I reviewed the BenQ RD280U monitor - and while coders will love it, I'm not sure everyone else will

The BenQ RD280U is the 28-inch variant without the cool ergo arm of the BenQ RD320UA.

With this RD line-up, BenQ has clearly focused on the engineering front, delivering some of the best monitors for programming I've seen, and effectively perfect for those who spend most, if not their entire days, coding software.

Another area that is super helpful with this style monitor is that it is 3:2, meaning that you'll get more vertical space than you would on a typical 16:9 display, and for coding, that's usually fantastic news. It means you can fit more lines of code, helping you finish that script faster.

BenQ RD280U: Pricing and Availability

The BenQ RD280U is priced at $659.99, making it a premium display for those looking for an engineering monitor. You can pick one up through BenQ's official website or one of their many distributors and online retailers.

BenQ RD280U: Unboxing & first impressions

BenQ's packaging is pretty straightforward. In the box is the monitor itself, packaged neatly so that it won't be damaged in transit, the monitor arm, the base for the monitor, and any helpful cables you could want. Since this is the standard version and not the Ergo-Arm version, I decided to put the display on a VESA arm quickly, but to each their own.

I am so used to 16:9 monitors that it took me a second to get used to looking at a 3:2 display. Not as long as it took me to adjust to the LG Dual Up, but it still took me a minute. It looks similar to the 16:9 aspect ratio monitors, but you immediately notice a difference once you start using it.

Outside of using the monitor itself, the display's physical casing is solid and durable, and the light ring in the back is a charming touch. I am one who semi-regularly writes late at night or early in the morning depending on the season and how busy I am - I'm writing this at 11:56pm on a Monday. So, with that being said I enjoy the light ring and using it to bounce light off the wall behind my display to alleviate some eye strain from a bright display and the dark wall behind it.

BenQ RD280U: Design & Build Quality

I've been a fan of BenQ monitors for a while now. They are hitting above their weight class if you ask me. The RD models are no exception to this rule either. I don't personally love the giant chin, but I understand what they were going for. Outside of that, though, I love this monitor.

The 3:2 aspect ratio is growing on me, and I notice myself missing the extra height when I am not using this monitor. The matte finish on the screen reduces glare, much like my Paperlike screen protector on my iPad, which I cannot live without now. It also helps enhance visibility if your office is in a room with a lot of natural light, a window, or a lamp behind you. If you had a non-matte screen in those environments, you'd get a crazy glare, but with that matte finish, you can still see the screen.

The stand with this display is super simple and good if you don't need anything fancy. I usually like to put my monitors on a monitor arm to give them a more ergonomic orientation. For this monitor, I have it on a Corsair desk with a built-in rack and monitor arm that's ideal for this display and desk setup.

BenQ RD280U: In use

I've had this monitor on my team, and it's been rotating for a while now. So far, it has been an absolutely fantastic monitor for day to day use, while over-featured for basic users, for those who do any coding and want a coding mode, for those who would benefit from the halo light built into the back, or those who wish to that matte screen, this monitor is a great option.

As mentioned above, the 3:2 aspect ratio has been excellent for day-to-day productivity tasks and standard work. It seems like such a small change, but it makes a massive difference in the right contexts. I can fit a lot more vertical space on the screen, meaning I can see more on a webpage, more of my windows arranged during a work day, or more of a terminal, GitHub, Postman, and project management tools. It's been a great little productivity hack for the last few months. You notice it more if you are in a full-screen application, but the vertical space is super helpful even if you have multiple windows open.

The clarity of text on this display is outstanding, making long working hours comfortable for your eyes, whether you're working during the day or at night. This is especially true when paired with the soft light reflecting off the wall behind the display, which helps to reduce eye strain even further.

One thing that I have come to appreciate in the last year is monitors that have USB-C connectivity. Now, I still will put one of the best laptop docking stations on a few of my desk setups, but on a simple setup like this one, I love the ease of a single cable setup. Even for my more complex setups, like my main setup that is truly a beast of a setup, I utilize the USB-C connection to the display so I can run the USB ports on the monitor, control the monitor with Display Pilot 2, and so on. No matter which setup it is, I love how easy the USB-C cable setup is, reducing cable clutter, and making the whole setup feel seamless.

BenQ RD280U: Final verdict

The BenQ RD280U is a niche monitor, there is no doubt about that. Take one look at it and you can tell right away if this monitor is marketed to you or not.

I have some people on my team that do not like the look of this monitor and will quickly tell you this is not for them, yet I also have other people on my team who absolutely love the look, functionality, aspect ratio, and design of this display. So, to each their own.

It might not rank among the best business monitors I've tried, but if you're in coding, engineering, or have the same style tastes, then this monitor will be a fantastic option.