Curved gaming monitors might seem like a gimmick compared to flat-screen displays that work plenty fine, but there are some real advantages to them. With a screen that wraps around your field of view, you can see more of the display at a glance and reducing the need to shift your focus to different parts of the screen. On top of reducing eye strain, a curved monitor creates a more immersive, distortion-free viewing experience.
We completed hours of hands-on (or eyes-on) testing with a huge collection of curved gaming monitors, ranging in size from 27" up to a massive, (ultra-)ultrawide 49" model. Based on our testing and consideration of price, features, and performance, here are our picks for the best-curved gaming monitors – and click here to find them in the UK.
Screen size: 31.5" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0
You can go big and sharp and not break the bank with this curved beauty. The Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR costs just $450 yet comes with a bunch of quality features and specs to make it a serious bit of value. At 31.5 inches, this display is ready to sit like royalty atop your desk, and the 1440p resolution will keep your visuals looking sharp. Meanwhile, the 1800R curve will remain subtle while still ensuring more of the screen is pointing directly at you.
Asus has integrated a capable VA panel that can hit a 400-nit peak brightness, yet it still benefits from the strong contrast ratio offered by VA panels. The brightness will help you see the action in your games, but so will the smoothness. This monitor can cruise at up to 165Hz, and it has FreeSync Premium on deck to ensure your visuals are smooth even if your framerate isn’t consistent.
Screen size: 32" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium Pro | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2
The Gigabyte G32QC doesn’t cost a lot, especially when you consider all that it brings to the table. This display costs just $370, but it’s got a nice little perk hiding around every corner. At this price, you might expect to get a 27-inch, 1440p, 144Hz monitor, but the Gigabyte G32QC A goes bigger and faster. That extra five inches of diagonal size translates to a lot of extra space to see your games, and you’ll find the G32QC A capable of running at 165Hz for a nice little uptick over 144Hz monitors.
You’ll get clean frames with FreeSync Premium Pro on this monitor, though you’ll also have the option of running G-Sync if you have an Nvidia graphics card. If you like to watch TV and movies as much as you like to game, you’ll also enjoy the monitor's DisplayHDR 400 certification and 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
Screen size: 27" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x D-sub
Curved gaming monitors can actually be perfectly affordable, as AOC has shown us more than once now. The AOC C27G2 follows up on its predecessor, the AOC C27G1. It takes much of what we liked about the original and goes a little bit further. The curvature of the display is tighter, and it can now run at a refresh rate up to 165Hz – a tidy jump over its 144Hz predecessor.
You're still getting a simple, 1080p resolution, but that makes it that much easier to drive at higher frame rates. And, you can enjoy clean frames with FreeSync support.
Screen size: 34" | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS G-Sync Ultimate, FreeSync compatiable | HDR compatibility: HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 180Hz (OC) | Response time: 1 ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
If you’re into fast-paced gaming and want to avoid all the stuttering and juddering that comes with it, you’re going to love the LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B. With its G-Sync Ulitmate support, there is flawless VRR performance. This monitor can be overclocked to 180Hz while still providing you with tear-free gaming. If you’re using an AMD GPU, this monitor is also compatible with FreeSync.
Beyond the motion clarity, the LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B offers visual clarity with a high, 3440 x 1440 resolution and it is HDR 600 certified. With a 400 cd/m2 brightness and dimming solution for better lighting performance, it’ll really let that HDR content pop a bit more than most monitors. The ultrawide 34-inch display offers more space so you can see every detail in your game and the subtle curvature will wrap around your field of view providing an almost cinematic experience. Overall, if you want to stay fully immersed in your gameplay without having to worry about display issues, this may be the next big splurge for you.
Screen size: 34" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 1.3, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
With the MSI Optix MAG342CQRV, you'll get a strong curve, a sharp display, a ton of screen, and FreeSync to boot. The MSI Optix MAG342CQRV features an ultra-wide, 34-inch VA panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio for all the cinematic flair that comes along with that. Though VA panels may not sound as exciting as QLED or Nano IPS, they offer great contrast ratios and deep blacks at an affordable price, and that's the case here.
This monitor will get you cruising in your favorite games with a refresh rate of up to 100Hz and FreeSync to keep your visuals tear-free. With a 1ms response time, you also won't have to worry about ugly smearing. You'll get support for up to three connected devices with two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, and MSI has conveniently included a cable-routing cutout in the monitor stand to help keep your desk tidy. For an added bit of flair, there's also a colorful RGB ring around the back where the stand connects to the monitor.
