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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your top priority and you're looking to save money, the BenQ XL2566K with its higher refresh rate and fast response time would be a solid choice, though it has lower resolution and might not be as good for tasks that require high image quality. On the other hand, if you're interested in a better overall picture quality for productivity and media consumption and don't mind spending more, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers higher resolution and better color performance, but it has a lower refresh rate compared to the BenQ, which might not be as optimal for fast-paced gaming. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the BenQ XL2566K (TN)
- Excellent for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.2
8.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good.
Productivity
4.8
6.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
6.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$902
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 96.5 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
BenQ XL2566K (TN)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Nick Ross | August 2023
"It’s not for everyone in the same way that a top fuel dragster isn’t everyone’s perfect daily driver. The BenQ Zowie XL2566K succeeds in delivering the fastest, sharpest and smoothest display for pro FPS players and that’s all it wanted to do. Its other limitations and premium price tag mean it’s a bespoke tool for a niche market, rather than another general gaming monitor for those who like playing games."
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Chris Stobing | July 2021
"If cost isn't an issue and you want a gaming monitor that will give your content all-new life for years to come, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor defines the upper echelon of what gaming monitors do best today. This display does everything the HP Omen X 27 tried to do, but does it a whole lot better for just a slight bump in price. If you're choosing between the two, the Alienware is the clear winner, and that story repeats itself again and again no matter which 1440p contender we put the Alienware 27 up against."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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