HP Omen 16 Max Review: So, I finally got my hands on HP’s new Omen series laptops—and let me just say, these things are not your regular laptops. Forget the boring office vibe. The Omen 16 Max and its younger sibling, the Omen 16, are pure gaming machines hidden in stealthy, matte-black armor.
I’ve tested them, pushed them hard, and even stressed them out—spoiler: they didn’t break a sweat. Here’s what I discovered from my time with them.
First Impressions – Batman Vibes All the Way
Out of the box, the Omen 16 Max looks like something straight out of the Batcave. Matte black, full-metal build, sharp edges—it screams stealth and power. The 330W charger? Think of your microwave on low; that’s how much juice this beast slurps up. Even the cable is thick and long enough to pass as a skipping rope.
Its younger sibling, the Omen 16, tries to follow suit but with a polycarbonate build. It still feels premium—just not as tank-like as the Max.
Build & Design – Solid and Sleek
- Omen 16 Max: Full-metal construction, matte finish, weights around 2.7 kg, but surprisingly manageable. Dual rear vents, a lift-inducing rubber strip, and a grip that’s comfy without being bulky.
- Omen 16: Same styling DNA, but lighter and sleeker. Plastic, yes—but high-quality and still gives that premium feel.
Bonus flex: both pass the one-finger lid test. Also, keyboards are wild:
- Max: Fully per-key RGB. You can set breathing patterns, custom animations, or sync colors with what’s on the screen.
- 16: 4-zone RGB—still fun, just not as lavishly customizable.
Cooling – The Craziest Fans I’ve Seen
Here’s where things go off the charts.
Most laptops spin fans one way. The Omen 16 Max? Its fans can spin both ways—automatically clearing dust. That’s a godsend in dusty climates like ours.
Full throttle, the fans reached 5600 RPM but stayed quiet. I even did a candle test (yes, a candle)—it flickered like crazy at the exhaust. The airflow feels legit.
HP also replaced thermal paste with liquid metal—the kind of cooling you see from custom PC builds. Risky but very effective. After an hour of heavy gaming, the laptop stayed cool enough to hold comfortably.
Display – Fast, Bright, Gorgeous
Both rock a 16-inch 2K panel:
- Omen 16 Max: 240 Hz refresh, 2K WQXGA, 3 ms response, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB. Games are buttery smooth and color-accurate.
- Omen 16: 165 Hz 2K, same color accuracy—super solid value for money.
Matte finish, minimal glare—just how I like it.
Performance – Frame Rates That’ll Make You Smile
Here’s the horsepower talked about:
Omen 16 Max
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 cores, up to 5.4 GHz Turbo)
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5080 (250 W TDP)
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5-5600 MHz
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
Crushed everything: GTA V max settings hit 249 FPS. Premiere Pro editing? Smooth. After Effects, Valorant, CS2—insane performance.
Omen 16
- CPU: Intel Core i7 14650HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5050
- RAM: 16 GB DDR5
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
Still no joke. Spider-Man Remastered hit 90 FPS on medium, and switching on Omen AI pushed it to 120–150 FPS. That jump was real.
Battery Life – Not a Surprise
Gaming laptops don’t do marathon battery sessions. On the Omen 16 Max with GTA V, battery dropped from 94% to 39% in 30 minutes—expect about an hour unplugged. For lighter tasks, maybe 4–5 hours. But hey, still better to stay plugged in for full power.
Audio – Decent, Not Loud
To be real: HyperX-tuned speakers are fine, but not headphones-level loud. They work, but if you’re picky, bring earbuds or external speakers.
Pricing & Availability
Here’s a snapshot of current India pricing (including GST) for different Omen Max models, as of early September 2025:
| Model & Configuration | Price (India, incl. GST) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Ultra 9 275HX + RTX 5080 + 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD | ₹3,09,999 (save ₹38K) HP | The high-tier beast with per-key RGB, fast 2K panel |
| Intel Ultra 9 275HX + RTX 5090 + 64GB DDR5 + 2TB SSD (OLED 240 Hz) | ₹3,99,999 HP | Maxed-out performance and visuals |
| AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 + RTX 5070 Ti + 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD | ₹2,39,999 HP | Great CPU-GPU balance, value pick |
| AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 + RTX 5070 (8 GB) + 24GB RAM + 1TB SSD | ₹1,82,999 HP | Mid-level performer—competent and affordable |
| Intel Ultra 7 255HX + RTX 5060 8 GB + 32GB RAM | ₹1,89,999 HP | The most budget-friendly among Omens |
Global deals:
- Around $2,649 for RTX 5080 / Ryzen AI 9 setup during Prime Day (~₹2.2 lakh) PC Gamer
- Recommended by GamesRadar as one of 2025’s best gaming laptops, GamesRadar+
Also Read: The Paper Review – Does The Office Spin-off Live Up to the Hype?
Verdict – Are They Worth It?
Yes. No second thoughts.
- Omen 16 Max: The ultimate desktop replacement. If you want one laptop to game, edit, and go heavy on tech, this is it.
- Omen 16: Strong, value-conscious pick. Handles gaming and creative workloads comfortably without breaking the bank.
Both are among HP’s boldest gaming machines yet.
Pros & Cons
Omen 16 Max
- Pros: Insane performance, top-tier cooling, 240 Hz 2K display, per-key RGB, liquid-metal, and build quality
- Cons: Pricey, speakers could be louder, and short gaming battery
Omen 16
- Pros: Solid price-to-performance, sleek build, 2K 165 Hz, Omen AI boost, versatile enough for work + gaming
- Cons: Polycarbonate body, average speakers, not future-proof for heavy AI tasks
Final Thoughts
HP delivered some serious firepower with the Omen 16 Max and 16. After using them, I’m convinced: these are two of the most raw, crazy, and fun gaming laptops HP has ever made.
If you want something sleek, tough, and ready to play hard, these are it.
FAQs
Q1. Is the Omen 16 Max good for video editing?
Absolutely. With that Core Ultra 9 CPU and RTX 5080 GPU, it handles Premiere Pro and After Effects like butter—quick exports and smooth scrubbing.
Q2. How does cooling hold up?
Next-level. Dual-direction fans and liquid metal keep it cool under load. Even after long sessions, temps remain tame.
Q3. Can you game on battery?
Yes. But expect only around an hour on AAA titles. For full ability, stay plugged in.
Q4. Which one to choose?
- Max: Go all-in for future-ready power.
- Omen 16: Strong performer at a fair price—great for most gamers and creators.
Q5. Is Omen AI actually useful?
Yes—especially for supported games. I saw FPS jumps from 90 to 150 in real scenarios. For unsupported games, you won’t notice, but where it does work, it works well.