0% for 12 months on purchases and 0% for 21 m… Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Buy a Curved Ultrawide Monitor

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Curved Ultrawide Monitor

Get that curved ultrawide monitor for your home office without wrecking your monthly cash flow.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $850 before anything else
Across the 0% window $47.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $850 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A good curved ultrawide monitor replaces a messy dual-screen setup and gives you enough room to have three windows open at once. If you buy a solid model, it should easily last five to seven years of daily work and occasional gaming, meaning you are investing in your setup once instead of replacing junk in two years.

The best time to buy is late summer during the back-to-school sales, when retailers drop prices to clear out desk gear. Look at last year's model instead of the brand-new release since manufacturers usually just tweak the stand or the speakers while keeping the actual panel and curve the exact same.

That 0% window is a hard deadline, not free money, so if you still have a balance left when the 18 months are up, regular interest kicks in on whatever you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your exact model

    Decide if you want a 34-inch or a massive 38-inch screen, and check the resolution. Read reviews from people who use it for the same work you do so you do not pay for gaming features you will never touch.

  2. 02

    Wait for late summer sales

    Keep an eye on prices as August rolls around and back-to-school promotions start hitting office and tech gear. Add the monitor to your cart now so you get an alert the second the price drops.

  3. 03

    Line up your payment plan

    If you are using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That spreads your payments out without adding interest if you plan it right.

  4. 04

    Automate your monthly payment

    Divide your total cost by your timeline so you know your exact monthly target. Setting up auto-pay for $47.22 per month ensures you chip away at the balance steadily without having to think about it.

  5. 05

    Check the return policy

    Ultrawide monitors take up a ton of desk space and some people get dizzy from the curve. Make sure you can return it without paying a ridiculous restocking fee if the screen just does not work for your eyes.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Do I need a monitor arm for an ultrawide?

Most ultrawides come with massive stands that eat up your desk depth. A heavy-duty monitor arm frees up your workspace, but you have to check the weight limit because ultrawides are surprisingly heavy.

Is 34 inches too big for a normal desk?

A 34-inch ultrawide is roughly the same width as two smaller monitors sitting side by side. As long as your desk is at least 24 inches deep, you will have enough room to sit at a comfortable viewing distance.

What resolution should I look for?

For a 34-inch screen, look for UWQHD (3440 x 1440). Anything lower will look grainy when you are reading text up close, and anything higher will require a much more powerful computer to run smoothly.

Does curved glass cause glare?

Curved screens can actually catch reflections from multiple angles if you have a window behind you. Pay attention to whether the screen has a matte or glossy finish depending on how bright your office gets.