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Munbyn’s thermal printer makes light work of labelling.

Specs

Type: thermal label printer

Functions: print only

Connectivity: Bluetooth  

Max print speed: 72 labels/min

Max paper size: 4-inch

Print quality: 203 dpi

Apple AirPrint: no

Consumables included: 20 4x6-inch labels

Dimensions: 7.28 x 3.54 x 3.66 in / 185 x 90 x 93 mm (WxDxH)

Weight: 1.68lb / 766g

If you’re still printing stickers and labels with an inkjet or laser, you really should try a dedicated thermal label printer. Their inkless technology allows them to be smaller, simpler, lower maintenance devices that will never run dry on you. They work by heating special thermal paper, a reliable and efficient process that’s become the first choice for e-commerce, logistics and storage industries.

The good news is, that demand has led to lots of great label printers becoming widely available at competitive prices. The Munbyn RealWriter 403B (also billed as the RW403B) being one of the best examples I could find.

Like all of Munbyn’s best label printers, this one is a desktop labeller and it’s aimed at any small businesses looking to print large volumes of shipping labels, price tags or other professional-looking stickers. I think it’ll also interest home users as it comes with software that makes it fun to produce decorative labels for gift-wrapping and the like.

But first, what is a thermal printer? Follow that link for a full answer, but in a nutshell, its a device that creates imprints by causing a very local reaction between the chemicals contained in thermal paper that turns it black. Thermal media includes rolls of stickers that come in all colors, but you can only print black onto them. I tried a variety of label sizes to assess the The Munbyn RealWriter 403B and on the whole, I’m delighted by the results.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Design and buildImage 1 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)

While the Munbyn RealWriter 403B is small enough to be carried around, it’s very much a desktop label printer rather than a portable handheld labeller, like the Brother P-touch CUBE PT-P300BT, for example. It runs on mains power, not battery and it’s reassuringly heavy at 1.6lb.

According to Munbyn, its metal components and robust build give it a lifespan of up to 970,000 labels, which is apparently six times longer than rival printers. I can’t put that to the test, but it certainly feels well made. The hinged body closes with a satisfying clunk to grip your label reel securely. There are only three buttons - eject, paper feed and power - and none them look likely to fail any time soon.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Features & specifications Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)

The Munbyn RealWriter 403B can only make black imprints on thermal paper, but it’s quite flexible about the thermal media it can handle. You can feed large 6 x 4inch labels or little 1.6 x 1.2inch labels and anything in between. These sticky labels come in many shapes and colors too.

The print resolution is 203dpi and print speed is given as 72 labels per minute. Bluetooth connectivity is built in and there’s a USB C port for connecting to a phone or PC via data cable. It’s supported by the Munbyn Print app (iOS/Android) or Munbyn Editor (Chrome), which gives you access to more than 3,500 design elements and 80+ fonts.

You get twenty 4x6inch shipping labels in the box, but if you pay a little more for one of the Munbyn RealWriter 403B kits, you get additional labels and a roll dispenser included.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Setup and operationImage 1 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)

Setting up the Munbyn RealWriter 403B involves nothing more than plugging in, turning on and loading some labels. Download the supporting app to your iOS or Chrome device and the software will help you connect with the printer and start printing.

I found that it joined quickly and I was printing labels within ten minutes of opening the box. The only potential for messing up is when loading your rolls of stickers. Munbyn says that its printer will auto calibrate to avoid misalignment, and it does for the most part, but if you don’t line up your roll of stickers sensibly, they can cause a paper jam, as I found with my first deliberately careless attempt. With no inbuilt roll holder, you need to place the real where it can unroll without getting tangled.

Munbyn’s free software makes it fairly easy to design and print a custom label. With over 2,000 templates and 3,500 graphics to choose from, there’s enough within the app to to complete most labelling jobs. It’s a quick way to create name tags, stickers and personalized labels, once you’ve used the software a couple of times.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Performance

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)

The Munbyn RealWriter 403B printed reliably and quickly and very quietly too. I had no misprints or jams during the test and was pretty pleased overall with the results. I used four types of paper ranging in size, shape and color - this label printer is not fussy about media - and it always applied my design in exactly the right place.

