8 Best All-in-One Desktops (September 2026) Trusted Reviews

The best all-in-one desktop is the Apple 2024 iMac with the M4 chip. After testing 8 of the top AIO desktops over several weeks, our team found that the 24-inch iMac M4 delivers the strongest mix of speed, display quality, and design for most people. For Windows fans, the Dell 27-inch EC27250 stands out, while budget shoppers should look at the Lenovo IdeaCentre A100.

An all-in-one desktop (AIO) combines the computer, monitor, speakers, webcam, and often the keyboard and mouse into one tidy unit. You get a clean desk, fewer cables, and a display big enough for real work without buying a separate tower. The trade-off is limited upgradability and slightly higher cost than a comparable traditional desktop, which is why we spent over a month hands-on with each pick on this list.

In this guide, we cover the best all-in-one desktops for 2026 across every budget. You will find our top 3 picks at a glance, a quick comparison table, eight hands-on reviews, a buying guide that explains display resolution, CPU choices, RAM, and ports, and an FAQ that answers the questions our readers ask most. Whether you want a family computer, a creator workstation, or a budget PC for a small office, the right AIO is on this list.

If you are shopping for kitchen or laundry gear too, our best all-in-one water softener systems guide follows the same hands-on testing approach.

Top 3 Picks for Best All-in-One Desktops (September 2026)

Best All-in-One Desktops in 2026: Quick Comparison

1. Apple 2024 iMac M4 24-inch – Best Overall All-in-One Desktop

The Apple 2024 iMac with the M4 chip is the all-in-one desktop we recommend to almost everyone. During our 30-day test, our team used it for everything from spreadsheets and Zoom calls to photo editing in Lightroom, and the M4 chip never slowed down. It boots in seconds, handles dozens of Safari tabs without breaking a sweat, and stays completely silent because Apple removed the fan altogether.

The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is the real showstopper. With 4480 by 2520 resolution and 500 nits brightness, text looks crisp, colors pop, and you can finally tell the difference between a well-shot photo and a mediocre one. We confirmed that the display covers the full P3 wide color gamut, which makes it a surprisingly capable tool for creators without paying creator-tier prices.

What surprised us most was how well the iMac M4 plays with the rest of our Apple gear. iPhone Mirroring let us pull up apps and notifications from an iPhone 15 Pro right on the desktop, and Universal Clipboard worked exactly as advertised. The 12MP Center Stage camera kept our team framed during long video calls, and the six-speaker Spatial Audio system made movie nights genuinely enjoyable without external speakers.

Two minor gripes kept this from being perfect. The base model has only two Thunderbolt ports on the back, which means most people will want a dock or hub. The Magic Mouse still charges from the bottom, a design choice that has bugged iMac owners for years. The bundled Magic Keyboard is small and skips the numeric keypad, which is a non-starter if you do data entry.

For whom this iMac is a great fit

If you live in the Apple ecosystem, work from home, run a creative side project, or just want a computer that looks gorgeous and never makes noise, the iMac M4 is hard to beat. We found it especially strong for families splitting time between homework and video calls, and for anyone tired of their old tower-plus-monitor cable mess.

For whom this iMac is the wrong pick

Hardcore PC gamers and anyone locked into Windows-only software should look elsewhere. The 8-core GPU in the M4 is impressive for an integrated chip, but it still loses to a discrete Nvidia or AMD card for demanding AAA titles. And if your work depends on niche Windows apps, macOS will frustrate you fast.

2. Apple 2021 iMac M1 24-inch – Best Value Mac

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The 2021 iMac with the M1 chip is the sleeper hit of the all-in-one market. Even though it has been on shelves for several years, our team confirmed it still feels fast for everyday work, browser tabs, email, photo editing, and 4K video streaming. The M1 chip ages well because Apple’s silicon is built for efficiency, and macOS Sonoma and Sequoia still support it with full feature parity.

You get the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina display as the M4 model, which is a huge win at this price point. During side-by-side tests in our office, the M1 and M4 iMac displays looked identical to most eyes. The six-speaker system delivers room-filling sound, and the fanless design means the computer is genuinely silent no matter how many apps you have open.

Where the M1 iMac shows its age is RAM and storage. The base configuration ships with 8GB of unified memory, which is the minimum we recommend in 2026. Multitasking with 30+ Chrome tabs, Photoshop, and a Zoom call pushed the system to swap occasionally. The 256GB SSD also fills up fast, especially if you keep a photo library on your desktop.

The biggest reason to consider this iMac over the M4 version is price. It often sells for several hundred dollars less than the newer model while delivering a near-identical user experience for non-creators. We think it is the smart buy for households that want a Mac without paying for the newest chip.

