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, there are some curved monitors that 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!
Top 10 Curved Monitors For 2020
| Type | Monitor | Size | Screen Curvature | Resolution | Panel | Refresh Rate | VRR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Budget Curved Monitors | 24” | 1500R | 1920×1080 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync G-SYNC Unstable) | ||
| 27” | 1500R | 2560×1440 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
| 30” | 1800R | 2560×1080 | VA | 200Hz | FreeSync G-SYNC Stable) | |||
| Best Mid-range Curved Monitors | 27” | 1800R | 2560×1440 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync 2 G-SYNC Unstable) | ||
| 32” | 1500R | 3840×2160 | VA | 60Hz | FreeSync G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
| 34” | 1500R | 3440×1440 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
| 34” | 3800R | 2560×1080 | IPS | 144Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | |||
| Best High-end Curved Monitors | 34” | 1900R | 3440×1440 | IPS | 160Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | ||
| 49” | 1800R | 3840×1080 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync 2 G-SYNC Unstable) | |||
| 49” | 1800R | 5120×1440 | VA | 120Hz | FreeSync 2 G-SYNC Unstable) |
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 1500R (steep) to 3800R (subtle), and there are even some 1000R curved monitors announced for 2020.
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 – $500), and high-end (~$1,000).
If you’re looking for something even more exotic, check out the Acer X35 and the LG 38GL950G curved gaming monitors which go for around $2,000.
Finally, 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!
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 C24G1 - 144Hz For $144!
About the Monitor
The AOC C24G1 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 C24G1 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 which usually max out at 1,000:1, results in much deeper blacks and brighter whites.
As a result, the details in 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 C24G1 has a 100% 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 certain 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 C24G1 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 C24G1 supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR (variable refresh rate) range.
This technology 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).
FreeSync works as long as your FPS rate is within the monitor’s VRR range, but even if your FPS rate 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 which would guarantee smooth performance when using FreeSync with NVIDIA cards.
For most users, it should work fine. The unit we reviewed had no issues whatsoever, but some people reported brightness flickering in certain video games.
So, your mileage may vary – which is the case for basically all non-certified FreeSync monitors.
The C24G1 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 more sleek.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 1.4 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2 input, VGA, and a headphones jack. All HDMI and DisplayPort inputs support 144Hz at 1920×1080 as well as AMD FreeSync.
Note that ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ only works over DisplayPort.
Alternatives
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 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 C24G1.
In case the AOC C24G1 is not available in your region, we recommend checking out the MSI MAG241C, the Samsung C24FG73, and the Samsung C24FG70 as alternatives.
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and rich colors
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic and sturdy stand
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
AOC CQ27G2 - 1440p & 144Hz Under $250!
About the Monitor
The AOC CQ27G2 improves on the C24G1 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, 144Hz.
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!
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 AOC CQ27G2 has a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, a 250-nit peak brightness, true 8-bit color depth, and it supports a wide 120% sRGB color gamut.
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
Just like the C24G1, the CQ27G2 supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range and it’s not certified by NVIDIA as G-SYNC compatible. Some units may be affected by the FreeSync brightness flickering issue.
Other features such as MBR, a custom crosshair overlay, pre-calibrated picture presets, Shadow Control, Game Color, etc are available as well.
Design & Connectivity
The AOC CQ27G2 has a 1500R screen curvature while its stand is robust and versatile, and includes up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/20° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, and an audio line-out port for headphones. All display inputs support 144Hz at 2560×1440 as well as FreeSync.
Alternatives
The previous version of this monitor, the AOC CQ27G1, with a slightly less curved screen (1800R) is a good option too.
If the AOC CQ27G2 and the CQ27G1 are not available or overpriced in your region, check out the Samsung C27JG56 or C27JG50 as budget-friendly alternatives.
This monitor is also available as a 32″ sized variant, the AOC CQ32G1, which has a bigger screen, but a lower pixel density. So, you get the same detail clarity as you would with a 24″ 1080p model, just with a larger screen.
The Pros:
- High pixel density
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic and sturdy stand
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
Sceptre C305B - Best Budget UltraWide Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out the Sceptre C305B-200UN, 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 a 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 extra horizntal workspace which is great 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 rate, 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 headphones 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.
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
Best Mid-range Curved Monitors
If you can afford something a bit pricier, you’ll find the best $350 – $500 curved monitors right here!
Samsung C27HG70 - Excellent HDR Picture On A Budget
About the Monitor
The Samsung C27HG70 is similar to the AOC CQ27G2 in terms that it offers 1440p, 144Hz, and a curved VA panel, but it also features excellent HDR (High Dynamic Range) support!
Image Quality
To start with, the Samsung C27HG70 has a good 350-nit typical brightness which gets a boost to up to 600-nits for HDR content which will make details in highlights of the picture much more vivid!
