Updated at: 03-05-2023 - By: Leo Hall
Should I invest in a 144Hz display, or will a 60Hz one suffice? Let’s investigate the benefits of 144 Hz displays and see what we find.

Answer:

A 144 Hz gaming monitor is a must-have if you plan on competing at the highest levels of your favorite games.

You’ll have a more satisfying and responsive gaming experience overall, and you’ll have an edge over players using standard 60Hz monitors.

Are you debating whether or not to invest in a 144Hz display?

You may have read or heard from others that a 144Hz gaming monitor is an absolute necessity for serious gamers, that once you go 144Hz, you’ll never go back, or something to that effect.

In this piece, we’ll explain what a 144Hz refresh rate is and whether or not you should spend the extra money to get one.

What Are Refresh Rates?

For the sake of brevity, let’s review what a refresh rate actually is.

A monitor’s refresh rate is the number of frames it can display in one second, and it is expressed in Hertz (Hz). In other words, it controls how many frames per second (FPS) you’ll get while playing.

The number of frames that can be displayed in real time is constrained not by the GPU’s ability to render more of them, but rather by the monitor’s refresh rate. The majority of new displays have a 60Hz refresh rate out of the box, but 144Hz has quickly become the norm for PC gamers, and we’re about to find out why.

Is A 144Hz Monitor Worth It For Gaming? [Easy Guide]

Advantages Of 144Hz Monitors

The benefits of higher framerates over lower framerates are the primary consideration when discussing the advantages of monitors with higher refresh rates.

The higher the frame rate, the more fluid and responsive the gaming experience will be. Additionally, there will be less blurring of motion, which is great news for people who easily get seasick.

However, the primary reason professional gamers favor such high refresh rates is because of the potential advantage they can offer. More frames per second mean more information is being displayed, which may improve response time by a small amount.

This may not seem important at first, but in high-pressure multiplayer situations, every second counts.

In terms of efficiency, that settles the age-old debate over which refresh rate is superior, 60 or 144 hertz. A 144Hz display can be had for a reasonable price, but it typically comes with compromises that may turn off some gamers.

Disadvantages Of 144Hz Monitors

The issue of cost must be addressed first and foremost. There are cheaper 144Hz monitors available, but this is due to the use of inferior TN panels or cheaper VA panels. Although IPS 144Hz monitors provide superior visuals, they are significantly more expensive.

There are problems unique to TN panels that must be considered. They are widely used in 144 Hz gaming monitors due to their low cost and unprecedented speed. Their biggest drawbacks, however, are their subpar color accuracy and narrow viewing angles. TN panels produce colors that are typically quite pale and faded, but the viewing angles aren’t a big deal because you’d always be facing your monitor directly at your desk.

However, when it comes to color accuracy, VA panels are on par with IPS panels. However, they have slightly longer pixel response times, which can cause motion blur and a slightly less responsive monitor.

The issue of framerates also needs to be considered. If your GPU can’t handle high enough framerates, a high refresh rate is useless. Of course, if we’re talking about low-demand eSports games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or Overwatch, this is a breeze to accomplish. However, without a high-end graphics card (or multiple cards), it will be difficult to achieve such frame rates in GPU-intensive AAA games without reducing the quality settings.

Does 144Hz Make A Difference?

Watch the clip above to learn more about the advantages of a fast refresh rate monitor.

If you paused that video at this point, you would see something like this:

Picture yourself in a first-person shooter, except instead of a car, the enemy player is there and you must eliminate him.

Now, because your display isn’t refreshing the frames quickly enough to keep up with the fast-moving object/target, if you tried to fire at the target on a 60Hz monitor, you’d be firing upon a target that isn’t even there.

Obviously, this has the potential to alter your success rate in first-person shooters.

However, a high refresh rate requires a correspondingly high FPS (frames per second). You should ensure that your CPU and GPU are capable of handling the desired refresh rate.

A higher frame rate/refresh rate also reduces input lag and reduces the visibility of screen tearing, both of which significantly contribute to the overall responsiveness and immersion of the gaming experience.

Even if you’re not currently experiencing any issues while playing games on your 60Hz monitor, you will once you upgrade to a 144Hz display and play games on it for a while.

Games with uncapped frame rates that can be run at higher frame rates by your CPU or GPU will also feel more fluid. Simply navigating the menus and navigating the web will be more enjoyable at 144Hz.

