Looking for the best Mac for video editing?
There are many reasons for needing a video-editing Mac; maybe you’re a new YouTuber or perhaps a professional needing an upgrade.
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If your budget is high, that changes things; if you want something small and portable, that’s another factor, but Apple has a Mac for everyone.
There is a good reason why professionals and hobbyists choose Apple computers even though they are more expensive than other competitors. Buyers can trust the durability and stability of Apple computers. Each Apple device has powerful hardware, a compact design, excellent battery life, and some of the best displays you will find on any computer.
For further details on what to look for in a video-editing computer and how we’ve determined the best Macs for video editing, check out our full guide in this article.
9+ Best Mac for Video Editing in 2022
Note: Our list of the top 10 best Macs for video editing in 2022 is based on features, specifications, real-world performance, popularity, price, and user reviews.
- Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) — The best Mac for video editing in 2022 overall (Editor’s choice)
- Apple Mac Mini 2020 — The best Mac on a budget for video editing
- Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) — The best value Mac for video editing
- Apple iMac (24-inch, 2021) — The best iMac for video editing
- Apple iMac (27-inch, 2020) — The best Mac for video editing with a large display
- Apple Mac Studio 2022 — The best Apple workstation for video editing
- Apple MacBook Air 2020 — The most portable Mac for video editing
- Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) — The best MacBook on a budget
- Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) — The best Mac for beginners
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What is the Best Mac for Video Editing?
Apple releases new and exciting products every year, each of which can be a great choice for any kind of video editing. With all of these options, it can be hard to pick the best option but to us, the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) is the best Mac for Video Editing in 2022.
Interested in some of our other top choices, check out our comparison table below.
How to Choose the Best Mac for Video Editing
While any Mac can handle video editing, no two Macs are the same. So before making your next purchase, there are some important technical aspects that you should consider to find the right Mac for your needs. These are a few of them:
Type
Apple’s range of Mac computers can be divided into three main product lines: MacBook, Mac/iMac, and Mac Mini/Studio. Each type of Mac has its advantages and disadvantages, but regardless of whichever option you buy, it will be more than capable of handling video editing tasks.
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iMac
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Apple’s range of desktop computers sold since 1984. The original Macintosh was one of the pioneers in the personal computer space and was one of the first computers to feature a graphical user interface, built-in screen, and mouse.
iMac computers house all of the components of the computer, including a computer processor, hard drive, and monitor in the same casing. All you need is a keyboard and mouse to get going, or if you have it already, a Thunderbolt or USB-C connection.
The Mac series has some of the most powerful computers available, such as the Mac Pro, making it ideal for the most resource-intensive tasks such as editing 4K and 8K footage. It is recommended for those who plan to work from a fixed position such as their office or home.
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MacBook
Apple’s range of laptops needs no introduction. However, you need to know about the two types of MacBooks: Pro and Air. The MacBook Pro is the higher-end version with the best features, whereas the MacBook Air offers most of the features as the Pro but in a more compact, lightweight, and affordable package. A MacBook is ideal for those who want to take their work with them on the go.
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Mac Mini/Studio
The Mac Mini and Studio are a series of small, portable desktop computers designed to take up minimal space on your desk and blend in with your home office or studio. It can turn any screen into a Mac-powered smart computer and comes with the same processor, GPU, and RAM as its full-fledged siblings.
Display
For video editors, screen size is everything. The 13-inch display on the MacBook is the smallest display size on Mac. Then again, if that’s just not big enough for you, the 27-inch iMac has a larger screen size and comes in a smaller design than the bulky desktop Macs.
Those who prefer the middle-ground will be pleased to find a 24-inch iMac that is also available. If you would instead work with external displays, the M1 Mac Mini supports external displays via HDMI and USB-C.
Processor
The Mac lineup has had some big changes in the last couple of years, with the release of Apple’s M1 processor, a significant upgrade over Intel CPUs. The speed and power consumption are much better on the M1 processor. It will soon be considered standard across all Macs, so we recommend purchasing a computer with a processor M1 if your budget allows it.
