Best laptops for battery life in 2024

Everyone knows that laptop battery life fades over time. Rather than having to remember to carry your cord every time you leave the house, having a computer with built-in longevity is smart. This makes charging your laptop one less thing to worry about when you're out and about. Some of the best laptops emphasize good battery life, but you may be surprised that certain manufacturers don't make this a priority. So, if a powerful battery is at the top of your list for your next laptop, take a look at this selection to find the model that best suits your needs. It will make your life much easier, especially if you're constantly on the go.

Our picks for the best laptops for battery life in 2023

People either love macOS or favor other operating systems. Regardless, we recommend the MacBook Air M2 as the best pick when it comes to great battery life. This model delivers a whopping 18 hours of battery, mainly thanks to its M2 processor. It basically gives you the power you'll need in a day without taking time out for a recharge. And even though this laptop is from last year, it remains the standard bearer for battery life because of how Apple utilizes its processors.

The M2 processor is based on Arm technology, which can handle more instructions per second than Intel processors, delivering much better battery life and performance than other processors. When the laptop does need to power up, it can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes and features two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port.

The benefits don't end there. The M2 laptop can be configured with up to 24GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD of storage. There is also a 1080p HD camera that works well for video calls, and the four-speaker sound system features Spatial Audio to enhance the listening experience. The 13.6-inch Retina display delivers a 2560x1664 resolution that's sharp enough to support 1 billion colors, according to Apple. It's arguably the most portable MacBook ever, as it only weighs 2.7 pounds, measures 11.3mm thick, and has an all-aluminum body built to last. There's a reason why this is one of the best laptops around: it has so much going for it.

For creators with a budget to spare, the 2023 MacBook Pro makes a ton of sense. It will run programs like Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Final Cut Pro, Microsoft 365, and more incredibly fast. It offers 18 hours of battery life, meaning you'll be able to tackle a lot before the battery runs dry.

The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is lit beautifully and provides clear detail for videos. This computer also has a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, two more speakers than the MacBook Air above to make the most out of creative sessions.

It also has a MagSafe charging port, as well as three Thunderbolt 4 ports, making it easier to hook up external hard drives to save more of your work. Charging-wise, you'll be able to get a 50% charge in 30 minutes. This laptop also comes with a Magic Keyboard with a Touch ID, but it doesn't have the Touch Bar that the 13-inch option does, meaning you won't be able to customize commands for easier use.

Chromebooks are very popular since the operating system is simplified and easy to use. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has one of the longest battery lives of any Chromebook on the market, offering up to 13.5 hours, which is impressive for any laptop. This one won't set you back much at all, at just over $300.

Now, you will notice that it only has 4GB of RAM, so you're not getting a laptop with a lot of memory for multitasking; however, if you're looking for a Chromebook with touch support that can handle light work, this is a smart choice. Keyboard aside, this machine does several tasks at once, thanks in large part to the new MediaTek Kompanio 520 Octa-Core CPU. It's an entry-level chip, so it's not meant for heavy-duty work, but if you have lower expectations for performance, it should meet them.

With the help of ChromeOS, you'll get built-in virus protection, a speedy start-up process, and access to both Google and Android apps. This Chromebook features a vibrant 14-inch FHD display with a 1920x1080 resolution, and adjusting the scaling will help you place windows next to each other to get your work done. This lightweight laptop weighs only 2.89 pounds and has a USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a headphone jack. There's also a microSD card slot but no HDMI port, unfortunately.

In addition, this laptop excels in the design department, with a sleek blue chassis and build that will catch the eye. Consider this Lenovo laptop if you want a good-looking Chromebook with extended battery life.

For those interested in bringing a laptop to and from a work presentation, a strong case can be made for the HP Dragonfly G4. It can handle a ton of projects and programs all at once, thanks to the 16GB or 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, and 13th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 U-series processors. But what you really came here for is the battery, and this model delivers a six-cell 68WHr battery that lasts for up to 12 hours on a single charge. So it will definitely help you as you're moving between the office and home, potentially even allowing you to complete work on your commute.

This has some great battery-saving features, like HP Smart Sense, which works to see how your battery is handling your work processes and adapts to your routine to better save battery life. There are multiple configurations you can choose from, as there is a multi-touch display, a display that isn't touch, and an OLED panel that's beautiful to look at. If you choose the OLED model, there are even more battery-saving features that keep your battery lasting longer.

The computer features two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port, and its charger is tiny, making it easy to bring with you. The Iris Xe graphics work great for photo editing, and the 5MIPI rear camera is perfect for video calls. The 13.5-inch diagonal 3:2 display offers more height to display programs on your screen, but it is not a convertible laptop like previous Elite Dragonfly options; it just provides a taller display. Windows 11 Pro is recommended for business users, and since that's what this laptop has, it's one of the best business laptops around. There are also new collaboration tools that make online work more efficient.

