Expert's Rating
Pros
- Good gaming performance
- 165Hz frame rate
- Compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No height adjustability
- Meager features
Our Verdict
The HP Omen 25i is an affordable 1080p gaming monitor for entry-level and hobby gamers, with good gaming performance. It can be used flexibly with AMD and Nvidia graphics cards and offers frame rates of up to 165Hz. For the low price of only $350, however, you have to accept limitations in terms of equipment and ergonomic settings.
Price When Reviewed
299.99
Best Prices Today: HP Omen 25i
The HP Omen 25i is a budget-friendly display that will appeal to casual gamers. HP keeps the price low by doing away with any special gaming design and foregoing some equipment details.
Note: This review is part of our ongoing roundup of the best gaming monitors. Go there to learn about competing products, what to look for in a gaming monitor, and buying recommendations.
HP Omen 25i: The specs
At first glance, the HP Omen 25i looks more like an elegantly designed business model than a gaming monitor. Nevertheless, the 1080p screen is a full-fledged gaming display that offers 1920×1080 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz with its IPS panel.
| Display size | 24.5-inch |
| Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Panel type | IPS / 16:9 |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz |
| Adaptive sync | Compatible with FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync |
| Ports | 1 DisplayPort, 1 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 analog audio jack |
| Stand adjustment | None |
| VESA mount | Yes, 100x100mm |
| Speakers | No |
| HDR | Yes, HDR10 |
| Price | $350 |
In addition, the gaming monitor’s high frame rate not only synchronizes with AMD graphics cards via FreeSync, but you can also use it with Nvidia cards since the monitor is on the manufacturer’s compatibility list.
HP Omen 25i: Image quality
The HP Omen 25i delivers good image quality, bolstered by its high and balanced brightness distribution across the entire panel. In addition, the 24.5-inch model delivers strong contrast and neutral color reproduction with 99 percent of the sRGB color range.
Even when gaming, the HP Omen 25i stands up. At the maximum refresh rate, it shows smooth image reproduction, which benefits from the fast response time of 1 millisecond (GtG) and shows no input lag. The gaming monitor also handles fast, responsive games without noticeable errors.
HP Omen 25i: inexpensive and good gaming performance.
PC Welt
HP Omen 25i: Ports
Here you have to accept the first compromise due to the low price of the HP Omen 25i. The 24.5-inch display only has one, instead of customary two HDMI ports, and only two instead of the usual four USB ports.
Also, only one video cable is included in the box—a DisplayPort cable that mercifully supplies the 165Hz refresh rate. There are also no internal stereo speakers, but headphones and external speakers can be connected via audio output.
HP Omen 25i: The 24.5-inch display only has one HDMI and one DP port.
PC Welt
HP Omen 25i: Features and menu
You have to put up with some serious limitations regarding the ergonomic adjustment options. The HP Omen 25i cannot be adjusted in height, which is particularly important for prolonged, fatigue-free gaming. Nor can it be rotated on its base. This is unfortunate considering how common these features have become even in the cheapest monitors.
The on-screen menu offers some features for gaming, such as crosshairs, black level boost, and flicker-free tech. It’s conveniently controlled via a five-way joystick on the right rear of the housing. The free Omen Command Center software offers even more options, such as the FPS display.
HP Omen 25i: Convenient control of the OSD via a five-way joystick.
PC Welt
HP Omen 25i: Power consumption
At maximum brightness, the HP Omen 25i draws around 22 watts, which isn’t much for an 1080p gaming monitor. The consumption in standby mode is also low at 0.4 watts.
Should you buy the HP Omen 25i?
The HP Omen 25i monitor delivers decent performance when it comes to gaming, allowing you to enjoy it in most online environments. The plethora of control sets allowing you to adjust onscreen options is also a nice touch. However, the lack of height adjustment and limited ports are disappointing and may leave you looking for other monitors with better options.
The image quality is average, not outstanding, and you can likely find better options out there if that is your main concern. However, for a 1080p monitor with a fast refresh rate, the HP Omen 25i is worth consideration—especially if you can find it on sale.
This review originally appeared on PC-Welt, PCWorld’s German sister site.