BenQ EW3270U 32" Ultra HD Monitor Review: HDR For The Enthusiast

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Conclusion

We still believe HDR is an evolving process on the PC side. The standard is set, but technology is still working to catch up. After five HDR monitor reviews, it looks as though progress is being made. Obviously, a full-array backlit LCD is the best way to enjoy that extra dynamic range, short of an OLED panel. The Dell UP2718Q we looked at a few months ago posted fantastic numbers and will likely be our reference panel for some time to come. But at around $1400, it’s out of reach for many users.

VA panels deliver a more achievable price point. Costing the same as IPS monitors of the same size, they deliver anywhere from two- to five-times greater native sequential contrast. Only recently have they become more common in Ultra HD resolution. Obviously, our testing shows they can hit the same color targets as any other technology, with accurate performance right up to DCI-P3.

The BenQ EW line includes some interesting models, and we think the EW3270U is the best one yet. The EW277HDR is a fine display, but it gave us a few problems with specific Ultra HD sources, and it only has 1920x1080 resolution. This new screen meets more and better features, with 3840x2160 pixels, 10-bit native color depth, and HDR10. And, if you need sRGB or Rec.709, it does that too.

BenQ calls the EW series “video enjoyment” monitors, which to us means games and movies. While the idea of watching the latest Hollywood blockbusters on a 32” screen seems strange when much bigger TVs are available at similar price points, we know that many people enjoy streamed content and Blu-rays on their desktop systems. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch The Rock save San Francisco in San Andreas while editing a spreadsheet?

During our time with the BenQ EW3270U, we found it to be an excellent gaming monitor. Though it’s limited to 60Hz, that is something that plagues all Ultra HD screens at present. At least it includes HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. Perhaps the next version of this screen will deliver 120Hz. The inclusion of FreeSync is quite welcome, and with a wide 24-60Hz range and LFC, frame tearing isn't an issue. Decent response and low input lag helped round out a fun gaming experience.

Watching movies was also a blast, despite a few grayscale anomalies in HDR mode. The lack of adjustment there was something we’d like to see corrected, so we can fix the blueish mid-tones. Honestly though, it didn’t reduce our enjoyment of Ultra HD Blu-ray content. Professionals might be dissuaded by this, but consumers shouldn’t be. Color and EOTF accuracy are right on the money, which help makes up for this flaw.

Since the BenQ EW3270U is priced competitively with other Ultra HD monitors that don’t offer DCI color or HDR, it’s an excellent value. For around $700, it hits its design goals looking good doing it. It’s a really nice all-around monitor that we can easily recommend for those seeking “video enjoyment.”

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

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Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

  • milkod2001
    I'd be happy to pay $1000 for the same thing with Gsync instead, 120Hz refresh rate and if it was properly calibrated from factory. It that so much to ask? What do yo guys think?
    Reply
  • davidgirgis
    Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 35" / 21:9
    Should Be:
    Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 31.5" / 16:9
    Reply
  • jfkeenan
    I'd also be happy to pay a premium for 43", 4K HDR, 120Hz, G-Sync, factory calibrated.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    Too-blue mid-tones in HDR mode cannot be adjusted

    Can you not use an aftermarket monitor calibration tool like from Datacolor or X-Rite with this in HDR mode? I am VERY interested in this monitor at this price point.
    Reply
  • derekullo
    I'd be happy with a 40" OLED.

    Literally nothing else would matter to me lol
    Reply
  • Icepilot
    "this is one of the best HDR 4K monitors we've tested yet--especially given its roughly $700 asking price."

    Score - 7/10.

    The score doesn't seem to match the words - am I missing something here?
    Reply
  • cryoburner
    20990505 said:
    I'd be happy to pay $1000 for the same thing with Gsync instead, 120Hz refresh rate and if it was properly calibrated from factory. It that so much to ask? What do yo guys think?
    Unfortunately, you're likely going to need to pay double that for anything close any time soon. : D

    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824011229

    4K, high refresh rate HDR displays with G-Sync are coming soon, and they're going to be very expensive. Keep in mind, that's only a 27" screen for $2000. And at 27", you'll probably have a hard time even distinguishing the difference between 1440p and 2160p while gaming, so it would probably make a lot more sense to get a screen with the more moderate resolution and get much higher frame rates instead, at a fraction of the cost. After all, what good are high refresh rates at 4K when even today's best graphics cards will struggle to hit 60fps at max settings in many games.
    Reply
  • hannibal
    In this size, trible this price!
    Reply
  • Ninjawithagun
    20990505 said:
    I'd be happy to pay $1000 for the same thing with Gsync instead, 120Hz refresh rate and if it was properly calibrated from factory. It that so much to ask? What do yo guys think?

    I completely agree with you. Unfortunately, reality won't be so kind. Acer plans to sell their 27-inch 4K HDR 120Hz panel for no less than $2000 :( I'm usually an early adopter of tech, but that price tag is just to steep for me. I had the patience to wait for the formerly very expensive Dell AW3418DW 3440 x 1440 IPS 120Hz G-Sync monitors to drop in price and bought two fo them for only $900/each through Best Buy (with 3-year warranties). I guess I can wait for these to come down in price once there is competition in the market place.

    https://wccftech.com/acer-predator-x27-g-sync-4k-120hz-hdr-monitor-is-available-for-preorder-at-2000/

    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824011229&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=11552995&PID=8293747&SID=
    Reply
  • happoman
    How did you managed to get that Freesync range? Mine only does 40-60hz.
    Reply