An ultra-wide monitor has a wider aspect ratio than your traditional 16:9, so it provides much more screen real estate. The best ultra-wide monitors can give you a new perspective on your favorite films, TV shows, and games. If you like the idea of having more screen space for gaming, work, or entertainment, an ultra-wide monitor might be for you.
Wider aspect ratios have been growing massively in popularity in the last few years, and manufacturers have been eager to jump on the trend, meaning there are more options available than ever before, as well as a broadly rising level of quality. Read on to see our picks for the best ultra-wide monitors currently available.
If you don’t mind spending some extra cash and would like a giant screen to adorn your desk, the Samsung CHG90 is the best option on the market.
Best Overall
Samsung CHG90 49-inch QLED Monitor
32:9 aspect ratio
Super fast 144Hz refresh rate
Ultra-thin bezels
Tends to run hot
The monitor measures 49 inches and has a downright massive 32:9 aspect ratio—one of the largest on the market. It uses QLED technology, which matches Samsung’s high-end televisions and features high dynamic range to create bright visuals. If you want to play games on the device, you’ll be happy to hear the monitor comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, so fast-moving action won’t get distorted. Multiple game modes are available as well.
The monitor itself has ultra-thin bezels around the screen and a small stand that’s designed to limit the amount of space it takes up on your desk. It’s also worth noting that this is a curved display, so although it’s wide and big, it’ll make for a more immersive experience that won’t take up too much room. Another cool feature is the Arena Lighting on the back, which adjusts brightness based on audio in games. So, if there are important scenes and the audio is getting louder, the lights will also adjust in response.
The CHG90 might seem big, but it’s about the equivalent of having two 16:9 monitors next to each other. And, you can evenly split the screen to create two virtual monitors in one.
LG’s 25UM58-P might not come with the best-looking picture quality or have the finest design, but it’s able to combine a solid display and nice look and feel into a package that won’t break the bank.
Best Budget
LG 25UM58-P Ultrawide Monitor
Very affordable
Split-screen functionality
Multiple game modes
Not the crispest display quality
The monitor is 25 inches and has a 21:9 aspect ratio. It also comes with a split-screen feature, so you can create a dual-monitor experience on a single screen. On the color side, it can produce up to 99 percent of all visible colors. And since it comes with full-HD 1080p resolution, you should be able to enjoy all kinds of content in high resolution.
If you’re a gamer, the LG 25UM58-P has three game modes, including two first-person-shooter modes and one real-time strategy mode. Based on what you’re playing, you can choose the mode and the monitor will automatically adjust its settings to optimize your gameplay. If you’re a more advanced gamer, you can also make optimization tweaks to everything from colors to screen synchronization.
The MSI Optix MPG341CQR monitor is an excellent value considering all the features and creature comforts that come packed in it. With most monitors shooting at 120Hz performance, it makes sense to go a bit higher for a similar price with a model that can perform well at 144Hz. The 34-inch 3440x1440 monitor provides a 1ms response time, and is truly competitive with other gaming monitors. While MSI has the VESA HDR 400 certification, it is good to understand that HDR 400 is not full HDR, and is only certified at 400nits brightness for HDR. You will, however, see some noticeable improvement by using it, so it is difficult to be too hard on this model.
Best 144Hz
MSI Optix MPG341CQR
Packed with features
Well priced
Excellent response time
Not the best HDR monitor
This monitor definitely comes with bells and whistles. There is a smart RGB panel on the front, which has excellent utilities with both games and weather apps, working as a health bar or other neat functions. There is included software which lets you create settings for profiles and quickly shift between them. A built-in camera can provide facial recognition to load different gaming profiles per user, or a lower quality webcam, but you also have a webcam cradle on top of the monitor for better cameras and streaming. Little touches like the mouse bungee make you feel like the designers thought a lot about you in the design of this monitor.
With all of the extras, and solid performance at a fair price, the MSI Optix MPG341CQR is a monitor you can feel confident in.
If you do a lot of work on your computer, then you know the pain of having to flip through windows over and over to get work done, which slows down productivity. The answer is usually to buy multiple monitors, but that often leads to a ton more devices on your desk and a messy workspace. The LG 49WL95C-W solves this problem better than anything we have seen. The massive 49-inch 5120 x 1440 dual QHD display provides more than enough space for all the windows you can throw at it. It also has the ability to handle multiple devices through it’s Dual Controller 2.0 technology, which provides PBP (Picture-By-Picture) control over multiple devices. This means you can have your work desktop plugged in, then plug in your laptop (or an associate’s laptop), and control both from one screen. With the USB Type-C plug, you can charge your laptop as well.
Best for Multitasking
LG 49WL95C-W
Tons of screen space for working
Able to run multiple devices on the same screen
Clean, professional design
Not for gaming
A lot of thought went into making this your ultimate productivity machine, like on-screen controls for changing display settings and automatic brightness control, both of which allow for time saving adjustments on the fly. The screen looks great and is HDR 10, but don’t expect this to also be a gaming powerhouse, as the refresh rate is only 60Hz and the response time is only 5ms.
The design of this monitor is clean and professional looking, making it fit in perfectly in the office. A sleek white backing and well designed input placement make for a great looking monitor that you will be happy to work on each day.
Acer’s Predator Z35 monitor comes with a great design and even better-sounding speakers.
