BenQ MA270UP review: Perfectly made for the Mac

Macworld

At a glanceExpert's Rating

Pros

Great image quality

Nano Glass Panel provides vibrant images

Height-adjustable stand

Cons

60Hz refresh rate may discourage gamers

No webcam

May run into glare issues with environmental lighting

Our Verdict
The BenQ MA270UP is a glossy alternative to the excellent MA270U. Like that display, the MA270UP offers image quality that makes it suitable for production work.

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In December 2024, I reviewed the BenQ MA270U, an excellent 27-inch, 4K display that’s designed for use with the Mac. The MA270U, however, has a matte display–it’s a great-looking matte display, but some people, especially Mac people, prefer a glossy screen.

Fortunately, BenQ has a new display, the MA270UP, and it’s the same as the MA270U, except that it features a glossy front. Now you have a choice, glossy or matte, and best of all, you get a great display (with the same on-screen controls, specifications, software, etc.) and an attractive price.

Specifications

Size27 inchesGlass frontNano Gloss PanelAspect ratio16:9Native resolution3840 by 2160Panel type/BacklightIPS/LED backlightResponse time5 msContrast ratio1200:1Frequency24Hz to 60HzColor depth10-bitBrightness400 nitsDimensions with stand (horizontal)Highest height: 22.1 by 24.2 by 8.7 inches (560.1 by 613.8 by 220.2mm) Lowest height: 17.5 by 24.2 by 8.7 inches (445.1 by 613.8 by 220.2mm)Weight with stand18.08 lbs (8.2 kg)

BenQ MA270UP: Design and build

The MA270UP is almost a twin of the MA270U in its design and aesthetics. It nicely complements a Mac Studio or a MacBook sitting next to it. And like the MA270U, the MA270UP has a plastic body and stand that are sturdy and solid. As with the matte version, the MA270UP has similarly thin bezels as Apple Studio’s Display, but with a far greater range of motion. The MA270UP includes a stand that offers 5 to 20 degrees of tilt, left or right swivel 15 degrees, and 115 mm of height. It can also pivot 90 degrees.




The MacBook Pro features a Nano-texture (matte) display, whereas the BenQ MA270UP has a glossy display. Photographed here with both devices powered off, it isn’t easy to notice the difference in a photo when they are both powered on. That is me in the reflection of the MA270UP; you don’t notice it when it is on.Foundry

The glossy display is the only difference between the MA270UP and the MA270U. The main reason why a user would prefer glossy over matte is that there’s a preference for the image vividness naturally produced by a glossy display. Blacks appear deeper, whites are brighter, and everything in between has more pop. Matte, on the other hand, dampens that effect.

Like the Studio Display, the main drawback to a glossy display is that it’s more reflective of the lighting in the room, so it can be disruptive, and you need to find a proper place for the display to avoid this. While testing, I didn’t have any reflection issues in an office with overhead fluorescent lights. Direct sunlight does shine through the office windows in the morning, but my desk doesn’t line up with the window, so I didn’t have to be concerned with that.




The MA270UP produces excellent image quality, like its matte version, the MA270U. Rich colors, vibrant images, and clean text that’s a pleasure to look at.Foundry

Another issue that can be a problem with glossy displays is eye fatigue. Because the picture is more vivid, your eyes can get tired after a prolonged period of time. I never experienced eye fatigue while using the MA270UP (or any glossy display, for that matter), but if that’s an issue you experience, matte is probably the better option for you.




The MA270UP stand has a built-in pad that’s gentle on any items you rest on it. Foundry

BenQ MA270UP: Ports

The MA70UP includes the following ports:

Two HDMI 2.0 ports

Two USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps, 7.5W)

One USB-C (90W Power Delivery)

One USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps, 15W)

3.5mm headphone jack

If you connect a MacBook to the display via USB-C, you plug into the 90W Power Delivery port so the MacBook charges. You do need to connect via USB-C if you want to use the display as a hub. The Mac can connect to HDMI, as well. You can connect two devices via HDMI and switch between them using the controls at the bottom of the display.




The MA270UP’s rear ports.Foundry

BenQ MA270UP: Image quality

The matte MA270U produces excellent images and clean text. The same goes for the MA270UP, except the glossy front does have an effect. I tested the MA270UP with a MacBook Pro that is equipped with a Nano-texture (Apple’s branding for matte) display, and the MA270UP is more vibrant, black is darker, and white seems more on point. As a result, images are much closer to the Studio Display.

The MA270UP has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is fine for most users. Some production houses and gamers prefer a faster rate, which you won’t get here. But for everyone else, 60Hz does the job.




A USB-A port and the display hardware controls are found underneath the MA270UP.Foundry

BenQ MA270UP: Price

The MA270UP is $549.99, and it includes a stand, a USB-C cable, an HDMI cable, and a power cable. You’ll need to buy an additional HDMI cable if you want to connect two HDMI devices. The display will be available in the U.K. in January for £499.99.

Should you buy the BenQ MA270UP?

The BenQ MA270UP is a glossy alternative to the excellent MA270U. Like that display, the MA270UP offers image quality that makes it suitable for production work. You can find other 27-inch 4K displays that are a bit cheaper, but they won’t match the image quality of the MA270UP. If you’re considering a Studio Display, you’ll get very similar image quality with this BenQ monitor for a lot less. (Though you won’t get a webcam or Spatial Audio speakers.)

The MA270UP is available for pre-order, with shipments starting in November 2025. See how this monitor compares to others in our round-up of the best displays and monitors for Mac users.