Best Ultrawide Monitor for Gaming in 2021

Are you looking for the best gaming monitor capable of handling even the most intense video games currently available on the market? Does it have to have split-screen capabilities and be able to easily transition into standard computer tasks, photo editing, video design, and more? Ultrawide monitors are quickly gaining popularity for exactly these reasons.

Due to their continuous and space-saving designs, ultrawide monitors look sleeker than other multi-monitor setups on your desk. It isn't only about aesthetics, though. The ultrawide display offers greatly-needed peripheral vision to games that require quick reaction times for dangerous environments.

While not all ultrawide monitors are design specifically for gaming, we found quite a few that are. Most of these monitors can be used for multiple purposes, though. From gaming and streaming to typing that already-late college term paper, these monitors are ready for anything.

Below are the best ultrawide gaming monitors for 2021.

Top Pick - LG 34UC79G-B

This is a 34-inch UltraWide IPS gaming monitor, and it’s even curved which is always a nice thing to have on an UltraWide. It saves you some neck strain or having to look back and forth as much, it brings more of the display into your direct field of vision and also looks pretty awesome in the process.

LG 34UC79G-B
NamePanel TypeScreen SizeSyncing TechHz & msCheck Price
Dell U3417W FR3PK (1440p)IPS34”NA60Hz
ASUS MX34VQ (1440p) IPS34”Adaptive Sync100Hz, 4ms
Acer Predator X34 bmiphz (1440p)IPS34”G-Sync60Hz-100Hz, 4ms
Acer XR342CK bmijpphz (1440p)IPS34”AMD FreeSync75Hz, 5ms
Viotek GN35LD WQHD (1080p)VA35”FreeSync144Hz, 3ms
Dell Alienware AW3418HW (1080p)IPS34”G-Sync144Hz-160Hz, 4ms
LG 34UM68-P (1080p)IPS34”FreeSync75Hz, 5ms
LG 34UC79G-B Curved (1080p)IPS34”AMD FreeSync144Hz, 1ms

What Is the Best Gaming Monitor in 2021?

1. LG 34-Inch 21:9 Curved Ultrawide IPS Gaming Monitor

LG-34UC79G

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 2560x1080/2560x1080

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 144Hz

The LG curved ultrawide gaming monitor with an LED IPS panel is one of the best gaming monitors on the market. The curved display allows users to see perfectly clear from all viewing angles, and at 144Hz, it has one of the best refresh rates of any gaming monitor.

Don't worry about expensive graphics cards either. A mid-tier graphics card will do just fine. Unfortunately, LG's 2560x1080 resolution is rather low compared to similar products.

With AMD FreeSync technology to reduce screen tearing, motion blur reduction, and a great response time, this curved beauty makes gaming an incredibly enjoyable experience. Just beware, upgrading and replacement parts are going to be expensive, if needed. 

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • Plays nicely with mid-tier graphics cards
  • Input for gaming headsets and fast-charge devices
  • High refresh rate
  • AMD FreeSync technology reduces screen tearing

Cons

  • 1080p resolution is too low for a monitor of this size
  • Upgrading can be very expensive

2. ASUS Designo 34-Inch Curved Eye Care Gaming Monitor with Adaptive-Sync Technology

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 3440x1440/3440x1440

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 100Hz

Another one of the best gaming monitors available on the market today is the ASUS Designo, which comes fully equipped with Eye Care technology. This helps reduce strain and fatigue on your eyes, making hours of intense, non-stop gaming a pain-free gaming experience.

Its 34-inch display works great with an outstanding 3440x1440 resolution, and as always, the curvature of this ultrawide monitor helps reduce neck strain and the gamers' field of vision, allowing a crystal clear image from all different viewing angles. The brilliant 3000:1 contrast ratio handles darker details better than most IPS panels.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • High resolution results in astonishing image quality
  • Great viewing angle for gamers
  • Brilliant contrast ratio (3000:1)
  • Top-notch response time
  • Adaptive-Sync technology reduces screen tearing
  • Eye Care technology reduces strain and fatigue on gamers' vision


Cons

  • Lower refresh rate than most elite options

3. Dell 34-Inch Curved LED-Lit Gaming Monitor

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 3440x1440/3440x1440

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 60Hz

This Dell is slightly cheaper than the above-mentioned ASUS Designo, but it handles it own in most important categories. Unfortunately, its lower refresh rate is concerning for some gamers, but with all the extra bells and whistle, this is still one of the best gaming monitors currently available.

Matching ASUS's resolution rate and beating LG's, the picture quality on this Dell is obviously incredible. As with the other two models, the curved display is great for neck strain and field of vision, while the integrated flicker-free lighting helps reduce eye strain and headaches.

Finally, this monitor's adjustable height and customizable parts makes it suitable for almost everyone's needs. There is plenty of value to be had with this Dell product.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • High resolution results in astonishing image quality
  • 18W integrated speakers produce high-quality audio
  • Flicker-free screen lighting
  • Adjustable height
  • Highly customizable


Cons

  • Lower refresh rate than most top options

4. LG UltraWide 34-Inch IPS Monitor with FreeSync

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 2560x1080/2560x1080

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 75Hz

LG strikes again. This 34-inch IPS panel monitor with FreeSync technology is a great value purchase for even the pickiest of gamers. Similar to the above-mentioned LG product, the resolution is lower than most top-end models, and the refresh rate is lower as well. That said, 75Hz is still reasonable.

