38-inch monitors are a great choice for those looking to maximize their productivity at work. It offers you a lot of screen real estate to work on various applications at the same time without having to scroll through multiple windows.
If you are a programmer, a designer, or a professional who works on multiple spreadsheets, you will definitely notice a bump in your productivity while using a 38-inch monitor.
In 2023, there are many 38-inch gaming monitors as well. They have a lot of useful features that offer you an immersive gaming experience.
In this article, I review the 6 Best 38-inch monitors. Be it for gaming or professional use, you will surely find a suitable pick in this article.
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Here are the Top five 38-inch monitors
| Top pick | Best for Gamers | Best for Designers | Best Value | For Multitasking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 38WN95C-W | LG 38GL950G-B | ViewSonic VP3881 | LG 38WN75C-B | LG 38UC99-W |
 |  |  |  |  |
| ➕Amazing color quality | ➕Excellent Visuals | ➕Excellent Color accuracy | ➕Reasonable Price | ➕Accurate sharp colors |
| ➕144Hz refresh rate | ➕G-Sync and FreeSync | ➕USB Type C | ➕Good for Productivity | ➕75Hz refresh rate |
| ➕VESA DisplayHDR 600 | ➕Low response time | ➕Decent Ergonomics | ➕Decent Visuals | ➕USB Type C |
| Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
Complete List of Best 38-inch Monitors
| Preview | Monitor Name | Resolution | Refresh rate | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 38WN95C-W | 3840 x 1600 | 144Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
| LG 38GL950G-B | 3840 x 1600 | 144Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
| LG 38UC99-W | 3840 x 1600 | 75Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
| ViewSonic VP3881 | 3840 x 1600 | 60Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
 | Dell U3818DW | 3840 x 1600 | 60Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
| LG 38WN75C-B | 3840 x 1600 | 60Hz | Amazon BH Photo Video Adorama |
LG 38WN95C-W - Best 38-inch Monitor
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response Time(GtG): 1ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 94W)
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Amazing color quality
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Ultra Low response time
- FreeSync and G-Sync Support
- VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified
- Many connectivity ports including USB Type C with Thunderbolt 3
- Decent Ergonomics
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Low contrast
The LG 38WN95C-W is a 38-inch (3840 x 1600 21:9) ultrawide monitor that is based on an IPS panel.
The 3840 x 1600 offers you a lot of screen real estate and more vertical pixels than your standard 1440p monitors. The OnScreen Control software makes multi-tasking very easy. Using the Picture by picture mode, you can simultaneously view two inputs from different sources by splitting the screen. Using the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, you can split your monitor into many different windows to work on several applications at once.
The color accuracy of this monitor is first class. It has a wide color gamut that covers 135% of the sRGB color gamut and 86% of the AdobeRGB color gamut. This results in stunning visuals across the monitor that are rich in detail. It has wide viewing angles.
This monitor also has a DisplayHDR 600 certification. Although it is a mid-level certification, its HDR performance is decent. It could have been much better if had a better contrast ratio and supported local dimming. Nevertheless, you will definitely enjoy gaming and watching movies on it.
The LG 38WN95C-W has a 144Hz refresh rate which makes gameplay buttery smooth. It also supports FreeSync technology and is compatible with G-Sync. You will have a stutter-free and tear-free gaming experience.
It has an impressive 1ms response time. Its input lag is around 4ms. There were no issues of ghosting and motion blur while gaming. You can also use it for competitive gaming.
The LG 38WN95C-W comes in an elegant design. It uses a metallic stand that supports its bright white cabinet. It has a curvature of 2300R that enhances its immersion and thin bezels that maximize its viewing area.
In terms of ergonomics, you can adjust the height of the monitor, tilt it and swivel it. There is also a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on its back using which you can wall-mount it.
It has a wide range of connectivity options such as 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, 94W). There are also 2 x USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The offers you all the amazing features a monitor can without any compromises. I highly recommend you look into the LG 38WN95C-W if you have the cash to splurge.
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LG 38GL950G-B - Best 38-inch Monitor for Gaming
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 144Hz (Overclockable to 175Hz)
Response Time(GtG): 1ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Excellent Visuals
- High Refresh rate
- Low response time
- G-Sync and FreeSync Compatible
- Decent HDR performance
What’s Bad
- No Swivel Option
- Expensive
The LG 38GL950G-B is a 38-inch (3840×1600 21:9) ultrawide monitor that sports an IPS panel.
The color accuracy of this monitor is excellent. The visuals on the monitor are gorgeous to look at. It is definitely bright and the colors looked rich and vibrant. It is also a DisplayHDR400 certified monitor. It doesn’t have local dimming. Despite being an entry-level certification, its HDR performance is decent.
The LG 38GL950G-B is a curved monitor that has a curvature of 2300R. This improves immersion while gaming. In terms of aesthetics, it has some red highlights and a ring with customizable RGB lighting. Its thin bezels maximize the viewing area and minimize any bezel gap. Its build quality is good. The v-shaped stand holds the cabinet firmly without any wobble.
