Best MacBook in 2026: Our top picks

Why you can trust our opinion on MacBooks  

You shouldn’t just trust anyone’s opinion when it comes to tech, especially in the realm of Apple, when things can be a little more “finicky”. Fortunately, you’re in luck because at Back Market, we live and breathe tech and have an in-depth knowledge of all things Apple. That’s why you can trust our opinion on MacBooks and the best ones to consider in 2026.  

Trusted experts spend every day testing, inspecting and refurbishing thousands of MacBooks, ensuring that every device we recommend to our loyal customers meets our high standards of quality and that of the industry. As we say at Back Market:

“Every device is guaranteed to be 100% functional regardless of its appearance grade: Fair, Good, Excellent or Premium.” 

But that’s not all. When you choose a refurbished unit from Back Market, your MacBook will also have met stringent sustainability and performance requirements. A Verified Refurbished MacBook from Back Market comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day guarantee. We also offer a hassle-free returns process so you can shop with total confidence.

So, if you’re looking for the best MacBook in 2026, it might just be a premium refurbished one from us.

Which MacBook is best for different users?

The newest model is not automatically the best one for every person, though. Some shoppers need the best MacBook overall, some need the best MacBook for university, some need the best MacBook for creative work, and some simply want the most affordable option that still feels properly premium. That is why this list mixes the latest releases with a few older refurbished picks that still make excellent sense in 2026.

According to Apple statistics, the brand shipped out a whopping 21.9 million MacBooks across the globe in 2023. There are now more worthwhile MacBooks to consider than there were even a year ago. Apple’s line-up has moved on with the MacBook Air M4, MacBook Pro M4 family and, more recently, the MacBook Neo, which gives budget-conscious buyers a proper entry point into the Mac ecosystem.

Below, we’ve rounded up the six MacBooks most worth considering right now, from the best all-rounder to the best pick for professionals, creators and budget-minded buyers.

MacBook Air 13-inch M4 (2025) – best MacBook overall

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗🤍

Product specs

● Screen size: 13.6 in  ● Resolution: 2560 x 1664 (Liquid Retina display)  ● Chip: Apple M4 chip with 10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU  ● RAM: 16 GB unified memory (configurable up to 32 GB)  ● Storage: 256 GB SSD (configurable up to 2 TB)  ● Battery life: Up to 18 hours  ● Ports: 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack  ● Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg)  ● Operating system: macOS Sequoia  ● Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3  ● Camera: 12MP Center Stage camera  ● Speakers: Four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio  ● Security: Touch ID

Product pros and cons

Product features and benefits

Apple’s MacBook Air 13-inch M4 is the best MacBook overall for most people in 2026. Apple gave the Air range a meaningful refresh in March 2025, adding the newer M4 chip, a 12MP Center Stage camera, support for up to two external displays alongside the built-in screen, and 16 GB of unified memory as standard. That mix of portability, battery life and everyday performance makes it the easiest MacBook to recommend to the widest range of buyers.

The 13-inch size remains the sweet spot if you want a MacBook that is genuinely easy to carry every day. It is light enough for commuting, compact enough for lecture halls and cafe tables and still powerful enough for office work, research, streaming, admin, light editing and the usual pile-up of tabs and apps. For students, travellers and most home users, this is the MacBook that gets the fewest things wrong.we also have a dedicated guide to the best MacBook for students that goes into more detail on what to prioritise

The MacBook Air M4 is also a better long-term buy than the older M3 Air because Apple now starts the range with 16 GB of memory, which is a much healthier baseline. That extra breathing room makes the laptop feel more future-ready, especially if you keep your MacBook for several years. If you want the best MacBook without overspending on pro-level hardware, this is the one to beat.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 (2025)– best for creators and multitasking

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗🤍

Product specs

● Screen size: 15.3 in  ● Resolution: 2880 x 1864 (Liquid Retina Display)  ● Chip: Apple M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU  ● RAM: 16 GB (configurable up to 32 GB)  ● Storage: 256 GB SSD (configurable up to 2 TB)  ● Battery life: Up to 18 hours  ● Ports: 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack  ● Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.51 kg)  ● Operating system: macOS Sequoia  ● Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3  ● Camera: 12MP Center Stage camera  ● Speakers: Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio  ● Security: Touch ID

Product pros and cons

Product features and benefits

The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 (2025) is similar in spirit to the 13-inch model, but it does enough differently to earn its place on this list. This MacBook proves that a larger Apple laptop does not have to feel bulky or overbuilt, offering a roomy display and strong everyday performance in a design that still feels sleek and easy to carry.

