- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Features
- Sizes and Variants
- Compared
- Conclusion
- Discussions
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2018
By Simon Barbier
, Yannick Khong, Dimitris Katsaounis
HP Pavilion 22CWA
MONITOR REVIEW
Usage Ratings -
Version 1.0
6.6
Mixed Usage
✕
Score components:
- 30% Office
- 30% Multimedia
- 25% Gaming
- 10% Media Creation
- 5% HDR Gaming
Score distribution:
6.8
Office
✕
Score components:
- 16% Resolution and Size
- 15% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 12% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 7% Ergonomics
- 7% Reflections
- 7% Gray Uniformity
- 6% Input Lag
- 5% SDR Color Gamut
- 5% SDR Color Volume
- 4% Black Uniformity
- 4% SDR Peak Brightness
- 4% Gradient
- 2% Motion Blur
- 2% Refresh Rate
- 2% Pre Calibration
- 1% Image Flicker
- 1% Curve radius
Score distribution:
6.9
Gaming
✕
Score components:
- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:
6.5
Multimedia
✕
Score components:
- 17% Resolution and Size
- 10% Input Lag
- 8% Reflections
- 8% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 7% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 6% Gray Uniformity
- 5% Ergonomics
- 5% Black Uniformity
- 4% Motion Blur
- 4% Refresh Rate
- 4% SDR Color Gamut
- 4% SDR Color Volume
- 3% Gradient
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Image Flicker
- 2% HDR Peak Brightness
- 2% HDR Color Gamut
- 2% HDR Color Volume
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% Pre Calibration
Score distribution:
6.3
Media Creation
✕
Score components:
- 21% Resolution and Size
- 8% Ergonomics
- 7% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 7% Input Lag
- 6% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 6% Motion Blur
- 6% Refresh Rate
- 5% Reflections
- 5% Gray Uniformity
- 5% Black Uniformity
- 3% Image Flicker
- 3% Gradient
- 3% SDR Color Gamut
- 3% SDR Color Volume
- 2% Contrast
- 2% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% HDR Peak Brightness
- 2% HDR Color Gamut
- 2% HDR Color Volume
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 1% Local Dimming
Score distribution:
4.7
HDR Gaming
✕
Score components:
- 14% Contrast
- 12% Input Lag
- 9% HDR Peak Brightness
- 9% Resolution and Size
- 8% Black Uniformity
- 7% Local Dimming
- 5% Ergonomics
- 5% Motion Blur
- 5% Refresh Rate
- 5% Gradient
- 5% HDR Color Gamut
- 5% HDR Color Volume
- 3% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 3% Image Flicker
- 3% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 2% Gray Uniformity
Score distribution:
LCD Type
:
IPS
✕
What it is:
Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.
When it matters:
Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.
Variable Refresh Rate
:
No
✕
What it is:
Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.
When it matters:
Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.
The HP 22CWA is a decent budget monitor with an IPS panel. It lacks more advanced features to improve the picture quality and performance, but still performs okay. It has wide viewing angles, which helps the image to remain uniform when viewed from up close. Blacks appear gray in a dark room, but in a bright room, the monitor can overcome some glare due to the good reflection handling and decent brightness. Motion handling is only decent but is limited by the 60Hz refresh rate and the mediocre response time.
Test Results
| Design | 6.5 |
| Picture Quality | 6.4 |
| Motion | 6.9 |
| Inputs | 8.2 |
- Sides remain accurate when viewed from close
- Gray uniformity is excellent
- Blacks appear gray in a dark room
- More motion blur than most monitors
Check Price
Design
✕
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
The design of the HP Pavilion 22CWA is mediocre and it is entirely made of plastic. The stand supports the monitor well and does not take much desk space, but it wobbles a little if gently knocked. When viewed from the side the monitor looks thin and can be placed close to a wall. Unfortunately, the ergonomics are bad and thus, you will need to spend some time before you can place it in a comfortable position. The build quality feels ok but does not give off any premium feel whatsoever.
1.5
Ergonomics
✕
What it is:
How much the position of the screen can be adjusted to match the viewing preference of the user.
When it matters:
All usages, but especially office and gaming use.
