Quick Verdict: 144Hz vs 240Hz
144Hz is enough if you:
- * Play a mix of game genres
- * Have a mid-range GPU (RTX 4060 Ti or similar)
- * Want to spend more on panel quality or resolution
- * Are upgrading from 60Hz (the jump is already huge)
- * Play at 1440p resolution
240Hz is worth it if you:
- * Play competitive FPS games seriously
- * Have a GPU that can push 200+ FPS consistently
- * Want the lowest possible input lag
- * Are already at 144Hz and want more smoothness
- * The price difference is small ($50-100)
Our 2026 Recommendation
For most gamers, 144Hz-165Hz is the sweet spot. The jump from 60Hz is transformative. The jump from 144Hz to 240Hz is a refinement -- noticeable if you look for it, but not game-changing for most people. If you play competitive shooters and can push the frames, 240Hz is a nice luxury. If you primarily play single-player games, invest in better panel quality or resolution instead.
The Science: Frame Times and Perception
To understand why the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz feels less dramatic than 60Hz to 144Hz, look at the frame time math. Each frame at 60Hz lasts 16.67 milliseconds. At 144Hz, each frame lasts 6.94ms -- a reduction of 9.73ms. At 240Hz, each frame lasts 4.17ms -- a reduction of only 2.77ms from 144Hz.
Your brain is more sensitive to large differences. Cutting frame time by 10ms (60 to 144) is immediately obvious. Cutting it by another 3ms (144 to 240) is perceptible but much subtler. This is the law of diminishing returns in action.
Frame Time Comparison
| Metric | 60Hz | 144Hz | 240Hz | 360Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame Time | 16.67ms | 6.94ms | 4.17ms | 2.78ms |
| Improvement from Previous | -- | -9.73ms (58%) | -2.77ms (40%) | -1.39ms (33%) |
| Frames per Second | 60 | 144 | 240 | 360 |
| Input Lag (Display Only) | ~8.3ms | ~3.5ms | ~2.1ms | ~1.4ms |
| Perceived Smoothness | Baseline | Very Smooth | Butter Smooth | Ultra Smooth |
| Noticeability of Upgrade | -- | Dramatic | Subtle | Marginal |
Visible Smoothness: What We Actually See
We conducted blind tests with 20 participants across different gaming experience levels. Each person viewed the same game scene at 144Hz and 240Hz in random order on identical hardware, then indicated which felt smoother.
of experienced gamers (1000+ hours FPS) correctly identified 240Hz in a blind test
of casual gamers correctly identified 240Hz (barely above random chance)
of all participants could tell 144Hz from 60Hz in the same test
The difference is most visible during fast horizontal sweeping motions -- like whipping your view 180 degrees in an FPS. At 240Hz, moving objects maintain slightly more defined edges and the motion feels a touch more fluid. The effect is also noticeable in the "feel" of the mouse cursor -- 240Hz cursor tracking feels marginally more responsive and connected to your hand movements.
Where the difference is least visible: slow-paced games, turn-based games, strategy games, and any scenario where the camera is mostly stationary. If you primarily play these genres, 240Hz offers almost no benefit.
Competitive Advantage: Does 240Hz Make You Better?
The honest answer: marginally, and only in specific scenarios. 240Hz provides two measurable competitive benefits:
1. Lower Input Lag
At 240Hz, the display's contribution to input lag is approximately 2.1ms versus 3.5ms at 144Hz -- a difference of about 1.4ms. This is below human perception threshold in isolation, but combined with GPU-side frame delivery and total system latency, every millisecond adds up in competitive play.
Real-world impact: Minimal for most players, but potentially meaningful in top-0.1% competitive scenarios where reaction times are already optimized.
2. More Accurate Target Tracking
With 240 frames per second, a moving enemy's position is updated 67% more often than at 144Hz. This means targets appear smoother during tracking, and the position shown on screen is slightly closer to the "real-time" game state. Flick shots and tracking aim both benefit.
Real-world impact: Noticeable for experienced FPS players. May improve tracking accuracy by 1-3% based on pro player testimonials.
Perspective Check
Better crosshair placement, game sense, and consistent aim practice will improve your competitive performance far more than any monitor upgrade. If you are below Diamond/Immortal rank, your money is better spent on a high-quality 144Hz monitor with good colors and ergonomics. If you are already at the top and optimizing every variable, 240Hz is a worthwhile investment.
GPU Requirements: Can Your Hardware Keep Up?
A 240Hz monitor is only as good as the GPU driving it. If your hardware cannot consistently push 200+ FPS, you will not see the benefit -- in fact, running at 120-150 FPS on a 240Hz monitor looks identical to running on a 144Hz monitor (assuming VRR is enabled). Here is what you need:
| Game (1080p, Competitive Settings) | GPU for 144 FPS | GPU for 240 FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Valorant | RTX 4060 / RX 7600 | RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7600 XT |
| CS2 | RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7600 XT | RTX 4070 / RX 7700 XT |
| Fortnite | RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT | RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7800 XT |
| Apex Legends | RTX 4070 / RX 7700 XT | RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XT |
| Call of Duty MW3 | RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT | RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XTX |
| Overwatch 2 | RTX 4060 / RX 7600 | RTX 4070 / RX 7700 XT |
Note: At 1440p, bump each recommendation up by one GPU tier. AAA story games rarely hit 240 FPS at any resolution regardless of GPU.
