Get the most out of your gaming experience by upgrading to the best gaming TVs that can handle the power and speed of next-gen devices, like the PS5. Otherwise, you may find yourself falling behind the competition simply because your gaming TV is hindered by lag and latency problems. While slower games, like role-playing games (RPGs) or puzzle games, may not be overly affected by the refresh rate of the TV, you could find yourself at a significant disadvantage in fast-paced action/adventure titles, as well as first-person shooters (FPS) or third-person shooters (TPS).
The best gaming TVs need to offer a great refresh rate, high-definition visual displays, and reliable tech, like NVIDIA's G-SYNC or AMD's FreeSync variable refresh tech which helps to reduce lag and latency problems. Even if you're looking for a gaming TV to play older consoles or systems, you should still opt for quality over size, so that you can fully immerse yourself in rapid, entertaining gameplay. Check out these top choices for the best gaming TVs.
— Best Overall: LG OLED48CXPUB Alexa Built-In CX 48-Inch 4K Smart OLED TV
— Best Budget: Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G
— Best 4K: Sony A8H 65-inch TV
— Best for PS5: Sony X900H 65-inch TV
— Best for Xbox: SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class Neo QLED QN90A Series
The Best Gaming TVs
Methodology
For many people, video games started with console gaming, and years spent learning and upgrading from the original NES to the new, next-gen systems have helped to better understand the needs of the console gamer when it comes to gaming TV selection. Over 40 different options were researched and reviewed. Both experience and an in-depth look into each product were necessary to narrow down the choices, eliminating many good quality products in the process, including the Vizio M7The gaming TV, the LG C1 OLED gaming TV, and the Sony X90J gaming TV.
To ensure that only the top gaming TVs made the cut, we looked at the size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type. If a product was offered in multiple sizes then it was typically given preference over similar options that only came in one size. Similarly, the panel type was easy enough to determine and rank accordingly due to the relative consensus in the gaming community that puts OLED and QLED products ahead of ULED or standard LED TVs.
Most gaming TVs now have a 4K resolution that helps to bring the vivid graphics to life, though gaming consoles haven’t caught up to 8K technology, which led to a focus on 4K TVs for this selection. The refresh rate of a gaming TV ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz. Currently, only gaming monitors and some high-end laptops have a higher refresh rate, but the higher the refresh rate of a gaming TV, the more favorable it was viewed during the selection process.
We further explain how we test gaming equipment here.
Best Gaming TVs: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: LG OLED48CXPUB 48-Inch 4K Smart OLED TV
Why It Made the Cut: With top-end power and speed that surpasses the ability of most consoles, this LG OLED gaming TV is the best gaming tv for gamers looking to push their limits.
Specs:
— Size: 48 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, or 75 inches
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Impressive 120Hz refresh rate
— Small enough for a PC gaming setup
— Works with NVIDIA G-SYNC
— Enhanced motion control to smoothly handle quick visual changes
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
The LG CX gaming TV is easily one of the best options available for both the console gamer and the PC gamers. It doesn’t just boast outstanding graphics and rapid refresh rates, but is also available in a small-enough size for PC gamers to add this impressive TV to their desk, instead of trying to figure out how to position a 65-inch or 75-inch TV. While some PC gamers may be adverse to using a gaming TV instead of a gaming monitor, the LG CX 4K OLED TV is designed to work with NVIDIA G-SYNC and it utilizes enhanced motion control in order to handle the demands of quick scene changes and rapid gameplay.
This gaming TV is 48 inches in size, measuring diagonally from corner to corner, and it boasts a 120Hz refresh rate without sacrificing its 4K resolution. However, like all OLED TVs, this product is susceptible to screen burn-in if it’s left on the same image for two or more hours, so make sure to set up a screen saver or simply turn off the TV when it’s not in use.
Best Budget: Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G
Why It Made the Cut: Get this affordable gaming TV with built-in Google Assistant to take control of the gaming setup with nothing but voice commands.
Specs:
— Size: 65 inches or 55 inches
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Impressive 120Hz refresh rate
— Multiple sizes are available
— Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
— Quantum Dot display
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
While ULED products from Hisense don’t always keep up with the more reliable OLED and QLED designations, this Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G TV is one product that doesn’t just have an attractive label, but also has the quantum dot technology to back it up. Users can activate the TV with nothing but their voice using either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and the TV can also be linked to other compatible smart home devices to integrate it into a smart home network.
The Hisense U8G gaming TV is available in 65-inch and 55-inch sizes, depending on the user’s preference or budget. Gamers can go for the smaller model if the price is a factor and they can still enjoy the 4K resolution and superior, 120Hz refresh rate that makes gameplay unforgettable. Just make sure to set up a screensaver or auto-off timer to prevent burning a still image into the screen.
Best 4K: Sony A8H 65-inch TV
Why It Made the Cut: Take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate to get the jump on competitors with this 4K gaming TV by Sony.
