Here are our favorite curved gaming monitors in 2022
Best
curved gaming monitors
Windows Central
2022
Curved gaming monitors have become popular in recent years, as many feel they do a better job of eliminating distortion and immersing you into game worlds. As a result, there are more high-quality curved gaming monitors on the market than ever before. There are several curved monitors on the market that we recommend, but we think the best curved gaming monitor is the Dell S3220DGF, a stellar display from Dell that pairs QHD resolution with HDR, excellent color accuracy, a 165Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate. Don’t overlook the alternatives, though, especially if you’re looking for something specialized.
Best overall: Dell S3220DGF
Source: Dell
The monitor also comes with AMD FreeSync, which is AMD’s variable refresh rate (VRR) solution. FreeSync dynamically alters your refresh rate so that it matches the frame rates produced by your GPU, ensuring that your moment-to-moment gameplay experience is smooth. With FreeSync, you won’t need to worry about issues like screen tearing or stuttering, as both of these issues are typically caused by mismatched refresh rates and frame rates.
Pros:
- QHD resolution
- DisplayHDR 400 certified
- Excellent colors
- 165Hz with AMD FreeSync
Cons:
- Not as sharp as 4K
Best 4K: Dell S3221QS
Source: Dell
The refresh rate isn’t as high as other options, but that’s par for the course with curved 4K monitors. 4K at 60FPS still offers a fantastic gaming experience anyway, especially since the colors of your games will vibrantly pop thanks to the display’s stellar color accuracy. Overall, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better curved 4K gaming monitor than this one.
Pros:
- Gorgeous 4K resolution
- HDR support
- Excellent colors
- AMD FreeSync
Cons:
- Lower refresh rate than other options
Best ultrawide: LG UltraGear 34GP83A-B
Source: LG
Other features include coverage for 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, and a ring of LED lights on the back of the monitor that can be controlled with LG’s UltraGear Control Center software. These LEDs light up the wall behind your monitor, which looks awesome. Unfortunately, ultrawide displays like this are pretty expensive, but if you have the money to spend and enjoy 21:9 ultrawide, this monitor is definitely worth it.
Pros:
- Sharp 3440×1440 resolution
- VESA DisplayHDR 400
- 1ms response time
- 160Hz with NVIDIA G-Sync
Best elite: Samsung Odyssey G9
Source: Samsung
As you’re probably expecting, the price for a monitor of this caliber is through the roof. You’ll need to pay an eye-watering $1,200 to get one, which makes it difficult for the average gamer to acquire. If you’ve got the money and want what is arguably one of the most elite gaming monitors ever made, though, we can’t recommend the Samsung Odyssey G9 enough.
Pros:
- 32:9 QLED resolution
- Top-notch color accuracy
- 1ms response time
- 240Hz with VRR
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
Best elite
Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor
Go big or go home
The Samsung Odyssey G9 is simply an incredible 32:9 ultrawide, featuring a beautiful QLED resolution, a stellar refresh rate and response time, gorgeous colors, and both NVIDIA’s and AMD’s VRR solutions. Will your wallet be able to survive its massive price tag?
Best budget: Samsung CF390
Source: Samsung
At the end of the day, you’re simply not going to find a better curved entry-level gaming monitor than the Samsung CF390 for that price. It offers all the basics while still costing much less than many other options out there, making it our favorite budget-friendly choice.
Pros:
- Solid FHD resolution
- Colors look good
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Not as sharp as other options
- Refresh rate lower than alternatives
- No HDR or VRR
Bottom line
Curved monitors have caught on significantly in recent years, and these days, many of the best curved gaming monitors are also the best PC gaming monitors in general. There’s a curved gaming monitor on the market for every niche right now, but our favorite is the Dell S3220DGF. It’s not as advanced as options like the Samsung Odyssey G9, but for around $500 you get a sharp QHD screen with DisplayHDR 400, a 165Hz refresh rate, awesome color gamut coverage, and AMD FreeSync. That’s a lot of bang for your buck, making it the best overall curved gaming monitor in our eyes.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. You’ll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
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