2024-01-08
(For People Who Want to Ditch Dual Screens and Enter the Hyperfocus Zone)
There’s a point in your desk setup journey where you realize: it’s not just about more pixels. It’s about space. The kind of space where you can have multiple windows open, side by side, no bezels interrupting the flow, no monitor arms to adjust every 20 minutes. The kind of screen that pulls you in—not just with size, but with seamlessness.
That’s what ultrawides are about. They're not just stretched monitors. They’re a productivity multiplier, a design canvas, a workspace cheat code. And when done right, they simplify everything. One power cable. One screen. Zero bezel gaps. It's like going from a cluttered desk covered in sticky notes to a clean, uninterrupted sheet of paper.
But here’s the problem: not all ultrawides are created equal. Some are gorgeous but eye-fatiguing. Some are cheap but washed out. Some are ergonomic disasters. And some cost more than your laptop and your phone combined.
So this guide is built to cut through the chaos. These are the ultrawides worth buying—whether you’re writing, designing, coding, editing, or just trying to create a little more room to breathe on your screen without feeling like you need a second mortgage.
Before we dive into models, here’s what actually matters in this category:
Now let’s get into the screens that do all this well—and don’t waste your time or budget.
This is the best “entry” ultrawide that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The LG 34WN80C-B hits the sweet spot: 34 inches, sharp QHD resolution, crisp IPS panel, USB-C input, and a gentle 1800R curve. It doesn’t try to be flashy, it just delivers smooth, spacious, eye-friendly performance all day long.
It’s not for gaming (60Hz max), but it’s perfect for writing, editing, spreadsheets, and general deep work. Bonus: the bezels are thin enough that you forget you’re staring at an enormous panel.
Best for: Professionals who want a no-nonsense ultrawide for productivity and clean desk setups.
Price: ~$499
This thing is a monster—but in a good way. The U4021QW is the ultrawide for people who don’t want just screen real estate. They want retina-level text clarity, deep color accuracy, and a built-in hub that makes switching between machines frictionless.
It’s expensive. But it replaces two 4K monitors and a USB hub in one clean swoop. This is a life-upgrade monitor.
Best for: Professionals who want the sharpest ultrawide possible and use multiple devices daily.
Price: ~$1,899
BenQ’s EX3501R is one of the best bang-for-buck ultrawides for people who want a mix of deep blacks, high contrast, and smooth refresh without needing gamer RGB puke all over it. The VA panel gives rich contrast, and the 100Hz refresh rate is enough to feel buttery for scrolling and light gaming.
The stand is solid, and it feels premium without hitting premium-tier prices. It’s also one of the few curved VA panels that doesn’t smear when scrolling through text.
Best for: Work-from-home pros who want deep blacks and a little smoothness for breaks between tasks.
Price: ~$599
Creative professionals, this one’s for you. The PA348CGV blends color accuracy with high refresh rate and excellent build quality. It’s factory calibrated, supports 120Hz, and includes a USB-C port with 90W charging.
You can game on it, color-grade on it, or just write 10,000 words while three docs and a Figma board are open side-by-side. It’s a do-everything ultrawide that doesn’t look ridiculous or overwhelm your desk.
Best for: Creatives who want pro-grade visuals and motion at the same time.
Price: ~$749
This is the absurd, indulgent, and frankly amazing end of the ultrawide spectrum. The OLED G9 is basically two 1440p monitors fused into a 49" 240Hz OLED experience that curves around your field of view like a sci-fi cockpit. It’s not cheap, but it’s visually unlike anything else.
It’s best in dark rooms. It’s huge. It’s curved to a level (1800R) that makes it immersive but desk-dominating. But if you want the most jaw-dropping ultrawide available, this is it.
Best for: Video editors, gamers, and ultra-power users who want the future now.
Price: ~$1,799
| Use Case / Preference | Monitor | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Best all-around value | LG 34WN80C-B | Balanced, sharp, ergonomic, clean USB-C setup |
| Sharpest + most space | Dell U4021QW | 5K2K clarity + massive width + KVM convenience |
| Best for contrast + smoothness | BenQ EX3501R | VA panel + 100Hz = deep blacks, less eye strain |
| Best for creators | ASUS PA348CGV | Color accurate + 120Hz + pro features |
| Best OLED + immersion | Samsung G9 OLED | Ridiculous in all the best ways, future-of-desks monitor |
Switching to an ultrawide monitor isn’t just a visual change—it’s a workflow change. It’s the kind of upgrade that sneaks up on you. One day you realize you haven’t alt-tabbed in hours. You start moving faster. You stop squinting at stacked windows. You work in bigger blocks. You think in parallel.
Good ultrawides give you space—mental, visual, creative space. They don’t just replace two monitors. They replace clutter, distraction, fragmentation. The best ones fade away until they’re just a quiet part of your process. And that’s when you know you’ve got the right one.