Best Dell Laptops: 2025 Top Picks That Suit Casual, Gaming, Business, or Content Creation Needs

I know how confusing and frustrating it is to spend long hours on the web and go through a LOT of laptops just to make sure you pick the best one for you.

But I’ve got great news for you!

After seeing and examining DOZENS of Dell laptops – I’ve narrowed it down to 8 TOP PICKS for all kinds of laptop users out there.

In this roundup review, I’ll share my favorite Dell laptops, what to look for in a laptop, and answer some frequently asked questions about Dell laptops.

Let’s begin!

Best Dell Laptops for 2022

If you are planning to buy your first ever laptop or are considering shifting from your current computer brand, you can’t possibly go wrong with a Dell laptop.

Over the years, Dell has produced numerous top-rated laptops in a number of variations for student laptops, business laptops, professional computers, and gaming laptops.

I’m positive there’s one for every kind of user. Let’s look at the list below to help you decide the best one for you!

Top Picks:

• Best Overall: Dell XPS 9500 15” Intel Core i5
• Best Value: Dell Inspiron 13 5000
• Best Budget: No products found.
• Best Business Companion: Dell Latitude 9510
• Best Gamer Laptop: No products found.

Notable Runner Ups

• Best Convertible: No products found.
• Budget Gaming Laptop: Dell G3 15
• Top Level Performance: Dell Precision 15

Best Overall: Dell XPS 15 9500 Intel Core i5

Favorite Features:

• Great display and design
• Lightweight and portable
• Multifunctional laptop for all kinds of users
• Awesome value to price point
• Crisp and clear speakers

If I could give ONLY one suggestion for the best Dell laptop, I would have to go with the Dell XPS 9500.

The XPS 9500 has ALL the features you would want and need in a laptop – and quite advanced features too for its price range.

The Dell XPS comes with a powerful CPU and more than enough storage to make sure you WON’T experience any lags or long booting up waiting time.

Moreover, the screen itself is not too big nor too small. Plus, it comes with 500 nits of brightness! This is basically a measure of luminance. The higher it is, the clearer and crisper the image is!

I also love how it comes with a soft-touch keyboard. If you are a student who dreads writing papers or your thesis, this ultra-comfortable keyboard will ease the process!

For those who need a handy laptop they can bring around, this is a great companion you don’t want to regret not buying. It’s compact yet stays light at just 4.5 lbs.

Oftentimes, the package is not as good as what’s inside. However, the Dell XPS is clearly an exemption to this.

Reasons Why Some Might Skip the Dell XPS 9500:

• Durable but not our top choice for hardcore laptop users
• Not the most affordable for people with a tight budget
• Although adapters are included, the laptop mainly supports USB-C ports

Specifications:

• CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
• SSD Hard Drive: 512GB
• RAM Memory: 16GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
• Screen: 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 15.6″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
• Operating system: Windows 10 Pro

Best Value: Dell Inspiron 13 5000

Favorite Features:

• Modern and compact laptop with 13″ screen display
• Small but packed with features
• Reasonable value to price range
• Supports both USB-A and USB-C ports

For some people, a screen measuring 15 inches might be a little more than their “ideal” portable laptop.

If this is YOU, the Inspiron 13 5000 is your top pick!

Coming in as second in my best Dell laptops list is the 13 inch Inspiron 5000. For me, it strikes the PERFECT balance of size and power.

The design is sleek and modern, wrapped in Intel silicon to create that feeling of sophistication which would normally cost a LOT in other brands.

But don’t be fooled – it runs on an Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM and a whopping 256 GB of SSD. All this power is encased in an aluminum lid and topped with a soft keyboard.

The good news is – you won’t have to worry about it weighing you down during your commute to school or work. This compact machine only weighs 2.7 lbs! Twice as light than the XPS 15!

It also scored high in my compatibility test. Although small in size, Dell didn’t compromise the ports.

BOTH Type A and Type C USB ports are supported in this laptop which means no need for extra adapters — a minor feature but surely a convenient one!

Lastly, an extra perk of this laptop is it comes with an integrated fingerprint reader. YES – this mini laptop would be able to keep your files and documents totally SAFE AND SECURE.

The power button has this feature which means secure and easy logins every single time!

Reason/S Why Some Might Skip This Dell Laptop:

• Storage is capped at 256 GB

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U (1.6 GHz)
• SSD Hard Drive: 256 GB
• RAM Memory: 8 GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Screen: 13.3-inch display full HD 1,920 by 1,080 pixels
• Operating system: Windows 10

Best Budget: No products found.

