For years, my gaming setup felt like a compromise. I was tethered to a standard 27-inch, 60Hz monitor that, while perfectly fine for spreadsheets and browsing, always left me feeling like I was missing out. In fast-paced shooters, I’d see screen tearing that would pull me right out of the action. In sprawling open-world RPGs, the limited field of view felt like I was playing with blinders on, constantly panning the camera just to take in the vistas my GPU was working so hard to render. It was a bottleneck, a frustrating barrier between me and true immersion. The dream was always an ultrawide monitor—one that could fill my peripheral vision and deliver the buttery-smooth refresh rates that competitive players swear by. But the market is a minefield of confusing specs and exorbitant price tags. The search for that perfect balance of size, speed, resolution, and price can feel endless, leaving you paralyzed by choice and worried about making a costly mistake.
- 34-inch WQHD (3440x1440) 1500R curved gaming monitor with ultra-fast 165Hz (supports 144Hz) refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB ) technology enables a 1ms response time (MPRT) to eliminate ghosting for sharp gaming visuals at high frame rates
- FreeSync Premium technology to eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor
A gaming monitor is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking the full potential of your gaming PC or console. It’s the window through which you experience digital worlds, and its specifications directly impact everything from your competitive performance to your level of immersion. A high-quality gaming monitor solves the problems of screen tearing, ghosting, and input lag, which can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Its benefits extend beyond gaming, too; the extra screen real estate of an ultrawide, for instance, is a massive productivity booster, allowing you to have multiple full-sized windows open side-by-side without compromise.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of a standard display. This includes competitive gamers who need every millisecond of advantage, immersion seekers who want to feel completely absorbed in their games, and even content creators or multitaskers who can leverage the expansive workspace. On the other hand, a high-end ultrawide might not be suitable for those with limited desk space or a more modest budget. Casual gamers or users who primarily browse the web might find a smaller, 1080p monitor to be a more practical and cost-effective solution. For them, alternatives focused on basic functionality rather than high-performance gaming specs would be a better fit.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: An ultrawide monitor like a 34-inch model is a significant piece of hardware. Measure your desk to ensure you have not only enough width but also enough depth. The stand can have a large footprint, and you’ll want to be at a comfortable viewing distance to avoid neck strain and appreciate the full field of view.
- Capacity/Performance: This is where the core specs come into play. Look at the resolution (WQHD or 3440×1440 is the sweet spot for this size), refresh rate (144Hz or higher for smooth gaming), and response time (1ms is ideal to eliminate motion blur). Also, consider the panel type—VA panels, like the one in this ASUS, offer excellent contrast, while IPS panels are known for color accuracy.
- Materials & Durability: A monitor is a long-term investment. Look for a sturdy stand with good ergonomic adjustments (height, tilt, swivel). Brands like ASUS with their “TUF” (The Ultimate Force) line emphasize robust construction, using high-quality plastics and metal components in the stand to ensure stability and longevity.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the on-screen display (OSD) controls. A joystick is far more intuitive than a series of confusing buttons. For maintenance, a matte screen finish is easier to keep clean and reduces glare compared to a glossy one, ensuring a clear picture in various lighting conditions.
Keeping these factors in mind, the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and...
- An improved viewing experience: Experience a high 100Hz refresh rate across your work with a TÜV Rheinland 3-star* certified viewing experience coupled with ComfortView Plus.
- REACT IN REAL TIME: 180Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay with ultrasmooth action; 1ms response time (MPRT) provides frames with minimal blur, allowing you to jump on enemies...
First Impressions: TUF Build, Immersive Curve
Unboxing the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz, the “TUF” branding immediately makes sense. The components feel substantial and well-engineered. Assembly was refreshingly simple; the stand clicks securely into the back of the panel, and a single tool-free thumbscrew locks the base in place. From box to desk, it took less than five minutes. Once assembled, the monitor has a commanding presence. The 34-inch, 21:9 panel is expansive, and the 1500R curvature feels purposeful, gently wrapping the image around your field of view without being overly aggressive. The bezels are thin on three sides, which enhances the immersive effect. The stand is a highlight—it’s incredibly sturdy with no wobble, and offers a full range of ergonomic adjustments including height, swivel, and tilt. This is a feature often overlooked but crucial for long-term comfort, a point one user noted was a “life saver for my neck!” after discovering the easy, un-buttoned height adjustment mechanism. Firing it up for the first time, the vibrant colors and deep blacks of the VA panel were immediately apparent, promising a rich visual experience to come.
