Best HP gaming laptops in 2023

There seems to be an almost never-ending number of laptops on the market today, and it’s fair to say we’re usually spoiled for choice in most categories. That includes specific categories like the best gaming laptops, and we even have a list of great budget gaming laptops if you don’t want to spend a lot. But we all have our affinities, and with HP laptops being some of the most popular in the world, it’s only natural you’d be looking for them. To help you out, we’ve gathered some of the best HP laptops for gaming, so you can get something that fits your needs.

HP has a couple of gaming-focused brands in its portfolio, the most notable of which is probably the Omen family. However, there are other brands in the company’s lineup that you can use for gaming, including the more recent Victus series. We’ll highlight the best options across the company’s range, so there’s something for everyone. Let’s get started.

The best HP laptops for gaming in 2023

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  Omen 17 (Intel, 2023)

  Best gaming laptop overall

• 

  HP Omen 16

  Best 16-inch laptop

• 

  HP Omen 16z

  16-inch AMD laptop

• 

  HP Victus 15t

  Best 15-inch gaming laptop

• 

  HP Victus 15z

  Best budget laptop

• 

  HP Victus 16z

  Best budget 16-inch laptop

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  HP Envy 16t

  Best do-it-all clamshell

• 

  HP Spectre x360 16

  Best convertible

If you’re looking for the best gaming laptop, odds are you’re looking for as powerful of a GPU as possible, and no laptop in HP’s lineup goes further than the latest Omen 17.

Performance is the name of the game here, and the Omen 17 has a ton of it, with 13th-generation Intel Core HX series processors with up to 24 cores and 32 threads. On top of that, you can get it with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, giving you the ability to run any and all games without any issues. You can go up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.

Of course, the display also matters, and the Omen 17 comes with a 17.3-inch panel that has a classic 16.9 aspect ratio. The base model comes with a Full HD panel that has a 144Hz refresh rate, but you can go up to a Quad HD panel with a 240Hz refresh rate to make full use of that GPU power. Above that display is an unfortunately mediocre 720p webcam, which is very common for HP gaming laptops. There’s also no Windows Hello support at all.

Design-wise, the Omen 17 is very clean-looking with a black aluminum chassis, and because it packs so much power, it’s also quite heavy, at 6.1 pounds. The RGB lighting in the keyboard adds some personality, but it’s fairly subdued since it only shines through the key labels. As for ports, you get on Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB Type-A ports, HDMI, mini-DisplayPort, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader, so there’s no shortage of them.

If you’re willing to carry the large weight of this laptop and you can overlook the mediocre webcam, the Omen 17 is easily the best gaming laptop HP makes right now.

17-inch laptops can fit the most power, but as we mentioned above, it’s not very convenient to carry them around. If you want something a little smaller and you don’t need all that power, the Intel-powered Omen 16t is another great option that’s also highly configurable.

As for as the CPU goes, the Omen 16t can be configured with up to an Intel Core i9-12900H with 14 cores and 20 threads, and that’s paired with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU. It’s not as powerful as the 17-inch model above, but it will still run all your games without any big problems. Just like the larger model, it can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

The display is a 16.1-inch panel, and it also has a 16:9 aspect ratio, like most of HP’s gaming laptops. The base model comes in Full HD resolution and has a 144Hz refresh rate, but you can always opt for the Quad HD 165Hz panel if you want an even better visual experience. There’s also a 720p webcam and no form of Windows Hello support, which is also very typical of HP’s gaming laptops.

In terms of design, all the Omen laptops look identical, so this is still a clean and sleek-looking laptop. It’s mostly black with RGB backlighting on the keyboard. However, it’s significantly lighter than the 17-inch model, starting at 5.29 pounds. The port setup includes two Thunderbolt ports, three USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, and a headphone jack, which is fantastic.

For those wanting to balance a large display with some degree of portability and plenty of power, the Omen 16t is a fantastic choice, though the hardware is no longer the latest and greatest.

If you’d rather get a laptop that runs on an AMD processor, the Omen 16 also comes in an AMD variant, called the Omen 16z. It’s just as powerful as the Intel version, but ideal for AMD fans.

In terms of the CPU, the Omen 16z is packing up to an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, which is a processor with 8 cores and 16 threads. Additionally, this laptop also comes with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, just like the Intel model. You can also configure this one with up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM clocked at 4800MHz, plus it can have up to 1TB of SSD storage.

