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Dell U3818DW Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.1
Reviewed Oct 24, 2018 at 09:35 am
Latest change: Test bench update Jun 11, 2020 at 03:47 pm
Dell U3818DW Picture
7.2
Mixed Usage
7.8
Office
6.8
Gaming
7.1
Multimedia
7.3
Media Creation
5.2
HDR Gaming

The Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW is a good ultrawide IPS monitor with decent picture quality, low input lag, and decent motion handling. It is an impressive monitor for office use, with great screen real-estate and some impressive multitasking features, including Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and Picture-by-Picture (PBP), and the USB Hub allows you to use one keyboard and mouse with two computers. Unfortunately, it doesn't perform as well in a dark room, and there is significant overshoot that causes motion smearing. It also doesn't support HDR, which is surprising for a 2018 premium Dell monitor.

Our Verdict

7.2 Mixed Usage

The Dell U3818DW is a good monitor for most uses. It has a good stand that can easily be adjusted to an optimal viewing position. It gets decently bright and has very good reflection handling, great for a bright room. The high-resolution, large screen is great for multitasking or for an immersive gaming experience. It has low input lag and decent motion handling.

Pros
  • Image remains accurate when viewed at an angle
  • Excellent out of the box accuracy
  • Lots of screen real-estate great for multitasking
Cons
  • Noticeable motion smearing caused by overshoot
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room
7.8 Office

Very good monitor for office use. The monitor can display two inputs at the same time, great if you telecommute and have a work and personal computer on the same desk. The stand is easily adjustable to an ideal viewing position. It has very good viewing angles, which is really important with a screen this size.

6.8 Gaming

Very good monitor for gaming. It has decent motion handling, but the overshoot may cause some noticeable smearing in motion. It has excellent low input lag regardless of input resolution. The large, high-resolution curved screen provides a more immersive gaming experience. Some gamers may be disappointed by the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of VRR support.

7.1 Multimedia

Good monitor for multimedia. It has decent motion handling and a great response time, so there is little motion blur in fast moving objects. It has very good viewing angles, great for sharing the latest YouTube trends with some friends. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room due to the mediocre contrast ratio, as blacks look gray in a dark room.

7.3 Media Creation

This is a good monitor for media creation. It has a large, high-resolution screen that allows you to see more of your project at once. It has very good viewing angles, great for sharing your project with a nearby coworker. Unfortunately, the Adobe RGB color gamut coverage is less than ideal for professionals working in photo or video editing.

5.2 HDR Gaming

The Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW does not support HDR. For a good HDR monitor, check out the Samsung CHG70.

  • 7.2 Mixed Usage
  • 7.8 Office
  • 6.8 Gaming
  • 7.1 Multimedia
  • 7.3 Media Creation
  • 5.2 HDR Gaming
  1. Updated Jun 11, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  2. Updated Nov 06, 2018: There was an error with the curve radius scoring which has been fixed. This has not changed the usage scores for this monitor.
  3. Updated Oct 24, 2018: Review published.
  4. Updated Oct 22, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
  5. Updated Oct 22, 2018: Early access published.
  6. Updated Oct 20, 2018: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Oct 11, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 38" Dell U3818DW. Dell offers similar models in other sizes, but they perform differently from the U3818DW.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Dell U3818DW doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.

Model Size Resolution Refresh Rate Notes
U3818DW 38" 3840x1600 60Hz  
U3417W 34" 3440x1440 60Hz  
AW3418DW 34" 3440x1440 100Hz G-SYNC

The U3818DW we reviewed was manufactured in May 2018.

Compared To Other Monitors

Comparison picture

Left: ASUS PG348Q. Middle: Dell U3818DW. Right: Dell U3417W.
Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Dell U3818DW is a great office monitor with some impressive features, but these features come at a premium price. See our recommendations for the best gaming monitors for PC, the best curved gaming monitors, and the best 4k gaming monitors.

