HP Omen 27u Review: Slick Style And 144Hz 4K Performance

The HP Omen 27u is a 27-inch IPS Ultra HD gaming monitor with 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR, HDMI 2.1 and extended color.

Reviews
By Christian Eberle
last updated
HP Omen 27u
Editor's Choice
(Image: © HP)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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

The Omen 27u is a very bright monitor with more than enough output for any situation and environment. You'll never pine for light output with an SDR peak of over 409 nits. The minimum level is 69 nits which is a tad higher than my preference for dark room gaming. I’d rather use 50 nits for that. With such a broad range available, each click of the 100 brightness steps is around 3 nits.

The 27u finishes third in the black level comparison and has the fourth-best contrast of the group. At 1,088.8:1, it’s about average for IPS panels. Some of the latest displays can top 1,200:1, and that’s a visible difference. But the HP still delivers good image depth and texture.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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

Calibration moves the Omen 27u up to second place in the contrast contest. My only adjustment was to brightness; RGB sliders were left alone. The Philips retains its top spot, but the HP isn’t too far behind. It also scores well in the ANSI test with an excellent 1,047.9:1 ratio. There is no doubt that the 27u is made from quality components.

Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

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.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • cknobman
    Mfg's should not be allowed to label something "HDR" with an edge lit panel and no local dimming.
    It's fake "HDR" at best.
    Reply
  • wifiburger
    700$ is one garbage price to pay to get 144hz at 4k

    there's no way 144hz cost them more vs a 60hz model to make; it's pure price gauging

    It's been 7+ years and we're still at 700$+ for high refresh 4k; I just don't buy it:rolleyes:
    Reply
  • NormaBATES007
    32 ms input lag?? You sure?? I just bought it but I'm going to return the bloody thing. That is way too slow. Who wants 32 ms input lag! What monitor has 32 ms input lag these days? Ouch!! Or did you meant 3.2 ms. Cause 3.2 or 32 is a huge difference!
    If this is a mistake I would change it in the article cause no one will buy this monitor. I almost got a heart attack reading this! Going to return it.. This is bad if 32 ms input lag is the real thing..
    Reply