The Ultimate Guide to Ultrawide Monitors: Finding the Perfect Immersive Display

Tired of juggling multiple monitors and the associated clutter? Yearning for a single, expansive display that engulfs your vision and boosts your productivity? Then an ultrawide monitor might be the perfect solution. These monitors boast a wider aspect ratio than standard widescreen displays, delivering an immersive experience and significantly more screen real estate for work, gaming, and entertainment.

I’ve put several ultrawide monitors through rigorous testing to identify the best options across various categories, from gaming powerhouses to productivity workhorses. This guide presents a curated list of my top picks, complete with detailed pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. You’ll also find a breakdown of my monitor evaluation process at the end of this article.

Top Ultrawide Monitor Recommendations

Best Overall: Alienware AW3423DWF

The Alienware AW3423DWF is truly a standout monitor. It combines the incredible contrast and realism of OLED technology with a spacious 34-inch widescreen panel. While not exactly cheap, its price of around $1,099 offers excellent value compared to other OLED monitors on the market.

Pros:

• Exceptional image quality with vivid colors, deep blacks, and bright highlights.
• Immersive and nearly three-dimensional viewing experience for movies and games.
• Fast 165Hz refresh rate for smooth gaming.
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support for tear-free gameplay.
• Good connectivity with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-A hub.
• Extensive calibration options for fine-tuning the image.

Cons:

• Not very bright, especially in SDR mode, making it less suitable for brightly lit rooms.
• OLED panel can struggle with rendering small fonts smoothly.

The Verdict:

Despite minor drawbacks, the Alienware AW3423DWF is a fantastic all-around ultrawide monitor that excels in both gaming and general use. Its stunning image quality and smooth performance make it a worthwhile investment.

Best for Gaming: MSI MPG 341CQPX

While the Alienware AW3423DWF is excellent for gaming, the MSI MPG 341CQPX takes the crown as the ultimate gaming ultrawide. This 34-inch QD-OLED display with its panoramic 21:9 aspect ratio draws you deep into your games.

Pros:

• Samsung QD-OLED display delivers vibrant colors and outstanding contrast.
• Excellent handling of both SDR and HDR content.
• Ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate for incredible motion clarity.
• VESA Adaptive Sync support, compatible with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
• USB-C port with 98W Power Delivery for powering laptops.

Cons:

• Stand is larger than necessary.
• Lacks RGB-LED lighting on the back.

The Verdict:

The MSI MPG 341CQPX is a top-tier gaming monitor with a stunning display and blistering-fast refresh rate. Its reasonable price given the performance cements its place as a gaming favorite.

Best Budget: Gigabyte GS34WQC

The Gigabyte GS34WQC proves that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy an impressive ultrawide gaming experience. This monitor boasts a sharp 34-inch display with a 3440×1440 resolution, paired with a 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 135Hz) and AMD FreeSync support.

Pros:

• Excellent motion clarity for smooth gameplay.
• VA panel provides improved contrast and deeper black levels.
• Intuitive menu system with extensive customization options.
• Affordable price point.

Cons:

• Boring but functional design.
• Assembly requires manual attachment of screws.

The Verdict:

The Gigabyte GS34WQC is a fantastic budget ultrawide gaming monitor that delivers excellent image quality and motion clarity for the price.

Best for Professionals: Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW

The Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is an exceptional ultrawide monitor designed for professionals who demand a large, sharp display with comprehensive features. Its massive 40-inch display with a 5K resolution ensures every detail is crisp and defined.

Pros:

• Unparalleled sharpness and expansive workspace.
• Impressive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion.
• IPS Black display panel enhances contrast and image realism.
• Extensive connectivity with Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB hub.
• Useful features like picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes.

Cons:

• Stand could be more robust.
• Contrast ratio, while good, can’t match OLED.
• High price tag.

The Verdict:

The Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW is a premium ultrawide monitor that offers exceptional performance and features for professionals who need the best possible display.

Best Big Screen: LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B

When a standard ultrawide isn’t immersive enough, the LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B steps in as the ultimate big-screen gaming monitor. Its class-leading 45-inch 5K2K (5120×2160) OLED panel provides a resolution previously unseen in this size class.

Pros:

• Massive 45-inch OLED panel for unparalleled immersion.
• High 5K2K resolution for incredible sharpness.
• Excellent contrast and color performance.
• Good HDR performance.
• High refresh rates of 165Hz (5120×2160) or 330Hz (2560×1080).
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync support.

Cons:

• Expensive.
• Aggressive 800R curve may not be ideal for productivity.
• Limited USB connectivity.

The Verdict:

The LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B is a top-of-the-line gaming monitor that provides unparalleled immersion with its massive OLED panel and high resolution.

What to Look for in an Ultrawide Monitor

Choosing the right ultrawide monitor can be daunting, but understanding a few key factors will make the process easier.

Panel Type

Ultrawide monitors are available with three main panel types:

• IPS (In-Plane Switching): IPS panels offer great color performance, high brightness, superb sharpness, and good motion performance. However, they have weaker contrast compared to other panel types.

• VA (Vertical Alignment): VA panels provide better contrast than IPS panels and deliver similar color performance and brightness. However, they often fall short in motion performance and may exhibit blurriness in fast-paced games.

• OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode): OLED panels excel in color, contrast, and motion performance. They also offer the best HDR experience. Sharpness is often slightly reduced compared to IPS and VA, but this is generally a minor issue.

In general, OLED is superior to IPS, and IPS is superior to VA. However, some users may prefer VA panels over IPS for their better contrast ratio and darker blacks.

Ergonomics

All of the monitors on this list feature an ergonomic stand that allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. This is a crucial feature for maintaining a comfortable and healthy posture. Avoid budget models that lack a height-adjustable stand.

USB-C Compatibility

USB-C compatibility is a valuable feature, especially for users who want to simplify their desk setup. A USB-C port with Power Delivery can power your laptop and transmit video signals through a single cable. Look for monitors with a USB-C port that also supports a USB-A hub for connecting peripherals.

Price

Ultrawide monitors can be expensive, but prices often fluctuate due to seasonal sales and semi-permanent discounts. Waiting for a deal can save you hundreds of dollars.

Console Gaming

If you primarily game on consoles, an ultrawide monitor may not be the best choice. Game consoles typically don’t support ultrawide aspect ratios, resulting in black bars on the sides of the image.

Resolution and Refresh Rate

Screen Size and Resolution: Most ultrawide monitors come with 34-inch panels. These typically have 3440×1440 resolution. If you get larger ones like 38-inch it is typically 3840×1600.

Refresh Rate: For gaming, 144Hz to 165Hz is best.

HDR: This improves image quality.

PC World’s Testing Methodology

PC World’s team of experienced reviewers conducts thorough testing to evaluate monitors across various categories and price points. We use a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool to obtain objective measurements for metrics such as brightness, contrast, color gamut, color accuracy, color temperature, and gamma. These results are recorded and compared to eliminate subjective bias.

About the Author

Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. His work can be found on various reputable publications, including Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, and IGN.