Based on our research, the best ultrawide gaming monitor is the Sceptre C305B-200UN; this model features a large 30-inch curved display with a high resolution of 2560×1080 and a refresh rate of up to 200Hz. If you’re an AMD gamer, you’ll also enjoy the included AMD FreeSync technology for smoother video and reduction of screen tearing. Sceptre also loads in a collection of gaming-specific functions to take the experience to the next level.
To find the best ultrawide gaming monitor available, we began by researching the essential factors that make ultrawide monitors worth it, including each monitor’s screen size, display resolution, refresh rate, and gaming features. Since you’ll be taking your gaming monitors into online combat, or perhaps a hardcore game of solitaire, we’ve kept a particular eye on the features that take each monitor from standard to gaming class. With the wide 21:9 ratio of an ultrawide, you’ll be able to see more of your game than ever before, while also providing a more immersive experience. Keep reading to learn more about the ultrawide gaming monitors and other good monitors you can find in the market today!
Top 7 Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
#1 Sceptre C305B-200UN 30-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Gaming monitors tend to break the bank when it comes to budget, but this top pick from Sceptre delivers all the performance and none of the pain. Sceptre offers a large 30-inch display, 200Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync technology.
- Excellent curved 30-inch immersive display
- Fast refresh rate up to 200Hz
- Pleasantly affordable option
- VESA mount is cumbersome
When it comes to computer monitors, Sceptre isn’t a company that will usually jump to the front of your mind, but the C305B-200UN shows us exactly why we are wrong. Sceptre produces an exceptional ultrawide gaming monitor for a price tag that is lower than many traditional ultrawide gaming monitors. The 30-inch display feels large and immersive, with vibrant colors; the 200Hz refresh rate keeps everything feeling smooth while browsing the web or taking out your enemies in your favorite FPS.
If you’re already dead set on one huge monitor, you won’t need to think about two monitors vs an ultrawide monitor.
Related: For those who want to try something different, check the best TV monitors for gaming.
Like the LG 34UC89G B ultrawide gaming monitor, Sceptre offers the C305B-200UN with a 2560×1080 display. It’s not a jaw-dropping option, it does more than suffice for gaming applications. Even the best 1080p monitor would be suitable for gaming. This monitor’s integrated AMD FreeSync technology also helps to smooth out video and prevent screen tearing when playing fast-paced video games. The one bit we found cumbersome was installing the VESA mount, but with some patience, it can be installed without issue. If you’re buying this as a second monitor, you might want to pick up the best dual monitor stand while you’re at it.
#2 Alienware AW3420DW 34-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Alienware delivers a breathtaking display with a WQHD resolution of 3440×1440 pixels for super-sharp imagery. The display’s fast Nano Color IPS technology also allows for a 2ms response time to keep you in your game completely.
- WQHD (3440×1440) resolution
- Nano Color IPS panel (2ms response time)
- Vibrant colors exceed sRGB spectrum
- Design is a bit bulky
The Alienware AW3420DW shows why the company has been so well regarded as a gaming company in the decades past. This ultra-large 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor features a WQHD display with a resolution of 3440×1440, and an outstanding view of 4.9-million pixels, creating a crystal clear image. The display’s Nano Color IPS technology allows for a 2ms response time with a 120Hz refresh rate so that you can stay one step ahead of your competition.
Related: Take a quick look at the best widescreen monitors.
The panel showcases beautiful vibrant colors that exceed the standard sRGB spectrum and thus need to be rated in the DCI-P3 cinematic standard. NVIDIA G-Sync technology is also onboard for buttery smooth motion during games. The only aspect we aren’t fans of is the relatively chunky design, but it is eye-catching. Overall, the Alienware is by far the best 1440p gaming monitor we have seen. If you’re looking for a monitor with a higher refresh rate, then take a look at the best 240hz gaming monitor instead.
#3 LG 34WN80C-B 34-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: LG shows that you can deliver an excellent gaming experience in a monitor that keeps on its professional attire. This display offers a 3440×1440 resolution and supports HDR10 for vibrant colors, plus it sports the latest generation USB ports, USB-C.
