Review: Hanns.G HW223D TFT monitor

The HW223D is a budget monitor, so you’re getting a pretty standard TN panel with solidly average performance.

You’re not going to get a height-adjustable or swivelling stand, but there’s no skimping on features, including pair of integrated stereo speakers, VGA and DVI inputs with HDCP support and a four-port USB2 hub.

None of these features are usually found on budget model monitors, but Hanns.G has managed to cram all of them into a product with a very low price tag.

Visually, the HW223D is tidy, although not a stunning piece of design. It has a pleasingly thin bezel, finished in a matte silver and black plastic which houses its entirely invisible speakers.

Tucked away to the right are the four USB2 ports, which we were surprised to see on a monitor at this price, while below, there are five concealed control buttons. The on-screen menu is, however, rather ugly and tricky to navigate should you need to use it.

Our performance tests revealed average results for the HW223D, which can be translated into perfectly acceptable results when you take its price into consideration. Colour reproduction couldn’t touch premium models, but image contrast was very good. One criticism is slight over-sharpening of text, which can be easily, or perhaps not quite that easily, fixed by the on-screen controls.

There are better-looking 22in monitors, with better image quality and more features if you’re willing to pay for them. But with the HW223D, Hanns.G has come up with what is an excellent value for money product.