Is 240Hz Enough in 2026, or Should You Chase 360Hz and Beyond?
Quick answer: For the vast majority of players in 2026, 240Hz is more than enough — smooth, responsive, and realistically drivable. Going to 360Hz or 500Hz delivers real but rapidly shrinking gains that mainly benefit competitive players with the GPU to match. Confirm what your setup actually runs at with the refresh rate test before chasing a bigger number.
The diminishing-returns curve
The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is transformative; 144Hz to 240Hz is clearly noticeable; 240Hz to 360Hz is subtle; and 360Hz to 500Hz is something most people cannot reliably feel outside side-by-side tests. Each doubling shrinks the per-frame time by less, so the perceived improvement flattens even as the spec number climbs.
Your GPU has to keep up
A high refresh rate only helps if your frame rate reaches it. A 500Hz monitor shows 500 distinct frames only when the game runs at 500 FPS — achievable in CS2 or Valorant on strong hardware, but not in most other titles. Below that, the extra refreshes just repeat, which is the core distinction between refresh rate and frame rate.
Who should go higher
If you play competitive shooters at a high level, have a GPU that pushes very high frame rates, and want every fractional edge in motion clarity, 360Hz or 500Hz is a legitimate upgrade. For everyone else — mixed game libraries, single-player, or midrange hardware — 240Hz hits the sweet spot of smoothness and practicality, and the money is better spent on resolution, panel quality or a better GPU.
Check before you upgrade
Make sure you are even getting your current monitor's full rate — a surprising number run at 60Hz out of the box due to a cable or setting. Run the refresh rate test, and see our guide on refresh rate vs FPS to match your GPU to your panel.