Best Hp Gaming Laptops for 2022: The Most Dependable Laptops

HP has been one of the leading gaming laptop manufacturers who offer immense value for your money. You can expect a lot from HP gaming laptops even for under $1000. But for this guide, we won’t be focusing on the budget. We’d rather be deciding which is the best HP gaming laptops by providing you with a full buying guide and in depth comparison of these rigs. HP, like its competitors, has a dedicated gaming brand called Omen under which it creates most of its gaming laptops. But the manufacturer’s gaming laptops are not limited to Omen, series like the Pavilion and Victus also offer gaming variants. Suffice to say HP is a tough competition when it comes to the gaming laptops race. Here’s what this guide will tackle:

What you should expect from HP gaming laptops

HP can offer a lot for your money and if we take a look at the comparison, for under $1400 you get your money’s worth! HP has a lot of deals going on as well which further cut the price down. But on to the question; what I should be expecting from an HP gaming laptops? We’ve made a list of what HP can offer in their gaming laptops:

The CPU

This is the first question everyone asks when looking to buy a gaming laptop, what processor has it got? Well luckily, HP has included the latest and the greatest from Intel and AMD in all of our picks. And for under $1400; they do offer a lot of value. We picked 3 AMD powered laptops and 3 Intel powered laptops to make it a level playing field for both. So, for Intel ones; you can expect an 11th generation Core i7 11800H that runs at least 2.3GHz or higher. This should provide you with a lot of processing power to handle some of the toughest CPU demanding games and tasks you want to throw at it. For the AMD variants; you should expect an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H at minimum. The Ryzen 7 is every bit as capable as the Intel Core i7, and anything lower than that wouldn’t be worth considering. So you know what kind of CPU you should expect, what about the GPU?

The GPU

Now comes the most important part of any gaming machine; the graphics processor. And fortunately HP has their priorities in check. All of our picks have either a minimum of 6 GB GDDR6 VRAM graphics processors. Either an RTX 3060 or an RTX 3070 was used in all of these rigs except for the Pavilion 15 which has a GTX 1660 Ti. But the 1660 Ti in the Pavilion 15 comes with a Max-Q that makes it powerful enough to compete with the big boys. You should expect these rigs to play the latest AAA titles like the GTA V, Halo Infinite, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. So, avoid anything with anything lower than a 1660 Ti that has a lower VRAM than 6 GB. This would prevent you from running any good titles that are on the market. How about the RAM though?

The RAM

The RAM is what allows you to multi-task and to run all those games. If there isn’t enough RAM you would struggle to run even the most basic games, even if you have a powerful CPU and GPU in your gaming laptop. Luckily, all of our contestants have a 16 GB DDR4 RAM or greater, the Pavilion 15 is again the exception here with 12 gigs of DDR4 RAM. But, a 12 GB DDR4 RAM will by no means create problems for you and your gameplay. Most AAA titles require a minimum of 8 GB DDR4 RAM and the Pavilion 15 has way more than that. So, in this case, avoid anything that has lower than 12 gigs of RAM, it will ruin your experience. Of course RAM is always upgradable but let’s be honest; if you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on something you’d want it to be a full package. By the way, what sort of display should you expect?

The Display

So you’ve bought a laptop that has the best performance money can buy, but, if your display isn’t sharp, you won’t enjoy a second of your expensive new gaming laptop. And it isn’t just about the resolution; the refresh rate plays a massive role in making or breaking your gaming experience. Refresh rate is what makes your gameplay smooth or jittery. You won’t be able to experience the power of your GPU if your screen isn’t putting out at least 144Hz of refresh rate and at least an FHD resolution at 1920 x 1080.

The actual size of the screen is completely up to you; but we’d suggest you go for at least a 15.6” screen so you can experience your gameplay on a wider scale. Avoid choosing a smaller laptop than 15.6” screen for gaming because you won’t get that immersive gaming experience that you love. All of our picks have screens equal to or  bigger than 15.6” so we’re good. What you should avoid is a laptop that has a display smaller than 15.6”, has a refresh rate lower than 144Hz, and a resolution lower than FHD.

The Storage

Storage shouldn’t require much debate as it just depends on the capacity of the SSDs that are inside these machines. But an unusually small storage could end up preventing you from storing your games and windows. All of our contestants have an NVMe SSD that has a minimum of 512 GB storage. This is enough to play games but you’d struggle to store your stuff along with these games. We’d suggest opting for the biggest storage you can in your gaming laptop but for a minimum; you have to go for 512 GB. Anything lower than this would create problems for you.

