We have to balance our priorities differently when looking for the best gaming TVs. While image quality, size and price are still important considerations, there are certain features that will make a TV better for gaming.
A gaming TV with a low input lag is essential. This means that the TV should not have a long delay between pressing a button and seeing the results. If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X you will also need at least one HDMI 2.1 connector. This allows you to make full use of 4K 120Hz gaming and VRR (Variable Rate Refresh Rate).
Good news is that many of the most TVs are equipped with great gaming features. The best OLED TVs, which are premium models, are great for gaming. However, you will have to pay extra for some features that we consider vital.
If you have a limited budget and are looking for the best TVs below $1000 and best TVs beneath PS1000, gamers need to be cautious. Many cheaper TVs don’t offer next-generation HDMI connectivity. We recommend that you buy a gaming TV with the PS5 or Xbox Series X in mind. You should make sure the TV is an investment that will last, and not something you need to replace every year.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU…
Continue reading to see our top-rated gaming TVs for all consoles. We’ll also mention if they are compatible with specific features on the Xbox Series X or PS5 and which features will be supported for next-gen models.
The list of the best gaming TVs
1. LG C1
The top gaming TV
Specifications
Available sizes: 48, 55, 65, 77, 83 inches
Input lag 6ms
Refresh rate 120Hz
Support for VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync and G-Sync
HDMI ports (HDMI-2.1): 4 (4)
Today’s Top Deals
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
There are many reasons to buy
+Beautiful 4K HDR image+Dolby Vision gaming mode+Four HDMI 2.0 ports
Avoidable reasons
-Reflective glass surface-Average sound
The LG C1 is the best choice if you are looking for the best gaming TV, and also a stunning OLED screen. The C1 is now significantly cheaper than the LG C2 (see further down). It has a brighter screen and a lower price. It’s unbeatable gaming features and image quality make it the best gaming value.
The OLED 4K display offers stunning black levels and dynamic range, which is the difference between the brightest and darkest areas of the screen. OLED pixels produce their own light, unlike LCD TVs that are edge or backlit. This means that you can have both bright highlights and dark areas next to each other without light leaking between them.
We reviewed the LGC1 and said it was the “perfect combination between price and performance”. You get images with a precision and richness that only high-end TVs could deliver, but at a very affordable price.
You get four dedicated HDMI 2.0 ports (ideal to plug in multiple consoles), and a Game Optimizer menu that allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, and VR (variable refreshing rate) quickly on the fly. All compatible games will be supported at 4K/120fps. Nothing is better than this price for future-proofing all consoles, and gaming computers.
It is the best TV for DolbyVision gaming at 120fps using the Xbox Series X. It also works with all three VRR options, G-Sync, FreeSync, and the HDMI forum VRR used by the PS5.
You don’t need to be concerned about OLED image retention. This is when static portions of a photo permanently mark the panel. LG has developed technologies to mitigate it. This is only an issue for those who play the same heavy game every day. This is due to the reflective glass and low average brightness. If you enjoy gaming during the day, a brighter option might be better.
2. Sony X90J
This is the best gaming TV for PS5
Specifications
Available sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75-inch
Input lag 17ms
Refresh rate 120Hz
Forum for VRR support
HDMI ports (HDMI-2.1): 4 (2)
Today’s Top Deals
Check Amazon
There are many reasons to buy
+Bright, bold HDR colours plus Auto HDR Tone Mapping support for PS5+VRR or 4K 120Hz
Avoidable reasons
-VRR conflicts and local dimming-A little screen glare
The Sony X90J LED TV is a reasonably priced LED TV. It provides bright HDR images and is great for brighter rooms. Although the screen can be a bit reflective, we found the direct LED backlight to be very effective even in sunny conditions.
