SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor (Model: ES-G34C5) Review
The SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor (Model: ES-G34C5) is a wide, immersive gaming display that brings a new level of excitement and visual clarity to your gaming setup. With a large 34-inch curved screen, ultra-wide aspect ratio, and sharp visuals, this monitor is designed to enhance your gaming and multimedia experience. But how well does it perform in practice? In this review, we’ll dive into its features, pros and cons, and performance based on user feedback to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Key Features:
- 34-Inch Curved Display: The 1800R curvature provides a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience by matching the natural curve of the human eye, reducing distortion and providing an edge-to-edge view.
- Ultra-Wide 21:9 Aspect Ratio: The 21:9 aspect ratio offers a wider field of view for gaming, allowing you to see more of the game world, and is great for multitasking or watching movies with a cinematic feel.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: With a 144Hz refresh rate, the monitor delivers smoother gameplay and a more responsive experience, minimizing motion blur and providing an advantage in fast-paced games.
- 1ms Response Time: The 1ms response time helps reduce ghosting and motion blur, ensuring clear visuals even in high-speed gaming moments.
- AMD FreeSync Support: The monitor supports AMD FreeSync technology, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, ensuring a smoother gaming experience, especially for AMD graphics card users.
- WQHD Resolution (3440×1440): The 3440×1440 resolution provides excellent image sharpness and clarity for both gaming and productivity tasks, delivering a great balance between pixel density and screen real estate.
- Adjustable Stand: The adjustable stand allows you to tilt and adjust the monitor to find the most comfortable viewing angle.
- Multiple Ports: The monitor comes with HDMI, DisplayPort, and other connectivity options, making it versatile and easy to connect to a wide range of devices.
- Sleek, Modern Design: The monitor features a sleek, minimalist design with a thin bezel, which helps provide an uninterrupted view and a more aesthetically pleasing setup.
Pros:
- Immersive Gaming Experience: The 34-inch curved screen and ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio are highly praised by gamers, as they create a more immersive experience with better peripheral vision and a cinematic feel for movies.
- Smooth Gameplay: The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make this monitor an excellent choice for fast-paced gaming. Gamers appreciate the reduction in motion blur and the fluidity it brings to titles like FPS and racing games.
- Wide Viewing Angles: Thanks to the curved display, users report that viewing angles are much better compared to traditional flat monitors, offering a more comfortable and natural viewing experience.
- Affordable for Its Features: Many users find the SANSUI ES-G34C5 to be a good value for the features it offers, especially the combination of WQHD resolution and 144Hz refresh rate at a relatively lower price point than some premium gaming monitors.
- AMD FreeSync: The inclusion of AMD FreeSync is a highlight, as it enhances gameplay by reducing screen tearing and stuttering, creating smoother transitions during intense gaming sessions.
- Sleek Design: The thin bezel design and modern aesthetic make it a stylish addition to any gaming or work setup.
Cons:
- Limited Adjustability: While the monitor has tilt adjustability, it lacks height adjustment or rotation, which might be an issue for users who need more flexibility to position the screen ergonomically.
- Average Color Accuracy: Some users have noted that the color accuracy isn’t as high as more premium monitors, making it less ideal for professional photo editing or design work where precise colors are crucial.
- Speakers: The built-in speakers are not very powerful, and many users prefer to use external speakers or headphones for better sound quality.
- Brightness Levels: A few users have mentioned that the brightness levels are not as high as expected, particularly for use in very bright rooms or environments with a lot of ambient light.
- No USB Ports: While it has multiple display and power input options, the lack of USB ports can be a downside for users who need to connect peripherals directly to the monitor.
Rating Breakdown:
- Features: 4.5/5
The SANSUI ES-G34C5 offers an impressive set of features including a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, FreeSync, and a WQHD resolution at a relatively affordable price. While it lacks height adjustability and USB ports, it’s still packed with all the essentials needed for an immersive gaming experience. - Performance: 4.4/5
The monitor performs excellently in gaming scenarios, with smooth motion, reduced screen tearing, and vivid resolution. However, the color accuracy and brightness could be improved for tasks that require fine detail, such as professional photo or video editing. The gaming experience, though, is fantastic. - User Feedback: 4.3/5
Users generally report being very happy with the immersion and smooth gameplay provided by the monitor. The value for money is a major point of satisfaction. However, some users express concerns about the lack of adjustable height, brightness, and speakers not meeting their expectations.
Overall Rating: 4.4/5
The SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor (ES-G34C5) is a fantastic choice for gamers seeking a wide, immersive display with fast refresh rates and smooth gameplay. It strikes an excellent balance between performance and price, making it one of the best value options in the market. However, for those looking for highly accurate colors or a more adjustable stand, it may fall short. Still, its 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, and WQHD resolution make it a top contender for casual and competitive gamers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor good for competitive gaming?
