Immerse yourself in the heart of the action with a curved gaming monitor—a game-changer for any serious gamer. The best curved monitors seamlessly integrate into your peripheral vision, pulling you deeper into your favorite games. Whether you're a competitive esports player seeking that crucial edge or a single-player enthusiast craving complete immersion, a curved monitor elevates your gaming experience. Here are our top picks for 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 flooded with curved gaming monitors, making the choice overwhelming. However, the ideal monitor depends on your gaming style. For shooters, prioritize low input latency and high refresh rates. For immersive experiences, a deeper curve is preferable. It's all in the details.
The Expert: Why Trust Us
With over a decade of experience as a gaming journalist, I've reviewed countless monitors for major gaming publications. My expertise lies in understanding the nuances that make a monitor truly great for different gamers. It's not just about specs; it's how those features combine to create an exceptional user experience. I cover monitors for IGN, focusing on delivering money-saving recommendations that guarantee a fantastic gaming experience.
At IGN, our reviews are rigorously vetted by multiple gamers to ensure accuracy and provide you with the essential information you need. We simplify the process, bringing you the best of the best in concise, easy-to-understand guides like this one. After reading this, explore our guides on the Best Graphics Cards, Best Gaming Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, and Best Gaming Headsets to complete your setup.
1. Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM: Best Curved Gaming Monitor
This 34-inch ultrawide boasts exceptional HDR and a comprehensive suite of gaming features.
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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 performance; Deep and immersive curve; High peak brightness, infinite contrast; Built-in KVM and meaningful gaming features.
CONS: Deep curve isn't great for productivity.
The Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM is a standout performer, excelling in both gaming and productivity. Its 800R curve delivers immersive visuals, while the cutting-edge OLED panel provides vibrant colors and exceptional brightness. Priced slightly above $1,000, it delivers 1,300 nits of peak brightness for stunning HDR gaming and inky blacks thanks to its OLED panel. Its 3,440x1440p resolution is sharp and well-suited to its 34-inch screen. Factory calibration and wide color gamut support make it ideal for content creation, though the deep curve might require adjustment for text-heavy tasks. Its 240Hz refresh rate, low input latency, and gaming modes offer a competitive edge. A built-in KVM switch adds convenience for multi-platform gamers. The PG34WCDM is a top-tier curved gaming monitor that justifies its price.
2. AOC C27G2Z: Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor
Budget-conscious gamers will appreciate this monitor's 1080p 1500R curved screen and high refresh rate. See it at Amazon
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 colors and contrast.
CONS: HDMI is limited to 120Hz.
AOC delivers excellent value with the C27G2Z. For under $200, you get a high-quality VA panel with a 1500R curve, impressive 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a 240Hz refresh rate. While colors and viewing angles aren't as exceptional as IPS, the vibrant colors are perfect for gaming. The 240Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time make it suitable for competitive gaming. Note that the full refresh rate requires a DisplayPort connection; HDMI 2.0 limits it to 120Hz. The 32-inch version is available, but the 27-inch is recommended to avoid a noticeable screen-door effect.
3. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF: Best Value Curved Gaming Monitor
This curved 2K gaming monitor features an exceptional QD-OLED panel and strong gaming capabilities. See it at Best Buy See it at Amazon
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 thanks to QD-OLED panel; High refresh rate.
CONS: Low SDR brightness; HDMI 2.0 only.
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF offers exceptional value at its current price point (around $600). Its QD-OLED display delivers stunning image quality thanks to millions of local dimming zones and a quantum dot layer for vivid colors and increased brightness. While SDR brightness is not its strongest point, its peak HDR brightness of 1000 nits is impressive. The 165Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms response time ensure smooth, responsive gameplay, compatible with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. At this price, it's a fantastic way to experience QD-OLED.
4. Acer Predator X34 OLED: Best Ultrawide G-Sync Gaming Monitor
This monitor excels with superior HDR brightness, a 240Hz refresh rate, and great color reproduction. See it at Amazon See it at B&H
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 works for content creation but isn't the best for productivity; No sRGB mode.
The Acer Predator X34 OLED is a top contender, boasting a stunning picture, fast refresh rate, deep curve, and numerous features. Its 800R curve enhances immersion, while its 240Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate support (G-Sync and FreeSync) provide incredibly smooth gameplay. The OLED panel delivers fantastic colors and superior brightness (1300 nits), bringing games and movies to life. Its 21:9 aspect ratio is beneficial for content creators, although it lacks an sRGB mode.
5. MSI MPG 491CQPX: Best Curved 32:9 Super Ultrawide Monitor
Experience 49 inches of QD-OLED gaming excellence. See it at Amazon
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 as well as gaming; Fast refresh rate; USB Type-C video and PD charging.
CONS: Burn-in prevention features can be grating; Resolution is demanding.
The MSI MPG 491CQPX is a super ultrawide monitor offering expansive screen real estate (equivalent to three 1440p monitors). Its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver exceptional performance. The 1800R curve is relatively gentle but effective on such a wide screen. The QD-OLED panel provides vibrant colors and brightness, enhanced by a heat-dispersing graphene layer. USB Type-C video input and 98W PD charging add convenience. However, its high resolution demands a powerful system, and its burn-in prevention features might be overly cautious for some users.
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