98
T3T3Apr 29, 2026
“The XPS is back in a big way – and after positive early impressions, it's great to confirm that this 2026 model is a major return to form, too.”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 5/5Full review
Laptop
Dell XPS 14 (2026)
Dell · From $1,599
Release date Feb 8, 2026
83
Recommended
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
14 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Aug 1, 2026
6 Rave10 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the 2026 XPS 14 a strong return to form after Dell's 2025 rebrand. Reviewers praise the lighter aluminum body, the physical function row, the tandem OLED option and the Panther Lake performance, with battery life well above earlier XPS models. The shallow keyboard, the three-port selection with no microSD slot, and prices that climb quickly with the OLED configuration are the common complaints.
What critics loved
- Thin, light aluminum design at about 3 lb
- Tandem OLED display option
- Strong Intel Panther Lake performance, even in games
- Physical function row and marked touchpad edges
Common gripes
- Shallow, error-prone keyboard
- Only three Thunderbolt 4 ports and no microSD slot
- Expensive once configured with OLED and more memory
- Screen shrank from 14.5 to 14 inches
- Soldered RAM
Critic Scorecard
16 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
97
Tom's GuideT2Feb 10, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is a welcome return for the iconic laptop brand.”
By Tony Polanco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
89
NotebookcheckT3Feb 8, 2026
“The XPS series has gone through some bumps on the road, but the latest Panther Lake XPS 14 puts the family back on track to be a much easier recommendation than any recent predecessor.”
By Allen Ngo · Rated 87%Full review
87
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceJul 20, 2026
“I’d personally pick this over several of the recent premium laptops I’ve tested.”
No overall score published; category scores are Design 9/10, Display 8.5/10, Keyboard and touchpad 8/10, Performance 9/10.
By Vikhyaat Vivek · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
ReviewedT3Apr 21, 2026
“Despite a couple of minor flaws, this is one seriously good PC”
By Marc Saltzman · Unrated, scored from textFull review
85
ZDNETT2Mar 6, 2026
“The 2026 Dell XPS 14 is one of the most premium Windows PCs on the market right now, offering an experience that rivals the MacBook in performance, build quality, and battery life.”
By Kyle Kucharski · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 10 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
83
Tom's HardwareT2Feb 17, 2026
“Dell is headed in the right direction with the XPS 14, and I can recommend it again.”
By Andrew E. Freedman · Rated 4/5Full review
83
StuffT3Apr 23, 2026
“The new XPS 14 is proof Dell can take user complaints on the chin and come back even stronger.”
By Tom Morgan-Freelander · Rated 4/5Full review
82
WiredT1Feb 18, 2026
“This 2026 model just might be the perfected version of the Dell XPS 14.”
By Luke Larsen · Rated 8/10Full review
82
CNETT1Aug 1, 2026
“With the XPS 14, a classic returns with a product worthy of its name and gives Dell a MacBook Pro alternative for Windows users.”
By Matt Elliott · Rated 8.1/10Full review
82
TechRadarT2May 21, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is back, and it's easily one of the best Windows 11 laptops you can buy right now.”
By Matt Hanson · Rated 4/5Full review
82
PCWorldT2Feb 23, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 brings the company's flagship laptop back into competition with speedy Intel Core Series 3 chips and a redesign that's more practical, yet still premium.”
Review of the OLED configuration with Core Ultra X7 358H. PCWorld also published a separate 3.5/5 review of the entry-level LCD model (Core Ultra 5 325).
By Matthew S. Smith · Rated 4/5Full review
78
Trusted ReviewsT2May 13, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is a solid Windows ultrabook with a sharp, redesigned look, great battery life and a decent IPS screen.”
Review of the base-model configuration (IPS LCD), not the OLED version.
By Reece Bithrey · Rated 4/5Full review
78
PickrT3Apr 16, 2026
“As far as thin and light PCs go, the 14 inch Dell XPS is a great PC made to go.”
By Leigh Stark · Rated 4/5Full review
76
GizmodoT2Feb 16, 2026
“The Dell XPS is a great work laptop especially for moderate graphics tasks. You'll just have to overcome its offputting keyboard.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
75
EngadgetT1Mar 6, 2026
“There is so much to love about Dell's new XPS 14, it's hard for me to discuss it without sounding like a total fanboy.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 78/100Full review
82
CNETT1Aug 1, 2026
“With the XPS 14, a classic returns with a product worthy of its name and gives Dell a MacBook Pro alternative for Windows users.”
