The refresh rate of your laptop or how often the display can redraw its contents determines how fluid your multimedia experience will be. The higher you go – from 60Hz to 144Hz and beyond – the snappier and smoother things will appear. It gets best experienced with fast-moving gaming titles like Fortnite and Valorant, where the scene changes rapidly.
The refresh rate and frame rate go together, which means you need a solid graphics card to make the most of an increment. Now, many manufacturers have made blistering figures of 240Hz and 360Hz possible. The difference in gaming at a competitive level is phenomenal. Not only do things look gorgeous, but the improvement can allow you to win over your opponents. It is because gaming outcomes closely tie in with a difference in reaction times.
Does a 144Hz laptop make sense for you?
The answer is a resounding yes if you like AAA titles or are an esports gamer who plays competitively. Fluid, tear-free gameplay is a prerequisite to getting ahead in battle. The uptick will directly translate into snappier content without delays, tears, etc., even when moving. While some gamers go for 165Hz or beyond, most experts agree that 144Hz is an agreeable optimum.
Faster doesn’t necessarily mean better; a higher refresh rate will not be worthwhile for everyone. Are you a gamer who focuses less on transitions and more on visuals? Your money may get better spent on a higher resolution monitor like 4K. Are you not big on multimedia-based content professionally or for entertainment? The investment may not be worth your dollar.
Also, be warned that a higher refresh rate can reduce the battery life. Your system will be working harder to redraw the screen, and your unplugged usage will go down.
Best 144Hz Laptops 2022
We are a long way from when 60Hz was the standard across laptops. A refresh rate of 144Hz has become much more common, with 165Hz, 240Hz, and 300Hz wowing their audiences on the side. Many users like to stop at 240Hz. The difference beyond that can be too minuscule for the human eye to discern.
Prepare to be scintillated if this will be the first time you experience the fluidity of a 144Hz machine. Our picks combine the best of other salient lookouts: graphics and overall performance, screen resolution, and response time.
144Hz Budget Laptop: ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2022)
- Cheap for the specs
- Easy to upgrade memory
- Portable and durable
- Anti-dust fans for longevity
- Performance is not the best on this list
- It does not have an SD card reader
- It is not free of bloatware
It is difficult getting a 144Hz device on a budget, but the ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2022) is here to change that. This $1,297 laptop delivers powerful performance led by an Intel Core i7-12650H processor and 16GB of RAM. It also hosts an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card to ramp up your multimedia pursuits.
The 144Hz refresh rate lets you make the most of games involving transitions and frequent changes in the scene. The internal storage is low at 512GB (SSD), but the easy-upgrade design lets you add more space to stock everything you need. This laptop also offers a Thunderbolt 4 connection.
ASUS has built this laptop to be portable and sturdy, adhering to MIL-STD-810H military standards and boasting a lightweight chassis (4.41lbs, 0.81″). It is sustainable, too, courtesy of the self-cleaning fans with anti-dust technology. Another bonus is the dependable, backlit keyboard tested for 20 million keystrokes. That should provide you with hour after hour of gameplay.
144Hz Gaming Laptop: Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-725A
- Excellent performance
- Well-connected for online gaming
- Offers MUX switch to switch from integrated graphics
- Average battery life
- It lacks an SD card reader
Few appreciate a high refresh rate more than gamers. The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-725A at $1,499.99 packs a punch for anyone who likes to win on the battlefield. At the nucleus is an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU with 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. A stellar FHD display with a fast 144Hz refresh rate and a quick 3ms response time lets you beat your foes – or at least get the ammunition for victory.
Online gaming fans benefit from Killer Wi-Fi 6 and Killer DoubleShot Pro with Ethernet E2600. The edge that consistent, fast connectivity offers needs to get experienced to get believed. Acer also delivers an RGB keyboard and effective cooling for long-term performance. At 5.51lbs, this computer is light enough to travel with, so you can game with your buddies or participate in events.
This laptop offers an MUX switch to permit you to disable the integrated graphics. You can feel an improvement in gaming performance if you are willing to compromise on the A/V for a bit.
4K UHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 15
- Many display options, including 360Hz refresh rate
- Effective cooling
- Excellent gaming performance
- Very expensive
- Palm rest and keyboard can become hot during gameplay
If you have the money and the passion for extreme gaming, then the Razer Blade 15 is after your own heart. It is super steep at $3,999.99, but hey, you get the mind-bending power of an Intel 14-Core i9 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics. The 4K UHD monitor dazzles with a refresh rate of 144Hz. You can also opt for 240Hz (QHD) or 360Hz (FHD).
This 15.6” laptop holds 32GB of RAM and lets you store up to 1TB (SSD). That is mega power for all your gaming needs, from the latest AAA titles to content with dizzying transitions. Since Razer prides itself in being free of bloatware, the performance gets a considerable push over its contemporaries.
It is a heavy-built device weighing 8.67lbs. Heat generation during operation can also be a bit off-putting. So, yes, it isn’t your everyday travel companion. But you can plug and play with the Thunderbolt 4 connection.
Conclusion
Faster refresh rates continue to win hearts, especially when it comes to professional gamers. Companies like ASUS, Razer, Acer, and others that produce several lines of gaming laptops closely eye developments in this area to bring the best to their audiences. Fortunately, the competition works well for the end-users: you can find a 144Hz laptop like the ASUS TUF Dash 15 for a little over $1000. There are always options like the Razer Blade 15 if the price is no bar. The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-725A is solid middle ground, combining good connectivity with customized performance.
While buying a high refresh rate laptop or monitor, remember that the associated response time should also be fast (less than 3ms is ideal). You can also explore frame rate smoothing technologies like the NVIDIA G-SYNC. Adaptive sync changes the refresh rate to match the frame rate delivered by your GPU, thus avoiding vexing delays.
It can be tempting to splurge on a 300Hz monitor, but here is the truth: many esports players also do just fine with 144Hz. Just pair it with a competitive GPU and frame smoothing technology. And then, you can always turn down the details to get ahead of the curve.
