Ultra-wide monitors have become increasingly popular over the last few years, especially among professionals and gamers looking to maximize their screen real estate. With aspect ratios of 21:9 or 32:9, these extra-wide displays provide more horizontal workspace compared to traditional 16:9 monitors.
If you‘re in the market for an ultra-wide display 38-inches or larger, you have several excellent options to choose from in 2022. In this guide, we‘ll break down the top picks across various categories and use cases to help you find the perfect monitor for your needs and budget.
Overview of the Best 38"+ Ultra-Wide Monitors
Here‘s a quick overview of our top recommendations:
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Best Overall: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 – With a massive 49-inch curved display, the Odyssey Neo G9 is arguably the most immersive gaming monitor available. It also performs well for productivity.
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Best Value: Dell U3818DW – This budget-friendly 38-inch monitor still delivers a quality ultra-wide experience at a fraction of the cost of higher-end options.
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Best for Creators: LG 40WP95C-W – Boasting a sharp 5K resolution and excellent color accuracy out of the box, this LG monitor is ideal for photo and video editing.
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Best for Gaming: LG UltraGear 38GN950 – LG‘s flagship ultra-wide gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and Nano IPS technology delivers incredibly smooth and vivid gameplay.
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Most Versatile: LG 38WN95C-W – With Thunderbolt 3 support and a QHD+ resolution, the 38WN95C-W works well for both productivity and gaming.
Now let‘s take a closer look at each monitor and why it stands out.
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 – Best Overall
Screen Size: 49-inches
Resolution: 5120 x 1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Aspect Ratio: 32:9
Overview
If you want the absolute most immersive ultra-wide experience money can buy, look no further than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. With its curved 49-inch display spanning 32:9, this monitor completely surrounds your field of view for gaming or movies. It‘s essentially like having two 27-inch QHD monitors side by side without a bezel breaking up the image.
The Odyssey Neo G9 also features Samsung‘s Quantum Mini LED technology for more precise backlight control. This allows the monitor to deliver searing brightness up to 2000 nits while maintaining deep blacks for an excellent high dynamic range (HDR) experience with supported content.
With a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync support, the Odyssey Neo G9 is no slouch in the gaming department either. Fast motion remains buttery smooth, making this an excellent choice for competitive gaming. The 1ms response time ensures minimal ghosting or motion blur during fast-paced action.
Key Features
- Massive 49-inch 1440p curved display with 32:9 aspect ratio
- Quantum Mini LED backlighting with 2,000 nit peak brightness
- 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for flawless gaming performance
- Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support
- Extensive connectivity with 2 HDMI ports, 1 DisplayPort, and 4 USB ports
Drawbacks: Very expensive, limited ergonomic adjustments
Our Verdict
If you have the space and budget for it, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 offers the most immersive and high-performing ultra-wide experience you can currently get. Just be prepared to pay a premium for this incredible 49-inch display.
Dell U3818DW – Best Budget 38" Option
Screen Size: 38-inches
Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Overview
The Dell U3818DW delivers an excellent ultra-wide experience at a more affordable price point compared to many competitors. It uses a 38-inch curved IPS panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, providing ample horizontal workspace for your workflow.
While the 60Hz refresh rate means this monitor isn‘t ideal for hardcore gaming, it provides a smooth experience for productivity, web browsing, and casual gaming. The 3840 x 1600 QHD+ resolution also ensures sharp image and text quality.
Dell‘s excellent factory calibration results in surprisingly good color accuracy out of the box. Professionals who work with photos or videos will appreciate this. The anti-glare coating is also effective at reducing unwanted reflections.
Connectivity is a strong suit with the U3818DW. You get two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, a USB-C port, and four USB 3.0 downstream ports. There are also two 9W integrated speakers, which sound decent for casual listening.
Key Features
- 38-inch curved IPS panel with 21:9 aspect ratio
- 3840 x 1600 QHD+ resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time
- Good color accuracy from factory calibration
- Anti-glare screen coating
- Robust connectivity options including USB-C
- Integrated 9W speakers
Drawbacks: Only 60Hz refresh rate, no AMD FreeSync
Our Verdict
If you want an ultra-wide monitor mainly for productivity rather than gaming, the Dell U3818DW is a great value choice. You get a versatile 38-inch curved display with lots of workspace and connectivity in a relatively affordable package.