LG 38WN95C-W

The LG 38WN95C-W is much better than the Dell U3818DW. The LG gets much brighter, supports HDR, displays a wider color gamut, and it has more gaming features like VRR support and a 144Hz refresh rate. However, the Dell has better ergonomics, has better color accuracy, and there two more USB ports.

Dell Alienware AW3821DW

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW is better overall than the Dell U3818DW, mainly because it has a lot more gaming features. The AW3821DW has a native 144Hz refresh rate and it has G-SYNC support, while the AW3818DW is limited to 60Hz and doesn't have VRR support. The AW3821DW's much quicker response time results in smooth motion, and it supports HDR. However, the AW3818DW is designed as a productivity monitor and has a few more office-oriented features such as Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture modes as well as a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Dell UltraSharp U4021QW

The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW is better overall than the Dell U3818DW. That said, they're quite similar in terms of features—neither has HDR support or VRR. The U4021QW is just bigger and has a higher resolution, and it outperforms the U3818DW in other areas. For instance, the U4021QW has a much faster response time, which is great if you want to do some light gaming on the side. It also has a wider color gamut, so it's a bit better for content creation.

LG 49WL95C-W

The Dell U3818DW and the LG 49WL95C-W are very similar overall. The U3818DW has slightly better ergonomics, but a smaller, lower-resolution screen. The LG 49WL95C-W supports HDR, although this doesn't add much.

Dell U4919DW

The Dell U3818DW and the Dell U4919DW are very similar. The larger screen on the U4919DW is easier for multitasking and offers a more immersive gaming experience. The U3818DW has a better stand, with a better height adjustment, and it can swivel.

LG 38GL950G-B

Although the LG 38GL950G-B and the Dell U3818DW share the same screen size, aspect ratio, and resolution, the LG performs significantly better than the Dell for most uses. The LG has an outstanding response time, high refresh rate, and it supports VRR. Also, the LG gets brighter, it has lower input lag, and it supports HDR. However, the Dell has better ergonomics, wider viewing angles, and a much better color accuracy.

Dell U3417W

The Dell U3818DW is better than the Dell U3417W. The U3818DW has a larger, higher-resolution screen that allows you to see more of your project. The 2018 U3818DW has much-improved input lag, great for gaming, but it's slightly dimmer than the U3417W. The U3417W has a DisplayPort out, so it can be daisy-chained to a second monitor. The U3818DW doesn't have this feature.

ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q

The Dell U3818DW is slightly better than the ASUS ROG PG348Q, but overall it depends on your usage. The ROG PG348Q is better for gaming, thanks to the faster refresh rate and G-SYNC support. The Dell U3818DW is better for office use thanks to the larger, higher-resolution screen, as well as the multitasking-oriented features, like PIP/PBP. The Dell U3818DW has slightly better dark room performance, as there is less backlight bleed and flashlighting.

Acer Predator Z35P Bmiphz

The Dell U3818DW is better than the Acer Z35P Bmiphz for most uses, unless you are looking for an ultrawide gaming monitor. The Dell U3818DW has a higher native resolution and larger screen, great for multitasking, and the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. The Dell is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate that may be disappointing to some gamers. The Z35P has a higher native refresh rate, and it supports NVIDIA G-SYNC VRR for a tear-free gaming experience.

Samsung C49HG90/CHG90

The Dell U3818DW is a bit better than the Samsung CHG90, unless you want the largest screen available and watch in a dark room. The U3818DW has much better viewing angles, which is extremely important in a monitor this size. Overall, motion looks better on the CHG90 thanks to the much faster refresh rate, but the CHG90 has PWM flicker, whereas the U3818DW is flicker-free.

Dell Alienware AW3418DW

Overall, the Dell Alienware AW3418DW and the Dell U3818DW perform similarly, but the AW3418DW is better suited for gamers, whereas the U3818DW is better for office use. The AW3418DW has a faster refresh rate and better response time, as well as NVIDIA G-SYNC support. The Dell U3818DW has a larger, higher-resolution screen that is better for multitasking, as well as support for PIP/PIB, allowing you to work on two computers at once.

