The BenQ MA320U is simply a perfect monitor

A good monitor can make or break your work-from-home setup. If you’re like me and you spend hours in front of your computer editing photos, writing or juggling endless windows and browser tabs, you’ll know how important it is to have a display that is big, bright, colour-accurate and pin-sharp to do your visuals justice. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky enough to review a lot of monitors here at Creative Bloq - including a few BenQ models like the BenQ PD2730S, a 5K designer display made for creative professionals, so I know a good monitor when I see one.

And the BenQ MA320U is one of the best graphic design monitors I’ve come across. Purpose-built for Mac users, this 32-inch, 4K display delivers perfectly matched colour reproduction through BenQ’s Mac Colours technology, while its USB-C connectivity will help keep your workspace clean and cable-free. It’s ideal for those who split their time between creative projects and everyday productivity as it combines vibrant visuals with intuitive Display Pilot 2 controls and smooth integration with your MacBook’s keyboard.

I’ve been testing this monitor out for the last couple of months with my MacBook Pro and Mac mini, replacing my BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA to find out if the BenQ MA320U offers a true upgrade when it comes to colour accuracy, usability and overall performance.

BenQ MA320U review: Key Specs

Design & Build

• Premium ergonomic stand with height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustmenets
• A nano matte panel is ideal for reducing glare

As I’ve already mentioned, the BenQ MA320U is made with Mac users in mind, so they’ve also taken care of the design, and this monitor does look pretty good. The 32” panel is large but doesn’t feel overwhelming, and its slim bezels and silver chassis keep it looking clean and modern.

The ergonomic stand is well thought out, it offers height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and a full 90-degree pivot, so you can position the screen exactly how you want it, whether you’re editing in portrait mode or need landscape to run multiple windows side by side.

The screen is also a joy to work on, it’s anti-reflective and anti-glare, which makes a huge difference if you’re working in a super bright room. It also has good viewing angles, keeping the colours consistent.

The ports are ideal. There’s everything you need, including a USB-C with power delivery charging, so if you’re using your MacBook, you don’t need to scramble around for a power outlet to charge it up. It also has an additional USB-C port, two HDMI’s, and a USB-A. There’s no Thunderbolt 4, which, as a Mac user, would’ve been good, but it’s not the end of the world.

Despite its size, this monitor feels sturdy, but that’s mostly down to the wide base, which keeps the wobbles to a minimum. It was also simple to put together, with the parts just clicking in. And there’s a really nice silicone strip on the base, which means you can keep bits and bobs there without them sliding off.

Score: 5/5

Features & Performance

• Mac Colours delivers flawless colour consistency
• Display Pilot 2 means plenty of tools to adjust your settings, including brightness and volume

The BenQ MA320U really shines when it comes to features. First off, it uses Mac colours, which means what you see on your monitor matches exactly what your MacBook’s built-in screen shows you. This is perfect if you switch between laptop and sitting at your desk on a regular basis and need consistency. I move around a lot and found the switch between using my laptop and then plugging it into the monitor was seamless, with no obvious hue shift or colour mismatch. In fact, the colour accuracy is so on point, with the monitor producing the same rich, balanced tones that look identical to my MacBook, that if it wasn’t for the size, I’d be convinced I was still looking at my laptop screen.

Connectivity is another huge plus point. Thanks to the USB-C with 90W power delivery, it means less wire and an instant plug-and-play set-up when using my MacBook. This made a huge difference because it also meant I didn’t have to keep lugging around the charging plug, which, if you have a MacBook, you’ll know is bigger than the actual machine. But seriously, it made such a difference. Of course, with the Mac mini plugged in, it didn’t really matter, but if I wanted to use my laptop, it just made everything super easy, and during testing, the monitor powered the laptop and maintained a connection without any drops or flickers at all.

Now, the big game changer when it comes to this monitor is the inclusion of the Display Pilot 2 software. From your macOS menu bar, you can easily tweak brightness, resolution, activate FocuSync (which will sync your focus modes), and also tweak the eye-care settings. It’s super simple and effortless, and you don’t have to go digging around any clunky menus. Once you’ve set your Display Pilot 2 up, you can also use your Mac keyboard to monitor and change the brightness and volume.

I briefly mentioned it earlier, but the Nano Matte Panel is not only lovely to work on, but it really makes a difference when it comes to working in bright conditions, as during testing, I didn’t experience any glare or reflections, and it felt a lot easier on the eyes, especially when working long days.

This isn’t really a gaming monitor anyway, so the refresh rate being capped at 60Hz doesn’t make much of a difference. The main thing you get with this monitor is that you get an accurate, Mac-friendly display with exceptional colour consistency.

Score 5/5

Price

• The BenQ MU320U RRP is at £599.99/$729.99
• Can often be found on sale and is currently £549.99/$629.99

The BenQ MA320U sits firmly in the premium 4K monitor bracket. But with an RRP of £599.99/$729.99 it's competitively priced.

Plus, it's often on sale, like at the time of writing this, where you can snap it up for just £549.99/$629.99, making it even more value for money, especially when you consider you’re getting a 32” screen with an outstanding 4K display, and it’s a perfect match for Mac users.

I know we’ve talked a lot about the Mac compatibility here, but even if you’re not in the Apple ecosystem, this is still a brilliant monitor that will suit any creative and productivity work.

Score 5/5

Scorecard

Who's it for?

The BenQ MA320U is aimed at MacBook users who want a larger screen that feels like a natural extension of their Apple set-up. Creatives will really appreciate the colour accuracy and sharpness, while anyone working long hours will love the anti-glare panel and extra eye-care features.

If you’re not tied into the Apple ecosystem, then some of the features like Mac Colours and the integration with the Mac Keyboard may not be that useful, but it’s still a good monitor in terms of quality and exceptional visuals.

In short, if you’re looking for a quality 4K monitor at a reasonable price, this model shouldn’t be overlooked.

Buy it if...

• You're an Apple user and want your display to match your MacBook screen perfectly
• You need a large 4K panel that can connect and charge your MacBook with one cable
• You're a creative who needs consistent colour accuracy

Don't buy it if...

• You're a gamer and want high refresh rates