How We Ranked The 5 Best Curved Gaming Monitors

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard

(ISF Certified)

True Score Methodology

v1.5

321,248

Reviews Analyzed

Updated May 4, 2024 12:29 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

If you’re looking for the best curved gaming monitors, key features like immersive curvature, high contrast ratios, and low response times are essential. Monitors with a 1000:1 contrast ratio enhance visual depth, while sub-13ms response times ensure smooth transitions. These features, coupled with wide color gamut coverage and brightness, create a visually stunning and responsive gaming experience. Curved screens also reduce glare and provide a more engaging field of view.

In our analysis, five curved gaming monitors excelled. From 196 monitors analyzed and 321,248 reviews assessed, we found that 71% of experts weren’t trustworthy. Our selection process involves verifying products, using True Score and our Trust Score to filter out fake and low quality reviews. The winning monitors stood out for their superior performance in testing, offering an unparalleled gaming experience.

For a more general selection, we’ve included the best gaming monitor options, or to help you stay within budget, our guide also features some of the top-rated budget gaming monitors, offering impressive features without a high price tag. We also have selections that include highly-rated monitors known for their versatility and performance in gaming and productivity.

How Did We Rank the Best Curved Gaming Monitors?

By scrutinizing over 200 websites and combining expert reviews with customer feedback, we’ve crafted the ultimate guide to the best curved gaming monitors. We identified critical pain points and distilled the criteria that truly matter: 2 required test results, 1 nice-to-have test results, and 1 must-have specifications. Our thorough analysis ensures you get the most accurate and trustworthy recommendations for your gaming setup.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a curved screen.

? Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Fast Response Time: 13ms or less, ensuring smooth transitions without motion blur.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Input Lag: An input lag of less than 16 milliseconds ensures a highly responsive gaming experience with minimal delay between action and on-screen response.

Latest Updates

  • 05/04/2024: Republished the list to include the best curved gaming monitors based on our True Score system.

Top Curved Gaming Monitors For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell S2721HGF

    The Dell S2721HGF blends affordability with performance for casual gaming, offering smooth gameplay and accurate colors on a curved display.

    Dell S2721HGF Review →

    True Score

    86
    83
    6

    Experts

    93
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $49
    $247.04
    $198.00

    Snapshot

    Reasons to Buy

    • 144Hz refresh rate
    • Excellent contrast ratio
    • Great out of the box color accuracy
    • AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync compatible
    • Low input lag
    • Decent response time
    • Good reflection diffusion
    • 1500R curved screen
    • Optional BFI feature available

    Reasocurvedns to Avoid

    • Limited to 1920 x 1080 resolution
    • No HDR
    • Lack of USB ports
    • No built-in speakers
    • It lacks a microphone input
    • Poor display uniformity
    • Visible backlight bleed and clouding
    • Local dimming is not present

    Specifications

    Curved ScreenCurved ScreenYes
    Display TypeLCD
    HDMI Inputs2
    HDR FormatYes
    Max Resolution1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Panel TypePanel TypeVA
    Refresh Rate144 Hz
    Response TimeResponse Time4 ms
    Screen size27"
    Sync TechnologySync TechnologyAdaptive Sync

    All Specs

    Test Results

    Brightness (nits)287
    Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1)2,968
    Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy)78
    Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 uv)0
    Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB Coverage xy)76
    Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy)100

    All Retailers

    • $198.00
      $247
      Save $49

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      No
    • $199.99
      $230
      Save $30

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      Yes
    • $221.00
      $263
      Save $42

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      No

    Our Verdict

    If you’re on a budget and want an immersive curved gaming monitor, the Dell S2721HGF is a great choice. Ideal for casual gamers, this monitor offers an engaging experience without breaking the bank. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz, unmatched input lag of 5.3 ms, and a response time of 6 ms, the Dell S2721HGF ensures that every move is timely and smooth, key for casual gaming and immersive single-player narratives.

    Although its DCI P3 color gamut of 78.1% doesn’t reach some competitors like the LG 40WP95C W, its sRGB coverage at 99.9% is nearly perfect, providing accurate color representation for gaming and general multimedia consumption. The Dell S2721HGF also has a higher contrast ratio of 2968:1 and a more responsive display, making it more suited for fast-paced gaming where responsiveness and deep blacks are crucial. Its brightness at 286.7 nits and reflection rate of 4.5% means it performs decently in indoor lighting conditions, although it may struggle with glare in very bright rooms.

    If you prioritize an immersive experience over brightness, the Dell S2721HGF is a compelling choice. It excels with its low input lag, high contrast ratio, and color performance at a low price, offsetting its reflective rate and brightness. This makes it an outstanding candidate for casual gamers looking for an affordable, versatile curved monitor that excels in fast-paced games.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW

    The Dell Alienware AW3423DW excels for curved HDR gaming with exceptional color accuracy and minimal glare, ideal for an immersive experience.

    Dell Alienware AW3423DW Review →

    True Score

    83
    85
    14

    Experts

    86
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $899.99
    $699.99

    Did you know 71% of computer monitor reviewers are untrustworthy?

    Our research found only 33 of 110+ computer monitor reviewers as of July 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every computer monitor review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    321,248

    Monitor Reviews Analyzed

    196

    Total Products Analyzed

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung Odyssey G85SB

    The Samsung Odyssey G85SB offers vibrant colors and minimal glare, making it a top pick for gamers and creatives valuing immersive curved displays.

