The best 120Hz 4K TVs 2024, ideal for PS5 and Xbox Series X

The Samsung S90C on a blue background
(Image credit: Samsung)

The best 120Hz 4K TVs are essential for gamers, movie lovers and sports fans. That's because the combination of 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate brings improved clarity and smoothness to whatever you're playing or watching.

A 120Hz refresh rate on a TV means you’ll not only see things much more clearly in motion, but you'll see faster response times, which is crucial for competitive gamers – the best 120Hz TVs dominate our list of the best gaming TVs for these reasons. This guide also has 144Hz TVs, which can be useful for PC gaming. While 120Hz gaming is available on Xbox Series X and PS5 currently, the arrival of the PS5 Pro means more games will be running at 120fps – and the TVs in this list will run them with ease. Higher refresh rates also mean 24fps movies can play without the frustrating judder you may have noticed on some cheaper TVs, if you have a source that can deliver 24fps, such as an Apple TV 4K (2022).

We test the best 120Hz TVs with the latest gaming consoles to make sure they work as intended, and we use specialized equipment to measure the input lag – it's not about what manufacturers claim, but about what you get in real life. We also check their image quality, naturally – everything still needs to look great!

The quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out which 120Hz TVs are the best? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed write-up of every TV for more information, based on our in-depth reviews.

Written by
James Davidson
Written by
James Davidson

I'm TechRadar's TV specialist writer, and I've tested everything from budget 32-inch TVs up to the world’s most elite OLED TVs – and I've used that experience to craft this guide, along with input TechRadar's AV editors. Before joining TechRadar, I worked for several years at a leading AV retailer, dealing with everything from Bluetooth speakers to custom home theater installations.

Recent updates

September 27 2024
Swapped the Sony A80L with the Sony Bravia 8 as the 'best 120Hz OLED for PS5'.

The best 120Hz TV for most people

Samsung S90C showing the Gaming Hub feature

(Image credit: Future)
The best 120Hz TV for most people

Specifications

Available sizes: 55, 65, and 77 (83-inch available with different panel)
Panel type: QD-OLED
Input lag: < 10ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: Freesync Premium
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 4

Reasons to buy

+
Stunningly bright, contrast-rich pictures
+
Excellent gaming support
+
Great value for QD-OLED

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision support
-
The S95C and LG G3 are brighter
-
The S95C sounds better
Buy it if:

✅ You want a well-featured gaming TV: The Samsung S90C has plenty of gaming features including 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium and Samsung's Game Hub.

✅ You want a phenomenal picture: The S90C has stunning contrast and black levels and vivid color that gets the best out of both gaming and movies.

Don't buy it if:

You want the brightest QD-OLED picture: The Samsung S95D or LG G3 offer the brightest OLED picture if you want that extra dazzle for your games. 

❌You want Dolby Vision for your games: The Samsung S90C doesn't support Dolby Vision so Xbox Series X owners may want to take this into account.

The Samsung S90C is the best option for most people, with a picture that captures the contrast-rich images and deep blacks of an OLED, coupled with the stunning brightness of a QLED. This results in a picture that gives it an edge over the LG C2 (featured further down our list) and C3. 

For gamers, there is support for HDMI 2.1 across all four ports, VRR, ALLM and a host of other gaming features including a dedicated game bar and hub to really get the best out of your games – and support for both 4K 120Hz or 4K 144Hz from PC.

Although it lacks Dolby Vision for Xbox Series X gamers and movie viewing, the picture itself is dynamic and bright enough that you get an excellent level of HDR impact without it. 

The S90C may lack the even more ridiculous brightness of the S95D (also in this list) but we found its pictures to be supremely consistent and immersive. And with the S90C being so much cheaper than the S95D, you really are getting great value for money.

Getting the best of both OLED and QLED technology in one picture at a more budget friendly price than the S95D is a no-brainer, if your budget stretches to it. Even its built-in audio is good. Paired with all the great gaming features on offer, it's no surprise that the S90C is our pick for best 120Hz TV overall. But there's a caveat about the 83-inch model – this uses a totally different OLED panel. While it's still a 120Hz TV, it's nowhere near as bright as the other sizes.

