Best ultrawide monitors 2023: Let’s get large

Would you like an enormous quantity of usable show area, but in addition wish to follow a single monitor? If that’s the case, an ultrawide monitor is the ticket. These displays have a wider show panel that’s much more spectacular, and immersive, than your common widescreen. I’ve examined a bunch of ultrawide displays so as to identify the perfect picks in numerous classes. You’ll be able to be taught extra about our analysis course of and what to search for in an ultrawide monitor beneath our suggestions.  

Yow will discover much more monitor suggestions in our roundup of the perfect displays.

Up to date 09/14/2023: We’ve added the Monoprice 35-inch Zero-G Ultrawide as our selection for finest funds ultrawide monitor. Learn our abstract beneath for more information on this reasonably priced new decide.

Alienware AW3423DWF – Greatest ultrawide monitor

Execs

• Glorious distinction ratio 
• High-notch coloration 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 unimaginable 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 displays accessible proper now.

Picture high quality is the place it stands out. It delivers a vivid, immersive, wealthy expertise with deep black ranges and shiny highlights, that are enhanced by the show’s shiny end. Films and video games appear practically three-dimensional—as in case you’re wanting via a window, not looking at a monitor.

What’s the catch? The monitor is just not shiny, particularly in SDR, so it’s a foul selection for a brightly lit room. We additionally seen the OLED panel has bother rendering small fonts easily. These are minor points, although, and shouldn’t bother most homeowners.

This monitor targets players, so it presents an enhanced refresh price of as much as 165Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Premium Professional for clean body pacing in video games. Nonetheless, its glorious picture high quality will likely be spectacular in on a regular basis use, as properly.

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

Monoprice 35-inch Zero-G Ultrawide – Greatest funds ultrawide

Execs

• Sturdy distinction ratio
• Glorious coloration efficiency
• Sturdy design and stand
• Loads of video enter

Cons

• Setup requires a screwdriver
• Stand lacks ergonomic adjustment
• Movement readability could possibly be higher

The Monoprice 35-inch Zero-G curved ultrawide monitor (mannequin #38035) is a flexible monitor well-suited to an enormous vary of duties. Although marketed for gaming, it’s additionally a fantastic show for starting content material creators and residential workplace warriors who need extra show actual property.

This monitor has a VA panel with a wonderful distinction ratio of 3650:1. The robust distinction ratio helps the monitor obtain a wealthy, immersive picture. It’s helped by a coloration gamut that spans 93 % of DCI-P3, good coloration accuracy, and spectacular sharpness. These traits are key to the monitor’s versatility. It’s nice for video games, workplace productiveness, novice images, and entry-level video modifying.

Avid gamers will benefit from the monitor’s 120Hz refresh price and help for AMD FreeSync. The monitor supplies a responsive, clean picture with first rate element in most titles. It may well undergo meager response instances in some conditions, which ends up in blur in darker video games, however stays an improve over a typical 60Hz monitor.

The monitor’s construct high quality and design are strong for the value, with one notable exception: the stand. It seems to be and feels good however solely adjusts for tilt, which is an issue in case your stand is just too low or excessive in your desk. Third-party monitor arms are an choice, however that cuts in opposition to the monitor’s funds value.

And it’s a funds value. The monitor retails at an MSRP of $399.99 however can go on sale for as listing as $269.99. It’s nice worth at MSRP, and an absolute steal when it’s on sale.

Learn our full

Monoprice 35in Zero-G Curved Ultrawide Gaming Monitor V2 assessment

LG Ultragear 34GN850 – Greatest midrange ultrawide for players

Execs

• 21:9 panel with a 34-inch display screen
• 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 value. Initially $999.99, this monitor is now accessible for $699.99 (and generally much less).

That’s nice information. Though surpassed by the Alienware, LG’s Ultragear 34GN850-B is a beautiful monitor with glorious coloration efficiency, good picture readability, and a shiny, vivid image. It has an enhanced refresh price of as much as 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclocked mode) and helps each AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync for clean gameplay.

Its weak spot? Distinction. The IPS panel scores decrease in distinction than different displays on this listing, 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 might be anticipated of a high-end monitor together with a sturdy ergonomic stand and enticing design. 

Learn our full

LG Ultragear 34GN850 assessment

Asus ProArt PA348CGV – Greatest ultrawide monitor for professionals

Execs

• Glorious SDR picture high quality 
• Sturdy, hefty design 
• Big selection of customization
• 120Hz refresh price

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 knowledgeable ultrawide show—but its efficiency is close to the highest of the pack.

