Vertical monitors are not a setup you see often. And yet, they’ve been gaining more and more traction lately — with good reason. There are a couple of special purposes where having a vertical monitor is convenient, like reading, editing, writing, and coding. All of these tasks become easier with vertical screen orientation. You’d be surprised at the difference this small change can make in terms of productivity. You can quickly skim vast swaths of code, go through a manual or any kind of e-book, and just easily peruse search engine results or an online article.
Naturally, this begs the question — why does having a vertical monitor make things so much easier? It all comes down to your eyes. We all know how much strain office work puts on your eyes; staring at computer screens day in and day out inevitably makes us tired. However, vertical screens require far less eye movement to go through the same amount of visual content. So essentially, you’re achieving the same results, but without straining your eye muscles as much. This means more productivity with less effort.
With the rise of remote work, having the proper computer setup in your home is becoming increasingly important; many of us have converted parts of our home to mini-offices. So you’ve probably stocked up on stuff like a headset, a mouse, work chairs, etc. One of these vertical monitors could be the finishing touch on your home office — which is why we’ll give you all of the information you need to choose the right one!
Benefits of Buying a Vertical Monitor
Besides giving your eyes a rest, there are plenty of reasons to go with a vertical monitor. For one, it helps you save a lot of desk space without sacrificing any screen size. A monitor set to portrait mode will take up half the horizontal real estate of a regular monitor. Also, it’s easier to maintain more distance from the screen when it’s vertical — allowing you to keep your posture healthier over prolonged use.
If you’ve already got a horizontal monitor, creating a dual-screen setup with another vertical one will do wonders for your workflow. You will be able to track on-screen information more efficiently with a horizontal and vertical screen combo. With all of this in mind, we’ll present you with a selection of some of the best vertical monitors available on the market!
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Dell P Series P2219H
Product Highlights
- 21.5-inch diagonal
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1920×1080 Resolution
- Excellent connectivity options
The first product on our list is an excellent monitor by Dell — a great addition to any professional’s home office. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio that will provide you with a decently wide viewing angle and enhance your productivity.
Fans of superb industrial design will be satisfied with the slim borders — the screen is close to edge-less, with a smooth and unobstructed visual appearance. This is great for working across multiple monitors and want the complete on-screen experience to be as seamless as possible.
Most importantly for fans of vertical monitors — it’s got full adjustability across all directions. You can swivel it as much as you like, tilt, pivot, and adjust its height. It works perfectly in portrait mode — and it has a variety of connectivity ports that you can use to plug in various devices.
One of the best things about the Dell P2219H is its ease of use. Once you’ve connected it to your computer, you won’t have to fiddle around with the settings if you don’t want to. In addition, its Auto Mode does a fantastic job at providing you with the best color settings — and there’s also a “PowerNap” mode for when your computer goes to sleep, and you’re not using it; there’s no energy waste either.
ASUS ProArt PA248QV
Product Highlights
- 24-inch diagonal
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 1920×1080 Resolution
- Effective blue-light filter
The following monitor in our detailed showcase is a 24-inch model from ASUS: the ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV. This model is definitely worthy of the series name — if you’re someone who works with visuals a lot or simply appreciates crisp imagery; you’ll be happy with this vertical monitor.
The ProArt display manages to deliver on its promise of a 100% Rec. 709 color gamut, meaning that it complies with worldwide HDTV standards. The result is visible in a vivid and rich reproduction of any photos or video on the lifelike and crystal-clear 1920×1200 IPS display.
Suppose you’re someone who likes to tinker with their video settings rather than run on default. In that case, the ASUS ProArt Palette allows you to change the intricacies of your display across a variety of parameters.
Admittedly, it’s all standard fare — like gamma, temperature, and color hue adjustments — but it’s all easy to access using the on-screen menus. Plenty of monitors have the same options in far less intuitive packages, so this is still something to appreciate.
Again, it’s worth pointing out that this monitor is best suited for manipulating photos, editing videos, and visual artists in general; many graphic settings aren’t very useful for software developers, writers, and similar text-based professionals.
However, the monitor has one feature that’s useful for everyone: its excellent blue light filter. Anyone who’s burned the midnight oil in front of their computers knows how staring at the screen can disrupt your sleep patterns.
While most operating systems have software-based blue light filters to prevent eye soreness, having one built into your hardware is far more effective.
Samsung SH650 Series
Product Highlights
- 27-inch diagonal
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1920×1080 resolution
- PLS panel technology
You can’t go through any list of vertical monitors (or any monitors, for that matter) without mentioning a Samsung product at least once, and the next monitor we’ll take a look at shows precisely why that is the case.
At 27 inches, the SH650 is tied with another LG model for the largest monitor on our list. But seeing as it’s fully compatible with standard VESA mounting systems, you’ll have no trouble setting it up in a vertical orientation. That means it’ll give you a lot of screen size without taking up much space.
