HP dominates the gaming laptop market with two powerhouse lines: Victus for mainstream gamers and OMEN for serious enthusiasts. Whether you're hunting for a budget-friendly 1080p machine or a high-end RTX 40-series beast, HP's 2026 lineup delivers solid performance without the premium pricing of Razer or ASUS. We've tested and ranked the best HP gaming laptops across different budgets and use cases, so you can find the right machine for your setup. Each model here balances thermal management, keyboard comfort, and GPU power—the trifecta that separates good gaming laptops from great ones. Read on to find your next HP gaming laptop.
Best HP Gaming Laptops in 2026
Updated 2026-04-24 · 10 picks tested
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Our top picks at a glance
- #1
- #2
- #3
- #4
- #5
Buyer's guide
When shopping for the best HP gaming laptop, start with your GPU baseline. Entry-level gaming demands an RTX 3050 or RX 6550M for 1080p at 60+ fps; mid-tier play needs RTX 4050 or better; competitive esports and content creation require RTX 4070 and up. Check the CPU generation next—12th-gen Intel or Ryzen 5000-series is the minimum for 2026; newer 13th and 14th-gen chips offer better multi-core performance for streaming and rendering. RAM matters less than GPU, but 16GB DDR5 is the sweet spot; 8GB feels cramped if you multitask. Display refresh rate is critical: 144Hz is standard for gaming laptops now, but 165Hz or 240Hz helps in competitive shooters. Look at screen resolution too—1080p is fast and battery-efficient, while 1440p adds visual fidelity at the cost of GPU load. Storage: 512GB is the bare minimum, but 1TB is safer if you keep multiple AAA titles installed. Thermal design matters hugely. HP's Victus line uses dual-fan cooling that keeps temps reasonable under load; OMEN models add vapor chambers for better heat dissipation. Check reviews for throttling complaints. Finally, consider build quality. Plastic chassis are lighter but flex more; aluminum frames feel premium but add weight. Port selection—USB-C, HDMI, SD card slots—varies by model, so verify you have what you need for peripherals and external storage.
The picks
#1 · Best Overall4.5 (89)
HP Victus 15.6" 144Hz Full HD Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS |NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050|Copilot |Backlit| 16GB RAM DDR5 | 512GB SSD |Mica Silver |Windows 11 Home |Bundle with Mouse Pad
$829.00
This is the sweet spot for gamers who want both raw gaming power and the CPU muscle to handle streaming or video editing. The Ryzen 7 7445HS pairs beautifully with the RTX 4050, and 16GB DDR5 RAM means you won't hit memory limits in demanding games. If you want a single HP gaming laptop that crushes both gaming and productivity, this is it.
Pros
- + RTX 4050 GPU handles 1440p gaming at 60+ fps in modern AAA titles
- + Ryzen 7 7445HS is a powerhouse for both gaming and content creation
- + 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD provide snappy performance without bottlenecks
- + 144Hz FHD display with Copilot integration keeps you future-ready
Cons
- − RTX 4050 is overkill if you only play esports titles at 1080p
- − At $829, it's pricier than stripped-down Victus models with similar gaming performance
#2 · Best Premium Performance4.4 (57)
HP OMEN 16" 144Hz WUXGA Slim Gaming Laptop, Intel 16-Core Ultra 9 285H, GeForce RTX 5070 Computer, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, WiFi 6E, RGB Backlit KB, Windows 11, Type-C Hub
$1799.99
This is HP's flagship gaming laptop for professionals and hardcore gamers who demand the absolute best. The RTX 5070 is a generational jump from the RTX 4050, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H brings serious multi-threaded power. If you're streaming, editing, and gaming simultaneously, this OMEN 16 is worth every penny.
Pros
- + RTX 5070 GPU delivers high-refresh gaming at 1440p or 4K content creation
- + Intel Core Ultra 9 285H is a generational leap in CPU performance and efficiency
- + 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD handle heavy workloads without compromise
- + 16-inch WUXGA display with WiFi 6E provides immense screen real estate
Cons
- − $1799.99 price tag puts it out of reach for casual gamers
- − RTX 5070 and Ultra 9 CPU combo is overkill for 1080p esports-only players
#3 · Best for Content Creators4.3 (369)
HP Victus 15.6 i5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 1920*1080 144Hz, Intel Core i5-12450H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit KB, Touchpad, SD Card Reader, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, W11 H, Blue
$999.99
This Victus 15 is the best HP gaming laptop for creators who need massive RAM pools. The 32GB DDR5 and 1TB SSD combo is rare at this price point, making it ideal for video editors and 3D artists who also want to game. The RTX 3050 won't max out new AAA titles, but it handles 1080p gaming comfortably while your creative apps run in the background.
