9. 20/10 1. Premium pick: Samsung Q80B QLED 8. 60/10 2. Editors choice: Hisense U8H Mini-LED TV 8. 80/10 3. Best value: Vizio M-Series QX 8. 80/10 4. Sony X85K 8. 80/10 5. LG QNED80 9. 20/10 6. Sony BRAVIA XR X90J 4K HDR FULL ARRAY LED TV 9. 20/10 7. Samsung 55-Inch Class Q70A QLED 4K Smart TV
But the best TVs with HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz don’t always come cheap.
Thankfully, there are some great budget 120Hz TVs that are perfect for gaming. Each one supports 4K and has a minimum of one HDMI 2.1 port.
Here are the cheapest 120Hz TVs for gaming available today.
Q: Do I Need 120Hz TV for Gaming?
If you own a PS5, Xbox Series X, or the latest gaming PC with HDMI 2.1 ports, you’ll need a 120Hz TV to take full advantage of 4K 120Hz gaming. 120Hz TVs come with HDMI 2.1 ports required to play 4K games at up to 120Hz refresh rate.
The Q80B delivers rich and vibrant colors with deep blacks thanks to the quantum dot layer and functional local dimming feature. It also gets very bright in HDR, allowing highlights to pop. Although not better than OLEDs or the more expensive Samsung QLED models, the viewing experience in both dark and bright rooms is much better than on most midrange TVs.
Gaming on this TV is a real treat. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR, so you can enjoy a tear-free and responsive gaming experience on your PS5 or Xbox Series X. In addition, it has low input lag and quick response time, so moving objects look absolutely crisp, ideal for racing and first-person shooter games. It’s an excellent alternative to the premium HDMI 2.1 TVs.
Four HDMI 2. 1 inputs FreeSync Premium Pro Full Array Local Dimming and 100% DCI-P3 coverage HDR10+ Certified
Brand: Samsung Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 50-inch Ports: 4x HDMI 2. 1, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x RF In Display Technology: QLED Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Bright, colorful picture at every angle 4K at 120Hz support on all HDMI ports Smooth and responsive gameplay Good reflection handling
No Dolby Vision support
The Mini-LED backlighting combined with Quantum Dot color delivers best-in-class color accuracy and black levels that easily match high-end and much more expensive TVs from the likes of Samsung and LG. It also gets bright enough to fight glare in well-lit rooms and has an impressive local dimming feature that ensures you enjoy all the late-night TV shows.
The U8G is excellent for watching sports and packs all the latest and greatest gaming features. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports for powerful 4K at 120Hz gaming on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It supports FreeSync VRR and motion handling is superb, so sports and other fast-paced scenes from competitive titles appear sharp and clear. Overall, the UH8 is an amazing 4K smart TV that will please just about anyone.
Mini-LED backlight with Quantum Dot color Up to 1,500 nits peak brightness Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Two HDMI 2. 1 inputs
Brand: Hisense Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 55-inch Ports: 2x HDMI 2. 1, 2x HDMI 2. 0, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x Headphone Jack, 1x RF In, 1x Composite In Display Technology: Mini-LED Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Breathtaking picture quality Unrivalled black levels for the price Easy-to-use Google TV interface Excellent for gaming
Color banding
The M-Series QX is available in three sizes up to 75 inches, but the smaller 50-inch model is more affordable and supports a faster and more responsive 240Hz refresh rate if you bump the resolution down to 1080p, which is excellent for competitive gaming. Combined with low input lag, this TV delivers a great gaming experience for a lot less money.
With Quantum Color and Dolby Vision, this TV produces rich and vibrant colors. It gets bright in HDR and has a decent local dimming feature, making it great for watching movies and gaming in both dark and bright rooms. The only major downsides are its narrow viewing angles and the fact that Vizio’s SmartCast platform is lacking in features.
120Hz at UHD and up to 240Hz at FHD AMD FreeSync Premium Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ support Quantum Color
Brand: Vizio Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz, 240Hz (1080p) Screen Size: 50-inch Ports: 1x HDMI 2. 1, 3x HDMI 2. 0, 1x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x Analog Audio Out RCA, 1x Tuner Display Technology: LED Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Incredible value Excellent picture quality Powerful gaming features
Only one HDMI 2. 1 port
This TV packs some great features for gaming. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports for enabling 4K at 120Hz gaming on the latest consoles and gaming PCs. It supports HDMI Forum VRR and G-SYNC for a smooth and tear-free experience, and the panel’s quick response time means fast-moving objects appear sharp and clear.
