Best Ultrawide Monitors UK 2026: The Complete Review and Buyer's Guide

Ultrawide monitors have moved firmly into the mainstream. Whether you're a creative professional who needs more screen real estate for video timelines and spreadsheets, a gamer who wants an immersive curved display, or a remote worker juggling multiple applications, a 21:9 or 32:9 panel can genuinely transform how you use your computer. The UK market in 2026 offers more choice than ever — from budget-friendly 34-inch curved VA panels under £300 to premium 49-inch super-ultrawide behemoths pushing £1,000 and beyond.

This guide is based on thorough research of UK retailer listings, manufacturer specifications, and independent technical analysis. We have not personally tested every unit on this list, but every specification, price, and availability claim has been verified against UK retailer pages and manufacturer documentation as of September 2026. Prices are subject to change.

What Is an Ultrawide Monitor?

A standard widescreen monitor uses a 16:9 aspect ratio. An ultrawide monitor uses a 21:9 ratio — roughly equivalent to placing two 4:3 monitors side by side, but without the bezel in the middle. Super-ultrawide monitors go further still, using a 32:9 ratio that mimics a dual-monitor setup with two 16:9 screens.

Most ultrawide monitors are curved, which helps wrap the edges of the screen into your peripheral vision and reduces the sense that you're looking at a flat wall of pixels. Curvature is measured in millimetres of radius — a 1000R curve is tighter (more curved) than a 1800R curve.

Key Specifications to Understand

Resolution

The most common ultrawide resolution is 3440×1440 (often called UWQHD or QHD ultrawide). This gives you significantly more horizontal space than a standard 2560×1440 monitor while maintaining sharp pixel density on a 34-inch panel. Some premium 38-inch models use 3840×1600, and 49-inch super-ultrawides typically run at 5120×1440 (DQHD).

Panel Type

• IPS (In-Plane Switching): Excellent colour accuracy, wide viewing angles, and good brightness. Ideal for creative work and general productivity. Typically has lower contrast ratios than VA panels.
• VA (Vertical Alignment): Higher native contrast ratios (typically 3000:1 vs IPS's 1000:1), which means deeper blacks. Better for dark-room gaming and media consumption. Can suffer from slower pixel response times at lower refresh rates.
• Nano IPS: LG's enhanced IPS technology that improves colour gamut coverage while retaining IPS's fast response times. Found in premium gaming ultrawides.

Refresh Rate and Response Time

For gaming, a higher refresh rate (144Hz, 160Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz) delivers smoother motion. For productivity and creative work, 60–75Hz is perfectly adequate. Response time (measured in milliseconds) affects motion blur — lower is better for gaming.

Adaptive Sync

AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible certification allow the monitor to synchronise its refresh rate with your GPU's output, eliminating screen tearing. FreeSync Premium adds a low-framerate compensation requirement. G-Sync Compatible means the monitor has passed NVIDIA's validation testing for variable refresh rate.

Connectivity

USB-C with Power Delivery is increasingly important — it lets you connect a laptop with a single cable that carries video, data, and charges the laptop simultaneously. Thunderbolt 4 adds daisy-chaining capability and higher bandwidth. A built-in KVM switch (found on some productivity-focused models) lets you control two computers with one keyboard and mouse.

The Best Ultrawide Monitors Available in the UK Right Now

1. AOC CU34G2X — Best Budget Ultrawide

Price: approximately £249–£299 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys

The AOC CU34G2X punches well above its price point. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time make it genuinely capable for gaming, while the 3440×1440 resolution provides ample workspace for productivity tasks. The VA panel delivers strong contrast — blacks look genuinely dark rather than washed out — though colour accuracy is not at the level of IPS panels. There is no USB-C, which is a limitation if you want to connect a modern laptop with a single cable.

Pros:

• Excellent value for a 144Hz ultrawide
• Strong contrast from VA panel
• Good gaming performance at this price

Cons:

• No USB-C connectivity
• Colour accuracy not suited to professional creative work
• HDR implementation is basic

2. LG 34WP65C-B — Best Mid-Range All-Rounder

Price: approximately £299–£349 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys, John Lewis

The LG 34WP65C-B is the sweet spot for users who want a capable ultrawide for mixed use — productivity, casual gaming, and media consumption — without spending a fortune. The inclusion of USB-C with 60W Power Delivery is a significant advantage over the AOC at a similar price, allowing laptop users to connect with a single cable. The 75Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time mean it is not a dedicated gaming monitor, but for everyday use it is perfectly smooth.

Pros:

• USB-C 60W Power Delivery included
• Good value for a productivity-focused ultrawide
• Solid VA contrast for media consumption

Cons:

• 75Hz limits gaming potential
• 5ms response time not ideal for fast-paced gaming
• Colour accuracy is adequate rather than excellent

3. Samsung Odyssey G5 C34G55TWWP — Best for Gaming Under £400

Price: approximately £329–£379 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys, Samsung UK

Samsung's Odyssey G5 in 34-inch ultrawide format is a strong gaming choice at this price. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time deliver smooth, responsive gameplay, and the tight 1000R curve creates a genuinely immersive feel. The VA panel's high contrast ratio makes dark scenes in games look excellent. As with the AOC, there is no USB-C, so laptop users will need a separate adapter or cable.

Pros:

• 165Hz refresh rate at an accessible price
• Tight 1000R curve for immersive gaming
• Excellent contrast from VA panel

Cons:

• No USB-C connectivity
• Not suited to colour-critical creative work
• HDR performance is limited at this price point

4. LG 34GP83A-B UltraGear — Best High-Refresh Ultrawide

Price: approximately £449–£499 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys, John Lewis

The LG 34GP83A-B is the pick for serious gamers who want the best of both worlds: the fast 1ms GtG response time of an IPS panel combined with a 160Hz refresh rate. Nano IPS technology extends the colour gamut beyond standard IPS, making this monitor more versatile than a pure gaming VA panel. It is NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible as well as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certified, so it works well with both GPU brands. The lack of USB-C is a minor frustration at this price.

Pros:

• 1ms GtG response time — genuinely fast for competitive gaming
• Nano IPS panel with extended colour gamut
• Both G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium Pro
• Better colour accuracy than VA alternatives

Cons:

• No USB-C Power Delivery
• Lower contrast ratio than VA panels
• HDR implementation is basic for the price

5. ASUS ProArt PA348CGV — Best for Creative Professionals

Price: approximately £549–£599 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys, John Lewis

The ASUS ProArt PA348CGV is designed for video editors, photographers, and graphic designers who need accurate colour reproduction alongside the productivity benefits of an ultrawide format. The 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage is exceptional at this price, and the flat IPS panel avoids the colour shift that curved screens can introduce at extreme viewing angles. The 90W USB-C Power Delivery and Thunderbolt 4 port make it an excellent hub for MacBook Pro and Windows laptop users. The 120Hz refresh rate is a bonus for those who also want to game occasionally.

Pros:

• 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut — excellent for creative work
• USB-C 90W PD and Thunderbolt 4
• Flat panel avoids colour shift at edges
• 120Hz refresh rate for occasional gaming

Cons:

• Premium price for the specification
• 5ms response time limits competitive gaming
• No local dimming for HDR

6. Dell U3423WE — Best for Office and Multi-Device Productivity

Price: approximately £699–£749 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Dell UK, Amazon UK, John Lewis

The Dell U3423WE is a productivity powerhouse rather than a gaming monitor. Its headline feature is the built-in KVM switch, which allows you to connect two computers and switch between them using a single keyboard and mouse — invaluable for professionals who work with both a desktop and a laptop. The Thunderbolt 4 hub provides four downstream ports, effectively turning the monitor into a docking station. The 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time make it unsuitable for gaming, but for office work it is outstanding.

Pros:

• Built-in KVM switch for dual-computer setups
• Thunderbolt 4 hub with four downstream ports
• USB-C 90W Power Delivery
• Excellent build quality and Dell's three-year warranty

Cons:

• 60Hz only — not suitable for gaming
• Expensive relative to 60Hz alternatives
• Colour accuracy is good but not at ProArt level

7. BenQ EW3880R — Best 38-Inch Ultrawide

Price: approximately £699–£799 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, John Lewis, BenQ UK

The BenQ EW3880R steps up to a 38-inch panel with a higher resolution of 3840×1600, giving you noticeably more screen real estate than a standard 34-inch ultrawide. The IPS panel delivers accurate colours and wide viewing angles, and the built-in treVolo 2.1 speaker system is genuinely good — a rarity for monitor-integrated audio. The 75Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time position this firmly as a productivity and media monitor rather than a gaming display. The 2300R curvature is gentler than gaming-focused monitors, which suits the wider viewing distances typical of desk setups.

Pros:

• Larger 38-inch panel with higher 3840×1600 resolution
• Excellent built-in treVolo 2.1 speakers
• Good IPS colour accuracy
• USB-C 60W Power Delivery

Cons:

• 75Hz limits gaming use
• Expensive relative to 34-inch alternatives
• Requires a powerful GPU to drive 3840×1600 smoothly

8. Samsung Odyssey G9 LS49AG952NPXXU — Best Super-Ultrawide

Price: approximately £999–£1,099 as of September 2026 (prices subject to change)

Available at: Amazon UK, Currys, Samsung UK

The Samsung Odyssey G9 is the most extreme option on this list — a 49-inch curved behemoth that effectively replaces a dual-monitor setup. The 5120×1440 DQHD resolution at 240Hz is demanding on your GPU; you will need a high-end graphics card to drive it at full refresh rate in modern games. The VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification means this monitor can genuinely deliver impactful HDR performance, unlike the basic HDR10 implementations on budget models. It is a significant desk investment — you will need a deep desk and a sturdy monitor arm or stand.

