Best Laptops for Working from Home
Working from home means your laptop is your daily workhorse, so it needs to excel in productivity, comfort, and versatility. Key features to consider include a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, a sharp display (preferably 14–15 inches for multitasking), and a good webcam for video meetings. Plenty of ports (USB, HDMI, etc.) are helpful for connecting monitors and accessories. And while you might be near an outlet at home, strong battery life lets you move around the house or work from a café without hauling a charger. Some remote workers may also travel, so portability and durability matter – a lighter laptop with a sturdy build makes it easier to work from anywhere. Below, we’ve rounded up the best laptops for working from home across multiple categories – from overall champs to budget picks – all of which are available via major retailers like Amazon. Each laptop includes key specs, a rating, and why it stands out for remote work.
First is the TL;DR for those of you in a hurry
🏆 Best Overall
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4
💰 ~$1,300+ | 💻 14″ 1920×1200 | 🧠 Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen PRO
🔋 ~8–10 hrs | ⚖️ ~2.8 lb
✅ Pro-grade build, best-in-class keyboard, excellent port selection
❌ RAM is soldered, not user-upgradeable
💸 Best Budget
ASUS VivoBook 16 (M1605)
💰 ~$500–$650 | 💻 16″ 1920×1200 | 🧠 AMD Ryzen 5/7
🔋 ~8 hrs | ⚖️ ~4.1 lb
✅ Large screen, upgradeable RAM, good value
❌ Dim display, USB-C lacks video output
✈️ Best for Travel
LG Gram 16 (2024)
💰 ~$1,200–$1,600 | 💻 16″ 2560×1600 | 🧠 Intel 13th Gen
🔋 ~15 hrs | ⚖️ ~2.6 lb
✅ Extremely lightweight, long battery life, big screen
❌ Some chassis flex, premium price
🔄 Best 2‑in‑1 Convertible
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
💰 ~$1,300–$1,800 | 💻 13.5″/14″ OLED | 🧠 Intel i7
🔋 ~10–12 hrs | ⚖️ ~3.0 lb
✅ Gorgeous OLED display, premium build, great webcam
❌ Limited ports (no HDMI/SD), pricey
🍏 Best MacBook
MacBook Air 15″ (M3, 2024)
💰 ~$1,300+ | 💻 15.3″ Retina | 🧠 Apple M3
🔋 ~15 hrs | ⚖️ ~3.3 lb
✅ Super efficient, ultra-thin, seamless Apple ecosystem
❌ Only two Thunderbolt ports, non-upgradable
💪 Best High-Performance
Dell XPS 15 (2023)
💰 ~$1,600–$2,800 | 💻 15.6″ FHD or 3.5K OLED | 🧠 Intel i7/i9 + RTX 4050–4070
🔋 ~12–13 hrs (FHD) | ⚖️ ~4.2 lb
✅ Stunning screen, excellent performance, upgradeable RAM/SSD
❌ Basic webcam, fans can get loud under load
Best Overall: Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (14”)
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Specs:
CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 PRO
GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon (integrated)
RAM: Up to 32 GB LPDDR5 (soldered)
Storage: Up to 2 TB SSD (M.2 NVMe)
Display: 14″ 1920×1200 (16:10) IPS, anti-glare
Weight: ~2.8 lb (1.3 kg)
Battery: 57 Wh (≈8–10 hours use)
Ports: 2 × USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2 × USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 3.5 mm audio jack, optional nano-SIM (for LTE)
The ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 is a professional-grade laptop that hits the sweet spot for remote work. It’s slim, light, and very solidly built, weighing just around 2.7 pounds despite its robust chassis. ThinkPads are famed for their best-in-class keyboards, and the T14s lives up to that reputation – typing feels tactile and comfortable for hours of emails and reports. The 14-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio offers plenty of space for multitasking without making the laptop unwieldy. It’s a matte, anti-glare display that’s easy on the eyes, though not the brightest for outdoor use. Under the hood, you get the choice of Intel 13th Gen or AMD Ryzen PRO processors, which provide snappy performance for business tasks and even light content creation. With up to 32 GB RAM and fast SSD storage, it can handle heavy multitasking with ease.
