What Is Hz on a Monitor?

If you've been shopping for a monitor, laptop, or portable display, you've probably noticed a number followed by "Hz" in the specs — like 60Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz. But what does it actually mean, and does it really matter for what you do on screen?

Let's break down monitor refresh rates in plain English.

What Is a Monitor Refresh Rate?

Refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz) and tells you how many times per second your monitor updates the image on screen.

A 60Hz monitor refreshes the picture 60 times per second. A 144Hz monitor refreshes it 144 times per second. The higher the number, the smoother motion appears — especially in fast-paced content like games, sports, and action movies.

Think of it like a flipbook: the more pages you flip per second, the smoother the animation looks.

Does Refresh Rate Affect Everyday Use?

Yes — even outside gaming. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling through web pages, dragging windows, and moving your mouse cursor feel noticeably smoother. Once you've used a 120Hz or 144Hz screen, going back to 60Hz can feel sluggish.

What Is FPS?

FPS stands for Frames Per Second — and it's often confused with refresh rate.

FPS refers to how many individual images (frames) your graphics card or device can generate each second. The higher the FPS, the smoother the motion — but only if your monitor can keep up.

FPS is determined by your hardware (GPU, CPU, console) and the game or app you're running. Refresh rate, on the other hand, is a fixed spec of your monitor.

Refresh Rate vs Frame Rate

Here's the simplest way to remember the difference:

• Refresh rate (Hz) = how often your monitor updates the image
• Frame rate (FPS) = how often your device produces a new frame

For the smoothest experience, you want them to match. If your GPU pumps out 144 FPS but your monitor only refreshes at 60Hz, you'll only see 60 of those frames per second — the rest are wasted. On the flip side, if your monitor is 144Hz but your GPU only manages 60 FPS, you won't get the full benefit of the higher refresh rate.

Why Matching Matters

When FPS and Hz are aligned, motion looks fluid and responsive. When they're out of sync, you may notice screen tearing (visible horizontal lines) or stuttering. Technologies like AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync help by dynamically syncing your monitor's refresh rate to your GPU's output.

What Refresh Rates Do Different Monitors Have?

60Hz Monitors

Best for: Everyday work, web browsing, streaming, and casual gaming.

• The most common refresh rate on standard office monitors and budget laptops
• Perfectly fine for emails, documents, YouTube, and Netflix
• Typically the most affordable option

If you mainly use your screen for work and entertainment, 60Hz is still a solid choice.

120Hz Monitors

Best for: Gaming, creative work, and smoother everyday use.

• Double the smoothness of 60Hz — a noticeable jump
• Common on premium laptops, tablets, and smartphones
• A great middle ground for mixed use

120Hz hits a sweet spot for users who want smoother visuals without jumping to a high-end gaming monitor.

144Hz Monitors

Best for: Competitive gaming and high-performance setups.

• The go-to refresh rate for PC gamers
• Delivers visibly smoother motion in fast-paced titles like FPS and racing games
• Often paired with 1ms response times and FreeSync/G-Sync support

If you play competitively or just want the smoothest possible experience, 144Hz is worth the investment.

What About 240Hz and Beyond?

Some premium gaming monitors now offer 240Hz, 360Hz, or even 500Hz. These are aimed at esports professionals and enthusiasts who want every possible millisecond of advantage. For most users, the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz is far less noticeable than the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz.

Is a Higher Refresh Rate Better?

Not always — it depends on what you do.

A Higher Refresh Rate Is Worth It If You:

• Play fast-paced games (FPS, racing, MOBA)
• Want smoother scrolling and mouse movement
• Do video editing or animation work
• Have a GPU that can push high frame rates

You Might Not Need It If You:

• Mainly browse the web, write documents, or watch videos
• Have a limited budget
• Use a device that can't output high frame rates anyway
• Prioritise resolution (like 4K) over smoothness

Other Factors That Matter

Refresh rate isn't the only spec that affects your experience. Also consider:

• Resolution — 1080p, 2K, or 4K
• Response time — how fast pixels change colour (measured in ms)
• Panel type — IPS, VA, or OLED
• Adaptive sync — FreeSync or G-Sync support

Which Refresh Rate Suits You?

Refresh Rate	Best For
60Hz	Office work, streaming, casual use
120Hz	Everyday gaming, creative work, mixed use
144Hz	Competitive gaming, high-performance setups
240Hz+	Esports, professional gaming

Refresh Rates on Portable Monitors

Portable monitors have come a long way — and many now offer refresh rates well above 60Hz. Whether you're a digital nomad working from a café, a gamer on the road, or someone who needs a second screen for travel, a high-refresh portable monitor can make a real difference.

When choosing a portable monitor, look for:

• Refresh rate — 60Hz for work, 120Hz+ for gaming
• Resolution — 1080p or 2K for crisp visuals
• Connectivity — USB-C and mini-HDMI for broad device support
• Weight and size — slim enough to fit in a backpack
• Built-in speakers — for a complete setup on the go

A portable monitor with a higher refresh rate gives you smoother motion whether you're gaming, editing, or just scrolling through spreadsheets.

FAQs

Is 144Hz better than 60Hz?

For gaming and fast-moving content, yes — 144Hz is noticeably smoother. For basic tasks like browsing and watching videos, the difference is less dramatic but still noticeable.

Can I see the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz?

Most people can — especially when scrolling, moving windows, or playing games. The jump from 60Hz to 120Hz is often described as a "night and day" difference.

Does refresh rate affect eye strain?

A higher refresh rate can reduce perceived flicker and motion blur, which may help with eye comfort during long sessions. However, factors like brightness, blue light, and screen distance play a bigger role.

Do I need a special cable for 144Hz?

Yes — you'll typically need DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 (or higher) to run 144Hz at 1080p or 1440p. Check your monitor and device specs before buying a cable.

Can a console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X use 120Hz?

Yes — both support 120Hz output on compatible displays, provided the game and your TV or monitor support it.

Is a higher refresh rate bad for battery life?

On laptops and portable devices, yes — higher refresh rates draw more power. Many devices let you switch between 60Hz and 120Hz to balance performance and battery life.

Conclusion

Refresh rate (Hz) measures how many times per second your monitor updates the image, while frame rate (FPS) measures how many frames your device produces. For the smoothest experience, you want both working together.

For everyday use, 60Hz is perfectly fine. For gaming, creative work, or anyone who wants smoother visuals, 120Hz or 144Hz is well worth it. And if you're a competitive gamer, 240Hz+ may give you the edge.

Whatever your needs, understanding refresh rates helps you choose a display that matches how you actually use it — whether at home, in the office, or on the road.