BenQ Zowie XL2546X+ 24.1" Black 2024

The XL2546X+ is a motion clarity monster built exclusively for competitive shooters. It's the best at what it does, but it's a terrible choice if you do anything else on your PC.

The motion clarity on this thing is the real deal. We're talking top-of-the-charts performance for blur reduction. The 280Hz refresh rate combined with DyAc 2 makes fast strafes in Valorant or tracking a blinking Tracer in Overwatch 2 feel incredibly crisp. What surprised us most, though, was the color performance. TN panels are notorious for looking washed out, but after some tweaking, this one is actually solid, landing right in the middle of the pack in our database. You won't confuse it with an OLED, but it's a massive step up from the old Zowie monitors we've tested.

The Zowie's main competition comes from the new wave of 1440p 360Hz OLEDs like the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDPG and the MSI MAG 271QPX. Those monitors offer vastly superior image quality, better contrast, and a higher resolution on a larger screen. But here's the thing: they don't have DyAc. For pure motion clarity, the Zowie still wins. The OLEDs are the better all-rounders, but the Zowie is the specialist. If you're choosing between this and a 360Hz IPS panel like the older ASUS PG259QN, the Zowie's backlight strobing tech makes it the clear winner for competitive play.

Value is a tricky one here. You're paying a premium, with prices ranging from $425 to $699 depending on the vendor. The best deal we see is on the lower end of that spread. You're not paying for a pretty picture or high resolution. You're paying for the absolute best motion clarity and a feature set designed for LAN tournaments. If you're a competitive FPS player who needs every possible edge, the price is justified. If you're a normal gamer who also watches movies, it's a hard sell.

The BenQ Zowie XL2546X+ is a single-minded esports weapon. If you're looking for a beautiful display to enjoy single-player RPGs, this ain't it. This is a 24.1-inch TN panel built for one thing: competitive advantage. The 280Hz refresh rate and BenQ's new DyAc 2 technology deliver motion clarity that makes tracking fast-moving targets feel almost unfair. It's not trying to be a pretty monitor, and it's definitely not cheap, but for the competitive player who values frames over everything else, it's one of the best tools you can buy.

If you're looking for a monitor to enjoy immersive single-player games or do creative work, this isn't it. Go get a 1440p OLED like the MSI MAG 271QPX instead. You'll get a stunning picture, better resolution, and a refresh rate that's still incredibly fast for a fraction of the competitive headache.

The BenQ Zowie XL2546X+ is not for everyone, and it doesn't try to be. It's a purpose-built tool for competitive gamers who need the smoothest possible motion and don't care about 4K or HDR. The DyAc 2 tech is a genuine game-changer for clarity, and the build quality is fantastic. Just know that you're making sacrifices in resolution and everyday image quality to get that speed. If you're serious about your rank, this is an easy recommendation. If you want a monitor that's also great for Netflix, look at a fast IPS or OLED instead.