The Alienware AW2525HM is a budget-oriented variant that doesn’t leave the pedigree of the brand to cut its pricing. It features a fast IPS panel that goes up to 320Hz, making it very ideal for every competitive game conceived out there. Alienware makes fantastic high-end displays, so let’s take a look at whether their wallet-friendly offerings follow in the same footsteps.
Alienware AW2525HM Specifications
- Screen Size: 25 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 320Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB 3.0 x 3, USB 3.2 x 3
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.87” x 16.21” x 8.11”
- Weight: 13.38 lbs
Design and Features
The Alienware AW2525HM has the latest design concept, so it looks cleaner and a bit more sophisticated than last year’s iterations. The monitor has an indigo blue finish which looks amazing up close, but is quite subdued compared to the lunar light options from the brand. The screen has a bezel-free design, but the panel’s inner borders are still noticeable if you glance at the edges.
Unboxing this model is pretty much the same with the other Dell and Alienware models. Everything is neatly laid out in a thin clamshell box, meaning the device comes disassembled. However, it’s tool-free, so the stand, base, and cabinet will snap into place easily if you follow the basic instructions.
The package includes cables for DisplayPort, USB, and HDMI, along with the main power line. You get everything you need to make use of every feature with the default package. It’s also interesting to note that the AW2525HM’s power brick is internal despite its size, so you don’t have to deal with a big block on your desk.
This completeness makes everything a breeze, even if you have multiple gaming devices to use with this monitor. Its DP port can go to a PC, while the two HDMI 2.1 slots can handle gaming consoles or even a video player. It even has a headset hanger that pops out of the side to hold and keep your cans out of the way when they are not in use.
The Alienware AW2525HM is a small monitor by today’s standards, so it should fit into almost any kind of setup. It only needs 8.11 inches of depth from your desk, so placement shouldn’t be too difficult. The whole unit weighs 13.38 pounds, so it’s very easy to move around.
Its part of the lower-end of Alienware’s offerings, but its build quality was not sacrificed. The materials used are the same as what the upper-class models use, so it doesn’t feel cheap or poorly constructed. The included stand is very firm and stable, so wobbling didn’t happen even if we shook the table the monitor was on during testing.
The monitor has a joystick at the bottom of the monitor under the Alienware logo on the bottom bezel. Its central position makes it very easy to access, especially when it’s time to adjust something on the fly. Other monitors have remotes or other special implementations, but those are not necessary most of the time.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Budget models often have limited mechanisms, but that’s not the deal here. You can also use VESA mounts, but that only becomes necessary for multi-display setups or limited desktop spaces.
Its connectivity layout isn’t the most heavily-equipped we’ve seen from the brand, but as mentioned, it has all you will need. The I/O includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB upstream slot, and a power input. The USB-A slots are under the bottom bezel so they are very accessible, although only one has fast charging capabilities.
The Alienware AW2525HM doesn’t have speakers, but that’s okay since monitors like this are better paired with headphones. The latter can help you focus since they will drown out external noise.
Display and Performance
The Alienware AW2525HM sports a 25-inch Fast IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 320Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms minimum response me. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t have true HDR capabilities, but that’s okay since it’s not the focus here.
It’s very rare to see newer 1080p IPS models nowadays since the market is currently focusing on OLED models. However, we don’t have budget offerings in the OLED category yet, so IPS variants are here to stay for a while. Full HD still makes sense nowadays since not everybody like super crisp high-resolution screens, especially for E-Sports.
The Alienware AW2525HM worked instantly with our desktop and laptop PCs without any issues. The refresh rate didn’t max as per usual, but that’s a simple fix in Windows’ display settings. Note that you will need to plug in the Type B port for USB if you want to use the two front receptacles at the bottom of the chassis.
The Alienware AW2525HM covered 100% sRGB and 90% of DCI-P3, which is a stunning result for budget IPS. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.07, allowing it to go toe to toe with some prosumer models. This is a fantastic result for an entry-level monitor meant for gaming in our eyes.
Calibrating it with our DisplayPlus colorimeter reduced the dE average to 0.4, making it even more accurate. The downside is that you will need that gadget to actually tune the monitor properly. However, we don’t recommend it since it’s impractical for most instances.
Its backlight reached a healthy 416 cs/m2, allowing it to fight off a decent amount of glare. Its contrast reached 1044:1 at 40% brightness, but it still looked washed out when compared to OLED or VA. Note that this is a natural disadvantage of IPS technology, but it’s not entirely exclusive to it.
The Alienware AW2525HM’s panel uniformity had some issues at the top center and left side of the screen. It wasn’t as noticeable, but the left corner can appear dimmer than the rest of the panel. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so it’s possible to get a display with worse or better symptoms.
The Alienware AW2525HM is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for smooth gameplay. Dual compatibility is a must-have now if you want VRR, since you won’t have to change your monitor if you switch GPU brands. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 320Hz, so it’s fast and responsive enough for competitive play.
Thoughts on the Alienware AW2525HM
The Alienware AW2525HM is an excellent choice if you want an effective yet affordable display solution for gaming. It offers fantastic speed and accuracy, and it’s built considerably better than similarly priced competitors. We like that Alienware didn’t skimp with it despite it being very affordable compared to other Alienware displays.
It’s not perfect, but nothing will be in this market and niche if they are wallet-friendly. The limited contrast and panel uniformity are naturally occurring issues with the panel type, so we can’t use them to judge this model adversely. Over all, it’s a fantastic buy for those who are looking at affordable alternatives to complete their gaming builds.
Pros:
- Vibrant and Responsive IPS Monitor
- Reasonable Price
- Excellent Build Quality
Cons:
- Limited Contrast
About the Author: 
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.</span
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