Software developers and coding enthusiasts of all kinds will probably know about the concept of vertical monitors and are looking to find the best vertical monitor for them, but not every computer user has heard about this trend before.

For those who don’t know, vertical monitors are monitors that have been turned on their side so that they are taller than they are wide. This is very similar to switching between landscape and portrait mode on a camera.

This is commonly used for computer setups that have multiple monitors in use, often a vertical monitor will be set up on the side of the main monitor to be used for specific tasks. Bezel less monitors we reviewed here also offer more screen space and look super-cool.

Favorite Vertical Monitors Comparison

1. ASUS Vertical Monitor VN279QL 27” Full HD 1920×1080

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

• ASUS VividPixel Technology
• Extremely Versatile
• Has VESA Compatibility

2. Dell U2414H 23.8” Widescreen

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

• Extremely Efficient Energy Consumption
• Has an MHL Port for Phone Connections
• Is Compatible with VESA Mounting

3. HP VH240a 23.8-inch Full HD 1080p Rotating Portrait & Landscape, Tilt

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

• Is VESA Mounting Compatible
• Functions in Landscape and Portrait Modes
• Has an Ergonomic Stand

Why Do Many Programmers and Software Developers Have Vertical Monitors?

In most cases, a vertical monitor setup is used by programmers and software developers so that they can see more lines of code at once while eliminating “whitespace” which is just space around the document or code that doesn’t display anything but blank space.

Vertical monitors don’t have the width to display any whitespace and they are longer from top to bottom which means they have more space to show more text than a horizontal monitor could. This provides a noticeable increase to productivity because more time can be focused on getting the job done and less on having to look for the part you need to work on next.

Best Vertical Monitor Reviews

1. ASUS Vertical Monitor VN279QL 27” Full HD 1920×1080

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

ASUS’s VN279QL has a display size of 27 inches and a resolution that maxes out at 1080p. The VN279QL is an LED monitor with a VA panel. It’s a very versatile monitor with the ability to pivot between portrait mode and landscape mode which makes it a great option to support many different functions. It could serve as an excellent main display because it can do pretty much everything without issue, but it is not as good in any one area as a more specialized monitor would be. If you are a gamer you will probably be interested in FreeSync monitors, which you can find in this article, or if you are working on a budget you can find cheap ones here.

The refresh rate of the VN279QL is 60 Hz, not great for gaming but it will get the job done. The response time is 4 milliseconds, a very middle-tier performance for gaming but still effective. These specs combined with its ability to switch orientations for different tasks make the monitor very useful for a working professional that likes to play a casual game or two on the side. There is no syncing software implemented with this monitor. There are speakers installed but if you are after this feature, we suggest reading our post covering these feature.

The bezel is pretty thin at 8 millimeters, this means it is a good choice for adding to an existing multi-display setup without needing to worry about any problems switching between displays. It should allow for you to seamlessly swap between this monitor and another without much displacement of anything you drag across the boundaries between monitors. It is even compatible with VESA mounting if you aren’t interested in using the stand and would prefer to have it on your wall or a multi-display stand.

ASUS Vertical Monitor VN279QL 27” Full HD	Header
Screen Size	42.5-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	3840 x 2160 (4k)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	ScreenSplit, HDCP, USB-C, Wide View Angle, VESA Compatible
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI

There are speakers implemented in the frame so that you have an audio option readily available at all times. This can be very useful if your headset breaks or your more traditional speakers are still packed away in moving boxes.

I’ve been there, few people like unpacking after moving and I am especially good at finding excuses to procrastinate on that task, so if you’re like me then this monitor can certainly aid you in putting that task off for a few more hours.

The VN279QL comes with an extremely ergonomic stand that allows for height adjustment, pivoting into different modes, swiveling left and right, and tilting up and down so you can view it any angle comfortably and implement it in your existing setup as conveniently as possible.

You can use D-sub, DisplayPort, or HDMI ports for connecting to other devices with this monitor.

