The Best Mac for Video Editing

Key takeaways:

• The MacBook Pro provides the best value for money among Macs for video editing. It features a high-resolution display, powerful performance, and portability—all at an affordable starting price.
• The Mac Studio is a powerful option best suited for professionals who prefer to work at a desk; however, users will need to purchase peripherals separately.
• The MacBook Air is the best choice for beginners who don’t need much power and prefer a budget-friendly option. It’s perfect for casual editing wherever they are.
• The Mac mini is the best budget-friendly option, though it has the downside of being non-portable and lacking peripherals.

Macs are some of the most powerful and versatile computers available. With their high-resolution displays and powerful chips, they’re ideal for both professional editors and casual users who may not require as much raw power. We’re here to help you find the best MacBook for video editing based on your needs.

A note from our experts

 

Videos take up much space on your Mac and video editing apps load caches on your Mac. Mackeeper’s Safe Cleanup helps you cope with both issues. You can remove junk files before downloading a new video and clear the cahe after using the editing app.

 

Here's how to use Safe Cleanup:

1. Download and run MacKeeper, and select Safe Cleanup.
2. Click Start Scan.
3. When the scan is finished, select what you want to remove.
4. Click Clean Junk Files.

Recommended system requirements for video editing

When choosing the best Mac for video editing, you need to work out what projects you’re planning to work on. You should consider the type and length of footage, the complexity of the job, output formats, and whether you’ll be editing online or offline. Check our guide on how to record video on Mac if you’re going to be editing screen recordings.

To reliably edit video on your Mac, you’ll need to select the right hardware:

1. Screen
2. GPU
3. CPU
4. RAM
5. Storage
6. Ports and expansion options

1. Screen

Video is, of course, a visual medium, so important to have a good screen. Not only does it need to be high resolution, but it should also have good color accuracy and brightness, plus a high refresh rate. If you buy an iMac, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, you’ll already have one of the best screens on the market, but if you get a Mac mini, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro, you’ll need a separate monitor.

Apple’s own Studio Display and Pro Display XDR are optimal, but they’re also very expensive. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, look around for deals on non-Apple monitors and read plenty of reviews.

2. GPU

As its name suggests, your Mac’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is responsible for handling graphics. That’s everything from displaying video to running the latest video games. In terms of video editing, your GPU takes some of the strain off your central processing unit (CPU), helping with encoding, rendering, and other tasks.

However, while older Macs often had a separate graphics card, Apple Silicon machines don’t. Instead, the GPU and CPU are on the same chip. Choose one of the newest Apple processors, and you’ll get better GPU performance too.

3. CPU

Apple has now fully shifted all its Macs to Apple Silicon processors. At the time of writing, the newest generation of these chips is the M3, which is currently found in the latest MacBook Air and other models.

The processor is a vital part of video editing. A faster CPU will make encoding and rendering quicker, which can save you a lot of time if you’re working on long, complex, high-definition video projects.

All new Macs are fast enough to handle video editing, but you should get the fastest CPU you can comfortably afford. That doesn’t necessarily mean the newest chip, though. For example, a standard M3 isn’t as powerful as an M2 Ultra.

4. RAM

The lowest amount of random access memory (RAM) you’ll find in a modern Mac is 8GB. For light video editing, this will be okay, but we’d recommend going for more. Video editing tends to use a lot of RAM because your Mac often has to handle a lot of unsaved data. RAM is also used for caching video previews.

For heavier tasks, such as 4K editing, working with 3D, and 360° video editing, you’ll need considerably more RAM. 16GB should be considered the bare minimum, but if you can stretch to 24GB, you should—anything higher is even better.

5. Storage

You’ll often need a lot of storage space for video editing. The longer, more complex, and high-definition your videos are, the bigger your files will be. Before you know it, your projects will end up being many gigabytes in size, and your Mac’s storage will fill up fast.

Newer Macs rely on solid-state drives (SSDs), which are much quicker than traditional mechanical hard drives. They’re also much more expensive, so some of the cheaper Macs may not have enough capacity if you want to store lots of video projects.

You can, of course, buy more storage when you buy your Mac, but you can also use external storage if you want to save some money. You can also compress video if you need to.

