BenQ EW3280u Review: A Jack of all Trades Monitor!

The BenQ EW3280u is a 4k 32 inch monitor with USB-C 60w power delivery, 10 bit color, and integrated speakers, but is this jack of all trades monitor actually a good buy? Let's talk about it.
Find the BenQ EW3280u here: bit.ly/2vKsW8O
Thanks to BenQ for sending out a test unit for review. Disclaimer: I was NOT paid to make this video or to promote this product.
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[@michaellozito9980]

Love to see a custom build

[@andreacabral3996]

I second a custom build. Very thoughtful and in-depth review!

[@henningschutz709]

I've calibrated it with a Spyder under DisplayCAL and can confirm the claims about color gamut. Results were: 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 and 85% adobeRGB Don't take these as super accurate Lab-results though. There aren't many alternatives to this monitor, if you're looking for 32" 4k IPS screens with a large color gamut that can also handle games reasonably well. If you're looking for anything above 60Hz you either have to sacrifice 4k or go smaller than 32". Or spend much more money.

[@MarkSpurrell]

That's great to hear. I didn't have a spyder laying around to calibrate, so I'm glad you were able to confirm what was advertised.

[@coenfuse]

What about LG 32UN650?

[@henningschutz709]

@@coenfuse The LG32UN650 seems to check the same boxes. When I recall correctly it was simply not available/not yet released when I wrote my previous comment.

[@paolopetrozzi2213]

@@coenfuse This one is Flicker Free, certified TUV, the LG isn't.

[@LGunit]

Hi, first of all thank you for the review! I noticed that you have an iMac in the back. To me its speakers have always been pretty reasonable for non-dedicated speakers. When you said that the BenQ EW3280u is easily the best sounding monitor you've ever heard , did that include your iMac as well? (wasn't sure if you counted it as a monitor)

[@khosrow]

I won this monitor and now it is my bedroom tv. Fits my furniture just right. Great colors/HDR. But I had to get a dedicated soundbar. The build in speakers are even worse with some distance. Watching this video on it right now too 😅

[@MS-gn4gl]

To each their own - I just returned 2 27" 4k displays because I prefer 4k at 100% scaling and 100% at 27" is just too small.

[@robieibor]

It's probably not true 10-bit tho... says at 4:10 as well

[@onionbagsintl]

I wanna see that custom build king!

[@hoonzadza8077]

I attached an imac mini m1 to it from behind. it turned out to be the perfect all-in-one computer.

[@TechWithBrett]

Looks all around pretty nice.

[@azeemjaafar14]

Nice info. Great vid man ! Can you do a video for your whole setup? And how do you shoot your videos?? Cuz its damn good

[@azeemjaafar14]

And plz do a custom build 🔥

[@MarkSpurrell]

Yep! Coming soonish!

[@andrewdoyle1772]

The biggest downside is there are no USB ports in the back so you can connect your laptop to a keyboard/mouse/printer through the monitor when you hook up the USB C.

[@marcusbengtsson295]

Use bluetooth keyboard/mouse, no problem!

[@ioda006]

Let's see that build!

[@WireDroid]

Using type-c cable can it go to 4k resolution with 60fps? And does type-c cable included in the box?

[@vincent7603]

Oh man, I’m so salty. I have the previous version which has the TN. But still really happy with it!

[@vincent7603]

Oh I take that back, the previous TN panel was $380USD are the current exchange rate with the same features - HDR works okay in Windows!

[@gordonk1809]

I have been using this monitor for 2 weeks. I am a 3d artist. The image quality and colour accuracy are excellent. However, I find the factory setting is a bit too bright, so better calibrate the monitor yourself. The sound quality is less than my expectation, the volume is a bit low even when it is set to max. I guess you can't really expect too much from the monitor speaker. I agree with Mark that the stand should be more flexible at this price point, but I put it on a monitor arm. However, the most annoying thing about this monitor is the images look curve in on both edge when you look from the middle of the monitor. I am not sure if this is a common issue for a 32" monitor.

[@lo7444]

I like ガンダム (spelled like gundam in english? on your background! nice!

[@amateurwizard]

@Mark Spurrell If I remember correctly it's an AHVA panel.

[@sander_kijkt]

Nearly perfect specs for me, I just really can't deal with that horrible brown colour. Bummer.

[@realMDizzy]

I just got this and thought the same thing as you! When I think of brown I think the color of shit! I went ahead and bought it anyway because I was sick of dealing with so many cables. They did a disservice to themselves by calling it brown, very poor marketing! It's not that bad it's more like a peuter like the Tampa Bay Bucs helmets. In a dimly lit room like what I work in it almost matches the space grey of my MacBook pro.

