Once just curiosities, stunning ultrawide computer monitors—some of them curved—are designed to give discriminating office users, content creators, and gamers a more spacious, immersive view. They deliver eye-popping visuals or simply more room to work. This extra horizontal screen space, however, benefits the professional, gaming, and productivity worlds in differing ways. At PCMag, our reviewers have been testing displays for decades. We have independently reviewed dozens of ultrawides since their inception, subjecting each to a rigorous, repeatable testing regimen that factors in screen brightness, contrast, color coverage, and input lag, while also assessing usability and value. Our current overall top choice in ultrawide monitors, the HP E45c G5, is a large-screen productivity display. The additional products we highlight here include the ultrawide gaming, home-office, creative-pro, and general-purpose monitors that perform the best in our testing. After you peruse our top picks, check out the buying guide below for all the shopping advice you need.
Overview
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![HP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor]()
Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor OverallHP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor
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![Samsung Odyssey OLED G9]()
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor OverallSamsung Odyssey OLED G9
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![LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor]()
Best High-End Ultrawide Gaming MonitorLG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor
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![Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Monitor (U5226KW)]()
Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Productivity MonitorDell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Monitor (U5226KW)
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![Philips Brilliance 499P9H]()
Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Monitor for General UsePhilips Brilliance 499P9H
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![Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW)]()
Best Ultrawide Monitor for Creative ProsDell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW)
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![HP Series 7 Pro 34-inch WQHD Conferencing Monitor (734pm)]()
Best Ultrawide Conferencing MonitorHP Series 7 Pro 34-inch WQHD Conferencing Monitor (734pm)
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![Dell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW)]()
Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor for Home-Office UseDell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW)
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![Corsair Xeneon Edge]()
Best Ultrawide Secondary ScreenCorsair Xeneon Edge
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![HP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor]()
Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor OverallHP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The HP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor, a 45-inch ultrawide productivity monitor, renders a bright image with full sRGB color coverage. The E45c is a good replacement for a dual-QHD-monitor setup thanks to its virtual features that emulate twin displays. The E45c also has good ergonomics for an ultrawide monitor. Its range of connection choices includes Ethernet, dual USB-C ports that provide up to 100 watts of power delivery, four USB-A downstream ports, DisplayPort, and HDMI.
Who It’s For
Managers and key workers: The HP E45c G5 is a good choice if your workday involves monitoring multiple data streams or working on several projects at once. It's as wide as two side-by-side 24-inch QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) monitors; you can set it to emulate dual displays and/or tile windows to your heart's delight with the help of the downloadable HP Display Center utility. It also has good ergonomics for such a wide panel, and a prodigious range of connection choices.
Home-office workers and sole proprietors: The HP E45c G5 is a great fit, literally and figuratively, for a home office, micro-office, or elsewhere where space is at a premium, as it is more compact than its 49-inch and larger brethren, and more wieldy than a dual-monitor setup. Its bright screen has full sRGB color coverage, and it has an enviable collection of ports.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync AMD FreeSync Aspect Ratio 32:9 Dimensions (HWD) 20.5 by 42.7 by 12.1 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 5120 by 1440 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 44.5 Pixel Refresh Rate 165 Rated Contrast Ratio 3,000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 400 Screen Technology VA Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 4 VESA DisplayHDR Level N/A Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs USB-C (2) Warranty (Parts/Labor) 3 Weight 32 Learn More HP E45c G5 DQHD Curved Monitor Review -
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![Samsung Odyssey OLED G9]()
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor OverallSamsung Odyssey OLED G9
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The slim, feature-rich Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a feast for the eyes and the 32:9 aspect-ratio curved monitor to beat for immersive PC gaming. Its slim, sleek frame, paired with a gorgeous OLED panel, means that this 49-inch curved monitor is sure to impress even the staunchest of ultrawide naysayers. The OLED G9 has exceptional color accuracy and color-gamut coverage for a gaming monitor, not to mention the magnificent contrast that’ve come to expect from an OLED screen. It is also a smart monitor, which means it has access to Samsung’s online gaming hub, as well as other media features you might see on Samsung TVs, including plenty of streaming apps. If money’s not an object and you need to go big and broad, then the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is the monitor to beat.
