There was a time when curved screens were considered a passing fad, but with more and more monitors being released nowadays with steeper and steeper curvatures, they’re evidently here to stay.
While back in the day, you had to pay extra for a curved screen, that’s no longer the case; in fact, some curved monitors are more affordable than their flat-screen counterparts.
As there are numerous curved displays available, both good and bad, we narrowed down your options to only the absolute best and most cost-effective models currently available!
Type | Monitor | Size | Screen Curvature | Resolution | Panel | Refresh Rate | VRR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Budget Curved Monitors | 24” | 1500R | 1920x1080 | VA | 165Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable) | ||
27" 32" | 1500R | 2560x1440 | VA | 165Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
30” | 1800R | 2560x1080 | VA | 200Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | |||
Best Mid-range Curved Monitors | 27” 32" | 1000R | 2560x1440 | VA | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | ||
32” | 1500R | 3840x2160 | VA | 60Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
34” | 1500R | 3440x1440 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
34” | 3800R | 2560x1080 | IPS | 144Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | |||
Best High-end Curved Monitors | 32” | 1500R | 3840x2160 | VA | 160Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable) | ||
32” | 1000R | 3840x2160 | VA | 165Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | |||
Best High-end UltraWide Curved Monitors | 34” | 1900R | 3440x1440 | IPS | 160Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | ||
38" | 2300R | 3840x1600 | IPS | 144Hz | G-SYNC + FreeSync | |||
34" | 1800R | 3440x1440 | QD-OLED | 165Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | |||
45" | Bendable | 3440x1440 | OLED | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | |||
Best 32:9 UltraWide Curved Monitors | 49” | 1000R | 5120x1440 | VA | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | ||
49” | 1000R | 5120x1440 | VA | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | |||
49” | 1800R | 5120x1440 | OLED | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) |
Curved monitors allow for a wider field of view, therefore, increasing immersion for gaming, watching videos, and other use. They also help eliminate distortion at edges of the screen and provide extra depth to the picture!
Although curvature isn’t as necessary on regular 16:9 widescreen monitors as it is on ultrawide or super-ultrawide displays, it does provide a slightly more immersive viewing experience and makes the design look cooler.
Monitor curvatures range from 1000R (steep) to 3800R (subtle).
In order to ensure you’re getting the perfect curved monitor for you, make use of our reviews below and feel free to leave us a comment below if you need further assistance.
We’ve categorized our top-recommended curved monitors by three budget categories: budget ($150 – $300), mid-range ($350 – $800), and high-end ($1,000+).
You can check out all curved monitors available in our curved monitor list and filter them by screen size, resolution, panel type, resolution, and more!
If you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this article.
Best Budget Curved Monitors
In this category, we have the most affordable curved monitors available ranging from ~$150 up to $300.
Just because a monitor is cheap, it doesn’t mean that it won’t provide you with excellent picture quality and smooth performance!
AOC C24G1A
144Hz For $144!
Size: 24”
Screen Curvature: 1500R
Resolution: 1920×1080
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio, wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 165Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic and sturdy stand
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- Some units affected by VRR brightness flickering
About The Monitor
The AOC C24G1A is the cheapest curved gaming monitor that offers 144Hz. In fact, it’s even cheaper than some 60Hz alternatives!
It used to sell for over $200, now it’s priced at $180 maximum, but it usually goes for just $144.99 which is a steal!
Image Quality
Just like most curved monitors, the AOC C24G1A features a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel.
This panel technology provides a superior static contrast ratio of 3,000:1, which, in comparison to IPS and TN panels that usually max out at 1,000:1, results in much deeper blacks and brighter whites.
As a result, the details in the shadows and highlights of the picture are more vivid.
Their colors are excellent as well. While they aren’t quite as consistent as that of IPS panels, they are much better than that of any TN panel; the colors are vibrant and accurate, just not consistent enough for professional color-critical work.
The AOC C24G1A has a 120% sRGB color gamut and comes with a pre-calibrated sRGB picture preset. It supports 8-bit color depth without dithering (true 8-bit) for 16.7 million colors.
Other panel-related specifications include a 250-nit peak brightness and a 3,000:1 static contrast ratio.
The maximum brightness may seem low on paper, but it’s more than enough under normal viewing conditions.
While the viewing angles are 178° both horizontally and vertically, they aren’t quite as immaculate as that of IPS panels, so there are some minor changes in contrast when looking at the screen off-axis.
