Does a high refresh rate drain battery faster?

Yes, a high refresh rate can drain a battery faster. The screen has to update more often, but the extra power depends on the display, its settings, and what you are doing. Some screens also lower their refresh rate automatically when a fast update is not needed.

You can compare the effect on your own device with the Battery Meter. Keep the workload and brightness the same, then compare the reported drain rate at a high refresh rate and at a lower one.

Compare battery drain at two refresh rates

1. Open the Battery Meter on the device you want to check. It appears only if your browser reports battery information. Unplug the device and confirm it is discharging before you start.
2. Set the display to the higher refresh rate you normally use. Keep brightness fixed, and turn off adaptive brightness or other settings that might change the screen during the test.
3. Choose a repeatable workload. You can leave the device idle, or do the same activity for each test, such as scrolling through a page. Avoid changing apps, playing video, or downloading files during one test but not the other.
4. Observe the Battery Meter's drain rate for about 20 minutes. Note several readings, since the rate can move around, and note the battery percentage at the start and end.
5. Set the refresh rate to 60 Hz or the lowest available option. Wait a minute or two, then repeat the same workload for the same amount of time and compare the readings.

For a useful comparison, keep the device at a similar battery level for both runs and use the same room, browser tab, network connection, and screen brightness. If you use the device while testing, repeat the same actions at about the same pace. The Battery Meter reads information reported by the device, so it may update slowly or show an estimate rather than a precise measurement.

What the result means

The drain rate is consistently higher at the faster setting

Your display and current workload use more battery at the higher refresh rate. The difference can be more noticeable when the screen is busy, for example while scrolling or playing a game. If battery life matters more than smooth motion, try a lower rate or an automatic setting.

The readings are close or keep changing

The refresh rate may have little effect in that test, or other power use may be masking it. A browser tab, background update, video, wireless connection, or changing brightness can affect battery use. Repeat the comparison with fewer apps open and a steadier workload. If the difference remains small, the faster setting may be a reasonable tradeoff for you.

The device does not show battery information

Some browsers do not report battery data, and some computers do not have a battery. Battery Meter cannot measure drain in those cases. You can still compare the battery percentage shown by the operating system over longer, equal test periods, but percentage readings are rounded and may not change during a short run.

The rate looks the same at both settings

Your screen may use variable refresh rate, which changes how often it updates based on what is on screen. Some devices also select a rate automatically, so choosing a higher maximum does not mean the screen stays there constantly. The setting may matter more during motion or interactive tasks than while viewing a still page.

How to reduce extra battery use

1. Choose a lower refresh rate. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display › Advanced display and choose a lower rate if the menu offers one. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays and select a lower rate from the refresh rate options, if available.
2. Use an adaptive setting. On many Android phones, open Settings › Display and look for Motion smoothness, Refresh rate, or a similar option. The name and choices vary by phone. An automatic or adaptive mode can use a high rate when needed and a lower one for still content.
3. Limit the rate on a supported iPhone. Open Settings › Accessibility › Motion and turn on Limit Frame Rate if the option is available. This limits the display's maximum refresh rate on supported models.
4. Lower screen brightness if you need more time. Brightness can make a substantial difference, especially on bright screens. Keep it at the same level during any comparison, then lower it for everyday use if the display is brighter than you need.
5. Close work you are not using. Video playback, games, and busy browser pages can use extra power independently of the refresh rate. Close unnecessary apps and pause downloads before deciding whether the display setting made a difference.

Why the refresh rate is only part of the answer

Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), is how many times the screen can update each second. A 120 Hz display can update up to twice as often as a 60 Hz display, which can make scrolling and motion look smoother. It does not mean every app produces 120 new frames each second, and it does not guarantee that the screen stays at its maximum rate.

Power use also depends on the screen technology, brightness, graphics workload, and whether the device has an adaptive refresh feature. A higher rate can use more power, but the size of the change is specific to your device and how you use it. A short comparison is a practical guide, not a lab measurement.