LG UltraWide 34WP65C-B 34" Black 2021

This is the ultrawide you buy when you're tired of dual-monitor clutter and want one screen that does work and 160Hz gaming without costing a fortune. Just make sure you catch a sale and plug it in via DisplayPort.

The 160Hz refresh rate over DisplayPort really surprised me with how fluid it feels, even coming from higher-end screens. FreeSync Premium keeps things tear-free, and while the 5ms response time isn't breaking records, it's fine for everything short of hardcore competitive twitch shooters. The VA panel delivers satisfyingly deep blacks for a non-OLED, though you'll notice a bit of motion blur in dark scenes if you really look for it. The real surprise, honestly, is how well this monitor multitasks. With PBP, you can run two inputs side by side and everything remains sharp, and the 99% sRGB coverage with 10-bit color keeps photos and videos looking natural, even if the 300 nits of brightness won't knock your socks off.

The obvious rival is the Alienware AW3423DW (or DWF) which brings a true QD-OLED panel with perfect blacks and near-instant response times, but it'll run you significantly more and you'll have to babysit burn-in risk. If your desk is pure work with zero gaming, the Dell U4025QW gives you a massive 40-inch 5K2K canvas and much better brightness, but you'll pay double and lose the 160Hz entirely. The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is a wild 45-inch OLED ultrawide that's gorgeous for gaming but overkill and pricey for a mixed-use desk. And the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is a flat 27-inch 4K panel that's sharper for productivity but can't touch the LG's immersive curve or ultrawide real estate. For anyone who games after hours and works during the day, the LG 34WP65C-B still nails the balance without punishing your wallet.

Prices for this monitor bounce between $560 and $841 depending on the vendor and the week, and at the high end it's a tougher sell. But if you snag it for around $560 at Newegg or during a sale, you're getting a steal. For that money, there's nothing else that gives you a 34-inch 160Hz ultrawide with this port selection and build quality. At full retail, you're edging into OLED territory and should probably look elsewhere.

The LG 34WP65C-B is that rare monitor that nails the sweet spot between work and play without demanding a second mortgage. It's a 34-inch curved ultrawide VA panel with a crisp 3440x1440 resolution and a genuinely smooth 160Hz refresh rate, and when you catch it on sale around $560, it feels like theft. The one thing to know: this isn't an OLED and it doesn't pretend to be, but for a daily driver that handles spreadsheets, movies, and some fast-paced gaming without breaking a sweat, it's remarkably good. The build quality is solid, the stand adjusts properly, and the inclusion of built-in speakers and tons of ports means your desk stays clean. You'll give up some contrast and response speed compared to premium panels, but you'll also keep a few hundred dollars in your pocket, which makes it a very easy recommendation for anyone who's tired of juggling two monitors.

If you're chasing true HDR with deep inky blacks and zero motion blur for competitive FPS, this isn't your monitor. Go pick up an OLED like the Alienware AW3423DW instead. The slight smearing in dark scenes and limited brightness will bug you if you're a visual purist, and at that point saving a few hundred bucks just isn't worth the frustration.

The LG 34WP65C-B is the ultrawide I'd recommend to any friend who wants a single monitor for everything. It's not the best at any one thing, but it does so many things well at a price that's often shockingly low. Grab it on sale, use DisplayPort, and enjoy a workspace that actually makes you want to sit down and get stuff done.