The best video editing computers offer plenty of processing power, simply because they have to. Editing, processing and rendering video is a resource-intensive task, and a low-spec computer that attempts it will likely be stuck for hours. There's really no way around it: if you want to edit and render video, especially at high resolutions like 4K and 8K that are expected by today's clients, you're going to need a reasonably powerful computer.
High-end graphics cards, cutting-edge processors, a bucket of memory a good editing computer will likely have all of them. There are good options across macOS and Windows, and while video editing computers don't exactly come cheap, there are a lot of them out there, at a range of prices.
In this guide, we're dealing specifically with desktop computers. These are generally the best choice for video editing, as they can pack in more sophisticated cooling systems that allow them to crunch intense workloads for longer without overheating. However, if you do need a portable solution, there are also good laptops for video editing around, equipped with the latest mobile graphics cards.
If you have the option of a desktop though, we'd recommend it. Some desktops include their own displays, while others will require an external monitor, meaning you'll also need to shop for the best monitors for video editing. We've included both types in this guide.
New to video editing or computer specs? Sometimes the jargon can get a bit intense, so if anything's unclear, click to jump to the what to consider when buying one of the best computers for video editing section where we lay out the basics.Bear in mind that a lot of simple editing tasks can be done on a smartphone these days, so see our guide to the best video editing apps for YouTube if you suspect your projects might not need much more than a few cuts and a title card.
Along with brilliant all-in one PCs, and the very latest Macs, we've also included a few gaming PCs here as well. They actually make fantastic video editing computers thanks to the cutting-edge components inside, though they do tend to come at a premium cost. Explore your options as we dive into our guide to the best video editing computers.
The best video editing computers
01. iMac [24-inch, 2021]
The best computer for video editing overall.
Providing an optimal balance between power and price, the new generation of Apple iMac computers are great for video editing for all sorts of users, including students and total newbies. The 24-inch display boasts a 4.5K resolution, so this isn't one for those looking to render 8K footage, but the majority of users aren't going to need to worry about this.
An advantage of using an Apple product is ready access to Final Cut Pro, making it easy to hit the ground running with your editing. What's more, this newer iMac is powered by Apple's own M1 chip, which has been filtering onto all of the company's computing offerings. This chip combines internal components like CPU and GPU into a single, responsive chip, making for a highly agile and zippy user experience.
The redesign of the iMac was also welcome, with thin bezels for a sleeker overall look. See our iMac M1 review for more details. And if the 24-inch display isn't large enough for you, then the older 27-inch iMac [see below] might well serve your purposes...
02. iMac [27-inch, 2020]
Another brilliant video editing computer from Apple.
Released in 2020, this model of the iconic iMac desktop computer might not look as stylish as its new, younger sibling, but it still sports capable components, featuring up to a 10th generation Intel i9 processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT.
That discrete graphics card and larger 27-inch display can outpace the M1 silicon inside the latest iMac computer, which is favourable for anyone running more demanding applications.
The webcam and built-in microphone has also been improved, which is handy for many people who now find themselves working from home. Sure, the design of this iMac hasn't changed, which makes it look outdated compared to the new 24-inch iMac, but it's still impressively slim and stylish.
Its all-in-one design means it's easy to set up and looks smart in any office, home or studio, and it's a formidable PC when it comes to editing high-resolution videos. See our iMac 2020 review for more details.
03. Microsoft Surface Studio 2
A brilliant Windows all-in-one.
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a brilliant alternative to Apple iMac computers, sporting a similar all-in-one design, with a couple of extras to sweeten the deal.
For one, the Surface Studio 2 comes with a touch-sensitive28-inch display that features a massive resolution of 4,500 x 3,000 pixels, so you can also drag and drop video clips with a finger as well as a mouse, and there are plenty of available ports for you to connect your favourite mice, keyboards and other peripherals.
It also comes with a hinge that lets you flip the screen all the way down to edit video and it can be used with a pen for drawing if you wanted to save cash on buying a graphics drawing tablet.
The components inside are what prevents Windows from taking the crown from Apple in this list, but they're still capable of running video editing applications with ease, despite their age. See our full Surface Studio 2 review for more information.
4. Apple Mac Pro [2019]
An incredibly powerful video editing PC from Apple.
The now iconic 'cheesegrater' PC in Apple's family of desktop computers may look comical, but if you're after an absolute powerhouse of a video editing computer and you have deep pockets, the Apple Mac Pro [2019] is no laughing matter.
