Buying Guide
The Best Curved Gaming Monitors
Six curved monitors from 24 to 40 inches, including OLED and VA ultrawides.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A curve matters most on wide screens, where it keeps the edges at a similar distance from your eyes. These six run from 24 inches to a 40-inch 5120x2160 ultrawide.
We compared size, panel and refresh rate from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best OLED Ultrawide
Alienware 34 QD-OLED AW3425DWA 240Hz QD-OLED ultrawide.
Best for: Immersive games on a high-end PC.
Check price for Alienware 34 QD-OLED AW3425DW on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Ultrawide
AOC CU34G4H Curved UltrawideA 200Hz 3440x1440 VA panel near $210.
Best for: Ultrawide on a budget.
Check price for AOC CU34G4H Curved Ultrawide on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Widest 4K-Class Screen
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD5120x2160 at 180Hz on 40 inches.
Best for: Racing and flight games.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest 27-Inch Curve
ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS Curved280Hz at 1440p with USB-C.
Best for: Fast games on a curve.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 27-Inch Value
LG UltraGear 27GS60QC-B CurvedA curved 1440p 180Hz screen.
Best for: Mid-range cards.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS60QC-B Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1080p Speed
AOC C27G4ZH Curved280Hz on a curved VA panel.
Best for: Esports.
Check price for AOC C27G4ZH Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best OLED Ultrawide1 of 6
Alienware 34 QD-OLED AW3425DW
Alienware's AW3425DW puts a 34.2-inch QD-OLED ultrawide at 240Hz with 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Immersive games on a high-end PC.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements is a problem.
Why we like it
It pairs OLED contrast with a wide field of view. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 240Hz: the XG27WCMS offers 280Hz, and the 27GS60QC comes in at 180Hz. Its 34.2 inches screen size ranks second of 6 here, behind the Odyssey G7 40 (40 inches) and ahead of the C27G4ZH (27 inches).
It shares a 3440x1440 resolution with the CU34G4H; the XG27WCMS goes with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. A QD-OLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the C27G4ZH uses a VA panel. A DisplayHDR True Black 400 is unique to it among these picks, while the C27G4ZH uses an HDR.
It also offers 1000 nits peak HDR brightness. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. When we checked, only the XG27WCMS and cheaper picks cost less, and the Odyssey G7 40 cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 3440x1440
- Size
- 34.2 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut
- 99% DCI-P3
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing
Best Budget Ultrawide2 of 6
AOC CU34G4H Curved Ultrawide
AOC's CU34G4H is a 34-inch 3440x1440 VA ultrawide at 200Hz on a height, tilt and swivel stand.
Best for
- Ultrawide on a budget.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced ultrawide here at the time of writing. Its 200Hz refresh rate ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the XG27WCMS (280Hz) and ahead of the 27GS60QC (180Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 34 inches: the Odyssey G7 40 comes in at 40 inches, and the C27G4ZH comes in at 27 inches.
Like the AW3425DW, it has a 3440x1440 resolution, while the 27GS60QC uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. Like the C27G4ZH, it has a VA panel, while the AW3425DW uses a QD-OLED panel. You get an adaptive-Sync here, which sets it apart from the 27GS60QC and its a FreeSync. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper 27GS60QC and the pricier XG27WCMS, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 3440x1440
- Size
- 34 inches
- Panel
- VA
- Response
- 0.3ms
- HDR
- HDR
- Adaptive sync
- Adaptive-Sync
- Stand
- height, tilt and swivel
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- Adaptive-Sync to reduce screen tearing
- a stand with height, tilt and swivel
- 34-inch 1500R ultrawide
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing
Widest 4K-Class Screen3 of 6
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD
Samsung's Odyssey G7 40 is a 40-inch 5120x2160 ultrawide at 180Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for
- Racing and flight games.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the C27G4ZH, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has the widest 4K-class canvas among these monitors. Its 40-inch WUHD panel is DisplayHDR 600 certified and refreshes at 180Hz with 1ms GtG response. On refresh rate it ties with the 27GS60QC at 180Hz.