Who It’s For
Super ultrawide aficionados: Samsung's OLED G9 features a magnificent 49-inch super ultrawide display (with a 32:9 aspect ratio, as wide as two widescreen panels placed side by side), ideal for fans of racing games, flight sims, and other games that take advantage of such a screen's full width. The screen's gentle (1800R) curvature helps provide for an immersive user experience.
People who can splurge: The OLED G9's price puts it out of the reach of many, but those who can afford it get an audacious showpiece, with its beautiful OLED screen with incredible wingspan, and excellent color reproduction and accuracy.
People looking to replace a TV: As a smart monitor, the OLED G9 gives you access to Samsung’s online gaming hub and other media features you might see on Samsung TVs. Its gaming hub features include access to popular streaming apps like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, while the media hub is packed with video streaming apps.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync AMD FreeSync Premium Pro Aspect Ratio 32:9 Dimensions (HWD) 20.8 by 47.0 by 9.3 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 5120 by 1440 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 49 Pixel Refresh Rate 240 Rated Contrast Ratio 1,000,000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 250 Screen Technology OLED Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 2 VESA DisplayHDR Level DisplayHDR 400 Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs USB-C Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 28.4 Learn More Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 Review -
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Credit: Molly Flores
![LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor]()
Best High-End Ultrawide Gaming MonitorLG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With a huge and dazzling OLED screen with extreme 800R curvature, the LG 45GX950A-B Ultragear provides a magnificent gaming experience that is particularly good for simulations or racing games. The LG 45GX950A-B impresses us with its high resolution and multiple refresh-rate options. It doesn't come cheap, but it's money well spent.
Who It's For
Deep-pocketed gamers: The LG 45 Ultragear OLED 45GX950A-B is a great choice for gamers with cash to spare who are looking for a large ultrawide panel to pair with a powerful GPU.
Racing game fans: It is best for fans of simulations and racing games, since its huge hi-res screen has a wicked-tight curvature, providing an immersive experience par excellence.
Gamers who have a GPU with DisplayPort 2.1: Its DisplayPort 2.1 connector can handle more than double the bandwidth of DisplayPort 1.4, so you can maintain higher resolutions and refresh rates without the compression that erodes color accuracy.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync AMD FreeSync Premium Aspect Ratio 21:9 Dimensions (HWD) 25.5 by 39.1 by 14.3 inches Native Resolution 3440 by 1440 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 44.5 Pixel Refresh Rate 240 Rated Contrast Ratio 1500000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 200 Screen Technology OLED Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 2 VESA DisplayHDR Level HDR10 Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Warranty (Parts/Labor) 2 Weight 35.3 -
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Monitor (U5226KW)]()
Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Productivity MonitorDell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Monitor (U5226KW)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Dell UltraSharp 52 U5226KW provides a huge (52-inch) screen to financial traders, executives, engineers, data professionals, and others who want to easily view multiple data sources at once. Its vast array of ports permits the connection of up to four input sources, and a variety of picture modes let you partition the screen in various ways. An integrated KVM switch lets you control multiple systems through the monitor using a single set of input peripherals.
Who It’s For
Executives and extreme multitaskers: The U5226KW is ideal for senior managers, financial analysts, and other professionals who need to display multiple feeds simultaneously. With a $2,899 list price, it is targeted at individuals and organizations with deep pockets.
