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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Back
    5. Borders
    6. Thickness
    7. Build Quality
  5. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Horizontal Viewing Angle
    6. Vertical Viewing Angle
    7. Gray Uniformity
    8. Black Uniformity
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. SDR Color Gamut
    12. SDR Color Volume
    13. HDR Color Gamut
    14. HDR Color Volume
    15. Image Retention
    16. Gradient
    17. Color Bleed
    18. Reflections
    19. Text Clarity
  6. Motion
    1. Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    2. Response Time @ 60Hz
    3. Image Flicker
    4. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    5. Refresh Rate
  7. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Resolution And Size
    3. Inputs
    4. Total Inputs
  8. Features
    1. Additional Features
    2. On-Screen Display (OSD)
    3. Controls
    4. In The Box
  9. Comments

BenQ EX2780Q vs Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

BenQ EX2780Q
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated May 24, 2024 02:06 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Dec 14, 2023 04:44 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
BenQ EX2780Q Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Picture

Variants

  • EX2780Q (27")
  • UltraSharp U2721DE (27")

Our Verdict

BenQ EX2780Q

Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

The BenQ EX2780Q is better than the Dell UltraSharp U2721DE. The BenQ has a much higher refresh rate, making it much better for gaming, although even desktop users will notice a difference. The BenQ also supports HDR, although this doesn't add much. The Dell has better ergonomics and a better stand, and it supports power delivery over its USB-C port.

0

Check Price

27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
27"
EX2780Q
SEE PRICE
B&H
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
B&H
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
Samsung.com
 
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
Walmart.com

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.6
7.4

Ergonomics 
 

1.5
8.5

Refresh Rate 
 

9.0
5.9

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Design Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Design Picture

Size  

27"
27"

Curved  

No
No

Curve Radius  

Not Curved
Not Curved

Weight (without stand) 
 

11.7 lbs (5.3 kg)
8.9 lbs (4.0 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

13.1 lbs (6.0 kg)
12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)

Show text

Stand  

Stand Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Stand Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Stand Picture

Width 
 

9.8" (24.9 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)

Depth 
 

6.3" (16.1 cm)
7.1" (18.0 cm)

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

1.5
8.5

Ergonomics Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Ergonomics Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

0.0" (0.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

No
Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range  

No swivel
-40° to 40°

Tilt Range  

-20° to 5°
-20° to 5°

Show text

Back  

Back Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Back Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100

Show text

Borders  

Borders Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Borders Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.2" (0.6 cm)
0.2" (0.6 cm)

Show text

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Thickness Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

5.2" (13.3 cm)
5.0" (12.8 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

3.2" (8.1 cm)
1.5" (3.8 cm)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.5

Build Quality Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Build Quality Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Build Quality Picture

Show text

Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.2
6.0

Checkerboard Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Checkerboard Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

1,142 : 1
1,014 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge

Show text

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

8.0
7.7

SDR Real Scene 
 

337 cd/m²
314 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

359 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

359 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

359 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

358 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.000
0.000

Show text

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

7.1
0.0

HDR Real Scene 
 

455 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

480 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

480 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

480 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

480 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

479 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

478 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

479 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

479 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

479 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

479 cd/m²
N/A

HDR ABL 
 

0.000
N/A

Show text

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

8.4
7.4

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Horizontal Chroma Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

46°
39°

Color Washout From Right 
 

51°
39°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Horizontal Hue Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

54°
48°

Color Shift From Right 
 

61°
47°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Horizontal Lightness Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

46°
45°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

51°
46°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
41°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

48°
39°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

51°
38°

Show text

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

6.7
7.6

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Vertical Chroma Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

24°
32°

Color Washout From Above 
 

33°
34°

Vertical Hue Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Vertical Hue Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

35°
41°

Color Shift From Above 
 

46°
43°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

BenQ EX2780Q Vertical Lightness Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

29°
34°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

37°
36°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

62°
70°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

54°
70°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

26°
44°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

35°
63°

Show text

Gray Uniformity 
 

8.7
8.7

50% Uniformity Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q 50% Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

2.742%
2.436%

50% DSE 
 

0.110%
0.115%

5% Uniformity Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q 5% Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.387%
0.279%

5% DSE 
 

0.058%
0.041%

Show text

Black Uniformity 
 

6.1
7.1

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Native Black Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

1.944%
1.219%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

BenQ EX2780Q Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Pre Calibration 
 

7.1
7.1

Pre Calibration Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Pre Calibration Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Pre Color Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

M-Book
Standard

Luminance 
 

314 cd/m²
103 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

100
22

Contrast Setting 
 

50
78

RGB Controls 
 

100-100-100
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

2.2 (Default)
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,521 K
5,949 K

