The 10 Best 144Hz Curved Monitors of 2022
Monitor curvature is a feature you have to experience for yourself to appreciate what a difference it can make for your setup.
Even the more modest curves are better suited to the human eye’s radius compared to a flat screen, not to mention the additional immersion such a display can provide while gaming.
The best monitor brands are picking up on this, and introducing some really compelling options.
But which one is right for you?
Today’s feature is here to guide you through the best 144hz curved monitors available; this category is perfect for a mid-range gamer looking for something special for their next setup.
- Best 144Hz Curved Monitor (27″): ASUS TUF VG27VH1B
- Best Cheap 144Hz Curved Monitor (24″): AOC C24G1
- Best 1440p 144hz Curved Monitor: MSI Optix MAG27CQ
- Best 144Hz Curved Monitor (32″): AOC C32G1
- Highest Refresh Rate & Most Curvature: Spectre C248B-1858RN
Quick-Fire Picks
- Best 144Hz Curved Ultrawide Monitor: Acer Nitro XZ342CK
- Cheapest Curved 144Hz Monitor: ViewSonic VX2768
- Best Budget 144Hz Curved Ultrawide Screen: VIOTEK GNV34DBE
- Best Curved 144Hz IPS Monitor: LG 34GL750-B
- 144Hz Curved Monitor Cheap Alternative: Samsung CRG5
Best 144Hz Curved Monitor (27″): ASUS TUF VG27VH1B
What a fantastic offering this is.
What we consider to be ASUS’s best monitor, the VG27VH1B represents an unmatched sweet-spot between size, refresh rate, picture quality, curvature and build, all wrapped into a fantastic lower mid-range price.
To start with, this is one of the cheapest Freesync premium monitors available (also G-sync compatible) which is integral to a high refresh rate display to avoid ghosting, screen tearing, and other unpleasant visual discrepancies.
Speaking of refresh rate; while this is by default, a 144hz monitor, it can be overclocked up to 165hz. Both of these rates will offer a silky smooth performance. These high Hz ratings work alongside a very fast 1ms MRPT response time.
This is is a great latency/refresh rate combo for the price, and we expect this pairing to fully satisfy mid-range immersive and competitive gamers alike.
Picture quality is another stand-out for the VG27VH1B.
The monitor is based on a VA panel; while we know some users prefer IPS, this ASUS offering boasts excellent contrast, a 120% sRGB color gamut, and of course, hasn’t compromised on the 1ms response time (which is often where cheaper VA panels fall down).
All of these great specs are tied together in its 27-inch screen, which we think is a sweet spot size for most users (but have larger/smaller options below if preferred).
The curvature used is 1500R, which is essentially a “medium intensity curve” (lower is more curved, the most common range is 1200R – 1800R).
Don’t assume that a more intense curve is better though, it’s a personal taste. In our experience, 1500R is a great middle-ground; notably more immersive without alienating people used to flat screens too much.
Its build quality is sturdy and bezels are close to frameless, so would work perfectly in a multi-monitor setup if desired.
The ports are quite basic, with D-SUB and HDMI as your display options (i.e. no DisplayPort); however, we expect 99% of users will be OK will have HDMI connectivity available.
What else is there to say? We are simply floored by this offering; it seems like a steal for the price, but also doesn’t cut any corners.
If you’re after the best 144hz curved monitor around the mid-range mark, we think you’ll really love this pick.
2022 update: The VG27VH1B remains our top pick in 2022, no other competitor has matched its fantastic balance between price, picture quality and build.
Best Cheap 144Hz Curved Monitor (24″): AOC C24G1
AOC often positions itself in the market as the best budget gaming monitor brand, and the AOC C24G1 is one of the shining examples of its capability.
Despite coming in at around a 20% lower price point, this AOC gaming monitor is very similar to our top pick. The significant reduction here is the screen size (from 27″ to 24″, which can be notable for some gamers’ tastes).
If you’re looking for a 24-inch gaming monitor, however, then you’ll still be getting a wonderful 144Hz (with an overclocked 165Hz option available), 1ms MPRT response time, good picture quality, full HD VA panel and Freesync enabled (while not officially G-sync compatible, plenty of users have reported it working once setup).
