Top Curved Monitors for 2025

Upgrading your gaming setup with a curved monitor significantly enhances immersion. The best curved gaming monitors envelop your peripheral vision, drawing you deeper into your favorite games. Whether you're a competitive esports player seeking an advantage or a single-player enthusiast craving an immersive experience, the right curved monitor can make all the difference. Here are our top picks for the best curved gaming monitors of 2025.

TL;DR – Best 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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Choosing a great curved gaming monitor isn't as simple as it once was. The market is saturated with similar-sounding options that don't perform equally. The ideal monitor depends on your gaming style. FPS enthusiasts will prioritize low input latency and high refresh rates, while those seeking ultimate immersion will opt for monitors with a deeper curve. Attention to detail is key.

The Expert: Why Trust Us

With over a decade of experience as a gaming journalist, I've reviewed countless monitors for major gaming publications. I understand what makes a gaming monitor truly great, especially for different gamer types. It's not just about specs; it's about the synergy of features creating an exceptional experience. My expertise ensures you get the best recommendations, saving you money and guaranteeing a superior gaming experience.

At IGN, our reviews are rigorously vetted by multiple gamers to provide you with accurate, unbiased information. We connect you with the best products, offering distilled guides like this one.

After reading this, check out our guides on the Best Graphics Cards, Best Gaming Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, and Best Gaming Headsets to complete your ultimate setup. A truly amazing gaming experience awaits!

1. Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM

Best Curved Gaming Monitor

This 34-inch ultrawide boasts next-level 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 top-tier curved gaming display, excelling in both gaming and productivity. Its 800R curve provides exceptional immersion, while the OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and outstanding brightness. Its price is usually just over $1,000, offering 1,300 nits of peak brightness for superb HDR gaming. The OLED panel provides deep blacks and enhanced dynamic range. Its 3,440x1440p resolution is sharp and well-suited for its size. It features excellent factory calibration and wide color gamut support. The deep curve may slightly distort text, making it more suitable for entertainment than extended productivity tasks. It boasts a 240Hz refresh rate, low input latency, and various gaming modes for a competitive edge. A built-in KVM switch allows easy switching between devices.

2. AOC C27G2Z

Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor

Budget-conscious gamers will appreciate this monitor's 1080p 1500R curved screen and high refresh rate.

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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. Under $200, it offers a solid picture on a 27-inch screen, an immersive curve, and exceptional responsiveness with its 240Hz refresh rate. It features a high-quality VA panel with a 1500R curve and a deep contrast ratio. While colors and viewing angles aren't as good as IPS, they're still very engaging for gaming. Its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time are suitable for competitive gaming. To achieve the full refresh rate, you'll need a DisplayPort connection; HDMI 2.0 is limited to 120Hz. A 32-inch version is available, but the 27-inch model is recommended to avoid a noticeable screen-door effect.

3. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF

Best Value Curved Gaming Monitor

A curved 2K gaming monitor with an exceptional QD-OLED panel and solid gaming capabilities.

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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. Its QD-OLED display delivers stunning image quality at a significantly reduced price. The QD-OLED technology provides millions of local dimming zones and vivid colors. Its HDR performance is excellent, with a peak brightness of 1000 nits. While SDR brightness is lower, it's still acceptable outside of direct sunlight. The 165Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms response time ensure smooth, responsive gameplay. It supports AMD FreeSync and is Nvidia G-Sync Compatible.

4. Acer Predator X34 OLED

Best Ultrawide G-Sync Gaming Monitor

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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, offering an outstanding picture, fast refresh rate, deep curve, and advanced features. Its 800R curve enhances immersion. The combination of variable refresh rate support (Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync) and a 240Hz refresh rate provides exceptionally smooth motion. Its OLED panel delivers fantastic colors and superior brightness (1,300 nits), making highlights exceptionally vivid. While lacking a dedicated sRGB mode, it includes a P3 mode for standardized colors. Its 21:9 aspect ratio is beneficial for content creators working with timelines.

5. MSI MPG 491CQPX

Best Curved 32:9 Super Ultrawide Monitor

49 inches of QD-OLED gaming excellence.

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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 massive 49-inch super ultrawide monitor packed with features and a stunning QD-OLED screen. Its 32:9 aspect ratio provides immense screen real estate, effectively replacing a triple-monitor setup. The 5120 x 1440 resolution is equivalent to three 1440p monitors side-by-side. Its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time ensure exceptional performance. The 1800R curve is relatively gentle but still immersive. It includes a quantum dot layer for enhanced colors and brightness, and a graphene heat-dispersing layer for durability. It supports USB Type-C video input and 98W PD charging. However, it demands a powerful computer to run at its full potential, and its burn-in prevention features might be overly cautious for some users.

How to Choose a Curved Monitor

Choosing a curved gaming monitor involves considering your intended use. If it's solely for gaming, the choice is simpler. If you also plan on using it for productivity or creative work, additional factors need consideration.

Resolution: Higher resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K) means a crisper image but may require a more powerful graphics card. Ultrawide monitors extend the horizontal resolution.

Size: Monitor size depends on available space and desired gaming experience. Gentler curves and 16:9 aspect ratios are suitable for aesthetics, while larger ultrawides (21:9) offer more screen real estate. General guidelines for size based on resolution are provided in the original article.

Panel Type: IPS panels offer great colors and viewing angles, but lower contrast. VA panels offer a balance of color, contrast, and response time. OLED panels offer the best contrast and colors but can have lower average brightness and a risk of burn-in. Mini-LED backlighting is often paired with IPS panels.

Brightness: Aim for at least 350 nits for desks out of direct sunlight, and higher for HDR gaming (at least 1000 nits).

Refresh Rate: At least 120Hz is recommended, with 144Hz being ideal. Competitive gamers may benefit from higher refresh rates (240Hz, 360Hz, 480Hz).

Curvature: Lower "R" numbers indicate deeper curves (800R, 1000R are very deep), while higher numbers are shallower (1500R, 1800R). Deep curves are more immersive but can distort text.

Additional Features: Look for VRR support (FreeSync for AMD, G-Sync compatible for Nvidia), KVM switches, picture-in-picture, and other convenient features.

Upcoming Curved Gaming Monitors in 2025

OLED and Mini-LED technologies are major trends. Smart gaming monitors, combining monitor functionality with smart TV features, are also emerging.

Curved Monitor FAQs

Are curved monitors better for gaming? The benefit is subjective and depends on the curve's depth and monitor size. Deeper curves on ultrawides can increase immersion.

What is 800R, 1500R, and 1800R? These numbers represent the radius of the curvature. Lower numbers mean deeper curves.

Are curved monitors good for work? Gentler curves (1500R, 1800R) are suitable for most tasks. Deeper curves may distort text, making them less ideal for productivity.

Where to Get the Best Curved Gaming Monitors in the UK

(List of UK monitors with images and pricing remains the same)