When buying a monitor today, you increasingly run into the question: curved or flat? Both have their place, they just suit different things. Let us explain how they differ and when each is worth it.

What a curved monitor is

A curved monitor has a slightly bent screen that gently surrounds you and follows the natural shape of your field of view. The degree of curvature is given by a number like 1800R or 1000R, where a smaller number means a more pronounced curve. It has caught on most with large and ultrawide monitors.

Advantages of a curved monitor

  • An immersive feel, especially in gaming and films, the picture seems to surround you.
  • Less distortion at the edges of large and ultrawide screens, where a flat monitor would feel further away at the sides.
  • Easier on the eyes with one large monitor up close, because all parts of the picture are a similar distance away and you turn your head less.

Disadvantages of a curved monitor

  • It distorts straight lines, which gets in the way of graphics, CAD, photos and precise work with spreadsheets.
  • Reflections can stretch across the curved surface from several sides.
  • A worse view from the side, so it suits sharing the picture with several people less.
  • It tends to be more expensive and more complicated to mount on a wall.

When a curved one makes sense

A curved monitor is most worth it with large diagonals (roughly from 32 inches) and ultrawide screens, in gaming and whenever you sit in front of one large monitor up close.

When a flat one is better

A flat monitor is the safer choice for ordinary work, graphics and precise work, for a setup of several monitors side by side, with smaller diagonals and when you often share the picture with others. It also tends to be cheaper.

What else to keep in mind

The curve is not about picture quality, which is determined by entirely different parameters. Before the curve, consider the resolution, panel type, refresh rate and size according to your seating distance, which we write about in the article how to choose a monitor. The curve is the cherry on top, not the foundation.

Conclusion

Put simply: for immersion in gaming and films on a large screen, choose curved, and for work, graphics and multiple monitors, stick with flat. If you are unsure, a flat monitor is the more versatile choice.

Choosing a monitor and cannot decide? Get in touch, we will advise based on what you will use it for, and also help with the connection and cables.

This article is part of our Hardware and components overview.