Connectivity is another strong suit. The T14s comes with two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 and two USB-A ports, plus HDMI, so hooking up monitors or peripherals is hassle-free – you likely won’t need dongles. There’s also Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G LTE, keeping you online reliably. The integrated 1080p webcam is clear for Zoom calls, and it has a physical privacy shutter. ThinkPad touches like a TrackPoint nub and a fingerprint reader add to the experience. In testing, the battery lasts around 8 hours of typical use, enough for a full workday if you’re not far from a charger. While not the cheapest option, the T14s is an investment in long-term durability and productivity. It lacks easily upgradeable RAM (soldered memory) and isn’t ultra-cheap, but for a powerful, business-rugged work-from-home laptop, it’s hard to beat.
Best Budget: ASUS VivoBook 16 (M1605, 2023)
Rating: 4/5
Key Specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 7000U Series (8-core max)
GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon (Ryzen 5/7 iGPU)
RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4 (upgradeable via SO-DIMM)
Storage: 256 GB – 512 GB SSD (NVMe)
Display: 16″ 1920×1200 IPS, 16:10 aspect
Weight: ~4.1 lb (1.86 kg)
Battery: 50 Wh (≈8 hours web use)
Ports: 3 × USB-A, 1 × USB-C (data only), 1 × HDMI, 3.5 mm audio jack
The ASUS VivoBook 16 is a large-screen laptop at a budget-friendly price that’s well-suited for basic work-from-home needs. Despite its low cost, it feels well-built for its price and isn’t overly bulky or heavy for a 16-inch machine. At around 4.1 pounds, it’s portable enough to move around the house or take to a coworking space occasionally. The big 16″ full HD display provides a roomy workspace for spreadsheets or having multiple windows open side by side, a boon for productivity. Keep in mind the screen is a standard 1080p IPS, which looks reasonably sharp, though its brightness is on the lower side – it may appear a bit dim in very bright rooms or near windows.
Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processors, the VivoBook 16 delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. It’s more than adequate for text editing, web browsing, video calls, and streaming video. Lighter workloads are handled with ease, and you can even do some light photo editing or a bit of multitasking thanks to the capable multi-core CPUs. The laptop can be configured with 8 GB RAM (which is borderline for heavy Chrome use) or 16 GB – and if you can only find the 8 GB model, there is a RAM slot to upgrade it yourself later for better future-proofing. Storage is a fast SSD (typically 512 GB), ensuring quick boot times and app launches.
ASUS didn’t skimp on the input devices: the VivoBook has a comfortable backlit keyboard and a large, responsive touchpad, making long typing sessions and navigation pleasant. It even manages to include a 720p webcam that’s decent for Zoom and a fingerprint reader for quick logins. Battery life is around 8 hours of light use, which is respectable for a budget 16-inch laptop. That means you might need a mid-day charge if you have a full day of Zoom meetings or heavy usage. One limitation to note is that the single USB-C port does not support video output, so to plug in an external monitor you’ll use the HDMI port (which thankfully is full-size). Overall, the ASUS VivoBook 16 offers tremendous value – a big display and solid performance for the price, from a brand you can find on Amazon and other retailers easily. It’s a great choice for remote workers on a tight budget who still want a capable, reliable machine.
Best Laptop for Travel: LG Gram 16 (2024)
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Specs:
CPU: Intel 13th Gen Core (Ultra 5/7, 10-core+)
GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe (some configs with Intel Arc A350M)
RAM: 16 GB – 32 GB LPDDR5 (dual-channel)
Storage: 512 GB – 1 TB SSD (2 × M.2 slots, up to 2 TB)
Display: 16″ 2560×1600 IPS, 60 Hz (144 Hz option, 100% DCI-P3)
Weight: ~2.6 lb (1.19 kg)
Battery: 80 Wh (up to ~15 hours real use)
Ports: 2 × USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2 × USB-A, 1 × HDMI, MicroSD card slot, 3.5 mm audio jack
The ultra-light LG Gram series offers full-size screens in featherweight builds – great for digital nomads who need to travel with their laptop.
