Best curved gaming monitors 2023

2. Samsung Odyssey G5 LC34

The best value curved monitor on offer.

Samsung Odyssey G5 LC34 specs:

Pros:

Cons:

It’s a looker, of that there’s no doubt. It also delivers an epic Ultra WQHD resolution for incredibly sharp images, a rapid 1ms response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate for video and gameplay smoother than an otter’s velvet smoking jacket, and that all-eye-encompassing 1000R curvature to truly suck you into whatever game you’re playing and keep you there, fully ensconced in its utter immersiveness.

2. MSI G274CV

The best curved monitor for newbies on a budget.

MSI G274CV specs:

Pros:

• Affordable
• Good response time

Cons:

Because not everyone is made of money or needs a monitor that dominates the room, MSI gave the gaming world the G274CV back in August of 2022, a 27-inch option that may not have the top-end specs demanded by ardent next-gen gamers, but still has the chops to give you good, immersive gaming with a nice 1500R curve to suck you right into the action.

Offering Full HD with a 1920 x 1080-pixel count, the G274CV holds its own with a response time of 1ms, while the 75Hz refresh rate makes this monitor ideal for more casual gaming, but not the intense action doled out by many PS5 or Xbox Series X games, for which you’ll want that rate ramped up considerably.

Compatible with anything you want to throw at it, thanks to HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, the MSI also comes packing AMD FreeSync tech which lets the monitor lock to the refresh rate of your graphics card to help do away with tedious tearing and stutter.

3. AOC AGON Gaming AG493UCX

The best curved monitor for gigantic screen real estate.

AOC AGON Gaming AG493UCX specs:

Pros:

• Excellent resolution
• Colossal sizing

Cons:

• Built-in speakers aren’t powerful

For some people, only the Goldilocks Zone of perfection in size, speed, and resolution will suffice. For these utterly exacting types, there’s this monster of the curved monitor world, the AOC AGON Gaming AG493UCX ultra-wide. Some 49 whopping inches of 1500R curved beauty, the AOC is a Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD) option that gives you a pixel count of a ginormous 5120 x 2160 for images better defined than Chris Hemsworth’s chin, while Vesa DisplayHDR 400 (High Dynamic Range) gives a stunningly wide color gamut, incredibly sharp detail, and brilliant saturation. 

On top of this comes a 1ms response time and a 120Hz refresh rate which eliminates all stutter, plus AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, the combination of which makes gameplay flow so smooth that your glory is practically guaranteed. Presenting plenty of ports, too, there’s 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C, and 3x USB 3.2 (Gen1), so you’re not going to struggle to get your gear connected.

5. Gigabyte M32UC

The best curved monitor for more compact 4K.

Gigabyte M32UC specs:

Pros:

• Affordable UHD
• Great connection options

Cons:

Just because you’re short on space doesn’t mean you have to miss out on monitors with all the bells and whistles. Take the M32UC from Gigabyte for excellent example, a 32-inch option with a fine 1500R curve that comes packing the pixels to give you a full-on 4K picture married to a next-gen gaming-perfection refresh rate of 144Hz and response time of 1ms.

Featuring AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, the bar is well and truly raised as is the user experience to ‘exceptional’. Yep, graphics are richly detailed, colors are stunningly accurate, darks are deep and detailed and the whole thing flows effortlessly thanks to the Gigabyte’s SuperSpeed VA panel. On the sound side, there are also 2x 3W speakers, but I’ll say no more about those and simply refer you to the ‘Cons’.

With a wealth of connection possibilities available too, the M32UC can hook up next to anything you want it to, plus the spec and the 2x HDMI 2.1 ports means it plays perfectly with the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, making for a dream gaming set-up whatever your weapon of choice.

6. Acer Predator X38

The best widescreen curved monitor for big budgets.

Acer Predator X38 specs:

Pros:

• Affordable UHD
• Great connection options

Cons:

With a 2300R curvature, the Predator X38 from Acer is so subtle and so sizeable (ultrawide) that not only does it physically sweep it also has the ability to sweep you away into utter immersion. Okay, there’s no avoiding it, it is very expensive, but for your considerable cash outlay you get a 37.5-inch UWQXGA (Ultrawide Quad eXtended Graphics Array) display that lets you play with some 3840 x 1600-pixels for 4K thrills served up at a 144Hz refresh rate, but capable of being overclocked to a killer 175Hz.

It’s not just the refresh rate that impresses either, with a response time of 1ms up to 0.3ms too, and G-Sync certified to buddy up seamlessly with your graphics card, the performance of the Predator X38 is super-smooth, quick, slick, and free from any lag whatsoever.

With plenty of ports available, including a USB 3.0 Hub, the X38 also comes complete with 2x 7W speakers but, as ever, you’ll probably want to make use of something meatier in order to get the full sound and vision experience.

Speaking of vision, seeking to keep your eyes safe from strain, the Acer also features ‘Flickerless’ and ‘BlueLightShield’, both of which work to stop eye strain from ruining your fun, and with three game modes comprised of ‘action’, ‘racing’ and ‘sports’ to choose from, you’re always going to be completely on top of the action.

The Acer Predator X38 is hideously expensive but nothing if not epic.

How to choose the best curved monitor for gaming

Naturally, you now desperately want a curved monitor; and who can blame you after such a compelling argument? But as I’ve shown, there are many different options out there, so my advice is to start by looking at your budget, then once you’ve worked out what you can afford, buy the one with the highest spec you can. It may sound a bit blunt, but even if don’t initially make full use of what it can do, it’ll be game-ready if and when you upgrade.