Score components:
- 46% Height Adjustment
- 18% Switch portrait/landscape
- 18% Swivel Range
- 18% Tilt Range
Score distribution:
The back of the monitor is very plain. It has no option to wall mount it as the necessary Vesa adapter is sold separately. Also, there is no cable management
Picture Quality
✕
Score components:
- 10% Contrast
- 3% Local Dimming
- 9% SDR Peak Brightness
- 3% HDR Peak Brightness
- 10% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 10% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 9% Gray Uniformity
- 7% Black Uniformity
- 7% Pre Calibration
- 2% Post Calibration
- 5% SDR Color Gamut
- 5% SDR Color Volume
- 2% HDR Color Gamut
- 2% HDR Color Volume
- 2% Image Retention
- 3% Gradient
- 2% Color Bleed
- 9% Reflections
Score distribution:
The HP 22CWA has a mediocre picture quality. It can not display deep blacks in a dark room. Its brightness levels and good reflection handling make it more suitable for brighter rooms. The viewing angles allow you to view it from the side without significant loss of accuracy. The monitor has great gray uniformity, good out-of-the-box color accuracy, and a very good color gamut.
6.6
Contrast
✕
What it is:
Brightness difference between white and black. This is the main component of picture quality.
When it matters:
Always, but especially when watching dark scenes.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Native Contrast
:
1423 : 1
✕
What it is:
Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks measured on our checkerboard test pattern with a white target of 100 cd/m².
When it matters:
Dark scenes in a dark room.
Good value:
> 3,000
Noticeable difference:
500
Score distribution:
Contrast with local dimming
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks measured on our checkerboard test pattern with local dimming turned on (maximum) with a white target of 100 cd/m².
When it matters:
Dark scenes in a dark room.
Good value:
> 3,000
Noticeable difference:
500
Score distribution:
The contrast of the HP 22CWA is mediocre. If you place the monitor in a dark room, blacks will look grayish. This is typical of IPS monitors.
0
Local Dimming
✕
What it is:
The lights behind the LCD layer adapt to the picture displayed, improving the contrast ratio.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Local Dimming
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether it has a feature that controls the LEDs behind the LCD layer, to match the picture and darkens the dark portion of it.
When it matters:
On LED TVs only. Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Backlight
:
Direct
✕
What it is:
Configuration of the lights of the backlight.
When it matters:
Effectiveness of the local dimming.
Good value:
Full-array/direct lighting is better for local dimming. As for the uniformity of the screen, it depends on the implementation. Some edge-lit monitors have more uniform blacks than some full-array monitors.
The HP Pavilion 22CWA does not have a local dimming feature. The video is for reference only.
7.0
SDR Peak Brightness
✕
What it is:
How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and with SDR content.
When it matters:
Bright living rooms; bright objects; SDR content.
Score components:
Score distribution:
SDR Real Scene
:
250 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity the TV can obtain while playing a movie or while watching a TV show. Our Real Scene was selected to represent a more regular movie condition. All measurements are made with the TV set to be as bright as possible, but with a 6500k white. Measured with local dimming on, max backlight and with an SDR signal. Scene: here.
When it matters:
When watching movies and TV shows in SDR.
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 2% Window
:
267 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright highlights, present on screen for a short time
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 10% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright objects, present on screen for a short time
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 25% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 50% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 100% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 2% Window
:
267 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright highlights, persistent during a scene.
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 10% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright objects, persistent during a scene.
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 25% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 50% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 100% Window
:
268 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the monitor set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Score distribution:
SDR ABL
:
0.0
✕
What it is:
The standard deviation of the SDR sustained brightness, after linearizing for noticeable differences in luminosity
When it matters:
Content with large bright areas, such as for PC or video game use, and sports such as hockey
Score distribution:
The SDR peak brightness of the monitor is decent. The same level of brightness is measured at all window sizes and this is great. Also, the brightness level makes this monitor suitable for brighter rooms
0
HDR Peak Brightness
✕
What it is:
How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and with HDR content.
When it matters:
HDR content
Score components:
Score distribution:
HDR is not supported.
7.2
Horizontal Viewing Angle
✕
What it is:
Color accuracy when viewed from the side.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Color Shift from Left
:
42 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your left
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Color Shift from Right
:
34 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your right
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness from Left
:
46 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your left.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness from Right
:
43 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your right.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level from Left
:
75 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your right.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level from Right
:
75 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When sharing your monitor with people on your right.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
The horizontal viewing angles are decent. The colors and the brightness remain accurate when you look at them from slightly wider angles.
