With T3's best lightweight laptops of 2022 guide, we've carefully curated our list with the top Ultrabooks that aim to offer the perfect balance of power, performance and portability. From top-of-the-line options from Microsoft, Dell and Acer to budget-friendly machines from Samsung – like the ever popular Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 – our guide is here to help you decide which lightweight laptop is best for you.
Considering every scenario we can, we've looked at the best [and cheapest] lightweight laptops for students as well as the best cheap lightweight laptops for families and work. We've included Windows and Mac laptops, hybrid laptops and Ultrabooks [there's even a Chromebook, although if that's your preference, it's worth checking out our best Chromebooks guide, too].
We're here to help you save time and money, as well as decide which is the best lightweight laptop to buy. We've collated the best lightweight laptop deals here, too: we've scoured the web to find the very best prices and included links to them in our buying guide to help you get the best possible deal on the best possible laptop. That should save you a substantial amount of cash.
From the polished Dell XPS 13 to the seriously professional HP Elite Dragonfly and Apple's marvelous MacBook Air [M1, 2020], the sheer choice of models among the best lightweight laptops in the UK market is really impressive right now, and if you do your homework and shop smart then you can bag a bargain.
Remember, though, that if you are just looking for a good all-round laptop, or something more specialist, then one of T3's other laptop guides could be better suited to your needs. For example, our best laptops guide is filled with the crème de la crème of portable systems, while our best 2-in-1 laptops guide has machines that can act as both a laptop and a tablet.
Those at school or university will be best served with our best student laptops roundup, while gamers will love the pixel-pushing powerhouses on offer in our best gaming laptops guide.
Right here, though, we rank the best lightweight laptops out there.
Looking for the best deals on lightweight laptops? Check out our best laptop deals guide for the best deals on laptops this month.
The best lightweight laptops and ultrabook laptops
[Image credit: Dell]
1. Dell XPS 13 [9310]
The best lightweight laptop for most people
The Dell XPS 13 series has consistently wowed us here at T3, and the latest version of the laptop continues that trend – it's powerful, supremely well built, and compact, so just about everything you could possibly want in your search for the best lightweight laptop. This will in no way weigh you down.
With the latest 11th-gen Intel processors installed and up to 16GB of RAM installed, this is a portable computer that's going to be able to handle everything that you want to throw at it. From late-night Netflix to early-morning report writing, you'll find the Dell XPS 13 a capable and competent laptop.
It's that 13.4-inch display with the super-thin bezels that really makes the XPS 13 stand out though: if you want to, you can go all the way up to a 4K resolution, but the 1,920 x 1,080 resolution models still look fantastic [4K doesn't make a huge amount of difference on a laptop display this size].
The battery life is a very respectable 10 hours as well, meaning that you can legitimately use it all day for study as well, even if there isn't a power socket nearby.
To see how the Dell XPS 13 stacks up against another strong laptop choice, be sure to take a look at our Asus VivoBook S15 vs Dell XPS 13 comparison feature.
Mac fans should look no further than the M1 Apple MacBook Air for an ultraportable laptop in 2022.
[Image credit: Apple]
2. Apple MacBook Air [M1, 2020]
The best premium lightweight laptop
The only reason the new M1 MacBook Air isn’t topping our chart is that it’s a little more expensive than the Windows equivalents. That said, Apple's new M1 processor makes it exceptional value for money and an even better buy than the Intel-powered MacBook Air it replaces. If you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.
The new MacBook Air may look identical to the previous model, but there's a revolution going on inside. Apple has moved to its own processors, and they combine system and graphics memory together: in other laptops the system memory and graphics memory are separate. That delivers very significant speed increases, and it means that the MacBook Air doesn't require you to compromise between portability and power. It delivers both.
The speed of the new M1-powered Macs is truly extraordinary, and in benchmark tests, we’ve seen the new MacBook Air absolutely destroy laptops that cost many times more. That addresses the only major issue we’ve had with the MacBook Air in the past: the Intel-powered ones weren't always brilliant performers, but this Apple-powered one really is. In fact, it’s the number one choice in our best laptops guide.
There is still one little problem, mind you, and that’s the webcam. When you consider the camera technology that Apple puts in every iPhone, the inclusion of a mere 720p FaceTime camera seems like an odd corner to cut. The camera is improved over the previous version – it has better dynamic range, noise reduction and face detection thanks to a new image processor – but it’s still an annoying flaw in what’s otherwise a near-perfect lightweight laptop package.
