Thebest TVscan exceed expectations in various cases, including streaming, live sports viewing, and gaming. With game developers prioritizing visuals, it’s only fair that you have a powerful TV that can recreate a game’s vibrant environment with all the sights and sounds intact. Althoughgaming TVsare up to the challenge, not all come with a 120Hz refresh rate, which translates to smooth motion handling.
If you value graphics and performance in a game, then it’s worth checking out Game Rant’s top-rated4K 120Hz TVs. Known for their premium features that improve gameplay by a wide margin, they’re the best fit for players who demand the best experience on TV. What’s more, their amazing specs allow them to compete with somegaming monitors. Their growing popularity in the market has given rise to an all-important question: Are 4K 120Hz TVs worth buying for gaming?
Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S90C Series
The Samsung S90c packs some exciting gaming features for a smart TV. It supports streaming on platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Xbox. It packs Samsung’s OLED technology along with 4K resolution and a native refresh rate of 120 Hz. Among its strong points are the Neural Quantum Processor with 4K upscaling, Quantum HDR OLED, and Real Depth Enhancer. It features the Samsung Gaming Hub where gamers can play console games and check out game streaming apps.
Significantly Better Picture Quality
If you’re looking for the best gaming experience on TV and if money is no obstacle, it might be worth exploring 4K 120Hz TVs. Compared to the cheap 1080p 60Hz and mid-range 4K 60Hz TVs, 4K 120 Hz TVs offer a more immersive viewing experience. This is because they offer top-of-the-line features, including a QLED or OLED display, along with improved brightness. For instance, the Vizio Quantum Pro has a QLED display that’s renowned for its stunning brightness levels that can even rival premiumOLED TVs, such as the LG C3 and Samsung S90C.QLED TVsalso deliver superior viewing angles, making them perfect for a group setting, especially for live sports viewing.
When gaming on a 4K 120Hz TV with OLED display, you’re guaranteed perfect blacks and pure whites in every scene. Whether you like playing open-world games likeDays Goneor prefer a linear progression that titles likeUncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collectionoffer, the screen will look vibrant with just the right amount of contrast. Depending on the TV model you decide to get, it could come with a dedicated Game Mode which, when activated, instantly optimizes the display settings to allow games to look amazingly smooth.
Better Motion Handling for More Responsive Gameplay
No matter how good a game looks on the screen, if it’s a laggy mess, then there’s no point in playing it. Fortunately, stunning visuals and buttery smooth gameplay go hand in hand for 4K 120Hz TVs. Video games often comprise fast-paced scenes, such as car chases or heated gun battles. These moments require a powerful TV to render the action perfectly. That’s where 120Hz TVs come into the picture. During action-packed scenes, 4K 120Hz TVs are better positioned to render the fast-moving images without any noticeable input lag. Most of these premium TVs come with a response time of below 5 ms, ensuring that games, movies, and virtually any content will run cohesively.
The LG C3 is an industry leader with an incredibly low response time of 0.5 ms, which assures players crisp and smooth motion. It’s worth mentioning that the superior motion handling of these TVs can also help watch live sports. During a football game, for instance, a lot of running around occurs which may overwhelm a TV with a native 60Hz refresh rate. The same goes for movies as well. The ability of 4K 120Hz TVs to enjoy life-like content without any significant issues makes them a top choice for folks that want the best that TVs can offer. Although they’re still outperformed by high-refresh rate monitors, like the Alienware AW3423DWF, they represent the best that today’s crop of TVs can offer.
Comes with Advanced Gaming Features
Another interesting fact about 4K 120Hz TVs is that they come equipped with a number of gaming features. Unlike 60Hz TVs that ship with decent specs and, perhaps, one or two gaming-specific features, 120Hz TVs offer premium features such as ALLM, VRR, HDMI 2.1 compatibility, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. The Sony Bravia A80L is a powerhouse that comes with most of the above gaming features.
With ALLM, which automatically turns on Game Mode for the best possible settings, you can play without any stuttering or significant frame drops. The A80L goes further by offering exclusive PS5 features designed to enhance your experience with the console. The duo of Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode enriches a TV’s visuals by optimizing the HDR settings and switching to Game Mode for maximum performance.
