If you want to see our test for Monitors, check our " Input Lag of Monitors " article.

Note: Input lag is not the same as response time. The response time is the time it takes a pixel to shift from one color to another, which is significantly shorter than the input lag time. Response time is related to motion blur .

Update 09/14/2016 : We are now testing input lag in various resolutions, including 4k and HDR. We've retested all 2016 4k TVs that we bought so far. For testing 4k and HDR, we are using the Leo Bodnar tool chained into the HDFury Integral and the HDFury Linker to upscale to 4k and inject HDR metadata. These tools don't add any significant input lag to the measurements.

Update 09/21/2017: We have changed our testing methodology to use a new input lag tool . As a result, we have now measured 1080p @ 120Hz input lag for all supported TVs we have in our lab.

Update 03/09/2018: We have added new input lag tests with the 1.2 test bench (4k @ 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate). We have also removed rarely used tests (1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4, 1080p with Interpolation).

Update 02/28/2019: We have added new input lag tests with the 1.3 test bench (1440p @ 60Hz, 1440p @ 120Hz, 1440p with VRR, 8k @ 60Hz, 8k with VRR). We have also removed rarely used tests (1080p @ 60Hz + HDR, 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR).

We record the lowest input lag time of which a TV is capable, the amount of lag present when motion interpolation is enabled, and the amount of lag a TV has when using our calibrated settings at different resolutions and refresh rates.

A television’s input lag is the amount of time that elapses between a picture being generated by a source and that image appearing onscreen. When gaming, you’ll experience this as the time between making an input and seeing the reaction appear onscreen. It’s only important for gamers, and even then, different gamers will have different sensitivity to lag.

When it matters: Video games; when TV is used as a PC monitor.

What it is: Delay between input and onscreen reaction.

Test results

With fast-paced games like shooters and fighting games, quick reflexes are key. Lower input lag can mean the difference between a well-timed reaction and a move that takes too long to register and ends up countered by the opponent before it can ever be performed. This lag doesn’t matter for watching movies, though, so unless you’re a gamer and are worried about PC peripheral lag, or Nintendo, Xbox One, or PS4 controller input lag (or other controllers), you have nothing to worry about. Most people will not notice under 50 ms of input lag while more competitive gamers should look for a TV that can do below 40 ms. Almost everyone will also find anything over 100 ms terrible to play with.

Input lag only matters for playing video games, either on a console or on a PC.

Our tests

1080p @ 60Hz Input lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1080p @ 60Hz input signal. When it matters: Gaming and PC use. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This input lag test represents the lowest lag a TV is capable of achieving with a 1080p @ 60Hz signal. This number is important for most gamers on console or PC which have a Full-HD or 1080p output, such as the PS4 and Xbox One, and is even more important when playing fast-paced or competitive games. We use a custom tool to perform this test, as it provides an accurate, continuous measurement of a TV’s input lag. To get the lowest amount of lag on most TVs, it’s necessary to enable 'Game' mode. On some, though, special steps are required, which we always list on the settings page of each TV.

1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1080p @ 60Hz input signal when in a fully-featured picture mode. When it matters: For gaming and PC use, while retaining access to all features of the TV. Good value: < 40 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

Our 1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode measurement represents the amount of input lag that is present when a TV uses our posted review settings – no game mode, no motion interpolation. It is useful for those who want to game with the most accurate image or with processing options available.

1440p @ 60Hz Input Lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1440p @ 60Hz input signal. When it matters: Gaming and PC use. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This test is similar to the 1080p @ 60Hz Input lag test; however, a higher resolution 1440p @ 60Hz signal is sent to the TV instead. This test is more niche: only the Xbox One S, One X, and PCs can game at 1440p, and not all TVs support a 1440p input. This test is only relevant if you choose to game at 1440p and have a source and TV that support it.

4k @ 60Hz Input Lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k @ 60Hz input signal. When it matters: Gaming and PC use. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This test is similar to the 1080p @ 60Hz Input lag test; however, a higher resolution 4k @ 60Hz signal is sent to the TV instead. This is the amount of lag that is best for gamers on newer consoles such as the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X or PC and is pretty important for most fast-paced, competitive games.

4k @ 60Hz + HDR Input Lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k @ 60Hz + 10 bit HDR input signal. When it matters: Gaming and PC use in HDR. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This test is similar to the 4k @ 60Hz Input lag test; however, an HDFury Linker is chained between the PC (pattern generator) and TV. This allows us to send an HDR signal and measure the input lag with the same custom tool as other input lag tests. A low 4k @ 60Hz + HDR input lag number is important for people playing HDR games on new consoles (Xbox One X or PS4 Pro) or with a PC.

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 Input Lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible when displaying 4k @ 60Hz with proper full 4:4:4 chroma, without subsampling. For this test a 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 signal is usually used, but a 4k @ 60Hz @ Full RGB signal may be used if it's required for the TV to show proper 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. When it matters: PC use and gaming where fine text display (ClearType) is needed. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This input lag test represents the lowest lag a TV is capable of achieving when displaying a 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 signal. You can read more about 4:4:4 here; however, it is generally only useful for PC use. For most TVs, this requires changing to a PC mode or input icon, however, you can see our settings page of any TV for more information. For this test we use the same method as other input lag tests, however, we additionally test that chroma subsampling is displayed correctly.

