Two or more monitors on a desk might make you look like you’re not messing around, but it’s actually clunkier than it looks. Windows’ multi-monitor management isn’t exactly smooth and you have a lot of wires to contend with. A better option for productivity would be the best ultrawide monitors around.
Because ultrawide monitors are practically just two screens just fused into one body. You can divide your Chrome tabs or excel sheets there easier, or with any other program; you also don’t have to deal with some finicky HDMI or Display Port connections and different refresh rates or monitor sizes.
Now, since you’re just buying a single monitor, you might as well pick the best ultrawide monitors available. Thankfully, they’re a popular option both for gamers and professionals so you won’t have much trouble looking for stocks.
RELATED: 5 Best Curved Monitors Plus Everything You Need To Know About Them
What to Consider When Buying Ultrawide Monitors?
Your pick of the best ultrawide monitors will depend on your needs. You know what those are. Are you a gamer? A WFH professional? Or a mix of both? Or perhaps you just want a cheap movie theater? Well, these specs ought to be your priority factors regardless:
- Resolution – You usually don’t have to worry about an ultrawide monitor’s diagonal size since they’re usually 29 inches or bigger; the resolution is more important as this will determine the pixel density and thus the clarity of the image. Anything ending in 1440 for the resolution if the size is above 30 inches will do well.
- Curved/Flat – Some ultrawide monitors are curved, others are flat; which you like better depends on your preference. If you like to watch movies then flat ones might be ideal. For minimal work distractions or gaming immersion, curved ultrawide monitors are better.
- Panel type – When it comes to monitor panel types, the hierarchy is OLED > IPS > VA > Everything else. OLED and IPS are particularly desirable since their colors don’t shift or change regardless of your viewing angle. VA is tricky since you need to be viewing from the center of the screen, plus they’re generally considered as budget or cheaper monitor panels. Thus, if other people will be looking at your monitor, then you’ll want IPS or OLED.
Take note of those specs and cross-reference them with your needs when looking at your options for the best ultrawide monitors below.
Alienware AW3423DW
PROS
- OLED panel
- 175Hz refresh rate
- Latency is practically nonexistent
- Stunningly accurate color accuracy
- Perfect viewing angles
- Relatively reasonably priced
- RGB lighting
- Impressive HDR
- G-Sync and Freesync compatibility
CONS
- OLED is still untested in the mainstream market
- OLED has burn-in issues if you keep it on at all times
- Expensive
- Size: 34 Inches
- Panel Type: OLED
- Resolution: 3440×1440
- Refresh Rate: 175 Hz
- Curvature: 1800R
You’re probably tired of seeing this monitor over and over again on this website but it can’t be helped. Alienware’s magnum opus, the AW3423DW is hard to beat in many aspects. It’s one of the few curved ultrawide OLED monitors in existence that actually has a semi-high refresh rate.
That’s about as rare as a four-leaf clover these days, especially with OLED technology still in its infancy stage. And for the price, it even puts IPS and non-OLED monitors to shame.
It can be more affordable compared to other premium or ultrawide curved monitors, that’s also rare for an Alienware device. And once you do have this on your desk, your eyes will never tire of it not just because of the Quantum Dot OLED panel, but because it’s also beautifully built.
Alienware AW3423DW
Gigabyte M34WQ Ultrawide KVM Gaming Monitor
PROS
- IPS wide flat panel
- 144Hz refresh rate
- KVM feature
- Good HDR
CONS
- Uninspiring design
- Probably too big for your desk
- Unspecified G-Sync or Freesync support
- Size: 34″
- Panel Type: IPS
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Curvature: Flat
If you care not for curves and want the traditional flat panel, Gigabyte M34WQ is near perfection. You get to appreciate just how wide it is due to the full straight length. Gigabyte did market it as a gaming monitor but since it’s flat anyway, it can double as a TV.
It even has a VESA mount in case you want to hang it on a wall or an arm fixture. Gigabyte also bundled this monitor with a feature called KVM which allows you to connect the monitor to multiple devices. It’s like they really want you to use it as a television.
Beyond that, it comes complete with the standard mid-range monitor features such as HDR and low latency.
Gigabyte M34WQ Ultrawide KVM Gaming Monitor
MSI Optix MPG341QR
PROS
- Full Nvidia G-Sync support
- IPS wide flat panel
- RGB lighting
- Good HDR range
- Also has KVM
CONS
- Probably too big for your desk
- Size: 34″
- Panel Type: IPS
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Curvature: Flat
MSI does have good monitors at some reasonable or even budget-oriented prices and the MSI Optix MPG341QR is one good proof of how they value their customers. Because this monitor has more complete features and is more gamer-oriented compared to the Gigabyte one.
It has full G-Sync and Freesync support, letting you eliminate screen tearing and thus, giving you better image clarity or fewer headaches. MSI does market this one as an eSports monitor and having a big screen helps a lot with that endeavor.
But the refresh rate isn’t exactly anything ideal for eSports so you will need to pair this one with high-end hardware if you want to maximize its potential.
MSI Optix MPG341QR
AOC CU34G2X
PROS
- Comes with Adaptive sync (which is improvised G-Sync)
- Affordable
- Better blacks than IPS due to VA panel
- Good dead pixel warranty coverage
- 144Hz
CONS
- VA panel
- Size: 34″
- Panel Type: VA
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Curvature: 1500R
Now for the curved options. If the curved OLED above is a little too expensive for you, then check out this budget option from AOC. It’s the AOC CU34G2X. They can get away with the cheaper VA panel here since it’s a curved monitor anyway.
You won’t see any color shifting even if you look at the edges of this ultrawide monitor due to the curvature. However, for that to happen, you need to be facing the middle of the screen. Also, using it for some mini-home theatering is probably not ideal due to the curvature and the VA panel.
Still, that’s a worthy compromise as this thing is at the sub-$400 price point.
AOC CU34G2X
LG 29WQ600-W
PROS
- Good budget option
- 100Hz makes it still viable for smooth gaming
- Good HDR
- Wide IPS panel
CONS
- Lacks G-Sync support
- Stiff tilt
- IPS bleed on black color
- Size: 29″
- Panel Type: IPS
- Resolution: 2560 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz
- Curvature: Flat
It’s significantly smaller compared to the other ultrawide monitors here, but for a price point of sub-$200, you can’t really ask for more. It’s even more affordable compared to smaller, regular monitors with similar tech features.
The LG 29WQ600-W is a good pick if you want something that won’t break the bank but will increase your viewing pleasure or productivity.
The resolution is lower, of course, but that’s still plenty of pixels to aid you in gaming or work. One downside is that the sync option it has is only FreeSync and it doesn’t seem to have G-Sync compatibility but screen tearing is easy to circumvent anyway.
LG 29WQ600-W
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are ultrawide monitors good?
Yes. You get a wider view and better immersion if they're curved. One downside, however, is that some games don't support them so you get some awkward black bars at the side while playing. -
Ultrawide monitors vs TVs?
Ultrawide monitors are cheaper than TVs and have refresh rates and latency more suited for gaming.