What is the best hdmi 2.1 at 120hz TV? Comparison, review and buying guide

If you are on this page, it is because you are looking for a 120Hz HDMI 2.1 TV to play the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft. We will present a selection of the best TV with 4K Hdmi 2.1 to enjoy your SP5 or Xbox X Series . Why the best? Because for the moment, at the end of 2020 / beginning of 2021, there is not really a huge choice and therefore you have here the best at “decent” prices. With this selection we also avoid the pitfalls of the 2.1 models which are at 60hz. In short, you no longer need to run right or left on the web to find the right HDMI TVs.

Comparison table of 2.1 hmdi TV at 120 Hz

HDMI 2.1 TV at 120 Hz: Our selection

So far we have noted a limited number of TVs with hdmi 2.1. Often in native 100 Hz, this does not prevent the panel from displaying 120 Hz with the hdmi. If you have other references to suggest to us or even feedback on the products presented, do not hesitate to leave your messages in the comments.

1. Sony Bravia XR-55A80J

The Bravia XR-55A80J is one of the best OLED references at the moment from Sony. We present here the 55-inch model which benefits from a 120 Hz panel with 2 HDMI 2.1 out of 4. The Bravia OLED technology ensures excellent contrast. We find the Dolby Atmos accompanied by 3 speakers 10 watts for more sound effect.

Ideal for the PS5, this 4K TV is stamped “Perfect for Playstation”. You will still have to wait for Sony to update the console to fully benefit from hdmi 2.1 support. This is the best value for money at Sony for an OLED TV.

The Sony Bravia XR-55A80J is available from 55 to 77 inches.

2. Samsung Neo QLED 55QN97A

The screen has all the assets to be fully compatible with a PS5 or an Xbox Series X even if it remains a little below Sony in terms of fluidity (for this, we are waiting for the full implementation of HDMI 2.1 technologies) .

As you can imagine, you will therefore find a panel at 120 Hz but also 4 HDMI 2.1 sockets . The sound quality is also at the rendezvous. On the other hand, we regret the interface with the OS Tizen which is a bit sluggish for our taste.

The Samsung Neo QLED 55QN97A is available from 55 to 85 inches.

3. Samsung The Frame QE55LS03A

The Frame offers a QLED panel in 4K 120 Hz with excellent colorimetry. Of course the HDR is there and the sound in Dolby Digtial Plus benefits from a power of 40 Watts. This model offers 2 HDMi 2.0 ports and 1 HDMI 2.1 port to take full advantage of a next-gen console.

We will still note viewing angles slightly below in terms of contrast if we are too far from the TV and a slightly weak sound in terms of bass.

The Samsung The Frame is available from 43 to 75 inches.

4. LG 55C1

The LG 55C1 is one of the brand’s bestsellers when it comes to OLED screens. The reason for this success is to be found in its uncompromising quality / price ratio which has won over many stock exchanges. With its 4k panel at 120 Hz and its 4 HDMI 2.1 sockets , it goes without saying that this model is designed for the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.

This OLED panel has excellent contrast . On the other hand, the rendering of deep blacks is appreciated only in weak light conditions. During the day, the absence of an anti-reflection filter can be felt. You will also have to play with the settings to overcome the calibration when leaving the factory, which is far from perfect.

The 55C1 has very good sound quality with classic Dolby Atmos sound and 40 Watt speakers. Many users like the interface via Web Os to access various streaming services.

Note that this model is Nvidia G-Sync compatible for those who wish to connect a PC to this screen.

This model is available from 48 to 83 inches.

5. LG 55G1

This LG G1 model is almost similar to the C1 range. Here, LG is tackling the concept of The Frame display by Samsung. Thus, this television set wants to be like a painting that one would hang on the wall. The 55G1 offers the experience of greater brightness than the C1 and what conventional OLEDs can offer.

For the rest, we therefore have the same specificities as the 55C1 with a gaming-oriented screen via Nvidia G-sync or even FreeSync, as well as VRR and ALLM for nextgen consoles.

Unlike the Samsung The Frame, the feet are optional. Finally, this model exists from 55 to 77 inches.

6. Sony Bravia XR50X90j

With its X1 4K-HDR processor , Sony continues to treat us with perfect value for money for games and movies in the mid-range of ultra HD televisions. You therefore benefit from excellent contrast and ideal brightness to bring out all the details of the Full Led screen of the Bravia XR50X90J. Designed for the PS5, this model offers 120 Hz, 2 HMDI 2.1 sockets and 2 hdmi 2.0.

As the reviews on this Bravia XR50 go back, no blooming or clouding , which guarantees a very good viewing experience. The only thing missing is the activation of the HDMI 2.1 technologies of the PS5 (to come) to have a winning combo. The Google TV interface is also at the rendezvous in terms of quality.

Much like Samsung’s The Frame model, the XR50X90j suffers from a lack of contrast if you are placed too far to the sides. The other disappointing point concerns the various presets which are not convincing . You will have to go there manually to have the image that suits you best.

