The 5 Best Ultrawide Monitors for Creatives
Let's get one thing straight. Most advice on buying monitors is rubbish.
It's written by tech bloggers who think a high refresh rate is the pinnacle of human achievement or by marketers paid to push a specific brand. They don't understand that this isn't a gaming accessory for an entrepreneur or a small business owner in the creative field.
It's your workbench. It's your inspection table. It's the most critical tool you will use every single day.
You're being sold features you don't need; worse, you're probably overlooking those directly impacting your ability to make money.
This isn't that kind of review. This is about what actually matters when your work depends on what you see.
- Your monitor is a critical tool for creative work—prioritise colour accuracy, resolution, and connectivity over flashy features.
- Subpar monitors can hinder productivity, leading to frustration and financial losses in client relationships.
- Invest in a high-quality ultrawide monitor to enhance workflow, maintain colour fidelity, and create a more efficient workspace.
Let's Be Blunt: Your Monitor Is a Tool, Not a Toy
Too many creatives tolerate a subpar monitor. They'll spend thousands on a new Mac but plug it into a screen that actively sabotages their work.
It's a bizarre form of self-flagellation.
The High Cost of “Good Enough”
“Good enough” is where profit goes to die.
A monitor with poor colour accuracy means your definition of ‘brand blue' differs from your client's. That leads to endless revisions, frustration, and a loss of confidence. A screen with fuzzy text and glare leads to eye strain, headaches, and a shorter, less productive workday.
These aren't minor inconveniences. They are sand in the gears of your business.
Screen Real Estate Isn't a Luxury; It's Your Digital Workbench
Think about an efficient workshop. Everything has its place; it's all within reach. That's what an ultrawide monitor gives you.
Your design file is open, large and clear. Your email, client brief, and asset library are all visible. No more alt-tabbing a hundred times a minute, breaking your concentration. The productivity gain isn't theoretical; it's immediate and tangible. You can see more, so you can do more. It's that simple.
Colour as a Business Asset
Chasing the perfect colour isn't being fussy. It's about maintaining trust.
When clients approve a design, they approve a specific set of colours. If your monitor lies to you, you are, in turn, lying to your client. That's the foundation of a bad relationship. Getting colour right isn't just an artistic goal; it's a fundamental business requirement.
The Specs That Actually Matter (And the Rubbish You Can Ignore)
The spec sheet is a battlefield, and marketers are banking on your confusion. Here's what to focus on and dismiss entirely.
The Holy Trinity: Colour, Resolution, and Connectivity
Forget everything else for a moment. These three things are non-negotiable.
- Colour Gamut & Accuracy: This measures how many colours a screen can display. For web work (UI/UX, social media graphics), you need nearly 100% sRGB coverage. You need high DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB coverage for professional video and photography. Just as important is accuracy, measured by Delta E. You want a monitor with a Delta E of less than 2, meaning the difference between the intended and displayed colours is virtually invisible to the human eye.
- Resolution & Size: Don't just look at “4K.” The sweet spot for modern ultrawide is a 40-inch screen with a 5K2K resolution (5120×2160). This gives you fantastic screen real estate and a high pixel density (around 140 PPI), resulting in incredibly sharp text and images. It's like having a 4K display with extra width.
- Connectivity: In 2025, a single-cable solution is not a bonus feature; it's a baseline requirement for a clean, efficient desk. Your monitor should be a hub. Look for Thunderbolt 4 (or at least high-power USB-C). This allows one cable to carry video, data, and enough power (90W+) to charge your laptop. It declutters your mind as much as your desk.
The Great Deception: Refresh Rates & Response Times
Here's a pet peeve of mine—the obsession with high refresh rates.
Marketers love to shout about 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz. For gaming, that's great. It creates smoother motion. For graphic design, photo editing, or laying out a document? It is almost completely and utterly useless. Your Illustrator artboard doesn't benefit from being refreshed 120 times per second.
Don't pay a premium for a feature designed for a completely different user. It's the equivalent of putting racing tyres on a delivery van.
The Curve Question: Immersion vs. Distortion
A curved screen can feel more immersive, especially when consuming content like video. It aims to match the natural curvature of your eye.
Here's the rub: if your work involves precise, straight lines—architecture, UI design, print layout—a curve can introduce a subtle but maddening distortion. What looks straight on screen might not be perfectly straight. For this reason, a flat ultrawide is often the safer, more professional choice for many designers. Video editors might prefer the curve; photographers and graphic designers should think twice.
The 2025 List: The 5 Best Ultrawide Monitors for People Who Work
I've looked at the specs and considered the practical realities of running a creative business. This is the list.