With its 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, creators and multitaskers get more breathing room for side-by-side apps, larger spreadsheets, longer editing timelines and more immersive streaming. Even casual users will appreciate the extra space, while the Air’s thin, lightweight build keeps it from feeling like a chore to take out and about. The full-sized keyboard and generous trackpad also make it especially comfortable for longer work sessions.

Like the smaller MacBook Air, this model benefits from Apple’s fanless design, but the M4 chip gives it a meaningful lift in everyday responsiveness and longer-term usefulness. You get faster general performance, better efficiency and enough headroom to keep dozens of browser tabs, office apps, messaging tools and creative software moving smoothly without the laptop feeling strained.

Not yet convinced this is one of the best MacBooks to buy right now? The MacBook Air 15-inch M4 can comfortably handle everything from editing photos in Adobe Lightroom and working in a CMS on Safari to light 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro while apps such as Spotify and Slack run in the background. That makes it a particularly strong choice for students, professionals and creators who want a large-screen MacBook without stepping up to Pro pricing.

Another feature that helps this model stand out from the smaller Air is its six-speaker sound system. It is fuller, richer and more immersive, which makes films, music and even everyday video calls that bit more enjoyable. It is one of the easiest MacBooks to recommend if you want more screen space without sacrificing portability, especially if you can get a refurbished model for a better price.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 2024 – best for power users and professionals 

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗💗

Product specs 

• Screen size: 14.2 in​ 

• Resolution: 3024 x 1964 (Liquid Retina XDR Display)​ 

• Chip: Apple M4 with 10-core CPU (4 performance and 6 efficiency cores) and 10-core GPU​ 

• RAM: 16 GB (configurable up to 32 GB)​ 

• Storage: 512 GB SSD (configurable up to 2 TB)​ 

• Battery life: Up to 18 hours​ 

• Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI 2.1, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack​ 

• Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)​ 

• Operating system: macOS Sequoia​ 

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3​ 

• Camera: 12MP Center Stage camera​ 

• Speakers: Six-speaker system with Spatial Audio​ 

• Security: Touch ID 

Product pros and cons 

Product features and benefits 

When looking for an answer to the question: “What is the best MacBook?”, you’re likely to come across many options because Apple MacBooks are notoriously good. However, one of the newer models that stands apart even from the others we discussed on this list is the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 2024 model. This MacBook delivers everything you expect and then some.  

Designed for power users, this MacBook Pro outclasses many high-end Intel laptops, and its unmatched 28-hour-plus battery life is the cherry on top. But that's not all; this model also features a stunning Retina XDR display with HDR and a 120 Hz refresh rate, versatile port selection and an upgraded 12MP camera. Loving where this is going? So are we.  

With features like these, you can now see why the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 is built for serious power users and professionals who need pro-level performance in a compact design. With this MacBook, you can do everything from stream, edit videos and develop software or code to embracing 3D digital art, thanks to the mighty powerful M4 chipset. The Guardian even agrees that the M4 is one of the most powerful yet, with a reporter stating that the M4 offers a "25% speed boost over the M3". 

You can also choose to scale up the memory and storage up to an impressive 128 GB and 8 TB, respectively, if you configure with the M4 chip, but this will come with a much heftier price tag since you’re making changes to the base model. Still, it might be worth it to some who want to spend on a high-performance device that will last them a few years yet. Its excellent processing improvements and AI-powered features make it even more future-savvy.  

The only downside is that its design is nothing new. It still looks like other MacBook Pros on the market, but if you care more about what’s under the hood, this shouldn’t worry you too much. Plus, its revamped port lineup should lessen some of the sting felt by a somewhat outdated design – classic as it may be.

Apple MacBook Neo (2026) - Best for budget-conscious buyers, students and casual users

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗🤍

Product specs

● Screen size: 13.0 in

● Resolution: 2408 x 1506 (Liquid Retina Display)

● Chip: Apple A18 Pro chip with 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU

● RAM: 8 GB

● Storage: 256GB or 512GB

● Battery life: Up to 16 hours of video streaming

● Ports: 1x USB 3 (10Gb/s) + 1x USB 2 (480Mb/s), 3.5mm headphone jack

● Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)

● Operating system: macOS Tahoe

● Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6

● Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD

● Speakers: Stereo speakers with Spatial Audio support

● Security: Touch ID

Product pros and cons

Product features and benefits

The MacBook Neo (2026) stands apart because it gives buyers something Apple has not offered in years: a truly lower-cost MacBook that still feels modern. Rather than trying to compete with the Pro line on raw power, the Neo focuses on the essentials that matter most to everyday users, namely solid battery life, a quality display, a durable aluminium build and a smooth macOS experience at a much friendlier starting price.

