If competitive gaming is your top priority, particularly fast-paced games where every millisecond counts, the BenQ XL2566K, with its exceptional refresh rates and response times, will give you an edge. However, its colors and viewing angles are less impressive compared to the Dell Alienware AW2723DF. The Dell offers a better balance for a mix of uses, such as enjoying vivid colors in games and media, and it comes with a higher resolution and size, enhancing the experience for productivity and media consumption. It's also slightly less expensive and has better color accuracy for tasks like digital photo editing. 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 AW2723DF (IPS)
Good text clarity
Good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9/10
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
280Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1020:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
384 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
672 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.6 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.2/10
8.6/10
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
280Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.6 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 280 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
384 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is very good.
Productivity
4.8/10
6.4/10
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 AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1/10
6.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1020:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
384 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
672 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$429
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) costs $429.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (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 AW2723DF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) compare to other monitors
"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."
"Put all the pieces together, the high quality IPS image quality, the punchy backlight, the good response and the buttery smooth 280Hz refresh and you have a pretty outstanding gaming panel that's also decent for general computing duties thanks to the 1440p resolution."
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.
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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.