Buying Guide
The Best Vertical 4K Monitors
From the AW2725Q to the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: three monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A 4K panel quadruples the pixels of 1080p, so plan for upscaling in demanding games. Every monitor here is 4K and pivots to portrait, ordered by refresh rate.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips response, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch
The largest screen size here (32 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch (opens in a new tab)
IPS Panel
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B
An IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want an IPS panel.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (32 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch (opens in a new tab) |
| An IPS panel. | Buyers who want an IPS panel. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2725Q is a 26.7-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with USB-C and a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It has one of the most adjustable stands among the OLED models here. On refresh rate it ties with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at 240Hz. Its 26.7 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH leads at 32 inches.
It shares a QD-OLED panel with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH; the 27G810A goes with an IPS panel. You get a DisplayHDR True Black 400 here, which sets it apart from the 27G810A and its a DisplayHDR 400. You also get Dolby Vision support, 166 PPI at 4K and USB-C with 15W power delivery.
Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the 27G810A the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 26.7 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Stand: height, tilt, swivel and pivot
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH (32 inches)
Largest Screen Size2 of 3
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's G80SH is a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with DisplayHDR True Black 500, USB-C and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its stand adjusts for height, pivot, tilt and swivel. It matches the AW2725Q on refresh rate (240Hz). Nothing else here matches its 32 inches screen size; the 27G810A comes closest at 27 inches.
Like the AW2725Q, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the 27G810A uses an IPS panel. You also get OLED Safeguard+ burn-in protection. Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 27G810A.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 500
- Stand: height, pivot, tilt and swivel
- USB-C: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the AW2725Q at the time of writing
IPS Panel3 of 3
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27G810A runs 4K at 180Hz and switches to 1080p at 360Hz for shooters, with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayHDR 400.
Best for
- Buyers who want an IPS panel.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725Q offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. On refresh rate it trails the group at 180Hz, while the AW2725Q offers 240Hz. Its 27 inches screen size ranks second of 3 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH (32 inches) and ahead of the AW2725Q (26.7 inches).
An IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH uses a QD-OLED panel. A DisplayHDR 400 is unique to it among these picks, while the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH uses a DisplayHDR True Black 500. It also offers an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles.
Reaching 180Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. When we checked, only the AW2725Q cost less, and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725Q covers it better at 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725Q (240Hz)
- Costs more than the AW2725Q at the time of writing
How We Chose These Vertical 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the AW2725Q to the 27G810A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH gives no response; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH gives no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AW2725Q ($500 to $1000) to the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Vertical 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 180Hz on the 27G810A to 240Hz on the AW2725Q. The AW2725Q is the pick for refresh rate.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 26.7 inches on the AW2725Q to 32 inches on the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH. The 27G810A comes second for less money.
Response
The AW2725Q lists 0.03ms; the 27G810A lists 1ms. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Features beyond the spec table
The AW2725Q: 166 PPI at 4K. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: USB-C with up to 98W. The 27G810A: HDMI 2.1 inputs.
Budget
$500 to $1000 buys the AW2725Q and the 27G810A; $1000 to $1500 buys the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at our last check.
How to Choose a Vertical 4K Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | AW2725Q | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put screen size first | Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | The largest screen size here (32 inches) |
| Buyers who want an IPS panel | 27G810A | An IPS panel |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725Q leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2725Q | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AW2725Q was the lowest-priced pick and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725Q, 27G810A |
| About $1000 to $1500 | Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 27G810A compare with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH on screen size?
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH leads at 32 inches, with the 27G810A at 27 inches. The AW2725Q is at the other end of this group with 26.7 inches.
Is the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH worth paying more than the AW2725Q?
On paper it adds screen size (32 inches against 26.7 inches). The AW2725Q was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH the Largest Screen Size?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (32 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Do the AW2725Q and the 27G810A differ on panel?
The AW2725Q and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH use QD-OLED; the 27G810A uses IPS.
Beyond the specs, what sets the AW2725Q and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH apart?
The AW2725Q: Dolby Vision support. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: DisplayHDR True Black 500. The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2725Q, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH for the largest screen size here (32 inches) and the 27G810A for an IPS panel if those matter more to you.
Measure desk depth before buying a larger screen.