The best HP laptops combine performance, design, and value to meet the needs of everyone from business professionals to creative specialists and casual users. HP's diverse lineup spans premium Spectre models with their distinctive designs to more affordable Pavilion options that don't sacrifice essential features.
The versatile Envy series, meanwhile, strikes an excellent balance between price and performance, while the gaming-focused Omen and Victus series deliver powerful graphics processing for immersive gameplay experiences. And for business users, the EliteBook series offers robust security features and durability certifications. When selecting an HP laptop, consider your primary use case, preferred form factor, and budget constraints.
Key factors to evaluate include processor generation, RAM capacity, storage technology, display quality, port selection, and battery life. This guide examines the top contenders across various categories to help you find the best HP laptop for your specific needs.
The best HP laptops
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The best HP laptop for most people
The HP Pavilion 16 strikes a great balance between portability and performance, offering a surprisingly lightweight chassis despite its large 16-inch display. At just 1.8kg and 0.7 inches thick, it's designed to be taken anywhere without weighing you down. The keyboard is spacious with a full number pad, while the wide trackpad allows for precise control.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor handles everyday tasks admirably, though it won't compete with dedicated gaming or creative workstation laptops. The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and light gaming smooth, while the IPS display provides decent color accuracy for general use. Connectivity is plentiful with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and HDMI output.
Where the Pavilion 16 truly shines is its thoughtful design considerations, including a dedicated Microsoft Copilot+ AI button and responsive touchscreen functionality. Battery life is strong enough to last through a full workday, making this an excellent choice for anyone needing a capable all-around laptop without breaking the bank.
The best budget HP laptop
The HP Chromebook Plus 15 delivers exceptional value in the budget-friendly laptop space, offering a streamlined ChromeOS experience with surprising versatility. While it doesn't hide its plastic construction, the laptop maintains a sturdy feel and professional appearance that belies its affordable price point.
Performance is nimble thanks to the combination of an efficient Intel Core i3 processor and lightweight ChromeOS. The 8GB of RAM provides enough headroom for multitasking across web apps, Android applications, and even Linux software. The 15.6-inch display gives plenty of screen real estate, though at 300 nits it's best suited for indoor use.
Connectivity is a highlight, with USB-C ports that support DisplayPort and charging, alongside a traditional USB-A port. Setup is straightforward, especially for Android phone users already within the Google ecosystem. Overall, for web browsing, cloud-based productivity, and general computing tasks, this Chromebook is a great choice, though creative professionals will want to look elsewhere for more processing power, and a fully fledged Windows or MacOS operating system.
The best HP 2-in-1 laptop
The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 revives the iconic Spectre x360 design philosophy with a sleek, premium build featuring distinctive cut corners and an adaptable 2-in-1 form factor. Its standout OLED touchscreen delivers vibrant colors with 99% DCI-P3 coverage, making it ideal for content consumption and light creative work.
At just 1.34kg and featuring an innovative 360-degree hinge, the OmniBook transitions seamlessly between laptop and tablet modes. The included stylus enhances its versatility for note-taking, drawing, and precision input. The second-generation Intel Core Ultra processor prioritizes efficiency over raw performance, resulting in impressive battery life exceeding 12 hours.
Connectivity is thoroughly modern with Thunderbolt 4 support and Wi-Fi 7 capability, though the similar-looking USB ports can cause occasional confusion. While not a powerhouse for intensive rendering or gaming, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 excels at everyday productivity tasks, presentations, and light creative work in a premium, highly portable package.
The best HP laptop for business
The HP EliteBook 845 G11 represents HP's premium business laptop offering, blending professional aesthetics with powerful performance in a durable all-metal chassis. The 14-inch form factor strikes the perfect balance between screen real estate and portability, making it ideal for professionals who regularly work between multiple locations.
Performance is impressive, with the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro processor handling multiple browser tabs, office applications, and video conferencing with ease. The spacious keyboard provides comfortable typing for extended periods, while the physical camera cover and advanced security features offer peace of mind for business users handling sensitive information.
Connectivity options are comprehensive with Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, and even a nano-SIM slot for mobile connectivity. While the standard display's 300 nits brightness and 100% sRGB coverage may not satisfy creative professionals, multiple screen options are available including brighter 800-nit variants. For business users prioritizing security, performance, and build quality, the EliteBook 845 G11 represents an excellent professional computing solution.
The best HP laptop for battery
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1Q offers exceptional portability and battery life in an ultra-slim aluminum chassis that's both elegant and durable. At just 11.2mm thick, this laptop rivals the MacBook Air in thinness while providing surprising durability and a rigid display that holds up well to daily use. The 14-inch touchscreen delivers bright, clear visuals with a crisp 2.2K resolution that works well in various lighting conditions.
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor, this Copilot+ laptop excels at AI-accelerated tasks and everyday productivity. But where the EliteBook Ultra G1Q truly shines is battery performance. The 3-cell, 59Wh Li-ion polymer battery easily lasts a full day of work or classes, and HP Fast Charge can bring it back to 50% in just 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for hybrid workers, students, and business professionals who need a reliable, portable companion.
Connectivity is somewhat limited, though, with just two USB-C ports (40Gbps and 10Gbps), one USB-A port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. The lack of an HDMI port may also disappoint some who haven't fully embraced the USB-C ecosystem. Overall though, the EliteBook Ultra G1Q represents a solid investment for productivity-focused users who value AI capabilities, portability and exceptional battery performance, though creative professionals requiring more graphics power might want to look elsewhere.
How we test laptops
When reviewing a laptop, we assess its internal hardware features, build quality, ergonomics, performance in a variety of usage scenarios, value for money, and its overall suitability for its target buyer. Although we'll evaluate a laptop with a typical user in mind, we will also pay particular attention to the perspective of photo and video enthusiasts, with special focus given to screen quality and color space coverage. Where possible, a monitor calibrator will be used to measure a laptop's display performance to assess whether it matches a manufacturer's claims, and software benchmarks like GeekBench are used to measure a laptop's processor and graphics card capabilities.
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