Curved and ultrawide monitors are becoming more affordable. Whether you’re looking for a top-tier gaming monitor or a monitor to enhance your work productivity, curved monitors can do a better job than standard flat-panel monitors.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best curved monitors for any budget. To find the best options, you need to consider panel type, viewing angle, color gamut and accuracy, HDR support, available inputs, response times, and many other specifications.
The Benefits of using a curved monitor
Curved monitors were all the rage when they first appeared. But they were expensive and not many people could afford them. Now that the initial hype is over, curved monitors have become affordable. They have also shown their advantage over flat screen monitors. Aside from aesthetics, curved monitors have several benefits that
Ultrawide curved monitors can be used to replace multi-monitor setups for professional use. Instead of using two or three monitors to display multiple documents simultaneously, why not use a curved ultrawide screen? Its curvature would help you reduce eyestrain and make you even more productive.
Curved monitors are widescreen and seem to wrap around you when you sit in front of them, as their edges are the same distance from the center. This creates a three-dimensional effect and gives you focal depth, reducing image distortion and eye strain.
Best Curved Monitors: So which curved monitor best suits your needs? These are some of the best options out there.
Price range: $150 – $200
Samsung CF396 is an affordable and versatile monitor ideal for gaming, entertainment, and office work. It has a bright panel with a large color screen for the low price of just $150. It falls into the best budget category despite some shortcomings.
This curved monitor from Samsung has a 23.5-inch VA screen, which is plenty for most applications, though not the best for multitasking. The supported resolution is 1920×1080 and it has the standard widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9. The downside is its low pixel density of 94 PPI, which doesn’t make it a good monitor for graphically demanding work like editing. of photographs.
The 60Hz refresh rate, typical of budget monitors, isn’t something to brag about, but it’s good enough for casual gaming. That said, the 1800R curvature provides an immersive streaming and gaming experience. The Samsung CF396 is an all-round solution for someone looking to get their first curved screen.
Features:
23.5-inch AV screen.
1080p native resolution.
60Hz refresh rate combined with AMD FreeSync technology.
4ms response time.
Price range: $200 – $250
The AOC C24G1 is an affordable curved VA monitor with solid contrast and color reproduction. It has a standard 24-inch curved screen, which is expected in this price range, but it has a 144Hz refresh rate. With a 1ms moving picture response time (MPRT) and a gray response time At 4ms gray, this curved AOC monitor is a great budget option for gamers.
The AOC C24G1 is a great gaming monitor, even for fast-paced games, and the 1500R curvature instead of the typical 1800R gives a deeper sense of immersion. Additionally, AMD FreeSync technology combined with FlickerFree technology prevents most screen tearing and stuttering. All in all, in terms of size, curvature, specs, and price, this monitor hits the spot.
Features:
23.6-inch FHD display with VA panel.
1500R curvature.
1 ms response times.
144Hz refresh rate.
AMD FreeSync technology.
Price range: $650-$750.
The BenQ EX3501R is a great gaming monitor, but it can also double as an entertainment display due to its size. Immerse yourself in fast-paced gaming thanks to the 1800R curved screen, 100Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync technology, and 4ms response times. When it comes to performance, this ultrawide curved BenQ monitor ticks all the right boxes.
The BenQ EX3501R also supports HDR10, so you can expect hyper-realistic video quality, although color saturation and contrast could be a bit better in this price range. However, the 35-inch screen and 1800R curvature of this BenQ monitor are design choices made for optimal viewing performance.
These features, combined with the 3440 × 1440 resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio, give you a cinematic experience so you can fully enjoy gaming and streaming your favorite Netflix shows.
Features:
35” panel with 3440×1440 resolution and 1800R curvature.
Ergonomic design with adjustable height and tilt.
100Hz refresh rate.
4 ms response times.
Soporte HDR.
USB-C connectivity option.
Price range: $350 – $500.
Dell S3220DGF is a very affordable curved monitor that is good for gaming and professional use. The 165Hz refresh rate and 4ms response times will satisfy you if you’re a gamer, and you won’t notice any ghosting.
A 32-inch 10-bit color VA display with 1440p resolution and HDR support, the panel produces high contrast and color accuracy, perfect for professional use and entertainment. It’s also worth mentioning that the Dell S3220DGF has five USB 3.0 ports, so you can connect all your devices directly.
Features:
32-inch curved screen with 1440p resolution.
165Hz refresh rate.
HDR and 10-bit color support.
4 ms response times.
AMD Free Sync technology.
Price range: $300-$450.
Gigabyte G32QC is another great affordable curved monitor, especially for gamers looking for an immersive experience without breaking the bank. The 32-inch display with 2560×1440 resolution, AMD FreeSync, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response times make it a great choice for modern gaming and entertainment.
This Gigabyte model has high color accuracy for the price. Covers 93% of the DCI-P3 cinematic color gamut. Gigabyte’s proprietary Sidekick OSD software lets you quickly and easily manage and modify custom settings. Also, it has a Picture-by-Picture mode, which is a great addition for those who like to have multiple screens or for streamers.
Features:
32-inch screen with 1440p resolution.
164Hz refresh rate.
1 ms response times.
1500R curvature.
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
Price range: $1,250 – 1,500.
Samsung Odyssey G9 is an ultra-wide curved monitor for which you will need a lot of space on your desk. If you have the desktop space and the budget, you’ll get a full field of view and an immersive experience. This monitor really shines at gaming and entertainment, but it’s also a great choice for professionals.
