Games News games, movies and TV you love.
Related Articles
The best curved gaming monitors might look a little odd, but they deliver a sense of immersion that traditional flat screens cannot. While displays with a curvature can take some getting used to, you’ll feel like you’re being pulled into your favorite Steam games once you adjust, and we’d say these panels are the next best thing to virtual reality.
Not all curved monitors are equal, and just like the best gaming monitor contenders, each display will feature different specs and attributes designed for specific players. For example, if you regularly jump into FPS games, you’ll benefit from picking up a curved display with a high refresh rate, rather than a basic 60Hz model. Same goes for panel type, as if you’re looking for colors that make artistic indie games and immersive adventures pop, you’ll want an OLED display with excellent HDR support.
To save your driving yourself round the bend shopping for a curvy screen, we’ve put the best curved gaming monitors to the test. You’ll find a list of our favorite models below, and our picks include ultrawide monitors and behemoth displays that can rival the best gaming TVs. Just keep in mind that these monitors are designed to envelop you at close proximity, so if you’d rather pick up something for your living room console, you might want to swing by our best monitor for PS5 guide for suitable alternatives.
The best curved gaming monitor 2023
Image 1 of 6
1. Samsung Odyssey G7
The best curved gaming monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 27″; 1000R curvePanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 1msBrightness: 350 nitsContrast ratio: 2500:1Features: G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium, 2x USB 3.0 hub
Reasons to buy
+Gorgeous VA panel+Super-fast response+Nice design and build quality
Reasons to avoid
-Pricey-Not a true HDR display
The Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7 has local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, and more, and that makes it our favourite curved gaming monitor of the moment.
It’s a 27-inch (though a 32-inch model is also available) screen with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh for what many would agree absolutely nails the sweet spot in terms of balancing detail with speed and response. While the VA panel technology used here might raise eyebrows due to its traditionally slow pixel response and slightly laggy performance, those concerns are not valid here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and this monitor feels and looks that quick. Elsewhere it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix for an incredibly compelling package.
As for negatives, they’re limited to a relatively high price tag, and slightly disappointing HDR implementation given the DisplayHDR 600 certification, but all in this is an excellent curved gaming monitor and our favourite right now, as it offers a bit of everything for everyone.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey G7 review
Image 1 of 5
2. AOC CU34G2X
The best value-for-money quality curved ultrawide monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 34″Aspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3440x1440Refresh rate: 144HzBrightness: 300 cd/m2Response time: 1msViewing angle: 178°Contrast ratio: 3000:1Features: FreeSync, G-Sync, VA panel, 4x USB 3.0 ports
Reasons to buy
+144Hz and 1ms are the best specs for gaming+In-game performance in shooters and racing games is sublime+Ridiculously good value
Reasons to avoid
-Color isn’t quite as vibrant as some other monitors
If you want to reap the benefits of an ultrawide display but you don’t want to fork out the big bucks, look no further than the AOC CU34G2X. This 34″ beast may not look particularly noteworthy, but inside it’s rocking specs to make your mouth water, especially if you’re a competitive gamer. What’s even more impressive is that it costs less than £/$500, so it’s a brilliant entry point into ultrawide gaming for anyone upgrading from a 1080p or 1440p screen.
The CU34G2X offers both a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time – two of the most important specs when it comes to gaming monitors – so any game that supports ultrawide displays will be a delight to play. Which at this point is most of them, except for Valorant and Overwatch. Whether you want the advantage of a wider peripheral vision in shooters like Call of Duty or you want to have the full view of the dashboard in a driving game, the CU34G2X is one of the best on the market. Also, give Elite Dangerous a go; the thrill of zooming through space on an ultrawide is phenomenal.
Unfortunately, the AOC CU34G2X does lack a little when it comes to color vibrancy and HDR performance, but it isn’t such a big deal that it hinders our recommendation, because its primary purpose is gaming and for that, it is outstanding. Just don’t try and do too much color-sensitive work in Photoshop or anything, you know?
