BenQ EX3501R 35" grau 2018

The EX3501R's feature set ranks at the 92nd percentile, which is the best thing about it. Performance is only at the 59th percentile with 100Hz and 4ms response time. It's a big, immersive ultrawide with USB-C, but the 300 nits brightness and 8-bit panel hold it back from greatness.

Let's talk numbers. The EX3501R runs at 100Hz with a 4ms response time. In our database, that puts its performance at the 59th percentile, which is about average for monitors overall. For a 3440x1440 panel, 100Hz is fine for casual gaming and smooth desktop scrolling, but it's not going to impress anyone coming from a 144Hz or 240Hz display. The 4ms response time is also middle of the pack. You won't notice ghosting in everyday use, but fast-paced shooters will feel a bit soft compared to a proper gaming monitor.

FreeSync support helps smooth things out, and the VA panel gives you deep blacks and good contrast, which is where this monitor shines for movies and darker games. The 300 nits brightness is solid but not spectacular. HDR is supported, but with 300 nits and 8-bit color, it's more of a checkbox than a transformative experience. Don't expect the eye-searing highlights you'd get from a high-end HDR display. This is HDR in the "technically yes" sense.

Stacked against the competition, the EX3501R shows its age. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG and LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B are newer panels with significantly better performance numbers. The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 and Samsung Odyssey G60SD bring OLED contrast and faster refresh rates to the table. The Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA is another strong contender. Where the BenQ wins is screen size per dollar and that USB-C port. At 35 inches, it's bigger than most of those competitors. But the 100Hz refresh and 4ms response time put it behind every one of them for gaming. If you're buying for productivity and media consumption, the BenQ makes sense. If you're buying for competitive gaming, any of those competitors will run circles around it.

Pricing on the EX3501R is all over the map depending on where you shop. In the US, you're looking at $1,000. In Canada, it's CAD 900. But in Europe, the spread is wild. German and Italian listings range from EUR 1,932 to EUR 2,302, a difference of EUR 370 for the same monitor. If you're in the EU, shop around. Memory Express Inc. has it listed in Canada, and that CAD 900 price is the most reasonable we've seen relative to the feature set. For a 35-inch ultrawide with USB-C and a 92nd percentile feature score, the US price feels fair but not a steal. The European prices, especially at the high end, are harder to justify when you can get newer panels with better performance for similar money.

The BenQ EX3501R is a 35-inch ultrawide that still turns heads, mostly because of that 1800R curve and the sheer amount of screen real estate. Our database puts its feature set at the 92nd percentile, which is a fancy way of saying this thing is loaded for a monitor in its class. You get 3440x1440 resolution, 100Hz refresh, FreeSync, HDR, and a USB-C port that can charge your laptop while pushing video. That's a lot of boxes ticked before you even plug it in.

But the scores tell a more honest story. Total score lands at 69.5 out of 100, with entertainment at 73.1 and office work at 70.3. The display itself sits at the 81st percentile, which is strong, but performance is only at the 59th percentile. That's the trade-off here. You're buying a big, immersive panel with great features, not a speed demon. And at 9652 grams, you'll want a sturdy desk and a friend to help you unbox it.

Skip this if you care about speed or portability. The 100Hz refresh and 4ms response time put performance at the 59th percentile, which is fine for spreadsheets but underwhelming for fast-paced games. The portability score of 11.6 out of 100 is one of the worst we've seen, and at 9652 grams, this monitor is a permanent fixture once you set it up. If you're looking for a competitive gaming display or something you can move between rooms, look elsewhere. The 300 nits brightness also means HDR enthusiasts will be disappointed.

The BenQ EX3501R is a monitor that knows what it is. A big, curved, feature-rich ultrawide for people who want immersion over speed. The 92nd percentile feature score and 84th percentile connectivity are the real story here. USB-C with charging, 100% sRGB, and a 3440x1440 panel make this a solid choice for office work and media. But the 59th percentile performance and 11.6 portability score mean it's not for everyone. If you can find it at a good price, especially the CAD 900 listing, it's a reasonable buy. Just don't expect it to keep up with modern gaming monitors.