The best HP laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

HP has been on a roll the past year, with some impressive laptops spanning a wide range of consumer use cases. From the extensive OmniBook series to the high-end EliteBooks, if you’re having trouble breaking down HP’s catalog, we’ve got you covered.

We personally tested over a dozen HP laptops over the past 12 months and have narrowed the list to seven outstanding devices. Whether you’re looking for a laptop for school, the office, or an everyday machine, these are our expert picks for the best battery life, display quality, performance, and portability.

In our April update, we added the EliteBook 8 G1i, Omen 17, and more to the list.

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What’s the best HP laptop right now?

The best overall HP laptop right now is the EliteBook Ultra G1i for its combination of performance, features, and price. No matter what kind of laptop you’re looking for, the sleek, 2.6-pound EliteBook Ultra G1i is up to the task with an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V CPU, 14-inch 2.8 OLED display, and fantastic battery life. The EliteBook Ultra G1i might be overkill if you’re just looking for a budget-friendly device for school or everyday tasks. If that’s the case, we’ve got a handful of other picks that might be better suited to you.

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The best HP laptops of 2026

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Why we like it: Many of HP’s laptops tend to look the same. There’s nothing wrong with that, but good things happen when you step outside the box. The EliteBook Ultra, in its sleek “Atmospheric Blue” color, is a perfect example of that. It’s stylish and premium, with a distinct build and a gorgeous OLED display that makes a good first impression.

The visual output is vibrant and velvety smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, and the 16:10 aspect ratio makes it appear larger than it is. Everything works together to make for an enjoyable user experience.

Review: EliteBook Ultra G1a (14-inch)

Who it’s for: The EliteBook Ultra G1i hits all the right notes for a practical, portable laptop for professionals and hybrid commuters. At just 2.6 pounds, it comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 268V, one of the most battery-efficient chips on the market right now, lasting over 15 hours during our testing.

This configuration makes the device versatile across a wide range of trades. However, the streamlined port selection — three Thunderbolt 3 ports, a lock slot, headphone jack, and one USB-A — might feel limiting.

Who should look elsewhere: Consumers who don’t care as much about battery longevity — and want more power — may prefer the EliteBook X G1a. Also, there’s no HDMI port or SD card slots, which could deter serious content creators.

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Why we like it: The HP EliteBook 8 G1i is a reliable, energy-efficient laptop that handles heavy multitasking with ease. I tested this laptop when it was released earlier in the year. My review unit housed an AMD Ryzen Pro 350 processor and 32GB of RAM. In my experience, the laptop ran wonderfully, delivering strong performance across productivity apps, browser-heavy workflows, and light creative tasks.

Review: HP EliteBook 8 G1i

Battery life is another major highlight: The laptop lasted beyond a full workday multiple times, all while staying perfectly cool. It’s the type of longevity that will remove a lot of stress as you travel from point A to point B. I also appreciated the wide port selection, which includes standards like Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI. You’ll have an easy time connecting multiple accessories and monitors to the laptop without relying on docking stations.

Who it’s for: The EliteBook 8 G1i is a good pick for business professionals or enterprising users who need a dependable, long-lasting machine. It’s well-suited for a wide range of workflows, including video conferencing. This PC has a high-quality 5MP webcam nestled above its 16-inch display.

Who should look elsewhere: People who value display quality should look elsewhere. It has a 2K screen, which isn’t bad, but it does lack visual-enhancing software like Dolby Vision. Plus, the laptop display peaks at just 400 nits.

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Why We Like It: I feel like HP’s Omen series of gaming laptops is often overlooked in favor of more famous brands like Razer and Alienware. I think that’s a shame because the company makes solid gaming PCs, and the king of the hill is the Omen 17.

Thanks to its AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, it delivers desktop-class performance. It’ll handle demanding AAA video games and heavy tasks like video editing without breaking a sweat. The large 17.3-inch QuadHD display runs at 240Hz for crisp, smooth visuals. I also like its design. It’s sleek and not overly flashy or bulky like previous generations.

Who it’s for: The HP Omen 17 is perfect for gamers, content creators, and power users who want a big-screen laptop with top-notch hardware. Its high-end components enable the machine to handle modern gaming, 3D rendering, and other graphically intensive work well.