- Yes, the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make it a solid choice for competitive gaming, especially for fast-paced genres like FPS and racing games. AMD FreeSync also helps eliminate screen tearing, making gameplay smoother.
2. Can I use this monitor for productivity tasks?
- The 21:9 aspect ratio is great for multitasking, allowing you to open multiple windows side by side. However, the color accuracy may not be ideal for professional tasks like photo or video editing, so it’s better suited for general office work and entertainment.
3. Does this monitor support HDR?
- No, the SANSUI ES-G34C5 does not support HDR (High Dynamic Range). It provides great visuals but lacks the enhanced color and contrast offered by HDR-capable displays.
4. How bright is the SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor?
- The monitor has an average brightness level, but some users have reported that it might not be bright enough for use in very well-lit rooms. If you use the monitor in a dark or low-light environment, it performs adequately.
5. Does the SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor have built-in speakers?
- Yes, it has built-in speakers, but they are not very powerful. For better sound quality, users typically rely on external speakers or headphones.
6. Is the monitor VESA compatible?
- Yes, the SANSUI ES-G34C5 is VESA compatible, so you can mount it on a wall or an adjustable monitor arm if preferred.
7. How wide is the monitor? Will it fit on my desk?
- The SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor has a large footprint due to its 34-inch size. It’s important to measure your desk space to ensure the monitor fits comfortably. The curved design may also help fit it better into your setup compared to a flat screen.
Final Thoughts:
The SANSUI 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor (ES-G34C5) provides great value for gamers looking for a curved, ultra-wide display with a high refresh rate and smooth gameplay. While it may not offer the absolute best color accuracy or brightness for professional work, it excels in gaming, entertainment, and multitasking scenarios. If you’re after a cinematic gaming experience without breaking the bank, this monitor is an excellent choice.
Logan-Andrew-poe –
Setting it up was a breeze—super simple and no tools needed! It also looks and feels really high quality.
Fantoche –
This monitor looks great and includes speakers. The wattage for the speakers is clearly stated in the advertisement, and as expected, the sound quality and volume aren’t outstanding. I’m satisfied with the monitor, but my main concern lies not with this specific brand or model, but rather with a more general issue. Using a large 27″ monitor at only 1080p can make the text appear less sharp when sitting close, which might not be a problem when viewed from a distance like a TV. For the price, it’s a solid choice, but my next monitor in this size will definitely be 4K. I rate it five stars because the monitor matches the description perfectly, and it’s my own oversight for not choosing a 4K option at a higher price.
Logan-Andrew-poe –
Initially, I really disliked this monitor. It appeared blurry, and the colors were off when viewed from different angles. However, after enabling AMD FreeSync and adjusting the brightness and sharpness, it started to improve. I also moved the monitor back by six inches, which made a noticeable difference in quality. I had to tweak the sharpness to get the visuals to my liking. I can’t rate this monitor 4 or 5 stars due to my initial disappointment; I’ll update my review after I log more hours. After about 10 hours of use, I can slightly recommend it. I purchased it during Black Friday/Cyber Monday, mainly to see if a $200 monitor with 2K resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time was worth it. However, I feel like the specs may be overstated compared to my previous monitor, an Acer Predator XB271HU with G-SYNC and 165Hz. I got this one to switch to AMD, but coming from similar specs, I’m still adjusting. This monitor is decent; I haven’t experienced the screen tearing that others have mentioned. I primarily play CS2, Apex, Dota 2, COD Zombies, and a few indie games like Terraria and Stardew Valley. The edges do seem a bit too dark for my taste, so I cranked the brightness to 100 to make the screen more visible. As for the RGB lighting on the back, it’s quite dim—more like a weak flashlight than anything noteworthy. I have to position my hand behind the monitor to see the lights shine towards me, similar to a dim RGB mouse. Overall, the monitor performs as advertised, but I had to experiment with the settings, and I’m still on the fence about it. It did well in the 240Hz test I ran. My main concern is the dark edges, resembling polarized edges. For anyone upgrading from a 60-120Hz or 720p-1080p monitor, this will be a significant upgrade. I can’t fully recommend it yet, but I’m not saying it’s awful either. I’ll give it about 7-14 days to impress me before considering a return, and I’ll update my review if necessary.
Update after 12 days: I’m actually enjoying this monitor now. I’ve gotten used to it and found it performs quite well. The key was adjusting both the monitor and GPU settings to my preferences. I’d give it a maximum of 4 stars. It’s a solid monitor, but my initial impression was negative. I did notice minor screen tearing, though oddly enough, it was more with my crosshairs in CS while in smoke. Overall, I’m happy with the monitor, but I still think spending an extra $100-$200 might yield better results. Like I mentioned earlier, I bought it mainly to test its advertised performance, and so far, it’s holding up well.
scout –
The description states that it has a USB Type-C connection, but that is incorrect. It only comes with HDMI and VGA connections. I had to buy an adapter to connect it to my MacBook Pro. It was a disappointing experience.
