If there’s ever been a moment to consider a monitor upgrade, it’s now. Today’s displays offer unparalleled image quality, resolutions that capture incredible detail, and refresh rates that make for an exceptionally smooth visual experience—all without making any sacrifices.
While HP might have entered the OLED gaming monitor game a bit late, its OMEN Transcend 32 fits right in with the top-of-the-line options available. This 31.5-inch monitor boasts a sharp 4K resolution, coupled with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time. Such specifications make this monitor versatile enough for just about any task you could throw at it. But HP didn’t stop at specs—they added a few extra touches to ensure this monitor stands out from the crowd.
For instance, take the HP OMEN Gear Switch, a nifty one-button KVM solution that lets you switch between multiple devices while keeping your keyboard and mouse in action. Plus, it offers full 140W passthrough charging for your laptop or mobile device, where most high-end monitors max out at 90W. These thoughtful additions, combined with a stunning display, sleek design, and user-friendly features, make this an excellent buy. The stand, however, might make you wish HP had invested a little more effort into its design from the ground up.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m Zachary Boddy, and as a seasoned Staff Writer at Windows Central, I’ve reviewed countless monitors across a variety of categories. Whether they’re paired with PCs, handheld devices, or consoles, I’ve got the hands-on experience and necessary tools to evaluate a monitor’s color fidelity, image quality, and performance to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Disclosure
HP graciously provided a review unit for this article. However, they had no influence over the content of this review, nor did they see it prior to its publication.
HP OMEN Transcend 32: Pricing and Specifications
- Price: $1,299.99 at Best Buy, HP
- Display Type: 31.5-inch Quantum Dot OLED
- Display Specs: UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, 250 nits max brightness, 100% sRGB & 99% DCI-P3 color gamuts
- Additional Features: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, NVIDIA G-Sync support, HP OMEN Gear Switch (KVM), HP OMEN Gaming Hub support, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, VESA ClearMR 13,000, anti-reflective coating, four HyperX speakers, VESA mounting support (100 x 100mm), HP OMEN Tempest Cooling
- Ports: 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream w/ 140W Power Delivery & DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream w/ 15W charging, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ 15W charging, 3x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 w/ 7.5W charging, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x AC power port
- Weight: 8.8kg (19.4lbs) with stand, 6kg (13.2lbs) without stand
This flagship 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor definitely sets itself in the premium range with a price of $1,299.99 at Best Buy, competitive with similar offerings from ASUS, Samsung, and LG. But don’t fret if the price seems steep—sales can sometimes bring it down to around $900, making it a perfect catch for these features.
Besides its stellar 4K display and high refresh rates, the OMEN Transcend 32 distinguishes itself with HyperX-tuned speakers, a USB Type-C port offering full 140W Power Delivery, a single-button OMEN Gear Switch feature, and an eye-catching two-tone design with vibrant RGB lighting. You can either use the included stand or go with a standard VESA mount to suit your setup.
Inside the box, you’ll find the monitor, a two-piece stand, and an array of cables including a DisplayPort and HDMI, along with a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable. The package also includes a handy magnetic headphone hook, a cable management clip, the substantial power adapter, and a thorough factory calibration report. It all comes with a standard 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
HP OMEN Transcend 32: The Good
Decked out in a stylish two-tone design enhanced with vivid lighting, the HP OMEN Transcend 32’s display offers stellar performance, and thoughtful features like the Gear Switch, built-in speakers, and a user-friendly OSD make it a standout choice.
I’ve got to say, I can’t get enough of the black-and-white design on this monitor. It pairs beautifully with the HP OMEN 35L Desktop PC that I’m currently reviewing as well. HP’s representatives call this the "panda" look, and honestly, it suits the style perfectly. There may be imperfections, which I’ll discuss later, but the bright RGB light strip adds a vibrant flair that integrates the curved white back and the central black section leading to the stand.
Ports are conveniently aligned at the central bottom rear, with ventilation on top and bottom to cool the OLED display efficiently. While there is a fan, it’s surprisingly quiet. The rear panel near the bottom right holds a power button, a joystick for the On-Screen Display (OSD), and a dedicated button for the HP OMEN Gear Switch feature.
A satisfying click locks the power cable firmly in place, eliminating any worry about accidental disconnection—a refreshing change from my experience with the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32!
Let’s talk about that RGB lighting. It’s not just for show but bright enough to project colors on the wall behind the monitor, perfectly complementing other room lighting like my Razer setup.
Getting to the heart of the mater—the display itself shines. At 31.5 inches, it’s large, but 4K resolution ensures everything from text to visuals remains razor-sharp. Although 5K or 6K options exist, those are generally made for professional productivity rather than gaming.
With a 240Hz refresh rate accompanied by a minimal 0.03ms response time, and adaptive sync support for both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync technologies, this is a monitor that performs. It’s unbelievably smooth, responsive, leaving no room for disappointment in its performance.
The image quality follows suit, knocking it out of the park, even almost meeting HP’s boastful promises of color gamut coverage. While it ever so slightly misses some targets, dedicated profiles allow for accuracy tweaks across various color spaces.
In the real-world, this monitor isn’t just about sharp and smooth visuals—it’s absolutely dazzling. With a consistency in brightness, perfect contrast ratios thanks to the OLED, and vibrant, precise colors, the OMEN Transcend showcases any media flawlessly. Generally, the display leans towards a warm white balance, but it’s steady across different brightness settings.
HP OMEN Transcend 32: The Bad
Shifting attention to the stand, it’s a letdown. It seems to share the same stand design as HP’s entry-level monitors, and it’s not the high-quality you’d expect from a premium product. It tends to wobble, lacks an effective cable management solution, and doesn’t offer swivel capabilities. Moreover, the customization possibilities for the color profile leave much to be desired.
While a fan of the design, the plastic build doesn’t reflect the premium price tag. ASUS’s metallic chassis for a similar product comes across far more fitting for something in this category. Plus, the curved back complicates adding peripherals like webcams.
The real issue lies in the stand. Although functional with some adjustability, it doesn’t provide the stability expected for high-end displays. The absence of swivel is a major oversight. Furthermore, the cable management is lacking, with only a small clip available, leaving wires visible.
HP’s mounting method could also use improvement. Swapping the stand for a monitor arm requires more effort, including the removal of a plastic panel and screws. Comparatively, ASUS offers a much simpler bracket system, allowing easy mounting without cumbersome steps.
Lastly, regarding the display, a maximum brightness of 250 nits makes it less versatile in bright environments. Its HDR performance is average compared to peers. While the design and defaults are fine, more control over the display settings, including tweaking contrast, gamma, and color saturation would vastly improve user experience.
On top of that, the OLED care features, while necessary, sometimes abruptly activate, temporarily preventing use—fine in principle, but inconvenient in practice.
HP OMEN Transcend 32: Final Thoughts
For those seeking a premium, multifunctional monitor that excels in gaming while offering unique productivity perks, the HP OMEN Transcend 32 is a top contender. With enhancements like excellent KVM functions, built-in speakers, and meticulous color accuracy, it goes beyond expectations.
But if prioritizing stand stability and value, be cautious. Though OLED technology offers captivating visuals, it’s not yet synonymous with budget-friendly options.
With its striking design, incredible performance, and innovative features, the HP OMEN Transcend 32 ranks as one of my favorites. For pure image vibrancy, ASUS might have the upper hand, but HP ensures their offering isn’t just a collection of features but a coherent, high-end experience. If you can overlook the stand fuss and consider investing in a monitor arm, this is a spectacular choice.
