Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Attractive design and ergonomic stand
- Great connectivity together with USB-C with Power Delivery
- Includes ambient mild sensor, microphone
- Good distinction ratio for the value
Cons
- Only 1080p decision
- Color efficiency is mid-pack
- Lacks Adaptive Sync
Our Verdict
The BenQ GW2786TC is a good selection if you happen to want a house workplace monitor with USB-C for beneath $200.
Price When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Price When Reviewed
$199.99
Best Prices Today: BenQ GW2786TC
$179.99
$179.99
$179.99
$188.82
Finding a finances monitor is each straightforward and troublesome. It’s straightforward to identify deal, however with so many choices accessible for a couple of hundred bucks or much less, deciding which of them are price your cash (and that are higher to skip) might be difficult. The BenQ GW2786TC simplifies the choice with a number of helpful options alongside good picture high quality for lower than $200.
BenQ GW2786TC specs and options
At a look, the BenQ GW2786TC’s specs may not stand out. It contains a 27-inch widescreen IPS panel with a 16:9 facet ratio and a decision of 1920×1080—specs which can be extremely frequent for displays beneath $200. In truth, many 27-inch 1080p displays dip nearer to $100 when on sale.
- Display measurement: 27-inch 16:9 widescreen
- Native decision: 1920×1080
- Panel sort: IPS
- Refresh price: 100Hz
- Adaptive sync: No
- HDR: No
- Ports: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x DisplayPort-out (MST), 1x USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 65 watts USB Power Delivery, 2x USB-3.2 Gen 1 downstream with 5Gbps information, 4.5-watt charging
- VESA mount: 100x100mm
- Audio: 2x 2-watt audio system, noise-cancelling microphone
- Extra options: Ambient mild sensor
- Price: $199.99
However, BenQ packs in further options that assist the GW2786TC step forward of the pack. Its video connectivity features a USB-C port with 65 watts of Power Delivery, together with two downstream USB-A ports and a DisplayPort output for daisy-chaining a second show. It additionally contains a refresh price of as much as 100Hz, an ergonomic stand, built-in audio system, a noise-canceling microphone, and an ambient mild sensor. (See our roundup of the best USB-C monitors for a comparability.)
Shoppers ought to remember that BenQ has an analogous monitor with 2560×1440 decision, the BenQ GW2790T, priced at $250. The GW2790T is an effective choose if you happen to want a sharper picture, however the GW2786TC supplies most of the similar options for much less.
BenQ GW2786TC design
The BenQ GW2786TC makes a powerful first impression straight out of the field. It contains a brilliant white coloration scheme, with almost each floor except for the show bezels on the highest and sides sporting a clear, fashionable look.
While the monitor is made primarily of plastic, it feels sturdy and appears enticing on a desk. BenQ markets the monitor as a companion for Apple Mac laptops just like the MacE-book Air, but it surely pairs simply as nicely with Windows or Linux machines.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
The GW2786TC has a high-quality stand that provides vital ergonomic adjustment. It tilts 25 levels, swivels 45 levels left and proper, pivots 90 levels for portrait orientation, and has 130 millimeters of peak adjustment. This vary of motion is best than what’s typical for displays on this worth vary (some don’t pivot, for instance). The stand’s base is giant but flat, that means it doesn’t take up pointless desk house, and it feels secure.
For those that want a distinct setup, the monitor additionally helps a 100x100mm VESA mount, permitting for simple attachment to a third-party monitor arm or stand.
BenQ markets the monitor as a companion for Apple Mac laptops just like the MacE-book Air, but it surely pairs simply as nicely with Windows or Linux machines.
BenQ GW2786TC connectivity
You have three choices for connecting video inputs to the BenQ GW2786TC: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. That supplies a complete of three video inputs, which is typical for a cheap monitor.
However, there’s an uncommon addition—a DisplayPort output, which lets you daisy-chain a second monitor. This function helps cut back cable litter since you may join your laptop computer to the primary monitor after which hyperlink the primary monitor to a second show, quite than working separate video cables to every monitor. It’s unusual to search out on a budget-friendly monitor.
The monitor additionally supplies USB-C with as much as 65 watts of energy supply, that means it may well energy and cost most mid-range laptops over USB-C. Again, BenQ is concentrating on Mac customers right here, particularly the MacE-book Air, which seems within the firm’s advertising and marketing supplies. But finances Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux laptops that assist USB-C charging additionally profit from this function. If you utilize the USB-C port, you’ll additionally get information connectivity to 2 USB-A downstream ports.
BenQ GW2786TC options
The BenQ GW2786TC’s picture high quality settings are managed by a set of buttons on the decrease right-hand facet of the monitor. This is considerably uncommon in 2025, as most displays have switched to a joystick-style management, which tends to be faster and extra intuitive. The buttons work positive, however navigating the menu is cumbersome.
BenQ supplies a regular vary of picture qc for a finances monitor. There are a number of preset picture modes, in addition to changes for coloration temperature and gamma. However, the colour temperature and gamma changes don’t goal particular values and are as an alternative vaguely labeled.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
One uncommon and appreciated function is the inclusion of an ambient mild sensor, which is activated by way of a setting referred to as Brightness Intelligence. It routinely adjusts the monitor’s brightness primarily based on room lighting circumstances, so that you don’t need to tweak it manually. This is a uncommon function in a finances monitor and helpful if the lighting in your room modifications all through the day (which is true for a lot of house workplaces).
