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When setting up your workstation — whether at home or in the office — one of the things you’re probably most particular about is your keyboard, and for good reason. It can be a bit of a space hog, so its size will largely dictate how much you can fit into your desk. That’s why before even deciding on what other extra peripherals like speakers, lighting, and desk organizers to get, it’s best to pick out a keyboard first.
There are multiple keyboard sizes out there for every need. If you typically work with numerical data and calculations, the full-size long keyboard with 104 keys is ideal for you. If you need something more compact but doesn’t sacrifice functionality, then you’re better off with the 87% keyboard. But if all you’re after is minimalism and portability, the smallest 60% keyboard sounds more like your style.
Besides these three major keyboard sizes, though, you’ll also frequently encounter two other options: 65% and 75%. These keyboards are very close in percentage, so it’s easy to mistake one for the other. But upon closer inspection, they actually have distinct features. Let’s go over how the 65% keyboard differs from the 75% layout.
Both the 65% and 75% keyboards are considered compact and space-saving. But there’s one thing that clearly differentiates the two: their set of available keys. On the 65% keyboard, you usually only get 68. It still has all four arrow keys unlike the smaller 60% layout, but the navigation buttons are reduced to about three or four depending on the brand. Some mechanical keyboard brands like Keychron and HyperX include Delete, Home, PgUp, and PgDn. Others like the Royal Kludge and Corsair don’t have the Home button. To make the 65% keyboard even more compact, the function row and number pad have been removed completely too. They’re now integrated into the number row at the very top.
Meanwhile, on the 75% layout, you’ll typically find 84 keys. It’s still considerably smaller than the full-size keyboard since it no longer features a number pad. However, it retains the entire function row, arrow keys, and a couple of the navigation buttons, such as Delete, PgUp, PgDown, Home, and End. Most 75% keyboards also come complete with a volume knob in the upper right corner.
With how they’re designed, the 65% and 75% keyboards serve different purposes too. The smaller keyboard is best for casual typists who want a minimalist desk setup, on-the-go users who don’t like lugging around long and bulky gear, and even gamers who need the desk space to use their mouse comfortably. The 75% layout, on the other hand, is suited for writers and people who mainly work with text and beginner programmers who need access to more shortcut keys.
When talking about vintage tech from the ’90s, it’s common for millennials to bring up the Walkman, Tamagotchi, Polaroid cameras, and CDs. All of these died out and then saw a recent resurgence — save for CDs, which never really went away and are still largely used by the music industry. One piece of ’90s tech that has seemingly been forgotten and never returned, though, is the floppy disk. Although it still holds on as the standard icon for the “Save” function in computers and apps, nothing much has been said about this physical storage format in both mainstream and alternative media in recent years. And this is likely because the floppy disk is now considered a relic of the past.
Interestingly, though floppy disks are obsolete in modern computing, they remain in use in some niches. Hence, we can’t really consider them dead, especially when very important industries still rely on them for official storage use. One industry that continues to utilize floppy disks is the aviation industry. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still uses floppy disks to manage flight and air traffic data. The reason why many airports in the country still use floppy disks is that the entire infrastructure of air traffic control systems was developed in the 1990s, and at the time, floppy disks were the standard storage format for computers. However, amid concerns about how the outdated format affects the safety and efficiency of modern air travel, the FAA is working to eliminate the dated tech soon.
Aside from the FAA, other important industries still use the seemingly dead floppy disk for data storage. The medical sector continues to rely on floppy disks to store patient records and other medical data. Doctors in Norway reportedly used the dated storage format to receive monthly updates to their patient lists as recently as 2015. The Norwegian government even handed out diskettes to medical professionals each month for this purpose. As to why the medical profession still preferred floppy disks, Norwegian software developer Finn Gundersen explained it in a 2015 blog post: “[F]loppy disks are inexpensive; they cost far less than a USB drive and are far less time-consuming to write to than a CD-ROM for this amount of data. Given the historical restriction of delivery by mail, and the data volume being less than 1.44MB, they are the logical choice.”
Some train systems also remain loyal to floppy disks. The Muni Metro light railway in San Francisco, for instance, still requires a diskette to boot up its Automatic Train Control System every morning. However, there’s word that a project to replace the system is underway, so the railway is expected to bid farewell to the physical floppy disk by 2033. Meanwhile, some textile factories also utilize floppy disks to run their older machines. According to textile expert Matthew Hollinshead, they are unlikely to change out their older input system for fear that newer storage formats could introduce bugs and cause issues with their machinery.
Although floppy disks are still used by different industries, including some music labels with unique marketing campaigns, the days of this antiquated technology are numbered. Some industries are wedded to floppy disks because their legacy systems only work with the format. Once they begin replacing their old computers and machinery with newer systems, they will likely move on from diskettes and start using more modern alternatives. They may also be forced to get rid of their legacy systems once the remaining supply of floppy disks runs out. The last major manufacturer of diskettes officially stopped production in 2010. Everything that is in circulation is either a product of the final output or recycled disks.
Tom Persky, the owner of floppydisk.com, a company that sells and recycles floppy disks, said in 2022 that he’s the “last man standing in the floppy disk business.” At the time, he shared that he had half a million floppy disks in 3.5-inch, 5.25-inch, and 8-inch sizes in stock. However, he was also receiving up to 1,000 pre-owned and new disks a day from people sending diskettes in for recycling. He hasn’t released any updates about his inventory since, but his website continues to sell both new and used disks in bulk. While Persky has been supplying floppy disks to multiple industries with dated equipment and computers, he admitted that many hobbyists also buy diskettes from his website. It’s unclear how long his supply will last.
Need the best noise-cancelling earbuds? Look no further
(Image credit: Bose)
Our expert audio team has picked all of the best noise-cancelling earbuds for this guide after testing and evaluating hundreds of thebest wireless earbuds. They assessed each pair and judged them on audio quality, comfort, and features, selecting only the top performers after hours of in-depth, hands-on comparisons.
Every pair of noise-cancelling earbuds this guide has also been tested in real-world settings to ensure their noise-blocking tech works effectively in all kinds of environments, with comparisons against their peers to make our testing as fair as possible. We also check the battery life in real life as well, to make sure they’ve living up to their claims.
This guide includes a range of the best noise-cancelling earbuds, covering everything from budget-friendly options to high-end models that rival thebest noise-cancelling headphones. While there’s some crossover with ourbest earbudsguide, this list assumes that the most important thing to you is noise cancellation, so we’ve slightly re-prioritised how we choose which is the best.
We currently rate the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as the best options, but here’s something important to note: in June 2025,Bose announced a a new 2nd Generation version of these earbuds, with promised improvements to their noise cancellation skills, and wireless charging will new be included as standard. At the time of updating this guide, Bose hadn’t announced a specific release date for the new earbuds – only “summer 2025” – and we haven’t tested the new earbuds yet, so while we happily recommend the original Ultra Earbuds still, this is something to keep in mind.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today
The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:6.24g per earbud
Frequency response:Not specified
Drivers:10mm
Battery life:6 hours (buds) 24 hours total (with case)
Reasons to buy
+Excellent head-tracked spatial audio +Lossless audio codec support +Still the best noise-cancelling in earbuds
Reasons to avoid
-Case cannot charge wirelessly unless you buy a cover -Physically very similar to the previous model
BUY THEM IF
✅ Noise cancellation really matters to you:These buds are at the top of the ANC game as it stands right now.
✅ You want ultimate immersion:ANC wraps you in a bubble of silence, but add Bose’s Immersive Audio and you’ve got a cinematic experience.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You want wireless charging:Bose makers you pay more for a cover to put over the case that adds this. Weird.
❌You’re on a budget:These buds have had a significant price reduction since launch, and are seeing huge sales season discounts, but they’re still expensive.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are our best overall noise-cancelling earbuds thanks to their stellar ANC and immersive sound. These buds are the ultimate travel companion, offering a “bubble of silence” to block out distractions, whether you’re on a noisy flight or a bustling commute.
Bose has always done ANC remarkably well, and the most recent QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the most effective on the market. These buds are even more of an attractive proposition since Bose addressed some issues in its July 2024 update, introducing multi-point connectivity (this was lacking at launch), which makes it easier to switch between two devices.
Battery life clocks in at 6 hours per charge (24 hours with the case), which isn’t the best on the market but will do for most people’s use. Oddly, you need to buy an accessory for the case if you want to add wireless charging.
Sound performance isn’t as audiophile-grade as options from rivals likeSony, but it is enhanced over previous Bose buds with Immersive Audio technology, which delivers head-tracked spatial sound across devices, supported by aptX Adaptive. While some competitors may offer better dynamic detail, these earbuds provide a lively and balanced audio experience, which we found deeply enjoyable during our testing.
The design of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds closely mirrors their predecessors, with a lighter build and upgraded silicone bands, which we found gave us a better fit as we reviewed them. At the discounted price of around $220/£199 we’ve spotted recently, these earbuds are a smart investment if ANC is your top priority.
Bose has announced that the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen are coming in “summer 2025”, which promise more reactive active noise cancellation, and wireless charging will now be built-into the case as standard. We haven’t tested them yet, and they’re set to launch at $299 – so assuming you can buy these for the kind of discounted price mentioned above (or perhaps even cheaper), we’re happy still recommending these as our top choice for now.
Battery life :ANC off: 9 hours (buds) 36 hours (case); ANC on: 7 hours (buds) 37 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Great all-rounders +Excellent battery life +Solid noise cancellation
Reasons to avoid
-No wearing detection -Sound is fun but not fantastic -Stem design not for everyone
BUY THEM IF
✅ You like the long stem design:Many buds have a stem these days but these are on the longer side.
