BenQ MOBIUZ EX240N 24" FHD 1080p Review UK 2026

Your GPU can push every frame it wants, but if the panel receiving those frames is doing the display equivalent of a shrug, you've wasted your money on the wrong part of the chain. The monitor is the last thing standing between your hardware and your eyeballs, and a mediocre panel will absolutely ruin what a decent graphics card worked hard to produce. That's why the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240N matters as a conversation, not just a product listing.

So here's the verdict up front, because that's how this works: the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240N 24" FHD 1080p Gaming Monitor is a genuinely solid 1080p gaming panel for anyone who wants a no-nonsense 165Hz experience without spending silly money. Over 1,760 owners have rated it 4.4 stars on average, and that kind of score at that volume isn't luck. It's a well-tuned VA panel with BenQ's own colour and HDR processing layered on top, and for 1080p gaming at this price bracket it competes well. But it's not for everyone. If you're already running a mid-to-high-end GPU and you're sitting at 1080p, you're leaving resolution on the table. And if you care deeply about colour accuracy for creative work, a VA panel with BenQ's punchy game modes isn't your tool. For the right buyer though? This is a proper monitor.

Brightness is rated at 250 nits typical, with a peak of 400 nits for HDR content, which puts it in the VESA DisplayHDR 400 territory. The static contrast ratio is listed at 3000:1, which is where VA panels earn their keep. Colour coverage is quoted at 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3, and the panel uses a W-LED backlight. BenQ includes their HDRi technology, which is their ambient-light-responsive HDR processing, plus Black eQualizer for lifting shadow detail in games, and Light Tuner for manual brightness adjustments. Eye-care features include Low Blue Light Plus and Flicker-Free certification.

Connectivity is straightforward: one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs, a headphone jack, and that's roughly your lot. No USB hub, no USB-C. The stand offers tilt adjustment only, with no height or swivel. VESA mounting is 100x100mm, so you can ditch the stand if needed. The monitor ships with a DisplayPort cable and a power adapter. Built-in speakers are present, rated at 2x2W, which is a nice inclusion at this price point even if they're not going to replace a proper audio setup.

The trade-off is viewing angles. VA panels show colour shift when you're looking from off-axis, more so than IPS. At 24 inches and sitting directly in front of it, this is rarely a problem in practice. Owners don't report it as a significant issue at typical desktop distances, and the monitor's size actually works in its favour here. Where VA panels sometimes frustrate is in dark corner glow and what's sometimes called "black smear" or "black crush" in very dark content. The EX240N's Black eQualizer feature is specifically designed to address the latter by lifting shadow detail, which is useful in competitive gaming but does slightly flatten contrast in those scenes. It's a worthwhile trade-off for most players.

BenQ has a decent track record with VA panel selection and tuning. Their MOBIUZ line in particular has been praised for getting more out of VA than some cheaper implementations. The BenQ MOBIUZ EX240N product page highlights the panel's colour processing alongside their HDRi system, which uses an ambient light sensor to adjust the display's colour temperature and brightness automatically. It's a feature that some owners love and others turn off immediately, but the underlying panel quality is solid regardless of whether you use BenQ's software layer. The VA choice here is a deliberate one, and it's the right choice for a gaming-focused monitor at this price.

The matte coating is worth a mention because it's not overly aggressive. Some budget monitors slap on such a heavy anti-glare layer that it makes everything look slightly frosted, which kills fine detail. The EX240N's coating is more measured, and several owners specifically comment that text looks sharp and gaming visuals look punchy rather than washed out. That's a good sign that BenQ calibrated the coating sensibly rather than just throwing the maximum diffusion at it.

Brightness uniformity is generally good for a VA panel at this size. Some owners have noted minor backlight bleed in the corners, which is normal for VA and not typically visible during gaming or regular use. The 250 nit typical brightness is adequate for most indoor environments, though if you're in a very bright room with direct sunlight, you might find yourself pushing the brightness slider up and wishing for a bit more headroom. The 400 nit HDR peak helps, but as we'll cover in the HDR section, that's not the full story. The overall image quality for the price is genuinely good, and the combination of high contrast and decent colour coverage makes this a pleasant panel to spend time in front of.

The adaptive sync implementation here is AMD FreeSync Premium, which is a meaningful certification above basic FreeSync. FreeSync Premium requires a minimum 120Hz at the native resolution, which this panel satisfies easily. It also mandates Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), which kicks in when your framerate drops below the VRR range's lower bound, effectively multiplying the refresh rate to keep the variable sync working. This matters a lot in demanding games where you might dip below 48fps. Without LFC, you'd lose the tear-free benefit entirely below that threshold. With it, the monitor handles the dip gracefully.

