The most advanced gaming TVs can offer the same amazing speed and fidelity that the best gaming monitors. You want a TV that is capable of delivering the frame rates you expect from your console and does not slow you down by high lag.
You may not be able to experience the same level of immersion even with the largest monitor on your desk. This is simply because of its small size. It's now possible to get a gaming TV that rivals gaming monitors in terms of fidelity and response time. You won't have to suffer from laggy gameplay on any screen larger than 50 inches.
It's much easier to buy OLED panels than other technologies when buying a TV. These have not yet been widely used on our desktops. You can either get a premium gaming laptop or a very affordable OLED panel for your desktop. If you have the space, consider installing one of the top gaming TVs on your desk.
4K gaming has become a reality with the launch of the Nvidia RTX 3080 and AMD RX6800 XT. With the new GPUs from AMD, Nvidia and AMD, you can achieve 120fps at 4K. HDMI 2.1 is supported by the best TVs for gaming. This allows you to achieve super smooth frame rates at high resolutions, especially if your next-generation consoles, such as the PS5 or Xbox Series X, are running at these speeds.
The best gaming TVs
1. LG OLED48CX
The best TV for gamingSpecifications
Display size: 48 inchesResolution: 3840x2160Panel technology OLEDSmart TV by LG webOSDimensions are 42.2x25.6x9.9inWeight: 42lbsThere are many reasons to buy
Unrivalled black levelsOffers uncompressed [email protected] form factorAvoidable reasons
Screen burn-in riskIt was always going be a landmark moment in PC gaming when the first OLED TV below 50 inches was released. It's tempting to strap a 65-inch TV to your wall to play on your couch, but this OLED TV is actually available in a 48 inch form factor that you can use on your desk.
The OLED48CX is no longer a huge (or wallet-destroying) prospect when you consider Nvidia's attempts to sell its Big Format Gaming Displays. These display measures up to 65 inches and can be purchased for as low as $1,499/PS1,499.
You'll need a large desk and sturdy workstation, but it will be easy to adjust to the amount of screen space in front you. This is your best option for gaming on OLED panels, considering that OLED monitors are rarer than pigeon teeth.
OLEDs have a higher degree of reflection than LCD TVs and IPS monitors. If you want to place OLED in well-lit rooms, you should make sure that you can block out light with blinds or curtains. OLED may not be the right format for you.
It is a TV but it has PC sensibilities.
It is a TV but it has PC sensibilities. LG now offers AMD FreeSync Premium support for the Nvidia G-Sync compatibility that was added to its models last year.
LG has increased the refresh rate for 4K resolutions by doubling it compared to other models. The Series 9 line-up last year could only support 4K at 60Hz, but firmware patches have raised this to 120Hz. However, the CX can display 4K at 120Hz straight out of the box. You will need a massive PC to get the best out of the OLED48CX.
A TV's screen uniformity is far superior to your average TV. This should be of great importance for gamers. You'll see the "Dirty Screen Effect" when you pan your camera across a blue sky in an open-world like GTA 5 (opens new tab). OLED images are not affected by this problem. OLED images look much more uniform when moving in front of an in-game sky, or playing FIFA 20.
No other technology can match OLED's picture quality in terms of black levels and contrast. However, there are some issues with desktop resizing. The LG OLED48CX has trouble with Windows. Even at 3,840x2,160 resolution, the edges are slightly cut. Screen Shift technology by LG is responsible for this problem. However, it helps to prevent any burn in. You can fix this by setting a custom resolution of 3,802x2,136 to fit in every pixel. Or you can disable Screen Shift from the TV's Picture Setting menu.
The LG OLED48CX's superior HDR chops and 120Hz refresh rate make it almost the perfect gaming TV.
Our full LG OLED48CX review - 48-inch 4K TV (opens in new tab)
2. LG OLED65E9PUA
This is the best 4K TV for big screens.Specifications
Screen size: 65 inchesResolution: 3840x2160Panel technology OLEDSmart TV by LG webOSDimensions are 35.5x57x8.7 inchesWeight is 75lbsThere are many reasons to buy
Amazing black levels. Ultra-thin, pin-sharp panelComes standard with G-syncAvoidable reasons
Screen burn-in riskLG's OLED panels for gaming are stronger each year and more competitive. The 2019 model is the E9, which packs many of the same features as the E8 last year (our favorite gaming TV), but with key differences.
It is among the thinnest 4K TV panels. The OLED tech allows individual LEDs to be fully switched on or off, which makes it one of the most powerful 4K TVs. This is how deep blacks are achieved and how sharp images can be created. This makes the E9 panels ideal for darker games such as Metro: Exodus or Resident Evil 2: Remake.
G-sync can be enabled on all E9 series TVs when Game Mode is active. This means that you won't have to suffer from skipped frames or torn images when playing at higher frame rate. LG recently announced that it does not plan to support FreeSync on 2019 OLED screens unless you are gaming with an AMD card (opens in new window).