✅ You want all-rounder buds for less:Few buds tick the boxes for comfy design, good ANC, solid sound and great battery life for under $100/£100.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You need ANC that places you in a cocoon of silence:ANC is good here, but it doesn’t deliver that almost eerie silence you get from higher-end buds.
❌You want compact buds:The stem design literally stands out and the mirror finish does draw attention to the buds, rivals are more subtle.
If you’re on a budget the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds are our top recommendation. The ANC doesn’t deliver the cocoon of silence you’d expect from higher-end options, but we thought it was good – especially considering the price. It’s capable of reducing low-end sounds pretty effectively, including traffic noise, so it makes it much easier to hear what you’re listening to. Other features include an impressive 45 hours of battery life in total, including the case, as well as multipoint pairing, which we found worked well.
The Earfun Air Pro 3 come with some good audio specs. And, while these noise-cancelling earbuds might not win awards in sound quality, those specs deliver an audio performance that is great for the price, although not perfect.
Design-wise, they look a little boring with long stems. When you first pick up these buds you’ll notice they feel plasticky – by which I mean: cheap – but that’s kind of good news as they’re also incredibly light at 52g for both buds and case. We often find the lighter the buds, the comfier the fit, but that’s not always the case.
The Earfun Air Pro 3 buds are accomplished, especially considering their price. Amid a sea of similarly-priced efforts onAmazon, they stand out thanks to their superior design and solid audio chops, showing a high level of competence and excellent value.
The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds
3. Nothing Ear (a)
The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:4.8g per earbud
Frequency response:Not stated (other than 5000Hz range)
Drivers:11mm custom
Battery life:Buds: 5.5hrs (9.5hrs without ANC) Total with case: 24.5hrs (42.5hrs without ANC)
Reasons to buy
+Fun, zealous, expansive sound +Vastly improved active noise cancellation +Smaller, more pocketable case
Reasons to avoid
-No wireless charging support -No flagship sound profile curation
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want good-value ANC and sound:The noise cancelling and audio quality here is fantastic. You will find better, but would have to pay significantly more.
✅ Style matters to you:The whole Nothing brand is incredibly cool and these earbuds are the most stylish.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You want great spatial audio:That’s not here. You’d have to look at rivals, but most would charge much more for that audio wizardry.
❌Your inner ear is small:We got a good fit with the small ear tips but the design may not suit those with a tiny concha (aka ear-well).
The Nothing Ear (a) pack in some seriously impressive ANC all for a great value, mid-range price. They’re our top pick if you want to nix ambient sounds and you’re willing to pay more than budget prices for that luxury.
We know that Nothing buds all look quite similar. Which, admittedly isn’t a problem because that look is cool, stylish and bound to get attention. But don’t be fooled by the Nothing Ear (a), they’ve had some major improvements. The most notable is noise cancellation. You can choose from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive profiles. In our review, we wrote: “High is very good: the hairdryer we used for testing was largely nixed.” You’ll find even better ANC out there, but you’ll have to pay high-end prices to notice a serious step up. In terms of other features, you’ll also find clear calls, some basic EQ settings and profiles, reliable on-ear controls. Bluetooth v5.3 and LDAC support for hi-res audio.
In our review, we commented that, when paired with a Sony smartphone, LDAC files are “delivered with expanse and pinpoint accuracy when it comes to the placement of each sonic article.” Even regular lossy files, the kind you’d find on Spotify, perform well here, delivering a sound we described as “fun and zealous”. Again, you’ll find better sound out there, but you’d have to pay over twice as much.
Looks-wise, Nothing buds have always been distinctive thanks to a transparent stem design. With the Nothing Ear (a) you get a smaller form factor that’s even easier to carry in a pocket. During testing, we found these buds incredibly comfortable to wear and they come with a choice of small, medium and large silicone tips. The only thing we will say is that if you have very, very small ears the design might be a bit big in your concha (that’s your ear well), so if you can it would make sense to try before you buy.
All in all, these are a seriously impressive pair of buds, especially considering their mid-range price. You get great sound, a slick design and ANC that really impressed us. You’d have to pay big bucks to find buds that seriously improve on all of these points. Which is why this is our top mid-range recommendation for most people.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple
4. Apple AirPods Pro 2
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:5.3g
Frequency response:Not listed
Drivers:Custom Apple design
Battery life :6 hours (earbuds) 30 hours (charging case)
Reasons to buy
+Astounding noise-stopping power +Very good sound quality, too +Small and very lightweight
Reasons to avoid
-Average battery life -No aptX or LDAC support
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want great sound:The AirPods Pro 2 sound brilliantandshut out the real world so well.
✅ You’ve got all manner of Apple things:If you’ve got an iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch or similar, then you’ll really get the benefit of these buds.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You want to save money:Not the most expensive buds, but you can find cheaper options that do similar – but, crucially, not better.
❌You don’t have an iPhone:If you’re in the Android world, you won’t get as much benefit from these earbuds.
The AirPods Pro 2 might not be as accomplished as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at the top of our list in terms of ANC, but they’re not far off. We found the noise-cancelling to be so good in the Pro 2 buds it was almost eerie. As with other ANC buds, there’s a transparency mode on offer for conversations, and that’s now been upgraded so it adapts to your conversations, making them sound more natural. Features-wise, these buds have a lot to offer, but you’ll get the most from them – like ‘Find My’ features – if you have an iPhone.
During our testing, we found the audio performance to be stunning, offering up a rich sound regardless of genre and a wide and expansive soundstage, which is thanks to new drivers and amplifiers. Personalized Spatial Audio is a bonus here, where a scan of your face and ears can be used to re-calibrate the sound performance of the AirPods Pro 2.
Design-wise, they look similar to the Pro model that came before them. Expect the clean lines and solid build qualityAppleis famous for, and slightly smaller stems that protrude from your ears. We enjoyed wearing them and liked the addition from volume control in the stems.
Of course, the AirPods Pro 2 work best with an iPhone at least, and even more Apple gear ideally. If that’s you, these are among the most impressive noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today and are well worth the price tag – especially because much of the competition has become more expensive than these. Grab them on their semi-regular discounts to under $199/£199 and they’re a bargain.
In iOS 18, AirPods Pro 2 got updated with some useful new features, including improved voice isolation for calls, and the ability to respond to Siri prompts, such as incoming calls, by nodding or shaking your head. At Apple’sSeptember 2024 showcase, the company unveiled some further changes that have now arrived on the AirPods Pro 2, including new health features. The most notable is a hearing test, which Apple says could help diagnose potential issues, and a new hearing aid mode approved by the FDA. It’s worth noting also thatAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellationare now available for $179 / £179 / AU$299, so you no longer have to go Pro to get ANC.
-High price -Removing eartips is a fuss -Key features require a newer Galaxy phone
BUY THEM IF
✅ You own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone:These buds give you a bunch of special features, including spatial audio and remarkable hi-res audio.
✅ You’re after top ANC:It may not beat the best of the bunch, but there’s some seriously mighty noise cancellation performance at work here.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You’re on a budget:These earbuds are high-end and although they’re worth it, there are cheaper rivals.
❌You own an iPhone:You’d need to be looking to earbuds that offer a dedicated app for iOS.
If you own aSamsungphone and want great noise cancellation, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are for you. An update on the previous Buds 2 Pro (which they replace in this guide), these Samsung buds bring you great audio quality, a premium (but familiar) design and truly impressive ANC – there’s certainly a lot to like.
Let’s start with that impressive ANC. In our review of the Buds 3 Pro we commented that these buds are very effective and “throw a blanket over whatever background noise is going on when you’re trying to listen to music.” We also noted that the audio on offer here is among some of the best we’ve ever heard from a pair of wireless buds and what some would consider an optimal sound signature: “The Buds have a V-shaped sound, which means that both the bass and treble are elevated and distinct, while the mids are just a little stepped back.” The result is a wide soundstage that feels rich and full of energy.
The newer Buds 3 Pro also improve on the slightly disappointing battery of their predecessors. This time round you’ll get six hours of battery from the buds themselves, 30 hours with their case, and longer with ANC off. It’s not a huge increase, but it’s something. Samsung has also added some AI-powered features here for Samsung phones, including adaptive ANC (we didn’t think this added much during our testing), a feature which restores crackling voice in poor-quality calls, and live audio translation.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is similar to AirPods, but with a more angular design we thought looked Toblerone-like during our testing. At 5.4g per bud, they’re lightweight and we found them comfortable to wear. Although switching out the tips to get the best fit was a frustrating process that seemed much more fiddly than it needed to be.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the best value for those with a Samsung device. If you don’t have one, there are better options higher up this list.
The best value noise cancelling earbuds
6. JLab Go Pop ANC
The best noise-cancelling earbuds under $30/£30
Specifications
Acoustic Design:Closed
Weight:4.1g (per bud)
Frequency Response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:10mm dynamic
Battery Life:24+ hours total (with case), 7 hours per bud (ANC on)
Reasons to buy
+Incredible low price +Solid ANC +Impressive bass and treble
Reasons to avoid
-A little cheap looking -Mids not super-rich -Color options aren’t the prettiest
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want ANC on a budget:Cheap buds often don’t come with ANC, but not only is it here, it’s solid too.
✅You want small, light buds:These buds are tiny and feel light and comfortable to wear. If you’re sick of bulky options, these could be ideal.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You want audiophile-grade sound:They sound amazing for the price, but these buds aren’t going to impress audiophiles, you’ll have to spend much more.
❌You want stylish buds:It’s not that they look bad, just a little cheap and plasticky. Although some may love that there are different colors on offer.
In our JLab Go Pop ANC review we commented that these cheap and cheerful buds “have all the hallmarks of an instant budget favorite”, packing in everything you could want from a pair of true wireless earbuds and giving them a $30/£30 price tag.
