BenQ Mobiuz EX271 vs Acer Nitro VG270U Z2/X1

These two 27-inch IPS gaming monitors cost almost the same, both use AMD FreeSync, and both have a stand that only tilts. They make opposite bets, though. The Acer Nitro VG270U puts its money into a sharper QHD picture and a very high refresh rate, while the BenQ Mobiuz EX271 stays at Full HD and spends on wider colour, a USB hub and built-in eye-care features. Which bet suits you depends on your graphics card and on what else you do at the desk.

Sharpness: QHD against Full HD on 27 inches

This is the biggest difference between them. The Acer has a 2560 × 1440 panel, which works out to roughly 109 pixels per inch at 27 inches. The BenQ has 1920 × 1080 on the same size, which its own spec sheet puts at 90 pixels per inch. In daily use that means text, browser tabs and spreadsheets look visibly crisper on the Acer, and games show finer detail. On the BenQ, Full HD at this size looks softer, especially for reading and office work. The BenQ's lower resolution does have one practical benefit: an ordinary graphics card reaches high frame rates much more easily at Full HD than at QHD, which matters for esports play.

Do you need 180 Hz, 200 Hz or 275 Hz?

All three numbers are far above an ordinary 60 Hz screen, and motion is very smooth on both monitors. The BenQ reaches 180 Hz over DisplayPort and 165 Hz over HDMI. The Acer is sold in two versions: one at 200 Hz and a newer one that reaches 275 Hz as an overclock over DisplayPort. Most players will not feel the gap between these figures unless their computer can hold frame rates well above 180. If it cannot, the extra speed is wasted, and the cheaper 200 Hz Acer serves just as well. The response-time figures (1 ms for the BenQ, 0.5 ms for the Acer) are brand claims, and the difference between them is not something most players will notice. Both monitors list FreeSync, with the Acer carrying the higher FreeSync Premium tier.

Colour and brightness

The BenQ claims 95% P3 colour coverage, ahead of the Acer's 90% DCI-P3 claim, and it adds many game and film colour presets. That should make games and movies look richer on the BenQ, although the gap between the two figures is small. The BenQ also lists 400 nits with VESA DisplayHDR 400, while the Acer lists 250 nits with basic HDR10. Neither will give the dramatic highlights of a real HDR screen, but the BenQ's higher brightness makes its HDR support more than a checkbox, and it should cope better with a bright room. If you watch films or play single-player games, the BenQ's picture should look livelier. If you value sharp text and fine detail, the Acer's resolution matters more than the small colour gap.

What you can plug in

The BenQ has a small USB hub with two Type-A ports and a USB-C upstream port, so a keyboard, mouse or pen drive can be plugged into the monitor. The USB-C port carries data only, so it cannot charge a laptop or show its picture. The Acer has no USB hub and no USB-C. For video, both have two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort. On the Acer, the 275 Hz version has HDMI 2.1, which helps a console or a laptop run a high refresh rate over HDMI, while the 200 Hz version has HDMI 2.0. A headphone jack is listed for the BenQ and for the 275 Hz Acer. Built-in speakers are modest on both: two 2.5 W units on the BenQ and two 2 W units on the Acer, fine for casual videos and thin for games, so a headset is the better plan on either.

Comfort and ownership

Neither monitor has height adjustment, so both will sit a little low unless you add a VESA 100 × 100 mm arm, which both support. The Acer tilts a little further, from -5° to +25° against the BenQ's -5° to +20°. For long sessions, the BenQ lists a TÜV Rheinland certified low blue light function, flicker-free technology and a brightness system that adjusts to the room. The Acer lists flicker-free backlighting, a blue light filter and an eye-care mode, with no outside certification stated. The Acer comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty. The BenQ's warranty period is not stated in the site data, so check it with the seller before buying.

Price and value

The BenQ costs a little more than both Acer versions, and the 275 Hz Acer costs a little more than the 200 Hz one. The price gaps are small. For that money, the Acer gives QHD sharpness, a faster panel and a stated three-year warranty. The BenQ gives wider colour, brighter HDR, a USB hub and eye-care features. Prices vary by shop and variant, so check the product pages before you buy.

Which one should you buy?

Choose the Acer Nitro VG270U if you have a mid-range or better graphics card and want a sharper picture. It is the better pick for gaming plus everyday text work, and the 200 Hz version is the sensible choice unless your computer can really use 275 Hz.

Choose the BenQ Mobiuz EX271 if you prefer colourful games and films, play esports on a modest PC, or want a USB hub on the monitor. It also suits console players who want brighter, richer colour more than extra pixels.

The BenQ's small premium is worth paying only if you will use its USB hub, brighter HDR or wider colour. For most buyers who also read and work on the screen, the Acer is the better overall value because sharpness is noticed every day. For a colour-first gaming and film setup, the BenQ is. Prices change often, so check the product pages for current prices.

Read the full pages: BenQ Mobiuz EX271 review and specifications; Acer Nitro VG270U review and specifications. See every specification side by side on the live comparison page.