The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is 240Hz gaming monitor with a TN panel that is full of gaming features. It's incredibly responsive due to the high refresh rate and exceptionally low input lag, and also has the ability to flicker the backlight to clear up motion. It supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology (VRR) which reduces screen tearing, however, the picture quality is below average, and the edges of the screen lose accuracy due to the narrow viewing angle.
Our Verdict
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is a decent monitor for mixed usage. Motion handling is excellent, which makes it a good candidate for gaming and other fast-paced activities. However, the picture quality is sub-par. When sitting close to the monitor, the edges of the screen lose contrast and saturation due to the narrow viewing angle.
- Incredibly responsive due to 240Hz refresh rate
- Input lag is extremely low
- Sub-par picture quality
- Poor viewing angle
The BenQ XL2540 is a decent monitor for office use. The monitor feels very responsive due to the low response time and input lag, but the picture quality is below average. There also isn't a lot of screen real estate for multitasking due to the low native resolution.
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is a great choice for gaming. This monitor supports a 240Hz input and FreeSync, so games feel very responsive. The input lag is also exceptional. Unfortunately, the picture quality is below average, and the edges of the screen appear non-uniform due to the poor viewing angle.
The BenQ XL2540 is decent for watching movies and TV shows. The monitor can get bright to combat glare and the light matte finish is good at diffusing reflections across the screen. Unfortunately, the picture quality is below average due to the low native contrast ratio, and the image loses accuracy when viewed at an angle.
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is decent for creating media or editing photos. This monitor feels responsive due to the excellent motion handling and is good at fighting glare and reflections in a bright room. Unfortunately, the picture quality is below average and the image degrades when viewed at an angle.
The BenQ XL2540 doesn't support HDR.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Jan 15, 2019: We tested the monitor's compatibility with NVIDIA's new FreeSync driver. See our full investigation into NVIDIA's FreeSync Drivers here.
- Updated Oct 12, 2017: Review published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 25 inch BenQ ZOWIE XL2540, but it's also available with different refresh rates, and with the 'DyAc' feature. 'DyAc' adds image flicker by default (similar to enabling 'Blur Reduction' on the XL2540 in the service menu).
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their monitor doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests like the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.
| Model | Size | Refresh Rate | Resolution | Other |
| XL2540 | 25" | 240Hz | 1080p | |
| XL2546 | 25" | 240Hz | 1080p | DyAc, No FreeSync |
| XL2411P | 24" | 144Hz | 1080p | |
| XL2536 | 24.5" | 144Hz | 1080p | DyAc, No FreeSync |
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is a great monitor for gaming and it feels very responsive due to the 240Hz refresh rate and very low input lag. Unfortunately, the picture quality is sub-par and the 1080p screen is quite limiting compared to higher resolution competitors. See our recommendations for the best 1080p monitors, the best gaming monitors, and the best gaming monitors for PS4.
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2546K and the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 are very similar overall. The XL2546K has a better response time and a better SDR color gamut. However, the XL2540 gets brighter and has better gradient handling.
The Acer Predator XB271HU Bmiprz is better than the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540. The Predator has a higher native resolution and larger screen, so you can see more fine details in games. The Predator also has wider viewing angles, which is especially important as the edges of the screen won't fade if you're sitting too close. While both support VRR, the Predator uses NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology, whereas the ZOWIE uses AMD's FreeSync technology.
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is better than the ASUS VG248QE. The XL2540 has a faster refresh rate, great for gaming, although not all computers will be able to benefit fully from this. The BenQ also supports FreeSync VRR. The Zowie also has a slightly better stand with a wider range of motion for adjustments.
The Dell U2715H is marginally better than the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540, unless your main usage is for gaming. The Dell has a larger IPS screen with a higher native resolution, so you can see more details when working. The Dell has wider viewing angles so the image remains accurate when sitting very close to the screen or if sharing your work with someone else. If your main usage is for gaming, the ZOWIE has less motion blur, less input lag, and a much faster refresh rate, plus it supports FreeSync VRR.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
