BenQ EW3880R Curved Monitor Review: Immersive Visuals and Enhanced Productivity

BenQ EW3880R Curved Monitor Review: Immersive Visuals and Enhanced Productivity

Table of Contents

Introduction

The BenQ EW3880R Curved Monitor promises an immersive visual experience with its 38-inch WQHD+ IPS display. It’s packed with features like HDRi, Super Resolution, and Flicker-free technology, making it an attractive option for both gaming and productivity. In this review, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and overall experience of this monitor, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Features

The BenQ EW3880R boasts a range of features designed to enhance your viewing experience. Here’s a breakdown:

  • 38-inch WQHD+ IPS Display: The large, curved display with a 21:9 aspect ratio provides a truly immersive viewing experience. The IPS panel delivers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles.
  • HDRi: This technology enhances the contrast and dynamic range, delivering vibrant and detailed visuals. It adds depth and realism to your content.
  • Super Resolution: This feature upscales the resolution of your content, enhancing the clarity and sharpness of images and videos.
  • Flicker-free Technology: Reduces eye strain by eliminating screen flicker, allowing for prolonged viewing sessions with minimal discomfort.
  • Eye Reminder: This feature reminds you to take breaks from the screen, promoting eye health and reducing eye fatigue.
  • Built-in Speaker: The integrated speakers provide decent audio quality for casual listening. However, for a truly immersive audio experience, you’ll likely want to connect external speakers or headphones.

Specifications

Feature Specification
Screen Size 37.5 inch
Panel Type IPS
Backlight Technology LED backlight
Resolution (max.) 3840×1600
Brightness (typ.) 230 nits
Brightness (peak)(HDR) 300 nits
HDR HDR10
Viewing Angle (L/R) (CR>=10) 178°/178°
Response Times (GtG) 4 ms
Native Contrast 1000:1
Refresh Rate (Hz) 60
Color Gamut 95% P3
Color Mode Color Weakness, Low Blue Light, M-Book, Racing game, Rec.709, Standard, User
Aspect Ratio 21:9
Display Colors 1.07 billion colors
Curvature 2300R
PPI 111
Display Screen Coating Anti-Glare
Color Temperature Bluish, Normal, Reddish, User Define
Gamma 1.8 – 2.6
HDCP 2.2
OSD Language Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Czech, Deutsch, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Netherlands, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
AMA Yes
Built-in Speaker 2.1 Channel (3Wx2 + 8W woofer)
Headphone Jack Yes
Voltage Rating 100 – 240V
Power Supply Built-in
Power Consumption (normal) 36 W
Power Consumption (max) 140 W
Power Consumption (sleep mode) <0.5 W
Power Delivery(USB C / Thunderbolt 3) 60 W
Tilt (down/up) -5˚ – 15˚
Swivel (left/right) 15˚/ 15˚
Height Adjustment Stand 120 mm
Dimensions (HxWxD) (mm) 460.2 – 580.1×896.3×294.4
Dimensions (HxWxD) (inch) 18.1 – 22.8×35.3×11.6
Dimensions (HxWxD) (w/o Base) (mm) 421.0×896.3×138.6
Dimensions (HxWxD) (w/o Base) (inch) 16.6×35.3×5.5
Net Weight (kg) 13
Net Weight (lb) 28.7
Net Weight (w/o Base) (kg) 9.8
Net Weight (w/o Base) (lb) 21.6
VESA Wall Mount 100×100 mm
Other Accessories IO Cover, QSG, Remote Control, Warranty Card
HDMI (v2.0) 2
DisplayPort (v1.4) 1
USB C(PowerDelivery 60W, DisplayPort Alt Mode, Data) 1
USB 3.0 ( Downstream ) 2
Flicker-free Technology Yes
Low Blue Light Yes
Brightness Intelligence Plus (B.I.+) Yes
Color Weakness Yes
ePaper Yes
Eye Reminder Yes
TUV Certificate Flicker-free, Low Blue Light
Super Resolution Yes
HDRi Yes
Video Format Support Yes
PIP/PBP Yes

Performance

The BenQ EW3880R delivers impressive performance in both gaming and productivity tasks. The large screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio offers a truly immersive experience. The HDRi and Super Resolution technologies enhance the visuals, making games and movies look more vibrant and detailed. The IPS panel offers accurate color reproduction, which is crucial for content creators and professionals.

However, the 60Hz refresh rate may not be ideal for fast-paced gaming, especially for competitive gamers who require higher refresh rates. It is also worth noting that the monitor doesn’t have a built-in FreeSync or G-Sync technology, so you may experience screen tearing or stuttering in games if your graphics card doesn’t have adaptive sync capabilities. For productivity tasks, the large screen and excellent color accuracy make it a great choice for multitasking and working with demanding applications.

Pros & Cons

Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of the BenQ EW3880R:

Pros:

  • Immersive 38-inch curved display with a 21:9 aspect ratio
  • Excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel
  • HDRi technology enhances contrast and dynamic range for more vibrant visuals
  • Super Resolution upscales the resolution of your content for improved clarity
  • Flicker-free technology reduces eye strain
  • Eye Reminder promotes eye health
  • Built-in speakers for convenient audio
  • Comprehensive connectivity options

Cons:

  • 60Hz refresh rate may not be ideal for competitive gamers
  • No built-in FreeSync or G-Sync technology
  • Built-in speakers are decent but not ideal for immersive audio

Final Verdict

The BenQ EW3880R is an excellent choice for users seeking a large, curved monitor with immersive visuals and enhanced productivity. Its impressive features, including HDRi, Super Resolution, and Flicker-free technology, deliver a satisfying viewing experience. The monitor is also well-suited for professionals who need accurate color reproduction for creative tasks.

While the 60Hz refresh rate may limit its appeal for competitive gamers, it still delivers an enjoyable gaming experience for casual players. Overall, the BenQ EW3880R offers a compelling combination of features and performance, making it a strong contender in the curved monitor market.