# Pen display refresh rate

## Overview

The VAST majority of pen displays up to 60Hz. Only a handful of pen displays support higher refresh rates such as 90Hz or 120Hz.

## Notes on high refresh rates

Just because a pen display supports a high refresh rate, does not necessarily mean you'll be able to get that refresh rate in practice.

* The port on the tablet must support the high refresh rate. 
* The cable transmitting the video signal must support that high refresh rate
* The port on the computer must support the high refresh rate.

Here's a real-world example of someone who had a 120Hz refresh rate pen display:

* He COULD NOT get the 120Hz rate over a thunderbolt USB-C cable attached to his M3 MacBook Pro
* He COULD get the 120HZ rate using an HDMI cable attached to his M3 MacBook pro.

## Drawing tablets that support high refresh rates

As of Feb 2026, only a few tablets support high refresh rates.

| Brand | Name and Model ID            | Year | Refresh Rate (Hz) |
| ----- | ---------------------------- | ---- | ----------------- |
| WACOM | Cintiq Pro 17 (DTH-172)      | 2023 | 120               |
| WACOM | Cintiq Pro 22 (DTH-227)      | 2023 | 120               |
| WACOM | Cintiq Pro 27 (DTH-271)      | 2022 | 120               |
| HUION | Kamvas Pro 27 144Hz (GT2702) | 2025 | 144               |
| HUION | Kamvas 22 GEN3 (GS2203)      | 2026 | 90                |
| WACOM | MovinkPad 11 (DTH-A116)      | 2025 | 90                |
| WACOM | MovinkPad Pro 14 (DTH-A140)  | 2025 | 120               |

## Effects of higher refresh rates

### Pointer lag improvements

Higher refresh rates slightly improve pointer lag.

I've tested several of these high-refresh-rate pen displays. Compared to a 60Hz pen display, a 10Hz refresh fate visually seems to improve the pointer lag by maybe 10% to 20%to my eyes. This indicates to me that pointer lag is driven by other latencies and rates in the system. 

### Increased heat and power usage

With pen displays , I've noticed a clear pattern of warmer screens when higher refresh rates are used. They are never "hot", but it can feel much warmer than usual. Some people might not enjoy the feeling.  


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