The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710S checks all the key specs for a mid-range gaming monitor. It offers smooth gameplay with its high refresh rate and fast response time. The Full-HD resolution is good enough for most users without a high-end PC. And you'll get useful features like BenQ's emulated HDR technology, ambient light sensor, and surprisingly decent built-in speakers, too.

As you'd expect from a gaming monitor, the EX2710S has a high refresh rate (165Hz) and supports variable refresh rate. Yes, there are 240Hz and even 360Hz displays nowadays, but the differences are marginal and you'll also need a powerful graphics card to maintain the high frame rates required. And if your graphics card is compatible, the EX2710S' variable refresh rate feature (AMD FreeSync Premium) helps to reduce screen tearing. The audio from its dual 2.5W speakers also surprised me with their depth, especially with the Cinema audio mode enabled. That's right, there are actually audio presets (Cinema, Pop/Live and Game) for the type of content you're playing. I did find the monitor's colour accuracy (even in sRGB mode) to be a tad off out of the box, but this is easily remedied.

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The EX2710S' biggest downside is its 1080p resolution, which is inadequate for its size. Text and icons look less than crisp, with unsightly jagged lines. You may find this acceptable, but I would rather pay more for the BenQ Mobiuz EX2710Q, which has a higher 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution. Movies, though, look fine as 1080p is still widely used. It helps that reflections are kept in check by the monitor's good anti-glare finish, while its IPS display offers good viewing angles. Meanwhile, BenQ's HDRi technology have its pros and cons. It tries to emulate HDR in games and movies by adjusting the contrast and brightness, depending on ambient light via a built-in light sensor. For instance, shadows in games look deeper while colours appear more saturated in movies. It's a matter of taste, but the resulting images are too unnatural-looking for movies, though I don't mind it for games.

The monitor's OSD settings are good. They are accessible via the mini joystick at the back of monitor on the right. You can easily adjust the colour mode, brightness and volume. The EX2710S also has different preset profiles for game genres, like FPS and RPG. Meanwhile, a convenient HDRi button at the front bezel lets you toggle between the emulated HDR modes. Like many monitors nowadays, the BenQ also has eye care features like the ability to reduce the amount of blue light. But you'll have to dive deeper into the OSD settings to do so. Also buried in the OSD settings is the Light Tuner feature, which lets you tweak the brightness and contrast to make details more visible in games.

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Design-wise, I have no complaints. The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710S has a fairly standard design for a gaming monitor. The bezels at the top and sides are slim. It would have been nice to have support for portrait orientation, but that's rarely the case for gaming monitors. You do get the usual height, tilt and swivel adjustments. Perhaps it could do with a USB port or two, but it's not a major issue. Finally, the S$459 price of the EX2710S lies somewhat in the middle for 27-inch gaming monitors, which is fair given the features and performance. Get it now on Shopee and Lazada.

Note: Review unit provided by BenQ.