The sound quality is solid. It’s not mind-blowing, we commented in our review this is likely due to a narrow soundstage and you shouldn’t expect audiophile-grade codes or support at this price. But the audio on offer is still enjoyable, which we said was “thanks to energetic bass and treble output.” We also commended these buds for their punchy bass and lack of tinniness, even when you push them to the highest volumes.
These buds are a great choice if you want a light and comfortable fit – especially if you’ve tried bulky buds for you before and they felt irritating or fell out. There’s also a IP55 water-resistance rating, which means they’ll be fine with some minor splashes and sweaty workouts. To look at, these buds aren’t ugly but they’re not stylish either. In our review, we wrote: “these are a little cheap-looking across the board, from bud to charging case, but they aren’t off-putting by any means.”
Features-wise, you’re getting a lot for budget buds, most notably ANC. In our review, we commented that you won’t experience the close to silence experience that more expensive buds offer, but most distracting sounds will be dulled. With ANC on you can expect 7 hours of battery life from the buds, which is up to the standard of most true wireless earbuds these days. If you’ve got the charging case with you, expect 24 hours in total. In short, the JLab Go Pop ANC are excellent value. Not only do they pack in the essentials, like a comfy fit and good sound, they bring you features that you’d normally have to pay double, even triple the price for, like a companion app, EQ presets, customizable touch controls and, of course, solid ANC.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound
7. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound
Specifications
Acoustic Design:Closed
Weight:7g per earbud
Frequency Response:Not listed
Drivers:12mm carbon cone
Battery Life:6.5 hrs (buds), up to 20hr total
Reasons to buy
+Incredible levels of detail and dynamism +Good comfort for larger buds +Effective ANC
Reasons to avoid
-Lacks ear-tip or fit tests -No head-tracked spatial audio -Battery life can still be beaten
BUY THEM IF
✅ Top sound is your priority:These buds do a lot of things well, but they’re hands down the best pick if you’re after the best possible audio performance in a wireless design.
✅You’ve struggled to find buds that fit in the past:We highly rated the fit here, no twisting or jamming them into your ears, just high comfort and good consideration for weight distribution.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You love being able to control everything from your ear:You do get on-ear controls here, but you have to choose whether you want to change the volume or the ANC profiles, you can’t have both.
❌ You want to listen for hours on end:The battery life here isn’t bad, but plenty of rivals now pack in much more power, like the JBL Live Beam 3at #10.
All of the earbuds in this guide offer strong ANC and sound quality – otherwise they wouldn’t be here – but the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds are among the best wireless earbuds we’ve tested for sheer sonic performance, and the noise cancellation, features and fit all score highly too.
To add some context, the Pi8 buds are the latest version of B&W’s flagship buds. Previous versions performed well, but with niggles; this time, B&W has nailed it. It’s redesigned the buds to look sleek and stylish and, more importantly, to fit incredibly well. They sit snugly with well-distributed weight and real design consideration behind them.
Now, onto the two things that matter most: sound and ANC. If sound is your top priority, these are the buds to beat. They deliver an impressively high level of detail and dynamism across genres. Turning on ANC doesn’t degrade the audio quality either – it stays feeling like it’s from a renowned hi-fi brand. Thanks to the improved fit and seal, the ANC is also very strong – not far off the best we’ve tested, with near-silence that only a few rivals can top.
Beyond that, you get premium features here too, including something very unusualy: the case doubles as an audio re-transmitter so you can plug the earbuds into wired audio sources (meaning you can use them with in-flight entertainment systems, or locked-down work laptops).
There are on-ear controls, but note you’ll have to choose between being able to switch ANC profiles or having on-ear volume controls when setting them up, which is annoying. All in all, these are a seriously accomplished pair of earbuds. One of the best for ANC and our top pick if you want both excellent noise cancellationandoutstanding sound.
+Assertive, balanced and convincing sound +Extensive specification +Great comfort and ergonomics +Look and feel the money’s worth
Reasons to avoid
-Distinct difference between ‘ANC on’ and ‘ANC off’ sound -Battery life is ‘good’ rather than ‘great’ -Can be bettered for noise-cancellation
BUY THEM IF
✅You’re a multitasker:There’s world-first triple-device multipoint connectivity here, which is super convenient and ideal if you like to move between devices as you work.
✅ You want top sound:Packed with features, yes, but the audio quality is also excellent with an assertive and balanced sound.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You want long-lasting buds:The battery life here isn’t bad, but it’s nothing special. And it’s disappointing for long flights, listening all day at work or into the night.
❌ You want the best ANC:Noise-cancelling here is very capable (it’s why these buds are in this guide), but you can do better if you want near-silence.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 were released in 2025 and are an update on Technics’ much lauded EAH-AZ80 buds that came before them. They look, feel and sound premium with solid ANC, but it’s their features that earn them a place in this guide.
We’ve got triple-point connectivity here, allowing you to seamlessly connect to three devices at once, extra voice enhancement tech for calls and a ‘magnetic fluid’ driver that Technics says results in better low-frequency response and less distortion throughout the frequency range. The buds use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless and there’s compatibility for SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 codecs – something for everyone. You should get a solid 7 to 8 hours of playback time from the buds themselves, with a decent one-and-a-half further charges. The buds also work with Qi-certified charging pads, too.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 may be our top pick for features, but they also look excellent and comfort is impressive, thanks to a smaller and lighter design on previous models. They sounded engaging, exciting and thoroughly musical during our testing, more than capable of giving the high-end buds a run for their money. The EAH-AZ100s are, of course, on this list because they offer good ANC, which isn’t best-in-class, but is impressive.
However, although ANC here is solid, we’d recommend you keep it switched off if you want the best quality audio. Yes, this is a shame, but for some reason the beautifully-handled low frequencies lose substance, which is why we didn’t award these buds the full five out of five stars in our review. Otherwise, however, you’re getting top-tier sound, a shopping list of features and great comfort.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports
Bose
9. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:7g
Frequency response:Not stated
Drivers:9.5mm dual-layer driver
Battery life (on-board):Up to 10 hrs (buds), up to 45hr total
Reasons to buy
+Stuffed with features +Very secure, light and comfortable +Heart-rate tracking +Head-tracked spatial audio
Reasons to avoid
-Not the most sonically agile -Sound suffers with ANC off -Bulky case -Only IPX4 splash-proof
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want extremely secure earbuds:Into dancing? Gymnastics? Or just really intense workouts? These buds aren’t going anywhere.
✅ You want heart rate monitoring:If you’re not already keeping tabs on your ticker with a smartwatch or smart ring, these will do the job.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌Sound quality is a top priority:These buds don’t sound bad, not at all. But their audio doesn’t match the high standard of their features or design.
❌You want an open-ear design:They maylooklike one of the many pairs of open-ear models dominating the market right now, but the buds fit firmly in your canals.
We’ve reluctantly swapped out theBeats Fit Pro– our longtime “best for sports” pick – for the newer Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. And we say reluctantly because the Fit Pro are still an excellent choice, especially if you want a simple, secure in-ear design. But when it comes to high-intensity workouts – running, dancing, even gymnastics – the Powerbeats Pro 2 take the lead.
Why? They won’t budge once fitted and they come packed with some seriously impressive features, including head-tracked spatial audio, excellent battery life and a built-in heart rate monitor – which we found to be both accurate and genuinely useful. Now, if you’re already tracking your heart rate with a smartwatch or smart ring, you might not need this feature. But if you’re just looking for fitness-focused heart rate tracking without the commitment of 24/7 monitoring, it’s a great addition.
Stability is another major win. The Fit Pro are still rock solid, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 go a step further thanks to their in-ear fit and over-ear hook. In other words, these earbuds aren’t going anywhere. They also come in a few fun colors, which is always a nice bonus.
Sound-wise? They’re good, but not quite as premium as their features and design might suggest. The audio is energetic – almost too much at times – occasionally veering into tinniness. Of course, there’s active noise cancellation (ANC), otherwise they wouldn’t have made this list. It works well, but interestingly, turning it off makes the audio suffer even more.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 aren’t cheap, but if you’re going to take full advantage of their standout features – ANC, heart rate tracking, and rock-solid stability – they’re well worth the investment. Especially if you’ve never quite found earbuds that stay put during workouts.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
10. JBL Live Beam 3
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:5g per earbud
Frequency response:20 Hz – 40 kHz
Drivers:10mm dynamic
Battery life (on-board):Up to 12 hrs (buds), up to 48hr total
Reasons to buy
+Excellent battery life +Screen is fun and can be useful +Audio quality is strong
Reasons to avoid
-Somewhat weak spatial audio profiles -ANC is good, but beaten by class-leaders
BUY THEM IF
✅ You need long, reliable listening:The battery life here is truly exceptional at 48 hours in total, and up to 12 hours from the buds alone.
✅ You like cutting-edge tech:It has a cool screen on it, that you can put your own images onto, and with some useful controls! Do your friends have that? No. Exactly.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌You want top spatial audio:Spatial audio is here, but we weren’t impressed by the experience. You’ll find better elsewhere.
❌You don’t like the feel of in-ears:If you’re not sure in-ears are for you there are better options. These buds tend to sit further into your canal than rivals.
Many earbuds pack in great ANC, but that often leads to a big reduction in battery life. This is hard to avoid given how much power is needed to nix noise effectively, so if you’re looking for something that leans further towards the battery end of the balance, the JBL Live Beam 3 are our top choice. You’ll get long listening sessions, or just won’t have to worry about charging your buds as often.
