Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: We're looking for passionate writers and testers to join our team. Apply now!
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Back
    5. Borders
    6. Thickness
    7. Build Quality
  5. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Horizontal Viewing Angle
    6. Vertical Viewing Angle
    7. Gray Uniformity
    8. Black Uniformity
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. SDR Color Gamut
    12. SDR Color Volume
    13. HDR Color Gamut
    14. HDR Color Volume
    15. Image Retention
    16. Gradient
    17. Color Bleed
    18. Reflections
    19. Text Clarity
  6. Motion
    1. Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    2. Response Time @ 60Hz
    3. Image Flicker
    4. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    5. Refresh Rate
  7. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Resolution And Size
    3. Inputs
    4. Total Inputs
  8. Features
    1. Additional Features
    2. On-Screen Display (OSD)
    3. Controls
    4. In The Box
  9. Comments

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 vs Dell U2518D

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540
Dell U2518D

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Oct 05, 2022 07:07 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Sep 03, 2021 02:17 AM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Picture
Dell U2518D Picture

Variants

  • XL2540 (25")
  • U2518D (25")

Our Verdict

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540

Dell U2518D

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is a much better monitor for gaming, For all other uses and HDR support, the Dell U2518D is a better choice. The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is equipped with features like variable refresh rate, black frame insertion, very low input lag, and fast pixel response time. All of these make it an excellent choice for gamers. On the other hand, the Dell U2518D has much better viewing angles and HDR support, along with a better QHD resolution that gives you more detail on your screen. This makes it great for multitasking in an office or for multimedia.

0 

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
7.6

Refresh Rate 
 

9.6
5.9

Resolution And Size 
 

7.1
8.3

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

5.2
6.6

Input Lag 
 

9.5
8.0

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

6.9
8.2

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Design Picture
Dell U2518D Design Picture

Size  

25"
25"

Curved  

No
No

Curve Radius  

Not Curved
Not Curved

Weight (without stand) 
 

9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

16.3 lbs (7.4 kg)
12.8 lbs (5.8 kg)

Stand  

Stand Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Stand Picture
Dell U2518D Stand Picture

Width 
 

11.9" (30.2 cm)
11.5" (29.2 cm)

Depth 
 

7.8" (19.8 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

8.4
8.5

Ergonomics Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Ergonomics Picture
Dell U2518D Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

5.6" (14.2 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

Yes, Clockwise
Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range  

-45° to 45°
-30° to 30°

Tilt Range  

-17.5° to 5°
-22.5° to 2.5°
Show Text 

Back  

Back Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Back Picture
Dell U2518D Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Borders  

Borders Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Borders Picture
Dell U2518D Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.6" (1.5 cm)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Show Text 

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Thickness Picture
Dell U2518D Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

5.7" (14.5 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

2.5" (6.4 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build Quality Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Build Quality Picture
Dell U2518D Build Quality Picture
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.1
6.3

Checkerboard Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Checkerboard Picture
Dell U2518D Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

1,037 : 1
1,187 : 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
Direct
Show Text 

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

8.4
8.2

SDR Real Scene 
 

444 cd/m²
406 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

459 cd/m²
423 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
426 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
426 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
426 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
426 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

459 cd/m²
421 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
424 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
425 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

460 cd/m²
425 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

459 cd/m²
425 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.000
0.000
Show Text 

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

0.0
7.2

HDR Real Scene 
 

N/A
498 cd/m²

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

N/A
476 cd/m²

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

N/A
520 cd/m²

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

N/A
545 cd/m²

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

N/A
562 cd/m²

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

N/A
584 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

N/A
279 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

N/A
304 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

N/A
317 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

N/A
328 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

N/A
340 cd/m²

HDR ABL 
 

N/A
0.012
Show Text 

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

6.9
8.2

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Horizontal Chroma Graph
Dell U2518D Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

34°
44°

Color Washout From Right 
 

33°
47°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Horizontal Hue Graph
Dell U2518D Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

35°
50°

Color Shift From Right 
 

35°
55°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Horizontal Lightness Graph
Dell U2518D Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

51°
46°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

50°
49°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

24°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

23°
70°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

47°
45°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

44°
53°
Show Text 

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

5.2
6.6

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Vertical Chroma Graph
Dell U2518D Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

15°
34°

Color Washout From Above 
 

50°
34°

Vertical Hue Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Vertical Hue Graph
Dell U2518D Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

20°
34°

Color Shift From Above 
 

70°
37°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Vertical Lightness Graph
Dell U2518D Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

36°
39°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

37°
39°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

24°
23°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

23°
52°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

33°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

34°
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

7.9
8.6

50% Uniformity Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  50% Uniformity Picture
Dell U2518D 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

6.101%
3.180%

50% DSE 
 

0.109%
0.109%

5% Uniformity Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  5% Uniformity Picture
Dell U2518D 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

1.251%
0.340%

5% DSE 
 

0.063%
0.046%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

5.8
5.9

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Native Black Uniformity Picture
Dell U2518D Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

2.154%
2.053%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Dell U2518D Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Pre Calibration 
 

5.1
9.2

Pre Calibration Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Pre Calibration Picture
Dell U2518D Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Dell U2518D Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Pre Color Picture
Dell U2518D Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Standard

