The era of dull, rectangular, 4:3 CRT monitors in companies, libraries, and homes is long gone. The advent of ultrawide, 21:9 monitors was the most exciting in recent years, and the greatest ultrawide displays are now more affordable than ever. These monitor form factors have improved productivity and enjoyment.
Ultrawide displays have plenty to offer, whether you’re seeking for the finest business monitors, the best gaming monitors, or everything in between. Ultrawide monitors are beneficial for ergonomic reasons and assist decrease eye and neck strain by keeping the sides of the display better oriented for easier viewing, in addition to offering additional screen space.
And lest you assume that owning an ultrawide display is only something for the wealthy, many of the greatest low-cost monitor offers are on smaller 1080p and 1440p ultrawide monitors, which already have reasonable starting pricing before any reductions are applied.
The time is now to start weighing your alternatives, especially with early Black Friday monitor bargains coming up soon. The future? Thanks to our price comparison engine, which gathers all the top monitor offers from across the internet to help you locate the ultrawide monitor you need at a low price, you might not even need to wait until Black Friday to score a fantastic bargain.
And if you need assistance choosing, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked ultrawide monitor questions and answered them to offer you the knowledge you need to choose the best ultrawide monitor for your requirements and price range.
BEST ULTRAWIDE MONITORS 2022 – CHOSEN BY OUR EXPERTS
1.LG UltraGear 38GN950
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 38-inchAspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3840 x 1600Brightness: 450cd/m²Response time: 1msViewing angle: 178/178Contrast ratio: 1000:1Color support: DCI-P3 98%Weight: 20.3 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
- +Large screen looks fantastic
- +Super-responsive with a 160Hz refresh rate
REASONS TO AVOID
- -HDR can’t compete with high-end TVs
The LG UltraGear 38GN950 is impressive without all reasonable doubt. With a 144Hz refresh rate that can be easily overclocked to 160Hz, a 1ms reaction time, amazing image quality, and many more gaming features like G-Sync, an ultra-wide aspect ratio, and DisplayHDR 600, this is undoubtedly the best gaming monitor available.
The ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio definitely had the “wow” effect during testing. On this display, video games have a far more cinematic sense, providing not just a totally immersive experience but also a strategic edge. It definitely had a big impact on the Microsoft Flight Simulator since it allows us to maintain an eye on landmarks and runways without having to switch perspectives or click a button.
We discovered that playing at 144Hz and 160Hz produces a satisfying experience without screen tearing. Photographers and video editors will find it to be a suitable alternative because it supports the DCI-P3 98% colour gamut.
2.AOC CU34G2X
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 34-inchAspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440Brightness: 300 cd/m2Refresh rate: 144HzResponse time: 1msViewing angle: 178/178Contrast ratio: 80M:1Color support: 16.7 MillionWeight: 20.9 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
- +Superb performance
- +Immersive
REASONS TO AVOID
- -Menu is hard to navigate
- -No G-Sync
The outstanding performance of this monitor cannot be contested. Instead than promoting its gamer-centric nature by strong RGB lighting and sharp angles, this “frameless” monitor works hard to deliver best-in-class performance. However, if you’re want gaming capabilities, it has a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms reaction time, and 1440p resolution for immersive gaming that also looks amazing.
The AOC CU34G2X performs admirably as well. Leaning in close, its curvature doesn’t seem overly intimidating and provides one of the most immersive gaming experiences we’ve ever experienced. The colours and tones are stunning right out of the box and don’t require any adjusting for colour balance. Even during fierce combat, screen tearing has been effectively reduced by its 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms reaction time.
This is one of the top gaming ultrawide displays. You’re getting a lot of product for your money at a price of $450 or £450, too.
3.BenQ EX3410R
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 31.5-inchAspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3440 x 1440Brightness: 350 nits, 400 peak w/ HDRRefresh rate: 144Hz (160Hz OC)Response time: 1msViewing angle: 178/178Contrast ratio: 3,000:1Color support: sRGB 100%, DCI-P3 90%Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB Type-B (Upstream), 2 x USB Type-A 3.0 (Downstream), 1 x 3.5in headphone/mic jack
REASONS TO BUY
- +Fantastic 1440p and 144Hz performance
- +Built-in speakers actually sound great
- +Great price
REASONS TO AVOID
- -Not the best for creatives
- -Needs calibration for best results
- -VESA DisplayHDR400 is just ok
A wonderful ultrawide gaming monitor with tonnes of features, a fashionable look, and amazing 144Hz performance is the BenQ EX3410R. It’s a great choice for esports gamers that need to respond swiftly and view the battlefield more clearly because to its 1ms pixel response.
Surprisingly, the BenQ EX3410R’s speakers are actually rather decent. While they can’t match the sound of a premium soundbar with woofer and Dolby Atmos, they are more than adequate for the great majority of users.
The only major criticism we have about it is that while it does have outstanding colour coverage, there isn’t enough of it to meet the demands of creative professionals. As a result, this monitor is actually more suited for gamers than for creatives who are also gamers.
