These monitors may not be worth it if you value image quality over raw frame rate.

But there are a few things you should consider before going all-out on 240Hz, 360Hz, and beyond.

What Is a Refresh Rate?

Asus ROG Switch PG248QP 540Hz

Asus

Most televisions also operate at 60Hz, though the new standard is twice as fast at 120Hz.

A monitor that refreshes at 120Hz displays twice as many images per second as one that refreshes at 60Hz.

The term “high refresh rate” is open to interpretation, but generally speaking anything above 144Hz qualifies.

It’s common to findgaming monitorswith refresh rates of 165Hz, 175Hz, 240Hz, and higher.

Why Buy a 144hz, 240hz, or 300hz Monitor?

The more frames that are displayed per second, the smoother motion appears on-screen.

This improvement in refresh rate will also be visible on the desktop and when browsing the web.

The benefits are far more clear at the low end of the spectrum.

Many prefer superior image quality using techniques likeray-tracedshadows and global illumination in modern titles.

ASUS released thePG259QNin 2020, theworld’s first 360Hz gaming monitor.

Chasing ever-higher refresh rates is a game of diminishing returns.

What About 500Hz Monitors?

Will you be able to notice a difference between 360Hz and 500Hz?

Is the price premium worth it for most people?

These monitors prioritize motion handling over just about every metric, including overall image quality.

You’ll also need to verify your gear is up to the task.

If you’re mostly playing single-player experiences, you might prefer a higher resolution and lower refresh rate.

You might prefer better HDR visuals by opting for a monitor with greatpeak brightnessto a more immersive single-player experience.

There’s always an argument to be made for overhead, i.e.

But games don’t necessarily work that way.

How Fast Is Too Fast?

For now, higher refresh rate monitors demand a premium.

Refresh rate isn’t the only measurement to consider when buying a monitor.

You’ll also want toconsider pixel response rate,pixel density, andhow the monitor connects to your system.