REVIEW – Back in May I reviewed BenQ's PD2710QC DesignView 27-inch Designer Monitor and have been using it ever since because I like the built-in USB-C dock and the excellent picture quality. But, it's not 4K so I kept wondering what a 4K monitor would be like to use.

Crisp; vibrant image; Blue light blocking features; HDR features (if your video card supports them; Power supply is internal; so there's no ugly power brick; 3-year warranty

The BenQ EL2870U is ideally suited for movie watching and general computing tasks. It performs well when gaming with FreeSync , but hardcore players will want a faster monitor. HDR works fine, but low native contrast limits what the panel can do.

When it comes to monitors, the choices at disposal of buyers tend to bifurcate into two classes. One category is aimed at productivity where characteristics like high pixel density, bit depth, and colour accuracy are of prime importance, while the second class is for entertainment purpose like...

Affordably price for a 4K HDR monitor; Low response time; AMD FreeSync support; Good colour reproduction; Decent build quality

Limitations with HDR output; Sub-par viewing angles; Low brightness and contrast; Disappointing brightness uniformity; Poor sound output from speakers

The BenQ EL2870U may be a relatively cheap 4K monitor, but don't be fooled into thinking it's a bargainous entry into the wonderful, brightly coloured world of high dynamic range gaming. This is not the HDR screen we were looking for....

We enjoyed the EL2870U for both gaming and watching films and it performed as excellently, or maybe even better than the other Ultra HD screens that we've tested. We appreciated that it comes with a few unique extras such as the Brightness Intelligence Technology and the Low Blue Light Filter.

BenQ well known for their professional gaming monitors, but not all of us are serious gamers and want something that offers superior multitasking and media consumption, but also can play casual games without a hitch.

Designed for home entertainment use, the BenQ EL2870U ($499) is a 28-inch monitor that provides UHD (3,840 by 2,160) resolution and the ability to handle HDR content at a decent price. Its image quality, though fine for casual use, leaves a bit to be desired, particularly in its ability to accurately display colors. This is a common issue with TN (twisted nematic) monitors, though, and leaves the EL2870U coming up short of the Editors' Choice Viewsonic VP2768 and the BenQ EW3270U, which use IPS (in-plane switching) and VA (vertical alignment) technology, respectively. Still, its fast pixel response and brief lag time make it a good choice for action video and gaming. Design and Features The design is similar to those of several other BenQ monitors we have reviewed, including the BenQ EW3270U and the BenQ BL3201PH. The EL2870U's look is simple and understated, with a matte-black cabinet with half-inch bezels, and a stand that can tilt but doesn't offer height, swivel, or pivot ad...

Budget-friendly and FreeSync-capable, the 28-inch EL2870U exhibits fast pixel response and minimal input lag that make fast-motion graphics a breeze, but it has some trouble with colors.

UHD (Ultra High Definition) resolution; Supports HDR content; Modest price; Very fast pixel response; Low input lag

Mediocre color performance; Few ports, and poorly placed; Stand allows for tilt adjustment only

Most people still use a 1080p monitor, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But now that the prices of 4K monitors are closer to affordable, it’s easier than ever to buy some extra pixels. We checked out the BenQ EL2870U to see if it makes for a solid, entry-level 4K monitor. Outside of just the high screen resolution, this 27-inch monitor also includes some great features like support for HDR and BenQ’s helpful reduced blue light settings. The EL2870U isn’t the flashiest monitor we’ve ever seen — but at $449, it does offer 4K and HDR on a budget. Does that make it a bargain? If you’ve ever seen a BenQ monitor before, you won’t be too surprised when you pull this thing out of the box for the first time. The base and stand aren’t made of aluminum like the HP Z27, nor does it have ultra-thin bezels like the Dell UltraSharp 27 U2719DC. There’s nothing striking about its design. It’s perfect for an office, but not exactly fit for a creative studio. Even options like the cheaper Samsung UH7...

Lightweight, yet sturdy; HDR support, high resolution; Good color gamut and accuracy; Affordable pricing;

Poor black levels and contrast; Limited adjustability; No USB ports;