Screen size: 35" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10 | Brightness: 300cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Asus delivers a solid curved gaming monitor with support for G-Sync in the Asus TUF Gaming VG25VQ. This monitor delivers a ton of screen real estate with its 35-inch panel. It comes in a 21:9 aspect ratio for that ultra-wide experience and has a subtle 1800R curve, letting every bit of the display gently curve around your field of view. Since it's going to take up a bit of space on your desk, Asus has been thoughtful about your cable management and included USB passthrough.
At 3,440 x 1,440, the resolution on this monitor will remain sharp enough for most uses, and it'll prove easier for your computer to drive than 4K. The display offers a refresh rate of up to 100Hz for a significant bump up in smoothness over the 60Hz refresh rate of typical, non-gaming monitors. Though the monitor only hits 300 nits of brightness, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio will deliver a strong viewing experience, and it'll support high dynamic range content through HDR10.
Screen size: 34" 1900R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Response time: 2ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
You can get the big-screen, ultra-wide, curved experience from Dell with some serious polish in the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3420DW), a follow-up to the AW3418DW. It offers a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and a crisp 3,440 x 1,440 resolution. Your games and films will look sharp and fill your vision. It's all the better when it comes to color, as the display covers an impressive 98% of the DCI-P3 color space.
The Alienware AW3420DW has the specs you need for gaming with a 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync. It also keeps a fast 2ms response time to ensure your visuals remain clear even as the action gets intense.
Screen size: 48.8" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440 | Panel type: Mini LED QLED VA, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, Quantum HDR 2000 | Brightness: 2,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 can let you go wildly wide with your display, and it’s got a stunning curve that’ll keep that display surface close. The Odyssey Neo G9 provides a 48.8-inch display that’s similar to having a pair of 1440p displays sitting next to one another, but this monitor won’t leave you staring at a gap between two displays. It’s a seamless 5,120 x 1,440 panel.
Samsung goes well beyond resolution, too. The Odyssey Neo G9 uses a brilliant QLED panel with Mini LED backlighting. This gives it an incredible peak brightness of 2,000 nits for stunning HDR content, and the QLED panel provides rich color. That HDR experience is going to come in handy thanks to the monitor's support for HDR10 and HDR10+. When it comes to gaming, you won’t find the monitor lacking. On top of the sharp resolution, Samsung’s display panel can cruise at a whopping 240Hz refresh rate.
Screen size: 30" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 300cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 200Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C (DP alt)
When you want to play esports, the speed of your monitor should be one of your first considerations. The MSI Optix MAG301CR2 will let you get the curved, ultra-wide gaming monitor experience while still delivering some serious speeds. And, it comes at an affordable price so you can put more of your build budget towards the PC internals that'll help you hit those competitive speeds.
The MSI Optix MAG301CR2 puts up a 2,560 x 1,080 resolution on a large 30-inch display, helping ensure you're not forced to squint to try making out enemies in the distance like you might on a smaller monitor. Its VA panel also hits 300 nits to deliver a bright picture you can see clearly. The star of the show, of course, is the 200Hz refresh rate. This can give you a big edge on standard 60Hz monitors and even put you out ahead of 144Hz monitors when it comes to getting the most up-to-the-instant game data and reacting. The monitor also supports FreeSync so you don't get distracted from a fight by any screen tearing.
Screen size: 35" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA G-Sync Ultimate | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 1000 | Brightness: 1,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 200Hz | Response time: 2ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Of all the best gaming tech of 2019, the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ still stands out in 2021. That's because there's a lot going on behind its 35-inch, curved display. It comes at a premium, but that's stands to reason for a massive 3,440 x 1,440 display offering G-Sync Ultimate and a 200Hz refresh rate, the fastest on this list.
This monitor isn't just the fastest but also the brightest. The display uses 512 local dimming zones to dramatically boost its contrast ratio while hitting a dazzling 1,000-nit peak brightness. That earns it DisplayHDR 1000 certification. This monitor will be great for just about anything you want to throw at it, but we wouldn't stand for less from a monitor that costs well over $2,000.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
We completed hours of hands-on (or eyes-on) testing with a huge collection of curved gaming monitors, ranging in size from 27" up to a massive, (ultra-)ultrawide 49" model. Based on our testing and consideration of price, features, and performance, here are our picks for the best-curved gaming monitors – and click here to find them in the UK.
