Ultra-wide monitors are popular because their massive screen sizes improve productivity and immersion. The extended surface area lets users open multiple windows compared to regular monitors, so there's no time wasted switching between different apps and windows. The best ultra-wide monitors also have a curved design which provides an immersive gaming experience by fitting a wider field of view into a smaller area.

Ultra-wide monitors also take up less space than dual-monitor setups, leaving the desk free for other things. Multiple monitors take up twice as much space and cabling as a single ultra-wide monitor while providing the same productivity experience. Modern ultra-wide monitors come in various sizes, with different features and connectivity options, and are spread across the price spectrum. Here are our picks for the best ultra-wide monitors for all types of tasks and budgets.

BenQ’s EW3880R tops our list because of its excellent all-around capabilities and value. It also has some tricks up its sleeve to elevate it above the competition, making it a must if you’re looking for an ultra-wide monitor. The curved 38-inch WQHD (3,840x1,600) display offers crisp visuals and is spacious enough to run multiple windows, making it excellent for productivity. Casual gamers will love the immersive 21:9 aspect ratio and 2300R curvature, but the 60Hz refresh means it isn't a great option for serious gaming. It’s still one of the best displays for other media like movies and shows, although 16:9 content will have black bars on the sides.

The EW3880R has a classy, elegant look with slim bezels and subtle brown accents on the stand and grille. It's adjustable to provide a customized viewing experience with its 120mm height adjustable stand and tilt and swivel features. Connectivity ports are standard, with a pair of HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port. But it’s the extra features of the EW3880R that elevate it above the competition and make it a practical choice.

Unlike most monitors, it includes an eight-watt woofer to supplement the pair of 3-watt speakers, so there’s booming bass while you play games or watch your favorite movie or show. There's also a wireless remote to control the volume, activate simulated HDR, and more without leaving your seat.

Gamers need monitors that bring out every detail in stunning color while being fast enough to handle the intense graphics of modern titles. The Dell Alienware AW3423DW / AW3423DWF series offers unmatched immersion with its curved ultra-wide displays and incredible QD-OLED displays. These monitors feature large 34-inch displays with a subtle 1800R curvature and WQHD (3,440x1,440) resolution. Where they stand out from other monitors is the new QD-OLED panels from Samsung. It combines the benefits of OLED displays, like high contrast, fast speeds, and wide viewing angles, with the vivid colors of LED screens to generate incredible images.

Apart from outstanding visuals, the AW3423DW / AW3423DWF Series have a decent 175Hz refresh rate and either NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate or AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility, depending on your chosen model. Alienware monitors stand out from the competition with their distinct Legend design language, although it’s starting to show its age.

The AW3423DW / AW3423DWF has slim bezels on all sides and a removable panel to hide the connectivity ports. Speaking of connectivity, there is an HDMI 2.0 port, a pair of DisplayPort 1.4 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports, and one upstream port of the same type. There are no built-in speakers, but you can connect your headset via the 3.5-millimeter headphone port.

Alienware monitors are some of the best for PC gamers thanks to their massive size, incredible graphics, and fast speeds. On the other hand, they aren’t the best for modern consoles because of the lack of an HDMI 2.1 port, and they’re quite pricey because of the new display tech.

The AOC CU34G2X offers gamers incredible value with a large curved display and fast refresh rate for a competitive price.

At 34 inches, the impressive VA panel delivers a stunning WQHD (3,440x1,440) resolution at a 21:9 aspect ratio. Its 144Hz refresh rate makes it perfect for fast-paced competitive gaming, and the AMD FreeSync adaptive sync ensures each frame is crisp, with no screen tearing. One of the best things about the CU34G2X is its versatility, and it’s ideal for watching movies or work-related tasks thanks to its screen size and slight 1500 curvature.

Design-wise, there’s no doubting the CU34G2X’s gaming pedigree with the obligatory red accents along the bottom bezel, stand, and rear. Still, it’s not as flashy as other gaming monitors and won’t look too out of place in an office environment. Connectivity options include a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.4 ports, with four USB 3.2 ports and an audio port. The lack of an HDMI 2.1 port might put off the latest-gen console players, but it won't matter to PC users.

Considering its price tag, the CU34G2X punches well above its weight and delivers an excellent all-around experience that is ideal for gamers or anyone looking for an ultra-wide monitor. Its lack of an HDMI 2.1 port and built-in speakers are minor drawbacks but won’t matter to most buyers.

It’s hard to beat the LG 29WQ600-W if you’re shopping for an ultra-wide monitor on a limited budget. For an affordable monitor, it has a decent screen size suitable for work or play, with a premium look rivaling more expensive competitors. The flat, 29-inch IPS display supports a 2,560 x 1,080 resolution at a 21:9 aspect ratio. Its 100Hz refresh rate is surprising considering its low price but makes it attractive to gamers, along with the AMD FreeSync support. NVIDIA’s G-SYNC is also supported unofficially but only works on the DisplayPort and not the HDMI ports.

Another standout feature of the LG 29WQ600-W is its design. It keeps things simple yet elegant with thin black bezels on the front and a refreshing white back. The U-shaped stand also looks modern but only tilts and lacks height adjustment. Connectivity options are limited to a single DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0 port, and USB-C port. But it has useful extras like a pair of built-in 7-watt speakers. While the LG 29WQ600-W might not win prizes for performance, it’s more than enough for most daily tasks and can handle casual gaming. It’s perfect for anyone looking for their first ultra-wide experience and won’t break the bank.

Samsung’s CJ79 is an affordable alternative to Apple monitors with its Thunderbolt capability. It even looks the part with a stylish silver design that compliments the latest MacBooks and makes it stand out in a sea of competitors. This 1500R curved monitor has a 34-inch VA display offering WQHD (3,440x1,440) at a 21:9 aspect ratio. It's perfect for spreadsheets and work-related tasks, as well as media and casual gaming, thanks to the 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync compatibility.