8.0
Vertical Viewing Angle
✕
What it is:
Color accuracy when viewed from the top or bottom.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Color Shift from Below
:
29 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor from below.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Color Shift from Above
:
27 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor when standing up.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness from Below
:
33 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor from below.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness from Above
:
31 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor while standing up.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level from Below
:
75 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor from below.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level from Above
:
75 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the monitor. 0 ° means directly facing the monitor. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
When looking at a monitor while standing up.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
The vertical viewing angles are very good. You do not have to place the monitor right in front of you to get an accurate image and this is great.
8.9
Gray Uniformity
✕
What it is:
Evenness of colors onscreen (not just gray).
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Score components:
- 40% 50% Std. Dev.
- 40% 50% DSE
- 10% 5% Std. Dev.
- 10% 5% DSE
Score distribution:
50% Std. Dev.
:
2.65 %
✕
What it is:
Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 50% gray.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 2.5%
Noticeable difference:
1%
Score distribution:
50% DSE
:
0.1 %
✕
What it is:
High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 0.165%
Noticeable difference:
0.025%
Score distribution:
5% Std. Dev.
:
0.397 %
✕
What it is:
Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 5% gray.
When it matters:
Dark scenes.
Good value:
< 1.15%
Noticeable difference:
1%
Score distribution:
5% DSE
:
0.044 %
✕
What it is:
High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.
When it matters:
Dark scenes.
Good value:
< 0.116%
Score distribution:
This monitor has excellent gray uniformity. Most people will not notice any clouding or dirty screen effect while browsing the web or watching sports clips.
1.2
Black Uniformity
✕
What it is:
Evenness of blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
- 75% Native Std. Dev.
- 25% Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
Score distribution:
Native Std. Dev.
:
5.178 %
✕
What it is:
Average of the squared difference of the blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Good value:
<2%
Noticeable difference:
1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Average of the squared difference of the blacks with Local Dimming enabled
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Good value:
<2%
Noticeable difference:
1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.
Score distribution:
The black uniformity of this monitor is poor. In very dark scenes clouding is noticeable especially close to the corners.
7.8
Pre Calibration
✕
What it is:
Monitor's color accuracy before a full calibration. The measurements are taken with out of the box 'factory setting'.
When it matters:
All video on an uncalibrated TV. This represents most people's use cases.
Score components:
- 50% White Balance dE
- 50% Color dE
Score distribution:
Picture Mode
:
Custom
✕
What it is:
The picture mode that was used to do the pre-calibration reading. We usually go for the picture mode that gives us the more control over all the picture quality setting.
Luminance
:
252 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The luminance at which the pre-calibration reading was done. This represents the luminance of the monitor when it is at the factory default settings.
Luminance Settings
:
90
✕
What it is:
The luminance settings, often named 'Brightness' on monitors, usually range from 0 to 100.
RGB controls
:
255-255-255
✕
What it is:
This is the value for each color (red, green, and blue) used in the monitor internal RGB cuts/gains controls. If the monitor does not have an internal RGB cuts/gains controls, then the color temperature setting will be used instead, and the color temperature that gives us the best result will be used.
Color Temperature
:
6461 K
✕
What it is:
The color temperature is a measure of the color of light. A colder color temperature (7000K) will look bluer and a warmer color temperature (4000K) will look yellower/redder. 6500K is the standard color for PC monitors and also for the sRGB color standard.
When it matters:
When you care about color reproduction and accuracy.
Good value:
6500K
Noticeable difference:
400K
White Balance dE
:
2.14
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all video.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
3.23
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.25
✕
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
The out of the box color accuracy of the HP Pavilion 22cwa is good.
We found that the most accurate picture mode was when we set Quick View to Custom with Color Control set to Custom (RGB) and Black Stretch set to off.
With these settings selected some people might still be able to spot color inaccuracies. Finally, the gamma curve is not tracking our target very closely.
9.5
Post Calibration
✕
What it is:
Monitor's color accuracy after a full calibration with a spectrophotometer.
