Best laptops for 2025: Refurbished and ready

What refurbished means at Back Market 

Refurbished laptops are having a fashion moment; beloved by creators, backed by environmentalists, and easy on your wallet. At Back Market, we're committed to creating a more sustainable future by promoting a circular economy. We refurbish old devices, restoring them to their original state, giving them a second life while keeping them out of landfills. This helps to counter the modern ethos of disposable electronics. Every year, we prevent thousands of electronic devices from ending up in landfills. The best part? We offer them up to 50% less than the price of new devices.  

TL/DR 

Best overall laptop: MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) 

It's probably not fair to other brands that Apple has already taken the market by storm with its 2025 flagship (so far). The MacBook Air (13-inch), released on 21 March 2025, is simply the best overall laptop you can get for your money at the time of writing. The M4 chip tears through everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. In Geekbench testing, its 8-core GPU scored an impressive 48,515. 

The M4 MacBook Air shines in demanding creative tasks like music recording or video editing, and it also features built-in AI tools. It has few, if any, rivals that bring the same mix of design, build quality, and blistering performance.  

"The MacBook Air M4 is a flagship laptop with almost no weaknesses." 

MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) pros and cons 

Best budget laptop: Acer Aspire 3 

The Acer Aspire 3 checks all the boxes for the best budget laptop in 2025, with refurbished models starting at around $299. It's a simple laptop, but don't let that fool you. Thanks to a powerful AMD Ryzen chip under the hood, it performs everyday computing tasks smoothly and efficiently. In terms of performance, it is an upper mid-range performer, with PCWorld giving it 4,284 out of a possible 6,000. 

Its battery life is better than that of some of the more expensive laptops, delivering up to 17 hours of use. Combined with an attractive design, this budget laptop is a gem. The Acer Aspire 3 punches well above its weight, and it's an outstanding laptop for everyday tasks like web browsing and light office work. 

"Few budget laptops can match the Acer Aspire 3 for all-around functionality." 

Acer Aspire 3 pros and cons 

Best Windows laptop: Microsoft Surface 3 (13-inch) 

The 13-inch Microsoft Surface 3 is the cream of the Microsoft Surface line, rivaling the MacBook Air in certain areas. Its build quality and design give it a premium appearance and feel previously exclusive to Apple. The 13-inch Microsoft Surface 3 is more affordable than the previous model, boasting a slightly smaller body and a power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip in the engine room. In PCMag's overall productivity and performance tests, the Microsoft Surface 3 scored 4,985 out of 6,000. This is one of the best Windows 11 laptops out there. It does everything that most people need without breaking a sweat. 

 "This is a Windows laptop that can compete with Apple for design and build quality." 

Microsoft Surface 3 (13-inch) pros and cons 

Best for gaming: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 proves that you don't need a brick-sized laptop for big-time gaming. It hits the sweet spot between being lightweight, battery-friendly, and having a super sharp, colorful display. Its AMD Ryzen processor works with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card to deliver a fantastic gaming experience. According to Time Spy tests by PCMag, the ROG Zephyrus G14 scored 11,675 out of 16,000, with only the pricier Razer Blade 14 and the Alienware M16 besting it. However, the two are high-end dedicated gaming laptops, whereas the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 can double as your everyday laptop. Thanks to its high refresh rate, every visual is fluid, eliminating lag and minimizing the rubber-banding effect during fast-paced action. And while it features a small battery, it still manages to outlast many gaming laptops as it requires minimal power for optimal operation.

"For serious gamers who don't want to spend top dollar, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 hits the sweet spot." 

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 pros and cons 

Best for students: MacBook Air M3 (13-inch) 

The MacBook Air M3 (13-inch) provides everything students need in an affordable laptop. The M3 Macs have become cheaper ever since Apple released the new M4 chip, meaning you get a near-cutting-edge laptop that offers accessible, premium computing to students. And just because it's budget-friendly doesn't mean it skimps on power. In CNet's Geekbench testing, it outscored all other MacBook Air models with a 12,063 rating. The ultraportable is lightweight and thin, and its daylong battery and portability make it a pleasure when moving between lectures. While you could get the Air with an M4 chip, this MacBook Air M3 is more than you'll need, covering more than the basics and then some. They're currently on demand, but you can pick up a refurbished one without hassle from Back Market.  

 "Thin, lightweight, and powerful, the MacBook Air M3 is the ideal student companion." 