IPS panels usually come with some very common problems like black bleeding and shadows on the borders of the screen, but I didn’t notice anything like that happening with this monitor. It might come with some dead pixels, however, which is always a concern when purchasing monitors.

Taking all things into consideration, the VN279QL is extremely versatile and should serve relatively well no matter what tasks you have in mind for it. Whether it is casual gaming or a more professional purpose you will likely be pleased with its performance. For long hours of use, we have special models in our guide on which monitor to choose to protect your eyes..

Pros

• ASUS VividPixel Technology
• Extremely Versatile
• Has VESA Compatibility

Cons

• Chance of dead pixels (check the replacement terms)

Conclusion:

2. Dell U2414H 23.8” Widescreen

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

This IPS panel LED monitor from Dell, the U2414H comes with a display of 23.8 inches and has a maximum resolution of 1080p. It also comes with the ability to swap between portrait and landscape modes for added versatility. If you prefer Dell over ASUS for your monitor needs then this is a good option.

Dell U2414H 23.8” Widescreen	Header
Screen Size	23.8-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	8 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	No
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	VESA Compatible, MHL Port, Energy Efficient, Pivot Capable, Built-in USB Hub
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort

If you are a gamer then you should go with a different monitor for your gaming display because this one definitely wasn’t designed with that in mind. The refresh rate is acceptable at 60 Hz but it is nothing special as far as gaming is concerned. The thing that really holds this monitor back in that regard is the response time of 8 milliseconds which is way too slow. I had some issues gaming with this monitor, but that makes sense since that isn’t its intended purpose.

The U2414H meets several different energy efficiency standards including EPEAT Gold, ENERGY STAR, and TCO. Essentially that means you can use it longer without having to worry about how it will affect your bills. It is very efficient with power consumption in its size range.

If you often connect your phone or tablet to your computer for file-sharing or to display images on a larger screen then this monitor will be a good choice for you due to its MHL port. It has other options for connecting to devices as well which include DisplayPort of both the standard and Mini varieties as well as HDMI. It boasts compatibility with VESA mounts so you should be able to include it in your existing workstation with ease.

If you are looking for a new monitor for your home office or at work then the U2414H will serve very well no matter your profession. If you are a gamer then look elsewhere for your monitor needs.

Pros

• Extremely Efficient Energy Consumption
• Has an MHL Port for Phone Connections
• Is Compatible with VESA Mounting

Cons

• Can be fragile

Conclusion:

3. HP VH240a 23.8-inch Full HD 1080p Rotating Portrait & Landscape, Tilt

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

HP is getting in on the pivot capable LED monitor concept with the VH240a. It has a 23.8-inch screen and a max resolution of 1080p. It uses IPS panels. Having the ability to pivot between modes is a very useful feature, especially if you are only going to be using this monitor by itself instead of in a multi-display setup.

HP VH240a 23.8-inch Full HD	Header
Screen Size	23.8-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Thin Frame, Pivot Capable, VESA Compatible, Tilt, Adjustable Height, HDCP
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI, VGA

The VH240a is capable of gaming, but it won’t perform spectacularly. The 60 Hz refresh rate and 5-millisecond response time are just barely within the acceptable range for gaming. It does not have compatibility with any syncing software, which means some work will be required to make your visuals smoother if you are planning to game on it.

There are speakers available in the frame of the monitor which can be useful if you travel a lot and don’t want to bring another set of cables and speakers with you everywhere. They are nothing impressive but should work if you have to use them.

Where this monitor really shines is with its convenient and ergonomic design. The stand can tilt and adjust its height so that you can adjust it to be ideal no matter what kind of setup you are using. It is also compatible with VESA mounting if you would prefer not to use a stand at all.

You can connect to devices with this monitor using VGA and HDMI ports.

