Is your gaming experience feeling a little… flat… lately? Wanting to feel a little more immersed in the game? Imagine yourself sitting in front of a monitor and having a beautiful, 4k game curve around you to take up your entire field of vision. The entirety of the beautiful screen is pointed towards you with perfect picture uniformity. Weirdly, it almost feels like you’re there.
Ever since curved monitors and TVs have been introduced to the market, they have been viewed by many as just a cool looking gimmick. On top of that, they were usually way more expensive than flat screens, so many people just avoided them.
While it is true that curved TVs tend to be less effective at giving people the feeling of immersion, since you tend to sit too far away from the TV for the curve to do anything for you, curved gaming monitors offer a different story. As many gamers who have purchased one can tell you, there is something more immersive about gaming on a monitor with all sides of the screen pointed towards you.
Best 6 Curved Monitors for Gaming
The feeling of immersion is especially strong when using larger curved screens, which sometimes can take up your peripheral vision and give you the feeling that things are happening on multiple sides of you. 🖥️ ✨
While screens large enough to take up your entire peripheral vision tend to be pretty expensive, smaller curved screens can still offer an improved gaming experience by simply pointing the edges of the screens directly at you.
While larger flat screens can appear brighter at the edges of the screen when you are sitting in the middle of it, curved monitors point all sides of the screen towards you to make all parts of the screen look top-notch. A curve in the monitor also makes the screen look a little bigger than it is since more of the screen is pointed at you.
There are a lot of options out there for curved screens, so we at GameGavel have created this list of the best curved monitors to help you find the right one for your gaming setup. Whether you are looking for the biggest, curviest monitor out there or a curved monitor on a budget, we should have a good option for you.
If you don’t know what to look for when buying a curved monitor, make sure to check out our curved monitor buying guide at the bottom of the article for tips on the top factors you should consider. And if you aren’t completely settled on a curved monitor, make sure to check out our article on the best gaming monitors, which includes both curved and flat monitors.
But without further ado, here is our list of the best curved monitors out there.
Best Choice: Dell Alienware AW3418DW
Pros & Cons
- G-Sync technology
- IPS panels makes for good wide-angle viewing
- Low input lag
- Not good in dark rooms
- A little expensive
Key Features
- IPS handling
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3440×1440
- Size: 34″
- Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
- Variable Refresh Rate: G-Sync
Dell Alienware AW3418DW Review
While Alienware is usually known for their top-of-the-line gaming laptops, they have also built a fantastic monitor in the Dell Alienware AW3418DW. This Alienware monitor has earned GameGavel’s title of “Best Choice” because of its ability to immerse you in a high-quality gaming experience with its wide aspect ratio, high resolution (1440p), and quick refresh rate.
Pssst… You can also use a laptop as a gaming monitor.
None of its features are the best on the market – the refresh rate is actually middle-of-the-road – but it’s the combination of all of them in one package that makes this Alienware monitor so good.
When you consider how close you sit to a computer monitor, a curved 34-inch screen is going to feel more like 38 to 40-inches because of the way it wraps around you. This monitor is great for either gaming or having multiple windows open when surfing the internet.
As for its appearance, the Alienware AW3418DW has nice sharp edges with two lights to accent the back of it to create a nice sleek design. You have the ability to adjust both the height of the screen and the tilt, so you should be able to set this monitor up to your liking. This ultra-wide monitor may take up a lot of space on your desk, but at least it will look good on it.
The one problem that this monitor has is the price: it’s a little expensive. Wide monitors are never cheap, but those looking for a mix of good performance and an immersive gaming experience won’t be disappointed by the Dell Alienware AW3418DW.
Premium Pick: Samsung C49HG90
Pros & Cons
- Huge screen creates Immersive experience
- Blazing fast refresh rate
- Very thin bezels
- Expensive
- Resolution only 1080p
Key Features
- HDR
- Samsung QLED
- Height and tilt adjustments
- Aspect Ratio: 32:9
- Resolution: 3840×1080
- Size: 49″
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSync
Samsung C49HG90 Review
I hope you have a really big desk because the Samsung C49HG90 is an absolute beast. This ultra-wide monitor comes in with an aspect ratio of a whopping 32:9, meaning it’s going to take up the entirety of your peripheral vision and then some.