Its ergonomic capabilities are limited to height adjustment and tilt only. You cannot swivel or rotate it. There is a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on its back using which you can wall-mount it. Its connectivity options include: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0.
The LG 38GL950G-B has a native refresh rate of 144Hz which you can safely overclock to 175Hz using a DisplayPort. You are in for buttery-smooth gameplay. It has an impressive 1ms response time and an input lag of 5ms. There were no issues of ghosting and motion blur observed in games. This monitor gives TN panel monitors a run for their money.
It also supports G-Sync which helps prevent stuttering, screen tearing, and lagging during gameplay. It is also FreeSync compatible and works flawlessly with AMD graphics cards.
The is the ultimate flagship 38-inch gaming monitor. If you are someone who settles for nothing but the best, it should definitely impress you.
LG 38UC99-W - Best 38-inch Monitor for Mixed Use
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 75Hz
Response Time(GtG): 5ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type C
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Accurate and sharp colors
- Plenty of connectivity ports including USB Type C
- 75Hz refresh rate
- FreeSync Support
- Decent in-built Speakers
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- No Swivel option
The LG 38UC99-W is a 38-inch (3840 x 1600 21:9) ultrawide monitor. It sports an IPS panel.
The color accuracy of this monitor is impressive. It covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, 78% of AdobeRGB color gamut and supports 10-bit color depth via dithering. The colors formed are rich and vibrant.
Its viewing angles also comfortable. Its contrast ratio is a bit on the lower side. Honestly, this is something present in most IPS panels. Nevertheless, Gaming and watching movies is a treat to the eyes. You can also use it for graphic design.
Its 3840 x 1600 resolution offers you a lot of real estate to improve your productivity at work. You can code, watch YouTube, edit documents all at the same time on the same monitor. The Screen Split feature lets you customize your monitor layout for efficient multitasking.
The LG 38UC99-W comes in an attractive design. It has a slim white cabinet and a curved metallic stand. It has a 2300R curved screen and thin bezels. The build quality of this monitor is very good. The stand has almost no wobble.
The ergonomics of this monitor are limited to height adjustment and tilt only. You cannot swivel or rotate it. There is a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on its back using which you can wall mount this monitor. It also has 2 x 10W built-in speakers. Their sound output is decent.
This monitor is also a decent choice for gaming. It has a 75Hz refresh rate. You will definitely notice a difference in the smoothness of gameplay when you switch over from a 60Hz monitor. It also supports FreeSync technology that prevents screen tearing and stuttering in games.
It has a response time of 5ms. It also supports blur reduction technology that helps eliminate any visible ghosting in games. You cannot use it together with FreeSync.
Its connectivity option includes: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type C.
The is like the jack of all trades when it comes to 38-inch monitors. It has a large screen with accurate colors, plenty of gaming-centric features, and numerous connectivity ports. If you can afford it, simply go for it.
ViewSonic VP3881 - Best 38-inch Monitor for Professional Use
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Response Time(GtG): 7ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type C (60W)
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Excellent Color accuracy
- Many connectivity ports including USB Type C
- Excellent build quality
- Decent Ergonomics
What’s Bad
- Expensive
The ViewSonic VP3881 is a 38-inch (3840 x 1600 24:10) ultrawide monitor that is based on an IPS panel. It covers 99.5% of the sRGB color gamut and 75.6% of the AdobeRGB color gamut. It supports 10-bit color depth via dithering.
The out-of-box color accuracy of this monitor is excellent. It comes pre-calibrated in the factory with reports for various color gamuts such as sRGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, and REC709. Its panel uniformity is close to perfect. They weren’t any deviances observed. It is a great choice for those who do not want to manually calibrate its colors.
Its 3840 x 1600 resolution makes room for a lot of applications. The ViewSplit software makes multitasking super easy. You can use this single monitor instead of going with a dual monitor setup.
The ViewSonic VP3881 sports a professional design. It has a 2300R curvature and thin bezels that maximize its viewing area. Its build quality is excellent. The plastic is durable and has a matte finish. It uses a rectangular based stand that stands firm without any wobble.
You can adjust the height of the monitor, swivel it and tilt it. There is also a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on its back using which you can wall mount this monitor. It comes with decent connectivity options. You get 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB C with 60W charging. There are several USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The ViewSonic VP3881 has a refresh rate of 60Hz and a response time of 7ms. It also doesn’t support FreeSync and G-Sync technologies. This monitor is fine for casual gaming but for anything more serious, I suggest you look at the other alternatives mentioned in this article.
The is made for serious color-critical professionals. There are not many 38-inch monitors that come with such accurate colors. It is also a great choice for multitasking and comes with plenty of connectivity options. You will definitely be satisfied with it.
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Dell U3818DW - Best 38-inch Monitor for Productivity
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Response Time(GtG): 5ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type C
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Excellent image accuracy
- Wide viewing angles
- Plenty of connectivity ports including USB Type C
- Good Ergonomics
- In-Built KVM switch
- Robust Build Quality
What’s Bad
- No FreeSync
The Dell U3818DW is a 38-inch curved ultrawide monitor that is based on an IPS panel. It was one of the first 38-inch monitors to be available in the market.
