When you hear the term “curved monitor,” you may think of a futuristic device in a science-fiction movie. However, most people don’t realize that you can buy one today pretty easily and for a reasonable price.
A curved monitor is simply a computer monitor with an entrance curve in its design. When introduced to the market, they used to be very expensive. Today, prices have come down significantly and you can buy a decent curved monitor for under $300.
How do curved monitors work?
A computer monitor is composed of a cathode ray tube (CRT) and an array of pixels. The screen’s colors are created through a combination of red, green, and blue subpixels. Then the beams from these subpixels reflect off the back of the screen where there is a prism that spreads the subpixels into the visible spectrum.
The curvature of a monitor isn’t just for aesthetic reasons, it’s also used to create a more natural field of view and thereby reduce eye strain/fatigue.
So basically, curved monitors are shaped like your eyes so that you can see most of the screen with minimal eye movement – which means less straining.
Also read: 10 Best Curved Monitors for MacBook Pro
What are the benefits of a curved monitor?
Many benefits come from using a curved monitor, including:
1) Reduced eye strain and fatigue
The curvature of the screen helps to create a more natural field of view and makes you look at the center of the screen instead of having to quickly move your eyes around. This decreases eye movement and ultimately reduces stress on your eyes.
2) Improved immersion in games and videos
The curve of the monitor creates a more realistic viewing experience by making the screen seem larger than it is. This expanded field of view also enhances your immersion because you feel like you are part of the content that’s on the screen in front of you.
3) Enhanced contrast ratio
Curved screens are unique in that they cover your field of view, which makes the contrast ratio look greater than on a flat-screen. This enhanced contrast ratio also enhances your immersion because blacks appear darker and more vibrant while whites appear brighter and more vivid.
4) Reduced production of glare
The curve of the monitor creates an angled reflection of overhead lights so it doesn’t directly reflect on the screen. This reduced glare reduces eye strain and fatigue because your eyes aren’t as likely to be distracted from viewing content on the monitor itself.
5) More uniform picture quality
Since you don’t have multiple angles, a flat-screen inherently has more uniform picture quality than a curved one – a key factor for photographers and graphic designers.
Do curved monitors help eye strain?
Yes.
A curved monitor has the same effect on your eyes as an actual curved mirror – it can reduce up to 45% of the strain you feel when looking at a flat screen because there are no ‘hard’ angles that reflect light in your eye.
This is especially beneficial for programmers and designers who use software where they need to look at one corner of the screen for long periods – because now they can look slightly to the side and still see everything just as easily.
However, this doesn’t work exactly how you might expect. If you think that curved monitors would help reduce eye strain only when looking at the edges near the curve, then you’re wrong. The effect is the same regardless of where you’re looking.
So while a curved monitor can help reduce eye strain, it means that you have to move your eyes more often when you are doing work that requires looking at different parts of the screen.
Also read: 10 Best Monitors for Eyes
How far should you sit from a curved monitor?
The curve of a monitor can be measured in radius – but this doesn’t affect your optimal viewing distance.
What is more important about viewing distance is the size of your monitor and your eyesight. If you have 20/20 vision then it’s best to sit around 2.5-3ft away from a monitor that has a diagonal size of 27-30 inches.
This is because your eyes don’t focus on objects very accurately, so you’ll need to sit further away if the screen is 21 inches or smaller. Also, the bigger the screen, the closer you should sit because it might be hard to see details from a distance.
However, this isn’t important for curved monitors – no matter the size, you should sit around 1ft away.
What is the difference between IPS and VA panels in a curved monitor?
VA (Vertical Alignment) panels are commonly used in curved monitors because they can reproduce deeper blacks than IPS (In-Plane Switching) displays.
If you’re looking for gaming performance, then go with an IPS panel – it’s got great color reproduction and viewing angles. But if you want to watch movies or edit photos, then a curved VA panel is probably your best bet.
However, what panel type you should go for depends on your budget and personal preference – both types have their pros and cons, but generally, the only way to find out which you like better is to try them yourself.
Do curved monitors take up less space?
This depends on the size of your monitor – but generally, yes.
A curved monitor will take up less space than a flat-screen with an equivalent diagonal size because it’s closer to being circular than straight. You might not notice this difference in rooms that are smaller than 18ft², but for larger rooms, you’re going to see a reduction in space taken up by the monitor.
However, this doesn’t affect your actual productivity because curved monitors have a smaller viewing area than flat-screen monitors that are the same size.
So if you want to use two or more monitors for productivity purposes then you will need to increase the diagonal size of each monitor for them to take up less space.
Can curved monitors be wall mounted?
Yes, but if you are planning on using it for productivity then there isn’t much point because the same amount of screen space will be lost due to curvature.
Curved monitor technology is best used for entertainment or watching videos – not productivity where viewing area matters.
Do curved monitors distort images?
If you look at a curved monitor from an angle, then yes – it will distort the image.
This is because many people buy monitors with a curvature that’s too aggressive for the viewing angles of their eyesight. So if you can’t see the screen while looking straight on, then it might be a sign that your monitor has too much curvature for your eyesight.