The straight display might be more tiresome on your neck and eyes, but the ergonomically-designed stand and adjustable height should prevent any actual injury.

This monitor is great for those that don't want to constantly mess around with their settings. It features high color accuracy and a "Game Mode" that automatically adjusts settings based on the style of game you're playing. No need to be a tech-savvy gamer. Just sit back and enjoy.

Pros

  • High color accuracy
  • Customizable layout with Split Screen 2.0
  • Good refresh rate
  • Game Mode helps adjust settings for different uses
  • Ergonomically-designed stand and adjustable height


Cons

  • Lower resolution than most top options
  • Not curved

5. Acer Predator 34-Inch Curved Widescreen Gaming Monitor

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 3440x1440/3440x1440

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 60Hz

Compared to the best gaming monitors on the market, the Acer Predator isn't far behind. With a lower 60Hz refresh rate, a VA panel isn't necessary and the Acer Predator sports IPS. The resolution is fantastic at 3440x1440, and the curved display with an adjustable stand and rotating angles increases the gamers' possible viewing angles.

This Acer Predator already comes pre-equipped with two 7W speakers for a maximum audio experience, and the Blue Light Filtering technology helps reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Unfortunately, the 100Hz refresh rate is only available when the device is overclocking, and the response time is only decent at 4ms. Either way, this gaming monitor performs with the best of them.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • High resolution results in astonishing image quality
  • Adjustable stand with rotating angles
  • Blue Light Filtering technology helps to reduce eye strain and fatigue
  • Integrated 14W speakers


Cons

  • Lower refresh rate than most top options, but can overclock to 100Hz
  • Only a decent response time

6. Viotek 32-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor with Fully Adjustable Stand

Size: 32 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 2560x1440/2560x1440

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Refresh Rate: 144Hz

This Viotek gaming monitor is designed specifically for professional gaming. With a lightning-fast 144Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time, it can handle even the most intense game speeds. Oh, and the cinema-quality VA panel really brings the game to life.

The curved display is perfect for all viewing angles and helps with both neck and eye strain. With a fully adjustable stand, including both tilt and swivel, you shouldn't have any issues positioning this beauty perfectly on your desk.

The screen is slightly smaller than most top options and the price tag is a little bit high, but there is no doubt - Viotek offers one of the best gaming monitors on the market.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • Resolution is ideal for screen size
  • One of the highest refresh rates on the market at comparable price tags
  • 4ms response time with Overdrive
  • Fully adjustable stand with tilt and swivel


Cons

  • Smaller than most top options
  • 16:9 screen aspect ratio might not be ideal for some video games

7. Acer 37.5-Inch UltraWide QHD Curved Gaming Monitor (HDR Version)

Size: 37.5 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 3840x1600/3840x1600

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 75Hz

Unlike the Acer Predator, this gaming monitor truly embraces the full meaning of ultrawide. At 37.5 inches wide, it is one of the largest screens available on the market. And with EyeProtect's Flicker-less and Blue-light Flicker technology, there is no need to worry about eye strain or fatigue.

As far as gaming monitors go, this Acer's 3440x1600 is one of the best resolutions in the world, and with integrated speakers, it makes for the ultimate gaming experience. Oh, and it's HDR ready, meaning you won't have to upgrade in the near future.

Unfortunately, some games might not work properly on a screen this big and the refresh rate is slightly low compared to the response time. Either way, Acer put out a great gaming monitor capable of handling any graphics card.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • One of the largest screens available on the market at 37.5 inches
  • One of the best resolutions available on the market at 3440x1600
  • Super fast response time
  • Integrated 14W speakers
  • EyeProtect's Flicker-less and Blue-light Flicker technology to reduce eye fatigue
  • HDR ready


Cons

  • 37.5 inches might be difficult to see the entire screen
  • Screen size might not be compatible on some video games
  • Refresh rate is slightly low for resolution and response time

8. Dell Alienware 34-Inch Curved LED-Lit Gaming Monitor

Size: 34 inches

Resolution/Max Resolution: 3840x1600/3840x1600

Aspect Ratio: 21:9

Refresh Rate: 120Hz (Overclocked)

This Dell Alienware is, overall, one of the best gaming monitors on the market. With an overclocked refresh rate of 120Hz, it can handle even the most intense games, and the 3840x1600 resolution makes the picture crystal clear.

One of the more advanced features is AlienFX's four different lighting zones, which allow for dynamic customization and a great contrast ratio. It might not be the best at any one particular specification, but it is one of the best when considering all things combined.

Pros

  • Curved display looks nice on ultrawide monitor
  • AlienFX has four different lighting zones for dynamic customization
  • Great screen resolution
  • Respectable response time


Cons

  • Doesn't match up to some of the higher-end options
  • High refresh rate needs to use overclocking

Buyer's Guide: Ultrawide Monitor for Gaming

When shopping for the best gaming monitor on the market, there are few questions that need to be answered, as well as a few specs that need to be considered.