Designed by the same minds behind the PS5, the Sony X85K offers exclusive features for the PS5, which lets you take full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities in both gameplay and picture quality. It doesn’t support local dimming, but it has an excellent native contrast ratio and gets very bright, so you shouldn’t have any issues when watching movies and TV shows.
Two HDMI 2. 1 ports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Google TV Plenty of sizes, from 43 to 85 inches
Brand: Sony Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 43-inch Ports: 2x HDMI 2. 1, 2x HDMI 2. 0, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x RF In, 1x Composite In, 1x IR In Display Technology: LCD Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Brilliant picture and contrast Low latency gaming Desk-friendly size Feature-rich smart TV platform
No local dimming No FreeSync support
The LG QNED80 is packed full of gaming features, including VRR through FreeSync and G-Sync, faster response times, Black Stabilizer, and a handy gaming dashboard that lets you manage all your gaming settings in one place.
The QNED80 series combines a Quantum Dot layer with LG’s NanoCell technology to deliver richer and more vibrant colors than standard LCD TVs. It has a functional local dimming feature that improves contrast and clarity, resulting in a very immersive experience when watching movies or playing the latest AAA games. With LG’s WebOS platform, you get a lot of features when it comes to entertainment.
Two HDMI 2. 1 ports FreeSync Premium LG Game Dashboard and Optimizer Quantum Dot color with LG’s NanoCell technology webOS smart TV platform
Brand: LG Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 65-inch Ports: 2x HDMI 2. 1, 2x HDMI 2. 0, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x RF In Display Technology: LCD Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Big and affordable Brilliant color and constrast Powerful gaming features Quick response times Versatile Game Optimizer interface
No Dolby Vision
For gamers, the BRAVIA XR X90J supports a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K for smooth and crystal-clear gameplay. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) automatically enables Game Mode to cut down on input lag when gaming, making your gameplay feel more responsive. Unfortunately, VRR is not working yet but will be available in a future update.
The Google TV platform provides plenty of options for entertainment. It has Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, and a special Netflix Calibrated Mode for the best movie experience. Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable TV for smooth, powerful 4K gaming and home entertainment, the BRAVIA XR X90J ticks all of the boxes.
Two HDMI 2. 1 inputs Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) Dolby Vision HDR Google TV
Brand: Sony Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 50-inch Ports: 2x HDMI 2. 1, 2x HDMI 2. 0, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x Headphone Jack, 1x RF In (Terrestrial/ Cable input), 1x Composite In Display Technology: LED (VA) Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Outstanding motion handling Stunning HDR picture Great dark room and bright room performance User-friendly smart interface HDMI 2. 1 ports for 4K 120Hz and ALLM
VRR support not available yet
The Q70A also has Samsung’s new Game Bar feature for quick access to game settings and supports gaming in ultrawide aspect ratios. It’s a perfect display for competitive and modern-day gaming, especially for those with the new consoles and gaming PCs. This TV is priced cheaper than the Q80A because it lacks local dimming and does not get bright enough.
Still, it can produce a decent picture in most rooms, but you should avoid placing it in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio is brilliant, so blacks appear darker for a great viewing experience in dark environments.
FreeSync Premium Pro VRR Super Ultrawide GameView Quantum Dot color and wide color gamut
Brand: Samsung Resolution: 3840x2160 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Screen Size: 55-inch Ports: 1x HDMI 2. 1, 3x HDMI 2. 0, 2x USB, 1x Ethernet, 1x Digital Optical Audio Out, 1x RF In (Terrestrial/ Cable input/ Satellite Input) Display Technology: QLED Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Reasonable price Powerful gaming performance Decent picture quality High contrast ratio
Only one HDMI 2. 1 port No Dolby Vision
Q: Can I Use a 120Hz TV for PC Gaming?
You can use a 120Hz TV for PC gaming, provided the PC has HDMI 2.1 output ports. Most modern TVs with HDMI 2.1 ports and 120Hz come with exceptionally low input lag and quick response times, perfect for competitive PC gaming.
Q: Does 4K Have to Be 120Hz?
4K does not have to be 120Hz, but having a higher refresh rate like 120Hz makes your gameplay and animations feel more smooth and responsive. A 120Hz TV allows gamers to see in-game action quicker than a 60Hz display resulting in quick reflexes and added competitive advantage. If you’re buying a 4K TV for watching movies, TV shows, and general entertainment, you don’t need 120Hz.
Q: How Many FPS Can the PS5 Run?
The PS5 and Xbox Series X can run games at 120FPS (frames per second) in 4K resolution.