This monitor has a large coloration gamut, glorious coloration accuracy, and a digital buffet of image-quality calibration options that allow customers exactly tune the picture. It’s additionally a shiny 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 assessments—nevertheless it ties or comes near options which are a whole bunch 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. Extra video connectivity consists of two HDMI and one DisplayPort for a complete of 4 enter choices.

Surprisingly, Asus throws in an enhanced refresh price as much as 120Hz. It’s not offered as a gaming monitor, however it might probably deal with gaming properly sufficient. That’s excellent news in case you want one residence workplace monitor for each work and play.

Learn our full

Asus ProArt PA348CGV assessment

What to search for in an ultrawide monitor

Ultrawide displays are a favourite of PC fanatics, however stay a distinct segment throughout the bigger monitor market. This leaves customers with fewer choices. Most ultrawide displays have a 34-inch panel with a decision of 3440×1440, and comparable connectivity.

Nonetheless, these displays can differ in a number of key areas. Right here’s what to search for.

Panel kind is a giant deal

Ultrawide displays supply much less selection in some regards however that script is flipped in terms of panel kind. Ultrawide displays are available a wide range of panel varieties: IPS, VA, and OLED.

IPS panels are widespread in mid-range and premium ultrawide displays. This panel kind delivers nice coloration efficiency, excessive most brightness, excellent sharpness, and good movement efficiency. It’s weak in distinction, nonetheless, which might disappoint when viewing TV exhibits or films.

VA panels are sometimes a funds choice, although some are present in premium ultrawide displays. They’ve higher distinction than IPS panels and ship comparable coloration efficiency and brightness—nonetheless, funds VA panels are usually merely okay in these areas. Most VA panels fall quick in movement efficiency and will look blurry when enjoying fast-paced video games.

OLED is king of the hill. It leads in coloration, distinction, and movement efficiency. Sharpness is commonly barely decreased in comparison with IPS and VA, however most individuals will discover it a minor downgrade. OLED is also the only option for HDR.

Basically, OLED is healthier than IPS, and IPS is healthier than VA. Nonetheless, some folks would possibly desire 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 displays on this listing present an ergonomic stand that adjusts for peak, tilt, and swivel. It is a must-have function, however one which isn’t discovered on the least costly ultrawide displays.

As tempting as it could be to save cash on a funds mannequin with out a height-adjustable stand, you’ll remorse it.

Ultrawide displays are cumbersome and have a tendency to require a bigger, heavier stand, which in flip makes them harder to put on an elevated platform. The previous faculty trick of sticking a monitor on a shoe field received’t work.

Search for USB-C, however don’t anticipate it

USB-C compatibility is a wonderful function, and USB-C hub displays can clear away tons of muddle in your desk. Sadly, many ultrawide displays 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 displays with USB-C. Most of those lack an enhanced refresh price, nonetheless, they usually’re sometimes dearer than the Asus.

Pricing is necessary—and may swing wildly

Monitor pricing is at all times necessary, nevertheless it’s key for ultrawide displays. Though very costly at MSRP, ultrawide displays routinely see big value cuts throughout seasonal gross sales. In addition 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 accessible for $699.99, and went as little as $599.99 throughout Amazon’s Black Friday sale. That’s a 40 % discount in value! Ready for a deal can prevent a whole bunch.

Don’t purchase an ultrawide for console gaming

A fast phrase of warning: You shouldn’t purchase an ultrawide monitor in case you plan to attach a sport console ceaselessly.  

Sport consoles don’t help ultrawide facet ratios, so that you’ll see black bars on both facet of the picture. That’s unattractive and wastes the monitor’s potential. It’s finest to stay with a widescreen monitor if console gaming is a precedence.

How we take a look at displays

PC World’s crew of employees and freelance reviewers conduct in-depth testing to match displays throughout a variety of classes and value factors. We take a look at dozens of displays annually to seek out the perfect decide for each class and value level.

Our testing makes use of a SpyderXElite coloration calibration software. It delivers goal, unbiased measurements for a variety of metrics together with brightness, distinction, coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, coloration temperature, and gamma. Outcomes are recorded and logged for future comparability. This permits our consultants to simply evaluate many displays without delay and eliminates subjective bias from the outcomes.