reviews: UPerfect BE173BU Portable Monitor Review: Big, Bright
The UPerfect BE173BU is a high-performance 4K 120Hz portable monitor with a bright, color-accurate QLED display, ideal for gaming and professional use. It's pricey, and controls are clunky, but its visual quality stands out.
Quick Verdict: A High-Performance Portable Powerhouse with a Premium Price
Portable monitors are rapidly evolving, and the UPerfect BE173BU is a strong contender for those seeking top-tier performance on the go. This 17.3-inch display distinguishes itself with a crisp 4K resolution, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and vibrant QLED panel technology. While its design is utilitarian and its controls are frustrating, the BE173BU delivers a truly impressive visual experience for both productivity and gaming. However, this premium feature set comes with a corresponding price tag, and users should be aware of its power requirements for optimal brightness.
Unpacking the UPerfect BE173BU: Specs That Matter
In a market saturated with portable displays, finding a 4K option that also boasts a smooth 120Hz refresh rate is still a rarity. The UPerfect BE173BU fills this niche admirably. Its 17.3-inch QLED panel features a dense 3,840x2,160 resolution, resulting in an impressive 255 pixels per inch (ppi). This pixel density ensures that text is razor-sharp and images are incredibly detailed, making it excellent for intricate work or immersing yourself in high-resolution content.
Beyond resolution, the monitor offers a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, complemented by FreeSync support which allows for a variable refresh rate down to 48Hz. This adaptive sync technology is a boon for gamers, virtually eliminating screen tearing and stutter for a fluid experience. Our testing with the Blur Busters UFO test showed only the faintest trail behind moving objects, indicating modest motion blur. In practical gaming scenarios, such as a fast-paced Hades run, the display kept up perfectly, rendering the game's visuals with stunning clarity and fluidity. The QLED panel covers 100% of both the DCI-P3 and sRGB color spaces, and its color accuracy is exceptionally good, with an average Delta E 1976 of 1.07 and a maximum of just 1.94, which is considered excellent for professional use. It also supports HDR, though specific performance metrics weren't detailed for HDR beyond general gamut coverage.
Design, Connectivity, and the User Experience
The BE173BU’s aesthetic won't win any design awards. It sports a rather conventional look with plastic bezels, featuring a notably thick chin. However, what it lacks in flair, it makes up for in practical engineering. The back of the monitor is made of aluminum and incorporates a raised platform with robust kickstand hinges. These hinges provide excellent flexibility, allowing the display to be positioned at a wide range of landscape angles, or even rotated for vertical orientation, which is fantastic for coding or document review. For those looking for a more permanent setup, VESA mounting (75x75mm) is also an option, enabling it to function as a secondary display for a desktop.
Connectivity is well-covered, with a single mini HDMI port and two USB-C ports (one with power delivery). The ability to power the monitor and receive video through a single USB-C cable from a compatible laptop is incredibly convenient for a minimalist setup. However, there’s a crucial caveat: achieving the monitor’s full 550 nits of brightness requires external power. When relying solely on a laptop's USB port for power, the brightness automatically defaults to a mere 32 nits (5% of its peak) and can only be manually increased to 222 nits. Thankfully, UPerfect includes a 30-watt power adapter, along with necessary power and data cables, to ensure you can always tap into its full potential. The USB-C Power Delivery can also pass power through to a connected laptop, though a beefier power supply (like your laptop's original adapter) would be recommended for this.
One of the most significant frustrations with the BE173BU lies in its controls. Tucked in from the edge of the display, the small jogger wheel (with up, down, and inward click) and a tiny back button are notoriously difficult to access. Their placement, combined with a mushy tactile feel, makes adjustments a test of patience. Fortunately, the display’s standard settings are already optimized for quality, so you mostly just need to enable FreeSync and perhaps adjust brightness for ambient conditions. The integrated 1-watt stereo speakers are, as expected, rather rudimentary. They prioritize mids, making them acceptable for speech but harsh for music or impactful game audio, largely due to a severe lack of bass. A headphone jack is available for better audio output.
The Honest Verdict: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Bright 550-nit QLED display with an antiglare matte finish for excellent visibility.
