LG UltraWide 38WN95C monitor review: a premium ultrawide experience
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C is going to appeal to both gamers and creatives
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C has a lot of appeal: whether you're wanting to upgrade your gaming setup or needing new equipment for working from home, the monitor brings with it top-level specs and impressive performance. If you can afford it, it's a great buy.
-
+
Excellent all-round specs
-
+
Strong performance and picture
-
+
Plenty of display modes
-
-
No screen management utility
-
-
Only slightly curved screen
-
-
Better specs are available
Why you can trust T3
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C has to be on the shortlist of anyone looking for a premium ultrawide monitor – if you want one of the biggest, best-looking and most expensive models on the market, this is worth considering for both gaming and creative use.
We're seeing more and more of these ultrawide monitors arriving on the market, and LG is making quite a few of them: we've been impressed with what the electronics giant has put out in the past in this field, perhaps not a surprise given its expertise with display panels.
- These are the best 4K monitors you can buy
- Check out the best gaming monitors available now
As we'll explain below in this LG UltraWide 38WN95C monitor review, the screen scores highly in terms of the specs that it offers, and it does very well in testing too – we think this display is going to make its way into a lot of best monitor lists over the next year or so.
With more and more ultrawide monitors – curved and uncurved – hitting the market, it's definitely worth taking your time to weigh up the competition before making a decision, but we'd say this should probably be somewhere near the top of your final shortlist.
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C monitor review: design and setup
Besides the monitor itself, you get a two-piece stand, a power cable and cables for HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C connections. Putting together the whole setup doesn't take long at all, and you can just about do it yourself if you're reasonably careful. Port access is better than many monitors we've seen, with the sockets clearly accessible at the back.
As for the overall aesthetics, LG has done well here, with pleasingly thin bezels on the monitor itself (only the bottom bezel is slightly thicker, with the LG logo), and a stand that's minimal in its design but still rather stylish. The back of the monitor is dominated by bright white plastic rather than the usual black – of course you're not going to see much of this in day-to-day use, but it's worth bearing in mind.
The monitor's settings and functions are controlled by a little nub joystick that sits underneath the monitor in the middle, and this is easy enough to operate (though we would have appreciated a separate power button). The on-screen menu is one of the most straightforward and intuitive we've seen, again perhaps an indication of just how long LG has been in this business.
In terms of ports, we've got 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 2 x USB-A and a Thunderbolt over USB-C socket too. As well as two 5W integrated speakers there's a headphone jack for more private listening, so you're well covered as far as connectivity goes. Those speakers are actually pretty decent – they won't replace your Sonos soundbar of course, but they're fine for gaming and movie watching, maintaining clear and quality audio up to a relatively high volume.
- Pick out one of the best laptops available to buy
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C monitor review: features and picture
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C measures 38 inches corner to corner, running at a resolution of 3,840 x 1,600 pixels and a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. The slightly curved IPS LCD panel offers 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, and gamers will be tempted in by the 1 ms response time, plus the support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync (which ensured super-smooth motion and gaming performance, in our testing). The DisplayHDR 600 support isn't the most high-end implementation of HDR, but it's perfectly fine.
Those aren't the very best specs you can find on monitors today, but they're pretty close – they cover a lot of bases and are impressive up close. During our time testing the monitor with games, video, and general computing, we came away liking the smoothness of the screen and the clarity and contrast. There are a good selection of different modes to pick from, as well as custom controls for further tweaking.
Brightness and colour reproduction are top drawer too, and we found it difficult to find anything but the most minor faults with the LG UltraWide 38WN95C in terms of the visuals it puts up on screen. The most serious of creative professionals and gamers will perhaps want something a step above, but for the vast majority of users this monitor is going to meet their needs and then some.
Viewing angles are very good, thanks to that IPS LCD display, with colours and contrast even across the whole of the display. The LG UltraWide 38WN95C certainly isn't going to let you down in any aspect of its performance, and with the various different modes to play around with and customise, you've got a lot of flexibility too.
- We've rounded up all the best 2-in-1 laptops we could find
The LG UltraWide 38WN95C monitor review: price and verdict
While you can point to monitors that out-spec the LG UltraWide 38WN95C, there aren't many screens around that bring so many plus points together in one package – it scores highly in terms of size, resolution, refresh rate, contrast, brightness, response time, colour gamut, viewing angles and plenty more besides.
It's nicely designed, it has a good array of ports, and the on-screen menus are simple to get around – they offer some useful quick modes that you can switch between, as well as extra manual controls that are available if you need them. There's no doubt this is one of the best ultrawide monitors that we've tested yet, and if it fits your requirements then we wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.
You do miss out on the very top refresh rates, sizes and resolutions here, and the HDR isn't the best in the business either. It's also quite an expensive monitor too – not really over-the-odds for what you get in return, but still a lot of cash to part with. These are some of the reasons why you might not go for the LG UltraWide 38WN95C, but they're relatively minor drawbacks as far as the big picture goes.
If you're shopping for ultrawide monitors at all then we're assuming you're prepared to pay a premium for a quality viewing experience, and we think that the LG UltraWide 38WN95C delivers it. Keep your eyes out for special offers and discounts on the display (the widgets on this page should help), as they might make the monitor even better value for money.
- One of the best gaming laptops could be yours
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Dave has over 20 years' experience in the tech journalism industry, covering hardware and software across mobile, computing, smart home, home entertainment, wearables, gaming and the web – you can find his writing online, in print, and even in the occasional scientific paper, across major tech titles like T3, TechRadar, Gizmodo and Wired. Outside of work, he enjoys long walks in the countryside, skiing down mountains, watching football matches (as long as his team is winning) and keeping up with the latest movies.
-
These ridiculously good Beats are less than $100 in Prime Day sale
The Beats Solo 4 headphones have NEVER been this cheap, thank you Amazon!
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon combines speed, fitness, and fun in a premium electric package
Turbo power meets elegant design for the ultimate urban and fitness ride
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Creative Sound Blaster GS3 review: a fantastic value speaker for gamers
An audio boost for your gaming – and for your music and movies
By David Nield Published
-
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: all four models compared – should you pre-order today?
How do the 2024 iPhone upgrades compare to what was launched last year's iPhone 15 models?
By David Nield Published
-
Acer's new Nitro monitors go up to 600Hz for super smooth gaming
Ridiculously high-frame rates possible
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
BenQ Mobiuz EX270QM review: a strong contender for your next gaming monitor
Refresh rates up to 240Hz and excellent visuals
By David Nield Published
-
Samsung's new Odyssey gaming monitor brings back a blast from the past
3D has somehow made a comeback
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
BenQ PD3225U review: one of the best 4K picks for creatives
The BenQ PD3225U shines in terms of colour and contrast – but make sure you need it
By David Nield Published
-
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) review: a top class 4K OLED monitor
This stellar display does gaming, streaming, and more
By David Nield Published
-
Apple's iPad is now at a record-low price this Amazon Prime Day
If you've been waiting to pick up an Apple iPad, now might be the time to buy
By David Nield Published