BenQ EW2790U 27" Review

The BenQ EW2790U's 4K IPS panel scores in the 91st percentile for display quality, making it one of the best-looking screens in its class. Its 60Hz refresh rate and middling performance score hold it back for gaming. Best for creatives and pros who value color accuracy over frame rates.

The BenQ EW2790U is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor that scores a 91st percentile for its display quality in our database. That means its picture is one of the best you can get in this size and resolution class. It's built for a mix of work and casual use, with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and 400-nit HDR brightness making it a strong pick for creatives and anyone who wants a sharp, colorful screen.

It's not a speed demon, though. With a 60Hz refresh rate and a 5ms grey-to-grey response time, its performance ranking sits in the middle of the pack at the 44th percentile. This isn't a monitor for competitive gaming. Instead, it's a solid all-rounder that leans heavily on its excellent panel and decent ergonomics, like height adjustment, to get the job done.

Let's talk about what this thing does well. That 4K IPS panel is the star of the show. Scoring in the 91st percentile for display quality, it delivers a sharp, detailed image with wide viewing angles. The 95% DCI-P3 color coverage is impressive, putting it well above average for color accuracy and vibrancy. You're getting a screen that's great for photo editing, watching movies, and general productivity where clarity matters.

Where it stumbles is in raw speed. The 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time are fine for office work and casual gaming, but they lag behind most modern gaming monitors. Our performance score puts it squarely in the 'solid but not special' category. The 400-nit HDR brightness is okay, but don't expect the eye-searing highlights you get from higher-end HDR displays. It's a good HDR experience for the price, not a great one.

Prices for this monitor swing from $300 to $412 depending on the vendor. At the lower end of that range, it's a compelling deal for a 4K IPS screen with this color quality and USB-C. At the high end, you're paying a premium for the BenQ name and some eye-care features that might not be worth the extra cash for everyone. The value really hinges on how much you prize color accuracy over pure gaming performance. If you find it near $300, it's a smart buy. If you're looking at the $400 mark, you should probably compare it to some faster alternatives first.

Stacked up against popular choices like the LG UltraGear or ASUS ROG Swift, the BenQ's weakness is clear: speed. Those monitors often offer 144Hz or higher refresh rates, making them objectively better for gaming. The BenQ fights back with better color accuracy out of the box and that useful USB-C port. Compared to a productivity-focused screen like a Dell UltraSharp, the BenQ offers similar color performance but often at a lower price point, though it might lack some pro-grade calibration features. It's a middle-ground pick. You sacrifice high refresh rates for better color and a more versatile I/O setup than many budget 4K screens offer.

Hardcore gamers should look elsewhere. The 60Hz refresh rate is a dealbreaker for anyone used to or wanting high-frame-rate gameplay. Also, if you need a monitor with extensive connectivity like multiple DisplayPort inputs, this isn't it. Its connectivity score is in the bottom third of our database. And obviously, if you need to move your setup around often, the 6.7kg weight makes it a terrible choice for portability.

If you need a sharp, color-accurate 4K screen for work, content consumption, and light gaming, and you can snag it for around $300, the BenQ EW2790U is an easy recommendation. Its display quality is top-tier for the category. But if high-refresh gaming is your priority, or if you're looking at paying over $350, there are faster monitors that will serve you better. This is a specialist in looking good, not in moving fast.