Pros

• Is VESA Mounting Compatible
• Functions in Landscape and Portrait Modes
• Has an Ergonomic Stand

Cons

• Has Lower Brightness

Conclusion:

4. Dell Vertical Monitor UltraSharp 1909W

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5

The 1909W is part of Dell’s UltraSharp series. It is a 19-inch screen with a 1440 x 900 resolution which is the first monitor on the list with an aspect ratio of 16:10. This LCD screen uses a TFT panel type which is another first for this list. As with the previous monitor options on this list, this one is also capable of pivoting between portrait and landscape mode.

Dell Vertical Monitor UltraSharp 1909W	Header
Screen Size	19-inch
Display Panel	LCD, Thin Film Transistor (TFT)
Max. Resolution	1440 x 900
Refresh Rate	75 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:10
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Built-in USB hub, Pivot Capable, VESA Compatible
Ports / Connectivity	DVI, VGA

The 1909W surprisingly has a fairly high refresh rate when compared to the other monitors on this list at 75 Hz and it has a low-end gaming response time as well at 5 milliseconds. This means you could conceivably use it for gaming, though the strange aspect ratio and lack of syncing software compatibility mean it definitely isn’t designed for it.

The thick frame holds this monitor back from being a good multi-display option even though it has VESA compatibility. It uses VGA and DVI for connection to other devices which means you may have to invest in an HDMI adapter.

Pros

• Compatible with VESA Mounting
• Capable of Gaming

Cons

• Rarely seen aspect ratio

Conclusion:

5. Acer CB241H bmidr 24” Full HD Monitor with Tilt/Swivel/Pivot/

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5

Acer’s CB241H is a 24-inch LED monitor with a maximum resolution of 1080p. It uses TN panels which accounts for its very rapid 1 millisecond response time. It is capable of rotating between portrait and landscape modes.

Acer CB241H bmidr 24” Full HD Monitor	Header
Screen Size	42.5-inch
Display Panel	LED, Twisted Nematic (TN)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	1 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	HDCP, Pivot Capable, VESA Compatible, Antiglare Screen, Low Dimming Technology
Ports / Connectivity	VGA, HDMI, DVI

While the monitor isn’t designed for gaming, the refresh rate isn’t terrible at 60 Hz and it has a very fast response time which means it could serve fairly well for casual gaming. Unfortunately, it does not have compatibility with any kind of syncing software.

I felt that the speakers built into the frame were serviceable, but I wouldn’t want to use them all the time. It can use DVI, VGA, and HDMI ports for connecting to other devices.

Unfortunately, the frame is very thick which could be annoying and inconvenient if you are using it together with other monitors. If a thicker frame doesn’t bother you then you will enjoy the versatility the CB241H provides.

Pros

• Rapid Response Time
• Capable of Gaming
• Good Connectivity Options

Cons

• Very Thick Frame

Conclusion:

6. Acer ET241Y Abmir 23.8” Full HD Zero Frame Monitor with Tilt/Height Adjustment

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

This LED monitor with an IPS panel from Acer is the ET241Y. It has a 23.8-inch screen and a 1080p native resolution. It is capable of both portrait and landscape modes and can pivot for easy switching between them.

Acer ET241Y Abmir 23.8” Full HD Zero Frame Monitor	Header
Screen Size	23.8-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	4 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Tilt, Pivot Capable, Adjustable Height, VESA Compatible, Acer VisionCare Technology
Ports / Connectivity	VGA, HDMI

The refresh rate is 60 Hz and the response time is 4 milliseconds which means it is a good choice for casual gaming or console gaming.

The speakers leave a lot to be desired. Even when you max out the volume they are difficult to hear and low quality. If you want to use them or have to, then you’ll get the most use out of them in a very quiet environment with no noise pollution. Anything else is preferable for your audio needs.

On the bright side, this monitor’s frame is very thin which makes it a good choice for multi-monitor setups.

Pros

• Portrait and Landscape Capable
• Good for Console Gaming

Cons

• Has awful speakers

Conclusion:

7. Samsung SE450 Series 23.6 inch FHD

Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

This is a good budget TN, LED monitor from Samsung called the SE450. It is 23.6 inches from corner to corner and has a native resolution of 1080p. It is capable of swapping between portrait and landscape modes for added versatility. The TN panel may result in lower color accuracy than other panel types, but it shouldn’t hold it back too badly.

