The best Asus laptops have come out of their shell. These days, beyond delivering performance at a more affordable price than the competition, these portables now boast high-quality builds and top-notch designs that rival that of Dell’s or Apple’s. No wonder they’re among the best laptops of the year.

The Taiwanese firm may be known for making some of the best PCs and PC components but it’s also putting out the best Asus laptops that look as great as they perform. These machines are quite capable, with high-quality build, top-notch design, and impressive performance. And while some of them are admittedly pricier than the others, they’re still more affordable than the competition.

So be sure to take a look at the best Asus laptops of 2021, led by the stunning ROG Zephyrus line, one of the top gaming laptops available at the moment. If you’re in the market for one of the best Chromebooks or are searching for one of the best Ultrabooks, there are some great choices here as well.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 GA503

(Image credit: Asus)

1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15

Desktop-replacement performance

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H – 9 5900HS

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – 3080

RAM: Up to 32GB

Screen: 15.6-inch QHD (1440p), 165Hz, 3ms, 300 nits

Storage: 1TB

Reasons to buy

+Outstanding performance+Incredible battery life+Great price

Reasons to avoid

No webcamTenkeyless keyboard

The Asus ROG Zephyrus line has produced some of the best gaming laptops out there, and the new ROG Zephyrus G15 is no exception. Fitted with the latest and most powerful AMD Ryzen and Nvidia RTX 3000 series, they’re incredibly powerful and able to see you through the most demanding games. Of course, that legendary battery life has made an appearance, as well as that stylish chassis. If you want a high performing gaming laptop that’s affordably priced to boot, nothing beats this one.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus G15

Asus Chromebook Flip

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2. Asus Chromebook Flip

Premium Chromebook specs, economic Chromebook pricing

Specifications

CPU: Intel Pentium 4405Y – Intel Core m3-6Y30

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515

RAM: 4GB

Screen: 12.5-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED backlit anti-glare

Storage: 32GB – 64GB eMMC

Reasons to buy

+Elegant tablet mode+Tactile keyboard

Reasons to avoid

No out-of-box Android app supportMiddling speakers

The best Asus laptops aren’t just premium all-singing, all-dancing devices with huge price tags, as the excellent Asus Chromebook Flip C302 demonstrates. The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 brings a lot of what we love about Asus laptops to an affordable Chromebook that’s ideal for day-to-day tasks and for students working on their homework. That means it’s got excellent build quality, a fantastic design and packs some great hardware that makes it one of the best Chromebooks out there, with an Intel Core processor, full 1080p display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard and USB-C port.

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip

Asus ROG Strix G15

(Image credit: Future)

3. Asus ROG Strix G15 AMD Advantage Edition

AMD’s swing at the high-end

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX

Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800M

RAM: 16GB

Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1080pp), 300Hz

Storage: 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+Excellent performance+Jaw-dropping battery life

Reasons to avoid

Some growing pains

Powerful great-value laptops aren’t exactly a dime a dozen, so when one does come out every now and then, we’re only too happy to test it out. The Asus ROG Strix G15 AMD Advantage Edition isn’t just one of the best Asus gaming laptops; it’s also one of the latest best value laptops to hit the streets. It’s AMD’s successful swing at the high-end, boasting AMD’s top processor and GPU. But, it isn’t just its performance that takes center stage here. That battery life is astounding as well, especially considering those powerful specs.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix G15 AMD Advantage Edition

Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502

(Image credit: Asus)

4. Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502

Intel’s latest mobile tech brings its A game

Specifications

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i7

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti – RTX 2070 Super

RAM: 16GB

Screen: 15.6-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 16:9 anti-glare display, 60Hz – 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS, 144Hz

Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD

Reasons to buy

+Excellent battery life+Good gaming performance+Fast screen

Reasons to avoid

Not the most powerfulYou’re paying a lot for the design

Those in the market for a mid-range gaming device might adore the Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502. It’s a great-looking piece of kit, serving as another entry to Asus’ much-vaunted ROG Zephyrus lineup of stylish thin and light gaming laptops. And, that fast screen makes it a joy for gamers with a predilection for fast-paced games. But, does it measure up to the most powerful laptops out there? While not cutting-edge, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502’s specs are decent for graphically intensive games and its battery can last a while, which makes it the best Asus laptop if you’re not looking for a maxed out machine.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502

Asus VivoBook S15

(Image credit: Asus)

5. Asus VivoBook S15

Thin, light and capable

Specifications

CPU: up to 10th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9

Graphics: Intel UHD 620

RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB 2400MHz DDR4

Screen: 15.6” LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS level wide-view technology

Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+Bright, colourful 15.6-inch screen+Weighs just 1.8kg+Powerful i7 processor

Reasons to avoid

Merely average battery lifeOnly 1080p resolutionScreenPad is a bit weird

In a nutshell, the Asus VivoBook S15 is one of the best laptops we’ve tested in recent months. Short of handling heavy-duty gaming, this is an extremely capable laptop that’s just as impressive as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but is smaller, lighter and considerably less expensive. If you’re looking for a powerful laptop without paying a premium, this is among the very few out there worth considering. And, you’re getting a vivid screen, an ErgoLift hinge for a better typing position and that legendary ASUS ScreenPad to improve your productivity with it. So you’re basically getting a feature-rich laptop for considerably less than its rivals. 

