Buying Guide
The Best Vertical Gaming Monitors
Six monitors whose stands pivot to portrait, for chat, stream tools or a vertical second screen.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A vertical monitor usually sits beside a main screen for chat, stream tools or long documents. Every stand here pivots to portrait without an arm.
We checked each listing for pivot support and stand range.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Value Pivot
LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-BA pivot stand on a 200Hz 1440p screen.
Best for: Main and side screens.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Cheapest Pivot
CRUA 24.5-inch 200Hz Vertical MonitorA 90-degree pivot and 200Hz near $130.
Best for: Side screens.
Check price for CRUA 24.5-inch 200Hz Vertical Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Work
HP Series 5 Pro 524pfA pivot stand with four USB ports.
Best for: Chat and documents.
Check price for HP Series 5 Pro 524pf on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best IPS Pivot
Alienware AW2723DFA full stand with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for: A main screen that also pivots.
Check price for Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 240Hz Pivot
KTC H27E6S240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand.
Best for: Fast games in landscape.
Check price for KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 4K Pivot
MSI MAG 274UPF E24K at 160Hz with a pivot stand.
Best for: High-end setups.
Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A pivot stand on a 200Hz 1440p screen. | Main and side screens. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 90-degree pivot and 200Hz near $130. | Side screens. | Check price for CRUA 24.5-inch 200Hz Vertical Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A pivot stand with four USB ports. | Chat and documents. | Check price for HP Series 5 Pro 524pf on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A full stand with DisplayHDR 600. | A main screen that also pivots. | Check price for Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand. | Fast games in landscape. | Check price for KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 160Hz with a pivot stand. | High-end setups. | Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Value Pivot1 of 6
LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B
LG's 27G61ZB is a 27-inch 1440p IPS screen at 200Hz on a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand.
Best for
- Main and side screens.
Skip if
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
That full stand is rare at about $200. Features include Dynamic Action Sync, Black Stabilizer, an FPS counter and a crosshair, and the Switch app splits the screen into up to six sections. The monitor supports HDR10.
On refresh rate it ties with the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at 200Hz. It matches the AW2723DF, the H27E6S and the MAG 274UPF on screen size (27 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the AW2723DF and H27E6S; the CRUA 24.5 Pivot goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the HP 524pf and AW2723DF; the MAG 274UPF goes with a rapid IPS panel. You get an HDR10 here, which sets it apart from the AW2723DF and its a DisplayHDR 600. It also offers narrow bezels. It was priced above the CRUA 24.5 Pivot and below the HP 524pf at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR10
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
- Stand
- height, tilt, swivel and pivot
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at the time of writing
Cheapest Pivot2 of 6
CRUA 24.5-inch 200Hz Vertical Monitor
CRUA's 24.5-inch 1080p screen pivots 90 degrees and runs at 200Hz over DisplayPort.
Best for
- Side screens.
Skip if
- Pass on it if refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the AW2723DF (240Hz) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has 120mm of height adjustment. It matches the 27G61ZB on refresh rate (200Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 24.5 inches: the 27G61ZB comes in at 27 inches, and the HP 524pf comes in at 24 inches.
Like the HP 524pf, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the H27E6S uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a 120% sRGB color gamut; compare the AW2723DF, which has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. You get a FreeSync here, which sets it apart from the AW2723DF and its a G-SYNC Compatible.
You also get a 90-degree pivot for portrait mode. At 1080p, 200Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. It undercut the 27G61ZB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24.5 inches
- Response
- 3ms
- Color gamut
- 120% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
- Stand
- height, pivot, swivel and tilt
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 120% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- a stand with height, pivot, swivel and tilt
Cons
- Refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the AW2723DF (240Hz)
The catch
The main gap: refresh rate of 200Hz, behind the AW2723DF (240Hz). If that matters, the AW2723DF offers 240Hz.
Best for Work3 of 6
HP Series 5 Pro 524pf
HP's 524pf is a 24-inch 1080p IPS screen on a height, swivel and pivot stand with four USB ports.
Best for
- Chat and documents.
Skip if
- Pass if a published refresh rate matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It suits a portrait second screen. Its 24 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the 27G61ZB leads at 27 inches. It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the CRUA 24.5 Pivot; the MAG 274UPF goes with a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the 27G61ZB and AW2723DF; the MAG 274UPF goes with a rapid IPS panel. You get a 100% sRGB color gamut here, which sets it apart from the H27E6S and its a 123% sRGB color gamut. You also get 350 nits brightness. There is no published refresh rate figure, whereas the AW2723DF offers 240Hz.
Key specs
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Color gamut
- 100% sRGB
- Stand
- height, swivel and pivot
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- a stand with height, swivel and pivot
- Four USB ports
Cons
- No published refresh rate
- Screen size trails the 27G61ZB (27 inches)
- Costs more than the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at the time of writing
Best IPS Pivot4 of 6
Alienware AW2723DF
The AW2723DF is an IPS monitor with DisplayHDR 600, 95% DCI-P3 and a 280Hz overclock mode, on a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- A main screen that also pivots.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the CRUA 24.5 Pivot cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the H27E6S on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the 27G61ZB, the H27E6S and the MAG 274UPF at 27 inches. Like the 27G61ZB and H27E6S, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the CRUA 24.5 Pivot uses a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
Like the 27G61ZB and HP 524pf, it has an IPS panel, while the H27E6S uses a fast IPS panel. It is the only pick here with a DisplayHDR 600; the MAG 274UPF has an HDR 400 instead. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Its price falls between the H27E6S and the MAG 274UPF, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand
- height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at the time of writing
Best 240Hz Pivot5 of 6
KTC H27E6S
The H27E6S runs 240Hz on Fast IPS with a 275Hz overclock, speakers and a swivel and pivot stand at a budget price.
