Introduction

BenQ has long been a favorite among competitive gamers, and their latest offering, the ZOWIE XL2586X+, continues this tradition with a focus on pure speed and responsiveness. Launched in early January 2025, this 24.5-inch monitor boasts an unprecedented 600Hz refresh rate, making it the fastest gaming monitor on the market. Designed specifically for esports and competitive FPS gaming, the XL2586X+ aims to provide the smoothest and most responsive gaming experience possible.

Review

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2586X+ maintains the understated, no-frills design that the ZOWIE line is known for. The all-black chassis and stand are functional rather than flashy, with a focus on adjustability and stability. The stand offers a full range of ergonomic adjustments, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, allowing gamers to find their perfect viewing angle with ease.

The headline feature of the XL2586X+ is undoubtedly its 600Hz refresh rate. This is a significant leap from the previous generation’s 540Hz, and it represents the bleeding edge of display technology. In practice, the difference between 540Hz and 600Hz may be subtle to all but the most discerning eyes, but it does provide bragging rights and future-proofing for those who demand the absolute fastest display technology.

The monitor uses a 24.5-inch Fast TN (Twisted Nematic) panel with a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080). While some may balk at the relatively low resolution by today’s standards, it’s a deliberate choice to achieve the ultra-high refresh rate and to ensure maximum frame rates in competitive games. The TN panel also contributes to the monitor’s incredibly low response times, with BenQ claiming a 0.5ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time.

Image quality, as expected from a TN panel, is not the XL2586X+’s strong suit. Colors are less vibrant and viewing angles are more limited compared to IPS or VA panels. However, for its intended audience of competitive gamers, these trade-offs are acceptable in pursuit of speed and responsiveness. The monitor does cover 100% of the sRGB color space, which is sufficient for most gaming needs.

One area where the XL2586X+ truly shines is in motion clarity. The combination of the 600Hz refresh rate, fast response times, and BenQ’s proprietary DyAc⁺™ (Dynamic Accuracy Plus) technology results in exceptionally clear motion, with minimal blur or ghosting. This level of clarity can provide a tangible advantage in fast-paced shooters where spotting and tracking moving targets is crucial.

The monitor supports adaptive sync technology, compatible with both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, ensuring smooth, tear-free gaming across a wide range of hardware. However, to truly take advantage of the 600Hz refresh rate, you’ll need a top-of-the-line GPU and a game that can push those kinds of frame rates.

BenQ has included several gamer-centric features that have become staples of the ZOWIE line. The Black eQualizer technology brightens dark areas without overexposing bright areas, potentially revealing hidden enemies in shadowy corners. The Color Vibrance setting allows users to adjust color saturation to their preference, and the built-in FPS mode optimizes the display for first-person shooters.

The OSD is navigated via a 5-way joystick, which is intuitive and easy to use. BenQ’s S Switch, a puck-like device that allows for quick switching between saved profiles, is also included, making it easy to change settings on the fly.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports. It’s worth noting that to achieve 600Hz, you’ll need to use DisplayPort, as HDMI 2.0 is limited to 240Hz at 1080p.

Conclusion

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2586X+ is a niche product that excels at what it sets out to do. For competitive gamers, particularly those in the FPS genre, who demand the absolute fastest and most responsive display available, this monitor delivers in spades. The 600Hz refresh rate, coupled with the fast TN panel and BenQ’s motion clarity technologies, results in an unparalleled smooth and responsive gaming experience.

However, it’s not for everyone. The focus on speed comes at the cost of image quality and resolution, making it less suitable for those who prioritize visual fidelity or require a monitor for content creation alongside gaming. Additionally, to fully utilize the 600Hz refresh rate, you’ll need a very powerful system and games that can run at such high frame rates.

For its target audience, though, the XL2586X+ is a dream come true. It pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming displays and sets a new standard for competitive gaming monitors. While it comes with a premium price tag, for those seeking every possible advantage in their gameplay, the BenQ ZOWIE XL2586X+ could be the edge they’ve been looking for.