Would you like an enormous quantity of usable show house, but additionally need to follow a single monitor? In that case, an ultrawide monitor is the ticket. These screens have a wider show panel that’s much more spectacular, and immersive, than your common widescreen. I’ve examined a bunch of ultrawide screens with the intention to title the perfect picks in varied classes. You possibly can study extra about our analysis course of and what to search for in an ultrawide monitor under our suggestions.
Yow will discover much more monitor suggestions in our roundup of the perfect screens.
Up to date 08/16/2023: Take a look at our assessment of the Dell U3824DW. It’s an ultrawide that’s singularly centered on workplace productiveness.
Alienware AW3423DWF – Finest ultrawide monitor
Professionals
- Wonderful distinction ratio
- High-notch colour gamut and accuracy
- Nice movement readability
- Respectable HDR efficiency
- Extraordinarily aggressive value
Cons
- Stand is a bit too giant
- No USB-C
- Most HDR brightness is lackluster
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099.99
The Alienware AW3423DWF is a legendary monitor. It packs the unbelievable distinction and realism of OLED in a 34-inch widescreen panel, but it’s priced at simply $1,099. That’s not cheap, nevertheless it’s higher worth than different OLED screens out there proper now.
Picture high quality is the place it stands out. It delivers a vivid, immersive, wealthy expertise with deep black ranges and vivid highlights, that are enhanced by the show’s shiny end. Motion pictures and video games appear practically three-dimensional—as should you’re trying via a window, not gazing a monitor.
What’s the catch? The monitor isn’t vivid, particularly in SDR, so it’s a nasty alternative for a brightly lit room. We additionally observed the OLED panel has hassle rendering small fonts easily. These are minor points, although, and shouldn’t hassle most homeowners.
This monitor targets avid gamers, so it provides an enhanced refresh fee of as much as 165Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Premium Professional for easy body pacing in video games. Nevertheless, its glorious picture high quality can be spectacular in on a regular basis use, as nicely.
It has good connectivity, with two DisplayPort inputs and one HDMI, in addition to a USB-A hub with 4 ports. There’s even a wholesome vary of calibration choices that assist demanding homeowners dial within the picture to their private specs.
Learn our full
Alienware AW3423DWF assessment
AOC CU34G2X – Finest price range ultrawide
Professionals
- Gaming monitor in ultrawide 21:9 format
- Spectacular gaming efficiency
- Giant 34-inch curved panel
- Ergonomic adjustment choices
Ultrawide screens have many perks, however low pricing isn’t amongst them. Luckily, price range consumers have one good possibility: the AOC CU34G2X, which retails at or under $349.99.
This monitor has a 34-inch ultrawide VA panel that, by most measures, performs surprisingly near dearer options. It gives an excellent distinction ratio and delivers vivid colour efficiency. It additionally has the identical 3440×1440 decision as the opposite screens on this record, so it appears to be like simply as sharp. In reality, much less demanding consumers could discover it tough to note any distinction between this monitor and dearer choices just like the Asus ProArt PA348CV.
The AOC CU34G2X is marketed as a gaming monitor and has an enhanced refresh fee of as much as 144Hz. It doesn’t formally help AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, nevertheless, so avid gamers could have blended outcomes when attempting to make use of these adaptive sync requirements.
Although it punches above its value in picture high quality, the AOC CU34G2X’s design appears to be like low cost. It leans a bit too exhausting on an aggressive red-and-black gaming theme. That can annoy consumers preferring a calmer, much less obtrusive look.
Connectivity is nice, although, with two HDMI and two DisplayPort inputs plus a four-port USB-A hub. The monitor additionally has a top adjustable stand, vital perk that isn’t assured on price range ultrawide screens.
Learn our full
AOC CU34G2X assessment
LG Ultragear 34GN850 – Finest price range ultrawide for avid gamers
Professionals
- 21:9 panel with a 34-inch display
- Curved monitor
- Spectacular gaming efficiency
- Ergonomic adjustment choices
Cons
- Solely common energy consumption
- Costly
Worth When Reviewed:
999.99
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B, launched in 2020, was as soon as the king of ultrawide gaming. It was dethroned by Alienware’s AW3423DWF—and because of this LG has slashed the worth. Initially $999.99, this monitor is now out there for $699.99 (and generally much less).
