8 Best Macbook Airs 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
The 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch with the new M5 chip is a powerful yet ultra-portable laptop designed to handle everyday tasks smoothly and support AI-driven features. Its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU provide excellent speed and responsiveness, while the 16GB of unified memory ensures easy multitasking without slowdowns. Storage comes generous at 1TB SSD, offering plenty of fast space for files and applications. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals with support for a billion colors and 500 nits brightness, making photos, videos, and text look crisp and vivid. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours for video streaming and 15 hours for web browsing, so you can comfortably work a full day without charging.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,301
Processor (CPU)
Display Size and Quality
Battery Life
Most important from
109 reviews
#2
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
The Apple 2026 MacBook Air with the new M5 chip is a great choice if you want a lightweight, powerful laptop that excels in everyday tasks and creative work. Its 10-core M5 processor and 16GB of unified memory ensure smooth multitasking and fast app performance, especially with AI features built into the system. The 512GB SSD offers quick storage access, enough for most users, though heavy storage needs might require external drives.
Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Ports and Connectivity
Weight and Portability
Most important from
771 reviews
#3
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
The 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch with Apple's M5 chip is a great choice if you want a lightweight, portable laptop that doesn’t compromise on power. Its M5 chip brings a big boost in speed and AI capabilities, making everyday tasks and multitasking smoother and faster. With 16GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, it offers plenty of space and quick access for your files and apps, which is excellent for students, professionals, or creatives who need reliable performance. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports over a billion colors and delivers sharp, bright visuals, making photos and videos look vibrant. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can work all day without hunting for a charger.
Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display Size and Quality
Battery Life
Most important from
115 reviews
Top 8 Best Macbook Airs 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Processor (CPU): Apple M5 chip, 10-core CPU
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours video streaming
Ports and Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg)
Chosen by 1301 this week
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
Processor (CPU): Apple M5, 10-core CPU
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours streaming
Ports and Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Starlight
Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2880x1864, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours video
Ports and Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Processor (CPU): M5 chip
Memory (RAM): 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
Battery Life: up to 18 hours
Ports and Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, jack
Weight and Portability: lightweight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Display Size and Quality: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2880x1864, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours video
Ports and Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7
Weight and Portability: 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
Related Products
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight
Processor (CPU): Apple M4 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
Memory (RAM): 24 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560x1664, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours video
Ports and Connectivity: MagSafe 3, headphone jack, 2 Thunderbolt 4
Weight and Portability: 2.73 pounds
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
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
Processor (CPU): Apple M4 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Display Size and Quality: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560x1664, 500 nits
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours video
Ports and Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, headphone
Weight and Portability: 2.73 lbs, 8.46x11.97x0.44 inches
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Buying Guide for the Best Macbook Airs
When shopping for a MacBook Air, it's important to think about how you plan to use it. Are you a student who needs it for note-taking and web browsing, or do you work with lots of documents and need light creative power? Understanding your main activities will help you decide on the right features. MacBook Airs are generally lightweight, slim, and designed for portability, making them ideal for people on the move, but there are still several important specifications that can affect your everyday experience.Processor (CPU)The processor is the 'brain' of your MacBook Air and affects how fast and smooth everything runs. A faster or more modern processor means your laptop can handle tougher tasks, like working with big spreadsheets or light photo editing, more quickly. You’ll find MacBook Airs with different generations of Apple Silicon chips—usually, the entry-level chips are best for regular browsing, emails, and video watching, while the upgraded versions suit more demanding multitasking or creative software. Pick an option that fits your typical workload; if you mostly do simple things, the basic version is fine, but if you expect to multitask or use more intensive programs, consider a higher grade.
Memory (RAM)Memory, also known as RAM, helps your MacBook Air handle more open apps and browser tabs at once without slowing down. More RAM allows for smoother multitasking and is especially useful if you like keeping lots of things open at once or if you use heavier apps for things like photo editing. Common values range from 8GB to 16GB or higher; 8GB is enough for most daily activities and students, while 16GB or more is better if you plan on keeping your laptop open to many apps at the same time or working with larger files.
StorageStorage is how much space you have to save your apps, documents, photos, videos, and other files locally on your MacBook Air. If you mainly use cloud storage and only keep essential files on your laptop, a lower storage amount like 256GB will work. However, if you want to store lots of media or big files directly, consider a higher capacity like 512GB or more. Think about your habits—if you store a lot of photos, videos, or work files, get more storage; if you mostly use online services, less is usually fine.
Display Size and QualityThe display size determines how big your screen is and can make a difference for comfort, especially if you'll use your MacBook Air for many hours a day or for creative tasks. Most MacBook Airs have displays that are both clear and bright, but subtle differences in size and resolution can affect your experience. If you want a compact and easy-to-carry laptop, the standard size is perfect; if you plan to do more reading, writing, or content creation, opt for a model with a larger or higher-resolution screen for more comfortable use.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial for anyone who wants to use their MacBook Air while traveling, at school, or without being tethered to a charger all day. Most MacBook Airs are designed to last a full workday on a single charge, but battery performance can vary depending on screen brightness, apps, and your typical use. If you often work in places where charging isn’t easy, look for models with longer advertised battery life. Your ideal pick depends on how often you plan to carry your laptop around and how long you usually work unplugged.
Ports and ConnectivityPorts and connectivity refer to the types and number of connections you have for things like charging, attaching storage devices, external displays, or accessories. MacBook Airs usually have a limited number of USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, so think about what you’ll need to plug in. If you typically use basic wireless accessories and don’t need many devices connected at once, the standard setup is fine. If you work with cameras, monitors, or multiple accessories, make sure the available ports will be enough or be prepared to use adapters.
Weight and PortabilityWeight and portability are important if you're planning to carry your MacBook Air with you often. MacBook Airs are among the lightest laptops available, but even slight differences in weight and thickness can matter if you're traveling or commuting daily. If you prioritize easy transport, go for the lightest and slimmest option. If your laptop will mostly stay at your desk, a minor weight difference might not matter as much.