Top TVs with HDMI 2.1 include the LG C4 and G4 OLEDs, Samsung S95D, and Sony Bravia 9, which all support 4K at 120Hz gaming and essential VRR features.
You managed to secure a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, or a high-end gaming PC. You have the power, but you might not be seeing the performance yet. Next-gen consoles require significant bandwidth to push 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. Older televisions simply cannot handle that data stream.
That is where HDMI 2.1 comes in. This standard opens the pipeline for smooth motion, variable refresh rates, and auto low latency modes. Upgrading to a compatible display ensures you stop playing with a handicap. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the current market leaders and value picks that fully support this connection standard.
Why You Need High Bandwidth For Modern Gaming
The jump from HDMI 2.0 to 2.1 was not just a small version bump. It massively increased the data transmission rate from 18 Gbps to 48 Gbps. This extra headroom allows for uncompressed video signals that previous generations choked on.
Bandwidth benefits:
- Higher frame rates — You can play at 120 frames per second (fps) in 4K, which makes shooter and racing games look incredibly fluid.
- Dynamic HDR — This allows the TV to adjust brightness and contrast scene-by-scene rather than using one static setting for a whole movie or game level.
- eARC support — Enhanced Audio Return Channel lets you pass high-quality, uncompressed audio like Dolby Atmos directly to your soundbar or receiver.
Premium OLED TVs With HDMI 2.1 Capabilities
OLED panels are widely considered the gold standard for gaming due to their near-instant pixel response times. When you combine that speed with full HDMI 2.1 support, you get an unmatched visual experience.
LG C4 And G4 OLED Series
LG remains the brand to beat for connectivity. Unlike many competitors that limit you to two high-speed ports, the C-Series and G-Series typically offer four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports. This is a massive advantage if you own multiple consoles and a gaming PC.
The C4 and G4 models support 4K at 144Hz, which is a nice bonus for PC gamers. They also include full support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, ensuring screen tearing is nonexistent.
Samsung S95D QD-OLED
Samsung uses a different OLED technology called QD-OLED. This delivers brighter colors and higher peak luminance than traditional WOLED panels. The S95D comes equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, all capable of 4K/144Hz signals.
Samsung also includes a dedicated “Game Bar” menu. This overlay lets you check your current frames per second, toggle HDR settings, and adjust aspect ratios on the fly without digging into deep settings menus.
Sony Bravia 8 And A95L
Sony TVs are specifically optimized for the PlayStation 5. When you connect a PS5 to a Bravia XR model like the A95L, the console automatically negotiates the best HDR settings for that specific panel. This feature, known as “Auto HDR Tone Mapping,” saves you from manual calibration.
However, you should note a port limitation. Most Sony models, including their high-end OLEDs, only feature two HDMI 2.1 ports. One of these is also the eARC port. If you use a soundbar, you are left with only one high-speed port for your consoles.
Top Mini-LED And QLED Models
Not everyone wants an OLED. If you play in a bright room, LED-based TVs often provide higher brightness levels that cut through glare. The top contenders here offer excellent gaming features, often at a lower price per inch.
Samsung QN90D Neo QLED
The QN90D is a Mini-LED powerhouse. It gets exceptionally bright, making it ideal for daytime gaming. Like its OLED siblings, it features four HDMI 2.1 ports.
This model excels at motion handling. LCD screens sometimes suffer from “ghosting” or trailing behind fast-moving objects, but Samsung’s motion interpolation tech keeps fast pans in first-person shooters looking sharp.
Hisense U8N Mini-LED
Hisense has aggressively targeted the gaming market by offering high-end specs for mid-range prices. The U8N supports up to 144Hz refresh rates for PC gaming and includes two high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports.
Value proposition:
- Full array local dimming — Provides deep blacks that rival more expensive units.
- Dolby Vision Gaming — Supports dynamic metadata for games on Xbox Series X.
TCL QM8
TCL is another brand delivering immense value. The QM8 gets incredibly bright, hitting peak nits that make explosions and magical effects pop off the screen. It supports 4K at 120Hz and 144Hz on specific ports.
The input lag on the QM8 is very low, hovering around 6ms at 120Hz. This responsiveness is critical for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Budget-Friendly 120Hz Options
You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to get HDMI 2.1. Several manufacturers have pushed this tech down into their mid-range lines. You might sacrifice some peak brightness or viewing angles, but the core connectivity remains.
