From Chromebooks to mainstream to gaming and even rugged laptops, Dell does it all. And after reviewing loads of notebooks this year we compiled a list of the best Dell and Alienware laptops. We've done the legwork of going through Dell's varied lineup of laptops exploring every type, from 2-in-1s t to powerful gaming rigs in its Alienware line.

In short, we left no stone unturned and no budget overlooked. The following list can help you decide what the best options are for you based on use case and budget.

Over the course of a year, we review over 150 laptops covering every price point and use case. Whether you’re looking for a productivity workhorse, a serious gaming system or a multimedia machine to kick back and watch a movie or two, we can help you find your ideal match.

In order to make our best laptops list, the system needs to score at least 4 out of 5 stars on our reviews and deliver on the things shoppers care about most. In our evaluations, we focus on design and comfort, display quality, the keyboard and touchpad, performance, battery life and especially value.

What are the best Dell and Alienware laptops right now?

The Dell XPS 13 (2020) remains our favorite overall system in Dell and Alienware's impressive catalog of laptops. Not only is the laptop incredibly light, Dell found ways to shrink the notebook's footprint while increasing the size of its keyboard, touchpad and display. Speaking of display, this is the first XPS system to feature a four-sided InfinityEdge display. And it doesn't skimp on the power. But if you need a bit more power and a bigger laptop, the XPS 15 and XPS 17 have got you covered.

Mobile professionals should consider the Dell Latitude 7410. Packed powerful specs, the laptop is ready for anything you can throw at it whether its a data-packed spreadsheet or an important video meeting with your team. It has enhanced security features to keep sensitive information safe and can last well past an 8-hour workday. Plus, it's portable enough for a daily commute but small enough to fit comfortably in your work from home station.

And for the gamers, there's the Alienware m17 R3 which is packed to the gills with powerful specs. This latest iteration sports the stylish good looks of the Legend design. Plus, you get one of Nvidia's new Super GPUs and Intel's 10th Gen processors. That's more than enough to lay the smackdown on whatever digital foe you might encounter.

See our picks for best Dell and Alienware laptops below.

The best Dell and Alienware laptops you can buy today

Thanks to its mix of design, portability and performance, the Dell XPS 13 (2020) is our best Dell laptop overall. (Image credit: Future)

1. Dell XPS 13 (2020) The best Dell laptop overall CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512 M.2 NVMe SSD | Display: 13.4 inches, 1080p | Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds Attractive, premium chassis Powerful performance Excellent battery life Lacks legacy ports

The Dell XPS 13 (2020) is a powerhouse. That's due to Dell's bold decision making and unceasing commitment to innovation. Following up on the 2019 version, which was excellent in its own right, Dell takes its innovation to the next level by removing the last bezel on the company's InfinityEdge display. That means the laptop is virtually borderless, making it the first of its kind. . It's an exercise in patient restraint, improving the notebook in a bunch of small ways that add up to a big leap for the system.

You get a laptop that's got a larger display with a bigger, more comfortable keyboard and touchpad, all in a chassis that's somehow smaller than its predecessor's. Cosmetic changes aside, the XPS 13 is plenty powerful, with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and boasts over 12 hours of battery life. That's why the Dell XPS 13 is one of the best notebooks available.

See our full Dell XPS 13 (2020) review.

The Dell XPS 15 is top 15-inch Dell laptop thanks to its performance and gorgeous OLED display. (Image credit: Future)

2. Dell XPS 15 (2019) A gorgeous mobile workhorse CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-QIntel UHD 630 Graphics | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Display: 15.6 inches, 4K | Size: 13.6 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds Visit Site Attractive premium chassis Bright, vivid, super high-res display Great overall and graphics performance Expensive Runs a bit hot

Small tweaks add up to big changes. That’s the lesson Dell has been teaching me this year. First with the Dell XPS 13, and now with the new Dell XPS 15 ($1,299 starting, $2,349 as reviewed). It kept the winning components of the laptop, such as its beautiful industrial design, discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU and jaw-dropping 4K display.

But Dell didn’t stop there. The company managed to make the laptop 5.5% smaller than the previous model while making the keys and touchpad significantly larger. And while that might seem minor, the four-border InfinityEdge bezel has made possible one of the highest resolution displays on the market. Plus, armed with a 10th Gen processor and discrete Nvidia GeForce GPU, the Dell XPS 15 is a serious force to be reckoned with.

See our full Dell XPS 15 (2020) review.