The JBL Live Beam 3 boast a seriously impressive 12 hours of battery from the earbuds alone or 10 hours with ANC. The case then delivers three further charges, meaning total playback time is up to a best-in-class 48 hours. That’s impossible to beat, especially with good ANC, sound and design as well. In terms of additional features, you’ll also get great call handling, six EQ presets or the option to create your own, and strong noise cancellation. Adaptive ANC is on-board, which adjusts the level of cancellation based on your surroundings. There’s also a feature called Auto Compensation, which adjusts audio based on your ear canal. If you switch off Adaptive ANC, you get a slider offering seven different levels of noise-nixing power.
Use a compatible smartphone and fire up a track from Qobuz or Apple Music and you can take advantage of Sony’s LDAC tech for higher-quality Bluetooth. These tracks are beautifully replayed. That doesn’t mean other tracks don’t sound impressive here too. In our review, we wrote: “Want big, exuberant sound that knows when to deliver large, but also when to pull back just a little, allowing the detail to shine through? That’s the sonic recipe the JBL Beam 3 present.”
The earbuds fit securely and snugly. Our reviewer has small ears and found them easy to wear, although it is worth mentioning that they do sit quite far into your ear canal – maybe avoid these if you’re already a little unsure as to whether you want in-ears or not. The other major design point is that the case has a screen on it, which surprisingly doesn’t drain the battery. You can access some basic features here, like putting a photo on the screen or using it as a flashlight. It’s not as smart as say a smartwatch, but it’s a cool addition.
More noise-cancelling earbuds we’ve tested
AKG N5:With good audio, a solid feature set and an in-case USB-C dongle, it’s easy to see why we awarded these buds 4 out of 5 stars in ourAKG N5 review.However, they don’t quite make the cut for this guide because they’ve got a disappointing battery life as well as several design issues we just couldn’t look past considering the price.
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation:More affordable than the AirPods Pro 2, and they have the same H2 chip powering them, but with an open-ear design instead of an in-ear some. Some will prefer this, but it means the sound and ANC aren’t atquitethe same high standard. In ourAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review, we said these are the best open earbuds for Apple fans – but we generally much prefer the AirPods Pro 2, which usually cost only a small amount more than these, but are better in most ways..
Creative Zen AirSXFI:As you’ll find in ourCreative Zen AirSXFI review, these buds boast exceptional stamina, lasting up to 39 hours. But the poor spatial audio and ambient profiles really let them down.
Earfun Air 2 NC:Look, they’re good. You’ve got some impressive ANC here for the price. But the design and ‘theater mode’ isn’t great, and they’re not the most detailed listen. If you’re on a budget, however, read ourEarfun Air 2 NC reviewand have at them.
Edifier Stax Spirit S10:If you’re looking for excellent sound, you’ll find it from these buds. However, the ANC isn’t great – soo they don’t deserve a spot in this guide. Do take a look at ourEdifier Stax Spirit S10 reviewthough if audio is your only priority.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2:Battery life is good and they’re small and cute, but otherwise these Google buds were pretty disappointing all round. Read ourGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2 reviewto find out why.
LGxboom Buds:We were very impressed with the bass output on off from these buds when we we tested them for ourLG xboom Buds review. But they’re not as sleek and aesthetically pleasing as rivals, with a sound we enjoyed but that needed a fair bit of tweaking too.
Noble FoKus Rex5:These earbuds really are one of a kind. They sound great, ANC is top and they’re finished to a very high standard. But they’re incredibly and expensive and they’re also just very,verygreen. If that’s your thing, take a look at our fullNoble FoKus Rex5 review.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3:In ourOnePlus Buds Pro 3 reviewyou’ll learn we enjoyed testing these buds, they deliver great sound and have impressive battery life. But they’re not quite good enough to beat the best buds in this guide.
Viaim RecDot:Here’s a different proposition from Viaim, buds packed with AI features that can record and transcribe, making meetings infinitely easier. Sound quality is good too, but as far as ANC goes they’re a little disappointing. Although they don’t beat the rivals in this list, we definitely recommend you take a closer look at ourViaim RecDot review,because if you want buds for productivity, transcription and meetings, it doesn’t get better than this.
Price:Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 CPU:Apple M4 (10-core) GPU:Up to Integrated 10-core GPU RAM:Up to 32GB unified memory Screen:13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display, 60Hz Storage:Up to 2TB SSD Ports:2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 Wireless:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Weight:2.7 lbs / 1.24kg Dimensions:11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches / 30.4 x 21.5 x 1.13cm
Apple’s latest thin-and-light MacBook is the best yet, sporting the powerful new M4 chip and an upgraded design.
Pros
M4 chip delivers top-notch performance
Design is still the best
All-day battery life
Lower price
Cons
– Apple Intelligence is still a mixed bag
With some of the best laptops of 2025 hitting the scene recently, it can be hard to determine which one is right for you. WithDellreleasing a new and improved iteration of its powerfulDell XPS 13as well as Apple fighting for the laptop crown with itsM4 Macbook Air 13-inch, which one is the better device?
We’re pitting the 2025 editions of both devices against each other, being sure to consider a wide range of comparisons and use cases. From price to performance, from design to display, we’re covering it all.
While both of these laptops are seemingly hitting the same nail when it comes to target audience based on specifications and design, the Macbook Air is a fair bit cheaper than the Dell XPS 13. With a starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, this is much more affordable than Dell’s asking price of $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,198.80, particularly in regions outside of the US.
It’s worth noting that these prices are for the lowest specification of each model with the Dell XPS 13 – our current top pick of thebest Dell laptops- going up to a whopping $2,349.99 / £2,634 / AU$4,899.40 whileApple’s effectively maxes out at $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,399 for relatively similar specifications.
As expected from two of thebest laptops, both of these devices are absolutely stunning. The Dell XPS 13 comes packed into a lightweight, ultrathin chassis that looks fantastic and makes it simple to take absolutely anywhere with you without having to worry about your shoulders slowly starting to collapse under the weight of your laptop.
In our review, we found that the keyboard felt great to type on, though one downside is that the touchpad is ‘invisible’ – this poses an issue with accessibility as you can’t feel the difference between the palm rest and the actual touchpad. There is also a lack of ports on this laptop, with only 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports – you’ll likely be relying on Bluetooth for peripherals with this device.
In comparison, the Macbook Air also comes with a sleek and superb chassis which again looks breathtaking. It’s super light, weighing almost exactly the same as the XPS 13, making it a great option to pop in your backpack and take on the go with you. The Macbook Air is actually thinner than the Dell XPS 13, measuring in at 1.13cm to Dell’s 1.48cm – and while this sounds marginal, it’s enough to notice the difference.
While testing, we found that the keyboard was amazing to type on with great travel and response for a device so thin. The Macbook Air poses a similar issue when it comes to lack of ports, with only 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 for charging. However, one point that ensures the Macbook Air wins this round is that you don’t have to lock off an entire Thunderbolt port for charging.
Winner:Macbook Air
Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Performance and display
When using the Dell XPS 13, we were absolutely blown away, with it posing not a single issue during its entire testing period. It was fine for real-world usage, easily coping with the countless Chrome tabs we might have needed, and also held up exceptionally when being put through its paces during our benchmarking process. While the fans started whining during the 3DMark benchmarks, this is to be expected, and it remained silent during all other usage.
The screen on the Dell XPS 13 is the real ‘wow factor’ for this laptop. You get a top-spec 3K (2880 x 1800) InfinityEdgeOLEDtouch display which provides excellent picture quality and color range. Even when benchmarking, which results in some choppier frames, it still looked fantastic.
Similarly, the Macbook Air performed exceptionally well, from everyday productivity usage right down to intensive benchmarking. No matter what we threw at the system, it ran smoothly and with ease even down to playing AAA titles – something which would have been unimaginable on a Macbook even just a couple of years ago. Performance-wise, the base configuration edges out Dell’s laptop thanks to its superior iGPU, but it’s a close fight.
The Macbook Air display features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina panel (Apple’s signature display type, found on most of thebest MacBooks and Macs) with 2560 x 1664 resolution and 500 nits of sustained brightness. It is brilliant for everything from gaming, down to content creation or even watching movies but the XPS 13’s OLED panel is certainly the better screen, so this one ends up coming out as a draw.
Winner:Tie
Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air: Battery life
While both devices deliver great battery life, one is just that much more exceptional. The Dell XPS 13 comes with a promise of 24-hour battery life and in our review we found that it delivered just that, giving us 23 hours and 26 mins of usage in our batterymap movie test. This laptop will easily see you through a full workday and then some, and also charges super fast going from empty to 80% in an hour while not being used.
On the other hand, the Macbook Air claims up to 18 hours of battery life and delivered just under 15 hours in our active benchmarking. While in theory this sounds dwarfed when compared to the Dell XPS 13, it’s still pretty amazing. Again, this device will easily last you a full workday and then some, but it just doesn’t quite live up to the competition here. Another downside is that this device doesn’t charge as quickly either, taking 90 mins to reach 50% charge.
Winner:Dell XPS 13
Which one should you buy?
Although the MacBook Air technically won more categories, it’s hard to determine a clear overall winner when it comes to these devices. While the Dell XPS 13 takes home the crown when it comes to battery life and display quality, the Macbook Air does come in at a significantly lower price point and also boasts more ports and a thinner design.
While both of these laptops are absolutely fantastic options for those looking for a new device whether it be for work or pleasure, which one you pick up will be based on your needs and how much you’re willing to spend. If you prefer Windows and want something that will last you days without needing a charge, then the Dell XPS 13 is likely the one for you. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to save some money where you can but still need a high-end device, then the Macbook Air will probably suit you better.
If there’s one feature everyone wanted to see in CarPlay, it’s video playback. Of course, watching videos while driving isn’t safe. While parked, though, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to use your vehicle’s big screen to watch movies and shows.
Thankfully, according toApple’s developer websitefor CarPlay (via9To5Mac), the company is relenting. It’ll offer AirPlay video through CarPlay when not driving as part ofiOS 26, which sounds like something iOS users have longed for since Apple’s phone operating system was first announced.
