What is the best MacBook to buy in 2026?

✨ TL;DR: Which MacBook should I buy in 2026?

The best MacBook for you this year depends heavily on your priorities, budget, and needs. However, there are a few MacBooks that stand out above the rest for different types of users. The best MacBook overall in 2026 is the MacBook Air M5, which provides premium features for a mid-range price compared to other MacBook models. Buyers on a budget will be especially interested in the MacBook Neo, with a launch price of just $699. The best MacBook for students is the MacBook Air M4, which provides modern features at a lower price since it’s a slightly older model. Heavy professional users and creatives will want a powerhouse like the MacBook Pro M5 to take care of all their demanding tasks easily, while the best value MacBook under $1000 will be the MacBook Pro M3.

Why can you trust our list of best MacBooks in 2026?

At Back Market, we aim to make tech simple, affordable, and reliable. To do this, we give old tech a new life, working with a team of certified third-party refurbishers who know the ins and outs of all kinds of devices, including MacBooks. They spend their days inspecting, cleaning, repairing, and testing these devices to ensure each one performs up to its original benchmarks, so they know a thing or two about how different MacBook models measure up to each other, both performance- and hardware-wise.

We also keep our finger on the pulse of all things tech, staying updated on the latest news and trends as well as learning about user experiences. In this list, we’ve combined our expert insights with real-world user reviews to bring you unbiased, up-to-date, and useful information so you can make the best possible purchasing decision.

MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which should I buy?

Before we dive deeper, let’s look at the differences between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. Deciding between the two will depend heavily on your needs and priorities. Generally, the MacBook Air provides enough power for most people, especially if you buy a newer model with a faster chip, and these models typically cost less than the Pro models. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is better for power users and creatives who need a better display, more port versatility, and better battery life.

Choose a MacBook Air if…

• You’re looking for more value for your money

• You don’t need to use demanding software or creative apps regularly

• You value a thinner, more lightweight design

• You need a laptop mostly for light use and everyday tasks

Choose a MacBook Pro if…

• You frequently need it for heavy workloads

• You use demanding apps like Adobe Creative Suite or 3D rendering software often

• You need more port versatility and longer battery life

• You value a fluid 120Hz display

If you’re looking for the power of a Pro but you don’t want to pay Pro model prices, though, we have good news. You don’t always have to pay the launch price of the newest Pro model; in fact, buying an older MacBook Pro like the M2 or even M1 refurbished can help you access some of the best MacBook deals out there. You’ll get all the Pro features you need at a lower price.

👉 Considering the Neo too? See how all three stack up in our Macbook Air vs Pro vs Neo comparison.

What are the best MacBooks in 2026?

What is the best MacBook overall? MacBook Air M5

✨ The MacBook Air M5 is the best MacBook overall in 2026 due to its mid-range price point within the new lineup as well as its modern, powerful features and design.

The MacBook Air M5 stands out as the best MacBook overall for most people this year. Even more powerful than its M4 predecessor with its new M5 chip, this model supports Apple Intelligence, has impressive battery life, and is thin and lightweight. All these features combined make the Air M5 versatile and ultra-portable, perfect for home use, commuting, work and more.

This model provides a significant jump in storage, starting at 512GB as opposed to the M4’s 256GB, and providing a whopping 4TB as the largest option. If you’re saving a lot of files directly on your device or relying on several applications, this will provide much more wiggle room before your MacBook starts to feel overloaded. RAM options are the same, starting at 16GB — more than enough for casual and light professional use.

Performance is also enhanced with the customizable M5 chip. The standard option comes with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, but you can push it up to a 10-core GPU if you need more power. This ensures creative tasks, video streams, and programs and applications should all run smoothly. The MacBook Air M5 is also notably being touted as Apple’s leading AI-capable laptop, with features like Writing Tools, Image Playground, and the integration of ChatGPT into daily tasks making your life easier and the laptop’s performance that much more impressive.

The main downsides of the Air M5 are the fact that it still only has 2 USB-C ports, giving you little flexibility for accessories or external monitors, and its launch price. Starting at $1,299.99, it’s a little more expensive than its predecessor, but the jump in chip and storage may just make it worth it.

