The 6 best curved monitors for 2026, tested and rated
Find out the best curved monitors for gaming, work and everything in between
Once you've found yourself one of the best curved monitors, it's hard to ever go flat. From the deep immersion they give you for gaming to the wide screen space for productivity at work, and even the reduced eye strain due to the distance between your eyes and the screen, curved monitors will complete any PC setup upgrade.
From massive curved OLED displays for true immersion to smaller, budget-friendly screens with softer bends, my team of monitor experts and I have put the latest curved monitors to the test by using professional-grade equipment and spending weeks using them for work and play. That's all to help you find the right curve to upgrade your setup.
Currently, the best curved monitor we recommend is the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36, a 34-inch ultrawide with true immersion for productivity and gaming. It's not our only recommendation, though, so if you're after a visual treat with curves galore, here's a look at the best curved monitors on the market today, along with our lab test results to help you make the right decision for your setup.
I never thought I'd be a fan of curved monitors, especially having stuck with flat screens for years. However, after finally testing a fair share myself, I can see the joys of having that slight wrap-around immersion in everything I do. Mainly, these monitors are primed for gaming, with amazing image quality, vibrant colors and ultrawide aspect ratios to capture all the action.
The best curved monitors you can buy today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
The best curved monitor overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 stands out as the top pick for those who split time between productivity and creative work during the day and those long gaming sessions at night (or vice versa!). Its 34-inch (3440 x 1440) curved QD-OLED display, 360Hz refresh rate and 1800R curvature deliver immersive multitasking and ultra-smooth gameplay, whether that's cinematic-like single-player titles or high-stakes competitive games.
That 0.03ms response time eliminates ghosting and motion blur, making every game feel sharp and responsive. For professionals, our lab measured an exceptional Delta-E of 0.15 for color accuracy, so color grading and creative work look right out of the box. Plus, it helps that it comes with multiple display modes, from AdobeRGB to FPS, and yes, even Black and White mode.
MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | 166.3 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | 117.8 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | 0.15 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | 280 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | 278 |
Connectivity is strong here, too, as the X36 offers a decent selection of ports, from HDMI 2.1 to DisplayPort 2.1a, supporting everything from gaming PCs to work laptops, and yes, even consoles. Even better, it isn't too bulky to move around, and you can adjust it to your liking with flexible tilt, swivel and pivots.
Sure, the premium price ($949) is hard to ignore, and like many OLEDs, we wish it boasted better brightness. Still, if you want an all-in-one curved monitor that excels at both serious gaming and professional tasks, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is tough to beat. Just don’t expect it to fit a bargain budget.
- Read our full MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 review
The best value curved monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Alienware AW3426DW is our pick for buyers who want the sharpest, most versatile curved monitor performance for a sensible price at just under $800, delivering a 34-inch ultrawide panel at 3440 x 1440 resolution and a fluid 280Hz refresh rate that makes both work and play feel immersive and responsive.
It may only be a minor upgrade over the previous Alienware AW3425DW, sticking with the same 1440p resolution, immersive 1800R curvature and overall design, but you're getting an even brighter display with an even higher 280hz refresh rate at the same price. So, improvements without the extra spend.
In our hands-on testing, that blistering 0.03ms response time kept fast-paced games crisp with virtually no motion blur, while measured brightness topped out around 300 nits in SDR and nearly 500 nits in HDR highlights. That's enough to make colors pop without washing out details. Color accuracy is genuinely good for the price, so whether you’re tackling creative projects or diving into Cyberpunk 2077, you get visuals that impress without midrange compromises.
Alienware AW3426DW Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3426DW | 187.6 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3426DW | 132.9 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3426DW | 0.2 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3426DW | 298 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3426DW | 327 |
Where this Alienware stands out is sheer value: it trades just a bit of flagship spec (like the MSI MPG 341CQR’s 360Hz or Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10’s premium build and slightly better color accuracy) for a much lower price, while still delivering the high refresh rate and strong gaming performance that matter most to gamers. It’s also a practical pick if you want an all-in-one display that feels top-tier without the flagship price tag.
Take note: HDR brightness can be a touch dim compared to the brightest OLEDs, but unless you need the absolute best color volume or niche premium extras, the Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED offers the best bang for your buck in the world of curved monitors.
- Read our full Alienware AW3425DW QD-OLED review
The best OLED curved monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 is, quite simply, a beautiful display. You'll pay a premium for what you get, but its highly accurate colors, absorbing 800R curvature, fast 240Hz refresh rate and rapid 0.03ms response times to minimize ghosting and motion blur make it all the more worth it.
