Should You Curve Your Console? The Ultimate Aussie Gamer's Guide to Curved Monitors

Alright, let's have a real yarn. You've finally snagged a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X. The beast is sitting there, humming with next-gen power, but you're still plugging it into that old telly you got from your folks five years ago. You’re seeing all these slick, curved monitors on PC gaming setups and you're wondering: "Is that for me? Or is it just for the keyboard warriors?"

Mate, you've come to the right place. The world of curved monitors can be a bit of a maze, but the pay-off—that glorious, immersive gaming experience—can be absolutely worth it. We're going to break it all down, no fluff, and figure out if a curved monitor is the right upgrade for your console setup, and how to get the best bang for your buck right here in Australia.

The Big Question: Are Curved Monitors Actually Good for Your PS5 or Xbox?

Let's cut to the chase. The short answer is: yes, they can be absolutely brilliant. But—and it's a big but—you need to know what you're buying. It's not as simple as grabbing any curved screen off the shelf at JB Hi-Fi.

The whole point of a curve is immersion. It’s designed to match the natural curvature of your eyes, pulling you into the game world by filling more of your peripheral vision. When you're sitting at a desk, a couple of feet from the screen, this effect is legit. It feels more natural, can reduce eye strain during those marathon Elden Ring sessions, and makes the on-screen action feel bigger and more epic.

However, there's a massive trap for console players: aspect ratio.

16:9 (Widescreen): This is the standard, rectangular shape of your TV. Consoles like the PS5 and Xbox are built to output games in this format. A curved 16:9 monitor? Perfect. You get all the immersive benefits without any compatibility drama.
21:9 or 32:9 (Ultrawide/Super Ultrawide): These are the super-long, letterbox-shaped monitors you see in those insane PC setups. While they look amazing, consoles do not currently support these aspect ratios for gaming. If you plug your PS5 into an ultrawide monitor, you'll get a standard 16:9 image with massive black bars on either side. It's a waste of screen real estate and your hard-earned cash.

The Verdict: Stick to a curved 16:9 monitor for the best console experience.

Pros vs. Cons for Console Gaming

Pros 👍	Cons 👎
Epic Immersion: Fills your peripheral vision, pulling you in.	Ultrawide is a No-Go: Major compatibility issues with consoles.
Reduced Eye Strain: The curve matches your eye's shape, it's comfier.	Viewing Angles: Best experienced solo, sitting dead-centre.
Feels Bigger: A 32-inch curved monitor can feel more expansive.	Potential Cost: Can be pricier than flat-screen equivalents.
Looks Ace: Let's be honest, they just look cool on a desk.	Distortion: Some people notice slight geometric distortion in menus.

Key Specs to Look For: Your Cheat Sheet

Don't get lost in the tech jargon. Here are the specs that actually matter for your console.

1. Resolution: The Sweet Spot

4K (3840x2160): The sharpest you can get. It's beautiful, but you'll pay a premium for a monitor that can also do a high refresh rate.
QHD / 1440p (2560x1440): This is the absolute sweet spot for most gamers. It's a massive step up in clarity from 1080p, and both the PS5 (after a firmware update) and Xbox Series X support it natively. You get a sharp image and can more easily find a monitor that hits that 120Hz refresh rate without breaking the bank.
Full HD / 1080p (1920x1080): Only consider this if you're on a very tight budget or are playing on a smaller screen (24-inch).

2. Refresh Rate: Smooth as Silk

The refresh rate (measured in Hertz or Hz) is how many times per second the screen updates the image. For your PS5 or Xbox Series X, 120Hz is the magic number. This allows you to play compatible games in "Performance Mode" for incredibly smooth, responsive gameplay. Don't settle for a 60Hz monitor if you can help it.

3. Connectivity: The HDMI 2.1 Question

This is a big one. To get the absolute maximum performance from your console—that is, 4K resolution at 120Hz—you need a monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port.

Need HDMI 2.1 if: You're buying a 4K monitor and you must have that 120Hz refresh rate.
Can live with HDMI 2.0 if: You're happy with 1440p at 120Hz, or 4K at 60Hz. Many 1440p monitors can run at 120Hz over their HDMI 2.0 ports, offering a cracking value proposition.

4. Response Time: No More Ghosting

This measures how quickly a pixel can change colour. A slow response time leads to "ghosting" or motion blur, which looks awful in fast-paced games like Call of Duty. Look for 1ms (GtG - Grey-to-Grey). Most decent gaming monitors will have this, but always double-check.

