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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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The Omen 27u seamlessly supports HDR10 content with an automatic switch; no user intervention is required. All image options are grayed out, so you can’t adjust brightness or color, but I found excellent accuracy and nothing to complain about.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

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

The 27u easily earns DisplayHDR 400 status with a 451.5767-nit peak HDR white level. That means highlights pop and sparkle without undue harshness. With moderately aggressive dynamic contrast in operation, the black level is a respectable 0.0702 nit with contrast at 6,435.3:1. That’s a good level but the other monitors, save the Asus, score better. HDR still looks superior to SDR, though with plenty of depth and pop. While the Eve and Asus have very broad dynamic range for HDR content, the Omen 27u is much better than most of the HDR monitors I’ve reviewed. Its picture quality is appropriate for the price. To see more impact, you’ll have to spend a lot more money for a full-array LED or Mini LED display.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

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HP Omen 27u
(Image credit: Portrait Displays Calman)

The Omen 27u is nearly faultless in its HDR color, EOTF and grayscale tests. The chart shows a slight blue tint at high brightness levels, but this is an invisible error. The EOTF is a tad dark from 10 to 40%, which adds a little extra depth at the expense of shadow detail visibility. It’s all there, just harder to see clearly. Most HDR games have their own adjustments to help with these issues.

I’ve included gamut charts for both DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 color. The Omen 27u is a DCI-P3 monitor, and it renders that gamut with a little over-saturation. That’s not a bad thing as the targets progress linearly, which keeps detail from being crushed. Hue targets are spot on except for magenta, which is a touch blue. The Rec.2020 test shows similar behavior until the monitor runs out of color at around 90%. Both red and green alter the hue at that point to simulate greater saturation, which works well in practice. The Omen 27u is an excellent HDR monitor in every respect.

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