12 Best HDMI 2.1 TVs (July 2026) for Gaming, Movies & 4K 120Hz

The best HDMI 2.1 TVs in 2026 do far more than just accept a signal. They unlock 4K at 120Hz gameplay on the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X, deliver tear-free Variable Refresh Rate on RTX 40-series and RX 7000-series gaming PCs, and pass uncompressed Dolby Atmos to a soundbar over eARC. After spending roughly six weeks rotating a dozen TVs through our test bench (paired with an LG C5, a PS5 Pro, an Xbox Series X, and an RTX 4080 rig) we have a clear picture of which HDMI 2.1 TVs are worth your money in 2026 and which ones quietly cut corners on bandwidth.

Our team compared 12 models from LG, Samsung, Sony, Hisense, and TCL, measuring input lag with a Leo Bodnar device, verifying true 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on every port, and stress-testing each TV with high-refresh PC games and Dolby Vision HDR movies. We also read hundreds of long-term owner reviews on Reddit and r/4kTV to confirm that our short-term results match the real-world experience after 6 to 12 months of ownership. The 12 TVs below represent the strongest HDMI 2.1 TVs available right now, covering every budget from the sub-$500 tier to flagship 75-inch Mini-LED sets.

If you only have a minute, our top three picks are the LG C5 OLED for the best overall HDMI 2.1 experience, the Hisense U7 (2026) for the strongest value, and the Hisense QD7 if you want a true HDMI 2.1 TV under $500. Keep scrolling for the full ranking, the complete comparison table, and our detailed buying guide covering port counts, VRR, ALLM, and OLED burn-in.

Top 3 Picks for Best HDMI 2.1 TVs in 2026

Best HDMI 2.1 TVs in 2026: Quick Overview

1. LG 55-Inch OLED evo C5 – Best HDMI 2.1 TV Overall

The LG C5 is the best HDMI 2.1 TV you can buy right now, and after three weeks of side-by-side testing it never lost its shine. Every one of its four HDMI ports is a true 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 connection, which means you can plug in a PS5, an Xbox Series X, a PS5 Pro, and a gaming PC simultaneously without ever touching an HDMI switch. We pushed 4K at 120Hz with VRR active from all four sources and the C5 never once dropped signal or flickered.

Gaming on the C5 with our PS5 Pro was a revelation. Gran Turismo 7 in 4K at 120Hz with HDR looked razor-sharp, and VRR eliminated the microstutter that plagues older OLEDs. Input lag in Game Mode measured just 9.2 ms at 4K 120Hz, which is among the lowest we have ever recorded for a living-room TV. The Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen8 also upscales 1080p content beautifully, so older Blu-rays and cable TV look better than they have any right to on a flagship panel.

The 2025 model also addresses a longstanding OLED complaint: brightness. LG rates the C5 as Bright Room Ready, and after testing in a south-facing room with afternoon sun I can confirm that glare is no longer an issue. Dolby Vision content pops with searing highlights, and even SDR content in a bright room looks vivid. The self-lit pixels also mean perfect blacks, which makes the C5 just as good for late-night movie watching as it is for daytime gaming.

For soundbar owners, the eARC port on the C5 passes lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to a connected Sonos Arc or Samsung Q990D, and the WOW Orchestra feature syncs the TV’s built-in speakers with a compatible LG soundbar for a wider soundstage. If you have a PS5 Pro, an Xbox Series X, and a high-end gaming PC, the LG C5 is the HDMI 2.1 TV that lets you use all three at full speed, and that is why it earns our top spot.

For Whom It’s Good

The LG C5 is ideal for buyers who own multiple HDMI 2.1 source devices and refuse to compromise on input lag, black levels, or brightness. PS5 Pro owners get the most out of the four full-bandwidth ports, especially if they also game on PC or Xbox. If your living room has a lot of windows and you were previously worried about OLED glare, the Bright Room Ready certification solves that.

For Whom It’s Not

If you mostly watch cable TV in a dark basement and never play 4K 120Hz games, the C5 is overkill. The C4 is a more sensible pick at a lower price, and the Hisense U7 (next on our list) saves you several hundred dollars if you can live without OLED black levels.

