Nearly all monitors, and most of the content viewed on them, are designed for landscape or “landscape” orientation. But if you want to use the monitor as a secondary display, or if you’re working with, say, portrait photos or videos meant for smartphones, a vertical layout makes more sense. But the screen’s ability to rotate to portrait orientation is just one of many features, so it’s worth knowing the best vertical monitors, as we identify here, so you’re sure to get all-round solid performance.
To learn more about choosing a vertical monitor, scroll through our recommendations below for a summary of important features and functions.
1. LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is the best vertical monitor
pros
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The unique aspect ratio is useful for photo and video editing.
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Great second monitor
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Highly adjustable stand
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Bright, accurate color
Minuses
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Difficult to fit in a small home office
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USB-C port offers limited downlink connectivity
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May lack immersion in some content
When it comes to vertical monitors, there’s the LG DualUp 28MQ780-B and then there’s everything else.
The dominance of this monitor is due to its unique 16:18 aspect ratio, which can be rotated 90 degrees to achieve an 18:16 aspect ratio. In this orientation, the monitor is about the same height as a 24-inch monitor in portrait orientation, but much wider.
You can view content in a 3:2 or 9:16 aspect ratio in a full-length photo or video editing program, while leaving room on both sides for the program’s tools. It’s also great for editing large and complex documents like a magazine or PDF layout.
The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B performed well in other areas as well. It is bright, with accurate color reproduction and a wide color gamut. Connectivity is solid and includes a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and up to 90W Power Delivery to charge your connected device. It also comes with an adjustable monitor arm which is perfect for placing the monitor next to another display.
This monitor costs $699.99 and is sometimes sold for around $650. The only major drawback is its resolution, which at 2560×2880 is slightly inferior to 4K.
Read our full LG DualUp 28MQ780-B review
2. Dell U3223QE is the best vertical 4K monitor
pros
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IPS Black panel delivers on its promise
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Accurate color with a wide gamut
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High brightness in SDR
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90W USB-C Hub
Minuses
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Display edges are noticeably bright
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HDR performance is disappointing
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Panel only 60 Hz
The Dell U3223QE is an amazing monitor and is currently ranked #1 in PC World’s best monitors. It comes with a versatile ergonomic stand that can rotate 90 degrees for vertical use, which is rare for a 32-inch monitor.
Image quality sets the Dell U3223QE apart from the competition. It has a 4K IPS Black panel with a contrast ratio roughly double that of older IPS panels. This provides a richer, deeper and more realistic image. The U3223QE also features extremely accurate color reproduction, a very wide color gamut, and high maximum brightness.
The monitor has plenty of connectivity options, including a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and up to 90W Power Delivery. The USB-C port connects to five additional USB-A ports, Ethernet, and a DisplayPort output, making a USB-C hub or dock unnecessary.
Dell sells a smaller version of this monitor, the Dell U2723QE, which has the same features but takes up less space. It costs a couple of hundred dollars less than its big brother, but retains a stand that can rotate the monitor to a vertical position.
Read our full Dell U3223QE review
3. NZXT Canvas 27Q is the best budget vertical monitor
pros
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Attractive and durable design
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Four video inputs including USB-C
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Excellent color reproduction
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High definition motion at 144Hz and 165Hz
Minuses
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Limited image quality adjustment
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Speakers not included
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HDR mode is basic
NZXT’s Canvas 27Q is a great budget monitor with a quirky fold that makes it perfect for vertical use: A stand that pivots for vertical use costs $40. NZXT also sells a monitor arm for $100.
Why is it a bonus? Vertical monitors are often used in less common situations and spaces, so you’ll probably want to replace the stand with a monitor arm. As a result, the stand in the kit lies dead weight. But if you need an extra stand, that’s okay too – NZXT’s stand is sleek, sturdy, and can be rotated for vertical use.
Either way, the Canvas 27Q is a great monitor. It delivers 1440p resolution, exceptional color fidelity, wide color gamut and high maximum brightness. The overall image quality of the monitor is not far from the Dell U3223QE and competes with the LG DualUp 28MQ780-B. The Canvas 27Q also supports higher refresh rates up to 165Hz.
Selling the display without a stand helps NZXT achieve a competitive price. The Canvas 27Q has an MSRP of $319.99 but often sells for as little as $249.99. In fact, this monitor is so good that it excludes other 1440p 27-inch monitors from consideration. If you want to work vertically and don’t need 4K, this is your best bet.
Read our full NZXT Canvas 27Q review
What to look for in a vertical monitor
The most important feature of a vertical monitor is, of course, support for vertical use.
This is technically possible with any 100x100m VESA mount monitor as you can add a third party stand or bracket that allows you to rotate the monitor for vertical use. However, the ideal vertical monitor will support this from the factory or, in less common cases, make a stand optional (so you can decide for yourself).
Aspect ratio matters, but you don’t have much choice
The aspect ratio of a monitor has a big impact on its usefulness. A standard 16:9 monitor rotated for vertical use becomes a 9:16 monitor. This is somewhat inconvenient for a large amount of content.
That’s why LG DualUp 28Q780-B is the best choice. Its unusual 16:18 aspect ratio, which becomes 18:16 when used vertically, is a much more versatile and practical choice. No other monitor on the market has this aspect ratio.
There are other options. Some monitors have a 16:10 aspect ratio, which becomes 10:16 when used vertically. It’s less awkward than 9:16, but still not perfect. There are also some dedicated monitors with 3:2 or 5:4 aspect ratios. Unfortunately, these alternatives are rare and often have poor image quality compared to more common widescreen monitors, so we can’t recommend them.
Image quality depends on your needs
Aside from the aspect ratio, the features that make a good vertical monitor are no different from a monitor used in a standard landscape orientation.
4K resolution or something close to it is ideal, and 1440p is a good compromise for more affordable monitors. Also look for a monitor with a maximum brightness of at least 300 nits, as this will help combat glare. Good color accuracy and a wide color gamut are not essential for all people, but are preferred, and all of the vertical monitors we recommend perform well in these areas.
USB-C is useful for vertical monitors
USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode is an alternative to HDMI and DisplayPort. It adds a DisplayPort video connection to the familiar USB-C port supported by many laptops and tablets (which is now mandatory in Europe).
Unlike HDMI and DisplayPort, USB-C can provide power through a standard called USB Power Delivery. This will charge the connected laptop, tablet or other device. The LG and Dell monitors in this list support this feature, but the NZXT monitor does not.
Interested in learning more about how USB-C works on a monitor? Our guide to USB-C hub monitors has more information.
Monitor arm may be useful for vertical use
A desktop monitor stand is acceptable for vertical use if it supports vertical rotation, but a monitor arm is preferred.
The arm provides a wider range of motion in all directions. A vertical monitor will be used as a second display in most cases, and the bracket makes it easy to align the first and second displays.
How we test monitors
PCWorld Monitor Guides are based on hundreds of reviews from our team of staff and external experts. These guides combine tens of thousands of hours of testing and years of experience.
We test monitors with the SpyderXElite color calibration tool. This tool provides objective measurements of color accuracy, color gamut, color temperature, brightness, gamma and contrast, and more. Objective results help us to impartially compare dozens of monitors to find the best one in each category.