Best Ultrawide Monitor Under $300: Get Wider, Spend Smarter

By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: July 25, 2023

In the ever-evolving world of technology, monitors have undergone significant advancements, and one category that has captured the imagination of users is ultrawide monitors. These widescreen displays offer an immersive visual experience, making them increasingly popular for both productivity and entertainment purposes. However, with a wide range of options available, finding the perfect ultrawide monitor that fits your needs and budget can be quite a challenge.

This article aims to guide you through the process of discovering the “Best Ultrawide Monitor Under $300,” ensuring that you get a wider screen without having to break the bank. We understand that affordability is a crucial factor for many users, and our selection focuses on top-performing monitors that strike an excellent balance between features and cost.

Understanding Ultrawide Monitors

Before diving into our top picks, let’s take a moment to understand what makes ultrawide monitors so appealing. Unlike traditional displays, ultrawide monitors boast an aspect ratio typically exceeding 21:9, offering significantly more horizontal screen space. This extended real estate allows for improved multitasking, as users can have multiple windows open side by side without the need for dual monitors.

Ultrawide monitors are particularly beneficial for content creators, professionals, and gamers seeking an expansive canvas to work on. For creative tasks like video editing or graphic design, the additional screen space enhances workflow efficiency. Likewise, gamers can enjoy a more immersive gaming experience, as ultrawide displays provide a broader field of view and can make you feel more connected to the virtual world.

Factors to Consider

When on the hunt for the ideal ultrawide monitor under $300, several essential factors warrant consideration to ensure you make the best decision:

1. Screen Size and Resolution: The size of the monitor will influence how much space you have for your tasks or gaming. Look for a size that fits your workspace and provides a comfortable viewing experience. Additionally, check for the resolution to ensure crisp and clear visuals.

2. Refresh Rate and Response Time: Gamers should pay attention to these specifications as they impact how smooth and responsive the gaming experience will be. A higher refresh rate and lower response time reduce motion blur and input lag, resulting in smoother gameplay.

3. Panel Type: Different panel technologies, such as IPS, VA, and TN, offer varying advantages in terms of color reproduction, contrast, and viewing angles. Choose the panel type that best suits your needs and preferences.

4. Connectivity Options: Ensure that the monitor has the necessary ports like HDMI and DisplayPort to connect to your devices. Some monitors also offer USB hubs for additional convenience.

5. Additional Features: Consider other features like AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync support, High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility, and built-in speakers, depending on your specific requirements.

In the following sections, we’ll present our top five picks for the best ultrawide monitors under $300, each offering unique features and benefits to cater to various user needs. Let’s dive in and find the perfect monitor that fits your budget and elevates your computing or gaming experience!

Top 5 Ultrawide Monitors Under $300

LG UltraGear

The LG UltraGear QHD 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor is designed with gaming enthusiasts in mind, offering an immersive and visually stunning experience. Its ultra-wide Quad High Definition (QHD) display with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio brings games to life, providing an increased field of view that allows you to see more on-screen.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Display: 34-inch curved screen with an ultra-wide QHD resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
• Refresh Rate: The monitor boasts a high native refresh rate of 160Hz, ensuring smooth and fluid visuals during intense gaming sessions.
• Motion Blur Reduction (MBR): The 1-millisecond MBR technology reduces blur and ghosting, enabling quicker response times in fast-paced games.
• HDR10 Support: With HDR10 support, the monitor delivers stunning visual quality, offering 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum for accurate and vibrant colors.
• AMD FreeSync Premium: This monitor is equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium, which synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with supported AMD Radeon series video cards, reducing screen tearing, flicker, and stuttering for a seamless gaming experience.
• Dynamic Action Sync: Reduces input lag, enabling swift response to in-game actions.
• Black Stabilizer: Dynamically brightens dark scenes, making it easier to spot enemies lurking in shadows.
• Crosshair Feature: Enhances accuracy in firefights by providing an on-screen crosshair to aid aiming.

Pros:

• Immersive gaming experience with the ultra-wide curved display
• High native refresh rate and Motion Blur Reduction for smooth and responsive gaming
• HDR10 support with 99% sRGB coverage for accurate and vivid colors
• AMD FreeSync Premium for tear-free and stutter-free gaming
• Dynamic Action Sync and Black Stabilizer features enhance gameplay

Cons:

• Some users may find the 34-inch size too large for certain setups or preferences
• Higher resolution and refresh rate might require a more powerful graphics card for optimal performance

Sceptre 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor

The Sceptre 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is designed to deliver an immersive gaming experience with its curved display and high refresh rates. Offering a Full HD resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels and an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio, this monitor provides an expansive view, perfect for gaming and multitasking.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Display: 30-inch curved screen with a Full HD resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
• Refresh Rate: DP Up to 200Hz Refresh Rate / HDMI 2.0 Up to 120Hz Refresh Rate, providing incredibly smooth visuals during gameplay.
• Response Time: 5ms GTG (Gray-to-Gray), reducing motion blur and ensuring swift response to on-screen action.
• AMD FreeSync: Enjoy tear-free and stutter-free gaming experiences, as FreeSync technology synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s frame rate.
• Custom Display Settings: The monitor includes FPS-RTS custom set display settings tailored for FPS (First Person Shooter) and RTS (Real-Time Strategy) games, optimizing visuals for different gaming genres.
• Blue Light Shift: This feature reduces blue light emissions to protect your eyes from fatigue, irritation, and strain, making long gaming sessions more comfortable.
• Gaming LED Light: Aesthetic LED lighting adds a stylish touch to your gaming setup.
• VESA Wall Mount Pattern: Easily mount the monitor on the wall using the VESA wall mount pattern, saving space and offering optimal visibility.

