Buying Guide
The Best Ultrawide Monitors for Work
Five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the LG 34U640B has the highest refresh rate; the Philips 346E2CUAE is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
An ultrawide replaces a pair of side-by-side windows with one panel, and a USB-C input charges and connects a laptop on one cable. Every monitor here is a 34-inch or larger ultrawide with a USB-C connection.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out panel, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Philips 346E2CUAE
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW.
Our take Check price for Philips 346E2CUAE (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI Modern MD342CQPW
USB-C with 98W power delivery.
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C with 98W power delivery.
Our take Check price for MSI Modern MD342CQPW (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
LG 34WR55QK-B
USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Best for: Buyers who want USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Fastest Refresh
LG 34U640B-B
The highest refresh rate here (144Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Premium Pick
Philips 34E1C5600HE
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs.
Our take Check price for Philips 34E1C5600HE (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW. | Check price for Philips 346E2CUAE (opens in a new tab) |
| USB-C with 98W power delivery. | Buyers who want USB-C with 98W power delivery. | Check price for MSI Modern MD342CQPW (opens in a new tab) |
| USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery. | Buyers who want USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery. | Check price for LG 34WR55QK-B (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (144Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for LG 34U640B-B (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone. | Buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs. | Check price for Philips 34E1C5600HE (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Philips 346E2CUAE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Philips 346E2CUAE stands out for a 1500R curved VA panel, and it adds USB-C with power delivery for a notebook on one cable.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 100Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the LG 34WR55QK and the Philips 34E1C5600HE at 100Hz. A 121.3% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the LG 34WR55QK uses a 99% sRGB color gamut.
Like the MSI Modern MD342CQPW, it has an adaptive-Sync, while the LG 34U640B uses an AMD FreeSync Premium. It also comes with a 1ms MPRT response time. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MSI Modern MD342CQPW was closest. What it gives up: refresh rate of 100Hz, behind the LG 34U640B (144Hz); by contrast, the LG 34U640B offers 144Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 100Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 121.3% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: Adaptive-Sync
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 121.3% sRGB colour coverage
- Adaptive-Sync to reduce screen tearing
- a USB-C input for laptops
- 1500R curved VA panel
Cons
- a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Refresh rate of 100Hz, behind the LG 34U640B (144Hz)
Also Consider2 of 5
MSI Modern MD342CQPW on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MSI Modern MD342CQPW stands out for USB-C with 98W power delivery, and it adds a KVM switch.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB-C with 98W power delivery.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. Its 120Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the LG 34U640B (144Hz) and ahead of the Philips 34E1C5600HE (100Hz). It shares an adaptive-Sync with the Philips 346E2CUAE; the LG 34U640B goes with an AMD FreeSync Premium.
It is the only pick here with a height adjustment stand; the LG 34WR55QK has a height and tilt stand instead. You also get a 1500R curve with anti-flicker and less blue light and built-in speakers. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Philips 346E2CUAE and the pricier LG 34WR55QK, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 1ms
- Adaptive sync: Adaptive-Sync
- Stand: height adjustment
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- Adaptive-Sync to reduce screen tearing
- a stand with height adjustment
- a USB-C input for laptops
- USB-C with 98W power delivery
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Costs more than the Philips 346E2CUAE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
LG 34WR55QK-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The LG 34WR55QK is built around USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery, with OnScreen Control with picture-by-picture for two sources on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 100Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the Philips 346E2CUAE and the Philips 34E1C5600HE at 100Hz. It shares a 99% sRGB color gamut with the LG 34U640B; the Philips 34E1C5600HE goes with a 123.24% sRGB color gamut.
A height and tilt stand is unique to it among these picks, while the LG 34U640B uses a tilt and height adjustment stand. You also get two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, two USB ports and a headphone jack and a Reader Mode that reduces blue light. It was priced above the MSI Modern MD342CQPW and below the LG 34U640B at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 100Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Response: 5ms
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Stand: height and tilt
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- a stand with height and tilt
- a USB-C input for laptops
- USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery
Cons
- a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the Philips 346E2CUAE at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh4 of 5
LG 34U640B-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the LG 34U640B brings to the table is USB Type-C with up to 65W laptop charging, plus a dual controller (KVM switch) for two PCs.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 144Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. Nothing else here matches its 144Hz refresh rate; the MSI Modern MD342CQPW comes closest at 120Hz. Like the LG 34WR55QK, it has a 99% sRGB color gamut, while the Philips 346E2CUAE uses a 121.3% sRGB color gamut.
You get an AMD FreeSync Premium here, which sets it apart from the MSI Modern MD342CQPW and its an adaptive-Sync. It is the only pick here with a tilt and height adjustment stand; the MSI Modern MD342CQPW has a height adjustment stand instead. You also get a 1800R curve and a Switch app that splits the screen into up to 6 sections. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper LG 34WR55QK and the pricier Philips 34E1C5600HE, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Response: 5ms
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: AMD FreeSync Premium
- Stand: tilt and height adjustment
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- AMD FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
- a stand with tilt and height adjustment
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the Philips 346E2CUAE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Philips 34E1C5600HE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Philips 34E1C5600HE stands out for a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone, and it adds USB-C docking with up to 65W power delivery.