LG 40WP95C-W – Best for Creators
Screen Size: 40-inches
Resolution: 5120 x 2160
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Overview
The LG 40WP95C-W is an ultra-wide monitor tailor made for creative professionals who demand both screen space and color accuracy. It uses a Nano IPS panel to deliver full DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, ideal for photo and video editing.
This 40-inch monitor matches the 21:9 aspect ratio of many recent ultrawides while providing an extremely sharp 5K resolution. That‘s equivalent to two 27-inch 1440p displays side by side, giving you tons of room for your workflow.
LG properly calibrated this monitor at the factory to provide excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy in the sRGB mode. There‘s also a uniformity compensation feature that helps maintain consistent brightness and color across the entire display.
With support for HDR10 high dynamic range content and a bright 550 nit peak brightness, the 40WP95C-W can make HDR videos come alive. This makes it a great option for video editors working with HDR footage.
Key Features
- 40-inch Nano IPS panel with 21:9 aspect ratio
- 5K 5120 x 2160 resolution
- Factory calibrated for professional grade color accuracy
- 550 nit peak brightness and HDR10 support
- USB-C hub with 90W power delivery
- Suite of professional calibration tools included
Drawbacks: Only 60Hz refresh, no AMD FreeSync
Our Verdict
From its excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy to the expansive 40-inch 5K screen real estate, the LG 40WP95C-W is purpose-built for creative work. The high price tag keeps it from being viable for other uses, but it‘s the best ultra-wide for photo/video editing.
LG UltraGear 38GN950 – Best for Gaming
Screen Size: 38-inches
Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh Rate: 144Hz (overclocks to 160Hz)
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Overview
LG‘s flagship UltraGear gaming monitor is specially tailored for enthusiast and competitive gamers who demand smooth visuals and extremely fast response times from their display.
It uses a Nano IPS panel capable of a 144Hz refresh rate, easily overclockable to 160Hz. This results in incredibly fluid motion clarity in fast paced games. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync support further help minimize stuttering and screen tearing.
LG managed to achieve a gray-to-gray response time of just 1ms with this monitor. That translates to barely perceptible ghosting or blurring during graphics-intensive gameplay. The 21:9 aspect ratio also provides a suitably wide field of view for immersive gaming.
With its QHD+ 3840 x 1600 resolution, the 38GN950 provides excellent sharpness and pixel density. Vibrant, accurate colors are assured through 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage. This monitor checks all the right boxes for gaming.
Key Features
- 38-inch Nano IPS panel with 21:9 aspect ratio
- 144Hz refresh rate overclockable to 160Hz
- 1ms GTG response time and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro/Nvidia G-Sync compatibility
- Vivid colors with 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage
- Low input lag and fast pixel response for competitive gaming
Drawbacks: No HDR support, expensive
Our Verdict
The LG 38GN950 lives up to its UltraGear branding, providing an exceptional gaming experience with its blisteringly fast refresh rate and pixel response. If you want the absolute smoothest ultra-wide gameplay, this monitor delivers. Just be prepared to pay a premium.
LG 38WN95C-W – Most Versatile
Screen Size: 38-inches
Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Overview
If you need an ultra-wide monitor well suited for both productivity and gaming, the LG 38WN95C-W is a great choice. It‘s just as capable for work as play.
The 38-inch IPS display hits the sweet spot between work and gaming with its QHD+ 3840 x 1600 resolution. You get plenty of screen real estate along with sharp image quality. The 21:9 aspect ratio means you can comfortably snap windows side by side.
A 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gaming, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync keep tearing and stuttering to a minimum. The addition of a Thunderbolt 3 port makes this monitor highly versatile when connecting to laptops.
Overall image quality is strong with 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage and a peak brightness just under 500 nits. While not ideal for color-critical work, it provides vibrant, accurate colors for gaming, videos, and everyday use.
Key Features
- 38-inch IPS display with 21:9 aspect ratio
- QHD+ 3840 x 1600 resolution
- 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro/Nvidia G-Sync
- Thunderbolt 3 connectivity
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage
Drawbacks: No HDR, limited ergonomic adjustments
Our Verdict
With its blend of features catering to both work and play, the LG 38WN95C-W is one of the most versatile ultrawide monitors you can buy. Though not best in class for either gaming or professional use, it handles both admirably.
How to Pick the Right Ultra-Wide Monitor
With so many options on the market, it can be tricky deciding on the best ultra-wide monitor for your needs. Here are a few key factors to consider while shopping:
Screen Size
One of the main reasons to go ultra-wide is the expansive screen real estate. Popular ultra-wide sizes include:
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34-inch – Entry-level size for most people. Provides ample width without taking up too much space.