The build quality of the C24G1 is similarly great, with an excellent small-bezel design. We appreciate that despite its budget market placement, it still boasts great height adjustability in its stand.
It would have been easy for AOC to go for a 1800R curve as a budget option, so we love that they have still managed to install a 1500R VA panel here to match the ASUS offering.
There’s also a DisplayPort output available too (alongside 2 x HDMI 1.4 & 1 x VGA), offering unrivaled connectivity at its price-point.
We’re really impressed with this AOC offering; while the ASUS screen boasts better value for 27″ users, if you are ok with a smaller display or simply on a tight wallet, then know this is easily the best budget 144hz curved monitor today and still powerful enough to provide a great gaming experience.
Best 1440p 144hz Curved Monitor: MSI Optix MAG27CQ
MSI is a gaming brand that needs no introduction. In the monitor space, we rate them highly for this offering alone.
Striking an incredible price balance for those after a QHD 144hz curved monitor, this is one of the premium offerings on the list, but still carries a deceptively low price tag for what you’re getting.
To start; if you’re using a mid to high-range CPU/PC setup, a 2560 x 1440 resolution display is really something you should be considering. Playing games at 2K is a sight to behold, and many setups are now able to run this monitor spec comfortably.
For 27 inch displays+, this resolution is also a great addition for general use, as this is about the size where pixels begin to become apparent on a 1080p screen.
But we love the MAG27CQ for a lot more than just 1440p; still boasting the 1ms MPRT rate of our FHD options, as well as an impressive color gamut and contrast for its VA panel & Freesync compatibility.
To get a monitor similar in quality to our top pick with an improved resolution for only a 10-20% increase in price is absolutely worth it if you have the extra budget.
As you would expect from a brand like MSI, the monitor is also beautiful.
With a sturdy build quality and 2 subtle red lights running down the back, we appreciate how the MAG27CQ looks and feels like a premium monitor, even for its mid-range price.
It’s worth pointing out that the MAG27CQ has a 1800R curve which is slightly less than the picks above; this spec still offers great immersion and will be nice for newcomers to curved monitors. But if you’re looking for something more intense, then we would recommend going with the AOC CQ27G2 (which is a 2k 27″ version of our budget pick, an excellent screen).
With all that said, this MSI offering is not just the best QHD 144hz curved monitor, but also one of the top choices for someone in the mid-range; forking out that little more for the upgraded resolution in this fantastic package is really worth it.
Best 144Hz Curved Monitor (32″): AOC C32G1
We are back to AOC for those after a large 144hz curved monitor.
The C32G1 is, in many ways other than its 32-inch size, similar to our previous AOC pick.
And we mean this in a good way; boasting the same 144hz (or 165hz option), ultra-fast 1ms MPRT latency, Free-sync compatibility, and gorgeous colors/contrast for its VA panel.
You are, of course, paying more for the screen size increase, but that is to be expected. It’s worth it if your setup space demands it (or you’re simply the type of user that likes to be engulfed by a larger screen).
Note that this monitor comes with 1800R curvature instead of the budget choice’s more intense 1500R rating. While this might sound surprising, some larger screens tend to offer a more modest curve because higher curves (for some users) can become more jarring on larger screens. It really is all personal preference though, and 1800R is still enough to provide a much improved immersive experience other than a traditional flat LED.
Boasting a bigger version of the excellent build quality seen in our first AOC pick, we appreciate that the unit feels sturdy enough for its larger screen (note that there is no height adjustment, which is often to be expected on 32-inch+, there is still, however, tilt adjustability).
If you do want a larger screen with more curvature and a 1440p resolution (which would be excellent for 32-inch users), then we would recommend the Samsung Odyssey G5 as a more premium option.
But for mid-range users who are after the big screen, without compromising on high refresh rate, low latency, and price, then the C32G1 is the best 32-inch 144hz curved gaming monitor for you.