It's a beast for gaming, and its ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio on its sleek 34-inch (3440 x 1440) OLED display offers rich, detailed visuals no matter the title you play. But it's also amazing for work and productivity, as it arrives with a ton of ports. That includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, eARC for hooking up to sound systems, a USB-C power cable with 140W pass-through, Ethernet and even USB-A charging ports.
Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | 156.4 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | 110.8 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | 0.08 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | 266 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | 194 |
Throw all that into a premium-built monitor that doesn't hog all the space on your desk (even if it's heavy to move around, as expected), and the Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 truly shines.
While it's a shame that its sRGB and DCI-P3 color volumes aren't as high as other monitors on this list (especially for its price) and its brightness is a tad dim, that doesn't take away from the magnificent visuals this OLED curved monitor offers. If you've got pennies to spare, the Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 will impress.
- Read our full Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 review
The best dual-resolution curved monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Monitors with dual resolutions are becoming quite the trend, and the Alienware 39 5K2K OLED (AW3926QW) is the best we've tested. So good, our monitor expert Tony gave it a full five stars, and there's very good reason behind that.
This 39-inch curved OLED gives you a stunning 5K (5120 x 2160) and WFHD (2560 x 1080) canvas with the power to switch between 165Hz and a blistering 330Hz refresh rate, respectively. That means you can edit photos, tackle spreadsheets and then jump into competitive shooters, all on one screen with a nice, immersive 1500R curvature.
Performance is as smooth as it gets: it delivers a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time, and in hands-on runs of Cyberpunk 2077, everything from high-detail exploration to frantic firefights stayed buttery smooth at both 165Hz and 330Hz. If you’re chasing top-tier motion clarity or hate even a hint of input lag, this panel delivers.
Alienware AW3926QW Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3926QW | 134.2 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3926QW | 95.1 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3926QW | 0.24 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3926QW | 243 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Alienware AW3926QW | 301 |
That visual punch isn’t just about speed. In our testing, the AW3926QW hit around 301 nits in HDR and produced vivid, accurate colors in standard mode. Whether you’re color grading, watching HDR movies or simply enjoying razor-sharp text, you’re getting a display that lives up to its spec sheet. The combination of pixel density and OLED contrast makes creative tasks satisfying, and being able to switch resolutions on the fly is a treat.
This is quite the space hog, though. While our tester found the 22-pound display light enough to reposition, its 39-inch sweep demands serious desk space. If you want one curved OLED for both pixel-perfect work and ultra-smooth play, and your setup can handle the size and price, the AW3926QW is the definitive dual-role pick in our lineup.
- Read our full Alienware 39 5K2K OLED (AW3926QW) review
The best ultrawide curved monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Thanks to its sheer size, there’s absolutely no way the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 isn’t going to instantly command your attention. As the world’s first-ever 49-inch OLED gaming monitor, we don’t know if we’ve ever encountered a more immersive display.
Its feature set is borderline ridiculous, too. For an admittedly super pricey $1,800, you get a monitor with 1800R curvature to give you a wrap-around vision experience that makes it oh-so-easy to get lost in your favorite PC games. The panel’s lightning-quick 0.03ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate also make it a great option for hardcore first-person shooter fans with seriously deep pockets.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | 194.5 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | 137.8 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | 0.12 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | 161 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | 236 |
Those stats are ludicrous, and we love the ambition and craft Samsung has poured into its stunning curved OLED monitor. The Odyssey OLED G9 is capable of producing peerlessly immersive experiences.
This one's been on the market for a while, but it still delivers the highest specs around. That also means you can grab it for far less than its launch price, as we've seen it on sale for $899! If you take the plunge, it won't disappoint, but just be sure to make plenty of room on your desk.
- See our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review
The best smart curved monitor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Curved monitors are fantastic for productivity and gaming, but the LG UltraGear 45GX90SA adds yet another element: binge watching. This massive 45-inch OLED monitor leads a "double life" thanks to its smart TV capabilities, courtesy of webOS. It even comes with a dedicated remote!
It's an all-in-one monitor that will have you switching from spreadsheets to immersive gaming to Netflix, and it could easily become your main screen for everything. What's more, its 3440 x 1440-pixel OLED panel offers some impressive brightness and strong color accuracy, so expect everything you stream, play or work on to offer up gorgeous visuals.
