The best lightweight laptops you can buy: Expert tested
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Leaps in processor technology this year have enabled a whole new class of thin and lightweight laptops. what was once thought to be impossible (laptops less than half an inch thick) is now common, and these numbers are only getting smaller.
All of the laptops on this list weigh less than three pounds (with the exception of the ROG Zephyrus G14 -- a gaming laptop), making them easily transportable, and perfect options for remote or hybrid workers, freelancers, or commuting office workers who prioritize mobility.
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That being said, they're also all more than capable of tackling diverse workloads, from creative applications to productivity, with powerful processors and expansive memory configurations.
We've gone hands-on with dozens of ultraportable laptops this year, and feel confident in recommending these five. We've broken them down into a few useful categories to help you make sense of their strengths. Let's take a look.
What's the best lightweight laptop right now?
Our overall top pick for the best lightweight laptop has to go to the Apple MacBook Air M3. In terms of portability, sleek form factor, battery life, and AI capabilities, the MacBook Air M3 reigns supreme among the lightest of the light. It might not be the best pick for you, so we included other options that round out the spectrum of common use cases.
The best ultraportable laptops of 2024
The resounding success of Apple's M2 MacBook Air was only improved upon with its successor, the M3 MacBook Air, and is our pick for best overall lightweight laptop. Available in a 13-inch and 15-inch display size, the MacBook Air is thin, light, and incredibly compact for the amount of power it has. At just barely over three pounds, the MacBook Air can be slipped into virtually any bag and go with you wherever you go.
The M3 MacBook Air is also as versatile as it is portable, with the ability to support two additional monitors with the lid closed (using an Apple Studio Display lets you connect directly with a Thunderbolt port), and act like a desktop.
It's also no secret that the M3 lineup was designed to handle AI workloads, and the MacBook Air is no exception. With a 16-core Neural Engine (along with accelerators in the GPU/CPU for improved on-device machine learning) the M2 MacBook Air can run various AI models and is future-proofed for the inevitable deluge of AI applications coming.
Review: M3 MacBook Air review: Apple's AI computer for the masses has arrived
Apple MacBook Air M3 tech specs: Operating System: MacOS | CPU: 8-core CPU with 16-core Neural Engine, 10-core GPU | Display: 13-inch, 15-inch | RAM, Storage: Up to 24GB unified memory | Camera: 1080P FaceTime HD | Battery: Up to 18 hours | Weight: 13-inch: 2.7 pounds; 15-inch: 3.3 pounds
The new Asus Zenbook S 14 with the Intel 200V "Lunar Lake" series processor harnesses AI in ways that matters to consumers: fast load times, snappy performance, and an outstanding battery, thanks to the onboard NPU. But in terms of its lightweight form factor, it doesn't get much more portable than this.
The Zenbook S 14 is made of ceraluminum, Asus' proprietary ultralight and durable material that gives the device a unique, stylish look but weights just 2.65 pounds. Along the same lines, it's only 0.47 inches thick, making it a machine you can slide into a backpack while commuting.
Review: Zenbook S 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2)
The most useful application of AI, however, contributes to some outstanding battery life. The Intel Core Ultra 7 200V series processor uses machine learning algorithms to automatically adjust brightness, refresh rate, and contrast based on user activity and on-screen content. This is what allows this device to effortlessly play media for several hours on end with only a trickle of battery life.
Asus Zenbook S 14 (Intel Series 2) tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home/Pro | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V, Intel AI Boost NPU | GPU: Intel Arc Graphics | Display: 14-inch, 3K OLED touchscreen, 120Hz refresh rate, 500nits HDR peak brightness | RAM, Storage: 32GB, 1TB SSD | Camera: 1080P FHD | Battery: Up to 22 hours | Weight: 2.65 lbs.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a solid gaming machine in its own right, but it's the combination of power and portability together that make it our pick for best lightweight gaming laptop.
The hardware in this laptop is no slouch; its AMD Ryzen 9 8000-series processor delivers a powerful baseline of performance, while the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU completes the package as a graphics card that can gaming with ease. This isn't necessarily the best gaming laptop on the market, but it is perhaps the most portable, particularly when it comes to this amount of power in a compact, clean form factor.
The Zephyrus G14 isn't necessarily pigeonholed into being a gaming laptop, either. This is a machine that will do just as well in the office as it will handling heavy workflows with creative software such as video editing or animation. If you do take it to the office, you'll notice it comes stacked with practical ports: you have two each of USB-A and -C, HDMI, headphone jack, and a microSD slot.