The X90J features a 120Hz panel and 4K resolution. It also has two full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports that can be used with your PS5. VRR (variable refreshrate) and ALLM(auto low latency mode for sub-10ms lag). You will not get the full benefit of the 2.1 specification if you don’t switch on “Enhanced format” in the picture settings. One issue we encountered was the TV’s inability to activate local dimming when VRR is on. This means that you will have to choose between smooth gaming or high contrast.
Contrast aside, this TV is the only one that supports Sony’s Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature on the PS5. This is where the HDR output of the console matches the TV’s brightness, ensuring the best dynamic. Dolby Vision is also supported by the TV, but it won’t work for 120Hz games.
The X90J’s image quality was excellent in our tests. This is due to part of the new Cognitive XR processing that has been rolled out to Sony 2021 sets. It delivers outstanding upscaling, contrast control and excellent upscaling. The X90J has the new Google TV smart platform that allows for easy setup, broad app support, and the ability to use Google Cast on Android devices. Our Sony X90J full review stated that the X90J has almost everything we would want in a mid-range, 4K LED-LCD television. There are very few LED-LCD TVs with comparable picture quality and features for the price.
3. Samsung QN85B
Mini-LED Gaming TVs with Full HDMI 2.1 Support
Specifications
Available sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85-inch
Input lag 5.8ms (4k/120Hz).
Refresh rate 120Hz
Support for VRR: FreeSync, Gsync
ALLM: Yes
HDMI 2.1 ports: 4
Today’s Top Deals
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
View at Conrad Electronic
There are many reasons to buy
+Four HDMI 2.1+Bright, vividly colored images+Very low latency
Avoidable reasons
-Contrast isn’t as good OLED-No Dolby Vision
The Samsung QN85B is an OLED-quality display with HDMI 2.1 support and low price. This Mini-LED TV delivers amazing brightness and has a very low input lag for its size. It also delivers impressive HDR with the usual Samsung Dolby Vision omission.
The QN85B is equipped with HDMI 2.1 support across all four HDMI inputs and compatibility for 4K 120Hz. It also supports ALLM and VRR. It’s easy to see why, thanks to the bright brightness, assured motion tracking, and wide color palette. Mostly, anyhow. Although game mode is extremely fast, you lose some of the contrast and see a slight increase on white-tone blooming.
This TV is perfect for entertainment of all types. This LED TV has a remarkable contrast and a bright panel with a convincing colour palette. Image processing produces consistent results with CGI, unlike some processors. The IPS panel also has good viewing angles. The upsampling works well, provided that you don’t watch old TV shows.
Although the audio quality in Samsung TVs may not be the best, it is still good. There are four speakers drivers and 60W power. Q-symphony compatibility is also available with Samsung soundbars. This allows the TV speakers to be used as part of a larger surround system. Although we would prefer more detail in the sound, we listen to our TVs through soundbars and AV receivers so it is not an issue.
4. TCL 6-Series (US).
This 4K TV is the best budget option for gamers with small pockets
Specifications
Available sizes: 55, 65, 75-inch
Input lag: 17.7ms
Refresh rate 60Hz
VRR No
HDMI 2.1:
There are many reasons to buy
+Bright, vibrant HDR+Supports Dolby Vision
Avoidable reasons
-Loss in darker details-Limited motion settings
commend that you only buy the highest quality 4K TVs if you have the money and the checkbook is full of blank checks. This is not always possible. Many gamers have invested heavily in gaming consoles and PCs. It’s simply not feasible to spend the extra cash on the most expensive TVs. Our budget for a 4K UHD TV typically falls below $1,000, and sometimes even lower.
We reWe believe that the TCL 6-Series gaming TV is the best in its price range. It delivers unmatched performance per dollar and the picture quality, despite some minor flaws, will really impress you for the price you pay.
Simply put, if there is a 4K TV that’s more affordable, we have yet to see it. You don’t have to be based in America, but you might want to consider other gaming TVs that are affordable.
