Gaming TV Buying Guide: HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz and VRR for PS5, Xbox and PC (2026)

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A TV with "4K" and "Game Mode" on the box doesn't automatically get the most out of a PS5 or Xbox Series X. For 4K at 120Hz, VRR and ALLM the TV needs a suitable HDMI 2.1 input – and on many models not every port can do that. This guide covers which spec-sheet entries actually matter, how to set up console and TV correctly, and four TVs currently available on Amazon.de.

Transparency: We have not tested these TVs ourselves. The information comes from PlayStation, Xbox, the manufacturers LG and Hisense, and the Amazon.de product pages we checked (as of October 2026). We don't list prices because TV prices change constantly.

What consoles and PCs need from a TV

Device	Maximum refresh rate (per manufacturer)	What the TV needs
PS5	4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM	HDMI 2.1 port with 4K@120 and HDMI 2.1 VRR
Xbox Series X	4K at up to 120Hz, VRR, ALLM	HDMI 2.1 port; on some TVs only specific inputs
Gaming PC	above 120Hz, depending on the graphics card	HDMI 2.1 plus a 144/165Hz panel with G-Sync/FreeSync compatibility

According to PlayStation Support, the PS5 supports the HDMI 2.1 specification and 4K output at 120Hz. The input matters: if the TV has an HDMI 2.1 port, connect the console to that one. Xbox says the Series X outputs 4K over any HDMI connection, but its most advanced features need HDMI 2.1 – and on some TVs only specific ports support it.

Important for console players: 144Hz or 165Hz doesn't help on PS5 or Xbox, because the consoles top out at 120Hz. LG itself notes that 165Hz only works with games or PC inputs that support it. If you only play on console, a proper 4K@120 input with VRR matters more than the highest Hz figure.

Key criteria

1. How many HDMI 2.1 ports, and which ones support VRR?

This is the most common pitfall. On the LG OLED C6, LG says all four HDMI inputs support 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, QMS and QFT. On the Hisense U7DSE, the spec sheet lists all four ports as HDMI 2.1 with ALLM, but VRR up to 144Hz only on HDMI 3 and HDMI 4. If you want to connect a PS5, an Xbox and a gaming PC at the same time, you need enough VRR-capable inputs – or you'll be swapping cables.

Also check where eARC sits: HDMI 2 on the LG C6, HDMI 3 on the Hisense U7DSE. If a soundbar uses that port on the Hisense, one of the two 144Hz VRR ports is taken.

2. VRR and ALLM

VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) matches the TV's refresh rate to the game's fluctuating frame rate. PlayStation says this reduces stutter and screen tearing. VRR arrived on PS5 in a 2022 update and works with HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TVs. For games without native VRR support, the PS5 settings offer "Apply to Unsupported Games".

ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) switches the TV into game mode automatically when the console runs a game. PlayStation points out that not every HDMI 2.1 TV has ALLM, so check the spec sheet. On PC, the VRR variants are called G-Sync Compatible (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD).

3. Input lag vs. response time

These are two different numbers. Input lag is the delay between signal and picture; response time describes how quickly a pixel changes. Hisense lists game-mode input lag of ≤ 7 ms (55U7DSE) and ≤ 4 ms (65U7DSE), each with a 4K@120 signal. LG lists a pixel response time of under 0.1 ms for the C6 but no input lag figure. So don't compare apples with oranges.

4. OLED or Mini-LED

OLED (LG C6): every pixel emits its own light, giving true black and very fast pixels. Static elements such as HUDs can burn in over long periods; varied content and the TV's panel care features help.
Mini-LED (Hisense U7DSE): an LCD with many small LEDs as the backlight. Usually cheaper per inch and no burn-in risk, but black levels depend on the dimming control.

5. HDR formats

For consoles, HDR10 matters most. Xbox additionally supports Dolby Vision for games. LG says the C6 handles Dolby Vision Gaming at 4K@120Hz; Hisense lists Dolby Vision Gaming and HDR10+ Gaming for the U7DSE. HGiG (on the LG C6) keeps HDR tone mapping in line with the game's intent.