This Dolby Vision is simply amazing.
LG's Game Mode doesn't reduce HDR. This means that you get the same vibrancy as before, but with a higher response time and refresh rate. The E9-series can only play 4K at 60Hz (as with the E8). However, the response time has improved over the past year and is now a respectable 6ms for 1440p, and 13ms 4K.
The LG E9 can also be capable of Dolby atmos 4.2 sound. This is great for 4K movies, if they are run through PC. While its HDR brightness may not quite match the QLED panels by Samsung (which favor color vibrancy and deep blacks), Dolby Vision is excellent.
The screen's thinness means that the sound output is not as rich as separate speakers. However, the E9 manages to deliver surprisingly good audio and is better than the E8. To really set the experience off we recommend a premium gaming headset (opens new tab), or an audio system of exceptional quality, but that's not a deal-breaker.
Samsung Q9FN 55" (opens in new tab)
3. Samsung Q9F
The best gaming TV with stunning 4K and HDRSpecifications
65-inch screenThere are many reasons to buy
This TV has the best picture possible. It is HDR 2000Freesync-compatible and features a great Game ModeAvoidable reasons
Design is not for everyoneOLED is great for blacks with deep colors, but Samsung's QLED tech excels in vibrant colors and stark contrasts. The 2018 best 4K TV is the Q9F, making it one of the most popular gaming TVs.
It has been replaced by the Q90R as the flagship model, but it is still a stunning panel. It is now available at half the price. This elite TV is also affordable.
Its HDR 2000 technology, which has the brightest HDR among all commercially-available TVs, is the main feature. Although it is a great TV set, we tested it against other sets and found a noticeable increase in vibrancy. It also has a wider range of colors.
The TV can display 4K content with stunning results. However, it also excels at upscaling standard HD images and SD content. This makes them more vibrant and has smoother edges and motion. The TV is a great all-rounder thanks to its direct full-array LED display and anti-reflection screen.
This one is a solid alternative to the LG OLED65E9PUA or LG OLED48CX due to its impressive HDR performance and excellent colour handling.
(opens in a new tab
4. Hisense 55H8G
Best budget 4K gaming TVSpecifications
Screen size: 55 inchesResolution: 3840x2160Panel tech: ULEDSmart TV - Android TVWeight: 33.1 lbsToday's best dealsVisit site (opens in new tab).There are many reasons to buy
Excellent color and contrast240Hz is extremely fastHDR10Avoidable reasons
Remote requires workAndroid TV may run slowlyWhen choosing a gaming TV, price is often a major factor. We are no different when it comes to choosing the best gaming TV. It can be difficult for PC gamers with limited budgets to find TVs that support 4K and HDR. Hisense has been producing decent 4K TVs at a reasonable price for quite some time, starting at less than $1,000.
The Hisense 55H8G was excellent in color handling, contrast and blacks. It can handle 4K at 60Hz and 240Hz at lower resolutions. And it supports HDR10, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Vision HDR straight out of the box. This TV is available for as low as $500, which is an amazing price.
Hisense 55H8G's Black Frame Insertion technology reduces motion blur and offers a low input lag. It doesn't support variable refresh rate technology but it is still worth looking at as a gaming option.
If 55 inches seems too small, Hisense makes a 75 inch version of the H8G Smart TV (opens new tab).
(opens in a new tab
5. Sony A8H OLED
Gaming TVs: Best mid-range 4K TVsSpecifications
Screen size: 55 inchesResolution: 3840x2160Panel technology OLEDSmart TV Android TVDimensions 48.3x28.9x12.8 inchesWeight 53.3 lbsThere are many reasons to buy
Excellent Black levelNice wide viewing angles120Hz refreshAvoidable reasons
Screen burn-inLacks HDR10+ and VRR supportThe Sony A8H OLED TV is solid and well-known for its outstanding picture quality. We were immediately struck by how thin this TV was when we tested it. This makes it ideal for wall mounting.
This 4K OLED TV will look great on your wall. It also has a good color range, great gray uniformity and rich, dark black levels. Although there is the possibility of OLED burn-in, it is still worth considering if your main concern is image quality.
The lack of HDR10+ and VRR can be disappointing for gamers. However, the large viewing angles almost guarantee that your couch is the best place in the house for enjoying the 55 inches of delicious content.