But on the other hand, this won’t affect productivity because you look at a computer monitor straight on most of the time.
What is a good size for a curved monitor?
A minimum of 27 inches diagonal with a flat bezel is ideal. But if you have an unlimited budget then go as big as your eyesight allows.
How do you measure a curved monitor?
You measure the radius of the screen and then add that number to the diagonal size.
For example, A 32-inch monitor with a 2,000mm radius has a diagonal size of 3,232mm (3.2m). So you’d need at least 3.2m² of desk space to accommodate such a monitor.
What does 1000R mean?
1000R is the curvature of a monitor and it’s measured in millimeters. The lower the number, the less noticeable the curve will be – so 1000mm is more curved than 650mm.
Is 1000R too much curve?
It depends on your eyesight, but it’s a good idea to try a monitor with a 1000mm radius before you buy it.
If you can’t see the screen while looking straight on – then it might be too curved for your eyesight. But this just means that you need to sit further away from the screen instead of purchasing an angle-able monitor.
Can you use two curved monitors?
Yes, but be careful with your eyesight because if you are planning on using it for productivity then the curve will reduce the viewing area.
Curved monitors are best used for watching videos, listening to music or social media.
Also read: 10 Best Curved Monitors for Work
What is the difference between curved and flat?
Flat screens have straight edges whereas curved screens have a more circular design. Therefore, you can use two flat screens next to each other without seeing any gap between them but curvature will force you to move further away from a single curved screen.
What should I look for in a curved gaming monitor?
1. Size: The larger the screen, the more immersive it will be – so go as big as your eyesight allows so you can see more detail.
2. Resolution: 2560×1080 (4k UHD) with 144Hz is ideal for productivity and entertainment purposes (watching movies, playing video games).
3. Refresh Rate: The higher the refresh rate, the better.
4. Response Time: The lower the response time, the better.
5. G-Sync/FreeSync: Both of these technologies are designed to eliminate screen tearing and provide a more responsive gaming experience.
6. Panel Type: VA panels with high contrast ratios result in vivid colors that pop out of the screen – making games more immersive than IPS or TN panels.
7. Curvature: The lower the curvature, the more viewing area you will have for productivity purposes (such as writing emails or reading large documents).
8. Warranty: A longer warranty means that it is more likely to remain in working order after a few years of daily usage.
9. Size of Bezel: The thinner the bezel, the more immersive it will be.
10. Price: Higher price doesn’t always equal higher quality – so don’t count out a budget monitor if you know what to look for.
Also read: 10 Best 4K Monitors for Console Gaming
Do curved monitors have less input lag?
Yes, they do because it reduces the distance between pixels which makes them easier to activate with your mouse pointer.
But this doesn’t affect your productivity because you don’t need pixel-perfect accuracy when using a computer for work purposes.
What cable types do curved monitors support?
There are two options: HDMI and DisplayPort via a Mini-DisplayPort adapter.
Mini-DisplayPort is better because it allows daisy-chaining whereas HDMI doesn’t. And if you want to use a microphone or external speakers, then an audio input jack is also available with most monitors.
What is better for gaming curved or flat monitors?
Curved monitors are better because it provides a more immersive experience, reduces eye strain, and minimize reflections on the screen.
Curved monitors do have a higher price tag, but the extra immersion it provides is worth it in most cases.
What is better for productivity curved or flat monitors?
Flat screens are better because you have more viewing area when working with documents and spreadsheets – making them much easier to use.
But if you don’t mind sitting a little further away from the screen, then a curved monitor is also a good option for productivity purposes.
Also read: Flat vs Curved Monitor: Which One to Choose?
Are curved monitors good for Netflix?
Yes, all you need is a streaming device that supports HDMI input – such as Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast.
But if you are using your computer to stream Netflix then it will depend on which video player you are using because not all of them support curved screens.
What is the best resolution for a curved monitor?
2560×1080 (4k UHD) with 144Hz is ideal for productivity and entertainment purposes (watching movies, playing video games).
Anything less than 1080p is adequate for entertainment purposes, but you should use 4k/UHD if possible to get the most immersive and detailed experience.
Why do images look different on a curved monitor?
A curved screen minimizes reflections and provides more depth so images will seem more realistic when using a curved monitor. But what you see will still depend on the video source and video player you are using.
How much do curved monitors cost?
This will depend on the size of the monitor and build quality.
A budget option is typical $300, but it won’t have high-end features such as G-Sync and a wide color gamut for vibrant colors.
Mid-range options can be found in the $500 range which provides premium features such as 1440p resolution and an ultra-wide color gamut for life-like images.
A high-end option costs more than $1000, but it provides everything from G-Sync to a frameless design and HDR compatibility.
Conclusion
Curved monitors provide a more immersive experience, reduce eye strain, and minimize reflections. They don’t have as much input lag as flat monitors, support a wide range of connectivity options, and are good for both productivity and entertainment purposes.
We hope you enjoyed this article and know more about curved monitors now. Thanks for reading!