In addition, the battery lasts surprisingly long for a machine with this level of hardware and an OLED display. Most people will be able to get an entire workday plus a little more out of just one charge, even while performing demanding tasks.
Review: Asus' new laptop is a solid MacBook alternative that's better in several ways
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Display: 14-inch OLED | RAM, Storage: Up to 32GB, 1TB SSD | Camera: 1080P FHD | Battery: Up to 12 hours | Weight: 3.3 pounds
The LG Gram Pro 17 takes portability to the extreme. At just half an inch thick and weighing barely over three pounds, the Gram Pro 17 not only holds a Guinness record, but achieved something that at one time was thought to be impossible for a 17" laptop.
Its portability is matched by a suite of powerful hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB hard drive with 2TB of storage, and even a solid video card. This is a machine designed with work in mind, but it could handle some light gaming with this configuration.
Review: I tested LG's 17-inch Gram Pro and it's the big-screen, lightweight laptop to beat
Speaking of work, the LG Gram Pro 17 is light enough to go wherever you go, and brings a powerful enough battery to back it up. Battery life times depend on how hard you're pushing the machine, but expect to get well over a day's work on one charge, even taking into account strenuous workloads such as video editing or image rendering.
The LG Gram Pro 17 is the definition of portability, so this is the laptop for someone who is committed to that idea, as there is a cost associated with this level of innovation.
LG Gram Pro 17 tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 | Display: 17-inch high-res WQXGA display | RAM, Storage: Up to 32GB, 2TB SSD | Camera: 1080P FHD | Battery: Up to 27 hours | Weight: 3.04 pounds
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x feels premium. Its dark "cosmic blue" colorway and sleek form factor exude a grown-up, capable aura that feels down to business but still fun.
The solid hardware on board supports that impression, with the Snapdragon X Elite processor leading the charge, and the brilliant 3K OLED display as the cherry on top. And best of all, it's thin, portable, and less than 3 pounds, making it as portable as it is performing.
Review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x
It also has one of the best displays I've seen on a laptop in a while, capable of up to 1,000 nits of brightness for peak HDR content. The touchscreen display features a resolution of 2944 x 1840 pixels (or 3K), resulting in a gorgeous media experience with a 90Hz refresh rate for that silky-smooth, crisp image.
The Slim 7x lives up to its name as an ultraportable laptop that easily slides into a backpack, supported by a durable, all-aluminum chassis, securing it as a solid option for remote workers and freelancers on the go.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64 ARM | CPU: Snapdragon X Elite 3.4GHz | GPU: Integrated Qualcomm Adreno | Display: 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen, up to 1,000 nits brightness, 90Hz refresh rate | RAM, Storage: Up to 32GB, Up to 1TB SSD | Camera: 1080P FHD | Battery: Up to 22 hours | Weight: 2.8 lbs.
What is the best lightweight laptop?
The best lightweight laptop in 2024 is the Apple MacBook Air M3. Portable, powerful, and with a long-lasting battery, the MacBook Air M3 is a versatile workhorse that you can throw in a bag and take with you anywhere you go. The M3's 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU is armed to take on almost anything you throw at it, and the entire package weighs just 2.7 pounds.
Laptop | Starting cost | Processor/GPU | RAM/Storage | Weight (lbs) |
Apple MacBook Air M3 | $1099 | M3 8-core CPU | 8GB up to 16GB, up to 512GB | 2.7 |
Asus Zenbook S 14 (Intel Series 2) | $1,499 | Intel Core Ultra 7 200V (Series 2) / Intel Arc | 32GB, 1TB | 2.65 |
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | $1600 | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, GeForce RTX 4060 | 16GB, 1TB | 3.31 |
LG Gram Pro 17 | $1299 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 | 16GB, 1TB | 2.7 |
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x | $1,199 | Snapdragon X Elite / Qualcomm Adreno | 16GB, 512GB | 2.6 |
Which is the right lightweight laptop for you?
The best lightweight laptop for you depends on what you want to get out of it. Laptops packed with powerful gaming hardware like the Asus Zephyrus G14 are going to weigh a little more, while extreme lightweight machines like the LG Gram Pro 17 will have some design tradeoffs that go along with their compact size.
