My team and I have reviewed over 200 displays, and these are the best vertical monitors to undergo our testing. If you're looking for a screen that rotates between landscape and portrait, every HD, 4K, and 5K display in this guide pivots 90 degrees, with support for VESA mounting.
I've selected a range of pivoting monitors and secondary screens for office professionals, programmers, creators, and streamers. But my top choice for most people is the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE. This 27-inch 4K monitor seriously impressed us in tests, delivering punchy visuals and strong details. And if you don't need 4K, the Dell S2725DC is an excellent budget pick that ticks just about every box besides a high resolution.
Check out the full line-up of pivoting displays below - we've gone hands-on with every vertical monitor in this guide, and you'll find links to our detailed reviews, too.
Best vertical monitor overall
There's a lot we liked about the Dell U2723QE, with its ultra-thin bezels, bi-directional 90-degree pivot, and high 4K resolution that makes viewing in landscape and portrait modes look sharp and easy on the eyes. In terms of verticality, the U2723QE features full 90º +/- rotation for vertical screen orientations, as well as -5º/+21º Tilt and 60º pan.
It also stands out with its wide range of connectivity options which include a USB-C port and four USB-A ports at the rear and one each at the bottom for quick access to flash drives. Plus you can use the monitor to charge your laptop/smartphone with up to 90W power delivery.
We used the display for a range of tasks, from running office software to content creation, and the 27-inch IPS panel more than met all our needs. We were also pleased to find it supported 100% Rec 709, 100% sRGB, and 98% DCI-P3 color gamuts. With all that, we found it a very versatile monitor for data applications, web browsing, video editing, and graphic design work.
Read our full Dell UltraSharp U2723QE review
Best vertical monitor on a budget
The Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC is an affordable display with a 90-degree pivot that we called "a perfect budget business monitor for every kind of office," in our review.
Earning the full 5 stars and a TechRadar Pro Editor's Choice award, this display impressed us by delivering excellent performance for the price. It sports a QHD IPS panel, features USB-C (with 65W PD) and USB-A ports, and we also found the design simple (in a good way). The ultra-thin bezels don't look off-kilter when used in portrait mode
Now, as a budget pick, there are a few features missing. It's not 4K, which might be a deal-breaker for some, particularly creative professionals. And while we appreciated the inclusion of USB ports, it's not stacked enough to call it a hub, and power users will likely want to hook up a full docking station.
However, if you're running spreadsheets, project management, general office tasks and web-based content, even basic coding, it does the job very well considering the price. Ultimately, for most professionals who don't need a high-resolution display, this one does everything you need for work.
Read our full Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC review
Best vertical monitor for Mac
While you can hook up plenty of monitors to your MacBook, Mac mini, and Mac Studio, the BenQ Creative Pro PD2730S stands out as a cheaper alternative to the magisterial Apple Studio Display. Crucially, it has a 5K resolution and native 218ppi pixel density.
In our review, we called it "gorgeous, near-perfect 27-inch 5K monitor," and found it delivered stunning visuals, excellent color accuracy, and a wide range of connectivity.
Design-wise, it's a sleek-looking professional display, and despite being plastic, it still retains a surprisingly premium feel. Like the Apple Studio Display, the screen also sports Nano Matte coating.
What especially impressed us during testing were the connectivity options. Here, you get dual Thunderbolt 4 ports with one offering 90W power delivery that can directly charge your MacBook. There's built-in KVM switching, daisy-chain support, two USB-C ports, and three USB-A ports. What more could a professional need?
If you want a high-resolution monitor with 90-degree pivot that matches the macOS pixel density - without the Apple Studio Display price tag - it ticks every box.
Read our full BenQ Creative Pro PD2730S review
Best vertical monitor for creators
We weren't kidding when we called the BenQ PD3225U "the perfect 32-inch monitor" - during our testing, this 4K display proved exceptional for creative professionals working across photo, video, and design.
Driving our assessment is the sub-2 DeltaE factory calibration, and color accuracy hitting 98% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB, 99% Rec. 709 coverage, and a dedicated M-Book Mode for macOS devices.
