Laptops are often categorized by screen size, and 15-inch laptops were once one of the go-to sizes. Once the 16:10 aspect ratio began more widely adopted, however, the 14-inch and 16-inch sizes became much more common.
That's not to say, however, that there aren't some great 15-inch laptops out there. They're a good choice for those who need a larger screen, whether for multitasking or limited vision, but maybe not the extra performance that comes in many 16-inch laptops. Many of these are ranked among the best laptops you can buy right now.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition
- Fast, efficient performance
- Display is bright, fast, and beautiful
- Excellent haptic feedback trackpad
- Port selection is solid
- Great starting price
- Battery life diminishes under heavier loads
| Specification: | |
| Dimensions | 12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72 inches |
| Weight | 3.67 pounds |
| Display | 15-inch, 2496 x 1664 at 120Hz |
| CPU | Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) |
| RAM | 16GB 32GB 64GB |
| Storage | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
The point of buying a 15-inch laptop is for the larger screen. And if there's one 15-inch laptop that accentuates its screen, it's the Surface Laptop 7th Edition. It's a beautiful, sharp screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, yes, but most importantly, it has 3:2 aspect ratio.
In my experience with reviewing this laptop, that was always the Surface Laptop 7th Edition's biggest asset. Most laptops use a wider 16:10 aspect ratio, but the taller shape of 3:2 really makes the screen come alive. I loved seeing more of the webpages I was on, more cells in spreadsheets, and more lines in my documents.
Now, beyond that, this is very capable laptop in its own right. The Snapdragon X Elite enables it get great performance and battery life, right on par with the MacBook Air.
The best budget 15-inch laptop
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
- Attractive price
- 1080p webcam
- Good ChromeOS performance
- Spacious keyboard and touchpad
- 1080p webcam
- Limited external display support
- No backlighting on keyboard
| Specification: | |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.79 inches |
| Weight | 3.7 pounds |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS at 60Hz |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-1215U |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
You'll probably never find the perfect laptop for under $500, but the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 certainly makes a valiant attempt. For a Chromebook, it's using higher-end components like a Core i3 processor and IPS 1080p display, while providing plenty of RAM and storage for basic computing needs.
The Chromebook "Plus" designation, also means it comes with a 1080p webcam and up-to-date wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E. We tested a very similar version of this laptop, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE. Though that model was aimed at cloud gamers and came with a slightly larger screen, it's a very similar design. While that device has a better screen and improved ports, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 still has plenty to offer.
Just make sure you know going in that the HDMI port can only support an external 4K monitor at 30Hz, so you'll want something with less pixels for a smoother experience.
The best overall 15-inch laptop
Apple MacBook Air 15
- More screen!
- Excellent speakers
- Long lasting battery
- Shockingly thin
- Extra performance is welcome
- Only supports one external display
| Specification: | |
| Dimensions | 13.40 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Display | 15.3-inch, 2880 x 1864 LED at 60Hz |
| CPU | Apple M3 |
| RAM | 16GB 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB |
If you're prerogative is having the largest screen in the smallest overall package, the 15-inch MacBook Air is the winner.
The 0.46-inch thickness makes it the thinnest 15-inch laptop ever, and its weight of just 3.3 pounds make it an extremely portable laptop, perfect for taking your work on the go without sacrificing a large screen. And while the display isn't mini-LED like the MacBook Pro or OLED like some 14-inch laptops, it's a large, sharp display nonetheless. Apple has a pedigree with screens, always adjusting resolution to hit a desired pixel density rather than stretching out a resolution on a larger screen.
In my own testing while reviewing the MacBook Air, I found the screen to be its greatest asset. The extra screen real estate is great, and is probably much larger in person than you might think from photos.
Like many of the options on this list, the MacBook Air 15-inch doesn't include a discrete GPU, although the M3 chip inside is highly capable. You'll be surprised at how well it handles graphics too, thanks to the significant overhaul to the graphics engine in the M3 generation. The only caveat to say here is that the M4 refresh is right around the corner, which should provide even more performance for the same price.
The best 15-inch laptop for gaming
Razer Blade 15
- Incredible screen for HDR gaming
- OLED 240Hz looks excellent
- Great port selection
- Decent 1080p webcam
- Clicky keyboard to type on
- Surface temperatures are hot
- Touchpad has palm rejection issues
- Battery life is poor
| Specification: | |
| Dimensions | 13.98 x 9.25 x 0.67 inches |
| Weight | 4.40 pounds |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 2560 x 1440 IPS at 240Hz |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-13800H, RTX 4070 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB |
Like most laptops, it's become common for gaming laptops to have moved to 14-inch or 16-inch screen sizes. That includes Razer with its popular Blade gaming laptops, which has the Blade 14 and Blade 16 as its most recently updated laptops. The company still has the Razer Blade 15, however, which presents an interesting proposition.
