5 Best 34-Inch Monitors of 2019

1. Best Pick: Dell U3417W

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

An IPS monitor, the Dell U3417W is an outstanding display for all-around use, featuring a 3440 x 1440 resolution, multiple input options, an adjustable stand, and decent speakers. You can use it for office work, regular gaming, and watching movies.

Design

Compared to other UltraSharp monitors, the U3417W is not that different regarding design, featuring a professional design with thin bezels and a plain back panel. It has a curved screen with a curve radius of 1900R, which translates to a sharper or more pronounced curvature. For menu control, there is a set of clickable buttons at the bottom of the monitor, on the right side.

If you want a wall-mounted setup or simply prefer a different stand, there is a 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting interface at the back of the monitor. But due to the screen’s sharp curve, the monitor will stick out more when mounted on the wall.

The U3417W also features a pair of speakers, which is somewhat notable considering Dell professional monitors don’t usually come with a built-in sound system. While not as good as external speakers or headphones, the internal speakers are decent, which might surprise some of you.

Connectivity

Of the products in this guide, the U3417W offers the best connectivity, featuring a DisplayPort Out and a USB hub with fast charging support. For video input, it has one DisplayPort, one Mini DisplayPort, and two HDMI ports. In addition, the monitor has one audio out port and a total of four USB 3.0 down ports, with one pair located on the monitor’s left side for quick access. All connection ports are down-facing at the back of the monitor, except for the side-mounted USB ports.

Stand

Like other Dell monitors under the UltraSharp series, the U3417W has a well-built stand with a simple flat base and a cable management hole in the lower section. The stand supports the large monitor easily, with no alarming wobbling issues.

Regarding ergonomics, the monitor stand is good, offering height adjustment, tilt, and swivel, with decent adjustment ranges. You can easily adjust the screen position, which can’t be said for some monitors out there. If you want to remove the stand for wall mounting, there is a quick-release button right below where the stand connects to the monitor.

Performance

The U3417W is an excellent monitor for productivity. You can easily work on it with multiple windows open at the same time. The 3440 x 1440 resolution translates to sharper texts and more detailed images while the anti-glare screen coating reduces glare when using the monitor in a bright room. The overall picture quality is great, with outstanding color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and good brightness.

Since it has a DisplayPort Out, this monitor is a good option if you want to build a daisy-chained multi-monitor setup, where only one monitor is directly connected to the computer. The DisplayPort Out means the U3417W can be used as the primary unit in that setup. You can pair it with a smaller 1080p monitor. But keep in mind that the U3417W already has a large footprint, so if you add another screen to the equation, you’ll need an even bigger desk.

While not on par with gaming monitors, the U3417W is also good for regular gaming, featuring a fast response time and a good input lag. It’s great for racing games, action RPGs, and open-world adventure games. The curved screen makes for a more immersive gaming experience, thanks to the sharp curvature. If you mostly play fast-paced competitive games, this monitor is not ideal, with the limited 60 Hz refresh rate being one of the chief reasons for that.

Verdict

Overall, the U3417W is one of the best 34-inch monitors currently out on the market, offering excellent value for the money. It’s an all-around unit that works well for productivity, regular gaming, and general use. The monitor has great picture quality, good connectivity options, and good ergonomics. The gaming performance is also decent, but if you want a unit more inclined toward gaming than office work, check out the Acer product on this list instead.

2. Best Budget: LG 34WK650-W

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Editor’s Rating: 3.9/5

When it comes to 34-inch monitors, there aren’t many budget options out there, with most products selling for no less than $400. If you want a unit selling for less than that amount, the LG 34WK650-W is the best option. You can get it for just around $350, which makes it one of the most affordable 34-inch ultrawide monitors on the market.

Design

The 34WK650-W is a flat IPS monitor with a 2560 x 1080 resolution and a 60 Hz standard refresh rate, which can go up to 75 Hz. Like most other LG monitors, it has a minimalist profile, featuring narrow bezels at three sides and a white back panel. The unit comes with a pair of built-in speakers, which are surprisingly decent for monitor speakers. There is a 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting interface at the back, which is useful if you want to switch to a third-party stand or prefer a wall-mounted setup.

