Studio monitors are a great companion to any creative’s workflow. Without a doubt, the BenQ PD3205U is one of those monitors that combines a sufficient number of features and is affordable for a creator who doesn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a studio monitor. After testing the BenQ PD3205U, here is our review.
When I switched from editing on a 15” MacBook to a proper monitor, I was on the moon. The colors look better, the screen is bigger, and I can finally build a proper workstation. Currently, I am working with a laptop connected to the monitor. Hopefully that will change when I’m looking to buy a used one M1 Mac Mini. However, if you want to buy yourself a good gift that will make a noticeable change in your workflow, buy a monitor. 
You may want to look towards BenQ PD3205U, and for good reason. The gear I received was first put into the “gear extension drawer for review” when I reluctantly pulled the cable out of my perfect setup. In the end, the PD3205U has become my primary control and I love using it. That’s right, enough of my ramblings, let’s dive in and see where it shines and where it falls behind.
Build quality
While I wouldn’t care much for how my camera looks as long as it’s realistic, I do care about my desk setup. While my desk is a far cry from what you see on Pinterest, a nicely designed display is a step in the right direction. In my case, that was the only step I took in the right direction. However, the visual design of the display is extremely pleasing to the eye. Monitor stand, included with monitor (and not price $999), is a nice cone, with a neat cable compartment in the back. It would be nice if the cable holder was detachable so placing it closer to the wall wouldn’t be a problem. There are multiple height, swivel and tilt adjustments available.
The front of the screen is very clean and doesn’t have any superfluous marks. For me, that’s a huge benefit, because I prefer to see my image, rather than a brand at the bottom. Speaking of looks, the bezels are thinner than other monitors, making the experience more immersive than ever. It really feels almost like looking at a curved screen.
There is a hotkey that comes with the display, which allows you to control the display itself. I set three hotkeys to swap between color profiles: sRGB, MacBook, and low-light blue. Most of the time I use the third one because it’s not too irritating to my eyes. The center dial is set to volume, unfortunately I can’t control the volume from my MacBook without downloading third party software. The cable for the hotkey is a bit long, but that’s not a problem as the cable management here is excellent.
Cable management deserves acclaim. Most monitors don’t have it and I wish they did. A simple tray to cover all ports and hide excess cable lengths inside. If you like neat cable management, this is a feature for you. It looks very clean. 
Ports
I was not disappointed. Behind the display you’ll find two USB 3.1, two USB-B, one HDMI 2.0, one USB-C, one DPI.4 and a port for hotkeys. This is enough to connect some peripherals like a Loupedeck or a Wacom tablet. I use the USB-C port to connect and charge my MacBook. On the side, there’s a USB-C (downstream), USB 3.1, and a headphone jack. While not a game changer, these are great touches that allow me to charge my phone or watch. I would not recommend connecting drives or other devices that require a lot of bandwidth. For those purposes I use the Kingston Workflow Station, which you can find a review of here.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the design and appearance of the monitor, as well as the number of ports. This is outstanding for an affordable monitor.
Performance
Let’s talk about performance, as this will be the human determinant. As well as the well-designed display, there are some things about performance that let people down. However, before we talk about what it can’t do, let’s talk about what it can.
It ships pre-calibrated and if you’re familiar with BenQ you’ll know they take it very seriously. BenQ’s main draw is its color accuracy, which means you can get the display out of the box and get perfect colors in no time. It even comes with a calibration chart. Of course, it is recommended to use a calibration device from time to time, such as SpyderX. A calibrated monitor will go a long way in helping you see true color.
The display is 4K and has a 3840×2160 UHD, 16:9 HDR 10 IPS resolution. It covers 99% of the sRGB and Rec.709 color spaces and has a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The 60Hz refresh rate can be a bit slow for gaming, but it’s good enough for photography and creative work. Meanwhile, the 140 PPI pixel density is good enough to produce sharp images on the screen. In the end, the viewing experience will not let you down.
P3
One thing not mentioned is the P3 color gamut space. A lot of high-end monitors have the P3 color space and BenQ is no exception, however, they will cost more. One question you need to ask yourself is whether you need the P3 gamut on your monitor. While Rec.709 is still the standard for most applications, the creative industry is slowly turning to P3. It is becoming a more popular choice as Apple uses the P3 across all of its products. So overall, while this may not be a high-end 4K display with the P3 color gamut, it still performs really well.
What I like
- Impressive specs for the price
- Cable management
- Price tag
What can be improved
Stop thinking
Priced at $749, this screen is a good choice for those who want a better viewing experience at a reasonable price. Although it falls short of professional studio monitors in terms of P3 support and contrast specs, it still delivers a great end-user experience. Honestly, I doubt that people care about the color space they’re using, so sRGB or Rec.709 would be plenty. The monitor is suitable for most people, between the professional and the affordable. So if you need a monitor, this will be one of the things to consider when buying.
