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've personally tested over a dozen HP laptops over the past 12 months and narrowed down the list to highlight seven outstanding devices. Whether you're looking 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.  

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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. 

Of course, the EliteBook Ultra G1i might be overkill if you're just looking for a device for school or everyday tasks (or want something a little more budget-friendly). If that's the case, we've got a handful of other picks that might be better suited to you. 

In our February update, we added newer models to this list that we've tested in the last six months.

Also: HP's EliteBook X G2i could be the ultraportable business laptop I've been waiting for

The best HP laptops of 2026

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" colorway is a perfect example of that. It's stylish and premium, with a distinct build and gorgeous OLED display that combine to make a good first impression.

Visual output is vibrant and velvety smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, and the 16:10 aspect ratio makes it seem 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 for a versatile device 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 skew it away from serious content creators. 

HP EliteBook Ultra G1i tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 2.8K (2880x1620) | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | CPU:  Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | Battery life: Up to 15 hours

• Vibrant OLED display
• Great webcam
• Efficient battery
• Solid performance

• Limited ports
• Occupies a very competitive price point

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" colorway is a perfect example of that. It's stylish and premium, with a distinct build and gorgeous OLED display that combine to make a good first impression.

Visual output is vibrant and velvety smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, and the 16:10 aspect ratio makes it seem 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 for a versatile device 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 skew it away from serious content creators. 

HP EliteBook Ultra G1i tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 2.8K (2880x1620) | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | CPU:  Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | Battery life: Up to 15 hours

Why we like it: The EliteBook X G1a is built to do one thing well: provide reliable, high-level performance in the office. From its sleek build to its ergonomic keyboard and powerful hardware, the EliteBook X G1a knows its mission and does it well. A full suite of I/O including a Kensington lock slot ensures compatibility from an enterprise angle, while the individual user will appreciate its OLED display.

Review: HP EliteBook X G1a

Who it's for: Any professional who needs reliable performance during working hours, particularly people in tech, finance, or business who are multitasking with large files and swapping in and out of calls. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro processor combined with 32GB of RAM make for a device that's powerful enough to handle a variety of demanding workloads. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you're primarily seeking a thin and light laptop with a marathon battery, you might want to look at the EliteBook Ultra G1i, instead. The EliteBook X G1a, by contrast, has powerful hardware, but weighs more and requires a bit more power. It's also a bit more expensive, so if you're looking to stay near that $1,000 mark, this laptop will likely be out of your budget. 

EliteBook X G1a tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Pro | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7, 9 HX PRO 375 | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 890M | Display: 14" 2.8K OLED touchscreen, 120Hz | RAM, Storage: 32GB, 1TB SSD | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 74.5Whr | Weight: 3.3 lbs.

• High performance
• Reliable enterprise machine
• Powerful keyboard

• Expensive
• Can run hot

Why we like it: The EliteBook X G1a is built to do one thing well: provide reliable, high-level performance in the office. From its sleek build to its ergonomic keyboard and powerful hardware, the EliteBook X G1a knows its mission and does it well. A full suite of I/O including a Kensington lock slot ensures compatibility from an enterprise angle, while the individual user will appreciate its OLED display.

Review: HP EliteBook X G1a

Who it's for: Any professional who needs reliable performance during working hours, particularly people in tech, finance, or business who are multitasking with large files and swapping in and out of calls. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro processor combined with 32GB of RAM make for a device that's powerful enough to handle a variety of demanding workloads. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you're primarily seeking a thin and light laptop with a marathon battery, you might want to look at the EliteBook Ultra G1i, instead. The EliteBook X G1a, by contrast, has powerful hardware, but weighs more and requires a bit more power. It's also a bit more expensive, so if you're looking to stay near that $1,000 mark, this laptop will likely be out of your budget. 

EliteBook X G1a tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Pro | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7, 9 HX PRO 375 | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 890M | Display: 14" 2.8K OLED touchscreen, 120Hz | RAM, Storage: 32GB, 1TB SSD | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 74.5Whr | Weight: 3.3 lbs.

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

Review: HP OmniBook 7 Aero

Who it's for: Professionals who commute will like the 13-inch Aero's expressly portable build, especially with a surprisingly powerful hardware loadout. 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 pull 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, and that primarily includes 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. 

HP OmniBook 7 Aero tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 860M | Display: 13.3-inch 2K IPS, 60Hz | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD  | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 43Whr, up to 10 hours | Weight: 2.1 lbs.

• Thin and lightweight
• Ultra-slick build
• Performance punches above its weight

• Limited battery to competitors
• Tendency to run warm

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

Review: HP OmniBook 7 Aero

Who it's for: Professionals who commute will like the 13-inch Aero's expressly portable build, especially with a surprisingly powerful hardware loadout. 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 pull 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, and that primarily includes 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. 

HP OmniBook 7 Aero tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 860M | Display: 13.3-inch 2K IPS, 60Hz | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD  | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 43Whr, up to 10 hours | Weight: 2.1 lbs.

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. 

HP OmniBook 5 (14-inch) tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 2K (1920 x 1200) | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | CPU: Snapdragon X Plus | Battery life: 59Whr, up to 24 hours

• Very affordable
• Vivid display
• Great battery life

• Potential compatibility issues
• Limited ports

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. 

HP OmniBook 5 (14-inch) tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 2K (1920 x 1200) | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | CPU: Snapdragon X Plus | Battery life: 59Whr, up to 24 hours

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.

HP Omnibook Ultra Fliip 14 tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: 2-in-1Resolution:  3K (2880 x 1800) | RAM: 16GB, 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5, 7, 9 Series 2 Evo Edition | Battery life: Up to 13 hours

• Comfortable keyboard
• Gorgeous OLED display
• Sleek form factor

• Glossy display can glare
• High-end configurations run up the price

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.

HP Omnibook Ultra Fliip 14 tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: 2-in-1Resolution:  3K (2880 x 1800) | RAM: 16GB, 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5, 7, 9 Series 2 Evo Edition | Battery life: Up to 13 hours

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. 

HP OmniBook X Flip 16 tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home/Pro | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 9 | GPU: Intel Arc 140V | Display: 16" 3K OLED multitouch display, 120Hz | RAM, Storage: 32GB, up to 2TB SSD | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 68Whr | Weight: 4.15 lbs.

• Vibrant 3K OLED
• Lightweight design
• Loud speakers

• Struggles with tough workloads

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. 

HP OmniBook X Flip 16 tech specs: Operating System: Windows 11 Home/Pro | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 9 | GPU: Intel Arc 140V | Display: 16" 3K OLED multitouch display, 120Hz | RAM, Storage: 32GB, up to 2TB SSD | Camera: 5MP | Battery: 68Whr | Weight: 4.15 lbs.

How does HP's lineup compare?

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 see how they compare to each other.

How does HP compare to other top brands?

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 of the top brands out there and can safely say there are certain things brands do better than others. So where does HP stand? Let's take a look. 

HP vs. 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. 

Also: How to clear your Windows 11 PC cache (and why it makes such a big difference)

Many HP laptops are designed for home use, and as such exude a rather neutral look. Dell laptops are ver