ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The HP OMEN 32X usually retails for $840.
- It is primarily a 4K gaming monitor, though because of Google TV, the display screen can also be an all-in-one leisure hub.
- The built-in audio system are underwhelming, missing depth and bass.
oct / 2025
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I’ve made it no secret that my favorite display I’ve ever owned is the HP Omen 27K, a 27-inch 4K monitor with a 144Hz refresh charge. I purchased the show years in the past whereas it was on sale, and I have been utilizing it day-after-day since. So, after I had the possibility to check out the brand new HP Omen 32X, I jumped on the alternative as a result of it shares a lot of what made the 27K nice, however with one main distinction: it’s the firm’s first smart monitor.
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Good displays come geared up with built-in streaming platforms — on this case, Google TV — so you possibly can work through the day and calm down at night time watching your favourite reveals with out switching gadgets. What actually units the Omen 32X aside is that it combines the comfort of a wise TV with gaming-centric options.
It is a versatile, jack-of-all-trades show that neatly balances work, play, and leisure. I like to recommend it to anybody wanting a single display screen to do a little bit of all the pieces.
Optimized for you
There’s so much to unpack with the HP Omen 32X. The monitor gives a shocking variety of options, so I will solely deal with key elements, beginning with the specs. At its core, this can be a 32-inch IPS 4K show. Whereas that decision might impress you, what actually stood out to me most was the display screen’s sheer measurement.
The 32-inch panel gives ample workspace, permitting customers to comfortably match a number of split-screen home windows facet by facet with out feeling cramped, one thing that is very troublesome to realize on a 27-inch display screen.
Due to its ultra-high decision, HP’s gadget delivers sharp photographs and vibrant colours. In-game textures and shadows render with lifelike high quality, letting you catch the smallest particulars. IPS panels do not output the identical stage of distinction as an OLED monitor. That mentioned, the Omen 32X nonetheless manages to impress.
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Brightness ranges are rated at 400 nits, however I’ve sat in entrance of the gadget for hours, and it feels a lot brighter. This functionality might be attributable to help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient, a sort of visible tech that additional enhances a monitor’s output.
One other energy is customization. HP’s Omen 32X has a strong settings menu that permits you to fine-tune saturation, hue, and shade temperature, to call a couple of options. Navigation is straightforward because of the included distant, which makes adjusting sure settings way more handy than utilizing the buttons behind the display screen.
HP has additionally added 9 distinct image modes, every optimized for various makes use of. As two examples, PC Mode gives a balanced mixture of brightness, distinction, and picture high quality, and Sport Mode enhances brightness, distinction, and response to ship a smoother gaming expertise.
Double obligation
The Omen 32X performs admirably as a gaming monitor. The gadget runs at a pace and responsiveness that aggressive gamers will recognize. Due to the 144Hz refresh charge and 1ms response time, on-screen movement is fluid, minimizing blurs and enter for a velvety easy expertise.
Each button press is registered immediately, making a lightning-fast really feel that is excellent for sure titles. Throughout testing, I performed Monster Hunters Wilds and the just lately launched Hades 2. Each ran fantastically. Animations had been crisp, assaults had been simple to trace, and gameplay felt seamless even throughout chaotic moments.
I also needs to point out that the Omen 32X helps each Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. For many who do not know, these are adaptive sync applied sciences that match a show’s refresh charge to your graphics card. This functionality ensures tear-free visuals, it doesn’t matter what you play.
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Outdoors of gaming, the monitor doubles as a wise TV. Assist for Google TV grants entry to in style streaming providers, together with Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, and to free dwell channels. The intuitive consumer interface makes looking easy to grasp, letting folks swap from gaming to binge-watching Breaking Dangerous and not using a hitch.
Important options
There are a handful of necessary options value mentioning — some that I favored and others… not a lot. Inside, the HP Omen 32X has a set of built-in audio system that get a lot loud. Elevating the amount to 35% is all you actually need to take pleasure in room-filling audio. Nevertheless, they lack depth and bass. The general audio expertise was simply common at finest.
Across the again, you will discover a strong collection of ports, together with two HDMI inputs, a DisplayPort 1.4, and an RJ-45 Ethernet connection. The actual spotlight for me is the USB-C port, which outputs 65W of energy, so you possibly can recharge your gadgets instantly from the monitor. That characteristic is nice to have in a pinch, however 65W is not very quick. I plugged in my OnePlus Nord N20 at 29% for half-hour, and its energy solely rose to 34%.
The identical USB-C port additionally helps Multi-View, a characteristic that enables Android telephones to solid their display screen on to the monitor. Usually, I’d’ve examined this characteristic to inform you my ideas, however I could not. In response to the official user manual, Multi-View solely works with sure gadgets, and my cellphone was not certainly one of them.
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I contacted HP and requested if they might present a listing of Android telephones suitable with Multi-View. On the time of publication, I’ve but to listen to from HP. Nevertheless, as quickly as they reply with the pertinent data, I will replace this story.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The HP Omen 32X retails for $840, which is priced effectively above most displays in the marketplace, particularly for those who’re simply eyeing conventional ones for work and play.
Nevertheless, I would suggest this monitor to anybody on the lookout for a flexible multimedia show, as this gadget performs effectively as a 4K gaming monitor and a succesful sensible TV. Simply be sure to pair it with a pleasant speaker system to essentially obtain the immersive viewing expertise.
For a extra premium possibility, take a look at the Alienware 34 Curved Monitor. This gadget gained ZDNET’s Editors’ Selection award, similar to this one.
