Laptop refresh rates can range from 60Hz to 165Hz, depending on the model and its intended use.
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Choosing the right refresh rate depends on how you use your laptop, from basic work and browsing to gaming.
We looked at laptops such as the Acer Aspire 7, MSI Thin A15, HP Omen 16, ASUS TUF Gaming F17, Dell 15, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 and HP Victus to explain the differences between common refresh rates.
For most users, 120Hz or 144Hz offers a good balance of smoothness and battery life, while 165Hz is better suited for competitive gaming.
When buying a laptop, most people focus on the processor, RAM and graphics card, but the display refresh rate is often overlooked. Measured in Hertz (Hz), refresh rate refers to how many times the screen can update every second. A higher refresh rate can make scrolling, animations and gaming feel smoother and more responsive.
While 60Hz displays are still common on budget and everyday laptops, higher refresh rates such as 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz are becoming more common, especially on gaming laptops. However, a higher refresh rate does not automatically mean a better display, as factors such as brightness, colour accuracy and resolution also matter.
So, what is the difference between 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz, and which refresh rate should you choose? Here is what you need to know before buying a laptop.
Refresh rate can make a noticeable difference in how smooth a laptop display feels, especially while gaming, scrolling through webpages and watching fast-moving content. A higher refresh rate can make motion look smoother and reduce the feeling of blur, but it can also use more power. The right refresh rate depends on how you plan to use the laptop.
1. The jump from 60Hz to 120Hz/144Hz is the biggest
Most people can notice a clear difference when moving from a 60Hz display to 120Hz or 144Hz. Scrolling feels smoother, motion looks more fluid and games can look better during fast movements. However, the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz is much smaller and may not be noticeable during everyday use or even while gaming.
2. A higher refresh rate is useful only when your laptop can deliver higher FPS
A 165Hz display does not offer much benefit if your games are running at 50–60 FPS. To make proper use of a high-refresh-rate display, your laptop needs a capable GPU that can deliver higher frame rates in the games you play. Otherwise, much of the extra refresh rate will go unused.
3. Higher refresh rates can affect battery life
Running the display at a higher refresh rate can consume more power. Many laptops automatically switch to 60Hz when running on battery to improve battery life. If you need longer battery backup, lowering the refresh rate while working unplugged can help.
4. High refresh rates are not only useful for gaming
A higher refresh rate can also make everyday tasks feel smoother. Scrolling through webpages, moving windows and navigating the interface can feel more responsive on a 120Hz or higher display. The difference can be especially noticeable after using a high-refresh-rate screen for a while.
5. Adaptive refresh rate features can improve the experience
Technologies such as NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync and VESA AdaptiveSync can help reduce screen tearing by matching the display's refresh rate with the GPU's frame output. This can be particularly useful when the frame rate changes during gaming.
60Hz:
It is still the most common refresh rate on budget and mainstream laptops. The screen refreshes 60 times per second, which is enough for everyday tasks such as browsing, working on documents, watching videos and attending video calls.
Who it's best for: Students, office users and anyone who mainly uses their laptop for everyday tasks and does not need smoother visuals or high-refresh-rate gaming.
90Hz:
It sits between the standard 60Hz and higher refresh rates such as 120Hz and 144Hz. The screen refreshes 90 times per second, making scrolling, window movement and other everyday tasks feel smoother than on a 60Hz panel. It also uses less power than higher refresh-rate displays.
Who it's best for: Users who want smoother visuals for everyday tasks and light gaming without the higher power consumption of 120Hz or 144Hz displays.
120Hz:
It doubles the standard 60Hz refresh rate, updating the screen 120 times per second. This is where most users start noticing a clear difference in smoothness, whether they are scrolling through webpages, moving windows or playing casual games.
Who it’s best for: Users who want a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz for everyday work, media and casual gaming without needing a higher-end gaming display.
144Hz:
It is one of the most common high-refresh-rate options on gaming laptops. The screen refreshes 144 times per second, making fast-paced games feel much smoother and more responsive than 60Hz or 120Hz displays.
Who it’s best for: Gamers who want a smooth gaming experience without spending extra on very high refresh rates. For most gaming laptop users, 144Hz offers a good balance of smoothness, performance and value.
165Hz:
It sits just above the popular 144Hz refresh rate and is commonly found on mid-range and high-end gaming laptops. The screen refreshes 165 times per second, offering slightly smoother motion than 144Hz. However, the difference is much smaller compared to the jump from 60Hz to 120Hz or 144Hz.
Who it’s best for: Competitive gamers and enthusiasts who already have a capable gaming laptop and want a higher refresh rate. For most users, 144Hz remains a more practical choice.
If you mainly use your laptop for productivity and want better battery life, a 60Hz panel, such as the one on the HP Victus, is good enough. For smoother everyday use without a major impact on battery life, 90Hz options such as the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 offer a good balance.
120Hz is a good option for mixed use and light gaming, offering a noticeable improvement in smoothness. The Dell 15 is one example that comes with a 120Hz display.
For most users, 144Hz is the more practical choice. It offers a good balance of smoothness and performance for both gaming and everyday use, with laptops such as the Acer Aspire 7 and MSI Thin A15 offering this refresh rate.
If you are into competitive gaming and have a capable GPU, 165Hz is worth considering for even smoother motion. Laptops such as the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 and HP Omen 16 are examples of models that offer 165Hz displays.
What is a good refresh rate for a laptop?
A 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate is a good choice for most laptop users who want smoother visuals. A 60Hz display is sufficient for basic productivity, while 144Hz is better suited for regular gaming. A 165Hz panel is mainly useful for competitive gaming.
Is 60Hz enough for a laptop?
Yes, 60Hz is enough for browsing, office work, studying, video calls and watching videos. However, scrolling, animations and gaming can feel smoother on a 90Hz, 120Hz or higher refresh-rate display.
Is 90Hz better than 60Hz on a laptop?
Yes, a 90Hz display refreshes the screen more frequently than a 60Hz panel, making scrolling, animations and general navigation feel smoother. It offers a noticeable improvement over 60Hz while generally using less power than higher refresh rates such as 120Hz or 144Hz.
Is 144Hz better than 120Hz for gaming?
144Hz can provide slightly smoother motion and responsiveness than 120Hz, but the difference is relatively small. For most gaming laptop users, both are good options, while 144Hz is more widely available and is a practical choice for regular gaming.
Is 165Hz worth it over 144Hz?
165Hz offers a small improvement in smoothness over 144Hz, but the difference is difficult for most users to notice. A 165Hz display is mainly worth considering for competitive gamers with a capable GPU that can consistently deliver high frame rates.
Does a higher refresh rate improve laptop performance?
No, a higher refresh rate does not make the laptop's processor or GPU faster. It allows the display to show more frames per second when the hardware can produce them, resulting in smoother motion and better responsiveness.
Which laptops have a 144Hz or 165Hz display?
Several gaming laptops offer 144Hz or 165Hz displays. The Acer Aspire 7 and MSI Thin A15 come with 144Hz panels, while the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 and HP Omen 16 offer 165Hz displays. These higher refresh rates are better suited for gaming and fast-moving content.
The right refresh rate ultimately depends on your usage and the type of laptop you are buying. Consider the games you play, your laptop’s GPU and how important battery life is before choosing a display. For most users, 120Hz or 144Hz offers a good balance, while 165Hz makes more sense if you regularly play competitive games.
Disclaimer: Refresh rate is only one part of a laptop display and does not determine the overall display quality. Factors such as resolution, brightness, colour accuracy, response time and adaptive sync support also matter. The actual experience can vary depending on the laptop, hardware and how you use it.
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