The PS5 is an incredibly powerful next-gen console capable of stunning 4K resolution, high frame rates up to 120fps, ray tracing, and ultra-low lag times. But to unleash the full potential of your PS5, you need a compatible TV or monitor that can keep up with what this beastly console can output.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about finding the perfect TV or display for your PS5 so you can enjoy the smoothest gameplay and jaw-dropping visuals.
Why You Need HDMI 2.1 for PS5 Gaming
The PS5 comes equipped with an HDMI 2.1 port which provides higher bandwidth capable of 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rate. This is a major upgrade from the HDMI 2.0 ports found on PS4 and most TVs.
To take full advantage of your PS5‘s performance and play games smoothly in 4K resolution with 120fps frame rates, you need a TV with HDMI 2.1 ports. TVs with only HDMI 2.0 ports will be limited to 4K at 60Hz or 1440p at 120Hz.
Having HDMI 2.1 future-proofs your TV for not just the PS5 but also the Xbox Series X and high-end gaming PCs. So it‘s highly recommended when buying a new TV.
Aim for a 120Hz Refresh Rate
The PS5 is designed to enable gaming at up to 120 frames per second (fps). This results in much smoother motion and more responsive gameplay.
But to actually see those high fps in action, your TV needs to have a 120Hz refresh rate. This allows the TV to refresh the image on screen up to 120 times per second, in sync with the high frame rate output of the PS5.
A 60Hz refresh rate TV will be limited to 60fps and you won‘t get the full benefit of the PS5‘s boosted performance. Go for a 120Hz or higher refresh rate for ultra-smooth gaming.
Response Time Matters Too
In addition to refresh rate, you also want your TV to have a fast response time. Response time measures how quickly the pixels can change colors which directly impacts input lag.
Faster response times reduce input lag, which is the delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the reaction on screen. For competitive gaming, input lag should be kept as low as possible.
Look for TVs with response times of 5ms or less in game mode. LG‘s OLED TVs have some of the fastest response times measured in 1ms which is lighting fast.
TV vs Monitor for PS5 Gaming
When choosing a display for your PS5, you have two main options – TVs or computer monitors. Here‘s an overview of their pros and cons:
TVs
- Larger screen sizes – ideal for playing on the couch
- Built-in speakers – no need for separate audio setup
- Designed for long viewing sessions
- HDR support for improved contrast and colors
- More affordable at larger sizes like 55" or 65"
Monitors
- Faster response times – less input lag
- Higher refresh rates like 144Hz-240Hz
- Smaller footprint – great for desks
- Adjustable stands with tilt/swivel
- Narrow bezels maximize screen space
For a living room setup, a 55" or 65" TV is recommended. But for competitive multiplayer gaming at a desk, a 24"-27" high refresh rate monitor may be the better choice.
4K Resolution Brings Out the Best Visuals
To take full advantage of the stunning visuals and details in PS5 games, you want a 4K Ultra HD TV. At 3840 x 2160 resolution, 4K offers over 8 million pixels for unparalleled image clarity and depth.
Many new games on PS5 like Horizon Forbidden West are optimized for 4K. On a lower resolution 1080p TV, you‘ll miss out on all those extra details and textures. Upgrading your older 1080p TV to a new 4K model is highly recommended for PS5.
4K TVs also tend to have premium features like high dynamic range (HDR), wider color gamuts, and HDMI 2.1 support. These enhance visuals even further with expanded contrast, vibrant colors, and smoother motion.
HDR Takes Graphics to the Next Level
Beyond just resolution, HDR or high dynamic range transforms the visual experience with darker blacks, brilliant whites, and a wider range of color.
HDR enables greater contrast between the lightest and darkest points on screen. Combined with a wider color gamut, HDR makes games look more realistic than ever before. Once you game in HDR, you won‘t want to go back.
The PS5 supports the latest HDR standards including HDR10 and Dolby Vision. To enjoy HDR gaming, your TV will need to support HDR as well as HDMI 2.1.
1080p TVs Can Still Deliver Decent Performance
While 4K TVs are highly recommended for the optimal PS5 experience, a 1080p TV can still deliver decent performance in most games. You‘ll be limited to 1080p resolution without HDR, but newer 1080p sets have good motion handling and low input lag.
The PS5 will automatically downsample games to match your TV‘s resolution. So while you won‘t get 4K quality, the image will still look crisp and play smoothly on a 1080p display.
If upgrading to 4K is not feasible right now due to budget constraints, a newer 1080p TV with HDMI 2.1 support will still provide good performance until you can upgrade.
