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By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: October 27, 2022
In the past few years, computer monitor technology has undergone a metamorphosis. ultrawide monitors are now getting popular, and offer a much more immersive experience than their traditional 16:9 counterparts. Even widescreens don’t offer the same level of immersion as an ultrawide monitor.
Ultrawide monitors are exactly what they sound like: wider than widescreen. Most models on the market have a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is significantly wider than the 16:9 widescreen standard. This extra horizontal real estate can be used for a variety of purposes, from productivity to gaming.
Productivity users will find that ultrawide monitors make it easier to keep multiple windows open side-by-side and eliminate the need for constant alt-tabbing. For gamers, the wider field of view can provide a significant advantage in many games.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to an ultrawide monitor, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, not all monitors are created equal. Some have better build quality and features than others. Second, ultrawide monitors can be expensive, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.
To help you sort through the options, we’ve rounded up the best ultrawide monitors under $500. These are the models that offer the best combination of features, performance, and value for money.
 | AOC CU34G2X |
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 | LG 34WQ73A-B |
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 | LG 34WP65C-B |
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 | Sceptre C355W-3440UN |
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 | ViewSonic VG3448 |
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For our entry-level ultrawide monitor recommendation, I personally went with the AOC CU34G2X. It’s a great all-around ultrawide monitor that’s ideal for general use and casual gaming.
The AOC CU34G2X is a 34-inch curved ultrawide monitor with a resolution of 3440x1440p. It has a VA panel with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz and a 1ms response time. In my opinion, these are pretty good specifications for gaming, so even though you want to want to play competitively, you shouldn’t have any issues with this monitor.
The design of the AOC CU34G2X is pretty good. The stand is very sturdy and the monitor feels quite premium. I also like the fact that the bezels are pretty thin, which is great for a multi-monitor setup.
With regards to ergonomics, the AOC CU34G2X is very good. It has a height adjustment of 5.5 inches, a swivel range of -35° to 35°, and a tilt range of -25° to 2.5°. So, you can pretty much position the monitor however you want.
The AOC CU34G2X has a few extra features that are worth mentioning. First, it includes adaptive-sync technology. Second, it has six game mode presets that you can switch between. These presets are tailored to different types of games, such as racing, RTS, or FPS games. Third, it comes with AOC’s G-Menu software, which allows you to tweak the monitor settings to your liking. Lastly, the AOC GAME COLOR AND SHADOW CONTROL features let you adjust the grey levels and brightness of dark areas on the fly.
Overall, the AOC CU34G2X is indeed a great ultrawide monitor and is perfect for casual gaming and general use. It is worth considering if you are looking for an ultrawide monitor that is under $500.
For professionals who are looking for a monitor that is suitable for them, take a look at this LG ultrawide monitor. It is the LG 34WQ73A-B.
The LG 34WQ73A-B is a 34-inch curved ultrawide monitor with a resolution of 3440x1440p. It’s also nice to see that instead of a VA panel (common with ultrawide), this one comes with an IPS panel. That means you get great viewing angles and colors that pop. This is especially important if you’re working with graphics or video editing.
The monitor also comes with HDR10 support. You will be able to display a wider range of colors and deeper blacks than a standard monitor. Perfect if you really want to show off your work.
The LG 34WQ73A-B has a built-in KVM switch with USB Type-C. This allows you to connect your mouse and keyboard to the monitor and use it as a computer. This is great if you have a laptop and want to use it as your primary machine. You can just plug everything into the monitor and be up and running. For professionals who have to juggle multiple machines, this is a godsend.
How about gaming? I would say the 60Hz is quite mediocre by today’s standards but it should be fine for most games (especially RPG games). If you’re a competitive gamer, you might want to look elsewhere. But for casual gamers, this monitor should suffice.
Taking a look at the design and ergonomics, the LG 34WQ73A-B has a very professional look to it. It’s sleek and modern without being too flashy. The stand is solid and provides good stability. You can also adjust the tilt and height which is great. However, there is no swivel or pivot which might be a dealbreaker for some people.
All in all, the LG 34WQ73A-B is a great ultrawide monitor for professionals. It has great features such as an IPS panel, HDR10 support, and a built-in KVM switch. The design is also very professional.
Does gaming is your main concern? If so, then the LG 34WP65C-B is one of the best ultrawide monitors for gaming under $500 that you can buy right now.
Starting with the basic specification, it has a 34-inch Curved IPS panel with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The monitor comes with a 160Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time (GtG), and 1ms Motion Blur Reduction. So, when it comes to gaming, the LG 34WP65C-B is highly capable. The performance is also impressive with very little input lag and great response time. In addition, the AMD FreeSync Premium support ensures a tear-free gaming experience.
In terms of image quality, the LG 34WP65C-B is excellent as well. It offers accurate colors out of the box and perfect color reproduction. The screen also gets bright enough for comfortable viewing in well-lit rooms. The monitor also supports HDR10, enhancing the image quality for gaming. The LG 34WP65C-B also features excellent sRGB coverage, with 99% (CIE1931) accuracy. This makes it an ideal monitor for content creators and professionals who need accurate color reproduction. Overall, the LG 34WP65C-B is an excellent ultrawide monitor that is perfect for gaming and other multimedia uses.
There are also other features added to the LG 34WP65C-B that make it a great ultrawide monitor. These include OnScreen Control, which allows you to control the monitor settings directly from your desktop. The monitor also has built-in speakers that deliver decent sound quality. In addition, the stand of the LG 34WP65C-B is very sturdy and offers good ergonomics with tilt and height adjustments.
If you are looking for the best ultrawide monitor for gaming and other multimedia uses, then the LG 34WP65C-B is the perfect choice for you.
