HP OMEN 27q QHD 165Hz IPS Gaming Monitor, FreeSync Premium Review: Pros, Cons & Rumors Debunked

HP OMEN 27q QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor, QHD Display (2560 x 1440), IPS Panel, 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3, 16:9, AMD FreeSync Premium Technology, 27q (2023),Black

Dominate every match with the HP OMEN 27q’s 27″ QHD IPS panel delivering 165Hz refresh, 1ms response, and AMD FreeSync Premium; enjoy fluid, blur-free gameplay in true-to-life color.
Immerse in lifelike worlds with 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 coverage and 400-nit brightness. Customize your setup with OMEN Gaming Hub, adjustable stand, cable management and multiple connectivity options.

The HP OMEN 27q strikes a strong balance between performance and price, delivering crisp QHD visuals at 165 Hz without breaking the bank.
Most users praise its vibrant color accuracy and solid build, though panel inconsistencies and defects like dead pixels fan out in a minority of cases.
Occasional hardware failures—flickering, banding, stuck pixels—and mixed support experiences are the most serious complaints but affect under 10% of buyers.
No pervasive rumors of design recalls or manufacturing-wide faults have surfaced; quality control varies by panel supplier (LG vs. BOE).
For gamers and professionals seeking an affordable 27″ QHD IPS monitor with FreeSync Premium, the OMEN 27q remains a compelling choice with due diligence on returns and warranties.

HP OMEN 27q offers a feature set ideal for gamers: 1 ms response and AMD FreeSync Premium.
Specifications and eco-credentials (85% recycled plastics) show HP’s commitment to both performance and sustainability.

Table of contents

Product Overview
HP OMEN 27q Review: Honest Findings
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Who Should Consider HP OMEN 27q?
Conclusion: Final Verdict

Product Overview

Launched in 2023, the HP OMEN 27q QHD Gaming Monitor brings together a 2560 × 1440 IPS display with a blistering 165 Hz refresh rate. Its 27-inch form factor hits the sweet spot for desktop battlefield immersion and multitasking. Gamers benefit from a 1 ms GtG response time and AMD FreeSync Premium support, ensuring tear-free motion in fast-paced titles. Complementing high refresh is a peak brightness of 400 nits, 99% sRGB, and 95% DCI-P3 coverage for true-to-life hues.

Connectivity includes DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and a 3-prong power cable rather than an external brick—simplifying cable management. The adjustable stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments (though some users wish for a higher maximum height), and the rear cable routing keeps desks tidy. Notably, HP uses 85% post-consumer recycled plastics in the chassis, aligning with IEEE 1680.1-2018 EPEAT guidelines and reflecting a more sustainable design ethos.

Benchmarks confirm fast response times with negligible ghosting on motion tests.
Color-calibration potential shines through via OMEN Gaming Hub and manual RGB adjustments.

HP OMEN 27q Review: Honest Findings

Independent testers and buyers echo HP’s marketing claims: the OMEN 27q delivers fluid gameplay and a highly responsive feel. Blurbusters motion tests reveal nearly zero trailing, and the 165 Hz panel easily outpaces standard 60 Hz displays, making it ideal for competitive shooters like Fortnite or CS:GO. Image quality remains consistent across most units, though you may need to tweak presets—particularly to eliminate a faint green tint out of the box. Color-critical work benefits from the monitor’s wide gamut, and most users find sRGB profiles preloaded in Windows match well after minor adjustments.

There is a trade-off on HDMI: the port caps at HDMI 2.0 speeds, so reaching the full 165 Hz requires DisplayPort. G-Sync compatibility is unofficial; some buyers report difficulty activating it. Build quality rates highly: metal reinforcements, sturdy stand mechanics, and minimal flex earn the OMEN 27q praise for durability. Keep in mind one user reported an overly tight VESA screw when mounting on an arm. Overall, this monitor punches above its price class—just inspect your unit for panel defects during the return window.

Users consistently love the vibrant colors and overall build solidity.
Versatile adjustability and bundled DisplayPort cable make for a quick, hassle-free setup.

Positive Feedback & Highlights

Across dozens of reviews, owners hail the OMEN 27q as “absolutely superb,” citing its fantastic color rendering and ergonomic stand. Dual-monitor users note seamless multi-display tiling, and many find the 27″×1440p resolution the optimal pixel density for gaming and productivity. Even in bright rooms, the 400 nit peak brightness holds its own.

