Is HDMI 2.2 Worth Buying in 2026? What You Need to Know

HDMI 2.2 was announced at CES 2024 and has now had over two years to establish itself in the market. Device support has grown. Premium monitors with HDMI 2.2 ports are widely available. High-end GPUs support the standard. And the next generation of gaming consoles is closer than ever.

So the question is sharper than it was a year ago: is HDMI 2.2 actually worth buying right now in Australia?

The answer depends on your setup and what you're planning for. This guide gives you the honest breakdown, who should buy HDMI 2.2 today, who should still hold off, and what's changed in 2026 that makes this a more interesting question than it used to be.

Quick Recap: What Does HDMI 2.2 Actually Deliver?

HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, from 48Gbps to 96Gbps. That headroom unlocks:

• 4K at 240Hz, ultra-smooth gaming on high-end monitors
• 8K at 120Hz, smooth motion for 8K displays
• 10K resolution support
• 16K with DSC 1.2a compression
• Enhanced VRR and eARC support
• Full backwards compatibility with HDMI 2.1, 2.0, and 1.4 devices

The backwards compatibility point is important: an HDMI 2.2 cable works perfectly with your current PS5, Xbox Series X, 4K TV, or any other HDMI device. You don't lose anything by using HDMI 2.2 with older hardware, it simply operates at whatever bandwidth those devices support.

What HDMI 2.2 Devices Are Available in 2026?

This is where things have meaningfully changed compared to 2024 and early 2025. Here's the current state of HDMI 2.2 device support:

Monitors

4K 240Hz gaming monitors with HDMI 2.2 ports are now widely available from major manufacturers including LG, Samsung, ASUS ROG, Acer Predator, and MSI. This is the primary consumer use case for HDMI 2.2 right now, high-end PC gaming at 4K 240Hz. If you're in the market for a premium gaming monitor in 2026, there's a good chance it already has an HDMI 2.2 port.

Graphics Cards

Current high-end GPUs from both NVIDIA and AMD support HDMI 2.2 output, making 4K 240Hz over HDMI achievable on modern PC gaming rigs. Mid-range GPU support is growing as the standard becomes more established in the hardware ecosystem.

TVs

Flagship 8K TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony have begun incorporating HDMI 2.2 ports. 4K TVs with HDMI 2.2 are starting to appear in the premium tier. For the mass market, HDMI 2.1 remains the standard in most 4K TVs sold in Australia today, but the transition is underway.

Gaming Consoles

PS5 and Xbox Series X use HDMI 2.1 and do not support HDMI 2.2. This is expected, these consoles were finalised before HDMI 2.2 existed. Next-gen consoles are widely anticipated to launch with HDMI 2.2 support, with PS6 reportedly targeting 4K 240Hz output as a headline specification. No confirmed release dates have been announced as of early 2026.

Streaming Devices

Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV all currently output at 4K 60Hz maximum, well within HDMI 2.0 territory. HDMI 2.2 is not relevant for streaming device connections today.

The Core Question: Should YOU Buy HDMI 2.2 in 2026?

Here's the honest answer broken down by situation:

Yes, buy HDMI 2.2 now if:

• You have or are buying a 4K 240Hz monitor, you need HDMI 2.2 for full performance
• You're building or upgrading a high-end PC gaming setup with a current-gen GPU
• You want to future-proof for next-gen consoles and don't want to replace cables when they launch
• You have an 8K TV and want 8K 120Hz performance
• You're buying any HDMI cable right now and the price difference is minimal, there's no reason to buy HDMI 2.1 when 2.2 is available

HDMI 2.1 is still the right choice if:

• You have a PS5 or Xbox Series X as your only gaming device, HDMI 2.1 delivers full performance for both
• Your TV is a 4K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz model without HDMI 2.2 ports, HDMI 2.2 can't add capabilities the TV doesn't have
• Your budget is tight, HDMI 2.1 covers everything current-gen at a lower price point

Wait if:

• You're specifically holding out for a PS6 or next-gen Xbox, wait until the release date is confirmed before building an entire new setup around it

The Price Difference: Is It Significant?