The biggest downside of VA panel monitors is the pixel response time speed.
Basically, due to its deep blacks, pixels take longer to change from blacks into brighter shades, which results in noticeable smearing of fast-moving objects.
However, this is only mildly visible in specific scenarios, mostly when dark pixels are predominant in the picture.
For non-professional FPS gaming, it will be just fine, and most gamers won’t even notice any artifacts; the AOC C24G1A is actually one of the faster VA panel displays.
With 144Hz, even moving your cursor and application windows across your desktop will feel and look smoother.
After playing some video games where you can get over 100FPS, you won’t be able to go back to 60Hz/75Hz as motion simply becomes incredibly smoother at higher refresh rates.
Features
Moving on, the AOC C24G1A supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR (variable refresh rate) range. You can also overclock the monitor to 165Hz!
FreeSync allows the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically in synchronization with GPU’s frame rates, thus eliminating screen tearing and stuttering with virtually no input lag penalty (~1ms).
It works as long as your frame rate is within the monitor’s VRR range, but even if your FPS drops below 48, LFC kicks in and multiplies the frame rate (47FPS -> 94Hz) for smoother performance.
For FreeSync, you will need a compatible graphics card by AMD or NVIDIA (only GTX 10-series or newer).
Now, the monitor is not certified as G-SYNC compatible by NVIDIA, and some units are affected by the FreeSync brightness flickering issue in some video games/applications.
The C24G1A also has an MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) technology, which via backlight strobing reduces perceived motion blur and ghosting.
However, it sacrifices picture brightness in the process, and it can’t be active at the same time as FreeSync.
You can adjust the frequency of backlight strobing in increments of 1 (from 0 to 20) and find the perfect trade-off between picture brightness and motion clarity for you.
Other features include Shadow Control (improves visibility of objects in shadows), Game Color (color saturation presets), pre-calibrated picture modes, and a crosshair overlay.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is also exceptional considering its price. You get a sturdy metal stand with height adjustment up to 130mm, tilt by -5°/20°, swivel by +/- 35°, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
While the screen has a steep 1500R curvature, it’s not particularly noticeable since it’s only a 24″ sized screen, but it does provides a little bit of extra depth and makes the monitor look sleeker.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 1.4 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2 input, VGA, and a headphone jack. All HDMI and DisplayPort inputs support 144Hz at 1920×1080, as well as AMD FreeSync. Only DisplayPort supports 165Hz.
Note that ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ only works over DisplayPort.
Alternatives
The older version of this monitor, the AOC C24G1, is a good option if the C24G1A is not available. However, the C24G1A is not factory-overclockable and it doesn’t support wide color gamut.
The AOC C24G1 is also available as a 27″ sized variant, the AOC C27G1. However, we recommend the 24″ model because it’s cheaper and has a higher pixel density (pixel per inch ratio).
In other words, because the 27″ model has a larger screen size, but keeps the 1920×1080 resolution, it will have a more pixelated picture – yet it costs more, whereas the C24G1/A has a more crisp and sharp image.
Some users don’t mind the lower pixel density and prefer a larger monitor, in which case the C27G1 is a good option.
There aren’t really any other cheaper curved monitors, even with lower refresh rates. For instance, the Samsung C24F396 has a 75Hz refresh rate but also costs $150 without any advantages over the C24G1A.
In case the AOC C24GA1 is not available in your region, we recommend checking out the MSI MAG241C, the Samsung C24FG73, and the Samsung C24RG50 as alternatives.
Gigabyte G27QC, G32QCA
Affordable 1440p 144Hz Curved Gaming Monitors
Size: 27” 32″
Screen Curvature: 1500R
Resolution: 2560×1440
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 165Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic and sturdy stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- Some units affected by VRR brightness flickering
About The Monitor
The Gigabyte G27QC and G32QCA improve on the C24G1A by providing you with a bigger screen as well as a higher screen resolution while keeping a high contrast ratio, rich colors, ergonomic stand, and most importantly, a high refresh rate.
Image Quality
With the Quad HD resolution of 2560×1440 pixels, you get the perfect pixel per inch ratio on 27″ sized screens. There’s plenty of screen space available while the details are crystal-clear without having to use any scaling!
