Don’t spend any extra money on this pointless TV feature

Searching for a new smart TV can become a complicated task when trying to sift through the many features, specs, and offers promoted in a saturated market. There is a lot going on, and sometimes there are appeals that sound good, but maybe aren’t entirely necessary for consumers.

That often includes refresh rate, a sometimes confusing and occasionally inflated specification that gets a lot of attention. Refresh rates are going up on TVs, and manufacturers are eager to promote the higher number. But does 144Hz refresh rate really make a big difference over a 120Hz one? Meanwhile, some TVs boast about motion rates in the several hundreds; but that’s not necessarily the same thing as a refresh rate. It can get confusing quickly, so it’s important to sift through the marketing and find out what you really need in a smart TV, and nothing more.

What are refresh rate and motion rate?

Enjoy smoother visuals with these features

Refresh rate is the number of times per second that your TV screen updates, or refreshes. Measured in Hertz, there are basically only a few different standards for refresh rate: 60Hz, 120 Hz, and 144Hz. That’s because refresh rates correlate to another measurement: frames per second (FPS). While refresh rate indicates a hardware specification built into your TV, FPS looks at content, with shows and movies typically filmed at 24, 30, or 60 FPS.

When refresh rate and FPS match, the result is a smooth, seamless video on screen. When they don’t match, they hopefully divide easily into one another so that the image doesn’t appear with any judder or lag; additionally, software processes are incorporated so that the image is smooth. So, even when you are watching something shot at 24 FPS, your TV that offers a 120Hz refresh rate will put on a smooth video. You’ll end up seeing the same frame five times per second (120 divided by 24 = 5). When the refresh rate doesn’t line up so well, your TV will try to fill in the gaps to varying degrees of success, depending on processors and software enhancements.

Motion rate, meanwhile, is a software upgrade meant to mimic what a refresh rate does. While refresh rates tend to top out at 144Hz or 165Hz, motion rates are artificial numbers, which is why they can appear in the hundreds. Every manufacturer has its own term for motion rate software, and it’s more an advertising ploy than anything else.

Related

If I come over to your house, I’m changing these TV settings ASAP

From spyware to presets, improve the look and performance of any smart TV with a few quick changes.

What refresh rate do you need?

Don’t get fooled by marketing ploys

There are only a handful of refresh rates generally available on TVs, so there aren’t really a ton of options when it comes to shopping around. For some time, consumers were to consider between 60Hz and 120Hz as their main options, with the latter standard typically coming with newer, higher-priced models packed with additional features. While 60Hz refresh rates are still common, particularly with budget-friendly options, newer TVs boast about a 144Hz refresh rate, adding another level of intrigue to the buying process.

However, that 144Hz marker isn’t really necessary for most people. That’s because most films and shows are shot at either 30FPS or 60FPS, both of which fit easily into 120HZ and not so much into higher options. Even console gamers won’t benefit from a faster refresh rate as both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X top out at 120FPS.

The only users who may benefit are PC online gamers who want to use a smart TV as a monitor and play online games with high specs.

Related

I didn’t realize how much Wi-Fi was slowing down my video game console

Wi-Fi provides plenty of convenience, but a connected console is key for competitive gaming.

Differences in refresh rate are imperceptible

Higher options may be too fast for the eye

There is also the question of what you can actually notice and see. Most users will be able to notice differences between a smart TV with a 60Hz refresh rate and one with a rate of 120Hz. However, once you look at the higher tiers, that difference becomes harder to witness. Ultimately, you want a TV that looks good to your personally and not just one that sounds good on paper.

A lot of factors go into whether a viewer will notice a difference when you start comparing rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, and 165Hz. It will depend on the size and quality of your TV, where you are sitting in relation to the TV, and also your personal visual acuity and ability to discern motion. It’s even harder to see differences when watching films and movies; some may register slight changes when gaming, but only if all the conditions are right.

Related

Samsung just leveled up this key gaming feature on its TVs

Samsung has confirmed Nvidia G-SYNC support for its 2025 OLED TVs.

What’s the point of a high refresh rate?

Higher specs help gamers and brand believers

Xbox game shares are going away at the end of March

To start, showcasing a higher number is an advertising ploy designed to appeal to consumers. There is a difference in the numbers, even if that difference is negligible and hard to notice.It also demonstrates a company’s commitment to moving forward and innovating, even if the hardware’s use isn’t widespread.

That’s because another reason why consumers may be interested is that advanced tech can help future-proof your investment. While a 144Hz refresh rate may not be the most useful at the moment, that might change in a year or two. Even so, if it doesn’t become useful for four or five years, your current TV may become pretty dated over time, considering just how rapidly televisual technology moves.

The 144Hz refresh rate is a big marker for dedicated gamers, a group that will typically pay more for quality tech that supports their interests. If you’re going to invest time and energy in the online world, you want the tools that support you and give you the best chances to win.

There are a lot of considerations that go into buying a new smart TV. A 120Hz refresh is recommended for most modern entertainment consumers. Stay away from anything that offers a 60Hz refresh rate; it’ll be dated, and what you’re watching won’t look as good. You also don’t need to seek out anything higher than 120Hz. Then again, if it’s there on the TV you’re interested in, it won’t hurt your entertainment experience either.

Related

I love my Apple TV but this setting is deeply frustrating

Things like this make the Apple TV 4K harder to use for everybody.