Furthermore, the picture quality is at the professional level you’d expect from one of the biggest name-brand tech companies. You get a dazzling level of detail at a Full HD resolution — and all of that for a budget-friendly price.
According to Samsung, their PSL panel technology is one of the main selling points of their newer models — they say it offers lower production costs (contributing to the lower end-price), more comfortable viewing angles, and 10% more brightness.
While all manufacturer boasting should be taken with a grain of salt, there’s no getting around the stunningly vivid colors and incredibly wide viewing angles you get with this monitor. Plus, their Flicker-Free tech and the Eye Saver Mode (their name for a blue light filter) will make the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
Samsung Business S24R650FDN SR650 Series
Product Highlights
- 23.8-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 100×100 VESA support
- Flexible connectivity
Our fourth entry is another Samsung monitor: the (almost) 24-inch vertical monitor from the SR650 Business series. Unlike the previous Samsung model we’ve reviewed above, it has an IPS panel instead of a PLS one.
To the average user, this shouldn’t make much of a difference — it’s enough to know that it’s better to get a high-end IPS model than a cheap PLS one, and vice versa.
The 1920×1080 Full HD resolution is pretty standard in 2021. When combined with the monitor’s 75Hz refresh rate, you can expect stunningly crisp images and scenic viewing angles.
Also, the monitor’s sleek design is another feature to appreciate. There’s no bezel on the upper frame, and the monitor is fully adjustable — you can change the orientation, pivot, height swivel, and tilt. Plus, the 100×100 VESA compatibility ensures you’ll be able to use it as a handy vertical monitor.
This model also offers everything you’d expect in terms of connectivity and then some. Apart from VGA, DisplayPort, and HDMI support, a USB hub is built into the monitor and provides you with four additional USB slots. So you can forget about going under your desk to connect or disconnect your various peripherals.
Finally, the above-mentioned Flicker-Free tech and the blue “Eye Saver” filter that Samsung uses to keep eye strain at the absolute minimum ensure a comfortable work experience.
Samsung SE450 Series
Product Highlights
- 21.5-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 Full HD resolution
- Economic and eco-friendly
Yep, it’s another Samsung — though we swear this is the last one. We just had to give a shout-out to the Samsung SE450 series. While it’s nothing to write home about compared to the other Samsung models we’ve reviewed here, it’s still got that trademark combo of handy features and manufacturing quality.
Its most significant standout feature won’t matter to everyone, but it’s becoming increasingly important to many people — eco-friendliness. This monitor was manufactured with 30% recycled plastic! If that’s not a big draw for you, it’s pretty economical in terms of power as well. The SE450 uses 0W when it’s off and below 0.005W while in standby mode.
You won’t see that power tradeoff anywhere — it’s got just as powerful of an LED backlighting as any other Samsung monitor out there. It is a tad smaller at 21.5 inches, but it’s still got a Full HD resolution that ensures sharp and bright imagery.
Also, the fact that it’s smaller means it takes up less desk space — though admittedly, that doesn’t matter much in vertical mode as it won’t need a lot of room anyway. Still, the monitor is as adjustable as you’d expect, with full VESA mounting capabilities.
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr
Product Highlights
- 24-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 resolution
- ErgoStand requires no additional mounting for vertical mode
Our next pick is an Acer gaming monitor — the XFA240. While it’s primarily marketed to gamers, it’s an excellent choice for anyone’s home office as well.
Its main appeal is in the proprietary ErgoStand that Acer has created — it requires no additional VESA equipment to be in vertical mode. You can easily pivot it by 90 degrees into a vertical or horizontal orientation. Once you tilt it into the vertical mode, it’s got a 160-degree viewing angle; so it’s perfect for a multi-screen setup because you can see everything with your peripheral vision as well.
Also, gamers will be more than satisfied with the 144-hertz refresh rate; or anyone doing graphics-intensive work, for that matter. It’s all kinds of convenient — for instance, you don’t need to rely on the monitor’s stand if you don’t want to. It’s still VESA compatible, and you can use any standard mounting equipment with it. Plus, at about 200 bucks, it’s affordable in terms of vertical monitors.
LG 27UD58P-B
Product Highlights
- 4K (3840 x 2160) Resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 27-inch diagonal
- Excellent for both work and gaming
Remember when we said that the Samsung SH650 was one of the biggest monitors on our list? Well, it’s tied for first place with this one: the LG 27UD58P-B. While that model designation is a mouthful, believe us — it’s more than worth giving it a look.
First of all, the 27-inch diagonal means it’s an absolute beast in vertical mode — it won’t take up any “real estate” on your desk while also giving you all the visibility you need. Speaking of visibility, it’s capable of going up to a true 4K resolution — 3840 x 2160.