Designed for students, families, casual users and first-time Mac buyers, the MacBook Neo makes a lot of sense if your workload revolves around writing, research, streaming, web browsing, admin and light creative tasks. Its 13-inch Liquid Retina display keeps everything looking crisp and colourful, while its lightweight build makes it easy to carry from lectures to coffee shops or from room to room at home.

The A18 Pro chip is a key reason the Neo feels more capable than its price suggests. It is not a pro-grade chip, but it is fast enough for everyday productivity and responsive enough to keep macOS feeling polished. That means you can comfortably manage documents, emails, video calls, dozens of browser tabs and even some light photo editing without feeling like you have settled for a cheap laptop experience.

Another part of the Neo’s appeal is that it lowers the cost of getting into Apple’s ecosystem without making the laptop feel disposable. You still get useful quality-of-life features such as Touch ID, a 12MP Center Stage camera and a design that feels recognisably Apple. For buyers who simply want the most affordable MacBook available in 2026, the MacBook Neo is the obvious place to start. And if you want to stretch your budget further, buying a refurbished MacBook on Back Market is the smartest way to do it.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Pro (2023) – best for video editing and graphic design 

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗🤍

Product specs 

• Screen size: 16.2 in 

• Resolution: 3456 x 2234 (Liquid Retina XDR Display) 

• Chip: Apple M3 Pro chip with 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU 

• RAM: 18 GB 

• Storage: 512 GB SSD 

• Battery life: Up to 22 hours 

• Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack 

• Weight: 4.7 lbs (2.15 kg) 

• Operating system: macOS Sonoma 

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 

• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera 

• Speakers: Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio 

• Security: Touch ID 

Product pros and cons 

Product features and benefits 

Firstly, we're jealous if you’re lucky enough to work in 3D animation or video editing. These up-and-coming fields are having their moment in the spotlight and for good reason. However, having the right equipment becomes more important if you don’t want to face performance problems that could hinder your work or play.  

Luckily, you can rely on MacBooks like the 2023 MacBook Pro 16-inch M3. Even in 2025, few MacBooks beat the 16-inch M3 Pro when it comes to working with large-format graphics, making this laptop ideal for video editing and graphic design. But do you know what’s even better? It's a mobile workstation.  

This MacBook boasts Apple's powerful, cutting-edge M3 chipset at its core, so it's more than strong enough to handle any lifting you might need. Then, there’s its Liquid Retina XDR display that we would be remiss not to mention. This display is perfect for fine detail design, colour correction and watching playback in ultra-bright HDR. With specs like these, it's no wonder it's visually stunning.  

Another perk of this MacBook is that it has a thermal cooling system and longer battery life, so you can reliably work longer without experiencing annoying throttling. Plus, the fans are pretty silent, and even under pressure, they aren’t too loud, nor do they allow the laptop to get very hot.  

The speaker system is also pretty nice – some would even say it is cinema-worthy – and the extended port layout means fewer dongles, which is convenient for those whose day-to-day involves HDMI connections, external displays and SD cards.  

So, if you can, why not get your hands on a refurbished model? Refurbished might not mean new, but it's pretty close and far more affordable.  

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 Pro (2021) – best for music production and photo editing 

Back Market score: 💗💗💗🤍🤍

Product specs 

• Screen size: 14.2 in 

• Resolution: 3024 x 1964 (Liquid Retina XDR Display) 

• Chip: Apple M1 Pro chip with 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU 

• RAM: 16 GB 

• Storage: 512 GB SSD 

• Battery life: Up to 17 hours 

• Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack 

• Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) 

• Operating system: macOS Monterey 

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 

• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera 

• Speakers: Six-speaker system with Spatial Audio 

• Security: Touch ID 

Product pros and cons 

Product features and benefits 

If you still want to benefit from top-tier Apple silicon without the 2025 price tag and are an audio or photo professional, you might want to consider purchasing a 2021 MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M1 chipset. We know this is an older model and might not be up to everyone's standards, but it's a solid choice if you’re not doing tasks that are too intensive.  

The 2021 MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 makes it easy to edit RAW images or colour grade with accuracy thanks to its bright XDR display with deep contrast settings. Its built-in HDMI port and SD slot also make it easy to reduce your reliance on adapters if you’re a professional photo editor.  

On the other hand, this MacBook's low-latency performance and whisper-quiet cooling are a boon for music producers. There are also no noisy fans messing with a recording session, which is not something every laptop can boast – we know from experience.  

And don’t forget the speaker system, which is among the best ever put into a MacBook. It’s immersive, powerful and surprisingly clear across all frequencies.  