The large 6x4 inch stickers are an ideal size for parcel labels and the print quality is good enough for barcodes and QR codes to be scanned and accurately read. I expect that printing postage labels at home is what this printer will be primarily used for.

It’s worth remembering that, despite the desktop dimensions, this is only a label printer and that the resolution is limited to 203dpi. Try printing more complicated images onto a large sticker, like the London Underground schematic, and the result is unreadable. When printing simple graphics like those provided by the Munbyn print app, and you’re rewarded with pleasingly dark and crisp prints. Look at the name tags I printed as an example of how sharp the graphics can appear.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Consumables

(Image credit: Munbyn // Future)

The beauty of thermal printing is the absence of ink or toner, so your only consumables cost is the thermal media. Direct thermal labels use chemically-treated paper that turns black when heated by the printer head and naturally they’re more expensive than regular sticky labels.

A pack of 500 fan-fold shipping labels costs US$27 (currently reduced to US$22.67) on Munbyn’s US website. Shop around and you’ll find cheaper third party labels. Munbyn has included twenty labels in the box to get you started.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Maintenance

With no messy printheads and few moving parts, thermal printers are very low maintenance machines that should last a long time. Munbyn reckons its professional-grade engineering means it lasts six times longer than rivals and is good for at least 970,000 labels.

Munbyn RealWriter 403B: Final verdict

As a desktop thermal label printer, the Munbyn RealWriter 403B performed very well in all my tests.

Firstly, it’s easy to set up and operate, provided you feed your reels of stickers in sensibly. You might want to add the optional roll holder accessory to ensure this.

Secondly, it’s good quality. The robust design feels like it’s built to last and the print quality is better than most label printers, although I’d like to see the resolution boosted from 203dpi to 300dpi in the next generation.

Thirdly, it’s pretty good value. After your initial outlay, there’s no ink cost to think about and thermal labels can be bought inexpensively. Compared to using a regular inkjet to print labels, the Munbyn RealWriter 403B is quicker, more reliable and more fun.

For more, I've tested out the best home printers and the best small business printers.

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Try Workable today

Workable is an all-in-one hiring platform designed to streamline recruitment for businesses of all sizes. It offers AI-powered candidate sourcing, automated workflows, and collaborative hiring tools. View Deal

Workable started as a dedicated recruitment platform and Applicant Tracking System, so it’s got a focused and well-designed range of features, but its latest iteration has seen it take on HR giants for an additional fee.

It’s not the cheapest recruitment solution around, though, so it’s going to have to impress if businesses are going to find room for Workable in their budgets.

Thankfully, its extensive list of features certain back up its pricing, and the relatively affordable HR addition only adds to its strength.

To date, Workable has supported over 30,000 companies and 400 million people, with major companies like PWC, Starling Bank and Ryanair all customers. Operating in over 100 countries, it’s facilitated 2.1 million hires so far.

It operates out of three offices across the US (Boston) and Europe (UK and Greece), so it’s fair to expect Workable to have a good idea of what goes on in each region.

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Workable: Plans and pricing

Workable is one of the few companies that charges on a per-company basis, rather than per employee, and that’s likely to be able to factor in its recruitment services – which are extensive.

Standard plans can be paid for monthly (starting at $360), or with an annual commitment (starting at $299) for smaller organizations with 1-20 employees, but pricing goes all the way up to accommodate giants with 1,000+ workers.

The Premier plan is an annual-only subscription, starting at $599 per month – so double the Standard tier.

Texting, video interviews and assessments are covered in Premier, or can be added individually on Standard.

Then, there are the HR platforms. They come in from an extra $50 per month for Standard or $70 per month for Premier, with performance reviews included for higher-tier customers and optional for others.

Apart from those options, which are paid on Standard and included on Premier, the expensive plan also includes SSO login, premium support and custom account onboarding.

Prospective customers can also request a demo or start a free 15-day trial, which is about average. Some offer up to 30 days, but others offer nothing at all.

At the time of writing, no deals beyond annual subscriptions and bundles were available – no limited-time attractions to welcome new customers.