White Balance dE 
 

3.51
3.53

Color dE 
 

3.18
3.19

Gamma 
 

2.48
2.24

Show text

Post Calibration 
 

9.6
9.7

Post Calibration Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Post Calibration Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Post Gamma Curve Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Post Color Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Luminance 
 

102 cd/m²
101 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

13
23

Contrast Setting 
 

50
78

RGB Controls 
 

96-99-100
94-92-100

Gamma Setting 
 

2.2 (Default)
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,580 K
6,489 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.73
0.40

Color dE 
 

0.53
0.52

Gamma 
 

2.18
2.17

Show text

SDR Color Gamut 
 

9.3
8.6

Color Gamut sRGB Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Gamut sRGB Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

99.6%
96.8%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Gamut ARGB Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

86.3%
75.3%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Show text

SDR Color Volume 
 

9.5
8.9

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

98.0%
96.6%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

91.6%
81.4%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Show text

HDR Color Gamut 
 

6.9
0.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

Yes
N/A

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

70.4%
N/A

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

68.4%
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Show text

HDR Color Volume 
 

6.2
0.0

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

62.0%
N/A

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

62.4%
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Show text

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Image Retention Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

Show text

Gradient 
 

9.0
7.8

Gradient Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Gradient Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

10 Bit
8 Bit

Show text

Color Bleed 
 

8.0
10

Color Bleed Horizontal  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Bleed Horizontal
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.001%
0.000%

Color Bleed Vertical  

BenQ EX2780Q Color Bleed Vertical
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.408%
0.002%

Show text

Reflections 
 

7.5
7.6

Average Room  

BenQ EX2780Q Average Room
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Average Room

Average Room Off Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Average Room Off Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Bright Room Off Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

5.1%
6.5%

Indirect Reflections 
 

2.7%
5.7%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

2.4%
0.8%

Show text

Text Clarity 
 

7.0
7.0

ClearType On  

BenQ EX2780Q ClearType On
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

IPS
IPS

ClearType Off  

BenQ EX2780Q ClearType Off
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE ClearType Off

Pixels  

BenQ EX2780Q Pixels
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB

Show text

Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

8.7
7.1

Motion Blur Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Motion Blur Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

BenQ EX2780Q Response Time Table
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Premium
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

5.2 ms
7.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

11.8 ms
19.2 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

3.3%
4.5%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

6.5 ms
8.4 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

14.1 ms
20.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
6.0%

Show text

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

8.0
7.1

Motion Blur Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Motion Blur Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

BenQ EX2780Q Response Time Table
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

High
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

7.7 ms
7.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

13.7 ms
19.2 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

0%
4.5%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

9.0 ms
8.4 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

15.5 ms
20.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
6.0%

Show text

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Backlight Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz

Show text

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

0.0
0.0

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

No BFI
No BFI

BFI Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q BFI Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q BFI Frequency Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Refresh Rate 
 

9.0
5.9

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

FreeSync
No VRR

Native 
 

144 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

144 Hz
60 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync 
 

Yes
No

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (Tested)
No

VRR Maximum 
 

144 Hz
N/A

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
No VRR

VRR Supported Connectors  

DisplayPort, HDMI
No VRR

Show text

Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.5
9.0

Native Resolution 
 

4.1 ms
8.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

9.0 ms
8.7 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

4.1 ms
N/A

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

8.8 ms
N/A

10 Bit HDR 
 

4.7 ms
N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Resolution And Size 
 

8.3
8.3

Native Resolution  

2560 x 1440
2560 x 1440

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

3.7 MP
3.7 MP

Pixel Density 
 

109 PPI
109 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

27.0"
27.0"

Screen Area  

310 in²
310 in²

Show text

Inputs  

Inputs 1  

BenQ EX2780Q Inputs 1
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Inputs 1

Inputs 2  

BenQ EX2780Q Inputs 2
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.4)
1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort  

No
No

HDMI  

2 (HDMI 2.0)
1 (HDMI 1.4)

DVI  

No
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

No
1 (DP 1.4)

USB  

No
4 (USB 3.0)

USB C  

1
1 (USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode)

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

1
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

Internal
Internal

Show text

Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

Yes
No

HDR10  

Yes
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No

Show text

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q OSD Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q Controls Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Controls Picture

Show text

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

BenQ EX2780Q In The Box Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE In The Box Picture

Show text

Check Price

27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
27"
EX2780Q
SEE PRICE
B&H
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
B&H
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
Samsung.com
 
27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
Walmart.com

BenQ EX2780Q

Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Comments

  1. Comparison

BenQ EX2780Q vs Dell UltraSharp U2721DE: Main Discussion

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