Are Ultrawide Monitors Good for Gaming?

Generally speaking, yes. Ultrawide monitors are great for gaming. That said, there could be some drawbacks depending on your gaming setup, GPU power, and which games you intend on playing.

When everything works properly, the pros far outweigh the cons when considering gaming on an ultrawide monitor. It opens your field of vision, which can lead to very distinct user advantages in certain games, especially first-person shooters. It also allows easier multitasking, which could be beneficial to gamers that are streaming or working on multiple projects at once.

Ultrawide monitors could, however, be a waste of money if the games you intend on playing do not support a 21:9 aspect ratio. For example, Overwatch deliberately disables 21:9 aspect ratios because it offers some gamers such a distinct advantage. Be sure to check to make sure the games you intend on playing are compatible with an ultrawide monitor before purchasing one.

The one other drawback is that ultrawide monitors require a higher display resolution, which could impact in-game performance if you don't have a powerful GPU. If your GPU can fully support an ultrawide monitor, then the benefits are worth the extra money you'll spend on one. If not, you could end up frustrated with a laggy gaming experience.

What Monitor Size Is Best for Gaming?

The best monitor size for gaming is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but both 24-inch and 27-inch monitors are standard. The 27-inch monitor offers a cleaner, more-impressive display, and you'll be able to see the entire screen when sitting three to four feet away from the monitor. Feel free to sit slightly close with a 24-inch monitor.

Only looking at one measurement can be misleading, though. A 27-inch monitor with as aspect ratio of 16:9 is equivalent (top to bottom) to a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The ultrawide monitor offers 26 percent more diagonal area and 34 percent more area in general, but it remains easy to see from about three to four feet away.

This is exactly why ultrawide monitors are increasing in popularity. They let you open your peripheral vision without sacrificing your ability to see the entire display, top to bottom. This is crucial in fast-paced, competitive online environments, especially in first-person shooter games.

As a guiding principle, never purchase a monitor that has a height higher than 14 inches or you won't be able to see all of the screen at once. This is the best height for most gaming monitors.

Most Important Specs to Consider

When it comes to gaming, here are the specs that are most important to consider, ensuring a solid gaming experience and making sure your monitor isn’t holding you back.

Refresh Rate

A monitor's refresh rate is the number of times the monitor's image changes per second, and it is measured in hertz (Hz). Typically, monitors have a refresh rate around 60Hz (hertz per second), but the more advanced gaming monitors go well beyond that.

So, is a higher refresh rate always better? For the most part, yes. Most gaming monitors will reach a refresh rate of 144Hz, which is a significant improvement from the standard 60Hz and very noticable to gamers of all levels. That split-second advantage is crucial in online competitive games.

That said, increasing from 144Hz to 240Hz or higher does relatively little for casual gamers and only barely helps even the most advanced-level gamers. And unfortunately, once a monitor reaches a refresh rate over 240Hz, other considerations become much more noticable, which could be detrimental to your gaming experience - most notably, response time and motion blur.

Response Time

Response time is directly related to refresh rate, and if your gaming monitor has too slow of a response time, it can limit the refresh rate capabilities of your device. Basically, response time is the time it takes for your monitor to change from one color to another color. This time is measured in milliseconds (ms), and top-of-the-line monitors tend to have response times of 4ms or less.

If a monitor can't respond fast enough, it doesn't matter how fast it refreshes. For example, if your monitor has a refresh rate of 75Hz, your response time must be 13ms or less. Otherwise, gamers will experience odd-looking graphics and motion blur.

Motion Blur

Motion blur can happen as a result of two different specs - slow refresh rate or slow response time.

When your monitor has a slow refresh rate, users can experience something called eye-tracking motion blur. Your eyes naturally track the motion of the pixels on the screen, and when an image jumps from one place to the next, even though that image is static, your eyes perceive it as blurry. Increasing refresh rate can solve this problem, but so can adding a black-frame insertion between each refresh. For monitors with slower refresh rates, check to see if they have this feature.

When your monitor's response time is slow, it results in a trailing, or ghost, image because the pixels take some time to fully transition from their first spot to their second spot. This tends to happen on monitors with a high refresh rate and low response time.

Screen Size/Aspect Ratio

While screen size does depend on the resolution your monitor is using and how far you're sitting away from the computer, a 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio are usually best. When the size of the screen increases over 14 inches, it is rather difficult for users to see from the top to the bottom without straining their neck and eyes.

The best resolutions for each size ultrawide gaming monitor are as follows:

25 to 29 inches: 2560x1080

30 to 34 inches: 3440x1440

35 to 38 inches: 3840x1600

Conclusion

So, what is the best gaming monitor for the best gaming experience? Well, it's tough to pick one gaming monitor and call it the best. Dell might be the best regarding screen resolution, but LG might be the best regarding response time. The best gaming experience is whatever suits your needs. Overall, however, the LG Curved Ultrawide IPS is the best gaming monitor on the market, generally speaking. 

Originally posted 2021-01-19 20:24:37.

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