So you’re looking to buy a next-gen console and you’re wondering if you need to buy a new TV that supports the console’s new features.
But are those features really that important? Can you keep using your old TV with a next-gen console? How many games are optimized for 120 FPS?
I’ll share some practical advice with you below.
Do You Need a 4K TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X?
You don’t need a 4K TV for the PS5 or the Xbox Series X because they’re compatible with any HDMI display.
For the best next-gen experience, I recommend a TV that supports 4K, HDMI 2.1, HDR10, and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
One of the most exciting features of the new consoles is the ability to run games at 4K at 120 FPS.
To make the most of the new console’s features, you will want a TV that supports 4K and has a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Granted, new TVs that have all of those features can be a bit pricey. If you don’t have the budget for a new TV, don’t sweat it.
Look:
While it’s a new feature, not every game is optimized for 4K at 120 FPS.
But more on that later…
Can You Use a 1080P TV with a PS5?
Yes. You can use a 1080P HDMI TV or even a monitor with the new PS5 and Xbox Series. The HDMI ports are backwards compatible with all HDMI versions but some of the visual features will be limited.
Here’s the thing:
Gaming on a 1080P TV with a 60 Hz refresh rate has been the norm for many years now, and it’s good enough for most people.
While 1080P is slowly being phased out, it’s still the most popular resolution for displays. It’s also the most budget-friendly.
On the other hand, for those of you who do want to buy a TV that can take advantage of every new feature that consoles have to offer…
Here’s what you need to know:
Best TV Specs for PS5 and Xbox SX:
- Supports 4K Resolution
- 120 Hz Refresh Rate
- HDR10 (or better)
- HDMI 2.1
- Low Latency Modes
- Under 10ms Response Times
- OLED Panel
I’ll briefly cover these features below. As mentioned earlier, the most important features are 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate.
HDR10:
HDR10 is usually built-in to most 4K TVs. If you want a refresh on what is HDR, read our article on the HDR versions.
HDR10 is the standard version. Gaming on an HDR display can make a huge improvement in visuals and colours.
The PS5 and the Xbox Series X both support HDR10 so you need a display that also supports it.
HDMI 2.1
It can be easy to make the mistake of buying a TV that has HDMI 2.0 vs HDMI 2.1. But that decimal is very important.
HDMI 2.1 offers much more bandwidth than HDMI 2.0. In fact, it doubles the maximum transmission rate (18 Gbps vs 48 Gbps).
You’ll need HDMI 2.1 to get that smooth 4K at 120Hz. With HDMI 2.0 you can only run 4K at 60 Hz. I suggest looking for a TV that has at least one HDMI 2.1 port.
Bear in mind, HDMI versions are based on the hardware of the devices, the cables are backwards compatible. The HDMI cable that comes with your PS5 or Xbox Series X is good enough for 4K at 120Hz.
OLED Panel
There are a number of reasons to choose a TV with an OLED panel. For gamers, the input lag on OLED panels is incredibly low. While LG advertises their LG OLED TVs as having a 1ms response time, it’s actually more in the 10 – 13ms range.
For casual users, the visuals on OLED are incredible because of the deep blacks. Since OLED does not have a backlight, the deep blacks make the colours appear much more vivid. I highly recommend buying an OLED TV for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Recommended TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X:
While most TVs that have the features mentioned above will work well with the PS5 and Xbox Series X, there are some specific models that stand out.
Generally, for the best experience, I recommend LG OLED TVs because the visual quality is unmatched.
1 – LG OLED 55C14LB 2021
The OLED 55C14LB is a TV that has every feature you need for gaming on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. It’s got a 4K OLED panel, 4 x HDMI 2.1 ports, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Not to mentoin other “nice-to-haves” such as G-sync, FreeSync, and Variable Refresh Rate.
2 – LG OLED55B16LA 2021
Another LG OLED TV that meets the standards we are looking for. The difference is this model is a little older, which makes it a little more budget-friendly. The LG OLED 55B16LA has 2 x HDMI 2.1 ports, and 2 X HDMI 2.0 ports. Naturally, it can support 4K at 120 Hz (only through the HDMI 2.1 ports) and it also has HDR.
3 – LG75NANO916PA 2021
Here’s another good LG TV that will match your new console. The difference here is this model is not OLED, instead, it uses the NanoCell panel technology. NanoCell uses a backlight, but it introduces a filter layer that improves colours. NanoCell TVs are also a bit cheaper than OLEDs.
The LG75NANO916PA supports 4K at a native 120Hz refresh rate. It has 2 x HDMI 2.1 ports and 2 X HDMI 2.0 ports.
Does 120Hz Matter for Console Gaming?
You might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading your displays for 120Hz consoles. 120Hz at 4K will make your gaming experience feel much smoother and more responsive. Bear in mind, not every game has been optimized for 120 FPS. It’s very noticeable.
Granted a controller does offer limited motion (you can’t flick as fast with a controller as you can with a mouse) but the fluid animations will feel much more immersive. Artefacts like screen-tearing and others will also be reduced with 120Hz.
Is it for everyone? It depends on the type of games that you play. For competitive games, such as first-person shooters (Halo Infinite, Battlefield, Rainbow Six, Call of Duty, etc) the 120Hz can give you a competitive edge. It makes it easier to track targets and react faster.
However, for other games, such as platformers, 120Hz might not make much of a difference. One notable platformer that received 4K 120 FPS support is Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Is It True 4K at 120 FPS?
Older console games might not be running at true 4K at 120 FPS on the latest consoles. It depends on how the games are optimized. Certain games such as Doom Eternal can only run at 120 FPS when the resolution is at 1800P.
The Bottom Line:
To summarize, while you don’t have to buy a 4K TV for your PS5 and Xbox Series X, it is highly recommended to do so because you will be able to utilize all of the new features. I personally recommend LG OLED TVs that have a 120 Hz native refresh rate for the best experience.
What do you think? Drop a comment below.
