Buying guide for best curved monitors
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If you’re a serious PC gamer, you understand that the ability to become immersed in a game makes the experience that much better. While playing on a colorful 4K flatscreen works well for most people, those who have experienced the wraparound visuals of a quality curved monitor often don't want to go back to a flatscreen.
Curved monitors are comparable to standard widescreen and flat monitors. But each side bends slightly inward, creating a curve that mirrors the curvature of your eyes. Curved monitors are designed to take advantage of your peripheral vision. You take in more of the screen at once for a more immersive viewing experience.
With so many curved monitors on the market from high-end PC manufacturers like Dell, Asus and Samsung, it can be difficult to find the best one. After researching all the top options, we put together this guide to help you in your search, with our favorite being the Alienware QD-OLED Curved 4K UHD Gaming Monitor.
Editors’ picks
Alienware QD-OLED Curved 4K UHD Gaming Monitor
Editors’ Favorite
Screen Size: 31.6” | Resolution: 4K UHD | Curve: 1700R | Refresh Rate: 240 Hz | Synchronization Technology: G-Sync (NVIDIA)
The Alienware QD-OLED Curved 4K UHD Gaming Monitor delivers an elite visual experience, making it our top pick for hardcore gamers. This 4K UHD monitor boasts a broad 31.6-inch OLED screen, which is superior to standard LED monitors as it offers improved contrast and color accuracy.
Its 1700R curvature rating delivers an immersive experience, whether you’re gaming or streaming your favorite 4K content. The blazing-fast 240-hertz refresh rate is excellent for gamers who want a smooth experience, and the 0.03-millisecond response time significantly reduces tearing and stuttering. The HDR True Black 400 certification means you’ll get incredible detail in dark and bright scenes, and G-Sync compatibility ensures silky smooth gameplay every time.
If you're looking for an office upgrade, this monitor might not be the best option due to its higher price point. However, gamers who want a competitive edge and a display with stunning picture quality will be more than satisfied with this monitor.
Samsung 27-Inch Essential S3 Series FHD 1800R Curved Computer Monitor
Great Value
Screen Size: 27” | Resolution: 1080p FHD | Curve: 1800R | Refresh Rate: 100 Hz | Synchronization Technology: G-Sync (NVIDIA)
Whether you want a more immersive gaming experience or an office upgrade, you’ll find plenty to love about the Samsung 27-Inch Essential S3 Series FHD 1800R Curved Computer Monitor. It features an FHD 1080p resolution for streaming HD content and playing the latest PC games.
The 1800R reduces peripheral distractions, allowing you to focus on what’s in front of you. The 100-hertz refresh rate and 4-millisecond response time minimize motion blur and allow for smooth transitions, meaning a more seamless gaming or viewing experience. Samsung’s Game Mode automatically enhances visibility by optimizing color and contrast to reveal more detail in bright and dark scenes. Advanced Eye Comfort reduces blue light, helping reduce eyestrain during extended periods of gaming or streaming.
Few monitors are offering the features you’ll get with this model at such a low cost, making it an excellent value pick. Although it’s not as advanced as other curved monitors, it’s a fine choice for casual gamers, office upgrades and streaming the occasional TV show or movie.
ASUS TUF Gaming 24-Inch Curved Monitor
Best Curved Gaming Monitor
Screen Size: 24” | Resolution: 1080p FHD | Curve: 1500R | Refresh Rate: 180 Hz | Synchronization Technology: Adaptive Sync (AMD FreeSync)
Those who want to upgrade their gaming setup but prefer a smaller monitor will appreciate the compact design of the ASUS TUF Gaming 24” Curved Monitor. ASUS is known as a top brand for gaming hardware, and this model is no exception.
This monitor boasts a lightning-fast 180-hertz refresh rate and a 1-millisecond response time for significantly reducing ghosting and motion blur during fast-paced action sequences. It offers coverage of approximately 90% of the DCI‑P3 color gamut, meaning you’ll experience vibrant visuals and colors. Shadow Boost enhanced visibility in dark scenes, and Eye Care technology minimized blue light for comfort during extended viewing sessions.
The 24-inch display size makes this monitor suitable for those with a smaller gaming setup. The build quality isn’t as good as what you’d get with other premium displays, but for the price, you’ll be impressed with this model’s picture quality and the smooth gaming experience it can deliver. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty.
Curved vs. flat-screen monitors
Beyond the obvious curvature, curved computer monitors differ in some key ways from traditional flat-screen monitors.
Here’s what you need to know.
Curved monitors
These are designed to match the shape of the human eye.
If you are seated right in front of the display, the expanded curved sides remain in your peripheral vision. This is a big bonus for serious gamers who appreciate a wider field of view for their favorite first-person shooters.
Because IPS (In-Plane Switching) curved monitors are more expensive to make, they usually cost more than their flat-screen equivalents.
Flat-screen monitors
These are the gold standard of computer screens.
Most are energy-efficient and designed for longevity. Flat-screen monitors are more affordable than curved monitors, but in theory, they require your eyes to move a lot more to take in all of the on-screen action.
Many flat-screen monitors only support up to 1920 x 1080 resolution (also known as FHD). This is great for streaming video apps but not sharp enough for serious work or the smoothest gaming possible.
Widescreen vs. ultra-widescreen monitors
There are two kinds of curved monitors: widescreen and ultra-widescreen.
Widescreen monitors are often designed with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Widescreen format is the accepted standard for broadcast television and streaming media. Widescreen monitors are common and usually the most affordable.