For navigating the on-screen display (OSD), there is a small joystick at the bottom of the monitor, in the middle section, similar to other LG monitors. The joystick is more intuitive than the control buttons seen in most monitors, though some of you might find it tricky to use initially. The OSD itself is also well implemented, featuring an organized and user-friendly layout.

Connectivity

Compared to our top pick, this LG unit has significantly fewer connection ports, with not much else outside of the essentials. It has two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort for input, along with an audio out port for headphones. All ports are outward-facing on the back panel and are easy to access even when the monitor is placed close to the wall.

Stand

Featuring the familiar crescent-shaped base commonly seen in LG monitor stands, the stand is sturdy and does not feel cheap. Like the entire chassis, it has a minimalist design, with the thin base allowing you to place small items under the monitor. You can adjust the height of the stand and tilt the screen, but there is no swivel option, which might disappoint some of you. The stand is easy to detach if you want to switch to a third-party monitor stand with better adjustment options.

Performance

The 34WK650-W is a good monitor for productivity and general use. It has good color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and decent brightness. You can use it for content writing, editing spreadsheets, creating presentations, and research, among other things. While it has good color accuracy, this monitor is not the best option for photo editing because of the 2560 x 1080 resolution, which translates to a low pixel density due to the screen size.

For gaming, this LG monitor is also a solid option and will work well for regular gaming, especially if you mostly play story-driven or slow-paced games such as turn-based RPGs and life simulation games. The response time is fast for an IPS monitor while the input lag is good. It has FreeSync support as well, with a maximum refresh rate of 75 Hz, which is nice but not exactly as good as the 144 Hz refresh rate often featured in gaming monitors. The monitor supports FreeSync over both DisplayPort and HDMI, with the same effective range (40-75 Hz).

Although it supports HDR content, the 34WK650-W is not going to impress you with its overall HDR performance, so don’t expect too much on that front. It can’t get bright enough, does not support a wider color range, and has a subpar contrast ratio. Combine all of that, and what you get is an underwhelming HDR experience.

Verdict

While not as versatile as our top pick, the 34WK650-W is a good budget 34-inch monitor that works well for office work and general use. It has good picture quality and decent gaming performance and comes with a height-adjustable stand. If you are in the market for an affordable 34-inch monitor selling for less than $400, consider this LG product.

3. Best Value: LG 34UM88C-P

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

The LG 34UM88C-P is another great option if you want a relatively affordable 34-inch monitor. But compared to our budget pick, it has better specifications, featuring a higher resolution (3440 x 1440) and a USB hub with fast charging support. It sells for around $100 more than our budget pick, which makes it the second-most affordable product on this list.

Design

Like the LG 34WK650-W, this particular LG monitor has a simple design, with none of those fancy aesthetics seen in some LG gaming monitors. It will look good on any desk, whether your setup is built for gaming or work. The bezels are thin at three sides while the back panel has an all-black finish, easily separating it from our budget pick (which has an all-white back panel). There is a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount interface at the back for wall mounting.

The monitor also features built-in stereo speakers, which is a nice bonus. Although they are certainly not as good as dedicated sound systems, the 7-watt speakers are decent for monitor speakers and are good enough for regular usage. For OSD control, the monitor has an intuitive joystick control located at the bottom of the monitor, just like other LG monitors.

Connectivity

The 34UM88C-P has better connectivity than our budget pick, featuring one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, one audio out, and two USB 3.0 downstream ports. All ports are outward-facing on the back panel, a common setup among LG monitors. One of the USB ports also supports fast charging, which is convenient.

Unlike with our budget pick, FreeSync is limited to DisplayPort, but it’s not that big of a deal. If you want a monitor that supports FreeSync over HDMI specifically for Xbox One consoles (which now support FreeSync technology), there are much better options out there.

