Using a monitor in a vertical orientation can be helpful if you have a dual-monitor setup. For example, you can use one screen vertically next to your main display. Most monitors on the market aren't specifically designed for vertical orientation only; instead, they have stands that allow the screen to rotate vertically. Although you can use most in a vertical orientation with an external mount, for this article, we only consider displays that rotate vertically with the included stand, so you don't have to worry about any extra expenses.
Besides the rotation, you have to consider other factors, like your budget. Having a high resolution for sharp text clarity is important, and while some programs don't render text as well in portrait mode as in a landscape orientation, the difference is hard to tell. Another thing to consider is the viewing angle to ensure that the image remains consistent when viewing from the side. You may also want to consider the monitor's size, which is ultimately a personal preference, but 24- and 27-inch monitors are generally the most popular for vertical use. It also helps if the monitor supports daisy-chaining to a second screen or has a USB hub for connecting multiple devices.
We've bought and tested more than 405 monitors, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best vertical monitors. Also, see our recommendations for the best work monitors, the best monitors for dual setup, and the best portable monitors.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
-
Best Vertical Monitor
OfficeEditingColor AccuracySDR PictureHDR PictureSDR BrightnessErgonomicsViewing AngleSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160See all our test resultsRotate Portrait/LandscapeThe best vertical monitor that we've tested is the Dell U2725QE. It's a premium 4k, 27-inch display that you can easily rotate into portrait mode. It's a high-end model with a bunch of features that can help if you have different monitors and computers in your setup. For starters, it has a ton of ports, including separate Thunderbolt and DisplayPort video outputs. These allow you to connect up to two extra monitors directly to this one, which helps if you want to place it vertically alongside other screens. It also delivers 140W of power to a laptop over a USB-C port, and it has a KVM switch that makes it easy to change sources and use the same devices on both.
Besides that, the picture quality is good. Its wide viewing angle ensures the image remains consistent no matter where you view it from, even in portrait mode. It also has a high 4k resolution for sharp text clarity, and it gets bright enough to fight some glare in well-lit spaces. You can also check out the similar Dell U3225QE if you want more screen space and don't mind spending more. However, you may find that a 32-inch screen is too big to use vertically.
-
Best Mid-Range Vertical Monitor
OfficeEditingColor AccuracySDR PictureHDR PictureSDR BrightnessErgonomicsViewing AngleSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate60 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160See all our test resultsRotate Portrait/LandscapeIf you find that the Dell U2725QE is too expensive for something you'll use vertically, check out the cheaper 4k, 27-inch ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV instead. It's lower-end than the Dell, with the main difference being fewer features. It has a smaller USB hub and lacks a KVM switch, which is a downside if you want to connect multiple devices and computers to the monitor and often switch between them. Even though it delivers less power over USB-C, its 90W is still enough to charge your laptop while you're using it. Another difference is that instead of two video outputs like the Dell, it has one video output, so you can still connect one monitor to this one in a daisy chain or dual-monitor setup.
Despite the differences in features, it performs similarly to the Dell. It comes with an extremely ergonomic stand, and you can rotate it into portrait mode in either direction. Plus, its wide viewing angle is helpful if you don't have the screen directly in front of you, as you'll see a consistent image from the sides. It's also a good choice for a well-lit room, as it gets bright, but reflections from sunny windows can be distracting.
-
Best Lower Mid-Range Vertical Monitor
OfficeEditingColor AccuracySDR PictureHDR PictureSDR BrightnessErgonomicsViewing AngleSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160See all our test resultsRotate Portrait/LandscapeIf the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV is still too expensive for your needs, the Dell S2725QS is a great alternative that you can get for less. It's similar in picture quality to the ASUS, as it's another 4k, 27-inch display with sharp text clarity, a wide viewing angle, and good brightness. That said, the main difference is that it has fewer features than the ASUS. It lacks a USB hub to connect your devices, and without USB-C and DisplayPort Alt Mode, this is something to consider if you want to quickly connect a laptop and charge it simultaneously. It doesn't have any video outputs for daisy-chaining either, so make sure your laptop has enough ports for other monitors in your setup.
Regardless, it's a good monitor to use vertically thanks to its very ergonomic stand, so you can rotate it into portrait mode in either direction. It also has some advantages over the ASUS, including a higher 120Hz refresh rate that offers a smoother feel when scrolling through long webpages or documents. You can also check out the Dell S2725QC if you want a similar option with a USB hub, but it costs more.
-
Best Budget Vertical Monitor
OfficeEditingColor AccuracySDR PictureHDR PictureSDR BrightnessErgonomicsViewing AngleSize27"Panel TypeLCDSub-TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate144 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440See all our test resultsRotate Portrait/LandscapeIf you're looking for the best vertical monitor in the budget category, check out the Dell S2725DC. It's a step-down option from the Dell S2725QS that you can often find for less. The main difference is that it has a lower 1440p resolution, so text isn't as sharp. It's otherwise similar to the higher-end S2725QS. It comes with a similarly ergonomic stand, and it even has a higher 144Hz refresh rate, so scrolling through long documents feels smooth.
The S2725DC actually has some advantages over the S2725QS. For example, it includes a USB hub and even supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with 65W of power delivery over USB-C, which is ideal if you want to quickly connect a laptop. Unfortunately, the S2725DC doesn't support HDR, which is something to consider if you consume HDR content, like games. However, that doesn't make much of a difference, since both monitors have limited overall picture quality anyway. If HDR support is important to you, the AOC Q27G3XMN offers much better picture quality, but it's worse for vertical use due to its narrow viewing angle.
Notable Mentions
-
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM:
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM is a premium 4k, 27-inch monitor with much better picture quality than the Dell U2725QE. Its OLED panel delivers deeper blacks and brighter highlights, which is ideal for gaming or watching HDR content. However, it risks burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time.
See our review -
ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV:
The ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV is a 5k, 27-inch monitor with a higher resolution than the Dell U2725QE. It's something to consider if you want the higher pixel density, but it costs more and has a smaller USB hub.
See our review -
Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx:
The Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx is a mid-range 4k monitor with better picture quality than the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV. However, it has a smaller USB hub than the ASUS and doesn't support daisy chaining.
See our review -
ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV:
The ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV is a 1440p budget-friendly monitor with a few extra features compared to the Dell S2725DC. For example, it has a DisplayPort output for daisy chaining. However, it's also harder to find than the Dell at times.
See our review
Recent Updates
Aug 13, 2026:
We replaced the Dell S2725QC with the cheaper Dell S2725QS to better represent the current market. We also removed the Dell P2425H because it's hard to find. In the Notable Mentions, we replaced the KOORUI S2741LM, which is hard to find, with the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, and we removed the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS based on the changes to the recommendation.
Jun 18, 2026:
We added the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM to the Notable Mentions. We also made sure the recommended monitors are still available to buy.
May 01, 2026:
We replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx with the KOORUI S2741LM in the Notable Mentions.
Mar 16, 2026:
We replaced the Dell S2725QS with the Dell S2725DC as it's cheaper and consistent with other recommendations. In the Notable Mentions, we replaced the MSI G274QPF-QD with the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS.
Jan 28, 2026:
We verified that all the recommended monitors are available to purchase. We also added the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx to the Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best vertical monitors that are currently available in the United States. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, visitor feedback, and price. For example, two monitors may perform the same, but the cheaper one will be recommended. We also consider availability, as we don't recommend a monitor that's hard to find.
If you'd prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all our reviews of monitors that can rotate vertically. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.