TL;DR – These are the Best Curved Gaming Monitors:
- Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR
- Gigabyte G32QC A
- AOC C27G2
- LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
- MSI Optix MAG342CQRV
- Asus TUF Gaming VG35VQ
- Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor
- Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
- MSI Optix MAG301CR2
- Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ
1. Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR
Best Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 31.5" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0
You can go big and sharp and not break the bank with this curved beauty. The Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR costs just $450 yet comes with a bunch of quality features and specs to make it a serious bit of value. At 31.5 inches, this display is ready to sit like royalty atop your desk, and the 1440p resolution will keep your visuals looking sharp. Meanwhile, the 1800R curve will remain subtle while still ensuring more of the screen is pointing directly at you.
Asus has integrated a capable VA panel that can hit a 400-nit peak brightness, yet it still benefits from the strong contrast ratio offered by VA panels. The brightness will help you see the action in your games, but so will the smoothness. This monitor can cruise at up to 165Hz, and it has FreeSync Premium on deck to ensure your visuals are smooth even if your framerate isn’t consistent.
2. Gigabyte G32QC A
Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 32" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium Pro | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2
The Gigabyte G32QC doesn’t cost a lot, especially when you consider all that it brings to the table. This display costs just $370, but it’s got a nice little perk hiding around every corner. At this price, you might expect to get a 27-inch, 1440p, 144Hz monitor, but the Gigabyte G32QC A goes bigger and faster. That extra five inches of diagonal size translates to a lot of extra space to see your games, and you’ll find the G32QC A capable of running at 165Hz for a nice little uptick over 144Hz monitors.
You’ll get clean frames with FreeSync Premium Pro on this monitor, though you’ll also have the option of running G-Sync if you have an Nvidia graphics card. If you like to watch TV and movies as much as you like to game, you’ll also enjoy the monitor's DisplayHDR 400 certification and 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
3. AOC C27G2
Ultra Cheap Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x D-sub
Curved gaming monitors can actually be perfectly affordable, as AOC has shown us more than once now. The AOC C27G2 follows up on its predecessor, the AOC C27G1. It takes much of what we liked about the original and goes a little bit further. The curvature of the display is tighter, and it can now run at a refresh rate up to 165Hz – a tidy jump over its 144Hz predecessor.
You're still getting a simple, 1080p resolution, but that makes it that much easier to drive at higher frame rates. And, you can enjoy clean frames with FreeSync support.
4. LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
Best Curved G-Sync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 34" | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS G-Sync Ultimate, FreeSync compatiable | HDR compatibility: HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 180Hz (OC) | Response time: 1 ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
If you’re into fast-paced gaming and want to avoid all the stuttering and juddering that comes with it, you’re going to love the LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B. With its G-Sync Ulitmate support, there is flawless VRR performance. This monitor can be overclocked to 180Hz while still providing you with tear-free gaming. If you’re using an AMD GPU, this monitor is also compatible with FreeSync.
Beyond the motion clarity, the LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B offers visual clarity with a high, 3440 x 1440 resolution and it is HDR 600 certified. With a 400 cd/m2 brightness and dimming solution for better lighting performance, it’ll really let that HDR content pop a bit more than most monitors. The ultrawide 34-inch display offers more space so you can see every detail in your game and the subtle curvature will wrap around your field of view providing an almost cinematic experience. Overall, if you want to stay fully immersed in your gameplay without having to worry about display issues, this may be the next big splurge for you.
5. MSI Optix MAG342CQRV
Best Curved FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 34" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 1.3, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
With the MSI Optix MAG342CQRV, you'll get a strong curve, a sharp display, a ton of screen, and FreeSync to boot. The MSI Optix MAG342CQRV features an ultra-wide, 34-inch VA panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio for all the cinematic flair that comes along with that. Though VA panels may not sound as exciting as QLED or Nano IPS, they offer great contrast ratios and deep blacks at an affordable price, and that's the case here.
This monitor will get you cruising in your favorite games with a refresh rate of up to 100Hz and FreeSync to keep your visuals tear-free. With a 1ms response time, you also won't have to worry about ugly smearing. You'll get support for up to three connected devices with two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, and MSI has conveniently included a cable-routing cutout in the monitor stand to help keep your desk tidy. For an added bit of flair, there's also a colorful RGB ring around the back where the stand connects to the monitor.
