By Although the specs may not immediately reveal it, the AW2525HM is an entry-level monitor in Alienware’s 2025 monitor series. With a maximum refresh rate of 320 Hz and 1080p resolution, this 25-inch monitor is officially compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. It only costs $250 at retail, though.
Specs and Features
The Alienware AW2525HM is just a conventional IPS-LCD monitor, similar to the thousands that have been marketed over the last 20 years. It combines an edge-lit LCD backlight with a 1080p IPS display. However, the monitor’s rapid refresh rate and low cost are what make it unique. At face value, offering 320Hz for only $250 is an amazing bargain. In contrast, the earlier AW2523HF (360Hz) monitor is currently available on Amazon for roughly $330, and even white label 320Hz displays, though occasionally with 1440p resolution, usually cost more than $250.
- 24.5-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1920 x 1080 native resolution
- Type of panel: IPS-LCD
- 320 Hz is the refresh rate.
- Yes, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium support adaptive sync. Complementary
- HDR: Indeed, HDR10
- Ports: 7.5 watts of electricity, two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, one USB-B 5Gbps upstream, one USB-A 5Gbps downstream, and one USB-A 5Gbps downstream
- No audio
- Cost: $249.99 MSRP
There is less compromise than you may anticipate because of the low price. The monitor has some downstream USB-A connectivity and does not include USB-C, which is unusual for a gaming monitor at this price range. Additionally, the monitor supports a wide range of adaptive sync, including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
Design
The AW2525HM adopts Alienware’s new display design and feel, which is, at the very least, a step down from the company’s previous attempts. The organic, smooth style, which oddly comes in only one color—navy blue—has taken the place of the previous retro-futuristic mood.
It’s a strange decision, to be sure, but there are some advantages. In order to reduce the monitor’s footprint on a desk, Alienware’s new design language makes a clear shift toward stands with a compact, flat base.
Additionally, the stand offers a considerable range of ergonomic adjustments. It has a height adjustment of 110mm, a tilt of 25 degrees, a swivel of 40 degrees, and a 90-degree rotation for portrait mode. These characteristics set the AW2525HM apart from even more affordable white-label monitors that can be found on Amazon, the majority of which have a more constrained range of ergonomic adjustment.
Connectivity
The Alienware AW2525HM has good connection, which is to be expected for a gaming monitor in the mid- to low-range price bracket. It features three visual inputs in total—two HDMI 2.1 connectors and one DisplayPort 1.4 port. Only the DisplayPort can manage the full resolution and refresh rate of the display, while the HDMI 2.1 ports only offer 255Hz at 1080p. Although some white-label monitors offer faster refresh rates across the HDMI ports (with the disclaimer that the specifications of such monitors can prove less dependable), this is not unusual at this price.
Although restricted, USB connectivity is available. Like the majority of gaming monitors in this price range, the AW2525HM lacks USB-C. However, it has two USB-A ports that are powered by an upstream USB-B port. Additionally, one of the two USB-A ports offers 7.5 watts of power for charging or powering simple accessories, such as a portable hard drive or smartphone. A gaming monitor’s ability to function as a USB hub for a wired keyboard and mouse is facilitated by its two USB-A connectors.
HDR image quality
Although it does not have VESA DisplayHDR certification and does not make any bold claims regarding HDR performance, the Alienware AW2525HM does handle HDR10 input. HDR doesn’t seem to be mentioned in any of Alienware’s marketing. It was only mentioned in the monitor’s specifications that I could find.
That covers all the information you require regarding HDR on the screen. In my tests, it was as bright as 469 nits, but that’s about it. Both the contrast and color performance required to fully utilize HDR are absent from the display. While not always superior, HDR content seems slightly brighter and different than SDR. Although some owners might appreciate the brighter display, I wouldn’t bother using HDR on this monitor.
Motion Performance
The motion performance of the Alienware AW2525HM is crucial. Thankfully, it’s pretty decent.
The Fast IPS panel on the monitor handles the labor-intensive work. As previously stated, it offers pixel response speeds as low as 0.5 milliseconds (about as fast as IPS panels can handle) and a refresh rate of up to 320 Hz. Games with a 320 Hz frame rate appear fluid and clear, with blur only visible in the smallest details and edges with a lot of contrast.
To be sure, you can find improved motion clarity: For instance, a 360Hz OLED will significantly outperform the AW2525HM. However, this degree of motion clarity is exceptional for $250. Fast-paced games seem responsive and tight.
However, I would advise staying away from the monitor’s fastest response time options. The AW2525HM has multiple settings, just as the majority of IPS and VA panel displays. Although the fastest can produce the best clarity, it can also result in picture abnormalities, such as apparent halos surrounding objects with high contrast. Overshoot is the term for this issue, which frequently occurs with IPS and VA panel monitors. In my opinion, the best option for the majority of gamers is to continue with the mode with the slowest response time.
In addition to supporting Adaptive Sync, the AW2525HM is officially compatible with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. Since AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible are standards based on Adaptive Sync, the majority of monitors that support Adaptive Sync also function with those standards, whether or not they are specified. I’m happy to see Alienware list official support, though. Confusion is lessened, and players are reassured that the monitor will support their video card.
Conclusion
Another capable addition to Alienware’s 2025 monitor series, the AW2525HM is worth considering primarily because of its affordable pricing. Although it has a few USB-A connections and a variety of ergonomic adjustment options, the monitor’s design isn’t particularly noteworthy, and its feature set is standard for a low-cost gaming monitor. However, if you want excellent motion clarity on a budget, the AW2525HM is a good choice because of its extensive Adaptive Sync compatibility, refresh rate of up to 320Hz, and retail MSRP of only $250.
