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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 okay with spending more, the BenQ XL2566K with its high refresh rate and low response time is tailored for that experience but comes at a higher price. On the other hand, the Dell S2721DGF offers better image clarity, higher screen resolution, and more vibrant colors for digital photo editing and general productivity at a lower cost but isn't as optimized for high-level competitive gaming. It boils down to whether you prioritize gaming performance or a balance of good image quality and general use at a more affordable price. 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
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
5.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
6.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and BenQ XL2566K (TN) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$599
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and BenQ XL2566K (TN) are both poor for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DGF (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 S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DGF (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 S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell S2721DGF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $300 | ||
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 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 882:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 368 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 485 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 % | 137.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 6.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
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 S2721DGF (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
Give feedback
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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