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Auzai 21.5-inch monitor is super cheap and super average

Auzai 21.5-inch monitor is super cheap and super average (Image source: Amazon)
Auzai 21.5-inch monitor is super cheap and super average (Image source: Amazon)
You can't expect too much from a 21.5-inch monitor for less than $100 USD. The Auzai is great for basic browsing and multimedia tasks, but casual gamers or even amateur content creators will want to invest in something better.

(October 15, 2020 update: We previously stated that the monitor uses a TN panel and not a VA panel. This has been corrected.)

Auzai is currently selling a 21.5-inch 1080p monitor for less than $100 USD on Amazon. The company recently sent us a unit to test and, after playing around with it for a couple of days, it may be wise to hold onto your hundred dollar bill if you value higher quality monitors.

The first major drawback of the monitor is its VA panel and subsequent limited viewing angles. Though 100 mm VESA mounting is supported, don't expect great colors when rotated. The claimed 178-degree viewing angles don't hold up well if viewing from the top or bottom.

The second drawback is the general graininess of the overall image. It's not an issue when sitting at a normal distance from the screen, but image quality differences are obvious when compared to something pricier like the Dell Ultrasharp U2415 retailing for over two times the price.

Thirdly, the next disadvantage relates to the color accuracy of the display. Though color coverage is actually pretty good at 95 percent of sRGB, color accuracy is just average at best with the color red being the most inaccurate even after calibrating the display.

Fourthly, the plastic base allows for almost no angle adjustments outside of a narrow tilt of just a few degrees. Users can remove the entire base with just a Philips screwdriver if desired.

The last noticeable disadvantage to keep in mind is the proprietary AC adapter. Not only are standard AC power cables not supported, but the included adapter is relatively short at around 3.5 to 4 feet in length.

The cheap Auzai monitor works well for web browsing, emailing, video, and other casual scenarios and the very light weight makes it easy to handle. More serious office workers or gamers are going to want to invest a little more on monitors with crisper and better calibrated displays.

ProsCons
Inexpensive
Lightweight (2240 g with base)
95 percent sRGB coverage
Integrated speakers
VESA mount
Color red is inaccurate
Image quality is slightly grainy
Short, proprietary AC adapter
TN panel with limited viewing angles
Plastic build quality feels cheap

 

Auzai M215BH Monitor
21.50, 1920x1080
HP Pavilion 15-cs2019ng
BOE080D, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Asus VivoBook 15 K571LI-PB71
Panda LM156LF-GL03, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 11IGL05
N116BCA-EA1, IPS LED, 11.60, 1366x768
Dell Vostro 15-5581
156CL04 1G2XW, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Display
Display P3 Coverage
71.2
67.2
40.2
45.35
38.86
sRGB Coverage
94.5
88.1
60.4
67.7
58.5
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
69.6
64.4
41.56
46.93
40.15
Response Times
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
28.4 ?(9.6, 18.8)
43 ?(22, 21)
28.4 ?(16.8, 11.6)
38 ?(20, 18)
36 ?(18, 18)
Response Time Black / White *
21.4 ?(19.6, 1.8)
29 ?(16, 13)
24 ?(13.2, 10.8)
25 ?(14, 11)
27 ?(16, 11)
PWM Frequency
208 ?(90)
250 ?(60)
208 ?(10)
Screen
Brightness middle
210.7
320
263.9
270
231
Brightness
192
293
246
259
213
Brightness Distribution
82
86
87
76
87
Black Level *
0.36
0.26
0.26
0.195
0.13
Contrast
585
1231
1015
1385
1777
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
3.93
4.5
5.56
3.98
4.81
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
10.02
8.81
16.11
8.46
8.33
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
3.51
4.3
4
4.2
Greyscale dE 2000 *
2.8
4.71
5.8
2.57
5.19
Gamma
2.07 106%
2.45 90%
2.16 102%
2.3 96%
2.33 94%
CCT
6766 96%
7085 92%
7828 83%
6332 103%
7088 92%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
61.7
58
38.2
43
37
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
94.5
88
60.1
67
58
Total Average (Program / Settings)

* ... smaller is better

Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
No pulse-width modulation detected
No pulse-width modulation detected
Black-white response times
Black-white response times
Gray-gray response times
Gray-gray response times
Limited TN viewing angles
Limited TN viewing angles
Subpixel array is on the grainy side
Subpixel array is on the grainy side
vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
Increasing the brightness from minimum to maximum will demand 14 W more from the outlet for a maximum draw of just under 19 W
Increasing the brightness from minimum to maximum will demand 14 W more from the outlet for a maximum draw of just under 19 W

Source(s)

Amazon product page

The 15.6-inch Auzai portable monitor is also currently on sale for $160 USD or $30 off the original retail price for Prime Day.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 10 > Auzai 21.5-inch monitor is super cheap and super average
Allen Ngo, 2020-10-14 (Update: 2020-10-15)