BenQ MOBIUZ EX381U 37.5" White

The refurbished BenQ MOBIUZ EX381U 37.5-inch 4K gaming monitor is a connectivity powerhouse with gorgeous color and a huge, immersive screen. It excels as a do-everything display for mixed use, but pure gaming speed and contrast aren't class-leading. Look for a price under $900 to make it a fantastic deal; much above that, and OLED alternatives make more sense.

The BenQ MOBIUZ EX381U is a massive 37.5-inch 4K gaming monitor that's trying to be a one-stop shop for your entire desk. If you've been searching for a big IPS panel with high refresh rates, built-in KVM, and enough connectivity to handle a PC, console, and work laptop all at once, this thing checks a lot of boxes. The spec sheet reads like a wish list: 144Hz, 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium Pro, DisplayHDR 600, 98% DCI-P3 coverage, and a 600-nit peak brightness. It's also stuffed with 3 HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, three USB-C connections (one with 90W power delivery), and even Thunderbolt. BenQ also threw in their PixSoul engine for AI detail enhancement, built-in eARC for up to 7.1 channel audio passthrough, and a remote controller, which is a nice touch.

But this isn't a brand new monitor. You're looking at a refurbished unit, and that price spread is wild. We've seen it listed from $700 all the way up to $36,350 across vendors, which makes zero sense for a monitor with these specs. Newegg appears to be the main retailer for the refurb, and if you can snag it at the lower end of that range, it's a seriously compelling option. The styling is pure gaming, white with subtle RGB, but the bulk and weight (over 11kg) mean it's definitely not portable, as our database hammered home with a 14.6/100 in that category. For a desktop centerpiece, though, it's a standout.

From our testing database, the EX381U crushes it in connectivity (literally the absolute best right now), color accuracy (one of the best on the market), and overall display quality. The 74th percentile performance rating puts it in solid territory for a gaming monitor, though it's not nipping at the heels of 240Hz OLEDs. The feature set and ergonomics are about average for this class, so don't expect anything revolutionary beyond the cool eARC trick. Let's dig into what that all actually means when you're using it.

With a 144Hz refresh rate and a rated 1ms response time, the EX381U handles fast motion well. In practice, you'll get buttery smooth scrolling and responsive inputs in first-person shooters and racing games. FreeSync Premium Pro keeps tearing to a minimum, and while it's not a G-Sync Ultimate panel, it plays nicely with most modern GPUs. Our database pegs its performance in the 74th percentile, which translates to a strong, above-average showing but not top-tier. For context, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG and Alienware's QD-OLEDs push higher refresh rates and pixel response times that feel more telepathic, but you'll pay more and usually get a smaller screen.

The real muscle here is in the display and color metrics. Hitting 98% DCI-P3 and DisplayHDR 600 with 600 nits means colors pop and HDR content actually looks bright enough to matter. For creative work or story-driven single-player games, this panel shines. The AI Detail Enhancement and Color Shuttle presets are a bit gimmicky but can genuinely help visibility in darker scenes without washing everything out. Just don't confuse it with a reference monitor for print work. The IPS glow is there, and the contrast ratio can't touch a good VA or OLED, but for a mixed-use display that handles spreadsheets, shooters, and movies, this is a very versatile panel.

Let's address the elephant in the room: the price. Listings we've tracked range from $700 to over $36,000, so there's either a listing error or someone is smoking something. Realistically, Newegg's refurbished units hovering near the lower end are where the value lies. For around $700-800, this monitor is a steal considering you're getting a top-tier connectivity hub, a gorgeous 4K panel, and respectable gaming chops. If you see it priced closer to $1,200 or above, things get dicey. At that point, you could buy a smaller QD-OLED like the MSI MAG 272UP or Alienware 34-inch curved for better contrast and refresh rates, and have cash left for a separate dock. However, if the KVM, 90W USB-C, and eARC solve multiple problems for your setup, and you find it under $900, it's a fantastic consolidated solution that saves desk space and cables.

Compared to the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, the BenQ is clearly the larger, more color-accurate option for productivity and media, but the ASUS kills it in pure gaming speed with a 240Hz OLED panel. That's a trade-off: the EX381U is the multipurpose giant; the ASUS is the esports specialist. Next to the MSI MAG 272UP QD-OLED, again you're sacrificing that infinite contrast and uber-response time for nearly double the screen real estate. For many, the BenQ's 37.5 inches and built-in hub make it a better daily driver than both those 27-inch OLEDs.

Against ultrawide competitors like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 G95NC, the BenQ goes taller rather than wider. The Samsung's mini-LED and 240Hz make it a visual beast, but it demands a massive desk and a second mortgage. The EX381U feels more practical for mixed use, especially if you also plug in a MacBook via that 90W USB-C. The LG UltraFine evo 40U990A is probably the only direct size rival, and LG's color calibration out of the box is usually a hair better, but the BenQ spanks it on gaming features and refresh rate. Bottom line: if you want one huge screen for everything and you're okay with good, not elite gaming speed, the EX381U stands out in a crowd of smaller, more specialized panels.

Competitive esports players who live above 240Hz and anyone who sweats over true HDR contrast in dark scenes should skip this. The 144Hz cap and IPS black levels will frustrate you if you're used to OLED or mini-LED fast-paced shooters. If your priority is buttery motion clarity and deep blacks over screen size and connectivity, grab the Alienware 34" QD-OLED curved or the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG instead. Also, if you hate refurbished gear or need portability, this 11kg beast is not your monitor.

Should you buy this? If you can snag a refurb at the lower end of its crazy price range, absolutely. The BenQ MOBIUZ EX381U is a champion of connectivity and a beautiful large-format display for anyone who games but also works from home, edits photos, or wants a consolidated setup without a separate KVM switch and speaker system. The built-in eARC is a genuine differentiator that console gamers and home theater enthusiasts will appreciate, and the color performance is good enough that you won't feel like you need a second monitor for creative tasks.

Skip it if you're chasing the highest frame rates or demand perfect blacks for horror games or dark-room movie watching. The 144Hz ceiling and IPS glow mean competitive shooter mains and OLED snobs will be happier elsewhere. Also, if the price anywhere near four figures feels steep to you, don't be fooled: there are better gaming monitors for less money in smaller sizes. But for the right buyer at the right price, this refurbished EX381U is a joy to live with.