The display configurations are also similar to the Intel model above, starting with a 16.1-inch Full HD panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. There’s an upgrade option for a brighter display, but you can also go all the way up to a Quad HD panel with a 165Hz refresh rate if you want the best gaming experience possible. Once again, we’re looking at a 720p webcam here, and there’s no support for Windows Hello facial recognition or a fingerprint reader.

In terms of design, it’s also mostly the same as with the Intel variant, though it comes in a grey variant in addition to black. This model is missing the option for per-key RGB lighting, and you can only get either single-zone or 4-zone backlighting. Portability-wise, this is pretty much the same as the model above, with 5.29 pounds of starting weight. The port setup is also basically the same, including two USB-C ports, three USB type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, RJ45 Ethernet, and an SD card reader. However, this model doesn’t include Thunderbolt support since it’s powered by AMD.

It does make some sacrifices in some areas, but the Omen 16z is still a fantastic laptop for anyone looking for a powerful machine powered by AMD.

If you want an even smaller footprint for your gaming laptop, the Victus 15t is possibly the best gaming laptop HP has to offer. It’s not as powerful, but it still packs a decent punch.

Performance-wise, the Victus 15t is a big step down from the Omen models. You can configure it with up to an Intel Core i7-12700H, with 14 cores and 20 threads, but this laptop maxes out with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. That’s significantly less powerful than we’ve seen in the Omen models, but it can still handle most modern games, as long as you’re willing to tweak some settings so the game runs more smoothly. You can also get up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage.

The display also isn’t as impressive, seeing as it’s a 15.6-inch panel at Full HD resolution, and with up to a 144Hz refresh rate. There are some configuration options for brightness and refresh rate, but that’s the best you can get, and it makes sense considering the weaker GPU. Yet again, this is a 720p webcam and there’s no Windows Hello support.

A potential benefit of the VIctus 15 is that it lets you choose from a few different color options. You can go with Mica Silver (dark grey), Ceramic White, or Performance Blue. In some ways, the design is even more subdued, since there’s no option for an RGB backlit keyboard. Surprisingly, it manages to fit a number pad next to the keyboard, though the arrow keys are smaller. With its smaller size, the Victus 15t also comes in slightly lighter, starting at 5.06 pounds.

Finally, we come to the ports. It has a USB-C port (3.2 Gen 1), two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. Despite having an Intel CPU, there’s no Thunderbolt support, and all the USB ports are fairly slow.

While it does sacrifice some power, the Victus 15t-fa000 is still a pretty great laptop if you have a tighter budget or want something a bit lighter.

If you want to try and save even more money, the AMD-powered HP Victus 15 is an even cheaper alternative that can deliver a solid gaming experience. It has a base price of $800, but it often goes even lower.

The base model comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H, a 45W processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, which still delivers more than enough performance to run most modern games. Additionally, you also get an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, though you can upgrade up to an RTX 3050 Ti if your budget allows it. Plus, the laptop comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM (configurable up to 16GB) and 256GB of SSD storage (up to 1TB), with the option to upgrade these specs yourself later.

The display is a 15.6-inch panel and it comes in Full HD resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. There are a few configuration options for the brightness and refresh rate, which goes up to 144Hz, just like on the Intel model. Once again, we’re looking at a 720p webcam and there’s no Windows Hello support of any kind.

Design-wise, this is pretty much the same as the model above. It comes in the same three colors to choose from, it weighs the same 5.06 pounds, and it also includes a number pad, at the expense of full-size arrow keys. The similarities continue with the ports. You get one USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader.

While the base price between this and the Intel model isn’t too far off, you can often find discounts on this variant that make it even more enticing as a budget option. For $600 (which is the price at writing time), this machine will give you a solid gaming experience already.

Whether you can consider this a budget laptop will depend on whether you can find it on sale, but right now, it’s starting at $699.99, and for that price, this is one of the best gaming experiences HP has to offer.

In terms of the internals, the Victus 16z comes a newer AMD Ryzen 5 6600H processor with 6 cores and 12 threads. As for the GPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 is included by default, meaning you can get a very solid gaming experience. If you can get it on sale, this is a great deal, and there’s an upgrade option to an RTX 3050 Ti if you have the money for it. This model also includes 8GB of RAM (configurable up to 32GB) and 256GB of storage (up to 1TB).