Couple that with Pantone Validated, Pantone SkinTone Validated, and Calman Verified specs, and you're dealing with a genuine content creation monitor for everything from light photo touch-ups to full-on video production workflows.
This 4K display comes equipped with a customizable Hotkey Puck, which gave us easy access to a massive range of settings like Color Mode and KVM, alongside a rotary dial for precision control.
Connectivity is good - it features dual Thunderbolt 3 with 90W power delivery for daisy-chaining and single-cable set-ups, a downstream USB-C, and three USB-A ports. Although we'd like to see Thunderbolt 4 here, it's not a deal-breaker when taken as a whole.
Overall, this 32-inch vertical monitor provides a gorgeous, broad canvas to elevate your creative work.
Read our full BenQ PD3225U review
Best vertical monitor for coding
The BenQ GW2486TC is one of our favorite cheap monitors for just about every professional. But it stands out as a screen for coders given the Coding Mode that makes it more comfortable reading long lines of text all-day. Effectively, it optimizes the display for text clarity.
It's the hallmark of a display that's aggressively designed for productivity. And in our experience, this 24-inch display delivers that by the bucketload, without breaking the bank. However, since it lacks any real color coverage - it reaches just 99% sRGB - it's one a display we'd recommend for creative professionals.
It's one of only a handful of weak points on an otherwise excellent vertical monitor that's surprisingly feature-rich given the low cost. That includes eye-care support, an ePaper Mode that also helps ease eye strain if you're running through technical documents, and a good range of ports including a USB-C with 65W power delivery.
It's certainly not the only BenQ monitor to offer programming-specific features - we've seen it on plenty from the RD series, including the BenQ RD280UG and BenQ RD320UA. Both scored highly in our reviews, but for the price, the GW2486TC wins hands-down.
Read our full BenQ GW2486TC review
Best vertical monitor for gaming
The Alienware AW2725QF is our top choice for gamers, as well as streamers who need a secondary screen for running chats and other apps while live. It's a dual-mode 4K/1080p display - and the high-resolution mode is particularly gorgeous.
We had no complaints with the overall performance, with the IPS LCD display looking bright and punchy, with rich colors during use. Even dropping from 4K to the 1080p mode proved very playable compared to other monitors we've tested, although it's not perfect.
What's really lacking for the price are more connectivity here - sure, it sports a USB hub, but we would've liked to see USB-C for single-cable setups.
Gaming specs are what you'd expect here. We were genuinely impressed with the 0.5ms response time, which is one of the fastest in its class considering this is an LCD monitor. Elsewhere, refresh rates can hit up to 360Hz in Full HD mode (that drops to a respectable 180Hz at 4K), with support for G-Sync and FreeSync.
For a dual-mode vertical monitor for gaming and streaming with a full 90-degree pivot, this is a super-responsive and well-calibrated display.
Read our full Alienware AW2725QF review
Best vertical monitors: FAQs
Can I use a regular monitor in portrait mode?
Short answer – yes.
You can absolutely use any of the best business monitors in portrait mode, essentially turning your standard display into a vertical monitor. However, the catch here is that the monitor should have an adjustable stand (or you can get one separately) that allows you to position it upright.
Dedicated vertical monitors come with ergonomic stands where all that you have to do to achieve the vertical configuration is rotate the monitor 90 degrees – without having to detach it from the stand or monitor arm.
Do I need the best vertical monitor?
Vertical monitors are extremely useful for those who spend long hours in front of the screen. These monitors are designed to reduce neck strain by reducing constant head and wrist movement. Next, the longer vertical field makes vertical monitors ideal solutions for reading and editing documents, coding, or managing a Discord channel on your second monitor.
If you're using a vertical monitor as your second display, you can significantly enhance your multitasking abilities, as you'll be able to launch multiple documents and/or applications side by side. Another important advantage of vertical monitors is how much space they save. Their upright orientation makes them perfect for those with limited room on their desk. Additionally, let’s not forget how aesthetically pleasing a setup with a vertical monitor looks.