RAM
RAM is one of the key factors in how fast your device performs, so you should have plenty of RAM if you’re going to use iMac for demanding applications, like high-res editing using Photoshop or Lightroom. While 8GB is enough for basic video editing, we’d suggest going with 16GB of RAM or more if you will be working with 4K, 8K, or 360° footage. It will also help future proof your computer from further upgrades.
GPU
The processor and RAM are important but don’t underestimate the importance of a good GPU for video editing. Apart from the latest M1-powered iMac and MacBooks, all of Apple’s Macs have proper dedicated graphic processing power with either an AMD or an Nvidia card.
The top-of-the-line iMacs and MacBooks have the newest and most robust hardware to keep everything running smoothly. It also includes the incredibly powerful Apple GPU chip, which means it will be able to handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
Storage
Storage space in an iMac is best considered a long-term investment. So unless you absolutely can’t afford to upgrade when you buy an iMac, get as much space as you can afford, as it’s not easy to upgrade afterward.
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256GB is the starting capacity for entry-level Macs but a video editor working with large files, won’t be sufficient. We recommend getting a Mac with 512GB of storage at least, but even if it isn’t feasible, you can always purchase an external storage drive to increase the capacity. You should consider external hard drives that include SSDs and use the Thunderbolt 3 port for the fastest possible transfer speeds.
10+ Best Mac for Video Editing in 2022
1. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) (Editor’s Choice)
The best Mac for video editing in 2022 overall
Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 120Hz refresh rate; 3456 x 2234 native resolution | Graphics: 16-core/32-core GPU | Processor: Apple M1 Pro/M1 Max | RAM: 16GB/32GB | Storage: 512GB/1TB SSD
Apple’s latest flagship, the 2021 MacBook Pro, is a powerful laptop that can do almost anything. Leveraging a breakthrough performance chip, the M1 Pro or M1 Max, with up to 32-core GPU and support for up to 32GB of RAM, it is four times faster than the previous iteration. Add to that the Apple ProRes tech, and you can edit up to seven streams of 8K video at once, without any hitch.
The MacBook Pro is available in two different sizes: 14” and 16.” It has a stunning liquid retina XDR display which is bright with 1600 nits of peak brightness and sharp and makes editing videos on it a real pleasure. ProMotion technology also delivers refresh rates of up to 120Hz, so pick the resolution that matches your footage perfectly, and it won’t give you any lag while working on it.
In terms of connectivity, the 2021 MacBook Pro is the first Apple laptop in a while with more than just USB Type-C Thunderbolt ports, of which there are three. The device also includes an HDMI port and SDXC card slot that you can use to attach your favorite accessories.
If you want to be the one with the best laptop available on the market, it isn’t worth spending your money on anything else. The 2021 MacBook Pro is simply the best laptop around, and money shouldn’t matter if you’re a power user or someone looking to kick start their journey as an editor, this device will make you feel right at home.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Brilliant performance | ➖Expensive |
| ➕120Hz refresh rate | |
| ➕Best-in-class mini LED screen | |
| ➕Plenty of options for connectivity | |
| ➕Efficient battery | |
| ➕Excellent thermal system |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip for a massive leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 10-core CPU delivers up to 2x faster performance to fly through pro workflows quicker than ever
- Up to 32-core GPU with up to 4x faster performance for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for up to 5x faster machine learning performance
- Longer battery life, up to 21 hours
2. Apple Mac Mini 2020
The best Mac on a budget for video editing
Processor: Apple M1/8th generation Intel Core i5 (configurable to i7) | Graphics: 8-core GPU/Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: 8GB/16GB unified memory | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
If you need a fast Mac that takes up very little space, the Mac mini is a good option. Apple’s most flexible desktop computer has been the go-to option for video editors on a budget. It has just been updated with a new, super-fast Apple M1 processor with eight CPU cores and a brand new high-performance GPU for video editing. It is more capable than ever of processing images and video content.