1. The Uncompromising Workhorse: Dell UltraSharp U4025QW
- What it is: A 40-inch, 5K2K ultrawide monitor with a cutting-edge IPS Black panel, TUV Rheinland eye comfort certification, and a beast of a Thunderbolt 4 hub.
- The honest take: This is the new benchmark for professional creative ultrawide. The IPS Black technology delivers a contrast ratio double that of conventional IPS panels, meaning deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. It gets it closer to OLED without the burn-in anxiety. Its resolution is perfect, its connectivity is superb, and it's built for all-day use. Dell's UltraSharp line has a long-standing reputation for a reason.
- Who it's for: The serious entrepreneur or small agency that understands the value of a premium tool. If you want the best performer for productivity and colour-critical work and plan to use it for the next 3-5 years, this is it. The price is high, but the cost of not having it is higher.
- LED Monitor offers maximum productivity with added dependability
- USB Type-C allows powerful and efficient transfer of data with maximum productivity
- 39.7″ viewable screen size provides a lively viewing experience
2. The OLED Seducer: Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC)
- What it is: A massive 49-inch, 32:9 “super ultrawide” monitor with a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel.
- The honest take: You cannot deny the visual punch of OLED. The contrast is effectively infinite. Blacks are truly black. For a video editor, colourist, or motion graphics artist, the experience is transformative. The colours pop in a way no IPS panel can truly match.
- The catch: There are two significant catches. First, the risk of burn-in is real for creatives who have static interface elements, like Photoshop or Figma toolbars, on screen for hours daily. Samsung has mitigation tech, but the risk exists. Second, the very aggressive 1800R curve and the super-wide 32:9 aspect ratio aren't for everyone. It's like having two regular monitors fused, which can be overwhelming and not ideal for focusing on a single, central design.
- IMPRESSIVE PROCESSING POWER: With the advanced Neo Quantum Processor Pro, every frame on the QD-OLED panel is instantly analyzed and optimized for maximum quality; Colors, shades and contrast come together to deliver a bright, brilliant picture
3. The Obvious-But-Not-Ultrawide Benchmark: Apple Studio Display
- Why it's on this list: If you're a creative, especially one embedded in the Apple ecosystem, this is your baseline. Before buying any ultrawide, ask yourself: “Is it better than a Studio Display for my needs?
- The honest take: It's not an ultrawide. Let's get that out of the way. But it's a brilliant 27-inch 5K display. The build quality is exceptional. The integration with macOS is, naturally, flawless. It just works, and it looks fantastic. There's a reason you see them in design studios everywhere.
- The catch: You are paying the Apple tax and getting a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. It represents the ultimate in simplicity but also the ultimate compromise on multitasking real estate. It's the safe, walled garden. The ultrawides on this list are the expansive open country.
- Immersive 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, support for one billion colors, and P3 wide color*
- 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage for more engaging video calls
- Studio-quality three-mic array for crystal-clear calls and voice recordings
4. The Smart Money Move: LG 40WP95C-W
- What it is: A 40-inch, 5K2K Nano IPS ultrawide with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
- The honest take: Before the Dell U4025QW came along, this was the undisputed king of the 40-inch creative space. The truth? It still is for many people. It offers the same critical resolution and size, excellent connectivity, and a fantastic, colour-accurate panel. The main difference is that it lacks the newer IPS Black tech, so its contrast won't be as deep as Dell's.
- Who it's for: The pragmatic business owner. As the newer Dell establishes itself, you can often find this LG model for a significantly lower price. It delivers 95% of the performance for 75% of the cost. That's just a wise business decision.
- The 5K2K UltraWide (5120 x 2160) resolution is great for your creative work as it can display everything you are working on – from video editing to special effects – all at once.
5. The Colour Puritan: BenQ PD3420Q
- What it is: A 34-inch, 3440×1440 (WQHD) ultrawide that is unapologetically focused on one thing: colour fidelity.
- The honest take: This monitor isn't trying to wow you with size or extreme specs. Its entire purpose is to be correct. BenQ's PD series comes factory-calibrated to a standard that puts most others to shame. It has dedicated modes for different design disciplines (e.g., CAD/CAM, Animation) and an “M-Book” mode to match a MacBook's display for seamless proofing closely.
- The catch: It's a lower resolution than the 40-inch giants. You're trading pixels for perfection. This is not the best choice for pure productivity or multitasking. It is a specialist tool for photographers, print designers, and digital artists for whom colour error is not an option.
- Made for Designers: 34″ LED ultrawide monitor features Pantone Validated and Calman verified color accurate technology. Experience 98% P3 and 100% sRGB color coverage with Delta E ≤ 3. Built with M-Book mode which features Mac compatible color matching.
You've Bought It. Now, Don't Mess It Up.
Getting the right monitor is only half the battle. Using it correctly is the other half.