On a 32″ display, 1440p gets you the same pixel density as that of a 24″ 1080p monitor – so, a bigger screen for added immersion, while the amount of screen real estate and detail clarity remains the same.
Keep in mind that 1440p is more demanding to drive than 1080p, especially at higher frame rates, so make sure your PC rig will be able to handle it.
The Gigabyte G27QC and the G32QCA both have a high 3,000:1 contrast ratio and wide color gamut (~90% DCI-P3). The 32″ model can get a bit brighter with a 350-nit peak brightness (400-nits for HDR) as opposed to 250-nits of the 27″ variant.
This wide color gamut results in more saturated and lifelike colors, but it can also make some sRGB content appear over-saturated. Luckily, you can just use the provided sRGB mode to restrict the color output to ~100% sRGB.
Features
Both monitors support AMD FreeSync with a 48-165Hz VRR range, but they’re not certified by NVIDIA as G-SYNC compatible. Some units may be affected by the FreeSync brightness flickering issue.
Other features such as MBR, custom crosshair overlays, pre-calibrated picture presets, Black Equalizer, etc. are available as well.
Design & Connectivity
The Gigabyte G27QC offers height adjustment up to 130mm, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. Ergonomics are the same on the G32QCA, though you get a bit less (100mm) room for height adjustment.
Connectivity options on the G27QC include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a dual-USB 3.0 hub, a headphone jack and two 2W integrated speakers.
The G32QCA has DisplayPort 1.2 instead of DisplayPort 1.4 and it doesn’t have integrated speakers.
Alternatives
Alternatively, check out the AOC CQ27G2 or the AOC CQ32G3S with similar image quality, performance and features.
If the AOC and Gigabyte models are not available or overpriced in your region, check out the Samsung CJG56 or CJG50 as budget-friendly alternatives.
Looking for something a bit different? Check out the Samsung G5 series with an even steeper 1000R curvature, though without wide color gamut.
Sceptre C305B
Best Budget UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 30”
Screen Curvature: 1800R
Resolution: 2560×1080
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 200Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio
- FreeSync up to 200Hz
- Ultrawide format for increased immersion
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- Some units affected by VRR brightness flickering
About The Monitor
If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out the Sceptre C305B-200UN, one of the most affordable curved gaming monitors!
Image Quality
This 30″ 21:9 ultrawide display is as tall as a regular ~24″ widescreen monitor, but it offers ~33% of extra horizontal space for a wider field of view and more immersive viewing experience.
Screen curvature on ultrawide monitors (in this case it’s 1800R) is very important as it brings the edges of the screen closer to your peripheral vision, thus eliminating image distortion, among other things.
Additionally, the Sceptre C305B uses a VA panel for the superior 3,000:1 static contrast ratio while its peak brightness and color gamut are decent at 250-nits and ~90% sRGB, respectively.
With its 2560×1080 UWHD resolution displayed on a 29.5″ viewable screen, you get a pixel density of 94 PPI, which is roughly equivalent to 1080p on 24″ monitors in terms of detail clarity.
Plus, you get an extra horizontal workspace, which is excellent for games, 21:9 movies, productivity work, and video editing!
Another exceptional thing about this budget monitor is the rapid 200Hz refresh rate, which is overclocked from the native 144Hz.
Even though it uses a VA panel which struggles with pixel response time from dark to lighter shades, there’s only minor black smearing visible at 200Hz, and that’s only in darker scenes.
Depending on the video game and your FPS, you may want to set the monitor to 144Hz instead as you’ll get less visible smearing at lower frame rates.
Features
The Sceptre C305B-200UN supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-200Hz refresh rate and it offers stable G-SYNC performance, even though it’s not certified by NVIDIA as ‘G-SYNC Compatible’.
Other features include pre-calibrated FPS and RTS presets, Picture in Picture/Picture by Picture, and standard picture adjustment tools such as brightness, contrast, hue/saturation, and gamma.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but it’s robust and you can easily detach it and mount the screen on a third-party stand using the provided 75x75mm VESA mount adapter.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, two HDMI 1.4 ports, a headphone jack, and dual 3W built-in speakers. For 200Hz, you’ll need to use DP while HDMI 2.0 maxes out at 165Hz at 2560×1080.
Alternatives
In case you’re looking for something similar but cheaper, check out the Viotek GNV29CB with a lower 120Hz refresh rate.