The other choice to make with this model is the screen size. While the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is lighter and more portable for commuters and travelers, the 15-inch model will benefit those wanting to be easier on their eyes or who will primarily use their laptop at home.

What is the best budget MacBook? MacBook Neo

✨ The MacBook Neo offers a premium build and the coveted Apple ecosystem at a more accessible price point.

The MacBook Neo is for any MacBook user on a budget or for anyone who’s been wanting to switch from Windows to Apple but has been turned off by the high prices. The MacBook Neo is the brand’s cheapest laptop, starting at just $699, but it still offers the coveted Apple experience with Apple Intelligence, a crisp Liquid Retina display, and a Touch ID option (512GB model only).

The MacBook Neo’s Apple Intelligence capabilities stand out for a budget laptop, with features like Writing Tools, the customizable Genmoji, and Clean Up for photos built right in. These features help this model feel more premium than the price tag may suggest.

This laptop has one of the best displays out there in its price range, reaching up to 500 nits brightness and with a 2408x1506p resolution. Images and graphics are clear and detailed with sRGB color technology and motion onscreen is fluid.

The MacBook Neo also enjoys a battery life of up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is impressive, especially for a budget laptop and even rivals that of the Air M5. The downside comes with the charging speed, though, which is only 20W.

And if you’re worried about the look of the budget laptop, don’t be. The MacBook Neo comes with a lightweight and premium aluminum build similar to that of Apple’s other models, although it’s just a bit thicker than the Air when closed.

What really makes this a budget laptop are the RAM and storage options: You only get 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, so this is not for heavy users. If you’re just looking for something for casual home use or an easy entry into Apple’s ecosystem, though, the MacBook Neo is for you.

What is the best MacBook for students? MacBook Air M4

✨ The MacBook Air M4 is perfect for college students, offering significant power, modern features, and a lower price point than brand new models.

The MacBook Air M4 may have been released in 2025, but it’s still one of the most powerful MacBooks on the market today, and it comes at a much lower price than the newest model. Its significant power, modern features, and lower price point compared to the new Air M5 all help to make it the best MacBook for college students who value getting a lot of bang for their buck. The Air M4 also comes in two sizes: 13 in and 15 in. Students valuing portability and ease of use will prefer the lighter 13-inch model, while those prioritizing a larger workspace for documents or lighter creative work will want to opt for the 15-inch size.

This model supports Apple Intelligence and will get all the same software updates as newer models for years to come, making the difference in AI features almost imperceptible. You’ll still enjoy features like Siri upgrades, Writing Tools, Image Playground, and more. While these may run even faster on the upgraded M5 chips, the M4’s performance AI-wise is pretty darn close.

This model also comes with up to 2TB of storage and up to 32GB of RAM, perfect for students saving large files and running demanding applications on their devices. The laptop also gets up to 18 hours of battery life (same as the M5), allowing students to zip between classes and long study sessions easily on a single charge. With the 13-inch model weighing in at 2.7 lbs and the 15-inch at 3.3 lbs, the Air M4 is also lightweight and easy to carry.

The Air M4 also received an improved camera over its predecessor, making video calls even crisper, and includes support for up to 2 external monitors to make homework and research easier. With software and security support estimated through 2032, this laptop will last well beyond a student’s 4 years at university, making it the best MacBook for college.

The only downside of the Air M4, like all MacBook Airs, is its lack of versatile ports. With the standard 2 USB-C ports, the number of external devices or accessories you can plug in is limited.

What is the best MacBook for professionals and creatives? MacBook Pro M5

✨ The MacBook Pro M5 stands out for heavy users like professionals and creatives thanks to its powerful M5 chip and impressive storage and RAM options.

If you’re a professional or creative looking for a machine that can truly do it all, the MacBook Pro M5 is your best bet. It comes at a much higher price point than the other models on this list, but for good reason: Its RAM and storage options are off the charts, its battery life is unmatched, and its display is even more fluid than the other MacBook models.

