If you’ve never used a curved monitor before, you might not understand the hype. Much like a curved flatscreen, a curved monitor is a popular choice for gamers or anyone who enjoys watching videos on their computer. The unique design can step up your gameplay or make your favorite movie feel that much more immersive.
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With so many different brands on the market and a variety of features, pricing, and specs to compare, choosing the right curved monitor might be overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t need to wade through all the information — we’ve already reviewed these top picks for you.
BenQ EX3501R
Why should you buy this: It’s an excellent monitor for color and brightness, perfect for viewing images and video.
Who’s it for: Everyone, but with a special focus on gamers and those who use their computer monitor for entertainment
Why we picked the BenQ EX3501R:
The BenQ EX3501R combines a large, 35-inch monitor with a very affordable price for such a high-end ultrawide. It comes with HDR support, BenQ’s EyeCare settings for reducing eye strain, a 100Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync. We were especially impressed with the brightness and color accuracy of this screen (100% of sRGB and 82% of AdobeRGB), which offers vivid images for gaming and videos — and any work you might be doing on the monitor. Ports include USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and two USB-A ports, enough for all your connection needs. It’s a great ultrawide that’s made for everyone and an easy recommendation if you’re not sure where to turn.
LG 34WN80C-B
Why should you buy this: It’s a durable, versatile monitor with an extra-wide screen and great color.
Who’s it for: People looking for one of the biggest monitors available and professionals who want to maximize their screen space.
Why we picked the LG 34WN80C-B:
LG’s immensely capable monitor is a boon to professionals of all kinds and anyone who wants to multitask, thanks to its extra-large 34-inch screen. The monitor also supports UHD resolution of 3440 x 1440, which is useful for visual editing projects, and creatives will appreciate the 99% coverage of the sRGB color gamut as well. Those into immersive entertainment will like the HDR 10 compatibility as well, while busy professionals will be pleased to see there’s a USB-C port with Power Delivery for their accessories.
The LG 34WN80C-B also includes HDMI and DisplayPort connection options. Just note that ultrawides come with their own aspect ratios (typically written as 21:9) if you want content to cover the whole screen. Fortunately, ultrawides are also easy to use with multiple windows or divided into sections like you are utilizing two different monitors at once, so there are lots of options here.
Samsung CJ791
Why should you buy this: This Samsung monitor easily is one of the best ultrawides we’ve ever seen.
Who’s it for: People who like big curves and lots of color accuracy.
Why we picked the Samsung CJ791:
Samsung’s excellent 34-inch model brings an incredible contrast ratio, 100Hz refresh rate, 4-millisecond response time, and 3440 x 1440 resolution. Samsung’s quantum dot technology adds extra sharpness to the display, and color accuracy meets 100% of sRGB and 85% of AdobeRGB — in other words, the color looks great on this curved panel.
We also were fans of the elegant design, easy-access ports, and clear, detailed menu controls for adjusting color and switching between different modes. Ports include two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, and two USB connections. Recent updates to this model also added Thunderbolt 3 support for one of the USB connections, giving you options for ultrafast data transfer or powering accessories.
If you want one of the best pictures that a curved ultrawide can provide, the Samsung CJ791 is worth saving up for. However, note that it’s a bit more friendly with games than with streaming services, which can struggle to fit properly to this Samsung’s outsized screen and its somewhat unusual resolution. To help with this, Samsung includes picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes that make the display more versatile.
Samsung Odyssey G9 Series
Why should you buy this: The extra-large curved screen is perfect for a complete field-of-view experience.
Who’s it for: Professionals and gamers with lots of desk space who want a super-ultrawide curved monitor.
Why we picked the Samsung Odyssey G9 Series:
Screens don’t come much larger than the 49-inch Odyssey G9! The QHD (5120 x 1440) screen offers a native up to a 240Hz refresh rate, plus both G-sync and AMD FreeSync2 compatibility for HDR content, in addition to HDR 1000 support for a peak brightness rating of 1,000 nits. There’s only so much you can do with that much screen real estate thanks to aspect ratios (not many games or movies will be able to fill the entire screen), but it’s an excellent pick for multitasking thanks to how many windows and references you can fit across the curved panel — consulting multiple tables at once, or playing a game with a guide open on the same display.
So far, so great for people who want the largest screens. Ports include HDMI 2.0, two DisplayPort 1.4, and two USB ports (3.0 but sadly no USB-C). There’s also support for light filters, picture-in-picture modes, and other options that are useful when dealing with a screen of this size.
However, a 49-inch curved monitor like the Samsung Odyssey G9 Series takes up a lot of room on a desk. It may be a good idea to break out the tape measure before jumping on that Buy button.
Dell S3220DGF
Why should you buy this: It’s an excellent, reasonably-priced gaming monitor that will fit on any desk.
Who’s it for: Gamers who want a well-rated monitor that can stand up to lengthy sessions.