If you’re a remote worker who often works on the go – whether it’s moving around the house, hitting a café, or jetting off on business – the LG Gram 16 is a dream come true. It’s a 16-inch laptop that weighs barely 2.6 pounds, lighter than many 13-inch models. This incredible lightweight design means you can slip the Gram 16 into a backpack or messenger bag with ease and hardly notice it’s there. Despite its large screen, it stays impressively thin and portable. Crucially, LG achieved the low weight without sacrificing battery capacity: the Gram packs a massive battery that lasted over 15 hours in productivity tests. In real-world terms, that means you can likely get through a full day of work and then some, all on battery – perfect for long flights or days where you’re hopping between meetings and don’t want to lug a charger.
The big 16-inch display is bright and high-resolution, giving you ample real estate for multitasking or working in creative applications. (There’s even a configuration with a 144 Hz high-refresh screen for smoother motion.) Remarkably, this screen covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, so it’s very vibrant and suitable for tasks like photo editing or design work. The Gram 16’s keyboard is spacious and comfortable, and the touchpad is generously sized – important for comfort during long use. Another highlight is the excellent port selection: unlike many ultralights, the Gram has both USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A ports, plus a full-size HDMI and even a microSD card slot. This means less dongles to carry when you travel; you can plug into projectors, external drives, or cameras directly.
Performance-wise, the LG Gram 16 is equipped with Intel’s latest Core processors (branded as Core Ultra in some models) which are plenty fast for general productivity and moderate demanding work. You can even configure a model with an Intel Arc GPU if you need a bit more graphics muscle, though that will affect battery life. For most remote work use cases (office apps, web, video conferencing), the integrated graphics are fine. One trade-off of the Gram’s lightweight design is that build rigidity is a bit less robust – the chassis uses magnesium alloy to save weight, which isn’t as tank-like as a MacBook or ThinkPad. In testing, some flex and even a slight screen warp was noted, so you’ll want to handle it with care when traveling. That said, it still passed MIL-STD durability tests per LG. Overall, the LG Gram 16 is the ultimate portable work-from-home laptop for those who need a larger display: it’s hard to overstate the freedom of carrying such a lightweight 16″ laptop that still delivers all-day battery life. It truly lets you work anywhere without compromise.
Best 2‑in‑1 Convertible: HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-1355U / i7-155H (10–12 core, 12th/13th Gen)
GPU: Intel Iris Xe integrated
RAM: 16 GB – 32 GB LPDDR5
Storage: 512 GB – 2 TB PCIe SSD
Display: 13.5″ or 14″ OLED touchscreen (3000×2000 3:2 or 2880×1800 16:10)
Weight: ~3.0 lb (1.35 kg)
Battery: 66 Wh (up to ~10–12 hours mixed use)
Ports: 2 × Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 1 × USB-A, 3.5 mm audio jack (no HDMI/SD)
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a premium 2-in-1 laptop that’s perfect for remote professionals who want versatility without sacrificing performance or style. As a convertible, it has a 360° hinge that lets you use it in multiple modes: traditional laptop, tent mode for presentations, or tablet mode for note-taking and reading. The Spectre x360’s design is downright sleek and elegant, with a gem-cut aluminum chassis that looks and feels high-end. It’s also reasonably lightweight at around 3 pounds, so using it as a tablet to sketch or annotate documents (with a stylus) is comfortable.
A standout feature is the gorgeous OLED touchscreen. The 13.5-inch 3:2 aspect ratio OLED (or newer 14-inch 16:10 OLED) delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors that make content look stunning. Text is crisp, and having the taller screen ratio is great for productivity (less scrolling when reading documents). HP calibrated it for sharp visuals, which is easy on the eyes during long work sessions. Despite the slim form, the Spectre x360 packs strong specs: an Intel Core i7 CPU and ample RAM allow it to handle heavy multitasking, web conferencing, and even light content creation without breaking a sweat. In fact, it’s noted for excellent performance for productivity tasks along with long battery life, which is crucial when working on the move. You can expect all-day battery in typical use – around 10 hours – thanks to HP’s optimizations and the efficient Intel chip.