TVs with HDMI 2.1 ports allow players to maximize the potential of their current-gen consoles, making the feature a must-have for anyone who wants the best visual experience when gaming. These ports are common among 4K 120Hz TVs, another reason why an upgrade could be necessary. Many of these TVs also come with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync, which further help maintain stutter-free gameplay. All of these enhancements ensure that your TV can perform at its peak without any noticeable issues.
The Verdict
If you play games exclusively on TVs and need a visual and performance upgrade, then it’s time to start considering a 4K 120Hz TV. This doesn’t mean that every gamer needs to switch though. Despite their improved performance, 4K 120Hz TVs are notoriously expensive. Even with frequent sales, you could spend up to a thousand dollars to pick up one. Unless you decide to save up for it, it may not be a reasonable decision for players on a strict budget.
Additionally, if you’re a casual gamer who enjoys titles likeMinecraftorStardew Valley,an upgrade may not be necessary. If you’re buying a 4K 120Hz TV because of improved visuals in movies and shows, then you may want to rethink your decision. Not many movies are available in native 4K resolution, making an upgrade from a 60Hz TV seem unnecessary.
4K 120Hz TVs should only be purchased in certain situations. For instance, if you’re a player who values crisp images and smooth motion handling, then it’s worth buying one. If you want to unleash the potential of your PS5 or Xbox Series X, then you can get one. If you’d like to enrich your gameplay with cinematic-grade sound, agaming soundbarmay be a better solution overall.
The Best 4K 120Hz TVs
VIZIO 65-inch Quantum Pro 4K QLED 120Hz Smart TV
Shoppers looking for a 4K 120Hz TV with the looks and capabilities of a premium TV can stop their search. The 65-inch Vizio Quantum Pro is an excellent TV that brings the finest of picture quality to the table. Enjoy content with wide viewing angles, allowing you to sit anywhere and still get a good look at the screen. The TV is also a reliable companion for console and PC gaming.
TCL 55-Inch Q7 QLED 4K Smart Google TV
Budget TVs have to balance affordability with functionality, and the TCL Q7 excels in this aspect. Featuring a 4K resolution, buyers get to watch their favorite movies or play games with stunning picture quality. For those used to a 1080p display, this is an excellent upgrade. The TV is also bright, making it a great choice to tackle issues like glare without sacrificing picture clarity. Gaming on this TV should be a worthwhile experience thanks to 240Hz VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and an auto game mode.
VIZIO 50-inch MQX-Series 4K 120Hz QLED HDR10+ Smart TV with Dolby Vision
This Vizio MQX Series 4K television comes with a 50-inch display panel with QLED technology. The Quantum Color technology allows increased color performance in a 4K resolution with the use of Active Full Array Backlight technology and local dimming. Buyers will also appreciate the fact that this TV supports Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ for vibrant high dynamic range content. Vizio’s smart TV platform allows easy access to millions of titles from popular streaming channels and other apps. Vizio WatchFree+ offers over 250 free live-streaming channels too.
LG C3 Series 55-Inch Class OLED evo 4K Processor
The LG C3 Series OLED 4K smart TV has everything a player needs, from crisp imagery with a fast response time of 0.1ms to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Like most LG TVs, this selection has the NVIDIA G-SYNC, VRR, and AMD FreeSync Premium to boost the gameplay. Gamers will also appreciate the LG C3’s accessibility, with four HDMI 2.1 inputs that allow for the plugging of multiple devices.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a 4K TV for gaming?
Of course. 4K TVs greatly improve your visual experience by far. With four times the picture quality of a 1080p display, games will look and feel better on a 4K screen. Additionally, going for a large 4K TV will give you a wider field of view which should make open-world games feel more vast and realistic.
Q: Is a 120Hz refresh rate good for gaming?
If you’re a gamer who wants the best visuals on a TV, then it’s worth getting a TV that has a 120Hz native refresh rate. Those who play on monitors know that the higher the refresh rate, the better the performance. As such, competitive gamers should aim for monitors that offer a refresh rate of at least 144Hz.
Q: Is Hisense or TCL good for gaming?
Although Hisense and TCL are considered budget TV brands, both manufacturers have a great lineup of TVs that should pair nicely with consoles. You shouldn’t expect the same performance as a Samsung or LG TV, though. They’re quite decent and affordable too.
