Flat vs Curved Monitors: Which is better?
Immersion is key in video games. That’s pretty obvious if you take a look at any recent triple-A game. The graphical prowess and capability seem to be getting better and better with every new release. If you have a great PC, you’re in a good spot to enjoy some amazing stuff right now. Still, what’s the point of having all these stellar video games if you don’t have a great display?
Gaming monitors are sought after a lot these days. That’s because of better refresh rate, better panels and overall better quality. Everyone wants a great display for their setup. Anti screen tearing, response times, image quality and refresh rates are all deciding factors when buying a new display. But when a lot of people are going for high-end monitors, they quickly dismiss a somewhat intriguing thought. Which is getting a curved display.
The concept itself isn’t anything. We’ve seen it in TVs for several years now. But do curved display have an actual advantage over your standard display? Let’s find out.
How To Decide Between A Curved and Flat Monitor
Curved monitors are definitely compelling. A lot of manufacturers will try to sell you a curved monitor with the promise of better immersion. That sounds very promising for the most part and is actually true to some extent. But there are a lot of other factors that you should be aware of before investing in a curved monitor. Let’s quickly discuss some of these to help you decide.
- Immersion – As the name itself implies, the edges of these types of monitor are obviously curved. The screen wraps around your viewing angle and gives you a somewhat better field of view. This is especially helpful in games. You can focus on the things in the corners much easier than a standard monitor.
- Size -This is what people tend to overlook the most. It’s not all about the curved display. Bigger screen sizes will absolutely provide you with much better immersion. The recommended size is 27″ and above for an actual benefit with curved monitors. It’s not worth paying the extra premium if you’re getting a smaller display in return. This directly correlates to our next point.
- Price – It’s all really compelling until we talk about price. Since a lot of people view curved displays as a sort of novelty, the prices can get ridiculous. It’s not hard finding a great flat display with a fast refresh rate and good image quality. But getting both of those things with a curved display at a decent price is extremely difficult.
Which Is Better For You?
It’s hard to disagree with the fact that curved displays look phenomenal. For most people at least. They definitely give off a bit of futuristic vibe. Maybe that’s because they are so rare and expensive to come by. That’s probably the biggest con. As we mentioned before, you can find a great fast display these days for a good price. An equivalent curved display will be priced much higher than that. So for a lot of people, it’s not worth it.
Personal preference is also a huge deciding factor. Some monitors have a more drastic curve while others are more subtle. That’s why it’s better to see it in person and decide there. Some people have also said that curved displays don’t look as natural when mounted on a wall. This might be because the curved display doesn’t blend well with the flat wall. It can break the immersion somewhat.
Not convinced with a curved display? You might be looking for a great flat monitor then. If you’re having trouble deciding, we’ve already reviewed the best gaming monitors from 60Hz all the way to 240Hz.
Putting all of this into consideration, curved displays are definitely stunning to look at it but might not be worth the extra premium. Your first concern should be image quality, refresh rate and response times. But if you can afford the price tag, it’s an amazing immersive experience.