Best Sound
Acer Predator Z35
Excellent refresh rate
G-Sync built in
EyeProtect functionality
Fairly pricey
The Predator Z35’s screen measures 35 inches diagonally and has a 2560 x 1080 resolution. The curved display has a 144Hz refresh rate to handle fast action and comes with Nvidia G-Sync Display technology to ensure all of your games look good.
The curved monitor has thin bezels around its screen and a simple stand that won’t take up too much room on your desk. Perhaps most importantly, it features dual 9-watt speakers that deliver impressive sound, whether you’re watching a movie or playing a video game. And, just in case you’re worried about eye strain, the monitor has EyeProtect features that claims to reduce flicker and blue-light exposure.
Another curved monitor, BenQ’s EX3501R, provides ample screen space and comes with a variety of features that gamers are going to love. For gamers, the BenQ monitor has an AMD Free Sync feature to reduce choppy gameplay.
Best for Add-Ons
BenQ EX3501R Ultrawide Curved Monitor
HDR support
Great brightness optimizations
FreeSync compatible
Some backlight bleed
The monitor measures 35 inches and has a resolution of 3440 x 1440. It includes high dynamic range to deliver vibrant colors and has a single USB-C cable that allows you to do everything from transfer files to display content. The monitor’s design allows for easy height and tilt adjustments and a feature called Brightness Intelligence Plus Technology means the screen will optimize viewing quality on the fly.
About Our Trusted Experts
Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she’s spent the last five years writing about consumer technology. Erika has reviewed roughly 125 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, A/V equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Erika currently writes for Digital Trends and Lifewire.
The Samsung CHG90 is the best ultra-wide monitor available, delivering amazing visuals supported by a robust feature set, all in a sleek, stylish package. If you want to save some cash, LG’s 25UM58-P is an attractive alternative that doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of quality or features to achieve its lower price point.
Don Reisinger is a tech writer with more than 12 years’ experience and an expert in consumer and gaming technology. His work has appeared in Fortune, PCMag, CNET, and The New York Times, and other major publications.
What to Look for in an Ultra-wide Monitor
Resolution - A higher resolution means you get to see more of a game world when you’re playing, but it takes power to push those extra pixels. If your GPU isn’t capable of handling 3,440 x 1,400, you’ll end up having to turn down graphics options in your games, deal with poor frame rates, or both.
FreeSync vs. G-Sync - These are similar but competing technologies that can help smooth out screen tearing when you’re playing video games. The problem is that FreeSync and G-Sync only work when paired with a compatible video card. If you have an Nvidia video card, get an ultra-wide monitor with G-Sync. If you have an AMD video card, get an ultrawide with FreeSync.
Curved screens - To get the most out of a curved screen, you need to have a pretty big monitor. That means ultra-wide monitors, which trend more toward the larger end of the spectrum, work well with curved screens. For the most immersive experience outside of virtual reality, you can even place two or more curved ultra-wide monitors next to each other. Just make sure your computer can handle it.
- How do I choose an ultra-wide monitor?
- First, think about the main purpose for your monitor. Are you an adrenaline junky who loves shooter games? Or, are you a maker who loves building the best gaming rig? Perhaps you’re a professional who wants to be more productive at work? Maybe you are a little bit of all three? Once you’ve determined the main purpose for your monitor, you can start narrowing your search by looking for the features you need. For gaming, focus on high resolution, high refresh rates, fast response times, and gaming-focused features. For productivity, look for a wider screen that can manage multiple devices and allow you to replace multiple monitors in favor of a more streamlined setup.
- Is ultra-wide better than 4K?
- It depends. An ultra-wide monitor is simply a monitor with an exceptionally wide screen (a wide aspect ratio), while a 4K monitor is one that has a higher screen resolution. You can find monitors that are both ultra-wide and 4K. But, if you’re looking to save on cost, an ultra-wide monitor is better for those who want more screen real estate, while a 4K monitor is better for those who want better screen clarity.
- Are ultra-wide monitors worth it?
- Yes. Ultra-wide monitors are one of those things in life that you never really appreciate until you have it. Like heated seats, they are a luxury that you don’t necessarily need, but are a joy to have. Having more screen space and less monitors and wires is nice for reducing that desk eye clutter as well.
First, think about the main purpose for your monitor. Are you an adrenaline junky who loves shooter games? Or, are you a maker who loves building the best gaming rig? Perhaps you’re a professional who wants to be more productive at work? Maybe you are a little bit of all three? Once you’ve determined the main purpose for your monitor, you can start narrowing your search by looking for the features you need. For gaming, focus on high resolution, high refresh rates, fast response times, and gaming-focused features. For productivity, look for a wider screen that can manage multiple devices and allow you to replace multiple monitors in favor of a more streamlined setup.
It depends. An ultra-wide monitor is simply a monitor with an exceptionally wide screen (a wide aspect ratio), while a 4K monitor is one that has a higher screen resolution. You can find monitors that are both ultra-wide and 4K. But, if you’re looking to save on cost, an ultra-wide monitor is better for those who want more screen real estate, while a 4K monitor is better for those who want better screen clarity.
Yes. Ultra-wide monitors are one of those things in life that you never really appreciate until you have it. Like heated seats, they are a luxury that you don’t necessarily need, but are a joy to have. Having more screen space and less monitors and wires is nice for reducing that desk eye clutter as well.
