Monitors are an important part of any computer setup. They allow you to view and interact with everything on your PC.
When purchasing a new monitor, one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want a curved or flat screen.
Both have their pros and cons. This article will compare curved vs flat monitors to decide which is best for your needs.
What is a Curved Monitor?
A curved monitor has a slight bend or curve to the screen. The curve is measured by its radius, which is the distance from the center of the circle made by the curve to the edge of the screen.
Most curved monitors have a radius between 1500R and 4000R. The smaller the radius, the more dramatic the curve.
Curved monitors wrap around your field of vision more than flat screens. This makes them feel more immersive, especially for gaming or movies.
The curve also reduces eye strain because your eyes don’t have to work as hard to see images at the edges of the screen.
What is a Flat Monitor?
Flat monitors have a completely flat display, just as the name suggests.
Most computer monitors were flat screens until curved displays became popular around 2014. Flat monitors are still very common today.
The main advantage of flat screens is affordability. They are generally cheaper than similarly-sized curved displays.
Flat monitors make more sense for certain uses, like displaying spreadsheets or documents. The flat surface reduces the distortion of lines and angles.
Curved vs Flat Monitor: Key Differences
Here are some of the main ways curved and flat monitors differ:
- Immersion – Curved screens wrap around your field of vision more, creating a more immersive experience. This makes them preferable for gaming and movies. Flat screens are less immersive.
- Eye strain – Curved monitors reduce eye strain by requiring less effort to see the edges of the screen. Flat screens can cause more eye fatigue.
- Distortion – Curved displays often have slightly more distortion around the edges. Flat monitors show straight lines and angles accurately.
- Reflections – Curved screens reflect less ambient light, resulting in less glare. Flat monitors can suffer from reflective glare.
- Cost – Flat screens are generally less expensive than equally-sized curved displays. However, prices are coming down on curved monitors.
- Best viewing angle – Curved monitors have a wider optimal viewing angle compared to flat screens. But flat displays often have better viewing angles from the sides.
Pros and Cons of Curved Monitors
Here are some of the key pros and cons of curved displays:
Pros
- More immersive experience, especially for gaming and movies
- Reduces eye strain due to less effort needed to see edges
- Widens field of view and optimal viewing angle
- Reflects less ambient light and glare
Cons
- Can distort lines and angles near the edges
- Generally more expensive than flat screens
- Curvature may not be ideal for some applications like documents
- Large curved screens can seem distorted up close
Pros and Cons of Flat Monitors
Here are some of the main pros and cons of flat screens:
Pros
- Typically more affordable than curved displays
- Displays straight lines and angles accurately
- Ideal for productivity tasks like documents and spreadsheets
- Easier to find very large monitors with a flat display
Cons
- Less immersive experience than curved screens
- Can cause more eye strain because edges are harder to see
- More prone to glare and reflections
- Narrower optimal viewing angle compared to curved
Which is Better for Gaming?
Curved monitors are usually considered better for gaming. The curved screen immerses you more in the action.
It also expands your field of view, allowing you to spot enemies at the edges of the screen more easily.
This can give you a competitive advantage in multiplayer games.
The curve also reduces eye strain so you can play for longer. While flat screens work fine for gaming, curved monitors provide a more engaging, comfortable experience.
Just ensure your desk is deep enough to allow you to sit comfortably from a curved display.
Which is Better for Work?
For productivity tasks like working with documents spreadsheets and browsing the web, a flat monitor is generally preferable.
The flat surface displays text and lines accurately without distortion. Curved displays may bend lines near the edges which is not ideal for reading or data analysis.
Flat monitors also allow you to view multiple windows side-by-side easily. And they provide a better experience if you need to share your screen with others.
Flat screens also tend to come in larger sizes for less cost. This makes them a smart choice for office settings.
However, curved displays are still good for work in many cases. The eye strain reduction can be beneficial if you stare at screens all day.
And the immersive experience makes multimedia consumption more enjoyable when taking breaks.
Which Screen Size is Best?
Both curved and flat monitors come in a wide range of sizes, from 24 inches up to 40 inches or larger.
Larger screens naturally provide more screen real estate, allowing you to see more at once without scrolling or tabbing between windows.
For curved displays, 27 to 32 inches is ideal for most uses. This balances immersion with avoiding too much distortion on the edges.
For flat screens, 24 to 27 inches is a good size for productivity. You can also find flat monitors as large as 40 inches and beyond for a more cinematic experience.
Make sure to get a screen size appropriate for how close you sit. Curved monitors should be large enough to fill your field of view without being overwhelming.
Flat screens can be viewed comfortably from further away. Also consider what you’ll use the monitor for and your available desk space.
How to Choose Between Curved vs Flat
Here are some tips for deciding between a curved vs flat monitor:
- Go with a curved display for a more immersive experience for gaming and movies. Flat is fine, but curved is ideal.
- For office work and productivity, flat screens usually make more sense. They display text crisply and allow easy screen sharing.
- Get a curved monitor if reducing eye strain is a priority so you can use it comfortably for long periods.
- Consider how much desk space you have available. Curved displays require sitting fairly close, so they need more depth.
- Flat monitors are the most affordable option. But curved prices have decreased over the years as the tech has improved.
- Think about what screen size you need. Curved monitors should fill your field of view without being too overwhelming.
- Review the viewing angle specs and get a curved monitor if you’ll frequently look at the screen from the sides.
No matter which you choose, get a display with a high resolution for sharp images. IPS panels offer the best viewing angles and color accuracy.
High refresh rates are ideal for gaming and video.
With the right setup for your needs and preferences, curved and flat monitors can provide an excellent viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curved vs Flat Monitors
Ques 1: Is a curved or flat monitor better?
Ans: There is no definitive “better” option. Curved monitors provide a more immersive experience, especially for gaming and movies. They also reduce eye strain.
But flat screens are more affordable and better for productivity. Consider what you’ll use the monitor for to decide which is better for your needs.
Ques 2: Do curved monitors distort images?
Ans: There can be slight distortion around the edges of a curved monitor since the display is bent. This may compress lines and angles near the sides. But for general usage like web browsing, the distortion should be minor and not very noticeable.
Ques 3: Are flat screens better for office work?
Ans: In most cases, yes. The flat display presents documents, spreadsheets and other productivity apps without bending text or lines. Flat monitors also make screen sharing easier. The flat surface shows accurate angles if you need to collaborate on technical drawings or graphic design.
Ques 4: Is a curved monitor good for coding?
Ans: A curved display can work well for coding since the immersive experience makes long work sessions more comfortable. But some coders may prefer a flat screen to accurately display lines of code without curvature distortion. Get a monitor large enough so you can make the text big and still see a full line.
Ques 5: Do curved monitors work for multiple displays?
Ans: Yes, you can use curved monitors together in a multi-display setup. Side-by-side curved screens create a very wide field of view for a panoramic experience. You can also pair a curved monitor with a flat screen. Just be aware that the edges won’t perfectly line up due to the different shapes.
