Gaming monitors have never been as good as they are now. The current market is flooded with a plethora of gaming monitor options – ranging from simple flat 1080p monitors to 4K high-end refresh rate displays. However, ultrawide displays are increasingly popular as they provide an immersive experience without adding a second display.

Not only are these monitors capable of showing a wider field of view, but they also come with a variety of panels, resolutions, curvature, and refresh rates. Having tons of options in the current market can easily confuse gamers, as each price range has similar specs. However, Game Rant’s guide will help users pick monitors that provide the best specifications and technological benefits for their price.

Updated on October 6th, 2024 by Elvis Shida: Newer models have been released since the last publication. We’ve replaced the best overall and best 1080p picks with the latest models and updated the pricing and availability for the other monitors.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Budget Ultrawide Gaming Monitors in 2024

GIGABYTE’s G34WQC-A is a mid-range 34-inch ultrawide monitor that follows the success of its predecessor, the G34WQC from 2020. The G34WQC was our preferred budget ultrawide monitor, standing out for its premium build quality and impressive gaming performance. This new model keeps the same strengths, while also introducing minor improvements such as a higher 4000:1 contrast ratio, which adds more vibrancy and realism to games and movies.

For gamers, the G34WQC A brings plenty to the table, including a faster 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, making it ideal for fast-paced titles such as shooters and racers. It fully supports FreeSync VRR for tear-free gaming and the wider field of view makes everything more immersive. Unlike many budget ultrawide monitors, the G34WQC A boasts solid build quality, decent built-in speakers, and both HDMI and DisplayPort ports for easy connection to your gaming PC.

The Acer Nitro XZ306C X is an excellent choice for those seeking to upgrade to an ultrawide monitor on a tighter budget. Despite its smaller, 30-inch screen, the 21:9 aspect ratio provides a wider field of view, allowing gamers to see more of their surroundings when gaming than traditional monitors. Also, the 2560×1080 resolution won’t force gamers to upgrade to a higher-end GPU. You can enjoy the monitor’s full refresh rate with either a mid-range 4060 or 4070 GPU.

In terms of refresh rate, the Nitro XZ306C X boasts a super-fast 200Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. Fast-paced shooters and racing games look sharp and crystal-clear even in the most action-packed scenes. It fully supports FreeSync VRR on both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, resulting in a smooth and tear-free gaming experience. The only downside is that the display isn’t as sharp as 1440p monitors, but it makes up for it with vibrant colors for an immersive gaming experience.

One of the 34-inch KOURUI ultrawide gaming monitor’s many highlights is its 1000R curvature, allowing players to see more of the action. Built with users’ comfort in mind, the KOORUI monitor features an ergonomic stand that can be tilted, swiveled, and height adjusted depending on the owners’ preference. The availability of height adjustment options makes it less likely to experience neck or shoulder pains.

Regarding its gaming credentials, this monitor is well-equipped to deliver a great player experience. It offers a 165 Hz refresh rate with a 1 ms response time that translates to smooth rendering of images on the screen. When playing in low-light conditions, gamers can switch on the Dark Field Control function to find opponents budding in the shadows. Additionally, the Crosshair feature allows players to target enemies quickly and come out victorious. Although there are some concerns about its build feeling cheap and screen ghosting issues, this ultrawide display still offers some perks that shoppers should consider before making a decision.

Users who have less than 300 bucks in their pocket but still want a UWQHD resolution can get their hands on the AOPN 34HC5CUR, which offers similar specifications to the MSI Optix one. Of course, this is a cheaper display, and there are some drawbacks that gamers have to keep in mind before choosing it. First off, the maximum brightness level is lower. Secondly, the color saturation is not that impressive.

Speaking of the impressive features, the 1500R curvature and 144Hz refresh rate offer immersive and smooth gameplay. Moreover, the built-in speakers allow gamers to switch to these occasionally if their ears start hurting after several hours of usage.

The next outstanding feature is the availability of AMD FreeSync Premium, which has advantages over the basic FreeSync tech, including low frame rate compensation for a much better experience. So, despite being “entry-level,” users get some of the best modern-day tech for a satisfactory experience.

The Acer Nitro 34-inch monitor has a ZeroFrame design with a 1500 curvature that allows gamers to immerse themselves even more as the edges are super thin while the screen wraps around them. Not many UW-QHD monitors out there boast a 165Hz refresh rate at this price. Also, the availability of AMD FreeSync Premium further enhances tear-free gaming by introducing the LFC.

The HDR400 support is also satisfactory, even though not the best in the game. However, considering that fewer monitors support HDR for under $400, this one stands out. Lastly, the height, swivel, and tilt adjustments are there for users to alter the viewing angles according to their needs.