Image 1 of 5
3. Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED
The best premium curved monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 34”Aspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3440 x 1440 at 175HzBrightness: 1,000 nits peak HDRResponse time: 0.1msViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 1,000,000:1Features: QD OLED panel, 99.3% DCI-P3, Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2, USB hub, AlienFX lighting
Reasons to buy
+Fabulous OLED panel+Incredible pixel response+True HDR performance
Reasons to avoid
-Less convincing as a desktop monitor-Not the lowest latency option-Not exactly cheap
It’s been an awfully long time coming. But with the new Alienware 34 AW3423DW, OLED technology has finally come to the best curved gaming monitor. And, boy, does it deliver. This screen has better contrast and a faster response than any LCD panel we’ve ever seen. It looks richer, more convincing, and more immersive, it’s faster, it’s sharper, it’s clearer.
It’s not absolutely perfect. The supposedly brighter HDR 1000 mode actually results in a duller image most of the time than the more usable HDR 400 setting. You will rarely if ever see the full 1,000 nits. The low pixel density also means this isn’t a great choice for an all-purpose display.
It’s likewise not a good fit for console gaming. And strictly speaking, higher refresh panels will offer better latency. But for most types of gaming, it’s an absolute revelation. Concerns involving OLED burn-in do linger, a little. If that proves unfounded, OLED could take off on the PC in a big way.
Read more: Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED review
4. Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The best ultrawide curved gaming monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 49-inchScreen type: OLEDResolution: 5120x1440Brightness: 250cd/㎡Response time: 0.03ms GtGViewing angle: 178°Contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1
Reasons to buy
+Staggering 49-inch OLED panel+Stupendous image quality+Some nice extras
Reasons to avoid
-Ultrawide aspect ratio is not always ideal-Smart features are a bit pointless
Measuring in at a whopping 49-inches, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a behemoth gaming monitor. While it has a lot of other things going for it too, it’s that extra screen space that makes it our current favorite ultrawide curved display, and it’s HDR abilities are the cherry on top.
We’re not saying the OLED G9 is perfect, and its price means many of you out there will likely never use this display. However, it does rise to the OLED challenge presented by LG, and we’re thoroughly impressed by the screens HDR performance and outrageous contrast.
If price is the only thing stopping you picking up this display, you’ll be pleased to know that a cheaper version without smart features is on the way. That’s right, this one has streaming services and the likes build in, meaning it’s almost a gaming TV. These features do feel a little redundant, and the monitor’s OSD leaves a lot to be desired, but that doesn’t spoil the excellent visual performance on offer.
In truth, we’re slightly torn on whether the Odyssey OLED G9 or the LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B is our absolute go to curved gaming monitor at this sort of price point. Ultimately, the G9 wins us over on the ultrawide front, but playing games like Cyberpunk 2077 on Samsung’s screen proves its also a winner on the OLED front.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review
5. LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
+Gorgeous 45-inch OLED display+Immersive ultrawide curve+Effective RGB backlighting
Reasons to avoid
-Beyond expensive-1440p slightly soft at this screen size
The LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B is a staggering curved gaming monitor that costs a pretty penny, but we think it’s worth the investment if you’re looking for best in class OLED performance. While it’s 45-inch stature falls slightly short of its main rival, the Samsung OLED G9, it’ll still dominate your desk and envelop you with immersive visuals.
Featuring fantastic HDR capabilities and a snappy 240Hz refresh rate, the UltraGear 45GR95QE-B is anything but a one trick pony. Whether you’re into a fast paced FPS games or immersive adventures, this screen is going to help your Steam library shine. While it’s ultrawide status means using it with a PS5 or Xbox Series X is less beneficial, you could also plug all your gaming platforms into this beast, as it has plenty of HDMI and DisplayPorts to go around.
LG’s OLED panels are something special, and you only have to dive into an indie adventure like Tunic or walk beneath the glow of Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City using this monitor to get why it absolutely slaps. The only real visual fault we could find with the display is the fact its 1440p, but if you’re not used to using a high spec 4K monitor on a daily basis, you might not actually notice the density difference.
Subtle extras like an included remote and impressive decorate RGB lighting make the UltraGear 45GR95QE-B stand out in a busy market, and its 800R curve earns it a place on this specific list. Again, both this screen and the Samsung OLED G9 offer a very similar experience for roughly the same price, but LG’s display edges slightly forward when it comes to OLED brilliance.
Read more: LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B
Image 1 of 4
6. BenQ EX3203R
The best cheap curved gaming monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inchPanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560x1440Response time: 4msRefresh rate: 144HzWeight: 18 lbs
Reasons to buy
+Gorgeous curved panel+144Hz refresh rate+FreeSync support
Reasons to avoid
-Lower end of HDR support-No G-sync
With the best curved gaming monitors often demanding high-ish price tags, the BenQ EX3203R is a great, more affordable option. We can’t classify it as a truly budget screen but it’s reasonably priced and worth the investment.