Plus, it can even run iOS apps and games, thanks to the M1 chip. The Mac Mini has two super-fast Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port supporting two displays simultaneously. However, there isn’t an option to add an external GPU and boost the performance, unlike the previous generations of the Mac Mini.
The Apple Mac Mini is an extremely powerful desktop computer, especially for its size. It has the same processing power as a high-end laptop but is much smaller and can be connected to any monitor. It is a great budget-friendly alternative, priced much lower than an Apple iMac or Macbook.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Space-saving design | ➖Doesn’t support external GPUs |
| ➕Speedy M1 chip | ➖Fewer USB-C ports in the M1 model than the Intel model |
| ➕Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports | |
| ➕Compatible with iOS apps and games | |
| ➕WiFi 6 |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- 8-core CPU packs up to 3x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever*
- 8-core GPU with up to 6x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games*
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
- 8GB of unified memory so everything you do is fast and fluid
3. Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
The best value Mac for video editing
Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 120Hz refresh rate; 3456 x 2234 native resolution | Graphics: 14-core/16-core GPU | Processor: Apple M1 Pro/M1 Max | RAM: 16GB/32GB | Storage: 512GB/1TB SSD
Does size matter? Apple is betting that, for a lot of potential customers, it doesn’t. The new MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro, M1 Max) is the 16-inch version’s little sibling – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you’d rather have a lighter, more compact machine to keep up with multiple tabs more easily than large or multiple screens.
We love this device because Apple has finally listened to its audience and updated the Macbook Pro with an impressive design and hardware perfect for video editors and everyday use. The most impressive upgrade is to the screen itself, which now features new mini-LED technology, and it has the same CPU and GPU that powers the 16-inch MacBook Pro, so it packs quite a punch.
While a smaller screen isn’t for all, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent option for video editors who want a mobile workstation as powerful as the 16-inch version but in a more compact form and with extra savings.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Same hardware as the more expensive 16-inch version | ➖A 14-inch display isn’t for all |
| ➕Excellent battery life | |
| ➕Great performance | |
| ➕Lightweight |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip for a massive leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 10-core CPU delivers up to 3.7x faster performance to fly through pro workflows quicker than ever
- Up to 32-core GPU with up to 13x faster performance for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for up to 11x faster machine learning performance
- Longer battery life, up to 17 hours
4. Apple iMac (24-inch, 2021)
The best iMac for video editing
Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display; 4480 x 2520 resolution | Processor: Apple M1 | Graphics: 7-core/8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB/16GB unified memory | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
If you are confused about getting an iMac with a smaller screen or a MacBook with a big screen, Apple has designed an iMac that can satisfy both sides of the fence! The iMac 24-inch is an excellent option for anyone who wants a desktop computer with a slim profile.
The new iMac is available in five new colors for the most beautiful iMac ever. This redesigned 21.5-inch iMac is packed with power. It features a stunning 4.5K display with 500 nits of brightness and support for the P3 wide color gamut. Like every iMac, it comes with Apple’s innovative technologies, including True Tone, to provide an incredible viewing experience, so your videos look sharp on any screen.
The all-in-one design of the iMac 2021 provides a smooth, seamless experience with no wires or cables to connect. It is an excellent device to edit videos on, thanks to Apple’s flagship M1 chip for up to 85% faster CPU performance and up to two times faster graphics performance than the iMacs with Intel CPUs of the previous generations.
The 2021 iMac is a great value no matter how you look at it. It even comes with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse in matching colors too!
