Tested: This Alienware monitor serves up 320Hz for $250, and it's not bad

Best Prices Today: Alienware AW2525HM

$249.99

The AW2525HM is an entry-level monitor in Alienware’s 2025 monitor lineup, although you may not know that from a look on the specs. This 25-inch monitor has 1080p decision with a most refresh fee of 320Hz, in addition to official assist for each Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. Despite that, it retails for simply $250.

Read on to study extra, then see our roundup of the best gaming monitors for comparability.

Alienware AW2525HM specs and options

At its core, the Alienware AW2525HM is a conventional IPS-LCD monitor like hundreds bought over the previous 20 years. It combines a 1080p IPS panel with an edge-lit LCD backlight. What units it aside, although, is the monitor’s low value and excessive refresh fee. Serving up 320Hz at simply $250 is an unimaginable deal at face worth. By comparability, Amazon presently sells the older AW2523HF (a 360Hz monitor) for about $330, and even white label 320Hz displays sometimes promote above $250, albeit typically with 1440p decision.

• Display measurement: 24.5-inch 16:9 side ratio
• Native decision: 1920×1080
• Panel kind: IPS-LCD
• Refresh fee: 320Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
• HDR: Yes, HDR10
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B 5Gbps upstream, 1x USB-A 5Gbps downstream, 1x USB-A 5Gbps downstream with 7.5 watts energy
• Audio: None
• Price: $249.99 MSRP

You would possibly anticipate the low value to drive some compromise, however there’s lower than you assume. The monitor lacks USB-C, however that’s not typical for a gaming monitor at this value level, and it nonetheless has a little bit of downstream USB-A connectivity. The monitor additionally has broad Adaptive Sync assist with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync formally supported.

Alienware AW2525HM design

The AW2525HM embraces the brand new appear and feel of Alienware’s displays which, in my view at the least, is a downgrade from the corporate’s earlier efforts. The previous retro-futuristic vibe is gone, changed by an natural, clean look that surprisingly is offered in only one shade: navy blue.

It’s an odd selection, to make sure, however there are just a few advantages. Alienware’s new design language makes a tough pivot towards stands with a small, flat base that minimizes the monitor’s footprint on a desk.

The stand additionally supplies a superb vary of ergonomic adjustment. It supplies 110mm of peak adjustment, 25 levels of tilt, 40 levels of swivel, and rotates 90 levels to be used in portrait mode. These options mark a distinction between the AW2525HM and even less expensive white-label monitors available on Amazon, most of which have a extra restricted vary of ergonomic adjustment.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The monitor additionally has a 100x100mm VESA mount to be used with third-party monitor arms and stands.

As a bonus, the monitor additionally supplies a flip-out headset rack for hanging a gaming headset when it’s not in use.

Alienware AW2525HM connectivity

The Alienware AW2525HM’s connectivity is stable however anticipated for a budget- to mid-range gaming monitor. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 for a complete of three video inputs. The HDMI 2.1 ports assist solely 255Hz at 1080p, which suggests solely the DisplayPort can deal with the monitor’s full decision and refresh fee. This isn’t unusual at this value, though some white-label monitors claim higher refresh rates throughout the HDMI ports (with the caveat that the specs of such displays can show much less dependable).

USB connectivity is proscribed, however current. The AW2525HM doesn’t have USB-C, which is true for many gaming displays on this value bracket. It does present two USB-A ports, nevertheless, that are pushed by a USB-B upstream port. One of the 2 USB-A ports additionally supplies 7.5 watts of energy for charging or powering fundamental peripherals, like a smartphone or a conveyable exhausting drive. The inclusion of two USB-A ports means you should utilize the monitor as a USB hub for a wired keyboard and mouse, which is at all times useful in a gaming monitor.

Alienware AW2525HM menus, options, and audio

Alienware ships the AW2525HM with a well-known, easy-to-navigate menu system managed by a joystick centered beneath the decrease bezel (alternatively, customers can management monitor options with Alienware Command Center, a software program utility).

