Ultrawide monitors have become increasingly popular over recent years, offering expanded screen real estate compared to traditional widescreen displays. They provide more room for multitasking, immersive gaming, and watching movies.
After extensive research comparing dozens of options, I‘ve compiled this definitive list of the 5 best ultrawide monitors you can buy today:
Best Overall: BenQ EW3880R
The BenQ EW3880R stands out as the best overall ultrawide monitor with its gorgeous 37.5-inch screen, subtle curve for immersion, built-in 2.1 sound system eliminating the need for speakers, extensive connectivity, and eye comfort features.
Key Features:
- 37.5" WQHD+ (3840 x 1600) resolution
- IPS panel with 95% DCI-P3 color gamut
- 60Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- HDRi and Brightness Intelligence Plus (B.I.+) for adaptive screen optimization
- Integrated 2x 3W speakers and 8W subwoofer
- Extensive connectivity: USB-C, 2x HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen 1
While a 60Hz refresh rate means it‘s not ideal for competitive gaming, the BenQ EW3880R shines as an all-purpose entertainment and productivity monitor. The subtle 1500R curve matches the human eye for comfortable viewing. Built-in low blue light modes and brightness adaptation help reduce eye strain. And the integrated audio system produces surprisingly robust sound, saving desk space.
Retailing for $899, the EW3880R delivers tremendous value and versatility for the price. It‘s a fantastic option for creatives, office use, casual gaming and media enjoyment.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: AOC CU34G2X
If you want an affordable 34-inch ultrawide monitor with gaming-ready performance, the AOC CU34G2X is a stellar choice at under $500.
Key Features:
- 34" 3440 x 1440 resolution VA panel
- 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- AMD FreeSync support
- 3000:1 contrast ratio
- 4x USB 3.0 ports
- Extensive connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DP 1.4
While its 1500R curvature and sparse stand don‘t scream premium, the CU34G2X impresses where it counts with buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate, ultra-fast response time, and vivid VA panel. This makes it a terrific choice for fast-paced gaming and media consumption. Four USB ports add convenience for connecting peripherals.
If you want an immersive, high-performance ultrawide gaming monitor at an affordable price, the AOC CU34G2X delivers incredible value.
Best 5K Ultrawide Monitor: LG UltraWide 34WK95U
Creative professionals who demand maximum resolution will want to consider the LG UltraWide 34WK95U monitor and its expansive 5120 x 2160 resolution on a stunning 34-inch Nano IPS display.
Key Features:
- 34" 5120 x 2160 5K2K resolution
- Nano IPS LED backlit panel
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut with HDR support
- 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time
- Thunderbolt 3 plus USB-C and 2x HDMI ports
While its 60Hz refresh rate makes it unsuitable for gaming, the LG 34WK95U shines for creative workflows thanks to its remarkable clarity and highly accurate color reproduction covering 98% of DCI-P3. Extensive connectivity like Thunderbolt 3 allows flexibility in the devices you can connect.
At its steep $1,489 retail price, it doesn‘t come cheap, but for professionals who can take advantage of 5K visuals and color accuracy, the LG 34WK95U is extremely compelling.
Best for Gaming: Alienware AW3423DW
Serious gamers will want to put the cutting-edge Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED monitor with its blazing 175Hz refresh rate and quantum dot panel at the top of their lists.
Key Features:
- 34" 3440 x 1440 resolution on quantum dot OLED panel
- 175Hz refresh rate and 0.1ms response time
- Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate support
- 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- Extensive connectivity: DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, and USB ports
Touting the world‘s first QD-OLED screen in an ultrawide form factor, the Alienware AW3423DW delivers simply exceptional imagery with true blacks and incredibly vibrant color. Its lightning-quick response time and buttery smooth 175Hz refresh rate provide a dream gaming experience.
While its $1,299 price is premium, there‘s currently no rival that matches its immersion and performance for PC gaming. The Alienware AW3423DW stands in a class of its own.
Most Versatile: LG 38WN95C-W
If you want the flexibility to handle gaming, creative work, and productivity, the LG 38WN95C-W checks all the boxes with its crisp 38-inch 1440p display at 144Hz.
Key Features:
- 38" 3840 x 1600 resolution on Nano IPS display with HDR 600
- 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time + Adaptive-Sync
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
- Extensive connectivity: Thunderbolt 3, 2x HDMI 2.0, DP 1.2
Covering 98% of DCI-P3 for vibrant colors and a razor sharp 144Hz refresh rate, the LG 38WN95C-W beautifully balances gaming speed and creative color performance. Its abundant 3840 x 1600 resolution provides ample real estate for getting work done. And Thunderbolt 3 connectivity allows flexibility with other devices you can connect including laptops.
Priced around $1,000, it‘s a significant investment but pays off with outstanding versatility no matter your needs. For an ultrawide monitor to do it all, the LG 38WN95C-W is a leading choice.
How to Choose the Best Ultrawide Monitor
Picking the right ultrawide monitor depends heavily on your intended use case and budget. Here‘s a step-by-step guide to choosing the best one for your needs:
1. Decide on monitor size – The most popular ultrawide sizes range from 34-38 inches measured diagonally across. Consider viewing distance and desk space when deciding. Larger monitors immerse you more.
2. Determine necessary resolution – Entry-level models start at 2560 x 1080p while higher-end choices reach 5120 x 2160. Higher resolutions appear sharper up close and allow more onscreen space.
3. Assess refresh rate and response time – Refresh rate (Hz) affects gaming smoothness. Response time measures signal latency. Faster is better especially for gaming. 60Hz is fine for media/work, while 144Hz+ excels for gaming.
4. Consider panel technology – IPS panels offer the best viewing angles and color accuracy. VA panels boast superior contrast. OLED delivers perfect blacks.
5. Check connectivity ports – Look for modern USB-C and/or Thunderbolt 3 ports plus HDMI and DisplayPort. More ports allow connecting multiple inputs.
6. Determine curved vs flat – Curved screens increase immersion but may distort edges. Preference varies individually. Either works great.
7. Know your budget limitations – Entry-level ultrawides start under $500. High-end models with the latest tech cost over $1,000. Set spending limits before shopping.
Prioritizing your needs like gaming performance, color accuracy, or viewing comfort will help narrow selections. Be realistic about trade-offs when picking the right monitor for your budget. An ultrawide can provide an awesome upgrade over traditional displays when matched well with your intended usage.
Wider Possibilities with Ultrawides
In the world of monitors, ultrawides provide a literal wider horizon of possibilities compared to mainstream widescreen models constrained to 16:9 aspect ratios.
The expanded width of ultrawide displays allows viewing more content at once, whether it‘s working across multiple documents, browsing fuller web pages, or enjoying cinema-like movie watching. The immersion level steps up markedly.
For gamers, competitive play gains an advantage from seeing expanded peripheral vision revealing enemies and targets at screen edges that would otherwise be unseen on standard displays. More visual battlefield information means quicker reaction times.
Of course with this extra acreage there are some dimensional trade-offs—namely reduced vertical space compared to a 16:9 monitor with equal horizontal measurements. So adjusting workflows to be more horizontally driven rather than vertically stacked may take some retraining. But once acclimated, productivity can thrive.
As their technology continues maturing amid falling prices, expect ultrawide adoption to keep widening out substantially. The creative possibilities unlocked simply provide too wide a vista to ignore.
When he‘s not gaming or working on tech projects, Brad can often be found hiking with his dog Annabelle along scenic trails. His next review will cover the top budget 4K monitors under $400.
