A monitor that can turn into a vertical position can save your life. The best vertical monitors can be useful if you are short on space or want to optimize your setup.
You can also have ergonomic advantages by changing a display mode from landscape to portrait. Vertical (or portrait) mode doesn’t require you to move your head, neck, eyes and head as much. You will enjoy a more relaxed viewing experience because there is less movement. It’s also easier to scroll left and right than up and down. (Don’t believe me? Take a look at your mouse’s scrolling design! ).
Vertical monitors are still relatively new and therefore not yet a common feature. This is only one aspect of the display. You still need to evaluate core elements such as resolution, size and refresh rate. If you are looking for secondary screens to flip, top specs won’t be necessary. The best vertical monitors can do much more than rotate.
Over the past 10 years I have been a freelance journalist and reviewed tech and home products for many publications, including Popular Science and CNN Underscored. Our selections of vertical monitors are based on extensive testing, extensive research and recommendations from experts as well as user impressions.
A “vertical monitor” is a misleading term. Our selection of monitors are not designed to be used in landscape orientation. Most people won’t use their primary monitor in a vertical orientation. PopSci staff members, as well as most others, believe that your vertical monitor is the screen you use to access Slack, Twitter, or any other content.
The best vertical monitors tend to be budget-friendly generalist displays. A vertical monitor doesn’t require a fast refresh rate. You don’t usually need the highest resolution or the best color accuracy for a vertical monitor. While those are great features, they don’t always make the best display. What we really want is a good monitor that can be turned on its stand and works well as your primary monitor.
Vertical monitors are more important than ever because the size of your monitor is a major factor in speed and accuracy. A larger monitor will allow you to view vertically-oriented content at a glance. A larger display will allow you to quickly see tiny details and real-time audio levels.
When your monitor is rotated vertically, it can make a significant difference in how small you are able to fit into a narrow space. A monitor that measures 27 inches in width and 14 inches high will flip 13 inches higher if it is flipped. If you are adding a second monitor to your home, you might need to adjust your chair in order to see it comfortably. To ensure everything is in line, an adjustable standing desk or monitor arm will be more suitable.
The resolution refers to the number of pixels that your monitor displays horizontally and vertically. These numbers determine how high quality the image is displayed on the monitor. The majority of modern monitors are available in one of the following standard resolutions:
For smaller displays, 1920×1080 (also known as Full HD or 1080p) is the default resolution. For 24-inch monitors and work-from-home setups, we recommend 1080p displays. For vertical monitors, 1080p is the best option.
Sharper resolution is 2560×1440, also known as Quad HD or 1440p. Popular Science refers to 1440p often as the “sweet spot” for gaming monitors because it allows gamers with powerful or mid-range gaming computers to play more games at higher frame rates.
The highest resolution you will see on a monitor is 3840×2160 or 4K UHD. 4K resolution, unlike TVs, is considered an expensive option for a monitor. 4K resolution is not necessary if you don’t need the best possible image quality. You might consider 4K if you are looking to purchase a large monitor (32 inches or more), to preserve sharpness.
The refresh rate of a monitor is measured in Hertz (Hz). This tells you how often your screen can update what’s going on each second. A majority of productivity monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for web browsing, word processing and other computing tasks. We recommend a gaming monitor with an 144Hz refresh rate for gamers, streamers, and those who do intensive photo and video editing. This allows for smoother animation.
The response time is the amount of input lag your monitor introduces when you send actions from your keyboard to your computer and then to your screen. Most productivity monitors, even vertical ones, have a very low response time. This is most relevant for competitive gaming. We recommend that gaming monitors have a minimum response time of 1ms. This is very common.
Make sure your monitor has enough ports and inputs to support the devices you intend to use. Modern monitors have HDMI and DisplayPort connections that allow you to connect to your computer. Many have USB ports that can be used to charge and connect additional devices. An adapter may be required to connect older connections such as DVI, if you have an old computer.
All of the vertical monitors in our list can be rotated vertically. Some stands permit tilting or height adjustments, while others don’t. Some monitors have built-in speakers that can play music and a webcam.
Because vertical monitors are still relatively new, they aren’t an all-purpose feature. There are many great options available at all price points, with widely varying specifications. Some have a faster frame rate, while others have a quicker response time. They can also differ in price and size. You will need at least one monitor, regardless of whether you rotate your primary display or keep a secondary vertically mounted screen.
LG
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This monitor is worth the investment. It has many inputs and combines the best features.
Specifications
Pros
Cons
The LG UltraGear27GN650-B Monitor offers a perfect combination of features and price. The large 27-inch 1080p screen provides great viewing angles and plenty of screen real estate, regardless of whether it’s being viewed horizontally or vertically. With a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response speed, it’s great for gaming and work. You have many input options, including two HDMI 2.0s, DisplayPort 1.4s, USB 3.0 and a 3.5mm audiojack. It also has great adjustability. The stand can be adjusted in height and angle, and it even has a cable holder at the back.