LG UltraGear 45GX90SA Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3),
color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
sRGB volume
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| LG UltraGear 45GX90SA | 107.5 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| LG UltraGear 45GX90SA | 79.2 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| LG UltraGear 45GX90SA | 0.21 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| LG UltraGear 45GX90SA | 207 |
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| LG UltraGear 45GX90SA | 284 |
It isn't just about TV, though. Gaming performance is mesmerizing, thanks to a deep 800R curve that maximizes immersion and an OLED panel that delivers inky blacks and vibrant colors. Plus, the screen boasts a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, so expect super smooth gameplay.
It's one pricey curved monitor at $1,699, so it's worth grabbing this if you catch it on sale. Also note that its built-in speakers sound tinny without much bass. But if you're saving up for a massive curved display, the LG UltraGear 45GX90SA is a fantastic shout.
- Read our full LG UltraGear 45GX90SA review
Curved monitor lab test results
With every curved monitor that lands at our desks, we run tests using our own calibrated color spectrophotometers to measure a screen's color coverage, color accuracy and brightness.
Now, just because one display has a better color gamut range than another, it doesn't mean it's automatically the better choice. After all, it may not have as high a refresh rate or as low a response time. However, if color or brightness matters to you, then it's worth knowing just how well each panel performs, according to our lab tests.
Check out our versus table below to compare the curved monitor you have your eye on with the rest.
Best Curved Monitors Lab Test Results
Slide through to see color coverage (sRGB/DCI-P3), color accuracy (Delta-E) and brightness (SDR/HDR)
| Attribute | MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 | Alienware AW3426DW | Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 | Alienware AW3926QW | Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 | LG UltraGear 45GX90SA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sRGB volume | 166.3 | 187.6 | 156.4 | 134.2 | 194.5 | 107.5 |
| DCI-P3 volume | 117.8 | 132.9 | 110.8 | 95.1 | 137.8 | 79.2 |
| Delta-E (lower is better) | 0.15 | 0.2 | 0.08 | 0.24 | 0.12 | 0.21 |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 280 | 298 | 266 | 243 | 161 | 207 |
| Peak brightness (HDR) | 278 | 327 | 194 | 301 | 236 | 284 |
Also tested
At Tom's Guide, we test the latest monitors to hit the market, and we get plenty of curved monitors to review. Our guide shows the best we've tested, but there are others that may suit your needs better and that we highly recommend, despite some of their downsides.
Check out all the other curved monitors we've reviewed here.
(★★★★☆)
The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is still one of our favorite dual-resolution curved monitors and is a great alternative to the otherwise masterful Alienware AW3926QW. You'll get an immersive 5K2K monitor with 165Hz and 330Hz refresh rates to switch between, and a glorious 45-inch OLED screen with a sharp 800R curvature. It's quite the beast, so only grab this if you have space, and its HDR brightness is on the dim side. And be sure to get it at a discount, as it's often well below its full $1,999 asking price (we've seen it go down to just $999!).
Read our full LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B review
(★★★★☆)
The Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN is one powerful curved gaming monitor, delivering a stunning 34-inch 3440 x 1440 OLED display with a blazing-fast 360Hz refresh and a tight 800R curvature for immersion. It's a delight for the eyes, and the colors we measured really pop on screen. It is quite pricey compared to its close competitors, so there's more room for value here. However, it does deliver high HDR brightness and a very clean-looking UI compared to most, so it's well worth considering.
Read our full Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review
(★★★★☆½)
The Alienware AW3425DW has long been one of our favorite curved gaming monitors, bringing value where it counts. Its 34-inch 3440 x 1440 resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1800R curvature delivers the right mix of immersion and fast-paced, visually stunning gameplay, all for a great price. Now, though, the upgraded Alienware AW3426DW is here, coming in at the exact same price, so it's well worth going for that instead. Despite its dim HDR brightness, though, this is an excellent choice for those after a slick curved monitor.
Read our full Alienware AW3425DW review
Best Curved Monitors: Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in a curved monitor?
- Screen size: A bigger monitor is generally going to make for a superior purchase simply because it means you're getting the most visual real estate for your investment. Larger screens make consuming full-screen media more enjoyable, while also ensuring split-screen multitasking is that much easier.
- Resolution: Higher resolutions are also better, since they allow you to see more on-screen details and let you view more information in the same screen size. 1080p (1920 x 1080) is the absolute lowest resolution you want from a modern curved monitor, as many of the best models come in aspect ratios that aren't 16:9. The best ultrawide curved monitors usually sport a resolution of (3440 x 1440), while 32:9 super ultrawide displays can reach head-spinning pixel numbers of (5120 x 1440).