The BenQ EX3203R sports a VA panel that provides good contrast levels, and a high refresh rate. Although it sacrifices slightly in the viewing angle and color production departments, it’s a curved screen so it has great viewing direction by default. One of the first monitors I reviewed for GamesRadar, this is a great panel that doesn’t ruin the bank balance in one fell swoop.
At 32-inches it does offer more of a one-panel solution to your curved gaming monitor needs, but is certainly one that you should consider whenever it’s discounted or in sales. Even though it’s a couple of tech rotations old now, it still offers great game visuals, experiences, and performance.
Read more: BenQ EX3203R monitor review
Image 1 of 4
7. Samsung CRG9
A top massive, ultrawide gaming monitor from a quality maker
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 49″; 1800R curvePanel type: VAAspect ratio: 32:9Resolution: 5120 x 1440Refresh rate: 212HzResponse time: 4msBrightness: 600 nitsContrast ratio: 3000:1Features: FreeSync 2, 4x USB 3.0 hub, VESA 100mm x 100mm
Reasons to buy
+Epic 49-inch panel+120Hz refresh
Reasons to avoid
-Low pixel density-Doesn’t suit all games
Go big or go home. That’s the Samsung CRG9’s philosophy. At 49 inches – count them! – it’s positively huge. It’s also immensely bright at 1,000nits, albeit that only applies to local hotspots, rather than panel wide. To that, you can add excellent claimed colour fidelity with 95 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut, 3,000:1 static contrast from the VA panel, 120Hz refresh, and a gentle 1800R. Oh, and megabucks styling in typical Samsung fashion. Quite a package, isn’t it?
As for things the CRG9 lacks, well, you don’t get true HDR capability despite the claims, thanks to the very limited number of local dimming zones and there’s no USB-C connectivity. The CRG9 also lacks the very last word in pixel response. It’s reasonably quick, but it’s not lightning fast.
But most gamers won’t care. Instead, they’ll be blown away by the ridiculous scale of this monitor and the mind-blowing, immersive experience. The extreme 21:9 aspect certainly doesn’t work well in all games. It’s compromised back on the Windows desktop. While the 5,120 by 1,440 native resolution adds up to a lot of pixels, such as the epic panel size the pixel density is actually pretty poor. But when this thing really clicks, it’s an all-consuming experience like little other and earns its place in the best curved gaming monitor conversation.
Read more: Samsung CRG9 review
Image 1 of 5
8. Samsung C27RG5
The best curved G-Sync-compatible monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27-inchPanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (at 1500R)Response time: 4msRefresh rate: 240HzWeight: 10.14 lbs
Reasons to buy
+Glorious curved panel+Quality gaming speeds
Reasons to avoid
-Only a VA panel
If you’re after Samsung’s quality and screen-making pedigree in your search for the best curved gaming monitor, but can’t quite splash out on those newer models, then this C27 is a really fine candidate.
Being G-Sync compatible – and not fully G-Sync – means you can still get the benefits of Nvidia’s screen-smoothing tech but without the bump in the price – a strong start.
But it’s also a great looking monitor, and if you’re in the market for any form of quality curved screen (or two!) then you can have no concerns about how this one would look on your desk or in your setup. Its speeds are very high-performing too: the C27RG5 offers a terrific 240Hz refresh rate along with a 4ms response time. These speeds on a fine, 1080p curved monitor for gaming, made by Samsung, make for an excellent recipe; it really has all the makings of a great Samsung gaming monitor for anyone (almost).
Extending their expertise in TVs to gaming monitors, Samsung have created a glorious gaming monitor that will enhance your immersion in games very nicely indeed.
9. BenQ Mobiuz EX3415R
The best top-end BenQ curved gaming monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 34-inchResolution: 3,440 x 1,440 at 144HzBrightness: 1,000 cd/m2Response time: 1ms MPRTViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 1,000:1Features: IPS panel, AMD FreeSync Premium, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x1, VESA DisplayHDR 400
Reasons to buy
+Great overall feature set+Nice ultrawide IPS panel+Really good pixel response
Reasons to avoid
-Very expensive compared to competitors-Subdued image quality in SDR mode
What’s the ideal all-round curved gaming monitor? Maybe a 34-inch ultrawide model with a quality IPS panel and 3,440 by 1,440 pixels for a perfect compromise between detail and GPU load? Add in 144Hz refresh, 1ms response, and HDR response for good measure? Make it curved for that immersive wrap-around experience?