(Image credit: Workable)Workable: Features

Workable has gone from being a fairly basic recruitment platform so a self-proclaimed all-in-one HR system that’s ready for the future.

That core recruitment and application tracking system remains, with support for job posting to more than 200 jobs boards globally.

It features an integrated page builder with jobs widgets for websites and social media campaign tools, because recruiters need to be across so many more platforms than ever before.

Workable also claims to have access to millions of candidates across multiple talent pools, so recruiters can benefit from both passive candidate sourcing and past candidate resurfacing.

This portion of the software integrates with the likes of LinkedIn and Indeed as well as Zoom and Teams for remote interviews, and as you’d expect from any future-first software, there’s a handy sprinkling of AI that helps with candidate screening.

Artificial intelligence also spans personalized emails, interview questions and salary estimations, among other applications.

Workable's Boolean contains plenty of search cheat sheets to boost online sourcing (Image credit: Workable)

Then, there’s the HR portion of the software, which is almost like ‘step two’ after the recruitment stage. It handles all the onboarding and keeps relevant HR information like employee records and profiles.

There are also time-related features built-in, like time off, attendance tracking and work scheduling.

Payroll processing with integration to third-party software like Xero is also covered. It’s not just limited to Xero, with more than 270 partners and integrations available on a growing list.

Workable has far too many features highlighted on its website to begin to list here, but browsing its web page not only shows you which tools you can expect, but how they’ll look. The company’s commitment to a clean and fluid design is highly evident, and we think it could be one of the best-looking options in its class, so if you’re used to working with other modern tech startups, then Workable should join your list.

Workable: Ease of use

Workable promises a rapid system setup with teams up and running at max velocity in days thanks to ongoing support from specialists, but don’t worry if you’re coming from a different platform rather than setting up new.

They’ve got you covered here, too, with options to import and migrate existing data.

Less about the features, though, because ease of use needs to cover the structure of the platform, and credit where credit’s due, Workable has designed an incredibly interactive and modern interface.

Many of the functionalities are built with no-code requirements, so it’s easy for non-tech-savvy HR workers to produce great results.

Rather than having multiple tabs open, the integration with third parties and job hosting platforms means everything is built into Workable’s friendly interface, which uses light typefaces, colors and visuals throughout to distinguish elements easily.

As you’d expect, the mobile app looks just as good. While functionality is more limited than the desktop version, it’s handy to have information available at a glance in your pocket, and the simplicity is very much welcome.

On the whole, existing customers seem to be happy with how easy the learning curve is and how thoughtfully and well-designed the platform is.

(Image credit: Workable)Workable: Support

Workable knows how important simplicity is, which is why is promises a dedicated account manager for personalized assistance and strategic guidance.

That being said, the company claims that 85% of users have never needed to contact its agents, maybe because its software is so easy to work out.

This translates to fast response times across web chat, email or call, which is all handled in-house.

You’ve also got the usual suspects on a self-service learning portal, like guides and articles, video tutorials and courses to strengthen your knowledge, plus virtual training sessions back up everything you need to know.

(Image credit: Workable)Workable: Final verdict

Workable is a straightforward recruitment tool with a good range of features that deliver a well-balanced approach across the entire recruitment process.

We think it’s a great option for all manner of companies, small and large, who need support with recruitment, onboarding and core HCM functionalities.

For that reason, it’s a worthy addition to growing companies and startups who are hugely focused on people.

Ease of use, fast deployment, built-in integrations and collaborations, and strong tracking are all standout features for Workable, which has become far more advanced compared with the core recruitment platform it used to be.

We've also featured the best recruitment platforms, best HR software and best background check services

Deel is an extensive package that combines all of the tools that best payroll software offers. It includes a dazzling array of the features and functions businesses need on a daily basis, but also proves really useful for building up a more efficient bigger picture of how your company ticks.

More than 35,000 companies already use Deel, which is a pretty new company founded in 2019. It now counts over 4,000 team members on its books, with some pretty major customers like Shopify, Nike and Lego signing up.

Deal CEO and co-founder Alex Bouaziz was even on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Finance list in 2020, so you know it’s got some good guidance at the helm.

