A 32-inch monitor is a smart move if you want an immersive gaming experience or frequently use your monitor to watch movies or TV shows – but going big traditionally comes with a big price attached.
The HP Omen 32q looks to solve that problem. It has a 32-inch, 1440p IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, and though sold at an initial MSRP of $399.99, it’s already being discounted to as little as $309, making it a compelling option next to more expensive competitors.
HP Omen 32q – Design
The HP Omen 32q presents a modern profile with slim bezels along the sides and top of the display panel and a modest chin below. It bears a resemblance to many of HP's competitors: only a subtle Omen logo distinguishes it from alternatives.
A compact square stand supports the display. It’s an improvement over the tripod-style stands found on some competitors, such as the Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQ1B and Samsung Odyssey G55A. The stand base is flat, too, so its surface remains usable for papers, books, and anything else you need to throw on your desk.
An elegant neck extends from the stand base and connects to the monitor with a unique clipping mechanism. This neck is embellished with glossy piano black accents which add a touch of class. The clipping mechanism isn’t VESA compatible, however, so the stand only works with the HP Omen 32q (and other Omen monitors). Thankfully, the display itself has a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount, so third-party monitor arms and stands remain an option.
Apart from the piano black accents on the stand, the monitor’s look and feel is unremarkable. HP opts for the usual matte black plastic across most of the display’s rear panel and the stand’s base. To be fair, the HP Omen 32q isn't a high-end monitor, and this is a common choice in its price range. Only a few, like Dell's G3223D and Samsung’s Odyssey G55A, offer better design on a budget.
HP Omen 32q – Connectivity & Features
A single DisplayPort 1.4 port is joined by two HDMI 2.0 ports, providing a total of three video inputs. This lets users connect a PC and two gaming consoles simultaneously, which is typical for a budget gaming monitor.
The HP Omen 32q doesn’t offer USB-C or USB-A connectivity, though, so it’s not possible to connect wired peripherals to the monitor and use it as a USB hub. Some competing monitors provide a couple of USB-A ports, so this omission is a slight drawback.
While its connectivity is modest even for its price point, the Omen 32q boasts a better menu system than most competitors. HP uses a D-Pad on the monitor's right rear flank for menu navigation. It functions similarly to the joystick-style controls on most gaming monitors, but the D-Pad is larger and easier to use. The menu system is responsive and well organized, so browsing to a desired menu option is painless.
The menu offers eight image quality presets, a custom color mode with RGB adjustments, and two color temperature modes for cool and warm settings. There's no gamma adjustment, and none of the image quality presets target a specific color gamut, but that’s typical for a budget gaming monitor. HP includes standard gaming features including an on-screen crosshair and "black stretch,” which enhances the brightness of shadowy corners to make foes easy to spot.
HP Omen 32q – Gaming Image Quality
The HP Omen 32q is a 32-inch monitor with an IPS display panel and a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. These specifications are standard for a 32-inch monitor priced around $300, but the Omen 32q holds up well against its competition.
Color performance is solid, as the monitor covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 89% of DCI-P3. While today's top-tier monitors can achieve up to 100% of DCI-P3, the Omen 32q's performance is great for its price and on par with alternatives like the Dell G3223D and Sony InZone M3. Games provide a vivid, saturated look that makes a strong impression.
The strong color performance is backed up by a maximum brightness of 373 nits in SDR, which enhances the monitor’s perceived brilliance and provides a usable experience in a brightly lit room.
But, like many monitors with an IPS panel, the Omen 32q's contrast is lacking with a maximum contrast ratio of 1160:1. While this is average for gaming monitors in its price bracket, VA panel monitors like the Acer Nitro XZ322QU (with a contrast ratio of 2690:1), outperform it. The Omen 32q’s limited contrast is a problem in darker games like Diablo IV, which appear dull and flat.
The monitor’s 2,560 x 1,440 resolution provides a pixel density of roughly 92 pixels per inch, which is comparable to a 24-inch 1080p monitor. Sharpness is acceptable but some pixelation and aliasing will appear along sharp, high-contrast edges. The severity of the problem depends on a game's anti-aliasing. Modern games generally look fine, but older games, such as Final Fantasy XIV, can look grainy and suffer distracting shimmering across fine objects while they’re in motion.
