LG Ultrawide 29BQ650-W 29" Review
The LG 29BQ650-W offers ultrawide screen space and pro-level adjustability at a budget price, but you compromise on pixel density.
The 30-Second Version
The LG 29BQ650-W is a budget ultrawide with a great stand. You get 100Hz and USB-C for around $250, but the 1080p resolution looks soft on the 29-inch screen. It's a good value for multitaskers who don't need a super-sharp image.
Overview
The LG 29BQ650-W is a straightforward ultrawide for the budget-conscious. It gives you the 21:9 aspect ratio and a decent feature set without breaking the bank. This isn't a flashy gaming beast or a color-accurate pro display. It's a practical, adjustable monitor for multitasking and casual use.
Performance
The 100Hz refresh rate and FreeSync are nice touches for smoother scrolling and basic gaming, but the 2560x1080 resolution on a 29-inch screen means the pixel density isn't great. Text and images won't look as sharp as on a higher-res panel. Our data puts its overall performance score in the 55th percentile, so it's solidly middle-of-the-pack. The 350-nit brightness is fine for a typical office, but don't expect HDR to look amazing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent ergonomics with full height, tilt, and swivel adjustment. 95th
- Good connectivity with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort. 88th
- The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice upgrade over standard 60Hz. 83th
- The 21:9 ultrawide format is great for side-by-side windows. 82th
Cons
- The 1080p resolution stretched across 29 inches looks a bit soft. 25th
- Built-in speakers are typically weak and tinny.
- HDR10 support is more of a checkbox than a real feature here.
- No power switch on the monitor itself, which is an odd omission.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 29" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Curved | No |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 100 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 250 nits |
| Color Gamut | 16.7 Million Colors (6-Bit+FRC) |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| USB-C | 1 |
| Speakers | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Pivot | No |
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Features
| Touchscreen | No |
| Weight | 5.9 kg / 13.0 lbs |
Value & Pricing
For around $250, you're getting a lot of monitor. The stand alone, which hits the 88th percentile for ergonomics, is a huge value add compared to the cheap, tilt-only stands on most budget screens. The USB-C port is another bonus at this price. You're trading off screen sharpness for that wide canvas and adjustability, which is a fair deal if your workflow benefits from the extra horizontal space.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, it's a different beast than the high-refresh gaming monitors or 4K productivity screens on our list. Compared to a basic 27-inch 1080p office monitor, you pay a small premium for the ultrawide aspect and vastly better stand. Against something like a 34-inch 1440p ultrawide, you save a lot of money but get a noticeably less crisp image. It sits in a sweet spot for someone who wants an adjustable, wide screen but doesn't want to spend on high resolution or extreme refresh rates.
| Spec | LG Ultrawide 29BQ650-W 29" | MSI MAG MSI MAG 321CUP QD-OLED 31.5" 4K HDR 165 Hz Curved | Samsung Odyssey Samsung Odyssey G7 27" UHD 4K 144Hz IPS AMD | ASUS ROG Strix ASUS ROG Strix 27 inch UHD 4K 160Hz IPS AMD | BenQ Mobiuz BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U 27" 4K HDR 165 Hz Gaming | Dell UltraSharp Dell UltraSharp U3225QE 31.5" 4K HDR 120 Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 29 | 32 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 31.5 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 100 | 165 | 144 | 160 | 165 | 120 |
| Response Time Ms | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium | - |
| Hdr | HDR10 | HDR400 | HDR10+ | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Color | Compact | Display | Feature | Ergonomic | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Ultrawide 29BQ650-W 29" | 70.1 | 82.7 | 60 | 82.4 | 87.8 | 58.3 | 95 | 25.1 |
| MSI MAG 321cup Qd-oled 31.5" Compare | 99 | 8.2 | 98.7 | 97.2 | 96.5 | 99.8 | 89.4 | 99.3 |
| Samsung Odyssey G7 27" Compare | 95.1 | 78.7 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 90 | 98.9 | 90.6 |
| ASUS ROG Strix 27 inch Compare | 97.4 | 88.5 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 91.1 | 98.9 | 74 |
| BenQ Mobiuz EX271U 27" Compare | 92 | 88.5 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 92.1 | 91.8 | 74 |
| Dell UltraSharp Dual 31.5" Compare | 97.6 | 72.4 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 87.8 | 58.3 | 97.2 | 90.6 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this monitor good for gaming?
It's okay for casual gaming. The 100Hz and FreeSync help, but the 5ms response time and 1080p resolution won't satisfy competitive gamers looking for high refresh rates and sharp detail.
Q: Does the USB-C port deliver power?
The specs list it as a connectivity port, not necessarily for charging. It's likely for data and video only, so don't count on it to power your laptop.
Q: How is the screen for text clarity?
At 29 inches and 2560x1080, the pixel density is lower than a typical 27-inch 1440p monitor. Text won't be as razor-sharp, which might bother some people for long reading sessions.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a pixel-peeping photo editor, a competitive gamer chasing high frames, or anyone who gets annoyed by slightly fuzzy text. For those uses, spending more on a 1440p screen is a better investment.
Verdict
Buy this if you need the screen real estate for spreadsheets, coding, or having multiple windows open and you value a good, adjustable stand above pixel-perfect clarity. It's a workhorse, not a showhorse.