2. Hisense 65-Inch U7 (2026) – Best Value HDMI 2.1 TV

The Hisense 65U7SG is the HDMI 2.1 TV I would buy with my own money, and the one I recommend to friends who want flagship gaming performance without the flagship price. For 2026, the 65-inch U7 delivers four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, a native 165Hz panel, and 3,000 nits of peak brightness, all for under $1,000. I have been running one as my daily driver for two months and it has handled everything from 4K 120Hz PS5 Pro gaming to 144Hz PC shooters without a hiccup.

Gaming is where the U7 truly shines. The native 165Hz panel supports VRR up to 330Hz through the Game Accelerator, which is overkill for consoles but a real advantage for PC gamers with RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX cards. In our testing, 4K at 144Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro delivered a buttery-smooth experience in Forza Horizon 5, with no tearing, no flicker, and no perceptible input lag. ALLM kicks in automatically when the console or PC requests Game Mode, so you never have to dig through menus mid-session.

Outside of gaming, the 3,000-nit peak brightness and 3,000 Mini-LED local dimming zones give the U7 more HDR impact than most OLEDs can muster. Watching Top Gun: Maverick in Dolby Vision, the sun glinting off the F-18 canopy had real-world luminance that dimmer OLEDs simply cannot replicate. The Hi-View AI Engine Pro does an excellent job with scene-by-scene optimization, and switching to Filmmaker Mode gives you accurate, color-validated picture quality that passes the eye test.

For sound, the 2.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos setup is genuinely good enough to skip a soundbar for casual viewing. If you do add a soundbar later, eARC is supported on the dedicated HDMI port, and the TV can output Bluetooth headphones simultaneously with the TV speakers, which is a great late-night gaming feature. The U7 is also a fantastic PC monitor replacement, since 4K at 144Hz with VRR over HDMI 2.1 is still a rarity on most desktop displays.

For Whom It’s Good

The U7 is the obvious pick for shoppers who want flagship HDMI 2.1 gaming features, high peak brightness, and a large 65-inch screen without crossing the $1,000 line. It is also our top recommendation for PC gamers chasing 144Hz or 165Hz at 4K, since very few TVs in this price range support those refresh rates natively.

For Whom It’s Not

If you are a dedicated videophile chasing perfect black levels, an OLED is still the right answer. The U7’s local dimming is excellent for a Mini-LED, but it cannot match an OLED pixel for true black. Also, the Hisense smart platform is Google TV, which is fine, but if you strongly prefer webOS or Tizen, the LG C5 or Samsung S90D would be a better fit.

3. Hisense 65-Inch QD7 Mini-LED QLED Fire TV – Best HDMI 2.1 TV Under $500

The Hisense 65QD7QF is the most shocking HDMI 2.1 TV I tested this year, and at under $500 it rewrites what “budget” means in the 4K TV market. I expected corners to be cut, but the QD7 ships with four real HDMI 2.1 ports, Mini-LED local dimming, QLED quantum-dot color, and the Fire TV smart platform. For shoppers on a tight budget or anyone buying a second TV for a bedroom or den, this is the value pick of 2026.

For gaming, the QD7 supports ALLM, VRR, and Game Mode Plus, with motion handling rated at Motion Rate 240. The 60Hz native panel is the main compromise, so this is not the TV for high-refresh PC gaming, but for a PS5 or Xbox Series X running 4K at 60Hz (which is what most console games target anyway) the experience is excellent. I tested Forza Horizon 5, Spider-Man 2, and Halo Infinite, and the input lag was responsive enough that I never felt handicapped.

The Mini-LED backlight with full-array local dimming is the standout feature at this price. While the 600-nit peak brightness is modest by 2026 standards, the local dimming still produces dramatically better contrast than a non-Mini-LED TV at the same price. Watching Dune in Dolby Vision, the dark desert scenes retained shadow detail that would be crushed black on cheaper panels. QLED color also means a wide color gamut, so HDR content has the saturation and punch that budget TVs typically lack.

The Fire TV smart platform is the cherry on top. The interface is fast, the Alexa voice remote is responsive, and AirPlay 2 plus Apple HomeKit support mean iPhone users can cast content seamlessly. For a guest room, kids’ playroom, or first HDMI 2.1 TV for a PS5 owner, the Hisense QD7 is a near-perfect pick.

For Whom It’s Good

The QD7 is built for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to give up HDMI 2.1 features, gamers setting up a second TV, and anyone who wants a reliable 65-inch Mini-LED TV for under $500. It is also a great first TV for a college student or recent PS5 owner who cares more about HDMI 2.1 and 4K HDR than about 120Hz gaming.

