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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're a competitive gamer looking for the smoothest experience with minimal ghosting, the BenQ XL2566K with its higher refresh rate and response time will excel, but its lower resolution and poorer color reproduction make it less ideal for vibrant media consumption or detailed productivity tasks. On the other hand, the Dell S2721DS offers better image clarity and text quality due to its higher resolution, making it a solid choice for productivity and casual media viewing, but its slower refresh rate and response time won't match the BenQ's performance for fast-paced gaming. Choose the BenQ for competitive gaming excellence or the Dell for a balanced, cost-effective monitor for everyday use. 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 S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
5.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and BenQ XL2566K (TN) are both poor for productivity, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.1
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and BenQ XL2566K (TN) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$599
$309
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721DS (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 S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $309 | ||
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 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 75Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 334 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 % | 98.6 % | |
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | |||
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | No | No | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
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 | 1 | |
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 S2721DS (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
Give feedback
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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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