Just because a monitor doesn't hit 4K or use OLED doesn't mean it can't be one of the best gaming monitors. Take the BenQ EX2780Q, which doubles as one of the best gaming monitor deals right now thanks to an Amazon sale that drops its price to $399. This is an IPS display with a 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, but it also sets itself apart with a high quality built-in soundbar and "HDRi," which senses the light levels in your room to adjust the monitor's picture.
We got some hands-on time with this monitor at a show floor about a year ago, where we were impressed by the HDRi's ability to keep bright scenes from getting washed out, which is a common problem with regular HDR. The effect wasn't as beneficial for us in dark scenes, although we also praised the monitor's 2.1 channel speaker and 5W subwoofer for maintaining max volume without distortion.
The included remote was a nice touch, we thought, since it made fine-tuning all these extra features way easier.
