7 Best Ultrabooks to Consider in 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	MacBook Air M4	exceptional battery life and performance
Best value	HP Pavilion Aero 13	premium features starting at $800
Best for creators	Asus Zenbook S 16	powerful specs with stunning OLED display
Best 2-in-1	Lenovo Yoga 9i	versatile convertible with excellent build quality
Also recommended	Dell XPS 15	great larger screen in a portable frame
Also recommended	Razer Blade 14	portable gaming power, but shorter battery
Also recommended	Acer Swift 14 AI	solid budget performer with good battery life

How we chose and tested

We evaluated ultrabooks based on real-world performance, battery life, build quality, and value. Each pick represents a balance of these factors for different user needs, from budget-conscious students to creative professionals. We considered how these laptops perform in daily use rather than just benchmark numbers.

The best ultrabooks right now

MacBook Air M4 - Best overall

Apple's latest ultrabook sets the standard with all-day battery life and enough power for most professional work, all in a fanless design that stays completely silent.

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Key highlights

M4 chip delivers excellent performance without active cooling
Up to 18 hours of battery life in real-world use
Starting price reduced to $999 for the 13-inch model
Lightweight aluminum construction at just 2.7 pounds
Bright, color-accurate Liquid Retina display

Pros

Exceptional battery life that lasts through a full workday
Fanless design means zero noise during operation
macOS offers excellent optimization for creative apps
Strong build quality with premium materials
Competitive pricing for Apple's ecosystem

Cons

Limited to two USB-C ports
Non-upgradeable memory and storage
macOS may not suit Windows-centric workflows

Who it is for: Anyone who values battery life, quiet operation, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem.

Skip if

You need Windows-specific software or extensive port connectivity.

Asus Zenbook S 16 - Best for creators

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This Windows ultrabook combines desktop-level performance with a beautiful OLED display, making it ideal for creative professionals who need power on the go.

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Key highlights

AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with Radeon 890M graphics
16-inch 3.2K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
32GB of LPDDR5X RAM for smooth multitasking
Premium aluminum chassis at just 3.3 pounds
Excellent port selection including USB-C and HDMI

Pros

OLED display offers stunning color accuracy and contrast
Powerful enough for photo editing and light video work
Good thermal management keeps performance consistent
Premium build quality with attention to detail
Competitive pricing for the specifications offered

Cons

Battery life trails Apple's offerings
Can get warm under heavy sustained loads
OLED display may show burn-in over time

Who it is for: Creative professionals who need Windows compatibility with excellent display quality.

Skip if

You prioritize maximum battery life over display quality.

HP Pavilion Aero 13 - Best value

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Starting at $800, this ultrabook delivers premium features usually found in more expensive models, making it the best choice for budget-conscious buyers.

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Key highlights

AMD Ryzen 7 processor with 16GB of DDR5 memory
13-inch display in a 2.2-pound magnesium chassis
Good battery life for typical productivity tasks, with over 10 hours of light use
Modern port selection including USB-C
Starting price makes it accessible to most buyers

Pros

Exceptional value for the specifications offered
Lightweight design makes it easy to carry everywhere
Good performance for everyday productivity tasks
Solid build quality despite the lower price point
Includes modern connectivity options

Cons

Display brightness could be better for outdoor use
Keyboard and trackpad feel less premium than higher-priced options
Limited configuration options at the base price

Who it is for: Students, budget-conscious professionals, and anyone who needs reliable performance without breaking the bank.

Skip if

You need maximum display brightness or premium build materials.

Lenovo Yoga 9i - Best 2-in-1

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This versatile convertible offers excellent build quality, a beautiful OLED display, and the flexibility to work as both laptop and tablet.

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Key highlights

360-degree hinge enables multiple usage modes
Optional OLED display with excellent color accuracy
Premium aluminum construction with attention to detail
Included stylus for note-taking and creative work
Good battery life for a convertible design

Pros

Versatile form factor adapts to different work scenarios
Excellent build quality typical of Lenovo's premium line
OLED option provides great media consumption experience
Included stylus adds value for note-takers
Good keyboard and trackpad for productivity

Cons

Heavier than traditional clamshell ultrabooks
Battery life suffers when using tablet mode extensively
Premium pricing for fully configured models

Who it is for: Users who want the flexibility of a tablet and laptop in one device.

Skip if

You never plan to use tablet mode and prefer maximum portability.

Also Good

Dell XPS 15 - great larger screen in a portable frame.
Razer Blade 14 - portable gaming power, but shorter battery.
Acer Swift 14 AI - solid budget performer with good battery life.

How to Choose

Consider these factors when selecting your ultrabook:

Battery life vs. performance: Ultrabooks with Apple Silicon or Qualcomm chips typically offer better battery life, while x86 processors from Intel and AMD deliver maximum performance. Choose based on whether you need all-day endurance or peak processing power.

Display quality: OLED displays offer better contrast and color accuracy but can suffer from burn-in over time. IPS panels provide good all-around performance with better brightness for outdoor use. Consider your primary use case, creative work benefits from OLED, while general productivity works fine with IPS.

Portability needs: Weight differences of just half a pound matter when carrying a laptop all day. Consider whether you need maximum thinness or can tolerate slightly more weight for better cooling or additional ports.

Upgradeability: Most ultrabooks solder memory and storage, making them non-upgradeable. If you want to extend your laptop's lifespan, consider models with user-replaceable components or buy more RAM and storage upfront.

Ecosystem compatibility: Your choice of operating system affects software availability and peripheral compatibility. macOS works seamlessly with other Apple devices, while Windows offers broader software support and hardware options.

FAQ

What makes an ultrabook different from a regular laptop?

Ultrabooks are defined by their thin, lightweight design, premium build materials, and focus on portability without sacrificing too much performance. They typically weigh under 3 pounds and measure less than 0.8 inches thick.

How long should an ultrabook battery last?

A good ultrabook should last at least 8-10 hours of real-world use, with the best models reaching 14-18 hours. Battery life varies based on usage patterns, display brightness, and processor efficiency.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Most ultrabooks use integrated graphics, which are fine for casual gaming but struggle with demanding AAA titles. Some models like the Razer Blade 14 include discrete graphics for better gaming performance, though this comes with trade-offs in battery life and heat.

Can I upgrade an ultrabook later?

Most ultrabooks have soldered components that cannot be upgraded after purchase. The Framework Laptop 13 is a notable exception with its modular design. Always buy the configuration you'll need for the laptop's entire lifespan.

Is an ultrabook worth the premium over budget laptops?

Yes, if you value portability, build quality, and battery life. Ultrabooks use premium materials like aluminum and magnesium, offer better displays and keyboards, and are designed for daily carry. Budget laptops save money but often compromise on these quality-of-life features.