Cheapest 120Hz 4K TV for Gaming and Cinematic Viewing
In August 2016, the Xbox One S was one of the first gaming consoles capable of 4K streaming, but not 4K gaming. In November of the same year, the PlayStation 4 Pro launched with 4K gaming and streaming features. Soon after the announcement of the Xbox One X a year later, finding the cheapest 120Hz 4K TV at the time meant coughing up plenty of cash.
Which is the Cheapest 120Hz 4K TV
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Although the display technology has been in play for decades, it seeped into the mainstream back in 2010 when the popular video-sharing platform, YouTube, allowed users to access Ultra High Definition content. Consequently, you did not have to depend on dedicated equipment to take advantage of the high resolution. Eventually, the prices of 4K TVs began to fall drastically as the technology continued to mature because more manufacturers wanted to produce options for the growing market.
Currently, budget TV options capable of 120Hz and 4K are pretty common. Of course, these products are higher priced than counterparts offering a resolution of 1080p. However, the recommendations below will help you get excellent quality while not breaking the bank.
5 Best and Cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs
1. Samsung QLED Q70A Series 55-Inch 4K Smart TV QN55Q70AAFXZA-2021
- QUANTUM PROCESSOR 4K: Elevate your picture to 4K with machine...
- MOTION XCELERATOR TURBO plus: Exceptional motion enhancements up...
- DUAL LED Backlight: Dedicated warm and cool LED backlights...
- 100% COLOR VOLUME WITH QUANTUM DOT: A billion stay-true shades of...
- QUANTUM HDR: Go beyond HDTV with an expanded range of color.
The Samsung brand is well known for its quality products, and the QLED Q70A is no exception. Also, this model is one of the cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs in the company's line. Despite its budget target, the Q70A offers excellent picture quality and other features that set it apart.
Some of the crucial gaming technologies in this excellent TV include FreeSync Premium Pro with a variable refresh rate, ultra-low input lag and Auto Low Latency Mode. Also, you can take advantage of the Game Bar and the ultra-wide aspect ratio capability for your next-gen gaming. Plus, you can hook up your console and smartphone simultaneously with the multi-view feature that lets you split the screen and sound, depending on the connected devices. Since it is a 55-inch model, you have plenty of display real estate to use.
Image Source: Amazon.com
Although this model gives you deep blacks because of the impressive contrast ratio, you should avoid bright rooms or placing the TV where the sun directly hits the screen. In addition, you do not get local dimming zones on the Q70A.
Key Specifications
- Ports: two HDMI 2.o ports with one HDMI 2.1 port, Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, RF connection and digital audio output.
- Display Technology: LCD panel with quantum dots and an LED backlight: QLED.
- Peak Brightness: 600 nits.
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2. LG NanoCell 85 Series 50-Inch 4K Smart TV 55NANO85UNA
- REAL 4K NANOCELL DISPLAY: Over 8.3 million active pixels of 4K...
- LOCAL DIMMING: Lighting you'll love in your movies, sports, and...
- WEBOS AND MAGIC REMOTE: LG's fan-favorite webOS platform makes it...
- α7 GEN 3 PROCESSOR 4K: Your picture is made better, clearer, and...
- DOLBY VISION IQ AND DOLBY ATMOS: Dolby ups the action, driving...
If you are in the market for a large PC monitor or a gaming TV, few options can beat the LG 55NANO85UNA. The NanoCell technology utilizes a patented filtering layer above the LCD one to make the image quality vivid with deeper colors. So whether you watch movies, sports or play games, the picture will look realistically natural.
The impressive design of the LG 55NANO85UNA combines a slim profile, super-narrow bezels and a futuristic stand. These aesthetic choices complement the excellent contrast ratio, accurate colors and wider viewing angles. Additionally, you can connect your gaming PC and take advantage of the low input lag to keep you in the competition, VRR to smoothen the experience and HGiG profile to give you HDR game mode.
Image Source: Amazon.com
As for the downsides, local dimming on the LG 55NANO85UNA is pretty weak. Consequently, black uniformity suffers, making it difficult for the panel to balance the backlight and dark areas. Consequently, watching movies in dark rooms is not this TV's strong suit.
Key Specifications
- Ports: four HDMI ports (two 2.0 and two 2.1 options), Ethernet, RF input, 3 USB 2.0 ports and digital audio output.
- Display Technology: IPS LCD panel with edge-lit LED backlight with a NanoCell layer.
- Peak brightness: 560 nits.
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3. Hisense U8G ULED 55-Inch 4K TV 55U8G-2021
- 4K ULED: Like 4K great, but better. The 55U8G has our exclusive...
- Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut: See over one billion shades....
- Ultra Motion and 120Hz Native refresh rate: Ultra Motion removes...
- Dolby Vision Dolby Atmos: Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby...
- IMAX Enhanced: IMAX Enhanced brings the cinema experience home....
The Hisense ULED proprietary tech promises and delivers improved contrast, motion, color reproduction and brightness. In combination with the Quantum Dot technology in the Hisense U8G, the picture jumps to life in accuracy and brilliance. Is it not obvious why the 55U8G-2021 is one of the best and cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs?
Moreover, this model features a native refresh rate of 120Hz with Ultra Motion for one of the smoothest viewing experiences. So whether you want to delve into your favorite movies or watch sports, you will find it hard to detect any motion blur on this smart TV. Plus, Dolby Vision HDR, IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Atmos ensure your eyes and ears are satiated by whatever you are watching.