No products found.

Favorite Features:

• Highly affordable yet reliable laptop
• Long battery life

Wondering how far your $400 will take you?

With the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 – you’ll be able to get yourself a fast and high performing laptop!

If you are a fan of the Inspiron series and have a tiny wiggle room in the budget, this one’s for you.

With just shy of over $400, you’ll be able to get your hands on a travel-friendly, budget laptop with all the essentials – it is wi-fi enabled, has a built-in webcam, Bluetooth, and multiple ports!

After doing considerable research, this mid-range Dell laptop is BETTER than the other counterparts or laptops in the same price range.

It’s suitable for students, office work, light gaming, or even editing!

So, if you need a reliable computer you can bring anywhere for casual web browsing, but not willing to shell out too much – this is your best option.

A dual-core processor, run by Intel with 8GB RAM – with a generous screen display of 15 inches – yes, that’s a GOOD DEAL for its price.

No products found.

Reasons Why Some Might Skip This Dell Laptop:

• Not compatible with USB-C
• Great for light usage but not the best pick for demanding daily tasks

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Celeron N4205U 1.8GHz Dual-Core Processor 2MB Cache
• SSD Hard Drive: 128GB PCIe SSD
• RAM Memory: 8 GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Screen: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Display
• Operating system: Windows 10

Best Business Companion: Dell Latitude 9510

Favorite Features:

• Top-level features
• Premium build quality and design
• Spectacular 15-inch touch screen
• Long battery life

If you are looking for the best Dell laptop for professional use, go for the Latitude 9510.

The Latitude line carries the premium laptops from Dell. Having said that, the main thing you can expect from this line, aside from advanced specs, would be a hefty price tag.

However, Dell makes sure the price is justified.

The Latitude 9510 is backed by 16GB of RAM and runs on one of the latest 10th-gen Intel CPUs. With this power, you would be able to get a LOT OF WORK done.

Moreover, you would be surprised to hear it’s actually a 14-inch laptop with a 15-inch screen display. YES, you read that right and NO, it’s not magic.

Dell employs InfinityEdge display for a near bezel-free notebook – and it really succeeded. This easily tops our list of best-looking laptops ever produced by Dell.

Its screen may only have a 1080p display, but it packs 400 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage.

In terms of battery performance, you’d be able to work continuously the whole day or during long flights as it boasts up to 30 hours worth of battery life.

Other advanced specs include a built-in AI and it is 5g enabled to keep you connected. For extra security, it has an IR camera and fingerprint reader.

Reasons Why Some Might Skip the Dell Latitude 9510:

• High-end laptop, expensive
• Not the most compatible laptop for gaming

Specifications:

• CPU: Up to 10th-gen Intel Core I7-10810U
• SSD Hard Drive: Up to 512GB
• RAM Memory: 16GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Screen: 15-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro

Best Gaming Laptop: No products found.

No products found.

Favorite Features:

• Lighting speed performance with its NVIDIA GeForce RTX
• Ultra stylish laptop for gamers
• Massive storage and advanced processor plus 60fps ray tracing

Need a super laptop that can amp up your gaming experience? Look no further.

Gone are the days when games were played on computers to ensure a seamless experience.

With this beast of a machine, you can connect the latest AAA games and expect ZERO lags or graphic issues.

This is made possible by its advanced GPU and 360 Hz screen, a combination that you won’t normally find in other gaming laptops.

In addition to its stellar gaming performance, gamers will also appreciate the quirky design of this laptop.

At first sight, it looks like a regular laptop. Once turned on, you can adjust the settings to reveal its unique design. This normal-looking laptop is equipped with multiple RGB lighting.

TRULY OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

However, if you are not much of a gamer but need a powerful Dell laptop for heavy editing or demanding work, you can still go for the Alienware m17, especially if budget permits.

This offers much bang for your buck, no doubt about that!

No products found.

Reasons Why Some Might Skip This Dell Laptop:

• Short battery life
• More expensive option compared to other counterparts
• Confusing placement of speakers

Specifications:

• CPU: 10th-gen Intel Core i7 – i9
• SSD Hard Drive: 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD – 4TB RAID0 + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD
• RAM Memory: 16GB – 32GB DDR4 2933MHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 – 3080
• Screen: 17.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) 144Hz 7ms 300-nits – 17.3″ OLED UHD (3840 x 2160) 60Hz 25ms 500-nits
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Notable Runner Ups

Best Convertible: No products found.

