BenQ EW2790Q 27" Review

The BenQ EW2790Q is a feature-packed 27-inch 1440p monitor with a useful 100Hz refresh rate and laptop-friendly USB-C. Its screen quality is solid but not exceptional, making it a great all-rounder for hybrid users. Prices range from $280 to $384, so hunt for a deal. Skip it if you're a hardcore gamer or professional creator, but it's a smart pick for a clean, versatile desk setup.

The BenQ EW2790Q is a monitor that tries to be a jack-of-all-trades. It's a 27-inch 1440p IPS panel with a 100Hz refresh rate, USB-C connectivity, and built-in speakers. It's not trying to be the fastest gaming screen or the most color-accurate creative tool. Instead, it's aiming for that sweet spot where you can do a bit of everything without needing a second monitor. If you're someone who splits your time between work, casual gaming, and watching videos, this is the kind of screen you'd look at.

Our database ranks it pretty well for features, landing in the 84th percentile. That's because it packs in a lot of stuff you'd normally have to add separately: a USB hub, speakers, and that handy USB-C port for laptops. But its overall scores for creative work, entertainment, and general use are all hovering around the middle of the pack. It's a solid all-rounder, not a specialist.

The most interesting thing here is the 100Hz refresh rate on a monitor that isn't screaming 'gamer' from the box. It's a nice step up from the standard 60Hz, giving you smoother motion in games and even just scrolling web pages, without you having to pay the premium for a 144Hz or 240Hz panel. It's a subtle upgrade that makes everyday use feel better.

The 100Hz refresh rate is the headline performance spec, and it sits right in the middle of our performance rankings. That means it's faster than a basic office monitor, but it's not going to compete with dedicated high-refresh gaming screens. For casual gaming or fast-paced work, the extra smoothness is noticeable and welcome. The 5ms GtG response time is decent for an IPS panel at this price, helping to keep motion clear.

In real-world use, the 350 nits brightness and HDR10 support are okay, but they're not going to blow you away. This isn't a monitor for critical HDR movie watching or super bright environments. The 1300:1 contrast ratio is about average, so you'll get decent depth, but blacks won't be as inky as on a VA panel or an OLED. For general use, it's perfectly fine. The performance here is about delivering a competent, no-fuss experience across a range of tasks, not about winning any benchmarks.

Prices for this monitor swing from $280 to $384 across different vendors. That's a spread of over $100, so shopping around is key. At the lower end of that range, around $280, it becomes a very compelling package for the features you get. At the higher end, nearing $384, you start competing with monitors that might have better panels or higher refresh rates.

The value proposition is clear: you're paying for a suite of convenience features (USB-C, hub, speakers) and a slight performance bump (100Hz) on a reliable 1440p IPS canvas. If those extras matter to you, it's a good deal. If you just want the best pure screen quality for your budget, you might find better value in a more focused display.

Looking at the competitors in our data, this BenQ sits in a different lane. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, ASUS ROG Swift, and MSI QD-OLED are all high-end, fast, large gaming or premium screens. They're playing a completely different game at much higher prices. The BenQ is more of a mainstream contender.

A more direct competitor would be something like a Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K monitor, or other 27-inch 1440p screens from LG or Gigabyte. The trade-off here is features versus pure screen performance. The BenQ gives you the USB-C and hub, but its display metrics like brightness and contrast are just average. A competing monitor might cut those extras to offer a panel with better color accuracy, higher brightness, or a faster 144Hz refresh rate. You're choosing between convenience and panel excellence.

Hardcore competitive gamers should skip this. The 100Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time are decent, but they're not fast enough for the top tier of esports or high-frame-rate gaming. Look instead for a monitor with 144Hz or higher and a 1ms GtG response time.

Professional creatives working in photo editing, video production, or color-critical design should also look elsewhere. The monitor's color and display scores are about average, and the 350 nits brightness isn't sufficient for accurate HDR or bright studio work. You'd be better served by a monitor specifically designed for creative work, with higher brightness, better color accuracy, and maybe a 4K resolution.

If you're a hybrid user with a laptop, doing a mix of office work, casual gaming, and media consumption, the BenQ EW2790Q is a easy recommendation, especially if you find it for around $300. The USB-C alone is a game-changer for desk setup simplicity, and the 100Hz is a sweet little upgrade.

But if your primary focus is competitive gaming, you should look for a dedicated 144Hz or higher monitor. Similarly, if you're a photographer or video editor needing precise color and brightness, this panel's average scores in those areas mean you should invest in a proper creative monitor like a Dell UltraSharp or a BenQ PhotoVue series. This monitor is great at being pretty good at many things, but it's not the best at any one thing.