So, now that you’ve gotten an idea of what you should expect from HP gaming laptops; you should check out the options for the best HP gaming laptops we’ve picked out for you:

Comparison of the Best HP Gaming Laptops

HP Omen 16-b0013dx

Specifications

• Intel Core i7 11800H with turbo boost up to 4.6GHz
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz
• 16.1” FHD 144Hz Screen
• 512 GB NVMe SSD

Details

One of the latest from the OMEN gaming series from HP; the Omen 16-b0013dx. This model is offered in a lot of configs, this one for instance has an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 11800H. The Core i7 can turbo boost up to 4.6GHz from 2.3GHz. The GPU is the latest RTX 3060 that has 6 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, capable of handling the latest AAA titles on max settings.

The RAM, just like it’s siblings is a 16 GB DDR4 (8 GB x 2) RAM. The screen is again similar to the other contestants, is a 16.1” FHD screen that puts out 144Hz of refresh rate. 16.1” is a unique screen size that allows you to have a great gaming experience, while keeping the footprint of the rig relatively small. Some might say 16 inches is the sweet spot between 15 and 17 inch laptops.

There’s ample storage space in the Omen 16; with 512 GB of NVMe SSD storage, it is capable of storing a bunch of your games and your windows comfortably. HP does offer bigger SSDs if you pay more, but that really bumps up the price and it wouldn’t be a fair comparison. The HP Omen 16-b0013dx is capable of handling GTA V, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the Psychonauts 2 without breaking a sweat. You can buy one now from best buy which will save you $300!

Pros 

• Sturdy Metal Body
• Latest Ports; USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4
• Long lasting battery

Cons

• Inaccurate Touchpad
• Noisy
• Only one USB 4 port

Price Details

Buy Now:$1299

Rating

9/10

HP Victus 16-d0097nr

Specifications

• Intel Core i7 11800H with turbo boost up to 4.6GHz
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz
• 16.1” FHD 144Hz Screen
• 32 GB Intel Optane + 512 GB NVMe SSD

Details

You might be wondering if we made a mistake and added the Hp Omen 16 twice in our list. But these certainly are two different models from HP. The Victus is a relatively newer series from HP and these Victus laptops have a much more angular design and a total sleeper look. The insides are literally the same as the Omen 16. An 11th generation Intel Core i7 11800H that can turbo boost up to 4.8GHz. 16GB DDR4 RAM from two 8 gig sticks. An RTX 3060 that offers 6 GB GDDR6 VRAM to have an excellent gaming experience. All this performance means that you can easily run titles like the Ghostrunner, Hitman 3 and of course, the GTA V. The screen is also the same; a 16.1” FHD 144Hz panel that is sharp enough to provide you with an immersive gameplay. A unique aspect of the Victus that sets it apart from its siblings; is its 32 GB Intel Optane Memory. In case you aren’t familiar with what Intel Optane is, it is a revolutionary storage solution that is there in addition to your traditional NVMe SSD and accelerates your memory and prevents background power drain. The Victus is quite capable and will handle the same games that the Omen 16 does. The two are even priced the same on best buy right now!

Pros 

• Keyboard is super comfortable
• Intel Optane Memory
• Great value for money

Cons

• Plastic body
• No Thunderbolt 4!
• Hinges feel weak

Price Details

Buy Now:$1179

Rating

9.1/10

HP Omen 15-EN0013DX

Specifications

• AMD Ryzen 7 5800H running at 4.5GHz
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM at 2400MHz
• 15.6” FHD 144Hz Screen
• 512 GB NVMe SSD

Details

Another entrant from the OMEN series; the Omen 15-EN0013DX, which is offered in the latest AMD Ryzen 7 5800H that can run up to 4.5GHz. The Nvidia RTX 3060 offers 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM like all it’s siblings. The Omen 15 is one of the 15.6” screen HP gaming laptops. There’s 512 GB of NVMe SSD that can store your games and Windows. A 15.6” FHD display that offers 144Hz Refresh Rate. Performance of the Omen 15 is pretty much similar to it’s siblings apart from a bit less boost that it’s AMD Ryzen 7 offers. The RAM is a 16 GB DDR4 like our other picks, capped at a speed of 3200MHz. The Omen 15 doesn’t offer as much value for money as its siblings as it costs around $1600. The body is identical to the Omen 16; of course a bit smaller. You can buy one from Amazon right now.