Ultra-widescreen monitors are usually built with a 21 x 9 aspect ratio, sometimes referred to as CinemaScope, and have even more screen real estate than traditional widescreen monitors.
Ultra-widescreen monitors are perfect for situations where you need a landscape view. If you enjoy viewing the screens of two or more PCs on a single display — or the spacious display for gaming — an Ultra-widescreen monitor may be worth the investment.
It may surprise some buyers, but even the best ultrawide monitors are typically 30% to 40% more expensive than traditional monitors of a similar size.
Features
Confused by all of the technical jargon around curved monitors? Here are the specifications that matter the most.
Screen size
The size of the computer monitor has the biggest impact on how much you appreciate it. Of course, the bigger, the better.
Curved monitors range in size from 22 inches to 49 inches or larger. This is measured diagonally.
The size of the monitor’s screen plays a major role in its price, so if you need a giant curved screen, be prepared to pay quite a bit more.
Resolution
While a Full-HD resolution is more than enough to enjoy quality gaming and video streaming on a brand-new curved monitor, you should not settle for anything less than 1080p.
If you are shopping for a curved monitor to provide a smooth and vibrant cinematic experience, look for a model with a 4K resolution or greater.
Refresh rate
A computer monitor’s refresh rate notes how smoothly motion is displayed on your screen.
Refresh rate is measured in Hertz, or Hz. While 60 Hz is more than acceptable for slow-paced games, anyone who plays high-action online games will want a refresh rate of at least 100 Hz. However, hardcore gamers may want to consider something closer to 240 Hz. This provides a superior response time and lag-free gameplay.
Curve rating
A curve rating indicates the degree of the screen’s curvature — the lower the number, the more curved it’ll appear. For example, a monitor with a 1500R rating provides a noticeably more curvy display than one with a 1800R curvature. A higher curvature provides a more immersive experience, but it can feel awkward at first if you’re used to flat screens.
It’s a matter of preference, but generally, a high curvature is best for gaming and streaming, while one with a gentler curve is ideal for office work and productivity.
Connectivity
The best curved monitors feature a suite of ports for connecting your other devices.
For example, some monitors include three or four USB 3.0 ports to help you connect essential peripherals such as a thumb drive, mouse, or keyboard. Other monitors may have built-in speakers that also include a headphone jack so you can plug directly in to enjoy sound via wired headphones. Other useful ports include Thunderbolt, HDMi, VGA and DisplayPort.
Pricing
You can expect to pay between $180 and $1,000 for a curved monitor.
Not sure how much to spend? Here’s what you get for your money.
Inexpensive
From the low-end range of $180 and $349 , you will find simple curved monitors that are great for streaming video and basic gaming but not much else.
Curved monitors in this price range are usually smaller with fewer features than their larger counterparts. But, if you’re serious about getting all of the benefits you can from a curved monitor, it is worth spending a little more.
Mid-range
From $350 and $699, you’ll find the best value options: curved monitors that come in larger sizes, higher resolutions, and in some cases, the coveted ultra-widescreen form factor.
Whether you’re buying a new monitor for your home office or as the centerpiece to your high-end gaming setup, there is plenty to choose from in this range.
Expensive
In the $700 and $1,000+ price range, you’ll encounter curved monitors with giant screens that are optimized for buttery-smooth gaming.
Screen size alone will go a long way to drive the price of a curved monitor to the higher end. But an ultrawide monitor is worth it for power users who want to get the most out of their PC.
Most people have a hard time justifying a 40-inch monitor, but if you’re a digital artist, a devoted movie buff, or someone who needs a premium gaming experience, paying top dollar is worth the pixel-perfect color accuracy, deep contrast ratio, and premium image quality.
Tips
- Gamers should keep an eye out for high-end technologies. While terms such as AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync (both of these technologies eliminate frame tearing and stuttering while you play) may seem like nonsense buzzwords to the average consumer, it is worth your time to learn about and seek out curved monitors that utilize the latest visual innovations if you enjoy playing PC games.
- Adjust the height of your monitor to avoid a sore back. For ideal ergonomics, your monitor should be situated so that your eyes line up with the center of the screen. You should not have to tilt your neck upward or downward. A monitor at the wrong height can cause back pain in the short term and posture problems over the long term. Take the time to set up your monitor at the proper height.
- Spend some time adjusting the color settings when you set up your monitor. All monitors have built-in settings that allow you to change things like brightness, tint, or color saturation for better picture quality.
FAQ
Q. Can I use a curved monitor as a TV?
A. Yes. However, you’ll need a solution for sound since most curved monitors have HDMI inputs, which are the standard for connecting cable boxes, Blu-ray players, streaming boxes, and a variety of other media sources. If you plan on using a curved monitor for watching TV and movies, make a plan for the audio, whether that’s by connecting a sound bar or a quality set of computer speakers.
Q. Do curved monitors require any special cables or software to use?
A. No. Like most monitors, curved monitors are designed to be “plug and play,” so you can start using one as soon as you’ve plugged it into your computer and an AC outlet.
Q. Can I mount a curved monitor to a wall or to a monitor stand?
A. Yes. Most curved monitors are VESA compatible, which means they adhere to the same mounting standards that traditional models use.
When you are comparing different curved monitors, pay attention to which VESA size each one uses. If you are planning on mounting one, buy a VESA mount that supports that monitor’s VESA dimensions.
