LG Ultrawide 34” LED Curved 34" 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.

Screen Size 34
Resolution 3440 x 1440
Panel Type VA
Refresh Rate 160
Response Time Ms 5
Adaptive Sync FreeSync Premium
Hdr HDR10
LG Ultrawide 34” LED Curved 34" monitor
77.4 Overall Score

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.

Performance Percentiles

Color 64.6
Portability 50.4
Display 79.6
Feature 97.2
Ergonomic 82.5
Performance 68.3
Connectivity 86.9
Social Proof 97.3

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

4.7/5 (792 reviews)
👍 Many buyers are thrilled with the upgrade from a dual-monitor setup, praising the seamless, immersive experience.
👍 Gamers consistently highlight how smooth and fluid games feel thanks to the high refresh rate and FreeSync.
👎 A common note is that the built-in speakers are underwhelming and most users immediately switch to external audio.

Specifications

Full Specifications

Display

Size 34"
Resolution 3440 x 1440
Panel Type VA
Aspect Ratio 21:9
Curved Yes

Performance

Refresh Rate 160 Hz
Response Time 5
Adaptive Sync FreeSync Premium

Color & HDR

Brightness 240 nits
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.

Price History

$480 $490 $500 $510 $520 $530 Apr 6Apr 14 $521

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 34” LED Curved 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 3440 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 160 240 240 240 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 34” LED Curved 34" 64.650.479.697.282.568.386.997.3
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: 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.