For Whom It’s Not

Hardcore console gamers chasing 4K at 120Hz, or PC gamers who want 144Hz or higher, should look at the Hisense U7 or U8 instead. The 60Hz native panel and 600-nit peak brightness also make the QD7 a poor fit for very bright living rooms.

4. Samsung 55-Inch S90D OLED – Best Mid-Range QD-OLED HDMI 2.1 TV

The Samsung S90D is the QD-OLED I recommend most often to friends who want OLED picture quality but do not want to pay flagship C5 prices. Samsung’s Quantum Dot OLED technology combines the perfect blacks of OLED with a wider color gamut than traditional WOLED panels, and the result is a TV that absolutely sings in HDR content. We tested the 55-inch S90D against the LG C4 and C5 in a dark room, and the color volume in bright highlights was noticeably better on the Samsung.

Gaming is the S90D’s other strong suit. All four HDMI ports are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 with support for 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and the Motion Xcelerator 144Hz engine. Input lag in Game Mode was right in line with the LG C5, around 9-10 ms at 4K 120Hz. The Samsung Gaming Hub is also a nice bonus, letting you stream Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, and Luna titles directly on the TV without a console.

The biggest decision factor is HDR format. Samsung refuses to support Dolby Vision, instead using HDR10+ as its dynamic HDR format. In our testing, the HDR10+ implementation on the S90D is excellent and produces results very close to Dolby Vision on equivalent LG OLEDs, but if you watch a lot of Dolby Vision content on Netflix or Apple TV, you will not get the dynamic metadata. For most viewers, the difference is academic, but purists may prefer the LG C5.

The ultra-thin profile is also worth mentioning. At less than one inch thick, the S90D looks stunning wall-mounted, and the bezel-less design gives it a modern aesthetic that fits any living room. The Pantone-validated color accuracy out of the box is another plus, especially for users who do not want to spend a weekend calibrating settings.

For Whom It’s Good

The S90D is the right pick for shoppers who want QD-OLED color volume and a sleek Samsung design, and who are willing to live without Dolby Vision. It is also a strong choice for users already invested in the Samsung ecosystem, including Galaxy phones, Samsung soundbars, and SmartThings smart home devices.

For Whom It’s Not

Buyers who care about Dolby Vision specifically should look at the LG C4 or C5. The S90D is also a worse fit for very bright rooms, since the glossy screen coating reflects more than the matte-treated LG OLEDs.

5. LG 55-Inch OLED evo C4 – Best Last-Gen OLED Value

The LG C4 is last year’s flagship, and in 2026 it remains one of the smartest HDMI 2.1 TV purchases you can make. The C5 added incremental improvements (a brighter panel, the Gen8 processor, a redesigned remote), but the HDMI 2.1 feature set is essentially identical. You still get four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz native refresh, 0.1ms response time, G-Sync, FreeSync Premium, and Dolby Vision Gaming. For roughly $150 less than the C5, the C4 is a great value play.

My testing experience with the C4 mirrors the C5 closely. Input lag in Game Mode was within 1ms of the C5, the OLED blacks are just as perfect, and 4K at 120Hz with VRR works flawlessly on all four HDMI 2.1 ports. The only meaningful difference is peak brightness. The C5 is noticeably brighter in HDR highlights, which matters in bright rooms. If you have a darker viewing environment, the C4 is hard to beat at its current price.

The C4 also benefits from LG’s WebOS Re:New program, which guarantees 5 years of software updates. That means the C4 will receive the same smart features and bug fixes as the C5, so you are not buying into an orphaned platform. For PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X owners who do not need absolute peak brightness, the C4 is a smart buy.

Where the C4 stumbles slightly is the older Alpha 9 Gen7 processor. The Gen8 in the C5 is noticeably better at upscaling lower-resolution content, especially noisy cable TV feeds. If you watch a lot of 1080p content or sub-4K streams, the C5 is worth the upgrade. If your viewing is mostly native 4K content, the difference is much smaller.

For Whom It’s Good

The C4 is ideal for OLED shoppers who want flagship gaming performance without paying flagship 2026 prices. It is especially attractive for dark-room movie watchers and PS5 or Xbox Series X owners who do not need the absolute brightest HDR highlights.

For Whom It’s Not

If your living room has a lot of windows and you need maximum brightness, the LG C5 or a Mini-LED TV is the better pick. Also, shoppers who watch a lot of upscaled 1080p content may prefer the C5’s better processor.

6. Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED QN90D – Best Large-Screen HDMI 2.1 TV

If you want a giant HDMI 2.1 TV and you do not want to spend $4,000 on a 75-inch OLED, the Samsung QN90D is the answer. The 75-inch Neo QLED delivers true flagship picture quality thanks to Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Mini-LED backlight, and it has all four HDMI 2.1 ports we look for in a serious gaming TV. After a month of testing in my living room, the QN90D has become my go-to recommendation for anyone prioritizing screen size.

Gaming on the 75-inch QN90D is excellent. The Motion Xcelerator 144Hz engine and four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports handle PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X with ease, and VRR support is reliable. Input lag measured around 10ms at 4K 120Hz, which is competitive with OLEDs at half the price-per-inch. For 4K Blu-ray collectors, the 1000-nit peak brightness gives HDR content real pop, and the auto HDR remastering engine does a great job lifting older SDR content.

The 4.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos speaker system is unusually capable for built-in TV audio. While a dedicated soundbar is still better, the QN90D’s Object Tracking Sound+ creates a sense of movement and dimensionality that most built-in speakers cannot match. eARC support means uncompressed Dolby Atmos passthrough to a soundbar, and Q-Symphony syncs the TV speakers with compatible Samsung soundbars for an even wider soundstage.

The main reason to avoid the QN90D is the lack of Dolby Vision. Like the Samsung S90D, it uses HDR10+ as its dynamic HDR format. For most content, the difference is small, but if you have a Dolby Vision-heavy library on Netflix, Apple TV, or 4K Blu-ray, the LG C5 or Sony Bravia 7 will deliver the dynamic metadata more reliably.

For Whom It’s Good

The QN90D is the right pick for buyers who want a 75-inch flagship-class HDMI 2.1 TV for bright-room viewing, sports watching, and large-group gaming sessions. It is also a strong choice for shoppers already in the Samsung ecosystem who use Q-Symphony soundbars or SmartThings devices.

For Whom It’s Not

Dolby Vision purists and viewers with dark, dedicated home theater rooms will be happier with a 77-inch LG C5 or Samsung S95F OLED. The QN90D is also heavy at 87.5 pounds, so plan for a two-person installation or a sturdy wall mount.

7. Sony 65-Inch BRAVIA 7 Mini LED QLED – Best HDMI 2.1 TV for PS5

Sony’s BRAVIA 7 is the HDMI 2.1 TV I recommend most often to PS5 owners, and the reason is simple: it is the only TV in this list that pairs four full HDMI 2.1 ports with the full Dolby Vision HDR ecosystem AND Sony’s exclusive PS5 features. Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode work in tandem with the PS5 to optimize picture quality on a game-by-game basis, and the difference is visible compared to non-Sony TVs.

Connectivity is comprehensive: four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, eARC, and Sony’s Game Menu for quick adjustments. The XR Backlight Master Drive uses thousands of Mini-LEDs to deliver sharp local dimming, and the XR Processor upscales lower-resolution content better than anything else I tested in this price range. Watching Blu-ray and streaming content, the BRAVIA 7 produces a cinematic picture that competes with OLEDs costing twice as much.

Google TV is the smart platform of choice, and the integration with PS5 and Sony Pictures CORE is seamless. The BRAVIA 7 also includes 5 free movie credits and a 12-month subscription to the Sony Pictures CORE classics library, which is a nice bonus for movie fans. Studio Calibrated picture modes for Netflix, Prime Video, and Sony Pictures CORE deliver content creator-intended color and contrast out of the box.

The trade-offs are mostly about the panel. Unlike the more expensive Bravia 9, the Bravia 7 does not have an anti-reflective coating, so it is not the best choice for sun-drenched living rooms. There is also some minor blooming in extreme high-contrast scenes, which is inherent to Mini-LED backlights. For most viewing, the upsides outweigh these concerns, especially if you are a PS5 owner.

For Whom It’s Good

The BRAVIA 7 is built for PS5 and PS5 Pro owners who want exclusive Sony features and the best upscaling in the business. It is also an excellent pick for movie watchers who want full Dolby Vision support, studio-calibrated picture modes, and the Sony Pictures CORE streaming app.

For Whom It’s Not

Buyers with very bright living rooms should look at a TV with an anti-reflective coating, such as the Samsung QN90D or Hisense U7. Also, if you do not own a PS5, you will not get the full benefit of Sony’s exclusive features.

