Buying Guide
The Best 34-Inch Ultrawide Monitors
From the CU34G4H to the Alienware AW3426DW: three monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
34-inch ultrawides widen the view in racing and RPGs. Every pick is 34 inches at 3440x1440, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips panel, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AOC CU34G4H Curved UltrawideA lower price than the AW3425DWM and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for AOC CU34G4H Curved Ultrawide on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Alienware 34 Curved AW3425DWMA 1500R ultrawide curve.
Best for: Buyers who want 1500R ultrawide curve.
Check price for Alienware 34 Curved AW3425DWM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
Alienware 34 AW3426DW QD-OLEDThe highest refresh rate here (280Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Check price for Alienware 34 AW3426DW QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the AW3425DWM and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for AOC CU34G4H Curved Ultrawide on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1500R ultrawide curve. | Buyers who want 1500R ultrawide curve. | Check price for Alienware 34 Curved AW3425DWM on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (280Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for Alienware 34 AW3426DW QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced ultrawide here at the time of writing. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 200Hz: the Alienware AW3426DW offers 280Hz, and the AW3425DWM comes in at 180Hz. It is the only pick here with an adaptive-Sync; the AW3425DWM has a FreeSync Premium instead.
Another plus: 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Another plus: 0.3ms response, the only one here. It makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $250, since it offers a lower price than the AW3425DWM and the rest when we checked. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the AW3425DWM the next step up.
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
- Refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the Alienware AW3426DW (280Hz)
Also Consider2 of 3
Alienware 34 Curved AW3425DWM
Alienware's AW3425DWM is a 34-inch ultrawide at 3440x1440 and 180Hz with DisplayHDR 400.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1500R ultrawide curve.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the Alienware AW3426DW offers 280Hz.
Why we like it
It is the lower-priced Alienware ultrawide next to the QD-OLED model. Its 180Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the Alienware AW3426DW leads at 280Hz. You get a FreeSync Premium here, which sets it apart from the Alienware AW3426DW and its a G-SYNC.
You also get a 1500R ultrawide curve, a dedicated console mode and hardware low blue light. You also get this: 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Another plus: 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper CU34G4H and the pricier Alienware AW3426DW, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 3440x1440
- Size
- 34 inches
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
- 1500R ultrawide curve
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the Alienware AW3426DW (280Hz)
- Costs more than the CU34G4H at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh3 of 3
Alienware 34 AW3426DW QD-OLED
The Alienware AW3426DW is built around an ultrawide QD-OLED panel.
Best for
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 280Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. Its 280Hz refresh rate is the highest here; the CU34G4H comes next at 200Hz. No other pick in this guide offers a G-SYNC; compare the CU34G4H, which has an adaptive-Sync.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AW3425DWM the nearest cheaper option. Screen size is its weakest area, and the CU34G4H covers it better at 34 inches.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 280Hz
- Resolution
- 3440x1440
- Size
- 34 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing
- 0.03ms response, the only one here
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the CU34G4H at the time of writing
How We Chose These 34-Inch Ultrawide 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while panel and HDR have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the CU34G4H to the Alienware AW3426DW, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3440x1440 resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The AW3425DWM gives no panel; the Alienware AW3426DW gives no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CU34G4H ($150 to $250) to the Alienware AW3426DW ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 34-Inch Ultrawide Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 180Hz on the AW3425DWM to 280Hz on the Alienware AW3426DW, a 56% spread. For less, the CU34G4H is the runner-up at 200Hz ($150 to $250 tier).
Response
The CU34G4H lists 0.3ms; the AW3425DWM lists 1ms; the Alienware AW3426DW lists 0.03ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
An ultrawide monitor on a desk in a dim room Features beyond the spec table
The CU34G4H: 200Hz at 3440x1440. The AW3425DWM: a dedicated console mode. The Alienware AW3426DW: an ultrawide QD-OLED panel.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the CU34G4H; $250 to $500 buys the AW3425DWM; $500 to $1000 buys the Alienware AW3426DW at our last check.
An ultrawide monitor on a white desk beside a PC Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $250: the CU34G4H. Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most: the Alienware AW3426DW.
How to Choose a 34-Inch Ultrawide Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $250 | CU34G4H | A lower price than the AW3425DWM and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 1500R ultrawide curve | AW3425DWM | A 1500R ultrawide curve |
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | Alienware AW3426DW | The highest refresh rate here (280Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Alienware AW3426DW leads on refresh rate at 280Hz, ahead of the CU34G4H at 200Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the AW3425DWM leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CU34G4H | 200Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | VA |
| AW3425DWM | 180Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | Not listed |
| Alienware AW3426DW | 280Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | QD-OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the CU34G4H, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Alienware AW3426DW at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | CU34G4H |
| About $250 to $500 | AW3425DWM |
| About $500 to $1000 | Alienware AW3426DW |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the CU34G4H compare with the Alienware AW3426DW on refresh rate?
The Alienware AW3426DW leads at 280Hz, with the CU34G4H at 200Hz. The AW3425DWM is at the other end of this group with 180Hz.
Is the Alienware AW3426DW worth paying more than the CU34G4H?
The spec sheets show refresh rate (280Hz against 200Hz) in its favour. The CU34G4H sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Alienware AW3426DW in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.
What makes the Alienware AW3426DW the Fastest Refresh?
The label rests on the highest refresh rate here (280Hz). The CU34G4H is next on refresh rate at 200Hz, so this pick's 280Hz is 40% further out. The CU34G4H, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Do the CU34G4H and the Alienware AW3426DW differ on panel?
The CU34G4H uses VA; the Alienware AW3426DW uses QD-OLED. The maker of the AW3425DWM doesn't state panel, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the CU34G4H and the AW3425DWM apart?
The CU34G4H: a 34-inch 1500R ultrawide. The AW3425DWM: a 1500R ultrawide curve. The Alienware AW3426DW: an ultrawide QD-OLED panel.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the CU34G4H, chosen for a lower price than the AW3425DWM and the rest when we checked. Look at the AW3425DWM for a 1500R ultrawide curve if those matter more to you.
Some games add black bars; check support first.
Related Guides
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- Similar guideThe Best 40-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Similar guideThe Best Curved Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose an Ultrawide Monitor
- ExplainerUltrawide Monitor Resolutions: 2560x1080, 3440x1440, 3840x1600 and 5120x1440
- Also see: graphics cardsWill This GPU Fit My Case and PSU? A Pre-Purchase Checklist
- Similar guideThe Best Curved Ultrawide Monitor
- 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
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