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ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Reviewed Mar 24, 2021 at 09:46 am
Latest change: Writing modified Oct 27, 2023 at 03:57 pm
ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B Picture
7.8
Mixed Usage
7.7
Office
7.9
Gaming
7.8
Media Consumption
7.9
Media Creation
7.3
HDR

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is a good curved ultrawide gaming monitor. It has a 34-inch screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio, which gives you more horizontal space than a typical 16:9 display, resulting in greater immersion. Its VA panel can produce deep blacks, making it great for dark rooms, but it comes at the cost of narrow viewing angles, which isn't ideal for playing co-op games or sharing content. It delivers a pretty good HDR experience as it has a wide coverage of the DCI P3 color space, and it gets bright enough to make some highlights pop. Unfortunately, even though its response time is fast overall, there's visible black smearing in fast-moving content, regardless of the overdrive setting. Also, inverse ghosting may be noticeable when playing at a lower refresh rate.

Our Verdict

7.8 Mixed Usage

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is a great monitor overall. It's primarily designed for gaming, but it's also well-suited for a wide variety of uses. Its 34 inch high-resolution screen delivers an immersive viewing and gaming experience and provides plenty of space for work. Gaming feels incredibly responsive, and it can deliver a pretty good HDR experience. The viewing angles are mediocre, so it isn't the best for sharing content or playing co-op games.

Pros
  • Gets very bright to combat glare.
  • Displays deep blacks, great for dark rooms.
  • Large high-resolution screen.
Cons
  • Narrow viewing angles.
  • Sub-par ergonomics.
7.7 Office

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is good for office use. Its 34 inch screen provides plenty of space to work comfortably with multiple windows side-by-side, and it delivers sharp images and text thanks to its high pixel density. It handles reflections well and gets more than bright enough to overcome glare in well-lit environments. Unfortunately, it isn't ideal for sharing work with coworkers due to its narrow viewing angles, and it has limited ergonomic adjustments.

Pros
  • Gets very bright to combat glare.
  • Large high-resolution screen.
Cons
  • Narrow viewing angles.
  • Sub-par ergonomics.
7.9 Gaming

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is a very good gaming monitor. It has a large, high-resolution screen to provide incredible immersion, and its low input lag and high refresh rate result in amazingly responsive gameplay. Unfortunately, even though it has a quick overall response time, it's a bit slow in the dark transitions, causing noticeable smearing in fast-moving content. On the upside, it has a high contrast ratio that makes it well-suited for gaming in the dark.

Pros
  • High refresh rate.
  • Displays deep blacks, great for dark rooms.
  • Large high-resolution screen.
Cons
  • Visible smearing behind fast-moving objects.
7.8 Media Consumption

The ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B is good for media consumption. It has a large, high-resolution screen that feels incredibly immersive. Its VA panel has a high contrast ratio, making it great for dark room viewing, but it's at the expense of narrow viewing angles, so it isn't ideal for sharing content with others.

Pros
  • Gets very bright to combat glare.
  • Displays deep blacks, great for dark rooms.
Cons
  • Narrow viewing angles.
  • Sub-par ergonomics.
7.9 Media Creation

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is great for content creation. Its ultrawide format gives you tons of horizontal screen space, which is great for video editors working with a timeline. It has near-full sRGB and outstanding DCI P3 coverage, superb gradient handling, and no color bleed. Sadly, it doesn't have the best viewing angles, so you lose image accuracy when viewing from the side.

Pros
  • Gets very bright to combat glare.
  • Outstanding DCI-P3 coverage.
Cons
  • Narrow viewing angles.
  • Sub-par ergonomics.
7.3 HDR

The ASUS VG34VQL1B is decent for HDR. It has an excellent contrast ratio that displays deep blacks, but it lacks a local dimming feature to further deepen those blacks. It also has decent HDR brightness, but small highlights don't pop against the rest of the image for a vivid HDR experience.