When it matters:
All graphics and video content on a monitor that has been professionally calibrated.
Score components:
- 50% White Balance dE
- 50% Color dE
Score distribution:
Picture Mode
:
Custom
✕
What it is:
The picture mode that was used to do the calibration reading. We usually go for the picture mode that gives us the more control over all the picture quality setting.
Luminance
:
99 cd/m²
✕
What it is:
The luminance at which the calibration was executed. We aim for a luminance level of 100 cd/m².
Luminance Settings
:
27
✕
What it is:
The luminance settings, often named 'Brightness' on monitors, usually range from 0 to 100.
RGB controls
:
254-255-255
✕
What it is:
This is the value for each color (red, green, and blue) used in the monitor internal RGB cuts/gains controls. If the monitor does not have an internal RGB cuts/gains controls, then the color temperature setting will be used instead, and the color temperature that gives us the best result will be used.
Color Temperature
:
6516 K
✕
What it is:
The color temperature is a measure of the color of light. A colder color temperature (7000K) will look bluer and a warmer color temperature (4000K) will look yellower/redder. 6500K is the standard color for PC monitors and also for the sRGB color standard.
When it matters:
When you care about color reproduction and accuracy.
Good value:
6500K
Noticeable difference:
400K
White Balance dE
:
0.54
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all videos.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
0.85
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.18
✕
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
After calibration, the accuracy of the HP 22CWA is excellent. Both the white balance dE and the color dE were brought down to very small levels where it is almost impossible to spot inaccuracies. The gamma and the color temperature were improved closer to our targets.
You can download our ICC profile calibration here.
8.2
SDR Color Gamut
✕
What it is:
The palette of colors the monitor can display
When it matters:
General content consumption or production
Score components:
- 50% s.RGB xy
- 50% Adobe RGB xy
Score distribution:
s.RGB xy
:
92.4 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the s.RGB colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
Almost all content. Includes websites, standard windows environment and SDR movies
Good value:
> 95%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Adobe RGB xy
:
70.9 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the Adobe RGB colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
Professional photography.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
The SDR color Gamut is very good. It has an excellent coverage of the s.RGB color space, but the color coverage of the Adobe RGB color space is limited. This does not make it a great option for professionals in the photo editing domain.
7.6
SDR Color Volume
✕
What it is:
How much of the SDR color spaces the monitor can reproduce
When it matters:
General usage and SDR media creation
Score components:
- 50% s.RGB in ICtCp
- 50% Adobe RGB in ICtCp
Score distribution:
s.RGB in ICtCp
:
83.8 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the s.RGB colorspace a monitor can display at different luminosity levels
When it matters:
Most content, including web, SDR video games, and SDR media creation
Score distribution:
Adobe RGB in ICtCp
:
68.1 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the Adobe RGB colorspace a monitor can display at different luminosity levels, normalized to the monitor's peak brightness.
When it matters:
Professional media creation
Score distribution:
Good coverage of SDR color volume. The HP Pavilion 22CWA covers adequately the standard s.RGB volume, but does have a lesser coverage of the Adobe RGB color volume due to its limited coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. In both cases, the monitor's limited contrast ratio does not allow it to cover well the darker brightness levels.
0
HDR Color Gamut
✕
What it is:
The monitor's ability to reproduce HDR color spaces
When it matters:
HDR content consumption or media creation
Score components:
- 50% DCI P3 xy
- 50% Rec. 2020 xy
Score distribution:
Wide Color Gamut
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the monitor can support wider color gamuts
When it matters:
HDR content and media creation
DCI P3 xy
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy
When it matters:
When consuming or producing HDR content.
Score distribution:
Rec. 2020 xy
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
When consuming or producing HDR content.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
HDR is not supported.
0
HDR Color Volume
✕
What it is:
How much of the HDR color spaces a monitor can display at different luminosity levels.
When it matters:
HDR content consumption and production. Includes streaming services, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Score components:
- 50% DCI-P3 in ICtCp
- 50% Rec. 2020 in ICtCp
Score distribution:
DCI-P3 in ICtCp
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
How much of the DCI-P3 colorspace a monitor can display at different luminosity levels, normalized to the monitor's peak brightness output.
When it matters:
HDR content.