The Alienware Area-51m packs loads of power and is our top Alienware laptop. (Image credit: Future)

3. Alienware Area-51m A desktop replacement that's totally upgradable CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 | RAM: 64GB | Storage: 1TB PCIe M.2 SSDs/1TB (+8GB SSHD) Hybrid Drive | Display: 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080/4K | Size: 16.1 x 15.9 x 1.2~1.7 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds Visit Site Stunning space station aesthetic Excellent graphics and overall performance Lightning fast SSDs All major components upgradable Exorbitantly expensive

It's a brand new day for Alienware. One that separates the brand into two specific tracks. With its high cost of entry, the Area-51m is decidedly in the realm of enthusiasts. It's the company's first laptop to wield an eight-core processor and one of the first equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU -- its power is undeniable. It's also one of the first systems in a while that allows you to upgrade the CPU, RAM, storage and GPU. It's a bit pricey, but the power and upgradability are worth the cost of entry.

See our full Alienware Area-51m review.

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 offers versatility and portability but doesn't skimp on performance. (Image credit: Future)

4. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 All the strength and beauty of the XPS 13 but convertible CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650/Intel UHD 630 Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 13.3 inches, 1920 x 1200 | Size: 11.7 x 8.2 x 0.3~0.5 inches | Weight: 2.9 pounds Visit Site Slim, ultraportable design Strong performance Bright, 16:10 display Great battery life Scant on ports Shallow keyboard

Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1 is not only back, but it's new and improved with a bangin' 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, a viciously bright 16:10 display and a plus 10-hour battery life. It has a premium Platinum Silver design on the outside and a gorgeous Arctic White scheme on the inside, laid over a woven glass fiber texture. If you're a fan of the MacBook's keyboard, you'll also take a liking to how Dell constructed the keyboard for the new XPS 13 2-in-1.

See our full Dell XPS 2-in-1 review.

The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) delivers stylish looks and great battery life at an affordable price. (Image credit: Future)

5. Dell G5 15 SE (2020) Best gaming laptop for gaming on a budget CPU: AMD Ryzen R7 4800H | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6 inches, 1080p | Size: 14.4 x 10 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds Visit Site Blistering CPU performance Strong graphics (compared to budget gaming) Great battery life Middling graphics (compared to mainstream gaming) Dim and dull 60Hz display Chunky design

The Dell G5 15 SE with an AMD R7 4800H CPU blows its competitors out of this realm. When paired with a colorful, 15.6-inch display and great battery life, the G5 15 SE is a catch. It's a great mainstream gaming laptop thanks to its wild CPU performance, which outpaced the competition. And with its AMD graphics its got quite a kick on the gaming front. Plus, it has over 7 hours of battery life, which should allow for some prodigious gaming sessions.

In addition to everything else we've mentioned, the notebook also has a comfortable keyboard and a fairly speedy SSD. Plus, there are a host of helpful utilities –– all of this for a sub-$1,000 price tag.

See our full Dell G5 15 SE (2020) review.

The Dell Latitude 9410 2-in-1 is our top choice for mobile professionals. (Image credit: Future)

6. Dell Latitude 9410 2-in-1 The longest-lasting battery life ever CPU: Intel Core i7-8665U | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD | Display: 14 inches, 1920 x 1080 | Size: 12.6 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches | Weight: 3 pounds Record-shattering battery life Premium, durable aluminum chassis Fast performance Display could be brighter Runs a bit warm No webcam cover

Dell is proving that it's up to the task with the Latitude 9410 2-in-1, a sleek and sturdy business notebook with unmatched battery life. The Latitude 9410's all-aluminum chassis is thin and durable. Housed within are powerful components, including a 10th Gen Intel Core CPU capable of running demanding workloads. And when you're off the clock, the Latitude 14-inch, 1080p display captures rich colors, although it could get brighter.

But what makes the Latitude 9410 2-in-1 a true contender to the other best business laptops is its nearly 17 hours of battery life. Throw in stylus support and you've got one of the most versatile business laptops on the market.

See the full Dell Latitude 9410 2-in-1 review.

The Alienware m17 R3 got a new look with the same performance and battery life you'd expect from an Alienware laptop. (Image credit: Future)

7. Alienware m17 R3 New design, same impressive power CPU: Intel Core i9-10980HK | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super /Intel UHD 630 Graphics | RAM: 32GB | Storage: dual 1TB PCIe m.2 SSDs | Display: 17.3 inches, 4K | Size: 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.7~0.8 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds Visit Site Attractive, lightweight design for a desktop replacement Great graphics and overall performance Beautiful 4K display Seriously expensive Below-average battery life

The Alienware m17 is here and it’s even better than the previous models. Sporting Intel’s new 10th Gen H-Series processor and an Nvidia Super GPU, the Alienware m17 R3 is a formidable force in the gaming laptop arena. Not only is the laptop powerful, but it’s got an intergalactic elegance that’s a bonafide head turner. It’s also one of the lightest desktop replacements on the market. Plus, you get a downright stunning 4K display that’s worth the price of admission.

