Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor 2025: Immersive 21:9 Gaming
Top curved ultrawide monitors for racing, RPGs, and immersive PC gaming
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Why Go Ultrawide?
Ultrawide monitors offer a wider field of view that standard 16:9 displays can't match. The extra horizontal screen real estate creates a more immersive gaming experience - especially in games that support it natively.
Ultrawide Advantages
- + Wider FOV for immersive gaming
- + More peripheral vision in racing/flight sims
- + Better multitasking (side-by-side windows)
- + Cinematic experience for movies (no letterbox)
- + Single monitor replaces dual setup
Ultrawide Drawbacks
- - Not all games support 21:9
- - No console support (black bars)
- - Higher GPU requirements
- - More expensive than 16:9 equivalents
- - Lower max refresh rates than 16:9
Ultrawide Resolutions Explained
| Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Pixels | GPU Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2560x1080 | 21:9 | 2.76M | Entry-level (RTX 3060) |
| 3440x1440 (UWQHD) | 21:9 | 4.95M | Mid-range (RTX 4070) |
| 3840x1600 | 24:10 | 6.14M | High-end (RTX 4080) |
| 5120x2160 (5K2K) | 21:9 | 11.06M | Enthusiast (RTX 4090) |
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitors 2025
LG 34GS95QE-B UltraGear OLED
Resolution: 3440x1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Panel: WOLED, 0.03ms GtG
Curve: 800R
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
Price: $1,000-1,200
The fastest ultrawide gaming monitor available. OLED delivers perfect blacks and instant response times. The 800R curve is aggressive but incredibly immersive. G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro certified. The gold standard for ultrawide gaming in 2025.
LG 34GP83A-B UltraGear
Resolution: 3440x1440
Refresh Rate: 160Hz
Panel: Nano IPS, 1ms GtG
Curve: 1900R
HDR: DisplayHDR 400
Price: $700-800
Excellent IPS image quality with Nano IPS technology for vibrant colors. 160Hz is plenty fast for immersive gaming. G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium. A great balance of performance and price for most gamers.
Samsung Odyssey G8 (G85SB)
Resolution: 3440x1440
Refresh Rate: 175Hz
Panel: Quantum Dot VA, 1ms
Curve: 1000R
HDR: DisplayHDR 600
Price: $800-900
Deep VA contrast (2500:1) with quantum dot colors. The 1000R curve is very aggressive - great for immersion, may take adjustment. Smart TV features built-in with Tizen OS. Excellent for cinematic single-player games.
Alienware AW3423DWF
Resolution: 3440x1440
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Panel: QD-OLED, 0.1ms GtG
Curve: 1800R
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
Price: $900-1,000
Samsung QD-OLED panel with incredible color saturation and perfect blacks. The F model uses FreeSync instead of G-Sync (saving cost without compromising quality). 1800R is a more subtle curve than competitors. 3-year warranty includes burn-in.
Best OLED Ultrawide Monitors
OLED ultrawides combine the immersive aspect ratio with perfect blacks and instant response times. They're the ultimate choice for gamers who want the best image quality.
| Monitor | Refresh Rate | Curve | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 34GS95QE-B | 240Hz | 800R | $1,100 | Fastest ultrawide |
| Alienware AW3423DWF | 165Hz | 1800R | $900 | Best value OLED |
| ASUS ROG Swift PG34WCDM | 240Hz | 800R | $1,200 | ROG ecosystem |
| MSI MPG 341CQPX | 240Hz | 800R | $1,000 | Console mode |
OLED Note: All modern OLED ultrawides include burn-in prevention features and multi-year warranties covering burn-in. Use built-in pixel refresh and avoid static elements for extended periods. Test for burn-in
Budget Ultrawides Under $500
Gigabyte G34WQC A
Excellent budget option with high contrast VA panel. Some dark smearing but great value for immersive gaming. FreeSync Premium certified.
AOC CU34G2X
Reliable budget ultrawide with solid build quality. 3000:1 contrast for deep blacks. Height-adjustable stand included - rare at this price.
MSI MAG342CQR
Higher 165Hz refresh rate in the budget segment. Console Mode for 120Hz compatibility. Night Vision mode for dark games.
Super Ultrawide (32:9) Options
Super ultrawide monitors take immersion even further with a 32:9 aspect ratio - essentially two 16:9 monitors side by side without the bezel.
Samsung Odyssey G9 (2024)
The most immersive gaming monitor available. Mini LED backlight with 2000 dimming zones for excellent HDR. Replaces dual monitor setup entirely. Requires powerful GPU and desk space.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
QD-OLED super ultrawide with perfect blacks and stunning colors. The ultimate desk setup for sim racing and productivity. 0.03ms response time.
32:9 Considerations: These massive monitors require a wide desk (47"+), powerful GPU, and game compatibility checking. Many games need mods for proper 32:9 support. Amazing when supported, frustrating when not.
Game Compatibility
Not all games support ultrawide resolutions. Here's what to expect:
Full Support
- Elden Ring
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Forza Horizon 5
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Most modern RPGs/racing games
Limited/Fixed FOV
- Valorant (16:9 FOV limit)
- Overwatch 2 (16:9 FOV limit)
- Destiny 2
- Some older titles
- Competitive multiplayer games
No Support (Black Bars)
- Console ports without patches
- Very old games
- Some Japanese ports
- Fixed-camera games
Check PCGamingWiki for specific game ultrawide compatibility before purchasing.
What to Look For in an Ultrawide
Curve Radius
- 1800R-2000R: Subtle curve, closest to flat. Good for mixed use (work + gaming).
- 1500R: Moderate curve. Popular balance of immersion and practicality.
- 1000R-800R: Aggressive curve. Most immersive but can feel unusual initially.
Panel Type
- OLED: Best image quality, instant response. Premium pricing, burn-in considerations.
- IPS: Great colors, wide viewing angles. Lower contrast than VA.
- VA: Best contrast for non-OLED, deep blacks. May have dark smearing.
GPU Requirements
3440x1440 has ~35% more pixels than standard 2560x1440. You'll need a more powerful GPU:
- Minimum: RTX 3070 / RX 6800 (60-100fps medium-high)
- Recommended: RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7800 XT (100-144fps high)
- Ideal: RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XTX (144fps+ ultra)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ultrawide good for gaming?
Yes, for immersive games. Racing, flight sims, and RPGs benefit most from the wider FOV. Competitive FPS players often prefer 16:9 for higher refresh rates and no FOV limitations in esports titles.
Do all games support ultrawide?
Most modern games do, but not all. Competitive games often limit FOV to prevent advantages. Some older games need mods. Check PCGamingWiki for specific game support before buying.
What resolution is best for ultrawide gaming?
3440x1440 (UWQHD) is the sweet spot. Sharp visuals, achievable frame rates with mid-range GPUs. 2560x1080 is less demanding but not as sharp on 34" screens.
Can PS5 or Xbox use ultrawide monitors?
No, consoles don't support 21:9. They output 16:9 with black bars on the sides. If you game on both PC and console, a standard 16:9 monitor is more practical.
Is curved or flat better for ultrawide?
Curved is generally better. The curve keeps screen edges equidistant from your eyes, reducing distortion on wide displays. Most ultrawide gaming monitors are curved for this reason.