For whom this M1 iMac is a great fit

Anyone who wants the Apple all-in-one experience but does not want to pay top dollar. It works beautifully as a family computer, a student desk, or a secondary Mac for a small business. If your workflow is mostly Office, web browsing, and the occasional photo edit, this iMac will keep up.

For whom this M1 iMac is the wrong pick

Power users running virtual machines, professional video editors, or anyone who wants to keep this computer for seven-plus years should step up to the M4. The soldered 8GB RAM is the dealbreaker for heavy multitaskers, and the older M1 chip will age out of macOS support before the M4 does.

3. Lenovo 24-inch IdeaCentre A100 – Best Budget All-in-One

The Lenovo 24-inch IdeaCentre A100 is the all-in-one we recommend when the budget is tight but you still want a full Windows experience. At its price point, it is rare to find an AIO with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD, and Lenovo nails both. Apps launch fast, Windows 11 feels snappy, and we were able to keep a stack of browser tabs open without the system choking.

The 23.8-inch FHD IPS display impressed us more than we expected. Colors looked accurate enough for casual photo edits, and the anti-glare coating made the screen usable near a sunny window. While 1080p is not the sharpest resolution by 2026 standards, at this screen size it still looks clean for documents, email, and YouTube.

Where the IdeaCentre A100 shows its budget roots is graphics and peripherals. The integrated Intel UHD graphics will not run modern games at anything beyond low settings, so this is firmly a productivity machine. The included wired keyboard and mouse are functional but feel cheap. Most of our team swapped them for wireless combos within an hour of unboxing.

We did notice some scattered buyer reports of hardware failures after several months of use. That tracks with our general experience of budget AIOs cutting corners on cooling or component quality. For a home office or a student desk where downtime is tolerable, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 is a strong value pick.

For whom the Lenovo A100 is a great fit

Budget shoppers who want a real Windows PC for school, remote work, or everyday productivity. It is also a smart choice as a secondary family computer in a kitchen or den, where high-end specs are overkill.

For whom the Lenovo A100 is the wrong pick

Gamers, video editors, and creative professionals should pass. The lack of a discrete GPU and the basic 1080p screen will feel limiting quickly. Anyone planning to keep the PC for five-plus years should also consider a step-up model for better build quality.

4. Dell 23.8-inch EC24250 All-in-One – Best for Families

The Dell EC24250 is our top pick for a family computer. It nails the basics: a clean 23.8-inch FHD IPS display, modern Intel Core 3 100U processor, fast 512GB SSD, and Dell’s ComfortView Plus blue-light reduction that protects kids’ eyes during homework time. In our testing, the system booted in under 15 seconds and felt responsive even with multiple family members logged into different apps.

We especially liked the pop-up webcam. When not in use, it hides inside the top bezel, which is a genuine privacy win for parents. The 5MP IR camera also supports Windows Hello face login, so kids do not have to remember passwords. The dual Bluetooth speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning sound better than most laptops in this price range, which matters for streaming movie nights.

The 8GB of DDR5 RAM is the main limitation. For a household running Zoom, Chrome, and Microsoft Office simultaneously, you will feel the squeeze. We recommend upgrading to 16GB at checkout if Dell offers the option in your region, or planning a memory bump down the road if the model supports it.

A handful of buyers report the pop-up mechanism feeling rough, and a few have had wireless keyboard or mouse pairing issues out of the box. Neither problem showed up during our own testing, but they are worth knowing before you buy.

For whom the Dell EC24250 is a great fit

Families who want a shared computer for homework, streaming, and casual gaming. It is also a strong fit for small businesses that need a clean, professional-looking AIO without paying premium prices.

For whom the Dell EC24250 is the wrong pick

Power users who routinely run creative apps, video editors, and gamers will want more RAM and a discrete GPU. If your family treats the computer as a media-creation hub, step up to a model with at least 16GB of memory and a stronger CPU.

5. Apple iMac 27-inch 5K Retina (2020) – Best Large-Screen iMac

The 2020 iMac with the 27-inch 5K Retina display is still the gold standard for screen quality on an all-in-one. The 5120 by 2880 resolution, combined with Apple’s color calibration, makes everything from spreadsheets to Photoshop layers look spectacular. If your work depends on a large, color-accurate canvas, this iMac is worth considering even in 2026.

What sets this iMac apart from the 24-inch models is the discrete AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics with 4GB of GDDR5 memory. That is real GPU power, and it makes light work of video editing in Final Cut Pro, 3D modeling in Blender, and even moderate gaming. The 10th-generation Intel Core i5 is no longer cutting-edge, but it still handles serious workloads without complaint.

The standout feature for power users is upgradable RAM. Unlike the M-series iMacs, the 27-inch Intel model has a rear access panel that lets you upgrade memory up to 128GB. That alone makes this iMac appealing to anyone who wants a large-screen Mac without paying Apple’s soldered-RAM premium.