- Razor-sharp 4K resolution (3840x2160) and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Wide and accurate color gamut (100% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB) with excellent color accuracy (dE < 2).
- Supports FreeSync for adaptive refresh rates (48-120Hz).
- Single-cable connectivity (USB-C) for video and power, though with brightness limitations.
- Sturdy, versatile kickstand and VESA mountable.
- Includes a 30W power adapter and essential cables.
Cons:
- Pricey compared to 60Hz alternatives.
- Full brightness requires auxiliary power; significantly dimmer on USB-only power.
- Controls are poorly placed and mushy, making menu navigation difficult.
- Only average contrast ratio (though compensated by brightness for visibility).
- Uninspired, thick-bezel design.
- Weak, bass-lacking integrated speakers.
Comparison to Alternatives
While the UPerfect BE173BU carves out a niche with its specific blend of features, it's worth considering other portable monitors if certain aspects are more critical to your needs or budget.
| Feature | UPerfect BE173BU | Arzopa Z1RC | InnoView PM408 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) | Unspecified (implied 1080p/1440p) | Unspecified (implied 1080p/1440p) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz (with FreeSync) | 120Hz (implied "just as fast") | 240Hz ("twice the refresh rate") |
| Brightness | 550 nits (peak), 222 nits (USB) | "Respectably bright" | 275 nits (peak) |
| Panel Type | QLED | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB | "Nearly as colorful" | "Just as colorful" |
| Best Use Case | High-detail work, gaming, outdoor | General use, gaming, budget-conscious | High-refresh rate gaming, indoor |
| Price (approx.) | ~$390 | More affordable | More affordable (implied) |
The Arzopa Z1RC is highlighted as a more affordable option that offers comparable speed and respectable brightness, though it might compromise slightly on color richness. For an even higher refresh rate, the InnoView PM408 offers a stunning 240Hz, matching the UPerfect's color fidelity, but it's better suited for indoor environments due to its lower peak brightness of 275 nits. Neither alternative offers 4K resolution, making the UPerfect BE173BU stand out for its pixel density.
Buying Recommendation
The UPerfect BE173BU is an excellent portable monitor for users who demand a high-resolution, fast, and color-accurate display for serious productivity, creative work, or high-fidelity gaming on the go. Its bright, anti-glare screen makes it versatile for various lighting conditions, and the QLED panel ensures stunning visuals. While its design is uninspired, and the controls are clunky, the core display performance shines through. If you're willing to pay a premium for a truly exceptional portable visual experience and don't mind carrying the extra power adapter for full brightness, this monitor is a compelling choice. If budget is a primary concern, or if 4K isn't essential and you prioritize raw refresh rate, the alternatives like the Arzopa Z1RC or InnoView PM408 might be better fits, but they won't offer the same combination of resolution, brightness, and color accuracy in a portable form factor.
A Crucial Note on Purchasing: Be exceptionally cautious when purchasing the UPerfect BE173BU. Both UPerfect's own website and Amazon listings can be confusing, often combining details for different models or having conflicting specifications and imagery. Always double-check that you are selecting the 120Hz 4K model (BE173BU) and verify the specifications before completing your purchase.
FAQ
Q: Is the UPerfect BE173BU suitable for professional photo/video editing? A: Yes, absolutely. With 100% DCI-P3 and sRGB color gamut coverage and an excellent average Delta E 1976 of 1.07, the BE173BU offers impressive color accuracy and a wide color range, making it highly suitable for professional creative tasks where precise color reproduction is crucial.
Q: Can I use this monitor with my gaming console (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)? A: Yes, the UPerfect BE173BU is compatible with gaming consoles via its mini HDMI port. Its 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate (with FreeSync) make it an excellent choice for a high-quality portable gaming experience, especially if your console supports 4K output and high refresh rates.
Q: What are the main drawbacks of this monitor, despite its strong performance? A: The primary drawbacks are its high price, the requirement for an external power adapter to reach full brightness (otherwise it's limited to 222 nits on USB-only power), and its poorly designed, mushy, and hard-to-access controls. Additionally, the built-in speakers are very basic and lack bass.
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