Though gamers are probably the first person who comes to mind when considering who might benefit from one of these displays, there are many other types of users who can benefit from these large screens as well. One of the best ultrawide monitors offers far more advantages than you might think.
Of course, they are ideal for PC gaming because of the larger screen size, which enhances immersion. Additionally, the increased peripheral vision that an ultrawide monitor provides is very helpful for first-person shooters. In fact, the LG UltraGear 38GN950, our top choice in this comparison, is an excellent gaming monitor that truly delivers the goods in terms of visual quality, further enhancing that immersive experience.
However, it might be argued that having so much display real estate is actually better for increasing productivity and allowing you to use numerous apps on a single screen. Additionally, there are ergonomic benefits to consider, as these ultrawide displays may assist lessen neck and eye strain.
Then, an ultrawide can be the ideal monitor for a variety of users. Whether you’re a creative type, a PC gamer, or a high-powered productivity user, the models we’ve chosen below have an ultrawide display to fit your demands. An ultrawide screen doesn’t have to break the bank; if you’re looking for a good deal, check out the robust 34-inch AOC CU34G2X. Even those on a tight budget will be satisfied here.
1.LG UltraGear
There is no doubt that the LG UltraGear 38GN950 is the best gaming display available. This is a really impressive monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate that can be easily overclocked to 160Hz, a 1ms reaction time, amazing image quality, and many more gaming features including G-Sync, an ultra-wide aspect ratio, and DisplayHDR 600.
The 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio undoubtedly produced a “wow” effect during testing; games felt far more theatrical on this display, providing both a tactical and highly immersive experience. The ultrawide design was especially helpful for Microsoft Flight Simulator since it made it possible to monitor runways and landmarks without having to click a button to change perspectives.
Playing at 144Hz and 160Hz produces a satisfying experience without tearing the screen, as we discovered. In the meanwhile, video editors and photographers might find the DCI-P3 98% color gamut support to be a useful feature. With a peak brightness of just 600 nits, this HDR is still merely passable. Though it falls short of OLEDs in particular, the UltraGear 38GN950 nevertheless produces a respectable HDR image.
With a massive 38-inch screen, QHD+ (3840 x 1600) resolution, G-Sync compatibility, 144Hz refresh rate, and a host of additional capabilities, LG’s latest ultra-wide gaming monitor, the UltraGear 38GN950, is among the greatest gaming monitors available for purchase right now.
With the upcoming release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, 4K gaming is probably going to become more popular than ever before. However, for PC gamers, there’s another alternative: ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratios. For many (us included), the ultra-wide aspect ratio offers a more immersive experience than a 16:9 4K panel.
Even though the UltraGear 38GN950’s 3840 x 1600 resolution isn’t quite as good as 4K (3840 x 2160), it’s still pretty close, so you can still enjoy better gaming performance, especially with less expensive graphics cards.
With more area to maneuver, you may optimize the 144Hz refresh rate and apply demanding graphics choices and settings without significantly compromising on pure image quality.
It might be ideal for you to have an ultra-wide monitor with a large screen and lots of gaming-specific functions, but they are not cheap. The UltraGear 38GN950 is a highly costly display.
2. AOC CU34G2X
This “frameless” monitor puts a lot of effort into delivering best-in-class performance instead of using harsh RGB lighting and sharp angles to flaunt its gamer-centric design. In terms of gaming features, it has a 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and 1440p resolution for visually stunning and immersive gameplay.
The AOC CU34G2X’s performance is remarkable even for applications other than gaming. When leaned in close, its curve doesn’t feel overly intimidating and provides one of the most immersive gaming experiences we’ve ever experienced. The colors and tones are stunning right out of the box; no color balancing tweaks are required. Even in the midst of fierce combat, screen tearing has been effectively reduced by its 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms reaction time.
It’s surprising that there isn’t G-sync given that this is a gaming monitor. Additionally, navigating the menu can be a little annoying. But this is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors available, and it’s also very affordable.
