LG Ultrawide 34BR55QC-B 34'' 34" Review

The LG BR55QC-B packs a 34-inch ultrawide screen into a sub-$400 package. We found it's a fantastic value for multitaskers, but it makes some expected compromises.

Screen Size 34
Resolution 2560 x 1440
Panel Type VA
Refresh Rate 100
Response Time Ms 5
Adaptive Sync FreeSync Premium
Hdr HDR10
LG Ultrawide 34BR55QC-B 34'' 34" monitor
73.8 Overall Score

The 30-Second Version

The LG UltraWide BR55QC-B is a 34-inch curved QHD monitor that offers great value under $400. It delivers smooth 100Hz performance, good color accuracy, and useful USB-C connectivity, making it a solid pick for productivity and casual gaming. Just don't expect top-tier HDR or esports-level response times.

Overview

If you're shopping for a 34-inch ultrawide monitor for under $400, the LG UltraWide BR55QC-B is a name you'll see a lot. It's a 34-inch curved VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and a 100Hz refresh rate, which is a sweet spot for both work and casual gaming. The price, which hovers around $360 to $380, makes it one of the more affordable entry points into the ultrawide world. It's a monitor that promises to boost your productivity with its extra screen real estate and throw in some entertainment perks like FreeSync Premium and HDR10 support, all without breaking the bank.

Performance

The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice step up from the standard 60Hz, making everyday scrolling and motion in games feel noticeably smoother. Our data shows its performance score lands in the 55th percentile, which is solid for its class and price. The 5ms gray-to-gray response time is decent, but don't expect it to compete with high-end gaming monitors for fast-paced esports. The 300 nits brightness and 99% sRGB color coverage are good enough for most office and creative tasks, scoring in the 81st and 87th percentiles for display and color, respectively. It won't blow you away with HDR, but it gets the job done for the price.

Performance Percentiles

Color 82.5
Portability 72.4
Display 74.9
Feature 97.2
Ergonomic 82.5
Performance 58.3
Connectivity 73.1
Social Proof 65.6

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent value for a 34-inch QHD ultrawide. 97th
  • Strong color accuracy and contrast from the VA panel. 83th
  • Versatile connectivity with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort. 83th
  • Good ergonomic stand with height and tilt adjustment. 75th
  • 100Hz refresh rate is a nice upgrade over 60Hz for smoothness.

Cons

  • Modest 300 nits brightness limits HDR impact.
  • 5ms response time isn't ideal for competitive gaming.
  • USB-C port only delivers 65W of power, which may not charge some laptops fully.
  • Heavy at over 15 pounds, making it less portable.
  • No built-in speakers.

The Word on the Street

4.2/5 (5 reviews)
👍 Buyers love the expansive screen real estate for multitasking and productivity.
👍 The value for money is frequently highlighted as a major selling point.
🤔 Some users note the need for external audio, as the monitor lacks speakers.

Specifications

Full Specifications

Display

Size 34"
Resolution 2560 (QHD)
Panel Type VA
Aspect Ratio 21:9
Curved Yes
Curvature 1800

Performance

Refresh Rate 100 Hz
Response Time 5
Adaptive Sync FreeSync Premium

Color & HDR

Brightness 300 nits
Color Gamut 16.7 Million Colors (8-Bit)
HDR HDR10
HDR Support HDR10

Connectivity

USB-C 1
Speakers No

Ergonomics

Height Adjustable Yes
Tilt Yes
Swivel No
Pivot No
VESA Mount 100x100

Features

Touchscreen No
Weight 6.9 kg / 15.2 lbs

Value & Pricing

At around $360, the LG BR55QC-B sits in a very competitive spot. You're getting a lot of screen for your money, with a sharp QHD resolution and a useful 100Hz refresh rate. For comparison, you'd often pay a couple hundred dollars more for similar specs from other brands. The main trade-off is that you're not getting the peak brightness or fastest response times of pricier models, but if your budget is firm, this monitor delivers a lot of core ultrawide benefits without the premium price tag.

