LG UltraGear 34GN850-B 34" Black 2020

The LG UltraGear 34GN850-B is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with a 3440 x 1440 Nano IPS panel, 160Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. It delivers stunning color accuracy and immersive 21:9 gameplay without OLED burn-in risk. HDR is weak and pricing varies wildly by region, but for ultrawide gaming and mixed use, it's still a top contender.

The 34GN850-B hits 160Hz when overclocked, and honestly, that's plenty for most people. The 1ms response time is real, not marketing fluff, and motion clarity is excellent for an IPS panel. We've seen this panel keep up with fast-paced shooters without ghosting or smearing, which is impressive for a display this size. The G-Sync Compatible certification means tear-free gaming on NVIDIA cards, and FreeSync covers the AMD crowd.

Color performance is where this thing really shines. The 98% DCI-P3 coverage puts it in the top tier of our database, and the 400 nits brightness is solid for an IPS panel. HDR 400 is the weakest link here, it's basically SDR with a badge, so don't buy this for HDR gaming. But for SDR content, the color accuracy and vibrancy are genuinely stunning. The 10-bit color depth helps with gradients and skin tones, making this a surprisingly good option for photo and video work too.

The most direct comparison is against the OLED crowd. The Samsung Odyssey G60SD and MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 both deliver true HDR and infinite contrast ratios, but they're 16:9 panels. If you want ultrawide, you're looking at a much pricier OLED ultrawide, and those still carry burn-in risk for desktop use. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG is a 4K panel, so you're trading resolution for aspect ratio there.

The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW is the productivity alternative, with a larger 40-inch 5K2K panel, but it's not a gaming monitor and costs significantly more. The Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA is another 27-inch OLED that beats this on contrast but loses on immersion. For pure gaming immersion at a reasonable price, the 34GN850-B still holds its own against all of these. The ultrawide format is the differentiator, and none of these competitors offer it at this price point.

Pricing on this monitor is all over the place depending on where you shop. In Canada, we're seeing a spread from CAD 1,365 to CAD 1,915 across two listings, which is a massive gap. If you're in Canada, definitely shop around before pulling the trigger. The US price of USD 1,050 is fair for what you get, but the EUR 662 price in France is frankly a steal for this level of performance. Compared to the OLED competitors like the Samsung Odyssey G60SD or the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, you're trading perfect blacks and HDR performance for ultrawide immersion and zero burn-in risk. For productivity and gaming mixed use, this is arguably the better buy.

The LG UltraGear 34GN850-B is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor that sits in the premium tier of the curved IPS market. You're looking at a 3440 x 1440 Nano IPS panel with a 160Hz overclocked refresh rate, 1ms response time, and both G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync support. It's the kind of display that makes you wonder how you ever gamed on a 16:9 screen.

People searching for this monitor usually want to know one thing: is it still worth buying in a world full of OLEDs? The short answer is yes, if you want ultrawide immersion without the burn-in anxiety. The 21:9 aspect ratio gives you a serious field of view advantage in racing sims, flight sims, and open-world games. And the Nano IPS panel delivers color that still holds up against newer tech.

At around USD 1,050 in the US, this isn't a budget pick. But it's also not priced like the OLED flagships it competes with. For a 34-inch ultrawide with this color performance and speed, it's a reasonable ask, especially if you catch it on sale.

Skip this monitor if you're a competitive esports player who needs the absolute highest refresh rates, a 240Hz or 360Hz 16:9 panel will serve you better. Also skip it if HDR gaming is a priority, the DisplayHDR 400 certification just doesn't deliver meaningful HDR. If you're tight on desk space, the 34-inch ultrawide footprint plus the 7600g weight means you'll need a sturdy desk and plenty of room. And if you're on a strict budget, there are cheaper 34-inch ultrawides that sacrifice color accuracy and refresh rate but cost significantly less. OLED buyers who want perfect blacks and don't mind the burn-in risk should look at the Samsung Odyssey G60SD or MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 instead.

Should you buy the LG UltraGear 34GN850-B? If you want an ultrawide gaming monitor with excellent color, fast response, and no burn-in worries, yes. This is still one of the best ultrawide IPS panels you can buy, even years after its release. The 21:9 format is transformative for sim racing, flight sims, and immersive RPGs, and the Nano IPS panel delivers colors that make games look fantastic.

But if HDR performance matters to you, or if you're primarily a competitive FPS player who wants the absolute fastest response times, an OLED or a high-refresh 16:9 panel might serve you better. The HDR 400 certification is weak, and the 160Hz refresh rate, while good, isn't class-leading anymore. For everyone else, especially mixed-use buyers who game and work on the same display, this is a fantastic choice that's aged remarkably well.