If you want an affordable ultrawide curved monitor with an IPS panel, consider the Sceptre C305W-2560UN with an 85Hz refresh rate.
Best Mid-Range Curved Monitors
If you can afford something a bit pricier, you’ll find the best $350 – $800 curved monitors right here!
Samsung G7
Best 1440p 240Hz 1ms Gaming Monitor
Sizes: 27”, 32″
Screen Curvature: 1000R
Resolution: 2560×1440
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and strong peak brightness
- Wide color gamut
- Plenty of features including FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- 1000R curvature too steep for some users
- VRR Control option might cause micro-stuttering on some units
About The Monitor
The Samsung Odyssey G7 series (C27G75T, C32G75T) boasts a high 240Hz refresh rate and a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed combined with high contrast ratio, wide color gamut, and strong peak brightness for an excellent mixture of immersion and responsiveness.
Image Quality
With the G7 monitors, you get a very similar SDR picture quality in comparison to the Gigabyte G27/32QCA monitors mentioned above.
However, when it comes to HDR, you get a boost in peak brightness to 600-nits for punchier highlights and there are 8 dimming zones that can further improve contrast ratio, depending on the scene.
But, that’s not all!
It is when we get to the performance that the G7 models really shine. They’re the first VA monitors with a 1ms GtG pixel response time speed, allowing them to eliminate all prominent ghosting behind fast-moving objects, even in dark scenes!
The response time is not only great at 240Hz but at any other refresh rate too as the overdrive is well-optimized!
Features
The Samsung G7 supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro with certified G-SYNC Compatibility up to 240Hz with a 60-240Hz VRR range for the 27″ model and 80-240Hz for the 32″ variant.
Other features include Samsung’s standard Aim Point crosshairs, picture presets, Black Equalizer, and MBR utilities.
For more information, visit our detailed Samsung C32G75T review.
Design & Connectivity
The Odyssey G7 monitors have aggressive 1000R screen curvature, which is supposed to match the curvature of the human eye for added immersion!
Further, the design is robust and ergonomic with up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, 90° rotate, -9°/13° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 sockets, HDMI 2.0 (limited to 144Hz), a headphone jack, and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. You will need a graphics card with DisplayPort 1.4 DSC support for 1440p 240Hz and 10-bit color.
With older GPUs, you’ll be limited to 8-bit color with 240Hz at 1440p or 144Hz at 1440p with 10-bit color.
Philips 328E1CA
Best Value 4K Curved Monitor
Size: 32”
Screen Curvature: 1500R
Resolution: 3840×2160
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
The Pros:
- Incredibly vivid details thanks to 4K UHD
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- FreeSync up to 60Hz
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
- Narrow FreeSync range
- Minor smearing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
About The Monitor
Want a big 32″ monitor and 4K UHD resolution? The Philips 328E1CA is the most cost-effective such model that’s also curved, but just like with all 4K monitors at this price range, you’ll be limited to 60Hz.
Image Quality
The Philips 328E1CA features 4K Ultra HD resolution with 3840×2160 pixels, which most users find perfect for 32″ monitors as you get incredibly vivid details and plenty of screen space.
Some users prefer not to use scaling at this pixel density, while others will use at least 125% – it’s up to you.
Other panel-related specifications include a wide 120% sRGB color gamut, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, and a 300-nit peak brightness.
It’s the perfect monitor for watching videos, productivity work, and even photo/video editing if you don’t require professional-grade color accuracy. Games will look great too – if you have a proper PC system to sustain ~60FPS at 4K.
Features
The Philips 328E1CA comes factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2 when using its sRGB preset which will restrict the saturated 120% gamut to 100% sRGB for less vibrant, but more accurate colors.
It also supports AMD FreeSync, but with a very narrow 48-60Hz VRR range which means LFC is not supported and that when your FPS drops below 48, FreeSync will not work until your frame rate recovers.
Design & Connectivity
While the stand of the monitor is tilt-only, you can easily detach it and mount it on a third-party stand via the 100x100mm VESA pattern.
The screen has a steep curvature of 1500R, which is quite noticeable given the 32″ size of the monitor; it provides extra depth and makes the viewing experience more immersive.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, an audio line-out port for headphones and line-in for the dual 3W built-in speakers.