That’s nice information. Though surpassed by the Alienware, LG’s Ultragear 34GN850-B is a sexy monitor with glorious colour efficiency, good picture readability, and a vivid, vivid image. It has an enhanced refresh fee of as much as 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclocked mode) and helps each AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync for easy gameplay.
Its weak spot? Distinction. The IPS panel scores decrease in distinction than different screens on this record, together with the Asus ProArt PA348CV, which additionally has an IPS panel. The picture can look hazy in darker scenes.
Connectivity is respectable with two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and two-port USB-A hub for connecting wired peripherals. The monitor additionally retains lots of the options that will be anticipated of a high-end monitor together with a sturdy ergonomic stand and engaging design.
Learn our full
LG Ultragear 34GN850 assessment
Asus ProArt PA348CGV – Finest ultrawide monitor for professionals
Professionals
- Wonderful SDR picture high quality
- Sturdy, hefty design
- Big selection of customization
- 120Hz refresh fee
Cons
- USB-C hub lacks video-out or ethernet
- HDR is merely satisfactory
Worth When Reviewed:
729.99
The Asus ProArt PA348CV surpassed our expectations. Priced at simply $729.99, it’s in direction of the low finish of pricing for an expert ultrawide show—but its efficiency is close to the highest of the pack.
This monitor has a large colour gamut, glorious colour accuracy, and a digital buffet of image-quality calibration options that allow customers exactly tune the picture. It’s additionally a vivid and vivid monitor, making it simple to make use of in practically any workplace. Admittedly, it doesn’t set any information in picture high quality exams—nevertheless it ties or comes near options which are lots of of {dollars} dearer.
Asus throws in a helpful USB-C port that helps DisplayPort Alternate Mode and delivers 90 watts of USB Energy Supply. It additionally drives a USB-A hub with 4 downstream ports. Further video connectivity consists of two HDMI and one DisplayPort for a complete of 4 enter choices.
Surprisingly, Asus throws in an enhanced refresh fee as much as 120Hz. It’s not offered as a gaming monitor, however it will possibly deal with gaming nicely sufficient. That’s excellent news should you want one house workplace monitor for each work and play.
Learn our full
Asus ProArt PA348CGV assessment
What to search for in an ultrawide monitor
Ultrawide screens are a favourite of PC fans, however stay a distinct segment throughout the bigger monitor market. This leaves consumers with fewer choices. Most ultrawide screens have a 34-inch panel with a decision of 3440×1440, and comparable connectivity.
Nonetheless, these screens can differ in a number of key areas. Right here’s what to search for.
Panel sort is a giant deal
Ultrawide screens supply much less alternative in some regards however that script is flipped on the subject of panel sort. Ultrawide screens are available in a wide range of panel varieties: IPS, VA, and OLED.
IPS panels are widespread in mid-range and premium ultrawide screens. This panel sort delivers nice colour efficiency, excessive most brightness, excellent sharpness, and good movement efficiency. It’s weak in distinction, nevertheless, which might disappoint when viewing TV exhibits or films.
VA panels are usually a price range possibility, although some are present in premium ultrawide screens. They’ve higher distinction than IPS panels and ship comparable colour efficiency and brightness—nevertheless, price range VA panels are usually merely okay in these areas. Most VA panels fall brief in movement efficiency and should look blurry when taking part in fast-paced video games.
OLED is king of the hill. It leads in colour, distinction, and movement efficiency. Sharpness is commonly barely diminished in comparison with IPS and VA, however most individuals will discover it a minor downgrade. OLED is also the only option for HDR.
On the whole, OLED is healthier than IPS, and IPS is healthier than VA. Nevertheless, some folks may choose VA over IPS as a result of it has a greater distinction ratio and appears darker in darkish content material.
A height-adjustable stand is a must have
All of the screens on this record present an ergonomic stand that adjusts for top, tilt, and swivel. It is a must-have characteristic, however one which isn’t discovered on the least costly ultrawide screens.
As tempting as it could be to save cash on a price range mannequin and not using a height-adjustable stand, you’ll remorse it.
Ultrawide screens are cumbersome and have a tendency to require a bigger, heavier stand, which in flip makes them tougher to position on an elevated platform. The previous school trick of sticking a monitor on a shoe field received’t work.