Pros
  • Displays deep blacks, great for dark rooms.
  • Outstanding DCI-P3 coverage.
Cons
  • Refresh rate limited to 144Hz in 10-bit over DP.
  • No local dimming.
  • Limited HDR brightness.
  • 7.8 Mixed Usage
  • 7.7 Office
  • 7.9 Gaming
  • 7.8 Media Consumption
  • 7.9 Media Creation
  • 7.3 HDR
  1. Updated Oct 27, 2023: Clarified text to align with results with Test Bench 1.2, including with the Response Time results.
  2. Updated Apr 18, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works on this monitor with the PS5. Also confirmed that 1440p @ 120Hz doesn't work on the Xbox Series X|S.
  3. Updated May 02, 2022: We tested the monitor with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's not compatible, since the PS5 only supports HDMI Forum VRR.
  4. Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.
  5. Updated Mar 25, 2021: We incorrectly indicated that there are two USB 3.0 ports instead of four. It has been corrected.
  6. Updated Mar 24, 2021: Review published.
  7. Updated Mar 22, 2021: Early access published.
  8. Updated Mar 09, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Mar 08, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  10. Updated Feb 27, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B, and there are no other variants. However, there are many monitors in the TUF Gaming lineup, some of which you can see in the table below.

Model Size Resolution Panel Type Refresh Rate Notes
TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B 34" 3440 x 1440 VA 165Hz DisplayHDR 400
TUF Gaming VG258QM 24.5" 1920 x 1080 TN 280Hz DisplayHDR 400, ELMB SYNC
TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS 170Hz ELMB SYNC
TUF Gaming VG32VQR 31.5" 2560 x 1440 VA 165Hz DisplayHDR 400
TUF Gaming VG289Q1A 28" 3840 x 2160 IPS 60Hz  

If someone comes across a different type of panel or their ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

Our unit was manufactured in December 2020; you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is a good ultrawide gaming monitor. It has a high refresh rate to deliver smooth motion, but like many budget VA monitors, there's a fair amount of dark smearing that might bother some people. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best ultrawide monitors, the best curved gaming monitors, and the best budget gaming monitors.

Dell S3422DWG

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is slightly better than the Dell S3422DWG overall, but the Dell might still be better for some people. The ASUS has better contrast and a slightly faster refresh rate, as well as slightly better ergonomics. The Dell, on the other hand, has much better black uniformity and a faster response time at 60Hz.

Gigabyte G34WQC

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is better than the Gigabyte G34WQC for most uses. The ASUS has a higher refresh rate of 165Hz compared to the Gigabyte's 144Hz, and it has better response times, especially in dark transitions. It also delivers a better HDR experience because it has a higher contrast ratio and a wider color gamut. Finally, the ASUS' stand allows for swivel adjustment, whereas the Gigabyte doesn't.

Gigabyte M34WQ

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Gigabyte M34WQ use different panel types, each with strengths and weaknesses, so the best one depends on your usage and viewing conditions. The ASUS looks better in a dark room, as it has much better contrast, and it's a bit brighter overall. The Gigabyte has much better viewing angles, ensuring the sides of the screen remain accurate. The ASUS can slightly compensate for this, though, as it has a curved screen.

Samsung Odyssey G5 C34G55T

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Samsung Odyssey G5 C34G55T are very similar as they're both 34 inch ultrawide monitors with a VA panel, a 3440 x 1440 resolution, and a 165Hz refresh rate. Gaming-wise, the ASUS performs better because it has significantly faster response times, and it isn't as buggy as the Samsung when it comes to VRR and input lag. Also, it has higher peak brightness in SDR and HDR, and its stand offers more ergonomic adjustments.

LG 34GN850-B

In terms of gaming performance, the LG 34GN850-B is better than the ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B. It's mainly because the ASUS has more motion artifacts, like dark smears behind fast-moving objects, which is typical for VA panels. However, the ASUS is a better choice for dark rooms because it has a much higher contrast ratio to produce deeper blacks. It also has a wider color gamut and higher peak brightness to deliver a better HDR experience.

AOC CU34G2X

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is a bit better gaming monitor than the AOC CU34G2X. The ASUS has significantly faster response times, but there's noticeable black smear on either due to their VA panels. The ASUS has a 165Hz panel compared to 144Hz on the AOC, and it also gets significantly brighter and has better reflection handling, so it's a better choice for well-lit rooms. However, the AOC has better ergonomics because it has a much wider swivel and tilt range.

LG 34GP950G-B

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the LG 34GP950G-B use different panel technologies, each with strengths and weaknesses. The ASUS uses a VA panel, resulting in a much higher contrast ratio, so it's a better choice for a dark room. The LG, on the other hand, uses an IPS panel. The LG doesn't look as good in the dark, but it has better viewing angles and a much faster response time.

Acer Nitro XV340CK Pbmiipphzx

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Acer Nitro XV340CK Pbmiipphzx are both 34 inch ultrawide gaming monitors with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, but they perform very differently. The ASUS has a VA panel and is better suited for dark rooms, while the Acer has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles. The Acer has better dark response times, so there's less smearing in fast-moving scenes than on the ASUS. However, the ASUS is better for gaming in HDR because it has a much better color gamut and gets a lot brighter.

Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0)

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are very different monitors. The ASUS is a 34-inch ultrawide with a VA panel, while the Gigabyte is a 27-inch, 16:9 monitor with an IPS panel. The Gigabyte is better for gaming because it has a slightly higher refresh rate and faster response times. It also has wider viewing angles and more features, like a USB-C port, an integrated KVM, and a Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture mode. The ASUS might be a better choice if you often game in the dark or want a better HDR experience because it has a much higher contrast ratio and gets brighter in HDR.

Nixeus EDG 34

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B is much better than the Nixeus EDG 34 for most uses. The ASUS has a higher refresh rate and significantly better response time, delivering clearer images in fast-moving scenes as well as providing better responsiveness. The ASUS is also better for gaming in HDR due to its higher contrast ratio, wider color gamut, and higher peak brightness. It has many more features than the Nixeus, like USB ports, built-in speakers, and a Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture mode.

Lepow Z1 Gamut

The Lepow Z1 Gamut and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B are very different monitors. The Lepow is a 15.6" portable monitor with a 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, while the ASUS is a 34" ultrawide with a 1440p resolution. Unless you need the Lepow's portability, the ASUS is better for most uses. It gives you a lot more screen space for multitasking and delivers a significantly better gaming experience.

Lenovo ThinkVision M14

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 are very different monitors. The ASUS is an ultrawide gaming monitor with a 34 inch screen and 3440x1440 resolution, while the Lenovo is a 14 inch portable monitor with a 1080p resolution. They even have different panel types; the ASUS has a VA panel with higher contrast, while the Lenovo has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles. Considering their complete differences, choosing one over the other comes down to what you need and personal preference.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Curved
Yes
Curve Radius
1500R

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B has a fairly simple design that's nearly identical to the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A. It has a curved screen with thin borders on three sides and a thicker bottom bezel. The stand is different from older TUF Gaming models, as the base is now V-shaped instead of a rectangle, and the column is thinner.

Design
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures N/A
7.0
Design
Build Quality

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B's build quality is decent. Its all-plastic construction doesn't feel particularly premium, but there are no obvious issues with it. The back flexes a little bit where the inputs are, and the plastic piece used for cable management also feels flimsy.

6.8
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Tilt Range
-15° to 5°
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
No
Swivel Range
-10° to 10°
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has alright ergonomics. It offers swivel adjustment, but if you prefer an ultrawide monitor that has swivel adjustments, then look into the AOC CU34G2X. Except for the branding, the back is plain. There's a removable piece of plastic at the bottom of the stand's column for cable management.

Design
Stand
Base Width
27.6" (70.0 cm)
Base Depth
10.8" (27.5 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
10.1" (25.6 cm)
Weight (With Display)
19.8 lbs (9.0 kg)

The V-shaped stand is quite wide, but the feet themselves are thin, so you still have a fair amount of space left in front to put other things. It feels sturdy, and the screen only wobbles a bit.

Design
Display
Size
34"
Housing Width
31.8" (80.7 cm)
Housing Height
14.4" (36.5 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
4.1" (10.3 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
14.6 lbs (6.6 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Design
Controls

You can find the controls at the bottom right backside of the screen. There are four buttons and a joystick, and they allow you to turn the monitor On/Off and navigate the on-screen menu.

Design
In The Box
Power Supply
Internal

  • User guide
  • DisplayPort cable
  • HDMI cable
  • Power cord
  • USB-B to USB-A upstream cable
  • Allen key/Screwdriver

Picture Quality
8.7
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
4,781 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B has an excellent contrast ratio, which means it can display deep blacks, making it great for dark rooms. It's quite a bit higher than the advertised 4000:1 contrast; however, this can vary between individual units.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Edge

The ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B doesn't have local dimming. The video above is provided for reference only.

8.4
Picture Quality
SDR Brightness
Real Scene
470 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
458 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
457 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
457 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
456 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
456 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
457 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
457 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
456 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
456 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
455 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
Minimum Brightness
50 cd/m²

The ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B has great SDR peak brightness. It's very consistent across different content, but it doesn't quite reach the advertised 550 cd/m². That said, it's still more than enough to overcome glare, even in bright, sunny rooms. We managed to reach 543 cd/m² using a checkerboard pattern with Contrast set to max, but it comes at the cost of image accuracy.

We measured the SDR peak brightness after calibration in the 'User' Picture Mode, with Brightness set to max.