Alternatives
- MSI MAG321CURV – A more gamer-y 32″ 4K curved monitor based on the same panel. It supports HDR, but it doesn’t even have a wide color gamut, so its HDR support is useless.
Since it’s also more expensive, we don’t recommend it over the Philips unless you really prefer its design; It’s height-adjustable, has a dual-USB 3.0 hub, and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode, but no Power Delivery.
Gigabyte G34WQC-A
Best Value UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 34”
Screen Curvature: 1500R
Resolution: 3440×1440
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Unstable)
The Pros:
- High pixel density
- High contrast ratio, wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic stand
The Cons:
- Minor smearing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- Some units affected with VRR brightness flickering
About The Monitor
The Gigabyte G34WQC-A is one of the best gaming monitors out there when it comes to value for the price. Although it has its downsides, the immersion it offers for the money is simply impossible to beat.
Image Quality
Based on a curved VA panel with a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, a 400-nit peak brightness, 3440×1440 resolution, and a wide 125% sRGB color gamut, the monitor offers an exceptional picture quality.
The 3440×1440 resolution is ideal for 34″ monitors as you get a pixel density of ~110 PPI meaning that you get plenty of screen space and vivid details without any scaling necessary.
Furthermore, it’s not as demanding as 4K, allowing you to reach high frame rates and enjoy smooth motion clarity.
Naturally, some black smearing will be visible in dark scenes of fast-paced games. Still, it isn’t essential unless you’re mainly a competitive FPS gamer, in which case you’d be more interested in a 240Hz monitor at this price range anyway.
All in all, you get vivid details, rich colors, and deep blacks while the big 34″ ultrawide curved screen increases your field of view in games for a more enjoyable gaming experience.
The monitor is also particularly great for productivity work, watching films, and audio/video editing.
Features
Equipped with Motion Blur Reduction (Aim Stabilizer), the monitor can further reduce perceived ghosting via backlight strobing. It also supports FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range.
Unfortunately, there are some brightness flickering issues when using FreeSync with both AMD and NVIDIA cards.
This doesn’t seem to affect every unit of the monitor, and the intensity of brightness flickering will vary across different games; in some, there won’t be any issues while in others, you will simply have to disable FreeSync.
At any rate, thanks to its image quality and performance without VRR, we can let the FreeSync performance slide as you’ll most likely still be able to use it in some games.
In video games where the brightness flickering occurs too often, we suggest using MBR for less ghosting or V-Sync for no screen tearing instead.
Other features include custom crosshairs, Black Equalizer, Color Vibrance, pre-calibrated picture presets (including sRGB mode), PiP/PbP and HDR support.
Design & Connectivity
You can adjust the height of the monitor by up to 100mm, tilt it by -5°/20°, or mount it via the 100x100mm pattern; the screen has a steep 1500R curvature for added immersion.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, two HDMI 2.0 ports (max 100Hz at 3440×1440), a headphone jack and two 2W built-in speakers.
Alternatives
- Lenovo G34W-10 (sRGB gamut only)
- AOC CU34G2X
LG 34GL750
Fast UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 34”
Screen Curvature: 3800R
Resolution: 2560×1080
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
The Pros:
- Accurate and consistent colors
- Quick pixel response time speed
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Height-adjustable stand
The Cons:
- Low pixel density
- Design lacks swivel option
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
With the LG 34GL750, you get smooth VRR performance as well as faster pixel response time for no ghosting whatsoever thanks to its certified G-SYNC compatibility and IPS panel, but it has a lower 2560×1080 screen resolution.
Image Quality
On 34″ sized monitors, 2560×1080 results in the same pixel density as 1920×1080 does on 27″ monitors.
You get roughly 81 pixels per inch, meaning that the picture will be somewhat pixelated if you’re looking at it up close. Most people will find it tolerable for video games and other video entertainment purposes, though.
Additionally, the lower 2560×1080 resolution is a lot easier on your GPU, allowing you to reach those higher frames more easily and take full advantage of the monitor’s 144Hz refresh rate.
Thanks to the quick pixel response time of its IPS panel, the LG 34GL750 has no prominent motion blur or smearing in fast-paced games, making it ideal for FPS gamers who want a more immersive ultrawide gaming experience.
The IPS panel of the monitor also ensures impeccable viewing angles as well as accurate and consistent colors though its lower 1,000:1 contrast ratio means that blacks won’t be as deep as that of VA panel monitors with 3,000:1 contrast.
