The 7 Best Ultra-Wide Monitors to Buy in 2018

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The monitor market is changing dramatically. And recent studies suggest that an increasing number of people are desiring of ultra-wide monitors that can deliver outstanding resolutions and give them the flexibility to see more in a single view.

Indeed, ultra-wide monitors come with wider aspect ratios, like 21:9 or even 32:9, rather than the standard 16:9 that you’d find in other devices. And many of them offer exceedingly large screens that can measure 38 inches and more.

But all of those features could also translate to a high price. And although some companies endeavor to offer ultra-wide monitors at an affordable rate, a majority of them are on sale for several hundred dollars — if not more.

So, if you’re fine doling out some cash for a monitor, ultra-wide displays could be a good option. But before you make a decision on which monitor is best, you’ll need to decide several things. Do you want a flat monitor or curved? How important is the resolution? And if you’re a gamer, do you want features and monitor modes that will optimize your gaming experience? Either way, remember that the more features you pack into an ultra-wide monitor, the more these already costly screens will set you back.

Once you’re ready to go and have a sense of what you’re looking for, read on to learn more about and buy some of the market’s best ultra-wide monitors.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Samsung CHG90

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.

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 and good-looking visuals. And if you want to play games with the device, you’ll be happy to hear that the monitor comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, so fast-moving action won't get distorted. Multiple game modes are available in the monitor, as well.

The monitor itself has ultra-thin bezels around the screen and has 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. One other touch from Samsung: The monitor has Arena Lighting on the back that adjusts brightness based on audio in games. So, if there are important scenes and the audio is getting louder, the lights will go up with it.

The CHG90 might seem big, but it’s the equivalent of having two 16:9 monitors next to each other. And you can even split the screen, to create two virtual monitors in one.

Best Budget: LG 25UM58-P

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. And that’s important.

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 the single screen. On the color side, you’ll find a monitor that can produce up to 99 percent of all visible colors. And since it comes with a 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 is designed for you. It has three game modes, including two first-person-shooter modes and one real-time strategy modes. 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 black colors and screen synchronization.

Best Versatility: Viotek GN34C

The folks over at Viotek make an outstanding curved monitor in the form of the GN34C.

The monitor measures 34 inches and comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Its contrast ratio is an impressive 20 million to 1, which means you should be able to enjoy deep blacks and bright colors without losing much visual fidelity. The monitor, which comes with a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels, has a split screen feature, so you can have two virtual monitors running at the same time. Best of all, it’s a curved monitor, which adds to the cinematic feel.

Viotek’s display works with DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort, and if you’re a gamer, you can use AMD FreeSync to ensure fast-moving content looks good all the way through. Viotek recommends you run AMD video cards with its screen if you’re hoping to get the best gaming experience.

Best Sound: Acer Predator Z35

Acer’s Predator Z35 monitor comes with a great design and even better-sounding speakers.

The Predator Z35’s screen measures 35 inches diagonally and has a 2,560 x 1,080-pixel 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 9w speakers that should deliver impressive sound, regardless of 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 will reduce flicker and blue-light exposure.

Best for Add-Ons: BenQ EX3501R

Another curved monitor, BenQ’s EX3501R is big and comes with a variety of features that gamers are going to love.

The monitor measures 35 inches and has a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels. It comes with 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.

For gamers, the BenQ monitor has an AMD Free Sync feature to reduce choppy gameplay.

Best Picture Quality: Acer XR382CQK

If you don’t mind a big display that will take up some room on your desktop, the Acer XR382CQK is worth considering.

Acer’s display measures a whopping 37.5 inches and features a quad-HD resolution of 3,840 x 1,600 pixels. Add that to support for High Dynamic Range and 100 percent color reproduction and it’s clear that Acer doubled down on picture quality with its high-end monitor.

Aside from that, you’ll find AMD FreeSync technology for smooth gaming visuals and a variety of ports, including DisplayPort, HDMI and USB Type-C. The built-in EyeProtect feature means the screen won’t flicker or use blue light to strain your eyes.

Best Design: ASUS ROG Swift

While pricey, the ASUS ROG Swift ultra-wide monitor will look downright gorgeous on your desk. The screen, which measures 34 inches, comes with a thin bezel all around. Its base is simple with three legs that keep it propped up. On the rear, you’ll find a unique design that deserves to be showcased to anyone who comes to your house.

The display has an impressive 3,440 x 1,440-pixel resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. It works with G-Sync technology to keep games running smoothly and has a 100Hz refresh rate. An Asus Eye Care feature will reduce blue light and eliminate flickering, and an attached joystick will make controlling the monitor much easier.

ASUS’ ROG Swift has a curve, but it’s slight, which might appeal to those who don’t want such a bendy monitor.