BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710S 27" Dark Gray 2021

A fast 165Hz panel trapped in a 1080p body that's too big for its own good. Buy it only if you find a killer deal and absolutely refuse to move up to 1440p.

The 165Hz panel is the star here, landing in the 81st percentile for performance and making fast-paced games feel fluid and responsive. What surprised us is how much the built-in speakers don't suck. They're only 2.5W each, but the dedicated DSP chip with custom sound modes gives them a clarity and presence that embarrass most monitor speakers. It won't replace a headset, but it's a genuinely nice perk for casual sessions.

The EX2710S is in a tough spot. The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 and Samsung Odyssey G60SD are in a completely different league with their OLED panels and higher resolutions, but they also cost significantly more. A more direct fight is with other budget 1080p 165Hz monitors. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG is a 4K monster that makes the BenQ's resolution look ancient, while the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is a massive ultrawide for a totally different audience. If you're dead set on 1080p for maximum frame rates, the BenQ is a solid contender, but most people should just save a bit more for 1440p.

Pricing is a complete mess on this one, with vendor listings ranging from a suspiciously low $2,180 all the way up to an absurd $69,254. Ignore the crazy high outliers. If you can snag this near the low end of that spread, it's a decent budget 1080p high-refresh option. But at a normal retail price, you're getting outclassed by newer 1440p high-refresh panels that cost only a little more.

The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710S is a 1080p gaming monitor that feels like it's from a different era, and not in a charming retro way. The one thing to know is that while the 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time deliver a genuinely smooth gaming experience, the 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen is a noticeable compromise in 2024. It's a monitor that nails the basics for competitive play but makes you squint at everything else.

If you're looking for a sharp, immersive display for both work and play, this isn't it. The low pixel density will drive you crazy on the desktop. Go get a 1440p 165Hz monitor like the Gigabyte M27Q instead. Your eyes will thank you.

The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710S is a tough sell unless you find it at a steep discount. It delivers a fast, smooth gaming experience and has some genuinely thoughtful features like the great speakers and Black eQualizer. But the 1080p resolution on a 27-inch panel is a dealbreaker for anything beyond pure gaming. In a world where 1440p high-refresh monitors are getting cheaper, this feels like a relic.