Imagine having the screen size of two 27-inch monitors but a single curved screen. Samsung Odyssey G9 features a massive 49-inch display with 1000R curvature that ensures no loss of quality. At this size and viewing angle, this Samsung monitor is about as immersive as it gets.
This curved display offers an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response times, making it one of the best options for serious gamers. You also get HDR 1000, which ensures excellent color, saturation, and contrast accuracy for the best viewing experience. It’s a great entertainment setup. That said, the Samsung Odyssey G9’s sheer size also makes it a perfect display for multitasking, streaming, and video/photo editing.
Features:
49” screen with 5120×1440 resolution and 1000R curvature.
HDR1000 for high color reproduction.
240Hz refresh rate.
1 ms response times.
G-sync and AMD FreeSync2 support.
Price range: $850 – $1,000.
MSI Optix MPG341CQR is first and foremost a gaming monitor as its color results are decent at best and not suitable for professional photographers and video editors. While HDR400 leaves some room for improvement in the professional environment, gaming features are nothing to complain about.
For gamers, the MSI Optix is among the best in this price range. It has a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response times, and 400nits brightness. With a 34-inch screen size and a bezel-less design combined with 1800R curvature, you’ll get an immersive gaming experience.
MSI Optix offers some innovative quality of life features that many gamers never knew they needed. These are mostly design options that are both fun and functional. The monitor comes with a mouse bungee cord on the side and a camera dock on top for all those streamers. You also get LED lights below and behind the monitor that you can sync with SteelSeries GameSense software for in-game visual cues (think health bar or ammo count). Everything about the MSI Optix just screams gaming.
Features:
34” screen with 1440p resolution and 1800R curvature.
VA panel with an aspect ratio of 21:9.
144Hz refresh rate.
1 ms response times.
2 HDMI ports, 2 DisplayPort connectors, and a USB Type-C port for additional connectivity options.
Precio: $1,300.
The Alienware 34 QD-OLED is a typical 34-inch monitor with a native 1440p resolution and smooth 1800R curvature, but it sets itself apart with its high-quality build. It has a refresh rate of 175Hz and an exceptional gray-to-gray response time of 0.1ms, making it one of the best options for a fantastic gaming experience. Such a fast response time is a result of OLED technology, which is not often seen in gaming monitors.
Alienware’s OLED panel is combined with Quantum Dot technology that enables an impressive 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. This monitor also boasts a brightness of 1000 nits, although not across the entire screen. Deep contrast is another impressive feature of OLED technology, as each pixel acts as a light source and can be turned off to achieve true black.
The Alienware 34 QD-OLED was created as a gaming monitor, but its exceptional color reproduction, contrast, and overall image quality make it a good choice for professionals. It also has an ultra-wide curved form factor that makes it perfect for immersive gaming and productive multitasking. The price is high, but the visual experience is worth it.
Features:
34-inch screen with 1440p resolution and 1800R curvature.
1000 nits maximum brightness.
0.1ms response times and 175Hz refresh rate.
QD-OLED panel with an exceptional contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1
Price range: $1,500-2,000.
For those who are not afraid to spend some extra money on the best gaming experience, the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ is probably the best option. It came out in 2019, but it’s going to be a high-performance monitor for the foreseeable future.
With a 200Hz refresh rate, 2ms response time, a whopping 1000 nits of brightness, and HDR1000, this Asus monitor ensures excellent gaming performance and a stunning viewing experience. But what is really impressive is its color accuracy, which makes it the perfect choice for all creative souls.
This ultra-wide curved monitor has a beautiful ergonomic design with smart fan control and three additional USB 3.0 ports for flexible connectivity. Whether you choose the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ for gaming, streaming, or work, you won’t be disappointed. It combines must-have gaming features with professional color reproduction to give you the best of both worlds in a single curved monitor. The only real drawback is the massive price.
Features:
35-inch panel with native 1440p resolution.
21:9 cinematic aspect ratio.
200Hz refresh rate.
2 ms response times.
HDR1000 with 500k:1 contrast ratio.
Price Range: $1,700 – $2,000
Acer already has a reputation for making great gaming monitors, and the Predator X38 deserves a spot on this list. The 37.5-inch IPS panel with 3840 × 1600 native resolution produces excellent brightness and color accuracy for gamers and professionals. The 2300R curvature that you don’t normally find in many curved monitors will give you incredible panoramic views and help with immersion when you’re gaming or watching a movie.
HDR performance isn’t the best in this price range, but you can overclock this monitor to 175Hz and get some extra visual performance. Coupled with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology and a 1ms response time, the Asus Predator X38 is an ideal choice even for competitive gamers.
Expect to spend extra money on this monitor, but its specs and features are worth it. The design is also very attractive thanks to its modern looking slim stand and the glow of the LED lights that set the mood and atmosphere. Plus, as a bonus, you get 4 USB 3.0 ports and audio out for more flexible connectivity.
Features:
37.5 inch IPS panel with 3840×1600 resolution.
Widescreen 2300R curvature with an aspect ratio of 21:9.
1 ms response times.
144 Hz with the possibility of overclocking it to 175 Hz.
4 USB 3.0 ports and audio output in addition to HDMI and DisplayPort ports.
What curved monitors are you thinking of getting next? Let us know in the comments below!