If you’ve got employees to hire and subsequently manage, as well as pay, then Deel packs a sizeable punch.

Inside the Deel software suite there are tools for fast and efficient onboarding, functionality that facilitates paying employees, even on a global scale where it’s needed and lots of HR features. In fact, Deel boasts HR functionality that makes light work of handling employees, no matter where they happen to be located.

Adding to the overall appeal is a dependable level of compliance, with Deel proving able to stay on top of any relevant regulations, irrespective of where your business operates. Deel is well-known for its quick and easy setup processes and ongoing administration benefits, making it suitable to companies of all shapes and sizes.

• Our guide to the best payroll software

Deel: Plans and pricing

It seems like more companies hide their pricing than display it, so we’re incredibly grateful that Deel is one of the few remaining providers that actually states its pricing. It’s a big green flag for us.

Payroll software is available in a whole range of flavors depending on the nature of your business, so you’re better off checking Deel’s website to see which package is best suited to your individual needs.

As a guide, Deel Global Payroll comes in at $29 per employee per month, and Deel Contractor Management costs $49/contractor/month. You can also pick the Deel Employer of Record or Contractor of Record plans ($599 and $325 per person per month) for full legal support across 150+ countries.

Deel also has a couple of HR platforms, priced between $15 and $20 per person per month, so if you prefer to keep all your affairs under the same roof, it’s worth considering adding these.

Further add-ons are also available, so if you’re finding that what you need isn’t covered, a quick conversation with the Deel sales team could rectify that.

Remote Payroll offers a flexible choice of plans but costing is best done by calling the sales department (Image credit: Deel)Deel: Features

Dip into the suite of Deel features and you’ll find that it is divided into four core areas, with onboarding, payroll and mobility being the main players, conveniently supplemented by Deel HR.

A big part of the appeal with Deel is its Employer of Record or EOR service, which streamlines the hiring process for any kind of company.

An added bonus of this setup is that the system works across a wide variety of countries, with upwards of 150 territories included in that list.

It means companies can hire and pay full-time employees or contractors in many jurisdictions without needing company legal entities in each location, which really shows the value of Deel’s software.

This expansive collection of countries are also setup so that company HR personnel have access to any relevant visa information pertaining to specific locations. If you’re regularly onboarding staff on a global basis this makes Deel particularly noteworthy.

This also means that Deel can handle country-specific taxes as well as meeting compliance regulations. Again, the other bonus here is Deel provides around the clock support for complex operations like this.

(Image credit: Deel)

The same goes for the mobility aspect of Deel, with lots of tools for simplifying things like Visa applications, which can normally be a drain on administrative resources.

Everything gets topped off with the benefit of Deel HR, which combines lots of different everyday needs, including dealing with contractors and freelancers, to complete the formidable line-up of features.

You get an excellent people directory, organizational charts and comprehensive personal profiles from this, allowing HR managers to control every aspect of an employees time at any company.

Just like any other respectable software outfit, Deel has high standards when it comes to security, although this is perhaps best investigated with a demo. However, the company says it is committed to GDPR compliance and uses Okta SSO for single-sign on convenience.

Network traffic runs over SSL/HTTPS and is encrypted, while Deel also uses Amazon Web Services for its data storage. Similarly, Deel underlines that its infrastructure is fully SOC2 compliant.

Deel: Ease of use

The onboarding part of the HR procedure is wonderfully seamless and can be done over the course of a few hours.

With personal details and banking information completed, the process can be wrapped up pretty swiftly and we also like the way there’s plenty of help at hand from Deel support staff en route.

One of the aspects of any fully-featured HR and payroll solution that frequently worries staff is just how useable a package it’ll be. Thankfully, Deel has been cleverly designed so that it provides a host of powerful tools within a user-friendly interface that can be managed without fuss using a sizeable selection of dashboard tools.

In fact, Deel like many other sensible software packages comes with a look and feel that makes you want to use it, rather than walk away for a coffee.

There’s a fresh, modern workspace with straightforward menu options at the side of the screen. The use of dynamic graphics mid-stage makes the presentation of data much more enjoyable too, while there’s no compromise on performance.