The menu system is a small however notable benefit over opponents. Asus does as properly on this space, however manufacturers like Acer and Gigabyte are likely to fall a bit behind, actually because the menus are smaller and a bit more durable to learn. Monitors from white-label and Amazon manufacturers (like KTC and Koouri) are likely to have menus which might be annoying to navigate. On high of that, I’ve but to check a monitor from an Amazon model that gives a software program utility like Alienware’s Command Center.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

With that stated, the AW2525HM’s function set doesn’t differ from opponents. It has gaming options, like a crosshair and a darkish stabilizer (which enhance the brightness of darkish scenes to disclose foes). There’s additionally some picture customization, together with shade calibration for hue, acquire, and offset—however that’s solely discovered within the Custom Color mode. Color temperature and gamma adjustment is proscribed. An sRGB shade profile is the one picture mode that targets a particular shade gamut; no DCI-P3 or AdobeRGB mode right here.

As for audio, properly, there isn’t something, although that’s no shock. Budget displays usually omit audio system and, when they’re included, they supply barely satisfactory audio high quality.

However, the AW2525HM additionally omits a 3.5mm audio-out jack, which is extra uncommon. That means you received’t have the ability to pass-through audio and might want to join your audio system or headphones on to your PC. Alienware believes (accurately, I’d guess) that almost all players at the moment are utilizing USB headsets.

Alienware AW2525HM SDR picture high quality

Loads rides on the Alienware AW2525HM’s SDR picture high quality. Though it does technically assist HDR, SDR is clearly the main focus, each due to the monitor’s value level and since fast-paced PC titles constructed for prime refresh charges have a tendency to not concentrate on HDR assist (particularly if the sport is just not additionally out there on console).

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The AW2525HM comes out swinging with a most sustained SDR brightness of 459 nits. That’s not record-setting, but it surely’s slightly excessive for a monitor priced at $250. That degree of brightness is greater than sufficient to make the monitor stand out even in a brightly lit room that lacks good mild management.

On high of that, the monitor has a semi-gloss end that reduces glare, so brilliant mild sources have much less impression on the picture. The result’s a monitor that’s very straightforward to view in a variety of lighting situations.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Unfortunately, although not unsurprisingly, the monitor’s glorious brightness is paired with sub-par distinction, with a measured distinction ratio of 1010:1 at 50 p.c of most brightness (and, in case you’re curious, this didn’t range considerably at different brightness ranges).

A distinction ratio of 1010:1 isn’t terrible for a reasonable gaming monitor, but it surely’s not wonderful. The restricted distinction ratio usually leads to a picture that appears flat and lacks a convincing sense of depth. This is most noticeable in darkish scenes, because the monitor can’t correctly render darkish hues, as an alternative displaying them as a hazy, pale silver-gray. This is the dreaded “IPS glow.”

As the graph reveals, a greater distinction ratio might be had at this value level. Monitors just like the Xiaomi G Pro, which has a Mini-LED backlight, and the Lenovo Legion R27fc-30, which has a VA show panel, can present higher distinction on a price range (although they will’t match the AW2525HM’s movement readability).

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Alienware AW2525HM posts respectable shade gamut figures. It can show 100 p.c of sRGB, 93 p.c of DCI-P3, and 87 p.c of AdobeRGB. These are good although mid-pack figures. The AW2525HM defeats displays just like the Lenovo Legion R27fc-30, however doesn’t carry out in addition to the Gigabyte M27QA ICE or Xiaomi G Pro.

In normal, although, the AW2525HM’s shade gamut is an effective match for PC video games. Titles will look colourful and vibrant, significantly in brilliant scenes that play higher to the monitor’s robust brightness and obscure its mediocre distinction and poor efficiency in darkish scenes.

If you wish to edit images, movies, or digital artwork, the AW2525HM is satisfactory for much less demanding work however received’t reduce the mustard for extra rigorous skilled use. It merely doesn’t show sufficient of DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB, which suggests some colours won’t be seen on the monitor.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Alienware AW2525HM can also be mid-pack in shade accuracy although, with that stated, the typical shade error of the AW2525HM is low. It comes throughout as mid-pack solely as a result of most price range displays have managed to realize a stable degree of out-of-box shade accuracy.