Good value:
80%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Rec. 2020 in ICtCp
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
How much of the Rec. 2020 colorspace a monitor can display at different luminosity levels, normalized to the monitor's peak brightness output.
When it matters:
HDR content.
Good value:
80 %
Noticeable difference:
5 %
Score distribution:
HDR is not supported.
10
Image Retention
✕
What it is:
How much a static image is retained on a monitor screen after a certain amount of time.
When it matters:
When working or playing video games on your PC monitor.
Score components:
Score distribution:
IR after 0 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured right after the static image exposure, without recovery time.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 2 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 2 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 4 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 4 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 6 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 6 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 8 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 8 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 10 min recovery
:
0 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 10 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing use or right after changing the type of on screen content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie).
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
The HP 22cwa shows no signs of image retention after our 10-minute burn-in scene.
7.1
Gradient
✕
What it is:
How finely levels of color can be displayed.
When it matters:
Details in shadows, sky and skin tones. Matters more for HDR content.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Color Depth
:
8 Bit
✕
What it is:
Number of bits per pixel to represent a specific color. Note: we consider 8-bit with dithering to be equivalent to 10-bit, as long as the 10-bit gradient looks smooth.
When it matters:
HDR content like HDR video games or HDR UHD movies. Won't matter for regular Blu-ray movies, SDR video game or desktop environment content displayed from a Windows PC. Those are limited to 8-bit color.
Good value:
10-bit.
Noticeable difference:
1 bit.
The gradient performance of this monitor is decent. There is visible 8-bit banding in the darker shades.
10
Color Bleed
✕
What it is:
How much the color from one area of the screen affects the color in another area of the screen.
When it matters:
All usages, but especially media creation.
Score components:
- 50% Pixel row error
- 50% Pixel column error
Score distribution:
Pixel row error
:
0.000 %
✕
What it is:
The amount of bleed that appears across the screen horizontally.
When it matters:
General usage of a PC monitor, can appear when browsing the web or with media creation like graphics.
Good value:
<0.2%
Noticeable difference:
0.1%
Score distribution:
Pixel column error
:
0.000 %
✕
What it is:
Amount of color bleeding that appears across the screen vertically.
When it matters:
Most uses of a PC monitor. Can appear while browsing the web or when editing images or graphics.
Good value:
<0.2%
Noticeable difference:
0.1%
Score distribution:
Perfect color bleed performance. Nearby colors are not affected by large uniform shades and this is great for accuracy.
7.5
Reflections
✕
What it is:
How much light is reflected by the TV.
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Motion
The HP 22cwa has decent motion handling. The response time is ok and can be slightly improved with the overdrive set to on. However, the monitor has a refresh rate of only 60Hz and no option to improve the image any further which is not great for games.
7.4
Motion Blur
✕
What it is:
The performance of the pixel response time. Poor response time causes trails to follow moving objects. Response time is one of a few sources of motion blur.
When it matters:
When there's fast movement on screen, such as during video games and sports.
Score components:
- 50% 80% Response Time
- 50% 100% Response Time
Score distribution:
80% Response Time
:
8.9 ms
✕
What it is:
How quickly pixels can reach 80% of a full transition from one color to another.
When it matters:
When there's fast movement on screen, such as during video games and sports.
Good value:
< 8 ms
Noticeable difference:
4 ms
Score distribution:
100% Response Time
:
20.9 ms
✕
What it is:
How quickly pixels can fully transition from one color to another.
When it matters:
When there's fast movement on screen, such as during video games and sports.
Good value:
< 20 ms
Noticeable difference:
10 ms
Score distribution:
Best Overdrive Setting
:
On
✕
What it is:
If the monitor has adjustable pixel overdrive settings, which one produces the best response time with minimal overshoot.
When it matters:
When adjusting the monitor's settings to get the least possible motion blur.
The monitor has a decent response time. When the Overdrive is set to on, it reduces the response time by 1ms without introducing overshoot and therefore we recomend that you set it to on.
7.5
Image Flicker
✕
What it is:
Luminosity pattern when displaying images
When it matters:
Nearly all the time during PC monitor use, but especially during fast movement such as video games
Score components:
Score distribution:
PWM Dimming Frequency
:
0 Hz
✕
What it is:
Flickering pattern at different luminosities.