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Best-in-class 4.5K retina display | ➖Lack of ports |
| ➕Wide range of colors to choose from | |
| ➕Value for money | |
| ➕Includes a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Immersive 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with P3 wide color gamut and 500 nits of brightness
- Apple M1 chip delivers powerful performance with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
- Strikingly thin 11.5 mm design in vibrant colors
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera with M1 ISP for amazing video quality
- Studio-quality three-mic array for crystal clear calls and voice recordings
5. Apple iMac (27-inch, 2020)
The best Mac for video editing with a large display
Display: 27-inch Retina 5K display; 5120 x 2880 resolution | Processor: 10th-generation Intel Core i5/i7/i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300/AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
The Apple iMac 2020 is a more than capable computer and one to consider if you are looking for a Mac with a large display. You get access to faster-dedicated GPU options. If you ever need an upgrade, you can add up to an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 graphics memory.
However, the main highlight of the 2020 iMac is certainly the display. It has a stunning 27-inch monitor, which offers a resolution higher than any other device on this list. And yes, it is just as good in the real world as it sounds! The images are highly detailed and vivid, and the superb brightness ensures that you can edit videos with plenty of comforts.
Other improvements on this device include an updated webcam and microphone, which is useful if you spend time working from home. If you like editing videos or doing graphic design work on your computer, this Mac is certainly for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Impressive 5K retina display | ➖No dedicated HDMI port |
| ➕Upgradeable internals | ➖Only 8GB of RAM in the base model |
| ➕Dedicated graphics card | |
| ➕Minimalistic design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 27-inch (diagonal) 5120-by-2880 Retina 5K display
- 3.3GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5
- AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics
- Ultrafast SSD storage
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
6. Apple Mac Studio 2022
The best Apple workstation for video editing
Processor: Apple M1 Max/M1 Ultra | Graphics: 24-core/48-core GPU | RAM: 32GB/64GB RAM | Storage: 512GB/1TB SSD
The new Mac Studio from Apple is a powerful workstation PC that’s been optimized for editing, animation, and rendering. For complex projects such as editing 8K footage or rendering 3D animations, it offers unparalleled performance, thanks to the new 10-core M1 or 20-core M1 Ultra processors.
The M1 Ultra, in particular, can support up to 18 streams of 8K ProRes 422 video playback — something Apple claims that no other personal computer can do. For connectivity, the Mac Studio comes with Thunderbolt 3 and Gigabit Ethernet and can support connectivity with up to five external displays. You can easily connect 4K and 5K displays, high-performance storage devices, and all the latest peripherals.
You can think of the Mac Studio as a super-charged version of the Mac Mini. It might be small enough to fit right in the palm of your hand — but it has enough power to light up creative workflows across virtually any industry.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Compact | ➖Pricey |
| ➕More powerful than most full-fledged desktops | ➖Not upgradeable |
| ➕Supports up to five displays | |
| ➕Silent performance | |
| ➕Beautiful finishes to choose from |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 20-core CPU packs up to 3.8x faster performance to push the boundaries of what’s possible on Mac
- Up to 64-core GPU with up to 4.5x faster performance for graphics-intensive pro workflows like 3D rendering
- Up to 32-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
- Up to 128GB of unified memory makes everything you do fast and fluid
7. Apple MacBook Air 2020
The most portable Mac for video editing
Display: 13.3-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 3456 x 2234 native resolution | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus | Processor: Apple M1 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
If you love everything about the MacBook Pro but wish it could be even lighter and portable, then you’re in luck. The latest MacBook Air is Apple’s slimmest and lightest notebook ever, weighing just 2.8 pounds. With a sleek and elegant aluminum chassis available in three gorgeous finishes, it is a real eye candy that you will love to flaunt on work trips and in the office.
While the ultra-slim design might raise a few eyebrows about the performance, it boasts of the same powerful hardware powering the MacBook Pro, such as the Apple M1 processor and 8-core GPU. It can easily handle editing 4K videos with ease. In addition to being powerful, it has a longer battery life than any other MacBook Air and is completely silent—with a fanless design.
Another feature that is new to the MacBook Air is the P3 color gamut for a larger palette of colors with a 25% wider range than sRGB. This is important for video editors who need more accurate colors while editing videos.
