Best MacBooks for 2026

The best MacBook for you depends on what you need it for and, especially, your budget. Apple MacBooks aren't cheap, so it's important you know which MacBook will suit your needs before parting with your cash.

We take a look at the key differences between the Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ranges, plus the new Neo, so you can be confident you're buying the right MacBook for you. We also show you how to get away with paying less.

Our lab tests reveal which models are worth your money and which aren't. See our expert pick of the best laptops

Which is the best MacBook? Mac specs and prices compared

Early 2026 has seen the biggest change in the MacBook lineup in years, with the introduction of the lower-cost MacBook Neo. Other than the Neo, the MacBook range consists of two MacBook Air models and two high-end MacBook Pro models. Scroll down for previous-generation Mac models that are still available new.

Here, we’ve lined up all of the latest MacBook models and their most important specs, and the best prices we could find. Then we bring you our verdict on which is the best MacBook for your own specific needs.

Best cheaper MacBooks: save money on an earlier gen

If you're looking to save money by opting for an older model, look out for the M3 and M2 MacBook generations. MacBooks, unfortunately, often hold their price quite well if you go back just a single generation, but you can start to see significant savings if you go back further. We’d suggest looking for a bargain before they go off sale, or consider reputable second-hand laptop retailers, as you can save upwards of £400.

We wouldn't generally recommend going back more than three years, though, unless you're willing to upgrade your MacBook every few years, since Apple typically supports its MacBooks for eight years from launch. 

These are the previous-gen MacBooks to look out for. You might be able to make a considerable saving with some of these over the absolute latest models - but do compare with the prices above before you buy. 

Want more information to help you choose? Head straight to our expert MacBook reviews.

What is the MacBook Neo?

Early 2026 has seen the biggest change in the MacBook lineup in years, with the introduction of the lower-cost MacBook Neo. Its £599 entry price is a lot less than the £1,099 you'd pay for the cheapest M5 MacBook Air.

MacBook Neo compromises

These are the six main compromises you need to be aware of:

1. Slightly smaller 13-inch display with wider bezels round the screen, compared to 13.6 inches on the cheapest MacBook Air
2. No backlit keyboard
3. No MagSafe charging to avoid snagging the cable – it charges via USB-C
4. Slower USB-C sockets: one is USB 3 and one USB 2. The USB 3's speed is fine, but you'll need to use this socket if you want to connect to a second monitor (DisplayPort). This leaves you with the slower USB 2 socket if you wanted to connect an external hard drive, which can be slow if you transfer a lot of data at once.
5. The webcam doesn't have Center Stage, a feature which aims to keep you in the centre of the shot. However, if you have an iPhone, you can use that as a webcam instead as it does have Center Stage
6. Apple A18 Pro chip, which also powers the iPhone 16 Pro. This is fast, but not as fast as the M5 in the latest MacBook Airs. Plus a base 8GB Ram rather than the 16GB you get with an Air. Our tough performance tests reveal how well this works.

It's also available in a higher-spec Neo with 512GB storage and the Touch ID fingerprint reader, for around £100 more:

Best MacBook Air for your needs

Apple has three generations of MacBook Air you can consider (older models may only be available second hand):

• 2026 MacBook Air, M5 processor, 13-inch and 15-inch
• 2025 MacBook Air, M4 processor, 13-inch and 15-inch
• 2024 MacBook Air, M3 processor, 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes

Our tests have uncovered something interesting about battery life and performance, though, which you should know about before you buy.

Which? members can see the full details of our independent MacBook reviews. If you're a member, log in to get access – if you're not, you can join Which?.

MacBook Air prices

Below, you'll find the best prices we've found for the current range of MacBook Airs.

2026 13-inch MacBook Air

2026 15-inch MacBook Air

Previous-gen MacBook Air prices

Below, you'll find the best prices we can find at major retailers for the previous-gen MacBook Air models.

2025 13-inch MacBook Air

2025 15-inch MacBook Air

Best MacBook Pros: 14- and 16-inch compared

MacBook Pros are expensive. But you can expect them to do pretty much anything you ask, quickly and without fuss.

The MacBook Pros feature upgraded screens, faster processors and more ports than the Airs. You get an SD card reader and an HDMI port, in addition to three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. 

14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros

These laptops should be capable of intensive video and photo editing. 

If you're looking to save money by opting for an older model, you can look out for the M4 and M3 generations of the larger MacBook Pros. We’d suggest looking for a bargain before they go off sale or consider reputable second-hand retailers, as you can save upwards of £400.