However, if you prefer playing games that are less action-packed and more focused on the visuals, a higher resolution display is preferable to a high refresh rate display.

If possible, you should purchase a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate and a high resolution. The best part is that there isn’t a significant cost difference any longer. While this is not yet the case for 4K models, you can find a decent 1080p or 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor for the same price as a 1080p/1440p 60Hz model.

Even smoother performance is provided by 240Hz monitors, but the improvement is not as noticeable as the one from 60Hz to 144Hz. As a result, only competitive and serious gamers should use monitors with refresh rates of 240 Hz or more.

Is A 144Hz Monitor Worth It For Gaming? [Easy Guide]

Other Things To Consider

Next, if you want the best performance in fast-paced games, you should pay attention to the monitor’s response time speed as well as its refresh rate.

A higher refresh rate does improve the smoothness of motion, but if the pixels can’t switch from one color to another (the response time) quickly enough, then trailing/ghosting and motion blur become noticeable.

Because of this, most gamers look for monitors with a GtG response time of 1ms or less.

The fastest TN monitors can be had for as little as $100, while 1ms GtG IPS and VA monitors can cost as much as $550 or more.

Some gaming monitors use backlight strobing technology to eliminate ghosting and achieve the smooth motion of a CRT. It improves smoothness of motion but dims the image.

Finally, you should consider getting a gaming monitor that supports a variable refresh rate (VRR) system like FreeSync or G-SYNC.

Best 144hz Monitor 2022: Our Top Picks

Best 144Hz Monitor Esports – BenQ ZOWIE XL2411K

Display Size: 24 in. | Features: DyAc | Ports: HDMI 1.4 x2, HDMI 2.0, DP 1.2, headphone jack | Brand: BenQ | Resolution: 1080p | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Response Time: 1 ms

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2411K appears to be a strong option for e-sports players looking for a cheap monitor, especially those who play first-person shooter games.

With a refresh rate of 144 hertz, input lag should be minimal, and the 1080p resolution should keep the action clear even when the stakes are high.

For first-person shooter players in particular, BenQ’s DyAc technology’s enhanced visibility of the crosshair’s position and impact points will prove useful in regulating the felt recoil of each shot.

A DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack, and plenty of HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 support are also present, making the ports a strong point.

One of the best monitors for Call of Duty: Warzone, this display also works well with consoles thanks to its support for 120Hz on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Best 144hz 1080p Monitor – AOC 27G2 27″

AOC Manufactured | 1080p | 144 Hz | 1 ms Response Time | 27″ Display | FreeSync | 2 HDMI | 1 DisplayPort

We think this AOC 27G2 could be a good starting point if you’re looking for a 144 Hz gaming monitor, and we think you’ll get a lot of value for the money.

This monitor has both a very fast response time and VRR technology with AMD FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing during gameplay.

It has super-narrow bezels and an IPS panel, two features usually reserved for the most expensive gaming monitors, but which are included here at a more reasonable price.

We think this AOC 27G2 monitor is worth considering if you’re aiming for victory in competitive FPS games like Warzone, Fortnite, PUBG, and others.

Best 144hz 4K Monitor – Gigabyte AORUS FV43U

It has a 43-inch screen, a 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, a QLED display, a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 144-hertz refresh rate, a 1-millisecond response time, a 10-kilogram weight, and an HDMI and DisplayPort input.

This 144 Hz 4K Gigabyte Aorus FV43U monitor is one of the few, if not the best, HDMI 2.1 displays currently available.

Incredibly fast frame rates, stunning picture quality, and a low response time make this one of the best monitors for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

While a cheaper and smaller monitor would suffice for competitive gaming, this massive premium model should appeal to those more interested in a cinematic next-gen experience.

Check out the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U if you want a robust motherboard.

Best 144hz 1440p Monitor – LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B

Display Size: 27 in. | Nvidia G-SYNC compatible/ FreeSync, HDR10 | Features: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DP | Brand: LG | Resolution: 1440p | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Response Time: 1 ms

It appears that 144 Hz QHD resolution strikes a good balance between high frame rate and image clarity.

The LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B stands out among other televisions for several reasons, including its fast response time, HDR10 support, and possibly-ideal-for-the-resolution screen size.

We also think it looks great; the combination of the sleek, minimalist front screen and the gamer-focused back panel is brilliant.

This LG Ultragear monitor is a good option to think about, and it has the potential to be one of the best 1440p monitors on the market.