Choose this lightweight laptop… | If you want… |
Apple MacBook Air M3 | An all-around powerful laptop that can do it all in a lightweight, portable form factor. |
Asus Zenbook S 14 | A stylish, ultra-thin 14-inch laptop with a gorgeous display and marathon battery. |
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | The lightest machine you can get while still calling it a proper gaming laptop. |
LG Gram Pro 17 | The lightest, thinnest 17-inch laptop on the market, no matter the cost. |
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x | A durable, premium laptop for work that's as performant as it is portable. |
How we test lightweight laptops
We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood, and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a normal consumer would, in order to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.
- Benchmarking: First, we run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly-used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include:
- Processor: The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in their own machines only). This is tested in benchmarking software.
The display: The size of the display (measured diagonally from corner to corner) is also what dictates the laptop's overall size, and play a big role in the laptop's cost. Brightness is measured in "nits", and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
- Battery testing: We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait 'til the end.
- The human element: As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.
Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience.
Factors to consider when choosing a lightweight laptop
These laptops all offer solid performance in their own right, but paired with their lightweight design, bring a new level of convenience with their portability. Keep in mind that the differences in their weight here are broken down to tenths of a pound, while most people won't even notice much of a difference between two and three pounds. These other factors went into the decision making process:
- Display: All of the laptops evaluated here are the 14" versions, except the Gram Pro 17 of course, which is 17-inches and still one of the lightest.
- Battery life: In order to be considered for this list, I considered machines with better-than-average battery life. This is one metric that will vary significantly based on use case, but all of these laptops will easily last an entire workday (eight hours) on one charge, even while undergoing demanding workloads
- Price: Cost is an important factor and will make or break many consumers' choices. The reality is that ultraportability does come at a cost, as none of these laptops would be considered "budget" by any rate. The Acer Swift Go 14, however, is still quite affordable, starting at $800, though upgrades will move that number more in line with the others on this list.
Why does having a lightweight laptop matter?
The answer to this question is simple: laptops are made to be carried around, and no one wants to carry a heavy computer. Having a thin, lightweight machine opens up its usability and lets you take it places you normally wouldn't consider possible.
Ultraportability does come with tradeoffs, however, both in terms of design and cost. When talking about design, the constraints on manufacturers to squeeze value out of every square inch of space in the laptop means that certain elements may be smaller, lighter, or in non-conventional locations. This especially refers to the laptop's battery, its display, or the laptop's keyboard.
In terms of cost, ultraportable laptops are often made with high-end, special lightweight materials that are going to cost more to produce and manufacture than simple plastic or aluminum. All of the laptops on this list were chosen for their well-designed, functional form factors and use of lightweight materials.
How much does a typical laptop weigh?
Laptops are incredibly thin and light these days, with cutting-edge technology pushing the limit even further each year. Just ten years ago, it wasn't uncommon for laptops to weigh six or seven pounds; today, that seems absurd.
Most laptops today weigh between two and a half and five pounds, with a five-pound laptop being considered on the heavy side. Different configurations change the weight of laptops, as well. More memory and storage will increase the weight -- something to keep in mind when buying.
The heaviest laptops on this list are the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and the 15-inch MacBook Air M3, each weighing just 3.3 pounds. In the laptop world, that's light.
What slim laptop backpack do we recommend?
We love lightweight laptops because they're easy to carry around. But the backpack you carry it in is just as important. There are many great backpacks out there for transporting your laptop, but here are a few we recommend.
Also: From everyday use to travel, these are the best backpacks
Which operating system should you choose: Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, or Linux?
While every computing platform has its loyal supporters, most people end up using a particular operating system because of key applications running on it, employer preferences, or budgetary constraints. Windows, which ranges from budget to premium, and Apple's MacOS, which is exclusive to premium devices, cover a broad spectrum. Chrome OS is mostly limited to mid-range devices.
Also: Comparing the best Macs: Is a MacBook or Mac Studio right for you?
All Windows devices listed here meet the requirements for Windows 11. If you purchase a device with Windows 10 installed, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 if you choose to do so. Note that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end, and there will be no further security patches or feature updates.
Are there alternative lightweight laptops worth considering?
Laptop technology is getting better all the time, and manufacturers are pushing the limits to what is not only possible, but accessible and affordable. As such, there are quite a few alternative options out there for lightweight laptops that weren't included on this list, but need to be mentioned.