The 2020 MacBook Air is the best entry-level device from the MacBook range of laptops. It offers a full-size keyboard and trackpad, dependable performance, and a reasonable price tag. It is one of the best devices for video editors.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Stunning ultra-slim design | ➖Only available with 8GB RAM out of the box (upgradeable to 16GB) |
| ➕Powerful eight-core M1 processor | ➖Fanless design could impact performance |
| ➕Fanless design keeps things silent | |
| ➕Exceptional battery life | |
| ➕Affordable |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the...
- Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly...
- Stunning Display – With a 13.3” Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
8. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
The best MacBook on a budget
Display: 16‑inch (diagonal) LED‑backlit display with IPS technology; 3072‑by‑1920 native resolution | Processor: 9th-generation Intel Core i7/i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M/AMD Radeon Pro 5500M | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB/1TB SSD
The 2019 MacBook Pro was once Apple’s flagship laptop but now you can have the privilege of owning one without paying a premium. It is still incredibly powerful even by today’s standards and packs an immersive 16-inch Retina display. It makes editing videos real fun with spectacular highlights, great brightness levels even in outdoor conditions, and true-to-life videos.
Since it was launched before the Apple M1 processor made its debut, it rocks a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 or i9 processor if you select the top-end version at its core. It might be a bit on the older side but underestimate the Intel processors at your own risk. They can more than keep up while multitasking or if you are working on some resource-intensive video editing projects.
Besides the processor, it comes with a dedicated graphics card for even stronger graphics processing power, allowing for better performance for tasks like gaming or high-resolution video editing. You can upgrade it if you ever feel the need to, unlike the newer MacBooks sporting Apple GPUs. It won’t get outdated anytime soon as you can always configure the components to your requirements.
The MacBook Pro 2019 is a great laptop for anyone who wants a “no-frills” device that can handle a range of different tasks and will be with them for the next few years.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Slim and lightweight | ➖The graphic card could’ve been better |
| ➕Long lasting battery life | ➖The 256GB variant does not have sufficient storage |
| ➕Premium build quality and design | |
| ➕Silent even during heavy-use |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Ninth-generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
9. Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020)
The best Mac for beginners
Display: 13.3-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution | Processor: Apple M1 | Graphics: 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD
Whether you’re editing video for a living or a beginner who wants the most portable device on a budget while they hone their skills, the 2020 MacBook Pro is your best bet. It is a gorgeous 2,400×1,600 IPS panel with support for the P3 color gamut, which is essential for a professional-grade display that supports most visual effects and color grading software.
Looks can be deceiving, and that is true for the 2020 MacBook Pro. While it sports the same minimalistic design as the previous generations, it has received some massive upgrades to its hardware. It now features Apple’s M1 chip, and the performance is great while editing 4K and 8K footage.
The battery life is exceptional and you can work on projects for long hours on the go. Unlike the latest version, it also comes with Touch Bar. If you are looking for a small and lightweight Mac on a budget that does not compromise on performance, you will fall in love with this device. And since it isn’t the latest model, you should be able to find a great deal on one.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕Great value | ➖Lack of ports |
| ➕Lightweight and portable | |
| ➕Decent performance |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Get more done with up to 20 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac
- 8-core CPU delivers up to 2.8x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever
- 8-core GPU with up to 5x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
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9+ Best Mac for Video Editing in 2022
The Mac family isn’t just a pretty face. Apple produces some of the most powerful devices, whether it’s the new 16-inch MacBook Pro or the Mac Pro 2019. It isn’t hard to understand why Macs are the preferred choice for creative professionals.
Even if you don’t buy the latest models, there are still plenty of excellent devices to choose from that present great value.
However, the best part is that Macs come in different forms, sizes, features, and prices so there is a Mac for every user. Which type of Mac do you prefer for work? Let us know in the comments below!