The Pro M5 is also very customizable when it comes to performance power: You can choose from the regular M5 chip, the M5 Pro, or the M5 Max, with power increasing the further up the scale you go. Along with the more powerful chips come more storage and RAM. The regular M5 chip comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 4TB of storage — already impressive, if you ask us — but the M5 Max chip comes with up to a whopping 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Whether you’re constantly on video calls, working on a big project, or editing large video files, you won’t need to worry about lag with this machine. This is by far the best MacBook for video editing.

The MacBook Pro M5 also supports all the Apple Intelligence features you could imagine, including Siri upgrades, Writing Tools, Image Playground, and more. Perhaps the most notable difference between this MacBook and other models, even including the new Air M5, is the performance of AI-assisted tools within different software programs like Lightroom or Photoshop. Thanks to its powerful hardware, the Pro M5 will help these run even faster.

This beast of a model also wins over other MacBooks thanks to its ports: It gets 5 ports, so you can connect external monitors, SD cards, and more. These versatile ports are a must for many heavy-duty professionals and creatives. If you’re a professional stuck on the decision of MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro will almost always be best in this case.

This is also the best MacBook Pro when it comes to battery life, which is estimated to last about 24 hours on a single charge — easily beating its predecessor’s 18 hours.

What is the best value MacBook under $1,000? MacBook Pro M3

✨ The MacBook Pro M3 provides the best value for your money, offering professional features and more ports at a lower price.

The MacBook Pro M3 is powerful, customizable, and has undergone many upgrades over the Pro M2, but it’s not the newest or even second-newest Pro in Apple’s lineup. These features give it a great mix of power and affordability, making it one of the best MacBook deals you’ll find for under $1,000. Since it’s a few generations old, the price has dropped significantly, so you can pay less for all the pro features you want and need.

The M3 offers the same customization options as the M5 chip, allowing you to choose between the regular M3, the M3 Pro, and the M3 Max chips. These chips also come with varying storage and RAM options, so you’re getting plenty of power and still never paying for more than what you need.

When it comes to AI features, the MacBook Pro M3 does indeed support Apple Intelligence, but the features may run a little slower than they would on newer models simply because of the chipset.

The screen comes with ProMotion technology and a 120Hz refresh rate so graphics and transitions feel smooth and fluid, and they’re easier on the eyes if that’s a concern for you. This makes them a little bigger and bulkier, of course, but it’s a trade-off between visibility and portability that you can decide for yourself.

Battery life here is still impressive at 22 hours, although not as impressive as the M5 at 24 hours, and you still get plenty of ports for connecting monitors, drives, and other accessories. The only potential drawback is that since it’s a little older, you’ll enjoy software support for fewer years than the new generations, and its camera is still only 1080p compared to the M4 and M5’s 12MP cameras.

Overall, though, if you’re looking for great value and a balance between power and price, the MacBook Pro M3 will be your best bet.

Shopping tips for finding the best MacBooks for your needs

There are quite a few shopping tips you can follow to find the best MacBook for your needs in 2025. However, before we get into the tips, you should know that we recommend you only buy a new MacBook when you need one.

With that out of the way, it’s best to choose professionally refurbished from Back Market because it's better for the environment and your pocket. professionally refurbished MacBooks tend to be much better than their new counterparts. So, our first tip is to look for the model you’re interested in with us at Back Market, as we have a wide range of MacBooks to choose from that can cost 30% to 50% less than buying new. 

Our second shopping tip for finding the best MacBook at a decent price is to look for deals. Although there are no guarantees during big shopping events like Black Friday and the even more eagerly anticipated Cyber Monday, you can get a deal on a new MacBook and pay less. 

However, it's important to note that not all shopping event deals are what they seem to be. Some retailers will sneakily push up prices before the event so the devices appear cheaper when they go on sale. 

Another shopping tip we can recommend is to consider carrier deals. Some carriers, including Apple themselves, will offer deals on their new MacBook stock. However, this is a double-edged sword because you might be locked into a contract that could end up costing you more in the long run. 

