The best HP laptops cover a lot of ground. In fact, with so many fantastic laptops on the market, picking which one is best for you can quickly become an arduous task of comparing configurations against your personal use cases to make a well-informed decision.
With a catalog like HP's, that could result in an incredible amount of analysis paralysis alongside a fair chance of a headache or two as you needlessly split the hairs on which specs to chase and which specs to cast aside.
Thankfully, as the name might indicate, we're somewhat in the know about HP's laptop offerings here at Laptop Mag — and we've been doing the hard work for you. We review HP laptops year-round to ensure the brand's offerings are up to par, and luckily for you, there are plenty of fantastic devices to choose from.
Our selection of the best HP laptops is sourced from the highest-scoring machines in our review pool and features devices suitable for all walks of life and every budget. HP's vast and varied lineup has something for everyone, and we're here to help you figure out which one is best for you.
So, whether you’re looking for the premium, executive feel of the awesome Spectre lineup; the pulse-raising gaming potential of the Victus; the brilliant-for-business Elite Dragonfly; or the budget-friendly Pavillion; let's dive into Laptop Mag's best HP laptops of 2024.
Rael Hornby brings decades of tech tinkering and enthusiasm to the table with a broad history of technical support, web design, and journalism under his belt. As Laptop Mag's content editor and resident reviewer of accessories, he interacts with a number of laptops to measure their strengths or weaknesses and see how peripherals can take further advantage of their potential.
Best HP laptops in 2024: The list in brief
HP breaks into the AI PC market with a fantastic showcase of laptop excellence thanks to the 14-inch Spectre x360 with its speedy Intel Core Ultra processor and AI-enhancing NPU.
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The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 is an affordable laptop with a stunning OLED display and solid performance. Overall, it's a fantastic budget-friendly computing solution.
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Top tier design, potent performance, and an excellent keyboard make this built-for-business laptop one of the best options on the market today for users who make productivity a priority.
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With potent, perky specs, elegant design cues, and a solid FHD display with a speedy refresh rate, the HP Omen 16 is an excellent gaming laptop backed by AMD and Nvidia.
The updated ZBook Fury is lighter and more powerful than ever. This workhorse of a laptop is the ultimate tool in the arsenal of any high-level enthusiast, video editor, or 3D artist and is one stop solution for demanding computing tasks.
HP’s Chromebook is more than deserving of the Dragonfly name thanks to its premium design, fantastic performance and stellar webcam. It's a surefire for students and brilliant for business.
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The best HP laptops in 2024
Why you can trust Laptop Mag Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best HP laptop overall
With AI PCs being the new standard in performance, HP have come out of the gate swinging with a fantastic all-rounder capable of doing the business in all key areas. The HP Spectre x360 14 is a well-sized convertible laptop with excellent performance, considerably aided in AI-related tasks by Intel's latest Core Ultra processors with their included NPUs (Neural processing units).
While it doesn't tout the lowest price tag of our selection (for that, check out the ultra-versatile HP Envy x360 2-in-1 elsewhere in our list), HP make up for every dollar spent with a grand and even spread of performance and high-quality components.
Packing one of Intel's latest Core Ultra 7 155H CPUs, the Spectre x360 soared above category averages in our premium laptop benchmark tests when it came to measuring overall performance — even besting Apple's MacBook Pro M3 along the way.
The inclusion of Intel's latest generation of chips is only half the story here, though. The Spectre also features a stunning 2.8K OLED display, there's room for improvement when it comes to brightness and color accuracy, but you won't be left wanting for bold and beautiful pictures with this IMAX enhanced panel.
Rounding out our four-and-a-half-star review, we adored the Spectre x360 for its fantastic typing experience, powerful speakers, and quality 4K webcam — all packaged within a sleek and minimalist chassis that's sure to get tongues wagging.
When you also factor in an impressive 11-hour battery life, this ultra-portable 14-inch laptop becomes a machine that's hard to deny as one of HP's best efforts to date.
See our full HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) review.
Best budget HP laptop
Strong performance, vibrant pictures, an excellent typing experience and more are all hallmarks of HP's fantastic and affordable HP Envy x360 15. There are definitely tradeoffs to be made when securing this laptop for its $799 starting price, but the reliable quality of HP remains, regardless of configuration.
Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 performance lies at the core of this machine (though an Intel model is available for those who prefer it), delivering solid performance and excellent efficiency. Backed by 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, the Envy x360 is a formidable machine for multitasking and typical daily use, just don't expect any heavy lifting in games from its integrated AMD Radeon Graphics GPU.