Situation rooms: With its enormous screen that can accept input from up to four different sources, the UltraSharp 52 can help anchor a governmental, military, or emergency services command center. It can display multiple streams of essential information to a team tasked with making crucial decisions amid late-breaking news and changing events.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync Variable Refresh Rate Aspect Ratio 21:9 Dimensions (HWD) 28.3 by 48.2 by 10 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 6144 by 2560 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 51.5 Pixel Refresh Rate 120 Rated Contrast Ratio 2000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 400 Screen Technology IPS Black Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 7 VESA DisplayHDR Level NA Video Inputs DisplayPort (2) Video Inputs HDMI (2) Video Inputs Thunderbolt 4 Video Inputs USB-C (3) Warranty (Parts/Labor) 3 Weight 40.2 -
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![Philips Brilliance 499P9H]()
Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Monitor for General UsePhilips Brilliance 499P9H
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With 49 inches of screen real estate, the Philips Brilliance 499P9H is a delight for multitaskers. Its curved ultrawide screen with 5K native resolution lets you work with photos and intricate diagrams or view two or three program windows side by side. It's bright, it supports HDR, and it has good color coverage. Like others in its class, the 499P9H is on the pricey side, but it's a highly capable display that's easy to recommend for any office seeking a multitasking monster and a good user experience.
Who It's For
Teleconferencers: At the top of the 499P9H is a webcam that pops up when you press it and tucks securely back into the monitor when you are not using it, for the assurance of privacy. It's equipped with sensors for Windows Hello facial recognition, enabling easy logins to Windows devices. The screen is wide enough that you can have, say, a video conference in the central area, and feeds or applications running in windows to the sides.
Multitaskers: With 49 inches of screen real estate, the Philips Brilliance 499P9H is a delight for multitaskers. Its 5K native horizontal resolution lets you work with photos, diagrams, and wide spreadsheets, or two or three windows side by side. It's bright, it supports HDR, and it has good color coverage.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync NA Aspect Ratio 32:9 Dimensions (HWD) 22.4 by 47 by 11.9 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 5120 by 1440 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 49 Pixel Refresh Rate 60 Rated Contrast Ratio 3000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 450 Screen Technology VA Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 3 VESA DisplayHDR Level NA Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs USB-C Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 33.7 Learn More Philips Brilliance 499P9H Review Review -
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW)]()
Best Ultrawide Monitor for Creative ProsDell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor U4025QW represents a significant investment, but for the creative types who might spring for it, it will be money well spent. Between high resolution and pixel density in a large-screen ultrawide monitor, the high contrast afforded by IPS Black, and impressive image quality in our ad-hoc testing, it gets high marks for a monitor for videographers and other creative pros. Add to that a hub with two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and no less than six downstream USB ports, plus Ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort, and it has all connectivity bases covered. It is an exceptional candidate for professionals seeking a killer large-screen ultrawide display.
Who It’s For
Creative pros: The Dell U4025QW is a great choice for video editors, photographers, and other well-heeled creative professionals. This 40-inch ultrawide IPS Black panel sports high resolution (at 5,120 by 2,160 pixels), excellent contrast and pixel density, and earns top marks in both our quantitative and experiential testing. The screen has a gentle (2,500R) curvature befitting a productivity panel.
Managers and art directors: The U4025QW has one of the most thorough assortments of ports of any monitor we have reviewed, living up to the "Hub" part of its name, and provides all the connectivity for a laptop that you would expect from a standalone docking station. It's a solid match for the demanding workloads of art directors and graphic arts professionals alike.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync Yes Aspect Ratio 21:9 Dimensions (HWD) 18 by 37.3 by 9.8 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 5120 by 2160 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 39.7 Pixel Refresh Rate 120 Rated Contrast Ratio 2000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 300 Screen Technology IPS Black Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 6 VESA DisplayHDR Level DisplayHDR 600 Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs Thunderbolt 4 (2) Warranty (Parts/Labor) 3 Weight 30.4 -
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![HP Series 7 Pro 34-inch WQHD Conferencing Monitor (734pm)]()
Best Ultrawide Conferencing MonitorHP Series 7 Pro 34-inch WQHD Conferencing Monitor (734pm)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The HP Series 7 Pro 734pm has superb videoconferencing cred, between its super-sharp 5-megapixel HDR webcam, noise-cancelling mics, and quad speaker system. It houses a magnificent 34-inch ultrawide screen with excellent image quality, and HP augmented that with a wealth of ports (Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, a USB hub) and other features. It doesn’t come cheap, but it is money well spent.
