How we test TV input lag at TechRadar

Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester
(Image credit: Future)

When we test the best TVs, we look for key features designed to maximize performance with game consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X and also for PC gaming. These features include high refresh rates (120Hz/144Hz), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), among others, and how these are handled informs our ratings for the best gaming TVs.  

One of the most important gaming performance criteria we test for is latency (also referred to as input lag). Defined in the simplest terms, latency is the time delay between when an image is sent from a source and when a TV, monitor, or projector displays it. 

Great TVs for gaming have low input lag for competitive gaming in racing games and first-person shooters (FPS), for example, where the smallest level of latency can drastically affect the outcome. We’re talking milliseconds of delay, but some of today’s video games support 120fps output, which means there’s only 8ms between frames, so a tiny delay makes a difference. The higher the latency, the longer the delay between when a player inputs a command from a controller and when the result is shown on-screen. 

TVs use a lot of digital processing (such as noise reduction, motion processing and interpolation, and upscaling ) and this can drastically affect input lag times. Many TVs nowadays feature a ‘game mode’, and when active, it will turn off some of these digital processes and adjust to the best possible settings for gaming. 

Below is a breakdown of what equipment we use to test latency on TVs, how the testing process works, and what latency times you can expect on some of the best 120Hz TVs and gaming TVs. 

Input lag testing with Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester on screen

The Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester (pictured) held to the middle bar displayed on screen (Image credit: Future)

We use the Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester to measure latency. This device can measure input lag at a variety of resolutions and refresh rates, but the most common ones used for our testing are 4K at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz. 

The Leo Bodnar tester measures input lag by connecting to a 4K HDMI port on the TV and sending a built-in test pattern that appears on the TV screen and is measured using a sensor on the device itself. The measured input lag results (in milliseconds) also appear on screen and are then recorded.

Before connecting the Leo Bodnar tester, we put the TV into its game mode, which provides the lowest possible latency and represents what people will be using when gaming on it. We then connect it to an HDMI 2.1 port that supports 4K 120Hz if one is available, or a 4K 60Hz port.

At this time, three flashing bars appear on the TV’s screen. We hold the Leo Bodnar tester up to the middle bar because this is the equivalent of taking an average reading of all three bars. We then keep it in place for a few more seconds to account for any changes. We also take multiple readings to avoid any outlier results. 

Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester on Philips OLED 908

The result of the Leo Bodnar's reading is displayed next to the word LAG (pictured), measured in milliseconds (ms) (Image credit: Future)

If there is more than one type of game mode on the TV, we’ll record both results and differentiate between them. Some TVs from manufacturers, such as LG and Philips, include an ‘enhanced’ game setting which will further reduce input lag. The best example of this is on LG TVs such as the LG C3 and LG G3, which feature LG’s Game Optimizer menu with a ‘Boost’ setting. Without Boost mode, LG TVs average around 12ms of input lag. With Boost mode on, it is reduced to roughly 9ms.

Input lag results vary across TVs, but most we test are under 20ms, which is still a decent result. But knowing the difference between a TV like the Sony X90L, which yielded a result of 18.9ms, and the Samsung QN85C, which yielded a result of 9.8ms, can be extremely important to competitive gamers when choosing a TV. 

According to Intel, professional gamers look for an input lag below 15ms. For these professional gamers (or those looking for the same performance as professionals do), a TV with an input lag of over 15ms wouldn’t be suitable, making it all the more important that we test TVs for latency. 

Al Griffin
Senior Editor Home Entertainment, US

Al Griffin has been writing about and reviewing A/V tech since the days LaserDiscs roamed the earth, and was previously the editor of Sound & Vision magazine. 

When not reviewing the latest and greatest gear or watching movies at home, he can usually be found out and about on a bike.

With contributions from
Read more
best 120Hz TV image 2025 with LG C4 on orange background
The best 120Hz 4K TVs 2025, tested for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Best gaming TV with LG C4 on Cyan background
The best gaming TV 2025 for all budgets, all real-world tested by our experts
Samsung Wireless One Connect on stone pedestal
I tested Samsung's new wireless TV connection box, and gamers need to know one thing
A woman holding two HDMI cables behind her TV, looking confused
More 4K TVs will be upgraded with better 120Hz connectivity in 2025, but it might not be the ones you expect, due to a surprising trade-off
Best Xbox Series X monitors
The best monitors for Xbox Series X in 2025
Best TVs for sports hero image 2024 with Samsung Qn90D on blue background
The best TVs for sport for 2025 for all budgets
Latest in Televisions
Hisense U7N Prime Day 2024 deal image
The Hisense U7N was one of the best TVs I tested in 2024, and it just had its price slashed at Amazon
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar with Halloween theme over the top
Samsung promises to repair soundbars bricked by its disastrous software update for free – but it'll probably involve shipping
LG C3 deal image on blue background
Woah – LG's C3 OLED TV just crashed to its lowest price ever for March Madness
Samsung Wireless One Connect on stone pedestal
I tested Samsung's new wireless TV connection box, and gamers need to know one thing
Samsung S95D with peacock feather on screen
Samsung says an OLED-beating new screen tech could come sooner than we thought – but I wouldn't expect it in 4K TVs right away
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is back down to 40% off – give your older 4K TV a cheap smart upgrade
Latest in Features
Saily eSIM by Nord Security
"Much more than just an eSIM service" - I spoke to the CEO of Saily about the future of travel and its impact on secure eSIM technology
A collage image showing images from the TV shows The White Lotus on Max, Black Mirror on Netflix and The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu.
I'm pausing my Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Paramount+ subscriptions in April 2025 – here are the 3 streaming services I'm keeping instead
Gemini on a smartphone.
Gemini is pulling ahead of ChatGPT – combining Deep Research with Audio Overviews is one of the best uses of AI I’ve seen so far
The Rookie
The Rookie is Hulu's #1 show – here are 3 police procedural dramas with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch next
Grok Image Edits
I tried Grok’s new AI image editing features – they’re fun but won’t replace Photoshop any time soon
Intel Core Ultra PCs
“No matter who you are, what you do, what form factor you choose” - how Intel is bringing AI advantage and unrivaled security to every industry and ecosystem