Pros
- + 32GB RAM is exceptional for video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking
- + 1TB SSD gives you room for large project files and multiple game installs
- + RTX 3050 is sufficient for 1080p gaming while still handling light creative work
- + Intel Core i5-12450H is efficient enough to not thermal-throttle under sustained loads
Cons
- − RTX 3050 is dated compared to RTX 4050 and RTX 4070 options
- − $999.99 price is steep for the GPU tier; you're paying for RAM, not raw gaming power
#4 · Best Budget Option4.4 (122)
HP Victus 15.6" FHD 144HZ Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 5-7535HS (Beat i7-11800H) | AMD Radeon RX 6550M|Backlit Keyboard| 8GB RAM DDR5 | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home | Bundle with USB 3.0 Hub
$599.00
If you're on a tight budget and want a reliable 1080p gaming machine, this is the best HP gaming laptop under $600. The Ryzen 5 7535HS is a solid CPU, and the RTX 3050 pairs well with the 144Hz display for esports and older AAA games. Just plan to upgrade RAM to 16GB and add an external SSD for game storage.
Pros
- + Ryzen 5 7535HS punches above its weight against 12th-gen Intel chips
- + RTX 3050 handles 1080p gaming at 60+ fps in most modern titles
- + 144Hz FHD display is smooth for competitive gaming without eating GPU bandwidth
- + $599 price makes it one of the cheapest HP gaming laptops on the market
Cons
- − Only 8GB RAM means you'll hit memory limits if you multitask or stream
- − 512GB SSD fills up quickly with modern game sizes (60-100GB per title)
#5 · Best Mid-Range Pick4.4 (60)
HP Victus 15.6" Full HD 144Hz Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-12450H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050,16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit Keyboard,Windows 11 Pro, Performance Blue
$729.00
This Victus 15 is the best HP gaming laptop for players who want balanced specs without overspending. The 16GB RAM and RTX 3050 combination is proven in thousands of reviews, and the $729 price is reasonable for the performance you get. It's a safe, no-surprises choice for 1080p gaming.
Pros
- + 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD hit the performance sweet spot without overkill
- + Intel Core i5-12450H is proven stable in thermal testing and daily use
- + RTX 3050 handles 1080p gaming at high settings with 60+ fps
- + $729 price sits between budget and premium tiers, offering excellent value
Cons
- − RTX 3050 struggles at 1440p or high refresh rates (144Hz+) in demanding games
- − 12th-gen Intel is aging; newer Ryzen 7000 and 13th-gen Intel chips outperform it
#6 · Best for AMD Fans4.3 (404)
HP Victus 15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, HDMI, Webcam, Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, Silver
$714.00
This Victus 15 is the best HP gaming laptop if you prefer AMD processors and want solid 1080p gaming. The Ryzen 5 7535HS is a capable CPU, and 16GB DDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking. The RTX 2050 is the weak point here—it's dated compared to RTX 3050 competitors, so expect lower frame rates in demanding AAA games.
Pros
- + Ryzen 5 7535HS offers better single-thread performance than older Intel chips
- + RTX 2050 is entry-level but adequate for esports and light gaming
- + 144Hz FHD display keeps frame rates smooth without pushing the GPU
- + 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD provide good everyday responsiveness
Cons
- − RTX 2050 is an older GPU tier; RTX 3050 is the practical minimum in 2026
- − Thermal management on Ryzen 7535HS can be aggressive under sustained load
#7 · Best Entry-Level Gaming4.3 (374)
HP Victus 15 Gaming Laptop, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Full HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Backlit Keyboard, Enhanced Thermals (15-fa0025nr, 2022)
$639.00
This Victus 15 is the best entry-level HP gaming laptop for beginners on a budget. The Intel i5-12500H and RTX 3050 combo is battle-tested, and the $639 price point is hard to beat. Plan to add RAM and storage upgrades down the line, but out of the box, it's a solid foundation for 1080p gaming.