Specs:
— Size: 65 inches or 55 inches
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Impressive 120Hz refresh rate
— Dedicated game mode
— Voice commands with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
— Intense OLED color contrast
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
— High price
Experienced and beginner gamers can both enjoy the outstanding OLED panel technology that creates pure blacks, peak brightness, and true, natural colors in stunning 4K resolution. Instead of being pulled out of an intriguing cut scene because of a poor quality picture, gamers can fully immerse themselves in gameplay and storyline as they experience all that the Sony A8H gaming TV has to offer.
The Sony A8H TV comes in either the 55-inch size or the 65-inch size, allowing gamers to choose the TV that fits their setup. Turn the TV on with voice commands by connecting it to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa and once the TV is ready to go gamers can switch over to the dedicated game mode to get the most out of the 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Though, as with any OLED TV, it’s important to avoid screen burn-in, especially for this high-end product that comes with a premium price tag.
Best for PS5: Sony X900H 65-inch TV
Why It Made the Cut: Low latency and high refresh rates make this Sony gaming TV ideal for one of the hottest next-gen systems on the market.
Specs:
— Size: 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches, or 85 inches
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Impressive 120Hz refresh rate
— Ready for PS5 gameplay
— Dedicated game mode
— Four different sizes are available
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
— LED panel technology
The high-quality Sony X900H gaming TV doesn’t have OLED panel technology, instead, it uses the more traditional backlit LED panel technology to bring high-definition games to life. While this indicates that the contrast isn’t as good as it could be on an OLED device, it also means that every bit of processing speed is dedicated to rapid, 120Hz refresh rates, maintaining low latency during gameplay, and immersive 4K resolution. In fact, Sony has indicated that the Sony X900H TV is ready for use with their latest gaming console, the PS5.
This TV is a great option for early adopters that just want to upgrade from their old PS4 to a new, shiny PS5, and it even has a dedicated game mode that can help reduce latency and increase processing speed with the 4K Processor X1. Though, it’s still susceptible to screen burn-in if left on a static image for two or more hours. Gamers can choose to invest in an 85-inch model of this TV or go with one of the smaller sizes, including 75-inch, 65-inch, and 55-inch.
Best for Xbox: SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class Neo QLED QN90A Series
Why It Made the Cut: Optimize gameplay with the on-screen Game Bar to make real-time adjustments to screen ratio, input lag, FPS, and more.
Specs:
— Size: 43 inches, 50 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches, or 85 inches
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Impressive 120Hz refresh rate
— Striking QLED quantum dot panel
— Object tracking sound technology
— On-screen Game Bar menu
Cons:
— Dolby Atmos is not supported
The SAMSUNG Neo QLED QN90A Series TV takes a huge step away from competitors with the utilization of mini-LED QLED panel technology that radically improves the visual display, color output, and contrast. It maintains a 4K resolution while operating at a refresh rate of 120Hz, but that isn’t even the best part of this gaming TV. When it comes to gaming features, the Samsung QN90A TV has its own on-screen menu referred to as the Game Bar that lets gamers customize their gaming experience. This includes changing the screen ratio, adjusting the input lag, changing the frames per second (fps) rate, and more.
The QLED gaming TV uses Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology to analyze the input and content in order to optimize and send the sound to the relevant speakers in the TV, creating an effect that makes it feel as if the sound is moving along with the action. This TV is available in six different sizes and QLED technology is not as vulnerable to the risk of screen burn-in, making it an ideal option for users that tend to forget to turn their TV off. However, this Samsung TV does not support Dolby Atmos, so the sound quality may not be on par with similar products.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gaming TV
Take some time to determine which gaming TV is the best for your style of gameplay and your game genre preferences. While the size can definitely help a TV stand out in your home, it may not be able to keep up with the refresh rate of a smaller TV. The best gaming TV for your gaming setup should have a 4K resolution, though when it comes to choosing the right panel technology to get the most out of your gaming sessions, it’s up to your discretion.
Size
As TV technology improves the size of gaming TVs has rapidly increased so that the average user can hang an 85-inch TV on their wall without breaking the bank. However, the size of a TV is just one of the factors to consider when choosing a new device, so don’t get too stuck on finding the biggest TV available when it may fall short in other important areas, like the refresh rate or the panel technology.
Instead, look for a gaming TV that fits your gaming setup. Console gamers often prefer TVs that range from 55 inches to 65 inches in size, but PC gamers may be looking for a smaller gaming TV that they can set up on their desk. If you don’t need to sacrifice power, speed, and stunning visuals, then you can choose any size that suits your preferences. Just keep in mind that the TV also needs to be compatible with your wall mount, TV stand, or desk. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that the size of a TV is measured diagonally across the screen, not vertically or horizontally, so a 65-inch TV won’t be 65 inches in length or height, it will be 65 inches from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is essentially the speed at which the image on the screen is refreshed within one second. This is typically measured in hertz (Hz) and it’s a major factor that can impact the outcome of a match because if your TV is even slightly behind one of your competitors then they have the advantage when it comes to responding to visual stimuli on the screen.
