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Conclusion

Many users need a small monitor that suits both budget and desk space. While jumbo and ultra-wide screens are killer gaming displays, their footprint and cost don’t always match the user’s available assets. Competition gamers require a rugged and fast panel that is both easily transportable and quick to set up. The Alienware AW2525HM is such a product, and it delivers terrific value as well.

Alienware AW2525HM — (Image credit: Dell)

A few years ago, a 320 Hz monitor would have been on the bleeding edge with a $500 price tag to match. The AW2525HM delivers that same low input lag and smooth motion resolution, along with a huge color gamut and really good HDR. Even its native contrast is above the IPS average at over 1,100:1. Setup is flexible enough that you can either enjoy the picture as is, or calibrate for professional-grade accuracy.

My only complaint is the lack of audio options. Though USB headphones are out there, many users rely on an old and trusted set of cans that sound better than many of today’s offerings. The AW2525HM has one of the best headphone hooks I’ve seen, so that’s something. I was also glad to see USB ports arrayed on the bottom edge of the panel for easy access.

If you can’t afford a premium OLED gaming monitor, a small, fast screen is a great alternative. The AW2525HM’s 320 Hz delivers smooth play and low input lag while also rendering more color than its competition. And it’s only $250 at this writing, which makes its price/performance very high. For bargain shoppers who want to compete at a high level, this is a monitor worth considering.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

Alienware AW2525HM 25-inch 320 Hz gaming monitor review: Colorful and competition-ready

The Alienware AW2525HM is a 25-inch IPS FHD gaming monitor with 320 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10 and wide gamut color.