That's a minor quibble, though. The MacBook Air [M1, 2020] is a game-changer and an absolutely superb lightweight laptop. To learn even more about this fantastic lightweight laptop check out T3's full MacBook Air [M1, 2020] review.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a great budget lightweight laptop choice.
[Image credit: Lenovo]
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
The best budget lightweight laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i isn't going to win any benchmarking races and shouldn't be used for intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, but as light computing Windows laptops go, it is a great all-round choice.
What really stands out here, and why the 3i ranks so high in our best lightweight laptops list, is the price: this laptop comes in cheaper than almost every other system in this buying guide. As such, if the amount you're spending is important, then it might be worth putting the IdeaPad 3i on your shortlist.
The screen is a strong medium-size 14-inch panel, which means this system is a portable lightweight laptop that you can take pretty much anywhere – and it's designed to be bumped around a bit, too, with a solid build quality.
The system comes installed with a copy of Windows 10 in S mode, meaning that the OS is streamlined around light and fast usage. You can obviously switch to full Windows 10 if you desire, but if you're selecting this system you are doing so as you want a machine that can quickly run basic applications and programs, such as browsing the internet, sending emails, streaming the odd bit of Netflix, and playing Candy Crush Saga, which is what Windows 10 S Mode specialises in.
To see how this budget light laptop stacks up against our number one choice, be sure to check out T3's Acer Swift 7 vs Lenovo IdeaPad 3i comparison feature.
The LG Gram 17 weighs in at a feather-light 1.35kg [2.98lbs].
[Image credit: LG]
4. LG Gram 17
The best premium Windows 10 lightweight laptop
As you can see from our LG Gram 17 review, this is a laptop that does lightweight properly – despite it having a larger-than-average 17-inch screen, the portable computer is the exact opposite of bulky and unwieldy.
In fact the LG Gram 17 tips the scales at a mere 3 pounds and this, along with its lithe dimensions [26.01 x 38.02 x 1.78 cm], make it an ultraportable in every sense of the word.
Definitely worth a place in our list of the best lightweight laptops of 2022 then, and it would earn a high ranking in a list of the most stylish-looking laptops of 2022 as well. LG has done a really nice job here, putting together a laptop that looks great from any angle without being flashy or overstated.
You can get this laptop kitted out with some seriously internal specs as well, further adding to its appeal, though the integrated graphics mean you shouldn't attempt any serious gaming on this machine. For taking a large screen around with you everywhere though, it's perfect.
Throw in an impressive battery life, strong keyboard and small bezels, and you've got an ultraportable star. One of the absolute finest lightweight laptops running Windows 10 on the market today.
The Acer Swift 7 is, arguably, the best lightweight laptop in the world right now.
[Image credit: Acer]
5. Acer Swift 7
The best lightweight laptop for most people
There’s a certain magic about this laptop. Weighing just 1.2kg thanks to its fanless design and ultrathin battery, the Swift 7 feels nothing short of futuristic. The 14-inch touch display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass provides great color density, with a bezel that is almost non-existent. In fact, when the screen is showing off its excellent true blacks, it’s difficult to tell where the display ends and the bezel begins. The Swift 7 only comes in black, too; Henry Ford would be proud.
Inside, there's an 8th-gen i7 processor with integrated graphics and 8GB of RAM, optimized to produce minimum heat so the passive cooling system never gets overwhelmed. It’s a relatively modest laptop performance-wise, not best suited for demanding tasks such as video editing, but for on-the-go office work, there’s scarcely anything better. Folded down, it’s just nine millimeters thick.
In addition to the stylish design, this laptop comes packing some nifty security features. The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner for secure booting and webcam hacks are a thing of the past thanks to a spring mechanism that conceals the camera within the body of the laptop when not in use. Overall, it's not cheap, but there are few ultralight laptops as elegant as this.
The Acer Swift 7 is the best lightweight laptop in the world.
The Lenovo IdeaPad S130 is a great budget lightweight laptop choice.
[Image credit: Lenovo]
6. Lenovo IdeaPad S130
The best budget lightweight laptop
The IdeaPad S130 isn't going to win any benchmarking races and shouldn't be used for intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, but as light computing Windows laptops go, it's really hard to beat.