The first significant catch is that the vehicle must be in park for the feature to work. That makes sense, as Apple wouldn’t want to encourage drivers towatch videos while driving. It’s a catch for sure, but it’s also one we fully expected to roll out with the feature.
How long until someone figures out a way around this limitation through nefarious means remains to be seen, but it’ll probably happen.
There’s another big catch. Each automaker will control whether its vehicle supports the video feature.
“AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren’t driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car,” reads the description on Apple’s website.
So, for example, ifHyundaidecides it doesn’t want the AirPlay video enabled, then there’s nothing an owner can do to get around that.
Still, the new icons and addition of CarPlay video support are exciting for people who rely on Apple’s car interface. There’s also CarPlay Ultra coming, which will be built directly into cars and let you monitor all of the key gauges, as well as control the climate and radio.
A small percentage of units may no longer turn on, Apple said.
Apple
If you have a new-ish Mac mini that has recently conked out, you are not alone. Apple has just launched a worldwideservice programfor the 2023 Mac mini with M2 chips, because “a very small percentage” of them are having power issues and may no longer turn on. The company didn’t say what was causing those power issues. While Mac minis powered by M2 chips werefirst released in 2023, the affected units were made between June 16, 2024 to November 23, 2024. Some of those computers may be nearing the end of their one-year warranty, depending on when they were purchased.
With this service program, Apple will still repair the units even if they’re already past their warranty, up to three years after their first sale. To check if yours is eligible either because you need it now or in case you’ll need it later, you can type in your Mac mini’s serial number onthe program page. Both Apple and its authorized service providers will fix your computer free of charge. Keep in mind if you’ve moved countries, however, that Apple may restrict or limit free repairs to the device’s original country or region of purchase.
Thelatest Mac minis, which aren’t included in the repair program, are powered by Apple’s M4 and M4 Pro chips and were released last year. They’re half the size of previous versions, come with 16GB of RAM, several USB-C ports, a headphone jack, a full-sized HDMI connection (supporting up to 8K 60Hz or 4K 240Hz), as well as an Ethernet port.
Putting the Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch to the test
Surface Laptop 13-inch
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (2025) is about as close as a Windows laptop has ever come to the MacBook Air 13-inch experience Windows users have been longing for, but is it enough to dethrone Apple’s most popular laptop?
Pros
Stunning design and colorway options
Extremely portable
Fantastic battery life
Great keyboard and trackpad
Cons
MacBook Air M4 offers far better performance
Limited ports
Display is just OK
Limited configuration options
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is arguably the most popular laptop model in the world, and for a laptop this small, it’s surprisingly powerful. Can it fend off a Microsoft’s latest thin and light Surface Laptop 13-inch?
Pros
M4 chip delivers top-notch performance
Design is still the best
All-day battery life
Lower price
Cons
Apple Intelligence is still a mixed bag
Now that theMicrosoft Surface Laptop 13-inchis on sale, there’s naturally going to be people looking at the Surface Laptop 13-inch versus theMacBook Air 13-inch (M4)when weighing their next laptop purchase.
Without a doubt, these are two of thebest laptopsgoing—especially for students who are looking for thebest student laptopfor the coming school year—and those who like to get work done on the go, whether that’s at a cafe, on a train, a plane, or sitting in a doctor’s office waiting for an appointment.
These two laptops are all about portability without compromising too much in other areas like design, battery life, or performance, so they really are two of thebest 13-inch laptopsyou can buy.
That doesn’t mean they’re the same, though, as they use two entirely differentoperating systems, and there are other key differences that potential buyers will need to consider when choosing between the Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch.
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Price
Fortunately, both the Surface Laptop 13-inch and MacBook Air 13-inch are widely available throughMicrosoft’s andApple’s websites, so just about every major market globally won’t have to wait for either laptop to make it to their shores.
Price here is going to be the biggest difference between the two laptops though, as the Surface Laptop 13-inch starts at $899.99 / £1,039 / AU$1,699, whereas the latest MacBook Air 13-inch with M4 starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699.
From here, the Surface Laptop 13-inch only increases by $100 / £100 / AU$200 for the expanded storage option (as well as the additional colorways).
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch, however, can be configured up to $2,199 / £2,199 / AU$3,499 with additional memory and storage options, giving it a much wider range of price points than the Surface Laptop 13-inch.
That said, if price is your most pressing concern, there’s no ignoring the roughly 10% cheaper starting price of the Surface Laptop 13-inch, which saves you $100 / £100 / AU$200 right out the gate for almost identical specs. So let’s make the transition to talking about those specs, shall we?
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Specs
The starting specs for theMicrosoft SurfaceLaptop 13-inch vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch are functionally identical, other than the system-on-a-chip (SoC) at the heart of the two systems and the quality of the displays.
Both Apple’s M-series processors and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips are fabricated usingARMarchitecture, which is renowned for its energy efficiency, but with the MacBook Air 13-inch, you do have the option of picking a slightly more powerful 10-core GPU.
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch Base Specs
11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 ins | 285.65 x 214.14 x 15.6mm
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 ins | 304 x 215 x 11.3mm
When it comes to the topline specs available for each system, the MacBook Air 13-inch has substantially more options on offer than the Surface Laptop 13-inch, so if you’re looking to better customize your system to your needs, Apple has you covered much more than Microsoft does.
11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 ins | 285.65 x 214.14 x 15.6mm
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 ins | 304 x 215 x 11.3mm
Specs:MacBook Air 13-inch
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Design
On the design front, there’s naturally going to be some subjectivity, but both laptops are exceptionally well-crafted with an aluminum chassis that makes them lightweight and very portable.
In terms of color options, Apple saved itself in this regard with its recent release of a sky blue MacBook Air 13-inch, breaking from the more conservative colorway choices of varying shades of silver and black that M2 and M3 models were stuck with.
I’d argue that Apple had no choice here, however, as colorful, personality-rich laptops likeSurface Laptop 7with its Sapphire colorway effectively shamed the MacBook maker into making a more colorful laptop (something I’ve been banging on about for years).
However, the Surface Laptop 13-inch comes in a pastel-purple Violet colorway, which I have been begging Apple to make ever since before the M2 MacBook launched. For me, that seals the deal in the Surface Laptop 13-inch’s favor, making it thebest ultrabookrunning Windows right now, but I understand if you disagree.
Design:Surface Laptop 13-inch
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Performance
No matter how beautiful the Surface Laptop 13-inch might look, however, it can’t keep up with the MacBook Air 13-inch in terms of performance.
The 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus SoC in the Surface Laptop 13-inch is good enough for everyday performance and productivity tasks, but the M4 chip is simply better in just about every workload you can throw at it.
Even theMacBook Air 13-inch with an M3chip is a better performer, and given how Apple’s app ecosystem has now moved over to supporting Apple’s M-series processors, you don’t run into the same kind of performance and compatibility issues with a MacBook Air 13-inch that you do with the Surface Laptop 13-inch.
Windows apps are overwhelmingly designed to run on the x86 architecture used in bothIntelandAMDchips, which power over 90% of the best Windows laptops. In order to run these apps on an Arm-based chip like the Snapdragon X Plus, Windows needs to use a software layer called Prism to translate x86 apps into ARM apps in real time.
This adds resource overhead to many applications, so they won’t run as smoothly as they would on an Intel or AMD chip. In real-world use, this isn’t as big an issue as it sounds, since the Snapdragon X Plus is fast enough that you won’t really ‘feel’ that slight performance hit, but it is there, and it’s something that the MacBook Air 13-inch simply doesn’t have to worry about.
Performance:MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Software
The biggest difference between the MacBook Air 13-inch vs Surface Laptop 13-inch is going to be the kind of software available. The Surface Laptop 13-inch runs an Arm-native version ofWindows 11, while the MacBook Air 13-inch runsmacOS Sequoia.
Most popular apps likeAdobePhotoshopand Microsoft Office 365 will have different versions that are compatible with both operating systems, so in most cases, you’re likely going to be able to run the apps you want on either laptop, but there will be instances where that is not the case. Most PC games, for instance, do not have macOS versions (especially older titles).
That said, many Windows-exclusive apps are designed for x86 chips like the Intel Core Ultra 200 series and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, so those apps will need to be run using the Windows Prism emulation layer, and sometimes that doesn’t work very well.
What’s more, there will be times when a Windows app just won’t run at all on the Surface Laptop 13-inch’s Snapdragon X Plus SoC, even with Prism emulation, and you might have to wait until the software developer releases an ARM-native version of the app.
And while 99.9% of the time you won’t need to worry about compatibility issues, a 0.1% chance still exists that the app you want or possibly need to run won’t work, and that’s enough to tip things in Apple’s favor here.
Software:MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Battery LifeThe good news is that both offer fantastic battery life since both of these laptops are built using Arm-architected chips, which are renowned for their energy efficiency. That said, in my testing, the Surface Laptop 13-inch lasts over an hour longer than the most recent MacBook Air 13-inch.
Both will get you all-day battery life, but the Surface Laptop 13-inch just lasts longer, making it perfect for those who are on the road and away from a wall outlet. The Surface Laptop 13-inch is one of the best student laptops for this reason in particular, as spending a whole day on campus running from classroom to classroom might not give you a chance to recharge your device during the day.
Winner:Surface Laptop 13-inch
Surface Laptop 13-inch vs MacBook Air 13-inch: Verdict
As much as I love the Surface Laptop 13-inch for giving me the purple laptop I’ve been begging for, I still have to side with Apple in the end, and I don’t even really like the MacBook Air 13-inch all that much.