Find out more about buying a second-hand laptop, including which retailers we recommend.

See our expert 14‑inch MacBook Pro M5 review or 16-inch late 2024 M4 MacBook Pro review (the 14-inch 2024 MacBook Pro M4 might also still be available with some retailers).

MacBook Pro prices

Below you'll find the best prices we've found for the current range of MacBook Pros.

Apple 14‑inch MacBook Pro M5

Apple 16‑inch MacBook Pro M5

Previous-gen MacBook Pro prices

Below, you'll find the best prices we can find at major retailers for the previous-gen MacBook Pro models.

Late-2024 16-inch MacBook Pro

16-inch 2024 MacBook Pro

MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

We’ve summarised the ranges above, but if you’re still not sure which to buy, consider the following (the links lead to our expert reviews – only Which? members have full access to these. However, anyone, including non-members, can use the links in our reviews that show the lowest available prices we can find):

1. Just want a MacBook but won’t be doing much photo or video editing? Pick the MacBook Neo.
2.  Open lots of apps or dozens of browser tabs simultaneously, or do a fair amount of video editing? Pick a 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air. The 13-inch model is a more portable size, while a 15-inch screen can be more practical for complex tasks.
3. Require very fast computation for tasks like intensive video editing, 3D modelling or engineering software? Pick the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 14-inch model is a more portable size, while a 16-inch screen can be more practical for complex tasks.

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Mac Self Service Repair program

Apple's self-service program allows those who have the confidence and experience to perform repairs on their MacBooks (and iPhones) to buy genuine Apple parts and tools. Apple says the tools and parts available to buy are the same as those made available to authorised repair shops. 

There are a few things to check before embarking on a repair:

• Your device needs to be listed on the Self Service Repair website (when we checked in March 2025, this included 2020-2024 MacBook Air/Pro models).
• You will need to physically have the device, as you need its serial number to see the list of parts available to buy. 

Then you can buy the necessary tools and parts to complete the job. The self-service website also includes manuals that guide you through the process. 

These tasks still require experience in repairing electronics. If you're unsure, you should probably use a qualified repair shop - use our Which? Trusted Traders service to find a good, local one. 

Available parts include screens, logic boards, case components, fans, speakers, antennas and batteries. When buying parts, check whether you can receive a discount if you return the part you’re replacing. 

For more information on the process, head to Apple's Self Service Repair information page.

Definitely know you want to buy an Apple laptop? Check out our Apple MacBook reviews to find out which is right for you, and which retailer has it on sale for the best price.

Is the Mac mini an alternative to a MacBook?

It's small enough to be portable - at 5cm x 12.7cm x 12.7cm (H x W x D), and weighs just 0.67kg (0.73kg for the top-end M4 Pro version).

However, if you're weighing up whether to buy a Mac mini instead of a MacBook, there are caveats you need to consider. Including that you'll need to be connected to a power source and you will need a screen, keyboard and mouse.

Find out more in our detailed Mac mini review, including how the performance of the base spec M4 compares to MacBooks in our lab tests, whether you can use it as a laptop, plus whether you can use it with a tablet instead of a monitor.

Do MacBooks need antivirus?

MacOS is less targeted by malware than Windows. Windows is a more lucrative target for cybercriminals because it's more popular globally. Apple has also limited threats by controlling the software released on its devices.

Macs also have built-in protection, just as Windows does. However, as with Windows, our antivirus tests have discovered that third-party antivirus is more powerful than this built-in protection - particularly when it comes to phishing attempts.

So it's well worth considering a good third-party Mac antivirus for peace of mind, particularly as we can recommend free software that won't cost you a penny.

See our pick of the best antivirus for Macs.

Is the MacBook Neo, Air or Pro better for students?

This depends on your course and your budget. If you need a MacBook for editing multimedia or 3D work, you may well benefit from the extra power of the Pro. Its built-in cooling fans will help you make the most of that potent processor.

The MacBook Neo, however, is still a powerful laptop. So for most students, it will probably be the best pick. It also has the benefit of being cheaper and lighter than the MacBook Pro, and the same weight as the 13.6-inch MacBook Air.

The MacBook Air is designed for those who tend to push their laptop a little harder, for example running lots of apps simultaneously or opening dozens of browser tabs simultaneously for a research project, or if you do lots of video editing. The MacBook Neo might slow down if you open too much at once.

For more information to help you decide, see our advice on the best laptops for students.