What really stands out here, and why the S130 ranks so high in our best lightweight laptops list, is the price: this laptop comes in cheaper than even a lot of Chromebooks. As such, if the amount you're spending is important, then it might be worth putting the IdeaPad S130 on your shortlist.
The screen isn't the biggest at just 11.6-inches [you can upgrade to the 14-inch version if that's a problem], but that does mean this is a super small and portable lightweight laptop that you can take pretty much anywhere – and it's designed to be bumped around a bit, too, with solid build quality.
The system comes installed with a copy of Windows 10 in S mode, meaning that the OS is streamlined around light and fast usage. You can obviously switch to full Windows 10 if you desire, but if you're selecting this system you are doing so because you want a machine that can quickly run basic applications and programs, such as browsing the internet, sending emails, streaming the odd bit of Netflix, and playing Candy Crush Saga, which is what Windows 10 S Mode specializes in.
The best 2-in-1 lightweight laptop for business users? That's the Latitude 9410 2-in-1 laptop.
[Image credit: Dell]
7. Dell Latitude 9410 2-in-1 laptop
The best 2-in-1 lightweight laptop for business users
As we note in our Latitude 9410 2-in-1 review, this premium laptop from Dell delivers good looks, fast performance and, unlike many systems in this best lightweight laptop list, 2-in-1 flexibility.
The laptop also is very thin, tapering from 8.5mm to 15mm in height, and weighs in at just 1.36kg, making it very portable. Jumping between meetings and commuting with this laptop is easy.
The rotating screen is obviously a star attraction here, and it can rotate a full 360 degrees, meaning you can use this system in laptop orientation, slate orientation, and propped up as a mobile screen in a V shape.
The system comes with strong internals, too, with 10th Generation Intel Core processors joined with 16GB of RAM and M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage. There's lots of port choices as well, including 2x Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.1 with power share feature.
Throw in a good-sized track pad, a battery life that just runs and runs [up to 27 hours 23 minutes between charges], and it's easy to see why this laptop is so ideal for business users.
[Image credit: Samsung]
8. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
The best 2-in-1 lightweight laptop
Weighing just under 1.4kg, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 isn’t the lightest laptop on this list. But considering its 15.6inch screen, you don’t really expect it to be. You can take it on the train, to cafes and from room to room without it being a hassle, and while still having the luxury of a big touchscreen display.
Where this 2-in-1 laptop thrives is in productivity. It happily coped with heavy workloads, and then some. Included in the box is the S pen stylus so you’ll be able to use it for all kinds of work from creative tasks to data entry. It also had a long battery life, which will please anyone who tends to work on the go a lot. If it does run out, the charger is as small as a phone charger so won’t take up loads of bag space.
Because it’s so thin, you don’t get loads of ports so you’ll have to make do with a few USB-Cs instead. That won’t be too much of a problem for most, though.
Overall, this 2-in-1 laptop is pretty impressive, and it really looks the part. The large, vivid display won’t just be good for getting work done but when you want to relax in the evening with a Netflix show it’ll happily cater to that as well.
[Image credit: HP]
9. HP Elite Dragonfly
The best lightweight laptop for business users
While the HP Elite Dragonfly is targeted at business users, it really is one of the best lightweight laptops around no matter who you are – it looks fantastic, it has a gorgeous screen, the battery life impresses... it's just a joy to use all around, really. Okay, it's a little on the pricey side, but we think it's worth it.
Tipping the scales at just under 2.2 pounds, the laptop is versatile too. The 13.3-inch display can fold right over, so you can use it in tent or tablet mode as well if you like, and it comes with an included stylus if you want something that's more accurate than your finger to operate the touchscreen.
A choice of configuration options are available, and you can pack the HP Elite Dragonfly with an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 chip, as well as up to 16GB of RAM. There are multiple options when it comes to the display as well, all the way up to 4K [we've listed the top-end spec in the box above].
If you like the sound of this system you should consider it, as it is so highly rated that it has just won the Best Laptop award at the T3 Awards 2020.
[Image credit: Samsung]
10. Samsung Galaxy Book S
One of the best laptops for users on the go
We've listed the spec for the Snapdragon-based Samsung Galaxy Book S above, but there's also an Intel-based version that's arguably even better – it offers better compatibility with older Windows applications, and it's almost as good in terms of battery life. Whichever version you pick though, you're guaranteed a very special lightweight laptop with the Samsung Galaxy Book S.