Additionally, it has 8 dimming zones which can dim parts of the image for deeper blacks without affecting parts of the screen that need to be bright – thus further increasing the contrast ratio.
Wide color gamut is supported as well with 95% DCI-P3 coverage (125% sRGB).
All this earns the monitor VESA’s DisplayHDR 600 certification which ensures a notable improvement in HDR image quality over SDR – unlike DisplayHDR 400.
So, if you play a lot of HDR compatible video games, consider investing in the Samsung CHG70, but if you mostly play SDR games, the image quality will be very similar to that of the more affordable AOC CQ27G2.
Features
The Samsung C27HG70 supports AMD FreeSync 2 (FreeSync Premium Pro) which allows VRR and HDR to be enabled at the same time on PC, and ensures minimum input lag.
Although it’s not certified as G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync works with NVIDIA cards too with a 48-144Hz VRR range, but some units suffer from the brightness flickering issue.
Other features include the 1ms MPRT backlight strobing mode, Black Equalizer (improves visibility in darker games), and Arena Lighting RGB lighting.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is robust and versatile with up to 145mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/15° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are abundant too and include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a dual-USB 3.0 hub, a microphone jack, and an audio line-out port for headphones.
The Samsung CHG70 is also one of the rare monitors that supports 1440p 120Hz on Xbox One X as well as HDR and FreeSync.
Alternatives
The Samsung C27HG70 is also available as a 32″ sized model, the Samsung C32HG70, which is a bit more expensive.
If you like this monitor, keep an eye on the upcoming Samsung G7 models with similar 1440p and HDR600 specs, but with a higher 240Hz refresh rate.
The Pros:
- High pixel density and peak brightness
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
Philips 328E1CA - Best Value 4K Curved Monitor
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.
So, even though the Samsung CHG70 is a 1440p monitor, it offers a better HDR picture quality whereas SDR content will look better on the Philips 328E1CA due to its bigger screen and higher pixel density.
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 rate drops below 48, FreeSync will not work until your FPS 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.
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
AOC CU34G2X - Best Value UltraWide Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
The AOC CU34G2X 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 3,000:1 contrast ratio, a 300-nit peak brightness, 3440×1440 resolution, and a wide 119% 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, but it’s completely negligible 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, 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.
In most cases, this gets addressed via a driver update which will hopefully happen with the AOC CU34G2X.
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 to often, we suggest using MBR for less ghosting or V-Sync for no screen tearing instead.
Other features include custom crosshairs, Shadow Control, Game Color, pre-calibrated picture presets (including sRGB mode with Delta-E <2), PiP/PbP, and software-emulated HDR support.
Design & Connectivity
You can adjust the height of the monitor by up to 130mm, swivel it by +/- 30°, tilt by -5°/23°, 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 headphones jack, and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for something similar but cheaper, check out the MSI MAG341CQ, the AOC CU34G2, and the Viotek GNV34DB with a lower 100Hz refresh rate or the Samsung S34J55W with 75Hz.
The Pros:
- High pixel density
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Minor smearing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- FreeSync brightness flickering
LG 34GL750 - Fast UltraWide Gaming Monitor
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 pixely 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 more 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 headphones 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.
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
Best High-end Curved Monitors
If you can afford something pricier, you will find the best curved monitors ranging from $750 to a bit over $1,000 here!
LG 34GN850 - Best $1000 UltraWide Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
The LG 34GN850 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 34GN850 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 LG34GN850 supports FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range, and it’s certified by NVIDIA 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 34GN850 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 headphones 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 GN850 as it’s the best one.
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:
- Lower contrast ratio in comparison to VA models
- Design lacks swivel option
Samsung C49HG90 - Super 1080p UltraWide Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
Is 21:9 not wide enough for you? Check out the Samsung CHG90 with a 32:9 aspect ratio for even more immersion!
Image Quality
This 49″ sized super ultra-wide monitor is equivalent to two 27″ 1920×1080 monitors put side by side, just without the bezel gap in-between.
The gigantic 1800R curved screen of the monitor wraps your entire peripheral vision and takes your gaming experience to the next level.
It has a VA panel with a high 3,000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks, a strong 600-nit peak brightness for HDR content, 8 dimming zones, and a wide 125% sRGB color gamut (factory-calibrated) for vibrant colors.
Its 3840×1080 resolution results in a pixel density of around 80 PPI, same as 1080p on 27″ sized monitors, meaning that details won’t be particularly sharp, but since you’ll be sitting a bit further from the screen, individual pixels won’t be noticeable.
Make sure that your favorite games support the 32:9 aspect ratio. Games that only support 16:9 and/or 21:9 format will have to be displayed with black bars at the sides or be stretched-out or zoomed-in to fill the screen.
