UltraWide vs 4K – Which Should I Choose?

Published: Updated:
UltraWide vs 4K – Which Should I Choose?

As the resolution of monitors and TVs has increased, so have the options for consumers. 4K monitors are quickly becoming popular as people look to upgrade their screens with a higher resolution. However, there is another option you may not be aware of: UltraWide displays. This article will discuss what UltraWide displays are and how they differ from other display types available on the market today.

UltraWide or 4K? If you’ve ever tried shopping for monitors, you’ve probably experienced someone telling you that the 4K is better. Or, you could have experienced the opposite – someone telling you to try the disproportional-looking ultrawide monitor. But what do you choose? If you’re as confused as the next person, here’s all you need to know about both and which is more suitable for you.

what is ultrawide monitor

Naturally, an UltraWide display has a lower resolution than the 4K, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t better. UltraWide is often used by people who want to see more applications on one screen. With the wide display, you can easily open all applications and lay them all over the screen.

Related: Best Gaming Monitor in 2023

What is 4K?

To the average person, 4K is more popular than the UltraWide (maybe because they’re usually the ones advertised). 4K is commonly known as Ultra HD, with a resolution of 3840×2160. Yes, it has more pixels than your average UltraWide display.

The allure of 4K Ultra HD is not so much on the size. As you will know, 4K has a smaller footprint. Its width does not even reach 28 inches. 4K Ultra HD models are often 24 inches or 27 inches. Some unique models reach 32 inches but are not as prevalent as UltraWide.

4K is well known for its resolution. For those who love watching HD movies and games, 4K would be ideal, given that you see details clearer. You can have a better screen resolution with the number of pixels available. It even supports 1080p content!

UltraWide vs 4K – Which is Better?

4k or ultrawide

Just like any other component, there are a lot of factors you have to take into consideration. It’s not because 4K has a better resolution than it’s automatically better. Some people find other features of the UltraWide better than the 4K, so it’s not just a clear decision that one is better than the other. Here are a few differences that you might deem helpful to help you figure out which is the proper display for you.

1. Resolution

First up is resolution. When it comes to resolution, there are so many different options available for UltraWide that it’s difficult to say that it has a worse resolution than the 4K. There are already UltraWide models that have 5120×2160 resolution.

But of course, these resolutions don’t increase as proportionally as the 4K. What does that mean? Look at it this way. The 4K Ultra HD models have a standard resolution of 3840×2160. If the UltraWide is closer to this, that would be the 5120×2160 equivalent. Looking at the ratio of the pixels, you’ll notice that the 4K’s resolution is more proportional all over the screen, whether horizontally or vertically.

2. Size

When it comes to size, there’s hardly a display with the most preferred size because this is very subjective. The best way to know which one is better is to know what size you prefer. Is it wide? Is it small?

You’ll find the UltraWide more appropriate for use if you prefer wide screens. Because it’s wide enough to display many applications, you don’t need a second screen at the side of your other monitor. If you do not have a large gamer’s desk but just a small desk that can’t hold two screens, then an UltraWide is a more efficient.

4k resolution better than ultrawide

3. Everyday Use

One of the most important things to consider is how you plan to use your monitor daily. This is important because the unique selling points of the two monitors are very different from each other.

For example, the UltraWide monitor is for people who want to have several applications side-by-side on the screen. If you’re the type who wants to open all their apps and arrange them just so you can see the progress for each, then the UltraWide is for you.

On the other hand, if a higher resolution is your priority, then the 4K Ultra HD is a lot better. With the 4K Ultra HD, you can watch and play movies and games at a higher quality.

4. Price

Finally, there’s price. UltraWide monitors are generally more expensive than 4K Ultra HD monitors. They’re still considered high-end monitors, not that they’re rarer. You can attribute this to the sizes of UltraWide monitors because they’re usually larger than the standard sizes of the 4K. This is something that increases the price of a monitor.

If you are more conscious of the price, the 4K is more affordable. Because it’s widely available, many high to low-end manufacturers are offering high-resolution displays. They are even a lot cheaper now than they were before.

5. Refresh Rate

The first noticeable difference between the two is the refresh rate. UltraWide displays offer a variable refresh rate, which means that when you are playing games or watching video content with high-action scenes, the screen will refresh at 120Hz. This allows for smoother gameplay and better viewing while reducing eye fatigue during long periods of use. On the other hand, 4k displays will have a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz.

This article has discussed the design and resolution differences between UltraWide displays and other display types on the market today. Still, there is one more significant difference that we need to look at: color gamut. A wide range of colors are available for viewing with an UltraWide display, which means you will be able to see saturated reds in your favorite movie or video game without any distortion; whereas on a monitor using SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) technology standardizes white as pure white and everything else becomes desaturated making colors less vivid-especially when compared to HDR (High Dynamic Range).

6. Aspect Ratio

Another noticeable difference is the aspect ratio.

21:09 displays, which offer the UltraWide screen size of 32 inches and below, are typically available in 16:09 (wider than high) or 21:19 (taller than wide). 28-inch monitors with a 3440×1440 resolution usually have an aspect ratio of 16:09, while 27-inch screens at 2560×1440 have an aspect ratio of 18:42

7. Pixel Density

PD or pixel-per-inch ratio is the measure of resolution, also measured in pixels per square inch.

More pixels on a screen means sharper text and images with less blurriness or scrolling required to access different sections of content, making it great for watching movies, playing video games, editing photos, and more.

The higher pixel density usually comes at the cost of decreased size (because they require an increased number of smaller screens). This makes them ideal for working within a limited space but not as practical when you want to multitask by viewing multiple documents simultaneously.

UltraWide monitors have a PD ratio between 103-120 PPI, whereas most standard desktop LCDs hover around 90-110 PPI. The slight difference translates into more precise detail with sharper, vivid colors. 

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – January 5th, 2014: CES convention attendees examine 4K footage shown on LG s newest 4K OLED Curved Ultra High Definition featuring its IPS display technology.

4k vs Ultrawide – Who takes the cake?

The two monitors are great options for your movies, games, and work. What’s excellent about monitors is that they are continually evolving to have both the specs of a 4K Ultra HD and an UltraWide monitor. The 5K is considered an UltraWide display with a high resolution.

If you have a big budget, then an UltraWide monitor may be the best choice because it is pricier than standard desktop LCD monitors but isn’t as expensive as a full-blown TV or projector screen. They’re also great if you spend most of your time on just one computer and want to use your desk space better so that other peripherals like printers, keyboards, mouse, etc. can sit alongside it without being in the way.

The size, though, depends on what’s important to you – do you prefer having more room for multitasking? Or would you save money by purchasing something smaller with fewer features? Ultimately this decision is up to your personal needs and preferences!

Again, it’s really up to you to figure out which is better. If you prefer seeing all apps at one, then it’s UltraWide. But if you want a higher and better resolution, go for the 4K.

Sharing is caring!

You may also like