Pros:

• Immersive gaming experience with the curved display and ultra-wide aspect ratio
• High refresh rates (up to 200Hz DP / 120Hz HDMI) for smoother visuals
• AMD FreeSync technology for tear-free and stutter-free gaming
• Custom display settings for FPS and RTS games, enhancing gameplay visuals
• Blue Light Shift feature for reduced eye strain during extended gaming sessions
• Gaming LED light adds a cool aesthetic to your setup
• VESA wall mount pattern for space-saving and flexible positioning

Cons:

• The Full HD resolution might not be as high as some other gaming monitors on the market
• The 30-inch size may be too large or too small for certain users, depending on their preferences

AOPEN 34HC5CUR

The AOPEN 34HC5CUR is a feature-packed ultrawide monitor designed to deliver an immersive and visually stunning experience. With a curved widescreen display and an ultra-wide Quad High Definition (UWQHD) resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels, this monitor provides an expansive and detailed view, perfect for gaming, multimedia, and productivity.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Display: 34-inch curved widescreen VA ZeroFrame display with a UWQHD resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
• Refresh Rate: Enjoy smooth and fluid visuals with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, ensuring a responsive and lag-free gaming experience.
• Response Time: The 1ms (TVR) response time minimizes motion blur, enabling quick response to fast-paced in-game action.
• AMD FreeSync Premium: With AMD FreeSync Premium technology, the monitor synchronizes its refresh rate with supported AMD graphics cards, reducing tearing and stuttering for seamless gameplay.
• Audio: The monitor comes equipped with 2 built-in speakers, each delivering 2 watts of power, providing a decent audio experience without the need for external speakers.
• Display Stand: The monitor’s ergonomic stand offers versatile adjustments, including tilt (-5° to 35°), height adjustment (up to 4.7 inches), and swivel (plus/-30°), allowing users to customize their viewing experience for optimal comfort.
• AOPEN Eye Protection: Featuring BlueLight Filter & Flickerless Technology, the monitor reduces eye strain caused by prolonged screen exposure, making it more comfortable for extended usage.
• Connectivity: The monitor offers multiple connectivity options, including 1 x Display Port 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, and 1 x Audio-Out. HDMI and Display Port cables are included for added convenience.

Pros:

• Immersive viewing experience with the curved widescreen and high-resolution display.
• Up to 144Hz refresh rate for smooth and responsive gaming visuals.
• Ultra-fast 1ms response time to minimize motion blur during fast-paced gaming.
• AMD FreeSync Premium for tear-free and stutter-free gaming.
• Ergonomic display stand with various adjustments for comfortable viewing.
• Built-in speakers provide audio convenience for multimedia content.
• Eye protection features reduce eye strain during prolonged usage.
• Multiple connectivity options for versatile device connections.

Cons:

• Some users may prefer more powerful external speakers for a better audio experience.
• VA panel technology may have slightly lower color accuracy and viewing angles compared to IPS panels.
  

MSI Full HD Monitor

The MSI Full HD monitor is a high-performance display designed to elevate your gaming and multimedia experience. Featuring a 30-inch Rapid-IPS panel with LED backlighting and a Full HD resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels, this monitor offers a wide field of view and impressive visual clarity for a more immersive viewing experience.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Display: 30-inch Rapid-IPS panel with LED backlighting, offering a Full HD resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels and an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio, providing extra POV (Point of View) to enhance your peripheral vision during gaming and multimedia consumption.
• Rapid Boost Technology: This monitor boasts a blazing fast refresh rate of 200Hz and an impressive response time of 1ms, ensuring smooth and fluid visuals during fast-paced gaming, minimizing motion blur for a competitive edge in gameplay.
• WFHD (Wide Full HD): With the 21:9 aspect ratio, the monitor provides a wider and more immersive view compared to traditional 16:9 displays, enhancing your overall gaming and multimedia experience.
• LED Backlighting: The LED backlight technology offers energy efficiency while providing consistent and vibrant colors across the display.
• Gaming-Optimized: Designed with gamers in mind, the monitor’s rapid refresh rate and response time offer a competitive advantage by delivering seamless visuals with minimal input lag.
• Ultra-Wide Field of View: The 21:9 aspect ratio allows you to see more on-screen, providing a wider and more encompassing view for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
• Sleek Design: MSI’s monitor features a modern and sleek design, adding style to your gaming or workstation setup.

