Update, 02/13/2023: We’ve updated our buying guide to include some of the lastest gaming TVs. Take a look!
What to Look For in a Gaming TV in 2023
Most modern TVs are pretty decent at gaming as manufacturers refine their products to better compete with computer monitors. Still, for great gaming performance, you need to look for specific components that the average TV may not have. These features make sure that your TV is future-proof and you’re able to harness the best from the latest gaming consoles.
For example, while the input lag isn’t significant for every genre of gaming, it can be vital when you’re playing against others online. You want your input lag to be below 30ms, generally believed to be unnoticeable on TVs, and anything below 15ms is more than enough.
Variable refresh rate, or VRR, is another important feature as it reduces judder and screen tearing by ensuring that your TV can match its refresh rate with the frame rate of the gameplay. There are multiple VRR formats – AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync, and HDMI VRR. Knowing what your TV can handle in terms of VRR is important for a good gaming experience.
Next, Auto Low Latency Mode, or ALLM, is a nifty little feature that makes things more convenient. For example, the TVs with ALLM can receive a signal from a console or computer when you are playing a game, so it should switch on the “Game Mode.” It’s not a necessary feature, but one that’s really great to have, especially for the amount you’re shelling out for a gaming TV.
Lastly, 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate has become a big deal over the last year as the latest consoles from Microsoft and Sony support it. So, if you want to play games in 4K resolution at up to 120fps, your TV should have an HDMI 2.1-capable port. And, since the HDMI 2.1 specification guarantees support for the ALLM and VRR, if your TV supports HDMI 2.1, you can expect to see both of those features as well.
Apart from these gaming-specific features, you’ll also want your TV to be great at other tasks, like offering a top-notch visual experience and fantastic sound quality. We have a great guide covering everything about TV buying from a non-gaming perspective; you should check it out for details on different types of panels, viewing angles, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better for gaming, a monitor or a TV?
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Both monitors and TVs have positives and negatives when it comes to gaming. While the refresh rates on some monitors can reach up to 360Hz (500Hz ones are coming), only select high-end TVs have a 144Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. But it’s cheaper to get 4K resolution on a large screen via a TV compared to a monitor. On the other hand, monitors typically have a better port selection and are more ergonomic.
Can you connect a PC to a TV for gaming?
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You can connect a PC to your TV for gaming if both have HDMI ports. Otherwise, you’ll need an adapter to convert the video signal from your PC to match the available ports on your TV.
Which type of HDMI port is best for gaming on a TV?
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If you have HDMI ports with different capabilities on your TV, such as HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 1.4, then it’s ideal to use the newer generation port, which is represented by the higher number. But if you aren’t sure about a port’s generation, consult the TV manual or specifications for help.
Do I need VRR for my gaming TV?
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Variable refresh rate or VRR support helps TVs avoid screen tearing, which can impact your gaming experience. So VRR is a helpful feature to have on your TV. But you can game without VRR. You’ll just have to deal with screen tearing, which can vary from mild annoyance to a big distraction.
Best TV for Gaming Overall: LG C2
Pros
- ✓ 120Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports
- ✓ Native support for Nvidia GeForce Now
- ✓ Excellent picture quality
- ✓ Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos
The LG C2 shines as a gaming TV thanks to its impressive feature set and performance. Sporting a sleek design, this 4K TV has almost every feature you’ll need to get the most out of your gaming console or PC.
Like its predecessor, the C2 has a 120Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports. But the HDMI ports now support full 48Gbps bandwidth and aren’t limited to 40Gbps in the C1. As a result, if you are using a gaming PC, you’ll be able to send a 4K 120fps signal in 12-bit color and full chroma 4:4:4, meaning more accurate color information will reach your TV.
Among other highlights, the LG television has low input lag for responsive gaming, support for all three major VRR technologies, and auto low latency mode. The company has also included native support for Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming service. So you just need a compatible controller and subscription to start gaming.
Plus, being an OLED TV, it has fantastic picture quality, wide viewing angles, and a fast response time. Its OLED evo panel also gets bright enough to counter glare in bright rooms and deliver a good HDR experience. In terms of HDR support, you get Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, and HLG. The only format missing is HDR10+, but it’s not very common.