5. Panel Type: IPS vs. VA

VA (Vertical Alignment): These panels are known for their deep, inky blacks and high contrast. This makes games look punchy and vibrant, especially in dark scenes. The curve technology also works really well with VA panels. Their only downside can sometimes be slightly slower response times, but modern ones are excellent.
IPS (In-Plane Switching): These are the champs when it comes to colour accuracy and wide viewing angles. If you do a bit of photo or video editing on the side, an IPS is a great choice. Their contrast isn't quite as good as VA, but high-end IPS panels are still stunning.

6. The Curve Itself (e.g., 1800R, 1000R)

This number refers to the radius of the curve in millimetres. A lower number means a more aggressive, pronounced curve.

1800R: A gentle, subtle curve. A great starting point.
1500R: A more noticeable curve, considered a sweet spot by many.
1000R: A very aggressive curve, designed to match the human eye. Samsung's Odyssey line is famous for this. It's intense and you'll either love it or hate it.

Best Brands Available in Australia

You'll see a lot of names out there, but these are the brands consistently delivering the goods down under.

Samsung: The undisputed kings of the curve. Their Odyssey range (G5, G7, G9) is legendary for its performance, aggressive 1000R curves, and fantastic VA panels.
Dell / Alienware: Consistently top-tier. They make premium monitors with great build quality, excellent warranties, and often use high-quality panels from LG. They're a safe, if sometimes pricey, bet.
LG: The masters of IPS panel technology. Their UltraGear monitors are famous for lightning-fast response times and superb colour. If you're leaning towards a flat screen or a more gently curved IPS, they're hard to beat.
Gigabyte / AORUS: Often the value champions. Gigabyte packs a ton of premium features (like 144Hz, IPS panels, and great connectivity) into monitors that undercut the bigger names on price.
MSI: A huge player in the PC gaming space, MSI offers a wide range of curved monitors that balance performance and price really well. Often a good place to look for a deal.
AOC: Another brand that focuses on providing great value. They offer a massive selection of monitors, and you can often find a feature-packed AOC screen for a ripper price.

The Bargain Hunter's Buying Guide

Okay, you know what you want. Now, how do you get it without having to sell a kidney?

Where to Shop

Online PC Retailers: Your first stop should be the specialist stores like Mwave, Scorptec, PC Case Gear, and Umart. They have the biggest range and often the sharpest prices.
The Big Box Stores: JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman are great for seeing a monitor in the flesh before you buy. They can also have some surprisingly good sales, so don't write them off.
Amazon Australia: Always worth a look. Their prices fluctuate, but you can sometimes snag an incredible deal, especially during their Prime Day sales.
Your Secret Weapon - OzBargain: If you're not on OzBargain, you're doing it wrong. This community-driven deals site is the best place to find out when a monitor goes on sale. Set up alerts for keywords like "1440p monitor" or "Odyssey G7" and pounce when a deal pops up.

When to Buy

Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to tech. The best deals are found during major sales events:

EOFY (End of Financial Year): May and June are prime time for tech deals.
Black Friday / Cyber Monday: The end of November is massive. This is often when you'll see the lowest prices of the year.
Boxing Day: The classic Aussie sales event is still a great time to hunt for a bargain.

The Value Checklist

Before you hit "Add to Cart", run through this list:

Is it 16:9? Triple-check you're not accidentally buying an ultrawide.
What's the resolution/refresh rate combo? 1440p @ 120Hz (or higher) is the value king. 4K @ 120Hz is the premium dream.
Does it have the right ports? Check for HDMI 2.1 if you're going for 4K/120Hz. If not, HDMI 2.0 is fine for 1440p/120Hz.
How's the stand? Does it have height and tilt adjustment? A cheap, wobbly stand can ruin an otherwise great monitor. Check for VESA compatibility if you want to mount it on an arm.
Read the reviews! Don't just trust the marketing spiel. See what real-world users are saying about ghosting, HDR performance, and dead pixels.

The Final Verdict

So, are curved monitors good for console gaming? You bet they are.

The immersion they add to a desk setup is a genuine game-changer. Leaning into your monitor as you explore the world of Horizon Forbidden West or line up a shot in Fortnite on a screen that wraps around your vision is a fair dinkum awesome experience.

The key is to buy smart. Forget the ultrawides—they're just not made for consoles. Stick to a standard 16:9 curved monitor, aim for that 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate sweet spot, and keep an eye out for a deal from a reputable brand. Do that, and you’ll have a gaming setup that will be the envy of all your mates. Game on.