Wish to recreation on an enormous, immersive monitor? An ultrawide monitor needs to be your subsequent show. Ultrawide presents a bigger viewing space than a widescreen various and a broader perspective that actually shows extra in-game content material. As we speak’s greatest ultrawide gaming displays additionally ship top-tier movement efficiency and help for the newest adaptive sync requirements.
These are the most effective ultrawide gaming displays proper now.
Additional studying: See our roundup of the most effective gaming displays to study competing merchandise.
Up to date 07/11/2023: Try our newest evaluate of the Philips Evnia 7000 monitor. This 34-inch 1440p ultrawide comes with a 165Hz refresh charge and powerful SDR picture high quality, however the value holds it again from being a prime worth contender.
Alienware AW3423DWF – Greatest ultrawide gaming monitor
Professionals
- Glorious distinction ratio
- High-notch coloration gamut and accuracy
- Nice movement readability
- Respectable HDR efficiency
- Extraordinarily aggressive value
Cons
- Stand is a bit too massive
- No USB-C
- Most HDR brightness is lackluster
Value When Reviewed:
$1,099.99
The Alienware AW3423DWF is an superior gaming monitor, bringing the unimaginable distinction and realism of OLED in a 34-inch widescreen panel. Although priced at $1,099—not cheap for most individuals—it’s a greater worth than most high-end gaming displays.
The monitor’s glorious picture high quality supplies a vivid, immersive, wealthy expertise with deep black ranges and shiny highlights. Video games appear to leap out of the show, as if you happen to’re trying via a window moderately than observing your laptop display screen. Avid gamers who like darkish, moody genres, equivalent to horror video games, will admire the monitor’s capacity to succeed in deep black ranges with minimal lack of element.
This monitor presents an enhanced refresh charge of as much as 165Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Premium Professional for easy body pacing in video games. It additionally has better-than-average movement efficiency at decrease refresh charges, a good thing about the OLED panel’s quick pixel response instances.
The monitor isn’t shiny and has a shiny show coat that may replicate gentle, so it’s greatest in a darkish room. We additionally seen the OLED panel has bother rendering small fonts easily. These are minor points and have much less impression on video games than different situations.
Connectivity is suitable, with two DisplayPort inputs and one HDMI, and a USB-A hub with 4 ports. There’s a wholesome vary of menu choices that assist players change the picture high quality to their choice.
Learn our full
Alienware AW3423DWF evaluate
LG Ultragear 34GN850-B – Greatest ultrawide gaming monitor below $1,000
Professionals
- 21:9 panel with a 34-inch display screen
- Curved monitor
- Spectacular gaming efficiency
- Ergonomic adjustment choices
Cons
- Solely common energy consumption
- Costly
Value When Reviewed:
999.99
Launched in 2020, the LG Ultragear 34GN850-B, was the most effective ultrawide gaming monitor to debut that yr, and solely lately defeated by the Alienware AW3423DWF. In response, LG slashed the previous champion’s value from an MSRP of $999.99 to $699.99 at most retailers (and it has sometimes bought for as little as $599.99).
Although now not on the prime of its class, LG’s Ultragear 34GN850-B is a pretty monitor with glorious coloration efficiency, a excessive most brightness, and good movement efficiency from its quick “Nano IPS” panel. It appears to be like barely sharper than the Alienware, regardless of the very fact they each have the identical native decision. The LG is arguably higher than the Alienware for combined productiveness and gaming use, as show glare will not be a difficulty and small textual content doesn’t seem pixelated.
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B presents an enhanced refresh charge of as much as 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclocked mode) and is formally suitable with each AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. Its general movement efficiency is not so good as the Alienware, nevertheless it’s shut, and higher than funds alternate options just like the AOC CU34G2X.
What’s the catch? Distinction. The monitor’s IPS panel has the bottom distinction ratio of the three displays we advocate right here and may look hazy in darkish scenes. It appears to be like greatest in a reasonably to brightly lit room, as this makes the shortage of distinction much less noticeable.
The monitor’s connectivity and options are per high-end displays: two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and a two-port USB hub. A number of extra USB ports could be appreciated however, at this value, the obtainable choices are acceptable.