Features
With certified G-SYNC compatibility, flawless FreeSync performance is guaranteed with compatible NVIDIA cards and there aren’t any issues when using it with AMD cards either.
Other features include Black Stabilizer, custom crosshair, pre-calibrated picture presets, software-emulated HDR support, and the 1ms MBR backlight strobing technology.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor features a height-adjustable stand up to 120mm as well as -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility while connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports and a headphone jack.
Its screen curvature is only 3800R which is very subtle, but it still helps by bringing the edges of the screen closer to you thus decreasing image distortion.
Alternatives
Be sure to check out the LG 34UC79G model as well. It uses the same panel and although it’s not certified by NVIDIA as G-SYNC compatible, it does offer stable G-SYNC performance.
The LG 34UC79G also has a dual-USB hub, so depending on the price and availability, you may want to consider it.
Best High-End UltraWide Curved Monitors
Here, you will find the best ultrawide curved monitors.
LG 34GP83A
Best UltraWide Gaming Monitor Under $1000
Size: 34”
Screen Curvature: 1900R
Resolution: 3440×1440
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 160Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
The Pros:
- High pixel density
- Accurate and consistent colors
- Quick pixel response time speed
- FreeSync up to 160Hz, G-SYNC Compatible
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- Design lacks swivel option
About The Monitor
The LG 34GP83A increases the speed as well as the resolution of the LG 34GL750 for a both more immersive and more responsive gaming experience.
Image Quality
Based on LG’s newer Nano IPS panel technology, the LG 34GP83A supports a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut which is equivalent to 135% sRGB for even more vibrant and vivid colors!
Naturally, you can also restrict the color output to ~100% sRGB if you need more accurate colors.
The monitor supports HDR and has a peak brightness of 400-nits, so some content may look slightly better, but since the contrast ratio is only 1,000:1 and as there’s no local dimming, HDR shouldn’t be a reason to buy this monitor.
Features
The LG 34GP83A supports FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range, and NVIDIA certifies it as G-SYNC compatible.
You can overclock the monitor to 160Hz if you drop the color depth from 10-bit to 8-bit. In that case, the VRR range is increased as well to 48-160Hz.
Another advantage this IPS ultrawide gaming monitor has over the other models is its rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, which prevents ghosting and overshoot in fast-paced games.
Other features include custom crosshairs, pre-calibrated picture presets, and Black Stabilizer.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 110mm, tilt by -5°/15°, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. Unlike the LG 34GL750, the LG 34GP83A has a steep 1900R curvature.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 inputs (max 85Hz at 3440×1440), a dual-USB 3.0 hub, and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
The previous model of this monitor, the LG 34GK950F, has the same 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, but a slower response time speed. Other popular IPS ultrawides include the Dell AW3418DW and the Acer X34P.
These two models have a native refresh rate of 100Hz (overclockable to 120Hz) and only cover the standard sRGB color space. Since all these models go for ~$750 – $1,000, we recommend investing in the LG 34GP83A as it’s the best one.
Note that there’s also the LG 34GN850, which is the same monitor as the 34GP83A, but with a slightly different design and OSD menu yet it goes for ~$150+ more.
Dell AW3821DW
Best 38″ UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 38″
Screen Curvature: 2300R
Resolution: 3840×1600
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Ultimate + FreeSync)
The Pros:
- Big screen with a high resolution
- Vibrant and accurate colors
- Quick response time speed
- FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Ergonomic stand, USB ports
The Cons:
- No sRGB mode
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW is essentially a beefed-up version of the 34GP83A.
Image Quality
With the AW381DW, you’re not only getting a larger 38″ screen but also a higher screen resolution to back it up to maintain the ideal pixel density of ~110 PPI. This also means higher PC system requirements!
Other panel-related specifications are similar and include HDR10 support, a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, a 450-nit peak brightness, 1ms GtG response time, and a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
Sadly, there’s no sRGB emulation mode meaning that SDR content will have over-saturated colors, though some users might prefer this.
HDR content also gets a boost in peak brightness to 600-nits for more vivid details in highlights of the picture, and there are 32 dimming zones that can push the contrast ratio a bit in certain scenes.
As there’s no DSC support, you will need to drop the color depth to 8-bit for 144H. For 10-bit color, you will need to lower the refresh rate to 120Hz.
