The 5 Best Curved Gaming Monitors - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best curved gaming monitor we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3225QF. It's a premium display that's outstanding for gaming as it has a 240Hz refresh rate and a near-instantaneous response time, meaning there's almost no blur trail behind fast-moving objects, and you can get it directly through Dell's website. It also supports all common types of VRR, including FreeSync, HDMI Forum VRR, and G-SYNC compatibility, to reduce screen tearing. Its high 4k resolution helps deliver sharp images, and the screen's 1700R curve helps provide a more immersive feel.

On top of its outstanding gaming performance, it also delivers exceptional picture quality. It uses a QD-OLED panel that delivers perfect black levels in dark rooms and offers a wide range of colors thanks to its quantum dot technology, which makes highlights pop and colors look vivid. Note that burn-in might occur if you constantly play the same game and fixed, static elements are on OLEDs like this one. If this concerns you, consider the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85, which is another 4k, 32-inch monitor that's also excellent for gaming and doesn't risk burn-in, but it has worse motion handling and picture quality than the Dell.

While 4k displays provide the most detailed image, they cost more, and the Dell Alienware AW3225QF requires a more powerful graphics card if you want to play games at its native resolution and its max 240Hz refresh rate. If you prefer saving money or don't have a graphics card that can take full advantage of the AW3225QF, consider a 1440p option like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It's different from the AW3225QF because it has an ultrawide screen for a more immersive feel, especially for atmospheric games, but it doesn't deliver the same detailed images.

Besides that, it has a QD-OLED panel like the AW3225QF, delivering outstanding picture quality, and it has fantastic gaming performance as fast-moving objects look crisp. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, so while it's lower than the AW3225QF, it's still good enough for gaming. That said, it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, so you can only reach that max refresh rate over DisplayPort with 8-bit signals, and the max refresh rate in HDR is 100Hz. If you want an ultrawide monitor with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, you can also consider the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM, but it doesn't display the same bright colors and costs more.

If you find the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF too much out of your price range, consider getting a mid-range option like the Gigabyte M32UC. It performs worse than the Dell for gaming as it doesn't have an OLED display or a local dimming feature, so it performs worse in dark rooms, and colors aren't as vivid either. Another downside is that it has worse motion handling, with more smearing with fast-moving objects. On the plus side, it has a higher 4k resolution, delivers sharper images, and still has a fast enough response time. It also has a backlight strobing feature that works across a wide refresh rate range and simultaneously with VRR, which isn't something all monitors can do and helps reduce persistence blur.

Unlike the Dell, it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which makes it fully compatible with modern HDMI 2.1 graphics cards and consoles. It also has a high 160Hz refresh rate that's good enough for most PC gamers, especially if your graphics card can't maintain high frame rates with 4k signals. Additionally, it gets brighter than the Dell, making it a better choice for gaming in a well-lit environment.

If you still want to save money without being on a tight budget, a lower mid-range option like the Dell S3422DWG is a good alternative. It's different from the Gigabyte M32UC because it has an ultrawide format with a 34-inch screen and a lower 3440x1440 resolution, so images are less detailed, and it doesn't offer HDMI 2.1 bandwidth either. That said, it still offers great gaming performance, and the 1800R curve helps bring the edges closer to your field of vision.

Regarding gaming features, it has a native 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. While it has visible smearing with fast-moving objects, the overall response time is still good enough for gaming. It also has a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur, but unlike the Gigabyte, it doesn't work simultaneously with VRR and is only available in a limited refresh rate range. One advantage of this monitor over the Gigabyte is that it gets brighter in HDR to make some highlights stand out.

If you want something on a budget, it's better to look for 16:9 monitors instead of ultrawide monitors, which tend to cost more, and the Gigabyte GS27QC is a great option as a 16:9 monitor. It has a 1440p resolution like the Dell S3422DWG, but you don't get the same immersive gaming experience as there's less horizontal screen space. Luckily, it has a slightly higher 170Hz max refresh rate and the same FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing.

The main advantage of getting this over other budget gaming monitors is its impressive gaming performance with a great response time at its max refresh rate. While the response time is slower at 60Hz as there's more inverse ghosting, it's still good enough for most gamers. There are some downsides to the monitor, though, as it doesn't get very bright, so if you want a budget-friendly option that does, then consider the Dell S2722DGM. However, the Dell costs more and has worse motion handling, so it doesn't offer the same great value as the Gigabyte.