A vertical monitor can be any size or structure, however, they are usually more space-efficient than horizontal monitors. Because vertical monitors take up less space than horizontal monitors, they are often utilized in retail businesses, restaurants, and hospitals.
Vertical monitors can also be mounted on the wall, saving even more room on the floor. While all of this is great, it can sometimes be hard to tell if a monitor can be flipped vertically or not. Today, it feels like all monitors can be angled to a certain degree, but is that the case?
Most modern monitors can be flipped vertically using the included stand. Monitors that can’t flip with the included stand can be flipped using a VESA mount as long as they’re compatible. You can tell if a monitor complies with VESA standards by checking if the back panel has a four-hole screw pattern.
Purchasing a monitor that can flip natively, without using an additional stand or mount is probably more worth it because you can spend the extra money on performance, rather than spending it on the mount.
We’ve been using the ASUS ProArt 27″ Display for this purpose. It can be flipped vertically with the native stand, looks sleek, and performs incredibly well.
There are a number of important questions that people have surrounding vertical monitors.
Can Any Monitor Be Flipped Vertically?
Not all monitors are built to be used vertically, but a lot of the newer ones come with this functionality. A portrait mode option is integrated into certain monitors, although it’s not widely used or well-implemented.
In fact, if you don’t know what you’re doing, the procedure of vertically turning your display might be harmful.
Vertically flipping a monitor that isn’t designed to do that might result in a variety of issues. There’s the matter of screen burn-in, for starters.
When you use a normal LCD display in portrait mode, you’re effectively running a single column of pixels across your screen at all times; as a result, there’s no discernible change between one row and the next.
That implies that if you keep an image or text onscreen for a long time without refreshing it (for example, when watching a movie), the pixels might be permanently damaged.
The same may be said about desktop icons or other items that display on your screen repeatedly without changing their location or size (like browser tabs).
If your monitor isn’t designed for vertical orientation, it may not have an option that lets you flip the image on-screen. If this is the case, you’ll need to use a VESA mount adapter and mount the monitor on an arm or ceiling mount that allows you to position it vertically instead of horizontally.
How Can You Tell If a Monitor Can Be Vertical?
There are a few different ways to tell if a monitor can be used vertically.
1. The monitor will have VESA mounting holes on the back of it. These are standardized and all monitors are required to have them, so you can always check there first.
2. If you don’t see any VESA holes on your monitor, but it has an adjustable stand, then it’s likely that the monitor can be used vertically.
Although not every adjustable stand can be rotated, most can be tilted 90 degrees or more so that the monitor is closer to vertical than horizontal.
3. Most modern monitors support both landscape and portrait modes, but some only support one mode or the other (usually landscape).
To find out which mode your monitor supports, consult its manual or search for more information online using the model number of your specific monitor (which should be printed on its box).
4. If you’re still puzzled about if your monitor can be used vertically or not, you’ll want to take a visit to the manufacturer’s website. In most cases, it will say somewhere if your monitor can be used in this manner.
How to Set Up a Vertical Monitor
Setting up a vertical monitor can be done in a couple of straightforward steps:
- If you’re using the Windows 10 operating s system, you’ll want to start by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop, and then clicking on ‘display settings’. On older operating systems, such as Windows 7, this will be the same as ‘screen resolution’.
- On this screen, you’ll see a wide range of different options. You’ll notice an area that says ‘display orientation’. You should see an option to choose from portrait or landscape mode in that drop-down menu. To set up your monitor vertically, simply click on ‘portrait’.
- After that part is complete, you’ll then have to adjust your monitor vertically. Hopefully, your monitor can be flipped natively, or else you will need additional equipment. If you don’t have a proper stand or arm extension to do that, you’ll have to purchase one.
What Are the Benefits of Flipping Your Monitor?
There are a variety of benefits to flipping your monitor vertically:
- More comfortable viewing. In a horizontal position, it’s natural for your eyes to drift down the screen. But in a vertical position, you’ll have to work harder to keep your eyes from wandering by keeping them focused on the top of the screen.
- Less eye strain and fatigue. When you’re looking at a screen for an extended period of time, it’s important to take breaks and look away from the screen every 20-30 minutes. But when you’re using a vertical monitor, it’s easier to keep your eyes on the top of the screen without having to move around.
- Better posture. When you’re sitting upright in front of a horizontal monitor, you tend to slouch forward slightly over time as your back becomes more relaxed with this position over time. However, if you use a vertical monitor instead, then it’s easier to maintain proper posture while working because there is no slouching involved at all.
- Vertical monitors don’t take up as much space in comparison to their horizontal counterparts.
- Vertical videos are becoming more and more popular, and using a vertical monitor is the best way to view these particular videos.
- Vertical monitors are perfect for coders that need to see more code on a screen at once.