6. Size and space

On a desk, a 42-inch OLED is an alternative to a large monitor; in the living room, 55 or 65 inches are common. Before buying, check width, stand and VESA pattern if you plan to wall-mount. If a monitor suits you better, see the gaming monitor buying guide.

Four example models

Example model

For the desk: LG OLED42C6ELB (42-inch)

Per LG: 4K OLED, 120Hz native and VRR up to 165Hz, G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium, four HDMI inputs with 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, QMS and QFT, eARC on HDMI 2, 20W speakers (2.0), 932 × 540 × 41.1 mm without stand, 9.8 kg, VESA 300 × 200. LG says Brightness Booster only applies to the larger C6 sizes. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Panel: 4K OLED, 42-inch
Refresh rate: 120Hz native, VRR up to 165Hz
HDMI 2.1: 4 inputs with 4K@120, VRR, ALLM
eARC: HDMI 2
Model year: 2026

Right for you if the TV doubles as a PC monitor on your desk or sits in a small room.

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Example model

For the living room: LG OLED55C6ELB (55-inch)

Per LG: the same gaming feature set as the 42-inch model (four HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K@120, VRR up to 165Hz, ALLM, HGiG, Dolby Vision Gaming 4K@120), plus Brightness Booster, 40W speakers (2.2), Wi-Fi 6E, 1,222 × 703 × 45.1 mm without stand, 14.1 kg, VESA 300 × 200. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Panel: 4K OLED, 55-inch
Refresh rate: 120Hz native, VRR up to 165Hz
HDMI 2.1: 4 inputs with 4K@120, VRR, ALLM
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Model year: 2026

Right for you if you want to plug in a PS5, an Xbox and a PC at once without worrying about which port to use.

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Example model

Mini-LED, 55-inch: Hisense 55U7DSE

Per Hisense: 4K Mini-LED with native 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, input lag ≤ 7 ms at 4K@120, four HDMI 2.1 ports with ALLM, VRR up to 144Hz on HDMI 3 (with eARC) and HDMI 4, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, Dolby Vision Gaming, 2 × 10W + 20W audio, VIDAA operating system. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Panel: 4K Mini-LED, 55-inch
Refresh rate: 144Hz native
VRR: up to 144Hz on HDMI 3 and 4
Input lag: ≤ 7 ms (4K@120, per Hisense)
Model year: 2026

Right for you if you use one or two consoles and prefer Mini-LED over OLED.

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Example model

Big screen: Hisense 65U7DSE (65-inch)

Per Hisense: the same series at 65 inches, native 144Hz, input lag ≤ 4 ms at 4K@120, VRR up to 144Hz on HDMI 3 and HDMI 4, eARC on HDMI 3, 1,445 × 837 × 59 mm without stand, 18.6 kg without stand, VESA 400 × 300. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Panel: 4K Mini-LED, 65-inch
Refresh rate: 144Hz native
VRR: up to 144Hz on HDMI 3 and 4
Input lag: ≤ 4 ms (4K@120, per Hisense)
Model year: 2026

Right for you if you want a big living-room picture and two VRR inputs are enough.

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Matching soundbar

The built-in speakers are fine for many games; for more bass and a wider soundstage, a soundbar is the easiest step. Connect it via eARC and keep the console plugged straight into the TV's HDMI 2.1 port so 4K@120 and VRR stay intact. How that works and which models play Dolby Atmos from PS5 and Xbox is covered in the gaming soundbar buying guide.

Example model

Soundbar with 4K@120 passthrough: Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8

According to Sony: 5.0.2 channels with 11 speaker units, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, one HDMI input and one HDMI output with eARC, 4K/120Hz passthrough with VRR and ALLM, 1,100 × 64 × 113 mm. Handy when all of the TV's VRR inputs are taken. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Channels: 5.0.2, Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
HDMI: 1 × input (4K/120, VRR, ALLM), 1 × eARC
Width: 1,100 mm

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Alternative: gaming projector

If 65 inches isn't enough, a projector is an alternative. Keep in mind: according to BenQ's spec sheets, none of the projectors in our guide handles 4K at 120 Hz, and BenQ doesn't list VRR there. For story and racing games at 60 Hz that is often enough. Which specs matter and how far the projector has to sit from the wall is covered in the gaming projector buying guide.

