Best Ultrawide Monitor 2022: Our Top Picks For PC
Looking to upgrade your setup? These ultrawide monitors are up there with the best!
What is the best ultrawide monitor you can get right now? Well, ‘best’ means a lot of different things to different people, so let’s first take a look at what makes a great ultrawide monitor, and why you should consider getting one.
Ultrawide monitors encapsulate any monitor that offers a wide screen format, but has a minimum of a 21:9 ratio vs the more common 16:9 aspect ratio you’ll find with most monitors.
Having a 21:9 ratio allows greater screen real-estate for productivity, which comes in very handy for coding, video-editing, or simply everyday use.
A wider field of view can also make compatible games look incredible, and we’ve already seen some AAA titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Horizon Zero Dawn enter the ranks of 21:9.
Ultrawide monitors are amazing additions to any PC setup, especially if you choose to mount one on one of the best ultrawide monitor arms to give you some extra desk space, and while PS5 doesn’t support 21:9 and it’s still yet to be seen if the Xbox Series X supports ultrawide either, if you’re looking for something epic for your work/ gaming space, there are some pretty impressive ultrawide monitors on the market.
We’ve selected these monitors based on specs, general reviews, and features that we think make them worth considering. We’ve also answered some of your most frequently asked questions, plus, we’ve highlighted some of the best upcoming ultrawide monitors you’ll want to keep your eye out for!
Let’s get to it – these are what we think are the best ultrawide monitors you can buy.
Best Ultrawide Monitor
Best Premium Ultrawide Monitor – Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ
Brand: Asus | Screen Size: 35″, Curved | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Response Time: 2ms | Aspect Ratio: 21:9 | HDR: DisplayHDR 1000 | Ports: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB | Lighting: Aura Sync | Other features: Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate
The Asus Rog range is Asus’ more premium range in comparison to their, still impressive, Asus TUF line, so it’s no surprise that the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ is an absolute powerhouse of an ultrawide monitor.
This is definitely geared towards gamers first and foremost and that comes through with the design itself, which features the sharp angles and lighting you’d expect from anyone of the best gaming monitors around.
Read More: The Best HDR Monitors from Budget to Premium
From a gaming perspective, the curve, the super low response time (especially for a larger screen), and 200hz refresh rate make this one of the best you can go for.
It’s also DisplayHDR 1000 certified, which basically means it has to be super bright, have incredible contrast and excellent colour – making this a good choice for streaming too.
It’s expensive, but this looks to be one of the ultimate ultrawide gaming monitors on the market today.
Best Mid-Range Ultrawide Monitor – BenQ EX3501R
Brand: BenQ | Screen Size: 34″, 1800R | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Aspect Ratio: 21:9 Response Time: 4ms | HDR: Supported | Ports: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB C | Other features: FreeSync, Eye-care technology
BenQ are another great brand to go to, especially if you’re looking to spend in the mid-range and still get quality
The BenQ EX3501R is an excellent ultrawide monitor that covers off both gaming and productivity very well.
On the productivity front, there are a host of features designed to keep both eye and next strain at bay. Low blue light settings, a brightness sensor that adapts to the surrounding lighting conditions and full height and tilt adjustability are exactly what people need when working for long hours at home. Combine this with one of the best monitor light bars, and you’ll be especially comfortable.
Read More: Best Monitor For MacBook Pro 2022: 4K, USB-C, and More Top Picks
On the gaming front, it’s solid. A 100hz refresh rate with 4ms response time is more than enough for most gamers out there, asides from the hyper-competitive (in which case you’d want a smaller screen anyway).
Overall, it’s a great monitor for the price and looks to hit a nice balance between looks, performance and functionality.
Best 49″ Ultrawide Monitor – SAMSUNG 49-inch Odyssey G9
Brand: Samsung | Screen Size: 49″, 1000R | Refresh Rate: 240hz | Resolution: WQHD | Response Time: 1ms | Aspect Ratio: 32:9 | HDR: HDR 1000 | Other Features: NVIDIA G-SYNC & FreeSync Premium Pro, ‘Core Lighting’
Samsung monitors are always pretty epic, and the Odyssey G9 has been one of the top dogs for quite some time now. Even with the likes of the Samsung Odyssey Ark on the way, the appeal of the G9 is still there for many looking to create the ultimate setup at home.
This is the kind of monitor you’ll want to look into if you’re spending a lot of time gaming and working from home. From a work perspective, the massive screen allows for multiple tabs to be open at once and positioned practically anywhere you’d want, without being split across the bezels as it would be with a dual monitor setup.
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Its 49 inch panel is also comparable in size to some of the best gaming TVs out there and gives you plenty of screen real estate to play with.
The 1000R curve is also very impressive, especially for immersion when gaming. Add that to its HDR 1000 rating, and 200hz, 1ms response time, and you’ve got one of the best gaming monitors, period.
Overall, it’s well worth considering if you don’t fancy waiting for Samsung’s upcoming (and predicted to be pricey) ultrawide releases this year and one heck of a centre piece for your home setup.