Finally, although burn-in is not as big of a problem as it used to be, it’s still a concern, particularly when using the C2 with a gaming PC or playing many games with static elements.
Best TV for Gaming Overall
LG C2
Get the most out of your console or gaming PC with the LG C2. It has stunning picture quality, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and four full-bandwidth HDMI ports.
Best Budget Gaming TV: Hisense U7H
Pros
- ✓ Great picture quality
- ✓ Advanced gaming features included
- ✓ Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Cons
- ✗ Narrow viewing angles
- ✗ Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is also used for eARC
Hisense has quickly made its mark in the budget television space. The company’s ULED series TVs often punch way above their weight class, and the U7H is no exception. It’s an affordable TV with tons of features to keep gamers happy. For example, it packs a 4K LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to enjoy high-refresh-rate gaming on your console or gaming PC.
In other helpful features, the Hisense TV has AMD FreeSync and HDMI Forum VRR support, which means you won’t have to deal with screen tearing while using Xbox, PlayStation, or PCs with AMD graphics cards.
Even beyond gaming features, the U7H is an excellent television. Thanks to quantum dot technology, full-array local dimming, and high peak brightness, it delivers excellent picture quality, and there are no distracting screen artifacts, including blooming. It also supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, and provides an impactful HDR performance.
In other highlights, the company has added Filmmaker Mode to display movies and TV shows per the creator’s intent and eARC to pass audio to a connected soundbar or an AV receiver. Plus, there is a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner to enjoy 4K broadcasts in regions where it’s available.
Another great thing about the U7H is its availability in four sizes, including larger 75-inch and 85-inch models. So you can pick the size that matches your need. Remember, the 85-inch model costs considerably more than $1000, given its massive display.
The only major downside to the Hisense TV is its narrow viewing angles, which can be problematic if you frequently watch TV with family or friends.
Best Budget Gaming TV
Hisense U7H
Gamers on a budget will appreciate the Hisense U7H as it supports high refresh rate gaming, has solid picture quality, and is available in sizes as big as 85 inches.
Best TV for PC Gaming: LG C2
Pros
- ✓ Available in 42-inch size
- ✓ Excellent picture quality
- ✓ AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync support
- ✓ HDR10 and Dolby Vision IQ
Besides being our top pick for a gaming TV, the LG C2 is a stellar television for PC gaming. While some TVs have trouble delivering their best when connected to a PC, the C2 has no such issues. Moreover, it comes in a 42-inch size, which is big enough for an immersive experience and small enough to fit on most regular-sized computer desks.
Picture quality is a highlight of the LG television as its OLED evo panel displays perfect blacks and has a near-infinite contrast ratio. You also get a wide color gamut with almost full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
The presence of four HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth is a welcome sight on the C2. You’ll have no trouble sending a 4K signal at 120fps from your gaming PC. Plus, the included AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync support will ensure there is no screen tearing whether you are using an AMD or Nvidia GPU.
Additionally, HDR support is present, and you get HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, and HLG formats.
Unfortunately, like all OLED TVs and monitors, burn-in is a concern for the LG C2, particularly with PCs, as there are a lot of static elements in the PC interface. But if you are a little careful and employ mitigations like a screen saver, you won’t have to deal with it. Also, LG’s built-in mechanisms to deal with burn-in are beneficial and don’t require manual intervention.
Best TV for PC Gaming
LG C2
Thanks to its impressive feature set, the LG C2 has no trouble delivering a fantastic experience with gaming PCs.
Best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X: Sony A95K
Pros
- ✓ Stunning picture quality
- ✓ Exclusive features for PS5 owners
- ✓ Nvidia G-Sync and HDMI Forum VRR support
Cons
- ✗ No 1440p at 120fps support
- ✗ Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Only available in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes
While our best gaming TV overall pick—the LG C2—is perfectly suitable for the PS5 and the Xbox Series X consoles, the Sony A95K has a slight upper hand thanks to the company’s inclusion of some exclusive PS5-specific features.
First, you get Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which tweaks HDR settings on your TV to deliver the best high dynamic range performance on HGiG-complaint games, based on the data it receives from the PS5.
There is also Auto Genre Gaming Mode that automatically switches your A95K to Game Mode for low input lag when you’re gaming. This setting is smart enough to revert to Standard Mode when you play movies or TV shows on your PS5 console.
Beyond the exclusives, the A95K has a 4K 120Hz display that uses the QD OLED panel. This panel combines the best quantum dot and OLED technologies, resulting in better color accuracy, more brightness, and an improved color gamut.
While you may not get any extra special features for the Xbox Series X, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the TV’s high peak brightness, which is more than what you get on the LG C2, and it helps the TV’s picture performance in both HDR and SDR.
And like our other recommendations, the Sony TV also supports VRR and has a fast response time.
One issue you may encounter with the Sony A95K is its inability to support a 1440p signal at 120fps. Also, the Sony TV has only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is also used for eARC. So if you have a soundbar and want to use both Microsoft and Sony consoles, you’ll have to connect one to a lower bandwidth HDMI 2.0 port.
Best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Sony A95K
Sony A95K is a solid choice for PS5 or Xbox Series X as it produces stunning visuals and has all the advanced gaming technologies. Plus, PS5 gamers get exclusive features.
$2798.00 $2999.99 Save 7%
Pros
- ✓ Low input lag
- ✓ 120Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports
- ✓ Native support for Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna
Cons
- ✗ No Dolby Vision
- ✗ Inferior local dimming in Game Mode
If you don’t want an OLED TV, the Samsung QN90B is an excellent alternative as the best LED TV for gaming. Part of Samsung’s Neo QLED lineup, it uses quantum dot technology and Mini-LED backlighting to deliver impressive picture quality. There is barely any blooming, and the TV has high peak brightness. So whether you are gaming in a dark or brightly lit room, you’ll have no trouble seeing what’s on your screen.
In terms of gaming features, Samsung has added a 120Hz panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and VRR support. The QN90B also comes with the company’s new Gaming Hub that offers native access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna services.
So even if you don’t have a console or PC, you’ll be able to play the best titles on your TV. But as you can expect, you’ll need a subscription and a controller. And the TV’s low input lag and fast response time ensure that gaming on it feels super responsive.
Tizen is handling the software, and it’s easy to use with access to all popular streaming services. It also includes features like Multi View to watch content from two sources simultaneously and support for Google Duo video calling app.
While there is a lot of like in the QN90B, it has some issues. For example, the TV’s local dimming performance suffers in Game Mode. But it’s not too bad to mar your experience. Also, like other Samsung TVs, it lacks Dolby Vision HDR.
Best LED TV for Gaming
SAMSUNG QN90B
Forget about burn-in concerns with Samsung’s QN90B. This 4K LED TV has a 120Hz screen, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and a low input lag.
Pros
- ✓ Advanced gaming technologies included
- ✓ 144Hz refresh rate in 4K
- ✓ Future-proof
Cons
- ✗ Limited number of 8K games
- ✗ Dolby Vision missing
8K gaming isn’t all that common right now, but if you live on the bleeding edge, there is no better option than the Samsung QN900B. Besides being a generally excellent TV, it’s fantastic for gaming, thanks to its low input lag, fast response time, and the presence of all major advanced gaming technologies.
TV’s 8K panel supports a 144Hz refresh rate for high refresh rate gaming, but you’ll only get it for resolutions up to 4K. Instead, the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz in 8K, which is fine considering you’ll be hard-pressed to find hardware that can push higher than 60fps while playing a demanding game. VRR support also eliminates screen tearing and ALLM to enable the Game Mode.
In addition, you’ll be happy to know that when you’re playing 4K, HD, or even lower-resolution titles, the TV will upscale everything without issues to give you a great experience.
Among other features, quantum dot technology, a high peak brightness, and a superb contrast ratio result in a solid HDR experience whether you are planning games or watching movies/ TV shows. And although Dolby Vision is missing, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG are available to enjoy high-dynamic range content.
Samsung has also included its Ultra Viewing Angle technology to provide good viewing angles, which will come in handy while catching a movie or sports with your friends or family.
The limited availability of native 8K games and other content is an issue, as 8K hasn’t taken off as manufacturers expected. But you still receive the best TV technology from Samsung.
Best 8K TV for Gaming
Samsung QN900B
The Samsung QN900B is perfect for future-proofing your gaming TV. Of course, it’s expensive, but it comes with the best of pretty much everything.
$3997.99 $4997.99 Save 20%