Example model

Short-throw projector: BenQ TK705STi

According to BenQ: 4K, 4LED, 3,000 ANSI lumens, 5 ms input lag at 4K 60 Hz (60 Hz maximum), two HDMI 2.1 inputs with ALLM, eARC, Google TV and a 0.8 throw ratio. A 100-inch image needs only about 1.8 m by calculation. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

Resolution / refresh rate: 4K at up to 60 Hz
Input lag: 5 ms (4K/60 Hz, per BenQ)
HDMI: 2 × HDMI 2.1, ALLM, eARC

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Extra: light-sync backlighting

You can retrofit an LED strip behind the TV that extends the picture's colours onto the wall. For consoles, an HDMI sync box is the right tool. It sits between console and TV, so it has to pass through HDMI 2.1, otherwise you lose 4K120 and VRR. Such a box can't see apps running on the TV itself. Camera kits, PC solutions and matching light strips are compared in the TV backlight buying guide.

Example model

Sync box with HDMI 2.1: Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K

According to Philips: four HDMI inputs, one output, passthrough of 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz, HDMI Forum VRR and ALLM (no FreeSync/G-Sync), Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Syncs up to ten Hue lights; no light strip is included. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked October 2026).

HDMI: 4 × in, 1 × out (HDMI 2.1)
Passthrough: 8K60, 4K120, VRR, ALLM
Lights: up to 10 Hue lights

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How to set up console and TV

Connect the console directly to an HDMI 2.1 port on the TV, not through an AV receiver or switch. Xbox recommends passing audio to a soundbar or receiver via eARC.
Use the included cable or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable – more in the HDMI 2.1 cable buying guide.
Enable the TV's enhanced HDMI mode for that input. On LG, Xbox says it's called "HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color".
PS5: Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output: set Resolution to Automatic, Enable 120Hz Output to Automatic, and turn on VRR and ALLM.
Xbox: Settings → General → TV & display options → 4K TV details. Green checkmarks show what the input supports.
Keep TV and console firmware up to date. PlayStation and Xbox both list outdated firmware as a common cause of 4K@120 problems.

Quick checklist before buying

Enough HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K@120 and VRR for all your devices.
eARC on a port that doesn't block a gaming input.
ALLM on the spec sheet.
For PC: G-Sync/FreeSync and 144/165Hz.

For a gamepad to match, see the gaming controller buying guide; for more console storage, see the PS5 SSD buying guide.

FAQ

Do I really need HDMI 2.1 for the PS5?

For 4K at 120Hz and VRR, yes. PlayStation says the TV must support 4K@120 and the console must be on an HDMI 2.1 port. Without that, PlayStation Support notes you may get a blank screen or only 1080p at 120Hz.

Does a 144Hz or 165Hz TV help on console?

No. PS5 and Xbox Series X output up to 120Hz according to their makers. Higher refresh rates are only used by a gaming PC.

Why does my PS5 only show 1080p at 120Hz?

PlayStation lists these causes: a TV without 4K@120 support, outdated TV firmware, the wrong or an unsuitable cable, devices in between such as a receiver, or the wrong HDMI port.

Is OLED risky for gaming?

OLED can burn in with very long static images. If you spend many hours with the same HUD on screen, keep that in mind. Mini-LED doesn't have this risk.

What's the difference between input lag and response time?

Input lag is the time from input signal to picture; response time describes how quickly a pixel changes. For how a game feels, game-mode input lag matters more.

Can I use a gaming TV as a PC monitor?

Yes, over HDMI 2.1. A 42-inch model such as the LG OLED42C6ELB still fits on some desks. With G-Sync or FreeSync compatibility, VRR works on PC too.

Sources

As of October 2026. Technical details come from the manufacturers and the Amazon.de product pages we checked (ASINs in the text):

* Ad link: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon.de – the price stays the same for you.