If you are setting up a PS5, Xbox Series X, or the latest console refresh in your living room, you have probably noticed that high-end monitors and TVs now list both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 on the spec sheet. The cables look similar, the numbers sound similar, and both promise 4K at 120Hz and beyond. The real decision is not which standard is technically faster on paper, but which one actually works with your console, your display, and the way your room is set up. For most console gamers, the choice is made for you before you buy a cable, and understanding why will save you money and headaches.
Our Top Picks
msi MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 27-Inch WQHD QD-OLED14.7" x 24" x 2.8"23.9 x 9.52 x 16.38 inches28.05 PoundsCheck on Amazon
Top 3 picks at a glance
Quick Verdict
For console gaming, HDMI 2.1 is the default winner. Every modern console is built around HDMI 2.1, every 4K TV supports it, and you do not need an adapter to get 4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). DisplayPort 2.1 is technically more powerful with up to 80 Gbps of bandwidth compared to HDMI 2.1’s 48 Gbps, but consoles do not have a native DisplayPort output. You would need an active adapter to use it, which adds cost and complexity with no visible benefit on a console today. Choose HDMI 2.1 for any TV or console-first setup. Consider DisplayPort 2.1 only if you are buying a dual-purpose monitor for both PC and console, like a high-refresh OLED that will also be connected to a gaming PC.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Side by Side
| Feature | HDMI 2.1 | DisplayPort 2.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Plug-and-play with all consoles. No adapter, no settings workaround. Works with TV remotes via CEC. | Requires active adapter or USB-C DP Alt Mode for console use. Extra step every time you switch inputs. |
| Durability | Friction-fit connector, easy to insert. Certified Ultra High Speed cables are tested for 48 Gbps. Lifespan 5-7 years with normal use. | Latching connector locks in place, excellent for desks where cables get bumped. Less wear from accidental pulls. |
| Price Range | Cables $6 to $15 for 6 to 10 feet. Certified options like Highwings 8K HDMI Cable 48Gbps 6.6FT at around $6 or UGREEN 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 6.6FT at around $8 are typical. | Cables $9 to $25 for 6 to 10 feet. Active HDMI-to-DP adapter adds $18 to $35 if you need conversion. |
| Maintenance | Low. Keep connector dust-free, avoid sharp bends within 1.5 inches of the plug. Replace if you see sparkles or dropouts. | Very low. Latch reduces strain on port. Same bend-radius care as HDMI. Latch button must be pressed to disconnect. |
| Space Needed | Ideal for living rooms. Fits tight behind wall-mounted TVs. Cable diameter around 6mm, flexible for in-wall runs up to 10 feet like the Capshi 10ft HDMI Cable 2.1. | Better for desk setups. Stiffer latch head needs about 2 inches of clearance behind monitor. Less ideal for flush wall mounts. |
| Look | Single slim cable blends behind TV. Available in braided or soft PVC. Matches modern AV furniture. | Slightly thicker connector housing due to latch. Same braided options, but bulkier plug is more visible on thin monitors. |
| Resale | Universal. Any buyer with a TV, soundbar, or console can reuse it. Higher resale value for displays with HDMI 2.1. | Niche for console-only homes. Adds value only for PC gaming monitors, such as the msi MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 with both HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.1. |
| Best For | Living room console gaming, 4K TVs, soundbar/eARC setups, anyone who wants the simplest connection. | PC-first gamers who also connect a console to the same monitor, competitive players chasing 240Hz+ on PC. |
Where Hdmi 2.1 Wins
HDMI 2.1 wins on compatibility, and for consoles that is everything. The PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S all output via HDMI 2.1. That port gives you the full feature stack consoles were designed for without extra hardware: 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and eARC for sending lossless audio to a soundbar or receiver through a single cable. If you connect to a 4K TV, which in 2026 almost universally ships with two to four HDMI 2.1 ports and zero DisplayPort ports, you just plug in and select Game Mode.