Best Mid-Range Productivity Ultrawide Monitor- LG 34WN80C-B
Brand: LG | Screen Size: 34″, Curved | Refresh Rate: 60hz | Resolution: WQHD | Ports: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C | HDR: HDR 10 compatible | Other Features: Anti Glare coating, 99% sRGB colour gamut
LG makes some fantastic monitors and amazing TVs, and we think the LG 34WN80C-B is up there with the best.
This is the kind of monitor that’s more for work than gaming, and that shows not only with the specs, but the design as well.
It’s super minimal, has narrow bezels, and even has a USB C 60W port to keep your setup looking as clean as possible.
Read More: Best Monitor For Working From Home 2022: Our Top Picks
Featuring an IPS display, WQHD resolution, and a very impressive 99% sRGB colour gamut, this monitor will be excellent for video editors (making it one of the best video editing monitors might we add), coding, and everyday use. It’s even got an anti-glare coating in case you’re working in a well-lit room.
On the picture quality front, you’re getting HDR 10, plus a solid 300 nit brightness. That’s around the same level as most gaming monitors, and it’s more than enough for most.
Overall, it’s a great looking monitor that should be high up on your list if you’re looking for something in the mid-range, that has a more reserved, minimal style.
Best Affordable Ultrawide Monitor – Acer Nitro XZ342CK
Brand: Acer | Screen Size: 34″, 1500R | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Response Time: 1ms | Aspect Ratio: 21:9 | Brightness: 450 cdm2 | HDR: DisplayHDR 400 | Other Features: AMD FreeSync
If you’re looking for the ultrawide experience, but don’t want to throw down too much of your setup budget, then this Acer Nitro XZ342CK could be worth checking out.
On paper, it packs a pretty impressive resume for the price, including DisplayHDR 400, a 144hz refresh rate, and even a 1ms response time.
Read More: Best Budget 4K Monitor 2022: Our Top Picks
Not only that, but we’d argue that the bezels are even thinner than what we’d see on some of the high mid-range options of the market too.
It’s also minimal enough to not look out of place in a more conventional home setup, but has just a touch of gamer-oriented design that looks like it still means business.
A worthy contender for your attention!
Upcoming Ultrawide Monitors
The world of ultrawide monitors keeps expanding, and there are some incredible displays heading our way that you’ll want to keep any eye out for.
Samsung Odyssey G8QNB
Unveiled at CES 2022, this monitor is a world’s first as it features QD-OLED technology and comes in at just 5.9mm thin!
This is one to watch and is predicted to hit shelves this year – for more information, be sure to check out our friends at Gfinity Tech who has everything you need to know about the Samsung Odyssey G8QNB.
Alienware AW3423DW
Another powerhouse from Alienware is heading our way very soon, and it boasts the same display tech as the Samsung Odyssey G8QNB too.
Coming in at around $1300, we can’t wait to see what this monitor has in store for us. For more info, you can check out our friends at Gfinity Tech, who’ve got everything you need to know about the Alienware AW3423DW right here.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are always a few questions that pop up time and time again when it comes to ultrawide monitors, so here are our two cents to help you make an informed decision.
What is a good size ultrawide monitor?
We’d say 34″ is a good size in general for an ultrawide monitor. Much like when you shop for a TV in a store, it can be a shock when you bring it back home and it’s standing there taking up all the room.
34″ is a size that won’t dominate your setup, but also can take advantage of the resolution thanks to the laws of pixel density. Too big, and you may run the risk of losing some image quality if you’re at lower resolutions (1080p for instance).
Our friends over on Gfinity Tech have a great guide on the latest 360hz monitors, which you should check out if you’re looking for something for competitive gaming.
Are ultrawide monitors worth it?
In short, yes. If you’re looking to get that immersion factor within games or just have some extra wide screen real estate for multi-tasking, then we’d say getting an ultrawide monitor is fantastic.
They can be costly, so just make sure it’s exactly what you want, but in our humble opinion, if you go for an ultrawide monitor, you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Can my computer handle an ultrawide monitor?
This majorly depends on the spec of your computer, but most PCs should be able to handle an ultrawide monitor in any guise.
Of course, if you want to run higher refresh rates at a higher resolution, then you’re going to need a powerful PC in order to do so.
Do 4K ultrawide monitors exist?
Funnily enough, no. That’s because 4K resolution is actually 4096 x 2160, which wouldn’t be possible in the ultrawide format due to it being too tall.
That’s one of the reasons you usually find WQHD resolution on even the highest-end ultrawide monitors.
Are ultrawide monitors good for gaming?
Depending on the game, yes. MMOs, racing games, and immersive and compatible titles are the way to go, but for first person shooters we’d say it’s better to use a smaller screen, so you can keep an eye on the action.
Is it better to have 2 monitors or one ultrawide?
This really depends on what you’re going for with your setup. If you’re after immersion and seamless looks, then going for one large ultrawide will be better.
However, if you’re wanting some flexibility to use two monitors in completely different configurations (e.g. one portrait and the other landscape), then a single ultrawide can’t match two separate displays.