Is it worth buying a 120Hz TV?

What is refresh rate and what does Hz (hertz) mean?

A TV‘s refresh rate, also known as its hertz (Hz), refers to how many times per second the display updates to show a new image. The higher the refresh rate, the more fluid the motion on the screen appears.

Standard TVs and monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate. This means they redraw the image on the screen 60 times per second. Newer 120Hz TVs refresh at 120 times per second, twice as fast.

Is there a noticeable difference between 60Hz vs 120Hz?

In short, yes – the faster refresh rate of a 120Hz TV makes motion look significantly smoother compared to traditional 60Hz. Quick camera pans, sports, video games, and action scenes all benefit. A 120Hz refresh rate effectively halves perceived blur, creating sharper visuals with reduced judder.

Many experts consider 120Hz to be the "sweet spot" where the improvements become clearly apparent over 60Hz. Going beyond 120Hz to even faster 144Hz or 240Hz refresh rates does not provide such an obvious boost in motion quality for most viewers.

Why does a 120Hz refresh rate matter for gaming?

A 120Hz TV takes full advantage of the higher frame rates possible on modern gaming PCs and consoles. For example, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can output games at up to 120 frames per second (fps) when paired with compatible 120Hz displays.

Since the TV refreshes twice as often compared to 60Hz, it can display each frame the GPU renders without skipping any in between. This makes your gaming experience incredibly smooth and responsive, with lower input lag. Fast-paced competitive online multiplayer titles really benefit.

For the best performance, you want your TV‘s refresh rate to match the console‘s frame rate – so 120Hz is ideal for up to 120fps gaming.

Do you need a 120Hz TV for watching sports and movies?

A higher refresh rate is always welcome for sports, since it can better keep up with fast motion like a football or hockey puck. However, 60Hz is usually fine for most content outside of gaming. Movies and TV shows are typically shot at 24 or 30 frames per second, so 120Hz offers limited advantage.

That said, 120Hz does future-proof your TV for higher frame rate media. Native 4K/120fps video is beginning to emerge, and a 120Hz screen ensures fluid playback. Overall, it‘s nice to have but not absolutely essential for non-interactive entertainment.

Do you need HDMI 2.1 for 4K 120Hz?

HDMI 2.1 provides the extra bandwidth required for 4K resolution at 120Hz. It can also enable key gaming-focused features like variable refresh rate (VRR).

However, it is possible to achieve 4K 120Hz on screens with HDMI 2.0 ports using chroma subsampling to reduce bandwidth requirements. So HDMI 2.1 is recommended but not mandatory. Just make sure your specific TV model supports 4K 120Hz over HDMI 2.0 before purchase.

How do OLED and other features affect the refresh rate need?

OLED TVs are renowned for their exceptional motion handling due to their fast pixel response times. As such, many viewers find even 60Hz OLEDs provide smooth, blur-free motion rivaling 120Hz LCDs.

Other features like black frame insertion (BFI) and motion interpolation can further compensate on 60Hz sets. Ultimately, OLED quality and processing can outweigh refresh rate depending on your priorities. But 120Hz OLEDs are ideal for gaming.

Is 240Hz better than 120Hz for TVs?

While 240Hz screens are superior on paper, most experts agree that the leap from 120Hz to 240Hz is barely perceivable in real world viewing. Only competitive esports gamers are likely to benefit.

For everyone else, 120Hz delivers the "sweet spot" of noticeably better motion over 60Hz, without the price premium of 240Hz+ displays. Since achieving 240fps at 4K is extremely demanding even for top-end hardware, 120Hz makes more sense for TV usage.

"Motion Rate 120" vs native 120Hz – what‘s the difference?

Manufacturers sometimes use vague "Motion Rate" numbers instead of true refresh rate. For example, "Motion Rate 120" does NOT mean a native 120Hz panel – it‘s likely 60Hz with optional motion smoothing effects.

Always check reviews and technical specs to confirm the actual, native refresh rate. This determines true performance potential. Motion rating numbers are just marketing fluff in comparison.

What‘s the best budget 120Hz 4K TV option?

The TCL 6-Series offers outstanding performance and features at an affordable price. It supports 4K 120Hz gaming over HDMI 2.1, with excellent low input lag and VRR support. The image quality, HDR performance and smart TV experience are also great for the cost.

For cheaper alternatives, Vizio‘s M-Series Quantum line is worth considering. While they lack HDMI 2.1, certain models can accept 4K 120Hz signals through chroma subsampling on HDMI 2.0b ports.

Is a 1080p 120Hz TV better than a 4K 60Hz model?

This depends on your priorities. At typical viewing distances, 4K resolution provides a noticeably sharper image compared to 1080p, with more detailed textures and objects. However, 1080p 120Hz will deliver much smoother motion.

For gaming, competitive multiplayer titles favor the higher refresh rate for lower latency and fluidity. But single player games with stunning visuals benefit more from 4K clarity. Ultimately both display specs have trade-offs, so choose based on personal preference.

How large should my TV be to see the 120Hz difference?

Bigger screen sizes naturally make high refresh rates like 120Hz more impactful, by increasing visible motion resolution. Most experts suggest a minimum of 55 inches to fully appreciate an upgrade from 60Hz to 120Hz.

When it comes to 4K resolution, bigger is also better. You need a fairly large screen – 50 inches or more – for 4K to provide a notable bump in perceived clarity over 1440p or 1080p on a TV.

So ideally, choose a TV that‘s both 120Hz and reasonably large if you want the most compelling improvements. Aim for 55 inches or larger if possible.

What viewing distance do I need for a 120Hz TV?

To discern the advantages of 120Hz refresh rates, you should sit within 1.5 times the screen height. For a 55-inch TV, that means about 5 feet away. This ensures tiny details in motion are apparent, rather than blending together.

Naturally, move closer for smaller screens – around 3.5 feet for a 42 inch 120Hz TV, for example. As a general rule of thumb, sit no further than 1.5x the vertical height to get the full 120Hz experience. Any further and the higher refresh rate becomes less impactful.

The bottom line – is a 120Hz TV worth buying?

If you have or plan on getting a gaming PC or console that can output over 60fps, a 120Hz TV is highly recommended for the smoother, more responsive gameplay. For non-interactive entertainment, it‘s less crucial but still provides a nicer viewing experience.

When purchasing a 120Hz TV, prioritize screen size and HDMI 2.1 capability. And make sure to sit close enough to appreciate the faster refresh rate. If your usage is focused on gaming, it‘s absolutely worth investing in.