Its large screen offers professionals a lot of room. Using the Dell Display Manager software, you can customize and improve your workflow. The Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture modes help maximize your productivity while working by helping you divide your monitor into several parts. Using the in-built KVM switch feature on the Dell Display Manager, you can use the same keyboard and mouse for various PCs connected to it.
The out-of-box color accuracy of this monitor is pretty good. Being an IPS panel monitor, it offers you wide viewing angles that result in uniform colors across the panel. The colors are bright and the visuals are crisp. You can also use it for basic graphic design.
It comes in a professional design. It has a 2300R curved screen and thin bezels. The curved screen adds more immersion and the thin bezels give it a sharp look. The build quality of the Dell U3818DW is very good. Its cabinet is made of thick and durable plastic. Its stand has a rectangular base and stands firmly without any wobble.
The Dell U3818DW also has decent ergonomics. You can tilt it, adjust its height and swivel it. There is also a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on it using which you can wall-mount it.
It has a refresh rate of 60Hz and a response time of 5ms. It doesn’t support variable refresh rate technologies like FreeSync and G-Sync. Dell clearly made this monitor for professional use. It is decent enough for casual gamers but those looking for a serious gaming monitor should look at the other alternatives mentioned in this article.
Its connectivity ports include: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0 and 1 x USB Type C. There are also several USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm Headphone Jack. It comes with 2 x 9W built-in speakers. Their sound output is reasonable. For serious multimedia consumption, I suggest you buy external speakers.
The is a niche monitor meant for professional use. It truly excels in those areas. If you can overlook the lack of gaming-centric features, it is a solid monitor.
LG 38WN75C-B - Best Value for Money 38-inch Monitor
Screen Resolution: 3840 x 1600
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Response Time(GtG): 5ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0
VESA compatibility: 100 x 100mm
What’s Good
- Decent Visuals
- Reasonable Price
- Good for Productivity
- Good Value for Money
- Decent Ergonomics
What’s Bad
- No Swivel
- No USB Type C
- No FreeSync
The LG 38WN75C-B is a 38-inch (3840 x 1600 21:9) ultrawide monitor that sports an IPS panel.
The color accuracy of this monitor is decent. The visuals are detailed and vibrant. The colors are also uniform across the panel without any major ups and downs. It is also fairly bright. For business use and multimedia consumption, it should be more than enough.
It offers you a lot of room to work on multiple applications at once. Using the On-Screen Control software, you can easily resize the screen to accommodate multiple windows.
It also supports PIP mode in which you can pin a small window to a corner of the screen while scrolling between apps. It is a flicker-free monitor and it also has a blue light filter. All these features make this monitor a perfect choice for those looking to step up their productivity while working.
The LG 38WN75C-B comes in a simple design. It has thin bezels that maximize its viewing area. It is a curved monitor that has a curvature of 2300R. It has a u-shaped stand. There is some wobble while moving the monitor but as long as your desk is sturdy, you won’t have any issues.
The ergonomics of the stand are only limited to tilt and height adjustment. You cannot swivel it or rotate it. There is also a 100x100mm VESA pattern present on it using which you can wall mount this monitor. Its connectivity options include: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4.
The LG 38WN75C-B has a refresh rate of 60Hz and a response time of 5ms. It also doesn’t support FreeSync and G-Sync technologies. It is decent enough for occasional gaming.
The has got its priorities right. It doesn’t claim to be the best 38-inch monitor. It doesn’t have a truckload of features. What it really does is provide you with a lot of screen real estate that improves your productivity at work for a reasonable price. If you are someone who is looking for a simple but efficient 38-inch monitor, the LG 38WN75C-B is the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ultrawide Monitors worth it?
Yes, Definitely. Ultrawide monitors are more popular among professionals. They offer you better screen real-estate hence improving your productivity.
Ultrawide monitors are now replacing the dual-monitor setups for business use. They are also the preferred choice of gamers for sim racing and flight simulators as they offer you better immersion.
Is the Refresh rate of a monitor really important?
The refresh rate of a monitor is important only if you are a gamer. There is no practical benefit of buying a high refresh rate monitor if you are only going to use it for multimedia consumption and professional use.
A high refresh rate makes gameplay super smooth and much more enjoyable.
What is the benefit of curved displays?
Curved display adds more immersion while watching movies and playing games. They offer you a wide field of view and are comfortable for the eyes.
If you are switching over from a flat monitor, it will take some time to get used to curved displays. Once you get used to them, you will never want to go back.
Should I use a dual monitor setup or an ultrawide monitor?
Ultrawide monitors offer you zero-bezel gap, unlike dual monitor setups. The colors are also uniform and you don’t have to worry about calibrating them together as you do in dual monitor setups.
Why are ultrawide monitors expensive?
Ultrawide monitors are niche products. Not everybody purchases them. They are also expensive to make. All these factors go into increasing the price of these monitors.
Do I Need a USB Type C port on my Monitor?
USB Type C is important for those who want to connect MacBooks to their monitors. If you’re not working with Apple products, the absence of USB Type C ports won’t make a huge difference. Other benefits include the faster transfer of data and charging.
