BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ Review: The Ultimate Esports Monitor, But It’s Not for Everyone!

BenQ recently sent us the Zowie XL2566X+ gaming monitor. But unlike OLED, QLED, or even higher resolution IPS gaming monitors, the XL2566X+ fetches a hefty Rs 52,990 price tag, despite its TN panel and Full HD resolution.

However, there’s more to the Zowie XL2566X+ gaming monitor than meets the eye. Unlike traditional gaming monitors, the Zowie XL2566X+ is tailored made for competitive multiplayer gaming. So let’s find out what makes the BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ a standout choice, despite its specifications and price tag.

Design

The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ is designed for effortless installation, eliminating the hassle of complex assembly. Its stand attaches seamlessly to the back of the monitor and can be secured to the base without requiring hooks. The stand offers impressive flexibility, allowing you to tilt it up or down and rotate it nearly 180 degrees to either side with ease. Additionally, the built-in scale ensures precise height adjustments with minimal effort.

For an immersive gaming experience, the monitor includes two side panels that block unwanted ambient light, helping you stay focused on the game. A retractable headphone stand on the back adds convenience.

The XL2566X+ features a flat display panel, preferred by competitive gamers over curved screens for better precision. Despite its predominantly plastic build, it feels solid and durable, while the matte black finish adds a sleek, understated look. The space-efficient stand also leaves ample room for accessories, making it ideal for clutter-free setups.

Connectivity & Controls

The Zowie XL2566X+ has a plethora of display inputs, all located on the back, but little else. These include a three HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.4, a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are three buttons and an S-Switch on the back of the monitor to control its settings, although you can use a small joystick, which has a clickable scroll wheel and a trio of buttons for easy access to the controls on the back. The joystick can be used to adjust everything from picture modes to colour profiles and more.

The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ offers eight picture modes, with FPS1 as the default. The three Gamer modes correspond to the S-Switch’s numbered buttons, allowing quick selection after configuration. Calibration includes five gamma presets, three colour temperatures, and RGB sliders. While grayscale tracking is excellent, BenQ’s gamma adjustments feel more interpretive than precise, affecting game detail.

You can save three Game modes as profiles and instantly switch between them using the S-Switch. The Quick Menu and a dedicated S-Switch key can be customized for frequently used settings. One drawback is the buzzer, which beeps with every button press-it’s best turned off immediately. The System menu also houses volume controls for the headphone jack, but no additional LED lighting is present.

Performance and Features

The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ features a 24.1-inch Full HD (1080p) TN panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, but its standout feature is the 400Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, making it ideal for competitive gaming. It also includes DyAc2+ technology, which reduces perceived motion blur using dual backlight control with strobing. This rapid backlight cycling enhances colour accuracy and object integrity, ensuring smooth visuals even in high-speed action.

I tested the XL2566X+ with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Apex Legends, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2, and Valorant. The difference was immediately noticeable compared to my 1080p UltraGear monitor, except in Call of Duty, where my CPU and GPU struggled to push beyond 100fps. However, in Marvel Rivals, I managed to climb from Platinum II to Grandmaster III, something I struggled to achieve on my UltraGear.

While the LG UltraGear offers better HDR image quality, the XL2566X+ felt noticeably more responsive, with zero input lag. I also tested an ultra-wide curved OLED display from Gigabyte and found that despite OLED’s better contrast, the Zowie XL2566X+ provided a clear competitive edge in fast-paced gaming.

While there no preset ‘Reading’ mode, heading into the settings and reducing the blue light is simple, which makes it decent enough for work. The Zowie XL2566X+ delivers 99% sRGB coverage, making it suitable for content consumption and casual gaming with proper calibration. However, its contrast ratio and viewing angles fall short compared to standard gaming monitors. That said, the trade-off is justified, given its superior responsiveness and competitive gaming performance.

Verdict

The BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ is a top-tier choice for competitive esports players, offering an ultra-fast 400Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and DyAc2+ technology for exceptional motion clarity. Its customizable settings, low input lag, and ergonomic design make it ideal for serious gamers who demand peak performance.

However, for casual gamers and content creators, the TN panel’s poor viewing angles and lack of HDR support limit its versatility. While the 99% sRGB coverage ensures decent colour accuracy, the subpar contrast ratio means it’s not ideal for watching content or editing visuals.

On the productivity front, the adjustable stand, flicker-free display, and blue light reduction make it comfortable for long hours of work, but again, limited viewing angles could be an issue in shared spaces. At ₹52,990, it’s a premium investment best suited for esports enthusiasts, not general users seeking an immersive or colour-accurate experience.