The best thing about laptops is that they can go anywhere, including outside. Sometimes it’s nice to get some fresh air while you work, and the portability of laptops provides you with the freedom needed to achieve this. That being said, not all laptops have screens that are bright enough to counter sun glare, and even some of the best devices out there aren’t suited for the outdoors. Therefore, we put together a list of the best laptops available right now with bright screens that effectively nullify glare.
Maximum brightness
Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha 13.3-inch QLED
Staff pick
The Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha is a powerful, well-rounded convertible that features Samsung’s superb outdoor mode that allows you to boost the display to up to 600 nits of brightness, making it our top choice. It’s also considerably more affordable than many competing devices, which is great if you don’t have a huge budget.
From $1,050 at Samsung
From $1,100 at Amazon {.end}
Cutting-edge power
Dell XPS 13 Plus
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a new version of Dell’s iconic Ultrabook that features top-of-the-line 12th Gen Intel CPUs, DDR5 RAM, and a snazzy design with a razor-thin profile and a large, comfortable keyboard. It also comes with a stellar and bright display that looks phenomenal. It’s pricier than the classic Dell XPS 13, but it’s worth it.
A true classic
Dell XPS 13 (9310) 13.4-inch
The tried-and-true Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops in the world, featuring excellent specs, a premium design, and a killer display that, while not as bright as Samsung’s outdoor mode, is still quite bright. It also has industry-leading battery life, ensuring that you won’t need to worry about charging too often.
$1,649 at Amazon From $1,196 at Dell
Stellar convertible
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9310) 13.4-inch
If you prefer 2-in-1s and want the best of the best, we recommend the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. It’s essentially everything that makes the Dell XPS 13 great (including the bright screen) in a convertible design. Even though it can be expensive, the additional flexibility offered by the laptop’s design is definitely worth it.
Highly configurable option
Dell XPS 15 (9520) 15.6-inch
The Dell XPS 15 features a similar display to the Dell XPS 13, and also it has tons of configuration options. This makes it great for people who are highly specific about the specs they want. It’s also a good choice for folks who find 13-inch displays too small.
From $4,299 at Amazon From $1,420 at Dell
17-inch king
Dell XPS 17 (9700) 17-inch
The Dell XPS 17 is a beast of a laptop with quality specs, Dell’s stellar laptop design, and a huge, bright display that nullifies glare effectively. It’s perfect for creators, and it’s capable of performing solidly for gaming as well.
From $1,812 at Dell
$2,400 at Amazon {.end}
Gaming-focused option
Gigabyte AERO 17 YE5 17.3-inch 120Hz
With its NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, powerful Intel Core i9-12900HK CPU, and 32GB of DDR5 memory, the AERO 17 is one of the best gaming-focused laptops available today (it doesn’t come cheap, though). It also has an extremely bright 4K Mini LED display that looks gorgeous and effectively counters glare.
Brightness on a budget
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 15.6-inch
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is an excellent choice if you need top brightness on a budget, as it’s the most affordable Samsung laptop that still features Samsung’s outdoor mode. The performance and design of the Galaxy Book Pro are both great, too.
$849 at Amazon
$899 at B&H {.end}
If we had to choose
All of these laptops are excellent, but if we had to choose just one, it would be the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha. With its dependable and capable specs, fair price, and the inclusion of Samsung’s special brightness mode that boosts the display to 600 nits, it’s the best overall option on the market for something reliable to use while outside. Its convertible design also makes it more versatile than traditional clamshell devices, allowing you to use it like a tablet while on the go.
If you’d prefer something that delivers stronger performance while still offering a bright screen, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is for you. Its exceptional specs and superb physical design make it one of the best laptops ever made, and its amazing display is very bright, too.
Finally, if you’re looking for a device that can handle the latest and greatest games without even breaking a sweat, look no further than the Gigabyte AERO 17 YE5. Its RTX 3080 Ti graphics and 12th Gen i9 CPU offer near-unparalleled gaming performance, and it’s got a beautifully bright 4K display, too.
If the laptops in this roundup don’t appeal to you, make sure you check out our list of the best Windows laptops for more great options.