BenQ BenQ RD240Q 24.1" 1600p HDR Programming Monitor Review

The BenQ RD240Q is a specialist. Its 16:10, 1600p screen is fantastic for coding, offering more vertical space than standard monitors. It scores in the 99th percentile for connectivity but only the 21st for performance. Worth buying only if you're a developer who values lines of code over frames per second.

The BenQ RD240Q is a monitor built for one thing: staring at code all day. It's a 24.1-inch, 1600p screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives you more vertical space than your standard 16:9 panel. That extra height is the whole point here, letting you see more lines of code without scrolling.

BenQ packs in some software tricks, too, like special coding modes that change background colors and text contrast to help your eyes differentiate between syntax. It's not trying to be a gaming powerhouse or a color-accurate creative studio monitor. It's a tool for developers who want to reduce eye strain and see more of their work at once.

The performance story is simple. The 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time are fine for coding and general use, but they're in the 21st percentile in our database, meaning they're on the slower end for monitors today. You won't be gaming on this. Where it shines is in its core job: the 2560x1600 resolution on a 24-inch screen is sharp, and the IPS panel offers good viewing angles. The 300-nit brightness is decent for a well-lit office, but don't expect HDR to be a game-changer here.

Priced between $290 and $350, the RD240Q is a niche product that's priced for its niche. You're paying for the specific 16:10 programming-focused features, not for raw specs. If you're a developer who lives in an IDE and values vertical space above all else, this price makes sense for the productivity boost. If you're just looking for a good general-purpose monitor, you can find higher refresh rates and bigger screens for similar money.

This monitor exists in its own lane. Compared to the high-refresh-rate gaming beasts like the MSI MPG 32" or ASUS ROG Swift OLED, it loses badly on speed and visual punch, but those monitors aren't built for 8-hour coding marathons. Against a more direct competitor like a Dell UltraSharp, you trade Dell's often better color accuracy and sleek design for BenQ's specific coding software and that coveted 16:10 ratio on a 24-inch frame. The Samsung Odyssey G9? That's a different universe entirely; this is a focused tool, not an immersive experience.

Skip this monitor if you play games, edit photos/videos professionally, or just want a big, immersive screen for movies. The slow refresh rate and modest color specs hold it back for those uses. Also, if you just want a cheap second screen, there are more basic 27-inch options for less money.

Buy the BenQ RD240Q if you are a software developer, data scientist, or anyone who spends all day in a text editor or IDE and craves more vertical lines of code. The 16:10 ratio and coding features are purpose-built for that. It's a productivity enhancer disguised as a monitor.