This year’s HP Omen 24 offers a clear 165Hz 1080p IPS gaming panel at a much lower price point. This segment has been very competitive from the beginning, and it has come down to who can offer the most bang for your buck, with prices consistently dropping on each release cycle. Let’s check and see if the HP Omen 24 has what it takes to take one of the top spots.
HP Omen 24 Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 21.24” x 18.32” x 7.81”
- Weight: 14 lbs
Design and Features
The HP Omen 24 has a simpler aesthetic compared to the first models, which had metallic red accents and a diamond-oriented base. This new version only has a matte black aesthetic, but that means that it will fit in with any type of setup. The monitor has thinner bezels, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
One of the things that make it attractive is its size, which won’t be overbearing on most setups. The monitor only needs 7.81 inches of depth, so it should fit right in even if you have a small or shallow desk. It’s heavier than some competitors at 14 pounds, but it is still portable enough to be brought to LAN parties or gaming events.
It’s a budget model, but it’s built quite well, so it should last a while if you use it normally. The plastic panels feel reinforced to prevent cracking and flexing, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand is firm and stable, so it will hold the angle you set without sagging or wobbling.
We like that the HP Omen 24 has an OSD joystick and a dedicated power button. Most budget models only have buttons which usually take more time and effort to get something simple done. You also get HP’s gaming software with this model, allowing you to customize the screen directly inside Windows.
The stand included with the package offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. Its lack of swivel can make multi-monitor setups a bit more difficult to do, but that’s acceptable since it’s a budget model. You can also use VESA mounts to offset that limitation, but it is only necessary in select instances.
One aspect that took a hit on the HP Omen 24 is its connectivity layout. It only has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 3.5mm jack for your hardware. That’s fine in most cases since usual add-ons like USB ports can be found on your PC or laptop anyway. Other brands have been adding USB-C as well, but that’s too much to ask for this category.
You also don’t get integrated speakers with this monitor, but that’s also okay since it’s a budget model. We also recommend using headsets for monitors like this, especially if it is going to be used for E-Sports titles like Valorant. It will help you focus better since the cups can usually drown out the outside noise in your home or office.
Display and Performance
The HP Omen 24 sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model doesn’t list HDR certification, but we’re okay with that since we know from a glance that it is not equipped for it.
1080p monitors are still selling like hotcakes since they are cheap and are very easy to run with basic gear. It is easy to read and browse on them, plus you can reach the maximum refresh rate easily with modest GPUs. It’s also a fact that they are still the standard for competitive gaming, so you aren’t losing out on anything if that’s your focus.
It covers 99% sRGB and 81% of the DCI-P3 color space, so it’s decently vibrant for games and movies. Its default accuracy is great with a deltaE average of only 1.77, so it is ready to go right away. Most users can use it right away, although we recommend some adjustments to the brightness level so you can avoid eye strain.
Calibrating the monitor reduced its dE average to 0.89, making it usable for color-critical work. However, you will need a colorimeter which is more expensive than the monitor, to achieve comparable results. It is only necessary for those who edit or create content, but a better editing monitor might be a more practical choice in the long run.
The HP Omen 24’s backlight reached 306 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so you might have to turn it up a bit to improve glare reduction. Its contrast peaked at 983:1 at 40% brightness, so it’s not capable of deeper black luminance like VA monitors. However, that’s a well-documented limitation, so it is acceptable for us.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some backlight leaks at the corners of the display. These added some clouding in dark scenes, but they are not disturbing against lighter backgrounds. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
Its pixel response time is great and consistent with what we’ve seen on Fast IPS monitors. You only need a modest amount of overdrive to make it right for competitive games. Setting the feature too high will increase overshoot, which is worse than the already minor persistence in fast scenes.
The HP Omen 24 is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so you can use it for Nvidia and AMD-based builds. Dual compatibility makes it even more practical since you don’t have to buy a new monitor if you switch between the two GPU brands. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it is fast enough to go toe to toe with other E-Sports monitors.
Thoughts on the HP Omen 24
The HP Omen 24 is a decent pick if you want an inexpensive gaming monitor that won’t cost an arm and a leg. The monitor is capable of decent image quality, and it is built quite well for a budget option. It doesn’t have extra features, but the essential creature comforts are included, so we’re happy with it.
It doesn’t have true deal breakers, but there are some limitations that might point others in a different direction. However, the low price makes up for that, so we can’t really consider this a bad deal for most users. It’s an excellent choice for budget models who want to be competitive in titles like Valorant or CSGO.
Pros:
- Low-Priced Gaming Monitor
- Fast and Responsive
- FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
- Adjustable Stand
Cons:
- No USB ports
- Limited Contrast
About the Author: 
Paolo has been 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; he believes that 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.
Leave a Reply