Samsung Essential LS32D390GANXZA 32" Black

The Samsung Essential LS32D390GANXZA is a 32-inch curved 1080p monitor with a 100Hz refresh rate for under 200 CAD. It's a solid budget pick for casual use, but color performance is bottom-tier and connectivity is limited to one HDMI and one VGA. Worth it if you want big and cheap, skip it if you care about image quality.

The 100Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time are the headline features here, and they're fine for casual gaming. FreeSync helps keep things smooth if you've got an AMD card. But the 1080p resolution stretched across 32 inches means pixel density takes a hit, so text and fine details look softer than they would on a smaller or higher-res panel. Brightness tops out at 250 nits, which is fine for a dim room but struggles near windows. Color performance is a weak spot, landing in the bottom fifth of our database, so don't expect vibrant, accurate hues out of the box.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG or the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, this Samsung looks like it's from a different decade. Those monitors cost several times more, sure, but they deliver OLED contrast, higher refresh rates, and color accuracy this panel can't touch. The LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B is a more direct size comparison at 32 inches, but it's a 4K panel with far better color and connectivity. The Samsung's only real advantage is price. It's the budget option in a field of premium displays.

At 195 to 200 CAD, this monitor is cheap for a 32-inch curved panel. You're getting a big screen, 100Hz, and FreeSync for less than most 27-inch 1080p monitors cost. But you're also getting bottom-tier color, limited connectivity, and a resolution that feels stretched at this size. If you just want a big second screen for work or light gaming and don't care about color accuracy, it's a decent deal. If you care about image quality at all, save up a bit more.

The Samsung Essential LS32D390GANXZA is a 32-inch curved VA panel that tries to do a little bit of everything. You get 1080p resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync support for under 200 CAD. That's a tempting combo if you want a big screen without spending big money.

But the spec sheet tells a story of compromise. One HDMI port, 250 nits of brightness, and color performance that lands in the 16th percentile of our database. It's a budget monitor through and through, and the corners cut show up in the details.

Skip this if you need accurate colors for photo or video work, since the panel lands in the bottom fifth of our color rankings. Also skip it if you need multiple inputs, because one HDMI and one VGA won't cut it for a multi-device setup. And if you're a competitive gamer, the 4ms response time and 1080p resolution will feel limiting compared to faster 1440p or 4K options.

This monitor is for someone who wants a big, curved screen for casual use and doesn't want to spend more than 200 CAD. It's fine for office work, web browsing, and light gaming in a dim room. If you're a serious gamer, a photo editor, or anyone who cares about color accuracy, this isn't the panel for you. The 100Hz refresh rate is nice, but the 1080p resolution and weak color performance hold it back.