Cheapest high-refresh-rate TVs for South African console gamers

South African console gamers can get a TV with a 100Hz or higher panel for as little as R10,999, with several options of various sizes available for between R10,999 and R18,999.

TVs typically feature 50Hz or 60Hz refresh rates, which used to be ideal for gaming on earlier-generation consoles. However, newer consoles can run games at 4K resolution and up to 120 frames per second.

Therefore, some console gamers in the country may want to upgrade their TV to get the best experience possible. It should be noted that some console gamers may prefer gaming on a PC monitor, of which there are many high-refresh-rate options.

MyBroadband looked for affordable high-refresh-rate monitors of various sizes available in South Africa.

The most affordable option we found is Hisense’s U7H-model 55-inch 4K ULED smart TV, which is available from Takealot for R10,999.

It has a 120Hz refresh rate, supports AMD FreeSync Premium, and has a 4K resolution, meaning console gamers can enjoy a smooth, high-quality gaming experience.

For R800 more, South Africans can get another Hisense — the 55-inch Hisense U7K-series 4K smart TV — also from Takealot. It offers specs similar to the U7H model, but with two key differences.

The 55-inch U7K Hisense TV features Mini-LED technology, which incorporates a backlight comprised of tiny LEDs illuminating an LCD panel. It also offers a better contrast ratio than the U7H at 4,000:1.

Takealot sells Samsung’s 43-inch 4K QLED Smart TV for R12,999. It features a native refresh rate of 120Hz, which it says can go up to 144Hz when connected to a PC with a compatible graphics card.

However, console gamers can still game in 4K resolution at 120Hz. The TV features a native contrast ratio of 1,674:1 and is the only option listed to support AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Two TCL 144Hz gaming-focused TVs made our list — the 55-inch and 65-inch C745 — at R10,999 and R13,999 respectively.

The TV’s feature a native 144Hz panel with a variable refresh rate of between 48Hz and 144Hz, thanks to their support for AMD FreeSync Premium.

Two Sony TVs are listed — the 55-inch and 65-inch X85K-series 4K models. The smaller model is available from Hi-Fi Corp for R15,999, while the 65-inch variation is available for R18,999, also from Hi-Fi Corp.

Being of the same model line, both TVs offer similar specs with a 4K resolution, 100Hz native refresh rate, a contrast ratio of 7,458:1, and a 4.2 millisecond response time.

One LG TV is listed: the 65-inch 816-series QNED 4K Gaming Smart TV. It is available from Hirsch’s Homestore for R17,999.99.

It features a native refresh rate of 120Hz and supports AMD FreeSync Premium. LG doesn’t specify the TV’s peak brightness, contrast ratio, and response time.

Eight of the cheapest TVs available in South Africa with a refresh rate of 100Hz or higher are listed below with specs and pricing.

Hisense 55-inch 4K Smart ULED TV (U7H) — R10,999 (Takealot)

Sony 55-inch 4K LED Google TV (KD-55X85K) — R10,999 (Hi-Fi Corp)

TCL 55-inch QLED Gaming Google TV (C745) — R10,999 (Takealot)

Hisense 55-inch 4K Smart Mini-LED TV (U7K) — R11,899 (Takealot)

Samsung 43-inch 4K Smart QLED TV (QN90C) — R12,999 (Takealot)

TCL 65-inch QLED Gaming Google TV (C745) — R13,999 (Takealot)

LG 65-inch QNED 4K Gaming Smart TV (816 Series) — R17,999.99 (Hirsch’s Homestore)

Sony 65-inch 4K Google TV (KD-65X85K) — R18,999 (Hi-Fi Corp)