Diminishing returns above 240 Hz
The jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz feels transformative: motion is half as blurry and input lag cuts in half. Going from 120 Hz to 240 Hz is a noticeable but smaller improvement. Beyond 240 Hz, the differences become imperceptible to most people because the brain perceives motion as continuous above a certain refresh threshold. A study by researchers found that trained players (esports athletes) can detect differences up to 240-360 Hz, but casual players plateau earlier.
Motion clarity vs. absolute fluidity
At 60 Hz, a fast-moving object leaves a motion blur trail as it crosses the screen between frames. At 120 Hz, that blur shrinks, sharpening apparent motion. At 360 Hz, the motion is so clear that fast pans look smoother than real life. For games, 120-144 Hz is the practical sweet spot: the jump to 240 Hz is real but small, and higher jumps are expensive for marginal gains.