Pros 

• Variety of Ports
• Sharp Colors from the 15.6” screen
• Good feedback from the keyboard

Cons

• Pricier than the competitors
• Not a solid build
• Dull RGB lighting in the keyboard

Price Details

Buy Now:$2091

Rating

8.8/10

HP Pavilion 15-ec1046nr

Specifications

• AMD Ryzen 7 4800H boost up to 4.2GHz
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
• 12 GB DDR4 RAM at 2666MHz
• 15.6” FHD 144Hz Screen
• 512 GB NVMe SSD

Details

Let’s make things a bit more interesting and introduce you to the cheapest HP laptop for gamers in our picks. The HP Pavilion 15. HP’s Pavilion series has been on the market for decades and it has been HP’s ‘budget’ series. And this config of the Pavilion 15 let’s you game for $1000! And it’s not like you’d be cutting way down on power to save costs. This config is offered with an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H that can boost up to 4.8GHz when you want to fully utilize your Ryzen 7 and want that extra bit of power. The Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti might seem like a downgrade from its competitor’s RTX 3060s. But, technically the 1660 Ti offers the exact same amount of VRAM that the RTX 3060 does; at 6GB of GDDR6. The RAM does cut down from 16 GB DDR4 to 12 GB DDR4 but you’d hardly feel the difference when you’re gaming. The SSD is the same as well; at 512 GB NVMe SSD. You can easily run titles like GTA V and PUBG on max settings. The display has the exact same specs as its siblings does; 15.6” FHD 144Hz screen. There is a config the Pavillion 15 is offered in and that bumps the RAM up to 64GB and the SSD to a massive 2 TB. But that config costs around $1700 and for that, it doesn’t offer a lot of value for that 700 dollar premium. You can buy the config we picked for $1000 on Amazon right now.

Pros 

• Immense value for $1000
• Super comfortable keyboard
• Rich audio quality

Cons

• Battery life isn’t good
• Screen is not the brightest   
• No Thunderbolt 4

Price Details

Buy Now:$999

Rating

8.9/10

HP Omen 17-ck0010nr

Specifications

• Intel Core i7 11800H with turbo boost up to 4.6GHz
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz
• 17.3” FHD 144Hz Screen
• 512 GB NVMe SSD

Details

The Omen 17 is the biggest laptop out of all our picks. At 17.3” it is the biggest Omen that HP offers. Apart from the screen size, the Omen 17 is quite similar to its Omen siblings. With an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 that can turbo boost up to 4.6GHz, it is powerful enough to handle CPU hungry tasks. The GPU; Nvidia RTX 3060 packs a powerful punch from its 6 GB GDDR6 VRAM. The 16 GB DDR4 RAM is ample. The SSD, like it’s competitors, is a 512 GB NVMe SSD stick. Not to mention the Omen 17’s party piece; a full 17.3” FHD 144Hz screen that can provide you with an immersive gaming experience like nothing else! All of this means you can properly enjoy your latest AAA titles like the Red Dead Redemption and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla without letting the Omen 17 break a sweat! You might think that the Omen 17 wouldn’t last long on its battery due to its massive 17.3” screen and in this case; you’d be right. The Omen 17 up to 6 Hours on a full charge which is way less than the rest of its Omen family. The extra bit of screen does cost you $200 more than the Omen 15 which has the same specs, but if it’s a big screen you want, you can’t get more value for your money from the Omen 17.

Pros 

• Great value for money
• Keyboard provides a solid feedback
• Thunderbolt 4

Cons

• Plastic body
• Short battery life
• Heavier than usual

Price Details

Buy Now:$1382

Rating

8.6/10

HP Omen 15z

Specifications

• AMD Ryzen 9 5900Hx up to 4.6 GHz
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz
• 15.6” QHD 165Hz Screen
• 1 TB NVMe SSD

Details

The Omen 15z is our most expensive rig out of all our picks. We wanted to include something for the people who want the latest and the greatest without a budget. And this does cross some budgets, priced at $2099, this the most expensive HP gaming laptops in our group. But, that doesn’t mean it provides no value for those 2000 bucks. The Omen 15z is not only the most expensive one out of today’s picks, but the most powerful one as well. There’s an AMD Ryzen 9 5900Hx that can boost up to 4.6 GHz. A 16 GB DDR4 RAM. The latest and the greatest from Nvidia; the RTX 3070 that offers 8 GB of pure GDDR6 VRAM goodness! This is the most powerful GPU and CPU combo in the competition. And not to mention the screen, a 15.6” QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution display! That’s not all, it also offers an amazing refresh rate at 165Hz. The Omen 15z is a beast of a gaming laptop and it outperforms anything that comes near it. The SSD is the biggest of the bunch as well; 1 TB NVMe SSD stick. If you have the money to spend; we highly recommend this rig! You can buy one now from Newegg.

Pros 

• The most powerful in the competition
• Amazing display
• Long lasting battery

Cons

• Most expensive at $2100
• Battery life isn’t impressive for a 15.6” laptop
• Runs hotter than usual

Price Details

Buy Now:$2099

Rating

9.2/10

Conclusion

When we are discussing gaming then hp gaming laptops are quite perfect for us. We have elaborated a list of hp gaming laptops which have got some serious specs on them and are destined to deliver high gaming performance. We have also established pros and cons of each model to develop a proper understanding of these models.

