Since debuting about four years ago, ultrawide monitors have perched at the premium end of the display market. Whether you’re going for a flat or curved ultrawide, prices haven’t come down since we first saw these screens. They remain popular with gamers and creatives, with some top models still costing $1,000 or more.
However, with the LG 34WQ73A-B, you’re getting an ultrawide monitor, with all the features you’d like on any premium display, minus the premium price of some competitors. At 34 inches, it’s reasonably compact for a 21:9 monitor, but it still offers a good deal of space for opening multiple apps side-by-side, enjoying immersive games, or watching movies.
The pixel count is a bit low compared to other high-end 21:9 screens. However, its pixel density is the same as most 27-inch, Full HD 16:9 screens, but with some extra real estate.
The 34WQ73A-B also has plenty of performance credibility with a 60Hz refresh rate, Dynamic Action Sync, and built-in KVM. Most significantly, it sells for under $500.
Design and Features
We’re pleased that LG uses a flexible, adjustable stand, and paired with a lighter weight this is an incredibly easy monitor to move around. It’s as compact as it can realistically be, so you can push it back quite far on your desk, and it offers adjustment of tilt and height, but it doesn’t have swivel adjustment.
When we reviewed the LG 34WQ73A-B in November 2022, we had issues with scanty connectivity, especially the lack of USB ports. With the 34WQ73A-B, LG is offering well-rounded connectivity including a USB-C port, two USB 3.1 ports, two HDMI inputs, a DisplayPort, and a headphone jack as well as a power input. The connections are all rear-facing and high on the monitor’s back, making them easy to reach during installation.
LG doesn’t supply a ports cover, instead relying on its supplied black cables to blend in which is useful if you’re thinking of using this monitor in front of the house. That all-black theme extends to the external power supply too.
While IPS monitors have been a recommendable option traditionally, LG opts for VA technology on some of its ultrawide monitors, but the LG 34WQ73A-B is using an IPS panel, which offers better viewing angles. It has a 99% sRGB color gamut coverage, and with the 3-sided virtually borderless design, it will look great on any desk.
The pair of built-in 7W speakers produce a surprising amount of bass, along with clean highs that are never harsh, even at maximum volume. While an external system or headphones can sound better, these are some of the best built-in speakers we’ve heard on a monitor.
Picture Quality
The LG 34WP65C-B has a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is practically more useful than taller 4K screens, with the extra width being better for films, and it provides extra screen real estate for working. If you ever wanted a screen for work gaming, this one has its credentials in order, with immersive scenes on modern titles. What makes it better is the fact that it has more room to maneuver in FPS titles, and even the fastest games benefit.
Its predecessor, the LG 34UC79G-B has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,080 and a 21:9 aspect ratio, and at release, we loved it for those features. Things get better on the newer iteration. This 21:9 panel has a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440, which is the same resolution as its rivals like the Samsung C34F791 and Acer Predator x34, which cost almost double.
The UW QHD resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels has its pros and cons. For instance, with the 21:9 aspect ratio, the screen can deliver a rich pixel density of about 110 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). This is arguably the sweet spot between big-screen real estate and picture detail, meaning you’ll have both plenty of workspace as well as crisp and vivid visuals.
Most movies are shot at the native aspect ratio of 21:9, so you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite shows and movies on the screen. The same aspect ratio is supported by lots of games, but you’ll have to do with a black bar at the sides or stretched visuals on certain games. To be safe, first check the basic game requirements before purchasing, although we can guarantee that a number supports a 21:9 aspect ratio.
Additionally, the On-Screen Control module supports various functions including a split screen option that has four picture-in-picture (PIP) choices and three gamer modes, two First-Person-Shooter modes, and even RTS pre-set modes.
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Performance
The LG 34WP65C-B appeals with impressive out-of-the-box performance. Its brightness level of 300 cd/m2 looks much better than LG’s quoted figure, and it’s bolstered with a 3000:1 contrast ratio. The high contrast is important, as it makes pictures vibrant, and helps this monitor deliver a wide array of shades –even closely matched tones are easier to tell apart.
On this monitor, we haven’t run into any dead pixels, a common issue among gaming monitors, but you don’t run into backlight bleeding on VA panels as you would on IPS panels. If your system uses an AMD graphics card, it’s possible to use the compatible graphics card to synchronize the GPU’s frame rate with this monitor’s refresh rate.
Response time is a vital consideration for gaming screens, and the LG performs very well. Its average response time of 5ms is fine, but it doesn’t match the 1ms on gaming monitors. So far, among similarly priced 1440p ultrawide monitors, both the LG 34UC80-B and the LG 34WN80C-B have the best response time speed, with near-absent motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced games. There’s a Response Time Control feature in the OSD (On-Screen Display) that you can use to further eliminate ghosting.
Surprisingly, fast-paced games have smoother playability gaming monitors such as the Alienware AW2723DF as it doesn’t have much blur. However, there are a few benefits to using a high refresh panel including more fluid and smooth visuals in fast-paced games.
Colors are fairly accurate; their temperature only deviates by a small margin across the entire screen. This is a vital attribute for gaming and movies –meaning they’re important for a multi-use panel like this.
Bottom Line
We have long adhered to the industry-accepted principles of image fidelity: contrast, color accuracy, and resolution, strictly in that order. But monitor buyers tend to shop resolution first, then panel technology. And gamers, with good reasons, always go for the highest possible refresh rate their budget can accommodate.
Many displays offer all these features in a 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio, at sizes ranging from 34 inches to as high as 49 inches. But most of these monitors command premium prices. The best screens will set you back at least $1000. Even a decent 16:9 monitor will set you back around $500.
But the LG 34WQ73A-B is a true price breakthrough in the ultra-wide category. For less than most of its competitors, it provides ample size, decent contrast, accurate color, 60Hz, FreeSync, and HDR. It’s more of a productivity monitor and less of gaming, due to the fairly tight refresh rate and longer 5ms response time.
Overall, if you’ve wished for an affordable ultra-wide monitor for productivity tasks, and some gaming on the side, the LG 34WQ73A-B is pretty much in a class by itself. When it comes to general use and even gaming, this monitor shines making the experience nearly as good as many far-pricier displays.
Last update on 2024-06-30 at 14:40 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Pick
LG UltraWide QHD 34-Inch Curved Computer Monitor 34WQ73A-B, IPS with HDR 10 Compatibility, Built-In-KVM, and USB Type-C, Black
25 used from $286.95