Ultimately, you can use these tips to help you find the best MacBook for your needs in 2025, but the decision is yours. Just try to choose one that meets your needs, desired features, and budget. It doesn’t help to purchase one that won’t benefit your life or that contributes to harming the environment if you are eco-conscious.

Best MacBook 2026 — specs compared

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication — these are subject to change.

Which MacBook is right for me?

You can read specs and reviews all day long and still face decision anxiety when it comes to making your MacBook purchase. To make it simple, we’ve broken it down further by use case:

Shopping tips: How can I save money on a MacBook?

MacBook prices aren’t exactly low, but there are a few ways to save some money. The first way is to wait for major sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when many retailers discount tech items. The second is to bundle your new computer with other accessories like headphones or a smartphone, which can lower the overall cost and score you some savings.

The best way, however, to save money is to buy a refurbished MacBook from a trusted seller like Back Market. At Back Market, you don’t have to wait for sales events for deals. In fact, you can often find devices at up to 50% off the price of new all year round. After all, it’s best to buy a refurbished MacBook on your own time.

Is a refurbished MacBook worth it?

Yes indeed, and there are a few reasons why. First off, at Back Market, we specialize in Verified Refurbished devices, so each item you see on our pages goes through an exhaustive checklist of inspections, repairs, cleanings, and tests before it’s posted for sale. This way, you can rest assured you’re getting a quality device that has been professionally restored and performs up to its original benchmarks. We also grade each device’s condition, and we guarantee at least 85% battery health and the battery is 100% fully functional.

Additional context like the RAM shortage has also led Apple to push up its launch prices on new devices, so when you buy new, you may sometimes end up paying more for certain specs that have remained the same from generation to generation. In cases like this, buying a refurbished model like the M1 or M2 MacBook Pros and Airs can get you even better value than buying a new MacBook Neo.

Secondly, buying refurbished goods is better for the planet. When you breathe old life into new tech by buying refurbished, you reduce the need for new manufacturing, support a circular economy, and prevent perfectly good tech from ending up in landfills as e-waste. It’s a win-win.

To give you added confidence when buying from us, each device comes with a 1-year warranty, and a 30-day return period in case it’s not right for you — but we think it will be. Take a look at what this Back Market customer had to say about their new-to-you MacBook:

“I was a little nervous ordering a “Fair” condition refurbished MacBook Air, but this purchase exceeded my expectations.

I purchased a 2025 MacBook Air M4 with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD for $876, and when it arrived it looked almost flawless. The screen, keyboard, trackpad, and exterior were all in excellent condition with only the slightest signs of use. Honestly, I would not have guessed this was graded as “Fair.”

The battery was another pleasant surprise. The laptop arrived with only 32 battery cycles, 100% maximum battery capacity, and a normal battery condition. It feels very close to a brand-new machine.

Most importantly, the specifications matched exactly what was advertised: 2025 MacBook Air, Apple M4 chip, and 16GB of memory. Setup was easy, performance is incredibly fast, and the upgrade from my 2015 MacBook Air has been dramatic.

Based on my experience, I would absolutely buy from Back Market again. Great value, accurate description, and a product that exceeded my expectations.”

Add to your savings by trading in

Another great tip for savings is to take advantage of our trade-in program. Don’t let your old tech sit in a drawer gathering dust when it could go towards a new device. All you have to do is fill out a short online form with details about your device and get a quote from us. If you accept it, ship your device to us for free and once it’s verified, you get paid. It’s really that easy.

✨The best MacBook for you in 2026 doesn’t have to be the newest one with the most bells and whistles. It just has to fit your budget and your needs; if you want the best MacBook overall, opt for the new MacBook Air M5, but those on a budget will benefit most from the MacBook Neo. Students will appreciate the value the MacBook Air M4 provides, while creatives and professionals should consider the MacBook Pro M5. If you’re looking for the MacBook that provides the best value for under $1,000, the MacBook Pro M3 is your best bet, giving you access to most Pro features of newer models at a lower price. To make the best decision, consider how you’ll use your laptop, how often, and what specs you really need.

👉 If "refurbished" still makes you nervous, our guide to buying a refurbished MacBook should sort that out.