Chrome's vertical tabs: a week later, top tabs feel wrong

Chrome's native vertical tabs feature, tested by a user for a week, proved so effective that returning to the traditional top tab layout now feels awkward and inefficient. The feature moves tabs to a sidebar, keeping titles fully visible regardless of how many are open, eliminating the cramped guessing game of horizontal tabs. It also enhances tab groups, allowing them to function as distinct, collapsible sections, and works well on widescreen displays. Chrome added native vertical tabs in 2026 after testing began in late 2025, making the feature accessible by right-clicking a window and selecting "Show Tabs Vertically," with options to collapse the sidebar for more screen space.