Monitors I Recommend That Can Turn Vertically
ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV
One of the best vertical monitors on the market is the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV. This monitor was all designed around increasing functionality and productivity.
Its ergonomic stand and overall quality make it a monitor that stands out from the rest of the pack.
It has a built-in USB hub and a USB-C port that will ensure connectivity to all of your devices. That means you can connect both your keyboard and your mouse directly to the monitor depending on the operating system and type of computer you’re running.
Dell UltraSharp U2515H Vertical Monitor
The Dell UltraSharp U2515H Vertical Monitor is the runner-up to the best vertical monitor. Its resolution is 2560 x 1440 and has a 78-degree viewing depth.
Its screen also is very easy to look at and won’t cause a glare even if it’s near a window. Multi-tasking is made simple on this vertical monitor because of the easy arrange mode, and it has a great color range.
BenQ PD2700Q Vertical Monitor
The BenQ PD2700Q Vertical Monitor is another ideal vertical monitor that has a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Much like the Dell UltraSharp, this monitor also makes multi-tasking easy because of the side-by-side arranging mode.
There are over 1 billion shades of colors and a great viewing depth on the BenQ PD2700Q Vertical Monitor. One of the most attractive features of this monitor is the variety of task-oriented picture modes it comes packed with.
If you’re in a dark room, there’s a setting for that. If you’re doing animation work, there is a setting for that, as well.
ViewSonic XG2560 Vertical Monitor
Another outstanding vertical monitor is the ViewSonic XG2560 Vertical Monitor. This monitor has a refresh rate of 240Hz and a 1080p resolution. It is great at handling dark images, and perfect for those that want a monitor for video games.
The hotkeys that can be set on the Game Mode make it perfect to customize for different games that you’re playing.
HP VH240A Vertical Monitor
The HP VH240A Vertical Monitor is perfect for those that are on a budget. It comes with a full high-definition 1080p display with great color accuracy. That makes it a perfect vertical monitor for people that require one for a variety of purposes.
The 170-degree viewing angle and a blue light filter will prevent eye fatigue from occurring. The monitor can also tilt 30 degrees, making it an ideal choice for those that are looking for an ergonomically-sound monitor.
The monitor has both an HDMI and VGA port in case you’re wanting to charge your wireless mice or smartphones.
Acer ET241Y Vertical Monitor
The Acer ET241Y Vertical Monitor is another vertical monitor that makes it to the recommended list because of its crystal-clear resolution and thin-bezel frame.
This monitor is ideal for those that are looking for a second monitor to put beside their primary one. The monitor reduces eye strain due to its blue-light reduction mode. The Acer ET241Y Vertical Monitor also has 2-watt speakers built into it.
What Monitor Size Is Best For Vertical View / Portrait Mode?
When picking a monitor that you’re going to use vertically, it’s important to consider the size and aspect ratio of that monitor. With that said, I believe personal preference is a huge part of what makes one choice better than the other.
However, if you ask me for my opinion on the matter, I would say that a 32″ monitor is as large as I would go when it comes to portrait mode. Staying in the 24-27″ range is probably preferable, with an aspect ratio of 16:10 or even 16:9.
This should provide you with a large enough vertical workspace and a clear image. I’ve seen people who turn their 21″ monitors vertically and that seems to work just as well, but I prefer a larger secondary monitor as I do a lot of reading and writing on it.
Are Vertical Monitors Better?
Because a monitor can be turned both vertically and horizontally, you’ll still be using the same monitor regardless of the orientation of the monitor. If your monitor performs well in a horizontal orientation, it will most likely do so in a vertical too.
Nevertheless, there are situations where a vertical monitor can come in handy, and others where a horizontal monitor is better. It comes down to personal preference too.
Positioning your monitor vertically can be beneficial when reading, painting, and writing. I’m sure a bunch of you out there know of a thousand other areas where a vertical monitor does a better job. That’s because it’s up to you to decide whether it’s better or not.
Can Curved Monitors Be Flipped Vertically?
Curved monitors are designed to be used horizontally and I wouldn’t recommend using one vertically. The function of the curve will be lost, making the entire design of the monitor obsolete. Therefore, I wouldn’t consider flipping a curved monitor vertically.
Besides, most curved monitors are a bit more impractical than regular flat monitors when placed horizontally, and I can’t imagine that it becomes any easier in a vertical orientation.
Why Do Streamers Have Vertical Monitors?
Vertical monitors are popular among streamers. This is due to the fact that they are less taxing on the eyes than horizontal ones.
They also allow you to view more of your game at once, which is particularly handy if you play games that demand a great deal of coordination.
A vertical display might let you view more of the map at once if you play games like Overwatch or StarCraft II. This saves you from having to continually switch your gaze between two screens, making it simpler to see opponents approaching from different directions.