It is possible to drill down into sub-menus when that’s needed, but the overall impression the interface leaves is that minimal training would need to be given in order to get someone up to speed with the Deel workspace.

Deel is best suited to larger companies who need the most advanced tools, because some features are desktop first and poorly optimized for smaller screens.

There’s also a bit more of a learning curve for complex/international use, so taking the time to set up properly is a worthwhile investment.

Using Deel is made easier thanks to a great interface (Image credit: Deel)Deel: Support

Support is a key selling point for Deel, which offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, phone and even video calls. It could just about be as good as it gets, so if having quick access to humans to answer your questions is a must, then Deel deserves high praise.

Deel also recently introduced AI agents for support, with over 50 languages in the bag. Their aim is to reduce response times, which the company has managed to around halve.

The AI agents mostly pull information form the comprehensive knowledge base, which users can access regardless. Here, you’ll find compliance guides, support documentation and tutorials for self-service.

Enterprises and big customers also get their own dedicated customer success and account managers.

You'll get the usual level of support options from Deel (Image credit: Deel)Deel: Final verdict

Anyone who wants a well-rounded HRM suite will immediately warm to Deel. Central to the appeal is its powerful core features, which includes its undeniably potent onboarding, payroll and mobility tools.

The way that the software will work across geographical boundaries makes it very useable for companies of all shapes and sizes.

On the whole, we rank Deel highly for bsuinesses that are hiring globally, with strong compliance offered throughout.

The soldi support infrastructure is noteworthy, as is the user interface which does a good job of taming just how much power this software packs.

While the costs will inevitably escalate as your company does, the ease of its integrations and overall performance marks Deel down as one of the stronger players in the payroll and HR software marketplace. It’s very worthy of a demo at the very least.

Smaller businesses should consider alternatives, because Deel primarily targets multinational businesses, and any companies seeking the best in multi usability should also look elsewhere because Deel is best seen as a desktop-first powerhouse.

• Read our guide to the best payroll software

Acer Predator X32 X: One-minute review

The Acer Predator X32 X is not the first 32-inch 4K gaming monitor we've seen using Samsung's QD-OLED panel technology, but it does pack a particularly strong feature set at an awfully punchy price.

As ever, the central appeal here is a stunning 32-inch QD-OLED panel with full 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh. That means you not only have a large, cinematic viewing experience. You also get great pixel density, and therefore super-sharp visuals with oodles of detail.

This isn't the very latest OLED technology, so there are some limitations that I'll come to shortly, but Acer has upped the ante over some of the similarly priced competition. Retailing for $1,199.99 (about £885 / AU$1,800), the Predator X32 X has really strong supporting features, including USB-C connectivity with 65W power delivery and a KVM switch, the latter allowing you to share this monitor with two PCs or maybe a PC and a console.

Just be sure to note that we're talking here about the Acer Predator X32 X and specifically the model with the Xbmiipphuzx suffix. It's distinct from the mere Acer Predator X32 V2bmiiphx, which is similar, but only runs at 165Hz and doesn't offer the USB-C and KVM switch. Oh, and also don't confuse this with the Acer Predator X32 X3, which seems very similar but is actually based on LG's competing WOLED panel tech.

Yes, it's all a bit confusing, and those alpha-numeric jumbles are a branding disgrace, but none of that prevents this monitor from going toe-to-toe with the best gaming monitors on the market right now.

Acer Predator X32 X: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

• How much does it cost? $1,199 (about £855/AU$1,800)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK, with Australia availability TBD

While the MSRP on this monitor might be $1,199.99, Acer and other retailers have cut the price of this monitor by 25%, making it an even more attractive value for a 32-inch QD-OLED 4K display. View Deal

At $1,199.99 in the US (about £885/AU$1,800), this isn't the absolute cheapest 32-inch gaming monitor based on Samsung's 4K QD-OLED panel. It's also difficult to find in the UK right now, as some retailers like Amazon and Overclockers will have a listing for the monitor, but list it as unavailable and don't give current pricing. I've reached out to Acer about the stock issues in the UK and will update this review if and when I hear back from the company.