MacBook Air M3 (13-inch) pros and cons 

Best for business: Asus ZenBook S (13-inch) 

Business goes wherever you do with the ultraportable Asus ZenBook S (13-inch). Combining elegance with portability, it packs the performance needed to efficiently tackle any task. In Geekbench and Cinebench tests, it's up there with the MacBook Air M4, surpassing it on the latter with a score of 1,937 vs Mac's 1,027. It boasts a clear and crisp display, eliminating eye strain when burning the midnight oil. It comes with acres of storage, and its powerful Intel Core i7 processor makes light work of, well, work. This laptop is a compelling blend of performance, efficiency, and portability, perfect for productivity on the move. 

 "The ideal laptop for busy professionals and those who work on the move." 

Asus ZenBook S (13-inch) pros and cons 

Best for a home office: Acer Aspire V5 Core i5 

Working from home and looking for an affordable yet capable laptop? Home in on the Acer Aspire V5 Core i5. Although it uses an older version of a high-end Intel processor, it performs impressively. Benchmarked against its peers, it ranked joint second at 2.39 points, only behind the top-of-the-range Sony Vaio E15 at 2.86. It feels like a solid workstation on your desk, transforming into a lightweight mobile laptop when picked up. Its large, high-resolution screen helps reduce eye strain during late-night work sessions (something every remote worker can appreciate). Plus, you can count on years of Windows updates and support. 

 "The Acer Aspire V5 is all you'll need as the command center for your home office." 

Acer Aspire V5 Core i5 pros and cons 

Best for graphic design and creatives: MacBook Pro M4 

Designers, graphic artists, 3D modelers, music professionals, and video editors need as much processing power as possible, and the MacBook Pro M4 is the creative's dream machine. The M4 MacBook Pro is the real deal, combining superb build quality, reliability, and raw power. In benchmark tests, it outperforms all but the superior M4 Pro Max, with a Geekbench score of 3,907 (the M4 Pro Max scored 3,983). For such a tiny piece of silicon, the M4 chip provides almost unbelievable performance. It excels at heavy-duty tasks, and you get over 20 hours of battery life from this beast. No matter how hard you push it, this laptop will handle any workload and do it on the go if needed.  

"A powerful laptop designed for the most demanding tasks, and graphics and video software suites." 

MacBook Pro M4 pros and cons 

We understand that constantly lugging around a heavy laptop all day isn't ideal for busy professionals. If you're always on the move, you'll want a lightweight, extremely portable laptop that still packs enough power to get everything done quickly and efficiently. The Dell XPS range stands out here, especially the smaller 13-inch model. With a vivid InfinityEdge touchscreen and a reliable Intel Core i7 processor, it doesn't compromise on style or performance. And with a battery life of around 12 hours, you get power and all-day use in a lightweight package with a robust chassis. The Dell XPS (13-inch) has a respectable Geekbench score of 14,635. 

 "A reliable laptop for everyday carry, and those who work on the move." 

Dell XPS (13-inch) pros and cons 

Why refurb rocks 

The bottom line is that Verified Refurbished laptops are a better choice than splurging on the latest models, many of which include features you'll likely never use unless you're a power user or creative pro.  

Buying refurbished means choosing sustainable laptops. It's one of the most eco-friendly ways to shop right now. E-waste is a growing environmental threat, and refurbishing and reusing devices helps keep them out of landfills. By supporting a circular economy through buying refurbished, you're actively participating in reducing CO2 emissions and preventing electronic waste from sitting in landfills for decades, making it the greenest way to shop for electronics.  

At Back Market, all our refurbished devices go through an exhaustive refurbishment process that includes tests and physical inspections. Industry professionals repair or replace any defective or damaged parts before a final battery of tests is run to ensure that every device performs like new. Afterwards, these devices are made available at substantial discounts, up to 50% off the new selling price, a sweet deal from all angles. 

Some final thoughts on the value of refurbished laptops  

It's no secret that older laptop models remain perfectly usable long after the latest model hits the market. Create your own upgrade schedule based on your needs and your current laptop's performance, only buying your next laptop out of necessity and not hype.  

There's no need to upgrade just because a new model is available. If your current laptop still meets your needs, it's more than enough. You don't need a new device every few years, especially for Windows laptops, which often have customizable RAM and storage options. In contrast, Apple devices typically don't offer this flexibility, making it harder to extend their lifespan without upgrading to a better machine.  

So, instead of rushing to buy the latest laptop, opt for a refurbished model from Back Market. Why? A refurbished laptop saves you money and helps promote a circular economy. A win for your wallet and a win for the planet.