Features
The Samsung C49HG90 supports AMD FreeSync 2 with a 48-144Hz VRR range, but some units suffer from brightness flickering.
It also features backlight strobing for reduced motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced games. You can activate it by setting the ‘Response Time’ option to either Faster or Fastest.
Other features include pre-calibrated picture presets (including an sRGB mode), PiP/PbP, and Black Equalizer.
Keep in mind that this monitor uses PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) to regulate brightness which includes flickering that’s invisible to the human eye, but those extremely sensitive to it may experience headaches after prolonged use.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is very deep, so make sure you have a wide enough desk for it! It’s also versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, -4°/17° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are abundant and include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, mini-DisplayPort 1.2, a headphones jack, microphone input and output ports, and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
Now, there are many super ultra-wide monitors at this price range. The one we’ll get into next, the Samsung C49RG90, is an upgraded model of the CHG90, and has a higher 5120×1440 resolution, among other extra features.
As far as the 3840×1080 models go, the Samsung CHG90 offers the best value for the price. There are some 43.4″ models which due to their smaller screen size offer a higher pixel density, but they don’t have as many features.
For instance, the Samsung C43J890 has a lower 120Hz refresh rate, no FreeSync support, and no HDR support (no wider color gamut, local dimming, nor high peak brightness) yet it costs just as much as the CHG90.
The ASUS XG43VQ does support FreeSync 2 up to 120Hz and has DisplayHDR 400, but once again, it lacks proper HDR capabilities and has a notably smaller screen at the same price as the Samsung C49HG90.
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- MBR and FreeSync up to 144Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Minor smearing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
- Low pixel density
- The backlight is not flicker-free
Samsung C49RG90 - Best Super UltraWide Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
The Samsung C49RG90 is a beefed-up version of the C49HG90. It offers a higher 5120×1440 resolution and DisplayHDR 1000.
In fact, the CRG9 model offers better value for the price. If you’re spending $1,000 on a monitor, you might as well invest an extra $100 for a notably higher resolution and better HDR support.
The thing is, 5120×1440 is going to be considerably more demanding on your GPU. You’ll need at least the RTX 2080 for over 60FPS and decent settings in most games.
So, unless you have or plan to get a high-end PC rig, the CRG9 may not be for you.
Image Quality
Just like the CHG90, the CRG90 is based on a 49″ 1800R curved VA panel, but instead of being equivalent to two 27″ 1080p monitors without the gap, it resembles two 27″ 1440p displays with higher pixel density (~108 PPI).
Furthermore, you get 95% DCI-P3 (125% sRGB) wide color gamut support, a high 3,000:1 contrast ratio, and a high 1000-nit peak brightness (600-nits typical).
There are 10 dimming zones which won’t provide the true HDR viewing experience as OLED or FALD displays do, but in some games, HDR content will look remarkably better!
The monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz if the color depth is set to 8-bit. For 10-bit color, the refresh rate is limited to 100Hz due to bandwidth limitations of DisplayPort 1.4.
This isn’t a big issue as the difference between 8-bit color and 10-bit color is barely noticeable in games, and even if you do go for 10-bit color, you’ll hardly surpass 100FPS with decent settings anyway.
Features
AMD FreeSync 2 is supported with a 48-120Hz VRR range, but some units may be affected by the brightness flickering issue.
Unlike the CHG90, the CRG90 doesn’t support backlight strobing, but it handles motion better, so there’s no need for it, and the backlight is completely flicker-free.
Other features include pre-calibrated picture presets (FPS, RTS, RPG, sRGB, etc), custom crosshairs, and Black Equalizer for better visibility in darker games.
Design & Connectivity
The design is basically identical to that of the CHG90 and offers the same ergonomic abilities with up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, -4°/19° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are more extensive though and include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, an HDMI 2.0 port (max 60Hz at 5120×1440 or 120Hz at 3840×1080), a headphones jack as well as microphone output and input ports.
There are four downstream USB ports in total: two 2.0 and two 3.0 – plus a single upstream USB port.
Alternatives
While the Samsung C49RG90 offers an incredibly immersive gaming experience, its HDR picture is somewhat underwhelming. If you like this monitor, keep an eye on the upcoming Samsung C49G95T with similar specs, but a higher 240Hz refresh rate!
If you want a curved gaming monitor with a great HDR picture quality, you’ll have to invest ~$2,000 for the Acer Predator X35 which has a 512-zone local dimming solution as opposed to only 10 zones of the CRG9/G9.
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- DisplayHDR 1000 certification
- FreeSync up to 120Hz
- Plenty of additional gaming features
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Minor smearing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
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 C24G1 for the money whereas the AOC CQ27G2 and the Sceptre C305B 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 LG 34GN850 offers an all-around perfect balance between price, image quality, and performance.
