Owning a good home computer can make your daily tasks quicker and easier. However, choosing the wrong one could result in a model that is too slow or too expensive for your needs. With so many manufacturers and specifications, knowing where to start can be difficult. Some models offer customizable parts and components, while others come pre-built and ready to use straight out of the box.
While the best laptops are more portable, computers generally offer better performance and power and a large monitor ideal for gaming, watching content, and viewing or editing photos.
The best home computer fits your budget, available space, and, most importantly, the tasks you need to perform. For example, if you want to do advanced video editing or coding, you'll need a powerful computer with a capable graphics processing unit (GPU). The same goes for playing the latest games at high settings. However, if you only need a basic machine for checking emails, viewing photos of friends and family, and writing documents, many more affordable options are available.
Whatever your budget or home computer requirements, we’ve listed below the best home computers you can buy.
The best home computers we recommend in 2025
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While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.
The best home computer overall
The HP 27-inch All-in-One Desktop is a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable home setup. Its sleek design and impressive features make it stand out. The FHD touchscreen is a highlight, offering vibrant visuals and intuitive touch technology that simplifies navigating tasks. Whether browsing, working or watching shows, the touchscreen enhances the experience with clarity and responsiveness.
Under the hood, the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor boosts performance with speed, making tasks and creative work a breeze. The AMD Radeon graphics ensure smooth gaming and streaming without any lag. With 16GB of DDR4 RAM, multitasking is seamless, allowing you to switch between apps effortlessly. Storage is another strong suit, with a PCIe NVMe SSD offering up to 15 times faster performance than traditional hard drives. The 1TB SSD capacity provides ample space for files, photos, and videos, so you won't run out of room for your essential documents or memories.
The HP True Vision FHD IR camera is excellent for video calls. It integrates Windows Hello for secure logins and has an 88-degree wide-angle view for clear group calls. Connectivity options include USB Type-C and Type-A ports with a 5Gbps signaling rate, offering flexibility for connecting external devices. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure fast and reliable connections.
The three-sided micro-edge display maximizes screen space, creating an immersive viewing experience. Anti-glare technology and flicker-free adjustments make it comfortable for extended use. Plus, the sustainable design, using post-consumer recycled plastics and certified as EPEAT Gold and ENERGY STAR, shows HP's commitment to reducing environmental impact.
However, some users have noted concerns about the stand's quality and flexibility. While many appreciate its design, some find it less sturdy than expected, especially for frequent height adjustments.
The best home computer on a budget
The best premium home computer
The best home computer tower
The best mini home computer
The best Apple home computer
The best home computer for RAM
How to choose the best home computer for you
There are several key components to the best home computers. Here’s a quick rundown of what they are and what they do.
CPU
Short for “Central Processing Unit,” think of the CPU as the brain of a home computer that’s in charge of lining up tasks and ensuring they’re completed.
In Apple machines, the company now uses its own system on a chip (SoC), which contains multiple components. This makes it quicker because it’s not transferring data.
On the other hand, Intel and AMD are the primary manufacturers of CPUs on Windows and ChromeOS machines, and they’ll pass on information to the GPU.
GPU
The Graphics Processing Unit is more commonly referred to as a graphics card, and the more powerful your GPU, the more impressive graphical fidelity you’ll get while working on large video projects or playing the latest games.
Because Apple now integrates both the CPU and GPU on the same chip, their machines have a sort of “ceiling” depending on the chip in your device. On the other hand, Windows machines are much more customizable (if you know what you’re doing), and you can put a GPU that outpaces the latest game consoles inside.
RAM
If your CPU is the brain and your GPU is the muscle, then RAM essentially acts as the nerves connecting the two. Short for Random Access Memory, the more RAM you have, the more you can do at once – meaning more RAM is ideal for multitasking.
More RAM is also ideal for gaming because it means the CPU and GPU can “talk” more easily. Many GPUs even have their own dedicated RAM so that they have more resources to pull from.
Storage
While your personal memories and files used to be stored on large mechanical hard drives (HDDs) that were prone to failure after extended periods of use, things are a little different in the modern computing world.
That’s because much of the industry has moved to Solid State Drives (SSDs), which don’t have moving parts and are more reliable in the long term. They’re also much faster than older drives and have advanced to take up much less space – allowing for slimmer computers.
Home computer FAQs
What extras do you need to buy?
If you get an All-in-One computer, like an iMac, you don't need any extras to get started. However, if you're buying a desktop tower - like most of the PCs on our list - then you'll need extra equipment.
Monitor - Unless you plug your PC into the TV, which we don't recommend as a full-time solution for anything other than it being a media center, you'll need a monitor. Most PC monitors start around 24 inches and can go well past 32 inches. We think the sweet spot is a 27-inch monitor for most home offices. Almost all monitors are Full HD ready now, so they will display up to 1080p, which is fine for anything except higher-demand tasks like video and photo editing and high-end gaming. For these, you may need either a higher-refresh monitor or a 4K screen. Monitors start at just over $100 and run to... well, over $2000 for the mega gaming screens.
Keyboard - Yeah, you'll need a keyboard for your desktop, too. Happily, you can get a wired keyboard and mouse combo for around $25, which is only a little extra on top of your PC purchase. Most manufacturers offer the chance to bundle a keyboard and mouse when you buy a desktop, so we suggest you just do that.
Mouse - As mentioned above, you'll also need a mouse, but they can be easily bundled with a keyboard at a little extra expense when you buy. While you'll probably be fine with a wired keyboard, we do think it's worth paying a little extra for a wireless mouse to eliminate the tangle of wires.
Cables - While most PCs come with all the cables you need, it's worth considering whether or not you need to plug anything else in. Some monitors include an HDMI, for example, but not all do. If you want to plug into your router for a wired connection, you'll need an ethernet cable to do that.
Router - While almost all households have a router nowadays, it should be mentioned that you can't access the internet without one, so make sure you have a router when you buy your PC. We have a list of the best wireless routers if you need them, although most internet providers will bundle one with their subscription plans.
Webcam - While some All-in-One computers come with built-in webcams, and some monitors have them, you'll likely need a separate camera if you want to take part in video calls or record yourself. Again, we have a guide to the best webcams, and they really aren't all that expensive.
Printer - This isn’t a necessity, but a printer is a great addition to your home office setup. A good all-in-one printer will let you print, scan, and copy documents from the comfort of your own home - ideal when you’re working from home. If you’re short on space, you could get a compact printer, while photography buffs can benefit from a photo printer to make the most of your camera work.
