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Response, Input Lag, Viewing Angles and Uniformity

For the Omen 27k’s comparison, I found a group of 4K screens in my database spanning 27 and 32 inches with speeds from 144 to 240 Hz. All are more expensive than the HP, though they have things like Mini LED or higher refresh rates. They include the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8, Acer X32, Cooler Master GP27U, AOC PD32M, and Philips 279M1RV.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

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HP Omen 27k — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Omen 27k draws a full white screen in 7ms like nearly all 144 Hz monitors. The difference comes in overdrive quality and there, the HP has a distinct advantage over the other screens. While faster is better, overdrive matters. It can make a slower monitor appear smoother if it’s as precise as this one.

The Omen 27k has a tad more input lag than the rest, but it’s right in the hunt with the 144 Hz screens. The Acer is an overachiever but will set you back almost twice as much cash for those 10ms. For the money, the Omen 27k delivers excellent performance for gamers of all skill levels.

Test Takeaway: The Omen 27k isn’t the quickest 4K monitor out there, but it is close to other 144 Hz displays. Its overdrive and completely usable backlight strobe give it a video processing advantage over many more expensive screens. For the money, it has no real equal in terms of gaming performance.

Viewing Angles

The Omen 27k has reasonably good off-axis image quality, but it’s not quite in the league of the best IPS panels. At 45 degrees horizontal, there is no appreciable light reduction, but the green tint is relatively obvious. Gamma remains stable, so detail is still clear in all parts of the image. The top view is cool in tone with a 40% loss of brightness and washed-out gamma that makes detail muddy. You can share the Omen 27k with another user, but it’s a bit too small.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

The Omen 27k sample I received showed excellent uniformity with no visible issues, no bleed, and no glow. Given the prices of the other screens, the chart is as it should be. Premium displays should have premium quality control. That the Omen 27k plays well here is impressive, given its low price.

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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.

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