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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your main focus and you desire extremely high refresh rates for fast-paced games, the BenQ XL2566K would be an excellent choice despite its higher cost and lower resolution. Alternatively, if you prioritize a larger screen with higher resolution for productivity, casual gaming, and media consumption without concern for the highest refresh rates, the Dell S3221QS offers good performance for a lower price. The Dell monitor's higher contrast and color depth may also be preferable for general media consumption and casual gaming with richer visuals. However, the BenQ's superior speed and responsiveness are key advantages for competitive gaming scenarios. Choose the BenQ for ultimate gaming performance or the Dell for a versatile, budget-friendly option with a sharper image. 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.2
3.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
8.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$360
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $360.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell S3221QS (VA) 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 S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $360 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 371 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 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8/10 | |
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 S3221QS (VA)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Anj Bryant | May 2021
"The Dell S3221QS offers a 4K, 32-inch panel that’s great for streaming videos and casual gaming, with an effective, gentle curve. But color accuracy and HDR performance leave much room for improvement."
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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.
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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
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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