6. Asus TUF Gaming VG35VQ
Best G-Sync Compatible Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 35" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10 | Brightness: 300cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Asus delivers a solid curved gaming monitor with support for G-Sync in the Asus TUF Gaming VG25VQ. This monitor delivers a ton of screen real estate with its 35-inch panel. It comes in a 21:9 aspect ratio for that ultra-wide experience and has a subtle 1800R curve, letting every bit of the display gently curve around your field of view. Since it's going to take up a bit of space on your desk, Asus has been thoughtful about your cable management and included USB passthrough.
At 3,440 x 1,440, the resolution on this monitor will remain sharp enough for most uses, and it'll prove easier for your computer to drive than 4K. The display offers a refresh rate of up to 100Hz for a significant bump up in smoothness over the 60Hz refresh rate of typical, non-gaming monitors. Though the monitor only hits 300 nits of brightness, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio will deliver a strong viewing experience, and it'll support high dynamic range content through HDR10.
7. Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor
Best Ultrawide Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 34" 1900R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Response time: 2ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
You can get the big-screen, ultra-wide, curved experience from Dell with some serious polish in the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3420DW), a follow-up to the AW3418DW. It offers a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and a crisp 3,440 x 1,440 resolution. Your games and films will look sharp and fill your vision. It's all the better when it comes to color, as the display covers an impressive 98% of the DCI-P3 color space.
The Alienware AW3420DW has the specs you need for gaming with a 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync. It also keeps a fast 2ms response time to ensure your visuals remain clear even as the action gets intense.
8. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
Best Ultra-Ultrawide Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 48.8" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440 | Panel type: Mini LED QLED VA, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, Quantum HDR 2000 | Brightness: 2,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 can let you go wildly wide with your display, and it’s got a stunning curve that’ll keep that display surface close. The Odyssey Neo G9 provides a 48.8-inch display that’s similar to having a pair of 1440p displays sitting next to one another, but this monitor won’t leave you staring at a gap between two displays. It’s a seamless 5,120 x 1,440 panel.
Samsung goes well beyond resolution, too. The Odyssey Neo G9 uses a brilliant QLED panel with Mini LED backlighting. This gives it an incredible peak brightness of 2,000 nits for stunning HDR content, and the QLED panel provides rich color. That HDR experience is going to come in handy thanks to the monitor's support for HDR10 and HDR10+. When it comes to gaming, you won’t find the monitor lacking. On top of the sharp resolution, Samsung’s display panel can cruise at a whopping 240Hz refresh rate.
9. MSI Optix MAG301CR2
Best Curved Gaming Monitor for Esports
Screen size: 30" 1500R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync | Brightness: 300cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 200Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C (DP alt)
When you want to play esports, the speed of your monitor should be one of your first considerations. The MSI Optix MAG301CR2 will let you get the curved, ultra-wide gaming monitor experience while still delivering some serious speeds. And, it comes at an affordable price so you can put more of your build budget towards the PC internals that'll help you hit those competitive speeds.
The MSI Optix MAG301CR2 puts up a 2,560 x 1,080 resolution on a large 30-inch display, helping ensure you're not forced to squint to try making out enemies in the distance like you might on a smaller monitor. Its VA panel also hits 300 nits to deliver a bright picture you can see clearly. The star of the show, of course, is the 200Hz refresh rate. This can give you a big edge on standard 60Hz monitors and even put you out ahead of 144Hz monitors when it comes to getting the most up-to-the-instant game data and reacting. The monitor also supports FreeSync so you don't get distracted from a fight by any screen tearing.
10. Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ
Best HDR Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 35" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA G-Sync Ultimate | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 1000 | Brightness: 1,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 200Hz | Response time: 2ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Of all the best gaming tech of 2019, the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ still stands out in 2021. That's because there's a lot going on behind its 35-inch, curved display. It comes at a premium, but that's stands to reason for a massive 3,440 x 1,440 display offering G-Sync Ultimate and a 200Hz refresh rate, the fastest on this list.
This monitor isn't just the fastest but also the brightest. The display uses 512 local dimming zones to dramatically boost its contrast ratio while hitting a dazzling 1,000-nit peak brightness. That earns it DisplayHDR 1000 certification. This monitor will be great for just about anything you want to throw at it, but we wouldn't stand for less from a monitor that costs well over $2,000.
Where to Get the Best Curved Gaming Monitors in the UK
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