- Design fits professional environments
- Integrated USB-C ports for data & power
- Includes support for HDR10
- Lack of software gaming features
The 34WN80C-B from LG is the perfect gaming monitor for those who work in a professional environment during the day, but moonlight as a computer gaming expert. The subdued design does away with RGB lights, presenting a clean and simple exterior. USB-C ports are included for 4K video, data transfer, and even power delivery to reduce cord clutter. HDR10 supports vivid, beautiful colors.
As this LG monitor wasn’t designed from the bottom as a gaming monitor, it lacks some software features that others might include but makes up for its gorgeous display. The curved display adds to the immersive experience, and the stand can be easily adjusted for height and tilt; it can even be wall-mounted with a VESA mount. All combined, the LG 34WN80C-B is the best ultrawide gaming monitor for productivity. If 34-inch monitors are a tad too big for your preferences, check out the best 24″ monitor for something a bit smaller, and if you’re an avid gamer, there are always the top 24-inch gaming monitors to suit your needs as well.
#4 AOC CU34G2X 34-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: BEST SERVICE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 34-Inch gaming monitor from AOC sports a Quad HD (2K+) resolution and a hyper-fast response speed of only 1ms. The company also adds stellar customer support that covers dead pixels and even accidental damage.
- Super-fast 1ms response time
- Ultra-narrow screen borders
- Accidental damage coverage
- Benefits from out-of-box adjustments
AOC is a company that has previously stayed in the shadows, but now they are out in front and come charging with what is simply a superb gaming monitor. The 34-inch CU34G2X from AOC sports a super-fast 1ms response time so that you never lag behind your enemies, in addition to a fast gaming monitor 144Hz high refresh rate. The ultra-narrow screen borders help to create a state-of-the-art look on your desk. If you’re interested in more monitors with a state-of-the-art look and a 1ms response time, then visit our list of the best gaming monitors with a 1ms response rate that you can buy now.
The most impressive feat is the included Re-Spawned Warranty Program, which offers 3-years of protection with a zero dead pixel guarantee; it also consists of a 1-year one-time accidental damage incident. The one aspect to note is that the monitor does benefit from a bit of setting tweaks out of the box for ultimate performance. Note: this brand also sells a line of AOC Agon monitors, one of which is a massive 49”. It’s too pricey for this list but if budget isn’t a concern, take a look at that. If you’re not sure about this monitor, compare it to others of a similar caliber to find the best 144Hz gaming monitor for you.
#5 ViewSonic Elite XG340R-C 35-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: BEST RGB LIGHTING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This monitor from ViewSonic provides gamers with an extra-large 35-inch HDR display, featuring AMD FreeSync and advanced ergonomics for long sessions playing games. ViewSonic also provides RGB lighting on the rear for a cool look to please most gamers.
- Extra-large 35-inch display
- Advanced ergonomic features
- Integrated headphone hook
- Picture quality control could be improved
The ViewSonic Elite XG340R-C offers a gaming experience that will quickly become the envy of friends. This extra-large ultrawide gaming monitor is 35-inches and sports a 1440p display with a 100Hz refresh rate. What we like most is the ergonomic design for long gaming sessions, allowing you to adjust the monitor’s height, swivel, and tilt. The rear integrated headphone hook is also a nice touch for a cleaner setup.
The monitor’s ELITE RGB lighting can also be synchronized with other ViewSonic peripherals for a light show during gaming sessions. We have heard that quality control could benefit from the improvement, but we certainly think this monitor deserves a spot on your desk. If you’re not sure if this monitor is right for you, compare it with the best 4k gaming monitor.
#6 Deco Gear VIEW101 35-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Obtaining an A+ ultrawide gaming experience is no longer an unreachable dream, thanks to this affordable option from Deco Gear. With a 2560×1080 resolution, 16.7-million color range, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio, this monitor is no slouch.
- Displays 16.7-million colors
- LED backlit gaming monitor
- Integrated cable management
- Not the best performance
If you’re looking to create the ultimate gaming setup on a budget, you might want to take a look at the VIEW101 from Deco Gear. This 35-inch curved ultrawide gaming monitor provides a 2560×1080 resolution panel with bright LED backlighting. The monitor can display up to 16.7-million colors and sports a 2000:1 contrast ratio, all for a great visual experience during your next game.