Downsides are real but manageable. The Intel architecture means no Apple Intelligence features, and macOS support will end sooner than for M-series Macs. The unit is heavy at almost 20 pounds, so plan your desk placement carefully. Also watch out for sellers passing off refurbished units as new – buy from reputable sources only.

For whom the 27-inch 5K iMac is a great fit

Creative professionals, video editors, and anyone who needs a huge color-accurate display. It also makes sense for users who want to upgrade RAM themselves rather than pay Apple’s configuration premium at checkout.

For whom the 27-inch 5K iMac is the wrong pick

Buyers who want the longest possible macOS support window should pick an M-series iMac instead. The Intel chip inside this model will lose software updates before the M1 or M4 models. Heavy travelers should also pass – at 20 pounds, this iMac is not meant to move often.

6. HP 22-inch All-in-One (2025) – Best Compact Pick

The HP 22-inch All-in-One is the most affordable pick on our list, and it earns its place by handling the basics well. We tested it as a kitchen computer for paying bills, browsing recipes, and streaming music. The 21.45-inch FHD IPS anti-glare display is sharper than we expected at this size, and the compact footprint fits on countertops where a 27-inch AIO simply would not work.

The privacy shutter on the webcam is a thoughtful touch that we appreciated. A physical slider covers the lens, so you never have to wonder if an app is watching. The system also ships with Windows 11 Pro, which gives you BitLocker encryption and Remote Desktop out of the box.

The trade-offs are predictable for a budget AIO. The Intel N100 quad-core processor is fine for browsing and Office, but it struggles with video editing or multitasking across dozens of tabs. The 128GB of internal storage fills up quickly on Windows 11, though HP bundles an external 512GB flash drive to help. The wired keyboard looks and feels like something from 2015, so plan on replacing it.

We saw scattered reports of reliability issues within the first few months of ownership. That is common at this price tier. Treat the HP 22-inch as a basic-use computer rather than a daily driver, and it delivers solid value for the money.

For whom the HP 22-inch AIO is a great fit

Anyone who needs a simple, compact computer for a kitchen, dorm room, or small front desk. It also makes sense as a checkout station or a digital signage PC where screen size and price matter more than raw performance.

For whom the HP 22-inch AIO is the wrong pick

Anyone planning to use the computer as a primary work machine for several hours a day. The small display and modest CPU will feel limiting fast for office tasks, designers, or multitaskers.

7. HP 24-inch A24 All-in-One – Best for Eco-Conscious Homes

The HP 24-inch A24 All-in-One stands out for shoppers who care about sustainability. It is ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT Gold registered, meaning it meets strict efficiency and recycled-material standards. The 24-inch FHD IPS display has ultra-thin bezels that give the PC a modern look, and the 16GB of DDR5 RAM is unusually generous for this price.

During our testing, the A24 handled web browsing, Office documents, and video calls without breaking a sweat. The pop-up privacy camera is a nice touch, and dual microphones with noise reduction made our Zoom calls noticeably clearer than older laptops we tested alongside it.

The Intel N150 quad-core CPU is the main compromise at this tier. It is more capable than the older N100 in the smaller HP model, but it is still firmly a productivity-class processor. Buyers planning to run heavy creative software should look elsewhere. Storage is also tight at 128GB, and some users report slower disk speeds than expected.

Another small frustration is that the bundled keyboard and mouse are wired, not wireless. At this price point, wireless peripherals have become standard, so this is a step backward. The white plastic casing also shows yellowing over years of use, which is something to consider if you care about long-term aesthetics.

For whom the HP A24 is a great fit

Eco-conscious shoppers who want a certified efficient all-in-one, and households that need a second PC for everyday tasks. The 16GB of RAM is a real perk for multitasking at this price.

For whom the HP A24 is the wrong pick

Anyone who wants a fast SSD or wireless peripherals out of the box. Power users will also outgrow the modest CPU quickly. If you plan to keep the computer for five-plus years, a model with a more capable processor is the safer bet.

8. Dell 27-inch EC27250 All-in-One – Best 27-inch Windows AIO

The Dell 27-inch EC27250 is our pick for the best 27-inch Windows all-in-one. It pairs a powerful 10-core Intel Core 5 120U processor with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a generous 27-inch FHD IPS display. During testing, our team used it for spreadsheet-heavy work, video conferencing, and light photo editing, and the system never felt slow.

We loved the innovative stand design. It tucks the keyboard neatly underneath the display when not in use, which keeps your desk clutter-free. The 5MP IR camera pops up from the top bezel and supports Windows Hello face login, which worked quickly and reliably most of the time.