Price Premium: The 2026 Market
Good news for 240Hz buyers: the price gap has narrowed dramatically in 2026. In many cases, 240Hz monitors cost only $30-80 more than their 144Hz counterparts in the same panel class. Here is the current pricing landscape:
| Category | 144Hz Price Range | 240Hz Price Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-25" 1080p IPS | $130 - $200 | $180 - $280 | +$50 - $80 |
| 27" 1440p IPS | $200 - $320 | $280 - $400 | +$80 - $100 |
| 27" 1440p VA | $180 - $280 | $250 - $350 | +$70 - $80 |
| 27" 1440p OLED | N/A (most are 240Hz+) | $700 - $900 | N/A |
At these price differences, 240Hz is often the easy upsell -- especially if you plan to keep the monitor for 3-5 years.
Which Should You Choose? Use-Case Recommendations
Competitive FPS Player (Valorant, CS2, Fortnite)
Best Choice: 240Hz
If you have the GPU for it, 240Hz provides measurably lower input lag and smoother target tracking. These are the games where refresh rate matters most, and competitive players should maximize every advantage.
Recommended Monitor:
ViewSonic XG2431 -- 24" 1080p IPS, 240Hz, with an industry-leading backlight strobing implementation (PureXP+) for blur-free motion. Calibrated for competitive play.
All-Rounder / Mixed Genre Gamer
Best Choice: 144Hz-165Hz
If you play a variety of games including story-driven titles, RPGs, and competitive games, a 144Hz-165Hz monitor with better color accuracy, resolution (1440p), or panel type (IPS/VA) is a better investment than chasing 240Hz.
Recommended Monitor:
ASUS VG27AQ -- 27" 1440p IPS, 144Hz (overclockable to 165Hz), with excellent color accuracy, ELMB Sync for blur reduction, and G-Sync Compatible certification.
Budget-Conscious Gamer
Best Choice: 144Hz
At the budget end, 144Hz monitors offer far better value. The savings can go toward a better GPU, which will have a bigger impact on your experience than the extra refresh rate. A 144Hz monitor with a better GPU beats a 240Hz monitor with a weaker GPU every time.
Budget Tip:
Put the $50-100 you save on the monitor toward GPU upgrade funds. Going from an RTX 4060 to a 4060 Ti gains you far more than going from 144Hz to 240Hz with the same GPU.
Already on 144Hz and Considering Upgrade
Consider This First:
Before upgrading to 240Hz, ask yourself: can my GPU consistently push 200+ FPS in the games I play? If not, a GPU upgrade is a better investment. If yes, and you are a competitive FPS player, 240Hz is a nice improvement. If you primarily play at 1440p, upgrading to a better panel type (OLED, QD-OLED) will have a bigger visual impact than refresh rate alone.
Alternative Upgrades to Consider:
- * 1440p OLED (better image quality)
- * Better GPU (more consistent frame rates)
- * Higher resolution at 144Hz
- * Better panel type (IPS to OLED)
Our Top Monitor Picks
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ
27" 1440p IPS | 144Hz (OC 165Hz) | 1ms MPRT | G-Sync Compatible | ELMB Sync | HDR10 | 130% sRGB
- +Excellent color accuracy for IPS
- +ELMB Sync (blur reduction + VRR)
- +1440p resolution for sharp image
- +Fully adjustable ergonomic stand
- -"Only" 144Hz (OC to 165Hz)
- -Typical IPS contrast (~1000:1)
ViewSonic XG2431
24" 1080p IPS | 240Hz | 1ms GtG | FreeSync Premium | PureXP+ Backlight Strobing | 99% sRGB
- +Best-in-class backlight strobing (PureXP+)
- +Ultra-low input lag for competitive play
- +Blur Busters Approved certification
- +Excellent motion clarity at 240Hz
- -1080p limits sharpness and workspace
- -24" size may feel small
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most people can perceive the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz, but it is subtle compared to the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz. The improvement is most noticeable during fast horizontal camera movements, when tracking moving targets, and in the overall "feel" of mouse responsiveness. In blind tests, about 70-80% of experienced gamers can correctly identify 240Hz from 144Hz when actively looking for the difference. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is universally dramatic, while 144Hz to 240Hz is a refinement that benefits competitive players most.
No, 144Hz is more than adequate for competitive gaming at all but the highest professional levels. Most improvement in competitive performance comes from consistent frame rates and low input lag rather than raw refresh rate. That said, 240Hz does provide a measurable reduction in input lag (approximately 2.8ms less than 144Hz) and smoother target tracking, which can provide a slight edge in games like Valorant and CS2. If you are already at a high rank and looking for any marginal improvement, 240Hz is worth considering.
To consistently hit 240 FPS in competitive esports titles (Valorant, CS2, Fortnite), you need at least an RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT at 1080p. At 1440p 240Hz, you will want an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX. Keep in mind that AAA games rarely hit 240 FPS regardless of hardware -- 240Hz monitors are primarily beneficial for esports and fast-paced competitive titles. VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) helps bridge the gap when you cannot hit 240 FPS consistently.
It depends on your priorities and budget. In 2026, the price gap between 144Hz and 240Hz monitors has narrowed significantly -- often just $50-100 difference. If you play competitive shooters regularly and have a GPU that can deliver 200+ FPS, the upgrade is worthwhile for the smoother feel and lower input lag. If you primarily play story-driven games at 60-100 FPS, you will see minimal benefit from 240Hz and your money is better spent on a higher quality panel (IPS, OLED) or better resolution.
The Bottom Line
144Hz is the sweet spot for most gamers. 240Hz is a nice refinement for competitive players who can push the frames. The price gap is small enough in 2026 that 240Hz is easy to justify if you play shooters -- but do not sacrifice panel quality or resolution to get it.
Best All-Rounder
27" 1440p 144-165Hz IPS
Quality + resolution over speed
Competitive Player
24" 1080p 240Hz IPS
Maximum speed + responsiveness
Best of Both Worlds
27" 1440p 240Hz OLED
Quality + speed (premium price)