Curved monitors are relatively a newer addition to the gaming monitors, but are getting much popularity in the last few years. However, as curved TVs failed big time, many gamers wonder and ask questions like "Are curved monitors good for gaming?" "Is it wise to spend money on them?" "What benefits they offer over flat screen monitor?"
To answer those questions, it must be taken into context that even when curved TVs aren't a great success after the initial hype, the case is not the same for curved computer screens. This is especially true for gamers since curved screens offer the experience that many flat screens can't. Also, these monitors can provide you with more immersive experience that is second to VR experience.
However, this is a topic of debate among gamers, as some believe there is no difference between the flat screen and the curved screen. Some believe that there is a slight difference, but the difference isn't worthy of the extra money you have to spend on buying a new monitor. There are also other gamers who believe the gaming experience can't be the same in flat screens like in the curved screens.
Why Manufacturers Came Up with a Curved Monitor or TV?
Since the world is not flat, flat screens often fail to offer you real-life visual experience. Hence, manufacturers tried to bring viewers nearer to the real-life or immersive experience with curved TVs or monitors.
Just a side note for you to understand the information below, the viewing angle is the angle a monitor allows you to watch from a TV or monitor without compromising on picture quality or the angle that keeps the image quality same.
As we mentioned, curved TVs failed or didn't go mainstream due to one fundamental flaw with the new technology, and that is you need to sit in one place to have the best visual experience. You can't watch it while moving around as they have a limited viewing angle. In fact, this is the primary difference between flat screens and curved screens.
You need to find the right spot in front of the TV and then stick to it for the rest of the time to enjoy the best visual experience. This is why flat screens are suitable when multiple people watch from different angles, like when watching TV.
This is not the case with curved monitors though. If you are sitting right in front of the screen, curved screens can offer you far better immersive experience compared to the flat screen.
Even though some latest models from well-known brands like Samsung also offers a larger viewing angle, in most cases, the viewing angle in a curved screen is less than that of a flat screen.
Are Curved Monitors Good for Gaming?
Yes, it is because curved monitors are designed to offer you more immersive visuals. Even though some gamers don't agree with it, the popular opinion is that the curved screen offers a different experience, but how much different is another matter for debate.
In addition, since its inception, when curved monitors were super expensive, the prices dropped sharply. Now there is not much difference between a flat screen and a curved monitor regarding price.
Even when there is more to gaming monitors than a curved screen, like response time, refresh rate, and display resolution, the curvature of the screen can also have an impact on the visual experience. Curved monitors are also known to create better 3D effects, which make gaming more enjoyable, but there is one more factor that you need to understand.
The difference in gaming experience (compared with flat screen) will increase with the size as well. The smaller the size, the difference in visual experience would be negligible, but when you move upward to 27 inches, you can feel more difference in experience.
Pros of Curved Monitors
The main benefit is the level of immersion. Curved monitors are your closest bet to the experience you have with VR sets. As the screen bends around your field of view, you can have a better and more realistic gaming experience.
In addition, they also offer you ultra-wide aspect ratios, especially 21:9 display screens. Broader view offers you better peripheral vision. As you can see more due to the widescreen, it can help a lot if you are playing first-person shooting games and you would have an edge on your opponents on multiplayer games.
Cons of Curved Monitors
One of the major disadvantages of curved monitors was their high price. Their prices are now lower but still higher than most flat screens.
Second, again, they are not good if more than one player is using the same screen as different angles can affect the visual experience. So it is not good if multiple players want to use the same screen at the same time at different angles.
Having said that, some models offer a wider viewing angle, which means more than one player can view the same screen quality with different angles as well. Make sure you are buying one of these models if you intend to use it as a multiplayer screen.
Conclusion
In the end, the answer to the question "Are curved monitors good for gaming?" is a little tricky. If you are a solo gamer and sits in front of the screen, it is for you. The bigger the size, the more immersive and better experience you will get compared to flat screens. It also depends on the budget you have. Even when curved screen monitors are not that expensive as before, they are still expensive.
All in all, it also comes down to the brand and model you are buying since the curvature is not everything you look for in a gaming monitor. If you are buying a curved screen but it lacks other key features like aspect ratio, screen resolution, refresh rate, and response time, there is no point spending more on the new monitor. Overall, a good gaming experience comes with a complete package, so you also need to look into various other features when buying one.