Plus, you get all of this for less than any of the other models we’ve mentioned on the list. So, if you’re looking for a budget pick as a creative, this one just might be the best choice and worth the initial outlay, especially if you buy refurbished. Just bear in mind that its storage and battery capabilities aren’t as good as they could be.  

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 series, 2026) — Best premium MacBook for future-proof performance

Back Market score: 💗💗💗💗🤍

The MacBook Pro M5 series is Apple’s newest MacBook lineup, officially launched in March 2026. While the M4 MacBook Pro still offers the best balance of value and performance for most buyers, the M5 series is designed for users who want Apple’s latest technology and the strongest long-term performance.

The refurbished MacBook Pro M5 series on Back Market combines flagship-level specs with lower pricing than buying new, making it a compelling option for professionals, creators, and power users.

Product specs

• Release year: 2026

• Models available: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro

• Chip options: Apple M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max

• Display: Liquid Retina XDR display

• Refresh rate: ProMotion 120Hz

• RAM: 16GB to 128GB unified memory

• Storage: 512GB to 8TB SSD

• Cooling: Advanced active cooling system

• Speakers: Six-speaker sound system with spatial audio

• Connectivity: Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe

• Battery life: Up to 22 hours depending on configuration

Product pros and cons

Product features and benefits

The MacBook Pro M5 series delivers Apple’s most advanced MacBook performance yet, making it a strong option for professionals, creators, and users planning to keep their laptop for many years. Compared to previous Apple Silicon generations, the M5 series improves CPU, GPU, and AI processing performance, helping demanding applications run faster and more efficiently. This is especially useful for workflows like video editing, music production, software development, 3D rendering, and multitasking across several professional apps at once.

One of the standout features is the Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion 120Hz technology. The adaptive refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and editing timelines feel noticeably smoother, while the brighter display and stronger contrast improve visual accuracy for creative work. Combined with the six-speaker sound system and spatial audio support, the M5 MacBook Pro also delivers a premium media and entertainment experience.

The M5 series is also designed for sustained high performance thanks to its advanced active cooling system. Unlike MacBook Air models, which rely on passive cooling, the MacBook Pro can maintain higher performance levels during long editing sessions, coding workloads, or graphics-intensive tasks without slowing down.

Apple also improved connectivity and future-proofing across the M5 lineup. Features like Thunderbolt 5 support, faster SSD speeds, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility help ensure the laptop stays capable for years to come. For buyers considering long-term value, the refurbished MacBook Pro M5 series on Back Market offers access to Apple’s latest premium hardware at a lower cost than buying new, while still benefiting from professional refurbishment and warranty coverage.

The best MacBooks compared 

Now that Apple has refreshed the MacBook Air with M4 and introduced MacBook Neo at the lower end, it makes sense to compare the full spread before you buy. The models below cover the most useful buying categories in 2026: best overall, best for larger-screen Air users, best for professionals, best budget MacBook, best for demanding creators and best refurbished value pick.

If you are comparing purely on age, the newest MacBook will usually win. If you are comparing on value, though, refurbished older Pro models can still be the smarter buy. That is why the best MacBook is not the same for every person, even when one model clearly leads the pack overall.

Explore some of our honourable mentions: 

• MacBook Pro 14" (2021) 

• MacBook Pro Retina 13” (2020) 

• MacBook Air 13” (2020) 

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 2026. 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 Verified Refurbished from Back Market because it's better for the environment and your pocket. Verified Refurbished MacBooks have more benefits 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 itself, 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 need, 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.

The wrap-up on the best MacBooks in 2026

The best MacBook overall is the MacBook Air 13-inch M4. It is the easiest model to recommend because it gets the core MacBook experience right: strong battery life, fast everyday performance, a high-quality display and a design that is easy to live with every day. For most buyers, that combination matters more than chasing the most powerful specification sheet.

The rest of the line-up now makes more sense when viewed by user type. The MacBook Neo is the best budget MacBook, the MacBook Air 15-inch M4 is ideal for people who want more screen space, the MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 is the best pick for professionals, and the MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Pro remains a brilliant choice for heavier creative work. If value matters most, the MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 Pro is still one of the most appealing refurbished options around.

If you want to buy more sustainably and save money at the same time, the Back Market Promise remains one of the smartest ways to shop. The key is to match the MacBook to the way you actually work, rather than simply buying the newest one on the page.

In addition, we offer a nifty trade-in program. With it, you can save even more money. You can learn more about it and how it will benefit you on our trade-in program page. But for now, focus on deciding which of these incredible MacBook models you want to take home.