Seeking expansive screen area without the complexity of multiple displays? Ultrawide monitors offer a solution with their broader panels, delivering enhanced immersion and substantially more workspace compared to standard wide screens.
After evaluating numerous ultrawide models, I've selected standout options across categories, from gaming-focused units to those ideal for work environments. The following compilation highlights my top choices, with details on my assessment approach provided later in the piece.
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The Alienware AW3423DWF stands as a top-tier choice meeting diverse wide-format demands. This 34-inch OLED unit combines superior contrast and lifelike visuals at under $1,000, offering strong value against competing OLED options.
Its visual performance excels, providing vibrant, engaging imagery with profound blacks and vivid peaks, amplified by a glossy surface. Films and video games gain a sense of depth, resembling a portal rather than a flat screen.
With a maximum refresh of 165Hz and compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, it ensures fluid gameplay. Beyond entertainment, its superior visuals enhance routine tasks.
Brightness falls short in standard dynamic range, making it unsuitable for well-lit spaces. The OLED technology also struggles with crisp small text rendering, though these drawbacks rarely impact typical users.
Connectivity includes dual DisplayPort and single HDMI ports, plus a four-port USB-A hub. Extensive calibration tools allow precise image adjustments for discerning users.
Though the above overall favorite leans toward gaming, the MSI MPG 341CQPX edges it out for dedicated play. This 34-inch QD-OLED screen features a 21:9 ratio that heightens engagement in titles emphasizing atmosphere or dense on-screen elements, such as simulations, MMORPGs, and strategy games.
Equipped with Samsung's QD-OLED tech, the MSI model produces lively hues and impressive contrast, managing both standard and high dynamic range content effectively. A 240Hz refresh delivers razor-sharp movement, while VESA Adaptive Sync enables use with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
Suitable for daily work, it integrates into home offices via a USB-C port offering 98W power delivery for laptop charging and single-cable video transfer.
Drawbacks include an oversized stand that crowds compact desks and absence of rear RGB lighting typical in rival gaming displays. Yet at around $890 from select sellers, it provides excellent value over prior QD-OLEDs like the Alienware AW3423DW, which feature slower refreshes and weaker USB-C support.
Budget-conscious gamers will appreciate the Gigabyte GS34WQC for its capable performance. The 34-inch panel at 3440x1440 resolution pairs with a 120Hz refresh (boostable to 135Hz) and AMD FreeSync for seamless action and precise tracking in dynamic scenes.
Image fidelity rivals pricier alternatives, thanks to a VA panel that outperforms common IPS types in contrast, yielding richer blacks and nuanced shadows in dim environments—ideal for moody gaming aesthetics.
Design remains straightforward yet practical, with a stand enabling height and tilt changes, though setup involves securing four screws manually, unlike tool-less rivals. An user-friendly interface offers broad customization for visual tweaks.
Its true strength lies in affordability, surpassing many budget peers in visuals and smoothness without inflating costs. This elevates the GS34WQC above $400-500 gaming ultrawides, matching premium quality at a reduced rate.
For those building a central workstation hub, the Dell U4025QW delivers a commanding 40-inch 5K screen with exceptional detail. Beyond scale and precision, it brims with practical enhancements.
Visually stunning, it maximizes clarity and workspace for tasks and leisure alike. A 120Hz refresh at this density ensures fluid navigation on desktops and in applications, while the IPS Black panel boosts contrast for deeper, more engaging views.
Ports abound, including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and a USB hub with assorted A and C connections. Advanced menus support fine-tuned visuals, plus split-screen functionalities like picture-in-picture and side-by-side.
The stand lacks sturdiness, and IPS Black contrast, though solid, trails OLED. Primarily, its near-$2,000 cost deters some, but the combination of expanse, fidelity, and integrations justifies it for versatile use.
For maximum immersion beyond 35 inches, the LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B excels as a premier large-format gaming display. Its innovative 45-inch 5K2K (5120x2160) OLED sets new standards in size and definition, surpassing earlier low-res models like the Corsair Xeneon Flex, complemented by OLED's strong contrast and colors. High dynamic range shines with competitive brightness levels.