Pros
- + 12th-gen Intel Core i5-12500H is a proven workhorse in gaming laptops
- + RTX 3050 delivers 1080p gaming at 60+ fps in most titles
- + Full HD display is sharp and power-efficient for battery life
- + $639 price is one of the lowest for a modern gaming laptop with RTX 3050
Cons
- − Only 8GB RAM is tight for gaming and streaming simultaneously
- − 512GB SSD fills quickly; you'll need external storage for multiple large games
#8 · Best Storage and RAM4.3 (369)
HP Victus 15.6 i5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 1920*1080 144Hz, Intel Core i5-12450H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit KB, Touchpad, SD Card Reader, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, W11 H, Blue
$999.99
If you hate managing storage and want maximum RAM headroom, this Victus 15 is the best HP gaming laptop for you. The 32GB DDR5 and 1TB SSD combination is rare at this price, and it's ideal for streamers, content creators, and gamers with large libraries. The RTX 3050 is adequate, but you're primarily paying for the memory and storage upgrades.
Pros
- + 32GB RAM is future-proof for gaming and heavy multitasking
- + 1TB SSD holds 8-10 AAA games without juggling installs
- + 144Hz FHD display keeps gaming smooth while the CPU handles background tasks
- + Intel Core i5-12450H is efficient and reliable for sustained gaming
Cons
- − RTX 3050 is the bottleneck; you're paying for storage/RAM, not GPU power
- − $999.99 is expensive for an RTX 3050 machine; RTX 4050 models cost less
#9 · Best for Streaming and Gaming4.5 (89)
HP Victus 15.6" 144Hz Full HD Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS |NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050|Copilot |Backlit| 16GB RAM DDR5 | 512GB SSD |Mica Silver |Windows 11 Home |Bundle with Mouse Pad
$829.00
This Victus 15 is the best HP gaming laptop for streamers who want to game at 1080p while broadcasting. The Ryzen 7 7445HS has the cores to handle both tasks, and the RTX 4050 provides enough GPU headroom. If you stream regularly, this is the sweet spot between price and performance.
Pros
- + Ryzen 7 7445HS has strong multi-core performance for simultaneous gaming and streaming
- + RTX 4050 handles 1080p gaming while OBS encodes in the background
- + 16GB DDR5 RAM prevents stuttering when juggling games and broadcast software
- + 144Hz display keeps gameplay smooth even under encoding load
Cons
- − Streaming requires careful CPU/GPU load balancing; this laptop handles it but isn't overkill-proof
- − $829 price is high for streamers on a budget; the RTX 4050 is overkill for 720p streams
#10 · Best Value for Performance4.4 (122)
HP Victus 15.6" FHD 144HZ Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 5-7535HS (Beat i7-11800H) | AMD Radeon RX 6550M|Backlit Keyboard| 8GB RAM DDR5 | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home | Bundle with USB 3.0 Hub
$599.00
This Victus 15 offers the best value for your money among HP gaming laptops. The Ryzen 5 7535HS and RTX 3050 combination punches above its weight at $599, making it the best HP gaming laptop for budget-conscious players. Upgrade the RAM and storage, and you have a solid 1080p gaming machine for under $700 total.
Pros
- + Ryzen 5 7535HS delivers strong performance at a budget-friendly price
- + RTX 3050 and 144Hz display are perfect for 1080p competitive gaming
- + AMD Radeon RX 6550M option provides flexibility for different workloads
- + $599 entry price is the lowest for a modern gaming laptop with these specs
Cons
- − 8GB RAM is limiting; you'll want to upgrade to 16GB for comfortable gaming
- − 512GB SSD is tight for game libraries; external storage is essential
Frequently Asked Questions
Final word
The best HP gaming laptop for you depends on your budget and use case. If you want the best overall balance of performance and price, the HP Victus 15 with Ryzen 7 7445HS and RTX 4050 ($829) is our top pick. For budget gamers, the $599 Victus with Ryzen 5 7535HS delivers solid 1080p gaming. For professionals and high-end gamers, the OMEN 16 with RTX 5070 is worth the $1799.99 investment. All of these best HP gaming laptops offer reliable thermal management, solid keyboards, and proven durability. Compare specs carefully, prioritize GPU over CPU, and don't settle for less than 16GB RAM. Your next HP gaming laptop is ready—pick the one that fits your budget and gaming style.
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