Bandwidth is also more than enough. At 48 Gbps, HDMI 2.1 handles 4K at 120Hz with 10-bit color and HDR with no compression. Even 4K at 144Hz is possible with Display Stream Compression, which is visually lossless for gaming and invisible at normal viewing distances of 6 to 9 feet in a living room. For lengths people actually use at home, 6.6 feet to 10 feet, certified cables are inexpensive and reliable. A 6.6-foot certified cable like the Highwings 8K HDMI Cable or the UGREEN 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable delivers the full 48 Gbps, while a longer run like the Capshi 10ft HDMI Cable 2.1 gives you flexibility to route around a media console without signal loss.
Finally, HDMI 2.1 simplifies your whole AV chain. One cable goes from console to TV, and one eARC cable goes from TV to soundbar. Your TV remote can power everything on and switch inputs via CEC. You avoid dongles, separate audio extractors, and the input-lag penalty some adapters introduce, which can be 2 to 8 ms.
Where Displayport 2.1 for Console Gaming Wins
DisplayPort 2.1 is the stronger standard on paper. With UHBR 20, it offers up to 80 Gbps, nearly double HDMI 2.1. That headroom matters for PC gaming at extreme resolutions and refresh rates, such as 4K at 240Hz or 8K at 60Hz without compression, and for daisy-chaining multiple monitors from one output. If your home setup revolves around a high-end gaming monitor rather than a TV, DisplayPort 2.1 is where that monitor shines.
This is why a monitor like the msi MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 27-Inch WQHD QD-OLED Monitor includes both HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.1. It is a 2560 x 1440 panel that can hit 500Hz with a 0.03 ms response time on a PC via DisplayPort 2.1, while still offering HDMI 2.1 for your console at 1440p at 120Hz. The panel covers DisplayHDR True Black 500, supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC Compatible, and provides a 98W USB-C connection for a laptop — all features that are fed most easily through DisplayPort or USB-C. The monitor itself weighs about 13.2 pounds without the stand and draws 35 to 45 watts during gaming, versus 120 to 180 watts for a 55-inch OLED TV, so it is also a more efficient choice for a bedroom or office.
Where DisplayPort 2.1 actually wins for console gaming is not in image quality, which will look identical to HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120Hz, but in flexibility for a shared desk. If you have a gaming PC and a console sharing one screen, you can leave the PC on DisplayPort 2.1 to get its full 360Hz to 500Hz capability and leave the console on HDMI 2.1, switching inputs with the monitor’s joystick. The latching DisplayPort connector also stays more secure if your desk moves or your cables get tugged by a chair. Just remember, you cannot plug a console directly into DisplayPort without an active adapter, so DisplayPort is a win only when the display, not the console, is the center of your setup.
Cost Over 5 Years
Over five years, HDMI 2.1 is the cheaper and more predictable option for a console household.
For a TV-based setup, expect to spend $6 to $15 per cable. Most people need two: one from console to TV and one for eARC to a soundbar. Even if you replace a cable once due to a move or a pet chewing it, your five-year cable cost is $12 to $30. No adapter is needed. Power draw does not change between standards, so there is no energy cost difference at the cable level.
For a DisplayPort 2.1 path with a console, your base cable cost is $9 to $25, plus $18 to $35 for a certified active HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter that supports 4K at 120Hz and VRR. Some cheaper adapters cap at 4K at 60Hz or drop VRR, so you must buy a verified 48 Gbps-capable model. Adapters also have a higher failure rate and may need replacement after 2 to 3 years, adding another $20 to $30. Total five-year cost for a console-to-DisplayPort chain is $30 to $85. If you already own a PC monitor with both ports, you can avoid the adapter by simply using the monitor’s HDMI 2.1 input for the console and reserving DisplayPort 2.1 for the PC — this is the most cost-effective dual setup.
Display cost is similar regardless of port. A 27-inch WQHD QD-OLED monitor like the msi MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 sits around $680, while a 55-inch 4K 120Hz TV ranges from $549 to $1,200. Both will last five-plus years. HDMI 2.1 does not wear out ports faster than DisplayPort, so resale value is driven more by panel type than connector type, though TVs with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports are easier to resell to the average buyer.