If you're a fan of the Lenovo ThinkPad line, the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 8) is one you've probably been looking forward to. It's a strong contender for one of the top business laptops available. It has the same battery as the Gen 7, a 57WHr battery. So, if you're wondering if the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 has good battery life, the Gen 7 has around 6 hours of battery life when used for business purposes, so it's safe to assume this one will match that. The laptop has instant wake to go along with rapid charging, so even when your laptop battery is running low, you won't have to plug it in for a while to get it up and running.

This laptop also takes multitasking to the next level; the 13th-generation Intel CPUs boost productivity by allocating workloads seamlessly. Also, you can choose either 32GB or 64GB of memory and upgrade to 2TB of SSD storage, which is great for those who need more room for work or personal use. There are two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port, so you'll be able to hook up external drives or plug into a projector if you have to present at work. Plus, the Lenovo Integrated Pen makes utilizing the tablet mode simple.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 also lets you seamlessly move between laptop modes, and can even use it as a tablet. Plus, it has Intel Unison, which lets you wirelessly connect your Android or iPhone to it for speedy file transfers. If you're in the market for a new convertible and budget isn't an issue, this unit is worth a look.

You may not have the budget that can land one of the more expensive laptops on the list. But if you're looking for a bang-for-your-buck purchase, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is it. It's a simple and portable entry-level laptop.

But just because it's easy on the wallet and easy to use doesn't mean there aren't desirable features. The laptop has a quad-core 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, so you can leave tabs open and handle a lot of tasks. It's great for work, school, streaming, or just for occasional use, thanks to the 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. While that isn't a ton compared to some of the other laptops we've mentioned, it should be enough for people using this laptop.

It's also better than its predecessor because of the updated CPU and graphics card, so Microsoft made improvements. What stands out most is the long battery life; you'll get up to 13.5 hours if you use it minimally. And when your battery does run down, it has fast charging, so it only takes one hour to replenish the battery back up to 80%.

It features a 12.4-inch display and a 3:2 aspect ratio, so the screen may seem small to some. This will also require you to open apps at full screen to utilize them properly, which can be inconvenient if multiple apps are accessed at once. For those who want to use this computer for work, the Surface Laptop Go 2 has a 720p front-facing camera and dual far-field studio mics, so your video calls for work or school will work just fine. It even has a fingerprint sensor button to enhance security.

If you prefer a tablet rather than a laptop, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is at the top of the list for battery life. Microsoft boasts that you can get up to 19 hours, but we found that you get around 10.5 hours, which is still awesome. Aside from the stellar battery life, there's even more to love. The tablet features a Microsoft SQ3 chipset, that boosts up to 3 GHz with its eight cores. This is similar to Intel devices rather than previous Surface Pro devices, meaning it can handle more tasks at once and keep your tablet moving faster. It works with 5G connectivity and allows you to connect via cellular or Wi-Fi, a big boost for tablets, especially since cellular connectivity hasn't always been available. It is a top choice because it has instant wake, an always-on display, and up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

It's durable, made out of aluminum, and weighs only 1.95 pounds, so you can bring it with you wherever you go. And you can change the angle with the built-in kickstand for more viewing versatility. There are two USB-C ports for connecting other devices, and the 13-inch PixelSense display works amazingly with the smooth-writing Slim Pen 2, which stores nicely in the tablet. It also comes in multiple colors — Platinum, Forest, Graphite, and Sapphire — depending on your configuration.

The Dell XPS 13 (9315) is an ideal laptop to toss in your bag and bring on a plane, train, or wherever else you're heading. It only weighs 2.59 pounds, and for a laptop with a 13.4-inch display, that's rather minimal. The battery lasts up to 8 hours when the thermals are optimized, but we found that it suffers when the thermals are set to the best performance setting (only 4-5 hours). You will have to compromise performance for the longer battery life, but if you're quickly typing something up, it shouldn't be an issue.

This has a 13.4-inch FHD display with a 1920x1200 resolution to showcase games, TV shows, and movies. The XPS 13 boasts a 12th-generation Intel Core i5-1230U processor, so you can get the most out of the high-efficiency power. The Intel Turbo Boost Technology will kick in when you need it too. The Intel Iris Xe graphics are optimized to use less power and battery, which can help prolong a charge. It comes with 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD storage. This won't draw on the battery life and reduces heat production. The dual-sensor camera will help you look your best on video calls, even in lower light. This is a stylish and productive laptop that you can get a lot out of.

You'll love these long-lasting laptops

Battery life is a very important aspect of computer buying in this day and age, and you absolutely have to consider it when you're looking to upgrade your device. You never know when you're going to be away from an outlet and need to rely on the battery. The MacBook Air M2 is the best choice because of the insanely long 18 hours of battery life you get.

Apple laptops, in general, tend to have great battery life, and the MacBook Pro M2 Pro is the best for creators because it's not only fast and efficient but delivers a crazy long battery life as well. For those who don't want to spend as much for a MacBook or those who prefer Chrome OS, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook offers 13.5 hours of battery life. You can also consider the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which is much less expensive than other options on the list.