Best laptop for video editing in 2023 – our top picks
If you’re looking for the best laptop for video editing, we’ve got you covered right here with our top picks and guide to help you find the right one for you.
Finding a laptop for video editing can be quite challenging, especially with all the options out there that can be used for the task.
But whether they can or not isn’t really the case – it’s more about finding a laptop that’s practically tailor-made for video editing, and that means you’ll have to tick off a few boxes with your search.
The CPU and GPU have to be quite high-end to be able to handle editing and processing what can be extremely large files. You’ll also need some weighty built-in storage as standard to handle your creations. The screen itself doesn’t necessarily need to be 4K, as some find it easier and less demanding on their laptop if they edit in a lower resolution, but having the option is certainly worth it. And you also need a screen that boasts impressive color accuracy so you can ensure that what the client sees is what you see – which can help cut down any tedious and time-consuming minor edits in the process.
Some of the best gaming laptops can also be used for video editing, and they even have incredibly high refresh rates, which can come in handy with certain types of content.
Video editing laptops tend to be quite pricey, and while you may be able to search for the best laptops under $600 and find something decent, we’d recommend going a little higher if you’ve got the budget to do so.
We’ve selected what we think are some of the best laptops for video editing on the market right now for both Apple and Windows users. Let’s dive in and see if we can give you a hand with your search for the perfect creative partner.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
We’ve researched and selected laptops based on how closely their specs and features align with the demands and tasks associated with video editing. We’ve also considered various budgets and operating systems. Furthermore, we’re always updating our guides with the latest releases, so you can make the best choice possible for you.
Best laptop for video editing in 2023 – our top picks
- Powerful M3 Max chipset
- By far the best speakers of any laptop
- One of the best battery life of any laptop
- Fantastic peak brightness
- Great sRGB color accuracy
- ProMotion refresh rate switching great for video editing
- Very expensive
The latest of Apple’s MacBook Pros is a fantastic premium editing machine. The latest M3 Max chipset boasts impressive performance that will be able to handle video editing with ease. Not only this, but it’s highly energy efficient, with claims of up to 22 hours of battery life.
If you’re editing video, it’s as much about the performance as it is about the screen, and Apple’s latest MacBook really delivers on that front with its 16.2-inch Liquid Retina, XDR display. This screen can get up to 1000 nit peak brightness and has a punchy 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio too. That’s excellent for video editing and viewing your finished products close to how they’re meant to be seen.
This particular model has a slightly smaller screen, which can be good if you want to keep costs down on what is a very expensive laptop. Thanks to its multiple ports, however, pairing this up with one of the best ultrawide monitors is a breeze and recommended if you want more real estate to work on.
Overall, it’s a quality option for most serious video editors out there, as well as creatives in general. Sure, it’s pricey, but it is the best Apple laptop for video editing.
- Budget option
- 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- 15-inch display
- Sleek design
- Not recommended for 4K editing
If you’re looking for the best budget laptop for video editing, we think you should go with the HP Victus 15. This laptop comes packed with decent hardware and sports an FHD IPS display.
The HP Victus 15 features the Intel Core i5-13420H processor, which belongs to the 13th-gen CPU lineup. It comes with 8 cores and 12 threads and has a max turbo frequency of 4.60Hz. While this processor isn’t one of the most powerful CPUs out there, it is still enough for basic video editing.
For the GPU, the laptop has the RTX 3050 4GB. On top of that, there’s 16GB of DDR4 RAM paired with 1TB SSD for storage. 16GB of RAM is enough for editing 1080p footage smoothly, but you’ll need to upgrade it if you’re planning to edit higher-resolution projects. As far as the display is concerned, there’s a 15.6-inch FHD IPS screen with anti-glare coating.
Overall, the HP Victus 15 is an excellent choice for those looking for a cheap laptop for video editing. In case you want to explore more affordable options, check out our top picks for the best budget laptops.