Read our full Samsung S90C review

The best value 120Hz TV

Hisense U7N with Battlefield V on screen

(Image credit: Future)
The best value 120Hz TV

Specifications

Available sizes: 55, 65, 75 and 85 inches
Panel type: Mini-LED
Input lag: 13.1ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: Freesync Premium Pro
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 2

Reasons to buy

+
Good overall picture quality
+
Excellent suite of gaming features
+
Incredible value

Reasons to avoid

-
Picture requires adjustments
-
Some backlight blooming
-
Limited sound quality
Buy it if:

✅ You want a brilliant value gaming TV: The Hisense U7N has a lot of gaming features such as 144hz and VRR in a budget-friendly mini-LED TV.

✅ You want great picture as well as performance: Crisp, realistic textures and bright colors mean the U7N delivers great picture to support performance.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best built-in sound: Though direct and weighty, the U7N's soundstage is limited, which isn't ideal for gaming. 

❌You want multiple viewing angles: When viewed off-center, the Hisense U7N's contrast does fade so you won't be getting the best picture from all angles. 

The Hisense U7N comes equipped with the majority of features of a premium 120Hz TV, but at a fraction of the cost (especially in the US). It also has a bold, vibrant picture with plenty of detail that is sure to get the best out of your games. 

The U7N offers up to 4K, 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia GSync), ALLM and a dedicated Game Mode with a Game Bar for easy game-settings adjustment. With a bright-enough picture as well, the U7N will suit daytime gaming in bright rooms, as well as evening sessions. Sadly, it only comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, compared with the four you'll find on many TVs on this list, but this is one of the U7N's only gaming downsides. 

It's not just features where the U7N outperforms its price, but also performance. Gaming performance feels smooth and seamless, with quick camera movements in FPS games feeling easy on the eyes even at 120fps. Picture quality is also great, with plenty of dynamic punch, vivid color and rich contrast for both games and movies that's sure to enhance your home viewing. 

It isn't all perfect with the U7N, because its built-in sound is a little lacking compared to other mini-LED sets, and its picture quality does suffer when viewed from off-center, with backlight blooming become more prevalent and contrast fading. But, it really is tough to argue against what you get for your money, as the U7N is unbeatable value for a 120Hz TV.

Read our full Hisense U7N review

Best mid-range 120Hz TV

Samsung Q80D Gaming hub interface

(Image credit: Future)
The best mid-range 120Hz TV

Specifications

Available sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75, 85-inch
Panel type: QLED
Input lag: 9.8ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
VRR: FreeSync Premium
ALLM: Yes
HDMI: 4 HDMI 2.1

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent contrast and black levels
+
Vibrant Quantum Dot colour
+
Surprisingly good sound
+

Reasons to avoid

-
Slight out of the box colour issues
-
No Dolby Vision support
-
Minor backlight inconsistencies
-
Buy it if:

✅ You want great gaming features for less: The Q80D's four HDMI 2.1 ports are well-featured for gamers – and are available here at a budget-friendly price.

✅ You want a great picture for gaming: With excellent black levels and contrast and crisp detail, the Q80D is perfect for next-gen gaming. 

Don't buy it if:

You need Dolby Vision gaming: Like all Samsung TVs, the Q80D unfortunately doesn't support Dolby Vision. 

❌You'll play in large groups: The Q80D's backlight blooming issues show up at wider viewing angles, reducing picture quality for those at off-center seats. 

As far as mid-range TVs go, the Q80D is easily one of the best available – and with an extensive list of gaming features and great picture and performance, it sits among the best 120Hz TVs you can buy. 