Adding to the immersive gaming experience is the Samsung C49HG90’s refresh rate, which comes in at a blazing fast 144 Hz. It will truly feel like things are happening all around you when using this monitor.
Being such a big screen, the Samsung C49HG90 does suffer a little bit with its resolution, which is only 1080p. Another area where this monitor suffers is its price, which as of right now is well over $1000. That’s expensive. But you get what you pay for with that money, which is 49-inches of never-ending screen space.
When it comes to its appearance, the C49HG90 isn’t the best looking monitor on the market. It has a very simple design with a plain matte black finish on the back. The great part about this monitor, though, is its almost bezel-less design. The bezels are extremely thin for such a large screen, giving you that much more screen space to work with.
Overall, the Samsung C49HG90 offers one of the most immersive gaming experiences out there because of its size and blazing fast refresh rate.
It doesn’t have the best resolution on the market, but those who care less about picture quality and more about immersion will be ecstatic by the experience this monitor gives them. I think the only way to get a more immersive game experience than this would be to buy a VR headset.
If you are looking for a gaming desk to fit this monstrous monitor, check out our article on the best gaming desks.
Best Value: Samsung CHG70
Pros & Cons
- High refresh rate
- High-quality 1440p resolution
- Very fast response time
- Flicker-free backlight
- Screen not wide enough to create wrap-around effect
- No built-in speakers
Key Features
- Freesync technology
- Wide VRR range
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2560×1440
- Size: 27″
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Samsung CHG70 Review
Gamers looking to experience a curved monitor, but are looking for a cheaper option, should have the Samsung CHG70 high up on their list. This monitor earns GameGavel’s title of “Best Value” because of the incredible picture quality and performance that you get for its price.
Since this screen is only 27-inches, you will need to sit closer to get the same immersed feeling of a larger curved screen. What it lags in immersion, though, the Samsung CHG70 will make up for in its performance. It offers a great gaming experience with its high resolution of 2560×1440 and its quick refresh rate of 144 Hz.
Samsung’s inclusion of Freesync technology will make for an even smoother experience since Freesync works to reduce tearing and stuttering in the game.
One downside of the CHG70 is the fact that it has no built-in speakers, so you will need to invest in some additional gaming speakers to go along with it. Either that or you can just use your headset. If you need to invest in a good gaming headset, you can start your search here on Game Gavel with our article on the best gaming headsets.
Best 24-Inch: Samsung C24F390
Pros & Cons
- Great price
- High contrast ratio
- Slim Design
- Have to sit pretty close to the screen to get an immersive experience
- Low refresh rate
- Tilt-only stand
Key Features
- 1800R curvature for an immersive viewing experience
- AMD FreeSync
- Eye Saver Mode for viewing comfort (reduced blue light emissions and flickers)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: 24″
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Variable Response Rate: FreeSync
Samsung C24F390 Review
Another good option for gamers on a budget is the Samsung C24F390: a 24-inch curved monitor that goes for under $200. This monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz with 1920×1080 resolution.
It is by no means the best performance out there, but the performance is good enough for the low price. The addition of FreeSync in the C24F390 will make your games feel that much smoother.
While the performance of the Samsung C24F390 is a little lacking, its picture quality certainly isn’t. It has a fantastic 3000:1 contrast ratio that delivers some deep black and bright whites and makes for some vibrant colors. Viewing in dark rooms is not a problem with this monitor, as it is with some other monitors.
With only 24-inches of screen space, it is tough to get the same immersive feel that you would on a larger curved screen. What the curve will accomplish on the C24F390 is making the monitor feel a little bigger than it actually is since more of the screen is facing directly at you.
Its small screen size is mixed with a very slim structure, so the C24F390 will take up very little room on your desk. With the Samsung C24F390, you may not get the best performance or resolution in the world, but it is still a solid choice for a curved monitor considering the very low price that it goes for. Budget gamers should not count this monitor out.
Best Looking: Acer Predator Z35P
Pros & Cons
- Looks great in dark rooms. Deep black colors
- Additional USB ports are very convenient
- Sturdy stand
- Immersive screen
- Cool design
- Wide angle viewing is not great
- The speakers are not the best
Key Features
- Solid stand with a VESA mount
- 4 USB 3.0 ports
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3440×1440
- Size: 35″
- Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
- Variable Refresh Rate: G-Sync
Acer Predator Z35P Review
The Acer Predator Z35P is an ultra-wide monitor that offers an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 35-inches of screen for a very competitive price. With its wide screen size and its high resolution of 3440×1440, the Predator succeeds in giving gamers the immersive gaming experience that they look for with a curved monitor.
