Philips Evnia 34M2C6500 gaming monitor 34" WQHD 21:9 175 Hz

A resolution of 3440 × 1440 is QHD stretched sideways: the pixel density is similar to a 27-inch 2560 × 1440 monitor, but almost a third more area is added at the sides. In games that support 21:9 you see more of your surroundings, and racing titles and simulators feel more spacious. At work two documents fit side by side, as does a long video editing timeline or a wide spreadsheet without scrolling.

A refresh rate of up to 175 Hz updates the image almost three times as often as a standard 60 Hz office monitor. In fast games aiming is more precise and camera turns are smoother, and even on the desktop the mouse cursor and scrolling text move noticeably more fluidly. A 0.03 ms response time means the pixels change colour so quickly that moving objects leave almost no blurred trail behind them.

The monitor has two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, so you can connect, for example, a gaming PC and a console at the same time and switch inputs from the on-screen menu. This model has no USB-C port and no Ethernet jack, so a laptop connects over HDMI or DisplayPort. Viewing angles of 178° keep colours and contrast consistent even when you look at the screen from the side.

The stand has no height adjustment, so it is worth thinking about your desk and chair height before setting it up. VESA mounting lets you put the monitor on an arm, which gives you any height you like and frees up desk space. The monitor weighs 7.72 kg, which is worth keeping in mind when checking an arm's load rating. There are no built-in speakers, so sound comes from the computer through headphones or separate speakers.

Gamers who want an ultrawide field of view and high refresh smoothness in racing, adventure and shooter games; home users who connect both a computer and a console to one screen; and office workers or creators who need a wide workspace for side-by-side windows but do not need a USB-C dock.