diff --git a/container_option.go b/container_option.go
index 77b22f2..5d27d5f 100644
--- a/container_option.go
+++ b/container_option.go
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@
 	}
 }
 
+// ForceAutoRefresh force auto refresh even if output is not terminal.
+// Useful for testing purposes.
+func ForceAutoRefresh() ContainerOption {
+	return func(s *pState) {
+		s.forceAutoRefresh = true
+	}
+}
+
 // PopCompletedMode will pop completed bars to the top.
 // To stop rendering bar after it has been popped, use
 // mpb.BarRemoveOnComplete() option on that bar.
diff --git a/progress.go b/progress.go
index e58e0ca..416bff5 100644
--- a/progress.go
+++ b/progress.go
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 	popPriority        int
 	popCompleted       bool
 	disableAutoRefresh bool
+	forceAutoRefresh   bool
 	manualRefresh      chan interface{}
 	renderDelay        <-chan struct{}
 	shutdownNotifier   chan<- interface{}
@@ -229,7 +230,7 @@
 	ch := make(chan time.Time)
 	go func() {
 		var autoRefresh <-chan time.Time
-		if isTerminal && !s.disableAutoRefresh {
+		if (isTerminal || s.forceAutoRefresh) && !s.disableAutoRefresh {
 			if s.renderDelay != nil {
 				<-s.renderDelay
 			}