Buyer’s Guide

So, have you made a choice yet? Don’t worry if you haven’t. We’ve selected the best of the best ranging from Best Performance, to the cheapest and TechyWired’s Choice in best HP laptop for gaming:

Best Performance

This really shouldn’t come as a surprise. The HP Omen 15z is the clear winner here. It is by far the most loaded hp gaming laptops out of all our picks. Although all that performance comes at a price tag of $2000, HP does offer a lot in this machine. The Omen 15z has the most powerful CPU from our picks; the AMD Ryzen 9 5900Hx, that can speed up its clock up to 4.6 GHz on boost. The Ryzen 9 is one of the most powerful chips one could hope for when looking for a gaming laptop. And it isn’t just its amazing CPU performance. The GPU is also the best in the competition; The Nvidia RTX 3070 8 GB GDDR6 that offers the biggest VRAM in its category. The RAM, although the same as its siblings, is 16GB DDR4 which is more than capable of handling everything you want to throw at it. The Omen 15z also has the biggest SSD, a 1 TB NVMe SSD that is perfectly capable of storing all your games and Windows. The Screen is really good and the best in the competition; a 15.6” display that puts out Quad-HD resolution at 2560 x 1444. Crazy right? But not as crazy as it’s refresh rate; 165Hz! So, the Omen 15z not only takes the titles for the best performer, but also for the best display in the competition. If you can get over the $2000 price tag and your first priority in your hp gaming laptops is performance; TechyWired highly recommends the HP Omen 15z! You can buy one now from Newegg. But what about a cheap one?

Buy Now from Newegg

Cheapest one in our picks

If you don’t want to spend a lot on your new hp gaming laptops, you don’t have to worry. The HP Pavilion 15 is the right choice for you. The HP Pavilion 15-ec1046nr is the cheapest hp gaming laptops from our picks. Going for the Pavilion doesn’t mean you’ll be cutting way down on performance. In fact, the Pavilion has almost the same firepower as its Omen siblings. An AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, that can boost up to 4.2 GHz ensures that you always have the processing power to run your games. An Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti that offers 6 GB of DDR4 RAM allows you to play some of the latest titles like the GTA V, Ghostrunner, Halo Infinite and Psychonauts 2 easily. The screen isn’t a downgrade either; just like our other contestants; the Pavilion 15 has a 15.6” FHD 144Hz display that is perfect for gaming. The RAM does downgrade from 16 GB to 12 GB but if you focus on the rest you’ll hardly ever notice the 4 gig downgrade. A 512 GB NVMe SSD stores all your games and Windows. Oh, and have we mentioned that all of this costs $1000!? Amazing right? So, if you’re short on cash; TechyWired recommends that without any hesitation, go for the HP Pavilion 15-ec1046nr. Would you like to know what we prefer?

Buy Now from Amazon

TechyWired’s choice

This is the part that required the most bit of thinking, as the differences between these rigs are super tiny. But, after much more research we found the HP Victus 16 to be the clear winner. The HP Victus 16 is part of HP’s new Victus series that offers a lot for $1199. The Victus is a beautiful machine which, to be honest, could have had a better build quality, is an Intel Core i7 11800H powered gaming laptop. The Core i7 can turbo boost up to 4.6 GHz, just like the competition. The Nvidia RTX 3060 offers 6 GB of GDDR6 VRAM that allows you to run some pretty heavy AAA titles like the Hitman 3, Halo Infinite, GTA V, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. There’s 16 gigs of DDR4 RAM that can multitask like a pro. THe Victus has a trick up its sleeve though; An Intel Optane 32 GB M.2 stick. This really helps accelerate the memory performance of the Victus. The screen is pretty good for gaming; a 15.6” FHD 144Hz display. Although the Victus 16 bears resemblance to the Omen 16; we preferred the Victus’s design and memory. And, made the HP Victus 16-d0097nr TechyWired’s Choice! You can buy one for just $1199 from Best Buy. If you still have any question regarding this buyer’s guide, head to the FAQ section

Buy Now from Best Buy

FAQs

What should be the minimum RAM for a good HP laptop for gaming?

Most AAA titles these days require a minimum of 8 GB DDR4 RAM. TechyWired recommends that you opt for at least 12 GB DDR4 RAM to smoothly run your games and Windows. So, the minimum RAM for good HP laptops for gaming is 12 GB. 

Is an Hp laptop good for gaming?

Yes, HP makes good gaming laptops on various budgets. You can choose any laptop from the HP OMEN gaming series, and they will run heavy titles.

Are HP gaming laptops good for students?

HP offers budget friendly gaming laptops in the Pavilion Series. Pavilion is a good gaming laptop for students. If you’re looking to buy a budget gaming laptop, the Pavilion series is an excellent choice.

What is the name of HP’s gaming series laptops?

HP has a dedicated gaming brand OMEN under which it creates its purpose built gaming laptops.