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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 fast response times, high refresh rates, and features that reduce ghosting to ensure smooth gameplay, the BenQ XL2566K would be a better choice and it's also more affordable. However, if your priority is high-resolution image clarity, color accuracy for photo and video editing, and a larger screen size, the LG UltraFine 5K is superior, especially with its glossy IPS display that provides better text quality and image clarity, though this comes with a higher price tag. The LG isn't ideal for gaming due to its lower refresh rate, and while the BenQ is not suitable for professional color work. 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 LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
5.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
8.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (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 LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 5120 x 2880 | |
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 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | Unknown | |
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 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | N/A | |
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 | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 10/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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 | 0 | |
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."
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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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