Sceptre offers one of the very few ultrawide monitors out there that, despite being dirt cheap, boasts a crazy high refresh rate of up to 200Hz. Not only is this exceptional for a normal 16:9 ratio monitor, but it’s also rare to find an ultrawide monitor with such a refresh rate at a price of around $200. The monitor also brings the curved aspect for an immersive experience and AMD FreeSync for tear-free gaming. Moreover, unlike most monitors, it boasts dual 3W built-in speakers for superior audio quality.

The only problem is the 5ms response time, which will be a disadvantage for those looking for a competitive edge. Still, it won’t be a huge drawback if competitive gaming is not the ultimate goal. Apart from this, the monitor is up to modern standards in most areas, especially when the price is taken into consideration.

The Asus TUF monitor offers a stunning 1500R curvature that can deliver gamers’ desired immersive experience. It sports an ergonomic design, allowing players to easily adjust their viewing position through tilt, swivel, and height adjustment to find the perfect spot. Additionally, the monitor has VESA compatibility, making it possible for you to mount it on the wall if needed. Equipped with HDR technology (DisplayHDR400) for increased contrast and more life-like colors, expect to see in-game characters with better details than on regular monitors. A 180 Hz refresh rate lets you play games without ghosting motion blur issues, ensuring you stay ahead of rivals in FPS titles.

To ensure you don’t run into gameplay issues such as screen tearing and high input lag, the ASUS monitor has Adaptive Sync Premium Pro, Extreme Low Motion Blur technology, and flicker-free technology. A 1 ms (GtG) response time allows you to play AAA titles at the highest settings without worrying about being slow to react to in-game actions. A plethora of connectivity options, including HDMI and USB ports, ensure that you can easily plug in multiple gadgets. However, it’s worth noting that this monitor is not compatible with Nvidia G-Sync, so if that’s a deal-breaker, you might want to consider monitors in this guide that support it.

How to Choose the Best Budget Ultrawide Gaming Monitor

Choosing a gaming monitor should not be a hassle. However, buyers will want to keep several factors in mind when purchasing a new ultrawide monitor to ensure that it meets their needs. Remember to consider these factors before buying a new monitor.

Panel Type: Gaming monitors come in three types of panels: VA, OLED, and IPS. The VA Panels are often inexpensive ultrawide screens. They have better contrast but aren’t great at some things. When playing fast games, most VA panels struggle with motion and can look blurry. OLED monitors are good with motion, contrast, and colors. Sometimes, they are less sharp than IPS and VA, but most people won’t notice. Their disadvantage is that they are not long-lasting like other screens.

Contrast Ratio: A higher contrast ratio is better. Look for numbers between 1000:1 and 3000:1 for the best image quality. But be careful. A monitor with a contrast ratio higher than 3000:1 is probably a marketing trick. It won’t make a big difference.

Connectivity: Remember that the number and type of inputs on a monitor matter. Gamers can connect a console and a PC with an HDMI cable or use a USB-C or display port for a PC. Players who wish to game in 4K with high refresh rates must have a monitor with the latest HDMI tech. The PS5 and Xbox Series consoles need HDMI2.1 for 4K at 120Hz.

Anti-Tearing Technology: Adaptive-sync tech has changed gaming a lot. The kind of graphics card a gamer has decides which gaming monitor to get. AMD users should choose a FreeSync monitor, while Nvidia’s RTX card users might want G-Sync. Sometimes, G-Sync works on some FreeSync monitors, but not always.

Split Screen Mode: People who want to replace multiple monitors must check if the monitor has a screen-splitting feature. Ensure it can connect to various devices and show them separately. This gives more screen space like one has with separate monitors.

Cost: Budget is a crucial factor. Ultrawide monitors used to be expensive, but now they’re more affordable. A cheap monitor has fewer pixels, while an expensive one offers a better resolution. But good budget ultrawide monitors still exist.

FAQ

Q: What’s a suitable refresh rate for an ultra-wide gaming monitor?

A refresh rate of 144Hz to 165Hz is good for most ultrawide gaming monitors. Few ultrawide monitors go beyond this refresh rate and are too pricey to be a good deal.

Q: What is the best size for an ultra-wide gaming monitor?

The 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 shape is usually the best for gamers. Bigger ultrawide monitors might not be great for gaming because they can’t do high refresh rates. Even when they can, they might not look as sharp as a 34-inch one.

Q: What is the best resolution for an ultra-wide monitor?

Most 34-inch ultrawide monitors use a resolution of 3440×1440. This is great for gamers. It looks good in modern games and doesn’t need super-powerful graphics.

Q: Is HDR a must for an ultra-wide gaming monitor?

No, but it’s a good feature to have. HDR can enhance gaming visuals. Gamers who want an ultrawide gaming monitor with HDR support must dig deep into their pockets.