Best HDMI Cable for PS5 in Australia (2026): Do You Really Need HDMI 2.1?

The PS5 is one of the most powerful gaming consoles ever made. It can output 4K at 120 frames per second, supports Variable Refresh Rate to eliminate screen tearing, handles HDR with exceptional quality, and delivers lossless audio through eARC. But here's the thing, none of that works properly without the right HDMI cable.

If you've plugged your PS5 into a TV using whatever cable was lying around, or even the cable that came with an older device, there's a real chance you're not getting the performance Sony built into the console. And you'd have no obvious way of knowing.

This guide answers the question definitively: which HDMI cable does the PS5 actually need, what difference does it make in practice, and what should Australian buyers look for when purchasing? Let's get into it.

What HDMI Port Does the PS5 Use?

The PS5 has a single HDMI port, an HDMI 2.1 output. This is not an oversight or a limitation. Sony specifically designed PS5 around HDMI 2.1 as the required standard to unlock the console's full capabilities.

The PS5 box includes an HDMI cable. It's 1.5m and rated for HDMI 2.1, so out of the box, you're set up correctly if that cable reaches your TV. The problem arises when people replace the included cable with an older one from around the house, use a longer cable that isn't HDMI 2.1 rated, or buy a replacement without checking the specification.

Does PS5 Need HDMI 2.1? The Direct Answer

Yes. if you want 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, or eARC, your PS5 absolutely needs an HDMI 2.1 cable. These features physically cannot be delivered through an HDMI 2.0 or older cable because those cables don't have the bandwidth to carry the data.

Here's what happens with each cable type:

To be clear: your PS5 will still work with an HDMI 2.0 cable. You'll get a picture. But you'll be capped at 4K 60Hz at best, VRR won't function, ALLM won't trigger automatically, and eARC won't carry lossless audio to your soundbar. The console is running with its hands tied.

What Happens With HDMI 2.0 on PS5?

When you plug a PS5 into a TV using an HDMI 2.0 cable, the console detects the cable's bandwidth limitation and adjusts accordingly. In practice this means:

• Resolution caps at 4K 60Hz, smooth for most content, but not the 4K 120Hz the PS5 is designed for

• VRR is disabled, games that support VRR will still run, but frame rate fluctuations won't be smoothed out dynamically

• ALLM doesn't work, your TV won't automatically switch to game mode when you turn on the PS5

• High Frame Rate mode in PS5 settings may be greyed out or unavailable for compatible games

• eARC audio is unavailable, if you have a soundbar with Dolby Atmos support, it won't receive the lossless signal

Some of these limitations are subtle. The 4K picture will still look great. But if you've paid for a PS5 and a high-quality TV, you're leaving a meaningful portion of your investment unused.

4K 120Hz on PS5, What You Actually Need

4K 120Hz is the headline PS5 gaming spec and experiencing it requires everything in the chain to support it, not just the console. Here's the full checklist:

1. A TV or monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port that supports 4K 120Hz, check your TV's manual or specs page. Note: many 4K TVs from before 2021 only have HDMI 2.0 ports, even if the TV supports 4K.

2. An HDMI 2.1 cable rated for 48Gbps bandwidth, this is the cable itself.

3. A game that supports 120Hz output, not all PS5 games do. Look for 'Performance Mode' or '120Hz' in the game's settings.

4. 4K 120Hz enabled in PS5 video output settings — go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enable 4K and set resolution to 4K, with 120Hz enabled.

All four of these need to be in place simultaneously. The cable is one link in that chain and it's the easiest and cheapest to fix.

Our Recommended HDMI 2.1 Cable for PS5 in Australia

For PS5 in Australia, you need a cable that's rated for the full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 specification, not just labelled '4K' or 'high speed', which are older designations that don't confirm HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.

Look for: 'Ultra High Speed HDMI', '48Gbps', or 'HDMI 2.1' explicitly stated on the packaging. These terms confirm the cable meets the standard required for full PS5 performance.

Our HDMI 2.1 cable 2m for PS5 is certified for the full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 specification and rated for 4K 120Hz, 8K 60Hz, VRR, ALLM, and eARC. The 2m length is ideal for most living room and gaming room setups in Australia.

