Everything to know about 4K, the high-resolution standard for TVs (2024)

Most people spend hours each day staring at either a computer or TV screen. And many people do it using low resolution screens, without realizing how much detail and color quality they're missing out on. If you're one of those people, consider upgrading to a newer 4K display.

4K is the current standard for high-quality media, and compared to older high definition (HD) or even standard definition (SD) resolutions, it's a clear improvement. The best computer monitors and the best TVs all feature 4K screens, and they're more affordable than ever.

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4K screens look better than any HD screen

Every screen is made up using pixels, which are small dots or squares that work together to create images. The more pixels a screen has, the better its resolution, and the clearer its picture.

4K screens have a resolution of 3840 x 2160, which is also sometimes called Ultra High Definition (UHD). A 4K screen has four times as many pixels as Full HD, the previous standard that most people know, which allows it to display more visual information.

Putting aside the numbers for a moment, 4K screens give you a far crisper image than regular HD ones. Less blurriness, more visible details — David Park, the head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA, describes it as "like watching a movie through a window rather than a TV screen."

The tradeoff is that to really notice the improvement that you get with 4K, you'll likely need a bigger screen than you needed with Full HD. The best selling 4K TVs are at least 50 inches, and 4K monitors are around 30 inches.

In our guide to the best 4K TVs, Insider Editor Steven Cohen also notes that you should try to sit at a distance of "about one to 1.5 times the size of your display" for the best image. In other words, if you have a 65-inch display, try to sit about 8 feet away.

Everything to know about 4K, the high-resolution standard for TVs (2)

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You might need special equipment to stream in 4K

To watch or play in 4K, you of course need a 4K screen. But you'll also need to make sure that you're actually receiving 4K quality content, which isn't always the case.

The best streaming services now offer 4K support, but only on certain titles. And some services charge extra to unlock this feature, or reserve it for specific devices. For example, Hulu will only stream in 4K if you're using a specific brand of TV or streaming device. And though Netflix has a wide selection of 4K content, you'll need to sign up for the most expensive "Premium" plan to access 4K shows and movies.

If your TV doesn't already have built-in access to 4K streaming apps, you'll also need a compatible streaming stick or box that supports 4K. Many of the best streaming devices, like the Roku Ultra and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, support 4K playback, but some budget options are still limited to HD. Not all Blu-ray players support 4K either, so you'll have to make sure you're buying a 4K Blu-ray player too. Read up on the device you're buying to make sure it supports 4K before you order it.

Most modern game consoles, including the Xbox Series S/X and PS5, can output 4K. The Nintendo Switch doesn't — it only goes up to Full HD.

When it comes to streaming 4K resolutions on your computer, you won't need much. Most modern graphics cards, even cheap ones, can run 4K videos and movies. But if you want to play games or edit videos in 4K, your PC will need a stronger graphics card that can handle that resolution. If you're using a desktop, that likely means an Nvidia RTX 30-series card or better. If it's a laptop, you'll want an Nvidia RTX 40-series or better.

If you aren't sure about your current setup, check out our article on how to find what graphics card you currently have, and then take a look at our guides to the best gaming PCs and the best gaming laptops — nearly all of which can game and edit video in 4K.

On the Apple side of things, no MacBooks currently have 4K screens, although their Apple silicon processors can run 4K on external monitors. Same goes for the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. The current generation iMac has a built-in 4.5K screen.

And finally, you'll need the right cables. When shopping for an HDMI cable, check to see if it's listed as Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed, or Ultra High Speed. High Speed cables support 4K resolutions at 30Hz, Premium supports 4K at 60Hz, and Ultra supports 4K at 120Hz. Older Standard cables don't support 4K at all. We recommend sticking with Premium or Ultra cables, since the price difference is negligible and they'll consistently provide great image quality.

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4K screens are more affordable than ever

With all the hype, upgrading to a 4K setup might sound expensive. But while it's true that the best 4K screens do cost a lot, there's a wide range of inexpensive options, and they're getting cheaper every year.

Park says that although the first premium 4K TVs originally "cost over $2,000," you can now get a 65-inch 4K TV "for less than $600." He also adds that as the TV industry's "manufacturing capabilities" continue to improve, prices will keep going down. And if you wait to buy until shopping holidays like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, you're bound to find even better deals.

If you're looking for a 4K TV that won't break the bank, we recommend models like the TCL Q7, Hisense U7H, and Hisense U6H. These 4K TVs are affordable but powerful, and also come with the Google TV streaming interface built-in, meaning you won't have to spend extra for a streaming device.

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Most 4K TVs come with at least some smart TV features, which just adds to their value. Some also let you control other devices in your home, like smart light bulbs or an Alexa assistant.

When buying a 4K TV you should also pay close attention to its high dynamic range capabilities (HDR). Though separate from resolution, HDR is another important picture quality component of modern TVs and it enables better contrast and color performance.

If you're looking to upgrade your HDTV or monitor, consider investing in a 4K system. It'll drastically improve the screen quality, and if you do your research before buying, you won't have to shell out a fortune to do it.

William Antonelli

Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews

William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at wantonelli@businessinsider.com.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Everything to know about 4K, the high-resolution standard for TVs (2024)

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