PS5 120Hz Monitor Guide: 1080p, 1440p and 4K 120Hz (2026)
Yes, a PS5 outputs 120Hz at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, in games that offer a 120Hz or performance mode. 4K at 120Hz needs a monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port and the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable that came with the console; 1080p and 1440p at 120Hz also work over HDMI 2.0.
Turn it on under Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output, Enable 120 Hz Output (Automatic), then pick the game's performance mode. VRR also needs HDMI 2.1 VRR on the monitor. Sources: Sony PlayStation support documentation for PS5 video output, and the HDMI Forum's HDMI 2.1 specification.
| Resolution | 120Hz on PS5? | Monitor port needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Yes | HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 | Cheapest route to 120Hz |
| 1440p | Yes, since a 2022 system update | HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 | Sharp on a 27 inch monitor |
| 4K | Yes | HDMI 2.1 only | Needs the Ultra High Speed cable |
| VRR (any resolution) | Yes | HDMI 2.1 with VRR | Smooths frame rates that dip below 120 |
Researched from Sony and HDMI Forum documentation; always confirm the port version in the monitor's own spec sheet.
Table of Contents
The PlayStation 5 is capable of outputting games at 120 frames per second, delivering incredibly smooth gameplay that gives you a competitive edge. But to actually achieve 120fps on your PS5, you need the right monitor with proper HDMI support.
Recommended Products
Based on our research, here are some top picks:
LG 32G620B-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor -
under $500 on Amazon
ASUS ROG Swift OLED 27" Gaming Monitor -
under $750 on Amazon
Samsung Odyssey G7 Gaming Monitor -
under $500 on Amazon
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K Monitor -
under $750 on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
This guide explains everything you need to know about 4K 120Hz monitors for PS5, including HDMI 2.1 requirements, our researched picks, and how to troubleshoot common issues preventing you from hitting 120fps.
Quick Answer: For true 4K 120Hz on PS5, you need an HDMI 2.1 monitor. For 1080p 120Hz, HDMI 2.0 works fine. Our top pick is the LG 27GR83Q-B for the best overall 4K 120Hz PS5 experience.
Four monitors for a PS5, by setup
One panel does not suit every setup or budget, so here is the spread: the one worth stretching for, the sensible 1440p pick, the honest budget answer, and the one for a desk that works as well as it plays.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, 27 in QHD
QD-OLED, so blacks are actually black rather than dark grey. If the budget stretches this is the one that changes how games look, not just how smoothly they run.
Check price on Amazon →
SANSUI 24.5 in 1440p 300Hz Fast IPS
HDMI 2.1 is the part that matters for a PS5: it is what carries 1440p at 120Hz without compromise. Fast IPS keeps motion clean.
Check price on Amazon →
Acer 27 in 1080p 120Hz IPS
The honest budget answer. A PS5 hits 120Hz most reliably at 1080p, and this gets you there without paying for resolution the console will drop anyway.
Check price on Amazon →
Dell UltraSharp U2722D, 27 in QHD
For a desk that is a workstation first and a console second. Colour accuracy and a proper stand, at the cost of high refresh.
Check price on Amazon →
Specifications from manufacturer listings; we have not tested these side by side. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
What is 120Hz and Why It Matters for PS5
120Hz refers to the refresh rate of your display - how many times per second the screen updates the image. A 120Hz monitor can display up to 120 frames per second, compared to 60 frames on a standard 60Hz display.
Benefits of 120Hz Gaming on PS5
Smoother Motion
Double the frames means significantly smoother gameplay. Camera movements, fast action, and quick panning all look remarkably better.
Lower Input Lag
120fps reduces the delay between your controller input and on-screen response. Critical for competitive multiplayer games.
Competitive Advantage
In games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, 120fps players can react faster than 60fps players.
VRR Support
HDMI 2.1 monitors with VRR eliminate screen tearing even when frame rates fluctuate, for tear-free gaming.
Real-World Difference: At 60fps, a new frame appears every 16.7ms. At 120fps, it's every 8.3ms - cutting your visual delay in half. In fast-paced games, this translates to seeing enemies and reacting sooner.