No products found.

Favorite Features:

• Heavy duty, reliable convertible laptop
• Lightweight and portable
• Good battery life
• 4k screen option
• The latest XPS 13 come in a number of color options

Sometimes, we need both a laptop and a notebook.

More computer manufacturing companies are releasing these hybrid devices. If you want one that can be both – your best bet would be the Dell XPS 13.

I wasn’t really a fan of convertible laptops but the XPS 13 definitely won my heart and changed my mind.

Its versatility does not compromise the specs of this machine.

You heard that right – It. Does. Not.

Most laptops would have to sacrifice performance or weight to fit in the versatility functionalities of a laptop, but Dell did a Stellar job incorporating both into this machine.

The design is as good as its CPU as it runs on one of the latest Intel processors. Moreover, I was also impressed with the battery life and storage space of the XPS 13 2-in-1.

The transition from tablet to laptop is flawless and for me, the size hits the right spot between too big for tablet or too small for laptop.

Honestly, I don’t think there are many downsides to the XPS 13.

If you need a “techy” laptop that will separate you from the rest, go for the 2-in-1 XPS 13.

No products found.

Reasons Why Some Skip the XPS 13:

• Expensive convertible option
• The complexities of the XPS 13 is not for everyone
• Unusual keyboard feel

Specifications:

• CPU: Up to 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7
• SSD Hard Drive: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe
• RAM Memory: Up to 32GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x
• Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
• Screen:13.4″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 13.4″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
• Operating system: Windows 10 Pro

Budget Gaming laptop: Dell G3 15

Favorite Features:

• Affordable laptop with ultimate gaming power
• LONG battery life
• Fast performing machine

Normally, a gaming laptop would cost an arm and a leg nowadays.

If the Alienware m17 stretches too much of your budget, my second option for quality gaming performance would be the Dell G3.

For those who need a gaming laptop for games that are not that demanding in graphics, your best pick for a gaming companion would be the G3.

Although it’s not equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX like the Alienware, you’ll still be guaranteed a smooth gaming experience with its Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050.

On the other hand, this is also a smart buy for those needing a sturdy laptop for school or work. It has a good storage size and runs on 4 processors.

Reasons Why Some Might Skip This Option:

• Acceptable but not the best crisp display for graphics
• Not built for hard core usage
• A bit heavy compared to other Dell laptops

Specifications:

• CPU: 9th Generation Intel Core i5 – i7
• SSD Hard Drive: 1TB HDD – 512GB SSD
• RAM Memory: 8GB – 16GB
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 – 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design
• Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED Backlit Non-touch
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Top Level Performance: Dell Precision 15

Favorite Features:

• 4k touch display!
• Sleek and stylish laptop for all kinds of users
• Lightweight
• Comfortable keyboard
• Heavy duty build quality
• Good battery life

Last but certainly not the least in our best Dell laptops list is the Dell Precision 15.

Normally mistaken for the XPS 15, the Precision 15 also boasts a stylish and modern look.

It also comes with a smooth finish chassis and soft touch keyboard. On the surface, it’s hard to tell these two laptops apart.

However, the main difference lies in the specs.

The Precision 15 is packed with a Intel Core i7-11850H, supported by a powerful GPU and massive RAM to ensure a BLAZING performance for photo or video editing, thousands of work files, or even graphic-demanding games.

In addition to its 4k screen display, a sweet addition to this machine is its Smart Dell Optimizer software which comes with a proximity sensor.

This means that the laptop would “wake” itself once it detects a presence nearby. Cool, right?

It may be thin and light but don’t be fooled. All these specs from the Precision series easily make them one of the best Dell laptops on this list.

Reason/s Why Some Might Skip This Dell Laptop:

• Pricey
• Not available in most online stores

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11850H
• SSD Hard Drive: 64GB
• RAM Memory: 32GB of DDR4
• Graphics: NVIDIA RTX A2000 GPU
• Screen: 15.6 inch Ultrasharp FHD IGZO4 (1920×1080) 100% sRGB color gamut, Non-Touch Display
• Operating system: Windows 10 Pro

Features of the Best Dell Laptops You Should Prioritize

Power

The best Dell laptops are known for their “power” or specifications.

You won’t be able to “see” all these during window shopping so it’s good to know what to look for in a laptop.

There are 4 main things to consider: CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD.

Central Processing Unit

CPU is the heart and soul of your computer.

It’s the brain of your computer which helps process softwares, applications, files – everything! So, without any doubt, you want a high-performing if not advanced CPU.