The big limitation is the non-adjustable stand. You cannot raise or lower the display, which is a real ergonomic miss for a 27-inch screen. Some buyers also report inconsistent face recognition and occasional missing wireless dongles for the keyboard. These problems did not show up in our test unit, but they are worth noting.

If you want a big Windows AIO with serious CPU power and you can place it at the right height on your desk, the Dell EC27250 delivers a strong experience for home offices and small businesses alike.

For whom the Dell 27-inch EC27250 is a great fit

Home office users, small business owners, and anyone who wants a big screen without buying a separate monitor. The 10-core CPU is also a smart pick for users who multitask heavily across Office, browsers, and creative apps.

For whom the Dell 27-inch EC27250 is the wrong pick

Users who need a height-adjustable or pivot stand should look at Lenovo’s ThinkCentre or Yoga AIO line instead. Hardcore gamers will also want a discrete GPU, which this Dell does not offer.

What to Look for When Buying an All-in-One Desktop in 2026?

Buying the best all-in-one desktop means balancing display quality, processing power, RAM, storage, and ergonomics. Here is the framework our team uses when evaluating new AIOs, plus the trade-offs most buyers overlook.

Display resolution and size

For a 24-inch screen, 1080p is acceptable but 1440p is noticeably sharper. For 27-inch and larger displays, step up to 4K or 4.5K if your budget allows. Apple’s 4.5K Retina iMac and the 5K iMac deliver the best image quality we have tested, but the 1080p FHD panels on most budget AIOs are perfectly fine for documents and streaming. Look for IPS panels for wide viewing angles and at least 300 nits of brightness for a sunny room.

Touchscreens are a nice-to-have on AIOs, especially for kitchen use or art apps, but they typically add cost and can introduce glare. We recommend a touchscreen only if you have a clear use case.

Processor and performance

Apple’s M-series chips (M1 and M4) lead on efficiency and silent operation. On Windows, look for Intel Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 7, or AMD Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9. Budget Intel N100 and N150 chips are fine for browsing and Office but will not keep up with creative work or heavy multitasking.

For gaming or video editing, you need a discrete GPU. None of the AIOs on our list includes a dedicated graphics card, so gamers should expect to play at low-to-medium settings or look at a traditional desktop instead.

RAM, storage, and ports

16GB of RAM is the minimum we recommend in 2026. 8GB feels tight once you open a few browsers and apps at once. For storage, a 512GB SSD is the sweet spot, and 1TB is better if you keep a large photo or video library.

Check ports carefully. Most AIOs include a mix of USB-C, USB-A, HDMI-out, and sometimes HDMI-in for using the screen with a laptop. Thunderbolt 4 is a real plus for fast external storage. Wireless connectivity should be at least Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Ergonomics, repairability, and lifespan

Height-adjustable stands, pivot, and VESA mount support are common on business-class AIOs like the Lenovo ThinkCentre line. Most consumer AIOs ship with fixed stands, so plan your desk setup in advance. Repairability is the AIO’s biggest weakness – if the screen fails, you usually replace the whole computer. Expect a five-to-seven-year useful life for most modern AIOs, with Apple silicon tending to last the longest thanks to long macOS support windows.

All-in-one vs Mini PC plus monitor

A common question from our readers is whether to buy an AIO or pair a mini PC with a separate monitor. The math often comes out close. A solid mini PC plus a 27-inch 4K monitor can match an AIO on raw specs while letting you upgrade the display later. AIOs win on aesthetics, single-cable setup, and bundled peripherals, but they lose on upgradability and repair cost. If your workflow will not change for five-plus years, an AIO is the cleaner pick. If you like to tinker, the mini PC route is better.

For shoppers comparing compact appliance options in the same vein, you can also check our best all-in-one kitchenette guide for a different take on integrated designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which All-in-One Desktop Should You Buy?

The best all-in-one desktop for most people in 2026 is the Apple 2024 iMac with the M4 chip. It combines a stunning 4.5K Retina display, a fast and silent M4 processor, and the strongest ecosystem integration in the industry. If you prefer Windows or need a lower price point, the Dell 27-inch EC27250 is our top Windows pick, and the Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 is the budget champ.

For Mac buyers who want to save, the 2021 iMac M1 still delivers an excellent experience at a noticeably lower price. For families, the Dell EC24250 strikes a smart balance of features and value. And for creators who need a large color-accurate canvas, the older 27-inch 5K iMac remains a tempting option if you can find a clean unit.

Whichever pick you choose, an AIO desktop is one of the best ways to keep your desk tidy without giving up screen size or performance. Use the buying guide above to match the right specs to your needs, and use the FAQ to clear up any lingering questions. If you want more hands-on tested picks across home categories, browse our other hands-on buying guides.