This is the most expensive commercial product in the Mac lineup but you do get a lot of flexibility if you're willing to part with a stack of cash. The Mac Pro can be customised to your needs, configured to come with hardware that makes intensive video editing tasks complete much faster than less powerful PCs, and this can have a huge impact on your workflow. It even comes with up to a whopping 12 Thunderbolt 3 ports on the rear, with an additional two on the top of the chassis.
The initial investment might hurt your wallet, but unlike many other Apple devices, it's easy to upgrade parts of the system later on thanks to its modular design. This means it can be future-proofed for years to come, saving you cash on buying an entirely new system.
This does mean that the Apple Mac Pro won't be for everyone, as it's too powerful for most video editing needs and its price makes it an unrealistic option for many editors. If you do have the money available and you're a devout Apple user though, this is the ultimate Apple computer for video editing.
05. Apple Mac mini [M1, 2020]
Powerful, small and great for video editing.
The Mac mini is a diminutive PC equipped with Apple's all-new M1 chip, which packs an 8-core GPU, but don't let its compact size fool you - this is a very capable PC for video editing, especially when paired with one of the best 4K monitors on the market. Its small size allows means it can be tossed into a bag and easily carried around, giving you a desktop with the portability of a laptop.
The base model features the Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine with 256GB SSD, and there are four expansion ports at the back for either USB or Thunderbolt external storage, plus HDMI2.0 to simultaneously support two displays. This is a great alternative to the expensive Mac Pro above.
It's also the same hardware found in the new iMac 24-inch model, and offers very similar performance, but without the built-in display, and for quite a bit less money. If you already have a monitor you love using, then the Mac mini is a great alternative to the new iMac, and can save you a decent amount of cash. Read more about it with our Mac mini [M1] review.
06. HP Omen 30L
This gaming PC doubles up as a highly capable tool for video editing
It's well worth looking into gaming PCs for your video editing needs. After all, gaming is an activity that requires a lot of power out of your computer for a long period of time just like processing and rendering video. While a lot of gamers build their own computers, there are plenty of options out there for those who have no interest in doing that, such as the HP Omen 30L.
The glass-heavy style lets you see the internal components, which may not to everyone's tastes, but we rather like it. The computing power is excellent, especially for this price point, with a healthy 16GB of RAM to play with, and the graphical performance is also really good, which is handy if you're planning a lot of intense After Effects work. The design of the computer makes it fairly easy to swap out parts, so if you are someone who can get their hands dirty, you'll be able to help the HP Omen 30L keep up for a good few years.
There's only one cooling fan, and be aware that it really does get loud when the computer is performing demanding tasks; you could be forgiven for thinking someone had crammed a jet engine in there. This is hardly a killer flaw, just something to be aware of.
07. Lenovo Legion Tower 5i
A powerful PC for video editing.
The Lenovo Legion 5i is another great example of gaming PCs that also double as fantastic PCs for video editing, offering superb value for money and flexibility for anyone who dabbles in games alongside their creative work.
You're getting 10th generation Intel processors, and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super, both of which are slightly out of date given the latest generational releases from Nvidia and Intel, but still very capable and powerful enough to run AAA games and any video editing application you can throw at it.
You can also configure it with up to 16GB of RAM, which again should be plenty for most people's needs. If you find you need more, then you can always upgrade it yourself later one of the best things about desktop PCs is how relatively easy they are to upgrade. Best of all, this PC can come with loads of storage space, with up to 1TB hard drive and a 1TB SSD making it ideal for storing all your video files on.
08. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7
A great iMac or Surface Studio alternative.
The 27-inch Yoga AIO 7 is a capable Windows-based rival to the ageing iMac Pro, with features optimised specifically for creative professionals over traditional home or business work.
The 4K display comes with an optional 99% Adobe RGB colour gamut and DCI-P3 99% colour space, and can be fully rotated to portrait mode with just a push of a finger for anyone that needs to work on a different angle on TikTok videos.
The 32GB of RAM will help speed up rendering and if you're partial to using applications like Adobe After Effects, and you can select up to an Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card to help with any demanding editing or rendering.
With up to 1TB of SSD storage and the option for a 2TB HDD, there's plenty of room to save video footage, and plenty of ports to pair with your favourite peripherals.
09. Corsair One a200
A high-end gaming rig that's more than qualified for video editing
Corsair has made a name for itself in the gaming space for its powerful but compact computing rigs, and the Corsair One a200 sticks faithfully to this formula. Unlike some of the other computers on this list, it's also pleasingly quiet in operation, thanks to a clever cooling system built around a 140mm fan and liquid-cooling radiators.
