Top Curved Monitors for 2025

Immerse yourself in the heart of your favorite games with a curved gaming monitor. The best curved monitors enhance peripheral vision, drawing you into the action whether you're a competitive esports player or a single-player RPG enthusiast. Here are our top picks for 2025.

TL;DR – Top Curved Gaming Monitors:

Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM
Amazon Newegg Asus

AOC C27G2Z
Amazon

Dell Alienware AW3423DWF
Amazon

Acer Predator X34 OLED
Amazon

MSI MPG 491CQP
Amazon

Choosing the right curved gaming monitor can be challenging. The market is saturated with similar-sounding options that differ significantly in real-world performance. The ideal monitor depends on your gaming style. For shooters, prioritize low input latency and high refresh rates. For immersive experiences, a deeper curve is preferable. It's all in the details.

The Expert: Why Trust Us

With over a decade of experience as a gaming journalist, I've reviewed countless monitors for major publications. My expertise lies in understanding how different monitor features combine to create a superior user experience, going beyond simple specs like panel type, refresh rate, and resolution. At IGN, our reviews are rigorously vetted by multiple gamers to ensure accuracy and provide you with the best recommendations.

After reading this, check out our guides on the best graphics cards, gaming keyboards, gaming mice, and gaming headsets to complete your setup!

1. Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM: Best Curved Gaming Monitor

Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM
Amazon Newegg Asus

This 34-inch ultrawide boasts exceptional HDR, a stunning OLED panel, and a comprehensive suite of gaming features. Its deep 800R curve provides immersive gameplay, while its high peak brightness and infinite contrast deliver breathtaking visuals. While excellent for gaming, its deep curve may affect text readability for productivity tasks.

Product Specifications:

Screen size: 34" 800R
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Panel type: OLED, G-Sync compatible
HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 True Black
Brightness: 1,300cd/m2
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms (GtG)

Pros: Stunning HDR, immersive curve, high peak brightness, built-in KVM.

Cons: Deep curve not ideal for productivity.

2. AOC C27G2Z: Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor

AOC C27G2Z
Amazon

Budget-conscious gamers will appreciate this 27-inch monitor's 1500R curve, 240Hz refresh rate, and vibrant colors. Its responsiveness makes it suitable for competitive gaming, though HDMI is limited to 120Hz.

Product Specifications:

Screen size: 27" 1500R
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
Panel type: VA, FreeSync
Brightness: 300cd/m2
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.5ms

Pros: Great responsiveness, high refresh rate, good colors and contrast.

Cons: HDMI limited to 120Hz.

3. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF: Best Value Curved Gaming Monitor

Dell Alienware AW3423DWF Alienware AW3423DWF
Best Buy Amazon

This exceptional QD-OLED display offers incredible value with its stunning picture quality, high refresh rate, and immersive curve. While SDR brightness is lower, its HDR performance is exceptional.

Product Specifications:

Screen size: 34" 1800R
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Panel type: QD-OLED, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 165Hz
Response time: 0.5ms

Pros: Great value, fantastic picture, high refresh rate.

Cons: Low SDR brightness, HDMI 2.0 only.

4. Acer Predator X34 OLED: Best Ultrawide G-Sync Gaming Monitor

Acer Predator X34 OLED
Amazon B&H

The Acer Predator X34 OLED stands out with its superior HDR brightness, 240Hz refresh rate, and vibrant colors. Its deep 800R curve enhances immersion, though it might not be ideal for productivity tasks due to text distortion.

Product Specifications:

Screen size: 34"
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3440x1440
Panel type: OLED
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400
Brightness: 1,300 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms

Pros: Superior HDR brightness, 240Hz refresh rate, great color reproduction.

Cons: 800R curve less suitable for productivity, no sRGB mode.

5. MSI MPG 491CQPX: Best Curved 32:9 Super Ultrawide Monitor

MSI MPG 491CQPX
Amazon

This massive 49-inch, 32:9 monitor delivers incredible gaming and productivity capabilities with its QD-OLED panel, 240Hz refresh rate, and plentiful connectivity options. Its high resolution demands a powerful system.

Product Specifications:

Screen size: 49", 1800R
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: 5,120x1,440
Panel type: QD-OLED
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400
Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2 (peak)
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response time: 0.03ms

Pros: Bright and color rich, great for productivity and gaming, fast response time, USB Type-C video and PD charging.

Cons: Demanding resolution, burn-in prevention features can be intrusive.

How to Choose a Curved Monitor

Consider your intended use (gaming only vs. productivity/creative work). Key factors include resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K), size (consider aspect ratio and pixel density), panel type (IPS, VA, OLED), brightness (nits), refresh rate (Hz), curvature (R value), and additional features (VRR, KVM, etc.).

Upcoming Curved Gaming Monitors in 2025

OLED remains a dominant trend, with many manufacturers releasing new models. Mini-LED is emerging as a potential alternative, addressing brightness and burn-in concerns. The convergence of smart TV features with gaming monitors is also gaining traction.

Curved Monitor FAQs

Are curved monitors better for gaming? The benefit is subjective and depends on curve depth and screen size. Deeper curves on larger ultrawides can enhance immersion.

What is 800R, 1500R, and 1800R? These numbers represent the curvature radius; lower numbers indicate deeper curves.

Are curved monitors good for work? Gently curved monitors (1500R, 1800R) are generally suitable. Deep curves may distort text, making them less ideal for productivity.