It might have been different had the Surface Laptop 13-inch used an Intel Lunar Lake chip instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, which would have eliminated the current growing pains Windows-on-Arm is having and delivered a much more performant device to compete with Apple’s most popular laptop.
It doesn’t though, and despite the significant strides Microsoft has made in delivering a true MacBook Air alternative for Windows users, Apple’s MacBook Air 13-inch is still the better overall product.
If you’re a dedicated Windows user, don’t despair, though. The Surface Laptop 13-inch is as close as anyone’s come to delivering the MacBook Air experience for Windows that we’ve been waiting for, and you’ll find a lot to love with the Surface Laptop 13-inch. I know I did.
If you’re choosing between the two, however, and want to know which one is the better overall purchase, the MacBook Air 13-inch continues its reign as the best laptop for most users.
Our drone experts have logged thousands of flying hours, testing everything from entry-level models to professional flying machines. That in-depth experience means we know exactly what makes a great drone for first-time flyers. Whether you want to try aerial videography or simply have fun in the sky, you’ll find the best beginner drones here.
We think theDJI Mini 4Kis a fantastic drone for beginners. In our review, we found it lightweight, easy to pilot and capable of sharp4Kvideo. It’s also one of the most affordableDJI dronesyou can buy. If you’re happy flying without the help of obstacle avoidance or subject tracking, it’s a great way to learn the ropes without spending too much.
DJIisn’t the only drone maker, which is why our guide covers a range of alternatives. Every drone recommended below weighs less than 250g, meaning they fly around most registration requirements. Each has been tested and flown in real-world conditions, with a focus on usability, reliability and video quality. Whatever your skill level, these drones will help you take off with confidence.
Below you’ll find full write-ups for each of the best beginner drones in our list. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
✅ You want a cheap second drone:If would like a smaller and lighter drone with fewer flight restrictions than a larger drone, the Mini 4K is a great option.
✅ You want aerial photos:Image quality is identical to the more expensive Mini 3 Pro, so you won’t outgrow the capabilities of the Mini 3 too soon.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want collision avoidance:For peace of mind when flying your drone close to trees and in more complex environments, you’ll need to spend more on the Mini 4 Pro.
❌ You fly in windy weather:The Mini 4K can in theory fly in wind up to 24mph, but not easily and it’ll struggle and drift.
DJI’s cheapest-ever 4K drone (not including the Neo, see further down this list), the Mini 4K packs many of the same features as the pricier Mini 3, which makes it excellent value for money. Like the Mini 3, it is a lightweight flying machine with a small folding body that’s sub 249g (meaning fewer restrictions), with intuitive controls and useful automated filming modes. As its name suggests, it also shoots 4K /30p video.
The Mini 3 has slightly better battery life, plus its camera has a slightly larger sensor and theoretically slightly better image quality in challenging conditions such as low light or in high contrast like towards the sun. However, we found the Mini 4K still produces excellent quality 4K video and 12MP stills, and the difference is negligible in favorable conditions. Switch to the Mini 4K’s Pro mode and you can shoot photos in raw and JPEG format, the former gives more scope for editing afterwards.
Both models miss out on collision avoidance – something you only get by spending more on a Mini Pro-series model, like theMini 4 Pro. However, for the money, we can’t think of a better drone than the Mini 4K. It proved every bit the quality drone in testing: we found it forgiving to pilot using the standard controller, we enjoyed the automated flight moves, and its level 4 wind resistance provides pretty sturdy movement even in breezy conditions, even if it struggles in properly windy conditions. If you’re looking for your first drone and keen on capturing aerial images, the Mini 4K is our top value pick.
+Responsive controls +Tiny and lightweight +Decent battery life
Reasons to avoid
-Doesn’t fly well in wind -No controller included
Buy it if:
✅ You’re getting started:The simple app and responsive controls help you master basic flight manoeuvres, take-offs and landings.
✅ You’re an indoor pilot:With rotor guards and stability sensors, the Tello is safe and easy to fly inside.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want decent quality video:The Tello is limited to choppy and compressed 720p videos.
❌ You want to go far:The Tello has a low range and restricted altitude and so it can’t fly far or high.
Designed in partnership with DJI, the Ryze Tello is an affordable, featherweight drone that’s great for mastering the basics of flight. It can be controlled via the Tello smartphone app and Wi-Fi, but you can also use a Bluetooth gaming controller – albeit at a shorter range. It proved a responsive and lively flier during our tests, which makes it an effective way to master the ups and downs of quadcopter flying.
It’s not all positive. The flight range is limited (closer to 30m than the official 100m maximum) while the slightest breeze will send it drifting off with the wind. The 720p camera isn’t up to much either, and with no local storage it sends all footage directly to your phone – which results in choppy video when the Wi-Fi connection dips in and out. Those caveats aside, the Tello is a great starter drone that does the simple things well and feels better put together than other budget models.
-Upgrades may not tempt Mini 3 Pro owners -Not suited to windy conditions
DJI Mini 4 Pro sample images
Buy it if:
✅ You’re a pro drone pilot looking for a second drone:A D-Log M color profile matches the look in pro models from the Mavic 3 series, making it a great sub-250g second drone.
✅ You want a premium sub-250g drone:With excellent image quality, flight features and safety features, there’s currently no better sub-250g drone available.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re a happy Mini 3 Pro owner:While the Mini 4 Pro’s new features are impressive, they won’t justify an upgrade for a owners of the previous version.
❌ Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance is overkill:If you’re unlikely to fly in complex environments, the DJI Mini 3 Pro could be enough with its tri-directional obstacle avoidance.
Succeeding theMini 3 Pro– our previous favorite premium beginner drone – the Mini 4 Pro is an incremental upgrade that uses the same f/1.7 aperture camera and 1/1.3-inch sensor. From our tests, it produces excellent quality 12MP / 48MP images in raw and JPEG, with very little noise up to its maximum ISO 6400 setting. There are a couple of video improvements, including 4K footage at up to 100fps. A D-Log M color profile also makes the Mini 4 Pro an enticing second drone option: it means you can achieve color consistency with a pro-level Mavic 3-series model.
Any disappointment over the lack of camera improvements should be quelled by the Mini 4 Pro’s flight and safety features. The Mini 4 Pro boasts Omni Directional Obstacle Avoidance (the Mini 3 Pro has tri-directional obstacle avoidance), improved subject tracking performance, plus a more extensive transmission range – up to 20km, depending on your region and what’s legally possible. We think this drone is on another level to all of the other drones in this guide – and because its sub-250g, you avoid cumbersome registration requirements.
-48MP/8K photos in JPEG only -No histogram for exposure
Potensic Atom 2 sample images
Image1of4
Buy it if:
✅ You’re on a budget:The Atom 2 is one of the most feature-packed sub-250g dronesandit’s available for such a competitive price – that’s plenty of bang for your buck.
✅ You want stable videos:A 3-axis mechanical gimbal that stabilizes 4K 30fps video, in a fly more drone combo kit costing less than $400 / £400 / AU$700? Sign us up.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’d like collision avoidance:If you’d like the safety net of collision avoidance, which is particularly helpful for flying confidently in complex environments, you’ll need to fork out extra for the DJI Min 4 Pro instead.
❌ You want all the drone’s features straight away:Not all of the features listed for the Potensic Atom 2 were available at launch, such a log color profiles for video, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be added.
If you’re looking for a complete folding drone in the largely restriction free sub-250g category, we think the Potensic Atom 2 is the top DJI alternative. It goes toe-to-toe with the DJI Mini 4K and in many regards the pricier Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro, plus it represents 5 star value.
Building on the Atom SE and Atom, the Atom 2 boasts a complete feature set; it’s 3-axis gimbal-mounted camera can shoot 4K video up to 30fps, plus stills in 12MP or 48MP resolution, although at launch 48MP stills are JPEG only. In testing, we were impressed by video quality and flight stability, and found subject tracking worked particularly well, while Quickshots deliver a range of easy flight moves, ideal for beginners hoping to easily improve their aerial videos.
There’s also neat modes that include an interval timer for capturing timelapse videos, while Potensic says it’s adding further improvements after launch, including a flat ‘log’ color profile, ideal for grading videos. All in all, the Potensic Atom 2 is a majorly impressive drone. DJI who?
The best beginner FPV drone
5. BetaFPV Cetus X drone
The best FPV drone for beginners
Specifications
Best for:First-time FPV flyers
Camera resolution:N/A
Range:600m
Weight:55g
Battery size:450mAh
Controller:Optional
Reasons to buy
+Complete FPV starter kit +Multiple flight modes
Reasons to avoid
-Requires plenty of patience -Short battery life
Buy it if:
✅ You want to try out FPV flying:This is the ready-to-fly FPV kit for those looking to try their wings.
✅ You want a high octaine drone experience:Once you get to grips especially with the Manual/Acro mode, FPV drones are hugely fun and exciting.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want to take aerial photos:FPV drones are primarily for flying and not photography.
❌ You get motion sick:If you typically suffer from motion sickness, FPV drones in general might not be for you.
If you want to try flying an FPV drone, we think the BetaFPV Cetus X Kit is a top choice. As a package, it comes with everything you need for first-person flight, including a transmitter and a basic set of goggles. More powerful than models like the Cetus Pro, we found that its multiple flight modes and speed settings also make it an FPV drone you can grow with. Provided you have the stomach to stick it out without succumbing to motion sickness, the Cetus X will reward you with an immersive flying experience.
During our review, it took time and patience to master the Manual/Acro mode. Crashes are also inevitable, and while the frame is built to withstand impacts, it did crack in our tests. We also found the video feed prone to break-up and interference, and while a built-in DVR can record flight feeds, this isn’t a drone for stills photography. Battery life was also a disappointment, rated at just five minutes. But with enough power to perform simple freestyle tricks and everything in the box to get airborne, this is our favorite FPV kit for first-timers.
