Gone are the days of needing shoulder therapy because you’re lugging around a laptop that never lets you forget it’s there. In today’s remote-work world, lightweight laptops are the business tool of choice.
The best portable laptops don’t skimp on power. Lightweight laptops allow users to simultaneously plug into comfort-boosting peripherals like an external dual-monitor setup, full-size keyboard, Bluetooth mouse, and portable storage. They offer the best of both worlds, the ability to work from a full-size office or undock and sidestep to a cafe, park bench, beach, or wherever your passion leads you.
See the best lightweight laptops in our list below.
What is a lightweight laptop?
In 2022, a lightweight laptop weighs 2 to 3 lbs, with a display ranging from 10 to 17 inches measured diagonally. The lightest laptops weigh 2.2 lbs and they feature 10- to 13-inch screens, and slightly larger laptops at around 3 lbs provide a better mix of portability and power.
The benefits of lightweight laptops
Lightweight laptops are increasingly more popular for several reasons.
Portable
Their portability lets us work remotely from wherever we want to. With
almost half of all full-time employeesworking at least part of the time from home, portability isn’t just a nice perk – it’s necessary.
Powerful
Today’s light, thin laptops pack an impressive amount of power under the hood, with many sporting up to 4.3 GHz processors and 16GB of RAM. That’s more than enough power to tame apps like MS Office 360, Google Workspace, and Asana before streaming 4K video or tackling your favorite game titles at night.
1. HP Spectre x360 13.5 laptop
The best lightweight laptop on our list is the
HP Spectre x360 13.5. It’s a true powerhouse in a thin and light business laptop body.
This fully convertible, ultra-portable machine packs a full-size island-style backlit keyboard, Intel® Core™ i5 and Core i7 processors capable of clock speeds up to 4.7 GHz, and up to a 2TB PCIe® NVMe™ SSD. That’s phenomenal power in a computer that doesn’t weigh much more than a pair of shoes.
With up to 32GB of onboard memory, the HP Spectre x360 can efficiently run massive spreadsheet projects in Google Docs or MS Excel and handle popular business software like QuickBooks and Asana. It’ll keep you connected, too, thanks to its WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 combo.
Key features
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Intel Iris® Xe Graphics
- 4-cell, 66 Wh Li-ion polymer battery with long battery life
- 13.5" diagonal, WUXGA+ or 3K2K OLED display
- Fully convertible x360 form factor with optional touch screen
- Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4, USB-A ports, headphone/mic jack, microSD card reader
2. HP ENVY 13 x360 laptop
One of the best features of the
HP ENVY 13 x360is its ability to transform into a tablet or tented streaming screen in an eyeblink. The 13.3-inch UWVA OLED multitouch display delivers low blue light in a flicker-free set up so you can tap and swipe to your heart’s content with minimal eyestrain.
When it’s time to come home from your remote setup, this device supports a 5K external monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate for optimal docking. Load it with up to 16GB of memory and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and you’ll be able to game, stream, and create 4K video with desktop-level power.
Plus, you can customize it with an up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD to store upwards of 500 hours of HD movies or a massive collection of high-res photos.
Key features:
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Intel WiFi 6E AX211 and Bluetooth 5.2 combo
- Intel Core i5 and i7 processors
- Full-size, backlit, natural-silver keyboard
3. HP Pavilion Aero laptop
For the best lightweight laptop on a budget, don’t miss the
HP Pavilion Aero. This ultralight 2.2-lb machine comes in at less than half the price of premium machines, but it still packs all the tasty options. It boasts a full-size, backlit keyboard and a 13.3-inch diagonal WUXGA display with a 100% sRGB color gamut for incredibly accurate colors.
You also won’t miss out on work and play, thanks to a 3-cell, 43 Wh Li-ion polymer battery that delivers up to 13.5 hours of battery life. The affordable power here comes from an AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor, capable of speeds up to 4.3 GHz, with a 16MB L3 RAM cache that blends speed and power at a lower price point.
Key features
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics
- Fingerprint reader
- Realtek Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- Ports: 1 USB C, 2 USB A, 1 HDMI 2.1, 1 headphone/mic jack
4. HP EliteBook 840 laptop
Built for high-powered professionals who want the best lightweight laptop without compromising on features, the
HP EliteBook 840delivers extreme power in a portable package. This executive-level device packs an incredibly fast 11th Generation Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM that’s expandable to 32GB, and a 1TB SSD storage device to keep your files handy and secure.
