Best Overall Value
This is the cheapest way onto the ultrawide ladder, and it takes a different approach to the rest. Instead of chasing resolution, the CRUA chases speed. It's a 30 inch WFHD (2560x1080) VA panel that pushes up to 200Hz, which for competitive gamers on a tight budget is a genuinely tempting trade.
Here's the thing about that lower resolution: on a 30 inch screen it's more forgiving than it would be on 34 inch, so text isn't as soft as you might fear. And the payoff is huge. Your GPU has far fewer pixels to push, so hitting high frame rates to match that 200Hz refresh is realistic even on mid-range cards. The 0.5ms response and VA contrast make dark scenes pop, and 120% sRGB coverage means colours are punchier than the price suggests.
Owners repeatedly praise how fast and smooth it feels for the outlay. The compromises are the resolution (you get less desktop space than the 34 inch UWQHD models) and some mild VA smearing in very fast dark transitions. It's also 21:9 at a smaller physical size, so it feels less cinematic than the bigger panels. For a first competitive ultrawide, though, it's brilliant value. We covered the panel behaviour in more detail in our full CRUA 30 Inch review.
Pros
- Blistering 200Hz refresh rate
- Easy to drive on modest GPUs
- Strong VA contrast and 120% sRGB
- Cheapest entry point here
Cons
- Lower 2560x1080 resolution
- Smaller, less cinematic than 34" rivals
- Mild VA smear in fast dark scenes
Buy on Amazon£159.99Read full review
Best for Beginners
New to ultrawide and not sure you'll get on with it? This is the one to start with. It's a flat 34 inch IPS panel at 120Hz, and the flat shape is deliberately the gentle option. Some people find aggressive curves take getting used to, so a flat screen is the safer bet if you're unsure.
The IPS panel is the big draw for newcomers. It means wide viewing angles and consistent colour across the whole screen, which suits the mixed bag most first-time buyers throw at it: a bit of gaming, a load of browsing, YouTube, the odd bit of photo tinkering. 120Hz isn't the highest here but it's a clear step up from the 60Hz most people are moving from, and it's listed as both FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible so it plays nicely with either GPU brand.
The compromises are honest ones. It caps at 120Hz rather than the 165Hz or 180Hz of pricier siblings, and the stand is the usual budget tilt-only affair. But for someone dipping a toe into 21:9 without overspending, it's approachable, easy to set up and hard to get wrong. We go deeper on the panel and setup in our Gawfolk 34-inch Ultra-Wide review.
Pros
- Flat IPS is easy to adapt to
- Consistent colour and viewing angles
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- Simple, beginner-friendly setup
Cons
- Only 120Hz, lowest refresh of the 34" group
- Basic tilt-only stand
Buy on AmazonRead full review
Best Under £200 Feature Pick
This one is for the reader who wants IPS colour and high refresh, and is happy with a flat panel to get both. It's a 34 inch flat IPS running full 3440x1440 at 165Hz, with 128% sRGB coverage and, unusually for this bracket, built-in speakers.
The combination of UWQHD resolution and an IPS panel is what makes it stand out among the Best Ultrawide Monitors Under £200 for mixed work and play. You get the sharp text and generous desktop space of full UWQHD, plus IPS colour consistency that makes it a better shout than a VA panel if you do any creative work or just want accurate-looking photos. The 165Hz refresh keeps gaming smooth, and Adaptive Sync handles tearing.
Now, those built-in speakers. Don't get excited. They're fine for system beeps, a quick video or a work call, but they're thin and quiet, so keep your headphones handy. The flat shape is a preference thing: some love it for productivity because straight lines stay straight, others miss the wrap of a curve for gaming. Colour is strong out of the box but, as with all budget IPS, expect a little backlight bleed in the corners on dark scenes. Solid all-rounder that leans towards the work side of the fence.
Pros
- Full UWQHD IPS with 165Hz
- 128% sRGB for accurate-looking colour
- Built-in speakers for convenience
- Flat panel great for productivity
Cons
- Speakers are weak and tinny
- Some corner backlight bleed on dark scenes
- No curve for gaming immersion
Buy on Amazon
Best Build Quality
Sitting right at the top of the budget, this is the most polished-feeling monitor in the group and our pick for build quality. It's a 34 inch curved 1500R panel at full 3440x1440, running the highest refresh rate here at 180Hz, with 128% sRGB and 178 degree viewing angles.
On paper it reads like a spec sheet from a monitor costing far more. The 180Hz refresh edges out the LXZ's 165Hz, the 1500R curve delivers proper immersion, and owners consistently note that the chassis and stand feel a cut above the flimsier budget norm. That's why it earns the build badge: less wobble, a more solid base, tidier bezels. For someone who wants the closest thing to a premium ultrawide experience while staying under £200, this is it.
So why isn't it our overall winner? Price, mostly. It's the most expensive of the five, and the LXZ delivers a very similar core experience (UWQHD, curved, high refresh) for noticeably less. If your budget stretches to the top of the bracket and build feel matters to you, this is the one to reach for. If you want maximum value, the LXZ wins on pounds per feature. Both are among the Best Ultrawide Monitors Under £200 and neither will disappoint.
Pros
- Highest refresh here at 180Hz
- Full UWQHD with 1500R curve
- Noticeably sturdier build and stand
- 128% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Most expensive of the five
- Still tilt-only ergonomics
Buy on Amazon£189.99