It has a flicker-free monitor with very good motion handling and a low input lag, the combination of which makes for some smooth gaming.
If you are someone who likes gaming in a dark room, then I would highly suggest having the Predator high on your list. Often times, if a monitor’s blacks aren’t deep enough, then blacks can turn out to be more of a grey in a dark room.
The Predator, however, has very vibrant colors, with deep blacks and bright whites, which makes the colors stay true even in a dark room. One downside of the Z35P is that it is not great for wide-angle viewing. It only looks its best when you look at it straight on. Unfortunately, co-op gaming would not be ideal on this screen.
Alongside its good performance, the Acer Predator Z35p also looks great for a gaming monitor. Its matte black look with red accents gives it the mean “predator” look that it is going for.
If an evil villain uses this monitor to hack into the Pentagon or something, then I wouldn’t be too surprised. In any case, this would look great on your gaming desk (especially if your gaming desk is in an evil lair).
Best Adjustment: LG 34UC79G-B
Pros & Cons
- AMD Freesync
- Great motion handling
- Fast response time and refresh rate
- Not good in bright rooms. Can’t handle glare very well
- Doesn’t perform well in dark rooms
- No speakers
Key Features
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Resolution: 2560×1080
- Size: 34″
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSync
- Height and tilt adjustment
- sRGB display
- 21:9 Ultrawide Curved QHD IPS Monitor
LG 34UC79G-B Review
If you are someone who is more concerned about the performance of the monitor and doesn’t mind 1080p resolution, then the LG 34UC79C-B would be a great option for you to consider. This LG monitor is 34-inches and has an ultra-widescreen with an aspect ratio of 21:9. It is a large enough screen to get an immersive gaming experience or do some serious multi-tasking at work.
The LG 34UC79G-B may not have the best picture quality, but it does provide a great gaming experience. It has excellent motion handling and a very fast refresh rate (144 Hz), which makes for a crisp, clear image. Its low input lag and support for FreeSync means that your games will be smooth as silk with minimal screen tearing.
Unlike the Acer Predator Z35P, the LG 34UC79G-B is great for co-op gaming because of its wide viewing angles. Also unlike the Acer Predator Z35P, this LG monitor does not look good in dark rooms… or light rooms for that matter. This monitor simply looks its best in a dimly lit room that is free of glares on the screen and is light enough to hide its poor black color uniformity.
As for appearance, the LG 34UC79G-B is a pretty decent looking monitor. The combination of the curved screen and the curved stand looks nice on a desk, but its plain black finish won’t win any beauty contests. One knock against this monitor though is that it does not have built-in speakers, so you will need to buy some if you don’t currently own any.
Overall, the LG 34UC79C-B gives you a large screen with great performance for an affordable price. It may not have the best picture quality, but those ok with 1080p resolution will get a great gaming experience (and will save some money).
Curved Monitors: Buying Guide
Curved monitors are still a relatively new concept on the market, so it can be hard to know what to look for when buying one. Ultimately what you are looking for when buying a curved screen for gaming is for it to create a more immersive experience for you.
At the minimum, a curved screen can offer you improved picture uniformity, since all sides of the screen are pointed towards you. At best, it can fill up your field of vision and make it feel like the action is happening all around you. When the curve is done right, it can make for an incredibly immersive gaming experience.
Curved monitors come in all shapes and sizes, from small 24” screens to the gigantic 49” screens. They can perform as well as flat monitors can, but oftentimes can be more expensive. The best curved monitors are over $500, some even exceeding $1000, but gamers can still find many good options for curved screens for cheaper than that.
To help you in your search for your future curved monitor, here is a quick guide to walk you through the top factors you should consider in your buying process:
Resolution
Screen resolution is probably on the top of people’s minds when they considering which monitor to buy. The most common resolution in today’s market is 1080p, but in 2020 there are more options for 4k monitors than ever. When picking any resolution higher than 1080p, make sure to consider the power of your graphics card. 4k monitors will require a more powerful graphics card.
While there is no such thing as the best resolution for gaming, you might want to take some time and decide on what is it exactly that you want. Especially when it comes to curved monitors.