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38-inch – The sweet spot for many – wide enough for immersive gaming and workspace without being overpowering.
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40-43 inch – Ideal for workflows requiring tons of space. Can feel overly large for some users.
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49-inch – Maximum immersion. These mega-monitors engulf your field of view. Ensure you have room.
In general, bigger is better when it comes to productivity. But consider ergonomics and desk space before going too large.
Resolution
Higher resolution equals sharper image quality, but also comes with a higher price tag. Key ultra-wide resolutions include:
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3440 x 1440 – The most common resolution for 34-inch monitors. Provides good balance of screen real estate and sharpness.
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3840 x 1600 – Stepping up to this higher resolution on a 38-inch monitor keeps things crisp. Ideal for gaming and work.
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5120 x 2160 – Found on larger 40-43 inch monitors, this 5K resolution gives you tons of workspace while keeping things razor sharp.
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5120 x 1440 – Used on 32:9 monitors like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. Very immersive for gaming but lower pixel density.
Make sure your computer‘s graphics can handle higher resolutions before splurging.
Refresh Rate
For gaming, a higher refresh rate results in smoother visuals. Here are the common ranges:
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60Hz – Fine for work and media consumption, but can cause choppy gaming visuals.
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100 – 120Hz – Ideal refresh rate range for a great gaming experience with high frame rates.
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144 – 240Hz – For competitive esports gaming where every frame matters. You‘ll need a powerful GPU to max these out.
For non-gaming use, 60Hz is fine. But consider a 100Hz+ monitor if you might game occasionally.
Ergonomics
Due to their size, ergonomics considerations are especially important for ultra-wides to avoid neck and eye strain. Look for:
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Adjustable height – Lets you position the monitor at your ideal eye level.
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Swivel and tilt – Provides flexibility to angle the monitor for your setup.
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Eye care – Features like a flicker-free backlight and blue light filter help reduce eye fatigue.
An ergonomic monitor arm can further enhance adjustments and positioning.
Budget
Of course, your budget plays a key role. Expect to spend:
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$700-$900 – Entry-level ultra-wides with basic features but solid performance.
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$1000-$1200 – Versatile mid-range options great for mixed usage.
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$1300-$1600 – Flagship monitors with all the bells and whistles. Primarily for gaming or professional visual work.
Determine how much you can spend, then find the best monitor with the necessary features in your price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are ultra-wide monitors good for office work?
A: Yes! The expanded horizontal space of an ultra-wide display lets you easily view multiple documents, spreadsheets, or browser windows side-by-side. They provide excellent productivity benefits for office settings.
Q: Do you need a powerful PC for an ultra-wide gaming monitor?
A: To take full advantage of high refresh rates, you‘ll want a gaming PC with a powerful graphics card, such as an RTX 3070 or RX 6800 XT minimum. For casual gaming at 60Hz, a mid-range PC will suffice.
Q: Is curved or flat better for an ultra-wide monitor?
A: This comes down to personal preference, but many users prefer curved screens on ultra-wides. The curve helps immerse you in your work and provides a more uniform view since the edges are closer. But flat monitors tend to be cheaper.
Q: What‘s the best aspect ratio for an ultra-wide monitor?
A: The most popular choice is 21:9, providing an excellent balance of width for immersion and productivity without distorting applications too much or overwhelming your field of view. Wider aspect ratios like 32:9 are also options if you value maximum width.
Q: Should I get an ultra-wide or dual monitor setup?
A: An ultra-wide monitor simplifies your desk layout with a single display while providing loads of workspace. But a dual monitor setup offers more total screen space, flexibility in orienting displays, and costs less. Choose based on your priorities.
Final Thoughts
Investing in an immersive, productivity-boosting ultra-wide monitor can really improve your gaming, creative work, or general computing experience. With the options covered here, you‘re sure to find an excellent monitor well-suited for your needs and budget.
Just be sure to consider the key factors like size, resolution, and refresh rate as you shop. And don‘t underestimate the importance of ergonomics – with their large size, ultra-wide monitors should be set up properly to avoid discomfort.
But when chosen wisely, an ultra-wide display can transform your workspace and allow you to see and do more. So pick the right one for your use case, fine-tune the position, and you‘ll be immersed in your tasks in no time.