6. Ports and expansion options

Apple has streamlined connectivity on its Apple Silicon Macs in recent years. Some, like the new iMacs, only come with a series of Thunderbolt / USB-C ports. To connect an external display or an Ethernet cable, you’ll need an adaptor. Other Macs, though, have a dedicated Ethernet port, USB-A ports, and HDMI. You’ll also find an SDXC card slot on the MacBook Pro.

For video editing, the SDXC card could be useful for getting footage off a camera. An HDMI port would be helpful for connecting external displays. But you shouldn’t place too much importance on these factors, because you can do all the same things with cheap adaptors and USB hubs.

Best MacBook for video editing overall

If you want to edit video on the move, then you’ll need a MacBook. Here’s your best option.

1. MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5, 2025)

The 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with either an M5 Pro or an M5 Max. Whichever version you go for, you’ll have plenty of power for your video editing. The cheapest version offers 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, but you can get up to 40 GPU cores with the M5 Max.

If you opt for this MacBook, you’ll get an excellent 3456 x 2234 display, with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.

RAM is configurable from 24 GB to 128 GB. Make sure to choose enough when you buy the MacBook because you can’t upgrade it later. Storage starts at 1 TB but can go all the way up to 8 TB, if you have deep enough pockets.

This model comes with a handy SDXC slot. You also get three Thunderbolt 5 ports, so if you have a lot of accessories to plug in, you’ll need a suitable hub. This Mac also includes an HDMI for external displays.

MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5, 2025) specs

Best desktop Mac for video editing

If you’re planning to edit video on a desktop, we generally recommend using the powerful Mac Studio, although peripherals (such as screen, keyboard, and mouse) are sold separately.

2. Mac Studio (M4, 2025)

For video editing at home or in an office, the Mac Studio is perfect. This is a compact but powerful system designed specifically for the demands of professional creative work. Whether you choose the 14-core M4 Max version or the 32-core M3 Ultra version, you’ll get more than enough power for video editing. With up to 80 GPU cores, this Mac will have no problem handling even your largest video projects.

You won’t struggle for RAM, either. The lowest you can get with this model is 36 GB, but that’s configurable up to 96 GB.

You also get an SDXC slot and two USB-C ports on the front, as well as a good selection of connectivity on the back.

Your storage options start at just 512 GB, but can go up to 16 TB, which is an upgrade from the previous model. You’ll have to pay extra to get more storage or use external drives.

You’ll also need to buy a separate monitor, so you should factor that into your costs. You can connect up to eight screens at once—great for multitaskers.

Mac Studio (M4, 2025) specs

3. iMac 24-inch (M4, 2024)

For several years now, Apple has offered only one iMac model on its website: the 24-inch model, which is the preferred choice for professionals who work at home or in the office. While older models with larger screens are still available on the secondhand market, the 24-inch iMac should meet all your editing needs.

If you buy this 24-inch iMac, you can look forward to editing your videos on a gorgeous 4480 x 2520 display. You’ll also get 8 to 10 CPU cores and 8 to 10 GPU cores, plus at least 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of storage.

This Mac provides a decent variety of ports, which is particularly beneficial for users who connect external storage devices and other peripherals. The standard model features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the three higher-end models offer a total of four. However, unlike other desktop Macs, this model lacks an HDMI port or an SDXC card slot.

iMac 24-inch (M4, 2024) specs

Best portable Macs for video editing

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the best Mac laptop for video editing, but it’s also heavy. If portability matters more than pure power and screen size, choose one of these.

4. MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)

If you want a light but powerful machine you can take on the road, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is the best value choice. But if display size is also an important factor to you, then the 16-inch version should be at the top of your list.

Starting from $1,699, this laptop comes with a choice of different M5 chip versions—all the way up to the M5 Max with 18 CPU and 40 GPU cores. In all cases, it’ll handle most video editing tasks easily, and videos will look great on the 3024 x 1964 display. 

You have a choice of RAM options, ranging from 36 GB to 128 GB. You can choose SSD storage from 2 TB up to 8 TB, but the price quickly increases as you opt for more space.

Weighing in at 3.4 lbs (1.55 kg) but with a thickness of less than an inch, the MacBook Pro isn’t as light as the MacBook Air, but it’s still good for video editing on the go—as is the long battery life.

MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) specs

5. MacBook Air 13-inch (M5, 2025)

For the ultimate in power and portability, there’s really one option—the new MacBook Air. If you want a lightweight MacBook for video editing, this laptop won’t disappoint. Weighting just 2.7 lbs (1.23 kg), it’s easy to sling this into a satchel and backpack and be on your way.

Interestingly, you can also buy a 15-inch MacBook Air, and that’s not a bad option. However, the 13-inch model is more affordable and sufficiently powerful for casual video editing. The M5 chip offers 10 CPU cores and either 8 or 10 GPU cores.

The least RAM you can get is 16 GB, but this is configurable up to 32 GB. This is quite low compared to some of the other Macs available today, but it should still be okay for most projects.

The 13-inch MacBook Air’s display has a resolution of 2560 x 1664, which is plenty for a screen of this size. The important thing is that it's nice and bright, with good viewing angles and color reproduction.

In terms of connectivity, you only get two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so bear that in mind.

Obviously, the MacBook Air isn’t the best Mac for film editing, but it’s still capable and very, very portable.

MacBook Air 13-inch (M5, 2025) specs

Best budget-friendly Macs for video editing

The top Macs for video editing have all the best features but also the highest prices. If you want a cheaper alternative, you have plenty of options too.

6. Mac mini (M4, 2024)

It may be small, but the latest Mac mini packs a hell of a punch. If you’ve got the budget, it’s worth springing for the version with the 14-core M4 Pro chip, but even the 10-core M4 version is impressive. Coming in at $799, it's the cheapest way to buy into the power of Apple Silicon.

The Mac mini didn’t used to be the best Apple computer for video editing, but it can still handle high-definition content. Encoding and rendering will take a bit longer than with more powerful systems, but if you’re not in a rush, you’ll find this Mac does a good job.

The lowest amount of RAM you can get is 16 GB, but we’d suggest upgrading if you can. You can get up to 48 GB, if you can afford it.

Storage starts at 512 GB, which might not be enough if you’re going to be processing a lot of footage. As with other Macs, you can either pay for the upgrade when you buy the Mac mini or rely on external storage.

All Mac mini models come with HDMI, Ethernet, and two USB-A ports. The M4 model comes with Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M4 Pro includes Thunderbolt 5 ports.

Mac mini (M4, 2024) specs

Make the right choice for your video editing needs

Macs are a great choice for video editing, and you have plenty of choices. You should find a good balance between power and price, taking into account the kind of video you’ll be working on and what you can reasonably afford.

The best Mac for video editing may be the Mac Pro, but for most people, that’s a luxury they can’t afford. As such, we believe the MacBook Pro, in either its 14-inch or 16-inch version, could be a better choice.

In fact, all-in-one systems like iMacs and MacBooks are a good option, as it means you don’t have to think about getting the right monitor. However, you shouldn’t rule out the Mac mini either. You can pair it with an external monitor anyway, including those made by Apple.

If you need to save money, the best compromise to make is on storage, because you can always plug in external drives if you need to.

Adding some tunes to your videos? Make sure you get the best Mac for music production too.

And, of course, don’t forget to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup to keep your Mac free of junk files that can slow you down when you’re editing your next masterpiece.

FAQ

How do you choose a Mac laptop for video editing?

To choose a Mac laptop for video editing, you have to look for the best specs on your budget. Ideally, your editing Mac should have a Retina display, M2, M3 or M4 processor, and at least 16GB of RAM. However, if you plan to work with 4K or 8K material, make sure to configure the Mac to the highest specs you can afford.

How do you choose a processor for video editing?

To choose a processor for video editing, you have to focus on the resolution you work with. A rule of thumb is that the higher the resolution, the more powerful a processor you need. You should also look at GPU performance. With Apple Silicon Macs, the CPU and GPU are on the same chip, so you should look at how many CPU cores and GPU cores you’re getting with your new Mac.

Is GPU or CPU more important for video editing?

To understand whether the GPU or the CPU is more important for video editing, you have to focus on the task itself. Video editing is the process of retrieving, changing, and storing data that requires a lot of processing power. Since the CPU is your source of processing power, it’s more important than the GPU for editing.