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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 value high refresh rates for fast-paced games, the BenQ XL2566K with its higher refresh capabilities could be the better choice, despite its higher price and lower resolution. However, if you're looking for a monitor that offers a sharper image for productivity tasks, better color accuracy for photo editing, and superior clarity for media consumption, the Dell S2721QS with its 4K resolution may be more suitable, while also being more affordable. Keep in mind that the BenQ's TN panel may not have as good viewing angles and color reproduction as the Dell's IPS panel. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
4.9
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
6.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$230
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 386 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 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
Shopping
BenQ XL2566K (TN)
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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 S2721QS (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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