Why we picked the Dell S3220DGF:
Gamers looking for immersion that won’t cost too much or take up too much room should check this well-rounded, 32-inch Dell model, an excellent choice for handling gaming and anything else on your favorite PC. With its 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate, the monitor’s ready for all kinds of gaming, and includes special settings for Frame Rate Counter (excellent for monitoring performance on the cheap) and Dark Stabilizer.
The Dell S3220DGF also comes with AMD FreeSync 2 support, up to 400 nits of brightness, and a 4 ms response time. The DisplayHDR 400 support can also help optimize compatible games. Ports are well-supported here with DisplayPort, two HDMIs, and five USB 3.0 ports, including one upstream option. That’s a pretty strong combination at this price, as long as you are willing to settle for a smaller screen compared to some of the other picks on our list.
AOC C24G1
Why should you buy this: It’s an impressive yet affordable curved monitor.
Who’s it for: Gamers who don’t need UHD resolution and would like to save some money.
Why we picked the AOC C24G1:
This 24-inch monitor offers a budget alternative that’s an excellent pick for gamers and others who would rather save on their monitor — and leave more cash free to spend on important upgrades and accessories. The resolution is capped at 1080p, but the monitor is still more than capable, with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time, and FreeSync compatibility.
In addition to the curve, we also appreciate the three-side frameless design, which also helps improve immersion. While curved monitors aren’t famous for their ability to be adjusted, you can pick your preferred height for this model, which is a nice benefit. Blue-light and flicker-free modes also add to the possibilities, while connections include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 1.4, and VGA.
Finally, the AOC C24G1 comes with a “dead pixel” warranty, so if any pixels fail in the first three years, you can get a replacement without worrying about spending more.
Deco Gear Curved Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Why should you buy this: It’s a useful midrange monitor that’s suitable for a lot more than just gaming.
Who’s it for: Gamers looking for a reasonably priced curved ultrawide and others interested in task management taken to the next level.
Why we picked the Deco Gear Gaming Monitor:
While the Deco Gear monitor is branded as a gaming accessory, this large 35-inch screen is ready for just about anything at a midrange price point that nets important features without getting too hard on the wallet. In addition to that extra-wide size, the monitor offers a 2560 x 1080 resolution, 75Hz refresh rate, and 4 ms response time. Various modes include the ability to set user and game profiles, as well as modes for specific gaming genres.
While the Deco Gear Gaming Monitor will need plenty of space, it offers a tilting option so you can get the right angle for serious immersion in your play or work. There’s also support for AMD’s FreeSync here, although G-Sync is not included. Ports offer connections for HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort, so you won’t need to worry about any of your inputs. There’s even some limited red accent lighting in the back for effect.
Research and buying tips
Are curved monitors better?
That depends. Curved monitors are a different experience that could be more useful for a single user. They take up more desk space but also are more immersive and have plenty of display space for multitasking or managing especially complex software. However, they also have a very poor viewing angle and shouldn’t be used in situations where more than one person needs to look at the monitor.
Are curved monitors good for gaming?
Gamers looking for an immersive viewing experience should take a look at curved monitors. That curve makes it easier to feel enveloped in a game and can improve the field of view. It’s a frequent recommendation for fans of racing games and similar genres. Since it’s uncommon for more than one gamer to be using the screen at a time, curved monitors don’t have many disadvantages here — as long as you have the room!
What resolution should I look for in a curved monitor?
Look for QHD (quad high definition) or WQHD (wide quad high definition) for these monitors. Some curved monitors do offer higher UHD numbers, but it isn’t quite as important for most uses. If you want to save money, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a 1080p model, either.
What kind of ports should I look for in a curved monitor?
Look for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0. Those ports should be enough to get pretty much any video connection that you would want. A few USB ports are also important for accessories, but USB-C ports still aren’t quite common in this field, although they are starting to show up on newer models. If you have accessories that need USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, always double-check to make sure they are included.
Do curved monitors have speakers?
It can vary. Some have built-in speakers. Others don’t have speakers but do support pass-through audio with an aux port, which means if you hook up headphones or speakers to the monitor, it will pass audio through so you can use them easily. If you need built-in speakers, the Dell and Samsung picks on our list have them!
Are curved monitors better for work?
Most of the immersive benefits from curved monitors are made for gamers … but that doesn’t mean they can’t help in the professional world. Curved ultrawides, in particular, may be beneficial for making the most of a whole lot of screen space for the most complex, single-person projects. However, note that curved monitors won’t save any space, and in some cases may actually need more room, so you may want to measure your office if you’re thinking about getting one.
Which is better, curved monitors or flat-screen monitors?
If only one person is going to be using the monitor, there isn’t a huge amount of difference. Curved monitors can be better for immersion and help enhance some games, but they don’t innately improve image quality, refresh rate, or any other display specs. If more than one person is using the monitor, like while watching a show or sharing a screen, then a flat monitor is a better pick.
Editors’ Recommendations