Best for
- Buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 100Hz refresh rate and offers a 34 inches screen size. It matches the Philips 346E2CUAE and the LG 34WR55QK on refresh rate (100Hz). It is the only pick here with a 123.24% sRGB color gamut; the LG 34WR55QK has a 99% sRGB color gamut instead.
It also comes with stereo speakers and 4-year advance replacement. You also get this: a USB-C input for laptops. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the LG 34U640B. If refresh rate is your priority, the LG 34U640B (144Hz) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 100Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Panel: VA
- Color gamut: 123.24% sRGB
- USB-C: Yes
- Warranty: 4-year
Pros
- 123.24% sRGB colour coverage
- a USB-C input for laptops
- a 4-year warranty
- Built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone
Cons
- a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Refresh rate trails the LG 34U640B (144Hz)
How We Chose These Ultrawide Monitors for Work
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out panel.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Philips 346E2CUAE to the Philips 34E1C5600HE, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3440x1440 resolution and USB-C.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The LG 34WR55QK and the LG 34U640B give no panel; the Philips 34E1C5600HE gives no response.
- Price range
- From the Philips 346E2CUAE to the Philips 34E1C5600HE, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an Ultrawide Monitor for Work
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 100Hz on the Philips 34E1C5600HE to 144Hz on the LG 34U640B, a 44% spread. The MSI Modern MD342CQPW comes second at 120Hz, in the same price tier as the LG 34U640B.
Extras that separate them
The LG 34WR55QK: OnScreen Control with picture-by-picture for two sources. The LG 34U640B: a dual controller (KVM switch) for two PCs. The Philips 34E1C5600HE: USB-C docking with up to 65W power delivery.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, from the Philips 346E2CUAE at the low end to the Philips 34E1C5600HE at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW: the Philips 346E2CUAE. Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates: the LG 34U640B. Buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs: the Philips 34E1C5600HE.
Choose a refresh rate you can reach
A higher refresh rate only helps when your PC delivers matching frame rates. 144Hz to 180Hz suits most players; 240Hz and above rewards competitive shooters.
How to Choose an Ultrawide Monitor for Work
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW | Philips 346E2CUAE | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want USB-C with 98W power delivery | MSI Modern MD342CQPW | USB-C with 98W power delivery |
| Buyers who want USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery | LG 34WR55QK | USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | LG 34U640B | The highest refresh rate here (144Hz) |
| Buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs | Philips 34E1C5600HE | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone |
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Key specs side by side
The LG 34U640B leads on refresh rate at 144Hz, ahead of the MSI Modern MD342CQPW at 120Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the LG 34WR55QK and the LG 34U640B leave the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 346E2CUAE | 100Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | VA |
| MSI Modern MD342CQPW | 120Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | VA |
| LG 34WR55QK | 100Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | Not listed |
| LG 34U640B | 144Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | Not listed |
| Philips 34E1C5600HE | 100Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | VA |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the LG 34U640B or the MSI Modern MD342CQPW?
The LG 34U640B tops refresh rate at 144Hz; the MSI Modern MD342CQPW follows at 120Hz, 20% apart. The Philips 34E1C5600HE closes the ranking at 100Hz.
Why is the LG 34U640B our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (144Hz). On refresh rate it leads the MSI Modern MD342CQPW, 144Hz against 120Hz, a 20% margin. It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the Philips 346E2CUAE and the LG 34WR55QK differ on response?
The Philips 346E2CUAE and the MSI Modern MD342CQPW use 1ms; the LG 34WR55QK and the LG 34U640B use 5ms. The Philips 34E1C5600HE has no response listed, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Philips 346E2CUAE and the MSI Modern MD342CQPW include?
The Philips 346E2CUAE: a 1500R curved VA panel. The MSI Modern MD342CQPW: USB-C with 98W power delivery. The LG 34WR55QK: USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery.
Should I pick the Philips 346E2CUAE or the Philips 34E1C5600HE?
The Philips 346E2CUAE suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MSI Modern MD342CQPW; the Philips 34E1C5600HE suits buyers who want a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone and can spend more than the LG 34U640B costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Philips 346E2CUAE, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the MSI Modern MD342CQPW for USB-C with 98W power delivery, the LG 34WR55QK for USB Type-C with up to 65W power delivery and the Philips 34E1C5600HE for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a built-in 5MP Windows Hello webcam with a noise-canceling microphone if those matter more to you.
Check how many pixels sit on the vertical axis; 1440 lines suits most work, but a 1080-line ultrawide is not the same.