Best for
- Fast games in landscape.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the CRUA 24.5 Pivot cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the AW2723DF at 240Hz. It matches the 27G61ZB, the AW2723DF and the MAG 274UPF on screen size (27 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the 27G61ZB and AW2723DF; the HP 524pf goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
You get a fast IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the MAG 274UPF and its a rapid IPS panel. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. It was priced above the HP 524pf and below the AW2723DF at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR400
- Color gamut
- 123% sRGB
- Stand
- swivel and pivot
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 123% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at the time of writing
Best 4K Pivot6 of 6
MSI MAG 274UPF E2
The MAG 274UPF gives 4K at 160Hz with a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- High-end setups.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2723DF offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
It is a straightforward, well-equipped IPS choice. On refresh rate it trails the group at 160Hz, while the AW2723DF offers 240Hz. It matches the 27G61ZB, the AW2723DF and the H27E6S on screen size (27 inches).
You get a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution here, which sets it apart from the AW2723DF and its a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. You get a rapid IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the H27E6S and its a fast IPS panel. You get an HDR 400 here, which sets it apart from the AW2723DF and its a DisplayHDR 600.
Reaching 160Hz 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. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Only the AW2723DF came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 160Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Rapid IPS
- HDR
- HDR 400
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand
- height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Rapid IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2723DF (240Hz)
- Costs more than the CRUA 24.5 Pivot at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on refresh rate, where the AW2723DF offers 240Hz.
How We Chose These Vertical Gaming Monitors
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared six monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while refresh rate and panel have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the 27G61ZB to the MAG 274UPF, state resolution, screen size and stand.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The HP 524pf gives no refresh rate; the CRUA 24.5 Pivot gives no panel.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CRUA 24.5 Pivot ($100 to $150) to the MAG 274UPF ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Vertical Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much screen size you need
The 27G61ZB tops screen size at 27 inches and the HP 524pf sits lowest at 24 inches; 4 picks share the top figure. The 27G61ZB is the pick for screen size.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 160Hz on the MAG 274UPF to 240Hz on the AW2723DF, a 50% spread. For less, the H27E6S is the runner-up at 240Hz ($150 to $250 tier). The HP 524pf gives no refresh rate figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Panel
The 27G61ZB, the HP 524pf and the AW2723DF list IPS; the H27E6S lists Fast IPS; the MAG 274UPF lists Rapid IPS. Settling panel first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 1 or 1.
Response
The 27G61ZB, the AW2723DF and the H27E6S list 1ms; the CRUA 24.5 Pivot lists 3ms. Settling response first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Extras that separate them
The AW2723DF: an overclocked 280Hz mode. The H27E6S: built-in speakers. The MAG 274UPF: a 160Hz refresh rate at 4K.
How to Choose a Vertical Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Main and side screens | 27G61ZB | A pivot stand on a 200Hz 1440p screen |
| Side screens | CRUA 24.5 Pivot | A 90-degree pivot and 200Hz near $130 |
| Chat and documents | HP 524pf | A pivot stand with four USB ports |
| A main screen that also pivots | AW2723DF | A full stand with DisplayHDR 600 |
| Fast games in landscape | H27E6S | 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand |
| High-end setups | MAG 274UPF | 4K at 160Hz with a pivot stand |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 27G61ZB leads on screen size at 27 inches, ahead of the AW2723DF at 27 inches. "Not listed" marks refresh rate where the HP 524pf leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27G61ZB | 200Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| CRUA 24.5 Pivot | 200Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Not listed |
| HP 524pf | Not listed | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | IPS |
| AW2723DF | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| H27E6S | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| MAG 274UPF | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Rapid IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The CRUA 24.5 Pivot was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the MAG 274UPF the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | CRUA 24.5 Pivot |
| About $150 to $250 | 27G61ZB, HP 524pf, H27E6S |
| About $250 to $500 | AW2723DF, MAG 274UPF |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MAG 274UPF add over the CRUA 24.5 Pivot?
What it brings is screen size (27 inches against 24.5 inches). It does not win everywhere: the CRUA 24.5 Pivot still leads on refresh rate (200Hz). On our last price check the CRUA 24.5 Pivot was in the $100 to $150 tier and the MAG 274UPF in the $250 to $500 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
Why is the AW2723DF our Best IPS Pivot pick?
It carries the badge for a full stand with DisplayHDR 600. The CRUA 24.5 Pivot, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits A main screen that also pivots.
Do the 27G61ZB and the CRUA 24.5 Pivot differ on resolution?
The 27G61ZB, the AW2723DF and the H27E6S use 2560x1440 (1440p); the CRUA 24.5 Pivot and the HP 524pf use 1920x1080 (1080p); the MAG 274UPF uses 3840x2160 (4K).
What extras do the 27G61ZB and the CRUA 24.5 Pivot include?
The 27G61ZB: a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand. The CRUA 24.5 Pivot: a 90-degree pivot for portrait mode. The HP 524pf: a height, swivel and pivot stand.
Who should choose the 27G61ZB?
The 27G61ZB carries our Best Value Pivot label for a pivot stand on a 200Hz 1440p screen. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits main and side screens.
Bottom Line
LG's 27G61ZB is the value pick with a pivot stand at 1440p. CRUA's 24.5-inch screen is the cheapest, and MSI's MAG 274UPF adds 4K.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Monitors
- Higher budgetThe Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Choose a Graphics Card for 4K Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
- Topic hubAll gaming monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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