5. Sony A80K
A stunning OLED gaming TV that is perfect for PS5 with amazing picture quality
Specifications
Available sizes: 55, 65, 77-inch
Input lag 12ms
120Hz refresh rate
VRR: HDMI forum
HDMI 2.1:
Today’s Top Deals
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
There are many reasons to buy
+Deep blacks, rich, accurate colors+ Full HDMI 2.1 features and PS5 Tone Mapping
Avoidable reasons
-Not as bright and vibrant as high-end TVs.
This is Sony’s 2022 mid-range OLED TV. It has a smaller screen than the A95K but offers all of its finest image processing and, most importantly, gaming features. It has 4K 120Hz support and VRR over two HDMI 2.0 ports. We tested it with a low latency of only 12ms. This is part of Sony’s Perfect for PS5 TV lineup, which includes Auto HDR Tone Mapping support. The PS5 adjusts the HDR output to match its screen’s capabilities, so you always get the best image.
It doesn’t depend on its gaming capabilities to make it work. The image quality was excellent in our tests. We said that the Sony A80K has all you need from OLED TVs, including detailed blacks and rich colors, as well as Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology. This means you don’t have to buy a soundbar because it sounds great.
Although it doesn’t shine as brightly as the LG C2 or other high-end LED and miniLED TVs, it offers an infinite contrast ratio. It can even produce ‘true darks’. We measured it at 0nits, which is the minimum required to display blackness. Absolutely nothing. This is a remarkable feat and it makes it ideal for HDR movies or atmospheric games. Although it’s disappointing that the HDR10+ support for movies is not available, that’s perfectly acceptable. Dolby Vision HDR support is available, which is what’s important.
This OLED is a great choice if you have a PS5 and are looking for an OLED that will get the most out of it.
6. Samsung QN95A Neo QLED TV (UK)
Samsung’s Neo QLED TV will delight gamers
Specifications
Available sizes: 55, 65, 75-inch
Input lag >10ms
Refresh rate 120Hz
VRR: HDMI forum and AMD FreeSync
HDMI 2.1:
There are many reasons to buy
+Excellent picture quality+Impressive sound system
Avoidable reasons
No Atmos-Freeview Play or Dolby Vision would be nice
The Samsung QN95A, the company’s flagship Neo QLED 4K HDTV TV for 2021, is the first Samsung flagship with a MiniLED backlight. Although it is a bit more expensive than other models on this list, it can serve as an HDMI 2.1 TV if you have the money.
Next-generation console owners will be delighted by the many cutting-edge gaming features included in the SlimOne Connect box, which ships with the QN95A.
Four HDMI inputs are housed in the box. One of them (HDMI 3), supports and eARC. Each of the HDMI inputs can handle up to 40Gbps. This means that they can take 4K/120Hz and VRR as well as ALLM. Although they are not fully HDMI 2.0 connected, they provide sufficient bandwidth making this TV an excellent choice for next-generation gamers who want to make the most of their new console.
The results were excellent, with both standard definition video and HDR, with rich, solid blacks, and bright highlights. The mini-LED backlight was more effective than standard LED TVs and produced visuals with no visible light bloom or loss in shadow detail. Quantum dot technology also delivers exceptional saturation and colour fidelity. We also liked the sound system: The OTS+ sound system is packed into this 120Hz. This means that you get some powerful 4.2.2 channel sound for games.
Read the complete review: Samsung Neo QLED TV
FAQ Gaming TV
What should you look for in a gaming television?
Game Mode with low latency: latency refers to the time it takes for an image to be sent from the console to show up on the screen. The modern TVs use a lot of sophisticated processing to images in order to make them look better. However, this can cause a delay between when you press a button on the controller and seeing it. This is not ideal for a fast-paced game. Every TV has a Game Mode or something similar. This reduces processing time, which means lower latency.
HDMI 2.0: This is the latest HDMI connector technology, including support for ALLM and 4K 120Hz.
ALLM – Auto Lower Latency Mode is a feature that consoles have added to their TVs. This allows them to tell the TV to automatically switch to Game Mode – no need to use a remote.
