A 27-inch display might initially seem large for a desk setup, particularly when positioned 50-80 cm from the user. However, the BenQ EW277HDR offers a natural, smooth experience and feels appropriately sized, largely due to its modern design featuring a thin bezel and an image that extends nearly to the edges. The EW277HDR is part of BenQ’s EW series, designed for users seeking a versatile display suitable for work, gaming, and media consumption.
BenQ EW277HDR performs well on a standard work surface, despite its 27-inch size. Photo: senses.se
Setup is straightforward. The two-part package includes a stand that assembles easily with captive screws. The monitor features several pre-set image modes optimized for various devices and applications. One notable feature is Eye-Care, which reduces potentially harmful blue light emissions to minimize eye strain during extended use. Sharpness is adjustable, ranging from soft to highly defined, and the VA panel delivers natural color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making it a suitable option for shared viewing of TV and movies. While the debate between VA and IPS panels continues, both technologies offer distinct advantages. In this case, the VA panel provides a slightly more natural color vibrancy.
While adaptive brightness features are often disabled during testing, the EW277HDR incorporates B.I.+ (Brightness Intelligence Plus Technology), which dynamically adjusts contrast based on ambient lighting conditions – increasing brightness in well-lit environments and decreasing it in darker ones. This functionality also interacts with HDR content, which is discussed further below.
The monitor supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1080p at 60 Hz (Full HD), which is adequate but not exceptional for a modern monitor in its price range (approximately SEK 3,000). At close viewing distances, the pixel density is noticeable; a 1440p resolution would have been preferable, given that many modern devices, including Macs and consoles, support it. The primary inputs consist of two HDMI 2.0 ports, providing broad compatibility. However, the absence of DisplayPort or DVI-I inputs detracts somewhat from its professional appeal. (A VGA output is included, although its utility in modern contexts is questionable.) The monitor exhibited responsive performance across various input signals. Its 12-4ms response time should prove sufficient for most users, including gamers, writers, and web users. The BenQ EW277HDR correctly identified HDR10 signals from a PS4 Pro, leading to an examination of its HDR capabilities.
As outlined in our 4K and HDR article, the HDR standard is still evolving, and consumer understanding can be challenging. The EW277HDR supports a subset of the HDR palette (HDR8) but not the full HDR10 specification. (For comparison, some mid-range 4K TVs from previous years, such as the Panasonic DX750, offered HDR support that was also incomplete.) Full HDR10 support requires 10-bit color depth, which the EW277HDR lacks, despite achieving 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 wide color gamut, a commendable achievement for its price point. The lack of full HDR support is reflected in the monitor’s peak brightness. While 400 nits is acceptable for an OLED display, it’s less impressive for an LCD-based panel, which is theoretically capable of significantly higher brightness levels. Therefore, the monitor provides a partial HDR effect, but not a comprehensive one.
The connectivity options are as streamlined as the design.
The integrated speakers deliver adequate audio quality for a monitor in this price range. However, the maximum volume is somewhat limited. For optimal audio performance, we recommend using external speakers or high-quality headphones.
After several weeks of use, the monitor’s versatility is particularly noteworthy. During tasks such as writing (as with this review), the display remains comfortable for extended viewing periods, and with careful calibration, good sharpness and accurate color reproduction can be achieved. The monitor is also well-suited for HD movie viewing and gaming (using supersampling to compensate for the Full HD resolution). However, a higher resolution, such as 1440p or ideally 4K, would have been beneficial.
The primary shortcomings are the limited input options, particularly the absence of USB-C, which is becoming increasingly prevalent on modern computers and offers the convenience of simultaneous video and charging capabilities. The HDR support also feels somewhat incomplete; the lack of 4K resolution and 10-bit color depth means that while there’s some enhancement in luminance, the overall HDR experience is limited. While HDR mode can be enabled, it should be used with caution: applying it to content not mastered for HDR can result in a degraded image with increased noise (see our Apple TV 4K review).
Summary: The BenQ EW277HDR offers reasonable value for its price (just under SEK 3,000) as a versatile all-around monitor, provided that users are content with Full HD resolution, HDMI inputs, and limited HDR support. It offers an aesthetically pleasing design, ease of setup, and comfortable viewing for extended periods, making it suitable for gaming, work, and movie watching. Therefore, we recommend it to users with those needs. However, those seeking high-end features should expect to invest approximately twice as much to obtain USB-C connectivity, 4K resolution, and true HDR capabilities. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and the BenQ EW277HDR delivers a satisfactory experience within its price bracket, though it doesn’t offer groundbreaking performance.
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