The Alienware m17 R3 lives at the intersection of beauty and power. The laptop is one of the lightest desktop replacements on the market and sports a sophisticated design you don’t often see in gaming laptops. But beyond its stunning good looks, you have a laptop loaded with some seriously powerful components that deliver the high level of performance you’d expect from a notebook of this caliber. Throw in a lovely 4K display and a comfortable keyboard and you’ve got the makings of a good time.

See our full Alienware m17 R3 review.

The Dell XPS 17 offer big performance in a chassis that's smaller than most 15-inch laptops. (Image credit: Future)

8. Dell XPS 17 The smallest 17-inch laptop on the market CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD | Display: 17 inches, 2400p | Size: 14.7 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds Attractive, compact chassis Powerful overall and graphics performance Great battery life Expensive Lacks legacy ports

Whoever said bigger is better must have been referring to the Dell XPS 17. The laptop takes everything we loved about its smaller sisters and supersizes it –– but not really, because despite wielding a magnificent 17-inch, 4K panel, the XPS 17 is smaller than most 15-inch systems. And if that isn’t impressive enough, the performance of its 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU should be. And let’s not forget the speedy SSD, bumping sound, and highly efficient thermal system.

If you’re looking for a true competitor to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, look no further. The Dell XPS 17 can handle all of your productivity/creativity/multimedia needs thanks to its 10th Gen Intel processor and Nvidia RTX 2060, two powerful components that help the XPS 17 surpass its competitors in many categories. Plus, you get a stunning display, excellent sound system and an agile SSD –– all in a chassis that’s 48% smaller than most 15-inch laptops on the market. And despite its super high-res display, it lasted over 9 hours on our battery test.

See our full Dell XPS 17 review

The Dell Precision 7540 crams workstation-level power into a Dell XPS chassis. (Image credit: Future)

9. Dell Precision 7540 A Precision in the XPS' clothing CPU: Intel Xeon E2286M | GPU: Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 | RAM: 64GB | Storage: 500GB M.2 SSD | Display: 15.6 inches, 4K | Size: 14.7 x 9.9 x 1.0 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds Excellent 4K HDR display Best-in-class computing power Great battery life Low-quality webcam Very expensive, especially with 4K display

The latest in the company's line of semiportable, high-spec mobile workstations, the Precision 7540 doesn't beat around the bush. It offers intense computing power in a simple, clean package. The machine is for serious business, which means it costs serious money. However, an Intel Xeon CPU, Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 and a best-in-class 4K HDR display — some of the laptop's best features — are worth the cost of admission. The Precision 7540 Workstation is an especially good option if you have serious work to get done, such as crunching data sets, encoding video or pulling reports from across the internet.

The Dell Precision 7540 is the very definition of a high-end laptop workstation. Powerful and efficient with a vibrant 4K display, it excels with all kinds of work. And it's no slouch when it's time to play, either. With great battery life and strong upgrades to improve security, the 7540 is a well-rounded, versatile PC for long-distance commuters and other workers who need a machine with some mobility, but don't necessarily need a daily carry.

See our full Dell Precision 7540 review.

Designed to stand up to drops, humidity and anything else you can throw at it, the Dell Latitude 5420 Rugged is built tough. (Image credit: Future)

10. Dell Latitude 5420 Rugged The toughest laptop around CPU: Intel Core i7-8650U | GPU: AMD Radeon RX540 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 14 inches, 1920 x 1080 | Size: 13.7 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds Visit Site Super-bright display Survives 3-foot drops Strong performance Long battery life Comfortable RGB keyboard Expensive No Thunderbolt 3 Poorly designed stylus garage

If you need a capable all-around laptop that can brave the outdoors, look no further than the Latitude 5420 Rugged. With a bright 1080p display, a relatively slim chassis and a responsive touchpad, the Latitude 5420 addresses the biggest problems we've previously encountered with rugged laptops. And it does so without sacrificing durability or performance, thanks to its military-grade strength and capable Core i7 CPU. Better yet, the Latitude 5420 offers all-day battery life, despite sporting a chassis that's thinner than those of its rugged rivals.

See our full Dell Latitude 5420 Rugged review.