HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American company founded in 1939. As one of the oldest tech companies in the world, HP has produced a wide range of products, from calculators and personal digital assistants to scanners, printers, desktop computers, and laptops. Its laptop portfolio comprises models at nearly every price range, including budget-friendly Chromebooks, Windows ultraportables, gaming laptops, and high-performance workstations.
We've tested over 185 laptops, more than 25 of which were made by HP. Here are our recommendations for the top HP laptops.
Updates
- 11/02/2026HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2026) reviewed
- 08/26/2026HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026) reviewed
- 07/23/2026HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025) reviewed
- 06/04/2025HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) reviewed
- 01/22/2025HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) reviewed
Since 2021, we've tested dozens of laptops every year. We buy our laptops to avoid bias and, following a rigorous methodology, test nearly every part of the laptop so we can deliver results you can rely on. We use a wide range of equipment to perform our tests, including a colorimeter, a Mecmesin MultiTest-i System Test Stand, and various performance benchmarking suites.
Want to know more? Check out our How We Test Laptops article, where we give you a broader overview of our review process, from the moment we purchase the product to the final review.
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Best HP Laptop
School & WorkMedia ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadBuild QualityBatteryForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:14"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:YesRefresh Rate:120 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:32 GBThe best HP laptop we've tested is the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2026), a premium Windows ultraportable designed for productivity on the go. This compact 14-inch laptop feels well-built, sporting an aluminum chassis, a comfortable backlit keyboard, and a great 1440p webcam with facial recognition. It comes with Snapdragon and Intel CPU options: for most people, we recommend an Intel Core Ultra configuration, as it avoids the Windows on ARM software and peripheral compatibility limitations of the Snapdragon models. Intel versions have a sharp 3K 120Hz OLED touchscreen and are available with Core Ultra 7, Core Ultra 9, or Core Ultra X9 processors; the X9 also has more capable Arc B390 integrated graphics. The memory is soldered, so choose enough RAM for your needs upfront.
Our tested Snapdragon X2 Elite configuration lasts around 16 hours of light web browsing and over 21 hours of video playback. We haven't tested the Intel versions, so those battery and performance results shouldn't be assumed to carry over. You can charge the laptop via USB-C, and Intel models have three Thunderbolt 4 ports. The glossy display can also struggle with direct reflections. Keep in mind that our unit's haptic touchpad feedback didn't work, making clicking and dragging awkward, though gestures and palm rejection worked well; return yours if it has a similar defect.
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Best Mid-Range HP Laptop
School & WorkMedia ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadBuild QualityBatteryForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:NoRefresh Rate:60 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:16 GBOur mid-range pick is the HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026). This 16-inch laptop provides more screen space than our top pick, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2026), though it isn't nearly as compact or easy to carry. Still, its aluminum and plastic chassis feels reasonably durable, and you get a comfortable keyboard with a numpad, a large and responsive touchpad, a good webcam, and a wide selection of ports. Display options include IPS and OLED panels; our tested FHD+ OLED delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors, but its modest brightness and glossy finish make it harder to see in bright environments. The speakers are also fairly quiet and lack bass.
This model comes in substantially different Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon configurations, so pay close attention to the specifications. Our Ryzen AI 5 430 model handles everyday tasks well, but its four-core CPU is limited for demanding workloads; higher-end Ryzen AI and Core Ultra options provide more headroom. The tested configuration lasts over 12 hours of light web browsing, supports USB-C charging, and has replaceable memory and storage. However, battery capacity, port count, and memory upgradeability vary across submodels.
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Best Budget HP Laptop
School & WorkMedia ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadBuild QualityBatteryForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:14"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:NoRefresh Rate:60 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:8 GBThe best budget HP laptop we've tested is the HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025). This compact 14-inch Windows laptop gets the everyday basics right: it has a good keyboard, a large and responsive touchpad, and a 1080p webcam with facial recognition for quick logins. There are also plenty of ports for common accessories, including two USB-As, two USB-Cs with charging and display output, and an HDMI port on the model we tested. Our Ryzen 5 40 configuration lasts around 11 hours of light use, which is enough for a typical workday or school day.
Pay close attention to the configuration and price, though. The OmniBook 3 name covers substantially different Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon models. Our Ryzen 5 40 uses AMD's older Zen 2 architecture and is best for light tasks like browsing, documents, and video calls. Its 8GB of soldered RAM leaves little room for multitasking, so we recommend a 16GB configuration. The tested IPS display is fairly dim and has muted colors, and the keyboard lacks backlighting. Other configurations can differ considerably, particularly Snapdragon versions with Windows on ARM compatibility considerations. This laptop makes the most sense at a low sale price; higher-priced configurations can overlap with the better-equipped HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026) above.