ASUS
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Why it was chosen: The Asus VG248QG is a sub-$200 monitor that offers incredible performance, including a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms response speed.
Specifications
Pros
Cons
The ASUS VG248QG is a stunning monitor. It’s a great gaming monitor for less than $200. It has a stand that can rotate, tilt, swivel, and adjust height, making it an ergonomic choice. The display also has eye-strain protections such as an anti-glare and blue light filter. This gaming monitor is very durable and very affordable.
BenQ
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Amazon: Buy it Used or Refurbished
The BenQ PD2700U is a professional coder’s tool that maximizes their time and space. It features 4K resolution, dual control and three viewing modes.
Specifications
Pros
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The BenQ PD27000U is a great vertical monitor that coders can use and a great option for creative professionals who want to save money. It’s the larger panel of 4K at 27 inches that makes it easier to see fine details. But it’s actually the display’s excellent color accuracy (100% sRGB, 100% Rec.709) that keeps creative projects looking great.
Three specialty settings are available for different types and types of creative work. These include a darkroom mode for photographers and CAD/CAM mode to designers. An animation mode highlights dark areas without changing the color accuracy. You can also view the image in dual-view mode. This allows you to see two images at once or one image in two specialty modes.
The monitor also has a Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM), which allows you to use the same keyboard and mouse for controlling two different laptops. The monitor also has anti-glare and blue light filters. It can be set to flicker-free to reduce eye strain.
Dell
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Why it was chosen: The Dell S2522HG’s 240Hz refresh rate, clear image and ambient lighting make it easy to see what is going on and how you can put your best foot forward.
Specifications
Pros
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The Dell S2522HG gaming monitor is very affordable and very fast. It also has features that make it an excellent choice for streamers. Its 25-inch 1080p panel is a great fit for content creation. You can play fast with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response speed. ComfortView blue light suppression helps to avoid eye strain when streaming for long periods.
The monitor can be adjusted to tilt, tilt, or height via the stand. It also has five USB 3.2 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports. This will be very useful as you expand your streaming setup.
Philips Computer Monitors
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Why it was chosen: The Philips Brilliance 279P1 4K USB-C LCD display is sleek and affordable.
Specifications
Pros
Cons
Certain features can drive the price of a monitor way too high. One of these features is the ability to connect a computer via USB-C. Another is the 4K resolution. The Philips Brilliance 279P1 has both of these features for under $500. It’s not cheap but it offers solid value for both these features. The 279P1 delivers clear and detailed images. It also features an Easy Read setting, which increases contrast and adjusts brightness to make text files easier to read. The height adjustment and tilt and swivel functions of the monitor make it easy to adjust. Two HDMI ports are available, along with DisplayPort, four USB ports and an Ethernet port.
KYY
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Why it was chosen: The KYY K3 portable vertical monitor is easy to use when you are away from home.
Specifications
Pros
Cons
The KYY 15.6 inch Portable Monitor is a great choice for anyone who needs a portable monitor. It can be carried in a bag and works in vertical mode without any support. Although it is smaller than an iPad, the monitor still produces 1080p at 1080p as most full-size monitors. You can connect your smartphone, laptop or gaming console to it via HDMI or USBC. The smart cover doubles as a stand for landscape mode. However, the KYY K3 can also be used as a portrait or vertical display.
HP
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The reason it made it: If you intend to mount a monitor vertically, and keep it that way for a while, the HP VH240a will do everything you need. It also doesn’t cost much.
Specifications
Pros
Cons
The HP VH240a monitor is perfect for permanent vertical setups. You can get a quality 1080p productivity monitor with slim bezels and a stand that adjusts to your needs for less than $200. There are caveats to any recommendation within this price range. The VH240a does not support DisplayPort connectivity, so it may not be the best option for you.
Carl Prouty, Abt Electronics’ technologist in Glenview, Ill. says most monitors can work in a vertical orientation. Prouty stated that not all monitors can be rotated. Others will need a desk or wall mount.
Prouty stated that if you do a lot with word processing or coding they may be useful, but not required. People with two monitors often have one in a vertical location for emailing, coding or typing word documents and the other in horizontal for research purposes.
Prouty stated that a curved monitor can be used vertically but not optimally. The benefits of a horizontally positioned curved monitor are greater than if they were positioned vertically. They are also more expensive so you won’t get your money’s worth when they are positioned vertically.
You can flip a monitor 90 degrees to allow you more scrolling space, whether you are looking at code, social media, or long documents. It’s easy to get carried away with the specifications of a vertical monitor. For most applications, a vertical monitor is not necessary.