Who It's For
Managers and executives: This ultrawide powerhouse is an excellent choice for senior employees whose schedules are loaded with conference calls. This display is also loaded with connectivity choices, all of which make it a winner as a panel for constant online collaboration.
Avid teleconferencers: If much of your work is conducted via video conferences, you may want to boost your video and audio setup beyond what mere laptops can provide. The 734pm integrates a hi-res webcam, noise-cancelling microphones, and a loud yet clear system so you can be seen and heard in your best light and catch faint comments from other participants.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync AMD FreeSync Premium Aspect Ratio 21:9 Dimensions (HWD) 14.3 by 32 by 4.7 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 3440 by 1440 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 34.1 Pixel Refresh Rate 120 Rated Contrast Ratio 2000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 400 Screen Technology IPS Black Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 6 VESA DisplayHDR Level DisplayHDR 400 Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs Thunderbolt 4 Video Inputs USB-C Warranty (Parts/Labor) 3 Weight 25 -
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![Dell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW)]()
Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor for Home-Office UseDell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Dell UltraSharp U3824DW, a 38-inch ultrawide productivity monitor, is ideal for a small or home office. Its modestly curved screen is more compact than the more common 45-to-49-inch productivity panels, yet is capable of multitasking wizardry. The Dell Display Manager app gives you great leeway in tiling windows. The U3824DW's IPS Black panel provides superior contrast, and it easily covers the full sRGB color space. Add in a terrific range of ports, and you have a near-perfect monitor for home offices and small businesses.
Who It's For
People who work from home: Dell’s U3824DW is ideal for home offices, sole proprietorships, and small businesses with space limitations that still require a top-notch ultrawide productivity panel.
Multitaskers: The Dell Display Manager app gives you great leeway in tiling windows, letting you multitask with ease.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync NA Aspect Ratio 21:9 Dimensions (HWD) 22.2 by 35.2 by 9.9 inches Height-Adjustable Stand? Native Resolution 3840 by 1600 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 37.5 Pixel Refresh Rate 60 Rated Contrast Ratio 2000:1 Rated Screen Luminance 300 Screen Technology IPS Black Swiveling Stand? Tilting Stand? USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) 7 VESA DisplayHDR Level N/A Video Inputs DisplayPort Video Inputs HDMI (2) Video Inputs USB-C Warranty (Parts/Labor) 3 Weight 29.3 -
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![Corsair Xeneon Edge]()
Best Ultrawide Secondary ScreenCorsair Xeneon Edge
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch touch-screen monitor that's as cool as it is quirky. Its unique IPS panel, with a super-ultrawide (32:9) aspect ratio, can be used as anything from a mini display, standing on your desk, to a system monitor mounted inside a PC case. With magnetic mounts and gamer-specific features in Corsair's iCUE software, the Edge could be the raddest addition to your desktop, whether it's a custom gaming rig or a productivity-focused workspace. There's nothing else quite like it on the market.
Who It's For
Custom PC builders: This quirky Corsair display can be mounted inside a PC case. If you've got an empty spot where you'd otherwise stick a trio of fans or a liquid cooler in your chassis, you can squeeze in the Xeneon Edge. Its slim aspect ratio and minimal housing provide enough clearance to fit in those tight spots. When mounted inside a PC case, the Xeneon Edge can serve as a passive display to monitor system stats, or to show video or other apps or widgets.
Workers in need of a secondary screen: The Xeneon Edge is an innovative niche product for the kind of user who obsesses over every detail of their custom PC. It’s not for everyone, and it won’t replace a full second monitor in the conventional way. But for those who want to add some flair and functionality to their desktop, the Xeneon Edge is the kind of conversation-starter gadget that makes a great custom setup even better. You can have it display your favorite apps, widgets, or serve as a dedicated screen for chats.