- Refresh rate: Measured in Hertz (Hz), refresh rate is an important number to look out for if you're a hardcore gamer, as it measures how many times per second your monitor is able to draw a new image. Most monitors can achieve refresh rates of 60Hz, and that's plenty for watching videos or getting work done, though desktop navigation is going to feel a little choppy. However, if you want to play games at higher than 60 frames per second (fps), or you're planning on working with video at frame rates above 60 fps, you should buy a curved monitor with a higher refresh rate. 120Hz is good, 240Hz is better, and there are even monitors that offer refresh rates well over 300Hz.
What curvature do I need?
Curvature. It's in the name, after all. The amount of curvature, measured in an "R" value, will indicate the degree of the curve on a monitor. Just remember, the smaller the "R" value, the more curve you'll get.
This can range from 800R, offering a more pronounced curve for more immersive visuals, to 1800R, for a more gentle touch for a wider view. For true wrap-around immersion, pick a curved monitor with 1000R or below, but for a wider-view experience to feel like there's more screen real estate, go for 1200R or higher.
How to choose the best curved monitor for you
Finding the best curved monitor to suit your needs can be a little daunting if you don't know exactly the type of PC display you want... other than, y'know, it's curved. There are key details to look out for with any panel, regardless of its level of curvature.
We evaluate, score and rank every curved monitor on the same basic criteria, which start with size and resolution. In most cases, more is always better: the larger the display and the higher the resolution, the more you can see/the sharper the image will be.
Screen brightness is another important element to consider. In 2026, you definitely want a curved monitor that supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, and generally speaking, the more nits a panel produces, the brighter it will be in real-world usage.
How we test curved monitors
When we're on the hunt for the best curved monitors, we thoroughly put every panel through its paces during our reviews with our Klein K 10-A colorimeter, which we then pair with testing software. This high-quality scope allows us to measure a monitor's brightness levels, color accuracy and color gamut range.
- Brightness is measured in nits, or candela per square metre (cd/m2). More nits equate to higher brightness levels, and in real-world viewing terms, this leads to more vivid colors and a clearer, more realistic overall image.
- Color is the other big concern for displays, whether they’re curved or not. Monitors that produce a greater range of colors have a larger color gamut, as measured under the sRGB or DCI-P3 color standards. This is presented as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating more colors.
- Color accuracy is the other main aspect when it comes to color reproduction, which lets us measure how closely a monitor can reproduce certain shades. This is presented as a Delta-E rating, which indicates the level of deviation from perfect. Zero is a perfect score, while higher numbers indicate lower accuracy.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) presents its own testing challenges, as new standards allow curved monitors to offer higher peak luminance than our standard tests will register. If you're in any doubt, make sure you read an individual review for a fuller discussion of these issues, and how an individual curved monitor will handle HDR.
Supplied by: MSI | Tom's Guide
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X | Graphics card: MSI RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Vanguard SOC | Motherboard: MSI B850E Gaming Plus WiFi | RAM: Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 32GB | Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S | PSU: MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 | Case: MSI MPG GUNGNIR 110R
For more basic, budget-focused monitors, we still expect a display backlight to produce between 200 and 300 nits of brightness, though HDR screens often exceed that easily with a far higher maximum brightness. Not that brightness levels alone produce great curved monitors. After all, certain screens will wash out colors or offer inconsistent backlight levels that vary in some portions of the display panel (normally in the corners). "Backlight bleed" isn't something to worry about with OLED screens, though, as they can turn off every single one of their pixels to produce perfect black levels.
We also test a display's response time using a Leo Bodnar input lag tester. This advanced gadget measures how long it takes a signal to travel from a source device to the monitor and show up on the screen. Measured in milliseconds, this number is most useful for gamers or for those users who need immediate onscreen feedback from any input.
Lastly, every monitor we test is also used for web browsing, streaming videos and gaming, as well as the writing of the review itself. Our anecdotal testing often allows us to note the specific quirks of a display that lab testing might sometimes miss, whether it's challenges in scaling content, backlight issues or color reproduction.
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Darragh is Tom’s Guide’s Buying Guide Editor and is fascinated by all things bizarre in tech. His work can be seen in Laptop Mag, Mashable, Android Police, Time Out Dubai, Shortlist Dubai, Proton, theBit.nz, ReviewsFire and more. When he's not checking out the latest devices and all things computing and beyond, he can be found going for dreaded long runs, watching terrible shark movies and trying to find time to game.


