BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ | 24.1 | Fast 24.1" Review

The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ is a 24-inch, 400Hz gaming monitor built for one thing: winning esports matches. Its motion clarity is unmatched, but you pay $650 for 1080p resolution and mediocre colors. Buy this only if you're a serious competitive player; for anyone else, it's overkill.

If you're hunting for a monitor that gives you every possible edge in competitive shooters like Counter-Strike or Valorant, the BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ is basically the final boss. This is a 24.1-inch, 1080p TN panel with one job: to be the fastest screen you can buy. It runs at a blistering 400Hz refresh rate and features BenQ's latest DyAc2 technology for insane motion clarity. At around $650, it's a serious investment for a 1080p monitor, but for the esports pros and hardcore enthusiasts it's designed for, that price tag is just part of the entry fee.

It's important to know what you're getting into. This isn't an all-arounder. The 1080p resolution is basic by today's standards, and the TN panel's color and viewing angles are functional at best. But that's not the point. The XL2566X+ is a purpose-built tool, and it comes with accessories that prove it, like a detachable monitor hood to block glare and a handy 'S Switch' remote for quickly swapping settings. You're buying raw, unfiltered speed and responsiveness, and nothing else on the market does it quite like this.

Let's talk numbers. That 400Hz refresh rate isn't just a marketing stat. In our testing, the motion clarity is in the 89th percentile of all gaming monitors we've benchmarked. That means the image stays incredibly sharp during fast pans and flicks, with virtually no ghosting or blur. The DyAc2 (Dynamic Accuracy) tech is the secret sauce here. It's a strobe backlight feature that further sharpens moving targets, making it easier to track enemies in chaotic firefights. Some people find DyAc2 a bit intense on the eyes, but for the competitive crowd, the trade-off for that extra edge is a no-brainer.

The ergonomics are also top-tier, scoring in the 88th percentile. The stand offers full height, tilt, and swivel adjustment, and it uses a new industrial-grade ball bearing mechanism that's buttery smooth. You can dial in the perfect position without any wobble or fuss, which matters more than you'd think during long gaming sessions.

At $650, the XL2566X+ is expensive for a 1080p monitor. You can get a fantastic 1440p, high-refresh-rate IPS panel for the same money that will look better for everything except the absolute pinnacle of competitive gaming. So, its value is entirely dependent on your goals. If you're a semi-pro or aspiring pro where every millisecond and pixel of clarity counts, this monitor's performance justifies the cost. For anyone else, it's a hard sell. You're paying a premium for a feature set that 99% of gamers will never fully utilize.

This monitor lives in its own niche, but let's look at the alternatives. The ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QNR is the closest competitor, offering 360Hz on a Fast IPS panel. The ASUS has slightly better colors and viewing angles, but the BenQ's DyAc2 often gives it the edge in pure motion clarity tests. Then there are monitors like the MSI MPG 321URX, a 4K 240Hz OLED. For over double the price, you get breathtaking image quality and still great speed, but it can't match the XL2566X+'s raw, blur-free motion at 400Hz. Finally, a budget 240Hz IPS monitor like the Dell G2724D offers fantastic all-around performance for half the price, but again, it's not built specifically for the esports grind. The BenQ doesn't try to beat these at being well-rounded; it just tries to be the fastest, period.

Skip the XL2566X+ if you play anything other than competitive shooters. If you enjoy story-driven games, work with photo or video editing, watch movies, or use a console, this monitor's weaknesses will frustrate you daily. Instead, look at a high-refresh-rate 1440p IPS monitor like the Dell G2724D for a balanced experience, or a 4K OLED if you want stunning image quality with great speed.

So, should you buy the BenQ Zowie XL2566X+? The answer is incredibly simple. If you are a competitive esports player where your rank or paycheck depends on having the clearest possible motion in fast-paced shooters, this is one of the best tools money can buy. The 400Hz refresh and DyAc2 provide a real, measurable advantage. For everyone else—casual gamers, content creators, people who watch movies on their PC—this monitor is a terrible choice. You'll be overpaying for performance you don't need while sacrificing resolution, color, and connectivity. It's a brilliant specialist and a frustrating generalist.