Pros:

• Replaces a dual-monitor setup with no bezel gap
• 240Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming
• Genuine HDR1000 performance
• Immersive 1000R curve at 49 inches

Cons:

• Requires a very powerful GPU to drive at full resolution and refresh rate
• Significant desk space required
• No USB-C connectivity
• Premium price

Head-to-Head Comparison

Which Ultrawide Monitor Should You Buy?

Best for Gaming on a Budget: AOC CU34G2X

If you want a capable gaming ultrawide without spending more than £300, the AOC CU34G2X delivers 144Hz and 1ms MPRT at a price that is hard to argue with. The lack of USB-C is the main compromise.

Best All-Rounder for Laptop Users: LG 34WP65C-B

The USB-C 60W Power Delivery makes the LG 34WP65C-B the most practical choice for anyone who regularly connects a laptop. It is not a gaming monitor, but for everyday productivity and media it is excellent value.

Best Gaming Ultrawide Under £400: Samsung Odyssey G5 C34G55TWWP

The 165Hz refresh rate and tight 1000R curve make the Odyssey G5 the best gaming-focused ultrawide at this price. The VA panel's contrast is a genuine advantage for dark game environments.

Best for Serious Gamers: LG 34GP83A-B UltraGear

The Nano IPS panel with 1ms GtG response time and 160Hz refresh rate is the combination to beat for competitive gaming. The extended colour gamut also makes it more versatile than a pure VA gaming panel.

Best for Creative Work: ASUS ProArt PA348CGV

The 98% DCI-P3 coverage and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity make the ProArt PA348CGV the clear choice for video editors, photographers, and designers who need colour accuracy alongside ultrawide productivity.

Best for Office Professionals: Dell U3423WE

The built-in KVM switch and Thunderbolt 4 hub make the Dell U3423WE uniquely suited to professionals who work with multiple computers. Dell's three-year warranty adds peace of mind.

Best 38-Inch Option: BenQ EW3880R

If you want more screen real estate than a 34-inch ultrawide and appreciate good built-in audio, the BenQ EW3880R's 3840×1600 resolution and treVolo speakers make it a compelling choice for productivity and media.

Best Super-Ultrawide: Samsung Odyssey G9 LS49AG952NPXXU

For those who want the ultimate immersive setup and have the desk space and GPU power to match, the Odyssey G9 is unmatched. The 240Hz refresh rate and HDR1000 certification set it apart from everything else on this list.

Things to Consider Before Buying

GPU Requirements

Driving a 3440×1440 ultrawide at high refresh rates requires a capable graphics card. For 144Hz+ gaming at UWQHD, you will want at minimum an NVIDIA RTX 4070 or AMD RX 7800 XT. The 49-inch Odyssey G9 at 5120×1440 and 240Hz demands even more — an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX is recommended for high-settings gaming.

Desk Space

A 34-inch ultrawide is roughly 80cm wide. A 38-inch model is around 90cm. The 49-inch Odyssey G9 is approximately 120cm wide. Measure your desk before ordering.

Software Compatibility

Most modern applications handle ultrawide resolutions well, but some older games and applications may not support 21:9 natively, displaying black bars on the sides. Check compatibility for any specific software you rely on.

Warranty

Dell offers a three-year warranty with Advanced Exchange on its UltraSharp monitors. LG, Samsung, ASUS, BenQ, and AOC typically offer two-year warranties in the UK. Always check the retailer's returns policy and the manufacturer's UK warranty terms before purchasing.

Final Verdict

The ultrawide monitor market in 2026 offers genuinely excellent options at every price point. For most users, the sweet spot sits between £300 and £500 — the LG 34WP65C-B for laptop-centric productivity, the Samsung Odyssey G5 for gaming on a budget, and the LG 34GP83A-B UltraGear for those who want the best gaming performance without crossing into premium territory. Creative professionals should look seriously at the ASUS ProArt PA348CGV, while office workers who juggle multiple computers will find the Dell U3423WE's KVM switch invaluable. The Samsung Odyssey G9 remains the ultimate statement piece for those with the desk space, GPU power, and budget to match.

All prices quoted are approximate UK retail prices as of September 2026 and are subject to change. Always check current pricing at your preferred UK retailer before purchasing.