A game console doesn't need a special receiver, but it does need the right HDMI ports. The most common gaming-receiver mistake is assuming "HDMI 2.1" means every input runs at full speed. On many receivers, only some of them do.
For most console players, the Denon AVR-X1800H. It handles 4K/120 with VRR and ALLM on three full-speed HDMI inputs, which covers a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and one more device.
Step up to the Denon AVR-X3900H if you have more than three 4K/120 devices or a large system, or the AVR-X2900H if you game on an AMD-based PC or need a second display output.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X both output 4K at 120Hz and support Variable Refresh Rate, so they need full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs to run at their best. Both also support Dolby Atmos: the PS5 gained Dolby Atmos support for games and apps through a system update, with games that use Sony's Tempest 3D audio working in Atmos automatically over HDMI, as FlatpanelsHD reported. Every receiver below decodes Dolby Atmos.
A gaming PC is the most demanding source: it can output high refresh rates at high resolutions, and AMD-based systems may use FreeSync. If that's you, prioritize a receiver that lists FreeSync support and has a full-speed input to spare.
| Receiver | Price | Full-speed HDMI inputs | HDMI outputs | Gaming features listed | Channels / power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denon AVR-X1800H | $849 | 3 of 6 | 1 | VRR, ALLM, QFT | 7.2 / 80W |
| Denon AVR-X2900H | $1,349 | 3 of 6 | 2 | VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync | 7.2 / 95W |
| Denon AVR-X3900H | $1,849 | 6 of 6 | 3 | VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync | 9.4 / 105W |
Prices are Denon's list prices. Full-speed inputs are those Denon lists as 8K-capable (8K/60 and 4K/120), from its product pages and comparison table.
Three full-speed HDMI inputs with VRR, ALLM, and QFT is enough for two consoles plus one more device. The best value here by a wide margin.
Denon list price: $849 Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Same three full-speed inputs as the X1800H, plus AMD FreeSync support and a second HDMI output for a TV and a projector or monitor.
Denon list price: $1,349 Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.All six inputs are full speed, with FreeSync and three HDMI outputs. The pick if you're running multiple consoles, a PC, and a bigger speaker system.
Denon list price: $1,849 Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Marantz's Cinema Series 2 models list AMD FreeSync compatibility on HDMI inputs 4 to 6, but they cost more and are sold through authorized Marantz dealers rather than Amazon. See our Denon vs Marantz comparison for how the brands stack up.
The Yamaha RX-V4A on our receivers page is a good entry-level surround receiver, but it uses a first-generation HDMI 2.1 board capped at 24Gbps. It runs 4K/120 only with reduced 4:2:0 color, and 8K only up to 30Hz, as FlatpanelsHD and others have reported. That's fine for movies and casual gaming, but if you want full-quality 4K/120, choose a 40Gbps model like the Denons above.
Not necessarily. If you plug your console straight into your TV's HDMI 2.1 port and send the audio out over eARC to a receiver or soundbar, you keep 4K/120 and VRR without the receiver needing any HDMI 2.1 support at all. The tradeoff is convenience: your other sources have to route differently, and you lose the receiver as the single switching hub. It's a legitimate way to get great game audio on a budget.
"HDMI 2.1" is a label, not a guarantee. Receivers can use the name while offering full speed on only some inputs, or at lower bandwidth. Count the full-speed inputs and check the bandwidth before you buy.