The Sony Bravia XR50X90j is available from 55 to 75 inches.

7. Samsung QE55Q80A

There are some things that never fail and when a product meets its audience, we are sure to have to deal with a reference in its range. Well that’s exactly the case with the Samsung QE55Q80A.

This classifying in the mid-range with a very good quality / price ratio , this 4K QLED model offers a 120Hz panel as well as an HDMI 2.1 socket among the 4 available. You have enough to connect a next-gen console.

Like other Samsung models, we’re not big fans of the Tizen navigation system. On the other hand, it has a very good 60 Watts audio system in Dolby Digital Plus, with enough bass to do without a sound bar, which is a big plus. Regarding the color rendering, it will still take a look at the settings.

The Samsung QE55Q80A is available from 50 to 75 inches.

8. TCL 55C825

The 55C825 model is a QLED model, therefore a mini-LED which allows to obtain a more contained price than OLED while benefiting from a strong luminosity and a good contrast. This brightness can unfortunately bring blooming to your images. It is also less fluid than the models of the 3 market leaders. There are slight jerks on the rapid movements on the screen.

This screen can benefit from the performance and technologies of HDMI 2.1 (2 sockets) to reach 120 Hz, especially on nextgen consoles. The TCL 55X85 does not skimp on the sound in Dolby Atmos which is a good surprise. This model directly integrates a sound bar to give more bass to the whole. You will therefore not need to complete your audio system.

Note the presence of a webcam that you can position on top of the screen. Future applications should be developed to take full advantage of this little extra.

This model is available in 55 and 65 inches.

9. Sony KD55X85J

Sony offers us here a VA LED screen at 120 Hz as well as 2 HDMI 2.1 out of 4 sockets. Armed for the PS5, this model is however lower than the level of its panel compared to the references presented above. While the colors are there, the Google TV interface is easy to learn, but the performance is behind and the viewing angle is low if you are too far from the screen.

This model may be suitable for promotions and if you do not have a high requirement, in terms of rendering. We still recommend that you go for a QLED model if you have the budget.

This model exists from 43 to 75 inches.

How to choose your 4k Hdmi 2.1 120 Hz TV?

Well you need at least a 2.1 hdmi socket. Thank you goodbye !

No, I’m kidding, it’s not as obvious because there are 4K 60Hz TVs with HDMI 2.1. Be careful because depending on the brand it will be possible to upgrade your screen to 120 Hz, at least Sony seems to promise on some of its TVs! For the others it will be necessary to make sure that your panel is well at 100/120 Hz to have a compatibility in term of HFR but also of ALLM! The VRR should not pose a problem at this level… What you did not understand anything? So let’s do a little popularization, don’t worry, it’s going to be okay. You should know, after a little reading, the minimum you need to know to fully enjoy your new next-gen console.

First of all, let’s come back to the 4K definition in both senses of the word!

4k is a definition originally created for cinema on the basis of 4096 by 2160 pixels but today the standard for 4K is 3840 by 2160 pixels . More basically, we will talk about UHD (Ultra High Definition) or to avoid citing the number of pixels each time, we will say 2160p. For 2k the standard is 1440p and for Full HD we are at 1080p.

FYI, 4k corresponds to 4 times Full-HD in terms of pixel density. That is to say 8,294,400 pixels against 2,073,600. So much for the standard aspect, what must be remembered is that a video adapted to the format will be much sharper.

Scanning or refresh rate

Now let’s talk about rendering and fluidity without turning our brain. Early 4K TVs allowed a scan or refresh rate of 50/60 Hz (Hertz). Still in a spirit of popularization, this can correspond to the number of images per second that your screen can display. So you can imagine that the faster it is, the more fluid it is.

Now, 100/120 Hz 4k TVs are appearing on the market with new technologies that accompany image processing at this speed. We will not talk here about pseudo 240 Hz panels which only simulate additional images to reach this frequency. But we are going to cover things well known to pc players such as latency (input lag).

L’input lag

Input lag corresponds to the time between the transmission of information from a peripheral to your screen . For example, you press the button on your controller, the information is sent to the console which itself transforms it into an action that you see appearing on your screen. It is when processing the signal to the TV that a delay of the order of a few milliseconds can occur. This can have a huge influence in the game, especially on fps or on combo games.

VRR vs. Tearing

In addition to this if the refresh rate does not allow you to display your image in time you will end up with what is called tearing. It is a kind of tearing of the image , often horizontal, which gives an impression of jerkiness during movements in your games. Technologies exist for this. We find Free-Sync or G-Sync standards on gaming monitors (depending on your AMD or Nvidia graphics card) while on a TV we will talk about VRR or Variable Refresh . You will gain clarity and fluidity during rapid movements during your games.

The VRR is well taken into account basic in the Next-Gen consoles but your television must be too. And it is precisely through HDMI 2.1 that you can ensure that VRR is properly taken into account. So as you imagine you will need a 4K TV in HDMI 2.1 with of course the compatible 2.1 cable.

HDMI 2.1 et HFR 120 Hz on y arrive !

