BenQ Zowie XL2411P Review
The XL2411P is a cheap 144Hz monitor for serious gamers. It is a monitor designed for esports. Given the nature of competitive gaming, it aptly sports a 144Hz refresh rate with a GTG response time of 1ms (traits that you wouldn’t want to overlook in a gaming monitor). For fps gamers this monitor gives the most bang for their buck and has our fullest recommendation. Without further ado here is what we found out about this monitor during testing
BenQ Zowie XL2411P Review Summary
BenQ Zowie XL2411P Review at a glance
| 1. Image Quality 2. Performance 3. Design & Build 4. Features 5. Connectivity 6. Pros & Cons 7. Conclusion |
Image Quality
It may not offer the perfect image quality, given that it is a TN panel and a budget TN panel at that. Yet the monitors’ image quality is not bad by any means.
| Benq has touted this as a monitor made for esports. Their emphasis has been on performance more than pixels and colors. So if you are aiming to buy a panel for purposes other than gaming such as professional design then this monitor won’t cut it. Benq has touted this as a monitor made for esports. Their emphasis has been on performance more than pixels and colors. So if you are aiming to buy a panel for purposes other than gaming such as professional design then this monitor won’t cut it. |  |
However when it comes to gaming the image quality is sufficiently good. The colors have a nice pop to them and the images look sharp. The image quality is ok for watching media.
Out of the box settings for the monitor are not that great. Be prepared to sit down and spend time on adjusting the picture settings till you are happy with the results.
The monitor is definitely brighter than some of the other 144Hz monitors that we have tested. It has a peak brightness of 350 cd/m2 and a contrast that is good for a TN Panel. You can also use the Black equalizer to deepen the blacks for improved contrast.
The viewing angles are limited as with any other TN panel, yet it’s not an aspect that you should discount this monitor for, given its gaming ability.
Performance
The display is meant for gamers with a performance over pixels mindset.
| Competitive gaming requires millisecond reactions and the XL2411P is a super-responsive, blistering fast monitor that is well suited to the needs of this genre. The panel sports a 144Hz refresh rate @1080p and a 1ms response time. Games run silky smooth and the input actions appear without any delay on the screen. We tested this monitor with CSGO running on our budget build using the Radeon RX580 graphics card and did not notice any traces of ghosting. The images were sharp and clear. The game action was fluid and the monitor was super-responsive. |  |
The black equalizer feature definitely helped with visibility in the darker scenes.
Sadly it doesn’t support either FreeSync or G-Sync technology. But if you are one of those gamers who prefer to play their shooters with VSYNC OFF, simply because it reduces the input lag, then this panel is just right for you.
Wanna learn more about VSYNC OFF, read this article.
Finally, for those of you who prefer to aim at their targets using a crosshair, the monitor doesn’t come with a built-in crosshair.
Design & Build
The BENQ XL2411P has a very basic design with no focus on cosmetics.
The build quality is good. Mind you this is not one of those expensive monitors, however, the build quality is better than what you would expect of monitors selling at a budget price. The body is made of durable plastic and sports a matte finish.
It comes with a sturdy stand that does a good job of keeping the monitor steady. The stand offers exceptionally good ergonomic options for a budget monitor. The monitor can be moved up and down (130mm) along the length of the stand to adjust the height, rotated to portrait mode i.e. full vertical rotation of 90 degrees, and it can be tilted forwards and backward (20ᵒ, – 5ᵒ). The monitor can also be swiveled left and right (each by 45ᵒ).
If you are looking to wall mount this monitor it can be attached to a standard 100 x 100 mm VESA mount.
Features
Flicker Free: The monitor comes with Flicker-Free technology to ease eyes from straining during marathon sessions.
Black Equalizer: To deepen blacks and improve visibility
Low Blue Light: Blue light is harmful to the eyes and a major cause of eyestrain. Low Blue Light filter reduces blue light to keep eyes fresh during extended gaming sessions.
Connectivity
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 X DP 1.2
- 1 x DVI-DL
- 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
To leverage the 144Hz refresh rate @ 1080p, you need to use the DisplayPort or DVI port.
The HDMI port on the monitor does not support 144Hz.
HDMI is capped at 60Hz and can be used to pair with gaming consoles. However, this monitor has far better specs to make it more suitable for gaming on PCs rather than consoles. If you are looking for a monitor to use with your PS4 or XBOX console then BenQ RL2455 is a good option.
The monitor is shipped with a DisplayPort cable.
Pros & Cons
 Fast and Responsive |  Not the prettiest monitor-Very simple design |
| Superior Ergonomic Options | No FreeSync or G-Sync |
| 144Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time | No Built-In Speakers |
| Budget Monitor – Best Value For Money |
Conclusion
The XL2411P is a cheap 144Hz gaming monitor that is well worth its price. There are a few other affordable monitors that offer a 144Hz refresh rate and low response time like the Sceptre e255b-1658a and AOC C24G1 monitor. The only handicap is the absence of variable refresh rate technologies (i.e. G-Sync and FreeSync) to handle drops in frame rates for smoother tear-free gaming. That said, the XL2411P is one heck of a monitor for competitive gaming at a throw-away price.