The 14-inch diagonal, Full High Definition [FHD] display makes it easy to see your work, even on a plane or train. Docking is also a breeze with 2 USB-C Thunderbolt ports, 2 USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. Audio by Bang & Olufsen and an HP Premium Collaboration Keyboard ramp up this machine’s chops, letting you meet and host conference calls with crisp visuals and audio.
Key features:
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 720p HD privacy camera
- HP Long Life 3-cell, 53 Wh Li-ion
- Fingerprint sensor
5. HP Dragonfly G3
The
HP Dragonfly G3proves that HP® is a leader in laptop design. This machine features a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD into an amazingly sturdy build with the option for an arresting blue-magnesium chassis.
The 13.5-inch WUXGA+ anti-glare, 1000-nits screen will take you from the boardroom to the beach without squinting or leaning. It also includes Windows 11 Pro and an Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics to help you network, collaborate, and stream with crisp visuals. This PC is among the best lightweight laptops for premium business shoppers.
Key features:
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Hardened security with the HP Absolute Persistence module
- Ports: 2 Thunderbolt USB-C, 1 SuperSpeed USB-A, 1 headphone/mic jack, 1 HDMI 2.0
- HP Premium keyboard
6. HP Pavilion Plus laptop
If you’re in the market for a thin, light business laptop that will power through pivot tables and meetings in a 10-hour home-office day, check out the
HP Pavilion Plus. Whether you’re in Park Slope or halfway up Mt. Yerupaja, you’ll have no trouble handling this 3-lb machine – the portable counterpart to the
best business PCs.
The 2 SuperSpeed USB-C ports can power your externals and still deliver a 10Gbps data signaling rate for zippy file transfers. Meanwhile, you can connect to low-power peripherals like a split keyboard via 2 SuperSpeed USB-A ports. There’s also an HDMI 2.1 port and a headphone/mic combo, so you won’t feel off-grid even when you are. The HP Pavilion Plus is one of the best small laptops for gamers shopping on a budget.
Key features:
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core i5 processor at speeds up to 4.5 GHz
- 16GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM
- 14" 2240 x 1400 micro-edge, anti-glare, low-blue-light display
How to find the best ultraportable laptop
For the right mix of portability and power, there are a few key specs to consider in the best lightweight laptops. Pay attention to your portable PC’s size, weight, processor, display quality, memory, storage, and the ports you’ll need to plug into your office setup.
You’ll also want speedy connectivity, because a portable laptop that taps into WiFi 6 and sometimes even 5G networks is orders of magnitude more useful than one that works in fits and starts when you’re off-grid.
Size
Most of today’s best light and thin laptops have 13- to 14-inch displays, measured diagonally.
Weight
A light laptop in 2022 will weigh 2 to 3 lbs.
Processor
Screen
Even the thinnest and lightest laptops in 2022 can deliver impressive displays, with many in the FHD or even the WUXGA+
screen resolutionrange. Many ultraportable laptops also have extra-bright [1000 nit] screens and low-blue light technology for remote work and comfortable viewing, even on sunny days. Aspect ratios are 16:9 in most instances.
Memory
All the lightweight HP laptops on this list offer a base of 16GB of
DDR4 RAM, with some upgradable to a powerful 32GB to keep your PC running fast even with more demanding office apps.
Storage
You’ll need plenty of storage to keep your files, photos, movies, and projects all in one place. Thankfully, today’s ultraportable laptops offer
SSDs in the 512GB to 2TB range to keep your files with you without the need for externals.
Connectivity
The entire point of buying a thin, light laptop is so you can use it comfortably at your desk or on the couch. Most ultraportables today deliver
WiFi 6and Bluetooth 5.2 to keep you working anywhere.
Ports
Docking is super important with the best lightweight laptops. Shop for a portable PC with plenty of ports, including HDMI to run your external monitor,
Thunderboltto power your devices, and USB-A to run low-power items like a keyboard.
Summary
The best lightweight HP laptops let you enjoy the flexibility of powerful components, easy workflows, and blazing connectivity in a streamlined chassis. Our top pick for 2022 is the 13.5-inch HP Spectre x360 for its perfect mix of lightweight portability and powerful specs.
About the Author: Tom Gerencer is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Tom is an ASJA journalist, career expert at Zety.com, and a regular contributor to Boys' Life and Scouting magazines. His work is featured in Costco Connection, FastCompany, and many more.