The HP Omen 32q’s image quality won’t astonish you, but it delivers solid performance for just over $300. Few monitors in this price range boast as wide of a color gamut, and the HP manages to avoid any major pitfalls that might place it behind the pack.
HP Omen 32q – HDR Image Quality
The HP Omen 32q supports HDR and, according to HP's marketing, can achieve up to 400 nits of brightness. However, the monitor isn't VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, and its HDR performance leaves much to be desired.
In my tests, the maximum HDR brightness was just 384 nits – only slightly better than SDR. This level of brightness doesn't sufficiently enhance the details in brightly lit sections of games or movies, which makes the improvement over SDR subtle.
The monitor's modest contrast ratio, combined with the absence of an effective dynamic backlighting system, further hampers HDR performance. Boosting brightness for bright objects and scenes also amplifies the brightness in the darker regions of a scene. As a result, visuals with contrasting bright and dark elements, like a starry sky, look washed-out.
No monitor in this price range offers even passable HDR performance, so the Omen 32q's bad HDR is no surprise. Still, those purchasing it with HDR in mind will be disappointed.
HP Omen 32q – Motion Performance
Gamers will appreciate the HP Omen 32q's 165 Hz refresh rate and its support for AMD FreeSync Premium. This ensures good motion clarity and a seamless experience, especially when paired with AMD video cards. While modern Adaptive Sync monitors often work with Nvidia G-Sync unofficially, I didn't have the chance to confirm this for the Omen 32q.
Motion clarity is on par with most IPS monitors boasting a 165Hz refresh rate. Fast-moving objects look sharp, and all but the smallest details are visible. Scrolling test images from League of Legends showed terrain and character silhouettes were distinct, but character names and health bars were challenging to decipher.
I saw no issues with Adaptive Sync during my time with the monitor. It was detected automatically and operated seamlessly with no flickering or other issues. This is true of most monitors I test, but it’s reassuring to see Adaptive Sync functioning as intended.
HP Omen 32q – Day-to-Day Use
HP's Omen 32q offers gamers significant value, but it falls short in day-to-day productivity. That’s due to its resolution. As previously noted, the Omen 32q provides a native resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, which translates to a pixel density of roughly 92 pixels per inch. While mostly satisfactory in Windows, smaller fonts can seem pixelated, and sharper content like high-resolution videos and photos lack impact. The absence of 4K also means it’s impossible to edit native 4K videos or photos at native resolution.
Expecting 4K resolution from a 32-inch gaming monitor at this price point is a stretch. However, there are competitively priced alternatives, such as the Dell SE3223Q and Samsung UJ59, which offer 4K at 60Hz. They’re a much better choice for work.
The lack of USB ports, and the absence of image quality presets targeting specific color gamuts, further limits the monitor’s appeal for productivity. It’s passable for content creation, but video creators, photographers, and digital artists are likely to find its performance limiting.
HP Omen 32q – The Competition
The HP Omen 32q faces stiff competition, though many rivals come with a heftier price tag.
Samsung's 32-inch Odyssey G55A offers a curved screen, 1440p resolution, and a 165Hz refresh rate. It uses a VA panel that boasts superior contrast compared to the HP Omen 32q. However, its motion clarity might not be as sharp, and it's a bit more expensive at $350.
The Dell G3223D is a compelling alternative with an IPS panel, 1440p resolution, and a 165Hz refresh rate. It includes USB-C connectivity and officially supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. It’s a slightly better monitor than the HP Omen 32q, but also carries a higher $350 price tag.
The Asus TUF VG32VQ1B has a VA panel that promises a better contrast ratio than the HP. However, like the Samsung, its motion might not appear as crisp. Its design isn't as sleek, either, as it has a bulkier stand that consumes more desk space. Priced around $325, it's a viable budget pick for gamers who prefer a VA panel.
