BenQ EL2870U Review

If you’re in the market for one of the best gaming monitors, the 28” BenQ EL2870U could fit your needs for gaming and work. What the BenQ EL2870U offers for the price it’s asking is, honestly, really hard to pass on. While it isn’t jam-packed with features, it has a few very key specifications that make it great for entry-level 4K gaming, or as a great office monitor. If you’d rather have a slightly bigger monitor, take a look at our LG 34UM88 review instead. And while you are at it, also take a look at our list of the best computer monitors around.

Sale

BenQ EL2870U

Check Price

Why We Like It – BenQ EL2870U

The BenQ EL2870U is a 4K monitor with HDR support as well as AMD FreeSync technology. It doesn’t play for just one team, being able to satisfy the needs as an entry-level gaming monitor and as a workstation monitor. If you want a monitor that’s just a little bit smaller, take a look at our AOC E2251FWU 22 inch widescreen USB LED monitor review.

Performance

UHD 4K resolution looks great on the BenQ EL2870U’s 28-inch screen. With a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time, running games at 4K is a silky smooth experience that doesn’t push your system too hard. Screen tearing and stuttering are almost non-existent with AMD FreeSync technology, matching NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology found in monitors such as ASUS ROG PG279Q.

Gaming at 4K is great and all, but the BenQ EL2870U supports HDR, which is the real MVP. In terms of color accuracy, the BenQ EL2870U covers about 70 percent of the DCI P3 color gamut. Not the best in the business, but HDR content in games, movies, and editing software is going to get a great boost in quality.”

Related: If you like this monitor, you might be interested in our BENQ EL2870U 4K gaming monitor review.

Design

Style was not a priority for the BenQ EL2870U. With black and grey colors, wide bezels, and a thick frame, the BenQ EL2870U feels like it belongs in an office setting. Hidden beneath this behemoth’s screen are two HDMI 2.0 ports, an audio-out jack, a single DisplayPort 1.4, and built-in speakers.

Like ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q, the BenQ EL2870U comes with settings to help protect your eyes. Located along the bottom of the monitor is a small bump. Hidden within is Brightness Intelligence Plus technology, which adjusts the screen brightness based on the environment. You can disable it in the menu, which is where you’ll find its other eye care settings such as low blue light.

Unfortunately, the BenQ EL2870U only tilts back. You’ll immediately notice the screen darkening if you move too far in one direction. With that said, it does support VESA mounting.

Value

The BenQ EL2870U has great value considering it hits all the big-ticket items such as 4K, solid HDR performance, and the perfect screen size. For gaming, you get to experience the next step in quality. For editing software, color recreation can come in handy for color-critical tasks.

The BenQ EL2870U is open to a wider audience by having two HDMI 2.0 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4, while the Asus VG245H has only two HDMI ports, but lacking DisplayPort. Someone with a desktop sporting only HDMI, you can still take advantage of the BenQ EL2870U.”

Related: Also check out our BENQ B12711U review.

BenQ EL2870U Wrap Up

The BenQ EL2870U is an affordable UHD 4K monitor capable of being both an entry-level gaming monitor and a great choice for an office space. With HDR, it’s going to give you solid color recreation in games, movies, and editing software. And the FreeSync support, you can reduce screen tearing and stuttering.

The speakers are weak and the screen doesn’t tilt, but that can be rectified with VESA mounting and external speakers. It isn’t the prettiest monitor to look at. What the BenQ EL2870U has under the hood makes up for it.