Who Should Look Elsewhere: It does possess many of the same issues as other gaming lapotps. HP’s Omen 17 is heavy, weighing well over six pounds, so carrying it around won’t be easy. It’s also expensive, with the model on Best Buy retailing for $1,780. Also, don’t expect a long battery life from the Omen 17. Gaming laptops are famous for being power hogs.

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Why we like it: The Aero nails the slim form factor as the lightest laptop on this list and one of the lightest in its class. Weighing just 2.1 pounds, less than a MacBook Air, with a cool, all-white build and better performance than you might expect.

Review: HP OmniBook 7 Aero

Who it’s for: Professionals who commute will like the 13-inch Aero’s exceptionally portable design, especially with its surprisingly powerful hardware. You’ve got an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 here, paired with an Integrated AMD Radeon 860M GPU for productivity tasks and AI-powered workflows.

In our testing, it was snappy and responsive. In our benchmarking, we found it pulls ahead of many of its OmniBook competitors — even approaching the processing power of the EliteBook X G1a.

Who should look elsewhere: There are trade-offs to a build this thin, primarily in heat dissipation and battery size. The 43Wh battery on board is by no means a slouch, but we got around 10 hours in our testing, which is less than most competitors in the same class.

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Why we like it: The OmniBook 5 is one of the most compelling lightweight laptops we tested in 2026, hitting all the right notes for a dependable machine with a vivid OLED display, respectable hardware, and fantastic battery life.

One of the best things about the OmniBook 5, however, is just how affordable it is for all of these features. On sale, lower-end configurations drop to under $600 making it one of the best-looking laptops in this price range you can get on the market.
Review: HP OmniBook 5 (14-inch)

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a thin and lightweight OLED laptop for work with a fantastic battery under the $1,000 mark would do well to consider the OmniBook 5. This is a laptop that’s well-optimized for typical productivity workflows for professionals, students, and everyday users, and geared toward those tasks.

Who should look elsewhere: The hardware here is more suited toward longevity and efficiency, not intensive workflows or high-end gaming. In addition, although rare, there could be some compatibility issues with niche apps or device drivers thanks to the ARM-compatible Snapdragon processor. Consumers who rely on legacy enterprise software should check these requirements before purchasing.

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Why we like it: HP’s OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 successfully balances an aesthetically pleasing design with top-notch hardware. It is a lightweight device that lasts up to 13 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough to take you through a full day of work plus some unwinding time after you clock out. The 3K OLED display it houses is stunning; sharp resolution and vibrant colors make everything pop. Video calls are also next level thanks to the 9MP AI webcam and powerful quad-speaker system.

Writers will undoubtedly appreciate the comfortable keyboard, as you can type away for hours without feeling any finger strain. Another cool aspect about the OmniBook’s design is its resistance to smudges; the laptop stays clean-looking even after being handled for a whole day.

Review: HP Omnibook Ultra Flip 14

Who it’s for: Similar to the previous entry, I recommend HP’s laptop to remote professionals, as it’s perfect for daily office work, casual web browsing, and media consumption. I would also recommend it to anyone who values portability and battery longevity. Because of its high-res OLED screen, artists will enjoy using the OmniBook in its tablet mode, though it’s best for casual sketching or note-taking rather than any serious digital art.

Who should look elsewhere: The integrated graphics card and midrange Intel perform well for daily use but fall short of more powerful models, housing an Intel Lunar Lake chipset, for example. Additionally, the screen’s lack of an anti-glare coating makes it tough to see outdoors or under bright lights. HP’s laptop comes with a stylus, which is a nice inclusion but isn’t the most accurate pen out there. Artists may want to consider more capable alternatives.

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Why we like it: It’s all about that big screen. If you like a laptop with a large display, the X Flip 16 doesn’t disappoint with a 3K OLED touchscreen that runs at 120Hz refresh rate. This means it delivers a crisp picture that looks great running movies, streaming services, or gaming.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, paired with 32GB of RAM makes for a similar hardware loadout as the EliteBook Ultra G1i, but the form factor here makes for a great 2-in-1 tablet/laptop device with a spacious 16-inch display.