Features
The Dell AW3821DW has a dedicated G-SYNC module for flawless VRR performance up to 144FPS, and you can even use VRR with AMD graphics cards over DisplayPort.
Other gaming features include various picture presets and Dark Stabilizer.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor has a 2300R curvature which nicely complements the large 38″ screen and improves the viewing and gaming experience.
You can adjust the height of the monitor up to 130mm, tilt it by -5°/21°, +/- 20° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include a single DisplayPort 1.4 input, two HDMI 2.0 ports (max 85Hz), a quad-USB 3.0 hub, a headphone jack and audio-out.
The G-SYNC module also has a cooling fan, which depending on the unit and your personal sensitivity, can be somewhat noisy.
Alternatives
- LG 38GN950 – has an sRGB mode, but it doesn’t have a G-SYNC module (it is G-SYNC Compatible). It also has fewer dimming zones (16), yet it’s more expensive.
- Dell U4021QW – A 40″ 5120×2160 IPS ultrawide monitor aimed at professionals with 98% DCI-P3 gamut, sRGB mode, Delta E < 2 factory calibration and 2500R screen curvature. However, it’s limited to 60Hz and doesn’t support VRR.
Dell AW3423DWF
Best UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 34″
Screen Curvature: 1800R
Resolution: 3440×1440
Panel: QD-OLED
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Instantaneous response time
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 165Hz
- Infinite contrast ratio, wide color gamut, high peak brightness
- Ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- No MBR
About The Monitor
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF is the first QD-OLED gaming monitor! Thanks to its panel, it offers significantly better image quality and performance than any other monitor included in this guide yet it’s a lot cheaper than some models.
Image Quality
OLEDs have self-emissive pixels that can individually turn off for true blacks and a basically infinite contrast ratio. What’s more, there’s no backlight bleeding, glowing, or blooming!
While they cannot get as bright as some high-end LED LCDs, you still get an excellent peak brightness of 1,000-nits for small HDR highlights and a decent 250-nits peak for a 100% white window.
Further, the Dell AW3423DWF has a wide 99.3% DCI-P3 color gamut (95% Adobe RGB gamut coverage, 149% sRGB gamut size) for vibrant and saturated colors. You’ll also find dedicated sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut clamps.
Yet another advantage of OLEDs is the instantaneous pixel response time speed for zero ghosting or overshooting behind fast-moving objects regardless of the refresh rate. When paired with a high 165Hz refresh rate, imperceptible input lag and variable refresh rate support, you get a buttery-smooth and responsive gaming performance.
The main downside is the risk of burn-in. However, Dell offers a three-year warranty that covers it, so as long as you’re careful and use the integrated pixel and panel refresher features, you’ll be fine.
Further, the 3440×1440 resolution nicely complements the 34″ screen as you get plenty of screen space and sharp details without any scaling necessary; and it’s considerably less demanding on your GPU than 4K UHD.
While the Dell AW3423DWF has regular RGB subpixels, they’re in an uncommon triangular layout, which causes some color fringing on small text, but most users won’t mind this; it’s unnoticeable in games and videos.
Check out our full Dell AW3423DWF review for more details.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 20° swivel, +/- 5° slant and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, HDMI 2.0 (limited to 100Hz), a headphone jack, line-out and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
Dell AW3423DW – the same monitor but with a G-SYNC module and a higher 175Hz refresh rate; however, it’s up to $200 more expensive and has fewer features
Best Super-UltraWide Curved Monitors
Interested in something even more exotic?
You’ll find the best 32:9 monitors available below! These monitors offer an even wider field of view in compatible games.
Samsung G9
Best Super-UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 49”
Screen Curvature: 1000R
Resolution: 5120×1440
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Wide color gamut and strong peak brightness
- Plenty of features including FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Only 10 dimming zones
- Imperfect VRR implementation
- Some overshoot at 220 – 240FPS when VRR is enabled
About The Monitor
Samsung’s Odyssey G9 model offers the 5120×1440 resolution, DisplayHDR 1000 support, a 240Hz refresh rate and a rapid pixel response time speed of 1ms GtG!
Image Quality
The Samsung C49G95T provides an immersive viewing experience with a 1,000-nit peak brightness, a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and a 2,500:1 static contrast ratio with 10 dimming zones.