While that’s not important for some writers, programmers, and content creators — plenty of people are working on graphics-intensive projects, and they need a 4K-capable monitor in their home office. Likewise, designers, other artists, and gamers love this resolution — though the 60hz refresh rate is a bit unsuitable for 4K gaming.
However, it’s still more than enough for work. The monitor is simple to set up as well — you’ve got a built-in pivot control right in the stand, so you only need a single move to turn it by 90 degrees and put it into horizontal or vertical mode.
Asus VA229HR
Product Highlights
- 1920×1080 Full HD resolution
- 21.5-inch diagonal
- 178° wide viewing angle
- 16:9 aspect ratio
If you’re looking for a vertical monitor for a dual-screen setup, there aren’t many out there better than the Asus VA229HR. First of all, it’s got a 21.5-inch diagonal. While that may seem like it’s on the smaller side of the spectrum, it’s actually perfect for a secondary vertical screen; it allows you to see everything clearly without drawing your eye away from the main screen.
That’s also evident from the 178-degree wide viewing angle. You can position it wherever on your desk, and you’ll still be able to see accurate, consistent colors.
As you can see from the ASUS promo imagery, the company put a lot of emphasis on eye protection while designing this monitor. As a result, it’s an excellent option for people who spend all day in front of a screen — or multiple screens.
ASUS has utilized their Flicker-Free tech to make the viewing experience as comfortable as possible, with minimal eyestrain. It comes with a practical 3-year warranty and a variety of connection options.
Acer Nitro VG240Y
Product Highlights
- 24-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 Full HD resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Frameless design
Here’s another gaming monitor that’s equally useful for people working from home — the Acer Nitro VG240Y. This 24-inch monitor hits just the right spot in terms of size — it’s big enough without being too bulky, in no small way thanks to its frameless design.
There’s no edge anywhere except for the bottom part of the screen — making it an excellent choice for dual-screen work. If you hook up another monitor beside it, you’ll have a seamless transition between the screens. Also, while the stand doesn’t feature 90-degree tilting natively, you can still hook it up using any standard mounting equipment.
Its ComfyView display ensures a flicker-less viewing experience — with a built-in blue light filter designed to reduce strain on those late-night work sessions. Also, the advanced IPS hardware used for its panel provides one of the best color performances we’ve seen — there’s no discernible difference to the picture from any angle.
Acer CB242Y
Product Highlights
- 23.8-inch diagonal
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- AMD FreeSync technology
- 16:9 aspect ratio
We wouldn’t want you to think that Acer only makes gaming monitors — they’ve got models for professional users as well. As an example, we’d say that the Acer CB242Y is the best of both worlds. It borrows many great design solutions from Acer’s gaming lineup — like the frameless design — and combines it with features professionals appreciate.
While the previous Acer model we reviewed couldn’t be used as a vertical monitor out of the box, this one comes with a fully-tiltable stand. However, it’s also got a few exciting treats for graphics-intensive users; by their admission, Acer wanted to attract all kinds of “prosumers” with this.
For instance, this is the only monitor on our list with AMD Radeon FreeSync tech inside it — ensuring that your framerate is not set by the monitor’s refresh rate but by your computer’s graphics card.
ViewSonic VA2459-SMH
Product Highlights
- 24-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Thin Bezel display
The following monitor we’ve taken a look at is a great all-around choice for any laptop or desktop setup — the ViewSonic VA2459-SMH. However, it doesn’t have many bells and whistles, and its design is nothing as fancy as some of the gaming monitors we’ve seen here.
Still, it’s a no-nonsense piece of hardware that gets the job done. It has a bezel, but it’s pretty thin — so it won’t get in the way of your visibility between screens. Also, the 24-inch size is pretty much spot-on for the average home office desk.
The SuperClear IPS panel that ViewSonic uses ensures wide-angle viewing, along with an outstanding screen performance. If you want a sleek design and a solid set of multimedia features for a reasonable price — you won’t go wrong with this one.
Regardless of your viewing angle, the monitor exhibits the same contrast and brightness, making it perfect for multi-screen seamless setups.
HP VH240a
Product Highlights
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- 23.8-inch diagonal
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Built-in speakers
Among all of the monitors on our list, the HP VH240a is probably the best monitor you can get around the $200 price point. It’s got practically everything you’d want in your vertical monitor for the home office.
First of all, the monitor’s IPS panel also contains an anti-glare matte — allowing you to see everything regardless of lighting. The almost-24-inch size is pretty standard, and it’s a great combo with the bezel-less frame.
There are virtually no edges on the screen, giving you the chance to create the most seamless dual-screen setup you can. Plus, the monitor has built-in speakers — allowing you to declutter your workspace by getting rid of any desktop speakers.