A low 9.8ms input lag means gaming performance is smooth, seamless and ultra-responsive. Couple this with a list of gaming features including 4K 120Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium included) and ALLM support, and Samsung's useful Gaming Hub and you have nearly enough the full gaming package. We thought the Q80D couldn't impress anymore for gaming, but it also displays graphics with powerful contrast and sharp detail. Our reviewer described the Q80D as "good a mid-range gaming TV as I’ve seen" and it's easy to see why.

The Q80D's stunning black levels and contrast also carry over to movies. Some out-of-the-box color issues were obvious during our testing, but they can be solved by tweaking settings, leaving you with an accomplished mid-range TV that outperforms its price. 

The Q80D also has excellent built-in audio, with directional sound, an object tracking sound feature and bass all serving as highlights. We described it in our review as "a strong general competitor to other examples of the best TVs for sound" (such as the more premium Sony A80L and Samsung S90C OLED TVs). Good built-in sound can be vital for competitive gaming and the Q80D won't fail to impress. 

If you're looking for an excellent gaming TV companion at a price that won't break the bank, you can't go wrong with the Samsung Q80D.

Read our full Samsung Q80D review 

The best 120Hz TV for sizes

The LG C4 OLED TV showing artwork in ambient mode

(Image credit: Future)
The best 120Hz TV for sizes

Specifications

Available sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83-inches
Panel type: 4K OLED
Input lag: 9.2ms (Boost)
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync, G-Sync
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 4

Reasons to buy

+
Better than average OLED brightness
+
Great gaming features including 144Hz support
+
New Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode

Reasons to avoid

-
No HDR10+ support
-
Just-average sound quality
Buy it if:

✅ You want a range of sizes: Available in sizes from 42- to 83-inch, the C4 works for all situations whether it's bedroom or living room gaming. 

✅ You want a lot of gaming support: Four HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Vision gaming, up to 144Hz refresh rate and a Game Optimizer are just some of the C4's gaming features. 

Don't buy it if:

You want the brightest OLED: While improved over last year's C3, the LG C4 isn't as bright as flagship OLEDs such as the Samsung S95D or some mini-LED TVs. 

❌You need powerful built-in audio: The LG C4's 2.2-channel sound system comprises isn't among the most immersive on the market. 

The LG C4 covers a lot of the bases. It's available in sizes from 42 to 83 inches, has excellent picture quality, a competitive mid-range OLED price and stacks of gaming features including up to 144Hz refresh rate for the first time in the LG C series. 

Whether it's 42-inch, 83-inch or any size in between, you'll still be getting four HDMI 2.1 ports with 144Hz refresh rate, VRR (including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming built-in. You'll also get LG's Game Optimizer that sets the C4 to its optimum gaming settings, which can be adjusted further. 

But, it's not just gaming where the C4 excels but also movies. With improved brightness levels over its predecessor, the C3 (we measured the C4 at 1,025 nits peak brightness compared to the C3's 830 nits) has even better contrast and detail than before. It also does a great job of handling reflections - ideal for daytime movie viewing and gaming.

While it doesn't quite achieve top-of-the-list status due to its average built-in audio performance and will stretch your budget compared to LED and mini-LED models, for those looking for a gaming OLED that can fit the largest living room to the smallest bedroom, the C4 won't let you down. 

Read our full LG C4 OLED TV review

The best cheap 120Hz OLED TV

LG B4 OLED TV game bar menu onscreen

(Image credit: Future)
The best cheap 120Hz OLED

Specifications

Available sizes: 48, 55. 65 and 77-inches
Panel type: OLED
Input lag: 9.1ms (boost)
Refresh rate : 144Hz
VRR: Yes
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 4 HDMI 2.1

Reasons to buy

+
Anti-reflection screen
+
Great gaming features
+
New Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited brightness
-
No HDR10+ support
-
Just-average sound quality
Buy it if:

✅ You want OLED gaming for cheaper: The LG B4 offers a near-full list of gaming features plus great picture quality for less than any other OLED TV. 

✅ You want great gaming performance: It's not the top overall performer, but the B4's ultra-low 9.1ms input lag time is hard to beat.