    Samsung Odyssey G85SB Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    87
    8k

    Customers

    SAVE $400
    $1,199.99
    $799.99

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    For gamers seeking an immersive experience, the best ultrawide gaming monitors offer an expansive field of view and advanced gaming features. Our Alienware AW2721D review praises its fast refresh rate and high resolution, making it a top choice for competitive gamers. To minimize screen tearing, consider the top FreeSync monitors, which provide smooth gameplay.

    The best Samsung monitor combines sleek design with vibrant visuals, suitable for gaming and productivity. Meanwhile, our Dell UltraSharp UP2720Q review highlights its professional-grade color accuracy and 4K resolution, making it a standout option for content creators.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

    The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 excels for competitive gamers in bright rooms. Its vivid display and tear-free action offer an immersive curved experience.

    Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Review →

    True Score

    81
    81
    4

    Experts

    86
    3k

    Customers

    SAVE $499
    $2,199.99
    $1,700.99

    Category Snapshot

    Computer Monitors

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      27 Brands, 196 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Dell, HP

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $100-$1,500

    • Average True Score

      74.46

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Top Monitor Experts

      Samuel Breton, Chris Eberle

    • Typical Warranty

      2 years

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    LG 40WP95C W

    The LG 40WP95C W offers a large, curved screen for an immersive gaming and creative experience, balancing smooth performance with vibrant visuals.

    LG 40WP95C W Review →

    True Score

    76
    75
    2

    Experts

    81
    342

    Customers

    SAVE $503
    $1,799.99
    $1,297.15

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Curved Gaming Monitors?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best curved gaming monitor!

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Response Time< 13 msYesThe time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another.
Input Lag< 16 msNo (Nice to have)The time it takes for the monitor to register inputs from the user and process them as action.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Response Time (ms) Test Results

Response time measures how long it takes pixels to change from one color to another, often gray to gray. Low response times means the monitor is able to keep up with constant shifts in colors, and helps prevent motion blur from being introduced whatever you’re watching.

We generally recommend a response time that is 13 ms or less, as this will keep motion blur to a minimum, but if you don’t watch a lot of very high intensity videos or play fast-paced games, response time isn’t going to matter much. It’s important to note that monitors will often advertise a 1ms or 2ms or 5ms response time, to name a few, but response time tests measure full color to color shifts, as well as overshoots, which produces different times than what the monitor often claims on the box. This is why response time is a listed spec, but also a testable criterion.

Response Time (in ms; lower is better)

3. Input Lag (ms) Test Results

Input lag is more of a concern when it comes to gaming, but if you plan on using a monitor for a bit of gaming when you aren’t focused on productivity, editing or other tasks, lower values help improve responsiveness. High input lag means your actions take longer to register on the monitor, effectively introducing an artificial delay to your reactions.

It’s for this reason that we generally recommend an input lag under 16 ms. This ensures the delay that’s introduced has minimal impact on your reactions to what’s happening on screen. It’s important to note that a high input lag won’t have any real effect on anything that isn’t gaming, so it can be safely ignored if you don’t plan on gaming on your monitor.

Input Lag (in ms; lower is better)

Best Curved Gaming Monitors: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring the curvature: Curved monitors come in different degrees of curvature, typically measured in radians. Choosing the wrong curvature can lead to discomfort or a less immersive experience. Make sure to research and consider the optimal curvature for your setup and preferences. When deciding between a curved monitor and a flat monitor, remember that curved screens can enhance immersion, particularly for gaming and entertainment, while flat screens often provide a more traditional viewing experience for productivity tasks.

  2. Focusing solely on size: While a larger screen can offer a more immersive gaming experience, it’s not the only factor to consider. Pay attention to resolution, refresh rate, response time, and panel type (such as VA, IPS, or TN) to ensure you get the gaming performance you need. The best 1080p gaming monitors often feature fast refresh rates and response times, delivering smooth gameplay even on more budget-friendly systems. For those seeking ultra-sharp visuals, high-end 4K monitors offer unparalleled detail and clarity, making them perfect for gaming and creative work.

  3. Overlooking refresh rate and response time: Gaming monitors should ideally have a high refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz or higher) and low response time (e.g., 1ms) to minimize motion blur and ghosting, providing smoother gameplay. Don’t compromise on these specs for the sake of other features. To see some options that prioritize high refresh rates, check out our guides for the best 144Hz monitors or the top 240 Hz gaming monitors.

  4. Ignoring connectivity options: Make sure the monitor has the right ports for your gaming setup. HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports are common, but the specific ports you need may vary depending on your graphics card and other devices.

The Best Curved Gaming Monitors Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Dell S2721HGF

  • Best for Curved

86
  • 286.67 nits

  • 286.67:1

  • 78.1%

  • 99.9%

  • 5.3 ms

  • 6 ms

  • 4.5%

$198.00
$247
$49
83
  • 241.39 nits

  • 241.39:1

  • 99.81%

  • 100%

  • 15.8 ms

  • 1.96 ms

  • 1.4%

$699.99
$900
$200

Samsung Odyssey G85SB

  • Best for HDR Content

83
  • 237.45 nits

  • 237.45:1

  • 109.6%

  • 141.3%

  • 13.4 ms

  • 3.45 ms

  • 1.4%

$799.99
$1,200
$400
81
  • 628.33 nits

  • 628.33:1

  • 91%

  • 99.6%

  • 8.9 ms

  • 2.7 ms

  • 5.4%

$1,700.99
$2,200
$499

LG 40WP95C W

  • Best for For Mac

76
  • 254 nits

  • 1,087:1

  • 94.4%

  • 99.5%

  • 9.3 ms

  • 8.6 ms

  • 6.1%

$1,297.15
$1,800
$503

Curved Gaming Monitor Questions (FAQ)

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