Turning the Envy x360 from a bargain into an outright steal is this laptop's impressive 15-inch OLED display, which crushed it in our color tests, reproducing 128.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and sailing past the category average of just 85.5%!
However, that vivid OLED panel does have one downside: the impact on the Envy's battery life, which measured just 9 hours and 17 minutes in he Laptop Mag battery test, just shy of the 9-hour 44-minute category average.
the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 is a 15-inch laptop that makes for an ideal computing companion, and, better still, won't break the bank. With multiple configurations starting way below the $1,000 marker, the Envy x360 is impressively accessible to a number of budgets, delivering a dependable all-rounder that looks impressively premium thanks to a slick design and vivid OLED display.
For the price, its one of the best HP laptops you can pick up if not one of the best 2-in-1 laptops also.
See our full HP Envy x360 2-in-1 review.
Best HP business laptop
Forget any preconceived notion of a business laptop being a dull, lifeless husk of a machine. HP's notebook earns the moniker "Elite" thanks to its executive chic and lustrous detail. Far from a case of all style and no substance, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is stacked with enough power to get all but the upper echelon of users effortlessly through their 9 to 5 grind.
Outfitted with an impressive Intel Core i7-1365U processor, the Dragonfly G4 is well equipped to handle more intensive multitasking and its fair share of number crunching to boot — with the perks of Intel vPro for enhanced performance and additional hardware-based security and manageability.
While designed to be put to work, the Dragonfly G4 isn't one of HP's workstation laptops (stick around for the HP ZBook Fury 16 G9 later in this list if you want peak performance and power), but it is a great option for tackling your day-to-day tasks even if its performance could do with a little more fine tuning.
Backing up Intel's processor are integrated Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. But its 13.5-inch touch display will no doubt become a standout feature for many, making use of a 3:2 aspect ratio to deliver more vertical screen space and toasting its contemporaries in color accuracy.
However, it's not all about the core components. The G4 has an exceptional keyboard that boasts a near-perfect typing experience, a 13-hour battery life, and a solid combo of speakers and webcam that are ideal for a Microsoft Teams turnout. Better still, at just 2.2 pounds in weight, the G4 is a highly portable computing companion that won't complicate your commute.
See our full HP Dragonfly G4 review.
Best HP gaming laptop
Fusing AMD's powerful and efficient Ryzen processors with Nvidia's trailblazing GPUs, the HP Omen 16 is a sign of good things to come, especially with regards to your Steam library. The Omen is HP's flagship gaming laptop, and this model holds its own in a busy category dominated by pricier alternatives.
The brains of the Omen 16 are made up of an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU (though an Intel model is available) backed by 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. In our benchmark tests, the Omen 16 dominated in overall performance, and it excelled when it came to multitasking in our hands-on testing too.
However, the Omen's heart stores a mighty Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 discrete GPU that lends considerable graphical output, surpassing 70 fps across a selection of demanding titles running at max, including Far Cry 6, Borderlands 3, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. While it's not one of the best gaming laptops we've ever reviewed, it is more than capable of satisfying the needs of most gamers and then some.
This is especially true thanks to the Omen 16's 16-inch, 1080p display with its speedy 165Hz refresh rate, ensuring your eyes are treated to just about every frame this machine is capable of spitting out. This allows for smoother gameplay and a more immersive feel in your games, and is especially great for titles where reaction times are vital.
When you factor in a near-eight-hour battery life (which is rather good for a faming laptop), a solidly performing 1080p webcam, and a bountiful array of ports including a mix of modern and legacy I/O you have a well-rounding gaming offering with plenty of kick to it.
See our full HP Omen 16 (AMD, 2023) review.
Best HP workstation
When it comes to tackling the most intensive and demanding of computing tasks, the HP ZBook Fury 16 G9 is the laptop you need. Offering phenomenal power across the board, this workstation laptop is the ultimate tool in any arsenal and if you're a high-level video editor, programmer, 3D artist, or editor, accept no substitute.
The ninth-iteration of the ZBook Fury 16 is packed with premium components to deliver the most potent performance possible. Not only is the ZBook outfitted with an overclockable 12th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU, but it's also backed by a staggering Nvidia RTX A5500 GPU with 24GB VRAM and up to 64GB of RAM.
That's an ungodly amount of computing force to have at hand, and the ZBook pairs it with 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage to adequately house your power-hungry projects. However, with great power comes equally as great a price tag, and that's something you'll need to heavily invest in to acquire.
The model mentioned here launched at a whopping $5,999.99 to pick up, though different configurations are available with the lowest tier starting at $2,350 from launch. Justifying that price will seem incredibly difficult to most folk, and we wouldn't blame you! However, the ZBook is a professional device outfitted with top-tier components for maximum performance.