Specs & Configurations
Adaptive Sync NA Aspect Ratio 32:9 Dimensions (HWD) 4.7 by 14.6 by 0.9 inches Native Resolution 2560 by 720 Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) 14.5 Pixel Refresh Rate 60 Rated Screen Luminance 350 Screen Technology IPS Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs USB-C Warranty (Parts/Labor) 2 Weight 3.5 Learn More Corsair Xeneon Edge Review -
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Best For | Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor Overall | Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Overall | Best High-End Ultrawide Gaming Monitor | Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Productivity Monitor | Best Giant-Screen Ultrawide Monitor for General Use | Best Ultrawide Monitor for Creative Pros | Best Ultrawide Conferencing Monitor | Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor for Home-Office Use | Best Ultrawide Secondary Screen | Best Ultrawide Productivity Monitor Overall | Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Overall | Best High-End Ultrawide Gaming Monitor |
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 44.5 | 49 | 44.5 | 51.5 | 49 | 39.7 | 34.1 | 37.5 | 14.5 | 44.5 | 49 | 44.5 |
Native Resolution | 5120 by 1440 | 5120 by 1440 | 3440 by 1440 | 6144 by 2560 | 5120 by 1440 | 5120 by 2160 | 3440 by 1440 | 3840 by 1600 | 2560 by 720 | 5120 by 1440 | 5120 by 1440 | 3440 by 1440 |
Aspect Ratio | 32:9 | 32:9 | 21:9 | 21:9 | 32:9 | 21:9 | 21:9 | 21:9 | 32:9 | 32:9 | 32:9 | 21:9 |
Screen Technology | VA | OLED | OLED | IPS Black | VA | IPS Black | IPS Black | IPS Black | IPS | VA | OLED | OLED |
Rated Screen Luminance | 400 | 250 | 200 | 400 | 450 | 300 | 400 | 300 | 350 | 400 | 250 | 200 |
Rated Contrast Ratio | 3,000:1 | 1,000,000:1 | 1500000:1 | 2000:1 | 3000:1 | 2000:1 | 2000:1 | 2000:1 | 3,000:1 | 1,000,000:1 | 1500000:1 | |
Pixel Refresh Rate | 165 | 240 | 240 | 120 | 60 | 120 | 120 | 60 | 60 | 165 | 240 | 240 |
Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | AMD FreeSync Premium | Variable Refresh Rate | NA | AMD FreeSync Premium | NA | NA | AMD FreeSync | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | AMD FreeSync Premium | |
Video Inputs | DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C (2) | HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C | DisplayPort, HDMI | HDMI (2), DisplayPort (2), Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (3) | DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C | DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4 (2), HDMI | HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C | DisplayPort, HDMI (2), USB-C | USB-C, HDMI | DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C (2) | HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C | DisplayPort, HDMI |
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |
VESA DisplayHDR Level | N/A | DisplayHDR 400 | HDR10 | NA | NA | DisplayHDR 600 | DisplayHDR 400 | N/A | N/A | DisplayHDR 400 | HDR10 | |
Dimensions (HWD) | 20.5 by 42.7 by 12.1 inches | 20.8 by 47.0 by 9.3 inches | 25.5 by 39.1 by 14.3 inches | 28.3 by 48.2 by 10 inches | 22.4 by 47 by 11.9 inches | 18 by 37.3 by 9.8 inches | 14.3 by 32 by 4.7 inches | 22.2 by 35.2 by 9.9 inches | 4.7 by 14.6 by 0.9 inches | 20.5 by 42.7 by 12.1 inches | 20.8 by 47.0 by 9.3 inches | 25.5 by 39.1 by 14.3 inches |
Weight | 32 | 28.4 | 35.3 | 40.2 | 33.7 | 30.4 | 25 | 29.3 | 3.5 | 32 | 28.4 | 35.3 |
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Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Buying Guide: The Best Ultrawide Monitors for 2026
Ready to shop for an ultrawide display? The first fundamental to understand is aspect ratio—the relationship between a screen's horizontal and vertical pixel count, i.e., monitor width and height.