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Best HP Workstation
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBIf you're looking for a workstation laptop for intensive tasks like 3D modeling or simulations, check out the HP ZBook Power G11 A (2024). A major strength of this laptop is the sheer range of configurable options; you can easily scale the hardware up or down depending on your needs and budget. To that end, it's configurable with AMD 8040-series CPUs, and you can get it with just integrated graphics or paired with an NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation Laptop GPU, up to an RTX 3000. Multiple display options are available; most are FHD+ panels (with or without touch input). Choose a panel with 100% sRGB coverage if you need something for SDR color-critical work; these include brighter FHD+ options and a 120Hz QHD+ panel. Other nice-to-have features include a full-size keyboard with a numpad and a 1440p webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition.
Plenty of ports are on offer, including two USB-As, two USB-Cs (USB4), an HDMI 2.1, an SD card reader, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, an Ethernet port, and a SIM card reader. In addition to Wi-Fi 6E support, there's optional cellular connectivity, which is great if you need to take your workstation to remote work locations. Our major complaint is that the laptop doesn't provide a user experience as premium as other laptops in its price range. For example, many display options aren't bright enough for bright environments, and the touchpad could be larger. Finally, while this laptop's customizability is a strength, navigating HP's website to find the configuration you want can be difficult.
The G11 A is getting harder to find. If you can't find a suitable configuration, HP now offers the ZBook X G2i 16 with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell graphics.
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Best HP Gaming Laptop
School & WorkMedia ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadBuild QualityBatteryForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:NoRefresh Rate:240 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:32 GBThe best HP gaming laptop we've tested is the HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025). Configurable with Intel Core Ultra 7 or Core Ultra 9 HX processors and NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs, from an RTX 5060 to an RTX 5090, this 16-inch model offers much more performance headroom than our budget gaming pick below. There are three display options: a 165Hz FHD+ IPS, a 240Hz QHD+ IPS, and a 240Hz QHD+ OLED. All three support G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing. The OLED is particularly appealing for gaming in the dark and for content creation, thanks to its deep blacks and wide color gamut. Our performance results come from the RTX 5080 configuration; lower-end models will be slower.
The laptop feels sturdy and has plenty of ports, including two USB-As, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet. RAM and storage are user-upgradeable, too. However, it's bulky and heavy, and its closely spaced keyboard keys can lead to more typos. Thermal throttling is minimal, but the fans are extremely loud under load. Our tested configuration lasts around seven and a half hours of light web browsing, with much shorter battery life when gaming. Some configurations can be hard to find, so check the display and GPU carefully when shopping. Also, distinguish this 2025 model we reviewed from the newer HyperX OMEN MAX 16, which we haven't tested.
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Best Budget Gaming HP Laptop
MultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:16"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBIf you're just getting into gaming or simply need something that won't break the bank, consider the more budget-friendly HP Victus 16 (2024). Configurable with AMD Ryzen CPUs and NVIDIA discrete GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), the higher-end configurations can handle demanding games at 1080p or 1440p, though settings may need to be reduced. The RTX 3050 and 4050 are better suited to 1080p, and their 6GB of VRAM can be restrictive in newer games; even the RTX 4060 and 4070's 8GB can limit texture settings at 1440p. There are three display options: a 144Hz FHD panel, a 165Hz FHD panel, and a 240Hz QHD panel. Avoid the basic 144Hz panel if possible, as its slow response time causes visible ghosting and washed-out colors. The 240Hz QHD panel is best paired with the RTX 4070. None of the displays support variable refresh rate to minimize screen tearing, an unfortunate drawback of many budget gaming laptops.
The laptop feels pretty well built, but as you may have guessed, it isn't very portable, as it's bulky and heavy. It has a spacious, tactile keyboard, a great 1080p webcam, and plenty of ports for peripherals and external displays. You can choose between a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E wireless adapter, and there's also an Ethernet port to ensure you get the fastest and most reliable internet connection when gaming online. RAM and storage max out at 32GB and 1TB, respectively; these components are user-upgradeable, so don't worry if you don't have the budget to get the configuration you want upfront. Thermal throttling is minimal, but unfortunately, the fans are quite loud. This 2024 model is getting harder to find, so shop around for a suitably priced configuration; if you can't find one, consider going for the HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) above.
Compared To Other Brands
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Wide selection of products.
HP has many laptop lineups ranging from cheap Chromebooks to premium workstations.
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Well-built premium models.
HP's premium models typically have exceptional build quality.
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Great customizability.
HP laptops feature a wide range of customization options, allowing you to configure devices to best suit your needs.
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Support pages are overly convoluted.
While HP's documentation is generally good, its support pages are needlessly complicated to navigate.
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Low availability via marketplaces and other retailers.
Many models are only available from HP directly, and they can be difficult to configure on HP's website.
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Budget models can feel less sturdy.
Some of HP's budget devices feel flimsier than competing models from other companies.