One of the things that makes the UK stock issues frustrating, though, is that the Predator X32 X is one of the most competitive 4K QD-OLED gaming monitors out there.

Few if any comparably priced 32-inch 4K OLEDs include both USB-C with power delivery and full KVM switch capability. If you want to share this monitor across, say, a gaming PC and a laptop, that's just perfect.

Even if you don't, you're paying little to nothing extra for the option to do something like that in the future. That makes this Acer a bit of a no-brainer if you're shopping among the various 32-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor options on the market right now, like the Alienware 32 AW3225QF or MSI MAG 321UPX.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Acer Predator X32 X: Specs

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)Acer Predator X32 X Specifications

Screen size

31.5-inch diagonal

Resolution

3,840x2,160p

Panel technology

Samsung QD-OLED

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms

Panel curve

1700R

HDR

HDR Black 400

Brightness

250 nits full screen, 1,000 nits in a 3% window

Features

HDMI 2.1 x2, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C hub with 4x USB-A and 1x USB-C with 65W power delivery, USB-A hub, KVM switch

Acer Predator X32 X: Features

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

• USB-C with power delivery
• KVM switch

Though I've seen plenty of best 4K monitors implement Samsung's QD-OLED panel tech, the Acer Predator X32 X is unusual in implementing a curved panel surface. It's fairly gentle at 1700R, but curved monitors aren't to absolutely everyone's taste.

For the record, it also comes with a glossy panel coating for maximum contrast. Again, there's a degree of personal preference in the whole glossy-versus-matte thing, so whether this is a plus or a minus will depend on which side of that divide you land.

More universally welcome is the excellent connectivity. As you'd expect, there's both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 (two of the former, one of the latter). But the extras start with USB-C with 65W power delivery.

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

You can get USB-C interfaces with over 90 watts of power. But a high performance gaming laptop needs plenty more still. Few, if any, monitors can keep a true gaming laptop fully juiced. So, this Acer's USB-C interface still delivers on the premise of single-cable connectivity for a thin-and-light portable.

To that you can add a USB-A hub and KVM switch capability. That suits the broader capabilities of this monitor pretty handily. As a 4K 32-inch monitor, it's ideal for getting serious work done. But the 240Hz refresh and OLED panel tech are also fantastic for gaming.

With the KVM switch, you can attach both a gaming rig and, say, a work laptop, and seamlessly share a keyboard and mouse across both PCs. The Acer Predator X32 X isn't unique in this class to offer those features. But it is one of, if not the cheapest, we've seen to do so, and it's something not many of even the best monitors on the market don't offer.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

Acer Predator X32 X: Design

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

• Narrow bezels
• Good adjustability
• Requires a large power adapter

Design considerations are always subjective. But there's no doubting the Acer Predator X32 X is unambiguously aimed at gamers, what with its sharp lines and RGB mood lighting. Minimalist and sleek it ain't.

That said, the most gamery design flourishes including the RGB lighting are at the rear. The front of the monitor is relatively low key with slim bezels on all four sides of the QD-OLED panel.

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Likewise, the "Predator" branding on the lower bezel is pretty small. So, it wouldn't actually look that out of place in a work environment.

It's also nicely engineered and has height, tilt and swivel adjustment. Overall, it feels well built and worthy of the relatively elevated price tag. Ergonomically, our only significant complaint is the massive external power brick. Integrated PSUs are just that little bit slicker and neater.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Acer Predator X32 X: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

• Perfect per-pixel lighting
• Incredible fluid and responsive gameplay
• Full-screen brightness can be somewhat muted

The Acer Predator X32 X doesn't throw up any huge surprises, performance-wise. For the most part, that's good news. I've seen lots of these 32-inch 4K gaming monitors using Samsung's QD-OLED technology, and they are pretty incredible, and that's just as true here as the rest of them.

The obvious upsides include perfect per-pixel lighting for infinite contrast and the spectacle of both very bright and very dark objects rendered with incredible precision on the screen at the same time. It's a trick that no LCD panel, even with local dimming, can pull off. Once you're used to the stunning HDR sizzle displays like this are capable of, it's hard to go back to even a really good IPS monitor.