On screen size it leads this guide at 40 inches, ahead of the AW3425DW (34.2 inches). A 5120x2160 resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the AW3425DW uses a 3440x1440 resolution. A DisplayHDR 600 is unique to it among these picks, while the AW3425DW uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400.
It also comes with a 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 5120x2160
- Size
- 40 inches
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve
- Largest screen size of the picks (40 inches)
Cons
- Costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing
Fastest 27-Inch Curve4 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix XG27WCMS Curved
ASUS's XG27WCMS curves a 27-inch 1440p panel and overclocks it to 280Hz.
Best for
- Fast games on a curve.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the C27G4ZH cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
USB-C input and a three-year warranty are listed. The 27-inch curved 1440p panel overclocks to 280Hz, lists a 1ms response, covers 95% of DCI-P3 and includes USB-C. On refresh rate it ties with the C27G4ZH at 280Hz.
It matches the 27GS60QC and the C27G4ZH on screen size (27 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the 27GS60QC; the C27G4ZH goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. You get a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut here, which sets it apart from the 27GS60QC and its a 99% sRGB color gamut.
It is the only pick here with a G-SYNC Compatible; the CU34G4H has an adaptive-Sync instead. To see 280Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It was priced above the CU34G4H and below the AW3425DW at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 280Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- HDR
- HDR
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- USB-C
- Yes
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing
Best 27-Inch Value5 of 6
LG UltraGear 27GS60QC-B Curved
LG's 27GS60QC is a curved 27-inch 1440p screen at 180Hz with 99% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Mid-range cards.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification.
Why we like it
It is one of the lowest-priced curved 1440p models here. It matches the Odyssey G7 40 on refresh rate (180Hz). On screen size it ties with the XG27WCMS and the C27G4ZH at 27 inches.
Like the XG27WCMS, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the AW3425DW uses a 3440x1440 resolution. It is the only pick here with an HDR10; the Odyssey G7 40 has a DisplayHDR 600 instead. It is the only pick here with a 99% sRGB color gamut; the AW3425DW has a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut instead.
You also get a steep 1000R curve and a budget 1440p price tier. Its price falls between the C27G4ZH and the CU34G4H, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR10
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Refresh rate trails the XG27WCMS (280Hz)
- Costs more than the C27G4ZH at the time of writing
The catch
If refresh rate is your priority, the XG27WCMS (280Hz) is the stronger choice.
Best 1080p Speed6 of 6
AOC C27G4ZH Curved
AOC's C27G4ZH curves a 27-inch 1080p VA panel and runs it at 280Hz on a height, tilt and swivel stand.
Best for
- Esports.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a VA panel that can smear dark transitions is a problem.
Why we like it
It trades resolution for speed. It refreshes at 280Hz with a 0.3ms response time. The 1500R curve wraps the image around your view.
The 1500R curve keeps the corners of the 27-inch panel in view. On refresh rate it ties with the XG27WCMS at 280Hz. It matches the XG27WCMS and the 27GS60QC on screen size (27 inches).
A 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the AW3425DW uses a 3440x1440 resolution. It shares a VA panel with the CU34G4H; the AW3425DW goes with a QD-OLED panel. You also get VESA mounting.
At 1080p, 280Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the 27GS60QC was closest.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 280Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- VA
- Response
- 0.3ms
- HDR
- HDR
- Stand
- height, tilt and swivel
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a stand with height, tilt and swivel
- 280Hz on a 1500R curve
- Height-adjustable stand
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Screen size trails the Odyssey G7 40 (40 inches)
The catch
Screen size is its weakest area, and the Odyssey G7 40 covers it better at 40 inches.
How We Chose These Curved Gaming Monitors
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side six monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and panel and response are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the AW3425DW to the C27G4ZH, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Odyssey G7 40, the XG27WCMS and the 27GS60QC give no panel; the XG27WCMS gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the C27G4ZH ($150 to $250) to the Odyssey G7 40 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Curved Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Across these 6 picks refresh rate spans 180Hz (the 27GS60QC) to 280Hz (the XG27WCMS). The C27G4ZH comes second at 280Hz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the XG27WCMS.
