LG UltraGear 34GN850-B 34" Black 2020

The LG UltraGear 34GN850-B is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and excellent color accuracy. It's a great IPS panel, but its current price of $1,647 makes it hard to recommend when OLED ultrawides cost less and perform better. Buy it only if you find it heavily discounted.

The 34GN850-B hits 144Hz, which is smooth enough for most people, though it's no longer top of the charts when 240Hz and even 360Hz panels exist. The 1ms response time is the real star here, especially for an IPS panel. You won't see much ghosting or smearing in fast-paced shooters. G-Sync compatibility works as advertised, keeping things tear-free without needing a dedicated G-Sync module.

In our database, this monitor's performance score lands in the 73rd percentile, which is solid but not spectacular. The display score is a bit better at the 76th percentile. Where it really shines is color, sitting in the 88th percentile. That 98% DCI-P3 coverage means games with rich, saturated worlds look fantastic. The 400 nits brightness is about average for this class, and DisplayHDR 400 is more of a checkbox than a true HDR experience. Don't expect the eye-searing highlights you'd get from an OLED or a mini-LED panel.

The Alienware AW3425DW is the most direct competitor here. It's also a 34-inch ultrawide, but it uses a QD-OLED panel. That means perfect blacks, better HDR, and a faster response time. The Alienware also tends to cost less than the 34GN850-B's current listing price. If you're choosing between the two, the Alienware wins on almost every front except text clarity, where IPS still has an edge.

The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 and Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA are both 27-inch OLEDs, so they're smaller and not ultrawide. But they offer 240Hz or higher refresh rates and much better HDR performance. The Samsung Odyssey G60SD is another OLED option with a 360Hz refresh rate. If you're a competitive gamer who cares more about speed than screen size, those are better picks. The 34GN850-B's main advantage is its size and aspect ratio, which is great for immersion and productivity, but it can't match OLED contrast or speed.

At $1,647, the LG 34GN850-B is a tough sell in 2025. You can find OLED ultrawides like the Alienware AW3425DW for less, and those offer true HDR, perfect blacks, and faster response times. The 34GN850-B was a premium pick when it launched, but the market has moved on. If you can find it on sale for under $800, it's a decent deal. At full price, you're paying a lot for an IPS panel that doesn't do HDR well. The value proposition just isn't there compared to what else is available.

The LG UltraGear 34GN850-B sits in that sweet spot for ultrawide gaming monitors, a 34-inch curved Nano IPS panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It's built for people who want the immersion of a 21:9 screen without giving up the color quality IPS is known for. The price is all over the place right now, with one US listing at $1,647, which feels steep for a monitor that's been around a while. But the specs still hold up for a lot of gamers.

Is the LG 34GN850-B good for gaming? Yes, and that's really the whole point of this thing. The 1ms response time, G-Sync compatibility, and 144Hz refresh rate are the headline features. It also covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space, so games look punchy and vibrant. The 400 nits brightness is fine for most rooms, though it won't blow you away with HDR highlights.

We've seen this monitor in our database for a while now, and it consistently ranks well for feature set and color. It's not the newest kid on the block, especially with OLED ultrawides popping up everywhere, but it's a reliable choice if you want a big, fast, color-accurate display for gaming and entertainment.

Skip the LG 34GN850-B if you want good HDR performance. The DisplayHDR 400 certification and 400 nits brightness just don't cut it for HDR gaming or movies. OLED options like the Alienware AW3425DW or Samsung Odyssey G60SD are much better for that. Also skip it if you're a competitive esports player who needs the highest possible refresh rate. 144Hz is fine for most people, but 240Hz and 360Hz panels are available for less money. And if you're on a budget, this monitor's current price is hard to justify. Look at 27-inch 1440p IPS monitors instead, which offer similar performance for a fraction of the cost.

Should you buy the LG UltraGear 34GN850-B? Only if you find it at a steep discount. It's a good monitor, don't get me wrong. The colors are great, the response time is fast, and the ultrawide form factor is genuinely immersive. But the price is way out of line with what it offers in 2025. OLED panels have gotten cheaper and better, and they make this IPS panel look dated.

If you're set on an IPS ultrawide because you do a lot of text work and worry about OLED burn-in, the 34GN850-B is still a solid choice. Just don't pay anywhere near $1,647 for it. Wait for a sale, or look at the used market. At the right price, it's a great gaming monitor. At full price, it's a bad deal.