How to Choose a TV for PS5

The short answer

For most PS5 owners who want to use the console's higher-performance features, look for a TV with:

• A native 120Hz panel
• At least one HDMI input that supports the required 4K/120 signal
• VRR support compatible with PS5
• A dedicated Game Mode with low input latency
• HDR support if you want HDR games to display correctly
• Enough suitable HDMI ports for your console, soundbar, and other devices

You do not automatically need the most expensive gaming TV. If you mainly play at 60 frames per second, use a soundbar through eARC, or rarely play competitive games, some higher-end features may have little practical value.

The right choice depends on your target frame rate, other devices, room size, and whether you value picture quality more than maximum responsiveness.

Start with the console, games, and target frame rate

A PS5 can support 4K output, HDR, and up to 120 frames per second in games that offer a suitable performance mode. However, the console does not make every game run at 120fps. The game, display mode, and visual settings all matter.

Decide which of these descriptions fits you:

How you play	Sensible TV target
Mostly story games and slower-paced titles	4K, HDR, and good Game Mode performance; 60Hz may be sufficient
A mix of single-player and competitive games	4K, 120Hz, compatible HDMI input, VRR, and low latency
Competitive games where responsiveness is important	120Hz, low input latency, VRR, and a reliable Game Mode
PS5 plus a gaming PC	Choose for the highest target shared by both systems, checking the PC's GPU and output ports

A 120Hz TV does not force games to run at 120fps. It gives the console a display capable of showing higher frame rates when a game supports them. Conversely, a 60Hz TV cannot show the full benefit of a 120fps output.

Match the TV to your PC, too

If you will also connect a PC, start with the graphics card rather than the TV's marketing claims. Check:

• The maximum resolution and refresh rate your GPU can output
• Which HDMI or DisplayPort connection the GPU uses
• Whether the TV supports the PC's required signal through that specific input
• Whether VRR works across the console and PC connection
• Whether your preferred PC resolution is supported without an inconvenient scaling mode

A TV can be an excellent PS5 display while being a poor fit for a particular PC setup. Confirm the complete signal path before buying.

Understand the gaming specifications that actually matter

Native panel refresh rate

The panel's native refresh rate is the display's real maximum refresh capability. A TV advertised with a motion-enhancement number or a higher-sounding processing rate is not necessarily a 120Hz gaming TV.

For PS5 gaming:

• A 60Hz panel is appropriate for a 60fps target.
• A native 120Hz panel is the practical target for games that support 120fps.
• Motion interpolation is not a substitute for a 120Hz gaming panel. It can add processing and is generally not the same as receiving a 120fps game signal.

Ask for the native refresh rate and the supported gaming input modes, not just the manufacturer's motion-number branding.

HDMI bandwidth and input support

HDMI bandwidth determines which combinations of resolution, refresh rate, color format, and HDR the TV can accept. A TV may have a 120Hz panel but lack an input that accepts the signal you want.

The important question is not simply “Does this TV have HDMI 2.1?” Instead, check the exact input specifications:

• Does at least one port accept 4K at 120Hz?
• Does that port support HDR at the same time?
• Does it support VRR at your intended resolution and refresh rate?
• Are all HDMI ports equivalent, or is only one suitable for gaming?
• Does using eARC occupy the same port you need for the console?

A simplified way to think about uncompressed data demand is:

Data demand = resolution × refresh rate × bits per pixel

Connection overhead, chroma subsampling, compression, and the TV's processing support affect the final requirement, so this formula is for comparison rather than a precise compatibility test. The TV's manual or detailed specification page should confirm the supported PS5 mode.

If a TV has only one high-bandwidth HDMI input, connect the PS5 directly to it. Do not assume an older switch, receiver, or soundbar will pass the same signal. Verify every device in the chain.

VRR

Variable refresh rate synchronizes the TV's refresh timing with the console's frame output. When a game's frame rate changes, VRR can reduce visible tearing and make uneven performance feel smoother.

VRR is most useful when:

• A game does not maintain a perfectly stable frame rate
• You switch between performance and quality modes
• You play titles with variable frame rates
• You want smoother motion without forcing a fixed refresh rate

Check the supported VRR range and whether VRR works at the resolution you plan to use. A TV that merely lists VRR may not support every combination of resolution, refresh rate, and HDR.

VRR is helpful, but it does not turn a 30fps game into a 120fps game. It also cannot fix a game with severe stutter or poor frame pacing.

Input latency

Input latency is the delay between your controller input and the result appearing on screen. It is different from refresh rate:

• Refresh rate determines how often the screen can update.
• Input latency measures how quickly the TV responds to the incoming signal.

Look for independent input-lag measurements for the exact TV model and gaming mode when available. Do not treat a TV's motion-processing specification as a latency rating.

Game Mode usually reduces processing to improve responsiveness. Its trade-off may include less image processing or different picture controls. For competitive play, responsiveness is usually more valuable than extra motion smoothing.

