LG UltraWide LG - 34” LED Curved UltraWide QHD 160Hz FreeSync Review
The LG 34" UltraWide is a curved QHD monitor that excels as a jack-of-all-trades, offering a smooth 160Hz screen for gaming and ample space for productivity.
The 30-Second Version
A great all-around ultrawide. The 160Hz QHD curved screen is perfect for both work and play. It scores an 82/100 in our tests and is absolutely worth buying at its normal price. Just don't expect amazing HDR.
Overview
The LG 34" UltraWide is a curved QHD monitor that tries to do it all. It's got a 160Hz refresh rate for gaming, a 21:9 aspect ratio for productivity, and a sleek, borderless design. It's a solid all-rounder that looks great on a desk and promises to handle both work and play without needing a second screen.
And for the most part, it delivers. The extra screen width is a genuine upgrade for multitasking, and the high refresh rate makes games feel smooth. But it's not the absolute best in any single category, which is the trade-off you make for its jack-of-all-trades approach.
Performance
Gaming performance is strong, with that 160Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium keeping things fluid. It's not the absolute fastest panel out there, but it's well above average and handles fast-paced games without a hitch. The 3440x1440 resolution on a 34-inch screen is a sweet spot, offering sharp detail without being too demanding on your graphics card. The main letdown is the HDR. While it's technically HDR10, the VA panel's contrast and peak brightness are just okay, so don't expect the eye-popping HDR you'd get from a premium OLED or Mini-LED screen.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 21:9 ultrawide format is fantastic for productivity and immersive gaming. 97th
- 160Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium provides a very smooth gaming experience. 97th
- The three-sided borderless design looks modern and sleek on any desk. 87th
- Ergonomics are great, with full height adjustment and VESA mounting. 83th
Cons
- HDR performance is mediocre and doesn't add much.
- Built-in speakers are weak and tinny.
- The VA panel's viewing angles aren't as good as an IPS.
- It's a big, heavy monitor that's definitely not portable.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 34" |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Curved | Yes |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 160 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 1 |
| Thunderbolt | 0 |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes |
| VESA Mount | Yes |
Features
| Webcam | No |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Weight | 7.7 kg / 16.9 lbs |
Value & Pricing
Here's the wild part: our database shows this monitor listed from $450 all the way up to a laughable $116,938. Ignore that crazy high number. At its real street price around $450-$600, it's a very good value. You're getting a high-refresh ultrawide from a reputable brand with great features. It's not the cheapest, but you're paying for that LG build quality and the versatility of a do-it-all screen. Just make sure you're buying from a legit retailer like Best Buy, not someone trying to sell it for the price of a car.
vs Competition
Stacked up against the competition, it finds a nice middle ground. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is a beast with a sharper mini-LED display, but it's also much wider and more expensive. The ASUS ROG Swift OLED will destroy it in contrast and HDR for gaming, but costs a lot more and can risk burn-in for desktop use. Compared to something like the MSI MAG 4K, you're trading pixel density for screen real estate. This LG is the sensible choice if you want one screen for both your spreadsheets and your shooters, without breaking the bank for flagship specs.
| Spec | LG UltraWide LG - 34” LED Curved UltraWide QHD 160Hz FreeSync | Samsung Odyssey Samsung - 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Dual 4K UHD Quantum | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP | MSI MAG MSI 32" UHD 4K 165Hz Nvidia G-Sync Compatible | Dell UltraSharp Dell - UltraSharp 27" IPS LED 4K UHD 120Hz Monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 34 | 57 | 45 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 7680 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | VA | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 160 | 240 | 165 | 240 | 165 | 120 |
| Response Time Ms | - | 1 | - | - | 0 | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | - |
| Hdr | HDR10 | HDR10+ | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR400 | HDR |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Does it have speakers?
Yes, it has stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio, but their quality is basic. For anything serious, you'll want a dedicated speaker set or headphones.
Q: What's the refresh rate?
It runs at 160Hz, which is great for smooth gaming and makes general desktop use feel incredibly fluid.
Q: Is the HDR any good?
It supports HDR10, but the performance is average. It's better than SDR, but don't buy this monitor specifically for a top-tier HDR experience.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a competitive esports pro who needs the absolute fastest 360Hz panel, or a video editor who requires perfect color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Also, if your desk is tiny or you need to move your monitor around, its size and weight make it a terrible choice.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a hybrid user who games and works at the same desk and you've been dreaming of that ultrawide life. The curve and high refresh rate make games immersive, and the extra horizontal space is a genuine productivity boost. It's a fantastic upgrade from a standard 16:9 monitor and does enough things well to justify its price.