Remote workers will appreciate the extras HP includes: a high-quality 5 MP IR webcam with AI noise reduction (for great looking video calls) and Windows Hello facial login, a comfortable backlit keyboard, and Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers for clear audio in meetings. The Spectre has a limited but modern port selection, with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and one USB-A for legacy devices. There’s no built-in HDMI or SD card slot, which is a minor downside – however, HP compensates by bundling two USB-C mini-docks/adapters that provide HDMI and more, so you can easily connect an external monitor or peripherals when at your desk. This solution maintains the laptop’s slim profile while giving flexibility. The build quality is top-notch, but keep in mind all this premium tech does mean the Spectre is on the pricier side, especially if you max out specs. Still, for those who need a do-it-all convertible that’s as at home in your home office as it is in the boardroom (or on your couch in tablet mode), the HP Spectre x360 14 is a stellar choice. It offers crisp visuals, versatile form factors, and reliable performance to adapt to any work style.
Best MacBook for Working from Home: Apple MacBook Air 15″ (M3, 2024)
Rating: 5/5
Key Specs:
CPU: Apple M3 8-core CPU (10-core Neural Engine)
GPU: Apple M3 integrated 10-core GPU
RAM: 8 GB (base) – 24 GB unified memory
Storage: 256 GB – 2 TB NVMe SSD
Display: 15.3″ Liquid Retina (2880×1864), 500 nits, True Tone
Weight: 3.3 lb (1.51 kg)
Battery: 66.5 Wh (Up to 18 hrs video, ~15 hrs wireless web)
Ports: 2 × Thunderbolt / USB 4 Type-C, MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5 mm audio
Apple’s MacBook Air has long been a favorite for students and professionals alike, and the latest 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip is arguably the best all-around laptop for most remote workers. It takes everything we loved about the 13″ MacBook Air – silent fanless design, superb battery life, and sleek build – and scales it up with a spacious 15.3-inch display and more power. The result is a laptop that delivers an unrivaled blend of performance, portability, and battery endurance. Despite the larger screen, the Air 15 is extremely thin (just 11.5 mm) and maintains a lightweight 3.3 lb profile, so it’s still very easy to carry from room to room or on occasional trips. The build quality is pure Apple: a rigid unibody aluminum chassis that feels premium and can withstand daily wear.
Inside, the custom Apple M3 chip provides phenomenal performance for its class. It’s 60% faster than the older M1 Air and handles everything from dozens of Safari tabs to Zoom calls to light 4K video editing without breaking a sweat. Because Apple’s silicon is so efficient, the MacBook Air remains completely fanless and whisper-quiet, and yet it barely gets warm in typical use. Remote workers will notice snappy app launches and smooth multitasking, even if you’re running Slack, Photoshop, and Chrome simultaneously. Plus, the M3’s energy efficiency contributes to amazing battery life: up to 15 hours of wireless web use in real-world tests. In practical terms, you can work from morning to night on battery – this laptop truly frees you from the charger.
The MacBook Air’s Liquid Retina display is bright (500 nits) and color-accurate, making text and graphics look fantastic. The 15-inch size really shines for productivity – you can comfortably compare documents side by side or see more rows in a spreadsheet than on the 13″ model. Apple also upgraded this generation to support up to two external displays (finally breaking the one-monitor limitation of earlier M1/M2 Air), which is great if you dock at a home office with multiple monitors. For video calls, the 1080p FaceTime HD webcam produces a clear image, and the triple mic array ensures your voice comes through loud and clear. The Air also features a top-notch Magic Keyboard (with scissor switches that are a joy to type on) and a huge Force Touch trackpad, both among the best in any laptop.
MacBooks are known for their robust ecosystem perks: if you use an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, the integration is seamless. You can instantly use your iPhone as a webcam (with Center Stage auto-framing), unlock the Mac with your Watch, and copy-paste between devices effortlessly. The Air has only two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports, but it charges via MagSafe (leaving both USB-C free for accessories) and you can always attach a hub if needed. For most, this MacBook Air 15″ hits the sweet spot of being incredibly fast, amazingly battery-efficient, and delightfully portable. As Apple’s marketing rightly puts it, it offers an “unmatched combination of power-efficient performance and portability” for working from home or anywhere. If you prefer macOS or are invested in Apple’s ecosystem, this is the ultimate work-from-home laptop to buy.