vs Competition

The most direct competitor is often the Dell S3422DWG, which offers a similar 34-inch curved VA panel with 144Hz but usually costs a bit more. If you're willing to spend more for gaming, the MSI MPG 321URX offers a stunning 4K QD-OLED panel at 240Hz, but it's in a completely different price league. For productivity, the Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K is a sharper, more color-accurate option, but you lose the immersive ultrawide aspect ratio. The LG's real advantage is undercutting these on price while still offering that expansive 21:9 workspace and decent feature set.

Spec LG Ultrawide 34BR55QC-B 34'' 34" MSI MPG MSI 32" UHD 4K 240Hz G-Sync Compatible 0.03ms ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP Samsung Odyssey Samsung Odyssey G95C 49" Dual 1440p HDR 240 Hz Apple Studio Display Apple - Studio Display - Standard glass - BenQ Mobiuz BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U 27" 4K HDR 165 Hz Gaming
Screen Size 34 32 32 49 27 27
Resolution 2560 x 1440 3840 x 2160 3840 x 2160 5120 x 1440 5120 x 2880 3840 x 2160
Panel Type VA OLED OLED VA IPS IPS
Refresh Rate 100 240 240 240 60 165
Response Time Ms 5 0 - 1 - 1
Adaptive Sync FreeSync Premium G-Sync Compatible G-Sync Compatible FreeSync Premium Pro - FreeSync Premium
Hdr HDR10 HDR400 HDR10 HDR10+ HDR10
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product ColorCompactDisplayFeatureErgonomicPerformanceConnectivitySocial Proof
LG Ultrawide 34BR55QC-B 34'' 34" 82.572.474.997.282.558.373.165.6
MSI MPG 32" Compare 9972.498.782.496.599.996.773.7
ASUS ROG Swift 32" Compare 99.972.498.782.487.881.396.797.3
Samsung Odyssey G95C 49" Dual Compare 97.250.487.682.487.896.398.194.8
Apple Studio Display Studio Display Standard glass Tilt-adjustable stand Compare 96.780.499.499.672.322.59698.1
BenQ Mobiuz EX271U 27" Compare 9288.590.582.496.592.191.874

Common Questions

Q: Is the LG BR55QC-B good for gaming?

It's good for casual gaming thanks to the 100Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium, but the 5ms response time isn't ideal for fast-paced competitive titles.

Q: Can you charge a laptop through the USB-C port?

Yes, but it only provides 65W of power delivery, which may not be enough to charge some high-performance laptops under heavy load.

Q: How does this compare to a Samsung Odyssey G9?

The Odyssey G9 is a premium, super-ultrawide gaming monitor with much higher refresh rates and advanced features. The LG is a budget-friendly, standard ultrawide focused on value and general use.

Q: Is this monitor good for photo editing?

Its 99% sRGB coverage and good color accuracy make it suitable for casual photo editing, but professionals may want a monitor with higher brightness and wider color gamuts like Adobe RGB.

Who Should Skip This

Skip this monitor if you're a competitive esports gamer who needs the absolute fastest response times, or a creative professional who requires high brightness and wide color gamuts for HDR work. Also, if you need a monitor to travel with, its 15-pound weight makes it a poor choice. For those use cases, look at high-refresh-rate IPS panels or professional-grade monitors instead.

Verdict

So, should you buy the LG UltraWide BR55QC-B? If you want an affordable, no-frills gateway into the ultrawide life for work and casual play, yes. It's a competent all-rounder that scores well in color, features, and ergonomics for its price. But if you're a hardcore gazer needing perfect HDR or a competitive gamer chasing every frame, you'll want to look at more specialized (and expensive) options. For everyone else looking to upgrade from a basic 1080p monitor without spending a fortune, this LG is a very sensible choice.