When it matters:
For people sensitive to flickering.
Good value:
N/A or high frequencies (> 300 Hz). Frequencies that are multiples of 60Hz are better.
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
:
No
✕
What it is:
Option to turn screen black between frames
When it matters:
Reduces eye tracking blur in motion
Good value:
Yes
BFI Maximum Frequency
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Highest possible frequency of flickering pattern
When it matters:
Reduces eye-tracking blur in motion
Good value:
Matches the native refresh rate
Noticeable difference:
20 Hz
Score distribution:
BFI Minimum Frequency
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest possible frequency of flickering pattern
When it matters:
Reduces eye-tracking blur in motion
Good value:
60 Hz
Noticeable difference:
20 Hz
Score distribution:
The HP Pavilion 22CWA does not use PWM flicker to dim the backlight. This makes motion look smooth but creates blur. On the other hand, there isn't any black frame insertion option available to add flicker to make the image look crispier by removing blur.
6.7
Refresh Rate
✕
What it is:
How frequently the monitor can refresh and show new frames, and whether it can vary its refresh rate in real time using technologies like G-sync and FreeSync.
When it matters:
Mostly for gaming, but does provide a little better motion during normal usage.
Score components:
- 50% Native
- 13% Factory Overclock
- 6% Variable Refresh Rate
- 13% VRR Maximum
- 6% VRR Minimum
- 12% VRR Maximum With OC
Score distribution:
Native
:
60 Hz
✕
What it is:
The frequency at which the monitor is capable of displaying images every second
When it matters:
General usage, but better results are most important for gaming
Good value:
>100 Hz
Noticeable difference:
15 Hz
Score distribution:
Factory Overclock
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The frequency at which the monitor's can be boosted to using its internal menu.
When it matters:
Gaming and other usages where high frame rate content is consumed.
Good value:
>100
Noticeable difference:
15
Score distribution:
Variable Refresh Rate
:
No
✕
What it is:
Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.
When it matters:
Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.
VRR Maximum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The maximum frequency covered by the Variable Refresh Rate feature of the monitor.
When it matters:
Any time the VRR feature is enabled.
Good value:
Matches Refresh rate
Noticeable difference:
10 Hz
Score distribution:
VRR Minimum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The lowest frequency covered by the monitor's Variable Refresh Rate feature.
When it matters:
When using the VRR feature of the monitor at lower frame rates.
Good value:
30 Hz
VRR Maximum With OC
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The maximum frequency covered by the Variable Refresh Rate feature when the monitor's overclocking feature is used.
When it matters:
When both the overclocking and VRR features are used.
Good value:
Matching the overclocked refresh rate.
Noticeable difference:
10 hz
Score distribution:
The HP 22cwa only supports the more common 60 Hz refresh rate. This means that motion in video games is not as good as on faster refresh rate monitors. It also does not support Variable Refresh Rate features like G-sync and FreeSync to avoid tearing and smooth out the image.
Inputs
The input lag of this monitor is excellent. However, because of its small size and 1920x1080 resolution, the amount of detail it can display is limited and this might bother some. The number of inputs is also very basic.
9.0
Input Lag
✕
What it is:
Delay between input and onscreen reaction.
When it matters:
General usage of the mouse and gaming.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Native Resolution
:
8.2 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when the monitor is displaying its native resolution at its native refresh rate.
When it matters:
General usage and while playing video games.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Non-Native Resolution
:
8.4 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when the monitor is displaying an alternative resolution at its native refresh rate. The non-native resolution tested depends on the native resolution of the monitor, following this pattern unless otherwise specified in the Input Lag text:
| Native Resolution | Non-Native Resolution Tested |
| 4k UHD | QHD |
| QHD | FHD |
| FHD | 1600x900 |
| 3440x1440 | 2560x1080 |
| 2560x1080 | 1920x1080 |
When it matters:
General usage as well as gaming.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Native Resolution @ 60 Hz
:
8.2 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when the monitor is displaying its native resolution at a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
When it matters:
General usage as well as gaming.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Variable Refresh Rate
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when the monitor is using its Variable Refresh Rate feature at its native resolution.
When it matters:
General usage as well as gaming.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
HDR
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when the monitor is displaying an HDR signal at its native resolution and refresh rate.