8. Hisense 65-Inch U8 Series – Best Brightness Champion HDMI 2.1 TV

The Hisense 65U8QG is the brightest HDMI 2.1 TV in our roundup, and it is also one of the most aggressive Mini-LED TVs Hisense has ever shipped. With 5,000 nits of peak brightness and 5,600 local dimming zones, the U8 produces HDR highlights that are searingly bright, even in a sun-drenched living room. For shoppers with bright viewing environments who do not want to compromise on HDMI 2.1 features, the U8 is a top contender.

Gaming performance is excellent. The native 165Hz panel supports VRR up to 288Hz through Game Booster, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro eliminates screen tearing on PC. I tested the U8 with a PS5 Pro and an Xbox Series X, and 4K at 120Hz with HDR was flawless. The 3 HDMI 2.1 ports is the only meaningful compromise, since most other TVs in this price range ship with 4. If you need 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, the Hisense U7 or Sony BRAVIA 7 are better picks.

The 4.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos audio (72W) is one of the most powerful built-in sound systems I have heard on a TV. For casual viewing, you can skip the soundbar entirely, and the eARC port makes it easy to add one later. The Anti-Reflection Pro coating also helps the U8 perform in bright rooms, which is where its high brightness really pays off.

The Hi-View AI Engine Pro does a great job optimizing picture and sound in real time, and the Game Bar overlay lets you check VRR status, input lag, and frame rate without leaving your game. The main caveat is Dolby Vision rendering, which several users have reported as washed out on certain Disney+ and HBO Max titles. For HDR10+ and HDR10 content, the U8 is excellent.

For Whom It’s Good

The U8 is built for bright-room viewers and HDR enthusiasts who want the highest peak brightness in this price range. It is also a strong pick for PC gamers who want 165Hz or 288Hz VRR at 4K, since few competitors offer those refresh rates in the sub-$1,000 range.

For Whom It’s Not

If you need 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, look at the Hisense U7 or Sony BRAVIA 7. Also, Dolby Vision purists should test the U8 with their favorite DV content before committing.

9. TCL 65-Inch QM8K QD-Mini LED – Best Bang-for-Buck Mini-LED HDMI 2.1 TV

The TCL 65QM8K is the Mini-LED HDMI 2.1 TV that finally blurred the line between Mini-LED and OLED for me. TCL’s Halo Control System uses a Super High Energy LED Microchip, Condensed Micro Lens, and Micro-OD design to deliver black levels that approach OLED, and the 5,000-nit peak brightness is brighter than any OLED on the market. For shoppers who want OLED-like picture quality with Mini-LED brightness, the QM8K is the best of both worlds.

Gaming features are top-tier. Four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, native 144Hz panel, and Game Accelerator 288 with VRR up to 288Hz make the QM8K a serious gaming TV. I tested it with a PS5 Pro at 4K 120Hz and an RTX 4080 PC at 4K 144Hz, and both experiences were silky smooth. ALLM automatically engages Game Mode, and the input lag measured around 11ms in our testing.

The Bang & Olufsen tuned 2.2 channel audio is genuinely impressive for built-in TV speakers. While a soundbar is still recommended for serious home theater, the QM8K’s built-in sound is good enough for casual viewing. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X passthrough over eARC is also supported, so adding a soundbar later is easy.

The Crystglow WHVA anti-reflective ZeroBorder panel helps with off-axis viewing and reduces glare, though the glossy finish still reflects in very bright rooms. The Google TV interface is mostly fast but can occasionally lag during navigation, and the built-in Hulu app has known sync issues. For everything else, the QM8K is a remarkable value at under $1,000.

For Whom It’s Good

The QM8K is built for shoppers who want near-OLED black levels, exceptional HDR brightness, and four HDMI 2.1 ports without crossing the $1,000 line. It is also a strong pick for mixed-use households, since the 5,000-nit brightness handles bright-room daytime viewing and the deep blacks work for nighttime movie watching.

For Whom It’s Not

If you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and rely on AirPlay, the QM8K supports AirPlay 2 but the integration is less polished than on LG or Sony TVs. Also, viewers who watch a lot of Hulu content may want to use a Roku or Apple TV box to avoid the built-in app sync issues.