ALLM and Game Mode

Auto Low Latency Mode, or ALLM, allows a compatible source to request a low-latency mode automatically. This is convenient, but it is not a replacement for checking actual latency.

A good gaming setup should let you:

• Enable Game Mode manually if automatic switching is unreliable
• Keep HDR active when the game supports it
• Adjust brightness and tone mapping without disabling low-latency operation
• Use VRR without losing the main gaming mode

Must-have versus optional PS5 features

The right priorities depend on your target frame rate.

Usually worth prioritizing

Native 120Hz: Choose this if you want to use PS5 games' 120fps modes.

A suitable high-bandwidth HDMI input: Needed for the higher-resolution, higher-refresh combinations supported by the console. Confirm the exact mode rather than relying on the HDMI version label.

VRR: Particularly useful for variable frame rates and performance modes.

Low input latency in Game Mode: Important for competitive games and worthwhile for general play.

HDR support: Necessary to display HDR games as intended, although HDR quality depends on the panel, brightness, contrast, tone mapping, and the game's implementation.

Useful but not essential for everyone

ALLM: Convenient if you want the TV to switch into Game Mode automatically.

Multiple high-bandwidth HDMI inputs: Valuable if you have a PS5, gaming PC, and another high-performance source.

eARC: Useful for sending higher-quality audio formats to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver. It does not improve the video signal itself.

Advanced gaming menus: On-screen frame-rate information, shadow controls, and similar tools may help some players, but they should not outweigh core picture and compatibility requirements.

Higher-than-120Hz support: This may matter for a PC setup, but it does not make a PS5 produce more than the frame rate supported by the game and console.

Consider the picture-quality trade-offs

Gaming specifications are only part of the decision.

OLED versus LCD

OLED and LCD TVs can both be suitable for PS5 gaming. Their trade-offs are more important than the technology label alone:

• OLED models are often chosen for deep blacks and fast pixel response.
• LCD models may appeal when you prioritize a bright room, a particular screen size, or a lower price.
• Brightness, contrast, viewing angle, screen finish, and motion performance vary by model.
• Pixel response and input latency are separate measurements. A fast panel does not guarantee low processing latency.

Do not buy a panel type solely because it is described as a gaming display. Check the actual gaming behavior and the room conditions where the TV will be used.

HDR and Game Mode trade-offs

HDR can make compatible games look more dynamic, but the result depends on the TV's image performance and calibration. A TV may accept an HDR signal without producing the same visual impact as another TV.

Also check whether:

• HDR remains available in the TV's low-latency mode
• Brightness controls behave differently in Game Mode
• The TV applies aggressive tone mapping
• You can adjust HDR on the PS5 after installation

The PS5's HDR calibration should be performed after the TV is set up in the picture mode you intend to use.

Plan the HDMI ports before you buy

Count all devices you may connect directly:

• PS5
• Gaming PC
• Xbox or another console
• Streaming box
• Blu-ray player
• Soundbar or AV receiver
• HDMI switch

Then identify which devices need the highest-bandwidth ports. A common problem is buying a TV with one suitable gaming input and later adding a PC or second console.

Direct connection versus receiver or soundbar

Connecting the PS5 directly to the TV can simplify 4K/120Hz, VRR, and HDR compatibility. Audio can then return to a soundbar or receiver through eARC, provided the TV and audio equipment support the desired audio formats.

Connecting the console through an AV receiver can be convenient, but the receiver must pass the PS5's video signal correctly. If it does not, connect the PS5 directly to the TV and use eARC for audio.

Do not assume an HDMI switch, receiver, or soundbar is compatible just because the TV is.

What you can skip

You may not need to pay extra for:

• A refresh rate above your actual gaming target
• Multiple high-bandwidth inputs if you have only one compatible source
• Gaming dashboard features you will never use
• A premium panel when you mainly play in a bright room and value screen size
• Extremely low latency beyond what your games and play style require
• A sound system's gaming pass-through features if you will connect the PS5 directly to the TV

The exception is future-proofing. If you expect to add a gaming PC or another console soon, paying for an additional capable HDMI input may be more sensible than replacing the TV or adding a switch later.

PS5 gaming-TV checklist

Before buying, confirm these points for the exact TV model:

• [ ] The panel has the refresh rate required for your target frame rate.
• [ ] At least one HDMI input accepts the PS5 signal you want to use.
• [ ] 4K, high refresh rate, HDR, and VRR can work together if that is your target.
• [ ] VRR is supported over the relevant HDMI input and has a useful operating range.
• [ ] Game Mode has independently measured or clearly documented low input latency.
• [ ] HDR remains available in Game Mode.
• [ ] You have enough suitable HDMI ports for your console, PC, and other devices.
• [ ] Your soundbar or receiver will not block the video features you want.
• [ ] The TV fits your room and viewing distance.
• [ ] The price reflects features you will actually use.

After installation, use the PS5's screen and video settings to confirm the output resolution, HDR, 120Hz output, and VRR status. Game support still varies, so test with the games you actually play.

When you are ready to compare models against your room, devices, and budget, Browse TVs on TVFit.