Learn our full
LG Ultragear 34GN850 evaluate
AOC CU34G2X – Greatest ultrawide gaming monitor below $500
Professionals
- Gaming monitor in ultrawide 21:9 format
- Spectacular gaming efficiency
- Giant 34-inch curved panel
- Ergonomic adjustment choices
The AOC CU34G2X is a uncommon budget-friendly ultrawide monitor, retailing at or beneath $349.99. It does make a couple of compromises to succeed in that value level—however picture high quality isn’t amongst them.
The 34-inch ultrawide monitor has a VA panel that gives good distinction and vibrant coloration efficiency. Its most brightness is a bit low, however much like the Alienware AW3423DWF in SDR content material (the CU34G2X doesn’t help HDR). The AOC monitor presents 3440×1440 decision, the identical as the opposite displays on this record, so it appears to be like simply as sharp. Avid gamers who aren’t explicit about picture high quality will discover it troublesome to inform the distinction between this monitor and the dearer LG Ultragear 34GN850-B.
The AOC CU34G2X is an ultrawide gaming monitor with a refresh charge as much as 144Hz, and it delivers stable movement efficiency. Nevertheless, it doesn’t formally help both AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. Each requirements ought to work unofficially however, as a result of the show will not be licensed, homeowners could expertise flickering when recreation body charges dip too low. Avid gamers could have to depend on utilizing V-Sync in some titles.
Although the monitor’s picture high quality is spectacular for the worth, its aggressive red-and-black design is much more in-your-face than LG’s Ultragear and may flip off some players. Materials high quality is mediocre, as properly, so the monitor doesn’t look as premium because the LG or Alienware alternate options.
Connectivity, then again, is superb, with two HDMI and two DisplayPort and a four-port USB-A hub. That’s the most effective of any monitor on this record—not one thing we’d count on from a funds show. The monitor additionally features a height-adjustable stand, a perk that funds ultrawide displays typically ditch.
Learn our full
AOC CU34G2X evaluate
What to search for in an ultrawide gaming monitor
Ultrawide gaming displays are an superior selection for PC gaming, but stay a tiny area of interest in comparison with much more standard 27-inch and 32-inch widescreen gaming displays. In response to the newest Steam {Hardware} Survey outcomes, lower than 2 % of all PC players on Steam have an ultrawide monitor.
That’s a disgrace, and limits selection when shopping for an ultrawide monitor. Nonetheless, players ought to key an eye fixed on these options when making a purchase order.
Panel kind is an enormous deal
Ultrawide displays provide IPS, VA, and OLED panels. Every has benefits and drawbacks.
IPS panels are the most typical, and for good purpose. They show a variety of coloration, have nice coloration accuracy, can attain excessive ranges of brightness, and look sharp at any given decision. Nevertheless, their low distinction ratio could be a downside for darker video games, which may seem hazy and lack element. IPS panels are greatest for combined use in brightly lit rooms.
VA panels are sometimes present in funds ultrawide displays, although some firms (most notably Samsung) additionally use them in high-end shows. They’ve higher distinction than IPS panels and ship comparable coloration efficiency. VA panels can wrestle with movement efficiency and funds VA panels are inclined to fall behind IPS in brightness.
OLED is the chief in general picture high quality. It supplies the most effective leads to coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, distinction, and movement efficiency. Sharpness is commonly diminished in comparison with IPS and VA, however most individuals will discover it a minor downgrade. OLED tends to guide in HDR as properly: Mini-LED can exceed it in some instances, however few ultrawide displays use Mini-LED know-how.
Typically, OLED is healthier than IPS, and IPS is healthier than VA. Some players may want VA over IPS, nevertheless, particularly when gaming in a darkish room.
Refresh charge and pixel response instances
All of the ultrawide gaming displays we advocate share the same refresh charge (between 144Hz and 165Hz). That means they’ve comparable movement efficiency, however there’s extra to it.
OLED displays, such because the Alienware W3423DW, have the most effective movement efficiency general. They provide not solely a excessive refresh charge however the lowest pixel response instances (typically quoted at .03 to .05 milliseconds), which suggests pixels transition between colours rapidly. This reduces movement blur at each excessive and low refresh charges, giving OLED an edge.
IPS displays are inclined to have the second-best pixel response instances, with fashions just like the LG Ultragear 34GN850-B quoting response instances of 1 millisecond. VA panels may also obtain one millisecond response instances, although some panels could lag this normal.