The two most common ultrawide aspect ratios are 21:9 and 32:9. The latter is a more extreme example, more than three times as wide as it is tall. Monitors with a 32:9 aspect ratio are sometimes called “super wide” or “super ultrawide.” We see them, however, as a subset of the ultrawide class, and we use the term ultrawide for both 32:9 and 21:9 displays.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Though the current ultrawide wave is the most radical expression, computer monitors have gotten progressively wider relative to their height over the decades. Around the turn of the millennium, many monitors had a boxier 4:3 aspect ratio, which originally came from motion pictures. (It's the standard aspect ratio of 35mm film.) Around 2005, monitors with a slightly wider 16:10 aspect ratio came into vogue. By 2010, the desktop standard became an even wider 16:9 ratio—the dimensions of a high-definition television (HDTV) image.
The 16:9 ratio remains the most popular today, although 16:10 has recently undergone a resurgence. Familiar resolutions such as 720p (1,280 by 720 pixels), 1080p (1,920 by 1,080), 1440p/QHD (2,560 by 1,440), and 4K or UHD (3,840 by 2,160) all have a 16:9 aspect ratio.
As for the origins of what we consider today to be ultrawide, the first 21:9 monitors appeared in 2012, and 32:9 displays in 2017. In addition to their unique aspect ratios, ultrawide monitors are, as you could guess, physically wide. Most have diagonal screen sizes of 34, 43, or 49 inches. The 49-inch models tend to really pack in the pixels, with native resolutions of either 5,120 by 1,440 or 3,840 by 1,080 pixels at a 32:9 aspect ratio. Most ultrawide monitors, especially the biggest ones, have large, often V-shaped stands to support their weight and keep their wide chassis balanced.
The Best Ultrawide Monitors for Business
Ultrawide business monitors are a boon to multitaskers. Why? For starters, they let you open multiple full-size application windows on the same screen. A few manufacturers, Dell among them, include software to help you split the giant screen into neatly arranged windows. That software can go beyond what Windows' built-in tiling, snapping, and auto-resize features can do.
These panels are also a good substitute for multi-monitor arrays. A 32:9 monitor is twice the width of a 16:9 monitor with the same vertical pixel count. A 49-inch ultrawide with a 32:9 aspect ratio gives you a screen size equivalent to two 27-inch monitors put side by side. (Remember again that screen size is measured diagonally, not left to right.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Generally, ultrawide business displays have an abundance of ports: at least one HDMI and one DisplayPort input, both upstream and downstream USB ports, and USB Type-C ports are typical. With many newer ultrawide business monitors, the USB-C port can transfer data as well as the video signal (the latter using the DisplayPort over USB protocol), while simultaneously powering or charging the laptop from which it's displaying the image (if applicable).
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)A few monitors in this class incorporate keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switch functionality. A KVM feature lets you control two computers connected to the monitor via a single keyboard and mouse. This unusual, space-saving feature might attract users doing render work or data processing on a second PC. You'll want to look into the connectivity particulars of any KVM-equipped monitor to see if there are any stipulations around how it works or what ports you'll need to use.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Many ultrawide business monitors have curved screens, although their degree of curvature tends to be milder than those of curved gaming displays. More on that in a moment.
Widescreen Artistry: Ultrawide Monitors for Content Creators and Gamers
In the professional-content-creator arena, graphic artists and photographers can benefit from extra screen width. They can open and work with two or more images (or several versions of the same photo or illustration) side by side. Ultrawides often let photo or video editors look at their source material in full resolution, while allowing enough screen space alongside it for palettes, toolbars, or timelines to coexist without requiring resizing or shuffling.
Recommended by Our Editors
Many ultrawide gaming monitors are available as well. Not every gamer or game will benefit from an ultrawide panel, but they're particularly suited for racing games, flight simulators, and other genres that give players a panoramic vista or reward gamers by letting them see areas in their peripheral vision.
