The best ultrawide curved monitor of 2023

Having the best ultrawide curved monitor is one of the most satisfying ways to get maximum enjoyment from your computer. You might simply want your PC monitor to have more workspace by having a larger desktop, or perhaps you crave more immersion from the latest games. Either way, you should seriously consider getting a new screen of the ultrawide variety.

But what is ultrawide? Surely it's just a widescreen display, right? Well, yes - but also no. Ultrawide monitors are just that, monitors with wider-than-wide screens. The benefits here, after the increased size, is twofold: Firstly, creative types can work on a huge scale, without the bezels of dual-screen splitting things in two; absolutely ideal for those using a monitor for photo editing and the like. Secondly, once a curve is added, they more accurately mimic the field of view of the human eye. So, it's immersive without being difficult to look at for long periods.

Because they offer a serious upgrade over a standard screen and solve the annoyances of dual-screen setups, ultrawide curved monitors are here to stay. Despite not being as cheap or ubiquitous as regular budget monitors there are still some important choices to be made. Surprisingly, ultrawide monitors start around 34 inches and go all the way up to a whopping 49 inches. And then there's the usual gamut of picture enhancement features and refresh rates that you'll need to pay careful attention to before you buy.

Best ultrawide curved monitor of 2023 at a glance

• Best overall ultrawide curved monitor: ASUS ROG Strix XG349C - View at Amazon
• Best budget ultrawide curved monitor: LG Electronics UltraWide 34WP65CP - View at Amazon
• Best 4K ultrawide curved monitor: Dell UltraSharp 40" Curved WUHD Monitor - View at Amazon
• Best ultrawide curved monitor for gaming: BenQ MOBIUZ EX3415R 34 Inch - View at Amazon

Our experts have done this legwork for you, and we've also put together an expanded buyer's guide. And for techie types, we've explained some of the technical aspects of this breed of monitor, which really demonstrates why these curved screens work so well. There are various resolutions here too, from the gamer-friendly 1440p all the way to 4K monitor. So, prepare your eyes for a much wider view as we take in the very best curved ultrawide monitors available right now.

Best ultrawide curved monitor of 2023

Best ultrawide curved monitor of 2023: Buyer’s Guide

Ultrawide VS dual monitors

Ultrawide monitors serve the same purpose as using a dual-screen setup, providing you with a large working area that is beneficial for both productivity and entertainment. So, which is better?

Most of the time, an ultrawide monitor is going to be the best choice. Because an ultrawide monitor is one screen, the user experience isn’t interrupted by the edge bezels of the two monitors. This means that you can work centrally, rather than to the left or right of a frame, which is far more natural and better for posture. The desk is going to be a lot less cluttered with one ultrawide monitor, and there are fewer cables and plugs.

The visual experience is also going to be more consistent over an ultrawide monitor, as it displays via one panel. Dual monitors will need calibrating to make sure that colour, brightness and contrast match. This is the case even if you use the same make and model because, though they will be very similar, no two screen panels are the same.

There are some circumstances where a multiple monitor setup still wins out. If you have a specific application or working situation that requires a secondary monitor, then an ultrawide monitor won’t help. A second monitor can also be orientated in the portrait position, which is good for monitoring databases, emails and chats, and when editing large text documents.

What is a curved monitor?

A curved monitor is the same as a standard PC monitor, only it has a curved panel rather than a flat panel. This design helps to reduce the eye strain that can be encountered when using widescreen monitors and helps to improve the field of view by better matching the natural curve of the eye. If you want the benefit of the curve plus high resolution but don't need the ultrawide width, you can also find 4K UHD curved monitors that will do the trick.

Why use an ultrawide curved monitor?

An ultrawide curved monitor combines the advantages of both technologies into one neat package: you get the benefits of more working space provided by the screen width, with the increased peripheral vision and comfort of a curved panel.

While a standard monitor has an aspect ratio of 16:9, an ultrawide monitor has a ratio of 21:9 or greater. So, on a full HD standard monitor, the resolution is 1920 x 1080, while on a full HD ultrawide monitor, it's 2560 x 1080p.

If you're a console owner looking for a monitor for a PS5 or Xbox, just remember that while you'll be able to use an ultrawide monitor, the extra width isn't supported right now. Most games will play - but with black bars on either side.

Best curved ultrawide monitors of 2023: Jargon buster

Monitor curves explained

A panel's curvature is reported as a radius measured in millimetres. Common examples of this include 1500R (1500mm) and 1800R (1800mm). This number indicates how far from the monitor the user should sit, with the user at the centre point of this radius. Exceeding and undercutting this distance can result in a compromised experience.

The larger the number, the gentler the curve, and the further a user can sit from the screen. Here’s an infographic from ViewSonicthat demonstrates further:

HDMI and DisplayPorts: explained

Port interfaces have a direct effect on the resolution and refresh rate attainable by a monitor. Subsequently, more recent iterations of the HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces can transfer increased volumes of information, allowing them to achieve higher refresh rates and resolutions.

Linking your screen to a gaming PC using the right cable, or connecting a monitor for an Xbox Series Xto the correct port is key. Therefore, by doing this, you will ensure that your monitor performs at the peak of its power. So, here’s a quick guide breaking down the maximum refresh rates and resolutions for HDMI and DisplayPort connections:

HDMI 1.4 - 120Hz at 1080p, 75Hz at 1440p, 30Hz at 4K

HDMI 2.0 - 240Hz at 1080p, 144Hz at 1440p, 60Hz at 4K

HDMI 2.1 - 120Hz at 4K, 60Hz at 8K UHD

Note: Some manufacturers use software to artificially raise the 120Hz at 1080p of HDMI 1.4 to 144Hz.

DP 1.2 - 240Hz at 1080p, 165Hz at 1440p, 75Hz at 4K

DP 1.3 - 240Hz at 1440p, 120Hz at 4K, 60Hz at 5K, 30Hz at 8K

DP 1.4 - 144Hz at 4K, 120Hz at 5K, 60Hz at 8K

Note: Mini DisplayPorts match the performance of their iteration. For example, Mini DP 1.3 and DP 1.3 offer the same capacities.

Why do I need a USB Type-C on a monitor?

Many monitors now come with USB Type-C capability. This is just one of several methods that a desktop PC or laptop can use to connect to a monitor. While most will use HDMI, USB-C allows computers without HDMI output ports, like Apple Mac and Apple MacBooks, to connect to a monitor without needing an adapter. This type of port is highly regarded for its impressive data throughput capabilities.

What is colour gamut?

We think that BenQ says it best: "...the range of colours which a particular device could produce or record."

There are different standards for measuring colour gamut, including sRGB, NTSC and P3. Unless you have a special interest in colour representation - for example, photography, video, or creative projects - then the nitty-gritty of these standards is mostly irrelevant. Just aim for around 99% sRGB, and you’ll be fine.

Aspect ratio

The aspect ratio is the width and height of the screen display. Because monitors and televisions ran at a ratio of 4:3, they produced a square-ish image which now looks very dated. So, although most modern widescreen monitors run at an aspect ratio of 16:9, some ultra-wide models go as high as 32:9. Thus, the higher the aspect ratio the more content is displayed on the screen.

Panel type

The panel type used in a monitor will effectively dictate the display’s quality, clarity, and response time, amongst other things. Therefore, the type of panel used affects the unit cost.

TN – Twisted nematic panels typically have narrow viewing angles and reduced colour depth.

IPS – In-plane switching panels have large colour depths and viewing angles.

VA – Vertical alignment panels have large colours depth and a viewing angle that typically sits between TN and IPS.

William Lobley is a Senior Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology and the outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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