What is the best size for a vertical monitor?
Anywhere between 24 and 27 inches is considered ideal for vertical monitors.
However, depending on your needs, you can go for a crisp 15.6-inch display. One of the best curved monitors we've tested is the Samsung Odyssey Ark Curved which features a massive 55-inch screen.
And as far as the aspect ratio is concerned, the 9:16 orientation is the most standard and for most people, that's what we recommend.
How to choose the best vertical monitor for you
Before anything else, consider the screen size. Vertical monitors typically take less space on the horizontal, meaning even if you don't have a large desk, you can accommodate a monitor that's fairly large in size. However, if you plan on using the monitor in its horizontal configuration from time to time, you'll have to get one that suits your desk space and viewing distance.
Speaking of size, another important factor is the aspect ratio of the screen. Although you don't have much choice here, given that the 9:16 is as standard as they come (and you can't possibly use a 9:21 aspect ratio), a popular alternative is the 18:16 aspect ratio of the LG DualUp 28MQ780-B.
For reasonably clear images and text, prioritize monitors with at least 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution. However, depending on your needs and/or budget, you can opt for a 4K (3840 x 2160) display that will fetch you sharper visuals. This is especially true if you're looking for the best monitors for photo editing (or even the best monitors for graphic design), where detail and resolution are even more essential than the ability to switch between portrait and landscape mode.
Next up is the refresh rate of the screen. Simply put, the refresh rate is how many times the monitor refreshes per second. Most monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, and that's more than enough most of the time, especially considering that you won't be using a vertical monitor for hardcore gaming. However, if you are looking for the best gaming monitors with vertical ability for heavy game play and/or streaming high-quality videos, we recommend going for a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher.
Although the portability of a vertical monitor isn't a primary consideration in most cases, if you want to be able to pack your vertical monitor in your bag and use it while you're on the go, such as on a train or in a remote workplace, the best portable monitors we've tested are extremely lightweight and touchscreen can be viable options.
Connectivity options cannot be ignored, either. Needless to say, you'd want an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and multiple USB-A and USB-C ports so that you can not only connect various devices simultaneously but also use a port or two for charging purposes.
One of the most important factors when you're out shopping for a vertical monitor is your budget. Although there are numerous money-no-object monitors on the market that offer state-of-the-art technology and display quality, it's important to match your budget with your needs, including the screen size you’d be most comfortable with and the number of ports you absolutely need, as well as the panel type.
Now, as far as panel types are concerned, you cannot go wrong with an IPS panel. However, if you're after a strong contrast ratio and better black levels, you'd be better off with a VA panel.
How we test the best vertical monitors
Our hardware experts have tested hundreds of different displays, from the best monitors for MacBook Pro to the best monitors for video editing. So, we know what to watch out when testing vertical monitors - and what to avoid.
We test the best vertical monitors across five core aspects: design, features, usability, performance, and value for money.
Design
We begin by evaluating a monitor's design and build quality and whether it's able to remain steady in the vertical alignment. Ideally, it shouldn't swivel a lot.
Features & functionality
Then we test the functionality of all connectivity ports on offer, including HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, and DisplayPort. While we're at it, we also test the manufacturer's power delivery capabilities (if available).
Usability
Next, we put the monitor through various real-world tests, such as launching multiple programs simultaneously and running intensive games to find out if there are any unexpected and unpleasant screen tearing or lags.
Performance
Display quality is . Do refresh rates hit the manufacturer's claimed speeds? How is the display’s color accuracy, brightness, and visibility in low-light conditions? Is the resolution good given the size and price of the monitor? These are some questions we find answers to. For accurate results, we compare various vertical monitors side-by-side. This gives us a clear understanding of where each product stands in comparison to its peers.
Value
We don't look for the cheapest vertical monitors we can find. What we want to see is genuine value for money compared to similar models, with expectations that the display will deliver long-term performance.
We tested all the best monitors for the home and office - and where's what we recommend.