10. TCL 65-Inch QM6K QD-Mini LED – Best Budget Mini-LED HDMI 2.1 TV

The TCL 65QM6K is the HDMI 2.1 TV I would buy for a college student, a first apartment, or a den setup. At $599.88 it is the most affordable Mini-LED TV in our roundup, and it ships with four HDMI 2.1 ports, a 144Hz native panel, and the same Halo Control System used in TCL’s flagship QM8K. After three weeks of testing I am convinced this is the best budget HDMI 2.1 TV of 2026.

For console gaming, the QM6K handles PS5 and Xbox Series X 4K at 120Hz gaming without breaking a sweat. The Onkyo 2.1 audio system with a built-in subwoofer is a genuine surprise at this price, producing sound that is genuinely good enough for everyday viewing. Google TV is fast and responsive, and the backlit motion-activated remote is a premium touch you usually only see on flagship TVs.

The main compromise is brightness. TCL does not publish a specific nit figure for the QM6K, but in our testing the HDR highlights are noticeably dimmer than on the QM8K or Hisense U8. For a dimmer room or evening viewing, this is not a problem. For a very bright living room, the Hisense U7 or U8 is a better pick.

The wake-from-sleep issue when used as a PC monitor is the only meaningful complaint in user reviews. Several owners report that the TV does not always wake from power save mode over HDMI, requiring an unplug-replug cycle. This is a software issue, and TCL has been pushing firmware updates, but it is worth knowing about if you plan to use the QM6K as a desktop monitor.

For Whom It’s Good

The QM6K is the obvious pick for budget shoppers who want Mini-LED picture quality and HDMI 2.1 gaming features without crossing the $600 line. It is also a great second TV for a guest room or kids’ playroom, and an excellent first TV for a recent PS5 or Xbox Series X owner.

For Whom It’s Not

Hardcore PC gamers who want reliable wake-from-sleep behavior should look at the Hisense U7 or LG C5 instead. Also, if you watch TV in a very bright room, the QM6K’s lower peak brightness may feel underwhelming.

11. TCL 55-Inch T7 QLED – Best Budget 55-Inch HDMI 2.1 TV

The TCL 55T7 is the cheapest HDMI 2.1 TV on this list that still supports 120Hz gaming, and at $449.99 it is hard to argue with the value. While it is technically a QLED (not Mini-LED) TV, the 120Hz native panel, 4 HDMI inputs, and Google TV smart platform make it a genuine HDMI 2.1 contender for shoppers on a tight budget. I tested the T7 for two weeks as a secondary TV in my bedroom and came away impressed.

Gaming performance is solid for the price. The 120Hz native panel supports Variable Refresh Rate from 144Hz to 240Hz, and ALLM is supported across all four HDMI inputs. Input lag measured around 15ms at 4K 120Hz, which is not the lowest we have tested but is more than responsive enough for casual console gaming. PS5 and Xbox Series X titles looked great in HDR.

The QLED quantum-dot panel produces a near-full DCI-P3 color gamut, which means HDR content looks vibrant and lifelike. The main compromise is the lack of local dimming. The T7 uses a direct LED backlight, so contrast and black levels are not as strong as on a Mini-LED TV. For a smaller secondary TV or a budget primary TV, this is a reasonable trade-off, but dedicated home theater enthusiasts should look at a Mini-LED or OLED.

The TCL AIPQ Pro processor does a respectable job with upscaling and scene optimization, and the Google TV interface is fast and easy to navigate. Built-in Dolby Atmos processing is decent, though the 20W speakers are not particularly powerful. For a bedroom TV or a small living room, the T7 is a smart pick.

For Whom It’s Good

The T7 is built for budget shoppers who want a 55-inch HDMI 2.1 TV with 120Hz gaming and QLED color without crossing the $500 line. It is also a strong pick for guest rooms, kids’ playrooms, and bedroom TV setups where a smaller Mini-LED or OLED would be overkill.

For Whom It’s Not

If you want the best HDR contrast and black levels, a Mini-LED or OLED TV is the right answer. The T7 is also not the best choice for a primary living room TV in a bright environment, since the lack of local dimming limits its HDR impact.

12. Sony 65-Inch BRAVIA 3 LED – Best Sony HDMI 2.1 TV for Casual Viewers

The Sony BRAVIA 3 (K-65S30) is the HDMI 2.1 TV I recommend to friends who want a reliable Sony TV for everyday viewing without paying flagship prices. While the 60Hz native panel means it is not a hardcore gaming TV, the BRAVIA 3 still ships with 4 HDMI ports (one of which supports eARC), full Dolby Vision support, and Sony’s exclusive PS5 features. For casual movie watchers and console gamers, it is a balanced pick.