I additionally noticed first rate shade temperature and gamma outcomes. The AW2525HM’s shade temperature of 6500Okay was spot-on my goal and means the picture doesn’t seem too heat or cool. The gamma worth of two.3 is barely off my goal of two.2 and means the picture can seem a tad darker than it ought to, although I discovered that arduous to note in real-world use.

Sharpness is a draw back. 1920×1080 decision is nothing to boast about in 2025 and, on a 24.5-inch panel, it really works out to about 90 pixels per inch. A 27-inch 1440p monitor, as a degree of comparability, reaches about 110 ppi, and a 27-inch 4K monitor delivers about 163 ppi. The AW2525HM manages to keep away from an apparent aliased or pixelated look, but it surely’s noticeably softer than even a 1440p show.

The AW2525HM’s SDR picture high quality is a mixture. It takes a win in brightness and supplies respectable shade efficiency however falls quick in distinction and sharpness. All kinds of 1440p and 4K displays can be found at $250, as properly, although not with a 320Hz refresh fee. And that, actually, is the core compromise made right here: a discount in total picture high quality within the service of higher movement readability.

Alienware AW2525HM HDR picture high quality

The Alienware AW2525HM helps HDR10 enter but it surely lacks VESA DisplayHDR certification and makes no robust claims on HDR efficiency. In reality, Alienware’s advertising and marketing doesn’t seem to say HDR in any respect. I solely noticed reference to it within the monitor’s specs.

That says all the things it is advisable to learn about HDR on the show. It’s brilliant, reaching as much as 469 nits in my checks, however that’s about it. The monitor lacks each the distinction and shade efficiency essential to do HDR justice. HDR content material seems to be a bit totally different, and a bit brighter, than SDR, however not essentially higher. Personally, I wouldn’t trouble to make use of HDR on this monitor, however some house owners could desire the brighter presentation.

Alienware AW2525HM movement efficiency

There’s so much using on the Alienware AW2525HM’s movement efficiency. Fortunately, it’s slightly good.

The monitor’s Fast IPS panel does the exhausting work. It has a refresh fee as much as 320Hz, as beforehand talked about, and supplies pixel response instances as little as 0.5 milliseconds (which is about as fast as IPS displays can handle). Games that may obtain a body fee of 320Hz look clean and crisp with blur solely apparent within the most interesting particulars and high-contrast edges.

You can discover higher movement readability, to make sure: A 360Hz OLED, for instance, will blow the AW2525HM out of the water. But for $250, this degree of movement readability is excellent. Fast-paced titles really feel amazingly tight and responsive.

I might advocate avoiding the monitor’s quickest response time modes, nevertheless. Like most IPS and VA panel displays, the AW2525HM presents a wide range of settings. The quickest can ship the most effective readability however may also trigger picture artifacts akin to obvious halos round high-contrast objects. This downside is named overshoot and is widespread amongst IPS and VA panel displays. Personally, I believe sticking to the slowest response time mode is the only option for many players.

The AW2525HM helps Adaptive Sync and has official assist for each AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible. Most displays that assist Adaptive Sync work with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible (whether or not their assist is listed or not), as these requirements are constructed off Adaptive Sync. Still, I’m happy to see Alienware record official assist. It reduces confusion and supplies players confidence the monitor will work with their video card.

Should you purchase the Alienware AW2525HM?

The Alienware AW2525HM is yet one more competent entry in Alienware’s 2025 monitor lineup which, like its friends, is value a glance principally due to its value. The monitor’s design isn’t outstanding, and whereas it does supply a pair USB-A ports and a variety of ergonomic adjustment, its function set is typical for a price range gaming monitor. But with a refresh fee of as much as 320Hz, broad Adaptive Sync assist, and a retail MSRP of simply $250, the AW2525HM is a stable decide if you would like nice movement readability on a price range.