From the light, compact design, to the bright and sharp screen, to the textured finish, this is a laptop with a lot going for it. The screen isn't 4K in its resolution, but it doesn't matter very much at all at this size, and as you would expect from Samsung the display looks top-notch.
Battery life is very good, and performance is excellent as long as you're not going to try to do any heavy gaming or demanding video editing on this device. Our favorite part of the Samsung Galaxy Book S experience is just how compact and aesthetically appealing it is though – the perfect laptop to have in your bag while you're on the go and to pull out at a moment's notice.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book S review
[Image credit: HP]
11. HP Spectre x360 14
A premium hybrid lightweight laptop
As we note in our HP Spectre x360 14 review this is a super-slim, high-end laptop that can be used in laptop tent and tablet orientation, making it a great choice for those who want a slate as well as a lightweight laptop.
The screen isn't the only thing that makes this ultraportable laptop a good choice, though, as it also comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 Tiger Lake CPU, Intel Iris XE GPU and, if specced for it, a 3,000 x 2,000 resolution OLED screen.
This light laptop's audio system is also top draw [for the product category], thanks to a collaboration with audio maestros Bang & Olufsen. From deep and enveloping bass to the crisp clarity of percussive sounds it impresses across the soundscape.
Battery life is also not shabby at all coming in at 10 hours and 30 minutes on a single charge, and the system comes running a full-fat version of Windows 10 in terms of the operating system. The design, with its mixture of sharp angles and clean, straight lines is also very modern.
[Image credit: Lenovo]
12. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7
Power and performance in a compact form
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 strikes an excellent balance between power and portability, giving you a laptop that's capable of taking on pretty much every task you give it [including some light gaming and video editing] while looking the exact opposite of bulky and heavy. It's portable power taken to the extreme.
You'll be impressed with the stylish aesthetics of the laptop, first of all. Both the slate gray and orchid red shades look great, and the gray version has the option of a fabric topping instead of aluminum if you prefer. You even get a choice of screens: a 14-inch or 15.6-inch display panel.
Those customization options continue under the hood as well, with a selection of top-tier AMD or Intel processors available, and plenty of variations when it comes to the RAM, SSD storage and GPU that can be fitted. If you need more power and have the budget for it, then the Yoga Slim 7 might be the laptop for you.
There's a good choice of connections and ports onboard the laptop too [we're sad about the lack of a fingerprint sensor though], and the battery life is up there with the best too: you'll be able to spend the whole of the working day away from a power source, and then some, with the Yoga Slim 7.
[Image credit: Acer]
13. Acer Swift 5
The Acer Swift 5 continues to impress
The Acer Swift 5 is another excellent entry from the Acer Swift line [after the awesome Swift 7 at the top of our guide]: with a 14-inch, Full HD screen, some pleasing aesthetics, and a reasonable amount of power under the hood, it's likely to be on the shortlists of a lot of people shopping for a laptop for less than $1,000.
It's fantastically portable too, which is why it makes this list of the best lightweight laptops. Weighing in at just 2.3 pounds, you'll barely notice that it's there, and you can easily carry it in one hand if you need to. It'll squeeze into bags of most sizes without weighing you down.
With a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this machine is respectable as far as specs go, but it's really the size, the weight and the design that you're going to be buying this one for. If you're after a mid-range laptop that balances price and performance well, then give the Acer Swift 5 a look.
Read our full Acer Swift 5 review
14. Microsoft Surface Book 2
The best lightweight laptop if you need premium hybrid functionality
If you want absolutely massive ultraportable power then you should definitely consider the Microsoft Surface Book 2. It remains one of the best lightweight laptops money can buy in 2022.
The second edition of this ultra-premium [and ultra-expensive] 2-in-1 laptop-tablet is a marked improvement in every respect, with a suite of powerful internal hardware components including an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, a stunning 15-inch 3,240 x 2,160 resolution display, and excellent battery life combining to deliver a superb all-around computing package.
You don't get a stylus included to fully make the most of the device in tablet mode, but if you can stretch to the Surface Book 2's very high price point, then you can probably spend a little extra to complete the dream setup.
To learn even more about this lightweight laptop be sure to scope out our detailed Microsoft Surface Book 2 review.
[Image credit: Microsoft]
15. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The best lightweight Microsoft laptop
It's hard to give a general overview of the Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft, because it's available in multiple configurations and a choice of two screen sizes, but we'll give it a go: this is a stylish, very capable laptop that looks great and that has enough power for all but the most demanding users.