The EX240N is not officially G-Sync compatible, but owners using Nvidia cards report that it works fine with G-Sync Compatibility mode enabled in the Nvidia control panel. This isn't guaranteed or supported, but it's a common pattern with FreeSync monitors and Nvidia hardware, and the real-world reports are positive. If you're on an AMD GPU, this is a clean, straightforward setup. If you're on Nvidia, it'll likely work but you're technically outside the certified spec. before you buy if you're running a GeForce card.

The actual GtG response time on this VA panel is more likely in the 4ms to 8ms range depending on the transition, which is typical for a VA panel at this refresh rate. That's not a bad number, but it's not 1ms. Published measurements from display-focused outlets consistently show VA panels in this category sitting around 4ms to 6ms GtG in their fastest overdrive setting. BenQ's AMA overdrive has three settings, and owners report that the highest setting introduces some visible overshoot (inverse ghosting), while the middle setting is the sweet spot for most games. This is completely normal VA behaviour and not a flaw specific to the EX240N.

In practice, for the gaming scenarios this monitor is designed for, the motion performance is fine. Competitive FPS players who are deeply sensitive to pixel transitions might prefer an IPS or TN panel, but for the vast majority of gaming, including fast-paced shooters at 165Hz, the EX240N handles motion well. The high refresh rate does more for perceived smoothness than shaving a few milliseconds off the GtG time, and at 165Hz the frame intervals are short enough that even a 6ms GtG sits comfortably within the frame window. Don't let the MPRT marketing put you off, but also don't be fooled into thinking this is a 1ms panel in the traditional sense.

The factory calibration is competent but not professional-grade. BenQ doesn't ship the EX240N with a calibration report or individual Delta-E measurements for each unit. The Game Colour Modes and various preset options (RPG, FPS, SPG, etc.) are tuned for visual impact rather than colour accuracy. If you're a photographer or video editor who needs a Delta-E below 2 for reliable colour work, this isn't your monitor and BenQ would be the first to tell you to look at their PD (DesignVue) range instead. But for gaming and general use, the out-of-box colours are vibrant and pleasing, and the sRGB mode does a reasonable job of keeping things within the standard gamut when you need it.

Owner feedback on colours is broadly positive, with many noting that the display looks punchy and saturated straight out of the box. A few owners with calibrated displays in the same setup have noted that the EX240N runs slightly warm by default, which is typical for gaming-tuned monitors. The HDRi feature adjusts colour temperature based on ambient light, which some owners find useful and others find inconsistent. Turning it off and setting your preferred colour temperature manually is a perfectly valid approach, and the manual controls in the OSD are accessible enough to make that easy. The underlying panel quality is there; it's just dressed up in gaming presets by default.

BenQ's HDRi technology is their attempt to make the most of what's available. It uses an ambient light sensor to adjust the display's colour temperature and brightness dynamically, which is a different thing from hardware local dimming but does improve the perceived quality of HDR content in varying lighting conditions. It's a software-side enhancement rather than a panel-level one, and it's more useful than nothing. Owners who use the monitor in rooms with changing light levels report that HDRi actually makes a noticeable difference to comfort and perceived image quality over time.

The honest verdict on HDR here is: it's checkbox HDR that's better than most checkbox HDR, thanks to the VA panel's native contrast advantage. The 3000:1 static contrast ratio means blacks are genuinely dark in SDR, and that carries over into HDR mode to a meaningful degree. If you're buying this monitor specifically for HDR performance, you'll be disappointed. If HDR is a nice-to-have and you're primarily buying for 165Hz 1080p gaming, the HDR implementation adds something rather than nothing, and that's about the most positive thing you can say about DisplayHDR 400 in 2026. For real HDR, you need local dimming or OLED, and neither of those comes at this price point.

The 250 nit typical brightness is adequate for most indoor environments. It's not a high-brightness panel, and if you're in a bright office or near a window, you'll notice the limitation. The 400 nit HDR peak helps, but only when HDR mode is active and only for brief highlights. In SDR, which is where you'll spend most of your time, 250 nits is the ceiling. For a dedicated gaming setup in a controlled environment, this is fine. For a monitor that's going to pull double duty in a bright living room or home office with natural light, you might want something with higher sustained brightness.

Brightness uniformity across the panel is generally good, with the typical VA characteristic of being slightly brighter in the centre than at the edges. At 24 inches, the uniformity variation is small enough that most owners don't notice it in normal use. Backlight bleed is occasionally mentioned in owner reviews, concentrated in corners, but the severity varies between units as it does with most panels. The majority of owners don't report it as an issue. The combination of strong native contrast and competent brightness uniformity makes this a monitor that looks good in its intended environment, which is a dedicated gaming space with controlled ambient light.