Most gaming TVs have relatively fixed refresh rates that range from 60Hz to 120Hz. If you are looking for a faster refresh rate then you will need to forego the search for a gaming TV and switch to hunting for a gaming monitor that can keep up with your needs. However, if 60 to 120Hz is acceptable, then you only need to decide on if you need the extra speed of a 120Hz product or if your gaming preferences tend towards less action-packed titles that don’t require lightning-fast refresh rates, like puzzle games or RPGs.
Resolution
Resolution used to be more of a factor than it is now because there were a variety of technologies available that could work with the previous consoles. However, most gaming TVs are made with 4K resolution, which is currently the most that any console can keep up with, so unless you are trying to find a gaming TV for your PC setup you won’t see any real benefit in paying extra for an 8K device.
As long as a TV can display images in 3840 x 2160 resolution it can be said to be a 4K device. Both the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X can output a 4K signal to the television, while PS5 consoles are currently being updated so that they will eventually be able to be used with 8K displays, though the next-gen console hasn’t quite reached this point in development. For now, stick with a 4K gaming TV to get the most out of your console, or if you are an early adopter maybe consider making the switch to 8K to see the future benefits.
Panel Technology
The technology that’s used to create a picture on a gaming TV is called panel technology and it currently consists of LED, OLED, QLED, and ULED options.
— LED TVs are LCD TVs. It’s important to understand that there is no difference between the two. The only reason why LED and LCD were ever used to differentiate between devices is because there were LCD TVs that used cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs) for backlighting instead of LEDs, but CCFL TVs have largely been displaced by LED TVs. These TVs use LED backlighting to transmit an image onto the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, while newer technology, like OLED TVs, have panels that emit their own light. LED TVs are gradually being pushed out of the forefront of the market to make room for the superior OLED and QLED products, but if you don’t mind the older tech then opting for an LED TV is a great way to save some money.
— OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, which essentially means that the panels in these TVs emit their own light instead of having to be backlit to create pictures. In fact, one of the ways that OLED technology is superior to LED technology is that it controls each LED individually, allowing the TV to simply turn off specific LEDs to create a true-black appearance that can’t be matched by LED TVs. However, the drawback of this design is that each pixel is an individual heat source, so to prevent overheating an OLED display will actually be dimmer than an LED TV when it’s displaying a large amount of bright colors, like a hockey game or a snowy winter scene.
— QLED TVs are considered by some to be superior to OLED TVs, though this isn’t a definitive judgment. QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode and these TVs are typically Samsung devices. QLED has been developed almost exclusively by Samsung, though some other companies, including Sony, may also carry a small number of QLED products. This technology uses quantum dots, which are microscopic nanocrystals that react to blue light by emitting red light or green light, depending on the size of the nanocrystals in nanometers. This allows QLED gaming TVs to create brighter colors than LEDs and stunning contrasts that rival OLED TVs despite being backlit or edge-lit, making them ideal for gaming.
-ULED stands for Ultra Light Emitting Diode and it’s a term that you need to watch out for when looking for a gaming TV. While it isn’t necessarily a bad designation, it also fails to provide any real information because ULED is simply a term used to refer to products that operate using a collection of Hisense hardware and software. This does not mean that these devices are on par with OLED or QLED products, so take the time to ensure that you are getting what you expected when you are considering one of these gaming TVs.
FAQs
Q: Is a 60Hz 4K TV good for gaming?
A refresh rate of 60Hz is decent for role-playing games and puzzle games that don’t typically require precise timing, especially when paired with 4K resolution, but if you are used to playing fast-paced action games or first-person shooters then you may want to look for a gaming TV that can get up to 120HZ.
Q: Should I use a TV for PC gaming?
Console gamers rely on gaming TV technology to help keep up with PC gaming platforms, but there is nothing that stops a PC gamer from taking advantage of new and emerging TV technology to enhance their gameplay. Just make sure that the gaming TV is actually an upgrade from your gaming monitor, otherwise, you may be subject to lag and latency problems.
Q: How do I recycle old tvs?
Gaming TVs, like all E-waste, should be recycled whenever possible instead of simply thrown into the garbage. When you make the change to a new gaming TV, take the old TV to your local e-waste disposal center where these devices can be properly disposed of and recycled.
Q: How much does a gaming tv cost?
The price of a gaming TV depends heavily on the brand, resolution, size, and several additional features. However, you can get a gaming TV for as little as $300 for smaller models or for more than $2,000 when you are shopping for high-end products.
Final Thoughts
Get outstanding 4K OLED quality and built-in Amazon Alexa voice control with the LG OLED48CXPUB 4K Smart OLED TV, or opt for a more affordable gaming TV, like the Hisense ULED Premium 65-Inch Class U8G TV with Hisense’s proprietary ULED design.
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
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