Screen size
The Odyssey G7 40 tops screen size at 40 inches and the C27G4ZH sits lowest at 27 inches. If screen size is your first filter, the Odyssey G7 40 sets the ceiling at 40 inches.
An ultrawide monitor on a white desk beside a PC Panel
The AW3425DW lists QD-OLED; the CU34G4H and the C27G4ZH list VA. Sort out panel before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Response
The AW3425DW lists 0.03ms; the CU34G4H and the C27G4ZH list 0.3ms; the Odyssey G7 40 and the 27GS60QC list 1ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 2 and 1.
A curved ultrawide monitor showing documents Extras that separate them
The XG27WCMS: USB-C input. The 27GS60QC: 1440p at 180Hz. The C27G4ZH: a height-adjustable stand.
How to Choose a Curved Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive games on a high-end PC | AW3425DW | A 240Hz QD-OLED ultrawide |
| Ultrawide on a budget | CU34G4H | A 200Hz 3440x1440 VA panel near $210 |
| Racing and flight games | Odyssey G7 40 | 5120x2160 at 180Hz on 40 inches |
| Fast games on a curve | XG27WCMS | 280Hz at 1440p with USB-C |
| Mid-range cards | 27GS60QC | A curved 1440p 180Hz screen |
| Esports | C27G4ZH | 280Hz on a curved VA panel |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XG27WCMS leads on refresh rate at 280Hz, ahead of the C27G4ZH at 280Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the Odyssey G7 40, the XG27WCMS and the 27GS60QC leave the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW3425DW | 240Hz | 3440x1440 | 34.2 inches | QD-OLED |
| CU34G4H | 200Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | VA |
| Odyssey G7 40 | 180Hz | 5120x2160 | 40 inches | Not listed |
| XG27WCMS | 280Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Not listed |
| 27GS60QC | 180Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Not listed |
| C27G4ZH | 280Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 27 inches | VA |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The C27G4ZH was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Odyssey G7 40 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | C27G4ZH, 27GS60QC, CU34G4H |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27WCMS |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW3425DW, Odyssey G7 40 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Odyssey G7 40 ahead of the AW3425DW on screen size?
The Odyssey G7 40 leads at 40 inches, with the AW3425DW at 34.2 inches. The C27G4ZH closes the ranking at 27 inches.
What does the Odyssey G7 40 add over the C27G4ZH?
What it brings is screen size (40 inches against 27 inches). It does not win everywhere: the C27G4ZH still leads on refresh rate (280Hz). On our last price check the C27G4ZH was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Odyssey G7 40 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
Why is the CU34G4H our Best Budget Ultrawide pick?
It carries the badge for a 200Hz 3440x1440 VA panel near $210. The price of that: the C27G4ZH, the cheapest pick, still beats it on refresh rate (280Hz against 200Hz). It suits ultrawide on a budget.
Do the AW3425DW and the Odyssey G7 40 differ on resolution?
The AW3425DW and the CU34G4H use 3440x1440; the Odyssey G7 40 uses 5120x2160; the XG27WCMS and the 27GS60QC use 2560x1440 (1440p); the C27G4ZH uses 1920x1080 (1080p).
What extras do the AW3425DW and the CU34G4H include?
The AW3425DW: an 1800R QD-OLED ultrawide. The CU34G4H: a 34-inch 1500R ultrawide. The Odyssey G7 40: a 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve.
Bottom Line
Alienware's AW3425DW is the high-end ultrawide. AOC's CU34G4H is the budget ultrawide, and LG's 27GS60QC keeps a curve on a standard 27-inch screen.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Similar guideThe Best 240Hz Curved Gaming Monitors
- Similar guideThe Best 27-Inch Curved Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose an Ultrawide Monitor
- ExplainerUltrawide Monitor Resolutions: 2560x1080, 3440x1440, 3840x1600 and 5120x1440
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Choose a Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best 32-Inch Curved Gaming Monitors
- Topic hubAll ultrawide and curved monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles