Decided to start playing games on a brand new console and need a suitable TV for it? While you can connect a console or a PC to any TV it most likely won’t be an enjoyable experience. The first major obstacle is the TV resolution, which is usually 1080p or limited to 4K@30Hz with HDMI ports. The picture quality, brightness, contrast, and sharpness you might get used to, but the screen judder and the insanely high input lag – no way! Even worse, the speakers are usually tinny and awful. So, how to avoid those problems? It’s simple – pick a favorite among the best gaming TVs below.
1. LG OLED CX Series
LG OLED CX Series is the best TV for gaming and comes in 4 screen sizes of 48, 55, 65, and 77 inches. It boasts the stunning picture quality of an OLED panel which controls every pixel separately. You’ll enjoy its low input lag time of only sub-1ms (specs) or 13.1 ms (measured). The TV is capable of pushing 120 Hz in 4K resolution, allowing the beautiful in-game graphics to really shine through. Also, LG OLED CX Series comes with 4 HDMI 2.1/HDCP 2.2 ports, which is ideal for those with more than one console or a PC. The TV comes equipped with HDR10 support, HLG, and Dolby Vision and supports both NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync.
2. Samsung Q90T Series
Samsung Q90T Series is a QLED gaming TV that comes in 4 screen diameter version, 55″, 65″, 75″, and 85″. While it does have 4 HDMI ports, a 4K@120 Hz resolution/refresh rate, an input lag of around 11 ms, and support for HDR10 and HLG, it also goes a step above LG’s CX Series and supports HDR10+. You should also know that OLED TVs have better blacks than QLED TVs, but the latter has more vibrant colors. Samsung Q90T Series also supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), both of which are ideal for gaming.
3. Hisense Class H8G Series
Hisense Class H8G Series is an affordable gaming TV option for everyday use. It uses a LED panel with VA display technology so it isn’t as impressive at wide viewing angles. However, since you’ll presumably look at it straight ahead, expect an excellent picture quality with Dolby Vision HDR, wide color gamut, and 700 nits of peak brightness. For performance, you’re getting 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and three key features for gaming: BFI (Black Frame Insertion), low input lag, and 90 local dimming zones. As for sound, set up Dolby Atmos to Theatre mode during gaming sessions.
4. Sony X950H
Sony X950H is a full-array LED gaming TV with a refresh rate of only 60 Hz at 2160p resolution. This isn’t necessarily a flaw. After all, you’ll only enjoy 120 Hz with top-end GPUs on PC, and not even in all games. This also removes HDMI 2.1 connectivity and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) but you’ll get to enjoy a real input lag of under 10 ms using Game Mode. Other key features include a calibrated Triluminos Display with a peak brightness of 1000 nits, great viewing angles, and Dolby Vision HDR. Additionally, the Ambient Optimization technology will tweak video and audio settings on the fly.
5. LG 73 Series
Although it uses standard LED, many gamers find LG 73 Series very appealing. It’s relatively cheap for the specs it has, comes from a reputable brand, and you’re getting HDR10 and HLG support. You also get to enjoy games in 4K resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, and the CPU automatically adjusts the screen settings to the source. You’ll also love Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) since it can switch input lag to low when a PC or console is connected without altering the TV settings. Thanks to the virtual dynamic surround sound, you don’t need to get speakers either.
6. TCL Class 6-Series
TCL Class 6-Series is QLED gaming TV with a mini-LED backlight and a great price-to-performance ratio. It comes in 3 screen size variants, 55, 65, and 75-inch, but only supports 4K@60 fps and VRR. The real value of an input lag is 17.7 ms using THX Certified Game Mode, which is lighting-fast at this price range. We were also amazed that a TV at this price point supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Plus, it has 240 contrast control zones that truly make the image pop. Finally, TCL Class 6-Series works with Amazon Alexa, Roku, and Google Assistant.
7. Samsung TU-8000 Series
Samsung TU-8000 Series isn’t ideal for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. This is due to the lack of VRR and 120 Hz at 4K resolution. However, it shines elsewhere, in a variety of screen sizes (43in, 50in, 55in, 65in, 75in, and 82in) and support for HDR, HDR+, and HLG. The input lag is pretty low too, around 10ms, and combined with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), provides a responsive gaming experience. It’s cheap, thin, and beautiful, but the LCD with Edge LED backlight isn’t as bright. Also, the sound lacks Dolby Atmos’ support.
8. Vizio M-Series G1
Vizio M-Series G1 is a QLED TV with a full-array LED backlight. The brand is known for selling quality products at a bargain, which makes this TV a superb choice for gaming on a budget. It only comes in 2 variants, 55″ and 65″, and can only sustain 60 fps at 2160p resolution. However, Vizio M-Series G1 promises to deliver 80% more colors over standard HDR 4K TVs. This is due to its support for Dolby Vision HDR and HLG as well as 90 local dimming zones that boost the screen contrast. The TV delivers a bright, vivid image thanks to a typical brightness of 600 nits.
9. Sony A8H
Sony A8H is pretty similar to Sony X990H. It can also only display 60 fps at 4K resolution and lacks support for VRR. On the other hand, Sony A8H uses OLED instead of a full-array LED. Since it can control every individual pixel, this leads to excellent contrasts, high peak brightness, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. When you enable Game Mode, the TV also reduces input lag to between 10 and 20 ms. Sony A8H is also incredibly slim and uses a technology called Acoustic Surface Audio, which means the screen emanates a 2.1 channel sound.
10. TCL Class 4-Series
TCL Class 4-Series is a significant step-down in price when compared to the TCL 6-Series without a large compromise in specs. For gamers on a strict budget that need HDR, 4K resolution, and a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, it’s an excellent TV to play games on. Be wary of the 120 Hz CMI on the specs sheet. It uses algorithms to simulate 120 Hz and doesn’t really support it, so consider it marketing mumbo-jumbo. It has HDMI 2.0 ports, TCL Class 4-Series also supports Roku, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Also, when you are not gaming, feel free to indulge in 500,000+ streaming channels in the US.