Just in case it wasn’t clear — it also works great as a vertical monitor. You can easily rotate the screen any way you want with its 4-way ergonomic stand. In addition, you get a 178-degree viewing angle in vertical mode, as well as adjustable tilt and height. Finally, you have all the connectivity ports you’d want — and you can mount it separately from the stand using VESA mounting equipment.
Dell P2419H
Product Highlights
- 24-inch diagonal
- 1920×1080 Full HD resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Ultra-thin bezel
This model is a beefed-up version of the first monitor we’ve reviewed on this list. That’s great news for anyone setting up their home office, seeing as the Dell P2419H was built with productivity in mind.
First of all, this Dell monitor has one of the smallest bases you’ll find on the market — it was made to take up as little valuable desk space as possible. Also, the ultra-thin bezel on three sides ensures you’ll have an uninterrupted experience across multiple screens.
It’s a monitor that was simply made for multi-tasking; Dell Display Manager that you get as software support provides predefined templates for multi-screen setups. If you pair it with another Dell monitor, you’ll be able to arrange and tile your applications using this software quickly. The ComfortView technology was implemented to the fullest degree here, consistently blocking out blue light emissions that would otherwise tire your eyes out. It’s easy to set up as a vertical monitor — you can adjust the height, orientation, and tilt precisely the way you want.
Dell Ultrasharp U2719DX
Product Highlights
- 2560×1440 QHD resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 27-inch diagonal
- Best visuals below 4K
As we near the end of our list, we’ll cap it off with two incredible high-end monitors from Dell — the first of which is the Ultrasharp U2719DX model.
Basically, this is a monitor for people willing to invest a bit more in their monitors without going the whole 9 yards for an ultra-expensive 4K model. Priced at about $350, it’ll set you back more than the average mid-range monitor — but it’s worth every penny.
We feel like we’ve provided more than a few budget-friendly suggestions here — so if you want to go in a different direction without totally splurging, this 2560×1440 resolution is the half-measure you need.
The visuals give you precisely 1.77 times more detailed imagery than you’d get from Full HD. But it’s not just about the resolution, as the color consistency on this bad boy is something entirely different from the average market offer.
You get the most precise hues straight out of the box — you won’t need to fiddle around with settings for maximum image clarity here. Its colors are always vibrant, consistent, and visible from all viewing angles.
Dell UltraSharp U2720Q
Product Highlights
- 3840 x 2160 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 27-inch diagonal
- Variety of connection ports
In the case of this list, we’ve saved the best for last — the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q.
Now, there’s no getting around its price. You could literally buy three (good) monitors for the cost of this one — but that’s the money you pay for a high-quality 4K vertical monitor.
Ultimately, it’s a 4K version of the previous U2719DX model we’ve reviewed and has all of its good sides — from the abundance of connectivity options to a vibrant viewing experience. You can imagine how good the 4K resolution feels with a vertical monitor you can set up quickly and straight out of the box; no additional VESA mounting equipment is needed.
How do I set up a vertical monitor?
As you have probably realized by now, plenty of vertical monitors can be used with their original stands — you simply pivot them by 90 degrees, and these are the easiest to use as they don’t require additional mounting equipment or any complicated setup.
On the other hand, you can also buy a separate stand that does allow you to rotate a monitor which doesn’t initially support such a feature. Finally, you can also use VESA-approved wall mounts for most monitors — they’re more of a hassle than desk mounts, but they take up no workspace.
How pricey are vertical monitors?
Essentially, no monitor manufacturer makes exclusively vertical monitors. That wouldn’t be cost-effective, and it’s much more viable for them to make monitors that can be both horizontal and vertical.
That’s how pretty much every monitor works — so a vertical monitor isn’t more expensive than a horizontal one — they’re usually the same product.
That being said, monitors with rotating stands that support both orientations by default tend to be more expensive than strictly horizontal ones. But you can solve that with external mounts with almost every model.
Generally, the least expensive vertical monitors go for about $150, and the priciest ones (like the last Dell model we reviewed) cost upwards of $500 and even $600.
Are vertical monitors more ergonomic?
The answer to this depends on the kind of neck movement you’re used to and the type of work you do on your computer. For example, suppose you need to read long walls of text or go through a lot of code. In that case, vertical monitors will probably suit you better — such content is usually easier to interact with in a vertical orientation.
The best part about vertical monitors is that you can use them in a horizontal mode as well — so if you find that you can’t get used to the “portrait mode,” you can easily switch back to a more traditional setup.
Can I use any monitor as a vertical one?
Unless you’ve got a really old monitor, the answer is almost certainly yes. Even if the stand it comes with doesn’t rotate, the chances are that you can fasten the monitor to another mount and set it up how you like it.