LG 34WK95U-W

The Dell U3818DW and the LG 34WK95U both have very similar performance. The Dell is flicker-free and has better ergonomics so you can easily place it to your liking. On the other hand, the LG supports HDR and has a slightly faster pixel response time that leaves a shorter blur trail in fast-moving content.

Samsung C49RG9/CRG9

The Dell U3818DW and the Samsung CRG9 are similar, but due to the differences in panel technology, they each have their advantages and disadvantages. The U3818DW uses an IPS panel, which delivers wider viewing angles, and the Dell has better ergonomics. The CRG9 has a much larger, higher resolution screen, and is a much better gaming monitor. The CRG9 supports HDR, has a faster refresh rate, and much better motion handling.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Size 38"
Curved Yes
Curve Radius 2300R
Weight (without stand)
19.6 lbs (8.9 kg)
Weight (with stand)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
Design
Stand
Width
13.4" (34.0 cm)
Depth
8.9" (22.6 cm)

The stand is identical to the older U3417W. It has a unique trapezoid shape, and like most Dell stands, it is very slim, allowing you to place small objects directly in front of the monitor.

6.4
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Switch Portrait/Landscape No
Swivel Range -30Ā° to 30Ā°
Tilt Range -20Ā° to 5Ā°

Mediocre ergonomics. The height of the monitor can be adjusted, and it can tilt and swivel, so you can easily turn your monitor for an impromptu meeting at your desk. The display can't be rotated, but with the large, curved design, you wouldn't really want to anyway.

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 100x100

The back of the monitor is very plain. Most of the inputs are grouped together near the center of the monitor.

Design
Borders
Borders
0.4" (1.0 cm)

The borders are thin and look good. They are the same thickness as the Dell U3417W, and slightly thinner than the ASUS PG348Q.

Design
Thickness
Thickness (with stand)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Thickness (without stand)
3.8" (9.7 cm)

Because of the curved screen, the monitor looks thick when viewed edge-on. It is thinner than the U3417W due to the less aggressive curve. When VESA mounted, it is very thin, especially for a curved monitor this size (see our recommendations for the best curved monitors).

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Ultrasharp U3818DW is well built. There are no obvious build quality issues that could cause any issues.

Picture Quality
6.2
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
1,133 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

The Dell U3818DW has a mediocre contrast ratio, but slightly better than the Dell U3417W. Unfortunately, there is no local dimming feature that could improve dark room performance.

Like the Dell U3417W, the contrast ratio was measured with Uniformity Compensation disabled. With this set to 'Calibrated', the contrast ratio is cut to 604:1.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Edge

There is no local dimming feature on this monitor. The video is for reference only.

7.3
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene
278 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 2% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 10% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 25% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 50% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 100% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
301 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
302 cd/mĀ²
SDR ABL
0.000

The Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW is decently bright, and the brightness does not change with different content, which is great. It is a bit brighter than the Dell Alienware AW3418DW.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene
N/A
HDR Peak 2% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 10% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 25% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 50% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 100% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 2% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 10% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 25% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 50% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 100% Window
N/A
HDR ABL
N/A

HDR is not supported on this monitor. If you want an ultrawide monitor with HDR support, check out the LG 38WN95C-W.

8.1
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
47Ā°
Color Washout From Right
47Ā°
Color Shift From Left
53Ā°
Color Shift From Right
55Ā°
Brightness Loss From Left
51Ā°
Brightness Loss From Right
51Ā°
Black Level Raise From Left
70Ā°
Black Level Raise From Right
40Ā°
Gamma Shift From Left
46Ā°
Gamma Shift From Right
56Ā°

The monitor has good horizontal viewing angles. Given the size of the monitor, this is extremely important to ensure that the entire image remains uniform when sitting up close.

7.4
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
34Ā°
Color Washout From Above
35Ā°
Color Shift From Below
40Ā°
Color Shift From Above
43Ā°
Brightness Loss From Below
36Ā°
Brightness Loss From Above
37Ā°
Black Level Raise From Below
70Ā°
Black Level Raise From Above
70Ā°
Gamma Shift From Below
41Ā°
Gamma Shift From Above
44Ā°

Excellent vertical viewing angles, typical of IPS panels. The brightness and colors shift at slightly narrower angles than the U3417W, but not enough to be noticeable or cause any issues. The black levels stay relatively flat at any angle, which is great.

