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Refresh rate explained
Refresh rate controls how smooth motion feels.
A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, pointer movement, and games feel smoother. It does not improve color, contrast, or sharpness.
60-75Hz
346 monitorsThe standard range for office and many creative monitors.
- Best fit
- Documents, design, coding
- Tradeoff
- Motion feels ordinary
100-120Hz
233 monitorsA visible smoothness upgrade without going fully gaming-focused.
- Best fit
- Premium productivity
- Tradeoff
- Still not esports-fast
144-180Hz
285 monitorsThe sweet spot for most PC gaming monitors.
- Best fit
- Gaming plus everyday use
- Tradeoff
- Less important for static work
240Hz+
190 monitorsVery fast panels for competitive gaming and motion clarity.
- Best fit
- Competitive games
- Tradeoff
- Usually costs more or trades off resolution
At a glance
| Feature | 60-75Hz | 100-120Hz | 144-180Hz | 240Hz+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion | Basic | Smooth | Very smooth | Fastest |
| Best use | Office | Premium office | Gaming | Competitive gaming |
| Buyer risk | Low | Low | Check GPU | Check GPU and ports |
Which one should you get?
Office and design
60Hz is usable. 100-120Hz is nicer if the price makes sense.
Most gaming
144-180Hz is the practical target.
Esports
Prioritize 240Hz+ only if you actually play fast competitive games.