Best 13 Inch Laptop for 2022

Dell XPS 13 Laptop, 13.3″ 4K UHD

The Dell XPS 13 by Dell may be small in stature, but it’s got a big brain and a big heart. The Intel Core i7 processor packs in a meaty six cores, making it ideal for everything from productivity to gaming, and it draws from Intel’s latest 10th generation architecture for an even greater boost to performance. An entire half gigabyte solid state drive finds the perfect balance between size and speed, and there’s 16 GB of memory here to help with the processor’s heavy lifting.

Then there’s the screen of the Dell XPS 13 itself. A tiny bezel helps Dell make the most of the real estate here, and the ability to play videos or games at a 4K resolution means that your favorite entertainment will look every bit as good as it was meant to. But the biggest game changer is the touch screen technology built right in.

Apple 13″ MacBook Pro

The Apple MacBook is in a class all its own, and while a large part of that has to do with savvy marketing from Apple themselves, working on an Apple MacBook Pro really does feel substantively different from working on a traditional PC. The latest MacBook Pro may be pricey, and it may not be able to match the competition in the value for the specs built in, but it sports solid and polished sensibilities that are largely unrivaled.

So what sets the MacBook apart from the competition? The bright and crisp Retina display is one thing, and its high resolution performance is matched by True Tone technology for richer and more vivid colors. Then there’s the Touch Bar and Touch ID technology, which gives you an easier way to customize your keyboard and create a productivity environment that’s perfectly suited to your own needs.

Acer 13.5″ Chromebook Spin

A smaller screen is often seen as a liability for the sake of price and portability, but some manufacturers understand that it can allow users to accomplish more than they could with a bulkier laptop. Case in point: the Acer Chromebook Spin. Built to run on the Chrome operating system, this affordable laptop doubles as a tablet as well. Flipping it between configurations is easy, and it even comes with its own stylus for more precise operation.

While the Chrome OS sometimes has a reputation for being lightweight, the specs are anything but. It utilizes an eighth generation i5. What is lightweight is the frame, which comes out to just 3.5 pounds. Despite all that, it’s one of the sturdiest laptops within this price range thanks to both a durable aluminum chassis and the inclusion of Gorilla Glass to protect the 2K resolution touch screen.

Microsoft Surface 13.5″ Laptop 3

Microsoft has quickly become the manufacturer to watch for devices that straddle the space between a traditional laptop and a tablet, and the entry level Surface Pro 3 is undoubtedly one of the best choices for customers who are looking for an alternative to the MacBook Pro. It’s slickly designed, sleekly built, and it hits all the key factors you’d want for a general purpose productivity laptop.

The battery life of 11.5 hours is some of the best in its class, and that’s accentuated by the fast charging which can bring it from dead to fully powered in just about an hour. The hardware here might not astound, but it falls solidly in the middle of the pack from what you could expect from a laptop at this price, and that’s not even taking into account the touchscreen which is bright, expressive, and very responsive to your touch.

HP Spectre x360-13t Laptop

The HP Spectre x360 has always been a great machine for everything from office work to gaming, but the latest takes the fundamentals and improves on them in some meaningful ways. This is one of the smallest two in ones around, but it’s well built in addition to sporting a compact frame, and that extends to everything from the Gorilla Glass covering to the quality of the hinges themselves.

And in a smart turn from many of the laptops on this list, it manages to pack in an eighth generation Intel Core i7. Even the most resource heavy software and games should run pretty smoothly with this processor in place, but the outsides are as impressive as the internals here. The keyboard and touchpad are both incredibly responsive – a relatively rarity for laptops at any price range. And while the screen may be small, it’s also very bright and vivid.

Razer Blade Stealth 13 Laptop

Lenovo Thinkpad L390 13.3″

Lenovo has been making their ThinkPad models for years, and they’ve become one of the standards for business professionals in search of productivity machines. The latest edition is no different, but it makes some important, if iterative, changes to the formula. While it’s not the most lightweight or sleek laptop on the market, it is highly resistant to shock damage and temperatures, and that makes it a great choice for business travelers who need a decently specced machine that can withstand just about anything.

Practically any major modern port you could expect to find is packed in here, and there’s even a DVD player, so it’s backwards compatible with older sources as well. Unlike the Yoga, this version of the ThinkPad isn’t a two in one, but it’s one of the most solid and durable laptops for enterprise employees in need of quality performance.

Huawei Matebook 13 Laptop

The Huawei Matebook is a laptop that offers perhaps the best laptops value you’ll find on the market today. This model offers great performing specs for the price. The Intel Core i5 processor draws from the eighth generation, and you can pick up a model that includes a discrete rather than integrated processor if you’re willing to pay a little more for your laptop.

This probably isn’t the laptop you want if you’re looking for a device that can run Linux software at the highest quality settings, but it’s more than enough for the average user. The keystrokes feel great, and the trackpad performs well above average for the price. And as is becoming increasingly common, there’s even full touchscreen support. There’s even a solid sound system and pair of speakers. Altogether, it’s one of the most solid all around laptops we’ve found in 2022.

LG gram 13.3″ Laptop

The idea of a lightweight 13″ laptop isn’t exactly a revelation, and while this is one of the lightest and most compact around, it brings a lot more than just that to the table. Because while this is a laptop that will comfortably in your carry on luggage, it’s also built to last on even the longest trips. The battery life of over 20 hours is practically unheard of for any laptop.

And LG hasn’t cut any corners for the sake of the Gram’s power usage. The 8th gen i7 processor and the bright Full HD display easily go above and beyond for the expectations of the $1200 price range, and there are a whole host of inputs that include a Thunderbolt 3 port as well as USB-A and USB-C options. And if you find yourself regularly taking red eye flights, the backlit display gives you the visibility you need.

Google Pixelbook Go M3 Laptop

If you’re just looking for a reliable everyday laptop, there’s a lot to be said about the Chrome OS, and Google knows a thing or two about Chrome. Their signature Chromebook model offers good internals for a pretty solid asking price, and the Pixelbook is one of the best choices for users on the go. It can comfortably run for half a day on a single charge, and it stands ground with the LG Gram in terms of both size and weight.

The security is especially strong on this laptop as well. Chromebooks are naturally less prone to security incursions than other operating systems, but this laptop includes a Titan C security chip and complimentary antivirus software to further strengthen your protection from cyber intruders. It’s also a laptop that’s conscientious of the people around you thanks to the ultra quiet keyboard and a fully backlit display.