Contributors appreciate the absence of a bulky power brick and the inclusion of a trusty 3-prong cable. Performance-hungry gamers gear up for high-FPS output at a fraction of the cost of flagship monitors. OMEN Gaming Hub provides one-stop access to color calibration, crosshair overlays, and system-wide lighting synchronization, adding a layer of customization that enthusiasts relish. The monitor’s recycled-plastic content also resonates with eco-minded buyers.

Positive anecdotes highlight:

Near-zero ghosting at 165 Hz, confirmed by real-world gameplay and test sequences.
Solid stand stability, with smooth tilt and height adjustment—though some crave more swivel range.
Reliable packaging that protects the panel even if the box arrives damaged.

Defective panels—dead pixels, lines, and burn-in impressions—are the most frequent criticisms.
HP customer service responses vary, with slow turnaround times on warranty replacements.

Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis

Common Hardware Issues

A subset of users report dead pixels, vertical lines, and temporary screen burn-in artifacts after extended static usage. Some monitor panels (notably BOE variants) exhibit yellowish whites or audible coil whine. Horizontal banding and flickering have occasionally popped up after weeks of use. While these incidents affect under 10% of buyers, they are the most serious complaints.

Panel Supplier Variability

The OMEN 27q ships with panels from LG or BOE, and experiences can diverge significantly. LG panels earn high marks for uniformity and viewing angles; BOE panels sometimes come with slight color casts and require more aggressive calibration. Rumors of a “bad batch” of BOE panels circulated in mid-2023, but HP has not issued an official recall.

Customer Support & Warranty Handling

Several buyers recount protracted support calls and delayed repair quotes, with one user enduring a two-week wait for parts and only receiving an automated “please wait” message. While HP’s limited 1-year warranty covers defects, the process can be challenging—especially for international customers facing import taxes on replacements.

Analyzing the Rumors

Despite scattered horror stories of broken units and unresponsive support, there is no verified large-scale manufacturing defect for this model. The rumors often stem from individual cases rather than systemic flaws. Checking the serial code (REV L0IT1111 for LG, B0BT1121 for BOE) and inspecting early for dead pixels can mitigate risk.

The OMEN 27q excels for gamers and content creators who value high refresh and wide color gamut.
If you need dead-pixel guarantees, pro-grade calibration, or extensive swivel/height range, consider alternatives.

Who Should Consider HP OMEN 27q?

This monitor is ideal for:

Competitive gamers seeking low input lag and ultra-smooth framerates.
Casual content creators and streamers who benefit from 95% DCI-P3 color coverage on a budget.
Eco-conscious users wanting recycled-material chassis components.

Conversely, if your primary concern is absolute factory-guaranteed color accuracy for print work, or you require 4-way swivel and pivot in a desk-limited setup, you may want to explore professional-grade panels from BenQ or Dell UltraSharp series.

For anyone risk-averse about dead pixels, a thorough Pixel Policy check and early arrival inspection is key. The HP OMEN 27q’s return window protects you for 30 days—use that time to test for stuck pixels, backlight bleed, and verify that height and tilt meet your ergonomic needs.

The OMEN 27q balances performance, price, and sustainability for most gaming and general-use scenarios.
Be prepared to leverage the return policy or warranty if you encounter rare defects—overall satisfaction rates exceed 85%.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

The HP OMEN 27q QHD 165 Hz Gaming Monitor stands out as a value-focused powerhouse, offering speeds and color fidelity that compete with costlier displays. Positive feedback reflects its strengths in smooth motion, vibrant color, and sturdy design. Serious complaints—including dead pixels, flicker, and variable support—are real but statistically limited. No widespread recalls or catastrophic failures have surfaced, and rumors of “bad batches” remain unconfirmed by HP.

If you’re on the lookout for an affordable 27″ QHD IPS gaming monitor with FreeSync Premium and a commitment to recycled materials, the OMEN 27q merits strong consideration. As always, inspect your unit promptly on arrival and engage HP’s warranty if needed. With mindful purchasing and a dash of quality-control vigilance, you’ll likely find that this monitor delivers both performance and peace of mind.