When it matters:
General usage as well as gaming.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible at the center of the screen, when BFI is enabled and the monitor is displaying a signal at the highest supported BFI refresh rate.
When it matters:
General usage as well as gaming.
Good value:
< 15 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Excellent low input lag for this HP 22cwa monitor. Almost the same low input lag is also found in non-native resolutions and this is great.
7.0
Resolution and Size
✕
What it is:
The number of pixels the monitor can display, and the surface area of its screen.
When it matters:
All usages, but especially for office and media editing.
Score components:
- 71% Megapixels
- 29% Screen Area
Score distribution:
This is a 22-inch monitor and the native resolution of FHD is expected. The relatively small size and resolution do not give you a lot of space or detail to work with.
Features
This is a very basic monitor and there are no features like speakers nor any other additional features offered on the menu of the On-Screen Display (OSD) other than basic controls.
Differences between Sizes and Variants
We tested the 22" model (22cwa), which is the only size available.
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their HP 22cwa doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.
| Model | Size | Refresh rate | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22cwa | 22" | 60Hz | 1080p |
Compared to other Monitors
Left: Acer GN246HL. Center: HP 22cwa Right: Acer G257HU .
Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.
The HP 22cwa is a basic monitor that performs decently in most usages.
Dell P2217H
The Dell P2217H is a much better monitor than the HP 22CWA. The Dell has significantly better ergonomics that allow you to easily position it to your likings, and this is important for all usages. The Dell also has marginally better motion blur. The Dell also has slightly better picture quality, due to somewhat better black uniformity which is good for dim scenes in a dark room.
Dell P2417H
The Dell P2417H is much better than the HP 22cwa. The Dell has much better ergonomics and will not trouble you when trying to place it comfortably. The Dell also has slightly better motion blur. On the other hand, the HP 22cwa has a slightly better vertical viewing angle and marginally better contrast that improves the picture quality in a dark room.
ASUS VG245H
The HP 22CWA is an IPS monitor and has much better viewing angles that are good in wide rooms when you look at the image from the side. On the other hand, the ASUS VG245H has a TN type panel and the image degrades at the slightest deviation from the center. The ASUS VG245H has significantly better ergonomics that allow you to easily place it in a comfortable position and is more suitable for gaming with slightly better motion blur and refresh rate.
Acer GN246HL
If you will be watching the monitor from the side, the IPS panel of the HP 22CWA is a better choice as it has better viewing angles than the Acer GN246HL that has a TN panel. The HP has also better gray uniformity which improves picture quality, whereas the Acer has somewhat better motion blur and marginally better refresh rate, which is important to gamers.
Conclusion
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This is a decent monitor for mixed usage. It is a relatively small size monitor with FHD resolution that is not very suitable for those seeking more screen area and good detail to work. On the other hand, it is very portable, has a low input lag and will please most gamers.
The HP Pavilion 22CWA is a decent monitor for office use. It has very good viewing angles to allow you to work side by side with your colleagues, but the bad ergonomics will not make it easy to position it at a comfortable position. At the same time, you might find the relatively small size and the less detail that comes along the FHD resolution limiting.
The HP 22CWA has decent performance in gaming. It has a remarkably low input lag that makes it very responsive but at the same time, it lacks more advanced gaming features that would allow it to further improve the image. It is better suited for brighter gaming rooms since dark scenes look washed out in dim environments.
Decent multimedia performance for this HP 22CWA. Its small size makes it portable so you can watch your favorite movies on the go, but the resolution is limited to FHD and the monitor is suitable for brighter rooms. The bad ergonomics will trouble you when you try to place it in a comfortable position, but due to the good viewing angles, you do not have to sit right in front.
The HP 22CWA is a mediocre monitor for use in media creation. Resolution and size are ok although they will not accommodate those looking for large working area and great detail and the ergonomics might annoy you a little. On the other hand, the monitor has great color gamut and good color volume. Although it is not suitable for a dark room, you can place it in a bright room without worrying too much about reflections. Finally, the viewing angles are good and the image will not deteriorate if watch it from the side.
The HP Pavilion 22CWA does not support HDR. If you are looking for a monitor that supports HDR check the Samsung CHG70.