Where the CJ79 stands out from other monitors in its class is its design and connectivity options. The elegant brushed silver combined with shiny chrome accents gives it a distinct upmarket appeal, rivaling monitors twice its price. Its two Thunderbolt 3 ports allow 85W passthrough charging and 40Gbps data transfer speeds when connected to compatible Apple iMacs, MacBooks, and high-end laptops from Dell, HP, Razer, and others. It can also connect to other devices with its DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 ports.

The CJ79 offers outstanding good looks, advanced connectivity, and a large, curved screen. The plastic backing might not be as sturdy as its Apple counterparts, but it’s hard to complain, considering its affordable pricing.

Animators and other creatives need large monitors with rich, vibrant colors to see their work clearly. The ASUS ProArt Display PA348CGV fits the bill with high color accuracy and wide viewing angles, and it isn’t bad for gaming, either. Unlike many ultra-wide monitors, the ProArt Display PA348CGV keeps things simple with a flat display instead of a curved one. It has a 34-inch IPS display offering WQHD (3,440x1,440) resolutions at a 21:9 aspect ratio and a wide, 178-degree viewing angle.

But the color accuracy is what makes it stand out. The visuals look amazing thanks to the color gamut rating of 98 percent DCI-P3 and 100 percent sRGB/Rec. It’s also Calman certified with Delta E < 2 color accuracy, meaning it meets video and image editing criteria. Despite its productivity roots, the ProArt Display PA348CGV also has a fast 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility to satisfy any gamers out there.

It admittedly doesn't feature the best design, but the ProArt Display PA348CGV's conservative all-black styling means it goes with a home or office environment. It’s all about practicality and comes with a convenient mounting clamp to fit it on the edge of your desk and free up space to work. The connectivity options are about standard for this type of monitor, with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB-C port, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. Audio is courtesy of the 3.5-millimeter jack or the pair of built-in two-watt speakers. The ASUS ProArt Display PA348CGV is perfect for graphics pros and creatives looking for a reasonably-priced, color-accurate ultra-wide monitor.

The 499P9H has a massive 49-inch display offering a 5,120 x 1,440 resolution at a 32:9 aspect ratio, which equates to two 27-inch monitors placed side-by-side. Apart from its vast size, the display covers 94.6 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 91 percent of Adobe RGB with DisplayHDR 400 compatibility. Considering the colossal screen size, its 60Hz refresh rate is expected, although it still includes AMD FreeSync compatibility to prevent screen tearing.

Another area where the 499P9H stands out is its design. Its unique square base gives it more of a great TV look as part of a lounge entertainment setup. There’s also a flip-up Windows Hello-compatible webcam for online meetings and a built-in KVM switch to connect your peripherals and easily switch between them, freeing up valuable ports on your PC or laptop. Undoubtedly, the 499P9H’s massive screen size benefits productivity and offers an immersive gaming experience with wide fields of view. On the other hand, it needs adequate space because of its size, and the hefty price tag might put it out of reach for some buyers.

Which is the best overall ultra-wide monitor?

The best overall ultra-wide monitor for you depends on your budget and requirement. We've chosen the BenQ EW3880R as our top pick because it ticks most boxes with its flexibility and value. Its 38-inch size together with extra features like a wireless remote control and built-in subwoofer make it stand out from the competition, and its price isn't bad either.

LG's 29WQ600-W is one of the best options for buyers with a limited budget or who are just curious about ultra-wide monitors and want to try one out without spending much cash. For an affordable monitor, it has a decent 29-inch IPS display with a 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync compatibility, although there are limited adjustability and connectivity options.

Gamers will prefer the Dell Alienware AW3423DW or AW3423DWF monitors which are tailor-made for their requirements. These monitors use cutting-edge QD-OLED technology to deliver incredibly vibrant images and also have a fast 175Hz refresh rate ideal for fast-paced competitive play. On the other hand, they don't come cheap, and casual gamers might be better off with a more affordable alternative like the AOC CU34G2X

FAQs

Q: Are ultra-wide monitors good for work?

A: Yes. Ultra-wide monitors typically offer more surface area to work on, meaning there’s more space to open multiple documents or spreadsheet windows on the screen simultaneously. Working with multiple windows on the same screen is more efficient and saves time compared to manually switching between them while you work.

Q: Do movies and shows look good on Ultra-wide monitors?

A. Yes. Most movies are shot in the 21:9 aspect ratio, which matches the capability of Ultra-wide monitors. Watching a recent movie on an ultra-wide monitor should fit the screen perfectly without any black bars on the top and bottom. Shows are generally shot in the 16:9 aspect ratio and will still look great on an ultra-wide monitor despite having black bars on the sides.

Q: Are Ultra-wide monitors good for gaming?

A: Yes, Many ultra-wide monitors are specifically designed for gaming and have fast refresh rates and adaptive sync technology for the best performance. Even standard ultrawide monitors are suitable for gaming because the curved display and wide aspect ratio offer unparalleled immersion due to the increased field of view.

Q: Are curved ultra-wide monitors worth it?

Yes. Curved ultra-wide monitors fit a large screen size in a smaller space, so you don't need to turn your head to take everything in. It's beneficial to users who spend hours in front of their ultra-wide monitor and need a comfortable field of view to prevent neck and backache.

Q: Is it better to have two monitors or one ultra-wide monitor?

A: It depends on the types of monitors and personal preference. Some people like the flexibility of two monitors, although they require twice as much space and cabling. Others prefer a single ultra-wide monitor with the same surface area as two smaller monitors, and it requires less space and cabling.