HP’s latest ultrawide gaming monitor is the safe option, but I hoped for a little better

by

I don’t really *need* an ultrawide monitor myself, but a lot of people are big fans and know exactly why they want one. There are tons of ultrawide gaming monitors available, so it’s hard for manufacturers to make theirs stand out.

The HP OMEN 34c (G2) doesn’t reinvent the wheel – it’s a familiar follow-up to the original – but it remains a strong choice, delivering excellent performance and good picture quality for its price.

Okay, I do have a few things I could nitpick about it, but honestly, I’d still recommend the OMEN 34c (G2) without hesitation. It’s a really solid gaming monitor, particularly if you’re after a great ultrawide experience without paying a fortune for extras you won’t use.

We received a review unit from HP for this evaluation. HP did not have any influence on the review and hadn’t seen it before it was published.

A familiar design from HP OMEN

HP’s OMEN line has found its stride, developing a distinctive look and a wide range of products. The OMEN 34c (G2) fits right in, sporting a design that’s very typical of the series.

For the price, this monitor looks pretty good, with a simple black design, subtle “OMEN” branding, and a nice touch from HP. The screen borders are also reasonably thin on most sides. My main complaint is still the stand itself.

The OMEN 34c (G2) remains incredibly easy to set up, just like last year’s model – you don’t need any tools or complicated instructions. The only exception is if you want to attach a VESA mount, which will require a bit more effort.

Honestly, the monitor stand is a bit limited. You can adjust the height and tilt, but if I want to swivel the screen, I have to physically rotate the whole monitor and stand – and I’m just not willing to do that! I’m hopeful HP will address this in future models, but it’s frustrating right now.

I’m also disappointed by the limited number of ports. You only get two HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.4. More ports would be really useful for many users, including myself, even if they didn’t include features like KVM switching or device charging.

The phone also has two 3W speakers, and unfortunately, the sound quality hasn’t improved since last year – it still sounds thin, muffled, and lacks depth. They’re okay for things like alerts and quick video calls, but I wouldn’t recommend them for listening to music or watching videos.

Good gaming performance, solid image quality

The OMEN 34c (G2) has received some significant display improvements. It still features a 34-inch, ultrawide VA screen with a 1440p resolution, but now delivers better performance and a noticeably improved picture.

The monitor’s refresh rate has been boosted to 180Hz, which offers a good balance between smoother motion and performance, falling between the common 120Hz and 240Hz options for gaming monitors. While the difference might not be huge compared to the previous 165Hz model, the monitor still delivers a fantastic gaming experience.

HP managed to improve both the performance and image quality for the OMEN 34c’s second generation.

HP significantly improved the color accuracy of this display, covering 100% of the sRGB spectrum and 88% of the DCI-P3 spectrum in its default settings. They also enhanced contrast across different brightness levels. The OMEN 34c (G2)’s VA panel offers a good balance of contrast compared to the more common IPS LCD or OLED screens.

My main concern with this display is the viewing angles. Colors appear washed out and shift when you don’t look at the screen straight on. While the curved screen helps a little, I often noticed that content on the edges looked less bright and clear than when viewed from directly in front.

Despite everything, I was still able to get things done, watch videos, video chat, and play games.

HP OMEN 34c (G2) review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You know you want an ultrawide monitor.
  • You value great gaming performance and that 180Hz refresh rate.
  • You don’t care about all the bells and whistles.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You need your monitor to provide additional USB ports.
  • You need the best possible image quality and brightness.

My colleague, Rebecca Spear, originally reviewed the HP OMEN 34c. This second generation doesn’t differ much from the first. While HP has made some good updates, the OMEN 34c (G2) remains a reliable choice in a crowded market of similar products.

If you don’t have any special requirements beyond a great display – like needing extra USB connections or KVM functionality – you’ll probably be very satisfied with this monitor. It’s simple to set up, the picture quality is good with all kinds of content, and it performs well for gaming.

The HP OMEN 34c (G2) is a solid ultrawide gaming monitor that delivers exactly what you need, without unnecessary extras. You can get it for $529.99 directly from HP’s website (HP.com) or at BestBuy.com.

Read More

2025-10-26 17:14