Can Your TV Handle the New Consoles? Here’s How to Tell

The next-generation consoles by Microsoft and Sony — the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5, specifically — are all available for purchase and if you’re thinking about buying one, the first question you should ask is: Do I need to upgrade my TV first?

What makes these next-generation consoles special is their power, speed and the improved graphics they’re able to deliver. And while you can hook theses new consoles to your older TV and you’ll see some improvements, they won’t be the drastic gains — especially in the graphics — that really make upgrading to these next-generation consoles worth it in the first place.

VIZIO M-Series Quantum 50”

VIZIO amazon.com

$429.99

The budget 4K bruiser.

Samsung55” QLED 4K 120Hz Q60 Series

Samsung Electronics amazon.com

$899.00

The HDR upgrade.

LG CX 65″ 4K OLED TV (2020)

LG amazon.com

$1,896.99

The best of the best.

So what should you look for?

4K is the bare minimum.

4K TVs are everywhere these days and you can get a great one for pretty cheap; most 50-inch 4K TV will probably run you between $500 and $600 (Vizio’s M-Series Quantum is one of our favorites). The reason why you should get a 4K TV is that they have four times as many pixels as standard HD TVs, meaning they can produce a much better picture. And the next-generation consoles take advantage of every one.

4K at 120Hz is ideal.

Refresh rate is one of the most important specs to look out for when buying a 4K that’s fit for the new consoles. The refresh rate is the rate in how frequently a TV is able to refresh its image. Most older TVs (and smartphones) have a max refresh rate of 60Hz, but a lot of new TVs have a max refresh rate of 120Hz, which is idea for the new consoles because it allows to adjust graphics quicker and just make the gameplay look and run much more smoothly. That said, you want to make sure that the TV can run 4K at 120Hz – a lot of TVs say that they have a max refresh of 120Hz, but they downgrade to a lesser resolution to get there, so check the specs to make sure you’re getting 4K at 120hz specifically.

To get the most, you’ll probably need to upgrade.

The reason why you want to buy a new TV that was made in 2020 is that there’s a good chance that it will support the newest technologies that these next-generation consoles can exploit. These technologies include high dynamic range technologies like Dolby Vision and HDR+, as well immersive audio technologies like Dolby Vision. They also are likely to have the latest HDMI technology that support these audio and video formats.

Go for OLED to get the best results.

If you’re upgrading to the best possible console, it makes it possible to upgrade to the best possible TV (within reason). And that means making the jump to an OLED TV like the LG CX. OLED TVs aren’t terribly expensive anymore — the 55-inch LG CX will run you just under $1,400 — but they’re the ideal partner for the next-generation consoles. OLED TVs deliver a far superior picture than a standard LCD TVs because they control each individual pixel. The result is a picture with significantly more detail and contrast.

Today’s Top Deals

Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins

L.L. Bean

$11 OFF (15%)

Whether you’re trekking from the bed to the bathroom or down the block for a quick bagel run, L.L. Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins are, as the name implies, wicked good. They’re lined with luscious Australian merino sheepskin to keep your feet swaddled in a vessel of warmth, with a memory foam footbed and arch support.

READ OUR BEST SLIPPERS GUIDE

Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket

Backcountry

$60 OFF (30%)

Patagonia’s Nano Puff Jacket is one of its best — it’s light, packable and perhaps the most versatile layer one can own. While only two colors are on sale currently at Backcountry (Supply Green and Mango), the Nano Puff at 30 percent off is usually a deal to scoop up.

READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE

Block Nomad Armchair

Burrow

$50 OFF (10%) with code DIBS

A rare discount on one of our favorite home goods brands. Burrow creates sturdy and comfortable upholstered furniture that ships within a week of ordering. Use code DIBS at checkout for 10% off.

READ OUR BEST SOFAS AND COUCHES GUIDE

Autonomous ErgoChair 2

Autonomous

$80 OFF (19%)

The ErgoChair 2 features the mass-adjustability that’s needed in a chair you’ll sit in eight hours a day – the armrests move, the seat pan moves, the seat cushion moves and, perhaps most helpfully, the lumbar support slides up and down the spine of the chair. All this, in tandem with a mesh back and a wicked sub-$400 price point (now $80 off for a limited time), make Autonomous’ chair one of the best value buys there is.

READ OUR BEST OFFICE CHAIRS GUIDE

LL Bean 8 Inch Boot

$20 OFF (15%)

L.L. Bean boots are ideal for braving adverse conditions. They’re waterproof and durable — some are even lined — and they’ll handle any winter conditions; it features a stout rubber bottom and a hardy leather upper, which makes them ideal for winter’s inclement conditions. Take 15% off this boot and more for a limited time.

READ MORE ON WINTER BOOTS

Western Rise AT Slim Pant

Western Rise

Dyson TP02 Pure Cool Link Tower Air Purifier Fan – Refurbished

eBay

$255 OFF (51%)

Able to identify and remove allergens emitted from family pets, the outdoors (yes, pollen), any bacteria or mold, various fumes from cooking or cleaning, nitrogen dioxide and more, the Pure Cool Tower Air Purifier Fan is absolutely ideal for those afflicted with allergy issues, or just anyone looking for cleaner air.

READ OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO DYSON VACUUMS

Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk

Fully

$84 OFF (15%)

For years critics and consumers have praised the Jarvis Standing Desk, and for good reason: its stability, design and breadth of customization options make it a worthy investment for the home or office. For a limited time, take 15% off.

READ OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST STANDING DESKS

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

4K is the bare minimum.

4K at 120Hz is ideal.

To get the most, you’ll probably need to upgrade.

Go for OLED to get the best results.

Today’s Top Deals

Related Posts

Can a Fancy Webcam Solve Your Biggest Work-From-Home Problems?

What to Expect at Tuesday’s Big Apple Event

5 New Gadgets to Keep on Your Radar