Dell Alienware AW2521HF vs Sony INZONE M3

Which Monitor Is Better?

Products

Dell Alienware AW2521HF
Sony INZONE M3

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jul 02, 2024 11:22 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 12, 2024 07:12 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Dell Alienware AW2521HF

Sony INZONE M3

The Sony INZONE M3 and the Dell Alienware AW2521HF are both great 240Hz gaming monitors. They're similar for gaming, and while they each support 1080p games from the PS5, the Sony does support HDR and VRR from the console, making it a bit more compatible with the PS5. The Sony model also supports HDR from any source, which the Dell monitor doesn't, but it doesn't add much because it has limited HDR performance.

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Variants

  • Alienware AW2521HF (25")
  • INZONE M3 (27")

Check Price

25"
Alienware AW2521HF
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
B&H
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
BestBuy.com
27"
INZONE M3
B&H

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.1
7.4

Ergonomics 
 

8.9
4.6

Full Comparison

Design

Style 
 

Design Picture  

Curved 
 

No
No

Curve Radius 
 

Not Curved
Not Curved
Show Text 

Accelerated Longevity Test 
 

Uniformity Pictures  

Longevity Graph  

Build Quality 
 

8.5
6.0

Build Quality Picture  

Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

8.9
4.6

Ergonomics Picture  

Back Picture  

Height Adjustment 
 

4.9" (12.5 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Tilt Range 
 

-20° to 5°
-20° to 0°

Rotate Portrait/Landscape 
 

Yes, Both Ways
No

Swivel Range 
 

-20° to 20°
No swivel

Wall Mount 
 

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Stand 
 

Stand Picture  

Thickness Picture  

Base Width 
 

18.2" (46.3 cm)
18.0" (45.7 cm)

Base Depth 
 

10.1" (25.7 cm)
9.8" (25.0 cm)

Thickness (With Display) 
 

8.9" (22.5 cm)
9.8" (24.8 cm)

Weight (With Display) 
 

15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)
12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)
Show Text 

Display 
 

Display Picture  

Size 
 

25"
27"

Housing Width 
 

21.9" (55.7 cm)
24.3" (61.6 cm)

Housing Height 
 

13.0" (32.9 cm)
14.3" (36.2 cm)

Thickness (Without Stand) 
 

3.0" (7.7 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)

Weight (Without Stand) 
 

7.9 lbs (3.6 kg)
8.6 lbs (3.9 kg)

Borders Size (Bezels)  
 

0.3" (0.7 cm)
0.3" (0.8 cm)

Controls 
 

Controls Picture  

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

Power Supply 
 

Internal
External Brick
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.3
6.2

Checkerboard Picture  

Native Contrast 
 

1,198 : 1
1,129 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Brightness 
 

8.2
8.1

Real Scene 
 

406 cd/m²
365 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

409 cd/m²
402 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

410 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

410 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

411 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

411 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

408 cd/m²
402 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

410 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

410 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

410 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

411 cd/m²
403 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

0.000
0.000

Minimum Brightness 
 

32 cd/m²
67 cd/m²
Show Text 

HDR Brightness 
 

0.0
7.0

EOTF  

VESA DisplayHDR Certification 
 

No Certification
DisplayHDR 400 - 1.0/1.1

Real Scene 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

N/A
337 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

N/A
500 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

N/A
500 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

N/A
500 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

N/A
500 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

N/A
337 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

N/A
498 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

N/A
498 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

N/A
498 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

N/A
498 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

N/A
0.025
Show Text 

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

8.4
8.5

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

Color Washout From Left 
 

45°
47°

Color Washout From Right 
 

45°
45°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

Color Shift From Left 
 

58°
57°

Color Shift From Right 
 

57°
61°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

46°
48°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

46°
47°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
70°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

58°
58°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

57°
59°
Show Text 

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

7.0
6.4

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

Color Washout From Below 
 

31°
32°

Color Washout From Above 
 

31°
31°

Vertical Hue Graph  

Color Shift From Below 
 

39°
35°

Color Shift From Above 
 

42°
40°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

35°
37°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

35°
38°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

70°
40°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

70°
28°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

32°
32°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

32°
32°
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

7.8
8.1

50% Uniformity Picture  

50% Std. Dev. 
 

3.370%
2.893%

50% DSE 
 

0.149%
0.137%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

5.7
7.1

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

Native Std. Dev. 
 

2.227%
1.260%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration) 
 

7.6
7.5

Pre Calibration Picture  

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

Pre Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

112.2%
114.4%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

1.90
2.37

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,826 K
6,819 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.09
2.27

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

3.22
2.36

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Settings 
 

100-100-100
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
2.2

Brightness Setting 
 

75
50

Measured Brightness 
 

256 cd/m²
257 cd/m²

Brightness Locked 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration) 
 

9.7
9.8

Post Calibration Picture  

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

Post Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

98.7%
100.8%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

0.54
0.52

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,489 K
6,455 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.18
2.18

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

0.45
0.36

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Settings 
 

100-98-98
100-97-96

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
2.2

Brightness Setting 
 

22
8

Measured Brightness 
 

101 cd/m²
102 cd/m²

ICC Profile 
 

Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

8.9
9.4

sRGB Color Gamut Picture  

sRGB Coverage xy 
 

97.7%
100.0%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2

Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture  

Adobe RGB Coverage xy 
 

75.2%
80.0%

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2
Show Text 

SDR Color Volume 
 

9.4
9.5

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

96.7%
97.7%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

80.4%
85.0%

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Game 1
Game 2
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