Best 144hz WQHD Monitor – SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 Series 32-Inch

Features: FreeSync Premium, HDR10; Display Size: 32 in.; 1000R; Resolution: WQHD; Refresh Rate: 144 Hz; Response Time: 1 ms; Brand: Samsung; Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DP

This ultra-wide Samsung Odyssey G5 monitor is a top pick if you want a curved display that can compete with the best on the market.

When used with ultra-wide games, the 1000R curve provides a more immersive experience, making it ideal for fans of racing games, RPGs, and other single-player experiences.

HDR10 provides improved color and contrast, and flicker-free technology lessens the risk of eye fatigue.

If you’re in the market for an epic monitor, we recommend giving the Samsung Odyssey G5 some serious thought.

Best 144hz Gaming Monitor – ViewSonic ELITE XG270QG

Features: G-Sync; Ports: 2 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 4 USB; Resolution: QHD; Refresh Rate: 144 Hz; Response Time: 1 ms; Screen Size: 27″

The ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a high-end monitor for competitive gaming.

The monitor may not support HDR, but it has been hailed as one of the best G-Sync displays, making it ideal for PC gaming.

Notably, VRR is only attainable through a DisplayPort connection, but it should help with overall smoothness and tear-free gameplay.

The maximum refresh rate for an HDMI connection is 60 hertz, so a powerful gaming PC is recommended for this display.

Because it’s an IPS screen, your viewers won’t have any trouble seeing what you’re doing, and you won’t be able to block their view if you switch positions frequently.

This is yet another excellent display by ViewSonic; we highly recommend it.

Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor In 2022: Our Top 7 Choices - GameSpot

Best Upcoming 144Hz Monitors

There are already many great options, and now we’re also getting excellent 144Hz monitors.

ViewSonic XG321UG

Newly announced, the ViewSonic ELITE XG321UG won’t hit shelves until the first quarter of 2022.

Among the many impressive specs of this upcoming monitor are its 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, Mini-LED technology, and 1,152 local dimming zones.

NVIDIA G-SYNC ULITMATE Certification and NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer will also be included to aid in delivering a fluid and quick gaming experience.

LG UltraGear 32GQ950

We also have the LG UltraGear 32GQ950 coming, which is also a 144Hz display.

The 4K display and fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GtG) response time of this monitor are particularly impressive.

We will let you know as soon as we learn when you can expect to see the LG UltraGear 32GQ950 in stores.

Frequently Asked Questions About 144hz Monitors

There are a few common concerns when looking for a 144 Hz display, and we’ve got the solutions!

Is A 144hz monitor worth it?

In the world of video games, refresh rate has emerged as the latest and greatest feature. There’s a reason why people are throwing around catchphrases like “frames win games”; having a higher frame rate can give you an advantage.

The difference between 60 and 120 frames per second, for instance, is striking, and there are numerous side-by-side comparisons of slow-motion in action on the internet.

We think a 144 Hz monitor is a must-have for competitive gamers, but you should decide for yourself.

It is up to you, though, to decide if frequent refresh rates are necessary.

How much should you spend on a 144hz monitor?

Since 144hz displays aren’t typically 4K (unless you count some of the HDMI 2.1 displays currently available), you can save money by purchasing a smaller display with FHD or QHD resolution.

We estimate that a fair price for 1080p 144hz displays for smaller screens would be between $200 and $300, while for QHD displays of a slightly larger size, the range would be $350 to $450.

However, you can find excellent 144 Hz displays at either end of the price ranges given, so shop around!

Is 144Hz really that much better?

What we’ve seen, and what the general consensus seems to be, is that 144 Hz is great for bringing a level of fluidity and smoothness to gameplay that just isn’t possible at 60 Hz.

While 144 Hz is ideal for many games, including FPSs, racing sims, and more, other factors, such as input lag and response time, should not be overlooked.

Is 144Hz worth it for casual gaming?

If you’re just a casual gamer, upgrading to a 144Hz monitor will make the experience much more enjoyable. When you add in the fact that the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U also provides superior picture quality, you have a real winner on your hands.

A higher refresh rate makes your computer feel a lot more responsive, which is a huge plus even when working under normal conditions.

Conclusion

So long as your central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) can keep up with the monitor’s refresh rate, your competitive gaming experience will benefit greatly from upgrading to a monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz or higher.

Check out our best gaming monitors under $200 buyer’s guide if you want to save money on a 144Hz display.