Cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs

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Not everyone who’s getting a new TV for their home wants to spend a lot of money. Including those wanting a cheap 120Hz 4K TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles from Sony and Microsoft. This, of course, begs the question, what are the cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs? We’ve got it covered, as in this article, we will discuss the cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs you can buy.

It is also important to note that there are a lot of brands trying to push their TV on the market, but a lot of them often miss out on some really crucial features. There is also the fact that manufacturers tend to go with misleading marketing and advertise features to lure consumers into thinking that their model has a 120Hz refresh rate. But we’ll get to that later on.

For now, let’s take a look at these cheap 120Hz 4K TVs. We made sure to include a variety of manufacturers and a few different feature sets, so everyone’s needs and requirements are covered. It’s just a matter of picking the TV that best fits your budget.

Cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs (ordered from cheapest)

1. Hisense U7H

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85” | Screen Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Lag Time: 15.5ms (4K60) / 7.7ms (1080p120Hz) | HDR Support: Dolby Vision | Ports: 4 HDMI

Key Features

  • Full Array Local Dimming Zones for immersive HDR content
  • Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos provide amazing realism in every scene
  • Game Mode Pro allows the HDMI 2.1 port to automatically adjust to in-game screens
  • Very wide color gamut thanks to its own brand of Quantum Dot display
  • Hands-free voice control with Google TV Support

Hisense’s U7H is one of if not the cheapest 120Hz 4K TV models available. Its perfect balance of features, color performance, smart controls, and enhancement modes makes it one of the absolute bang-for-the-buck models of its competing generation. A very huge step up from the previous U6H.

SDR and HDR content is a blast thanks to its excellent contrast ratio and balanced local dimming. This effectively prevents all issues with too well-lit rooms or dark rooms. It also has no major uniformity issues whatsoever, although viewing angles may be a little less optimal than most other alternatives.

Console gamers will find the U7H fantastic with its competitively low input lag, VRR support, and effective use of HDMI 2.1’s full bandwidth. It even dynamically changes settings as you turn the console on with its Game Mode Pro feature.

One rather weird quirk of the U7H is its somewhat lower response time. The value itself is respectable and more than good enough for any applications that need it. However, Hisense strangely downgraded by a tiny bit compared to its predecessors for some reason.

2. LG QNED80

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 86” | Screen Type: QNED | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Lag Time: 13.4ms (4K60) / 5.2ms (1080p120Hz) | HDR Support: HDR10, HLG | Ports: 4 HDMI

Key Features

  • Uses the advanced alpha-7 Gen5 AI processor for 4K upscaling
  • Quantum Dot Nanocell color technology makes images look richer and more vivid
  • Freesync and standard VRR deliver a screen-tear-free gaming experience
  • Integrates notification updates from other media sources like sports
  • Apple HomeKit/AirPlay, Alexa, and Google Assistant Support

The QNED80 is technically considered the entry-level model of LG’s Quantum Dot Nanocell display lineup. It is a relatively cheap 120Hz 4K TV that offers great visual performance at a comparatively lower price. As its panel type name suggests, this TV is a combination of two distinct screen technologies aimed to compete with the likes of native OLED.

But, because of its product tier, it has a few missing features such as Mini LED backlighting. However, this is still great 120Hz 4K TV for content like online multimedia that will display nicely due to its decent reflection handling and universal viewing angles. Response times are also decent, showing only a minimal blur trail when tracking action-heavy segments like sports events. That being said, it may not be too impressive when used in dark rooms, due to its middling black uniformity.

For its gaming performance, this TV has all the necessary compatibility features to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X’s 120Hz 4K capabilities. Freesync is also available by default, supported well by its aforementioned good response time.

It is worth noting that different sizes of this same model can have slightly different specs or features. You’ll have to double-check the official spec sheet of the specific size to confirm.