What‘s the Right Screen Size for 4K Gaming?
To benefit from the enhanced detail 4K offers, you want to choose a screen size appropriate for your seating distance. The closer you sit, the more you‘ll notice 4K‘s impact.
Here are some recommended TV sizes based on viewing distance:
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5 to 7 ft away – 55" or 65" TV
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7 to 9 ft away – 65" or 75" TV
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9 to 12 ft away – 75" or 85" TV
Anything smaller than 55 inches will minimize the 4K difference at typical living room seating distances. Go as big as your space can accommodate so you don‘t miss out on any visual details.
Our Top TV Recommendations for PS5
Based on all the criteria discussed above, here are our top picks for the best TVs to buy for your PS5:
LG C2 OLED – The new 2022 LG C2 OLED TV hits all the right notes for next-gen gaming with 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, 120Hz refresh rate, ultra-fast response time and gorgeous OLED picture quality.
LG G1 OLED – Last year‘s G1 OLED offers similar elite performance and amazing OLED visuals with HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz support. It‘s a top choice if you can find it on sale.
Samsung QN90B Neo QLED – Samsung‘s new 2022 QN90B TV combines a bright QLED panel and advanced mini-LED backlighting for impressive HDR visuals with great gaming features.
Sony X90K LED – The Sony X90K 4K LED TV delivers great picture quality with HDMI 2.1 ports and 120Hz for under $1000 for the 55-inch model. A budget-friendly option.
LG C1 OLED – LG‘s 2021 C1 OLED still holds up strong as an exceptional high-end gaming TV, now available at discounted prices.
Will an HDMI 2.0 Cable Work for 4K 120Hz?
The PS5 comes bundled with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable which is designed to support 4K 120Hz gaming. This is an HDMI 2.1 certified cable.
You can also use any Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for PS5 as those are built to the latest 2.1 specs. This enables the full 48Gbps bandwidth required for 4K 120Hz HDR.
Standard HDMI cables and older High Speed HDMI cables are only rated up to 18Gbps which limits you to 4K 60Hz or 1440p 120Hz.
While those legacy cables will still work, you won‘t get the complete PS5 experience. Upgrade to an Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable to connect your PS5 for the best performance.
Expect Stunning 4K Graphics in Most PS5 Games
The powerful PS5 console has been designed from the ground up to deliver 4K gaming. Almost all PS5 titles run natively at 4K resolution without any upscaling tricks.
Majority of the PS5 exclusive blockbusters like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Gran Turismo 7 are 4K 60fps with advanced effects. And many cross-platform games like Call of Duty offer 4K 120fps modes on PS5.
With the PS5‘s cutting-edge graphics engine, you can expect true native 4K gaming in a majority of titles. This makes a 4K TV essential to unlock the system‘s full visual splendor.
Higher Framerates Give You a Competitive Edge
Higher frame rates enabled by your TV‘s 120Hz refresh rate provide tangible competitive benefits in fast-paced multiplayer games.
When playing at 60fps, there‘s up to 16.7 milliseconds of delay between frames. But at 120fps, this lag is reduced by half to 8.3 milliseconds only.
The faster response translates into much smoother aiming, tracking and reacting in online shooters like Call of Duty. Your hits land faster and you can quickly evade attacks.
With a 120Hz display, you‘ll gain an edge over players on 60Hz TVs in any competitive scenario. Esports pros always opt for the highest refresh rates for this reason.
Optimize Your Picture Settings for PS5
To get the fastest response times from your TV, be sure to set the display to Game Mode. Disable any extra video processing like motion smoothing.
Game Mode reduces input lag which should be your priority for PS5 gaming. It also unlocks chroma 4:4:4 subsampling for sharper text and details.
Adjust HDR settings based on the room lighting. Optimize HDMI black levels, brightness, and local dimming based on the game. Also match the PS5 RGB range setting to your TV for accurate colors.
Tweak your PS5 display settings to automatically switch to 120Hz output only for supported games and disable 120Hz mode for media apps to prevent judder.
Level Up Your PS5 Gaming Experience
The PS5 pushes the limits of console gaming to new heights. But you need an equally capable TV to tap into the system‘s full power.
Prioritize essential gaming features like HDMI 2.1, fast response times, and 120Hz refresh rate when choosing a display. This allows you to experience ultra-smooth 4K gaming with jaw-dropping visuals just as the developers intended.
With the right display, you can transform your PS5 gaming into an immersive visual spectacle. We hope this guide helps you find your perfect TV match to unlock the ultimate next-gen experience. Game on!
