The BenQ PD3225U is a premium 32-inch 4k productivity monitor. It competes with other high-end 32-inch monitors like the Dell U3225QE and the ASUS ProArt PA329CRV. It's a newer version of the BenQ PD3220U, adding features such as an IPS Black display for deeper blacks. It's also available in a 27-inch version, the PD2725U, though it performs differently. The PD3225U has several unique features, such as a HotKey Puck for easily changing settings, the ability to display two color modes side-by-side, and close integration with macOS. It also comes with features commonly found on high-end office monitors like Thunderbolt 3 support, a KVM switch, and 85W of power delivery.
Our Verdict
The BenQ PD3225U is passable for PC gaming. It displays a wide range of fairly accurate colors. However, its colors aren't very vivid in HDR, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. It also has bad motion handling, and its 60Hz refresh rate means it doesn't feel responsive, despite its low input lag. That said, while this means it's not well suited to fast-paced games, it's a decent choice for slower-paced games such as text-heavy RPGs and turn-based strategy games where there's less fast motion.
Displays a wide range of colors in HDR.
Fast-moving objects look blurry.
No local dimming feature.
Highlights don't pop in HDR.
Doesn't support VRR.
Maximum 60Hz refresh rate.
The BenQ PD3225U is bad for console gaming. It can't display 120Hz signals, and it doesn't support VRR. Additionally, while it displays a wide range of colors in HDR, they aren't very vivid, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. Finally, it has bad motion handling, so it doesn't work well for playing fast-paced games.
Displays a wide range of colors in HDR.
Fast-moving objects look blurry.
No local dimming feature.
Highlights don't pop in HDR.
Doesn't support VRR.
Maximum 60Hz refresh rate.
The BenQ PD3225U is great for office work. It has excellent ergonomics and fantastic text clarity. It's also bright enough for most environments, though bright glare can make it more difficult to see because of its disappointing reflection handling. It also has good connectivity, with up to 85W of power delivery and a KVM switch, allowing you to switch between two different computers while using the same devices. Additionally, it has Thunderbolt 3 and daisy chaining support, so you can connect another monitor directly to the BenQ.
Bright enough for most environments.
Wide viewing angles.
Excellent ergonomics.
Fantastic text and image clarity.
KVM switch and 85W power delivery over USB-C.
Reflections from bright glare is distracting.
The BenQ PD3225U is very good for editing. It's fairly accurate before calibration, though you need to calibrate it for the most accurate image. It also displays a wide range of colors. Finally, it has a number of unique features for editors, such as Display Pilot 2 and Palette Master Ultimate software to assist with monitor configuration and color tuning. However, it's not a good choice for editing HDR content, as it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. It also doesn't work well for editing fast-moving content, as it has bad motion handling.
Bright enough for most environments.
Wide viewing angles.
Excellent ergonomics.
Fantastic text and image clarity.
KVM switch and 85W power delivery over USB-C.
Displays a wide range of colors in HDR.
Fairly accurate before calibration.
Reflections from bright glare is distracting.
No local dimming feature.
Highlights don't pop in HDR.
Very cold color temperature before calibration.
The BenQ PD3225U has decent brightness, though it doesn't overcome bright glare. It also doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop in HDR.
Bright enough for most environments.
Reflections from bright glare is distracting.
Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The BenQ PD3225U has a bad response time. Fast-moving objects look quite blurry, and it's not well suited to editing videos with lots of motion or playing fast-moving games.
Fast-moving objects look blurry.
The BenQ PD3225U has disappointing HDR picture quality. While it displays a wide range of colors they aren't very vivid. Additionally, it has no local dimming system to help display deeper blacks.
Displays a wide range of colors in HDR.
No local dimming feature.
The BenQ PD3225U has good SDR picture quality. It displays a wide range of colors in SDR. However, you can see some backlight bleed and deep blacks appear somewhat gray in a dark room.
Decent black uniformity.
Displays a wide range of colors.
Deep blacks look somewhat gray.
The BenQ PD3225U has great color accuracy. It's extremely accurate after calibration, though it has some issues with color temperature and color accuracy before calibration.
Fairly accurate before calibration.
Good gray uniformity.
Very cold color temperature before calibration.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Nov 10, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1.1. We removed the Vertical Viewing Angle test.
-
Updated Aug 11, 2025:
We changed the Screen Finish from 'Semi-Gloss' to 'Matte' to better reflect how its coating interacts with light.
-
Updated Jun 25, 2025:
We updated text throughout to match the new and updated tests with Test Bench 2.1, including in the Verdict section.
- Updated Jun 25, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1. This includes new tests for Direct Reflections, Ambient Black Level Raise, and Total Reflected Light. You can see all the changes in the changelog.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 32-inch BenQ PD3225U, which is similar to several other monitors in BenQ's DesignVue series. You can also get it in a smaller 27-inch size, though that version performs differently. You can see the major differences between these monitors below. These results are only valid for this model.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Panel Type | Connectivity | Power Delivery | Refresh Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PD3225U | 32" | 4k | IPS Black | Thunderbolt 3 | 85W | 60Hz |
| PD3205U | 32" | 4k | IPS | USB-C | 90W | 60Hz |
| PD3226G | 32" | 4k | IPS | Thunderbolt 4 | 90W | 144Hz |
| PD2725U | 27" | 4k | IPS | Thunderbolt 3 | 65W | 60Hz |
Our unit's label indicates it was manufactured in October 2024. It was tested with firmware V025.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The BenQ PD3225U is a premium 32-inch 4k productivity monitor. It has a number of unique features, such as the ability to display two color modes side-by-side and a HotKey Puck to change settings with a connected remote. It also has some additional software features for editors, such as Display Pilot 2 for monitor tuning. If these features are important to you, then the BenQ can be a good, if expensive, choice. That said, it lacks some of the features and performance of one of its primary premium competitors, the Dell U3225QE. The Dell has a more responsive 120Hz refresh rate, provides more power delivery, has Thunderbolt 4 support, gets much brighter, and displays colors more vividly and accurately, for a similar cost. As a result, the Dell is generally a better choice unless you want the BenQ's unique features.
See our recommendations for the best 4k monitors, the best work monitors, and the best 32-inch monitors.
The Dell U3225QE and the BenQ PD3225U are both 32-inch 4k productivity and editing monitors. The Dell is the better option for most people, as it has a higher, more responsive refresh rate, gets much brighter, displays colors more vividly and accurately, and has better connectivity. However, the BenQ has some unique features. If you want to use its HotKey Puck for quick settings adjustments or its dedicated software for editors, you may prefer it.
The Dell U3223QE and the BenQ PD3225U are both 32-inch, 4k productivity monitors. Both monitors perform similarly, and unless you're looking for special features, for most people the best option is whichever you can find for less. That said, the BenQ does have some unique features, such as a HotKey Puck for easier monitor control as well as some added software features.
The Apple Studio Display 2022 and the BenQ PD3225U are both productivity and editing monitors. The Apple Studio Display isn't well-suited to Windows PCs. However, if you have a macOS device, the Studio Display is a better choice for bright rooms, as it gets much brighter and has better reflection handling. It's also a better choice if you don't plan to calibrate the display, as it's more accurate before calibration. However, the BenQ is a better choice for PCs, and for those in dark rooms, as it displays deeper blacks.
The ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV and the BenQ PD3225U are 4k productivity and editing monitors. The BenQ has unique features such as a HotKey Puck and an IPS Black display for deeper blacks in a dark room. It also has a larger screen than the ASUS. However, the ASUS is in a lower price category and offers similar performance, apart from its worse contrast. As a result, if it offers everything you want, you may find it a better value.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