[@patrickhartley2061]

@@realMDizzy Thanks for this comment. I just ordered one yesterday and started having second thoughts. Feeling better about my decision now!

[@kungfukenny9300]

Do you still recommend this at 2024?

[@Sid-Bez]

Great Review. Helped me decide not to go for this one. Thanks. At this price point, the stand should have everything like pivot, height adjustment etc, plus better speakers (though I use Apogee audio interfaces and KRK Rokit Monitors so internal speakers really matter to me). Plus the ports on the side really don't impress me, I'd have preferred them on the back. So what alternative Monitors do you suggest for Video/ Photo Editing and Music production on a MacBook Pro M1?

[@HePants]

Great vid - is USB C 60w enough for Mac Book Pro 16 2021 while working?

[@zakaroonetwork777]

Can You See the Pixels?

[@urvamdhroov6577]

Is this fit for PS5?

[@RC-rk9em]

Could you comment on how this compares for coding and light to moderate gaming to the significantly cheaper BENQ EW3270U, that uses a VA panel?

[@Mrludwig886]

The cheaper one is good, but color shift to much if you are not perfectly in front of the monitor, i'm returning it, and i think i would take the ips model.

[@rhyswilliams1998]

So this or an LG 27UL850? Is the 5 inches worth it. I want a big monitor to run a MBP / W10 laptop depending on work/play. 4K and USB C are main requirements.

[@creasedaf1s900]

same bro but in think this might be the one cause of build quality and better sound

[@rhyswilliams1998]

Boom bap bang Glasses jacket shirt I got the UL850 and the sound is poor compared to the iMac I sold. I run sound through the MBP instead.

[@gamintrucker1016]

I want a bigger monitor for immersive story games on my PS5. I bought this monitor. 27 inches is not enough for me on 4K

[@glens2154]

What is best 4k monitor for console gaming? You mentioned cheaper options

[@tukesproductions6657]

Hey mark great review! I just built a pc and need a monitor thats pretty close to my 5k retina imac, how does this compare with color accuracy to the 5k retina and also would going with the PD3220U be an upgrade from the EW3280u ?

[@MarkSpurrell]

Thanks! The panel is very color accurate, at least on par with the 5k iMac I have, if not better. I can't say whether the PD3220U is better or not as I don't have that model for testing.

[@5urg3x]

No height adjustment on the stand? And they want HOW MUCH for this thing? SIGH! Also only 60 watts of power delivery...wtf man.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Does the audio go to speakers over USB-C?

[@samuelsolisvideo3501]

Yes

[@TuanLeKreuk]

Is it better than the samsung LU32J590?

[@jesba9708]

Please make a lava lamp review

[@approxahmed]

Yes I'd be interested in a custom build

[@exploretheworld17]

I do coding for a long time, is this suitable for me( when comparing to EW3270U)

[@joeshaw9354]

Did you connect via usb- c? If so does the usb c cable that comes to charger work? I have an m1 MacBook Air and I connected via USB c with the cable that comes with the MacBook Air and it does not recognize it. Do I need a specific usb c cable?

[@approxahmed]

Reminds me of the Pixel 4...

[@flyingtoupee]

Hi, if you can assist I have this monitor, new unit. unable to get video signal from new Mac mini or iMac, very strange, says "no signal detected" I do have it set for correct input.. HDMI works fine.. Thanks

[@SunilKumar-alpha]

How much PPI?

[@wallmachine8780]

have they added an update to turn off the auto dimming with hdri?

[@eastwoofer]

What iMac is that exactly?

[@frankieh9233]

Does the included USB-C cable support 4k 60 ? or should i buy one from Amazon ? Using a 2017 Macbook pro 13"

[@MarkSpurrell]

It does support 4k 60, yes.

[@creasedaf1s900]

dsiplay 1.2 or 1,4

[@zynan]

Great review! 🇦🇺

[@5urg3x]

"Haich dee arr" lol you trying to sound British man?

[@shepardfamily8278]

I am looking for something I can use with my 2012 Macbook retina for now, and then use as a second monitor when I get a 27" iMac. Do you think this would look good next to the iMac, and will it work with both computers?

[@MarkSpurrell]

I don't think the 2012 Macbook can drive a 4k display at 60hz, I don't think my 2013 Macbook pro can either. Unless it's a 15 inch.

[@shepardfamily8278]

Mark Spurrell can I lower the resolution?

[@sharks445]

Never encountered someone saying h as "hache" while having an American accent before...

[@MarkSpurrell]

I'm Canadian!

[@CaptainScorpio24]

hahahaha thats young Luke 😲😀

[@gamotech2557]

dude this is not review!!!

[@tommorton287]

Handy dandy

[@zenon3021]

The BenQ EW3280U is only 60hz??? For $1,000 CAD that's so trash :P

[@eppie1073]

custom