The last model is from 2023, and the model we reviewed was from 2022. The review unit we looked at had a QHD OLED 240Hz model, but you won't find that version available anymore. The only major difference between these two models is the processor inside, going from Intel's 12th-gen processor to the 13th-gen chip. These are older processors, but to be honest, they don't make a huge difference in most game performance. What's important is the RTX 4070, which is the same GPU you'll find in Razer's newer and significantly more expensive laptops on offer.
In our testing of the Razer Blade 15, we found it to be a surprisingly portable and powerful laptop. It doesn't always stay the coolest or quietest, largely due to the size of the chassis. The other thing to consider is that we may soon be getting an upgrade to the RTX 50-series GPUs. Then again, if you want to get in on the Razer Blade brand for less money, the Razer Blade 15 is a great way to go.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition
- Solid productivity performance
- Great battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
- Solid and attractive build
- Competitive price
- Touchpad should be haptic
- Not the sharpest or most colorful display
| Specification: | |
| Dimensions | 13.54 x 9.27 x 0.55 inches |
| Weight | 3.37 pounds |
| Display | 15.3-inch, 2880 x 1880 at 120Hz |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
| RAM | 16GB 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB 1TB |
You might look at the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition and assume it was a 14-inch laptop. That's because Lenovo has really shrunk the chassis, while still keeping the 16:10, 15.3-inch panel. At 0.55 inches, it's quite thin as well.
Overall, this is an extremely well-rounded laptop, offering great battery life and solid performance, thanks to the Core Ultra Series 2 processor inside. It also has a supremely comfortable keyboard — something Lenovo laptops are known for. Our reviewer noted the lack of a haptic feedback touchpad like the Surface Laptop 7th Edition has, but other than that, found that it earns a spot at the table among the best 15-inch laptops you can buy.
The fact that it starts with 512GB of storage is great too, because it undercuts the price of the Surface Laptop 7th Edition for those who need more storage.
What to consider
What are the benefits of a 15-inch laptop?
Simply put, 15- and 16-inch laptops benefit from the size of the display. First, you get plenty of screen real estate for getting your work done, without needing to step up to a massive 17-inch or (heaven forbid) a 18-inch laptop.
These days, there isn't a huge difference in performance or offered specs in 15-inch laptops as compared to smaller 14-inch laptops. The main difference is in screen size alone.
Are 15-inch laptops too big?
It's a fair question. Laptops these days are incredibly thin, and that includes larger 15-inch laptops. But the other dimensions matter too. After all, the larger the screen, the larger the footprint is on your desk or in your bag. A 15-inch laptop isn't the right choice for those needing to work on the go, especially in cramped spaces like airplanes. For those cases, 13-inch or 14-inch laptops will be a better fit.
On the other hand, they could work as a happy medium for those not wanting to go all the way to a 16-inch laptop, while still enjoying a larger screen for work. You might need to see them in person to really get a sense for the size comparison and what suits your needs.
What should you look for in a 15-inch laptop?
There's no reason to go with a 15-inch laptop if it won't meet your performance and display quality needs. Therefore, look for a laptop that can configure fast CPUs and discrete GPUs if you need the power, although a very thin and light 15-inch laptop with less-powerful components can still be of value. That's where the display comes in — you'll want a high-quality IPS or OLED display that offers high enough resolution for your needs and, if you're creative, wide and accurate colors with lots of contrast.
Otherwise, you'll want to look for the same things as with any laptop. You'll want a solid build quality, a great keyboard and touchpad, and long battery life — or at least, long battery life, given the powerful components and power-hungry display you might configure. Overall, 15-inch laptops are no different than other laptops when it comes to basic quality and functionality.
How we test
We put every laptop we bring in through the same rigorous testing. In addition to performance, battery life, camera, and speaker testing, we also use a Spyder colorimeter to measure the image quality of the screen. We always report on color accuracy, color saturation, brightness, and contrast — all markers of the quality of a display.
More than that, we also use the product for an extensive amount of time, paying careful attention to how the display feels to use. If there's something unique about it — let's say, OLED backlighting, a fast refresh rate, or even just how sharp the screen is in terms of pixel density — we give you our first-hand experience of those features. There are some thing you can learn from a spec sheet, but when it comes to evaluating a display, first-hand experience is always important. And when you're purchasing a laptop specifically in the 15-inch category, that first-hand experience of the screen really does matter.
Why you should trust us
Digital Trends has been testing displays and laptops for well over 15 years, and our current staff of laptop reviewers has hundreds of laptop reviews under their belt. That means we've seen a lot of laptops, new and old, and can give you our best advice based on that hands-on experience and testing. They aren't backed by just preference or research — they're supported by our real-world testing with the products.
We always offer recommendations to our readers in the same way we would to our personal friends and family. It's not always about what's shiny or new either — it's about finding you the right laptop for your specific needs that fits in your budget.