The stand itself is described by owners as stable enough for normal use, though it doesn't feel premium. It's plastic, it's functional, and it doesn't wobble excessively during gaming. The base footprint is modest, which is appreciated on smaller desks. The overall build quality of the chassis is what you'd expect from a mid-range BenQ: solid enough, not flashy, with clean lines and the MOBIUZ design language that's a bit more gamer-aesthetic than BenQ's productivity monitors without going full RGB fever dream. The rear has a subtle textured finish and the MOBIUZ logo, with a light on the back that some owners use as a bias light and others find pointless.

The OSD (on-screen display) controls are physical buttons on the underside of the panel, which is less convenient than a joystick but workable. BenQ's menu structure is reasonably logical, and the range of options is genuinely useful. Black eQualizer, Light Tuner, the various game colour modes, and the HDRi settings are all accessible without too much menu diving. A few owners mention that the button placement takes some getting used to, but nobody reports the OSD as a significant frustration. For a gaming monitor at this price, the ergonomics are acceptable rather than impressive, and if stand adjustability matters to you, budget for a VESA arm.

There is no USB-C, no Thunderbolt, and no USB hub. In 2026, the absence of USB-C is a mild disappointment on a monitor at this price point, but it's not unusual for gaming-focused panels in this bracket. The 3.5mm headphone output is present, which passes audio from whatever source is active. The built-in 2x2W speakers are there and they work, which is more than some monitors offer. They're not going to replace a headset or a proper speaker setup, but for system sounds or a quick video call they're genuinely useful rather than embarrassing.

• 1x DisplayPort 1.2
• 2x HDMI 2.0
• 1x 3.5mm headphone output
• Built-in 2x2W speakers
• No USB hub
• No USB-C

The cable management situation is basic. There's a small routing slot in the stand for cables, which keeps things tidy enough. The power brick is external, which some people find annoying (it adds a lump to your cable run) but is completely standard for monitors in this category. Overall, the connectivity does what a 1080p gaming monitor needs to do without any frills. If you need a USB hub built in or you're planning to run USB-C from a laptop, look elsewhere. If you just need DisplayPort for your gaming PC and HDMI for a console, this covers it cleanly.

Against the AOC 24G2SP, the EX240N's main advantage is contrast. The VA panel's 3000:1 versus IPS's typical 1000:1 is a real, visible difference in dark content. The AOC will have better viewing angles and arguably more accurate colours out of the box, but the EX240N will look more impressive in dark gaming scenes. The AOC also has a proper 1ms GtG response time (IPS panels genuinely achieve this), while the EX240N's 1ms claim is MPRT. For pure competitive gaming where response time is paramount, the AOC has an edge. For immersive gaming and mixed use, the EX240N's contrast is genuinely appealing.

Against the LG 24GN65R-B, the EX240N wins on refresh rate (165Hz vs 144Hz) and on the additional features like Black eQualizer and HDRi. The LG is a fine monitor but it's showing its age slightly in a 165Hz world. BenQ's software feature set is also more comprehensive than LG's offering at this price. The EX240N is the more complete package for gaming specifically, while the LG edges it for colour work. Neither is a bad choice, but the EX240N's combination of 165Hz, VA contrast, and BenQ's gaming feature set makes it the more interesting proposition for the target audience.

The caveats are real though. The stand is tilt-only, which is a frustration if your desk height isn't ideal. The 1ms MPRT claim is marketing, not a genuine GtG figure, and competitive players who are pixel-precise about response times should know that. The HDR implementation is checkbox-level, better than nothing but not transformative. And at 1080p, if you're running a capable GPU like an RTX 4070 or an RX 7800 XT, you're genuinely leaving resolution on the table. A 1440p monitor at a higher price point would give that hardware room to breathe.

Who should buy this? Someone building or running a mid-range gaming PC, probably around an RTX 4060 or RX 7600 level, who wants a monitor that looks great in dark games, runs smoothly at 165Hz, and doesn't cost a fortune. Console players who want a 1080p screen with low input lag and decent image quality will also find this a strong option, with the two HDMI ports being genuinely useful. People who game in a controlled, dimmer environment will get the most from the VA contrast advantage.

Who should skip it? Competitive FPS players who prioritise the absolute fastest pixel response and don't care about contrast or colour depth. People with high-end GPUs who should genuinely be looking at 1440p. Anyone who needs a USB hub or USB-C connectivity built in. And content creators who need accurate, calibrated colour output rather than vibrant, gaming-tuned presets.

The honest don't-overspend line: if you're on a tight budget and primarily play fast-paced games, the AOC 24G2SP is available for meaningfully less and delivers a real 1ms GtG IPS panel at 165Hz. It won't have the VA contrast depth, but it will save you money and perform brilliantly in competitive titles. The EX240N is the better all-rounder, but it's not the only answer. Buy it because you want the contrast and the feature set, not just because it's BenQ.