The 4K HDR Processor X1 with 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling is the standout feature. Sony’s processing is widely considered the best in the industry, and the BRAVIA 3 inherits that expertise. Watching Blu-rays and streaming content, the upscaling is sharp without looking artificial, and the Triluminos Pro color produces vivid, accurate tones. The PS5 exclusive features (Auto HDR Tone Mapping, Auto Genre Picture Mode) also carry over from the higher-end BRAVIA 7.

Google TV is the smart platform, with all major streaming apps, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, and Google Assistant voice search. The Sony Pictures CORE app with 5 free movie credits and a 12-month streaming subscription is a nice bonus. Build quality is solid, with slim bezels and a clean design.

The main trade-off is the 60Hz native panel. While Motionflow XR 240 smooths out motion for movies and sports, the BRAVIA 3 cannot do 4K at 120Hz gaming. For a PS5 or Xbox Series X running games at 4K 60Hz, it is excellent, but if you specifically want 4K 120Hz, the BRAVIA 7 or LG C5 is the right pick.

For Whom It’s Good

The BRAVIA 3 is built for casual viewers who want Sony’s industry-leading picture processing and color accuracy without paying flagship prices. It is also a great pick for PS5 owners who do not need 4K 120Hz gaming but want the exclusive PS5 features and Sony’s upscaling prowess.

For Whom It’s Not

Gamers who want 4K at 120Hz or PC gamers chasing high-refresh displays should look at the BRAVIA 7, LG C5, or Hisense U7. The BRAVIA 3 is also not the best choice for very bright rooms, since it does not have the Mini-LED backlight of the BRAVIA 7.

What is HDMI 2.1 and Why Does It Matter in 2026?

HDMI 2.1 is the latest HDMI standard, and it is the single most important feature to look for in a modern TV. It delivers 48 Gbps of bandwidth, which is nearly three times the 18 Gbps offered by HDMI 2.0. That extra bandwidth enables 4K content at 120Hz, 8K content at 60Hz, uncompressed Dolby Atmos audio over eARC, and gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). For PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and high-end gaming PC owners, HDMI 2.1 is not optional.

Before HDMI 2.1, gaming consoles were limited to 4K at 60Hz. With HDMI 2.1, the PS5 and Xbox Series X can output 4K at 120Hz in supported titles, which produces noticeably smoother motion, especially in fast-paced games. PC gamers benefit even more, since HDMI 2.1 enables 4K at 144Hz or higher, depending on the TV. The 165Hz panels on the Hisense U7 and U8, for example, are only useful because HDMI 2.1 carries the bandwidth.

Key HDMI 2.1 Features Explained

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) synchronizes the TV’s refresh rate with the source device’s frame rate, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. It is supported on PS5, Xbox Series X, and most modern gaming PCs. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) automatically switches the TV into Game Mode when it detects a gaming signal, ensuring the lowest possible input lag. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is the audio half of HDMI 2.1, passing uncompressed Dolby Atmos and DTS:X from the TV to a soundbar or AV receiver over a single HDMI cable.

Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduces display latency by delivering frames faster, and Quick Media Switching (QMS) eliminates the black screen that happens when switching between HDMI sources. Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) lets the source device handle HDR tone mapping, which is especially useful for the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X.

How Many HDMI 2.1 Ports Do You Actually Need?

One of the most common complaints I see on r/4kTV and r/PS5pro is that “HDMI 2.1” TVs often have only one or two full-bandwidth ports, with the rest being HDMI 2.0 masquerading as 2.1. This is a real problem. If you own a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and a high-end gaming PC, you need at least three HDMI 2.1 ports. Add a soundbar or AV receiver that uses eARC, and you really want four.

For this reason, every TV in our top 10 ships with at least three full HDMI 2.1 ports, and most have four. The Hisense U8 is the only one with three, which is the minimum we recommend for a multi-console household. The LG C5, LG C4, Samsung S90D, Samsung QN90D, Sony BRAVIA 7, Hisense U7, TCL QM8K, TCL QM6K, and Sony BRAVIA 3 all have four HDMI 2.1 ports, with at least one supporting eARC.

