LG UltraWide LG 38" UltraWide 1600p 144 Hz Curved Monitor Review
The LG 38WR85QC-W ultrawide monitor tries to do it all. We crunched the numbers to see if its 144Hz, 38-inch screen is the best hybrid for work and play.
The 30-Second Version
The LG 38WR85QC-W is a superb all-purpose ultrawide. Its 38-inch 144Hz panel is great for both work and play. It scores in the 98th percentile for features. Worth buying if you find it at a good price, but shop around.
Overview
The LG 38WR85QC-W is a big, beautiful ultrawide that wants to be your one screen for everything. It's got a 38-inch 3840x1600 IPS panel running at a smooth 144Hz, so it can handle spreadsheets and shooters with equal ease.
With its 21:9 aspect ratio, you're getting a ton of horizontal real estate for productivity, and the curve helps keep everything in view. It's a jack-of-all-trades monitor that scores well across the board in our database, especially for features and connectivity.
Performance
Performance is a strong suit. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make for a fluid gaming experience, and FreeSync Premium Pro support (with G-Sync compatibility) keeps things tear-free. The IPS panel delivers solid color, hitting the 89th percentile in our color performance rankings. The only real nitpick is the HDR; at 450 nits, it's decent but not a true HDR showstopper like some OLED competitors.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 38-inch 21:9 size is a sweet spot for work and play. 98th
- Excellent port selection includes two USB-C ports. 94th
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate with great adaptive sync support. 92th
- Fully adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel. 88th
Cons
- HDR performance is just okay, not great. 2th
- It's a big, heavy monitor at over 23 pounds.
- Built-in speakers are weak, like most monitors.
- Social proof is low, with very few user reviews.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 37.5" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Curved | Yes |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium Pro |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 360 nits |
| Color Gamut | 1.07 Billion Colors (10-Bit) |
| HDR | HDR |
| HDR Support | HDR |
Connectivity
| USB-C | 2 |
| Speakers | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Pivot | No |
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Features
| Touchscreen | No |
| Weight | 10.5 kg / 23.1 lbs |
Value & Pricing
The value proposition gets tricky because the price swings wildly, from $120 to over $1,100 depending on the vendor. At the low end of that range, it's an absolute steal. At the high end, you're paying a premium for the LG name and feature set when other monitors might offer better pure gaming specs or superior HDR. Shop around aggressively.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, it's a compelling alternative to more specialized screens. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is a gaming beast with a wild 57-inch size, but it's overkill for most desks. The ASUS ROG Swift OLED has unbeatable contrast and response times for gaming, but you trade off the ultrawide productivity space. This LG sits in the middle: it's not the absolute best at any one thing, but it's very good at several things. The Dell UltraSharp is a sharper productivity rival, but it maxes out at 120Hz.
| Spec | LG UltraWide LG 38" UltraWide 1600p 144 Hz Curved Monitor | Samsung Odyssey Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Computer | MSI MPG MSI 32" UHD 4K 240Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | ASUS ProArt ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM 31.5" 4K HDR 240 | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | Dell UltraSharp Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K HDR 120 Hz Monitor with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 37.5 | 57 | 32 | 31.5 | 45 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 7680 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | IPS | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 144 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 165 | 120 |
| Response Time Ms | 1 | 1 | — | 0.10000000149011612 | — | 5 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | Adaptive-Sync | G-Sync Compatible | — |
| Hdr | HDR | HDR10+ | HDR | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | HDR |
Common Questions
Q: Is this monitor good for productivity?
Absolutely. The 3840x1600 resolution on a 38-inch screen gives you tons of horizontal space for multiple windows, and the fully adjustable stand makes it easy to get comfortable for long sessions.
Q: Can you use this for competitive gaming?
Yes, it's capable. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response are solid, and FreeSync Premium Pro keeps gameplay smooth. It's not the absolute fastest 240Hz+ esports monitor, but it's more than enough for most gamers.
Q: Does it work with both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards?
Yes. It's certified for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, but it's also listed as G-Sync Compatible, so it should work seamlessly with NVIDIA GPUs to eliminate screen tearing.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a hardcore competitive gazer who needs the absolute fastest 240Hz or 360Hz refresh rates. Also, look elsewhere if true, inky-black HDR is your top priority; an OLED monitor will blow this away in contrast. And if you have a tiny desk, maybe measure first—this thing is a unit.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a single, large ultrawide that can credibly do both serious work and serious gaming. It's for the person who needs screen space for coding or video editing during the day but wants to jump into a fast-paced game at night without feeling like they're on a compromised display. It's a fantastic all-rounder.