Pros
- Tilt and height adjustable stand
- 34-inch IPS matte display
- Screen Split mode
- VESA compatible
Cons
- No USB-C input
- Poor contrast ratio
When it comes to day-to-day computer and entertainment needs, LG's UltraWide monitors tend to be a great solution for most users because of their excellent performance, well-built design, versatile connectivity options, and affordable prices.
With that in mind, it's time for you to get to know in-depth the main features of a budget-friendly 34-inch UltraWide monitor in this review of the LG 34WK650-W to determine if this model fits your overall needs.
Amongst the customers' first impressions, we'd like to highlight the excellent viewing angles of its IPS display with superior brightness and impeccable color accuracy, as well as its sleek and minimalist look.
The 34WK650-W has also managed to stand out thanks to the use of HDR10 technology to improve multimedia viewing, as well as the fact that it features Wide Full HD, meaning the resolution is higher than your standard FHD to accommodate for the additional 33% screen real estate.
In any case, we've absolutely fallen in love with this unique monitor, but we do recognize it's not for everyone, and today we're going to take you through it step by step so you can decide if it's the right monitor for you.
Table of contents
- Tech Specs
- Image Quality
- Performance
- Features
- Design and Connectivity
- Price and Similar Monitors
- Verdict
Tech Specs of the LG 34WK650-W
| Brand/Model | LG 34WK650-W |
| Dimensions without Stand | 32.5 x 22.5 x 9.1 inches |
| Weight without Stand | 16.8 pounds |
| Display | IPS | Anti-glare | 34-inch | HDR10 |
| Resolution | Wide Full HD (2560 x 1080 pixels) |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Response Time | 5 ms (GtG) |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
| Color Gamut | 16.7 Million | 99% sRGB |
| Speakers | 2 x 5W |
| VESA | 100 x 100 mm |
| Connectivity | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 1x Headphone out |
Image Quality
The LG 34WK650-W features a 34-inch display coated with an anti-glare 3H treatment to reduce reflections to the minimum. Also, its IPS technology allows you to see the screen clearly from almost any angle, unlike the VA screens, which offer a far more limited viewing angle.
This model has an accurate color gamut of up to 99% of sRGB color space as well as a peak brightness of 300 cd/m2, which is typically brighter than anyone would want to look at, and it's superior when compared to the average monitor that only reach 250 cd/m2.
Furthermore, it boasts a Wide Full HD resolution (2560 x 1080 pixels) with a pixel density of just 81 PPI allowing you to see crisp images as long as you're sitting three feet away from the monitor since individual pixels are more distinguishable at a close distance.
If you wanted a higher pixel density at a lower price point, we would encourage you to check out the LG 29WQ600-W we reviewed last week. Sure, it's 6 inches smaller but comes with the same resolution, better pixels per inch, and fairly similar features.
And like other LG UltraWide models, the LG 34WK650-W supports HDR10 via software, making the images look a bit better in some cases when watching movies and playing video games.
Last but not least, it's important to highlight that there is very minimal IPS glow which is especially noticeable when the room is pitch black, as reported by several users.
The LG 34WK650-W is a good solution for casual gaming as it features a response time of 5 ms (GtG) to reduce ghosting and trailing in fast-paced games, while its refresh rate of 75 Hz is slightly better than the typical 60 Hz of most low-cost monitors.
In addition, thanks to AMD FreeSync technology, you'll be able to enjoy gameplays without stuttering and tearing as long you're playing with a compatible AMD or NVIDIA G-Sync graphics card, or with an Xbox One console.
To enhance gaming, there are some helpful functions such as 'Black Stabilizer' to improve visibility in the darkest areas, 'Dynamic Action Sync' to keep the input lag low, and 'Crosshair' to enhance shooting accuracy when playing FPS titles.
Features worth pointing out
The LG 34WK650-W comes with easy-to-access software (On-Screen Control) that allows you to set up its volume, brightness, contrast, picture mode presets, and other settings with just a few clicks of the mouse.
Thanks to its 21:9 aspect ratio and 'Screen Split Mode', you'll be able to handle datasheets, slides, documents, browser tabs, and webinars on the same screen simultaneously and with more comfort.
To enhance productivity, you can turn on the 'Reader Mode' that will prevent you from suffering the side effects of exposure to blue light for long computer sessions.
What Are Customers Saying?
What are customers saying about the LG 34WK650-W? Well, the overall feedback seems to be quite positive. Many customers appreciate the monitor's ability to display multiple windows, which increases productivity and eliminates the need for a dual monitor setup.
The IPS screen with great viewing angles is highly regarded, especially compared to VA panels that may cause distortion on widescreen monitors. The adjustable stand with VESA compatibility is also a plus, allowing users to customize their setup.
In terms of resolution, the monitor's FHD display is well-suited for Mac users, as it avoids issues with tiny and unreadable text. The brightness of 300 cd/m² is considered sufficient, and the built-in speakers are surprisingly decent. The sleek and minimalist design, with thin bezels, adds to the overall appeal of the monitor.
However, there are a few points to consider. Gamers should take note that the 16:10 aspect ratio and odd resolution of the monitor may require custom configuration files and tweaks for full-screen gameplay. Additionally, some users have mentioned backlight unevenness and flashlighting on black screens, which may affect black detail in darker games. These drawbacks are considered acceptable trade-offs considering the monitor's size and price.
Overall, customers find the LG 34WK650-W to be a great monitor for productivity, particularly for tasks that require multiple files and websites to be displayed simultaneously. The ease of setup, the screen real estate, and the high-quality performance make it a popular choice among users. While there are some minor issues, the positive aspects of the monitor outweigh the negatives.
Design and Connectivity
The LG 34WK650-W sports a flat and premium design combining a sober black color on the front side with a minimalist white finish on the rear side and a stylish pearl silver on its ArcLine circular stand, which is height and tilt adjustable for more comfort.
Moreover, it's VESA mount compatible, so you'll be able to put it on the wall if you don't have enough space on your desk. And as for connectivity options, it comes with two HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.4 video output, as well as a 3.5 mm audio jack.
There's also a decent pair of 5W MaxxAudio speakers that you can use for entertainment and casual gaming. They're not half bad, all things considered. However, for a truly immersive experience, we would recommend getting Tronsmart speakers compatible with 3D audio. They offer great value for the money and have surprisingly good sound quality.
Price and Similar Monitors
The LG 34WK650-W is a perfect solution for office-related and multimedia uses, considering the great viewing angles provided by its IPS 34-inch screen and its wider aspect ratio (21:9) that offers 33% more screen space to multitask more comfortably.
For gaming, the already reviewed LG 34WP60C-B could be a better option since it features an immersive curved 34-inch monitor with better resolution (Quad HD), higher refresh rate (up to 160 Hz), and a lower response time (1 ms). Alternatively, if you don't want a curved display and your priority is a gaming monitor, then the Asus VG248QG is another option worth considering.
Verdict: Should you buy it?
Overall, the LG 34WK650-W is a great and easy-to-install monitor whose performance, gorgeous and adjustable design, and connectivity solutions will fit your everyday needs for an unbeatable price point.
To be perfectly honest, we would have appreciated the monitor featuring a 4K resolution, but assuming you're not sitting right next to the screen - less than 3 feet away - this should not be a problem. Let us not forget this is a pretty big monitor.
Ultimately, resolution aside, unless you're a hardcore gamer, this model provides the quality picture and space you need to get things done faster with no distractions with a few extras worth having, such as "split screen mode" and a number of picture quality presets we covered previously. A great ultra wide monitor that's bound to satisfy you.