HP vs Dell
HP and Dell make a wide range of laptops at nearly every price point. However, Dell has a stronger foothold in the corporate world, with a wider selection of products tailored for business use. Both companies offer high-end gaming configurations. Both companies' premium products are expensive, but they also frequently offer large sales directly on their website. Dell and HP provide similar build quality and user experiences, so the better choice depends on your needs and preferences. See our Dell laptop recommendations.
HP vs Apple
Apple takes a very different approach to laptop manufacturing than HP. Apple produces only a handful of productivity-focused devices that are industry-leading in build quality. HP's premium line-ups can compete directly with Apple, though the company typically puts more effort into producing a wider range of products at various price points. Another key difference resides under the chassis. Apple uses its in-house ARM-based SoC, while HP still primarily traffics in x86 CPUs from Intel and AMD, with some models using Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon SoCs. See our Apple laptop recommendations.
HP vs Lenovo
Although Lenovo and HP both produce a very wide range of laptops, they generally compete in different market segments. Lenovo tends to be known for the value of its budget and mid-range offerings. Recently, HP has become better known for its higher-end productivity lines. That said, Lenovo experiments with more form factors like dual-screen laptops and Windows/Android devices, and offers a wider range of OS configurations for Linux users. See our Lenovo laptop recommendations.
HP vs ASUS
Despite some overlap in their product stacks, ASUS and HP are known for different kinds of laptops. ASUS offers a wider range of gaming laptops, although its productivity laptops from its Zenbook brand are no slouches either. HP primarily offers a wide range of productivity-focused laptops with modest offerings from its gaming lineups. However, ASUS is more willing to experiment than HP; ASUS products offer interesting form factors like dual-screen laptops, 2-in-1 gaming tablets, and more. See our ASUS laptop recommendations.
HP vs Acer
Both Acer and HP produce a wide range of Windows and ChromeOS laptops. HP generally has more premium models and offers more workstation and business models. Acer tends to focus more on mid-range and budget models, which can provide a superior user experience and better performance at a lower price than competing models from HP, depending on the configuration and current pricing. See our recommendations for the best Acer laptops.
Like ASUS, Acer, Dell, and Lenovo, HP offers laptops at every price point. While its premium models compete with the best laptops on the market, some of its mid-range and budget models aren't as feature-rich or well-built as competing devices. Shopping for the exact laptop configuration you want is sometimes hard with HP; its products aren't always widely available from third-party sellers and marketplaces, and its website can be difficult to navigate.
Lineup
HP began a major rebranding in May 2024, citing that the previous brandings were overly complicated. Instead of brands like Envy, Spectre, and Pavilion, its mainstream consumer laptops now fall under the 'OmniBook' brand. Its business laptops include EliteBook and ProBook models, while ZBook remains its mobile workstation brand. Chromebooks are separate from the OmniBook lineup. HP also brought OMEN and HyperX together under the HyperX gaming brand in 2026, so newer gaming laptops carry the HyperX OMEN name.
The lineups have modifiers to indicate the tier, with OmniBook using odd numbers (3, 5, 7, X—where X is 10) and the commercial naming structure using even numbers. As the numbers go up, you can generally expect a more premium design, more features, and better performance, although the exact configuration still matters. The 'Ultra' modifier indicates a premium offering, while 'Flip' identifies a convertible. HP also uses an 'AI Helix' logo to identify products with its AI features; it isn't a model-name modifier. You can see more information in HP's branding explanation and its HyperX and OMEN announcement.
Recent Updates
Nov 04, 2026:
We replaced our top pick with the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2026) and our mid-range pick with the HP OmniBook 5 16 (2026), as the previous picks are now hard to find. We added the HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025) as the 'Best Budget HP Laptop' and the HP OMEN MAX 16 (2025) as the 'Best HP Gaming Laptop'. We also refreshed the remaining picks.
Feb 28, 2025:
We've verified that our recommendations are available and represent the best choices.
Feb 07, 2025:
Replaced the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) with the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) because the OmniBook is a newer model that's easier to find.
Jan 15, 2025:
Verified that all picks are valid. Small text changes to the Lineup section to provide information regarding HP's rebranding.
Dec 17, 2024:
Small text changes for clarity. Verified that all picks are valid. No change in recommendations.
Conclusion
HP makes a wide range of laptops, from basic devices for everyday tasks like word processing or web browsing to powerful workstations and gaming or content creation laptops. Their premium laptops from the OmniBook or OMEN lineups often provide a great user experience, come in various form factors, and offer exceptional performance. However, some of their budget models aren't quite as competitive, lacking features or offering inferior build quality when matched up against the competition. Nevertheless, HP's higher-end models are among the best laptops we've tested, and we recommend them if you need a great device for on-the-go productivity tasks or demanding workstation and content creation workloads.