The good thing with ALL the options listed above is they are run by an Intel CPU. Intel is a tried and tested brand for CPU. Plus, all options run on Intel Core i5 and up!

GPU

GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, is responsible for – you guessed it – graphics.

For gamers or editors, this is a crucial factor. It supports the CPU by accelerating graphics rendering, to produce crisp and quality graphics for any application you use.

Random Access Memory & Solid State Drive

Lastly, we have the RAM and SSD.

These two are the storage units of your laptop. The more space you have, the easier for your laptop to store files and operate multiple files.

Imagine – if your laptop has a small memory, it would lag and have a hard time switching from one app to another.

Another perk of SSD – it speeds up the booting time of your laptop.

When you put your laptop to sleep or shut it down, a higher SSD cuts off the “waiting time” from the moment you hit that power button to the moment the laptop wakes up.

Price to Value

Needless to say, the best Dell laptop for you should also meet your budget.

Dell are great investments.

They are not the cheapest nor the most affordable brand in the computer industry but they sure are reliable and last you a lot longer than the average 4 to 5-year lifespan of most laptops.

The ones I listed above have a wide price range to make sure you find the right one for you.

Design

You’ll be face to face with your laptop for at least 5 days a week.

Although it may not be an issue for some, look for a laptop that is pleasing to YOUR eye.

This laptop will be your companion through thick and thin, winning or losing, so the DESIGN should be as good as its FUNCTIONS.

Aside from the design, the external features should also be conducive to work or your gaming sessions.

Check if it has:

• Built-in webcam
• Good speaker placement
• Comfy keyboard
• Wi fi connectivity and;
• Ports compatibility

All these are essential to keep up and function in a more digital era.

Lastly, design can also mean it can easily be converted to a tablet. If you need a handy laptop that can easily transform into a tablet, you can go for the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.

Battery Life

Best Dell laptops have decent battery life.

As the main advantage of laptops would be portability, the battery should also support this feature.

A good benchmark for battery life is somewhere around 6 to 8 hours. If the laptop can stay on for more than this period, that’s a steal!

Screen Size

Lastly, you may want to consider the screen size of your laptop.

Remember, a big screen would definitely rack up the weight of the laptop. These tend to be more expensive as well.

If you need a laptop that can support you for business, professional, or gaming sessions, our ideal size would be around 13 to 15 inches.

This won’t be too small that you would have to zoom in on your excel sheets every now and then OR have a hard time looking for your avatar in your favorite games.

This also offers a decent display size for Netflix sessions. Win-win!

Tip: Dell normally adds the laptop’s screen size in the model number. You’ll have an idea of the screen size by looking at the number between the line series name and unit model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dell Xps Better Than Inspiron?

It depends on the type of user and what kind of activities you plan to do with your laptop.

Both series carry the best Dell laptops and are great choices and are suitable for school or work.

However, if you plan to do heavier or more demanding work, the XPS might be a better option as it’s packed with more powerful specs.

Is Dell a Good Laptop Brand?

Dell has long been a trusted producer of computers. Their laptop lines clearly show innovation and durability, making them a reliable option for any kind of user.

How Do I Choose a Dell Laptop?

The best Dell laptop for you boils down to two things: use and budget.

There are a number of options in this review article that are perfect for students, professional workers, or game enthusiasts.

Whatever your main activity will be with your device, do check if the specs are compatible with it.

The next thing to consider would be your budget.

• If you plan or can splurge, a good investment would be a device from the Alienware or Precision series.
• If you are a bit tight on budget, your reliable options would be the G3 or Inspiron 15.

Is Dell or HP Better?

Both are strong competitors in the computer manufacturing industry.

However, we find that Dell offers a wider variety of laptop options with generally more advanced processors.

Most Dell laptops run on Intel, with the premium laptops running on the most advanced version of the 10th Gen Intel core.

Aside from the CPU, Dell laptops have operating systems that run on the latest version of Windows.

Moreover, as Dell has more variety, you’d find more reasonably priced options compared to HP.

You may want to read our in-depth comparison: Dell vs. HP Laptops: Which Brand Is Superior?

Conclusion

That ends the best Dell laptops review!

For all types of users or budget, Dell has a number of options you can choose from!

If you are unsure which brand to go for when choosing a laptop, you can’t go wrong with a Dell computer.

Before finalizing your purchase, check if the specs are compatible with the activities you mainly plan to do with your laptop.

Let me know your top picks and favorites in the comments section below!