7.3
Picture Quality
HDR Brightness
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
DisplayHDR 400
Real Scene
520 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
501 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
501 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
503 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
502 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
503 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
500 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
501 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
502 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
502 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
502 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000

Decent HDR peak brightness. It's very consistent, and it's bright enough to bring out some highlights in HDR content, especially when gaming in the dark. It doesn't achieve the advertised 550 cd/m², but it does meet the DisplayHDR 400 requirement.

We measured the HDR peak brightness in the 'ASUS Gaming HDR' Picture Mode.

6.2
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
36°
Color Washout From Right
39°
Color Shift From Left
65°
Color Shift From Right
65°
Brightness Loss From Left
36°
Brightness Loss From Right
37°
Black Level Raise From Left
20°
Black Level Raise From Right
23°
Gamma Shift From Left
11°
Gamma Shift From Right
13°

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B has mediocre horizontal viewing angles. Images lose accuracy almost as soon as you move off-center, which isn't ideal for playing co-op games or sharing content. If you prefer an IPS monitor with wide viewing angles, check out the LG 34GP950G-B instead.

5.8
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
30°
Color Washout From Above
30°
Color Shift From Below
69°
Color Shift From Above
70°
Brightness Loss From Below
30°
Brightness Loss From Above
32°
Black Level Raise From Below
10°
Black Level Raise From Above
11°
Gamma Shift From Below
12°
Gamma Shift From Above
13°

The vertical viewing angles are sub-par. This means that images look inaccurate if you set the monitor below or above eye level.

8.0
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
1.773%
50% DSE
0.158%

The gray uniformity is great. The sides are just slightly darker, and dirty screen effect is minimal in the center.

6.5
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
1.655%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

Black uniformity is okay. There's visible backlight bleed along the top and bottom edges of the screen.

8.0
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
Picture Mode
sRGB
sRGB Gamut Area xy
106.0%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
3.53
Color Temperature (Avg.)
7,144 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.28
Color dE (Avg.)
2.18
Contrast Setting
N/A
RGB Settings
Default
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
N/A
Measured Brightness
152 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
Yes

The ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B has great accuracy before calibration. There are minimal inaccuracies to colors and the white balance, but color temperature is on the cold side. Gamma doesn't follow the sRGB curve at all, making most scenes appear darker than they should. The sRGB mode limits colors well to the sRGB color space, but it also locks many color settings, including the brightness setting. You'll have to use another mode to have access to those settings, but they have oversaturated colors, as you can see here.

9.3
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
Picture Mode
User
sRGB Gamut Area xy
95.8%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.65
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,570 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.18
Color dE (Avg.)
0.71
Contrast Setting
75
RGB Settings
96-98-100
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
23
Measured Brightness
101 cd/m²
ICC Profile
Download

The accuracy is exceptional after calibration. The remaining inaccuracies aren't noticeable to the naked eye. The color temperature is much closer to our 6500K target. Gamma improved significantly, but some very dark and very bright scenes are now over-brightened.

9.1
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB Coverage xy
97.3%
sRGB Picture Mode
User
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
85.2%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
User

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has an outstanding SDR color gamut. It has near-full coverage of the sRGB color space used in most content. Its Adobe RGB coverage is excellent, but it might not be enough for some professional photo editors.

9.7
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
98.9%
sRGB Picture Mode
User
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
89.9%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
User

Exceptional SDR color volume. It only has trouble displaying bright blues, which is normal for LCDs.

8.0
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
90.2%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
65.1%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has a great HDR color gamut. Its DCI P3 coverage is outstanding, exactly matching the advertised 90%. However, its Rec. 2020 coverage is much more limited.

8.2
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
84.0%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
61.2%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR

The HDR color volume is great. While it displays bright and dark colors well, it's mainly limited by its incomplete color gamut.

7.7
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
5.1%
Indirect Reflections
3.2%
Calculated Direct Reflections
1.9%

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has good reflection handling. Combined with the monitor's high peak brightness, you shouldn't have any visibility issues, even in well-lit environments.

7.5
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
VA
Subpixel Layout
RGB

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has good text clarity. Windows ClearType (top photo) makes diagonal and curved lines look better, like on the R and N. However, it also makes vertical lines thinner, like on the T and I.

9.7
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

Gradient handling is superb. You shouldn't see any banding in most content.

Motion
8.5
Motion
Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
165 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
100 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
60 Hz
Motion
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (Tested)
VRR Maximum
165 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
DisplayPort, HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes

The ASUS VG34VQL1B supports FreeSync natively and is compatible with G-SYNC; however, the latter only works over a DisplayPort connection. Some users have reported flickering when VRR is enabled, but we didn't notice any during testing. If you prefer a monitor with native G-SYNC support, check out the LG 34GP950G-B.

8.0
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Recommended Overdrive Setting
40
Rise / Fall Time
3.8 ms
Total Response Time
10.7 ms
Overshoot Error
4.5%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
7.0 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
20.4 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
23.7%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B has a great overall response time, but there's smearing with fast-moving objects. The recommended overdrive setting of '40' has less overshoot than the higher settings, but all of the settings have the same smearing.

7.9
Motion
Response Time @ 120Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
40
Rise / Fall Time
4.4 ms
Total Response Time
10.3 ms
Overshoot Error
3.2%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
7.8 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
18.3 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
22.8%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

The response time at 120Hz is very good. It's very similar to its max refresh rate, as there's the same smearing, and the recommended overdrive setting is once again '40'.

6.3
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
80
Rise / Fall Time
5.3 ms
Total Response Time
16.7 ms
Overshoot Error
6.1%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
10.6 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
37.2 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
50.6%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

The response time at 60Hz is mediocre. There's still the same smearing as with higher refresh rates, but there's more blur with fast-moving objects. Unlike at higher refresh rates, the recommended overdrive setting is '80' because it has a faster response time than the lower settings.

Motion
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Yes
Maximum Frequency
165 Hz
Minimum Frequency
100 Hz
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
183 cd/m²
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
138 cd/m²
Pulse Width Control
Limited
Pulse Phase Control
No
Pulse Amplitude Control
No
VRR At The Same Time
No

Refresh RateBFI SettingMotion Blur Photo
165HzStandardPhoto
TurboPhoto
120HzStandardPhoto
TurboPhoto

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has a Black Frame Insertion feature to improve motion clarity. It's backlight strobing, to be more precise, and it's called ELMB. Unlike some ASUS monitors, it isn't usable while VRR is active, and it only works above 100Hz.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free
Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B's backlight is entirely flicker-free, which helps eliminate image duplication and reduce eye strain.

Inputs
8.9
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
3.8 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
5.3 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.1 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
5.3 ms

Input lag is exceptionally low, resulting in an incredibly responsive gaming experience.

8.4
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution
3440 x 1440
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Megapixels
5.0 MP
Pixel Density
109 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
34.1"
Screen Area
415 in²

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has a large, high-resolution screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio. This means you get more horizontal space for a more immersive gaming experience. However, note that not all games support this format, so you might see black bars at the sides in some games, or the picture might be stretched to fill the screen.

5.0
Inputs
PS5 Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
No

This monitor has limited compatibility with the PS5 because it only supports 1080p and 1440p signals, and VRR doesn't work. Also, because it's an ultrawide monitor and the PS5 doesn't support ultrawide gaming, you'll see black bars on the sides.

3.3
Inputs
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
No
VRR
No

The ASUS VG34VQL1B has limited compatibility with the Xbox Series X|S. Only 1080p signals work without issue, but VRR doesn't work with 16:9 signals, and for 1440p @ 60Hz you need to enable the HDMI override.

Inputs
Inputs Photos
Inputs
Video And Audio Ports
DisplayPort
2 (DP 1.4)
Mini DisplayPort
No
HDMI
2 (HDMI 2.0)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
No HDMI 2.1
DVI
No
VGA
No
Daisy Chaining
No
3.5mm Audio Out
1
HDR10
Yes
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No
Inputs
USB
USB-A Ports
4
USB-A Rated Speed
5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
USB-B Upstream Port
Yes
USB-C Ports
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
Inputs
macOS Compatibility

Unfortunately, there are some serious issues when using this monitor with a MacBook. VRR doesn't work at all, both in-game and on the desktop, as it flickers constantly. It also doesn't recover from sleep mode properly, as it takes a long time to wake up, and windows aren't restored to their previous position.

Features
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
Yes
RGB Illumination
No
Multiple Input Display
PIP + PBP
KVM Switch
No

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B has a few additional features, including:

  • GamePlus: This includes a virtual crosshair, a timer, an FPS counter, and a display alignment feature.
  • Ultra-low Blue Light Technology: Blue light filter to help reduce eye strain.
  • Shadow Boost: Makes objects more visible in dark scenes.
  • DisplayWidget Lite: Software that lets you control the monitor's settings with your mouse and keyboard.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)