When it comes to performance, the G9 has a high 240Hz refresh rate and a fast 1ms GtG response time speed for minimal ghosting in fast-paced games regardless of your refresh rate.
It also has certified G-SYNC Compatibility (60-240Hz VRR range) in addition to AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro certification.
Other features include custom crosshairs, picture presets, Black Equalizer, and Picture in Picture/Picture by Picture.
Note that using Picture by Picture limits you to 120Hz via the 1006.2 or newer firmware. Previously, you were limited to only 60Hz.
For more information, check out our full Samsung G9 review.
Design & Connectivity
Another thing that makes the G9 different from most 32:9 ultrawide displays is its steep 1000R curvature for increased immersion. The design is also eye-catching with glossy white chassis and RGB lighting at the back.
You can adjust the height of the monitor up to 120mm, tilt it by -5°/15°, swivel by +/- 15°, or VESA mount it.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, HDMI 2.0 (max 60Hz at 5120×1440 or 120Hz at 3840×1080), a headphone jack, and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
For 240Hz at 5120×1440, you will need a graphics card with DisplayPort 1.4 DSC. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to 120Hz.
Alternatives
If you want a 49″ 5120×1440 144Hz super-ultrawide monitor with an IPS panel for both gaming and color-critical work, check out the LG 49WQ95C.
For office-related work, check out the AOC AG493UCX2 with a 49″ 5120×1440 165Hz VA panel sporting a more subtle 1800R curvature and extensive connectivity options, including USB-C with 65W PD and an integrated KVM switch. However, note that it’s limited to 120Hz over USB-C.
Samsung Neo G9
Best UltraWide HDR Gaming Monitor
Size: 49”
Screen Curvature: 1000R
Resolution: 5120×1440
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Wide color gamut and strong peak brightness
- Plenty of features including FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Imperfect VRR implementation
- Noticeable blooming in some scenes
About The Monitor
The Samsung Neo G9 is basically the G9 version with the added 2048-zone mini LED FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight for a significantly better HDR picture.
Image Quality
Thanks to its 2048 dimming zones and mini LED backlight, the Neo G9 is capable of simultaneously delivering a peak brightness of up to 1,000-nits and inky blacks, which makes for the true HDR viewing experience.
However, the local dimming solution can sometimes cause blooming in particularly demanding scenes (such as starfields) due to the light from a small illuminated zone bleeding into the surrounding dimmed zones.
Moreover, it has a 95% DCI-P3 wide color gamut for vibrant colors, a 240Hz refresh rate and a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed, with a bit better-optimized overdrive than that of the G9 for less overshoot at high FPS.
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is supported for tear-free gameplay up to 240FPS with a 96-240Hz VRR range and LFC support. While the monitor is not officially certified by NVIDIA as ‘G-SYNC Compatible’, VRR does work with compatible GeForce cards.
Some units might exhibit brightness flickering, in which case you can enable the VRR Control option. However, this option can then add some micro-stuttering as a consequence. For most people, tearing at 240Hz/FPS or micro-stuttering won’t be too bothersome though.
Be sure to check out our full Neo G9 review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The Neo G9 has a robust design with up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 15° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports (limited to 144Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Conclusion
So, which one is your dream curved gaming monitor? Leave a comment below if you have any questions or thoughts about this buyer’s guide!
Overall, if you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the AOC C24G1A for the money, whereas the Gigabyte G32QCA and the Gigabyte G34WQC-A are ideal if you have a bit more powerful PC rig.
In case you can afford something pricier, each monitor included in this guide has its advantages and disadvantages, but the Samsung G7 and the Dell AW3423DWF offer an exceptional gaming experience.
Updates +
- November 24, 2022:
– Replaced the Dell AW3423DWF with AW3423DWF. - June 16, 2022:
– Replaced the AOC CU34G2X with the Gigabyte G34WQC-A. - March 23, 2022:
– Added the Dell AW3423DW. - December 22, 2021:
– Removed the Samsung CHG90 and CRG9 models. Added a review summary for the Neo G9. - November 25, 2021:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - October 6, 2021:
– Replaced the Gigabyte G34WQC (discontinued) with the AOC CU34G2X. - August 21, 2021:
– Replaced the AOC CQ27G2 with the Gigabyte G27QC.
– Removed the Samsung CHG70.
– Replaced the LG 38GN950 with the Dell AW3821DW.
– Added the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9.