Best gaming chairs (opens in new tab)
(Opens in a new tab
6. TCL 55R617 Roku TV
This is the best 4K TV for your budgetSpecifications
Screen size: 55 inchesResolution: 3840x2160Panel tech: LEDSmart TV Roku TVDimensions are 48.5 x 30.9x 10.7 inchesWeight 38.2 lbsThere are many reasons to buy
Excellent price and sometimes reducedGood quality picturesSurprisingly solid reaction rateAvoidable reasons
Patchy color reproductionLimited motion settingsScreen queensBest gaming monitor (opens new tab). Pixel-perfect panels for your computer. Best 4K gaming monitor (opens new tab). When only high-res is possible
The TCL 6-series is a great option if you are looking for a 55-inch TV that's affordable. The 2018 model is available on sale, and it's quite affordable at its full price. The 6-series solves the problems of the TCL models that had poor build quality and a few screen issues. It is a Roku-powered TV with great features.
It's also a great TV for gaming. Although it does not have the same low, slow response rate as $1,000+ panels, it can still manage between 6-12ms which is a good standard for TVs this size and price. It also has full-array dimming which allows for good contrast ratios (the blacks in particular are deep and nice).
The TCL's biggest problem is its color range. This is just average for a 4K TV this price. The HDR is decent, but it doesn't mask the lower vibrancy. However, unless you play the most colorful games, you won't notice any difference.
It's not as noticeable at 55 inches. However, if your goal is to get up to 65 inches, you will need to decide if a TV can do blacks and darks better than colors or light tones. The TCL 617 is a great gaming TV for the price. You can even use your voice to control the TV.
If you are looking for a 4K TV to go with your PC setup or second-room gaming rig, the size can be reduced down to 43 inches. It's still as striking and the price is a bit lower.
FAQ: Best Gaming TVs
What TV should I use for PC gaming?
Although we have always advised that you get the best viewing experience by plugging in to a monitor, there are some advantages to using a TV as your primary display. A gaming TV with a 120Hz refresh rate, high-quality HDR and a brighter display will be a noticeable improvement on your regular gaming monitor.
The size is another factor. You'll likely get a larger panel than you would with most traditional gaming monitors. High-end TVs often come with game-focused features, so you can also enjoy technologies like FreeSync and G-Sync on the big screen panel of your choice.
There's virtually no compromise. Except for the pixel pitch on large screen sizes. Gaming on the sofa is a different matter. You can play at 120Hz or 4K with a HDMI 2.1 connection and an AMD or Nvidia GPU.
Do I need an HDMI 2.1 TV for PC gaming?
HDMI 2.1 is essential if you want to achieve 120Hz gaming at 4K resolution. This applies to PC gaming as well as consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. If you are only interested in a 4K TV that has a maximum 60Hz refresh, then a standard HDMI 2.0 connection will work fine.
It is also important to note that Nvidia and AMD graphics cards are the only ones with HDMI 2.1 sockets.
Which TV size is best to use for gaming?
It all depends on how much space you have, how large the room is and how far you are from the screen. However, 43-55 inches is the most common guideline.
Which is better for gaming? OLED or QLED
Both of these panel technologies are forward-looking and aim to improve overall picture quality. OLED offers better contrast and brightness, and can be used on larger screens. QLED, however, can provide better viewing angles. The individual implementation is often what makes the difference.
How can you test gaming TVs in your home?
We have identified four key performance factors as the basis of our search for the best gaming TV.
Input lag is the time it takes for a screen to render image data from its inputs. This is crucial for gamers. To ensure there weren't any major anomalies between sources, input lag was tested with HDR, SDR and 4K game feeds (none were found with any of the TVs we tested).
Two methods were used to check input lag: we used a Leo Bodnar input-lag measuring device and photographed. We split a video feed from a running timer into our TV and a reference BenQ gaming console, took a photo and then compared the time readings on the TV and the reference monitor.
We can spot possible moment-to-moment variations in input lag with the photographic method, which is something that TVs don't have and which Bodnar doesn't.
Next we looked at contrast. A display's ability to reproduce the darkest and most vibrant parts of a gaming image is crucial to providing a satisfying gaming experience. Many games now support HDR, which allows for a wider range of brightness. We also examined issues like flickering brightness levels or backlight 'blooming around bright objects' as part of our contrast assessment.
We measured each TV's peak brightness output with an X-Rite i1 Display Pro light meter as part of our contrast testing. This allows us to see how far a set can achieve the extreme brightness levels HDR gaming requires.
The colour performance of the samples was also closely examined. This included the authenticity, richness, balance and consistency, as well as the absence of stripping noise. All HDR material has a much wider range of colours than the standard dynamic range format that we have been using for so long. This can make game graphics look more real and dramatic/three-dimensional.
We also looked at motion and sharpness to determine the best gaming TV. These are related to one another. A TV that suffers from judder and blurring while you are playing Fortnite or hurling into the scenery in Forza Horizon 3 will have a significant impact on the picture's sharpness. We also looked at 4K graphics that were extremely detailed but very static, looking for signs such as blurring, shimmering noises, grain, or any other lack of depth or three-dimensionality. This could be due to the TV not being able to deliver sufficient color finesse to "match" the number of pixels on the screen.