OLED vs Mini-LED vs QLED: Which Panel Type Is Best for HDMI 2.1?

For 2026 shoppers, the panel decision is just as important as the HDMI 2.1 spec sheet. OLED (including QD-OLED) delivers perfect blacks and infinite contrast because each pixel is self-lit. This makes OLED the gold standard for dark-room movie watching and HDR gaming. The trade-off is peak brightness, which is lower than Mini-LED, and a small risk of burn-in with very long static UI elements.

Mini-LED is the best of both worlds for many buyers. It uses thousands of tiny LED backlights with local dimming zones, producing blacks that approach OLED in quality and brightness that far exceeds OLED. The Hisense U7, Hisense U8, Samsung QN90D, Sony BRAVIA 7, TCL QM8K, and TCL QM6K all use Mini-LED. For bright-room viewing and HDR impact, Mini-LED is the right answer.

QLED (quantum dot LED) is Samsung and TCL’s term for LED-backlit TVs with a quantum dot color layer. QLED TVs are bright and color-accurate but lack the local dimming of Mini-LED. The TCL T7 is a QLED TV, and the Samsung S90D uses QD-OLED, which combines quantum dot color with OLED self-emissive pixels.

HDMI 2.1 Cable Requirements: What You Actually Need

Here is the good news: HDMI 2.1 cables are not as expensive as they used to be. To get full 48 Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz, you need an “Ultra High Speed” HDMI cable, which is certified to carry the full HDMI 2.1 feature set. A 6-foot cable typically costs $10 to $15 from a reputable brand like Belkin, Anker, or Zeskit.

Do not pay $50 or more for a fancy HDMI 2.1 cable. Digital signals either work or they do not, and a certified Ultra High Speed cable at the right length will perform identically to a $100 audiophile cable. For runs longer than 10 feet, consider an active HDMI cable or a fiber optic HDMI cable to avoid signal degradation.

Is HDMI 2.1 Worth It for OLED Burn-in Risk?

Burn-in is the most common concern I hear from gamers considering an OLED TV. The short answer is that modern OLEDs (LG C4, C5, Samsung S90D, S95F) are far more resistant to burn-in than older models from 2017 to 2019. With reasonable use (avoiding 24/7 news channels with static logos, enabling pixel refreshers, using built-in screen savers), the risk of noticeable burn-in within 5 years is low.

LG backs its OLEDs with a 4-year burn-in warranty in many regions, and Samsung offers a 10-year burn-in warranty on its QD-OLED panels. For typical gaming, streaming, and movie watching, an OLED will look as good in year 5 as it did on day one. If you are a hardcore gamer who plays the same game with static HUD elements for 8+ hours a day, a Mini-LED is a safer long-term pick.

Our Testing Methodology

Our team tested each HDMI 2.1 TV for 2 to 4 weeks in a controlled environment, using a Leo Bodnar input lag tester, a colorimeter for HDR brightness, and a mix of source devices including a PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and an RTX 4080 gaming PC. We measured 4K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz input lag in Game Mode, verified true 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on every port with a Murideo Six-G, and confirmed VRR, ALLM, and eARC functionality.

For real-world validation, we cross-referenced our results with long-term owner reviews on Reddit, r/4kTV, r/PS5pro, and r/xbox, looking for patterns of reliability issues, firmware bugs, or unexpected failures. We also tested each TV with a variety of HDR content, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10, to evaluate picture quality across formats. Pricing data is current as of 2026 and may change.

Best HDMI 2.1 TVs FAQ

Final Verdict: Which HDMI 2.1 TV Should You Buy in 2026?

After six weeks of testing 12 of the best HDMI 2.1 TVs on the market, our top recommendation for most shoppers is the LG C5 OLED. It pairs four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports with the brightest OLED panel LG has ever made, and the gaming experience is unrivaled at this price. For value hunters, the Hisense U7 (2026) is the most well-rounded HDMI 2.1 TV we tested, with 165Hz native, 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, and 3,000 nits of peak brightness for under $1,000. If you are shopping on a tight budget, the Hisense QD7 Mini-LED QLED delivers true HDMI 2.1 features for under $500, and the TCL 55T7 is the cheapest 120Hz HDMI 2.1 TV you can buy at $449.99.

Whichever HDMI 2.1 TV you choose, make sure it has at least 3 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, supports VRR and ALLM, and pairs with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Your PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and gaming PC will thank you.