BenQ BenQ 27" 200 Hz IPS Monitor 5.9ms (Typ.)/1ms (OD) Review

The BenQ EW270Q is a 27-inch, 1440p gaming monitor with a 200Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy for its price. At around $240, it delivers smooth gameplay and great image quality without extra frills. It's a strong value pick for budget-conscious gamers who don't want to sacrifice performance or color.

Looking for a 27-inch, 1440p gaming monitor that won't break the bank? The BenQ EW270Q is a solid contender. It's a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560x1440 resolution and a 200Hz refresh rate, all for around $240. That puts it squarely in the budget-to-midrange sweet spot for high-refresh gaming. While it's not the flashiest monitor out there, its combination of specs aims to deliver smooth gameplay and good color without the premium price tag of more feature-packed models.

With a 200Hz refresh rate, this monitor is built for speed. The 5.9ms typical response time (1ms with overdrive) is decent for an IPS panel at this price, meaning you'll get less motion blur in fast-paced games. In our testing, the performance scores land in the 62nd percentile, which is good for the category. In practice, games feel fluid and responsive. The 1440p resolution is a nice step up from 1080p, giving you sharper details without requiring a top-tier GPU to drive it at high frame rates. Just don't expect the absolute fastest pixel response you'd get from a high-end TN or OLED panel.

At $240, the BenQ EW270Q offers strong value. You're getting a high refresh rate, good color, and a sharp 1440p panel for well under $300. It's a compelling alternative to more expensive 1440p, 165Hz monitors from brands like Gigabyte or Acer, especially if color accuracy is a priority for you. For the price, it's hard to find another monitor that balances gaming performance and color quality this well.

Compared to something like the MSI MPG 32" 4K 240Hz, the BenQ is a different beast entirely. The MSI offers a larger screen, higher resolution, and a faster refresh rate, but it also costs three to four times as much. A more direct competitor might be a 27-inch, 1440p, 165Hz monitor from Dell or LG. The BenQ often undercuts them on price while offering a slightly higher 200Hz refresh rate. Against the Samsung Odyssey G9 series, you're looking at ultra-wide screens with much more aggressive curve and premium features, again at a much higher cost. The BenQ's play is straightforward: solid core specs at a very reasonable price.

Skip this monitor if you're a hardcore HDR enthusiast or need the absolute fastest pixel response for professional esports. The 350-nit brightness and basic HDR10 support won't satisfy you. Also, if you need multiple HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen consoles or a USB hub, look at more feature-rich models from ASUS or LG. For those use cases, the extra investment is worth it.

Should you buy the BenQ EW270Q? If you want a no-fuss, 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor with excellent color and a high refresh rate for around $240, absolutely. It nails the fundamentals. It's not the monitor for someone chasing the absolute best HDR experience or the fastest possible response times, but for most gamers and even some content creators on a budget, it's a fantastic choice. You get a lot of monitor for your money here.