The monitor additionally has built-in audio system and a noise-canceling microphone, although neither is spectacular. The audio system are positive for podcasts and video calls however weak in quantity and lack bass. The noise-canceling microphone captures usable audio and does cut back some background noise, however an honest standalone webcam microphone might be higher high quality. Since the monitor doesn’t embrace a webcam, most customers taking video calls will probably have a webcam related anyway.
BenQ GW2786TC picture high quality
The BenQ GW2786TC is strictly the form of monitor the place picture high quality is much less of a precedence. While it could be nice to have an distinctive show, the monitor’s lengthy record of options is more likely to be the larger think about your shopping for resolution. Fortunately, the GW2786TC nonetheless delivers pleasing picture high quality throughout the board. It doesn’t excel in any space but in addition doesn’t undergo any main weaknesses.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
We begin with brightness, the place the GW2786TC delivers a most sustained SDR brightness of 260 nits. That’s not brilliant for a contemporary monitor, however as the information reveals, it’s typical amongst equally priced opponents.
It needs to be greater than brilliant sufficient to look vivid in a typical house workplace. However, if you happen to’re utilizing it in an area with direct daylight or giant home windows, it’d seem dim.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Next up is the distinction ratio, which is essential for offering sense of depth and immersion in a picture. I used to be shocked to see the GW2786TC obtain a distinction ratio of 1500:1, which is on the excessive finish for a finances monitor with an IPS panel. As the information reveals, most different displays on this class have a much less spectacular distinction ratio.
The increased distinction might be most noticeable in darkish scenes, the place the GW2786TC supplies a bit extra shadow element and a stronger distinction between brilliant and darkish areas. That mentioned, it nonetheless suffers from IPS glow, which implies very darkish scenes can tackle a grayish-silver tone quite than a real, deep black.
One monitor that stands out is the AOC 27G15, which has a a lot increased distinction ratio, almost reaching 6000:1. It achieves that with a VA panel that blocks extra mild from the backlight, considerably decreasing the glow problem seen on IPS displays. The AOC 27G15 is a more sensible choice in case your important precedence is gaming or watching motion pictures on a finances show. However, the AOC is a bit dimmer and never fairly as sharp, so the BenQ GW2786TC has an edge in productiveness.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
The BenQ GW2786TC supplies a mid-tier coloration gamut that covers 100 % of sRGB, 84 % of DCI-P3, and 78 % of Adobe RGB. These numbers place it in the course of the pack. It outperforms some finances house workplace displays, just like the Pixio PX248 Wave, however falls behind fashions that bridge the hole between gaming and residential workplace use, such because the Gigabyte M27QA ICE.
Despite having a barely extra restricted coloration gamut than some opponents, the GW2786TC nonetheless delivers a vivid and colourful picture. When seen by itself, colours seem vibrant, although a direct comparability with higher-gamut displays could reveal barely much less saturation.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
The GW2786TC’s coloration accuracy is strong, although as the information reveals, its coloration error is barely increased than some opponents. However, all of those finances displays carry out nicely on this regard, and also you’re unlikely to note a lot coloration inaccuracy except you’re engaged on color-critical skilled duties—one thing these displays aren’t actually designed for. Overall, the BenQ GW2786TC’s coloration seems reasonable.
A key contributor to its natural-looking picture is its sturdy gamma and coloration temperature efficiency. It achieved our most popular gamma curve of two.2, that means content material seems as brilliant as anticipated. Its measured coloration temperature of 6600Okay is simply barely above the perfect 6500Okay goal, making the picture only a contact cooler than good—however the distinction is barely noticeable. Thanks to those good out-of-the-box outcomes, the monitor’s picture feels well-tuned for common use.
Sharpness is a draw back. With a decision of 1920×1080 on a 27-inch display, the pixel density comes out to about 81.6 pixels per inch. That’s not excessive for a monitor offered in 2025. Video content material can seem gentle and small fonts could present some pixelation. Still, that is acceptable for a monitor priced beneath $200. A 1440p monitor with related options will cost at least $50 more.
The BenQ GW2786TC’s picture high quality might be summarized in a single phrase: sufficient. It’s not wonderful, but it surely’s positive. I discovered the picture appeared good proper out of the field and I had no main complaints whereas utilizing it. Just maintain your expectations in test—this can be a finances monitor promoting for beneath $200, and displays priced $50 to $100 extra will ship a noticeable enchancment to picture high quality.
BenQ GW2786TC HDR picture high quality
The BenQ GW2786TC doesn’t assist HDR. That may seem to be a flaw, as many cheap displays declare HDR assist. In reality, although, all displays under $200 lack the brightness and coloration gamut to correctly assist HDR, and people who declare HDR assist fail to supply a high quality HDR picture.
BenQ GW2786TC movement efficiency
BenQ boosts the GW2786TC’s refresh price from the 60Hz normal to 100Hz. It’s attainable to search out gaming displays with a better refresh price beneath $200, however they lack the GW2786TC’s options. The 100Hz refresh price supplies a noticeable enchancment to movement readability which, although not best-in-class, is appreciated.
Adaptive Sync assist will not be included, nevertheless, so the monitor can’t sync the refresh price to the output body price of the sport you’re having fun with. That means you’ll need to depend on V-Sync or enable an uncapped body price—each choices degrade movement fluidity. Because of that, the GW2786TC isn’t a terrific selection for players.
Should you purchase the BenQ GW2786TC?
BenQ’s GW2786TC is an effective choose if you happen to want a house workplace or general-use monitor that pairs nicely with a laptop computer that has USB-C, however you don’t wish to spend greater than $200. It affords options not often discovered at this worth level, like USB-C Power Delivery and DisplayPort-out, alongside acceptable picture high quality, and ambient mild sensor, and an enhanced 100Hz refresh price.