4K 120Hz A TV can refresh its screen at up to 120 times per second while still showing at 4K resolution. Televisions that are less expensive will refresh 60 times per second more often. Some TVs in the mid-range range can also refresh at 120Hz. However, they don’t have HDMI 2.1 so they cannot display Full HD resolution at 120Hz or 4K at 60Hz.
VRR is Variable Responsive. This feature allows the TV to sync the speed at which it refreshes the screen and the framerate of the game. This allows games to be run at 30-60, 60, or 120 fps in order to prevent screen tearing. It also means that they can offer better graphics. There are three types VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync and G–Sync.
HDMI forum VRR This feature is available on both the Xbox Series X and the PS5. It is part of the HDMI 2.1 spec. It is supported by most TVs equipped with HDMI 2.1.
AMD freeSync: This feature is available on the Xbox Series X as well as the AMD graphics cards for PC. It is quite common to see it on TVs, even those without HDMI 2.1.
Nvidia’s G-Sync: This feature is only supported on PCs with Nvidia graphics cards, not consoles. Although it is rare, you may find it on TVs.
What TV is best for PC gaming?
While gaming TVs have proven to be great companions for games consoles, what about if you want to play on a PC? It’s clear that there is a draw to playing graphically-intensive PC games on a large screen. But how does it work in practice?
A gaming TV is a great alternative to a PC gaming monitor. However, your computer must be able to handle the resolution. Because 4K screens offer a higher quality image, they are more demanding on your computer’s resources.
You’ll enjoy smooth 4K viewing on a larger screen if your computer is running smoothly. If your PC is not up to scratch, your gaming TV may not be capable of scaling the game at 4K. Due to the difference in size between a TV and a monitor, this will cause blurred images.
This is a double-edged sword and it all depends on how powerful your computer is. You can achieve amazing results with PC gaming on TV if you have the right components. If your computer is not capable of producing sharp, clear images, you might consider a smaller monitor.
What is the cost of a gaming TV?
Prices for TVs that are suitable for gaming can vary widely depending on many factors. These 4K TVs can be purchased for as low as $300 / PS300 / AU$450. With a TV this small, it is likely that you will not get the full range of features such as HDR (high-dynamic range), which can pack a wider variety of colors.
While there are many 4K TVs on the market, those who want the best gaming experience might consider the LG C1. It offers stunning HDR and has the lowest input lag. LG flagships are not cheap. You can expect to spend around $1,499 / PlayStation1,699 (about AU$2,999). This is just the smallest model available in each region.
What 8K gaming TV do I need?
The short answer is: No.
8K gaming is definitely on the horizon and the PS5 / Xbox Series X have this capability built-in. However, you don’t need an 8K TV to play games. The next few years will see the importance of 4K resolution for gaming developers.
Maybe it will be different in 2025. But for now, we believe the 4K gaming TVs above will suffice.
Why should I upgrade?
You might be asking why you would need a gaming-specific TV. You might be wondering if a regular TV would do the job.
Any HD or 4K TV can display the image information from a gaming console as long as it has an HD 2.0 port. There are many reasons to get a TV with a dedicated gaming specification. This will allow you to have a better experience in terms of how it looks, feels, and sounds.
4K resolution
The most important requirement for a TV that can play 4K is the Xbox One S. All games are output in 4K by the Xbox One S. However, native 4K game engine integration requires the Xbox One X. The PS4 Pro can also output games in 4K using a combination of upscaling, in-game enhancement, and a mixture of upscaling. However, the Nintendo Switch outputs at HD to a TV only, with talk about a possible 4K refresh in 2021.
Frame rate handling
The Xbox One X, which promises native 4K resolution games at 60 frames per second, is now available. Make sure your TV has the most recent specification HDMI sockets. It won’t receive 4K resolution at any higher than 30 frames per second if it doesn’t have at minimum one HDMI socket that conforms to the v2.0a specification.
