As curved monitors gain popularity, more and more users are considering going the way of the bend. With their premium features, finish, and price, these monitors are indeed enticing to most buyers.

But how does it actually feel when using these curved screens? And are they really worth the hype? Investigate the real deal between curved and flat monitors below.

The Advantages of a Curved Display

An immersive gaming experience with multiple curved displays

If you have a curved display, your friends and colleagues would probably swoon when they see it. Its curved character draws attention and is an excellent conversation piece.

But beyond its design, curved monitors do offer several advantages over flat screens. Here are some of them.

1. Better Image Quality

Despite advancements in screen technology, the best viewing angle is still 90 degrees. The further you decrease this value, the worse the image quality will be.

You will notice this with your phone. If you tilt your phone at a steep angle, you can't see the screen clearly. This is also true with ultrawide displays.

Because ultrawide displays are vast, the image quality near the edges will suffer. This is especially true if you sit near the screen, like when you're using it as a monitor.

Curved screens help negate this by ensuring that you get a constant viewing angle. You're guaranteed to get the best image quality at all times because the screen wraps around you. This is true as long as you're seated near the curvature radius of the monitor.

Related: Should You Upgrade to a 1000R Curved Monitor, and Which One Should You Buy?

2. Immersion

Another reason buyers choose curved monitors is that it adds an extra layer of immersion. Since the display wraps around you, your peripheral vision is somewhat covered by the curve.

Real-life, after all, isn't flat. We live in a 3D world. So, when you simulate the real world on a flat-screen, it's not as immersive. This is especially true because you can see that the world you're viewing is on a screen, rather than around you.

But when you have a curved display, you're no longer looking at a flat world. With the screen curved inward, you're fully absorbed into the world on your monitor.

This is perfect for those who love to play simulation games, like racing. Since windshields are already curved, viewing a virtual world from the inside of a virtual car will feel natural on this kind of display.

3. A Bigger Illusion

If you compare a curved to an ultrawide monitor with the same screen size, you will find that the former seems larger than the latter. Because the monitor surrounds you, it will cover more of what you see—giving you the illusion of size.

The Case for Flat Screens

Dual flat screen monitors

Curved monitors offer a better viewing and entertainment experience. However, there are still use cases where a flat display is advantageous.

These are some of the problems that curved monitors run into.

1. An Issue of Distortion

One thing to consider when choosing between a curved and flat monitor is your use. While curved monitors are immersive, they're also not flat.

The curved monitor isn't suitable for professions where straight-line accuracy is essential. You must remember that paper is flat. If you're working on a curved display, it won't accurately represent the straight lines of your work. This can lead to confusion, especially when you're new to your curved screen.

This issue even spills over to first-person viewpoint games. Since most monitors are flat, game developers take this into account. By introducing distortion in their programming, they make flat-screen monitors feel immersive.

However, curved monitors already have a natural distortion. This built-in curve compounds the effect that developers added to their game. This makes the effect overpowering, so much so that some report nausea during extended gaming sessions.

2. Single-Player Mode Only

One player on a curved gaming computer

Curved monitors aren't optimal for use with multiple viewers or from different positions. This is because these devices focus the image at one point only.

You won't get the best experience if you use your screen for work on your desk and then gaming from your bed. This is especially true if your monitor isn't aligned directly at the foot of your mattress.

A curved monitor's focus is directly in front of it. If you view it from the side, its image quality suffers greatly. A flat-screen display offers greater flexibility when it comes to viewing positions.

3. Flat Screens for Flat Walls

If you mount your display on a wall, the rounded body of the curved monitor will not sit as flush as a flat one. You should consider this if aesthetics and design are essential for you.

One solution to this is to create an alcove so your curved display can sit flush in the wall. However, this entails additional construction.

4. Price Matters

Like any new technology, curved monitors tend to be pricier than their flat cousins. While prices have come down since it was first launched, it's still significantly more expensive.

If you're on a budget, it's wise to stay with flat monitors.

Cash Trolley Not Enough for a Curved Monitor

When Would a Curved Screen Matter?

Before jumping on the bandwagon, you have to know what matters first. Because the curved display is primarily designed for immersion, you must have an equally immersive monitor.

Monitors that are less than 32 inches wide generally won't benefit from curved screens. Their size will be too small for the curve to have a significant effect on your experience.

You also have to check the R rating of the monitor. The R, or radius, measures the distance of the display from the ideal viewing point.

So, if you create a circle with 1000R monitors, the center of that circle will be 1000mm from the screens. To get the most out of your screen, you have to place yourself 1000mm or closer to it.

A Complete Viewing Experience

You shouldn't base your purchase decision on just the curve. Other monitor specifications, like screen technology, maximum resolution, and contrast rating, also matter.

Choose the display that best fits your need. Prioritize specs like high refresh rates, 4K resolution, and color accuracy over design.

Create a shortlist of monitors that hit your requirements. Once your choices are clear, and you know your price range, that's when you should choose if you're going flat or curved.