HP makes some of our favorite laptops, but with so many models, it can be hard to know which one to choose. From the premium Specter line to the Omen gaming rigs, we’ve reviewed countless HP laptops. Below is a list of the best HP laptops in each category.
If you’ve decided on a business laptop, be sure to check out our best HP EliteBook guide or our more general ranking of the best business laptops. Some of the best HP laptops are portable devices. For a broader selection, check out our best 13-inch laptops page.
HP entered 2021-2022 having recently released the excellent Specter x360 14 and showcased several exciting new products at CES2021-2022, including the Envy 14 and Elite Folio. The company is also launching a fleet of Chromebooks highlighted by the Chromebook Enterprise Elite c1030. We’re currently in the process of reviewing the Elite Dragonfly Max, a gorgeous but expensive business model.
What are the best HP laptops?
HP makes a lot of great laptops, but we really like the Envy x360 and Envy 13. They may not be top of the range laptops, but they offer the best value. For $799, you get a premium aluminum design and fast performance in a portable package. The 13.3-inch 1080p display is very bright and vivid, and the keyboard is among the best out there.
If you can spend a bit more, the Specter x360 13 and Specter x360 14 are better laptops. The Specter x360 13 and 14 have an even sleeker design and their flexible chassis converts to a tablet. Best of all, the battery life is epic. Similarly, the Elite Dragonfly, designed for business users, is a sexy laptop with a razor-thin design and a beautiful display.
Business users who need more power than the Elite Dragonfly should opt for the ZBook Create G7, a slim workstation with epic specs. Gamers should consider the Omen 15, a powerful gaming rig with tons of performance at a good price.
1. HP Envy 13 (2021)
The best 13-inch laptop for the money
specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Screen: 13.3 inches, 1080p
Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 2.9 pounds
reasons to buy
+ Exceptional performance + 1080p display is bright and vivid + Sleek and compact aluminum design + Long battery life
Reasons to avoid
-No IR Camera-Plastic Touchpad
The HP Envy 13 is the best laptop under $1,000 and one of the best 13-inch laptops on the market. While it still has a plastic trackpad, the Envy 13 is fantastic value if you want the best laptop under four figures. What makes this so great is its all-aluminum design and excellent 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs.
In our tests, we found that an Envy 13 with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 offers fast performance for almost any task. This specific Envy is only $900 and can outperform laptops that cost more than $1,000. Additionally, the Envy 13 has a bright and vivid 13.3-inch display and a comfortable keyboard.
There’s very little we don’t like about the Envy 13. If you can get over the lack of an IR camera (there’s a fingerprint sensor), then it’s the best laptop to save money on.
See our HP Envy 13 (2021) review
2. HP Envy x360 13 (2020)
The best 2-in-1 laptop
specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Screen: 13.3 inches, 1080p
Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 2.9 pounds
reasons to buy
+ Exceptional performance + 1080p display is bright and vivid + Sleek and compact aluminum design + Long battery life
Reasons to avoid
-No IR camera
The HP Envy x360 13 is the best laptop under $1,000 and the best HP laptop 850 g5 i5 8th on the market. While it doesn’t come with a stylus, the Envy is a 2-in-1, so you can switch it into tent or tablet mode. What makes this value so fantastic is its aluminum design and Herculian AMD Ryzen processors.
In our tests, we found that an Envy x360 13 with a Ryzen 5 4500U CPU can outperform laptops with 10th-gen Intel chips. This specific Envy costs just $800 and can outperform laptops that cost more than $1,000, including the mind-blowing MacBook Pro. Plus, the Envy x360 13 has a bright, vivid 13.3-inch display and a comfortable keyboard.
There’s very little we don’t like about the Envy x360. If you can get over the lack of a Thunderbolt 3 port and IR camera, then this is the laptop that saves you money.
Also getting an honorable mention is the Envy x360 15. It has many of the same qualities as this 13-inch model, but gives you a larger screen. We wish it included a stylus, but that feature is also missing from the Envy x360 13.
See our HP Envy x360 13 (2020) Review
3.HP Specter x360 14
Best HP 2-in-1 Laptop
specs
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 / Core i7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB / 16GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Screen: 13.5-inch IPS, 1920 x 1280 pixels or 3K2K OLED
Size: 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 3 pounds
reasons to buy
+ Striking, luxurious design + Superb OLED and FHD display options + Long battery life + Comfortable keyboard
Reasons to avoid
-Price-Hard as a tablet
The Specter x360 14 is the best 2-in-1 laptop ever. Recently released for 2021-2022, the 13.5-inch model builds on its predecessors but adds useful new features including a 3:2 aspect ratio display and 11th Gen Intel CPU with Iris Xe graphics. The highlights of this laptop include a stunning design, bright and vivid 1920 x 1280 pixel IPS and 3K2K OLED display options, an epic 12+ hour battery life, and fast overall performance.
Add to that a generously sized touchpad that’s silky-smooth to the touch, as well as a comfortable (albeit shallow) keyboard, great security options (fingerprint sensor and facial recognition), and a good selection of ports, and well, it’s easy to see why I like this laptop so much.
We recommend buying the Specter x360 14 over the Envy 13 if you have the money, especially if you need the flexible design. In fact, the Specter x360 14 is the best HP laptop 850 g5 i7 8th if you want a convertible laptop. Sure, it has a few flaws, but those are easily forgotten once you get your hands on this beauty.
See our HP Specter x360 14 review
4. HP EliteBook x360 1040 G7
Best HP Business Laptop
specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-10810U
GPU: Intel UHD
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Screen: 14-inch, 1080p
Size: 12.6 x 8 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 2.9 pounds
reasons to buy
+ Epic battery life + Attractive, slim design + Good 1080p display + Fast CPU performance
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive
HP’s EliteBook x360 1040 G7 is among the best business laptops money can buy. This impressive laptop has a gorgeous chassis that flaunts a flexible hinge, allowing the x360 1040 G7 to convert from a laptop to a tablet.
It’s one of the few rare laptops that doesn’t seem to have any drawbacks. Along with that stylus chassis, you get a bright and vivid 14-inch screen. But the greatness of the EliteBook x360 1040 G7 doesn’t stop there. The laptop also has a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, fast
performance, and a host of security features, including an infrared camera, fingerprint sensor, and MIL-SPEC-810 rated durability. The 10th-gen Intel CPUs, while lacking in graphics oomph, are powerful, and the battery lasts more than 11 hours on a charge.
For these reasons, the EliteBook x360 1040 is the best HP laptop for business users.