As mentioned, many gaming-focused models employ a curved screen to provide for a more immersive experience. A common curvature for gaming monitors is 1800R, which means that if you were to place enough monitors side by side to form a circle it would have a radius of 1,800mm (1.8 meters). The higher the curvature number, the gentler or shallower the curve. Conversely, the lower the number, the more drastically curved the panel; we've seen monitors with curvature as extreme as 800R.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)Naturally, ultrawide gaming monitors have many features common to all gaming displays. Leading-edge models tend to have high refresh rates (up to 500Hz or more) and employ adaptive sync technologies like Nvidia's G-Sync or AMD's FreeSync. Ordinary productivity panels tend to refresh at a 60Hz rate, the norm for mainstream monitors. A higher refresh rate lets fast-twitch gamers enjoy smoother, more reactive play when the attached PC and graphics card can push consistent frame rates in excess of 60 frames per second (fps).
Serious esports players often optimize their systems to run at ultra-high refresh rates to gain an edge in hyper-competitive titles. (Much more on that in our roundup of the best gaming monitors.) However, you'll need a graphics card capable of pushing frames at the high resolution that top ultrawide gaming monitors support. In esports competition, sticking to a relatively modest 1080p resolution for the sake of a faster frame rate is actually an advantage. Gaming ultrawides also present some more caveats we'll get into below.
Some ultrawide gaming monitors flaunt RGB lighting schemes with embedded mood lighting on the back or around the sides, and many use the mini-joystick controls now found on other gaming (and some general-purpose) displays instead of buttons to manipulate onscreen settings. Port-wise, nearly all have DisplayPort and HDMI inputs and most have USB-C input as well.
Ultrawide Monitors: Some Caveats to Consider
So is bigger always better? Not really. For starters, you'll need plenty of desk space to accommodate an ultrawide monitor.
These monitors' panoramic screens, especially at screen sizes of 43 to 49 inches, may be simply too large for a typical desk. Take measurements before diving in. You'll also probably want to enlist a friend to help you move the heavy monitor into place. Carrying an ultrawide monitor is a bit like carrying a beam of lumber; if you're not careful, the front and back may start to wag back and forth.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Gamers have additional potential concerns. Depending on the specific game and your playing style, ultrawide monitors can be a boon or a hindrance for multiplayer gaming. The panels can deliver benefits in many MOBAs, battle royale titles, and real-time strategy (RTS) games. But hard-core esports competitors may actually want a smaller, more focused view of the proceedings without, say, being distracted by enemies that appear suddenly at the periphery of the screen. Some esports pros strongly prefer a compact 16:9 monitor to keep the action in the primary field of view.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Also bear in mind that most new AAA games will work fine on screens with 21:9 and usually 32:9 aspect ratios, but some older games may not support them. As a result, games may appear in a smaller window with large black bars at the sides (like movie letterboxing turned sideways), or even worse with the game image stretched across the whole panel and distorted. It's best to check the game publisher's support pages or relevant forums if you have any doubts or are married to a particular older game.
Most of all, ultrawide monitors tend to be pricey, though part of that is simply their size—once you get above 32 inches, most displays of all kinds are ultrawides. Models in the 34-to-35-inch range run from around $250 for basic, general-purpose screens (or bare-bones gaming panels) to more than $2,000 for a fully tricked-out gaming monitor. Most 34- or 35-inch monitors, however, cost less than $1,000, while 49-inch models run from about $500 to $1,600.
Ready to Buy the Right Ultrawide Monitor for You?
Ultrawide monitors are not for everyone, but if you do want a display with an immensely spacious screen, whether for gaming, creating digital content, viewing ginormous spreadsheets, or comparing several versions of a photo or illustration, you have plenty of good choices. We've tested a whole passel of panels; check them out and click through for deep-dive reviews of each to learn more.