ZOWIE XQ2566X Review: 1440p 360Hz Warzone Monitor Tested

ZOWIE XQ2566X specifications

The XQ2566X combines a compact QHD panel with the refresh rate and physical adjustments expected from a serious esports display.

Why 1440p matters in Warzone

The resolution is the feature that separates the XQ2566X from ZOWIE's traditional esports monitors.

At 24.1 inches, 2560 × 1440 produces a pixel density of approximately 122 pixels per inch. A 27-inch 1440p monitor sits at roughly 109 pixels per inch. The XQ2566X therefore presents the same resolution in a denser and visibly sharper frame.

That difference is useful in Warzone because enemies are not always directly in front of you. You are constantly scanning rooftops, distant windows, ridgelines and cluttered environments for small signs of movement.

A conventional 1080p esports monitor can feel limiting here. High refresh rates improve responsiveness, but they cannot restore detail that is missing from the image.

ZOWIE says battle royale games benefit more from resolution than conventional 5v5 shooters because their larger environments require players to identify enemies at longer distances. That logic carries over particularly well to Warzone. Read ZOWIE's explanation on the official XQ2566X page.

DyAc 3 works, but comfort is the trade-off

DyAc 3 is ZOWIE's latest motion-clarity system. It uses controlled backlight behaviour to reduce the perceived blur and afterimages that appear during rapid movement.

In practical terms, it makes fast turns, close-range tracking and weapon animations look more defined. It does not transform your aim, but it makes visual information easier to follow when the image is moving quickly.

I mainly used DyAc 3 at its Premium setting. In Warzone, its effect is most apparent during frantic close-range engagements and when rapidly checking different angles. Enemy outlines remain more readable as the camera moves, and the display feels very controlled.

QHD improves the amount of visible detail. DyAc 3 helps preserve clarity while that detail is moving. Together, they produce a compelling competitive image.

There is a downside. I experienced noticeably more eye strain on the XQ2566X than I normally do on my 27-inch OLED, particularly during longer sessions with DyAc 3 enabled.

The monitor supports variable refresh rate, but DyAc and VRR cannot operate together. If your Warzone frame rate fluctuates heavily, compare DyAc 3 with Adaptive-Sync. ZOWIE confirms this limitation in its support documentation.

Is it clearer than a 27-inch OLED?

That depends on what you mean by clarity.

The XQ2566X can look sharper than a 27-inch 1440p OLED when viewing static details because it fits the same number of pixels into a smaller screen. Text, fine geometry and distant environmental detail benefit from the higher pixel density. DyAc 3 also gives the ZOWIE excellent motion definition.

Despite that, I still prefer the image from my 27-inch OLED.

OLED's near-instant pixel response, much stronger contrast and true black levels give the image greater separation and depth. Dark areas look cleaner, colours have more impact and objects stand apart from their backgrounds more naturally.

The XQ2566X's Fast TN panel is much better than the washed-out TN monitors many players remember, but it remains a performance-focused LCD. Its contrast and viewing angles cannot match OLED.

The 24.1-inch size is the real reason to buy it

Some players simply perform better on a smaller display. A compact monitor keeps more of the image inside your central vision, allowing you to process the minimap, ammunition count and surrounding action without moving your eyes or head as far.

I personally prefer 27 inches because the larger picture feels more immersive and comfortable without being excessively large. Other players find 27 inches distracting and feel more focused on a 24-inch screen.

The XQ2566X is for the second group. It provides the controlled viewing area of a traditional esports monitor while avoiding the soft image associated with 1080p.

A colour filter designed for battle royale

ZOWIE has introduced a new colour filter intended to reduce interference from complicated environments while preserving enough natural colour to make players and objects easier to distinguish.

Warzone contains brown interiors, grey buildings, foliage, smoke, shadows and bright outdoor areas, sometimes within a single rotation. A colour profile that works in one part of the map can look excessive elsewhere.

The XQ2566X gives you control through its colour settings, Black eQualizer and profiles. The included S Switch makes moving between those profiles much easier than navigating a normal monitor joystick.

Can you actually use 360Hz in Warzone?

Running Warzone at a consistent 360 frames per second is difficult, even with high-end hardware and competitive settings.

That does not make the refresh rate pointless. The monitor still feels responsive below its maximum, but buyers should have realistic expectations. You are more likely to fully saturate 360Hz in lighter esports games than during a demanding Warzone match.

This makes the DyAc-versus-VRR decision important. Players with a stable, very high frame rate may prefer the motion definition of DyAc 3. Players experiencing substantial variation may find variable refresh rate more comfortable.

The price is difficult to ignore

The XQ2566X launched with a European recommended price of €949, while initial UK listings appeared around £840 to £860. That is a lot of money for a 24.1-inch TN monitor, even one as specialised as this.

You are paying for a particular combination of QHD resolution, compact dimensions, 360Hz operation, DyAc 3 and ZOWIE's competitive features. You are not paying for cinematic HDR or a premium general-purpose display.

For the right player, that combination could justify the cost. For everyone else, high-refresh 27-inch OLED displays provide stronger all-round image quality and can be found at similar or lower prices. ZOWIE confirmed the launch pricing in its XQ series announcement.

What about the upcoming 24.5-inch OLEDs?

ASUS has announced several compact OLED esports models ranging from 360Hz to 720Hz. Every currently announced model uses 1920 × 1080 rather than QHD. The comparison is not simply TN against OLED. It is also 1440p against 1080p.

If a 24.5-inch 1440p OLED eventually arrives, that would be a more direct threat. ASUS lists the announced specifications in its 24.5-inch ROG OLED overview.

Should you buy the ZOWIE XQ2566X?