If anything from the G2 series has a difficult time standing out, it’s the AOC CU34G2X. In an incredibly crowded market, there is fierce competition to be the greatest ultrawide monitor. How can you stand out when gaming screens in black and red are nearly standard? through demonstrating rather than narrating.
This ‘frameless’ display doesn’t promote its gamer-centric nature with intense RGB lights and sharp angles.The AOC CU34G2X is a welcome change from over-the-top screens, which almost shout “witness me.” Thanks to its sleek black design with red accents and a chassis that appears like it might withstand a lot of abuse, it chooses a more understated approach.
If your desk is knocked over, you won’t have to worry about the base tipping over because it’s made of strong metal and won’t move quickly.
Still, not everyone will find the CU34G2X’s modesty to their liking. It’s a lovely piece of technology, but you might equally say it’s boring. For better or worse, this is a functional piece of equipment with minimal flair.
Its resemblance to the ASUS ROG lineup lessens its impact even more. Every monitor we test these days seems to be constructed from angular black plastic with red trimming, so this one arguably disappears into the crowd as a result.
3.BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R
The AOC CU34G2X is a welcome change from over-the-top screens, which almost shout “witness me.” Thanks to its sleek black design with red accents and a chassis that appears like it might withstand a lot of abuse, it chooses a more understated approach.
If your desk is knocked over, you won’t have to worry about the base tipping over because it’s made of strong metal and won’t move quickly.
Still, not everyone will find the CU34G2X’s modesty to their liking. It’s a lovely piece of technology, but you might equally say it’s boring. For better or worse, this is a functional piece of equipment with minimal flair.
Its resemblance to the ASUS ROG lineup lessens its impact even more. Every needs of creative professionals, so this is really a gamer’s gaming monitor, rather than something that creatives who are also gamers can use into doing double duty.
The Advanced Motion Accelerator (AMA) on the EX3410R reduces motion blur for sharper images, and Adaptive-Sync helps prevent screen tearing while gaming, among other fantastic features.
The EX3410R has several gaming-specific presets to enhance the viewing experience, just like many of the top monitors available these days. These presets typically function better than expected.
The DisplayHDR400 performs adequately, and with a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, you get improved color depth overall, particularly considering that the monitor covers a respectable amount of the P3 and sRGB color gamuts. A game like Elden Ring comes to life thanks to all of this, showcasing the depth of its universe.
4.Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
With the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, go big. Although a 21:9 aspect ratio is fantastic, you’ll need extra screen real estate for your buttons and meters if you’re a fan of Final Fantasy XIV or similar games. Fortunately, you have a lot more space to spread out with this massive screen since it has the highly desired 32:9 aspect ratio.
Beyond its dimensions, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 boasts the most advanced technology we’ve seen in a gaming display. It builds upon the features of its predecessor, the Odyssey G9, and goes above and beyond. With Samsung’s latest Quantum Mini LED technology, it now has 2,048 local dimming zones for the most amazing and remarkable HDR possible on this panel we’ve ever seen. We found this to be brighter and more colorful than anything we’ve ever seen.
Unfortunately, because of its size and tech, you need a seriously powerful PC to take full advantage of it. But, then again, if you’re buying a monitor that costs as much as this one does, you probably have the gear to back it up.
The Samsung Odyssey G9 is one of the most opulent gaming monitors available. The enormous 49-inch display boasted an impressive resolution of 5,120 x 1,440, a refresh rate of 240 Hz, and an HDR 1000 grade to match. But as 2021 dawns, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 arrives, taking all that the Odyssey G9 accomplished and amplifying it to a whole new level.
Improved illumination, an HDR 2000 certification, and the use of Mini-LED technology combine to make the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 one of the most sophisticated gaming monitors we have ever laid eyes on. But in addition to needing one of the greatest gaming PCs—likely the RTX 3080 at the very least—you’ll also need the Neo G9 is even more expensive than it was last year.
But it’s largely worth the added cost if you can afford it. The display is genuinely the best we’ve ever used, with amazing color and black levels that you simply won’t find in most other gaming monitors. Playing games on this thing is truly a luxurious experience, which makes the mind-blowing price tag feel at least a little justified.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is big. And while that is pretty obvious from the fact that it’s a 49-inch ultrawide monitor, it doesn’t hit until you take it out of its box to set up on your desk.