Don't buy it if:

You want the brightest OLED for gaming: The B4's just average peak brightness is far below the likes of the Samsung S95D.  

❌You want great built-in sound for gaming: While its sound is decent, the B4 will benefit from a soundbar to complete the immersive gaming experience. 

The LG B4 serves as the entry-level OLED in LG's 2024 lineup. Compared to its B3 predecessor, it carries more gaming features, with four HDMI 2.1 ports, and offers a new 48-inch size option. 

We described the B4 as a "relatively budget powerhouse" in the world of gaming TVs, and with its list of features – 4K 120Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync and Nvidia GSync included), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM –  it's easy to see why. Put all that with a solid picture and smooth performance thanks to a 9.1ms input lag time and you get a superb lower-cost OLED for gaming. 

The B4's picture is also great for movies, as it delivers excellent contrast and shadow detail, punchy color and solid motion handling.  It also offers a new Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode that during our review we found to give an "accurate, director-approved presentation without having to muck with picture adjustments". With a fairly average peak brightness of 656 nits (measured on a 10% HDR white window), It isn't the brightest OLED around, but at this entry-level price, it's tough to argue against the B4's impressive picture.

Everything isn't perfect with the B4 – its built-in sound quality is average at best and it doesn't have HDR10+ support, but these are the only real negatives in what is an accomplished budget OLED TV that many will find to be more than up to the task for gaming. 

Read our full LG B4 review

The best premium 144Hz OLED TV

Samsung S95D with Battlefield V on screen

(Image credit: Future)
The best super-bright 144Hz OLED, with a new anti-glare screen

Specifications

Available sizes: 55, 65 and 77-inches
Panel type: QD-OLED
Input lag: 8.9ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: Yes
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 4

Reasons to buy

+
Realistic picture detail
+
Loaded with features for gaming
+
Beautiful design

Reasons to avoid

-
Some black crush in Filmmaker Mode
-
No Dolby Vision
-
Pricey
Buy it if:

✅ You want a premium OLED gaming experience: With stacks of gaming features and QD-OLED picture, the S95D provides a sensational gaming experience

✅ You want to play in bright rooms: Despite being less bright than mini-LED TVs, this is still easily visible in bright rooms thanks to an awesome, unique reflection-busting screen.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best value gaming TV: Stacked with features, the S95D does carry a higher price than other well-equipped gaming TVs. 

❌ You want Dolby Vision for your games: As with all Samsung TVs, the S95D sadly doesn't support Dolby Vision. 

Bringing a bold, detailed and crisp QD-OLED picture with a plethora of gaming features, the Samsung S95D delivers the dynamic, premium experience that gamers are looking for. And with new anti-reflection finish on the screen, OLED gaming can finally be enjoyed in the brightest of rooms without you cursing that you couldn't see that enemy behind your own reflection. 

Supporting 144Hz refresh rate, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and even more gaming features, all across four HDMI 2.1 ports, the S95D covers all the gaming bases. It also comes with Samsung's Game Hub, keeping gaming-centric features in one place, incluidng cloud based gaming apps from Xbox, Luna, Nvidia GeForce Now and more. 

But it's not just features where the S95D impresses for gaming, but also its performance. We measured a super-low 8.9ms input lag time, and when paired with the S95D's stunning visual chops, it really is one of the most elite gaming TVs available. 

Aesthetically, it's also a beautiful TV, with a sleek design headlined by its 'floating' appearance, thanks to its cleverly designed stand. Built-in audio is also good, with excellent object tracking and plenty of bass. 

The S95D is definitely a premium gaming TV though, carrying a higher price tag than a lot of other gaming TVs on the market. But, if you can stretch your budget to the S95D's range, it's well worth it. 

