Immerse yourself in the heart of the action with a curved gaming monitor. These displays enhance peripheral vision, drawing you deeper into your favorite games. Whether you're a competitive esports player or a single-player RPG enthusiast, a curved monitor elevates the gaming experience. Here are the best curved gaming monitors of 2025.
TL;DR – Top Curved Gaming Monitors:
Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM
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AOC C27G2Z
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Dell Alienware AW3423DWF
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Acer Predator X34 OLED
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MSI MPG 491CQP
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The market is saturated with curved gaming monitors, making informed choices crucial. Consider your gaming style: shooters benefit from low latency and high refresh rates, while immersive experiences prioritize deeper curves. It's all about finding the perfect balance.
The Expert: Why Trust Us
With over a decade of experience as a gaming journalist, I've reviewed countless monitors. My expertise spans various gaming genres and user needs, going beyond simple specs to assess overall quality and value. I've written for major gaming publications and strive to provide cost-effective, high-quality recommendations. At IGN, our reviews are rigorously vetted for accuracy and objectivity.
After reading this guide, explore our recommendations for the best graphics cards, gaming keyboards, gaming mice, and gaming headsets to complete your ultimate gaming setup.
1. Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM: Best Curved Gaming Monitor
This 34-inch ultrawide boasts exceptional HDR, impressive gaming features, and a deep 800R curve for unparalleled immersion. Its OLED panel delivers stunning visuals and high brightness. While excellent for gaming, its deep curve might affect productivity. The price typically hovers around $1,000.
Product Specifications:
Screen size: 34" 800R
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Panel type: OLED, G-Sync compatible
HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 True Black
Brightness: 1,300cd/m2
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms (GtG)
Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, USB Type-C (DP and PD), 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
Pros: Stunning HDR, deep curve, high brightness, built-in KVM.
Cons: Deep curve less ideal for productivity.
2. AOC C27G2Z: Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor
A great value option, the AOC C27G2Z delivers a solid picture on a 27-inch screen with an immersive curve and responsive 240Hz refresh rate, all for under $200. Its high contrast ratio makes for a vibrant gaming experience, though colors and viewing angles might not match higher-end IPS panels. Note that HDMI is limited to 120Hz.
Product Specifications:
Screen size: 27" 1500R
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
Panel type: VA FreeSync
Brightness: 300cd/m2
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.5ms
Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort
Pros: Great responsiveness, high refresh rate, good contrast.
Cons: HDMI limited to 120Hz.
3. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF: Best Value Curved Gaming Monitor
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF offers exceptional value with its QD-OLED panel. Currently priced around $600, it delivers stunning picture quality, high refresh rate, and impressive responsiveness. While SDR brightness is moderate, HDR performance is excellent. It supports AMD FreeSync and is G-Sync compatible.
Product Specifications:
Screen size: 34" 1800R
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Panel type: QD-OLED, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 165Hz
Response time: 0.5ms
Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort, 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A
Pros: Great value, fantastic picture, high refresh rate.
Cons: Low SDR brightness, HDMI 2.0 only.
4. Acer Predator X34 OLED: Best Ultrawide G-Sync Gaming Monitor
The Acer Predator X34 OLED is a top contender, boasting superior HDR brightness, a 240Hz refresh rate, and excellent color reproduction. Its 800R curve enhances immersion, although it might not be ideal for productivity tasks. The lack of an sRGB mode is a minor drawback.
Product Specifications:
Screen size: 34"
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3440x1440
Panel type: OLED
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400
Brightness: 1,300 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms
Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
Pros: Superior HDR brightness, 240Hz refresh rate, great color reproduction.
Cons: 800R curve less ideal for productivity, no sRGB mode.
5. MSI MPG 491CQPX: Best Curved 32:9 Super Ultrawide Monitor
For expansive gaming and multitasking, the MSI MPG 491CQPX delivers a massive 49-inch 32:9 QD-OLED display. Its high resolution (5120x1440) rivals three 1440p monitors, ideal for productivity and gaming. The 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time ensure exceptional performance. It also includes USB Type-C video input and PD charging.
Product Specifications:
Screen size: 49", 1800R
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: 5,120x1,440
Panel type: QD-OLED
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms
Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB Type-C (DP/PD 98W), 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
Pros: Bright and color rich, great for productivity and gaming, fast response time, USB Type-C.
Cons: Demanding resolution, burn-in prevention features can be intrusive.
How to Choose a Curved Monitor
Choosing a curved monitor involves considering resolution, size, panel type, brightness, refresh rate, curvature, and additional features. Resolution impacts image clarity, while size affects immersion and workspace. Panel type (IPS, VA, OLED) influences color accuracy, contrast, and response time. Brightness, refresh rate, and curvature all contribute to the overall viewing experience. Features like VRR, KVM switches, and gaming-specific modes enhance functionality.
Upcoming Curved Gaming Monitors in 2025
OLED continues to dominate, with many brands releasing new models. Mini-LED is emerging as a potential alternative, addressing brightness and burn-in concerns. The integration of smart TV features into gaming monitors is also a growing trend.
Curved Monitor FAQs
Are curved monitors better for gaming? The benefit is subjective, depending on the curve's depth and screen size. Deeper curves on ultrawide monitors enhance immersion.
What is 800R, 1500R, and 1800R? These numbers represent the curvature radius; lower numbers indicate deeper curves.
Are curved monitors good for work? Gently curved monitors (1500R, 1800R) are suitable for most tasks. Deeper curves might distort text, making them less ideal for productivity.