The back of the monitor includes an integrated cable management hook that can also be used to store your headphones. While the VIEW101 doesn’t sport the absolute top features in the market, it stands above the rest as an affordable option that can still deliver an A+ experience. If you are looking for the best budget gaming monitor or best budget ultrawide gaming monitor, this might be it.
#7 ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ 35-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for the best ultrawide gaming monitor without any concern for the price, then ASUS has you covered. This 35-inch curved gaming monitor provides Quantum Dot technology and a 500,000:1 contrast ratio for cinema-quality color accuracy.
- Overclocks to 200Hz refresh rate
- 500,000:1 contrast ratio for HDR imagery
- Quantum Dot technology for vivid colors
- Prohibitively expensive
The Monitor ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ is one of the best gaming monitor options that we’ve ever seen, but it’s near the bottom of our list because of its high price tag that we don’t believe most consumers will want to shell out for when they see it. However, if the price is no object, this monitor from ASUS ROG provides you with a 35-inch curved gaming experience with a 200Hz high refresh rate, 500,000:1 contrast ratio, and Quantum Dot technology — all amounting to some of the smoothest and most vibrant colors you will ever see on display. But, compare curved vs flat gaming monitors to ensure you’re getting the right one for you.
The back of the monitor also features ASUS’ customizable RGB lighting that can be controlled via software. You won’t be straining for an image either, as the display gets up to 1000 nits — that’s almost 4x brighter than most consumer monitors.
How We Decided
When searching for the best ultrawide gaming monitors, we first established a setlist of essential factors (that every great monitor should have), including each display’s overall size, resolution, refresh rate, and included gaming features. We then established minimum criteria so that the selections on our list are only the best options available on the market. You can select with confidence, knowing that we’ve researched the best ultrawide gaming monitors available.
For the size of each monitor, we chose not to showcase anything below 30-inches; due to the ultrawide ratio of these monitors, we felt the 30-inch specification was the minimum size for an immersive gaming experience (so you won’t find any 27-inch models here). Each monitor’s resolution was not allowed to drop below 2560×1080; this allows for a Full-HD experience on all of our selections that won’t leave you desiring additional detail.
When it comes to the refresh rate, we showcased monitors no lower than 75Hz, which exceeds the standard 60Hz rating of most consumer offerings; this allows for increased response times or ZERO to low input lag during gaming. Lastly, we kept an eye on more gamer-oriented features, such as RGB lighting, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD-FreeSync, including them whenever possible in our selections.
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Buyer’s Guide
Features
- Monitor Size: As ultrawide monitors with 21:9 ratios are shorter than standard 16:9 monitors, you’ll want a larger than typical size for a more immersive experience. We recommend starting at around 30-inches and adjusting as necessary for your gaming environment. We feel comfortable with a max size of about 35-inches before everything gets a bit unwieldy. In that case, you’ll want to read our Gigabyte M34WQ review for a monitor of the same size.
- Resolution: Your monitor’s resolution notes how many pixels it can display. For optimal clarity, we recommend going no lower than 2560x1080p, which will provide you with a Full-HD experience. Higher-resolution WQHD (3440×1440) monitors will give a sharper experience, but at a higher price point.
- Refresh Rate: The refresh rate is how fast your monitor can update itself per second. For a gaming experience, we recommend seeking out something above the 60Hz average; a gaming monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate is an ideal minimum for most gamers.
- Gaming Features: Look for features such as NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, when purchasing your monitor, as they help to smooth out your on-screen video and prevent tearing from occurring. You may also want to select a monitor with RGB lighting to best match your style and setup. You’ll find these features in the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED monitor.
- HDR: If color and vibrancy are important to you, keep an eye out for monitors that support HDR. Monitors with HDR Support, or High Dynamic Range, can offer more vibrant colors and darker blacks. An HDR monitor can really take your gaming immersion to the next level.
- Stand and VESA Mounting: Want to place your monitor on your desk or have it on the wall? While all the monitors on our list come with stands, some also offer a VESA mount. Monitors with a VESA mount can be attached to a different monitor stand, or mounted to your wall or desk for better ergonomics.
