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10 Best Video Editing Laptops 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Sky Blue

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,111
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
3205 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers powerhouse performance, handling multitasking and video editing with impressive speed and no lag.
RAM
The unified 16GB memory ensures smooth operation across multiple demanding applications and creative workflows.
Storage
While the base 256GB storage can fill up quickly, upgrading to 512GB is recommended for those handling large video files.
Display
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display shines with vibrant, accurate colors and excellent brightness, perfect for content creation.
Battery Life
Battery life consistently lasts 15 to 18 hours, making it an all-day machine ideal for editing on the go without frequent charging.
Ports and Connectivity
The limited port selection, with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, means additional hubs or adapters are often necessary for extensive connectivity.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice for video editing if you value portability and smooth performance. Its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU built into the M4 chip offer fast processing and good graphics power, making it capable of handling video editing tasks and multitasking without much lag. The 16GB of unified memory helps apps run smoothly, while the 512GB SSD storage provides decent space for video files, though heavy editors might need extra external storage. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is a highlight, delivering bright, sharp images with support for 1 billion colors—great for seeing your videos with rich detail and true-to-life colors. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, which means you can edit videos on the go without worrying about finding a charger frequently.

On the downside, the MacBook Air has only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so you might need adapters if you connect many devices or external drives. Also, while the integrated GPU is strong for an ultrathin laptop, it may not match the raw power of dedicated graphics cards found in some larger video-editing laptops. This model suits video editors who want a lightweight, elegant machine that works well with Apple’s ecosystem and can handle most editing tasks efficiently, especially for content creators who prioritize portability and battery life over extreme performance or expandability.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,111
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
3205 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers powerhouse performance, handling multitasking and video editing with impressive speed and no lag.
RAM
The unified 16GB memory ensures smooth operation across multiple demanding applications and creative workflows.
Storage
While the base 256GB storage can fill up quickly, upgrading to 512GB is recommended for those handling large video files.
Display
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display shines with vibrant, accurate colors and excellent brightness, perfect for content creation.
Battery Life
Battery life consistently lasts 15 to 18 hours, making it an all-day machine ideal for editing on the go without frequent charging.
Ports and Connectivity
The limited port selection, with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, means additional hubs or adapters are often necessary for extensive connectivity.
#2

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
1221 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers exceptional speed and smooth multitasking, making this MacBook Air feel light-years ahead of older models.
RAM
Upgrading RAM and storage provides future-proofing, but the upgrade costs can be quite steep.
Storage
Upgrading RAM and storage provides future-proofing, but the upgrade costs can be quite steep.
Graphics Card (GPU)
While the integrated GPU performs well for most tasks, extreme video editing workloads might benefit from a dedicated GPU solution.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, offering sharp detail and vibrant colors that enhance video editing and creative work.
Battery Life
Lightweight design combined with an impressive battery life allows for extended use on the go without frequent charging.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection is limited to two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so adapters may be necessary for multiple external devices.

The 2025 Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a strong contender for video editing thanks to its powerful 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, which provide smooth performance when handling multiple apps and demanding tasks like video rendering. With 24GB of unified memory, it offers ample space to work on large projects without slowing down. The 512GB SSD storage is reasonably fast and reliable but might feel limited if you work with many large video files, so consider external drives for more space.

The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display stands out with sharp detail, wide color support, and 500 nits brightness, making it excellent for accurate color work and viewing video edits clearly. Battery life is impressive, allowing up to 18 hours of video streaming, which means you can edit on the go with less worry about charging. However, the MacBook Air only includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, which might require adapters if you frequently connect multiple external devices or displays beyond two 6K monitors.

The integrated GPU is powerful for integrated graphics but may not match the performance of dedicated GPUs found in higher-end laptops tailored for intensive video editing. macOS and Apple Intelligence features add user-friendly tools and privacy features, and the lightweight design makes this laptop very portable. This MacBook Air is suited for users who want a blend of portability, strong display quality, and solid editing power without needing the most hardcore specs or expandability. For professional editors working on extremely large or complex projects, a laptop with more storage and a dedicated GPU might be more suitable.

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
1221 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers exceptional speed and smooth multitasking, making this MacBook Air feel light-years ahead of older models.
RAM
Upgrading RAM and storage provides future-proofing, but the upgrade costs can be quite steep.
Storage
Upgrading RAM and storage provides future-proofing, but the upgrade costs can be quite steep.
Graphics Card (GPU)
While the integrated GPU performs well for most tasks, extreme video editing workloads might benefit from a dedicated GPU solution.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, offering sharp detail and vibrant colors that enhance video editing and creative work.
Battery Life
Lightweight design combined with an impressive battery life allows for extended use on the go without frequent charging.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection is limited to two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so adapters may be necessary for multiple external devices.
#3

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Sky Blue

Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
1221 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers blazing-fast performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and video editing with smooth efficiency.
RAM
Upgrades like increased RAM and SSD storage enhance future-proofing, but come with a significant price premium.
Storage
Upgrades like increased RAM and SSD storage enhance future-proofing, but come with a significant price premium.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning—bright, sharp, and vibrant, perfect for detailed video work and entertainment alike.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, easily lasting a full day and allowing uninterrupted work without frequent recharging.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a strong choice for video editors who want a lightweight and highly portable laptop with solid performance. Its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, combined with 16GB of unified memory, allow smooth handling of video editing tasks and multitasking. The integrated graphics are powerful for integrated solutions, including hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding, which helps with editing and exporting videos efficiently. The 512GB SSD offers decent storage but could fill up quickly if you work with large video files, so external drives might be necessary. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors and True Tone technology, providing sharp, vibrant visuals ideal for video work, although it’s not a touch screen. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can edit on the go without worrying about frequent charging.