In abstract: take a look at refresh charge first, then take a look at pixel response time to match displays with the identical refresh charge.
Be cautious of enormous ultrawide shows
The one ultrawide gaming displays we presently advocate are 34-inch ultrawide gaming displays with 3440×1440 decision.
A wide range of bigger ultrawide gaming displays can be found. This contains 45-inch ultrawide displays just like the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 and LG Ultragear 45GR95QE, in addition to super-ultrawide displays just like the Samsung Odyssey G9 collection.
Nevertheless, these bigger displays carry excessive value tags and have a tendency to have points in general usability. The bigger 45-inch ultrawide choices don’t enhance decision in comparison with 34-inch fashions, to allow them to seem a bit comfortable and pixelated. The 49-inch super-ultrawide fashions could be a match for hardcore simulation players however aren’t extensively supported in additional mainstream recreation genres.
Extraordinarily massive and super-ultrawide gaming displays are a distinct segment inside a distinct segment. They is perhaps a go-to decide sooner or later, however for now it’s greatest to stay with extra extensively supported 34-inch, 3440×1440 displays.
Don’t purchase an ultrawide for console gaming
Trying to purchase a monitor for console gaming? Don’t purchase an ultrawide monitor.
None of the present recreation consoles help ultrawide resolutions. That is true even in video games which have a PC launch with ultrawide help.
A recreation console linked to an ultrawide monitor will nonetheless show a picture, however will probably be restricted to the same old widescreen show house, leaving black bars on both facet of the display screen.
How we take a look at displays
PC World’s workers and freelance reviewers spend tons of of hours conducting in-depth testing that compares displays throughout a broad vary of value factors and capabilities, from $100 funds displays to legendary top-tier shows priced past $3,000. We personally take a look at dozens of displays yearly to search out the most effective decide for each class and value level.
We use a SpyderXElite coloration calibration device. It delivers goal measurements for a spread of metrics together with brightness, distinction, coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, coloration temperature, and gamma. These outcomes are logged, which makes it straightforward for PC World reviewers to match totally different displays. It additionally eliminates subjective bias—an essential level, as variations in room lighting, time of day, and the kind of content material considered can simply change a reviewer’s expertise.
FAQ
What measurement of ultrawide gaming monitor is greatest?
Most ultrawide displays have a 34-inch panel with a 21:9 facet ratio, which is the most suitable choice for many players.
Some ultrawide displays can be found in bigger sizes, however these sometimes aren’t the only option for players. Many don’t help excessive refresh charges. Those who do are costly and infrequently use the identical 3440×1440 decision discovered on smaller ultrawide displays, which suggests they seem much less sharp than a 34-inch show.
What’s the greatest decision for an ultrawide monitor?
Almost all 34-inch ultrawide displays have a show decision of 3440×1440. This is a wonderful selection for players.
It’s sharp sufficient to look spectacular in fashionable 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 in case you have a midrange 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 displays lack help for top refresh charges, making them a foul selection for players. LG presents a line of 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide displays with 5120×2160 decision, however this line additionally lacks help for enhanced refresh charges.
A number of new 45-inch ultrawide displays can be found with 3440×1440 decision. This could be a downside, as a result of stretching the identical decision throughout a a lot bigger show reduces sharpness. We advocate 3440×1440 just for 34-inch ultrawide displays.
What’s the most effective refresh charge for an ultrawide gaming monitor?
A refresh charge of 144Hz to 165Hz is right for many ultrawide gaming displays.
Only a few ultrawide displays exceed this refresh charge, and people who do are too costly to make it a very good worth.
Additionally, players searching for an ultrawide gaming monitor are more likely to want immersive and graphically demanding video games that make it troublesome to see the total good thing about a refresh charge above 144Hz. You’ll want a high-end video card, like an RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon 6800, to drive most ultrawide gaming displays at body charges above 144 frames per second.
Does an ultrawide gaming monitor want HDR?
HDR isn’t a must have for an ultrawide gaming monitor, nevertheless it’s a pleasant addition.
Gaming is a superb use case for HDR—arguably the most effective, the truth is—and it may well ship improved picture high quality. We advocate shopping for an ultrawide gaming monitor with HDR help in case your funds is $500 or extra.
