The BenQ SW272U is a high-end 4K monitor with an arsenal of features for meticulous photographers. It features a pre-calibrated IPS panel with high-quality presets and a unique fine coating that lessens color errors when grading. Let’s see what makes it special to know if it’s a worthy investment.
BenQ SW272U Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 3, USB-C PD90W x 1, SD Card Reader x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 24.2 x 23.3” x 10.8”
- Weight: 19 lbs
Design and Features
The BenQ SW272U isn’t the thinnest monitor out there, but its industrial look makes it well-suited for serious work environments. The monitor has a matte black finish, so its appearance isn’t too overpowering against the beautiful screen. It has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern models, even if you don’t see them.
Unboxing the product was quite an experience since it was packaged differently from other high-end monitors we recently handled. The box was cavernous enough to hold it fully assembled like how Asus does it. However, the arrangement inside was fantastic, and we had a blast sorting through the bevy of bits and pieces.
The monitor comes in three main pieces, but it has two accessory boxes and a calibration report neatly tucked into the primary flap of the box. The cables, cleaning cloth, and puck are in one box, while the larger carton holds the calibration hood. It may take a bit of time to get it up and running, but the first unboxing is always a joyous experience for any enthusiast.
You will find cables for DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and the power cable inside the smaller box. There is also a handy cleaning cloth that can help remove smudges against the unique screen coating. It has everything you will need for daily operation, plus more for flexibility.
The BenQ SW272U has a joystick with hotkeys for the OSD, but what takes centerstage is the wireless Hotkey Puck. It’s so convenient to use if you want to adjust brightness with the wheel or switch between presets or inputs using the buttons. I hate to admit that I got spoiled by it since basically everything else is inconvenient to use.
The downside is that it will need two AAA batteries from time to time, and it has to be positioned near the sensor on the right side of the bottom strip. However, it is not bound by cables like its previous iterations, so we’d gladly live with it. We wish BenQ would make an aftermarket variant so every monitor that goes through us can be tweaked that way.
The other side of the accessory package is the calibration hood, which adds a lot of heft and takes some time to assemble. It’s frankly a handy addition for users in rooms with lots of glare, but it’s not necessary otherwise. We didn’t use it for this testing simply because we liked to test in the dark, and it blocks off the spot where we hang our colorimeters.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. The movements are buttery smooth yet firm enough to prevent flexing and sagging. Its metal base is oversized, but it’s flat and thin. It has a leather-like pad on top that will cradle your gadgets and that sweet puck to keep them out of the way.
The BenQ SW272U has an extensive connectivity layout for your convenience. It has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C slot for video inputs. It also has a trio of USB 3.2 ports, a 3.5mm jack for audio, and a memory card reader for convenient transfers from your camera to the PC.
It doesn’t have speakers, but they do not really have a place in the environment this monitor was intended for. However, it would still be nice to have a decent set for some background music while working.
Display and Performance
The BenQ SW272U sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model isn’t certified for HDR, but it is compatible with HDR10 and HLG signals.
What makes this new series of Photovue monitors special is their new fine coating that aims to reduce the tinge AG layers usually added to panels. It theoretically lessens the variance in color accuracy between the screen and the printed material, so spend less time grading and editing for projects. We can honestly tell a big difference with this model compared to other panels since colors pop more than usual.
It also does a very good job of deflecting glare compared to some thin coatings and the typical 3H layers we see on most monitors. It’s also not rough to the touch and doesn’t attract smudges like glossy surfaces would. It’s a happy medium between the two most common types, and we wish more brands would apply something like it at some point.
The AG coating also worked very well with the tighter pixel density of the 27-inch 4K panel. It seemed clearer and more defined compared to a regular screen. It is not easier to read or write without scaling, but images have sharper edges and are cleaner overall. This works great for both work and entertainment, so its another benefit you can enjoy from BenQ’s new design.
The BenQ SW272U covers 95% of sRGB, 92% of Adobe RGB, and 81% of P3 in its default state. The gamuts change depending on the presents, with P3 mode having 100% sRGB, 91%, ARGB, and 90% P3. The ARGB mode results in 95%, 93%, and 81% respectively, while the sRGB mode has 92%, 72%, and 71%.
These are underwhelming results for a monitor that is claiming 99% ARGB coverage, but it is still decent for editing work. The default accuracy also changed between 1.20 and 1.03, so it is great but not at the level BenQ’s calibration report indicated. However, they are using a different colorimeter or sensor for this model than the cheaper and readily available ones we use, so there will be variances.
Calibrating the monitor with our Calibrite DisplayPlus improved the dE average to 0.5 across the board. You can also use BenQ’s Palette Master for hardware calibration and 3rd party solutions. There are numerous ways to fine-tune this monitor, especially with the help of its features.
The BenQ SW272U’s backlight reached 298 cd/m2 at 100% brightness with an SDR input. Its contrast was the most disappointing since it only reached 596:1 at 36% brightness. However, the screen didn’t look washed out in dark scenes like most IPS panels. We think it’s the effect of the thinner and finer coating, but we have no way to test it out.
Panel uniformity for the test sample is excellent to the point that it makes us think that it was cherry-picked for this variant. The variance was between 1% to 4%, and most of them were on the left and right sides of the screen. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so it is still possible to get a unit with defects like backlight bleeding.
The BenQ SW272U isn’t intended for gaming, but it fairs decently in casual instances. Blurring was not a major issue, even if it’s limited to 60Hz. Faster-paced titles like Warzone can reveal them, but that’s just a limitation we all have to live with on a monitor that’s focused on imaging fidelity rather than speed.
It also doesn’t have Adaptive Sync, but that’s once again understandable since VRR is usually for BenQ’s other portfolio of products. 4K 60Hz isn’t a massive challenge like it was, but it can still press systems with lower-end cards. Input lag is slightly higher at 10ms, but we didn’t notice any signs of lag or delay.
Thoughts on the BenQ SW272U
The BenQ SW272U is a well-designed solution for imaging professionals who want flexibility and fine-tuning capabilities in a single solution. The fine-coated panel offers superb clarity, and it’s accurate by default, especially when it’s calibrated. It is built well with plenty of features you will love.
The monitor didn’t reach the manufacturer’s claims when it comes to gamut coverage, but each one was still high enough for most editing applications. The contrast was also disappointingly low, but it strangely did not affect the imaging output that much. It’s a great display solution, but we think it needs minor revisions if our findings are accurate to the entire range.
Pros:
- Fantastic Design and Features
- Effective Coating Solution
- Superb Color Accuracy
- Robust Build Quality and Craftsmanship
- Plenty of Connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive
- Lower Gamut and Contrast vs Manufacturer Specs
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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