PS5 HDMI Setup Guide: Step by Step

Once you have the right cable, setting up PS5 for full 4K 120Hz output takes about two minutes:

5. Connect your HDMI 2.1 cable from the PS5's HDMI port to an HDMI 2.1 port on your TV. Check your TV's manual, not all ports on a 4K TV are HDMI 2.1. It's usually labelled on the port itself or in the manual.

6. Turn on the PS5 and go to Settings (gear icon in the top right of the home screen).

7. Select Screen and Video, then Video Output.

8. Set Resolution to 4K.

9. Set Frame Rate to 120Hz (if your TV supports it, this option will be greyed out if it doesn't).

10. Enable HDR, set to On or Automatic.

11. Under Additional Settings, enable VRR if your TV supports it (most 4K 120Hz TVs from 2021 onwards do).

12. Test with a game that supports Performance Mode, Spider-Man 2, Gran Turismo 7, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart all support 4K 120Hz on compatible setups.

What If My TV Doesn't Have an HDMI 2.1 Port?

This is a common situation. Many excellent 4K TVs, particularly those purchased before 2021, have HDMI 2.0 ports rather than HDMI 2.1. In this case, even with an HDMI 2.1 cable, you'll be limited to 4K 60Hz because the TV's port can't receive the HDMI 2.1 signal.

Your options:

• Accept 4K 60Hz for now, it's still a great picture, and HDR will still work

• Upgrade your TV to one with HDMI 2.1 ports, virtually all mid-range and above TVs from 2021 onwards have at least one HDMI 2.1 port

• Use a gaming monitor with HDMI 2.1, many high-refresh-rate gaming monitors have HDMI 2.1 and are excellent for PS5

Regardless of your TV situation, we'd still recommend buying an HDMI 2.1 cable now. Cable upgrades later are free if you already have the right one. And when you do upgrade your TV, you're ready immediately.

PS5 vs PS5 Slim, Any Difference?

No difference in HDMI terms. The PS5 Slim launched in late 2023 uses the same HDMI 2.1 output as the original PS5. The same cable recommendation applies to both models. The PS5 Slim also ships with a 1.5m HDMI 2.1 cable in the box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the HDMI cable that came with my PS5?

Yes, Sony includes a genuine HDMI 2.1 cable with every PS5. It's 1.5m long and fully rated for 4K 120Hz. If it reaches your TV comfortably, use it. If you need something longer, replace it with a 2m HDMI 2.1 cable.

Does PS5 support HDMI 2.2?

No. PS5 uses HDMI 2.1 and does not support HDMI 2.2. However, an HDMI 2.2 cable is fully backwards compatible with PS5, it will work at full HDMI 2.1 performance. If you're future-proofing for PS6 or a 4K 240Hz PC setup, buying HDMI 2.2 now means one less upgrade later.

Why does my PS5 show 'HDMI Device Link not supported'?

This usually means the cable or TV doesn't support HDMI 2.1's ALLM feature, or HDMI Device Link (Sony's branding for ALLM/CEC) isn't enabled on your TV. Check your TV's HDMI settings menu and ensure CEC or Device Link is enabled. If the issue persists, the cable may not be a genuine HDMI 2.1 rated cable.

Do I need a special cable for PS5 VRR?

VRR requires an HDMI 2.1 cable, it's part of the HDMI 2.1 specification and cannot work on HDMI 2.0 or older cables. You also need a VRR-compatible TV (most 4K 120Hz TVs from 2021 onwards support it) and a game with VRR support. Our HDMI 2.1 cable fully supports VRR.

Is a 2m HDMI 2.1 cable long enough for PS5?

For most Australian living rooms and gaming setups, yes. 2m is enough to reach from a PS5 in an entertainment unit to a wall-mounted TV or a nearby monitor. If your TV is ceiling-mounted or your setup requires a longer run, consider a 3m HDMI 2.1 cable, signal quality is maintained up to around 5m without an active cable.

The Bottom Line: Which HDMI Cable Does PS5 Need?

HDMI 2.1, full stop. The PS5 was designed around this standard and needs it to deliver 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and eARC. Any other cable leaves performance on the table.

The fix is simple and inexpensive. One cable swap is all it takes to unlock everything the PS5 is capable of.

Get our HDMI 2.1 cable 2m for PS5, fully rated for 48Gbps, 4K 120Hz, VRR and eARC. Ships free across Australia.

Also read: HDMI cables Australia to compare all options.