Review: HP OmniBook X Flip 16

Who it’s for: Users who want to watch movies on their laptop and enjoy the convertible form factor. Prop it up in tent mode and it becomes a screen you can watch across the room. Put it back into laptop mode and it’s got the hardware to be a versatile device both and home and the office. If you like using a stylus, the it comes with delivers near-pixel-perfect precision.

Who should look elsewhere: If you have no inclinations of using your laptop for entertainment, and you don’t utilize the 2-in-1 form factor, you’d be better off sticking to the EliteBook Ultra G1i. The display on this laptop would be wasted looking at spreadsheets all day. Additionally, the 16-inch OLED screen weighs more at 4.1 pounds.

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HP’s EliteBook Ultra G1i is our pick for the best HP laptop overall, but that doesn’t mean it’s best for everyone. A laptop’s onboard memory, size, and, of course, price are the three biggest factors consumers look at when comparing devices. With that in mind, I broke down HP’s laptop lineup into these categories to compare them.

Best HP laptop	Cost	RAM	Display
HP EliteBook Ultra G1i	$1,599	32GB	14″ OLED
HP EliteBook 8 G1i	$1,729	16GB	16″ IPS
HP Omen 17	$1,780	32GB	17″ IPS
HP OmniBook 7 Aero	$1,500	16GB	13.3″ IPS
HP OmniBook 5 (14-inch)	$1,300	16GB	16″ IPS
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14	$1,700	16GB	14″ OLED
HP OmniBook X Flip 16	$950	16GB	16″ LED

As the competition to produce higher-performing laptops at ever-competitive price points heats up, different brands have embraced their reputations and specialized offerings to set themselves apart. We’ve tested machines from all the top brands and can safely say that certain things are done better by some brands than others. So where does HP stand? Let’s take a look.

HP versus Dell

HP is known for its accessible, familiar design philosophy. Its laptops are versatile — even nondescript — and have a reputation for being practical machines, especially as home devices. By contrast, Dell is known for some rather innovative designs. The Dell XPS 14, for example, is a powerful laptop but visually daring with its flush keyboard, “InfinityEdge” display, and invisible trackpad.

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Many HP laptops are designed for home use, and as such, exude a rather neutral look. Dell laptops are very versatile and marketed toward a broad range of consumers, from creators to businesses to home use.

HP versus Apple

Apple needs no introduction when it comes to brand aesthetics. Its minimalist, sleek design is evident in all of its products, and users still see Apple at the forefront of innovation. The MacBook line of laptops is among the highest-performing on the market, and they compete with even the highest-tier Windows machines in terms of processing power.

HP’s reputation as a reliable brand is reinforced by its dependable line of laptops, and its approach to innovation is a bit more subtle. Nevertheless, some of HP’s newest devices, like the sleek OmniBook X 14, feel like they could have borrowed from Apple’s design book.

Also: Why I’d choose this HP Windows laptop over a MacBook for work – especially at its latest price

HP versus Lenovo

HP’s line of laptops reaches a broad range of consumers, from budget machines to high-end laptops like the new EliteBook x360. Lenovo laptops emphasize innovation and durability — particularly in a business context — while HP laptops target consumers seeking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as an approachable brand.

HP versus Microsoft

Microsoft’s most recent Surface Pro attracted a lot of attention last year for its innovative 2-in-1 form factor, and HP has quite a few products with convertible form factors as well, like the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 and the Envy x360. If you’re looking for a convertible laptop/tablet device, both brands offer solid choices, with Microsoft’s machine at the cutting edge of design and form.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop is also a sleek, high-performing laptop for creators, business users, and home users alike, and one that was praised earlier this year for its versatility and AI readiness.

Also: Why my new favorite Windows ultraportable laptop isn’t made by Lenovo or Dell

We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system’s metrics under the hood and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a normal consumer would to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.

Benchmarking: First, a series of tests is run to put the computer’s hardware through the wringer in order to see what it’s capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop’s rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace. Others are also used in tandem to gather as much data as possible. Some components tested are listed in the following entries.
Processor: The “brain” of the laptop and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in its own machines only). This is tested in benchmarking software.
The display: The display’s size (measured diagonally from corner to corner) also dictates the laptop’s overall size and plays a big role in its cost. Brightness is measured in “nits,” and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it’s integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. GPUs are tested with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop’s overall appearance and physical form factor encompass its weight and thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
Battery testing: Batteries are tested in several ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. Screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off. The display’s brightness and audio are set too 50%. A YouTube livestream is started, and we wait until the battery runs out.
The human element: As mentioned earlier, metrics and system data are important, but numbers alone don’t give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.

Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every tested laptop into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team’s decades of experience.

Choose this best HP laptop…	If you want…
HP EliteBook Ultra G1i	The overall best laptop with a sleek and ultraportable form factor, impressive performance, and some of the best battery life of any HP laptop we’ve tested.
HP EliteBook 8 G1i	A reliable, high-performance machine for professional work.
HP Omen 17	A powerful gaming laptop with a robust cooling system.
HP OmniBook 7 Aero	The absolute lightest, sleekest laptop on this list.
HP OmniBook 5 (14-inch)	An OLED laptop that’s the best bang for your buck on this list.
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14	The best HP laptop for students has a lightweight build and a 2-in-1 form factor.
HP OmniBook X Flip 16	A vibrant, large 3K OLED touchscreen 2-in-1 display

There are multiple factors to consider when picking out the best HP laptop, including:

Form factor: Laptops come in various form factors these days, from traditional clamshells to 2-in-1 convertible designs. Convertible laptops generally give you greater flexibility and portability, but they can lack some features that are available on more traditional laptops. Other laptops fold completely flat but won’t go all the way back into tablet mode.
Size: If you plan to take your HP laptop on the go, you’ll want a smaller, more portable model. It’s important to be mindful of display size, as it directly affects a laptop’s overall dimensions. However, a smaller display doesn’t necessarily mean a lighter device.
CPU: A laptop’s processor gives you an idea of how fast a laptop will work. HP uses processors from all three major manufacturers: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. The OmniBook 5, for example, features Qualcomm’s ARM-compatible Snapdragon X Plus chip, which is still considered an emerging technology.
Graphics: Consider the graphics card in your laptop. If you are a gamer or video editor, a strong GPU is an important feature to consider. Be sure to look for a laptop with powerful integrated graphics or an advanced graphics card to suit your needs.
Battery: It’s important to know a new HP laptop’s battery life. If you spend a lot of time traveling, you may need a laptop with a longer battery life so you don’t have to fumble for a charger constantly. If battery is important to you, we recommend the EliteBook Ultra G1i or the OmniBook 5.

Latest news on HP laptops

On March 24, HP held Imagine 2026, an early Spring event where the company shows off what it has planned for the coming months. Most of the presentation was dedicated to the new office software that aims to help professionals in their day-to-day, but there was some laptop news.

First, HP announced a new work-centric PC: the EliteBook 6 G2q. It is an ultrathin device that is said to be “15% thinner than the previous generation.” It’ll run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 chipsets, boast a long-lasting battery, and come packed with all sorts of AI software to boost performance. An exact launch date was not given, but it is expected in July 2026.

Also: I compared virtual RAM with real RAM on my Windows PC – here’s what the numbers told me

In addition to the EliteBook 6 G2q, HP also announced four new computer lines: the EliteBook 6 G2, EliteBook 8 G2, ProBook 4 G2, and the EliteDesk 8 G2. The first three are laptop series, while the fourth is a collection of desktops. They all have their own specialties. Judging from the announcement, it seems that the ProBook series will consist of convertible laptops while the EliteBook 8 will be the premium line.

A new laptop is an investment, and making it last is essential to maximizing its value. To care for your new laptop, you’ll want to minimize the amount of bumps and vibrations it’s exposed to and keep it closed when not in use to protect the keys and screen, which can be fragile.

Maximizing your laptop’s battery life is also part of its longevity, as it’s best to keep it between 30% and 80% to optimize battery life. Besides these obvious factors, you’ll want to keep the software and drivers up to date, and get a backpack and sleeve for safe, efficient transport.

How long does the battery typically last?

Battery life depends on various factors, such as what tasks you’re doing and whether your computer is in a battery-saving mode or high-performance mode. HP laptops, particularly the OmniBook and EliteBook lines of devices, are known for having better-than-average batteries.

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When looking at a laptop’s battery, consider its watt-hour number (written as Wh), which measures how much power a battery uses over one hour. The higher the number, the longer the battery should theoretically last; however, how fast the computer burns through that power is another story.