The best selfie drone
6. HoverAir X1 Pro
The best drone for selfies
Specifications
Best for:Aerial selfies
Camera resolution:4K / 60pvideo, 12MP photos
Range:N/A
Weight:191.5g
Battery size:1,920mAh
Controller:No
Reasons to buy
+Super quick start up +Decent subject tracking
Reasons to avoid
-Max flight speed lags behind other drones -Relatively pricey
HoverAir X1 Pro sample imagesv
Buy it if:
✅ You have zero drone experience:You can get airborne in a matter of seconds and get flying with no experience.
✅ You want aerial selfies:The smooth 4K video and excellent tracking features combine for selfies with a difference.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want a super quick drone:The HoverAir X1 Pro better for steady aerial selfies than it is adrenaline-fuelled fast flight manouevers.
❌ You want the best bang for buck:The DJI Neo (see below) costs a lot less even if it isn’t quite to the same quality for aerial selfies.
If you’re new to drones and simply want explore what these aerial devices are about and have a lot of fun along the way, the HoverAir X1 Pro is an excellent choice. Think of it as a selfie stick on steroids, with supremely clever automated subject tracking. If you want aerial footage of your adventures, tracking you running or on a bike or at the beach, look no further.
The X1 Pro is a tiny drone for which you need no prior experience, taking flight from the palm of your hand ready to record 4K video in a matter of seconds from unboxing. It’s a supercharged upgrade of theHoverAir X1, and despite being 50% heavier, it’s still a featherweight 191.5g and folds down super small, with its propellors safely behind guards for safer flight.
It might cost a little more than the X1, but you get a sturdier flight experience with higher wind resistance, much better battery life, plus that higher resolution 4K video. Overall, it is the better choice if you can stretch your wallet a little further. That said, the DJI Neo is much, much cheaper if you don’t need the same degree of robustness and 4K video specs.
If you’re after a convenient and portable selfie drone for some automated flight fun, the X1 Pro is our top pick.
The best multi control drone
7. DJI Neo
The best drone for multi flight control
Specifications
Best for:Multiple flight control options
Camera resolution:4K video, 12MP photos
Range:6.2 miles (FCC), 3.7 miles (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Weight:4.76oz / 135g
Battery size:1435mAh / up to 18 minutes flight time
Controller:Optional
Reasons to buy
+Super easy to get started +Multiple ways to control flight
Reasons to avoid
-JPEG only photos -Controllers are pricy extras
DJI Neo sample images
Buy it if:
✅ You’d like multiple flight options:No controller, DJI’s Fly app, controller, FPV Goggles, take your pick.
✅ You need quick aerial selfies:Taking off from your palm with AI subject tracking and face recognition, the Neo makes aerial selfies as easy as possible.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want to edit photos and videos:Photos are JPEG only, while video color profiles are automatic, meaning limited editing scope.
❌ You’re mostly keen on FPV flight:The cost of DJI’s Goggles for FPV flight pushes the overall cost up considerably, and you’d probably be better served by the Avata 2.
DJI’s Neo is an all-new kind of offering from the drone king. It’s mostly akin to the HoverAir X1 selfie drone, but DJI launched the Neo in at a lower price point and it shoots higher resolution 4K video. Absolute beginners can be up in the air within a matter of minutes, without even needing a controller, to shoot aerial selfies with DJI’s smallest and cheapest drone yet.
But this isn’t just a selfie drone. The Neo’s flight can be controlled in one of several ways; controller-free by just selecting the mode on the drone itself, by using DJI’s Fly app on your phone or tablet, with one of DJI’s remote controllers and even its FPV Goggles. Neo offers all kinds of flight control in one tiny drone.
During our review of the Neo, we were super impressed by its ease of use, including its 4.76oz / 135g lightweight build and propellor guards that mean you can fly safely indoors in tight spaces as well as outdoors. Face recognition AI-powered subject tracking works well, and ultimately the Neo is outright fun and one of the best first drones for anyone. It’s not perfect; flight speeds are modest and there’s little scope for editing your videos and photos. However, the Neo is one of the most exciting drones we’ve used in years.
Also consider
Not every beginner drone could make the cut above, but there are a few alternatives we’ve tested which are also worth considering. Here are some honorable mentions for beginners:
Best premium DJI alternative –Autel Evo Nano+:The Autel Evo Nano+ takes on DJI’s Mini 4 Pro in the sub-250g category. That’s no easy task, with the latter being so close to perfect. But to its credit, the Evo Nano+ holds up as an impressive beginner drone in its own right.
Best multi-use –DJI Flip: The DJI Flip is a new breed of drone, designed for multiple use cases, with the ability to capture photos and videos in both beginner-friendly and more advanced formats. However, image quality sits at the beginner end of the scale, and if you don’t require the selfie drone capabilities, a standard folding drone like the Mini 4K is a better option.
Best entry-level Mini 4K alternative –DJI Mini 3: Less advanced than the Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 3 remains a strong choice for learners. Video is limited to 4K/30p and there are no collision avoidance sensors, but it’s still a small, lightweight drone that’s easy to fly at an affordable price. With no DJI Mini 4 on the market, it’s a great value option.
Best entry-level DJI Neo alternative –HoverAir X1: Well-made, lightweight and easy to use, the HoverAir X1 uses intelligent tracking algorithms to capture automated 2.7K video of the user. It takes off and lands in the palm of your hand, making it a super-portable way to capture fun video selfies. Manual flight controls are limited in the app, so look at theHoverAir X1 Proif these matter to you.
How to choose the best beginner drone
What are the best beginner drone features?
Beginner drones come in a range of shapes and sizes, but the best models all share a few key features. If you’re just starting out, then a slick companion app will be invaluable – some of the best we’ve tried are from DJI and HoverAir. A drone that’s happy to hover in place will also allow you to carefully learn the controls and understand how sensitive it is to commands. A few of the drones above, such as the DJI Mini 4K, also feature preset flying tricks that allow you to easily capture Hollywood-style shots, which can produce impressive results with just a little bit of practice.
What’s the best beginner drone for videography?
If you’re looking for a beginner drone with a camera, then bear in mind that you’ll need to spend a bit more to get genuinely usable footage. Look for a drone with a camera that has 4K video. A low-resolution sensor like the 720p one found on the Ryze Tello is fine for learning the basics, but you’ll need to spend at least $350 / £200 / AU$550 to get a really high-quality camera, such as the DJI Mini 4K.
What’s the best beginner outdoor drone?
It’s important to think about where you’re most likely to fly your drone. If you’re happy to stay indoors or in sheltered spots near your home, then a small, toy model (like the Ryze Tello) will be fine. But for more ambitious flights, you’ll need a drone that can withstand gusts of wind and a few crash landings, like the Potensic Atom 2 with its level 5 wind resistance. Drones with obstacle avoidance sensors, such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro, are the safest to fly outdoors, but these usually come at a premium.
The Pixel Watch 3 will be in line for the new feature
Android earthquake alerts are expanding to Wear OS
The feature is supported on phones in 98 countries
It’s included in the latest Google Play services update
For several years now, Android phones have beenable to warn youabout an imminent earthquake, so you’ve got a few minutes to prepare yourself and those around you – and the feature is finally expanding to Wear OS smartwatches as well.
As per theJune 2025 release notesforGoogle Playservices (viaAndroid Authority), you’ll now receive “alerts on Wear when an earthquake is expected to cause shaking”. Google Play services is a separate update to Android, and should be applied to your phone and wearable automatically in the coming days.
It makes earthquake warnings much more useful for Wear OS owners, especially those who like to leave their phones in pockets and bags (or who have watches with cellular connections, and leave their phones behind completely).
Google hasn’t said anything else officially about the new feature, but presumably every smartwatch currently getting Wear OS updates is going to be eligible to get the early earthquake warning functionality as well.
How earthquake alerts appear on Android phones(Image credit: Google)
We don’t know exactly how this will look on thebest Android watches, but we know how it works on phones. Google gets its data from seismic sensor reports, as well as anonymous accelerometer measurements frombillions of Android phones.
Expected earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater trigger an alert: you’ll be given the estimated magnitude and the distance to the epicenter, which pop up on screen, and you can tap on the alert for more information.
If significant shaking is expected, the alert will ignore any volume and Do Not Disturb settings on your phone, and play a loud sound. You’ll be given advice on screen about how to best protect yourself against the coming quake.The Android Earthquake Alerts System is currently active in 98 different countries around the world, and you can check the list here. On Pixel phones, the alerts settings can be found under Safety and emergency in Settings.
Explore the best laptops for teachers, educators, and academics
With over 1800 laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks tested, I’ve rounded out the best laptops for teachers – I’ve largely focused on highly portable but powerful devices that deliver great performance.
My top choice overall for most educators is theLenovo ThinkPad T14s, which neatly balances good performance for the price, capably handling all day-to-day tasks like web browsing, emails, and all your office software. Better yet, I find it offers one of the best keyboards you’ll find on any laptop. It’s a legitimately great typing experience. My favorite alternatives include the ever-excellent powerhouse, theDell XPS 14, while those who want a cheap but decent laptop with good performance, I rate theAcer Aspire 5.
You can check out the full reviews below, alongside some other great machines that I find well-designed for academic use. Each model in this round-up has been comprehensively tested by me and my team. In general, I’ve stuck to 14in laptops, ideal for carrying to and from classrooms, without compromising on overall power. However, many options here also have larger-screen alternatives if you really want to drill down on the details or prefer a broader canvas for classroom and online course activities. Each model in this round-up has been comprehensively tested by me and my team.
