explained feature to gain an understanding of what comes with which machine – and how to upgrade.
When it comes to software, Apple is offering multiple updates to ensure you'll be secure and up to date with features. Like with the latest iPhones, 7 years is the typical going rate – and divide that out over the years and you'll see the worth MacBooks can bring.
Are MacBooks silent?
Yes and no! The M-series silicon that Apple deploys – Intel variants are long gone – doesn't require cooling. As such, the MacBook Air range goes fan-free, for silent operation.
However, the M-series does need to be cooled if it's pushed to the upper limits, which is why the Pro models do feature fans – and can therefore generate noise when under pressure – in order to extract more capability from the hardware.
Reviewer Panel
I've been using Apple laptops for as long as I can remember, since the MacBook's inception back in 2006. From student to professional, the Mac has been my go-to personal model choice – while reviewing the best Windows laptops in tandem – and I've seen and used multiple generations of MacBook Air and Pro over the years.
Mat has been T3's Apple advocate since taking over running the site, with the best iPads, iPhones and, of course, MacBooks all making their way across his test bench. From deep-dive briefings about Apple's latest silicon, to in-house testing, Mat's seen all the latest Mac laptops.