If lightweight computing is important to you then you're probably going to go for the smaller 13.5-inch display option, and what a screen it is – with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 2,256 x 1,504 pixel resolution, it's perfect for browsing the web and getting some work done. The integrated graphics are good enough for some light gaming too.
With decent battery life to get you through the day, the Surface Laptop 4 is an all rounder that we can recommend to just about anyone, as long as it's in your budget. It's certainly well put together, with an excellent typing and trackpad experience to enhance your input/output operations.
The Razer Blade Stealth packs a gaming punch while staying light and svelte.
16. Razer Blade Stealth
The best lightweight laptop for gamers
If you're happy to sacrifice a little bit of thinness and lightness for some extra gaming power, then the Razer Blade Stealth might well be the best lightweight laptop for you in 2022. With an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, the option of a 4K screen and an Nvidia GeForce MX150 under the hood, it's going to offer decent performance on even the most demanding games.
This being a Razer laptop, it comes packed with extra touches for gamers [like customized keyboard lighting and immersive audio] and offers a build quality that puts a lot of laptop makers to shame. You'll have to pay a premium for this, but it's worth it.
Google's Pixelbook Go is an elite Chromebook.
[Image credit: Google]
17. Google Pixelbook Go
One of the best laptops around for Chrome OS fans
When it comes to Chromebooks and Chrome OS, you've got a huge number of models to choose from – and the Pixelbook Go from Google is one of the best and the most lightweight. It's stylish, it's capable, and you can customize the specs of the device to meet your exact requirements.
Every Pixelbook Go comes with a 13.3-inch screen: it runs at a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution on the cheaper models but does go up to 4K if you're willing to pay for it. The other internal components can be specced out as required, so it's really up to you how much you spend. We like the black and pink color options, we like the grippy rubber on the bottom to keep the laptop in place, and we like the smooth and subtle lines of the design as well.
You're not going to be embarrassed to pull this Chromebook out at a coffee shop or your next meeting at work. As for Chrome OS, it continues to get better and better. It doesn't slow down, it's easy to use, and the addition of Android apps means that it's now more versatile than ever before.
Read our full Pixelbook Go review
For extreme portability the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a great choice.
[Image credit: Microsoft]
18. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
A good lightweight laptop if portability is more important than power
For our second Microsoft entry in this list of the best lightweight laptops of 2022 we've gone for the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3. The Surface Laptop 2 was a familiar sight in our previous lightweight laptops guide, and its successor keeps everything that’s good while upping the specification.
The CPUs are now quad-core, 10th generation Intel Core i5s to i7s, the graphics are Intel Iris Plus and the RAM is now from 8GB to 32GB. There’s a choice of 13 or 15 inch touch displays and thanks to heavy discounting even the most expensive Core i7 model comes in below £1,900 if you shop around.
You don't get that clever detachable screen either, and there's no discrete GPU as there is on the Surface Book 2, but not everyone needs one. For everyday laptop tasks in a small and light form, the Surface Laptop 3 is ideal – aside from the graphics, the internal specs are very similar.
[Image credit: Lenovo]
19. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
Power in a lightweight body
Today's best Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 1 deals
The lightest of the ThinkPad X1 range, the Nano weighs just under 2lbs for the basic model, or 2.21lbs for the top spec. Using Intel's 11th gen i5 and i7 processors and Iris Xe graphics, its a real powerhouse. And thanks to the EVO platform, it delivers great power management, for up to 13 hours battery.
While not designed for gaming, it's the perfect machine for work tasks during the day and entertainment in the evening.
[Image credit: Apple]
20. 14-inch and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro [M1, 2021]
The best premium Mac lightweight laptop
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops from Apple might not be quite the most lightweight and compact around, but they're difficult to beat in terms of packing so much performance and power into chassis designs that are so thin and elegant. These laptops really are testament to the sort of engineering talent that's working at Apple at the moment.
You can configure these 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M1 Pro or M1 Max chipsets, and they'll wow you with their performance – while still remaining quiet and cool in operation. When it comes to these laptops, you can believe the hype, because they really do deserve all the plaudits that they've been attracting.
The usual high build quality that we've come to expect from Apple is in evidence here again, and in going for a slightly retro look with the design, these laptops are actually better looking than ever – we're not convinced by the display notch, but the removal of the Touch Bar is a good idea, and we're glad to see that the webcam has been upgraded to 1080p too.