Read our full Samsung S95D review

An ideal 120Hz OLED TV for PS5

Marvel's Spider-man 2 displayed on a Sony Bravia 8 TV

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

7. Sony Bravia 8

A great 120Hz TV, but with some limitations

Specifications

Available sizes: 55, 65, 77 and 83-inches
Panel Type: OLED
Input lag: 12.8ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
VRR: HDMI forum
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1: 2

Reasons to buy

+
Superb picture quality with 4K content
+
Loud, immersive built-in sound
+
Eco-conscious design and easy to wall mount

Reasons to avoid

-
Dedicated picture modes not always effective
-
No HDR10+ support
-
Rivals have slightly stronger gaming support
Buy it if:

✅ You want great sound with your games: The Bravia 8's powerful and immersive built-in sound adds more to your gaming experience.

✅ You want a quality picture for your PS5: The Bravia 8 comes with a 'Perfect for PS5' features that optimize picture quality when it detects a connected PS5.

Don't buy it if:

You want the full suite of gaming features: There's only two HDMI 2.1 ports and no support for AMD FreeSync or Nvidia Gsync VRR.

❌You want the best value OLED for gaming: The Bravia 8 is pricier than other mid-range OLED TVs such as the LG C4.

If you're a PS5 owner, there's no better OLED TV than the Sony Bravia 8, which offers 'Perfect for PS5' features, good HDR brightness and built-in sound that's better than what you get with most other TVs.

The Bravia 8 supports 4K 120Hz, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR and ALLM, but it's the 'Perfect for PS5' picture settings and HDR Tone Mapping that activates when the Bravia 8 detects a PS5 that make it a top choice for PS5 owners. While its 12.8ms input lag time isn't as low as rivals like the LG C4, it's still a decent figure that most gamers will be happy with. Unfortunately, the Bravia 8 is limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports, so those with multiple consoles plus a soundbar may need to look elsewhere.

The Bravia 8's picture quality isn't just great when gaming but when watching movies too. In our review, we were impressed by the Bravia 8's natural but dynamic colors that looked particularly good with Dolby Vision content. The Bravia 8 also benefits from a brightness boost over its A80L predecessor (it measured at 816 nits compared to the A80L's 741 nits) that adds a bit extra punch to the picture. While it also did a solid job of handling reflections, the Bravia 8 is best viewed in dimmer or dark conditions to really allow its colors to pop.

One of the Bravia 8's standout features is its built-in speakers. Sound placement on and around the screen is strikingly accurate and its height speakers provide immersive Dolby Atmos effects. Its Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature turns the entire screen into a speaker, resulting in a clear and powerful sound that beats most other TVs. The Bravia 8's bass is still a little lacking, but overall its sound provides a good level of immersion for gaming and movies.

Read our full Sony Bravia 8 review

Other 120Hz TVs to consider

Support for 120Hz gaming has become an increasingly popular feature on TVs, so numerous models we've recently reviewed didn’t make the cut for this list but are otherwise worthy of consideration.

The LG G3 OLED is an excellent option for both movies and gaming and one that competes with the Samsung S95D OLED which currently ranks as the best premium OLED TV in this guide. However, LG’s flagship OLED doesn’t match the Samsung's full-screen brightness, which is an important consideration for gaming. Otherwise, the LG G3 is stocked with gaming features, including four HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz support.

Anyone wanting a step-up mini-LED alternative to our budget choice, the Hisense U8K, should also look at the Samsung QN90C. This set delivers impressive brightness and has 4K 120Hz input support on all four of its HDMI 2.1 ports along with FreeSync Premium. Like other Samsung TVs, the QN90C has the company’s built-in gaming hub for cloud-based gaming via apps such as Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Utomik, and others. 

A model closer to our budget pick’s price range is the Samsung Q80C. A QLED TV with a regular LED backlight instead of the mini-LED one found on the Hisense U8K, the Q80C doesn’t manage the same high brightness levels as the Hisense, but similar to the Samsung QN90C has 4K 120Hz input support on all four of its HDMI 2.1 ports along with FreeSync Premium and Samsung’s Gaming Hub.

How to choose the best 120Hz TV

Choosing the best 120Hz TV for you isn't too different from choosing any other TV – it just means that you've settled on one crucial element already (whether you want a 60Hz screen or a 120Hz screen), which means you'll be buying more from the premium end of things.