By Matt Elliott · Rated 8.1/10Full review
87
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceJul 20, 2026
“I’d personally pick this over several of the recent premium laptops I’ve tested.”
No overall score published; category scores are Design 9/10, Display 8.5/10, Keyboard and touchpad 8/10, Performance 9/10.
By Vikhyaat Vivek · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
TechRadarT2May 21, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is back, and it's easily one of the best Windows 11 laptops you can buy right now.”
By Matt Hanson · Rated 4/5Full review
78
Trusted ReviewsT2May 13, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is a solid Windows ultrabook with a sharp, redesigned look, great battery life and a decent IPS screen.”
Review of the base-model configuration (IPS LCD), not the OLED version.
By Reece Bithrey · Rated 4/5Full review
98
T3T3Apr 29, 2026
“The XPS is back in a big way – and after positive early impressions, it's great to confirm that this 2026 model is a major return to form, too.”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 5/5Full review
83
StuffT3Apr 23, 2026
“The new XPS 14 is proof Dell can take user complaints on the chin and come back even stronger.”
By Tom Morgan-Freelander · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 10 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
87
ReviewedT3Apr 21, 2026
“Despite a couple of minor flaws, this is one seriously good PC”
By Marc Saltzman · Unrated, scored from textFull review
78
PickrT3Apr 16, 2026
“As far as thin and light PCs go, the 14 inch Dell XPS is a great PC made to go.”
By Leigh Stark · Rated 4/5Full review
85
ZDNETT2Mar 6, 2026
“The 2026 Dell XPS 14 is one of the most premium Windows PCs on the market right now, offering an experience that rivals the MacBook in performance, build quality, and battery life.”
By Kyle Kucharski · Rated 4/5Full review
75
EngadgetT1Mar 6, 2026
“There is so much to love about Dell's new XPS 14, it's hard for me to discuss it without sounding like a total fanboy.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 78/100Full review
82
PCWorldT2Feb 23, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 brings the company's flagship laptop back into competition with speedy Intel Core Series 3 chips and a redesign that's more practical, yet still premium.”
Review of the OLED configuration with Core Ultra X7 358H. PCWorld also published a separate 3.5/5 review of the entry-level LCD model (Core Ultra 5 325).
By Matthew S. Smith · Rated 4/5Full review
82
WiredT1Feb 18, 2026
“This 2026 model just might be the perfected version of the Dell XPS 14.”
By Luke Larsen · Rated 8/10Full review
83
Tom's HardwareT2Feb 17, 2026
“Dell is headed in the right direction with the XPS 14, and I can recommend it again.”
By Andrew E. Freedman · Rated 4/5Full review
76
GizmodoT2Feb 16, 2026
“The Dell XPS is a great work laptop especially for moderate graphics tasks. You'll just have to overcome its offputting keyboard.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
97
Tom's GuideT2Feb 10, 2026
“The Dell XPS 14 (2026) is a welcome return for the iconic laptop brand.”
By Tony Polanco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
89
NotebookcheckT3Feb 8, 2026
“The XPS series has gone through some bumps on the road, but the latest Panther Lake XPS 14 puts the family back on track to be a much easier recommendation than any recent predecessor.”
By Allen Ngo · Rated 87%Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 14-inch; 2.8K (2880x1800) tandem OLED touch, 20-120Hz, or 2K (1920x1200) IPS non-touch, 1-120Hz
- Chip
- Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake): Core Ultra 5 325 up to Core Ultra X7 358H
- Graphics
- Intel Arc B390 on X7 models; Intel integrated graphics on Core Ultra 5/7 355
- Memory
- 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5x, soldered
- Storage
- 512GB or 1TB M.2 SSD (replaceable)
- Battery
- 70Whr; Wired measured 20 hours of video playback on the OLED model
- Weight
- 3.0 lb (1.36 kg) OLED, 3.05 lb LCD
- Ports
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), headphone jack; no microSD slot
- Price
- From $1,599.99; $2,199.99 for the OLED, X7, 32GB, 1TB model