Key Benefits
- Superb immersion from the 34-inch ultrawide 1500R curved screen
- Exceptionally smooth motion with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- Excellent contrast ratio (4000:1) delivering deep blacks
- Highly ergonomic stand with height, swivel, and tilt adjustments
Limitations
- DisplayHDR 400 offers a limited HDR experience
- Built-in speakers are weak, suitable only for basic system sounds
Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure
A monitor’s spec sheet is one thing; its real-world performance is another. We spent weeks putting the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz through its paces, from intense multiplayer battles in Apex Legends and Cyberpunk 2077 to hours of productivity work and media consumption. This isn’t just a screen; it’s a comprehensive upgrade to the entire desktop experience, blending speed, immersion, and visual quality in a way that few monitors in its class can match.
Immersive Gaming Performance: The 165Hz and 1ms Advantage
The headline features here are the 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, and they do not disappoint. The jump from a standard 60Hz or even a 100Hz display is transformative. In fast-paced shooters, aiming becomes more intuitive and tracking targets feels liquid-smooth. There’s a tangible connection between your mouse movements and the action on screen that simply doesn’t exist at lower refresh rates. We enabled FreeSync Premium with our AMD graphics card, and the experience was flawless—no tearing, no stuttering, just pure, uninterrupted gameplay. The 1ms response time, achieved through ASUS’s Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology, works wonders to minimize ghosting and motion blur. Streaking and smearing, common artifacts on slower VA panels, were virtually nonexistent in our testing, resulting in a crisp and clear image even during the most chaotic moments. This combination makes the monitor a formidable tool for competitive gaming.
But it’s not just about competition. The sheer scale of the 34-inch ultrawide panel enhances immersion in a way that numbers can’t fully capture. Driving through the rain-slicked streets of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 or galloping across the epic landscapes of Elden Ring, the extra peripheral vision provided by the 21:9 aspect ratio makes the game world feel vast and enveloping. The 1500R curve plays a huge role here, pulling the edges of the screen into your peripheral vision and creating a cockpit-like effect that is incredibly engaging. As one user who upgraded from a TV noted, there’s a “very noticeable difference with how smooth everything moves and how crystal clear the picture quality is.” We couldn’t agree more; this monitor truly unlocks a new level of gaming experience that a standard 16:9 display can’t replicate.
Visual Fidelity: WQHD Clarity and VA Contrast
The 3440×1440 WQHD resolution is the perfect match for a 34-inch screen. It provides a sharp, detailed image with a pixel density that makes text crisp and game textures pop, without being so demanding that you need a top-of-the-line GPU to run games smoothly. We found it to be the sweet spot for PC gaming, offering a significant visual upgrade over 1080p without the performance penalty of 4K. The VA panel technology is the star of the show when it comes to image quality. Its standout feature is the static contrast ratio of 4000:1, which is significantly higher than what you’ll find on comparable IPS panels. This translates to incredibly deep, inky blacks and bright, punchy whites. In dark, atmospheric games like Alan Wake 2, shadows have depth and detail, rather than looking like a washed-out gray mess. This contrast performance gives the entire image a sense of dimensionality and realism.
Color performance is also strong, with the monitor covering 120% of the sRGB color gamut. Out of the box, the colors were vibrant and pleasing, though we did a minor calibration to dial them in perfectly. As one enthusiast user put it, “I came from a 4k qled… and honestly I think this one has better colors!” While that’s high praise, it speaks to the quality of this panel. The DisplayHDR 400 certification is a bit of a mixed bag. While it can accept an HDR signal, it lacks the local dimming and peak brightness needed for a true, impactful HDR experience. In our testing, we found that in many games, the image looked better with HDR turned off, relying on the panel’s excellent native contrast. This is a common finding for entry-level HDR monitors and not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of. The strong SDR performance more than makes up for it. For those seeking a truly breathtaking visual experience right out of the box, the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz delivers a rich and dynamic picture that is fantastic for both gaming and media.
Design, Ergonomics, and Quality of Life Features
ASUS didn’t just focus on the panel; the physical design and feature set of the VG34VQL1B are top-notch. The TUF branding implies durability, and the monitor lives up to it with a solid, well-built chassis and an exceptionally robust stand. This stand is one of the monitor’s greatest strengths, offering 130mm of height adjustment, 15 degrees of swivel in each direction, and a tilt range from -5 to +20 degrees. Finding the perfect ergonomic position is effortless, which is a massive benefit for anyone who spends long hours at their desk. The stand also includes a simple but effective cable management cutout to help keep your setup tidy.
Navigating the on-screen display (OSD) is a breeze thanks to the five-way joystick on the back, a much more user-friendly solution than the fumbly individual buttons found on many competing monitors. The OSD itself is well-organized and packed with gamer-centric features like GameVisual presets for different genres, Shadow Boost to brighten dark areas without overexposing the rest of the image, and a built-in crosshair and timer. Connectivity is also generous, featuring two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, a headphone jack, and a two-port USB 3.0 hub. This hub is incredibly convenient for connecting peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, or webcam directly to the monitor, reducing cable clutter running to your PC. The thoughtful design and rich feature set demonstrate a clear understanding of what gamers and power users actually need.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking at feedback from other owners, our positive experience is widely shared. Many users, especially those upgrading from smaller, slower monitors, are blown away by the combination of size, speed, and resolution. One happy customer declared, “The ASUS TUF 34inch 3440x1440p 165hz 1ms HDR monitor looks and performs amazingly. Being able to play games at higher refresh rates is such a better experience.” Another stated simply, “This monitor is fantastic. Crisp images. Gorgeous color. Huge!” This sentiment of it being a complete package that elevates the entire computing experience is a common thread.
