Why Refresh Rates Matter for Your Small Business Screens

If you’ve ever looked at a screen and thought, “Something just doesn’t feel right,” it might not be your eyes — it could be your screen’s refresh rate. Sounds techy, right? But don’t worry. We’re going to break it down in simple terms and explain why it actually matters for your small business.

What Even Is a Refresh Rate?

Let’s start at the beginning. The refresh rate is how many times per second your screen updates what it’s showing. It’s measured in hertz (Hz). So if your monitor has a 60Hz refresh rate, it updates the image 60 times a second.

The higher the number, the smoother things look — especially if you’re moving stuff around on screen or watching videos. Ever seen a screen that looked like it was stuttering or flickering? That could be down to a low refresh rate (this article was written after looking at my wife’s screen where Windows 11 had, for some reason, set the refresh rate to 30Hz and she was complaining about graphics problems).

Why Should Small Businesses Care?

You might be thinking, “I’m not a gamer or a video editor — why should I care?” Fair point. But refresh rate affects more than just fancy graphics and fast games.

• Better Productivity: Higher refresh rates mean smoother scrolling and less eye strain. If you or your staff stare at screens all day, this matters.
• Customer Experience: Got a digital menu, presentation screen or shop display? A jittery screen gives off a cheap, unprofessional vibe.
• Video Calls and Presentations: A good screen makes your video look crisp and clear. No one wants to look like a pixelated ghost in a business pitch.
• Future-Proofing: Tech moves fast. Buying a monitor or TV with a higher refresh rate now means it’ll still feel fast and smooth in a few years’ time.

What’s a Good Refresh Rate?

This depends on what you’re doing. Here’s a quick guide:

• 60Hz: The basic standard. Fine for general office work like emails and documents.
• 75Hz: A small upgrade. Smoother scrolling and easier on the eyes.
• 120Hz or 144Hz: Lovely and smooth. Great for video calls, design work, and multi-tasking. A solid pick if you want things to feel modern.
• 240Hz and above: Honestly? This is overkill for most business stuff unless you’re a design studio or testing high-speed apps.

So if you’re buying screens for a small office or a home workspace, aim for at least 75Hz. If you’ve got the budget, go for 120Hz or higher. Your eyes will thank you.

Monitors vs TVs – Which Is Better for Business Use?

It’s tempting to pick up a cheap smart telly for your office, especially if it’s going to be used in a waiting room or reception. But here’s the thing — TVs and monitors aren’t quite the same.

Monitors

• Made for close-up viewing
• Lower input lag (less delay between what you do and what shows on screen)
• Sharper text and more accurate colours
• Usually higher refresh rates and faster response times

TVs

• Better for big, bold visuals like slideshows or menus
• Tend to be cheaper for big sizes
• Often limited to 60Hz, even if they say “120Hz” on the box (watch out for fake refresh rates!)

If your team is going to be working on spreadsheets, designing things, or doing anything detailed, go for proper monitors. If it’s just for a display screen in a shop or café, a telly might be enough — just don’t expect it to look as sharp up close.

What About Laptops?

Lots of business owners use laptops these days, especially if you’re always on the go. The problem is, many budget laptops come with 60Hz screens — and that’s fine for basic work. But if you do long hours or visual tasks, consider plugging in an external monitor with a higher refresh rate.

It’s like giving your laptop a caffeine boost — suddenly everything looks smoother and faster.

How to Check Your Screen’s Refresh Rate

Not sure what your screen’s refresh rate is? Here’s how to check on Windows:

1. Right-click on the desktop and choose “Display settings”.
2. Scroll down and click “Advanced display settings”.
3. Look for the bit that says “Refresh rate”.

On a Mac?

1. Click the Apple menu and go to “System Settings”.
2. Click “Displays”.
3. Hold down the Option key and click “Scaled” to see refresh rate options.

Does Refresh Rate Affect Internet Speed or Software?

Short answer: No. Refresh rate only affects how smooth things *look* on your screen. It doesn’t change how fast your computer downloads things or loads software. But it can feel faster because you’re seeing things update more smoothly.

How Much Should You Spend?

You don’t need to spend a fortune. Here’s a rough price guide as of 2025:

• 60Hz monitors: £80–£120
• 75Hz–100Hz: £100–£160
• 120Hz–144Hz: £150–£250

TVs vary more depending on size, but be careful — some budget TVs fake their refresh rates with “motion smoothing” that actually makes videos look weird. If you’re getting a screen for work, always check the *real* refresh rate in the specs, not just the marketing fluff.

Tips for Choosing the Right Screen

• Think about distance: Are you sitting close to it? Then you want a monitor with a sharp display and high refresh rate.
• Consider your work: If it’s mostly emails and docs, 60Hz is fine. If you do design, video, or live meetings — go higher.
• Check the ports: Make sure your PC or laptop can actually support the refresh rate (especially if you are running two or more monitors). You might need a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 cable.
• Buy from a trusted seller: Some budget screens look great in the listing but awful in real life.  Either talk to a local retailer (if you can find one) or use someone like Amazon (link is an affiliate link that will not cost you anything – see our affiliate disclosure page for details)

Final Thoughts

Getting the refresh rate right might seem like a tiny detail — but it can make a big difference in how your business looks and runs. Whether it’s making your team more comfortable during long workdays, giving customers a better impression, or just helping things feel a bit smoother, it’s worth paying attention to.

So next time you’re upgrading your setup or picking out screens for your shop, café, or home office, remember: refresh rate isn’t just for gamers — it’s for anyone who wants a screen that works as hard as they do.

Happy screen shopping!