Best High-Performance Laptop: Dell XPS 15 (2023)
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700H or i9-13900H (14-core, 13th Gen)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050/4060/4070 Laptop (40 W TGP) or Intel Arc A370M
RAM: 16 GB – 64 GB DDR5 (dual SO-DIMM, upgradeable)
Storage: 512 GB – 2 TB SSD (2 × M.2 slots, RAID support)
Display: 15.6″ 1920×1200 IPS 60 Hz or 15.6″ 3456×2160 OLED Touch 60 Hz
Weight: ~4.2 lb (1.9 kg)
Battery: 86 Wh (≈12–13 hours light use)
Ports: 2 × Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 1 × USB-C 3.2, 1 × Full-size SD card reader, 3.5 mm audio (USB-C to HDMI/USB-A dongle included)
Dell’s XPS 15 offers a sleek, premium build with serious power under the hood – ideal for power users and creative professionals working from home.
For remote workers with heavy-duty needs – like software development, graphic design, or video editing – the Dell XPS 15 is a powerhouse laptop that doesn’t compromise on portability. The XPS line is known for its sleek design, and the XPS 15 wraps high-end components in a thin (18 mm) aluminum and carbon-fiber body that looks as good as a MacBook, but runs Windows. Despite the powerful internals (Intel H-series processors and up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU), it remains relatively easy to carry at just over 4 pounds, and it’s actually quite compact for a 15-inch, thanks to the near-borderless InfinityEdge display. In fact, many 14-inch laptops are similar in size. This combination of slim form factor and strong performance makes the XPS 15 a favorite for those who want a semi-portable workstation.
Performance-wise, the XPS 15 is fully loaded. With a 13th Gen 14-core Intel CPU and your choice of discrete GPUs, it can crunch through demanding workloads – think compiling code, rendering videos, or juggling large datasets – without issue. It’s a great option for content creators and power users: you can even do 3D modeling or moderate gaming on it. In reviews, it’s noted that this XPS can handle video editing and 3D modeling smoothly, and you can opt for the gorgeous 3.5K OLED display which covers 100% of DCI-P3 for accurate color work. (The OLED display is stunning for creative tasks and media, while the base IPS display offers longer battery life and is a bit brighter for outdoor use.) Impressively, the XPS 15 still achieves all-day battery life on the IPS model – around 12–13 hours of mixed use – which is exceptional for this class of laptop. Even with the performance components, Dell’s engineering keeps it efficient for normal workloads.
The laptop’s build quality and features are tailored for professionals. You get a comfortable, tactile keyboard and a large trackpad for productive work. The port selection, while all USB-C, is versatile: two are Thunderbolt 4 and one is USB-C 3.2, and Dell includes a USB-C adapter for HDMI and USB-A devices in the box. Additionally, the full-size SD card reader is a boon for photographers and videographers to quickly ingest media. Under the hood, the XPS is upgrade-friendly – it has two RAM slots and two SSD slots, so you can expand memory (up to 64 GB) or storage later on. Few thin laptops offer this level of upgradability. The only downsides noted are that under very heavy loads, the XPS 15’s CPU will throttle a bit (to manage thermals), and the keyboard area can get hot if you’re really pushing it. Also, the 720p webcam is mediocre for such a premium machine – it works, but an external webcam might be preferred if you want top quality video call imagery.
Overall, the Dell XPS 15 is a formidable work-from-home desktop replacement that still slides into your bag when you need to go somewhere. It offers a rare blend of elegance, upgradability, and high-end performance. If your remote work involves demanding applications and you want a machine that can do it all (and look good doing it), the XPS 15 is an excellent choice. Plus, it’s readily available through Dell and retailers like Amazon, often with various configurations to match your performance needs and budget.
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Sources:
The information above is based on specifications and reviews from manufacturers and trusted tech reviewers, including hands-on testing and expert analysestechradar.com, rtings.com, 9meters.com, apple.com. All products are available via major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) as of the latest update. Each laptop was selected to cover a range of needs and budgets, ensuring that whether you’re a casual remote employee or a power user, you can find a “work-from-home” laptop that fits your lifestyle. Enjoy your new workspace companion!