- Intel Core i9-13900H and RTX 4070
- 17-inch QHD display
- 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Expensive
If you’re not a fan of Apple and are looking for a Windows laptop for video editing, look no further than the MSI Stealth 17 Studio. This laptop ticks all the boxes of a power video editing machine. After all, it is one of the best MSI laptops.
On the inside, the MSI Stealth 17 Studio has the Intel Core i9-13900H processor. With 14 cores, 16 threads, and a max turbo frequency of 5.40GHz, it is one of the most powerful processors you can find on a laptop. The CPU is paired with the RTX 4070, which is also an extremely powerful card. These two components make the MSI Stealth 17 Studio the best laptop for video editing and gaming as well.
As far as the storage and RAM are concerned, there’s a 1TB SSD paired with 16GB of DDR5 RAM. On the outside, the laptop sports a stunning 17.3-inch QHD 100% DCI-P3 display, which should deliver an abundant color gamut and more vivid colors. The display also has a high refresh rate of 240Hz for smoother visuals.
Overall, the MSI Stealth 17 Studio is the best Windows laptop for video editing that can handle demanding tasks smoothly.
- Core i7-13620H and RTX 4060
- 16-inch display
- 32GB RAM
- Display is only 300 nits
We think that the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is the best mid-range laptop for video editing. Asus never disappoints us when it comes to creating powerful machines, and this laptop is no different.
Powering the Zephyrus G16 is the Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and the RTX 4060 8GB GPU. Both components belong to the family of powerful processors and graphics cards, and they can handle whatever you throw at them. The processor comes with 10 cores and 16 threads and has a max turbo frequency of 4.90GHz, which video editors can benefit from greatly.
The laptop does not disappoint when it comes to the display, as it sports a 16-inch FHD display with a refresh rate of 165Hz. While its maximum brightness is only 300 nits, the anti-glare coating reflects light and makes the screen usable outdoors and in bright settings. The variant we selected comes with 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB SSD. However, you can either take them higher or lower, depending on your budget.
Overall, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is a great laptop for video editing that packs a punch in the performance department, and we think it deserves to be one of the best 16-inch laptops.
Things to consider when buying a video editing laptop
Do you need a strong laptop for video editing?
Most video editing software requires a strong processor and sufficient RAM. The stronger your CPU, the quicker the render and compression times will be within the editing software. More RAM also helps you run several different programs simultaneously.
Having a powerful graphics card isn’t as important for video editing as it is for gaming. However, some software is more GPU dependent – in particular, graphical design software and programs like After Effects, so if you’re using these in your workflow, then a strong GPU can help. In case you’re specifically going to focus on 4K editing, check out some of the best 4K laptops.
Ultimately, you can manage with a relatively budget-friendly video editing laptop as long as you don’t mind very long render/export times. However, professionals on a deadline will need something more powerful.
MacOS vs Windows for video editing
Both MacOS and Windows support different editing applications. Whichever is the right one for you ultimately depends on which software you intend to use. Once upon a time, MacOS was favored by most video editors as it is compatible with Final Cut Pro, whereas these days, many favor Adobe Premiere Pro, which is compatible with Windows. Windows also has the advantage of wider software support generally, plus better gaming compatibility if this is an area that also interests you. Make sure you do a bit of research before you make your purchase.
What laptops do Youtubers use to edit?
The various MacBook Pros are common video editing laptops used by YouTubers, however those that make content revolving around gaming typically favour Windows laptops with dedicated graphics cards that they can also game on or even stream on.
Which laptop brand is best for video editing?
There is no one brand that has the monopoly on video editing laptops. Apple are obviously a popular brand, but as far as Windows laptops go, ASUS, Lenovo, Alienware, Acer, HP, Gigabyte, and more are all popular picks. It really just depends on the specs of the model in question.
Our Verdict
If you’re a video editor, we’d recommend going all in with the latest MacBook Pro if you want a laptop that can deliver the goods with power, storage, and stunning visuals. It’s expensive for sure, but if you’re serious about your craft and want to ensure you’ve got a machine that’ll last for years to come, we think it’s well worth it.