Search for USB-C, however don’t count on it
USB-C compatibility is a wonderful characteristic, and USB-C hub screens can clear away tons of muddle in your desk. Sadly, many ultrawide screens don’t help USB-C but, or have limitations that detract from the USB-C port’s usefulness.
Asus’s ProArt PA348CV, our favourite ultrawide for professionals, is one exception. It has a USB-C port with as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply, and the port drives a USB-A hub with 4 downstream ports.
Dell, HP, and BenQ additionally supply ultrawide screens with USB-C. Most of those lack an enhanced refresh fee, nevertheless, and so they’re usually dearer than the Asus.
Pricing is vital—and might swing wildly
Monitor pricing is all the time vital, nevertheless it’s key for ultrawide screens. Though very costly at MSRP, ultrawide screens routinely see large value cuts throughout seasonal gross sales. Additionally they obtain main semi-permanent value cuts later of their life.
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B is an instance of this. Initially offered for $999.99, it’s now routinely out there for $699.99, and went as little as $599.99 throughout Amazon’s Black Friday sale. That’s a 40 p.c discount in value! Ready for a deal can prevent lots of.
Don’t purchase an ultrawide for console gaming
A fast phrase of warning: You shouldn’t purchase an ultrawide monitor should you plan to attach a recreation console regularly.
Recreation consoles don’t help ultrawide side ratios, so that you’ll see black bars on both aspect of the picture. That’s unattractive and wastes the monitor’s potential. It’s greatest to stay with a widescreen monitor if console gaming is a precedence.
How we take a look at screens
PC World’s crew of employees and freelance reviewers conduct in-depth testing to check screens throughout a variety of classes and value factors. We take a look at dozens of screens annually to search out the perfect choose for each class and value level.
Our testing makes use of a SpyderXElite colour calibration software. It delivers goal, unbiased measurements for a variety of metrics together with brightness, distinction, colour gamut, colour accuracy, colour temperature, and gamma. Outcomes are recorded and logged for future comparability. This permits our specialists to simply examine many screens directly and eliminates subjective bias from the outcomes.
FAQ
What dimension of ultrawide gaming monitor is greatest?
Most ultrawide screens have a 34-inch panel with a 21:9 side ratio, which is the most suitable choice for many avid gamers.
Some ultrawide screens can be found in bigger sizes, however these usually aren’t the only option for avid gamers. Many don’t help excessive refresh charges. People who do are costly and sometimes use the identical 3440×1440 decision discovered on smaller ultrawide screens, which suggests they seem much less sharp than a 34-inch show.
What’s the greatest decision for an ultrawide monitor?
Practically all 34-inch ultrawide screens have a show decision of 3440×1440. This is a wonderful alternative for avid gamers.
It’s sharp sufficient to look spectacular in trendy video games. Nevertheless, this decision stays considerably decrease in whole pixel depend than 4K, which makes it much less demanding on graphics {hardware}. That’s excellent news you probably have a mid-range graphics card like an Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6650XT.
Bigger 38-inch fashions have the next decision of 3840×1660—nevertheless, practically all these screens lack help for top refresh charges, making them a nasty alternative for avid gamers. LG provides a line of 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide monitors with 5120×2160 resolution, however this line additionally lacks help for enhanced refresh charges.
A number of new 45-inch ultrawide screens can be found with 3440×1440 decision. This generally is a drawback, as a result of stretching the identical decision throughout a a lot bigger show reduces sharpness. We suggest 3440×1440 just for 34-inch ultrawide screens.
What’s the perfect refresh fee for an ultrawide gaming monitor?
A refresh fee of 144Hz to 165Hz is right for many ultrawide gaming screens.
Only a few ultrawide screens exceed this refresh fee, and people who do are too costly to make it an excellent worth.
Additionally, avid gamers purchasing for an ultrawide gaming monitor are more likely to choose immersive and graphically demanding video games that make it tough to see the complete good thing about a refresh fee above 144Hz. You’ll want a high-end video card, like an RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon 6800, to drive most ultrawide gaming screens at body charges above 144 frames per second.
Does an ultrawide gaming monitor want HDR?
HDR isn’t vital for an ultrawide gaming monitor, nevertheless it’s a pleasant addition.
Gaming is a good use case for HDR—arguably the perfect, actually—and it will possibly ship improved picture high quality. We suggest shopping for an ultrawide gaming monitor with HDR help in case your price range is $500 or extra.