The power provided here is substantial, perhaps to a greater extent than many video editors will need, which contributes to what will likely be the sticking point for a lot of people: the price. This is not a cheap rig. It's going to be above many budgets. But with all that said, the level of computing power you get here will make even intense processing and rendering tasks a breeze indeed, a breeze that's directed away from you thanks to the aforementioned clever cooling system. If you can justify the price tag, and if you game as hard as you work, this is a great buy.
10. Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10
A powerful AMD gaming PC.
We've covered budget-friendly gaming PCs as a suitable option for video editors, but if you like some luxury then there are some real gems out there. The Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 is one of the best AMD-based gaming desktops on the market, with plenty of configuration options available for users to customize the system to fit their needs.
With Dell owning the Alienware brand, there's also the opportunity to save some cash if your employer or place of education provide discount vouchers for new equipment. This isn't guaranteed, but it makes annual sales like Black Friday a great time to nab one at a discount.
The UFO-inspired design might not be to everyone's taste, and while the price is fair for the product you get, this is still a very expensive PC. If you were looking to combine a love of gaming with your video editing demands though, buying a single machine like this can provide you with the best of both worlds.
What should I look for in a video editing computer?
Video editing is fairly demanding on most systems, so when looking into a new computer make sure you have a super-fast CPU, lots of RAM and a decent graphics card.
Encoding and transcoding will be better on a faster CPU, so you'll want to look at clock speed rather than the number of cores. An Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor released in the last few years should suffice, if you can afford to bump up to a full i9 or Ryzen 9 processor, your system will have a much easier time coping with demanding applications.
Rendering is a similar story, mainly using your CPU and RAM, so while most traditional desktop computers can get by with 16GB [or even 8GB], you'll want to stick as much in as you can afford. 32GB is the sweet spot, but the more the merrier.
The most important components for you to concentrate on are the graphics card and processor. If you're looking to edit ultra-high definition videos or add complex video effects, then we strongly recommend buying a PC with a dedicated graphics card as this will ensure the PC can handle your video editing tasks.
There are popular products available from both Nvidia and AMD such as the GeForce RTX 3080 and the Radeon RX 6800 XT, but you'll find that most GPUs released within the last four years should meet the standard for video editing or rendering.
Meanwhile, a fast, modern, multi-core processor will also help speed up your video editing workflow. Pair that with a good amount of RAM [we recommend 8GB as a minimum, and preferably 16GB but the more, the merrier], and you should be able to chew through video editing tasks with ease.
The best video editing PCs will also offer fast SSD [solid-state drive] storage. This helps make moving, copying and accessing large files nice and quick. Video files can often be quite large, especially when you're shooting in 4K, so you'll need plenty of hard drive space to store it all on as well. If a PC is advertised with an HDD or Hard Drive we would recommend looking elsewhere HDDs are generally much cheaper, but also much slower, and it's not hard to find affordable SSD builds these days.
Is a gaming PC good at video editing?
Gaming computers and laptops share a few things in common with those optimized for creative professionals: You need a fast CPU, a powerful GPU to run your games/applications and as much RAM as you can afford.
This makes gaming PCs a great alternative to portable workstations, especially as many manufacturers don't create desktop computers with creative professions like video editing in mind, which is why you may have noticed that this list is dominated by Apple-branded hardware and gaming PCs.
The components required to run next-gen AAA games and hardware like VR headsets isn't dissimilar to those used by people who run demanding software such as Adobe Creative Suit, and many companies like Dell, Lenovo and HP will provide different configurations that allow you to customise the system to your exact needs.
You can expect a recently released, high-spec processor, a beefy graphics card, plentiful and speedy RAM, and of course a sizable SSD storage capacity for you to save 4K files to.
Gaming desktops can also support powerful displays, so if you need a 4K, 144Hz monitor then you'll find gaming PCs more readily available than specialized creative systems. The only thing you need to worry about is a 'gamer' aesthetic and an occasionally obnoxious amount of RGB lighting.
Best video editing computer: extras to consider
You might also want to check out our guide to the best video editing software, to whip your footage into shape. You can download Premiere Pro our top pick of that list too.
But why choose a desktop computer instead of one of the best laptops for video editing or the best tablets for video editing? While todays top-of-the-line laptops are indeed powerful enough to be used for video editing, you still get the best performance and best value for money from a desktop computer, with the added benefit that its much easier to upgrade.
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- The best video editing apps
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