+Fast +Thin, lightweight, beautifully designed +Impressive performance +Comfortable backlit keyboard
Reasons to avoid
-Older generation model now -Fingerprint magnet -Not repairable or upgradeable as previous generations
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s is one of the best laptops for teachers and just about every other professional. It’s our go-to device thanks to its incredibly comfortable keyboard, portability, and a 14in screen that’s bright, crisp, and big enough for most projects.
Powered by Intel and AMD chips (I recommend choosing the AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 for better cooling), performance is exceptional for most office-based tasks. We’ve experienced no issues whether we’re browsing, emailing, attending online meetings, and typing. Battery life lasted us around 8 hours, so should last most of the school day.
One reason why we use the T14s is the keyboard. Even newer ThinkPad keyboards with their shallower key travel depth provide simply the best typing experience you’ll find on a laptop. Keys are firm, with good depression, and unlike even Dell and MacBooks, never feel hard or spongy.
The device, like most ThinkPads, is somewhat expensive so this is an investment. But build quality is very robust. It’s tough, and if you kit it out with 32GB RAM (unfortunately, it’s not upgradeable), you’ll have a future-proofed device that feels durable enough to last many semesters.
+Competitive price +Solid build, with a 1.7kg weight +Decent battery life for the price
Reasons to avoid
-Modest performance -720p webcam -Limited port selection
The Acer Aspire 5 is surprisingly good considering its budget price, and we enjoyed our time using it. If you’re looking for a cheap laptop for a teacher that can survive the commute and day-to-day travel, this is an ideal pick.
It’s available in a range of specs, with the Intel Core i5 version reviewed by our team. This device also had a low 8GB, and we’d generally recommend increasing this to 16GB minimum for seamless performance. As it stands, with our review unit, we found performance very respectable when using office apps familiar to most teachers. Benchmarking the Aspire 5 resulted in a very respectable office laptop overall, especially at this price. Design, too, impressed us, feeling sturdy in hand and weighing a very portable 1.7kg.
At 6.5 hours, battery life didn’t quite last us all day during our tests, and it won’t power through complex workloads or gaming. But for a budget teacher’s laptop, the Aspire 5 offers excellent value for money.
A great webcam and mic make this perfect for online classes
Specifications
CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM:Up to 32GB
Screen:14in FHD / 2.8K OLED
Storage:Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
+More than enough power for the average user +Webcam, mic, and touchpad are very good +Copilot AI is just a button press away
Reasons to avoid
-Not the most premium feeling laptop -Battery life is just okay
The Acer Swift Go 14 is a well-priced laptop that’s ideal for teaching online thanks to the quality of its microphone and webcam. Yes, we don’t see it often, but this budget laptop features a 1440p at 30Hz webcam, with images coming through sharp during our review. And we found the sound quality to be excellent considering the size of this device. At 14in, it’s incredibly portable for those who need something more commuter-friendly.
The machine is available in a range of configurations, with Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, and either 16Gb or 32GB – we don’t recommend a lower RAM, as you’ll find these laptops tend to slow down during even basic tasks like browsing.
It’s not the greatest laptop we’ve ever tried – it certainly lacks the build quality of a ThinkPad or MacBook. Battery life is fair, clocking in at eight hours and 25 minutes in our tests. But for the price, and for general use, it ticks every box for online teaching.
Best Mac laptop for teachers
4. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Ideal for teachers, educators, and anyone in academia
Specifications
CPU:Apple M4
RAM:Up to 32GB
Screen:13.6in
Storage:Up to 2TB
Reasons to buy
+M4 chip delivers top-notch performance +Design is still the best +All-day battery life +Lower price
Reasons to avoid
-Apple Intelligence is still a mixed bag
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch finally boasts the M4 chip, making it an ultra-portable powerhouse that excels in its performance. Beautifully designed and seriously lightweight, this thin laptop is perfect for teachers working across multiple locations (or those who just don’t want to be weighted down by a larger, heavier machine).
We were really impressed with how well this laptop performed during our tests. Ok, it’s not a massive leap compared to the older M3 models, but it’s still faster, delivering a smooth and responsive experience. We put this machine through its paces, running games, multiple background apps, and even 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro and the only time we noticed slowdown was during 4K edits at 120fps rather than 30fps.
With that in mind, it’s more than capable of tackling productivity apps and office software, web browsing, and emails that teachers need during day-to-day work. Battery life is also great – we clocked this at around 14 hours during standard web activities, 18 hours while just watching videos, and during mixed use, it effectively lasted the whole day before needing a recharge. That’s commendable, making it an easy pick for teachers who aren’t always right next to a mains outlet.
Even the price is great for an Apple laptop. There’s no touchscreen here, and it’s not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, but for almost any task you’ll face in the classroom, the MacBook Air will easily tackle it.
+Powerful new processor +Stunning 3.2k OLED +Holds its own against the MacBook Pro 14-inch
Reasons to avoid
-Gets expensive quickly -Touchbar and trackpad are accessibility challenges
The Dell XPS 14 emerges as a stellar option for educators, standing out within the prestigious XPS series with its remarkable features tailored for teaching excellence. Starting at $1,499, it combines a cutting-edge processor and up to a breathtaking 3.2K OLED display within an elegantly designed chassis that surpasses nearly every other Windows laptop in aesthetics.
While the base model may require upgrades for the dedicated Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and OLED display, investing in these enhancements, though costly, ensures a laptop that remains relevant for years, justifying the near $2,400 investment for the recommended configuration.
Notably, the XPS 14 introduces design improvements over its predecessors, such as superior top-mounted speakers alongside the keyboard, enhancing audio quality without compromising on keyboard space. Additionally, its slim bezels encase a 1080p webcam, although lacking a physical privacy shutter.
With its robust Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and Nvidia RTX 4050, the XPS 14 adeptly handles diverse workloads from routine computing to content creation, making it an invaluable tool for educators who demand reliability, performance, and style in their teaching and professional development endeavors.
Find the best deals on Dell products withour Dell promo codes.
Best dual-screen laptop for teachers
6. Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
Two screens are better than one
Specifications
Processor:Intel Core Ultra 7 155U
Screen size:13.3-inch (x2)
RAM:16GB
Storage:Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
+Fantastic day-to-day performance +Gorgeous screen and design +Useful in multiple modes +Comes with solid quality-of-life accessories
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive -Limited ports -Not powerful enough for more robust tasks
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i shines as an indispensable resource for educators, particularly those involved in extensive academic writing and research thanks to its dual-screen feature.
Great for academic professionals, the Yoga Book 9i’s flexibility delivers both laptop and tablet modes for writing, researching, and multitasking. The whole experience is seamless and performance is pretty much flawless for day-to-day use. Its robust Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor delivers powerful performance, ensuring smooth operation across applications while maintaining efficiency to prevent the overheating issues often seen in compact laptops.
Despite its impressive dual OLED screens, the Yoga Book 9i provides good battery life – we got around seven and a half hours in laptop mode, and six hours forty-five minutes while using two screens. So, it’s a good choice for long teaching sessions or while working on publications and academic papers with a little versatility.
Though the Yoga Book 9i comes with a premium price tag, its innovative features, including the dual-screen functionality, portability, and efficient performance, make it a worthwhile investment for educators seeking a top-tier laptop.
Best laptops for teachers compared
Model
Screen size
CPU
RAM
Storage
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s
14in
Up to Intel Core i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 Pro
Up to 32GB
Up to 2TB
Acer Aspire 5
14in / 15.6in / 17.3in
Up to Intel Core i7
Up to 32GB
Up to 1TB
Acer Swift Go 14
14in
Up to Intel Core Ultra 7
Up to 32GB
Up to 1TB
Apple MacBook Air 13in (M4)
13in
Apple M4
Up to 32GB
Up to 2TB
Dell XPS 14
14in
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Up to 64GB
Up to 4TB
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
13.3in (x 2)
Intel Core Ultra 7 155U
Up to 32GB
Up to 1TB
How to choose the best laptops for teachers?
When choosing the best laptop for teaching, there are a number of factors to consider.
Size and design
A good laptop for a teacher should light and portable – 13-15in laptops are a popular size, but we favor 14-inch laptops for a balance of screen space and portability. Depending on how much you’ll travel with the laptop, look for durable features and IP ratings of the sort you’ll find in thebest rugged laptops.
Specs
For most teaching laptops, prioritze CPU and RAM. This will ensure that apps, web browsing, and emails is fast and seamless. Unless you’re using your laptop for complex graphic design and high-resolution video editing, GPU will be less important for most office-based tasks.
Battery life
Unless you have the luxury of working near a mains or in a single location, battery life is going to be important. You’ll often need to trade performance for extended battery life, so it’s about finding the balance. However, most modern laptops offer batteries that last the working day. We run battery tests on all laptops we review.
Storage
Storage is especially for educators in academia. The best laptops for teachers have a solid-state drive (SSD), which is quicker and longer lasting than older hard drives, and more resilient. Look for those with plenty of space – 1TB is a good baseline – and pair this with thebest portable SSDsand thebest cloud storagefor backups.
Connectivity
Slim-line laptops may be great for carrying to and from classes, but they also tend to have fewer ports for connecting extra devices. If you’re not hooking up peripherals like keyboards and second monitors, . However, if you plan of using a lot of accessories, you may need to pair your laptop with one of thebest laptop docking stationsto give it extra versatility.
While both of these laptops are seemingly hitting the same nail when it comes to target audience based on specifications and design, the Macbook Air is a fair bit cheaper than the Dell XPS 13. With a starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, this is much more affordable than Dell’s asking price of $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,198.80, particularly in regions outside of the US.
Surface Laptop 13-inch
The good news is that both offer fantastic battery life since both of these laptops are built using Arm-architected chips, which are renowned for their energy efficiency. That said, in my testing, the Surface Laptop 13-inch lasts over an hour longer than the most recent MacBook Air 13-inch.
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