But the other questions remain open. For example, do you want an OLED or an LED TV? We've written a an OLED vs LED vs LCD guide that covers the tech types in depth, but in summary, LED has a backlight whereas OLED pixels produce their own light.

OLED might seem like the better, cooler type of tech – and in many ways it is – offering excellent contrast and viewing angles, but you might get better brightness and/or a cheaper price with an LED or mini-LED TV. Response times do tend to be better with OLED TVs, too, which means if you're after the best TV for gaming, we'd usually suggest you pick OLED – unless you play during the day in a bright room, in which case one of the best mini-LED TVs would be preferable.

HDMI 2.1 ports are very important, because this is what's required to receive a 4K 120Hz signal from your console. All 120Hz TVs will include at least two, but some LG and Samsung TVs comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, and if you're a hardcore gamer who'll own multiple consoles, we strongly recommend choosing one of these.

Admittedly, some players may not notice a drastic difference when they first use a 120Hz TV with a next-gen console, but we think that refresh rates are crucial for certain games. For example, you'll really be able to see a difference in fast-paced shooters or racing games, where quick reflexes and frame pacing counts.

It might seem like an obvious consideration, but bear size in mind when you're looking for a new 120Hz 4K TV. If you're going to be using it as your main screen, you'll need to be sure it fits into the space you have available. If it'll be in a second room specifically for gaming, you might not want to go for the biggest available size but instead choose a small display, such as the LG C3, which is available at 42 inches.

And don't forget sound. A lot of TVs don't have great built-in speakers, but some are better than others. If you'll play mostly with a headset, then that's no problem either way. If you already own one of the best soundbars, or are happy to buy one, then that solves the problem too. But if you don't want any extras, look out for TVs we've mentioned as including great audio.

What TVs are coming in 2024?

So far in 2024, we've seen a lot of new TVs announced, a lot of which carry 120Hz (and 144Hz) support.

The most notable that we've spotted so far is the LG B4, as this new model is getting 4x HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support, which could make it one of the top 120Hz TVs and best gaming TVs of 2024. Also from LG, we're getting the LG C4 and LG G4, both of which will now support up to 144Hz for PC gaming as well.

Samsung is releasing several new models including its two QD-OLEDs, the Samsung S90D and Samsung S95D. Samsung also unveiled its mini-LED TV lineup for 2024, which will include the Samsung QN900D - an 8K, 'floating' gaming TV.

As for other brands TCL announced its new mini-LED TVs for 2024 and Hisense also continued its mini-LED loyalty with its 2024 lineup, and a lot of the TVs in the two brands' range support 120Hz.

For UK based gamers, Panasonic's new Fire TV 2024 OLEDs will support 120Hz and Philips confirmed a lot of its 2024 OLEDs will support up to 144Hz as well.

We haven't been able to get a full, gaming testing with these models yet but once we do, we'll be sure to update this guide with our impressions.

120Hz panel: why does it matter?

Do refresh rates really matter enough to justify buying a new television set? We'd argue that without an advanced television, the upgraded hardware in your new Sony or Microsoft console becomes superfluous. All that power won't translate into better performance unless your TV can support it.

Hertz, or refresh rate, determines the number of frames that your television can display per second. Because both the PS5 and Xbox Series X can generate 120 frames per second (fps) in 4K UHD resolution, you need a television panel that works up to 120 Hertz to make that mode work.

An older 4K TV likely can only support 60Hz/4K. That worked perfectly well with the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, both of which could hit 60fps in 4K for some games.

With a higher refresh rate in 4K, you'll see a smoother and sharper output on the television with less nauseating motion blurring when you turn the camera quickly in-game. This is particularly handy for fast-paced shooters where you need to turn on a dime and react quickly to threats. But the visual boost from increased frames isn't limited to any one genre of game.