4.Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 49-inchAspect ratio: 32:9Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440Brightness: 420 cd/m2Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 1msViewing angle: 178/178Contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1Color support: sRGB 125%, Adobe RGB 92%, NTSC 1976 88%, DCI-P3 95%Weight: 32 pounds
REASONS TO BUY
- +Quantum LED backlighting makes a huge difference
- +With a 32:9 aspect, this is a chonky boi
- +Stunning contrast and HDR
REASONS TO AVOID
- -Expensive
- -Takes up a lot of space
- -Needs high-end hardware to get the most out of it
With the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, go big. Even while the 21:9 aspect ratio is wonderful, if you enjoy playing games like Final Fantasy XIV, you’ll need extra screen space for your buttons and gauges. You have a lot more space to spread out because to this behemoth’s desirable 32:9 aspect ratio.
There are more factors besides just size. It also has the most advanced technology we’ve ever seen or used in a gaming display, amplifying every feature that its predecessor, the Odyssey G9, had to offer. The panel now has 2,048 local dimming zones for the most spectacular and gorgeous HDR we’ve yet seen thanks to Samsung’s new Quantum Mini LED technology.
Unfortunately, you need a really strong PC to fully utilise it due to its size and technology. But on the other hand, if you’re spending this much money on a display, you better have the equipment to support it.
5.MSI Prestige PS341WU
SPECIFICATIONS
USB-C: YesScreen size: 34 inchesResolution: 5,120 x 2,160Aspect ratio: 21:9HDMI inputs: HDMI 2.0 x 2Display ports: DisplayPort v1.4 x 1
REASONS TO BUY
- +Glorious 5K2K resolution
- +Superb Nano IPS panel
REASONS TO AVOID
- -Mediocre HDR performance
The MSI Prestige PS341WU is a monitor that goes above and beyond the standard 4K display. It’s not simple to outperform a flawless 4K monitor, but this one manages it thanks to its enormous 5K2K native resolution and stunning 34-inch IPS screen’s 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio.
Although it is not inexpensive, it compensates for this with a superb feature set that includes a Nano IPS screen with DCI-P3 colour gamut, HDR capability, and extensive connections. It produced excellent image quality, vibrant colours, and viewing angles that are as good as they get throughout our testing. And it is a straightforward solution.
It also offers 100% of the sRGB gamut and 98% of DCI-P3 colour coverage, making it a wise choice for producing color-critical material. You get one of the greatest ultrawide monitors of 2020 when you combine all of that with a stunning white design.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BEST ULTRAWIDE MONITORS
How do we evaluate the top ultrawide monitors?
You might not realise how much work goes into testing monitors in general. It requires more effort and complexity than just setting it up, using it for a day, and taking notes. We go to great lengths to make sure that everything we recommend is worth your hard-earned money, whether you’re wanting to acquire the typical 16:9 aspect ratio or require the extra screen space an ultrawide monitor can provide.
To achieve this, we use it as our primary monitor for at least a week, using it for our daily tasks, watching movies and television shows with it, and, if it’s a gaming monitor, playing our favourite AAA games on it. We may evaluate its performance in the actual world in this way.
Additionally, we examine details like reaction times, viewing angles, and refresh rates. To evaluate its colour reproduction, colour accuracy, and colour uniformity, we utilise a colorimeter. We assess the image quality’s smoothness, cleanliness, and lack of artefacts as well as the quality of its standout features, like HDR, adaptive sync technology, RGB lighting, and curvature.
Of course, we also take notice of its design, aesthetics, and other physical characteristics, such as how thin its bezels are, how well-chosen its ports are, and how enduring its construction is. We then compile all of that data and evaluate its worth to customers by contrasting it with its asking price.
What distinguishes ultrawide displays from traditional monitors?
The fundamental distinction between ultrawide and conventional displays is the aspect ratio. Ultrawide displays, as their name suggests, are substantially longer horizontally than standard monitors, which have an aspect ratio of 16:9. If you need to keep a lot of stuff onscreen or simply enjoy viewing or making 4K films, the extra time is ideal.
Although ultrawide displays are amazing, it’s crucial to remember that contemporary technology doesn’t always support such resolutions. Because the conventional resolutions are supported on those consoles, you’re definitely better off using a normal monitor if you want to connect a monitor to your PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Is a wide-screen monitor suitable for gaming?
This heavily depends on the game’s compatibility for the 21:9 aspect ratio, which not every game does. In order to frame a 16:9 aspect ratio on a game like Elden Ring, individuals who possessed ultrawide monitors had to either cope with letterboxing along the borders of the display or the game would stretch a 16:9 frame into a 21:9 aspect ratio, dramatically distorting the graphics.
But other games, like Final Fantasy XIV, do support the 21:9 aspect ratio, which makes the game world feel even bigger and more immersive.
Are ultrawide monitors worth the price?
The greater screen area of an ultrawide monitor is perhaps its greatest benefit. An ultrawide can surely assist give you additional workspace if you frequently find your display crowded with windows and you’re losing track of — or need to regularly navigate between — several programmes and workspaces.
You can sometimes have a better gaming experience with an ultrawide because many games are starting to support ultrawide resolutions. However, not all games now support ultrawide, so if you’re more concerned with your monitor’s gaming performance, you’re probably better off with one of the best gaming monitors employing the conventional 16:9 screen ratio.