Requirements for PS5 120Hz Gaming
Getting 120Hz working on PS5 requires matching the right monitor specifications to your desired resolution:
| Resolution | Minimum HDMI | Bandwidth Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p 120Hz | HDMI 2.0 | 6.18 Gbps | Most monitors support this |
| 1440p 120Hz | HDMI 2.0* | 10.2 Gbps | Requires DSC or chroma subsampling |
| 4K 60Hz | HDMI 2.0 | 12.54 Gbps | Standard for most gaming |
| 4K 120Hz | HDMI 2.1 | 42.6 Gbps | Requires full HDMI 2.1 |
Essential Checklist for 4K 120Hz on PS5
- ✓ HDMI 2.1 port on monitor - Not just "HDMI 2.1 compatible"
- ✓ Ultra High Speed HDMI cable - The cable that comes with PS5 works
- ✓ 120Hz panel - The monitor must actually support 120Hz refresh rate
- ✓ PS5 settings enabled - 120Hz output enabled in system settings
- ✓ Game support - The game must offer a 120fps/Performance mode
HDMI 2.1 vs HDMI 2.0: The Full Truth
The difference between HDMI versions is the single most important factor for PS5 120Hz gaming. Here's exactly what each version supports:
HDMI 2.0
Bandwidth: 18 Gbps
- ✓ 4K at 60Hz
- ✓ 1080p at 120Hz
- ✓ 1440p at 60Hz
- ✓ HDR10 support
- ✗ No 4K 120Hz
- ✗ No VRR over HDMI
Best for: Budget setups, 1080p competitive gaming
HDMI 2.1
Bandwidth: 48 Gbps
- ✓ Everything HDMI 2.0 does
- ✓ 4K at 120Hz
- ✓ VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
- ✓ ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
- ✓ 8K at 60Hz
- ✓ Dynamic HDR
Best for: True 4K 120fps gaming, future-proofing
Warning: "HDMI 2.1 Features" Marketing
Some monitors advertise "HDMI 2.1 features" while only having HDMI 2.0 ports. These monitors may support VRR or ALLM but cannot do 4K 120Hz. Always verify the actual HDMI port version in specifications.
Best 4K 120Hz Monitors for PS5 (2026)
These 4K monitors were chosen for published 4K 120Hz support on PS5, with input lag and HDR figures taken from manufacturer specs and owner reports rather than our own measurements. All feature HDMI 2.1 ports.
LG 27GR83Q-B
The gold standard for PS5 4K gaming. Excellent color accuracy, low input lag, and true HDMI 2.1 with VRR support. Great for both gaming and productivity.
LG 27GS93QE-B (OLED)
Stunning OLED visuals with perfect blacks and near-instantaneous response time. Note: 1440p native resolution (PS5 will output 4K downscaled). Best HDR experience.
Gigabyte M28U
Best value HDMI 2.1 monitor on the market. True 4K 120Hz with good gaming performance. HDR is basic but adequate. KVM switch is great for PC/console switching.
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQ
Premium 32" 4K 120Hz monitor with two HDMI 2.1 ports. Excellent for couch gaming or larger desk setups. Good HDR with local dimming zones.
Test your monitor's input lag with our free tool.
Budget 120Hz Options (1080p/1440p)
If 4K isn't a priority, you can get 120Hz gaming on PS5 with much more affordable monitors. These HDMI 2.0 monitors support 1080p 120Hz:
| Monitor | Resolution | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS VG279Q1A | 1080p 165Hz | 27" | Under $250 |
| AOC 24G2 | 1080p 144Hz | 24" | Under $250 |
| BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710 | 1080p 144Hz | 27" | Under $250 |
| Dell S2725DSM | 1440p 165Hz | 27" | Under $500 |
Note: PS5 outputs 1080p to these monitors when running 120fps games. For competitive games like Call of Duty and Fortnite, 1080p 120fps often looks better in motion than 4K 60fps. See our budget PS5 monitor guide for more options.
