BenQ has carved a niche in the premium monitor market, and the EW2790U is a stellar addition to its lineup. This 27-inch 4K IPS monitor, priced at around ₹29,000, delivers a blend of nice visuals and scenario-based audio tailored for work, gaming, and entertainment. With a robust port selection, ergonomic design, and what may be one of the best built-in speakers I’ve ever heard on a monitor, it’s positioned as a do-it-all display. But is it actually worth it? Let us find out in this review.
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BenQ EW2790U Price & Availability
The BenQ EW2790U retails at ₹28,498 (down from ₹38,500) and is available through the BenQ India e-store, Amazon, Flipkart, and major retailers.
Pros
- 4K IPS display
- Great speakers with six audio modes
- Scenario hotkey for mode switching (Standard, Game, Video)
- Good ports selection
- Nice stand with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot
- Display Pilot 2 software support
Cons
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- No AMD FreeSync or G-Sync support
- 5 ms response time
- Pricey compared to other 4K monitors
BenQ EW2790U 27” 4K Monitor Review: Design and Build
The BenQ EW2790U sports a sleek, minimalist design with slim bezels on three sides and a slightly thicker bottom chin housing its 5W speakers. At 7.7 kg with the stand (5.6 kg without), it’s sturdy yet manageable. The IPS panel is framed by an anti-glare coating, which is really good.
The stand offers different ergonomics: 110 mm height adjustment, -5° to 20° tilt, ±20° swivel, and 90° pivot for portrait mode, making it ideal for flexible workspaces. The portrait mode is ideal for coding and other similar work.
Connectivity
The port selection is a highlight:
- 3X HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60 Hz)
- 1X USB-C (65W Power Delivery, DisplayPort Alt Mode, data)
- 1X USB-C (data only, 5 Gbps, 7.5W charging)
- 3X USB-A (5 Gbps, 7.5W charging)
- 1X 3.5 mm headphone jack
This array supports laptops, consoles, tablets, smartphones, and peripherals, with the USB-C port enabling single-cable setups for MacBooks or Windows laptops. There’s also the VESA 100×100 mm mount for wall or arm mounting.
The USB-C port with power delivery ensures that your devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets stay powered up as they are casting to the monitor. You can even use it to charge your devices. A very underrated feature that all monitors should adopt at this point.
BenQ EW2790U 27” 4K Monitor Review: Display
The 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) IPS panel is a visual treat, boasting 95% DCI-P3 and 99% sRGB coverage for vibrant, accurate colors. There’s 350 Nits of typical brightness (400 Nits peak for HDR10 and VESA DisplayHDR 400). The monitor handles bright rooms well, and reflections are not really an issue thanks to the anti-glare coating.
The 163 PPI ensures sharp text and images, ideal for productivity and media. The 1000:1 contrast ratio is standard for IPS, but BenQ’s AI Contrast technology dynamically adjusts based on content, enhancing details in dark scenes without overexposing bright areas.
The 60 Hz refresh rate and 5 ms GtG response time are adequate for casual gaming but fall short for serious gaming. Viewing angles are excellent (178°/178°), and the 1.07 billion color depth delivers smooth gradients without any banding.
Scenario Modes: Professional, Gaming, Entertainment
The EW2790U’s scenario hotkey is a standout, letting you switch between optimized settings for different tasks with a single press. The three key modes ars Standard (Professional), Game, and Video (Entertainment).
Standard Mode is ideal for work and study with sharp text, balanced brightness, and clear voice audio. Great for long hours of spreadsheets, coding, or docs. High PPI and 4K resolution aid multitasking; M-Book mode matches MacBook colors.
Game Mode is designed for casual gaming with enhanced contrast, sharper visuals, and immersive audio. It is best for single-player or console games (Witcher 3, FIFA). Unfortunately, 60 Hz and no VRR limit the experience.
Video Mode, as the name suggests, is built for streaming and movies with Cinema HDRi, 24P framerate, and vibrant P3 color. It prioritizes dialogue clarity and stereo depth, making it perfect for Netflix or Dune nights, though HDR is not the best with 400-Nit peak brightness.
BenQ EW2790U 27” 4K Monitor Review: Speakers
The EW2790U’s 5W treVolo-powered speakers are really good. They deliver a rich, room-filling sound that feels like it’s coming from a large hall. You could hear clear audio from adjacent rooms, too. These speakers are unmistakably designed for entertainment, making external speakers unnecessary for most users.
BenQ says that the speakers use a PEI composite diaphragm and neodymium magnets for 60% greater rigidity and crisp highs, with an internal suspension structure minimizing distortion. You can fine-tune frequencies and tone via the joystick or software, and the volume is loud enough to fill a medium-sized room without crackling.
BenQ EW2790U 27” 4K Monitor Review: Software
The EW2790U is controlled via a joystick at the bottom bezel, with navigation for brightness, volume, scenario modes, and audio settings. The Display Pilot 2 software (free download) gives more control, with features like:
- B.I.+ Gen2 and Eye-Care: Adjusts brightness and color temperature dynamically.
- Scenario Assistant: Learns your habits and auto-switches modes based on schedules (e.g., Standard for work, Video for evenings).
- Pomodoro Timer: Prompts 25-minute focus sessions with 5-minute breaks to boost productivity.
- Audio Equalizer: Fine-tunes sound in User mode for personalized audio.
Review Verdict: Should You Buy the BenQ EW2790U 27” 4K Monitor?
The BenQ EW2790U is a premium 27-inch 4K monitor that excels in versatility and audio quality. Its 95% P3 IPS panel, AI Contrast, and scenario modes (Standard, Game, Video) make it a jack-of-all-trades for work, casual gaming, and entertainment.
The speakers are a standout, delivering great sound that’s louder and richer than most monitors I’ve tested. The ergonomic stand, extensive ports, and Display Pilot 2 software add to its appeal, while eye-care features ensure comfort during long sessions.
At ₹28,498, it’s a good deal for its feature set, though the 60 Hz refresh rate and 5 ms response time limit its gaming prowess. For professionals needing a sharp display, casual gamers wanting immersive audio-visuals, or movie buffs seeking a home theater experience, the EW2790U is a top contender.
Smartprix ⭐ Rating: 8.4/10
- Design and Build: 8.5/10
- Display: 8.5/10
- Speakers and Audio: 8.6/10
- Software and Controls: 8/10
First reviewed in June 2025.