Read the full review: Asus VivoBook S15

Asus ZenBook Flip 15

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6. Asus ZenBook Flip 15

A capable and premium 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q

RAM: 8GB – 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz

Screen: 15.6″ (16:9) LED-backlit FHD (1920×1080) – 4K UHD (3840×2160) 60Hz Glare Touchscreen

Storage: 512GB – 1TB PCIe Gen3 SSD

Reasons to buy

+Incredibly thin and light+Vibrant, glare-free screen

Reasons to avoid

Weak sauce graphicsTinny speakers

If you are looking for a great all-rounder that ticks a lot of boxes, then you’ll appreciate the Asus ZenBook Flip 15. This premium laptop delivers all the right basics and a few innovative extras on top of that. Among the best Asus laptops out there, this 2-in-1 top-notcher boasts powerful specs – including a discrete graphics card – as well as a stunning touchscreen display, a flawless design, plenty of ports, facial recognition login, and a portable chassis. As for its extras, if the unique 360-degree ErgoLift hinge, Asus ScreenPad, Harman Kardon speakers and Alexa integration don’t impress you, we don’t know what will.

Read the full review: Asus ZenBook Flip 15

Asus TUF A15

(Image credit: Asus)

7. Asus TUF A15

The new affordable gaming king

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H – 7 4800H

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti — RTX 2060

RAM: Up to 32GB

Screen: 15.6″ (16:9) FHD (1920×1080) 60Hz – 144Hz Anti-Glare IPS-level Panel

Storage: 1TB HDD + 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+Great 1080p performance+New AMD processors+Very good battery life

Reasons to avoid

Noisy fansDesign won’t be for everyone

Budget-minded gamers have another excellent option in their hands. While Asus TUF A15’s price tag isn’t exactly bargain basement, it is among the best Asus laptops for those who can stretch their budget just a bit for the sake of performance. This laptop touts not just an excellent display with a 144Hz refresh rate option and fantastic battery life, but also AMD’s latest chips and Nvidia’s best graphics cards for gaming in the budget and mid-range sphere. This gaming laptop is never going to compete with the most powerful out there, but it’s an excellent value for gamers who don’t really care to.

Read the full review: Asus TUF A15

Asus ZenBook Duo 14 UX482E

(Image credit: Future)

8. Asus ZenBook Duo 14 UX482E

The future of laptops?

Specifications

CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce MX450

RAM: Up to 32GB

Screen: 14.0-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 16:9, IPS-level Panel anti-glare touchscreen display, 400nits

Storage: up to 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD

Reasons to buy

+ScreenPad Plus is better+Slim and light design+Great performance

Reasons to avoid

Keyboard placement is awkwardScreenPad Plus still isn’t for everyone

The Asus ZenBook Duo 14 UX482E’s dual-screen format sets it apart from everything else, and that secondary screen isn’t a mere curio either. It’s now more useful and customizable than ever, and its functionality should expand in due time. That’s on top of giving you a second screen to spread out. With or without that second screen, this is also one capable laptop, touting impressive specs for plenty of power, as well as a beautiful main screen and an awesome battery life. This is a game-changer of a laptop, for sure, with plenty of potential that we’re sure to come with updates.

Read the full review: Asus ZenBook Duo 14 UX482E

Asus ZenBook 3

(Image credit: Asus)

9. Asus ZenBook 3

The best all-round Asus laptop

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620

RAM: 16GB

Screen: 12.5-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080)

Storage: 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+Crystal clear display+Lightweight and very portable

Reasons to avoid

Weird fingerprint sensor placementA single USB-C port

If you’re looking for the very best all-round Asus laptop, then the Asus ZenBook 3 is the one to get. This is an exceptionally light Asus laptop, measuring less than half an inch thick, and weighing only two pounds. Asus’s ZenBook range of ultra-thin laptops have shown the world how to do gorgeously-designed thin and light laptops right, all the while packing with powerful components. It’s a pricey laptop, to be sure, but if you’re after the very best of what Asus has to offer, the ZenBook 3 is a fantastic choice.

Read the full review: Asus ZenBook 3

ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333FAC

(Image credit: ASUS)

10. ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333FAC

A 13-inch laptop with a number pad

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7 10510U

Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620

RAM: 16 GB

Screen: 13.3″ (16:9) LED-backlit FHD (1920×1080) 60Hz

Storage: 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+Has a numpad+Really compact+Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

Weird keyboard layoutNo Thunderbolt 3

Asus is offering another reason to go for 13-inch laptops – the numeric pad that’s understandably a constant no-show on most laptops. The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333FAC has found a way to add the feature, albeit a virtual one, on its trackpad, which now acts like Apple’s Touch Bar to accommodate it. But, it isn’t the only feature this laptop boasts. It’s got excellent battery life, a thin bezeled display and an impressive performance in a sophisticated chassis that you can easily show off at business meetings. The keyboard is slightly cramped and the display is non-touch, but it’s pretty affordable so those aren’t deal-breakers.