This might be the cheapest option on our list but don’t let that fool you. It’s still a great ultrawide monitor with pleasing specifications.
Looking first at the performance of this monitor, you’ll be getting a 100hz refresh rate (with the use of DisplayPort) and 4ms response time which is great for gaming. In addition, the 3440x1440p resolution will give you plenty of screen real estate and amazing image quality. Not to mention, that it comes with a 35-inch display.
AMD FreeSync is also present on this monitor which will help to reduce screen tearing and improve your overall gaming experience.
Design-wise, this monitor has a very sleek and modern look. The bezels are super thin which gives it a great aesthetic appeal. It’s also VESA mountable so you can easily mount it on a stand or wall if you so choose.
When it comes to image quality, this monitor definitely does not disappoint. The 1800R curvature and VA panel create a truly immersive viewing experience that is sure to please. Additionally, the 98% sRGB color gamut is present which will give you accurate and consistent color reproduction. And finally, the 3,000:1 contrast ratio ensures that blacks are deep and whites are bright.
For its price point, the Sceptre C355W-3440UN is quite hard to compete with. The monitor can be used for different types of activities such as gaming, watching movies, working, and more.
Another monitor recommendation for professional use is the ViewSonic VG3448. But this time, it is a non-curved monitor with an aspect ratio of 21:9. And is for people who want an immersive experience without the curve. This monitor also comes with a 3440 x 1440 WQHD resolution and has a SuperClear MVA panel.
The ViewSonic VG3448 doesn’t seem to be the best for gaming, as it is marketed more as a productivity monitor. But that doesn’t mean you can’t game on it. It still has a 75Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. So, you should be able to enjoy most games assuming you are a casual gamer. And like the other monitors on this list, it also comes with FreeSync for tear-free gaming.
One of the best things about the ViewSonic VG3448 is its design. It has a three-sided frameless bezel that makes it perfect for a multi-monitor setup. Plus, it comes with advanced ergonomic features such as swivel, tilt, and height adjustment. So, you can easily find the most comfortable position for extended use. In addition, the stand has a built-in cable management system to keep your desk clean and organized.
If you are looking for a flat ultrawide monitor for professional use, then the ViewSonic VG3448 is a great option. It has all the features you need for productivity and comes with a sleek and stylish design.
The ultra-wide monitor market has really taken off in the past few years, and there is now a wide variety of options available at a variety of price points. For a $500 budget, you can expect to get a good quality ultra-wide monitor with plenty of features.
Many gamers have made the switch to ultrawide monitors, as they provide a much more immersive gaming experience. Some monitors on this list come with average or fast response time and a refresh rate that is over 100Hz, which is impressive for a budget monitor.
Some of the monitors on this list come with additional features such as G-Sync/FreeSync, speakers, and a wide range of connectivity options. These features can enhance your overall experience with the monitor.
At this price point, you will mostly find monitors with a resolution of 1440p. This is the sweet spot for many users as it offers a good balance between image quality and performance. All monitors included on this list have a resolution of 1440p.
A VA panel is often seen as the best type of panel for an ultrawide monitor. This is because it offers great image quality and contrast ratios. Additionally, VA panels have good viewing angles and can display deeper blacks than other types of panels. However, there are ultrawide monitors that come with an IPS panel such as the second monitor (LG 34WQ73A-B) on this list, but they often come at a higher price point. Check out our article for cheap IPS monitors under $200 if that is what you are looking for.
Most of the monitors on this list are curved, which is becoming increasingly popular in the ultrawide market. Curved monitors provide a more immersive experience and can be easier on the eyes for extended use. If you are looking for a flat ultrawide monitor, there are a few options available on this list as well. Although the last monitor on this list is a flat screen, I’ve added that as there are still people who would prefer a flat monitor.
To be honest, $500 isn’t considered cheap when it comes to monitors. That being said, all of the monitors on this list offer great build quality and should last you for many years. If you take care of your monitor, it should serve you well for a long time.
An ultrawide monitor setup is extremely helpful for completing tasks that require visualizing data, designing projects, or processing large amounts of information.
Ultrawide monitors provide an expansive real estate of high-resolution visuals with minimal bezels and no disruption in the workflows; one can easily be multitasking and view multiple open windows side by side, seeing as much information at one glance.
Creative professionals find value in working with ultrawide monitors, especially for development tasks and connecting to external projects.
The extra breathing room for specific activities helps them focus easily without feeling cramped on a small screen.
In summary, an ultrawide monitor setup is a great choice for those who need to quickly access and organize large chunks of data comprised of visuals or text while needing plenty of space to move freely between tasks.
The most obvious downside of ultrawide monitors is the cost. As with anything, you get what you pay for and these types of monitors can often be quite expensive.
Additionally, due to their size, ultrawide monitors can sometimes be difficult to transport or fit onto smaller desks so you may need to invest in a bigger desk or some kind of monitor stand if you don’t have the space for them.
However, despite these downsides, many people still prefer ultrawide monitors as they offer a great viewing experience and can be extremely useful for multitasking.
Yes, ultrawide monitors are great for gaming as they provide a much more immersive experience compared to traditional 16:9 displays.
Most games today support the 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio and these monitors provide a much wider field of view that can be helpful in certain games.
As you can see, there are a lot of great ultrawide monitors available for under $500.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the options we’ve listed above.
It just depends on what you’re looking for in a monitor and what features are most important to you.
Each monitor has a designated purpose. For example, the LG 34WP65C-B is perfect for gamers who are looking for an ultrawide monitor with a fast refresh rate and response time, while the LG 34WQ73A-B is great for professional use and offers some impressive useful features
No matter what your needs are, there’s an ultrawide monitor on this list that will suit you perfectly.