For connectivity, it includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port, offering fast data transfer and support for up to two external displays, which is useful if you want more screen space while editing. The macOS environment also supports popular video editing apps like Adobe Creative Cloud smoothly. The lack of a discrete graphics card means it might struggle with very heavy 3D rendering or ultra-high resolution workflows compared to some more expensive laptops, and the limited port variety means you might need adapters for some peripherals. This MacBook Air is well-suited for video editors who prioritize portability, a color-accurate display, and good battery life over maximum raw power or storage capacity.

Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
1221 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers blazing-fast performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and video editing with smooth efficiency.
RAM
Upgrades like increased RAM and SSD storage enhance future-proofing, but come with a significant price premium.
Storage
Upgrades like increased RAM and SSD storage enhance future-proofing, but come with a significant price premium.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning—bright, sharp, and vibrant, perfect for detailed video work and entertainment alike.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, easily lasting a full day and allowing uninterrupted work without frequent recharging.

Buying Guide for the Best Video Editing Laptops

Choosing the right laptop for video editing is crucial to ensure smooth and efficient workflow. Video editing requires a powerful machine that can handle large files, complex software, and intensive processing tasks. When selecting a laptop for video editing, it's important to consider several key specifications that will impact performance and usability. Understanding these specs will help you make an informed decision and find the best fit for your needs.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop and is responsible for executing tasks and running software. For video editing, a powerful CPU is essential as it handles rendering, encoding, and other intensive processes. CPUs are typically divided into segments such as dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, and octa-core. For video editing, aim for at least a quad-core processor, with higher core counts providing better performance. Look for CPUs from reputable brands like Intel or AMD, and prioritize models with higher clock speeds and more cores to ensure smooth editing and faster rendering times.
RAMRAM, or Random Access Memory, is crucial for multitasking and handling large files during video editing. It temporarily stores data that your CPU needs to access quickly. For video editing, having sufficient RAM is important to avoid slowdowns and crashes. Laptops typically come with varying amounts of RAM, such as 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or more. For basic video editing, 16GB of RAM is a good starting point, but for more complex projects or 4K editing, 32GB or higher is recommended. More RAM allows for smoother performance and the ability to work with larger files and multiple applications simultaneously.
StorageStorage refers to where your files and software are saved on your laptop. There are two main types of storage: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD). SSDs are faster and more reliable than HDDs, making them ideal for video editing. Storage capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). For video editing, an SSD with at least 512GB is recommended, but 1TB or more is preferable for storing large video files and projects. Additionally, consider laptops with expandable storage options or external drives for additional space.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is responsible for rendering images and videos. A powerful GPU is important for video editing as it accelerates rendering and playback of high-resolution footage. GPUs are categorized by their performance levels, such as integrated graphics, mid-range, and high-end dedicated graphics cards. For video editing, a dedicated GPU from brands like NVIDIA or AMD is recommended. Look for models with higher VRAM (video RAM), such as 4GB or 6GB, to ensure smooth playback and faster rendering times, especially for 4K or 3D video projects.
DisplayThe display is where you view and edit your videos, so having a high-quality screen is important. Key factors to consider include resolution, color accuracy, and size. Resolutions like Full HD (1920x1080), 4K (3840x2160), and even higher are available. For video editing, a 4K display is ideal for precise editing and viewing high-resolution footage. Color accuracy is also crucial, so look for displays with wide color gamuts and good calibration. Screen size is a personal preference, but larger screens (15 inches or more) provide more workspace and can make editing easier.
Battery LifeBattery life determines how long your laptop can run on a single charge. While video editing is typically done while plugged in due to its intensive nature, having good battery life is beneficial for portability and working on the go. Battery life can vary widely, with some laptops offering 4-6 hours and others providing 8-10 hours or more. Consider your workflow and how often you'll need to edit away from a power source. If portability is important, look for laptops with longer battery life and efficient power management.
Ports and ConnectivityPorts and connectivity options are important for connecting external devices and peripherals. Common ports include USB, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and SD card slots. For video editing, having multiple USB ports and at least one Thunderbolt port is beneficial for connecting external drives, monitors, and other accessories. HDMI ports are useful for connecting to external displays, while SD card slots are convenient for transferring footage from cameras. Ensure the laptop has the necessary ports for your workflow and consider the need for adapters if certain ports are missing.

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