Curved Monitors

Curved Monitors Buying Guide

A curved monitor bends the screen toward you, so the edges sit closer to the same distance from your eyes as the center. On a wide screen, that keeps the far corners of a spreadsheet, a race track, or a cockpit view in sight with less head turning. Shop curved monitors from MSI, ASUS, ViewSonic, Samsung, LG, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, and HP, from 27 and 32 inch gaming screens to 34 inch ultrawides and 49 inch super ultrawides.

What 1000R, 1500R, and 1800R Mean

The number before the R is the radius of the curve in millimeters, so a smaller number means a tighter curve. An 1800R screen is part of a circle with a 1.8 meter radius, and from the center of that circle every point on the screen sits the same distance from your eyes. At a desk you sit much closer, so a tight 1000R curve wraps a wide screen more fully, while 1500R and 1800R bend more gently.

Curved Monitors for Gaming and Sim Racing

A curve on its own doesn't add field of view. A 21:9 or 32:9 ultrawide shows more of the game world in games that support the wider format, and the curve keeps those far edges in view. For racing sims and flight sims such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, a 49 inch super ultrawide gives a cockpit view about as wide as two 27 inch screens, with no bezels splitting the view, unlike a triple-screen rig. In iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and Le Mans Ultimate, set the field of view to match your screen size and seating distance so the view lines up with where you sit.

For shooters, 27 and 32 inch curved models keep the standard 16:9 shape, and some run at 240Hz. Consoles play in 16:9, so on an ultrawide, console games show black bars at the sides or get stretched. Compare 240Hz gaming monitors and all gaming monitors.

Curved Monitors for Work

A 34 inch ultrawide gives you about a third more width than a standard 27 inch screen, enough to keep a spreadsheet, a browser, and a chat window open side by side with no bezel down the middle. Larger 38 and 40 inch models add more room top to bottom for long documents and editing timelines. For a cleaner desk, some business models build in a webcam for video calls, a single USB-C cable that connects and charges a compatible laptop, or a KVM switch so one keyboard and mouse can run two computers.

Panels and Desk Space

VA panels deliver deep contrast for dark scenes, IPS panels give wider viewing angles and rich color, and curved OLED models add true blacks and very fast response. Wide curved screens need desk depth, so measure before you buy a 49 inch model, or mount it on a sturdy monitor arm. Browse more ultrawide monitors.

Curved Monitor FAQs

Is a curved monitor better than a flat one?

It depends on how wide the screen is. On a 27 inch 16:9 screen the curve is subtle. On 34 inch and wider screens, it keeps the edges closer to the same distance from your eyes than a flat panel of that width. Flat screens are easier to wall mount and keep straight lines straight for design and drafting work.

Are curved monitors good for gaming?

Yes, especially for sim racing and flight simulators. In sims that support ultrawide, a curved ultrawide fills more of your side vision with the track or cockpit and wraps it around you, for a more immersive experience. In fast shooters on a 24 to 27 inch screen, the whole picture already sits in view, so a curve adds less there.

Is a curved monitor good for office work?

Yes, especially a 34 inch ultrawide, which fits several windows side by side without a bezel down the middle. Business models with USB-C can connect and charge a compatible laptop over a single cable.

Can one curved ultrawide replace two monitors?

A 49 inch super ultrawide is about the size of two 27 inch monitors side by side, on one panel with no bezel in the middle. Models with a built-in KVM switch can run two computers from one keyboard and mouse.