Best Laptops for College Students in 2025: Expert Picks for Portability, Performance & Price

Heading back to college or starting fresh? Your laptop is your lifeline for lectures, assignments, group projects, and late-night cramming. In 2025, the best student laptops prioritize portability (under 4 lbs), all-day battery life (10+ hours), reliable performance for multitasking, and value that won't break the bank—or your parents'. We've tested dozens of models in real-world scenarios like Zoom classes, coding marathons, and video editing for media majors.

Why does this matter now more than ever? Hybrid learning and AI tools demand machines that handle Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe apps, and light gaming without overheating or lagging. Our selection criteria focus on build quality, keyboard comfort for typing essays, vibrant displays for reading PDFs, and upgradeability where possible—all while covering budgets from $300 to $1,500+.

We've curated 7 standout options across price tiers and use cases, including a Top Pick for all-around excellence, a Budget Pick that punches above its weight, an Editor's Choice for innovation, and specialized picks for gaming, ultraportability, and more. Whether you're an arts major, engineer, or business student, there's a perfect match here to ace the semester.