Microsoft Edge review

Edge is the sensible pick for Windows laptop users who want battery tools without installing anything unusual. It adds features aimed at battery and memory: Microsoft says energy saver gives an average of 25 more minutes of battery life, and sleeping tabs and startup boost keep the browser responsive. Security features include Microsoft Defender SmartScreen against phishing and malicious downloads, a scareware blocker for fake support pop-ups, enhanced security mode and Edge Secure Network for public Wi-Fi. Copilot can summarize pages, compare details across tabs and generate images. Edge also has shopping tools that check prices and find coupons, and it earns Microsoft Rewards points when you search with Bing. That is also the downside: Copilot, Bing and shopping prompts appear throughout, and there is no built-in ad blocker. Microsoft says features vary by device, market and version.

Who it is for

Windows laptop users who want longer battery life and Copilot

Price

Free.

Get an average of 25 more minutes of battery life with energy saver.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Energy saver adds an average of 25 more minutes of battery life, per Microsoft
• Sleeping tabs and startup boost
• Copilot summaries and compare across tabs
• Scareware blocker and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
• Edge Secure Network for public Wi-Fi

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: On Mac it supports Touch ID sign-in and Spotlight search
• Strength: Microsoft Defender SmartScreen blocks known phishing sites and malicious downloads
• Strength: Built-in shopping tools for coupons and price checks
• Weakness: Copilot, Bing and shopping prompts add clutter some users will disable
• Weakness: No built-in ad blocker
• Weakness: Microsoft notes feature availability varies by device and market

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, mobile
• Battery claim: Average of 25 more minutes with energy saver (Microsoft)
• AI: Copilot
• Security: SmartScreen, scareware blocker

Where it ranks

Microsoft Edge is No. 6 in our Best Web Browsers verdict.