Would you like an enormous quantity of usable show area, however with out the trouble of a double-monitor setup? An ultrawide monitor is the ticket. Ultrawide screens have a wider show panel that gives an immersive expertise and much more display real-estate than your common widescreen.
I’ve examined a bunch of ultrawide screens with a view to identify one of the best picks in numerous classes starting from these optimized for gaming to these fitted to skilled use. Beneath you’ll discover a curated listing of my favorites in every class. I describe my analysis course of for screens on the backside of this text, or for much more particulars, see the article on how we take a look at screens for PCWorld.
If you happen to’re nonetheless on the fence about whether or not an ultrawide is the appropriate selection for you, see PCWorld’s article on whether or not ultrawide screens are price it to have all of your questions answered.
You’ll find much more monitor suggestions in our roundup of one of the best screens.
Up to date July 31, 2024: See our evaluate of the Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2 — an excellent 32-inch show for gaming. It might stand out if not for its many related 4K QD-OLED opponents.
The very best ultrawide screens
Alienware AW3423DWF – Greatest ultrawide monitor
Professionals
- Wonderful distinction ratio
- Prime-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
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 vibrant highlights, that are enhanced by the show’s shiny end. Motion pictures and video games appear almost three-dimensional—as should you’re trying by way of a window, not watching a monitor.
What’s the catch? The monitor will not be vibrant, particularly in SDR, so it’s a nasty selection for a brightly lit room. We additionally observed the OLED panel has bother rendering small fonts easily. These are minor points, although, and shouldn’t bother most homeowners.
This monitor targets avid gamers, so it presents an enhanced refresh charge of as much as 165Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Premium Professional for easy body pacing in video games. Nonetheless, its wonderful 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.
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Alienware AW3423DWF evaluate
Gigabyte GS34WQC – Greatest price range ultrawide monitor
Professionals
- Loads of connectivity and menu choices
- Good distinction ratio
- Stable coloration efficiency
- As much as 144Hz refresh charge with good movement readability
Cons
- Stand setup makes use of screws as a substitute of clip mechanism
- Modest most brightness
- HDR is supported however lackluster
The Gigabyte GS34WQC is a superb price range ultrawide monitor. It has a pointy 34-inch ultrawide show panel that gives 3440×1440 decision. It additionally delivers robust scores throughout distinction and coloration accuracy that regularly rival costlier shows. The result’s picture high quality similar to many screens bought for twice as a lot.
Movement readability is robust, as properly. The monitor has a 120Hz refresh charge, which may be overclocked to 135Hz, and helps AMD FreeSync for easy and constant gameplay. Digital camera pans ship good element and quick objects are simple to trace. There’s higher screens for movement readability, after all (equally priced widescreen screens can hit a refresh charge of 240Hz), however the GS34WQC’s outcomes are stable for the worth.
Gigabyte’s GS34WQC depends on a useful, although fundamental, design. The monitor’s construct high quality is commendable and features a strong stand. Assembling the stand is a trouble, as you have to manually connect 4 screws. Most opponents have a clip-in stand that may be assembled with out instruments. Happily, the GS34WQC has an intuitive menu system with in depth customization choices that assist avid gamers customise the visuals to their choice.
However the GS34WQC’s finest trait is undeniably its value. The monitor carries an MSRP of $330 and may be had for even much less on sale. It’s not the least costly ultrawide out there nevertheless it simply beats the picture high quality of its cheaper ultrawide opponents.
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Gigabyte GS34WQC evaluate
LG Ultragear 34GN850 – Greatest midrange ultrawide monitor 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
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 in consequence LG has slashed the worth. Initially $999.99, this monitor is now out there for $699.99 (and typically much less).
That’s nice information. Though surpassed by the Alienware, LG’s Ultragear 34GN850-B is a pretty monitor with wonderful coloration efficiency, good picture readability, and a vibrant, vivid image. It has an enhanced refresh charge of as much as 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclocked mode) and helps each AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync for easy gameplay.
Its weak point? Distinction. The IPS panel scores decrease in distinction than different screens 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 most of the options that might be anticipated of a high-end monitor together with a sturdy ergonomic stand and enticing design.
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LG Ultragear 34GN850 evaluate
Dell U4025QW – Greatest 5K ultrawide monitor
Professionals
- Sharp, vibrant, color-accurate 5K show
- Unimaginable connectivity together with Thunderbolt, Ethernet
- Lengthy listing of menu choices and options
- 120Hz refresh charge is spectacular at this decision
Cons
- Stand is wobbly and arduous to regulate
- Distinction ratio stays far in need of OLED opponents
- HDR doesn’t look its finest
- Extraordinarily costly
The Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is a superb ultrawide monitor with an unlimited 40-inch show and 5K decision that ensures each element is sharp and outlined. However it’s not nearly its dimension and readability; it’s full of options, too.
Visually, the U4025QW is a deal with, providing unparalleled sharpness and an expansive workspace that enhances productiveness and elevates leisure. The monitor’s spectacular 120Hz refresh charge is a uncommon discover at this decision, guaranteeing easy movement on the Home windows desktop and in video games. It even has an IPS Black show panel, which improves distinction and delivers a extra reasonable, immersive picture.
The U4025QW’s connectivity is in depth. It has Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort, in addition to a USB hub that features a number of downstream USB-A and USB-C ports. The monitor’s menu choices and settings present vital picture high quality management in addition to helpful options like picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes.
That’s to not say it’s good. The monitor’s stand isn’t as strong correctly, and whereas the distinction ratio of IPS Black is commendable, it will possibly’t rival OLED. However probably the most critical draw back is the worth, which soars near $2,000. However if you’d like an enormous, sharp monitor to function the focus for a desktop command middle, the Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is price it.
