Xiaomi G34WQi 34-inch 180 Hz gaming monitor review: Good color and contrast for a low price

34-inch curved VA WQHD gaming monitor with 180 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and wide gamut color.

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Xiaomi G34WQi
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Xiaomi G34WQi
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Xiaomi claims 350 nits for the G34WQi, and my sample topped 385. This is with DCR (dynamic contrast) turned off. Turning it on reduces the black level but also crushes shadow detail. With over 3,333:1 native contrast, no help is needed here. This is about triple the dynamic range of an IPS panel, a difference you can clearly see in content. The picture looks more lifelike with greater depth and color saturation. Among VA monitors, the G34WQi is just above average in this test.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Xiaomi G34WQi
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration makes very little difference in the G34WQi’s contrast. It’s about the same as before, but color is a tad more saturated thanks to the grayscale adjustments. More on that later. The Philips and ViewSonic have higher native contrast, but they also cost a lot more.

The G34WQi is the best of the rest in the ANSI test, with a ratio just under 3,000:1. This is very consistent performance that you wouldn’t expect for less than $300. Again, the Philips and ViewSonic take first and second place, but that should be the case, considering they cost far more.

Test Takeaway: The G34WQi uses its VA panel to produce class-leading contrast. Among budget screens, it is a clear winner. Only a pair of expensive Mini LED models can beat it; that is certainly significant. With 385 nits peak brightness available, there is more than enough light output for a punchy image. And the high contrast helps color look more saturated.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.