Several of our top picks feature a 144Hz refresh rate. This isn't an essential upgrade over 120Hz in our opinion – read our guide to whether 144Hz TVs are a big deal for why – but the option is there for hardcore PC gamers who might want to try it.

A man playing a video game in a large room on a Samsung TV

(Image credit: Samsung)

HDMI 2.1: What does it do?

HDMI 2.1 is a more powerful data transfer standard that improves your television's capacity to handle high refresh rates and resolutions simultaneously. That said, this new standard also adds two other important gaming features by default: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

VRR is a tool that enables your TV to automatically adjust its Hz based on the output from your gaming console. While the Xbox Series X and PS5 offer a 120Hz 4K maximum, individual games' frame rates will fluctuate and drop based on what's happening on screen. The more frames you drop, the more tearing and stuttering you'll see as the television tries to adjust.

With VRR activated, your television will adjust its refresh rate on the fly so it never deviates from the game's fps output. That way, even if the game performance is struggling, the gameplay will remain smooth and seamless.

As for ALLM, it detects when you're playing a video game and adjusts your TV settings on the fly to reduce input lag as much as possible. It's a simple but essential feature that ensures you don't need to switch manually from Game to Cinema mode over and over.

Here's the problem, though: the HDMI Forum recently changed the rules, meaning that HDMI ports can now be labelled as HDMI 2.1 even if they don't support all of these features. So you can't just look for 'HDMI 2.1' in the specs and know you're covered, you'll need to check for these features specifically.

For more on the differences between refresh rate, input lag and refresh time, read our guide: Input lag and monitor speed explained.

How we test the best 120Hz TVs

We review TVs with a range of different content. Of course, next-gen gaming takes priority in this guide, but we imagine you'll also want to know what movies and TV shows are like to watch as well.

In order to test the input lag, we use a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Video Signal Lag Tester, which sends a signal to the TV and measures how quickly that signal is visible using its own sensor. We use colorimeter to test the brightness levels and color accuracy of the TVs, in conjunction with a bit-perfect test pattern generator to create the images that are measured. We connect a latest-gen game console to ensure that features such as 4K 120Hz support, variable refresh rate, or Dolby Vision gaming work as expected.

As well as judging all of the key specs you need in a gaming TV, such as refresh rates and HDMI connection options, we're also looking for good picture quality, vibrant colors and viewing angles to suit all kinds of rooms.

Sound is less of a priority with most gaming TVs as you'll get the best experience from gaming headphones or a soundbar, but it's always good to know you'll get a decent built-in experience. Which is why we've also detailed what it was like to listen to these TVs without additional devices, too.

Because we've reviewed many TVs over the years – and many of the best gaming TVs – all of our testing isn't done in isolation, but takes into account what else is available, so we only recommend the options most worth your time.

The latest updates to this best 120Hz TVs guide

September 27 2024
Swapped the Sony A80L with the Sony Bravia 8 as the 'best 120Hz OLED for PS5'.

August 29 2024
Swapped the LG B3 for the LG B4 as 'best cheap 120Hz OLED' 

August 1 2024
Swapped the Sony X90L with the Samsung Q80D and renamed the category from 'best mid-range for PS5' to 'best mid-range 120Hz TV'

July 5 2024
Swapped the Hisense U8K with the Hisense U7N as 'best value 120Hz TV'. 

Matt Bolton
Managing Editor, Entertainment

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, meaning he's in charge of persuading our team of writers and reviewers to watch the latest TV shows and movies on gorgeous TVs and listen to fantastic speakers and headphones. It's a tough task, as you can imagine. Matt has over a decade of experience in tech publishing, and previously ran the TV & audio coverage for our colleagues at T3.com, and before that he edited T3 magazine. During his career, he's also contributed to places as varied as Creative Bloq, PC Gamer, PetsRadar, MacLife, and Edge. TV and movie nerdism is his speciality, and he goes to the cinema three times a week. He's always happy to explain the virtues of Dolby Vision over a drink, but he might need to use props, like he's explaining the offside rule.

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