Best HP laptops 2021: the top HP laptops we’ve seen and tested
Get great performance while saving money with the best HP laptops. The HP Spectre x360, for example, is at least a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 at similar specs.
Simply put, the best HP laptops are a much better value than their counterparts from the likes of Dell and Apple. They combine power, performance and price, hitting that sweet spot in value, and are among the best laptops for everyone.
Here are the best HP laptops in 2021 – from its best 2-in-1 laptops and best Chromebooks to its more robust business laptops – to help you find the most ideal one. Be sure to check out our price comparison tool as well so you can get it at the best price available.
The best HP laptops at a glance
- HP Elite Dragonfly
- HP Spectre x360 (2020)
- HP Envy 15 (2020)
- HP Chromebook 14
- HP EliteBook x360 1040
- HP Omen 17
- HP Envy x360 (2019)
- HP Omen X
- HP Envy 13t 2019
- HP Spectre 13
1. HP Elite Dragonfly
For the traveling professional
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB - 16GB | Screen: 13.3" diagonal Full HD touch display – Full HD touch Sure View display | Storage: 256 GB SSD
If you’re a traveling professional looking for the best HP laptop that’s both portable and powerful, you might consider the HP Elite Dragonfly. Not only is it among the best laptops for travelers, it’s also the top HP laptop on the market right now. It’s not just powerful though; it’s also light, thin and stylish. And, it boasts an excellent battery life and an impressive keyboard. For all that, the price is a bit steep; but if you can afford it, it’s worth every penny.
Read the full review: HP Elite Dragonfly
2. HP Spectre x360 (2020)
HP’s flagship 2-in-1 gets a 2020 refresh
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max-Q design | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 3840 x 2160 pixels touch | Storage: 512 GB – 2TB SSD
HP’s beloved and highly praised 2-in-1 is back with a vengeance, this time with more powerful components like the 10th-generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Plus graphics. Of course, that impeccable 2-in-1 design and pristine gem-cut chassis are back, as are its security features and Bang & Olufsen speakers. That killer combination makes it, now more than ever, one of the best HP laptops out there. Is it a wonder that this is one of our favorite laptops of 2021? If you care about aesthetics as much as you do performance and overall quality, this is the laptop for you.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2020)
3. HP Envy 15 (2020)
Elegance and affordability meet
CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H - Core i9-10885H | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics - GeForce RTX 2060 w/Max-Q design (6 GB) | RAM: 16 – 32GB | Screen: 15.6" diagonal FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 15.6" diagonal 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) multitouch display | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
The HP Envy 15 (2020) may have been meant for creative professionals looking to get away from the Macbook Pro. However, its versatility, thanks to all the customizable options when purchasing, makes it ideal for a number of different uses, whether you’re looking for a reasonably priced ultrabook or one that can tackle gaming. It can be upgraded to have some serious RAM and storage, up to an Intel i9, as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and a beautiful 4K display. And, even in its souped up configuration, it comes in at a decent price especially when compared to similar offerings from Dell or Apple.
Read the full review: HP Envy 15 (2020) review
4. HP Chromebook 14
A well-balanced Chromebook
CPU: AMD A4 – A6, Intel Celeron N3350 – N3450 | Graphics: AMD Radeon R4 – R5, Intel HD Graphics 500 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 14-inch diagonal HD (1366x768) SVA anti-glare – FHD (1920x1080) IPS BrightView | Storage: 16GB – 64GB eMMC
The HP Chromebook 14 may not be as powerful as other Chromebooks, but this tiny laptop has a few aces up its sleeves, helping it secure a well-deserved spot among the best HP laptops. Those aces include striking a good balance between ample screen space and portability, as well as a surprisingly excellent keyboard and a decent trackpad. That’s without mentioning how vivid the display and how low its price tag is.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
5. HP EliteBook x360 1040
Better than ever before
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Screen: 14-inch diagonal BrightView LED FHD (1920x1080) – UHD (3840x2160) | Storage: 128GB – 2TB SSD
We dubbed the EliteBook x360 1040 G5 as the “apex predator of the business world” in our review because, well, it is. It boasts many excellent features in its handsome-looking chassis, as well as plenty of ports to go around, including a port that works wonders and impressively audio. Simply, this HP laptop is an ideal match for the professional who demands seamlessness and power at work. It’s not the perfect machine, but it’s got plenty of features that make up for its flaws, making it among the best HP laptops on the market.