[Image credit: Asus]
21. Asus Vivobook Pro 14X OLED
The best mid-range laptop for content creators
Slim [at 1.79cm] and light [at 1.45kg], this mid-priced laptop has a specific target audience in mind: creatives using software such as Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro. So it comes with both a sensitive tracking pad and a virtual dial that allows you to make fine control edits of your work.
It also boasts a beautiful 14-inch OLED screen, with Pantone-certified colours, a 90Hz refresh rate and a high resolution of either 2880 x 1800 or 3840 x 2400, depending on how much you spend.
These premium elements raise the laptop above its price. That said, performance, connectivity and battery life, are more in keeping with a mid-range machine. There's no touchscreen or pen input either. In short, a good choice for creative students and hobbyists, but seasoned pros will probably prefer something more powerful.
[Image credit: Lenovo]
22. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon
The best lightweight laptop for students
If you're a student or a business user on a budget, then one of the best lightweight laptops you can buy will be the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon.
As the name suggests, its chassis is made from high-strength carbon fibre which is durable and light, this laptop weighs less than a kilogram and is about the size of a notepad. It'll be able to withstand knocks and bumps in your bag which is sure to give you peace of mind if you plan to take it out with you a lot.
Sporting the 11th Gen Intel Core processors and a crisp QHD 13.3inch screen, it'll be great for getting work done wherever you are - be that at home, on the train or in a cafe. The keyboard's low-profile keys are large and firm which make it satisfying to type on as well.
There is one downside: the battery life. It's not the best you'll get, in fact, it's pretty average but luckily it barely takes anytime at all to recharge. If that's something you can live with, then this ultraportable laptop will be an excellent choice.
The Dell XPS 13 takes the crown in our guide, offering an almost perfect balance of power, performance options and portability for the price. Available in multiple configurations that are both affordable and properly powered, Dell's XPS line is a great starting point for anyone looking to find the best lightweight laptop.
It's easy to see the appeal of the best lightweight laptops: you don't want something that's too heavy or too big to carry around comfortably, but you also don't want to be tapping out emails and browsing the web on a tiny device. A super-thin, feather-light ultraportable is the perfect tool for the job.
The emergence of Chromebooks at the budget end of the market means that the world's best thin and ultraportable laptops are being pushed down in price, sometimes to very appealing prices – keep your eyes on the sales that are regularly appearing for the best chance of bagging a bargain. And while you're doing your shopping, bear in mind that it's not just the weight and specs of these laptops that are important – these super-portables have to look good as well, while you're doing your computing on the move.
With that in mind, all ultraportables listed here in our curated best lightweight laptop guide for 2022 deliver on the specs front and score highly in the appearance department, too. All-metal constructions, wafer-thin form factors and internals that can rapidly handle demanding tasks are the order of the day.
As you may have noticed, we're not fans of slow, poorly made technology here at T3, so you can be confident that these really are the best lightweight laptops and best compact laptops for speed, style and quality you can get in 2022.
Testing lightweight laptops is very similar to most other forms of laptops. However, due to their slant toward portability, T3 ensures that traveling with and using a system while on the go is central to each review.
This lets us ascertain key things such as how good is a lightweight laptop's battery, how robust is its chassis and keyboard, and how easy it is to slip into a bag. These are real-world important things that no amount of whizzy specs can compensate for if lacking, as they are fundamental to the lightweight laptop experience.
Those considerations aside, T3 first evaluates lightweight laptops in terms of their overall package, design and build quality. We want to know what the system comes with out of the box, and just how ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing it is. If a system has a poor trackpad or cheap feeling chassis, we'll find out here.
Next, we consider the system in terms of specs and hardware, before proceeding to the benchmark the laptop to see what that translates as in terms of performance. We then actually use the lightweight laptop to see how that benchmark performance translates into real-world usage.
Finally, we then consider the system's operating system, software and any extra unique features, such as biometric sign-in tech, touchscreen stylus support or built-in webcams and mics. Here we want to ascertain just how easy to use the system is, as well as if anything has been cheaped out on, to save money.
The lightweight laptop is then assigned a score, with five stars the best a system can receive and one star the worst. If an ultraportable scores highly it is then considered for inclusion in T3's best lightweight laptops guide.