Stand

The stand, which has a crescent-shaped base, is sturdy and supports the monitor well. It offers basic cable management in the form of a small clip in the stand neck. Regarding ergonomics, the stand is not that great, only offering height and tilt adjustments. If you want more adjustment freedom or simply don’t like the default stand, we recommend mounting the monitor to a third-party monitor stand.

Performance

The 34UM88C-P is an all-around monitor that works great for both office work and entertainment, most especially for the former. It can display sharper texts and more detailed images, thanks to the high resolution, which translates to a better pixel density compared to our budget pick. It has excellent color accuracy and good viewing angles, with the former especially beneficial for color-critical work such as photo editing and graphics design.

You can use this monitor for different kinds of work and applications – including web development, coding, spreadsheets, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and content writing, among others. Since it has a flat screen, you’ll find it more suitable than our top pick for applications where there are a lot of straight lines involved.

This LG monitor is also good for regular gaming, featuring a fast response time for an IPS monitor and a good input lag. It’s great for single-player games with lovely visuals – like Final Fantasy XV and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. But keep in mind that not all games support a 21:9 aspect ratio. The monitor also supports FreeSync for minimal screen tearing when playing graphically intensive games. The adaptive sync range is 40-60 Hz, which is similar to many 4K monitors.

Verdict

All in all, the 34UM88C-P is a great product. It’s a well-rounded monitor that offers good picture quality and solid gaming performance. It has multiple input options, features a USB hub with fast charging, and comes with decent-sounding speakers, which is a big plus for some people. If you like our top pick but prefer a more affordable option, get this LG monitor instead.

4. Samsung C34J791

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

If you prefer VA monitors due to their high native contrast ratio, go for the Samsung C34J791, a curved ultrawide display with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and a 100 Hz refresh rate. It’s an all-around monitor, featuring Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and FreeSync support for gaming. You can get it for around $800, which makes it much more expensive than our top picks here.

Design

Compared to the Samsung CHG70 series, the C34J791 has a subtler design, with thin bezels and an all-white back panel. The screen has a sharp curve radius of 1500R, which is one of the most aggressive curvatures. There is a separate compartment on the back panel where most of the connection ports are located, secured by a removable cover.

The monitor is very thick when viewed from the side due to the sharp curvature and will stick out more than usual when mounted on the wall. On a related note, this monitor requires a VESA mount adapter if you want a wall-mounted setup. The good news is that the required adapter is already included in the box, so there is no need to make a separate purchase.

Like the LG monitors in this guide, this Samsung unit features a pair of built-in speakers, which are decent enough for regular use but are not as good as headphones or external speakers. For OSD control, the monitor has a small joystick at the back, similar to the Samsung CHG70.

Connectivity

The C34J791 offers an impressive list of connection ports, which makes it a versatile unit that can easily interface with different devices. It has one DisplayPort, one HDMI port, one audio out port, and two USB-A down ports. In addition, there is a pair of USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, which is great if you want to use the monitor as a bigger screen for a compatible laptop.

While both USB-C ports can be used for video input and high-speed data transfer, only one port – the one labeled with “85W” in the inputs compartment – can be used for laptop charging. All input ports are down-facing while the USB hub and audio port are outward-facing above the inputs compartment, which makes them easier to access.

Stand

The default stand is rigid and easily supports the monitor, with no major wobbling issues. It has a round base where you can place small items and features effective cable management. On the other hand, the stand has mediocre ergonomics, only offering height and tilt adjustments, with a limited range for the former.

Performance

The C34J791 is a suitable monitor for office work, gaming, and watching movies, boasting a high contrast ratio, which is especially beneficial for the latter two. The overall picture quality is good, with good color accuracy and decent brightness. However, the viewing angles are limited and are inferior compared to the IPS monitors listed here.