3. Sony X85K

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85” | Screen Type: LED | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Lag Time: 16.0ms (4K60) / 7.1ms (1080p120Hz) | HDR Support: HLG, Dolby Vision | Ports: 4 HDMI

Key Features

  • 4K HDR Processor X1 smartly adjusts settings to provide the best color and richest detail
  • Intelligently handles motion, providing blur-free picture quality
  • Exclusive optimization features for PS5 users
  • Triluminos PRO provides top-quality image reproduction capabilities
  • Alexa, Google TV, Google Assistant Support

The X85K is the generational successor to the X85J, although practical features-wise, its capabilities are largely unchanged. It has the same 4K HDR Processor X1, for example, and similar traditional display technologies. Although a few new improvements, such as better VRR, clearly make it distinct from the last.

This is especially the case with its impressive black uniformity, which greatly helps in improving its overall HDR viewing experience, even without local dimming! Color tones are a bit brighter, though thankfully it doesn’t wash away the detail of the image. It even has improved response times which makes for better sports viewing sessions.

Its gaming-related settings are very versatile, able to optimize either well-lit or dark rooms. This is due to its high native contrast ratio combined with minimal blooming. Response times and input lag is also great given the fact that it is technically still “just” a LED TV. Full use of HDMI 2.1 is also great, with Sony even adding a few exclusive Game Mode settings for PS5 users.

In fact, we can assert that the X85K’s greatest strength (separating it from the X85J) is in showcasing fast-motion sequences. Whether you are watching fast-paced action movies, sports, or playing video games on your PS5 or Xbox Series X, this TV is a fantastic cheap 120Hz 4K option.

4. TCL 55R635

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 55”, 65”, 75” | Screen Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Lag Time: 17.8ms (4K60) / 8.8ms (1080p120Hz) | HDR Support: Dolby Vision | Ports: 4 HDMI

Key Features

  • QLED panel with lifelike colors and great viewing angles
  • THX Certified Game Mode
  • Contrast Control Zones for improved contrast
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control
  • Dolby Vision HDR support

TCL’s 6 series TVs tend to offer a lot of bang for your buck, and if you’re after a 55-inch model, the 55R635 should be right up your alley. It’s a very well-priced TV with a lot of nice features you would usually only see on higher-end models, which is why it’s a great choice as far as the cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs go.

The panel itself is a 4K QLED panel with a mini-LED backlight. The colors are very good, bright, vivid, and vibrant, and the viewing angles are great, too. Paired with Dolby Vision HDR support, you won’t find any complaints about this panel. The 240 localized dimming zones make sure the contrast is great, and the image is well-balanced.

What’s nice about the 55R635 is the THX Certified Game Mode, which reduces input lag to a minimum and deals with motion blur for an extremely smooth experience and overall better gaming. It’s certainly noticeable, especially if you play fast-paced games often.

The TV comes with ROKU Smart TV, which means basically any streaming service you can think of is built-in, and then there’s the fact that you also have voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Neat, right?

5. Samsung Q80B

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85” | Screen Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Lag Time: 10.0ms (4K60) / 5.5ms (1080p120Hz) | HDR Support: Quantum HDR | Ports: 4 HDMI

Key Features

  • Direct Full Array significantly reduces light leaks for crisper detail
  • EyeComfort Mode automatically adjusts blue light for the least eye stress
  • Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ kicks up response time at higher refresh rates
  • Quantum Processor smartly upscales in 4K
  • Bixby, Alexa, and Google Assistant Support

Samsung’s Q80B functions as a more premium budget option when it comes to the cheapest 120Hz 4K TV models available as it offers a QLED display. Its quantum dot layer has already proven its color superiority to traditional LCDs, supported by the regular suite of quality features like VRR and HDMI 2.1 support.

All of these features and perks combine to make this display a good all-rounder TV. You can watch with clear detail in lit rooms. Darkroom movie sessions get the obligatory local dimming and good contrast ratio. Its QLED panel even allows for very excellent response times and input lag, although gaming is more preferably done in well-lit environments for this TV.

Its Tizen platform also adds to its ease of use, as its intuitive and simple interface allows for quick calibration and tweaking without going through sub-menu hoops. This is even made further convenient by the native integration of It can all major voice assistants.

HDR is decent enough, with colors popping adequately with dynamic adjustments done each moment. Its contrast ratio is not as high as other models, however, so when comparing side-by-side, the Q80B will always immediately look lighter in tone.