Image Source: Amazon.com
This model features gaming features like Auto Low Latency Mode, low input lag, Game Mode Pro and two HDMI 2.1 ports. However, there is a performance gap when you connect next-gen games consoles like PS5 or Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, the TV fails to take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate with Variable Refresh Rate since HDR does not work under these circumstances. Consequently, it gets pretty blurry with a lot of ghosting when gaming or hooking it up to your PC like a monitor.
Key Specifications
- Ports: 1 digital audio output, 1 earphone output, RCA video and audio input, 1 RF antenna, 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0, 2 HDMI 2.0 and 2 HDMI 2.1 ports.
- Display Technology: LCD panel with ULED proprietary technology.
- Peak Brightness: 1500 nits.
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4. TCL 6 Series QLED 55-Inch 4K TV 55R635
- Superior 4K Ultra HD: Picture clarity combined with the contrast,...
- Mini-LED Technology: Uncompromised contrast, brightness, and...
- Product Size (WxHxD) with Stand: 48.3" x 31.1" x 13.7"; Product...
- QLED: Quantum dot technology delivers better brightness and wider...
- Contrast Control Zones: Contrast is individually optimized across...
The TCL 6 Series 55R635 has plenty of features that make customers rave about its impressive picture quality at a bargain. This panel combines a mini LED backlight and Quantum Dot technology to create a blend that ensures you see a minimal halo effect when bright objects interact with the inky black background. In addition, the independently controlled zones ensure a high contrast ratio close to what OLED TVs offer.
Whether you want to put your TV on a wall with a standard VESA mount of 300mm x300mm or let it sit on a stand, it will look pretty futuristic. The legs help you with cable management, although you will need thin wires if you want to use all the ports simultaneously. Plus, the shiny finish on the chassis looks sleek with slim bezels that pull your attention to the smart TV.
Image Source: Amazon.com
Admittedly, this TV does not feature any HDMI 2.1 ports since attaining the 4k resolution limits you to a 60Hz refresh rate while 120 Hz gives you 1440p. Consequently, it may not be ideal for PC gaming or next-gen consoles rated for the refresh rate and resolution. Nevertheless, it features the THX-certified game mode making it excellent for gaming.
Key Specifications
- Ports: 1 USB port, 3.5 mm jack, AV input, TOSLINK connection, an Ethernet jack and 4 HDMI ports.
- Display Technology: a QLED panel with mini LED backlights.
- Peak Brightness: About 1000 nits in HDR and 700 for SDR.
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5. Sony X85J 43-Inch 4K TV KD43X85J- 2021
- 4K HDR PROCESSOR X1 – Powerful TV processing that delivers a...
- MOTIONFLOW XR WITH NATIVE 120HZ REFRESH RATE– On-screen motion...
- TRILUMINOS PRO – Reproduces more colors than a conventional TV...
- GOOGLE TV – Seamlessly browse 700,000+ movies and TV episodes...
- 4K X-REALITY PRO – Our unique 4K database upscales all the HD...
Although this is the smallest TV on our list, the 43-inch screen size in the Sony X85J, the 4k UHD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate makes it an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts, movie buffs and gamers. In addition, this smart TV has Motionflow XR and Triluminos Pro technologies for smoothing motion and reproducing a wide color gamut for your viewing pleasure. Furthermore, the 4K X-Reality Pro is excellent at upscaling HD content to bring out vivid details and textures.
This panel's contrast is exceptional despite the lack of local dimming zones. Hence, the bright sections leak into the blacks while the grayscale lacks proper definition between different shades. In addition, the viewing angles are pretty poor, so you do not have free range on where to sit when enjoying media content on the smart TV.
Image Source: Amazon.com
Key Specifications
- Ports: 4HDMI inputs divided equally for 2.0 and 2.1, 2 USB slots for 3.0 and 2.0, digital and analog audio outputs, composite, IR, Ethernet and Tuner.
- Display Technology: LCD VA panel with direct-lit LED.
- Peak Brightness: A little over 500 nits.
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Should You Prioritize 4K Resolution at 120Hz for a TV?
Image Source: Flickr.com
Although 120hz 4K TVs represent the current top tier in consuming media at home, there are other features to consider before buying one. In addition, whether you plan on playing games or streaming video content, your choice should fit your use and offer versatility. Plus, you need it to be bright enough for your living room or bedroom, regardless of the usual lighting conditions.
Buying 120Hz 4K TVs will ensure you can consume what the future of entertainment offers. Moreover, you can take advantage of these specs through some modern games and streaming services with a new TV so that you do not need an upgrade soon. But, of course, since most modern TVs are pretty pricey, you can rely on quality budget models for future-proofing.
Display technologies are crucial to figuring out whether you'll get wide viewing angles, deep blacks and sufficient brightness on your panel. OLED tech is at the echelon of picture quality, but their price tags are often prohibitive. Fortunately, many manufacturers are going around the cost issue by combining LCD panels with either mini LEDs or other technologies.
Hence, you can get an affordable TV that is surprisingly close to the image richness of OLEDs. After all, when you are chilling in your power recliner at the side and getting a warm massage, you should not have to move to see the images better. Plus, we can advise you on where to position your TV for the ultimate viewing pleasure.
Finally, it is advisable to comb through reviews when shopping for a TV, as user feedback can help you determine your option's suitability. Whether gaming, cinema or using the panel as a PC monitor, some choices may be better at some things and poor at others. So, unless you can stretch deep into your pocket for an OLED, take time to understand what you are in for before the purchase.