BenQ MOBIUZ EX381U 144Hz 4K UHD IPS with HDMI 2.1
As an Amazon Associate and Newegg Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the “Buy” button at the bottom of this post. Where possible, you'll be redirected to your nearest store. Further information on supporting our work.The ‘4K’ UHD resolution provides advantages for both work and play, with plenty of pixels. A larger screen can increase immersion, whilst a smaller screen delivers a tighter pixel density which can improve detail levels and clarity. The BenQ EX381U delivers a screen size that runs some way between the more common 32″ and 43″ sizes, with its 37.5″ screen. HDMI 2.1 is provided for enhanced console connectivity, including support for a 120Hz ‘4K’ UHD signal on the Xbox Series X and PS5. The screen has a primarily white plastic (so-called ‘aerodynamic’) stand with a few copper-coloured elements. The bottom bezel is dark matte plastic with a central sensor unit, allowing the monitor to respond to ambient lighting with its ‘Brightness Intelligence Plus Gen2’ (B.I.+ Gen2) feature. This adjusts image attributes such as brightness and colour temperature. The top and side bezels are dual-stage, with fairly slim panel border flush with the rest of the screen plus thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) can be controlled using a bundled IR remote or a joystick beneath the central region of the bottom bezel.
A 37.5″ 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) IPS-type panel is used with 144Hz refresh rate and matte anti-glare screen surface. A pixel density of 115.94 Pixels Per Inch (PPI) is offered, so somewhat higher than the 108.79 PPI of a 27″ QHD model. Adaptive-Sync and HDMI 2.1 VRR is supported, allowing technologies such as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ to be used, with assumed 48 – 144Hz VRR range plus LFC. Other specifications include a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles and 8-bit colour support. A flicker-free WLED backlight provides a 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (600 cd/m² HDR peak) typical maximum luminance. BenQ’s usual suite of well-tuned LBL (Low Blue Light) settings are included to create a more relaxing viewing experience.
The monitor includes VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, allowing a reasonably dynamic response to HDR content. Basic local dimming is included, with some reasonable brightness pulses and 10-bit colour processing, alongside potentially good use of the fairly generous gamut. A 1ms grey to grey response time is specified (caustion advised), with a strobe backlight setting also included. The included stand offers tilt, swivel and height (100mm or 3.94 inches) adjustment with provision for 100 x 100mm VESA mounting included. The ports include; AC power input (internal power converter), 3 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 with eARC), DP 1.4, USB-C (90W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus Type-C upstream), USB-C downstream (7.5W) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. KVM is supported for easy display input switching and USB peripheral reassignment between 2 systems. Further information can be found on the manufacturer’s website, with details on price and availability still to come.