Look for these models:
- TCL Q7 — Offers a native 120Hz panel and two high-speed ports at an aggressive price point.
- Hisense U7N — Similar to the U8N but with fewer local dimming zones; still retains the essential gaming features.
Key Features To Look For Beyond The Port
Just because a box says “HDMI 2.1” does not mean it supports every gaming feature. The official HDMI 2.1 specification allows manufacturers to claim support even if they only implement one or two features. You need to verify the specific capabilities below.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Frame rates in games are rarely stable. An intense explosion might drop your console from 60fps to 45fps for a second. On a standard TV, this drop causes stuttering or screen tearing.
VRR matches the TV’s refresh rate to the console’s output in real-time. This smoothes out the drops so you barely notice them. Look for generic VRR, AMD FreeSync, or NVIDIA G-Sync support on the spec sheet.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
TVs apply a lot of post-processing to movies to make them look good. This processing takes time, creating “input lag.” ALLM detects when you launch a game and automatically strips away that processing.
How it helps:
- Switch instantly — You don’t have to dig for the remote to change picture modes.
- Responsiveness — Ensures your button presses register on screen immediately.
The “Fake” HDMI 2.1 Trap
This is a critical warning for buyers. The licensing body for HDMI simplified the naming conventions recently. Now, even older HDMI 2.0 ports can technically be labeled as HDMI 2.1 if they support just one minor feature, like eARC or ALLM, even if they cannot do 4K at 120Hz.
Avoid the trap:
- Check the refresh rate — Ensure the panel is natively 120Hz, not 60Hz.
- Read the fine print — Look specifically for “4K@120Hz” support, not just the port generation name.
Cables And Accessories Considerations
Your new TV is only as good as the cable connecting it. The cable that came with your PS5 or Xbox Series X works perfectly. However, if you need a longer run, you cannot use that old cable from your drawer.
You must buy a cable labeled “Ultra High Speed HDMI.” These are certified to carry the full 48Gbps bandwidth. Standard “High Speed” cables max out at 18Gbps, which means you will lose the 120Hz signal or experience blackouts.
Setting Up Your Console For Best Performance
Plugging the cable in is step one. You often need to change settings on the TV itself to “unlock” the full bandwidth of the port. Manufacturers often ship TVs with these ports set to a “Standard” mode to ensure compatibility with older cable boxes.
LG Setup Steps
On LG webOS TVs, you usually need to enable “HDMI Deep Color.”
- Open Settings — Go to General and select Devices.
- Select HDMI Settings — Find the HDMI Deep Color option.
- Set to 4K — Ensure it is active for the port you are using.
Sony Setup Steps
Sony Google TVs hide this in the channel input settings.
- Go to Channels & Inputs — Select External Inputs.
- Change Signal Format — Set the port to “Enhanced Format” or “Enhanced Format (VRR).”
Samsung Setup Steps
Samsung generally detects the device automatically, but you should double-check “Input Signal Plus.”
- Navigate to External Device Manager — Locate Input Signal Plus.
- Toggle On — Activate it for the relevant HDMI port.
Audio Considerations With HDMI 2.1
Visuals are half the battle. Sound plays a massive role in immersion. HDMI 2.1 facilitates eARC, which is vital for modern soundbars.
If your TV has limited HDMI 2.1 ports (like many Sony or Hisense models), be careful with your routing. If you plug your console directly into a soundbar, that soundbar must also support HDMI 2.1 passthrough. Many older soundbars do not. If the soundbar blocks the 120Hz signal, the TV never receives it.
The safest route for limited-port TVs is to plug the console directly into the TV and use the eARC port solely for sending audio down to the soundbar. This guarantees your video signal remains uncompromised.
Future Proofing Your Entertainment Center
Buying a TV is a multi-year investment. While 8K gaming is theoretically possible over HDMI 2.1, it is not a reality for current consoles. Focus on 4K performance.
PC gaming is pushing boundaries faster than consoles. Graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 40-series can already push frame rates well beyond 120fps in 4K. If you are a PC gamer, prioritizing a TV with 144Hz support (like the Samsung S95D or TCL QM8) gives you room to grow as hardware improves.
Always verify the number of full-bandwidth ports. If you plan to own a PS5, an Xbox, and a PC, a TV with only two inputs will force you to buy an expensive HDMI 2.1 switch. Paying a little more upfront for an LG or Samsung model with four ports solves this headache permanently.