Is a 120Hz TV Good for Gaming?

If you're looking for a new TV for gaming, choosing between 60Hz and 120Hz is an essential decision you'll need to make.

While there are lots of choices you'll need to make when buying a new TV for your PS5 or your Xbox Series X, consumers often focus on 4K resolutions over refresh rates. Despite this, both are important.

So, with that in mind, will a 120Hz TV be enough for your console gaming setup?

Is 120Hz TV Good for Gaming?

With a 120Hz TV, you should be able to reach a consistent 120FPS on your PS5 or Xbox Series X console, which is the maximum framerate these next-gen consoles support.

At the time of writing, only a select few PS5 games - such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Destiny 2, and Fortnite - currently support 120FPS. This is likely to change in the future as more developers turn their attention to the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

This means that opting for more expensive TVs that may offer 144Hz or 240Hz may be slight overkill for the most recent consoles. This is similar to how an 8K TV is also unnecessary for these devices.

Does 120Hz Make a Difference for Gaming?

If you're looking for the best monitor for competitive gaming when playing titles that rely on quick reactions and reflexes, having a 120Hz device may give you that slight edge in some situations.

For First-Person-Shooters such as Warzone or Fortnite, a higher refresh rate is essential. 120Hz will ensure your games render much more smoothly and with less blur, meaning that it is easier to accurately hit your shots when opponents are moving.

Even for games that don't need as quick reflexes, high refresh rates can help to prevent you from straining your eyes which, if you're about to embark on a marathon gaming session, is pretty useful.

Is 120Hz Better Than 4K?

Comparing a 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate is like comparing apples with oranges. Both offer different gaming enhancements, with a 4K display giving players a higher quality display, while 120Hz gives smoother visuals.

However, if you're stuck between picking up a 4K TV for your PS5 and a 1440p gaming monitor with 120Hz, for example, you may need to decide which to prioritise.

Either way, both products will offer an improvement on a standard 1080p, 60Hz monitor. If you want to prioritise visual output for watching TV or taking in the detailed landscapes of Horizon Forbidden West, for example, a 4K TV may be the best option. If you want the smoothest gameplay that can give you a competitive edge in Warzone or the upcoming Battlefield 2042, you might prefer a 120Hz TV.

READ MORE: Do you need HDMI 2.1 for 120hz gaming?