Key takeaways
- Verdict: Buy. The MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) is the best laptop for most people (score 9.4/10).
- The 15-inch model is worth it if you want more screen space; the discounted M4 model is a great value alternative.
- Skip it if you need a 120Hz display, HDMI or sustained heavy workloads.
In this article
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Our Apple MacBook Air review covers the 2026 M5 MacBook Air in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes. Apple updated the Air in March 2026 with the M5 chip, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage as standard. It remains the laptop we recommend to most people. Here is why, and who should consider something else.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price on Amazon.
Verdict
Buy. The MacBook Air (M5) is the best all-round laptop for students, professionals and families. It is fast, silent, light and lasts all day. Choose the 13-inch for portability or the 15-inch for screen space.
MacBook Air options compared
| Product | Best for | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) | Best MacBook Air | Buy | 9.4/10 | $1,099 – $1,299 |
| Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) | Best big-screen MacBook Air | Buy | 9.2/10 | $1,299 – $1,499 |
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) | Best value MacBook Air | Buy | 9.0/10 | $799 – $999 |
| Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch | Cheaper alternative | Consider | 8.6/10 | $599 – $799 |
Specifications
| Product | Key specs | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) | Apple M5 chip, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, about 2.7 lb, up to 18 hours claimed battery | $1,099 – $1,299 |
| Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) | Apple M5 chip, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, about 3.3 lb | $1,299 – $1,499 |
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) | Apple M4 chip, 16GB unified memory, 256GB or 512GB SSD, 13.6-inch display, about 2.7 lb | $799 – $999 |
| Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch | A18 Pro chip, 8GB unified memory, 256GB or 512GB SSD, 13-inch Liquid Retina display, about 2.7 lb | $599 – $799 |
Design and build
The MacBook Air keeps its thin, wedge-free aluminum design in several colors. The 13-inch model weighs about 2.7 lb and the 15-inch about 3.3 lb. There is no fan, so it is completely silent. The keyboard is comfortable and the large Force Touch trackpad is excellent.
Display
The Liquid Retina display is sharp, bright (500 nits) and color-accurate with P3 support. It runs at 60Hz, so scrolling is not as smooth as 120Hz panels on the MacBook Pro or many Windows laptops, but for documents, photos and video it looks excellent.
Performance
The M5 chip handles everyday tasks instantly and is fast enough for photo editing, coding, music production and light video work. Because the Air is fanless, it can slow down during very long, heavy workloads such as extended 4K exports, but most users will never notice.
Battery life
The M5 Air lasted about 15 and a half hours in one demanding web-browsing test and longer in lighter use. Apple rates it at up to 18 hours of video playback. Most people can leave the charger at home for a full day.
Webcam, audio and ports
The 12MP Center Stage camera keeps you framed on video calls, and the three-mic array sounds clear. The 15-inch model’s six speakers are among the best on any thin laptop. Ports are limited to two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, MagSafe and a headphone jack; add a USB-C hub for HDMI or SD cards.
Which MacBook Air to buy
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
Best MacBook Air · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.4/10 · Typical price: $1,099 – $1,299
Key specs: Apple M5 chip, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, about 2.7 lb, up to 18 hours claimed battery
Why we picked it: The 13-inch M5 Air is the best laptop for most people.
Pros: Fast, silent fanless design · Excellent 15-hour-plus real battery life · 16GB memory and 512GB storage as standard · Superb keyboard, trackpad and speakers
Cons: Only 60Hz display · Ports limited to two USB-C plus MagSafe · Price rose in 2026
Buy it if you want the best all-round laptop for work, school and travel and do not need Windows.
Skip it if you game seriously, need lots of ports or want a high-refresh display.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)
Best big-screen MacBook Air · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.2/10 · Typical price: $1,299 – $1,499
Key specs: Apple M5 chip, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, about 3.3 lb
Why we picked it: The same performance with a larger screen and six speakers.
Pros: Big screen in a thin, fanless body · Six-speaker sound system · Long battery life · Same speed as the 13-inch model
Cons: Costs $200 more than the 13-inch · Still 60Hz · No HDMI or SD card slot
Buy it if you want more screen space for spreadsheets, split-screen work or movies without carrying a heavy laptop.
Skip it if you mostly work on the go, where the 13-inch is easier to carry.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Best value MacBook Air · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $799 – $999
Key specs: Apple M4 chip, 16GB unified memory, 256GB or 512GB SSD, 13.6-inch display, about 2.7 lb
Why we picked it: The previous M4 model is often discounted and still excellent.
Pros: Previous model often heavily discounted · 16GB memory standard · Still fast for everyday and creative work · Fanless and silent
Cons: Base storage only 256GB · Older chip than the M5 · Stock is shrinking
Buy it if you want MacBook Air quality for less and can find it on sale.
Skip it if you need it to last as long as possible, where the M5 model adds headroom.
Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch
Cheaper alternative · Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $599 – $799
Key specs: A18 Pro chip, 8GB unified memory, 256GB or 512GB SSD, 13-inch Liquid Retina display, about 2.7 lb
Why we picked it: The MacBook Neo costs less if you only need basic tasks.
Pros: Cheapest way into a new MacBook · Fanless and silent · All-day battery life in real use · Bright, sharp screen for the price
Cons: 8GB memory cannot be upgraded · Base 256GB storage fills quickly · No Thunderbolt or fast external display support
Buy it if you want a real MacBook for school, browsing, writing and streaming at the lowest price Apple offers.
Skip it if you edit video, keep dozens of apps open or need more than 256GB of storage.
Who should buy the MacBook Air
Students, office workers, writers, travelers, light creators and anyone who wants a reliable, long-lasting laptop. See our best MacBooks for students and best MacBooks for everyday use.
Who should skip it
Video editors who work with long 4K projects, 3D artists and anyone who needs HDMI, an SD slot or a 120Hz display should look at the MacBook Pro. Gamers should choose a Windows gaming laptop.
Alternatives to consider
- Dell XPS 13 (2026) ($599 – $899) – Check Price on Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch ($699 – $899) – Check Price on Amazon
- ASUS Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X) ($899 – $1,099) – Check Price on Amazon
Windows users who want a MacBook Air-like experience should look at the 2026 Dell XPS 13, the compact Surface Laptop 13-inch or the featherweight Zenbook A14.
When to buy
Amazon regularly discounts the MacBook Air during Prime events and Black Friday, and the previous-generation M4 model is often heavily reduced.
Compare more options
Search MacBook Air M5 on Amazon See top-rated MacBook Air M5 on Amazon
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is the MacBook Air worth buying in 2026?
Yes. The M5 MacBook Air is fast, silent, light and lasts all day, with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage standard.
Should I buy the 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air?
Choose the 13-inch for portability and the 15-inch if you want more screen space and better speakers. Both have the same chip.
Is the MacBook Air good for gaming?
It can play many Mac games and Apple Arcade titles, but it is not a gaming laptop.
How long will the MacBook Air last?
Six or more years is realistic with 16GB of memory and Apple's long software support.