Which One for Your Home
Your room and household matter more than the spec sheet. Here is how to choose based on where and how you play.
Small Apartment
Choose HDMI 2.1. Space is tight, and you likely have a single 48- to 65-inch TV serving as both movie screen and console display, mounted 4 to 6 inches from the wall. A flexible 6.6-foot HDMI cable like the UGREEN 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable can make a 90-degree bend behind the TV without stressing the port, while a latching DisplayPort plug would need extra clearance. You also avoid clutter: one cable, no adapter box velcroed behind the TV stand. If your apartment has a combined living and dining area under 600 square feet, the simplicity of HDMI 2.1 keeps your media console clean and easy to dust.
Family with Kids/Pets
Choose HDMI 2.1 for the living room, DisplayPort 2.1 only for a locked office. In high-traffic family rooms, friction-fit HDMI is actually safer — if a child or dog snags the cable, it pulls free without toppling a 40- to 60-pound TV. A latching DisplayPort cable holds fast, which is great on a desk but can yank a lightweight monitor off a shelf. For durability, look for braided certified cables with strain relief and route them through a cable channel mounted 12 to 18 inches off the floor, out of reach. Keep a spare $7 to $9 cable in a drawer so you are not stuck without a working setup during a holiday weekend.
Rental
Choose HDMI 2.1. Renters cannot open walls to run cables and often rely on a single power outlet behind the TV. HDMI 2.1 works with the TV that came with the apartment or a portable setup you take with you when you move. The Capshi 10ft HDMI Cable 2.1 is useful here because the extra length lets you place the console inside a closed media cabinet or on a side shelf without drilling. DisplayPort monitors are excellent for renters who game at a desk, but you will still use HDMI for the console input, so you gain nothing by forcing a DisplayPort conversion for the console itself.
Long-Term Home
Choose HDMI 2.1 for the living room TV and a display with both ports for your gaming den. If you are building a permanent setup, invest in a TV with four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports (48 Gbps on each, not just one) and a monitor like the msi MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 that offers HDMI 2.1, DP 2.1, and 98W USB-C. This gives you future-proofing without waste: the TV handles consoles and streaming for the next five to seven years, while the monitor handles PC upgrades that can actually use DisplayPort 2.1’s 80 Gbps. Run a certified 6.6-foot cable now; if you later move the console farther away, upgrade to a 10-foot certified cord rather than using couplers, which can break VRR.
FAQ
Can I use DisplayPort 2.1 directly from a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
No. Both consoles output only HDMI 2.1. To connect to a DisplayPort-only input you need an active HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter rated for 48 Gbps, 4K at 120Hz, and VRR passthrough. Passive cables or simple plug adapters will not work, and even with an active adapter some TVs and monitors may lose ALLM or add a few milliseconds of lag.
Is the picture quality better on DisplayPort 2.1?
At console settings, no. For 4K at 120Hz with HDR, both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 deliver an identical image because the console caps at 48 Gbps. You will not see sharper textures or richer color on DisplayPort. The difference only appears on a PC pushing beyond HDMI 2.1 limits, such as 4K at 240Hz uncompressed, which consoles do not support.
Do I need a special 80 Gbps cable for DisplayPort 2.1 console gaming?
Not for a console. The console still sends at most 48 Gbps, so any DisplayPort 2.1 cable rated for UHBR 10 or UHBR 13.5 is sufficient when used with an adapter. If you also connect a high-end PC that can use the full 80 Gbps, buy a certified DP80 UHBR 20 cable that is VESA certified and keep it 6 to 9 feet long to ensure reliable signal integrity at 500Hz.
What cable length should I buy for my setup?
Measure your run and add 1.5 feet of slack. For a TV on a stand 3 to 5 feet from the console, a 6.6-foot cable like the Highwings 8K 10K 4K HDMI Cable 48Gbps 6.6FT is perfect and minimizes signal loss. For wall-mounted TVs or consoles tucked in a closet, choose the 10-foot Capshi cable. Avoid runs over 15 feet without a certified active optical HDMI cable, as passive cables beyond that length can drop to 4K at 60Hz.