Highest Refresh Rate & Most Curvature: Spectre C248B-1858RN
The last of our main highlights is for those mid-range users who are willing to go with a slightly budget brand for higher Hz and a significant curvature increase.
While not as big as say, ASUS or MSI, Spectre is by no means an unknown manufacturer and we consider them one of the best companies for cheap gaming monitors.
For a very reasonable price, the C248B comes with a 165Hz screen capable of outputting up to 180Hz with DisplayPort. This is a fantastic achievement and begins to rival the smoothness of the next step up; 240hz.
Now, onto curvature: with a 1200R rating, the C248B has one of the strongest curves in the 144hz curved gaming display market (remember, it’s a matter of taste, but we know some users after the most absorbing gameplay will appreciate 1200R).
Despite these two impressive features and the price, the C248B still boasts a 1ms MPRT response time (3ms GTG, which is slightly slower than some of our other top picks but still very fast overall), a VA panel equipped with a decent 95% sRGB color gamut and 3000:1 contrast ratio (these specs are also a little lower than others, but still capable of providing an excellent picture for the price).
On top of that, the monitor has support for G-sync and AMD Freesync premium, both nice to see, but the latter in particular is not often found at this price.
Spectre hasn’t compromised on the design either; with a beautiful “frameless” thin-bezel front frame, sturdy build with VESA mount option, and even a tasteful red light ring around the back, you would be forgiven for thinking this wasn’t a more expensive offering!
The unit even still comes with built-in speakers (though we would never recommend onboard audio for gaming, with much better headphones solutions available).
If 24 inches is too small for you, you’ll notice that there is a 27-inch listing associated with the Amazon listing. While the C275B-1858RN is a great gaming monitor in its own right and similar in a lot of ways, it carries a 3ms MPRT response time. If you’re just into single-player/immersive titles, this is fine, but if you’re a competitive gamer you’ll want the luxury of lower latency. The Samsung Odyssey G5 is the best choice if you’re focused on the high curvature alone. But if you also want the highest framerate possible, check out the curved picks on our 1440p 240hz feature.
The C248B really is an impressive feat from Spectre; combining a very high refresh rate and curvature at an impressive price, while we think the average gamer might prefer the slightly superior picture quality of the other top picks if you’re most interested in Hz and curve, this is an excellent choice for you.
Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest
While the top 5 are our main picks for the average mid-range gaming user, we’ve included a couple of other quick-fire considerations for those after something very premium, cheap as possible, or simply fulfilling a more niche category that we expect will be preferred by the occasional user with specific requirements
Best 144Hz Curved Ultrawide Monitor: Acer Nitro XZ342CK
If you want to take your immersive gaming experience to another level, there is nothing quite like an ultrawide screen.
Boasting UWQHD and lots more, we’ve already gushed about this display in our 1440p 144hz ultrawide feature.
Cheapest Curved 144Hz Monitor: ViewSonic VX2768
If you want the curved 144hz monitor experience but are on a very tight budget, Viewsonic is the king brand of building the cheapest displays in each category.
And it’s still a decent choice in its own right, with only a 3ms GTG response time and slightly reduced color gamut/contrast capability standing out, but considering it’s a 27″ at the price of our budget 24″ choice? There’s no shame in picking it up if it’s the top of your budget.
Best Budget 144Hz Curved Ultrawide Screen: VIOTEK GNV34DBE
If you like the sound of our top UWQHD pick in the Acer Nitro but need to think as cheaply as possible, VIOTEK is a great brand at covering premium options at the lowest price possible.
The GNV23DBE is one of their best offerings, which we’ve covered in the best 1440p 144hz ultrawide display feature.
Best Curved 144Hz IPS Monitor: LG 34GL750-B
We know a lot of users are big fans of IPS and will be after this panel type.
We would point out that a lot of the VA top picks above perform surprisingly well for colors for a mid-range setup, and this is probably why there is a surprising gap in the market for decent IPS choices.
But if you are set on this panel type, this LG UW monitor is a fantastic choice. If you are keen on a normal aspect ratio, however, we recommend the IPS panels in our 1440p 240hz feature.