Read the full review: HP EliteBook x360 1040
6. HP Omen 17
A monster of a gaming laptop that's relatively affordable
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel GeForce GTX 1050 – 1070 | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Screen: 14-inch diagonal BrightView LED FHD (1920x1080) – UHD (3840x2160) | Storage: 1TB – 2TB HDD; 128GB – 256GB SSD
Don’t judge this budget gaming laptop by its cover. It’s modest design and poor quality chassis aside, the HP Omen 17 is one incredible gaming machine packed with excellent features. With its G-Sync display, solid speakers, and 4K gaming (if you’re ok with lower frame rates), this is one of the best HP laptops for gaming. Best of all, it offers great value at an affordable price. So if you don’t have the funds to splurge on a premium gaming laptop, you know you’ve got an option in this one.
Read the full review: HP Omen 17
7. HP Envy x360 (2019)
HP gives its slimline laptop an AMD upgrade
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3300U – AMD Ryzen 7 3700U | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 6 – Radeon Vega 10 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 256 GB – 1TB SSD
Thanks to its sleek, 13-inch design, this 2-in-1 is thinner that you would have expected, which works in your favor when using it in tablet mode. There are other compelling reasons why the HP Envy x360 (2019) is worth considering when you’re in the market for one of the best HP laptops. If you are interested in the latest AMD innards, this is a great choice. This HP beauty also offers a premium build, boasts 9 hours of video playback and delivers a performance that will get you through most of your schoolwork and project, at a very affordable price.
Read the full review: HP Envy x360 (2019)
8. HP Omen X
The ultimate gaming laptop
CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i7 – i9 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 – 2080 | RAM: 16 – 32GB RAM | Screen: 15.6" diagonal FHD (1920 x 1080) – 4K (3840 x 2160) | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
If you’ve been watching the laptop market as long as we have, you’ll have noticed that the best gaming laptops kind of get a bad rap because of their lack of mobility. However, HP has addressed this issue by packing plenty of new features that gaming laptops tend to lack. First, you can overclock the Omen X, which just means free performance – which will keep it at the top of the stack longer than competitors. For gamers, the HP Omen X is a no-brainer.
9. HP Envy 13t 2019
An Ultrabook with few compromises
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7 – 10th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel GeForce MX150 – Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch diagonal FHD IPS BrightView WLED-backlit (1920 x 1080) – 4K IPS BrightView WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass (3840 x 2160) | Storage: up to 1TB SSD
For a second-tier laptop, you might be surprised to find so very few faults in the new HP Envy 13t 2019. This elegant beauty combines a premium design and premium internal components without costing you an arm and a leg, which makes it a terrific alternative for MacBook lovers looking to save money for their next computing investment. There are other things to love as well – the ultra-thin chassis, the tactile keyboard, and a battery that will outlast yours.
Read the full review: HP Envy 13t 2019
10. HP Spectre 13
The thinnest Ultrabook
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8 – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
The HP Spectre 13 is arguably one of the most stunning laptops we’ve ever seen or used. The ceramic white finish is beautifully complemented by a two-prong hinge design that’s extremely appealing as well as utilitarian. The Spectre 13 goes even further by packing some serious horsepower. It leverages the power of 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processors to outmatch the competition. It’s been discontinued on the HP site, but the HP Spectre 13 is still one of the best HP laptops this year. Search for it, as third-party retailers still sell it.
Read the full review: HP Spectre 13
- Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptops 2021
Bill Thomas and Michelle Rae Uy has also contributed to this article
About Unknown
No comments