Ultrawide monitors have been gaining popularity in recent years due to their immersive viewing experience and productivity benefits. These monitors have a wider aspect ratio than traditional monitors, making them great for multi-tasking, gaming, and watching movies. In this article, we will review the top ultrawide monitors of 2023, taking into consideration factors such as display quality, size, price, and features.
Dell UltraSharp U3419W – Best Overall
The Dell UltraSharp U3419W is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor that offers excellent image quality with its 3440 x 1440 resolution and IPS panel. The monitor also has a USB-C port for charging and connecting to laptops, and it comes with a built-in KVM switch that allows you to connect two computers to the monitor and switch between them with ease. The monitor also has a sleek design and a stand that allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments.
Pros:
- Large and immersive display: The 34-inch curved display provides an immersive viewing experience, with plenty of screen real estate for multitasking.
- Excellent color accuracy: The U3419W boasts 99% sRGB color coverage, making it a great choice for professionals who need accurate color representation.
- USB-C connectivity: With a USB-C port, the U3419W can be used to charge laptops and other devices, as well as connect to them for data transfer.
- Adjustable stand: The stand can be adjusted for height, tilt, and swivel, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing position.
- Picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes: These modes allow users to display content from multiple sources on the same screen, which can be useful for multitasking.
Cons:
- Expensive: The U3419W is a premium monitor, and its price tag may be prohibitive for some users.
- Limited gaming features: While the U3419W is a great monitor for productivity and creative work, it may not be the best choice for gamers, as it lacks features like high refresh rates and G-Sync.
- No built-in speakers: Unlike some other monitors in this price range, the U3419W does not have built-in speakers, which may be inconvenient for some users.
LG 38UC99-W – Best for Productivity
The LG 38UC99-W is a 38-inch ultrawide monitor that has a 3840 x 1600 resolution and an IPS panel. This monitor is perfect for productivity with its split-screen feature that allows you to divide the screen into two or three windows for multitasking. The monitor also has a USB-C port and built-in speakers, making it a great all-in-one solution for your workspace.
Pros:
- Large, curved 38-inch screen with a resolution of 3840 x 1600 and a 21:9 aspect ratio provides ample screen real estate and an immersive viewing experience.
- Great color accuracy and wide color gamut (99% sRGB) make it ideal for content creators who require precise color reproduction.
- Includes built-in speakers and USB Type-C connectivity for convenient docking and charging of compatible devices.
- Offers a variety of useful features such as Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture for multitasking, as well as On-Screen Control for easy adjustment of monitor settings.
- The curved design provides a comfortable viewing experience, reducing eye strain and neck pain.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other ultrawide monitors on the market.
- Some users may find the monitor’s size and curve uncomfortable for extended periods of use.
- The monitor’s response time of 5ms and refresh rate of 60Hz may not be ideal for competitive gaming or fast-paced action.
- The monitor does not have G-Sync or FreeSync technology, which can result in screen tearing and stuttering during gaming.
Samsung CHG90 – Best for Gaming
The Samsung CHG90 is a massive 49-inch ultrawide monitor that has a 3840 x 1080 resolution and a curved VA panel. This monitor is perfect for gaming with its 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync 2 technology and has a 1800R curvature for an immersive gaming experience.
Pros:
- Huge screen size and ultra-wide aspect ratio provide an immersive gaming experience.
- Excellent color accuracy and contrast make for stunning visuals.
- Supports HDR content with impressive brightness levels and deep blacks.
- High refresh rate of 144Hz and low input lag make it ideal for gaming.
- Adaptive-Sync technology ensures smooth gameplay without tearing or stuttering.
Cons:
- Large size and curved display may not be suitable for everyone’s workspace or viewing preferences.
- High price point compared to other gaming monitors on the market.
- Limited ergonomic adjustments, with only tilt and height adjustment available.
- Lack of built-in speakers, requiring external speakers or headphones for audio.
- Requires a powerful graphics card to fully take advantage of the monitor’s capabilities.
Acer Predator X34 – Best for Designers
The Acer Predator X34 is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor that has a 3440 x 1440 resolution and an IPS panel. This monitor is perfect for designers with its 100% sRGB color gamut and 10-bit color depth, which ensures accurate and vibrant colors. The monitor also has a 60Hz refresh rate and G-Sync technology, making it great for gaming as well.
Pros:
- Large, curved display: The 34-inch curved display provides an immersive viewing experience, especially for gamers.
- High resolution: The 3440 x 1440 resolution allows for a clear and detailed picture.
- High refresh rate: With a 100Hz refresh rate, the X34 can display games and videos with smooth motion.
- G-Sync technology: G-Sync helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother gaming experience.
- Adjustable stand: The stand allows for adjustments in height, tilt, and swivel, making it easy to find a comfortable viewing angle.
Cons:
- Price: The X34 is relatively expensive compared to other monitors on the market.
- Limited connectivity: The X34 only has one DisplayPort and one HDMI port, which may be limiting for users who need to connect multiple devices.
- IPS glow: Some users have reported IPS glow, which can appear as a yellowish tint on the corners of the screen in dark rooms.
- Backlight bleeding: Some users have reported backlight bleeding, which can appear as bright spots or areas on the screen in dark scenes.
Asus Designo MX38VC – Best for Entertainment
The Asus Designo MX38VC is a 38-inch ultrawide monitor that has a 3840 x 1600 resolution and an IPS panel. This monitor is perfect for entertainment with its built-in Qi wireless charging pad and Harman Kardon speakers, making it a great all-in-one solution for your living room or entertainment center. The monitor also has a USB-C port and a sleek design that complements any space.
Pros:
- Immersive Viewing Experience: The monitor’s ultrawide aspect ratio and curved design provide an immersive viewing experience that allows users to see more content on the screen.
- Excellent Color Accuracy: The Asus Designo MX38VC offers excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for professionals who require accurate color representation, such as graphic designers and video editors.
- Versatile Connectivity: The monitor offers versatile connectivity options, including HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 3, which makes it easy to connect to a wide range of devices.
- Integrated Speakers and Qi Wireless Charger: The monitor comes with integrated 10W speakers that provide good sound quality, and a Qi wireless charger that allows users to charge their compatible devices wirelessly.
Cons:
- Limited Gaming Performance: The Asus Designo MX38VC is not designed for gaming, and as such, it has a slower response time and lower refresh rate than some gaming monitors.
- No HDR Support: The monitor does not support HDR, which can be a drawback for users who require a high dynamic range for their work.
- Price: The Asus Designo MX38VC is relatively expensive compared to other ultrawide monitors in its class, which may be a barrier to entry for some users.
- No Height Adjustment: The monitor lacks height adjustment, which may be a downside for users who require a highly adjustable setup.
In conclusion ultrawide monitors offer a unique and immersive viewing experience that can enhance productivity, gaming, and entertainment. The top ultrawide monitors of 2023 are the Dell UltraSharp U3419W, LG 38UC99-W, Samsung CHG90, Acer Predator X34, and Asus Designo MX38VC. When choosing an ultrawide monitor, consider factors such as display quality, size, price, and features to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