4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k @ 60Hz input signal when in a fully-featured picture mode. When it matters: For gaming and PC use, while retaining access to all features of the TV. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This test is similar to the 1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode test, but with a 4k @ 60Hz signal. Game mode disables many of the picture options a TV has, so this test is useful for people who want to play games with all of the TV’s settings available to them.

4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k @ 60Hz input signal, when motion interpolation is turned on. When it matters: When you want to play video games with motion interpolation (Soap Opera Effect) enabled. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This input lag time represents the lowest amount of lag a TV can get with the motion interpolation feature (soap opera effect) turned on and a 4k signal. If you want to increase the frame rate of videos by adjusting the TV’s settings, this is a test you should care about. Just keep in mind that this setting will usually have significantly higher input lag than the TV’s minimum, and so isn’t great for competitive games (it works well for most RPGs and turn-based games, though). We use the same testing process as for the first test, only instead of enabling game mode, we enable motion interpolation at its highest setting. On most TVs, this isn't playable for fast games. Some people chose to live with a higher input lag to get a smoother motion. Learn more about motion interpolation.

8k @ 60Hz Input Lag

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for an 8k @ 60Hz input signal. When it matters: PC use. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This test is similar to the 4k @ 60Hz Input lag test; however, an even higher resolution 8k @ 60Hz signal is sent to the TV instead. Currently, no mainstream gaming device can send this resolution to a TV, but in the future, some PCs and consoles will be able to game at this resolution.

1080p @ 120Hz

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1080p @ 120Hz input signal. When it matters: Console gaming and PC gaming. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This is similar to the 1080p @ 60Hz input lag test; however, a 120Hz signal is sent to the TV. This test is mostly useful for those who enjoy gaming at high refresh rates on a PC. On consoles, the Xbox One S and Xbox One X now also support 1080p @ 120Hz output; although most Xbox games can't render at 120Hz, 120Hz input lag is often lower than 60Hz, so Xbox users who want to game at 1080p can use 1080p @ 120Hz output to get lower input lag in most cases.

1440p @ 120Hz

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1440p @ 120Hz input signal. When it matters: Console gaming and PC gaming. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This is similar to the 1080p @ 120Hz input lag test; however, a 1440p @ 120Hz signal is sent to the TV. Once again this test is mostly useful for PC gaming, but Xbox One S and X users can enable 1440p @ 120Hz output to get lower input lag in most cases, if the TV supports such a resolution.

4k @ 120Hz

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k @ 120Hz input signal. When it matters: Console gaming and PC gaming. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This is similar to the 1080p @ 120Hz input lag test; however, this uses a much higher bandwidth 4k signal instead. It is useful for those who can game at high resolution and high refresh rates on PC.

1080p with Variable Refresh Rate

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1080p input signal when using Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync, etc). When it matters: When gaming with a device that supports Variable Refresh Rate, such as the Xbox One X or a PC. Good value: < 30 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This is similar to the 1080p @ 60Hz input lag test; however, a variable refresh rate signal is sent instead (such as FreeSync), using the maximum refresh rate available on the TV (such as 120Hz). You can read more about variable refresh rate (VRR) here, but in a nutshell when a game's framerate changes, a VRR capable display will show the framerate changes smoothly without sudden framerate jumps; VRR also often has very low input lag. This test is useful for PC and Xbox One S / One X gamers who have a TV that is capable of using VRR.

1440p with VRR

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 1440p input signal when using Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync, etc). When it matters: When gaming with a device that supports Variable Refresh Rate, such as the Xbox One X or a PC. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This is similar to the 1080p with VRR input lag test; however, a 1440p signal is sent instead. This is again useful for PC and Xbox One S / One X gamers who have a compatible TV.

4k with VRR

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for a 4k input signal when using Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync, etc). When it matters: When gaming with a device that supports Variable Refresh Rate, such as the Xbox One X or a PC. Good value: < 25 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms Score distribution Score distribution: - SAMPLE - Become an Insider to see distribution charts

This is similar to the 1080p with VRR input lag test; however, a 4k signal is sent instead. This is again useful for PC and Xbox One S / One X gamers who have a compatible TV. Like the other VRR tests, this is performed using the maximum refresh rate possible on the TV, however at a 4k resolution most TVs are limited to 60Hz; this means that the input lag will often be worse than say the 1080p with VRR input lag, which sometimes uses 120Hz.

8k with VRR

What it is: Lowest input lag possible for an 8k input signal when using Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync, etc). When it matters: When using a PC that supports Variable Refresh Rate. Good value: < 30 ms Noticeable difference: 15 ms

This is similar to the 1080p with VRR input lag test; however, an 8k signal is sent instead. Currently, no mainstream gaming device can send this resolution to a TV, but in the future, some PCs and consoles will be able to game at this resolution.

Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

What it is: Whether a source (such as a game console) can request the TV switch into a low latency mode (such as game mode). When it matters: Console gaming; both PS4 and Xbox One S/X support ALLM.

This tests whether a game console can request the TV switch into a game mode when a game is being played, and into a non-game mode when non-game content is played. This is one of the new specs introduced with HDMI 2.1 and has been backported to some HDMI 2.0 TVs such as 2018 Samsung TVs. This feature is useful if you use a game console for watching other content, like Netflix, and want to use a fully-featured picture mode for this content. Currently, only the Xbox One S / One X support the official HDMI ALLM spec, but the PS4 and PS4 Pro have a similar Sony proprietary feature that works on most TVs.