Motion handling impresses, with dual-mode operation allowing full resolution at 165Hz or halved width at 330Hz. It includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync for tear-free performance.
High cost and 800R curvature may hinder work tasks, alongside sparse USB options—USB-C input exists, but only two USB-A outputs. Nevertheless, for supreme scale, acuity, and HDR on a grand canvas, it triumphs.
Alternatives include the Acer Predator X34 X0, a Mini-LED option under $500 with bright, contrasted images; the Dell Pro 34 Plus USB-C, connectivity-rich but visually underwhelming; the BenQ PD2730S, appealing to creators via 5K sharpness, enhanced by ports and tools; and the HP Omen Transcend 32, a costly 32-inch 4K OLED with superior USB-C and standard-range visuals.
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Matthew S. Smith, a veteran tech writer with 15 years in consumer tech reviews including displays, contributes to PCWorld alongside Wired, Digital Trends, Reviewed, Lifewire, and others.
Ultrawide displays appeal to PC users but occupy a specialized segment with limited variety. Typically, 34-inch models at 3440x1440 resolution dominate, with standard ports.
Differences emerge in critical aspects like panel technology. Options span IPS, VA, and OLED types.
IPS dominates mid-to-high-end units, excelling in colors, peak brightness, detail, and motion, but lagging in contrast for media viewing.
VA suits economical choices, sometimes premium ones, offering superior contrast to IPS with comparable colors and light output—though entry-level versions are average. Motion can blur in rapid action.
OLED surpasses all in colors, blacks, and fluidity, with minor sharpness trade-offs versus IPS/VA that few notice. It dominates high dynamic range too.
OLED outshines IPS, which beats VA overall, yet VA's deeper shadows may suit some for dark media over IPS.
Listed monitors feature adjustable stands for height, tilt, and swivel—essential, unlike basic budget units.
Opting for non-adjustable cheap models leads to discomfort; ultrawides' bulk demands stable, raised mounting, rendering makeshift elevations impractical.
USB-C integration streamlines desks by consolidating power and data, yet many ultrawides omit it or limit functionality.
The Asus ProArt PA348CV, a pro favorite, bucks the trend with 90W USB-C delivery powering a four-port USB-A hub.
Dell, HP, and BenQ provide USB-C variants, often at higher prices and without high refreshes.
Pricing matters greatly for ultrawides, which launch high but drop sharply in promotions or lifecycle phases.
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B illustrates this: from $999.99 launch to regular $699.99, dipping to $599.99 in sales—a 40% cut. Patience yields big savings.
Caution: Avoid ultrawides for frequent console use, as unsupported ratios cause side black bars, diminishing appeal. Standard widescreens suit consoles better.
For doubts on ultrawides' value, consult PCWorld's dedicated guide.
Standard 34-inch 21:9 panels suit most gamers best.
Larger formats exist but often falter for play, lacking high refreshes or inflating costs while retaining lower resolutions that reduce sharpness versus compact peers.
3440x1440 resolution suits 34-inch gaming ultrawides ideally—detailed for titles yet easier on mid-tier GPUs like Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6650XT compared to 4K.
38-inch variants push 3840x1600 but rarely hit high refreshes, deterring gamers. LG's 34-inch 5K2K (5120x2160) line skips enhanced rates too.
Emerging 45-inch options at 3440x1440 suffer from stretched pixels lowering clarity; reserve this resolution for 34 inches.
Aim for 144-165Hz refreshes in gaming ultrawides—exceeding this proves rare, costly, and unnecessary for immersive, demanding games requiring potent cards like RTX 3080 or RX 6800 to surpass 144fps.
High dynamic range adds appeal but isn't essential. It enhances gaming visuals markedly; seek it in $500+ budgets.
The Alienware AW3423DWF suits most as the premier ultrawide. Under $1,000, its 34-inch OLED boasts exceptional contrast, immersion, and color pop, bolstered by 165Hz and adaptive sync for media and play.
Matthew S. Smith brings 15 years of tech review experience to PCWorld, also appearing in Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. He explores AI, metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and hosts the Computer Gaming Yesterday YouTube channel on PC history.