ViewSonic XG2536 25-inch FHD IPS 280 Hz gaming monitor review: Incredibly quick and value priced

The ViewSonic XG2536 is a 25-inch FHD IPS gaming monitor with 280 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and HDR10.

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ViewSonic XG2536
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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ViewSonic XG2536
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The XG2536 is nice and bright for all content with peak output over 473 nits. There is no backlight dimming, zone or field, so you’ll see the same output regardless of the average picture level. Among speedy screens, it is one of the brightest available.

That powerful backlight raises black levels over the others, but when the contrast ratio is calculated, it still manages over 1,100:1 of dynamic range. That’s above the IPS average but the other monitors are just a tad better. The Lenovos with their VA panels are in another league thanks to much lower black levels.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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ViewSonic XG2536
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

With calibration, the XG2536 moves up the standings a bit to fourth. The VA Lenovos still win the day but the ViewSonic holds its own against other IPS and TN screens. It also takes fourth in the ANSI test with a very consistent 1,007:1 result. That’s nearly equal to the static number which is impressive. The XG2536 demonstrates excellent quality control and component selection.

Test Takeaway: If contrast is at the top of your priority list, an OLED or VA monitor is the way to go. But the XG2536 delivers dynamic range that’s a little above the IPS and TN average so that is a positive. Though it is primarily a speed machine, no one will complain about its image depth.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • cyrusfox
    Impressive cost per Hz, and super input lag.
    https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bd4a2pJ8tuxzFTUNUKBkfQ-1200-80.png.webpHow does you input lag testing compare to this one at RTINGS.comGuessing very different methodology as your values appear to be a bit longer/slower than what I would expect compared to what I see at their website. Would be interested if you could explain how you are performing the input lag test.

    Thanks for the thorough review!

    It appears the longer I hold out on my next monitor the better the choices continue to be. I was just at Costco and they had the MSI 170Hz 1440p for $150, was only 2 left, was tempted but no time for that past time at the moment. that one shows inputlag at RTING of this MSI monitor
    Native Resolution @ Max Hz(170) 3.5 ms
    Native Resolution @ 120Hz 4.7 ms
    Native Resolution @ 60Hz 8.8 ms
    Backlight Strobing (BFI) 6.9 ms
    I got rid of my 165/180hz 1440 when I moved in December(LG G 27GP850-B), back to my old monitors I had in storage, an old 2018 4k 60hz IPS LG and widescreen 1440p 75hz VA (ick) Samsung panel right now, for work they are better than the laptop screen, haven't even got my desktop rig powered up yet.
    Reply