8.1
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
3.831%
50% DSE
0.136%
5% Std. Dev.
0.474%
5% DSE
0.045%

The Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW has great gray uniformity. There are some dark vertical bands visible, but these are not noticeable under normal viewing conditions. There also isn't much DSE, which is great for browsing the web or watching streaming sports. Uniformity in near-dark scenes is much better, and there is almost no DSE.

Like the Dell U3417W, the gray uniformity was measured with Uniformity Compensation disabled. Setting this to 'Calibrated' did not significantly improve the uniformity, but cut the contrast ratio in half, so we don't recommend it.

5.8
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.137%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

Disappointing black uniformity. There is clouding visible across the entire screen, but not much flash-lighting, which is good. The photo is an overexposure designed to highlight clouding, in person, the Dell U3818W looks good in dark scenes.

9.0
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
Picture Mode
Standard
Luminance
242 cd/mĀ²
Luminance Settings
75
Contrast Setting
75
RGB Controls
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
Default
Color Temperature
6,593 K
White Balance dE
1.67
Color dE
1.32
Gamma
2.20

The Ultrasharp U3818DW has outstanding accuracy out of the box. White balance and color accuracy dE are very low, and even enthusiasts likely won't be able to notice any inaccuracies. Gamma follows the target curve nearly perfectly, and the color temperature is only slightly cool.

9.6
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
Picture Mode
Custom Color
Luminance
102 cd/mĀ²
Luminance Settings
23
Contrast Setting
75
RGB Controls
100-99-98
Gamma Setting
Default
Color Temperature
6,420 K
White Balance dE
0.67
Color dE
0.54
Gamma
2.17

The color accuracy and white balance are nearly perfect after calibration, but the Gamma is slightly worse. Color temperature is slightly warm after calibration.

You can download our ICC profile calibration here. This is provided for reference only and should not be used, as the calibration values vary per individual unit even for the same model due to manufacturing tolerances.

8.9
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB xy
99.0%
Adobe RGB xy
77.6%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color

s.RGB Picture Mode: Custom Color (calibrated)
Adobe RGB Picture Mode: Custom Color

Excellent SDR color gamut. Standard s.RGB color space coverage is nearly perfect, but coverage of the wider Adobe RGB coverage is limited. Overall, the Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW is great for daily use, but isn't ideal for professional photo or video editing.

9.1
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
97.8%
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
83.0%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color

s.RGB Picture Mode: Custom Color
Adobe RGB Picture Mode: Custom Color

Excellent color volume. The U3818DW can produce bright colors across the s.RGB color space without issue. Unfortunately, it can't produce deep, dark colors in either color space due to the limited contrast ratio.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
N/A
Rec. 2020 xy
N/A
DCI P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR

HDR is not supported on this monitor.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
N/A
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
N/A
DCI P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR

HDR is not supported on this monitor.

10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR After 0 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 2 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 4 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 6 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 8 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 10 Min Recovery
0.00%

There are no signs of temporary image retention.

9.4
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The monitor has great gradient handling. There is only minor banding in some dark colors, not enough to cause any issues.

10
Picture Quality
Color Bleed
Pixel Row Error
0.000%
Pixel Column Error
0.001%

There is no color bleed when displaying large areas of similar color.

6.4
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
7.5%
Indirect Reflections
4.3%
Calculated Direct Reflections
3.2%

Great reflection handling, similar to the Dell Alienware AW3418DW. There should be no issues using this monitor in a bright room.

7.0
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
IPS
Sub-Pixel Layout
RGB
Motion
4.9
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Best Overdrive Setting
Normal
Rise / Fall Time
6.6 ms
Total Response Time
26.0 ms
Overshoot Error
17.6%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
6.5 ms
Dark Total Response Time
25.3 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
18.7%

Response Time Normal
Response Time Fast

The monitor has a very good response time, slightly worse than the Dell U3417W. There are only two overdrive settings, and unfortunately in both modes there is significant overshoot in some transitions that causes smearing in motion that may bother some people.