Pros:

• Rapid-IPS panel with LED backlighting offers excellent color reproduction and viewing angles.
• WFHD 21:9 aspect ratio enhances peripheral vision for an immersive experience.
• Rapid Boost technology provides a fast refresh rate and response time for smooth gaming visuals.
• Ultra-wide field of view allows for better multitasking and immersive gaming.
• Energy-efficient LED backlighting with consistent color performance.
• Gaming-optimized features for a competitive advantage.

Cons:

• The Full HD resolution might be considered lower than some higher-end gaming monitors.
• The 30-inch size may be too large or too small for certain users, depending on their preferences.

Z-Edge 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor

The Z-Edge 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is designed to cater to gamers with its impressive features and immersive design. With a rapid 200Hz refresh rate and a fast 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time), this gaming monitor ensures smooth visuals, reducing ghosting and blur for a seamless gaming and movie-watching experience.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Refresh Rate and Response Time: The monitor boasts a high 200Hz refresh rate and a rapid 1ms MPRT, resulting in ultra-smooth visuals with minimal motion blur during gaming and action-packed movie scenes.
• 1500R Curved Display: The 1500R curvature adds an immersive touch to gaming and movie-watching, filling your peripheral vision and enlarging the field of view for a more engaging experience.
• WFHD 1080P Resolution and HDR Support: With a WFHD resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels and HDR technology, the display delivers stunning and crystal-clear images with balanced exposure, providing greater clarity even in dark scenes. (Note: HDR is supported only through the HDMI port)
• High Contrast Ratio: The 3000:1 contrast ratio ensures deep blacks and brilliant whites, allowing you to see more image details in both bright and dark scenes.
• Ergonomic Design: The monitor supports VESA mount 100*100mm, allowing easy installation on the wall or a mounting arm to find the optimum position for comfortable viewing. The three-sided edge-to-edge design maximizes screen usage, making it suitable for dual-monitor setups.
• Illuminated RGB Lighting: The monitor features RGB lighting that enhances the gaming atmosphere, creating dynamic lighting effects to make gaming sessions more engaging and thrilling.

Pros:

• Rapid 200Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT for smooth and fluid gaming visuals.
• Curved display adds an immersive touch to gaming and movie-watching.
• HDR support and WFHD resolution offer stunning and crystal-clear images.
• High contrast ratio provides deep blacks and bright whites for improved image details.
• Ergonomic design with VESA mount support for flexible positioning.
• Illuminated RGB lighting enhances the gaming atmosphere.

Cons:

• Some users may prefer a higher resolution for tasks other than gaming.
• The split-screen issue with PS4/PS5/Xbox might require firmware updates.

Tips for Selecting the Right Monitor

When searching for the perfect gaming monitor, consider the following factors to make an informed decision:

1. Resolution: Choose a resolution that matches your needs. Higher resolutions like 4K provide sharper visuals, while Full HD (1080p) and WFHD (2560 x 1080) strike a balance between performance and image quality.
2. Refresh Rate: For smooth and responsive gaming, opt for a high refresh rate. Monitors with refresh rates of 144Hz or higher deliver seamless visuals, reducing motion blur during fast-paced gameplay.
3. Response Time: A low response time, ideally 1ms, ensures minimal ghosting and blurring, enabling quick responses to in-game action.
4. Panel Type: IPS panels offer excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles, while VA panels deliver deep blacks and high contrast. TN panels are budget-friendly and offer faster response times, but may have narrower viewing angles.
5. Aspect Ratio: Ultra-wide aspect ratios like 21:9 offer a more immersive gaming experience and increased screen real estate for multitasking.
6. Adaptive Sync Technology: Look for monitors with AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync support to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during gaming.
7. HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology enhances contrast and color for a more vibrant and realistic visual experience.
8. Ergonomics: Consider a monitor with adjustable stands to find the most comfortable viewing position for extended gaming sessions.
9. Connectivity: Ensure the monitor has sufficient ports like HDMI and DisplayPort for your devices, and check for additional features like USB hubs.
10. Budget: Set a reasonable budget and explore monitors that fit within your price range while offering the features you desire.

Conclusion:

Finding the best gaming monitor is essential for a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, the right monitor can make a significant difference in your gaming performance and enjoyment. Each of the monitors mentioned in this article offers unique features catering to different needs and preferences.

For competitive gamers seeking ultra-fast refresh rates and response times, the “Z-Edge 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor” and “MSI Full HD” are worth considering. If a wide field of view and HDR support are your priorities, the “AOPEN 34HC5CUR” and “Sceptre 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor” fit the bill. On the other hand, if you’re after a high-quality gaming monitor under $300, the “LG UltraGear QHD 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor” might be the perfect choice.

Ultimately, the best monitor for you depends on your specific gaming preferences, setup, and budget. With the information provided in this article, you can now make an informed decision and embark on an exciting gaming journey with a monitor that suits your needs perfectly.