We’re lucky enough to have a pretty large 61-inch desk, and even with that it takes up nearly the entire length of it, leaving just enough room for our PC on the side. But, that gargantuan size definitely works in its favor when you’re just looking for an immersive gaming experience.But it’s largely worth the added cost if you can afford it. The display is genuinely the best we’ve ever used, with amazing color and black levels that you simply won’t find in most other gaming monitors. Playing games on this thing is truly a luxurious experience, which makes the mind-blowing price tag feel at least a little justified.
5.Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240
Bendable monitors have arrived in the PC gaming world, and the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 OLED is one of the pioneers. As with any new tech, it’s an expensive piece of kit, but it gives you a whole new experience you won’t get from all other ultrawide gaming display – and gaming monitors in general, for that matter.
By bendable, we really do mean bendable as this display’s panel is capable of curving up to 800R. That means that you can pretty much play whatever PC game genre you want on this monitor at the most ideal curve for immersion. And it can completely flatten as well for games like Rocket League and Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. Its flex is quite literally its flex.
Being an OLED panel, we weren’t surprised to also find its colors rich and its blacks beautifully deep. What we were particularly please about were the color representation and color accuracy. Our colorimeter reading gave us just under 100% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, and a Delta E average of less than 1. That means that it’s good enough for content creation as well.
We were also not surprised by the OLED panel’s vivid hues and exquisitely deep blacks. The color accuracy and portrayal were the things that most pleased us. We obtained 100% sRGB, slightly less than 100% DCI-P3, and a Delta E average of less than 1 from our colorimeter reading. This implies that it is suitable for the production of content as well.
Here are several areas that could use better. Not only is HDR10 support disappointing, but the bending mechanism still feels clumsy, and there are no height or swivel adjustments. If you want to go with an ultrawide screen, though, this is a really flexible and immersive gaming monitor that you should give some thought to.
The gaming industry was bound to see bending displays like the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 OLED eventually. I simply didn’t anticipate their arrival so quickly. After all, we only received our initial shipment of OLED gaming monitors last year. Following the debut of the Alienware AW720H, which I’m still not sure is something that can currently serve the mass gaming population, more 500Hz displays may also be released in the near future.
In addition, the fact that the epidemic has just ended and inflation is currently rampant means that, in addition to spending less time in front of our gaming PCs now that most of us are back at work, many of us are also unable to currently afford such indulgences.
But even as I find it difficult to suggest a gaming monitor that is obviously beyond most people’s means—my 55-inch Samsung TV was less than half as expensive when I bought it on sale, for crying out loud—a larger part of me exclaims, “What took them (manufacturers) so long?!”
How to choose the best ultrawide monitor for you
Although they are now rather specialized, ultrawide monitors are becoming more and more well-liked. However, this does imply that a large number of consumers are probably unfamiliar with the ultrawide monitor industry and may not know as much as they should to make the best decision for their requirements and price range. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to assist get you started on the correct track in your search for a fantastic ultrawide display.
What’s the difference between ultrawide monitors and standard monitors?
The aspect ratios of ultrawide and conventional monitors are primarily different from one another. Ultrawide displays are, as their name implies, significantly longer horizontally than standard monitors, which have an aspect ratio of 21:9. Standard monitors have a ratio of 16:9. The additional length is excellent for generating or watching 4K films, or for situations when you need to keep a lot of information on screen.
Even though ultrawide panels are amazing, it’s vital to remember that current technology doesn’t always support their resolutions. Standard monitors are usually a better option if you’re looking for one to connect to your PS5 or Xbox Series X because those consoles support standard resolutions.
Is an ultrawide monitor good for gaming?
Yes, because of the additional real estate they offer, gamers often choose ultrawide monitors. You can usually view more of your in-game surroundings on an ultrawide monitor than on a more conventional 16:9 panel.
Furthermore, curved panels are a common feature of ultrawide monitors; these screens are great for immersing you in your game and giving you a better sense of immersion than flat panel displays can offer.