BenQ EX271U 27" White

A stupidly sharp and fast 4K monitor that skips the OLED tax. Buy it for the pixel density and KVM, not the HDR.

What surprised us most is how well this monitor balances its gaming and productivity chops. The 165Hz panel with a 1ms response time puts it in the 'one of the best on the market' category for motion handling, making fast-paced shooters feel responsive and clean. But the real star is that 27-inch 4K screen. The pixel density is a standout, making everything from spreadsheets to photo edits look incredibly sharp. The HDR10 support is a bit of a letdown, though. With only 400 nits of brightness, HDR content looks only slightly better than SDR, so you're mostly buying this for the resolution and speed, not the dynamic range.

The elephant in the room is the swarm of 27-inch QD-OLEDs like the MSI MAG 271QPX and the Gigabyte MO27U2. Those will give you perfect blacks and eye-searing HDR that this BenQ can't touch, but they also cost two to three times as much. If you're a competitive gamer who prioritizes pure speed above all, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDPG with its insane refresh rate is the better weapon. But if you want a sharp, all-around great screen for gaming and work without selling a kidney, the BenQ is the smarter, more practical pick. It's a battle of sensible value versus no-compromises image quality.

For $320, this is a no-brainer if you want a high-refresh 4K monitor and don't want to spend OLED money. You're getting a display that scores in the 86th percentile for its panel, which is a fantastic result for a refurb. The built-in USB hub and KVM switch add real practical value for anyone who splits time between a gaming PC and a work laptop. It's absolutely worth it.

The BenQ EX271U is a 27-inch 4K gaming monitor that tries to do a little bit of everything, and at $320 for a refurb, it mostly succeeds. The one thing you need to know is that this is a killer deal for a sharp, fast desktop display, as long as you understand you're buying an LCD, not an OLED. You get a crisp 4K resolution at a smooth 165Hz refresh rate, which is a sweet spot that keeps both your games and your desktop text looking fantastic. It's not going to blow you away with contrast or HDR fireworks, but for the price, the sheer pixel density and motion clarity are hard to beat.

If you're chasing the absolute best HDR gaming experience with deep blacks and vibrant highlights, this isn't it. Go get an OLED like the MSI MAG 271QPX or the Samsung Odyssey G60SD instead. You'll pay a lot more, but the visual jump is massive. This BenQ is for people who prioritize sharpness, speed, and value over contrast.

The BenQ EX271U is the monitor you buy when you want a premium 4K 165Hz experience without the premium price tag. It's a fantastic all-rounder that will make both your games and your work look great, and the KVM switch is a genuinely useful bonus. Just go in with your eyes open: the HDR is weak, and it's not an OLED. If you can live with those two facts, you'll be very happy with this screen.