0.0
7.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

N/A
Yes

DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture  

DCI-P3 Coverage xy 
 

N/A
83.5%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Game 2

Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture  

Rec. 2020 Coverage xy 
 

N/A
60.1%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Game 2
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

0.0
7.2

DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
73.3%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Game 2

Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
58.0%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Game 2
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

8.3
7.7

Average Room  

Average Room Off Picture  

Bright Room Off Picture  

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

4.9%
4.9%

Indirect Reflections 
 

4.6%
3.0%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

0.3%
1.9%
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

7.0
7.0

ClearType On  

ClearType Off  

Pixel Type 
 

IPS
IPS

Pixels  

Subpixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

8.0
9.2

Gradient Picture  

Color Depth 
 

8 Bit
10 Bit
Show Text 
Motion

Refresh Rate 
 

9.0
9.0

Native Refresh Rate 
 

240 Hz
240 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

240 Hz
240 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP 
 

240 Hz
240 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI 
 

240 Hz
240 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit 
 

N/A
240 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit 
 

N/A
120 Hz
Show Text 

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) 
 

FreeSync 
 

Yes
Compatible (Tested)

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)

VRR Maximum 
 

240 Hz
240 Hz

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors 
 

DisplayPort, HDMI
DisplayPort, HDMI

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

9.5
9.3

Motion Blur Picture  

Response Time Table  

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

Extreme
Fast

Rise / Fall Time 
 

2.9 ms
2.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

5.1 ms
5.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

0.3%
2.9%

Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time 
 

3.3 ms
3.1 ms

Worst 3 Total Response Time 
 

9.4 ms
8.3 ms

Worst 3 Overshoot Error 
 

2.7%
13.4%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 120Hz 
 

8.8
8.4

Motion Blur Picture  

Response Time Table  

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

Fast
Standard

Rise / Fall Time 
 

4.6 ms
4.9 ms

Total Response Time 
 

7.6 ms
9.3 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
0.0%

Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time 
 

5.9 ms
7.5 ms

Worst 3 Total Response Time 
 

9.2 ms
12.1 ms

Worst 3 Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
0.0%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

7.8
8.0

Motion Blur Picture  

Response Time Table  

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

Fast
Standard

Rise / Fall Time 
 

4.6 ms
4.8 ms

Total Response Time 
 

13.4 ms
11.9 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

2.3%
0.0%

Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time 
 

5.8 ms
7.2 ms

Worst 3 Total Response Time 
 

22.0 ms
17.5 ms

Worst 3 Overshoot Error 
 

9.5%
0.0%
Show Text 

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

Backlight Strobing Picture  

Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture  

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Maximum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Minimum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Longest Pulse Width Brightness 
 

N/A
N/A

Shortest Pulse Width Brightness 
 

N/A
N/A

Pulse Width Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Pulse Phase Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Pulse Amplitude Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

VRR At The Same Time 
 

No BFI
No BFI
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

Flicker-Free 
 

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.1
9.0

Native Resolution @ Max Hz 
 

2.7 ms
2.9 ms

Native Resolution @ 120Hz 
 

4.9 ms
4.9 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

9.7 ms
12.6 ms

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Resolution And Size 
 

6.7
6.5

Native Resolution 
 

1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080

Aspect Ratio 
 

16:9
16:9

Megapixels 
 

2.1 MP
2.1 MP

Pixel Density 
 

91 PPI
82 PPI

Measured Screen Diagonal 
 

24.5"
27.0"

Screen Area 
 

255 in²
312 in²
Show Text 

PS5 Compatibility 
 

3.0
7.0

PS5 Compatibility Photo  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

4k @ 60Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

No
No

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR 
 

No
Yes

VRR 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Xbox Series X|S Compatibility 
 

4.2
5.0

XSX Compatibility Photo  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

4k @ 60Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR 
 

No
No

VRR 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Inputs Photos  

Inputs 1  

Inputs 2  

Video And Audio Ports 
 

DisplayPort 
 

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort 
 

No
No

HDMI 
 

2 (HDMI 2.0)
2 (HDMI 2.0)

HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed 
 

No HDMI 2.1
No HDMI 2.1

DVI 
 

No
No

VGA 
 

No
No

Daisy Chaining 
 

No
No

3.5mm Audio Out 
 

1
1

HDR10 
 

No
Yes

3.5mm Audio In 
 

No
No

3.5mm Microphone In 
 

No
No
Show Text 

USB 
 

USB-A Ports 
 

4
3

USB-A Rated Speed 
 

5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

USB-B Upstream Port 
 

Yes
Yes

USB-C Ports 
 

0
1

USB-C Upstream 
 

No USB-C Ports
Yes

USB-C Rated Speed 
 

No USB-C Ports
5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

USB-C Power Delivery 
 

No USB-C Ports
15W

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode 
 

No USB-C Ports
Yes

Thunderbolt 
 

No
No
Show Text 

macOS Compatibility 
 

macOS Screenshot  

Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

Speakers 
 

No
Yes

RGB Illumination 
 

Controllable
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No

KVM Switch 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD) 
 

OSD Picture  

Check Price

25"
Alienware AW2521HF
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
B&H
27"
INZONE M3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
25"
Alienware AW2521HF
BestBuy.com
27"
INZONE M3
B&H

Dell Alienware AW2521HF

Sony INZONE M3

Comments

  1. Comparison

Dell Alienware AW2521HF vs Sony INZONE M3: Main Discussion

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