As we said earlier, the objective here is not to provide you with too technical information but to see the ins and outs of HDMI 2.1. At first, unlike HDMI 2.0, 2.1 allows the transmission of more data (48 Gbps against 18). To popularize it is like going from ADSL to fiber. 2.1 therefore allows signals to be sent with HFR (High Frame Rate). This allows you to have the famous 120 Hz and therefore a rendering at 120 fps (frame per second, or image per second). You will of course benefit from the VRR on the way. But if there were only that, we would stop there, but we are far from having finished.

HDR

HDMI from its 2.0 mount is also HDR or High Dinamic Range . A technology that reprocesses the image, or encodes it to bring out more brightness on scenes in order to have a more realistic rendering. Well, that is to say that there are several standards and that the results are not all the time conclusive. We will not dwell on this. Just know that there is the basic HDR10 standard accessible to all manufacturers and also Dolby Vision (a slightly more advanced proprietary version). For now, the Xbox Series X and the PS5 are HDR10 compatible.

Goodbye to input-lag hello ALLM

You remember the input lag we mentioned earlier, well it’s time to get rid of it for good. HDMI 2.1 allows this thanks to ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) technology. This is a signal sent by your console to your TV in order to drastically reduce the latency on it… that’s it! Lag issue resolved!

One HDMI 2.1 cable to rule them all!

Of course you will need an HDMI 2.1 cable, so you can put your 2.0 in the drawer. On the other hand, if you are the lucky owner of one of the latest Next Gen consoles from Sony or Microsoft (only on the X series, not the S) you will already have a 2.1 cable provided!

To summarize your HDMI 2.1 cable will allow you to benefit from:

• HFR : High Frame Rate (les 120 Hz)
• VRR : Variable Refresh Rate
• ALLM : Auto Low Latency Mode

But also from:

• e-ARC: enhanced audio Return Channel, a technology that allows the audio signal to be processed in different ways.

There are still other technologies, but here you have the most important to know when choosing a 4K TV in hdmi 2.1 at 120 Hz.

Now you know why a 4K TV at 120hz in hdmi 2.1 is essential to take full advantage of the technologies in your latest consoles. Of course the way in which the game is developed but also optimized will determine the good rendering of the gaming experience at 120 fps.

What does 120Hz bring to games?

First of all, you have to understand what the hertz data means . The latter means that the refresh rate of a screen is defined by the number of images displayed per second . Of course, the greater the number of images, the better the quality. But that’s not all, because the graphics chip in the device must be able to withstand such a frequency in order to have an optimal rendering.

Regarding the benefits of such refresh, it should be understood that input lag is a frequent phenomenon and which will always be present, but in smaller quantities . This phenomenon will delay the responsiveness of the image, but if you have a 120Hz screen, you can greatly reduce the input lag during your gaming sessions, since it will be 4.16 ms on average . This will result in having a smoother image and taking advantage of all the details offered by current games.

What is the difference between a 100Hz and 120Hz TV?

Many believe that 100Hz TV is equal to 120Hz TV , however this belief is both true and false. Indeed, a 100Hz TV will use a technique called interpolation . This phenomenon occurs when the TV will try to display several images per second to gain fluidity but will have the consequences of slightly deteriorating the quality of the image.

For 120Hz TVs, they display double the basic images, if the source allows precisely this frequency (a next gen console via hdmi 2.1, or a powerful graphics card). This will therefore result in no longer having interpolation and benefiting from exceptional rendering and perfect image quality.

There is also a lot of misunderstanding about the PAL and NTSC standards . In France, on the old televisions we were at 50 hz, while the US was at 60 hz. Today all flat screens are 60hz compatible and regardless of the standard. If we go back to a higher refresh rate, a large part of 100 Hz panels can go up to 120 Hz depending on the source.

Is HDMI 2.1 essential for a 120Hz TV?

HDMI 2.1 is available on the latest home consoles recently released, that is to say the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X. It is a revolution in the technical and gaming world since it considerably improves the quality of the image and graphic rendering but also fluidity and responsiveness.

It also increases the bandwidth which goes to 48 Gbps distributed over four channels. For Next-gen consoles, it is imperative to have an HDMI 2.1 television set in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the games available. Regarding a 120Hz TV, it is essential to have an HDMI 2.1 to enjoy a UHD definition at 120Hz and therefore, graphics rendering and impressive image fluidity.

Should we choose Dolby Vision rather than HDR10?

To answer this question, it is necessary to know and understand the differences between these two elements. First of all, HDR 10 allows television manufacturers to pay no exploitation rights, while Dolby Vision belongs to the company Dolby, which means that exploitation rights are inevitable since the latter allows to display deeper colors, which is a selling point. For example, HDR10 can display 1.07 billion colors , while Dolby Vision can display 68.7 billion colors .

Some consoles are also compatible with HDR10, while the PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch are not compatible with Dolby Vision. In other words, if you want to play on these platforms or on certain phones, prefer HDR10 which is compatible on more media with, of course, a less qualitative rendering.