Factor in the curve when thinking of screen size
When it comes to a curved monitor, the two best factors to remember are the size of the screen and how far away you sit from the monitor. The bigger the monitor, the more effective the curve feature becomes at giving you a feeling of immersion because it takes up more of your vision.
However, the effectiveness of a large curved screen size can be nullified if you sit too far away from it. The reason why people often find large curved TVs to be ineffective is that they sit on their couch on the other side of the room.
However, sitting at a gaming desk brings you a lot closer to the monitor and allows the screen to curve around you. Most gamers won’t necessarily need to buy a 49-inch curved monitor to get a feeling of immersion. A 35-inch monitor and even a 27-inch in some cases could be enough to do the trick.
Alternatively, you can learn how to set up dual monitors and have a display the size of your wall.
Flat Screens vs. Curved Screens
With flat screens, the picture quality isn’t as good when you look at the corners of the screen. Often times the colors on the side of the screen can appear a bit brighter than in the center because of the angle you are looking at it. This is especially true when using a large flat screen.
Curved monitors combat this problem by pointing the sides of the screen towards the center, towards you. This makes ultra-wide curved monitors such a great experience: the picture quality is uniform throughout the screen…
With smaller curved screens (24 to 27 inches), it is harder to feel any difference in the experience compared to a flat-screen unless you sit really close to it. Curved screens are best for gaming when they can fill up your field of vision, and smaller curved screens have a hard time doing that.
Because of that, it is harder to get a very immersive gaming experience when using a smaller curved screen. For that reason, it is hard to justify buying a curved screen under 27” over a flat-screen the same size.
If you are looking for a smaller monitor, check out our article on the best 27-inch gaming monitors to help you with your search.
Refresh Rate
Everybody loves having 60 frames per second, right? When it comes to a smooth gaming experience, it is very important to have a high refresh rate for a high frame rate. The most common refresh rate is 60 Hz, but higher-end monitors can offer refresh rates from 144 Hz to even 200 Hz.
It’s also possible to overclock a monitor but it’s not something we recommend doing to an absolute tech-beginner.
The higher the Hz, the smoother your game will run. If you play first-person shooters, having a high refresh rate is very important to consider.
Aspect Ratio:
The aspect ratio measures the height and width of a monitor. The higher the aspect ratio, the wider the screen. Many monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, while ultra-wide monitors can have aspect ratios up to 32:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions that people have when buying a curved monitor:
What Are Freesync and G Sync?
FreeSync and G-Sync are technologies developed by two different companies, Nvidia and AMD, to try and combat screen tearing. Screen tearing, if you aren’t familiar, is when weird horizontal lines and stuttering shows up on an otherwise well-rendered game.
Both Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync try to solve screen tearing while also preserving your framerates. G-Sync solves for screen tearing by including a chip inside the monitor, while FreeSync works with the video card’s functionality to maintain the refresh rate of the monitor using the Adaptive-Sync in the DisplayPort standard.
Whether you choose G-Sync or FreeSync, make sure it matches up with your GPU. G-Sync and FreeSync features require you to have the same brand for both your monitor and GPU.
Is a Curved Monitor Better for Gaming?
It depends on the size of the screen. For larger monitors (34-inches and up), having a curve makes gaming better because it creates a more immersive experience and a better picture quality on all parts of the screen.
It is harder to say that smaller curved monitors (27 inches and down) are better for gaming because they can’t provide the same immersive experience that larger monitors can. If you are looking for a smaller screen size, it is probably best to save your money and go with a flat-screen.
Is a 5ms Response Time Good for Gaming?
Any monitor with a response time of 5ms or lower is great for gaming. Anything lower than 1ms is probably too expensive to be worth the small boost in performance.
Final Words
In conclusion, “curved gaming” is something that most people loathe – until they try it. If you decide to go this route, we recommend you think about it and pick the best curved monitor there is. Some models aren’t exactly praise-worthy as it’s a relatively new technology in gaming.
Also, while curved monitors are more expensive than their regular counterparts, you might not find any model on this list that fits your budget. In that case, we recommend going through some awesome gaming monitors under $150 as they are truly praise-worthy.
Sources
- Gouldian Finch, Monitor Curvature, All the Info You Need About Curved Monitors, ViewSonic, August 16th, 2018