In 2026, the price gap between HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.2 cables has narrowed considerably from the early days of the standard. For most buyers, the premium for HDMI 2.2 is modest, and given the forward compatibility it provides, it represents strong value.

When you factor in that a cable you buy today will serve you through whatever the next generation of hardware brings, the case for HDMI 2.2 over HDMI 2.1 becomes straightforward, provided you're buying a new cable anyway.

Our HDMI 2.2 cable 96Gbps 16K is available now in Australia with free shipping. For current-gen gaming only, our HDMI 2.1 cable 2m remains the best value option.

The Early Mover Argument

There's a compelling case for buying HDMI 2.2 now that goes beyond just the immediate spec benefits.

When PS5 launched in November 2020, the people who already had HDMI 2.1 cables were ready on day one. The people who didn't had to order them and wait, and during launch periods, cables sell out. The same dynamic will play out when next-gen consoles arrive.

HDMI 2.2 is backwards compatible, buying it today costs you nothing in terms of current performance. But it means that when PS6 or next-gen Xbox launches, or when you upgrade to a 4K 240Hz monitor, or when your current TV gets replaced with one that has HDMI 2.2 ports, you're already set. No scrambling, no extra purchase, no compatibility question to answer.

This is the low-effort future-proofing argument: same cable, no trade-off, better position for whatever comes next.

HDMI 2.2 vs 2.1: Side-by-Side in 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HDMI 2.2 backwards compatible with my PS5?

Yes, fully. An HDMI 2.2 cable works with PS5 at full HDMI 2.1 performance: 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, eARC. You don't lose any PS5 features by using an HDMI 2.2 cable.

Can I use HDMI 2.2 with my current 4K TV?

Yes. HDMI 2.2 is backwards compatible with any HDMI device. It will work with your TV, operating at whatever bandwidth your TV's HDMI port supports. If your TV has HDMI 2.1 ports, you'll get full HDMI 2.1 performance. If it has HDMI 2.0 ports, you'll get HDMI 2.0 performance. The cable doesn't limit you.

Does Australia have good HDMI 2.2 cable availability?

Yes, HDMI 2.2 cables are now available in Australia. Zyrontech stocks the HDMI 2.2 cable 96Gbps 16K with free domestic shipping.

Is HDMI 2.2 overkill for a home theatre setup?

For a streaming-only home theatre, Apple TV, Netflix, no gaming, HDMI 2.1 is more than sufficient and HDMI 2.2 adds nothing today. But if you game, or plan to upgrade your setup in the next few years, HDMI 2.2 is the better long-term choice at a small price premium.

How do I know if my monitor supports HDMI 2.2?

Check your monitor's spec sheet or product page. HDMI 2.2 support will be explicitly listed in the connectivity specifications, usually as 'HDMI 2.2' or '96Gbps HDMI'. If it's not listed, it's HDMI 2.1 or older.

The Verdict: Is HDMI 2.2 Worth It in 2026?

For most Australians buying an HDMI cable today: yes, HDMI 2.2 is worth it.

The price premium is modest. The backwards compatibility is complete. Device support in the premium tier is now solid and growing into the mainstream. And next-gen consoles, the point at which HDMI 2.2 becomes essential for the broadest possible audience, are getting closer.

If you're specifically asking whether to pay the upgrade from HDMI 2.1 to HDMI 2.2 for a PS5 that you won't be replacing any time soon: HDMI 2.1 is fine. But if you're buying a new cable anyway, there's no good reason not to get the most capable one available.

Shop our HDMI 2.2 cable 96Gbps 16K, available now in Australia, free shipping. Or browse shop all HDMI cables to compare options.

Also read: HDMI 2.2 Fully Explained | HDMI 2.2 vs HDMI 2.1: Should You Upgrade in 2026?