BenQ PD2700U 4K HDR Monitor Review: Pro-Level Accuracy, Attractive Price

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IPS 27-incher with reliable colors

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Conclusion

For some, a professional monitor is mandatory, and price is no object. But it’s possible to get all the color accuracy and most of the same features in an enterprise display if you know where to look. The price-to-performance ratio of BenQ’s DesignVue Series fits this well, and the PD2700U is a great addition. What do you sacrifice when buying a PD2700U instead of a pro-grade model like the BenQ SW271? Not much, it turns out.

The PD2700U has UHD resolution, factory-certified sRGB color accuracy, HDR with a 400-nit peak white level and superb build quality. The SW271 adds to that a 14-bit internal look-up table with a 10-bit native panel, built-in hardware calibration and one of the best light-blocking hoods we’ve ever seen. To some, the SW271 will be worth $1,089 / £1,055, but if you’d rather save some cash, the PD2700U is a qualified alternative at $536.99 / £439.

We loved the PD2700U’s out-of-box color accuracy and were even more impressed with the image after calibration. HDR quality is not quite at the level of more-expensive full-array backlight displays, but at this price point, we’re satisfied, especially since it adheres well to HDR standards for grayscale, EOTF and color. Our only wish is for a larger color gamut. Many HDR monitors now include coverage of much of the DCI-P3 spec.

The PD2700U is a great way to get professional-level accuracy and reliability, a super UHD image, decent HDR and build quality that ensures operation for the long haul at a reasonable price.

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Christian Eberle
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.