MF –
I’m amazed at how they achieved such quality at this price point. This monitor is flawless and matches the description perfectly.
Jim B. –
Excellent monitor at an affordable price. Fast shipping! I haven’t tested the speakers yet.
JM –
Decent but nothing special: It gets the job done for a reasonable price. Nice appearance with a curved feel on the edges.
ldigi –
I used this monitor for my desktop computer, and I’m very satisfied with the display quality and the straightforward setup process. One possible enhancement could be the addition of a tilting feature to adjust for desk height and other factors.
Sam –
I’ve been considering a 34″ curved monitor for a few months, comparing various brands and prices. This monitor met all my criteria—it offers superior resolution, refresh rate, response time, and color range compared to many other curved models. The screen is stunning, with vibrant colors, and I can easily read small text without straining my eyes. I find myself comfortably leaning back in my chair instead of hunching forward, since everything is much clearer than my previous 24″ 1920×1080 monitor.
The packaging was excellent, and setup was straightforward. The monitor stand clicks into place without the hassle of screws or bolts. If you prefer a VESA mount, note that while the monitor has screw points, they are located in a small circular recess intended for the stand. You’ll need standoff screws or spacers to properly fit a VESA plate.
I’m currently using the monitor with the stand but will provide an update once I switch to a VESA mount.
Update: I have transitioned to a VESA mount and attached photos of my setup. I used 8mm-tall M4 standoffs for the installation.
Ismael Lee –
The monitor performs well, but the mechanism that secures the stand to the monitor feels a bit flimsy and broke on both units we purchased. While the stand still functions adequately, you shouldn’t expect a secure connection between the two. It’s a minor flaw, but it did leave me with a negative first impression.
ldigi –
I came across several reviews mentioning the need to adjust colors and contrast on this monitor, and I figured I could manage a little fine-tuning for the price. However, no amount of adjustments can salvage the awful display quality. The colors are dreadful, and dark scenes are almost comical in their inadequacy. This monitor completely fails to produce true blacks, making dark visuals unbearable. The contrast never feels right, and tweaking it during gameplay only makes matters worse. While HDR is bright, it’s also incredibly washed out, and attempts to modify settings either in-game or through Windows never eliminate that washed-out look.
This monitor isn’t worth its price tag—even as a budget option, it falls short. Any positive reviews likely come from people upgrading from small 1080p screens who don’t know what better looks like. This is, without a doubt, the worst monitor I’ve ever encountered. If I had to find a silver lining, I guess there are no dead pixels, it’s bright when HDR is on, and the size is decent with a nice curve for my desk. But honestly, those are basic expectations for any monitor at this size and resolution.
This is a budget monitor, and you’ll be reminded of that every time you use it. It’s genuinely disheartening that I purchased this; I feel cheated, as if I ordered a gaming monitor and received a joke product instead. Please, for your own sake, just hit the back button and look for something else. Anything would be an improvement.
Update: I’ve already ordered a new monitor. After this experience, I decided it was worth paying more for an OLED from a reputable brand to avoid this level of disappointment again. I understand that this may not be an option for everyone, but while I wait for my new monitor, I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit trying to troubleshoot this one. I dove into YouTube and Reddit to find solutions for its many issues. By making extensive adjustments in the NVIDIA Control Panel—like brightness, contrast, gamma, digital vibrance, and surprisingly, even hue—I managed to make it somewhat less unbearable. However, it still feels like the display is fundamentally incorrect. These adjustments apply universally, meaning while a game might look slightly better, regular desktop use is a nightmare, requiring constant back-and-forth adjustments. Even with tweaks, the colors and contrast seem off from what game developers intended, leading to banding and strange color filtering.
In conclusion, in my 20+ years of PC gaming and numerous monitor experiences, I’ve never encountered a display this bad. It’s shockingly poor. I initially thought the 4.5-star rating and positive reviews meant I must have set it up incorrectly, but no, it’s just bad. Not worth even half of its asking price. If someone gave me this monitor for free, I wouldn’t use it. The colors are incorrect and severely washed out, especially with HDR on. My last three monitors all had HDR, and this one is the worst by a significant margin. I’ve tried Windows color calibration and HDR calibration, along with every setting adjustment imaginable in Windows, the NVIDIA control panel, and the monitor’s built-in settings. Unfortunately, you simply can’t fix a poorly designed screen with settings. There is no solution.
Frozen North –
Great bang for your buck!