To go along with that, this laptop comes with a 16.1-inch display, which has Full HD resolution in the base model. If you want, you can upgrade to a 144Hz refresh rate (which isn’t in the base model), though that will add a bit to the price. Just like all the other models, this laptop also comes with a 720p webcam, and no Windows Hello support.

Design-wise, it’s pretty much the same as the other Victus laptops, except this larger model does not come in a white version, only Mica Silver or Performance Blue. It keeps the same subdued look as other models and it also includes a number pad. At 5.29 pounds, this one weighs about the same as the Omen 16 models. Finally, for connectivity, you get one USB Type-C port, three USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader.

At $799.99 (which is the price at writing time), this is actually a much better option than its 15-inch counterpart, but that pricing will depend on ongoing sales. It’s a good idea to check the current pricing to see which one is the best deal right now.

We’ve looked at a lot of dedicated gaming laptops, but what if you’re not just a gamer? What if you want something that looks professional but can also handle some gaming on the side? Well, meet the HP Envy 16.

Specs-wise, the HP Envy 16t can compete with some of the best laptops on this list. It has the latest 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor with 14 cores and 20 threads. Not only that, but you can also get it with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, which is faster than the Victus laptops on this list. For RAM, you can get up to 32GB DDR5 and storage is available in up to a 2TB SSD.

This laptop also has one of the best displays on this list. It’s a 16-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and it comes with both Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate by default. It’s also got a brighter panel than all the gaming laptops here, and you have the option for touch support. You can also opt for a 4K OLED display, but we wouldn’t recommend that for gaming. This laptop also has a fantastic webcam, a 5MP sensor with 1080p video and features like auto framing. Plus, it even supports Windows Hello facial recognition.

The design is also radically different from anything else on this list, being a classic silver laptop made out of aluminum. It’s still somewhat heavy, starting at 5.12 pounds, but it’s thinner (19.8mm) than all the gaming laptops here. The selection of ports is also fantastic. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2) ports, HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. A potential downside is that there’s no Ethernet port.

It may not be a dedicated gaming laptop, but when it comes to balancing work and play, the HP Envy 16t truly nails it. It’s powerful, sleek, and versatile.

Finally, if you want something even more versatile, the Spectre x360 16 is for you. This is HP’s most premium laptop, but it still packs powerful specs that make it a solid option for light gaming.

The processor inside the Spectre x360 16 is an Intel Core i7-12700H, but that model doesn’t include a discrete GPU. Instead, you’ll want to upgrade to get an Intel Core i7-1260P, since this model comes with an Intel Arc A370M graphics card. It won’t match the performance of Nvidia GPUs, but it can handle most modern games, especially as Intel keeps making driver improvements. Aside from that, you can configure the Spectre x360 16 with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.

The display on the Spectre x360 16 is a 16-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The resolution in the base model is 3072 x 1920, but you can upgrade to an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED panel for even more stunning colors and visuals. This is great for work and watching movies, but you’ll need to turn down some game settings if you want them to run smoothly on this laptop. Of course, being a convertible means the display supports touch and pen input. Just like the Envy 16t, this laptop has a 5MP webcam with 1080p video and Windows Hello support.

In terms of design, the Spectre x360 16 comes in a dual-tone design, in either Nightfall Black or Nocturne Blue, and it starts at 4.45 pounds of weight, so it’s lighter than all the dedicated gaming laptops here. Otherwise, it’s got two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. Gamers may want more USB Type-A ports and Ethernet, but this is still solid.

While it’s not a gaming-focused laptop, the HP Spectre x360 16 is one of the best laptops out there, and it can handle modern games with some tweaks. You can buy it below if that sounds interesting to you.

Best HP gaming laptops in 2023: The bottom line

And those are what we’d consider the best HP laptops you can use for gaming today. We gave the best overall pick to the Omen 17t because it gives you, by far, the most powerful CPU and GPU configurations combined with a high refresh rate display, so it gives you the best gaming experience. It’s one of the best gaming laptops in general, and if you’re not a fan of the trend of taller 16:10 displays, then you’ll be happy to see the 16:9 panel here.

If you can’t afford to spend that much on a laptop, the Victus 15z is still a great option. It has a low starting price already, but it’s very frequently discounted, so you can get it for as low as $600, and just the fact that you can play modern games for that price is a fantastic deal. It won’t be as fast as the top-tier laptops, but for a younger gamer or anyone on a tighter budget, it’s an easy recommendation.