For gaming, this Samsung display is great, featuring a fast response time (which is notable for a VA monitor), a high native refresh rate, and a very low input lag regardless of the resolution. It also supports FreeSync for minimal screen tearing when playing graphically intensive games. If you like to play racing games, action RPGs, real-time strategy games, first-person shooters, and flight simulators, you’ll love this monitor.

Compared to the non-curved LG monitors above, the C34J791 offers a more immersive experience when gaming and watching movies, thanks to the screen’s sharp curvature. You’ll need to sit close to the screen to get the full effect of the curvature, though.

Verdict

Overall, the C34J791 is a versatile monitor for all-around usage. It’s good for productivity, thanks to the large screen and high resolution. And it’s also good for gaming, thanks to the high native refresh rate, low input lag, and FreeSync support. If you want a 34-inch VA monitor that offers good value for the money, check out this Samsung product.

5. Acer Predator X34P

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Acer Predator X34P is a great alternative to our top pick if you want a monitor that’s more inclined toward gaming than productivity. It’s a curved ultrawide monitor with a 3440 x 1440 native resolution, a 100 Hz standard refresh rate, and G-Sync support. Of the best 34-inch monitors listed here, this unit is the most expensive, selling for around $800-850.

Design

An IPS display, the X34P has a more stylish design compared to the other four monitors above and can be easily identified as a gaming-focused monitor. The screen, which has an anti-glare coating, has a sharp curve radius of 1900R. There is a 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting interface at the back of the monitor, which is great if you prefer to use a third-party monitor stand or wall mount.

While the monitor has built-in speakers, they are not recommended for gaming, especially if you love to play games with a great soundtrack. They are fairly decent for general use, but for gaming and watching movies, we recommend using external speakers or headphones for a better audio experience.

Like the Samsung C34J791, this Acer monitor features a small joystick for navigating the on-screen display, similarly located at the back, on the bottom-left corner. There is also a set of clickable buttons vertically positioned above the joystick, one of which is the power button.

Connectivity

Regarding video input options, the X34P is not that different from other G-Sync monitors, featuring only one DisplayPort and one HDMI port, with G-Sync support limited to the former. Along with the audio out port, both input ports are down-facing at the back, just below where the stand connects to the monitor. The monitor also features a USB hub composed of four USB 3.0 down ports, all of which are outward-facing on the back panel, separate from the input ports.

Stand

The monitor stand looks a lot like the default stand of the Acer Predator Z35P, featuring integrated cable management in the lower section and a carrying handle at the top. It has good ergonomics, with options to adjust the height, tilt, and swivel. Like other ultrawide monitors, there is no option to rotate the monitor to a portrait orientation.

Performance

The X34P is an excellent monitor for gaming, with stable and consistent G-Sync performance. It has a fast response time and a low input lag, both of which are beneficial for gaming no matter what kinds of games you play. If the default 100 Hz refresh rate is not good enough for you, there is an option to overclock to 120 Hz.

If you love to play triple-A single-player games with gorgeous visuals and run them at max or near-max settings, the X34P is an ideal display. The monitor’s high resolution translates to more detailed images while G-Sync eliminates screen tearing when the frame rate is fluctuating. The screen’s sharp curve also makes for a more immersive experience.

Although the X34P is clearly built for gaming, it also works well for productivity, with the monitor’s great screen real estate allowing for easy multitasking. The overall picture quality is good, with great color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and good brightness. On the other hand, the contrast ratio is subpar, which is a common issue among IPS monitors.

Verdict

Wrapping up, the X34P is a great product, offering good picture quality and better gaming performance than all the other monitors on this list. It’s got an easily adjustable stand, a USB hub, and G-Sync support, the latter of which makes it unique among the products in this guide. If you want a gaming monitor that also works well for productivity – instead of the other way around – get the X34P.

If, however, you prefer a different design or simply don’t like Acer monitors, check out the Dell Alienware AW3418DW instead. It offers similar specs and gaming performance but has a much more stylish design, featuring a customizable lighting system. It’s usually more expensive than the X34P, though.