Although 4K TVs this year have far fewer HDMI 2.0a sockets than previous years, it is still worth checking, especially if you are buying a very cheap TV.
The new HDMI 2.1 standard will no doubt become the benchmark for high-end gaming in time, but we’re yet to see it really rolled out across commercially-available sets.
High Dynamic Range (and High Peak Brightness)
High dynamic range (HDR), which is right next to 4K, is today’s video technology. In an effort to make the images we see on our screens look closer to what our eyes see, high dynamic range (HDR) technology delivers pictures with a wider light range than standard dynamic range pictures.
The Xbox Series X is able to do this with its Auto HDR feature. This allows for HDR magic even in SDR games that aren’t remastered for high dynamic range. However, the PS5 and last-gen consoles such as the Xbox One and PS4 display HDR in HDR games that support it.
Dolby Vision is a dynamic HDR format that provides more precise contrast. However, the Xbox Series X supports it. It won’t be supported in the 4K Bluray player or any Xbox Series X game – although that last point will likely be changed before 2021.
- Xbox Series X Dolby Vision, Atmos: What’s supported and what’s not?
Many people believe that HDR has more impact than 4K, particularly on small TVs. HDR can put a lot of pressure onto a TV because it requires more brightness than SDR and better contrast to ensure that both the additional brightness and deeper blacks can be shared on the screen.
Movies and games often target 1,000 nits for their brightest elements. A TV with a lower brightness will not unlock HDR’s full potential. This is especially true for video games, which can have graphics that are more striking in contrast than “real life”.
Bit depth
HDR is something you should consider when considering your gaming TV’s bit depth. too. A 10-bit HDR screen must be able to display 1024 RGB values. Otherwise, you will experience poor colour performance. While premium HDR TVs are now 10-bit, it is not a standard at the lower end of the market.
The Xbox and PlayStation consoles automatically determine the bit depth of your TV and choose the best HDR output. The Advanced Video Settings menu on Xbox consoles even gives a description of the capabilities of your TV under 4K TV Details.
It is possible for an 8 bit TV to produce a good HDR color performance if it has a strong video processing engine. But 10-bit panels have an obvious advantage.
One other point to add here is that some TVs – including high-end Samsung models – actually support 12-bit colour management/processing, even though their panels are only natively 10-bit. The Xbox consoles do have Colour Depth boxes that allow you to select the best bit performance for your TV.
Color purity
Chroma subsampling is another advanced setting that’s important for ultimate gaming visuals.
This video compression term refers the TV’s color purity and is often written as 4:4;4 or 4:2:0. These numbers show how many pixels are sampled in each row for every four pixels. For example, 4:2:0 means that colour is sampled from only two pixels in top row, and none in bottom row.
It follows that the larger the numbers, the better the color performance. There’s less guesswork about what colors should look like. Full 4:4:4 color support is not possible due to the extra image data required.
The differences in picture quality between 4/4:4 and 4/2:2 are not usually that significant. These differences can be more noticeable with video graphics than gaming graphics, so it is worth checking what TVs you are considering buying. Modern consoles can detect the optimal chroma subsampling that a TV supports and adjust their outputs accordingly.
This can lead to annoying “handshaking” issues with certain TVs. However, home consoles tend to offer subsampling limiter’ options in the video output menus. (‘Enable4:2;2’ on the Xbox One S and 2160 UTV4:2:0:0 on PS4 Pro).
Surround Sound
A great gaming experience is built around sound design. Surround sound gaming is taking this to a new level. The Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X , and Xbox Series X both support Dolby Atmos, Dolby’s most advanced sound technology yet. This system introduces a height channel as well as ‘object based precision’ to the soundstage.
Pay attention to whether speakers face forwards, as this will almost always give a cleaner sound. Also pay attention to the rated power output.
Sony is focusing on the PS5’s ‘3D Audio” capability, so you can expect TV speakers to be even more important when the next-generation console launches. The PS5 does not support Dolby Atmos.