Calibration Is Not a Suggestion
Factory calibration is a starting point, not the finish line. All monitors drift over time. Invest in a hardware calibration tool like a Calibrite or Datacolor Spyder to ensure your colours remain accurate. It's a small, one-time investment to protect the much larger investment of the monitor itself. Do it once a month. No excuses.
Your Neck Will Thank You
The included stand is fine, but your posture is paramount. Most ultrawide monitors are VESA compatible. Using a high-quality monitor arm allows you to position the screen at the perfect height and depth, reducing neck and eye strain. It also frees up a tremendous amount of desk space.
The Bottom Line
Your monitor is an investment in the quality and efficiency of your work. Stop treating it as a peripheral and treat it like a primary production machine. Don't be swayed by marketing nonsense. Focus on the core pillars: colour accuracy that builds client trust, resolution that provides clarity, and connectivity that streamlines your workflow. Choose the tool that fits the job, not the one with the flashiest box.
Tired of just looking at a great screen? Ready for your brand's visuals to match that quality and clarity?
That's what we do. The principles of clarity, precision, and no-nonsense quality that define a great monitor are the same principles we apply to graphic design at Inkbot Design.
Look at our graphic design services if you're ready to get serious. If you want to talk specifics, you can request a quote here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a curved or flat ultrawide better for graphic design?
A flat ultrawide is generally considered better for work that involves straight lines like UI design, branding, and print layout, as it eliminates any risk of perceived distortion. Video editors may prefer the immersion of a curved screen.
Is a 4K ultrawide monitor good enough for creative work?
While many “4K” ultrawide (which are actually 3440×1440 or WQHD) are very good, the “5K2K” resolution (5120×2160) found on 40-inch models offers a significant increase in pixel density. This results in sharper text and more detailed images, making it the superior choice for professional creatives if the budget allows.
Do I need 99% Adobe RGB coverage?
If your work is exclusively for digital screens (web design, social media), high sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage is more critical. If you are a photographer or designer whose work will be physically printed, then high Adobe RGB coverage is crucial as it represents a broader gamut of colours used in print processes.
What is IPS Black, and is it worth it?
IPS Black is a newer screen technology from LG Display that doubles the contrast ratio of traditional IPS panels (from ~1000:1 to ~2000:1). This creates deeper, inkier blacks and makes colours appear more vibrant. It's a significant visual upgrade for creatives and is generally worth the premium.
Is OLED burn-in a serious risk for designers?
Yes, it can be. Burn-in, or permanent image retention, is caused by displaying a static image for long periods. The risk is higher for designers using software with fixed toolbars and menus (like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma) than for someone just watching movies. While technology has improved, it remains a valid concern for professional, all-day use.
Do I need a high refresh rate (120Hz+) for video editing?
Not necessarily for the editing process itself. A standard 60Hz is fine for cutting and arranging clips in a timeline. A higher refresh rate provides a smoother user interface experience (e.g., scrolling through bins). Still, it does not affect the playback frame rate of the video you are editing. It's a ‘nice to have,' not a necessity.
Is a single Thunderbolt 4 cable really enough to power my laptop?
Yes, provided the monitor's Thunderbolt port supplies enough power. Look for a monitor offering at least 90W of Power Delivery to charge most high-performance laptops like a MacBook Pro.
Can I use a gaming ultrawide for design work?
You can, but it's a compromise. Gaming monitors prioritise speed (refresh rate, response time) over colour accuracy. They often have aggressive anti-glare coatings that can reduce clarity and may not offer the professional colour gamuts (like Adobe RGB) that designers need.
What's the ideal size for a creative ultrawide monitor?
This is subjective, but the 40-inch 5K2K format is considered the sweet spot. It provides a massive amount of usable workspace without being as overwhelmingly wide as 49-inch super-ultrawide models. A 34-inch WQHD monitor is a great, more compact alternative.
How often should I calibrate my monitor?
For professional, colour-critical work, you should calibrate your monitor using a hardware calibration device at least once a month to account for colour drift over time.
Is the Apple Studio Display better than these ultrawide?
It's not better, it's different. It offers superior pixel density (true 5K in a 27-inch panel) and flawless macOS integration. However, it provides none of the multitasking and productivity benefits of an ultrawide's 21:9 aspect ratio. The choice depends on whether you prioritise pixel-perfect sharpness on a standard screen or an expansive workspace on a wider one.
What is a KVM switch, and do I need one?
A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch built into a monitor allows you to control two computers (e.g., a desktop and a laptop) with a single keyboard and mouse. The monitor intelligently switches the peripherals to whichever computer is currently active. It's a handy feature for users who work across multiple devices.
Last update on 2025-06-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
