HP Omen 34c Review: A Cinematic Beast for Gamers and Creators Alike

First Impressions: Sleek, Subtle, and Seriously Curved

Let’s face it—monitors have come a long way from the dull, beige rectangles we once knew. But every so often, a display comes along that feels like it’s actually keeping pace with the expectations of modern gamers, creators, and digital multitaskers. The HP Omen 34c isn’t just another entry in the ultra-wide category. It’s a curved, immersive, and supremely capable screen that delivers a premium experience without demanding a second mortgage. And after spending several weeks using it as my primary monitor for everything from FPS games to video editing to Netflix marathons, I’m ready to make a bold claim: this might be one of the most well-rounded ultra-wide monitors on the market today.

Immersion Redefined: The 1500R Curve

From the moment you set eyes on it, the Omen 34c makes an impression. Its 34-inch curved display greets you with a commanding presence. The 1500R curvature isn’t just about aesthetics—it draws you in, wrapping the digital world around your peripheral vision in a way that feels intimate and enveloping. You don’t just see your games or your spreadsheets; you feel surrounded by them. This curvature makes everything more immersive, more personal, and undeniably more fun.

Visual Brilliance: WQHD Resolution and Detail

The display boasts a 3440 x 1440 WQHD resolution, providing a crisp and pixel-rich canvas that feels like a perfect sweet spot between 1080p and 4K. It gives you more screen real estate without compromising performance or requiring an absurdly powerful graphics card. When you fire up a game like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon Zero Dawn, the visual fidelity is stunning. Every neon-lit alley, every mechanical beast—rendered in exquisite detail. This isn’t just a screen. It’s a window into another world.

Performance Powerhouse: 165Hz and 1ms Response Time

But looks are just one part of the story. Under the hood, the HP Omen 34c flexes its muscles with a refresh rate of 165Hz and a 1ms response time when overdrive is activated. If you’ve ever tried aiming in a twitch shooter like Valorant or Call of Duty and felt like your screen was a fraction of a second behind, you’ll appreciate the buttery smooth fluidity here. Motion blur is virtually non-existent, and input lag is practically undetectable. Whether you’re tracking an opponent across your field of view or just enjoying the silky movement of your cursor, the experience is fast, tight, and undeniably next-gen.

Responsiveness in Every Task

The 165Hz refresh rate isn’t just for eSports pros—it makes everyday use feel significantly more responsive. Scrolling through documents is smoother, dragging windows is more satisfying, and even mundane tasks like editing videos or browsing become a bit more pleasurable. It’s one of those upgrades that’s hard to go back from once you’ve experienced it.

Deep Contrast and Vibrant Color: VA Panel Strengths

Now, let’s talk about color and contrast—two areas where the Omen 34c punches above its weight. Thanks to its VA panel technology, the monitor delivers an impressive 3000:1 static contrast ratio. Blacks are deep and true, not the muddy greys you often get on cheaper displays. Highlights pop with impressive brightness, while mid-tones retain nuance and texture. Whether you’re watching a movie with moody lighting or playing a game set in a shadowy forest, the Omen 34c delivers the kind of cinematic contrast that makes everything feel more alive.

Color Coverage That Impresses Creatives

Color coverage is equally impressive, with 99% of the sRGB spectrum and 90% of the DCI-P3 gamut accounted for. This makes the monitor not just great for games, but genuinely useful for creative work as well. I tested it with photo editing in Lightroom and video grading in DaVinci Resolve, and the color accuracy held up beautifully. For content creators who want a single display that can game hard and work harder, this is a serious contender.

HDR Support That Adds Extra Pop

Adding to the visual punch is the inclusion of DisplayHDR 400. Now, to be clear, this isn’t top-tier HDR. You won’t get the searing highlights or retina-scorching brightness of higher-end HDR600 or HDR1000 displays. But what you do get is a noticeable boost in dynamic range. Sunsets look more radiant, torchlit caves glow with more depth, and you get a sense of dimensionality that standard SDR just can’t match. It’s a welcome addition that enhances rather than defines the experience.

Thoughtful Design: Adjustable and Sleek

Ergonomics are often an afterthought in monitor design, but HP clearly thought this through. The stand allows for height adjustment and tilting, letting you dial in a comfortable viewing angle without resorting to a stack of books or a third-party arm. The 3-sided borderless design not only looks modern but is genuinely functional for anyone thinking about a multi-monitor setup. It reduces visual distraction and maximizes screen real estate, making it easier to stay focused and in the zone.

Sophisticated Aesthetics for Any Setup

Let’s also acknowledge the aesthetics. The Omen 34c is sharp, professional, and surprisingly minimal. It doesn’t scream “gamer” with RGB strips or edgy logos. It whispers “performance” with clean lines and a subtle Omen logo that glows gently beneath the screen. It fits just as well in a home office as it does in a gaming den.

Solid Connectivity for Multiple Devices

When it comes to connectivity, the Omen 34c keeps things practical. You get one DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. No USB hub, unfortunately, which is a bit of a missed opportunity, especially for a productivity-minded ultra-wide. Still, the available ports cover all the basics. I had it connected simultaneously to my gaming PC, my work laptop, and my PS5, and switching inputs was seamless.

Gaming Like Never Before

Gaming performance is where this monitor truly earns its stripes. Booting up fast-paced shooters like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends, I was struck by just how responsive and immersive the experience felt. The ultra-wide format let me see more of the battlefield without having to pan or scroll. In RPGs like The Witcher 3, the immersive effect was next-level—walking through bustling cities or misty forests felt like stepping into a living painting.

Productivity That Makes Sense

For multitasking, the ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio is nothing short of revolutionary. I had a video call open on one side, Google Docs in the middle, and a browser on the right—no window-switching required. It made my workflow dramatically more efficient and satisfying. Once you experience ultra-wide multitasking, dual monitors start to feel cumbersome.

Media Binging Approved

Media consumption also gets a serious upgrade. Watching films in their native cinematic aspect ratio means no black bars, and the color reproduction and contrast make streaming content look lush and engaging. Whether you’re binge-watching a series, editing a video project, or blasting through a 10-hour gaming marathon, the Omen 34c holds up across the board.

Final Thoughts: A Monitor That Checks Every Box

Still, these are minor complaints in the grand scheme. The truth is, the HP Omen 34c nails the essentials and elevates the experience with a few welcome extras. It’s versatile enough to be your only display, powerful enough for serious gamers, and color-accurate enough for content creators. It’s a jack-of-all-trades that refuses to be average at anything.

To sum it all up: if you’re looking for an ultra-wide monitor that delivers exceptional gaming performance, impressive visuals, and a design that fits seamlessly into both creative and professional environments, the HP Omen 34c should be high on your list. It’s a monitor that doesn’t just keep up with your workflow and playstyle—it enhances them. It immerses you, empowers you, and maybe even spoils you just a bit.

Once you’ve gamed, worked, and created on the Omen 34c, it’s hard to imagine going back. This is more than a monitor. It’s an experience.

Final Rating: 9/10. Immersive, beautiful, and feature-rich—it’s a gamer’s dream and a creator’s ally.