Differences Between HP Pavilion and HP ENVY Laptops

HP is one of the world's largest brands of laptops and personal computers. We have specialised gaming, entertainment and professional laptops for diverse customer requirements, and two of our most popular laptop ranges are HP ENVY and HP Pavilion. In this article, we will compare the offerings, specifications and performance of laptops in these two series to help you choose the perfect personal computer for your needs.

HP Pavilion was launched in 1995 and served as our introduction to the home and home-office product category. The HP Pavilion 5030 was the first device in this range, and since then, there has been no looking back. Today, HP Pavilion is one of the largest PC ranges and enjoys the patronage of tens of millions of customers worldwide. Interestingly, the HP ENVY series started in 2009 as an offshoot of the Pavilion devices and offered more advanced features to users. Today, HP ENVY has become a premium range of multiple laptops and desktops with unmatchable performance.

Although laptops in both these series have significant differences and share some similarities, they have been a customer favourite since their launch. Both ENVY and Pavilion are among HP's most popular product ranges, and due to their strong performance and affordable prices, they have made their way into the homes and offices of millions of users.

Design and build

Let’s start by comparing the overall design and build quality of devices in both these series. We take a look at the following aspects of their design:

Material and build quality

HP ENVY laptops have a metallic aluminium exterior and professional-grade build with robust strength. While entry and mid-level Pavilion laptops have a plastic body made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, they still make for sturdy and reliable devices with enhanced ease of use. Notably, most high-end Pavilion models have a full-metal design. Both series offer traditional clamshell and 2-in-1 touch screen laptops that can double as a tablet with 360-degree hinges.

Form factor, thickness and weight

Aesthetic differences

Laptops in the ENVY series have a sleek, professional and premium design aesthetic, ensuring high-end craftsmanship quality. Though less luxurious, laptops in the Pavilion range also possess excellent design, compactness and comfort. Particularly, high-end Pavilion devices with all-metal bodies are visually at par with ENVY products. 

Performance metrics

The processor, storage and RAM determine the performance of any computing device. So, let’s compare how the specifications of different laptops in this series stack up against each other:

Processor options and variations

All HP ENVY laptops come with an AMD Ryzen™ 5/7 or 12th/13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5/i7 processor. Some variants, such as the HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop OLED (13-bf0063TU), offer the Intel Evo™ platform powered by Intel Core i5/i7 processor or similar variants. With processing speeds up to 5.0 GHz, ENVY laptops are a performance powerhouse that combines the best processing power and technologies. Most HP Pavilion laptops have an AMD Ryzen 5/7 or 11th/12th/13th Generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor, depending on the price.

RAM and storage configurations

Entry-level laptops in both series have 8GB RAM, but most devices offer the option to expand it. You will find that mid and high-range options in both series provide 16GB RAM. Regarding storage, you get similar capacity ranges between 512GB and 1TB in both ENVY and Pavilion laptops.

Graphics capabilities

Display quality

The display of any laptop or monitor depends on several factors, such as the resolution, screen size, colour spectrum, viewing angle, frame rate and panel technology. Here’s how laptops in the ENVY and Pavilion series compare against each other in these departments:

Screen size options

ENVY laptops will give you two screen sizes to choose from, namely 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches. Both options are suitable for personal and professional purposes and adequate for gaming, entertainment and work. Pavilion devices offer a greater size range, with screen options available at 13.3 inches, 14 inches, 15.6 inches and 16 inches. 


Resolution and panel technology

The resolution and refresh rate of laptops in both these ranges will correspond to their price. Entry-level laptops in both series offer IPS displays with satisfactory colour accuracy and viewing angles. However, models like the HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop (15-fe0011TX) and HP Pavilion Plus Laptop (14-ey0789AU), which come with OLED display, will naturally give you better image quality, with richer colours and faster response times. Regarding resolution, almost all devices offer 1920 x 1080, suitable for a decent visual experience. 

Brightness, colour accuracy and viewing angles

While the colour accuracy and brightness levels may vary between specific models, overall, ENVY laptops have more vivid visuals than Pavilion devices as some models (like the HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop OLED (15-fe0030TU) come with 400 nits that provide more brightness and 100% sRGB that ensure colour accuracy. In contrast, the HP Pavilion Laptop (14-dv2016TU) offers 250 nits and 45% NTSC.
 Most laptops in both series offer 178-degree viewing angles, which is enough for high-quality visuals.

Target audience

Now that the basic performance parameters are differentiated, it’s essential to understand the different types of users these laptops are meant for and which one you can choose:

Ideal users for the Pavilion series


The Pavilion series was HP’s foray into the home-computing market and focused on providing performance-driven, durable and budget-friendly personal computing products. Following the same set of values, modern-day Pavilion laptops offer a variety of choices at different price sensitivities. Designed for students, first-time laptop owners and casual users who want a laptop for personal entertainment, HP Pavilion combines performance and strength with cost-effectiveness. If you are looking for a general-purpose laptop or a budget device, we are sure you will find something you like in this series.

Ideal users for the ENVY series


ENVY devices originated as high-end versions of products from the Pavilion series and aim to provide working professionals, digital artists, content creators and gamers with a smooth experience. Although the ENVY series has many high-end models, it offers several mid-range and entry-level laptops with excellent hardware. If you want a dedicated work or gaming device, go for an ENVY laptop. The enhanced design, build and security features of these devices make them an ideal work companion for greater efficiency and seamless collaboration. 

Additional features

Finally, let us also take a look at the unique offerings of laptops in these series:

Special features unique to each series

Several HP ENVY laptops offer advanced security features, such as fingerprint readers, webcam shutters, microphone mute buttons and built-in privacy screens that benefit working professionals. Most ENVY models offer slightly better connectivity as they contain more USB ports and Thunderbolt™. In contrast, Pavilion offers a lightweight build and unparalleled specifications suited to different needs and budgets. The sheer diversity of specifications in laptops available in Pavilion is the biggest strength that gives users enhanced choice.  

Battery life and charging capabilities

Most devices in both series come with the HP Fast Charge feature, which allows you to power your device from 0% to 50% in approximately 30 minutes. Otherwise, the charging capacity and battery life will depend on your chosen device. For example, the premium HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop OLED (15-fe0014TX) has a 4-cell, 55Wh Li-ion polymer battery, whereas the mid-range HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop (13-ay1035AU) has a 3-cell 51Wh Li-ion polymer battery. In contrast, the high-end HP Pavilion Plus Laptop (16-ab0556TX) has a 4-cell 68Wh Li-ion polymer battery, and the lower-priced HP Pavilion Laptop (14-ec1005AU) contains a 3-cell, 43Wh Li-ion polymer battery backup.

Summary

HP ENVY and HP Pavilion laptops offer excellent specifications, features and hardware. While ENVY laptops are more premium and include advanced hardware for professional-grade performance, HP Pavilion devices are for everyday use, especially for students and new laptop owners. While some features in both these ranges are similar, such as the battery life and storage capacity, other specifications like processing power and monitor display can vary depending on the price.  

Choosing between ENVY and Pavilion laptops depends more on your requirements and budget than the differences between their specifications. HP ENVY is the obvious choice if you want to purchase a robust machine for your workplace or home office and expect the most advanced processing power and display quality. However, if you want a laptop for medium or light personal use, like watching movies or academics, HP Pavilion has more affordable options that offer strength and quality.