The best workstation laptops are often some of the most expensive devices you'll come across, valued for their top-tier components, creator-class hardware, and impressive performance.
However, if you're more of a casual user, or even a standard power user, then it's probably best sticking with something like the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) found at the head of this list.
See our full HP ZBook Fury 16 G9 review.
Best HP Chromebook
Forget everything you know about Chromebooks. Well, not everything. Let's just forget about the notion of these devices being the underpowered and overworked classroom companion of choice the nation over.
Devices like the HP Dragonfly Pro redefine what it is to be a Chromebook, impressing across the board with its solid performance, sleek design, colorful display, excellent audio, and capped off by a pretty tidy 8MP, FHD webcam. While retaining its usefulness for the education market, the Dragonfly Pro becomes a more than viable option for casual computing and business work alike — especially for those who make regular use of Google Workspace (and don't forget Google Gemini AI assistance).
If you're in the market for a Chromebook then HP is certainly one of the brands you'll want to watch out for. HP Chromebooks are some of the better offerings you can find and the Dragonfly Pro is an excellent choice for those looking for a lightweight yet powerful ChromeOS companion.
This is the Chromebook of choice for those seeking portable performance thanks to a 12th gen Intel Core i5 CPU and a healthy accompaniment of 16GB of RAM, making this device ideal for ChromeOS power users (yes, they exist — I was shocked too).
Capping things off for the Dragonfly Pro is a super-bright, 14-inch, 2.5K touchscreen that offers a dazzling 1276 nits of brightness, lending heavily to the vividness of the panel's pictures and blasting apart the competition and category average of just 392 nits. This uber-brightness makes HP's Chromebook an ideal companion in almost any environment and puts most laptops, not just Chromebooks, to shame in the process.
See our full HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review.
Choosing the right HP laptop
As one of the top laptop brands, HP has a laptop for every occasion, from premium business laptops to budget-friendly Chromebooks. That extensive selection might make it tough to decide which laptop is right for you, so here's a handy guide to the various model lines offered by HP.
Spectre: Premium, lightweight designs that offer portable power and beautiful displays are hallmarks of HP's best model line.
Envy: If attractive design, vibrant displays, and premium audio are your focus, HP's line of Envy laptops has style to spare.
Elite Dragonfly: HP's premium business laptop, the Elite Dragonfly series sports a stunning, premium design that's both durable and lightweight. Expect the latest, top-of-the-line features and components, along with a sky-high price to match.
EliteBook: HP's business laptops, with IT support, strong performance, and premium designs. For better portability, the thin-and-light EliteBook Folio is the name to look for. If you go with this line, be sure to check out our 5 essential accessories for EliteBooks.
ProBook: For business-capable laptops without the premium price tag, the ProBook line delivers no-nonsense designs and performance for everyday office productivity.
ZBook: For professionals needing workstation-class performance, HP's ZBooks offer all the power you need, along with robust security and rugged designs.
Notebook: If HP's "Notebook" line sounds generic, that's because it is, but these simple designs offer everyday performance that won't break the bank.
Pavilion: For a happy medium between the bland, budget-friendly "Notebook" line and HP's premium Envy laptops, look no further than the affordably-priced Pavilion. These mid-range laptops come in all shapes and sizes, but all offer decent performance with solid feature sets.
Omen: HP's gaming brand, Omen laptops have a bit more pizazz and a lot more graphics power, delivering a decent gaming experience for (relatively) reasonable prices.
Victus: Another of HP's gaming laptops, this time focusing on striking a balance between performance and value.
Stream: For a Chromebook-style laptop that still offers the familiarity of the WIndows operating system, check out HP's brightly colored, ultra-budget Stream laptops.
Chromebooks: Ranging from $200-500, the HP Chromebook line offers Google's Chrome OS in several well-made laptops.
Why trust Laptop Mag?
Laptop Mag reviews over one hundred different laptops every year, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest peripherals and titles in gaming.
We are 100% independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. In fact, Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on.
Our experienced writers and editors scour information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it.
One of the world's largest technology publishers, Future Publishing, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.
How we test laptops
We put HP laptops through extensive benchmark testing — both synthetic and real-world — before they end up in the hands of our reviewers. We evaluate everything from speed and battery life to display brightness, speaker volume, and system heat.
We use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect a laptop's display's brightness and sRGB color gamut. For performance benchmarking, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 4.3 and 5.0 and 3DMark professional graphics tests.
To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and to duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings and 1080p resolution.
We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. We consider everything over the category average (8 hours and 36 minutes) to be a good result. Of course, these tests are complemented with hands-on testing from our reviewers.