Samsung SE450 Series 23.6 inch FHD	Header
Screen Size	23.6-inch
Display Panel	LCD, Twisted Nematic (TN)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	No
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Eye-saver Mode, VESA Compatible, Flicker-Free, Pivot Capable, 3-Year Warranty
Ports / Connectivity	DisplayPort, DVI, VGA

The refresh rate is 60 Hz and the response time is 5 milliseconds which means it is a decent option for console gaming or casual PC gamers. It also implements flicker reducing technology combined with an eye protection mode to mitigate eye strain and fatigue when you are using it for extended periods.

The SE450 doesn’t come with any built-in speakers, which I don’t feel is a bad thing. It is capable of connecting to other devices using DVI, DisplayPort, and VGA ports.

There are good features implemented in this monitor especially for the price of it. It isn’t the best monitor on the list, but the price is great.

Pros

• Capable of Gaming
• Compatible with VESA Mounting
• Portrait and Landscape Modes Available

Cons

• Thick Frame

Conclusion:

Why Opt For a Vertical Monitor?

People who spend a lot of time working with text and words are the most likely to benefit from having a vertical computer monitor. This includes people like writers and programmers. The primary purpose of using an interesting monitor configuration like this is because it provides a direct increase to productivity for people in those lines of work. To see if there are good and cheep monitors with vertical orientation feature check out our reviews here.

You can change how you view your work by placing it on the vertical display which will allow you to view a lot more text at once. So, anyone that spends a lot of time working with text will probably be interested in knowing about the Best Vertical Monitor.

1. Better for Text

The way text is commonly displayed on a monitor makes it uniquely suited for viewing on vertical monitors. This means that people that commonly work with a staggering amount of text can see more of it at once without needing to scroll as much which makes editing a several hundred-page long document or thousand-line program much easier. It allows you to see more at once and can enable you to make connections you wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

Additionally, most websites are designed to be viewed on computer monitors and mobile devices now. Since almost all mobile devices are usually displayed in a portrait mode view, websites can be easily viewed in this way and they will naturally scale up to the larger size of a vertical monitor. This will allow you to get the same benefits a writer or programmer would, just for browsing websites.

With some luck, you could even be able to use this technique to avoid advertisements because your screen won’t have the width to display both text and ad boxes.

2. Less Space

You can save a lot of space on your workstation by using a dual monitor vertical setup rather than using several monitors in a horizontal configuration. By mixing vertical monitors into your normal setup you can provide yourself a means to not only save space but also increase productivity, convenience, and aesthetic all at once with one simple change.

One of the most common issues with using several monitors at once is that you can’t see everything without turning your head. This problem is mitigated greatly by using a vertical monitor setup unless you are using a completely impractical 40 inch vertical monitor because it will stretch into your peripheral vision less and instead stay contained within your direct vision.

3. Affordability

Because using a vertical display isn’t a common trend yet they are often more costly than your traditional monitors. That said, if people aren’t buying them as much then you might be able to grab one at a much-reduced price.

Having the versatility to switch between portrait and landscape view will also have an effect on the expense of buying a vertical display. This adds a lot of versatility to a monitor in how it can be used and what kind of functions it will support which also inherently increases the cost of a monitor.

With this in mind, you should take the time to ensure that a vertical monitor is going to see a lot of use in portrait mode before buying one. It is more financially sound to buy a monitor that will only operate in vertical position, so that you can save money on a feature you don’t need.

Are Vertical Monitors Good For Multiple Setups?

The answer is yes! Vertical monitors are very effective in a multiple monitor setup. If you are always browsing the internet, writing, or editing code then you would have no need for a more traditional horizontal monitor and could use several vertical monitors instead.

That said, vertical gaming is not recommended, so if you are a gamer then you will want to ensure that you have at least one horizontal monitor in your setup. This will make it easier to do things like look at gifs and watch videos as well since they are usually not intended to be displayed in portrait mode.