If you want a monitor with faster response time, check out the LG 38GL950G-B.

4.9
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Best Overdrive Setting
Normal
Rise / Fall Time
6.6 ms
Total Response Time
26 ms
Overshoot Error
17.6%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
6.5 ms
Dark Total Response Time
25.3 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
18.7%
10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

The Dell U3818DW is completely flicker-free. There is no PWM flicker at any backlight level. There is also no option to introduce flicker to help clear up motion.

0
Motion
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
No
BFI Maximum Frequency
N/A
BFI Minimum Frequency
N/A
5.9
Motion
Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
No VRR
Native
60 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No
FreeSync
No
G-SYNC
No
VRR Maximum
N/A
VRR Minimum
No VRR
VRR Supported Connectors No VRR

The Dell U3818DW has a standard 60Hz refresh rate that is fine for most users, may disappoint more demanding gamers. There's also no FreeSync or G-SYNC VRR support. If you prefer a gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate and VRR support, look into the Dell Alienware AW3821DW.

Inputs
8.9
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution
9.2 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.2 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
N/A
Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
N/A
10 Bit HDR
N/A
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
N/A

Non-native resolution tested: 2560 x 1080 @ 8-bit.

Excellent low input lag. The Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW only supports non-native resolutions in 8-bit, but this shouldn't cause any issues if you want to use 10-bit, as most graphics cards will upscale without you knowing.

Non-native resolutions are only displayed when sending 8-bit, otherwise, they are displayed at the native resolution. Non-native input lag is ever so slightly higher, but still excellent.

8.9
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution 3840 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 21:9
Megapixels 6.1 MP
Pixel Density
111 PPI
Screen Diagonal 37.5"
Screen Area 498 inĀ²

The monitor has a great 38" screen and impressive 3840x1600 resolution. This rather uncommon resolution is sometimes known as WQHD+, and is great for multitasking, or for watching widescreen 4k content. If you want a similar-sized monitor with an even higher, 5k resolution, check out the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW.

Inputs
Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
DisplayPort 1 (DP 1.2)
Mini DisplayPort No
HDMI 2 (HDMI 2.0)
DVI No
VGA No
DisplayPort Out No
USB 4 (USB 3.0)
USB C 1 (USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode)
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 1
Microphone In 3.5mm No
Digital Optical Audio Out No
Analog Audio Out RCA No
Power Supply Internal

There is an audio line-out port, but it is meant to only be used for speakers, as the volume can't be controlled.

There are 4 USB 3.0 ports, and a USB-C port that can be used with DisplayPort Alt mode, allowing you to connect a laptop to the monitor and charge it with a single cable. USB Power Delivery mode on the U3818DW can deliver up to 95W of power.

Unlike the U3417W, the U3818DW does not have a DisplayPort out, so it can't be daisy-chained with another monitor.

Features
Features
Additional Features
RGB Illumination
No
Speakers
Yes
HDR10 No
Multiple Input Display
PIP + PBP

The Dell U3818DW has some impressive additional features. It is designed to connect to two computers at the same time. There are separate USB upstream ports that allow the monitor to function as a KVM switch by connecting your keyboard and mouse to the USB ports on the monitor. With the Picture-in-Picture or Picture-by-Picture mode, you can display two computers on the screen at the same time, and easily work with both. It has built in speakers, but no HDR support.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)
Features
Controls

The controls on this monitor are very similar to other Dell monitors, including the U3417W. The buttons are small, but they are a bit stiff and aren't comfortable if you plan on making frequent adjustments. There are programmable quick buttons that can make this easier though.

Features
In The Box

  • Manual and calibration report
  • USB-C Cable
  • HDMI Cable
  • DisplayPort Cable
  • USB Type-B Upstream Cable
  • Universal Power Cable