What to look for in a budget 4K 120Hz TV

If you aren’t too well versed in terms of TVs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the simple amount of information you have at your disposal. There are too many specifications you’ll need to pay attention to, and buying the wrong TV might end up being a costly mistake. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few things you should pay attention to when shopping.

Panel size

Arguably the most important thing to look out for when you’re getting a new TV is how big it is. While bigger is oftentimes better, there are two things to keep in mind here. First, make sure you can actually fit the TV in your designated space. This is easy to get wrong, so make sure you know the dimensions you can work with. Next up, don’t get an extremely large TV if you’re sitting close to it. The light from your TV may damage your eyesight, which you really don’t want.

Again, yes, bigger is oftentimes better, but it’s a matter of figuring out what’s the biggest you can get, without risking eyesight damage, and of course, you should be able to fit it. Then, another consideration here is the fact that a bigger TV is usually going to be more expensive, so keep that in mind, too.

Panel type

The panel type is what determines just what kind of image quality you’ll get from your display. While LED used to be the gold standard up until a few years ago, today you have a lot of better alternatives that oftentimes don’t cost all that much extra. We’re talking about OLED or QLED panels, which should be your go-to, provided your budget allows it.

While we’re talking about the panel type, we should also talk about a few other things like dimming zones and HDR. The dimming zones dictate the backlight and quality, and having more local dimming zones can ensure that you get better uniformity and better contrast. HDR, or high dynamic range, gets you more details in the brightest and darkest parts of the image, and with supported HDR content, this is a massive difference compared to a standard dynamic range. Of course, these are things that often come with higher-end TVs, so be prepared to spend a bit more if that’s your goal.

Refresh rate (and VRR)

Next up, you should take a look at the refresh rate. Yes, all the models we spoke about are 120Hz, and that’s the real refresh rate, but as we mentioned earlier, there is a lot of misleading information in that regard. But more on that in a minute.

One thing you should consider, however, is having a variable refresh rate, especially if you’re getting the TV for gaming. A variable refresh rate means that your TV’s refresh rate will be synchronized with the frames per second your console, or PC, is outputting. When those two numbers are not synchronized, you’re looking at problems like artifacts, screen tearing, and a host of other issues that are absolutely noticeable in games. When they are, however, the TV can decrease and increase the actual refresh rate as it sees fit, and you get zero problems while gaming.

Processor

You’ll notice that most modern TVs put an emphasis on their processor, and there’s one big reason for this – upscaling. At this point, we’re pretty far from all content being recorded in native 4K, which means that even with a 4K TV, some of your content will still be 1080p, or even worse, 720p. This is where the processor comes in because it uses artificial intelligence in order to upscale the content to a 4K resolution.

One thing to note here is that content that has been upscaled to 4K will never look as good as native 4K content. However, with a good processor on your TV, that quality will be good enough, and it will definitely be better than looking at content in 1080p. So, with that in mind, you should try to get a TV with a good processor that does a great job with upscaling.  

Watch out for fake 120Hz refresh rates on 4K TVs

As we mentioned earlier, a lot of manufacturers tend to include terms like TruMotion, Motion Rate, MotionFlow XR, and a host of other similar terms. After those terms, you get numbers like 120, 240, or even 480, and you’re being led to believe that that is the actual refresh rate when it’s not. The actual refresh rate is either 60Hz, or in some cases, 120Hz.

To avoid this kind of misconception, when looking at a TV, always try to research and figure out what the native refresh rate is. There, you won’t find marketing terms, and instead, you’ll be able to see the actual refresh rate of the TV set you’re getting. Of course, in some situations, it might not matter as much, but if you’re getting your TV for console gaming, you should definitely go for a 120Hz model.

Final thoughts

When everything is said and done, choosing one of the cheapest 120Hz 4K TVs shouldn’t be all that difficult. Just watch out for the things we mentioned above, and of course, beware of the fake 120Hz refresh rates. Once that’s taken care of, all that’s left for you to do is to pick the TV that fits your needs and budget best, and you should be good to go.

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