We’ve just described the new BenQ Mobiuz EX3415R, which, while expensive, does offer an excellent feature set. For sure, this monitor ticks all the important boxes. You also get really nice build quality and a fully adjustable stand. The slight snag is subdued image quality in SDR mode. To get an experience that delivers on the 400 nits quoted panel performance, whatever the content, you have to run Windows in HDR mode and then tweak the brightness for SDR content. If you’ve been looking for an awesome ultrawide and don’t mind investing considerably to get the right screen, then this could very much be the panel you’ve been looking for.
Read more: BenQ Mobiuz EX3415R review
10. ViewSonic VX2768-PC-MHD
The best curved high-refresh 1080p gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size:: 27-inchAspect ratio:: 16:9Resolution:: Full HD; 1920x1080Brightness:: 250cd/m2Response time:: 1msViewing angle:: 178/178 degreesContrast ratio:: 3,000:1
Reasons to buy
+Full support for 120Hz refresh+High-contrast VA panel+Remarkably affordable
Reasons to avoid
-No HDR support
If you need speed in your curved gaming monitor, then this 27-inch VA panel is a prime candidate. It sports a tight 1500R curve for that immersive, wrap-around feel and offers a great static contrast of 3,000:1, plus punchy colours and good viewing angles. On top of that, the VX2768-PC-MHD offers a speedy 1ms response time.
A big pull of this curved monitor though is that with an HD resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels – as opposed to 4K or even Quad HD resolutions – you can experience incredible fast refresh rates and frame rates. While it might not offer that ridiculously sharp image quality of a 4K-er, for anyone playing fast games, shooters or competitively online, the improved response and buttery smooth frame rates on offer here are undeniable and more important than the pixel count.
There isn’t HDR here, but with this price point and a strong steer toward speedy, smooth gaming, this wasn’t really on the cards. In short, this monitor represents an awful lot of high-refresh fun for the money and makes a neat, underrated curved gaming monitor contender.
Image 1 of 5
11. AOC Agon PD27
The most stylish curved gaming monitor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen size: 27″; 1000R curvePanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 0.5msBrightness: 550 nitsContrast ratio: 2500:1Features: Wireless keypad, VESA DisplayHDR 400, FreeSync Premium Pro, 2 x USB 3.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort1.4
Reasons to buy
+Incredible design and build+Exquisite specs and speeds+Unique aesthetic
Reasons to avoid
-Quite expensive compared to competition-HDR is lacking
Although any gaming monitor that comes draped in a race car-inspired aesthetic might raise eyebrows, the AOC Agon PD27 is a beauty. The crossover between AOC and Porsche Design is immediately evident when you take the monitor out of the box, and the screen is heavily imbued with a Porsche design approach, ethos, and aesthetic. It’s a slick, sleek, chic, and really quite beautiful-looking thing. The rear is particularly Porsche-y and the whole stand and frame have been designed with a roll cage in mind – it’s classy but also know that it takes up a lot of room and you then can’t see much of it once you’ve placed the monitor on your desk.
Getting to the meat of the specs, this is a 27-inch 1440p VA panel that is crisp, vibrant, and can turn its hand to anything. I used this monitor for many months for both work and play and it is the real deal in offering top performance – and its 1000R curve only serves to heighten the immersion. Supplement these headlines with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.5ms response rate, and you genuinely have a speedy monitor on your hands.
My only small gripes are its price – though this is the extra premium you pay for such a unique monitor – and its slightly disappointing HDR performance which was hard to nail down, and often gave pictures an overly light and pasty finish. DOn’t get me wrong though, this didn’t impact the performance, and if you’re looking for one of the coolest curved gaming monitors going, that can still offer the top gaming chops, the PD27 is a cracker.
Read more: AOC Agon PD27 review
Best curved monitor: FAQs
If you’re after something that’s TV-shaped then head over to our best gaming TV guide as well as our best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best OLED TV, and best 120Hz 4K TV guides which will all see you right.
<div