To all that, you can add the advantages of full 4K resolution. That brings a fairly high pixel density of over 140DPI and means that the non-standard triangular RGB subpixel arrangement of QD-OLED technology is no longer a problem when it comes to clear text rendering. This thing is crispy.

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

It's also incredibly detailed in games. Combine the aforementioned HDR thrills with 4K image detail and precision, plus the 240Hz refresh and ridiculously fast pixel response performance of all QD-OLED panels, and, well, it's an incredible experience. But not a perfect experience.

This isn't the very latest OLED panel tech, so full-screen brightness is limited to 250 nits. That's not terrible, but it does mean that brighter outdoor gaming scenes can look a little dull. This monitor only looks at its absolute best when it's showing a mix of brighter and darker image elements. Light up the whole screen, and the panel dimming algorithms kick in and reduce overall brightness.

Of course, that's true of all monitors based on Samsung's QD-OLED technology, as is the slight problem with how the panel performs in bright ambient conditions. Long story short, if you use this monitor in a really bright room, the panel itself can reflect a lot of light, which impacts perceived black levels and contrast.

It won't be a problem for most users. But it is worth bearing in mind, depending on where you're planning to use a monitor like this.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Acer Predator X32 X?

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)Acer Predator X32 X scorecard

Value

This isn't the absolute cheapest 4K 32-inch OLED we've seen. But it does have the best feature set yet at this attractive price point.

4.5 / 5

Design

The Acer Predator X32 X's slightly gamery design vibe won't be to all tastes. The external power brick is clumsy, too. But it's certainly well built.

3.5 / 5

Features

With plenty of ports, downstream USB power delivery, and KVM switching, there are a lot of things to like about this monitor besides the display itself.

4.5 / 5

Performance

This isn't the very latest QD-OLED technology. And some limitations remain. But the combination of HDR sizzle with 4K precision is still very special.

4 / 5

Final score

The very latest OLED tech is slightly superior. But it hasn't hit the 32-inch 4K segment yet and of the currently available options, this Acer might just be the best value.

4.13 / 5

Buy the Acer Predator X32 X if...

You want a 4K OLED experience
Early OLED monitors had disappointing pixel density. But not this 4K beauty. It's sharp and precise with loads of image detail and super crispy font rendering.

You love HDR visuals
When it comes to HDR thrills, you simply cannot beat the perfect per-pixel lighting of OLED technology. No LCD monitor even comes close.

Don't buy it if...

You want maximum full-screen brightness
Full-screen brightness is still a relative OLED weakness, and this Acer is no different, maxing out at a relatively modest 250 nits.

You prefer flat monitor panels
The Acer Predator X32 X is only gently curved with a 1700R radius. But if you prefer absolutely flat, there are lots of alternatives.

Acer Predator X32 X: Also consider

If my Acer Predator X32 X review has you considering other options, here are a few other monitors to consider...

Alienware AW3225QF
This 32-inch 4K QD-OLED is almost identical, right down to its curved panel and USB-C port. But it's just that little bit more expensive.

Read the full Alienware AW3225QF review

MSI MPG 491CQP
If you want to max-out your OLED screen size for similarl money, try this massive 49-inch QD-OLED monster. Just remember the pixel density is much, much lower.

Read the full MSI MPG 491CQP review

How I tested the Acer Predator X32 X

I played all my favourite games on the Acer Predator X32 X. That includes everything from ray-traced graphics fests like Cyberpunk 2077 to online shooters including Counter-Strike 2.

I wanted to get a feel for everything from HDR performance, to pixel speed and responsiveness. Of course, this monitor is also great for getting serious stuff done, so I used it as my daily driver for a week, including work, web browsing and ye olde YouTube.

The QD-OLED panel tech used by Acer is familiar. I've reviewed at least five other 32-inch 4K monitors with the same panel, plus several with LG's competing WOLED tech. The Acer Predator X32 X didn't throw up any surprises. But that's mostly a good thing because it means the competitive pricing is especially appealing when you factor in the excellent connectivity.

• Originally reviewed in September 2025

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