Luminance 
 

429 cd/m²
275 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

100
75

Contrast Setting 
 

50
75

RGB Controls 
 

100-100-100
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

Gamma 2
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,276 K
6,720 K

White Balance dE 
 

5.91
1.28

Color dE 
 

4.08
1.15

Gamma 
 

2.24
2.19
Show Text 

Post Calibration 
 

9.4
9.7

Post Calibration Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Post Calibration Picture
Dell U2518D Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Post Gamma Curve Picture
Dell U2518D Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Post Color Picture
Dell U2518D Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Custom Color

Luminance 
 

98 cd/m²
99 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

10
17

Contrast Setting 
 

55
75

RGB Controls 
 

97-100-92
99-98-100

Gamma Setting 
 

Gamma 2
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,514 K
6,513 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.50
0.45

Color dE 
 

1.05
0.48

Gamma 
 

2.19
2.18
Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

8.4
8.7

Color Gamut sRGB Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Gamut sRGB Picture
Dell U2518D Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

92.7%
98.1%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Gamut ARGB Picture
Dell U2518D Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

73.5%
76.1%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Custom Color
Show Text 

SDR Color Volume 
 

8.5
8.9

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell U2518D sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

92.9%
95.9%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell U2518D Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

76.9%
80.8%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Standard
Custom Color
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

0.0
6.5

Wide Color Gamut 
 

No
No

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
Dell U2518D Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

N/A
72.6%

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Dell U2518D Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

N/A
56.9%

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Custom Color

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Custom Color
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

0.0
5.9

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell U2518D P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
66.6%

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell U2518D 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
49.6%

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Custom Color

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
Custom Color
Show Text 

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Image Retention Picture
Dell U2518D Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

8.9
9.4

Gradient Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Gradient Picture
Dell U2518D Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

8 Bit
10 Bit
Show Text 

Color Bleed 
 

9.6
10

Color Bleed Horizontal  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Bleed Horizontal
Dell U2518D Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.000%
0.000%

Color Bleed Vertical  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Color Bleed Vertical
Dell U2518D Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.077%
0.001%
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

8.2
6.9

Average Room  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Average Room
Dell U2518D Average Room

Average Room Off Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Average Room Off Picture
Dell U2518D Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Bright Room Off Picture
Dell U2518D Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

5.0%
6.3%

Indirect Reflections 
 

4.5%
3.3%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

0.5%
3.0%
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

7.0
8.0

ClearType On  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  ClearType On
Dell U2518D ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

TN
IPS

ClearType Off  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  ClearType Off
Dell U2518D ClearType Off

Pixels  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Pixels
Dell U2518D Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 
Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

9.0
7.7

Motion Blur Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Motion Blur Picture
Dell U2518D Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Response Time Table
Dell U2518D Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

High
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

4.1 ms
8.0 ms

Total Response Time 
 

8.3 ms
15.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

5.3%
1.7%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

1.5 ms
8.5 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

7.0 ms
16.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

26.7%
3.2%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

7.4
7.7

Motion Blur Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Motion Blur Picture
Dell U2518D Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Response Time Table
Dell U2518D Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Premium
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

8.0 ms
8.0 ms

Total Response Time 
 

18.7 ms
15.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

2.4%
1.7%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

2.2 ms
8.5 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

17.6 ms
16.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

10.7%
3.2%
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Backlight Picture
Dell U2518D Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

Yes
No

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
940 Hz
Show Text 

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

7.3
0.0

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

Yes
No

BFI Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  BFI Picture
Dell U2518D BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  BFI Frequency Picture
Dell U2518D BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

240 Hz
N/A

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

100 Hz
N/A
Show Text 

Refresh Rate 
 

9.6
5.9

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

FreeSync
No VRR

Native 
 

240 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

240 Hz
60 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync 
 

Yes
No

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
No

VRR Maximum 
 

240 Hz
N/A

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
No VRR

VRR Supported Connectors  

DisplayPort, HDMI
No VRR
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.5
8.0

Native Resolution 
 

3.7 ms
15.8 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

14.5 ms
15.8 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

3.6 ms
N/A

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

14.9 ms
N/A

10 Bit HDR 
 

N/A
19.8 ms

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

5.5 ms
N/A
Show Text 

Resolution And Size 
 

7.1
8.3

Native Resolution  

1920 x 1080
2560 x 1440

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

2.1 MP
3.7 MP

Pixel Density 
 

88 PPI
118 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

25.0"
25.0"

Screen Area  

268 in²
266 in²
Show Text 

Inputs  

Inputs 1  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Inputs 1
Dell U2518D Inputs 1

Inputs 2  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Inputs 2
Dell U2518D Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.2)

Mini DisplayPort  

No
1 (DP 1.2)

HDMI  

1 (HDMI 2.0), 1 (HDMI 1.4)
1 (HDMI 2.0)

DVI  

1 (DVI-D, dual link)
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

No
1 (DP 1.2)

USB  

2 (USB 3.0)
4 (USB 3.0)

USB C  

No
No

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

2
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

Internal
Internal
Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

No
No

HDR10  

No
Yes

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  OSD Picture
Dell U2518D OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  Controls Picture
Dell U2518D Controls Picture
Show Text 

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540  In The Box Picture
Dell U2518D In The Box Picture
Show Text 

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540

Dell U2518D

Comments

  1. Comparison

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 vs Dell U2518D: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones