What makes ultrawide monitors such great picks for professionals and gamers alike? Let’s take a look at what makes ultrawide monitors so popular, then check out our list of the best ultrawide monitors available today. If you want to buy an ultrawide monitor, this guide will help you pick the best one for your needs!
The best budget 22-inch ultrawide monitor
The ViewSonic VX3258-2KC-MHD is the best budget ultrawide monitor. It’s a 32-inch VA panel with a resolution of 2560×1440 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The contrast ratio is 3,000:1 and it has a response time of 4ms. The ViewSonic VX3258-2KC-MHD is a great choice for those looking for an affordable way to get into ultrawide gaming.
The best 27-inch ultrawide monitor (eight sentences): The LG 34UC79G-B is the best 27-inch ultrawide monitor. It’s an IPS panel with a resolution of 2560×1080 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The contrast ratio is 1,800:1 and it has a response time of 5ms. The LG 34UC79G-B isn’t as good as its bigger brother, the LG 38UC99 but still offers solid performance at half the price.
It’s also available in a 32-inch version if you need more space on your desk.
The best $300 21.5-inch gaming monitor
The AOC CQ32G1 is the best 21.5-inch gaming monitor that we’ve tested so far. It has a good design, very good ergonomics, and excellent low input lag performance. It also supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology to reduce screen tearing in games. However, its native resolution is only 1080p, so you won’t be able to take advantage of 4K content or enjoy the benefits of a higher pixel density. If you’re looking for a 4K option, check out the LG 27UK850-W, which is our pick for the best 4K gaming monitor. It has one of the best designs we’ve seen with extremely thin bezels and an attractive aluminum stand.
Its image quality is great too, thanks to true 10-bit color support and an IPS panel with excellent viewing angles. While it’s not quite as fast as other options on this list when it comes to response time (7 ms) or input lag (24 ms), it does have low persistence enabled by default. You can disable this feature if you want better clarity during fast motion sequences in games. Unfortunately, like most IPS panels, it suffers from some backlight bleeding issues if you watch movies with black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. There are also some distracting light reflections along the edges of the panel.
There is plenty of good budget ultrawide monitors worth considering in 2020, but there are really no true budget options on this list. The least expensive model is $300 and none are less than $200. That said, all these models offer solid value considering their high level of performance and relatively low price tags (at least compared to 4K models).
The best $400 24-inch monitor
The AOC CQ32G1 is the best ultrawide monitor under $400 that we’ve tested so far. It has a large 32-inch screen with a 1440p resolution, making it great for productivity tasks, gaming, and watching movies. Plus, it has great ergonomics, with a height-adjustable stand and tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments. However, its response time is only average, so there may be some ghosting visible when playing fast-paced games.
If you’re looking for an even better gaming experience, though, check out the Asus ROG Strix XG32VQ. With a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, this monitor was one of the most responsive we’ve seen to date. Its 2560×1440 resolution isn’t as sharp as on other 4K monitors in this price range, but if you prioritize speed over picture quality (or plan to keep your desk further away from your eyes), then this might be the right choice for you.
The best 34-inch curved monitor
The Dell Alienware AW3418DW is the best 34-inch curved monitor because it offers great gaming performance, a wide variety of ports, and a stylish design. It’s not the cheapest 34-inch curved monitor on the market, but it’s definitely worth its price tag. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Acer Predator X34P is a great alternative. It lacks some features that are present in more expensive models, such as speakers or a built-in webcam. But overall, this is an excellent choice if you want to save money without compromising too much quality.
The LG 27UD88-W is another low-cost option. It has plenty of inputs, a USB Type C port, and even comes with an IPS panel which makes colors look better than they would otherwise. Of course, this monitor won’t give you the same type of high-quality viewing experience that other products provide. We’d recommend using it for office work rather than anything else.
The best 43-inch ultra-wide monitor
LG’s 43UD79-B is the best 43-inch ultra-wide monitor we’ve tested so far. It has great picture quality with excellent peak brightness, outstanding color accuracy, and good HDR performance. It also has great gaming features, including FreeSync support and a very low input lag. Plus, it has a large number of ports, including Thunderbolt 3. The stand isn’t as versatile as some other displays in this size range, but overall this is an excellent monitor that should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a big ultrawide display. Read our full review here. Best 44-inch ultrawide monitor: BenQ’s BL3201PH only offers a 60Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, but delivers fantastic colors and viewing angles.
As long as you don’t mind its lower resolution or limited connectivity options (just one HDMI port), the BL3201PH will serve well as a solid entry-level ultrawide monitor for gaming or home office use.
The best 49-inch ultra-wide monitor: Dell’s U4919DW is hands down the best 49-inch ultrawide monitor on the market right now.