Of course, no product is perfect. Some of the criticisms we found align with our own observations. The built-in speakers are frequently mentioned as being very basic. As one user aptly put it, “They are perfect for zoom calls or hearing the swoosh sound when you send an email, but for gaming, you will probably end up preferring external speakers.” We also saw a few reports of minor quality control issues, such as a broken cable management clip on the stand upon arrival. While these appear to be isolated incidents, they are worth noting. Overall, however, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most users agreeing that the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz offers incredible performance and value for its price point.
Competitors: How Does the ASUS VG34VQL1B Compare?
The ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz occupies a competitive space, but its feature set helps it stand out. However, depending on your budget and priorities, there are other options worth considering.
1. Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8-inch Gaming Monitor
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen VA Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms (VRB) | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm | Color Saturation: NTSC 72%
- Zero-Frame Design | HDR Ready
If your priority is a high refresh rate on a tighter budget and you don’t need the immersive ultrawide experience, the Acer Nitro KG241Y is a strong contender. It’s a much smaller 23.8-inch monitor with a standard 1080p resolution. However, it matches the ASUS with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, making it an excellent choice for competitive esports titles where frame rate is king. You sacrifice the resolution, size, and premium build of the ASUS, but for a fraction of the cost, it delivers pure speed for gamers focused squarely on performance.
2. CRUA 30Inch Ultrawide Curved Monitor 100Hz
- Ultra-wide monitor: The 29.5-inch large monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 1500R curvature widens your field of view, giving you ample space to comfortably multitask, and create content in a variety...
- Stunning Visual Quality: WFHD computer monitor uses a VA panel with 120% sRGB wide color gamut, 300cd/m² brightness, and 3000:1 contrast ratio, providing 16.7 million colors, presenting smoother...
- Smooth Performance: The curved gaming monitor has 100HZ refresh and Freesync technology, which provides seamless picture transitions, reduces screen tearing and stuttering, and brings a clearer and...
The CRUA 30-inch monitor offers an entry point into the world of ultrawide gaming for those on a strict budget. It provides the 21:9 aspect ratio but at a slightly smaller 30-inch size and a lower 2560×1080 resolution. Its refresh rate is also capped at 100Hz, which is smoother than a standard 60Hz monitor but noticeably less fluid than the 165Hz on the ASUS. This monitor is best suited for players who want the ultrawide immersion for single-player and cinematic games but aren’t playing highly competitive, fast-paced titles where every frame counts.
3. Sceptre C255B-FWT240 240Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
- 240Hz Refresh Rate: Stay above the pack with 240Hz, giving you an edge in performance as frames transition instantly.Specific uses for product - Gaming
- 1ms Response Time: Colors fade and illuminate instantly with a 1ms response time, eliminating ghosting and piecing together precise imagery during action-packed scenes and gaming.
- 1500R Curvature: The 1500R degree curved design immerses you into all of the action no matter where you choose to sit in the room.
For the ultra-competitive gamer who values refresh rate above all else, the Sceptre C255B-FWT240 is a compelling alternative. This monitor pushes the speed envelope with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate on a 24.5-inch 1080p panel. Like the Acer, it forgoes the size and resolution of the ASUS to maximize motion clarity and responsiveness. This is a specialized tool for players of games like Valorant or Counter-Strike 2, where the absolute highest frame rates provide a measurable competitive edge. It’s less of an all-rounder than the ASUS but is a top performer in its specific niche.
Our Final Verdict: Is the ASUS VG34VQL1B Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz is an outstanding piece of hardware that hits the sweet spot for a huge range of users. It masterfully balances immersive, large-screen gaming with the high-speed performance required for competitive play. The combination of its WQHD resolution, vibrant VA panel with superb contrast, and fluid 165Hz refresh rate creates an experience that is simply a joy to use, whether you’re battling through a virtual world or managing a complex workflow. Add in the excellent build quality and a highly ergonomic stand, and you have a product that feels premium in every way that matters.
While its HDR performance is basic and the built-in speakers are forgettable, these are minor flaws in an otherwise stellar package. For any PC gamer looking to make the leap to an ultrawide display without compromising on speed or breaking the bank, this monitor should be at the very top of your list. It’s a transformative upgrade that will enhance every moment you spend at your desk.
If you’ve decided the ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 165Hz is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API