PS5 Games That Support 120fps
Not all PS5 games support 120fps - it depends on the developer. Here are the most popular games with 120Hz modes:
Shooters & Competitive
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
- Fortnite
- Apex Legends
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Destiny 2 (Crucible)
- Overwatch 2
- Counter-Strike 2 (when available)
Sports & Racing
- Rocket League
- F1 24
- Gran Turismo 7 (Sport Mode)
- EA Sports FC 25
- NBA 2K25
- Dirt 5
- WRC Generations
Action & Adventure
- Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
- Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Performance RT)
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Performance)
- Horizon Forbidden West (Performance)
Fighting & Others
- Street Fighter 6
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Tekken 8
- Monster Hunter Rise
- Borderlands 3
- The Touryst
Note: Some games offer 120fps at reduced resolution (usually 1080p or dynamic 4K). Check individual game settings for "Performance Mode" or "120Hz Mode" options.
How to Enable 120Hz on PS5
Follow these steps to enable 120Hz output on your PlayStation 5:
Connect with Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable
Use the cable that came with your PS5 or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K 120Hz. Connect directly to an HDMI 2.1 port on your monitor.
Enable 120Hz Output in PS5 Settings
Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Set "Enable 120 Hz Output" to Automatic.
Set Game Preset to Performance Mode
Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets. Set "Performance Mode or Resolution Mode" to Performance Mode.
Enable 120Hz in Individual Games
Open the game and go to its graphics/display settings. Look for "120Hz Mode", "Performance Mode", or "Frame Rate" options and enable them.
Verify 120Hz is Active
Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output Information. Check that it shows "120 Hz" in the current output information. Some monitors also display the refresh rate in their OSD.
Pro Tip: Enable VRR
If your monitor supports VRR, enable it in Settings > Screen and Video > VRR. This prevents screen tearing when frame rates fluctuate below 120fps.
Troubleshooting 120Hz Issues
If you're having trouble getting 120Hz to work on PS5, try these solutions:
120Hz option is grayed out or missing
- - Your monitor may not support 120Hz over HDMI (check specs)
- - You're connected to an HDMI 2.0 port instead of HDMI 2.1
- - Some monitors require enabling "HDMI Deep Color" or similar in OSD
- - Try using a different HDMI port on your monitor
120Hz enabled but games still run at 60fps
- - The game may not support 120fps mode
- - Check in-game settings for Performance/120Hz mode toggle
- - Some games only support 120fps in specific modes (like multiplayer)
- - Ensure Game Preset is set to Performance Mode
Black screen or flickering at 120Hz
- - Try a different Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
- - Disable HDR temporarily to test
- - Update monitor firmware if available
- - Some monitors have issues with specific PS5 120Hz + HDR combinations
HDR looks washed out at 120Hz
- - Some monitors disable local dimming at 120Hz
- - Adjust HDR tone mapping settings in monitor OSD
- - Set PS5 HDR to "Adjust HDR" and recalibrate
- - This is a limitation of some monitor hardware, not PS5
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PS5 do 4K 120Hz?
Yes, in games that support it, but only through HDMI 2.1. You need a monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port and the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Over HDMI 2.0 a PS5 is limited to 4K at 60Hz, although 1080p and 1440p can still run at 120Hz.
Does HDMI 2.0 support 1440p 120Hz on PS5?
Yes. 1440p at 120Hz fits within HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, so a 1440p 120Hz or faster monitor with HDMI 2.0 can run PS5 games at 120Hz once 1440p output is enabled. HDMI 2.1 is only required for 4K 120Hz and for VRR.
Can a PS5 run on a 120Hz monitor?
Yes. Any monitor that accepts 120Hz over HDMI at 1080p, 1440p or 4K works. Set Enable 120 Hz Output to Automatic under Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output, then choose the game's performance or 120Hz mode.
Which PS5 games support 120fps?
Many competitive and racing games offer a 120Hz mode, for example Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Destiny 2 and Apex Legends. Support is set per game, so check each game's graphics or performance settings.
Why is my PS5 not showing a 120Hz option?
Usually because the monitor does not accept 120Hz over HDMI at that resolution, the port is HDMI 2.0 while the output is 4K, the game has no 120Hz mode, or Enable 120 Hz Output is off. Check Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output, and make sure the game's performance mode is selected.
Related Guides & Tools
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