For example, the HP Envy x360 features a 68Wh battery, but its 16-inch OLED display will demand a lot of power. Conversely, the same size battery in the OmniBook X 14 will drain at a trickle in comparison, thanks to the AI on board the Snapdragon X Elite processor.

Which HP laptop is most durable?

HP’s lineup of laptops may not be known as the most heavy-duty on the market, but the company has been making computers for decades and certainly knows a thing or two about durability. As such, consumers can be confident that any HP laptop will come with industry-standard components and withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.

Of the laptops on this list, the EliteBook x360 1040 and the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 are among the most durable thanks to their slightly more premium builds.

Can you game on a HP laptop?

You can game on any HP laptop, but you’ll get the best performance from a computer designed for gaming, like the HP Omen 16. The reason for this has a lot to do with graphics processing and whether or not the device is designed to mitigate heat well.

Also: This Lenovo 2-in-1 is one of the most versatile business laptops I’ve tested

Most HP laptops are fine for casual or entry-level gaming, but once you start running graphically intense games, you’re going to run into performance issues, and the laptop will not be able to compensate for the heat generated by the hardware.

HP’s Omen line of gaming options are renown for its accessibility and high performance, and they come with dedicated graphics cards, high refresh rate displays, and a robust cooling system. However, if you truly want the best gaming laptop, there are a host of other options out there, especially for demanding games.

How do you access the BIOS on a HP laptop?

Restart your computer, and when the HP startup screen appears, you’ll want to press either F1, F2, or Enter, depending on your model. It will often specify on the screen, but note that this screen may only appear for a second or two before Windows starts up.

HP laptops cover a very broad range of price points — even more than other laptop manufacturers. You can find entry-level consumer machines with modest hardware for a few hundred dollars, and cutting-edge performance powerhouses on the top end of the spectrum for several thousand.

We tend to gravitate toward machines that either offer a very good bang for the buck, like the HP OmniBook 5 which can be purchased for as low as $549, or laptops that deliver an appropriately powerful experience for the price point. The EliteBook Ultra G1i, for example, can run anywhere from $1,600 to over $3,000 depending on hardware selections, qualifying as a powerful workstation on the higher end.

HP laptops are available for purchase directly from the company’s official website, but that isn’t your only option. Many digital retailers sell HP laptops on their platforms. However, make sure the website is legitimate before you buy. There are a lot of scams out there.

I recommend going to either Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy as your first stop in the buying process. For added convenience, we’ve provided shopping links in each of the entries to save you time buying the best HP laptop.

Latest updates

April 2026: Updated the list of laptops to include some newer models, including the HP Omen 17 and HP EliteBook 8 G1i.
February 2026: Updated the list of laptops to include some newer models that we’ve tested in the last six months, particularly the OmniBook 7 Aero, the OmniBook 5, and the EliteBook Ultra G1i.
August 2025: Made several changes based on new reviews: Replaced the HP EliteBook x360 1040 with the HP EliteBook X G1a as the Best HP laptop for work, replaced the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 with the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 for Best big screen HP laptop. Added the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i as the Best lightweight HP laptop, and the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 as the Best all-in-one HP machine.

Other HP laptops

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

The HP EliteBook X G1a is essentially an older version of the EliteBook 8 G1i. It’s a solid work laptop that can handle the vast majority of tasks. If you need it to tackle certain workloads, various configurations are available on the company website.

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Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

We also recommend the 16-inch version of the OmniBook 5. It provides many of the same benefits as the 14-inch model, but adds a bigger screen and longer-battery life. HP claims it can last for a good 32 hours on a single charge.

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If you’re still shopping for a portable computer, check out our lists for the best laptops you can buy in 2026, the best Windows laptops, the best laptops for graphic designers, and the fastest laptops available.

Laptops Reviewed & Compared

The best HP laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Best laptop deals of the week

What’s the best HP laptop right now?

The best HP laptops of 2026

HP versus Dell

HP versus Apple

HP versus Lenovo

HP versus Microsoft

Latest news on HP laptops

How long does the battery typically last?

Which HP laptop is most durable?

Can you game on a HP laptop?

How do you access the BIOS on a HP laptop?

Latest updates

Other HP laptops

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