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Dell U4025QW evaluate
Philips Evnia 8000 – Greatest super-ultrawide monitor
Professionals
- Wonderful SDR picture high quality
- Nice movement readability
- Plenty of connectivity together with USB-C
- Stunning design
Cons
- Ergonomic stand is deep, large, and requires meeting
- Default coloration temperature, gamut barely off beam
- HDR efficiency might be higher
The Philips Evnia 8000 takes the crown as the final word big-screen, super-ultrawide monitor. This 49-inch QD-OLED monitor combines top-notch design and in depth connectivity with spectacular picture high quality.
Philips nails the design with the Evnia 8000. The modern white-and-silver aesthetic and geometric rear panel stand out in any setup. Though the ergonomic stand requires extra desk area than some may desire, it presents peak, tilt, and swivel changes. The pleasing 30-watt speaker system delivers clear, loud audio, and the ultra-bright Ambiglow lighting system supplies customizable RGB LED backlighting.
Connectivity is a perk. It options a number of HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port with 90W Energy Supply, catering to a variety of units from gaming PCs to work laptops. The monitor additionally features a USB hub with 4 USB-A ports and a further USB-C port, making it simple to attach peripherals like keyboards, mice, and webcams.
Picture high quality doesn’t disappoint. The show has 5120×1440 decision and a 240Hz refresh charge for vibrant visuals and easy, responsive movement. The monitor additionally excels in distinction and coloration accuracy.
The Philips Evnia 8000 is priced at an intimidating $1,350, nevertheless it’s not a nasty worth for what it presents. Its dimension, connectivity, and picture high quality make for a powerful but versatile show.
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Philips Evnia 8000 evaluate
What to search for in an ultrawide monitor
Ultrawide screens are a favourite of PC lovers, however stay a distinct segment inside 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 related connectivity.
Nonetheless, these screens can differ in a number of key areas. Right here’s what to search for.
Panel kind is an enormous deal
Ultrawide screens provide much less selection in some regards however that script is flipped on the subject of panel kind. Ultrawide screens are available in a wide range of panel sorts: IPS, VA, and OLED.
IPS panels are frequent in mid-range and premium ultrawide screens. This panel kind delivers nice coloration efficiency, excessive most brightness, excellent sharpness, and good movement efficiency. It’s weak in distinction, nevertheless, which might disappoint when viewing TV reveals or motion pictures.
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 related coloration efficiency and brightness—nevertheless, price range VA panels are typically merely okay in these areas. Most VA panels fall brief 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 usually barely lowered in comparison with IPS and VA, however most individuals will discover it a minor downgrade. OLED is also your best option for HDR.
Basically, OLED is best than IPS, and IPS is best than VA. Nonetheless, some folks may 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 screens on this listing present an ergonomic stand that adjusts for peak, tilt, and swivel. This can be a must-have function, however one which isn’t discovered on the least costly ultrawide screens.
As tempting as it might be to save cash on a price range mannequin with out 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 harder to position 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 superb function, and USB-C hub screens can clear away tons of litter in your desk. Sadly, many ultrawide screens don’t assist 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 provide ultrawide screens with USB-C. Most of those lack an enhanced refresh charge, nevertheless, and so they’re usually costlier 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 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 bought 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 % 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 sport console regularly.
Sport consoles don’t assist ultrawide side 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 screens
PC World’s staff of workers 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 one of the best decide for each class and value level.
Our testing makes use of a Datacolor Spyder X2 Extremely 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 screens directly and eliminates subjective bias from the outcomes.
To be taught extra about our testing methodology see how we take a look at screens at PCWorld.
FAQ
What dimension of ultrawide gaming monitor is finest?
Most ultrawide screens have a 34-inch panel with a 21:9 side ratio, which is the best choice for many avid gamers.
Some ultrawide screens can be found in bigger sizes, however these usually aren’t your best option for avid gamers. Many don’t assist excessive refresh charges. Those who do are costly and infrequently use the identical 3440×1440 decision discovered on smaller ultrawide screens, which implies they seem much less sharp than a 34-inch show.
What’s the finest decision for an ultrawide monitor?
Almost all 34-inch ultrawide screens have a show decision of 3440×1440. This is a superb selection for avid gamers.
It’s sharp sufficient to look spectacular in fashionable video games. Nonetheless, this decision stays considerably decrease in complete pixel depend than 4K, which makes it much less demanding on graphics {hardware}. That’s excellent news when you’ve got 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, almost all these screens lack assist for prime refresh charges, making them a nasty selection for avid gamers. LG presents a line of 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide screens with 5120×2160 decision, however this line additionally lacks assist for enhanced refresh charges.
Just a few new 45-inch ultrawide screens 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 suggest 3440×1440 just for 34-inch ultrawide screens.
What’s one of the best refresh charge for an ultrawide gaming monitor?
A refresh charge of 144Hz to 165Hz is good for many ultrawide gaming screens.
Only a few ultrawide screens exceed this refresh charge, and people who do are too costly to make it a superb worth.
Additionally, avid gamers looking for an ultrawide gaming monitor are prone to desire immersive and graphically demanding video games that make it tough to see the complete 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 screens at body charges above 144 frames per second.
Does an ultrawide gaming monitor want HDR?
HDR isn’t essential for an ultrawide gaming monitor, nevertheless it’s a pleasant addition.
Gaming is a superb use case for HDR—arguably one of the best, in reality—and it will possibly ship improved picture high quality. We suggest shopping for an ultrawide gaming monitor with HDR assist in case your price range is $500 or extra.