Hazro HZ27WC review

Hazro’s latest monitor is a little bit special. It has a 27in IPS panel, which is a good start, yet it’s the price that’s the most pleasant surprise: at just £450, the HZ27WC is by far the cheapest 2,560 x 1,440 monitor we’ve seen.

Despite this, Hazro claims the panel is almost identical to that of the far pricier Apple Cinema Display, and our results bore that out. Gamma was only a whisker away from 2.2, and a colour temperature of 6,600k was just off the 6,500k target. With an average Delta E of 2.4 and a maximum of 5.3, the Hazro delivers colour fidelity comparable to that of far pricier displays. And while the IPS panel can’t rival TN technology for super-quick response times, we weren’t bothered by ugly smearing or lag during our gaming tests.

The brightness control allows the panel to go from a minimum of 152cd/m2 right up to an eye-searing 324cd/m[sup]2[/sup], and we measured a contrast ratio of 996:1 at maximum. The LED backlight isn’t perfect, however, and further testing revealed some unevenness: the brightness peaked at 324cd/m[sup]2[/sup] in the centre of the screen and dropped to 297cd/m[sup]2[/sup] in the upper left corner.

A bigger issue for many will be the HZ27WC’s glossy panel. While the finish lends images impressive clarity and punch, those intending to use the Hazro in brighter rooms will bemoan the reflective finish. Thankfully, Hazro also sells a version of the HZ27WC with a matte finish, and it’s £50 cheaper.

Panel aside, there are some obvious cost-cutting measures. The chunky plastic chassis looks and feels like a budget construction, and does nothing more than tilt back and forth. And, just like Apple’s Cinema Display, there’s no onscreen display at all. Instead, there are volume and brightness controls at the rear, alongside one dual-link DVI port and a 3.5mm audio input.

Given the monitor’s bulky rear, it’s disappointing that Hazro hasn’t managed to squeeze in an internal power supply. The pair of built-in speakers isn’t great either, with a thick, undetailed sound and a tendency to distort at full volume.

But that’s missing the point somewhat. Rivals might better it for looks and features, but those hungry for a high pixel count and superb colour accuracy will lap up the Hazro’s major strength: its panel. At this price, there isn’t a monitor on the market that can rival it for value.