Before we start our pro/con analysis here is a list of Notable Ultrawide Models for 2025
Productivity: Dell UltraSharp U4025QW
40″ IPS – 5120 x 2160 – 120 Hz
Productivity king with ultra size and resolution. Too taxing on the system for gaming use cases. Relatively low refresh rate and a high price.
Productivity / PC SDR gaming: LG UltraGear 38GN950-B
38″ IPS – 3840×1600 – 160 Hz – Full review here
All rounder. Big size and resolution that is fit for productivity and occasional gaming, as it’s not overly taxing on the system. Lacks HDMI 2.1 and deep blacks of OLED panels.
PC HDR gaming: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
34″ QD OLED – 3440×1440 – 165 Hz
Lacks HDMI 2.1 and not as fast as LG 34GS95QE or ASUS PG34WCDM, but the Samsung QD-OLED technology offers exceptionally sharp and vivid color reproduction.
Xbox, PS5, PC HDR gaming: LG 34GS95QE or ASUS ROG Swift PG34WCDM
34″ – OLED – 3440×1440 – 240 Hz
Best on the market high refresh OLED models that share the same panel. More curved than the AW3423DWF. HDMI 2.1 and high refresh rate make them perfect for gaming.
Budget PC gaming: Dell S3422DWG
34″ VA – 3440×1440 -144 Hz
Ticks most of the boxes for average gamers. While it’s not as bright, lacks deep blacks, has average color reproduction, and no HDMI 2.1, its price is hard to beat.
Pros of ultrawide 21:9 screens vs. standard 16:9
Can replace two monitors / productivity
Why bother buying two screens with separate connections and cables, when you can opt for one large screen instead? This is a key selling point of ultrawide displays and a significant advantage for productivity tasks like stock trading, text, office, coding.
Good for editors
Video/audio edits are particularly efficient on an ultrawide. Longer visible timelines reduce the need for scrolling, saving time. Additionally, you can customize panels and software UI layouts to display more information at once.
Nice for 21:9 movies
Although not all online movies are in the 21:9 format, those that are look especially good on an ultrawide.
Curvature
At first the curvature seems odd to someone who has never used a curved monitor, but it is easy to get used to. It took me about two months to stop noticing it when switching between flat and curved displays.
At a huge size curvature becomes a necessity. Without it, the center and sides of the screen would be at different distances from your eyes, forcing you to sit farther back to avoid constant eye refocusing.
Beyond its practical benefits, the curvature provides additional immersive feeling, especially in certain games.
Racing, strategy and RPG games
Strategy, RPG and games with lot’s of HUD and info screens shine. An extended screen is especially useful for scenes with many units, information, and small details. Think Civilization, Total War, Sim City, online MMO RPG games.
Racing and vehicle/aircraft simulation games are particularly impressive. A large, curved screen offers a very different experience compared to a traditional 16:9 flat display.
Cons of ultrawide 21:9 screens compared to standard 16:9
21:9 adoption
The ultrawide format hasn’t been widely adopted. Many movies, games, and online content are optimized for 16:9. Ultrawide remains a niche and seems likely to stay that way. 16:9 content can still be viewed on a 21:9 screen, but you will see black bars on left and right sides; alternatively you may choose to stretch your image horizontally.
Desk space and ergonomics
These monitors are quite bulky and wide, often offering limited tilt and swivel adjustments. They aren’t ideal for small desks and rooms.
FPS first person shooters / competitive
Ultrawide isn’t ideal for competitive and FPS games. The refresh rate isn’t high enough yet, and the sheer size of the screen makes it challenging to quickly notice all of the details. Additionally, the immersive effect of the curved display may cause motion sickness for some players in fast-paced games.
Streaming
Although it is possible to stream in ultrawide format, most streaming platforms are optimized for standard 16:9 content. The majority of viewers also prefer to watch content in the regular 16:9 format.
Product variety
Since ultrawide is a niche, the variety of products that support this format is relatively limited, especially if you try to find high resolution, high refresh rate models that also support high quality HDR with deep blacks. Prices for these monitors are also quite steep.
Conclusion
Ultrawide monitors are niche products, especially good for productivity and 21:9 movies. Vehicle simulation and strategy games with large maps and detailed HUDs also shine on these panels.
They aren’t ideal for competitive players, streamers, or those who heavily rely on standard 16:9 content, whether as creators or consumers.
Since 21:9 ultrawide is a niche, it isn’t really a one-size-fit-all solution, unlike a 16:9 which seems more like it. However, as mentioned above, there are use cases where ultrawide excels.
People considering an ultrawide must understand their specific needs, create a checklist, and verify whether it truly meets those needs, or if a traditional 16:9 display is a better choice.
People who already have a 16:9 display and want to try something different will be pleasantly surprised, as ultrawide monitors have a lot to offer.
Productivity: Dell UltraSharp U4025QW
Productivity / PC SDR gaming: LG UltraGear 38GN950-B
PC HDR gaming: Dell Alienware AW3423DWF
Xbox, PS5, PC HDR gaming: LG Ultragear 34GS95QE or ASUS ROG Swift PG34WCDM
Budget PC gaming: Dell S3422DWG