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When selecting a television for gaming, especially for models like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, certain features can elevate your experience, even if a high-end TV isn’t essential for casual gaming. Choosing the right screen can enhance graphics and performance. For those unsure where to start, we’ve compiled a guide on important factors to consider as well as a selection of thoroughly reviewed gaming TVs available now.
What to look for in a gaming TV
Quality TVs generally share some fundamental characteristics, regardless of whether they’re primarily used for gaming. Look for a 4K resolution, adequate brightness to reduce glare and enhance HDR content, a favorable contrast ratio for deep blacks, accurate yet vivid colors, and broad viewing angles. Particularly for gaming, low input lag and rapid motion response are crucial to avoid blurriness during fast action. Balancing these features with your budget can be challenging.
OLED and LCD
Currently, OLED TVs lead the market in terms of picture quality for gaming and streaming. However, they typically come with a higher price tag than LCD options, and some may struggle with brightness in well-lit rooms.
Modern OLED displays make use of various technologies, primarily WOLED (White OLED) and the newer QD-OLED, which includes quantum dot layers for enhanced color vibrancy and brightness. While QD-OLEDs may offer better performance, not every model is superior, and the overall display quality can vary based on the individual TV.
If you decide on an LCD, look for ones with mini LED backlighting and efficient full-array local dimming to enhance contrast and detail in lighting. Many affordable models use quantum dots, adding to their color richness. Even though they might not match OLEDs in color performance, they can be brighter and offer good value, especially in environments with substantial ambient light.
HDMI 2.1
To fully utilize a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, seek out TVs that feature complete HDMI 2.1 support. This update brings a higher maximum bandwidth—48 Gbps, a significant increase from HDMI 2.0’s 18 Gbps—as well as beneficial enhancements like variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM).
One of the standout features of HDMI 2.1 is its ability to deliver up to 4K video at a 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing the visual experience. While not all games support such high frame rates, those that do will provide a notably smoother experience. Additionally, HDMI 2.1 supports Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), enabling superior audio transfer to sound systems.
When selecting a TV, prioritize models with multiple full HDMI 2.1 ports, ensuring you are getting the actual capabilities promised by manufacturers, as some HDMI ports may not offer all the newer features.
HDR — High Dynamic Range
High Dynamic Range (HDR) improves a TV’s ability to represent brighter and darker areas of an image, revealing intricate details that standard displays cannot. HDR enhances the overall color range, making images more vibrant and true to the creators’ intent.
To experience HDR, both the TV and the content must support it, and various HDR formats exist, ranging from static metadata options like HDR10 to dynamic ones like Dolby Vision. Compatibility can differ vastly between devices, impacting your viewing experience.
HGiG — HDR Gaming Interest Group
The HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGiG) includes members from major gaming and television manufacturers, with the goal of optimizing HDR content for compatible TVs. While this collaboration aims to enhance the gaming experience with automatic adjustments to picture settings, not all TVs or games fully utilize this potential, making it advisable to manually adjust settings for optimal viewing.
ALLM — Auto Low Latency Mode
ALLM allows gaming consoles to signal the TV to switch to a mode that minimizes lag for a quicker response. This feature enables your TV to automatically enter “Game” mode, significantly benefiting competitive gaming where every millisecond matters.
VRR — Variable Refresh Rate
Variable refresh rate technology is essential for preventing screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. It adjusts the display’s refresh rate to match that of the console, resulting in a smoother visual performance. Support for various VRR standards, such as Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync, should also be considered depending on the type of gaming setup.
8K (You don’t need it)
While both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are capable of outputting 8K resolution, hardly any games utilize it, and the visual benefits are marginal unless viewed from an extremely close distance. The few available 8K TVs also tend to be significantly more expensive without clear advantages for most gamers.
Good gaming TVs you can get right now
The timing for purchasing a new TV can be tricky, with prices fluctuating and new model announcements consistently approaching. The recent CES event showcased several 2025 models, yet many will likely be just iterative improvements of their predecessors. As new models emerge, purchasing slightly older yet still high-quality TVs generally offers the best value.
LG
Screen sizes: 42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Display type: WOLED | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 144Hz | HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDMI ports: 4x HDMI 2.1 | VRR: HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync, G-Sync certified | Smart OS: webOS | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 1.0
The LG C4 is equipped with features favored by gamers. Its OLED panel produces excellent contrast, vibrant colors, low input lag, fast motion clarity, and wide viewing angles. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, it efficiently supports 4K gaming at high refresh rates and complies with HDR gaming guidelines. The model’s range of sizes makes it versatile, albeit the smaller models may have slightly lower brightness.
Although its WOLED technology may not reach the brightness of QD-OLED alternatives like the Samsung S90D or Sony A95L, it provides solid performance particularly in darker environments. Samsung’s QD-OLED offerings may provide similar features at comparable prices, but the latter’s panel types can complicate purchasing decisions. Alternatively, the Sony A95L remains a priced contender, known for its superior performance but limited HDMI 2.1 ports.
Hisense
Screen sizes: 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Display type: QLED with mini-LED backlight | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 144Hz | HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDMI ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0 | VRR: HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | Smart OS: Google TV | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 3.0
The Hisense U7N offers a more affordable alternative, featuring good performance at a lower price point, though it lacks the optimum HDMI 2.1 ports in its design. It still supports many gaming features such as low input lag and VRR.
Hisense U8N
For those willing to invest more, the Hisense U8N could be the step-up model to consider, optimizing results in brightness, color, and contrast. Generally regarded as a well-performing option even if it does have some room for improvement on its default settings.
Hisense U6N
Screen sizes: 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Display type: QLED with mini-LED backlight | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 60Hz | HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDMI ports: 4x HDMI 2.0 | Smart OS: Google TV | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 1.0
For budget-conscious shoppers, the Hisense U6N remains a strong contender with features like quantum-dot color and a mini-LED backlight. Though it does not match pricier models in performance, it remains a viable option for many settings at an appealing price point.
The TCL Q651G is another affordable alternative, offering good offset in performance, particularly under specific lighting conditions, making it reasonable for those with strict budgets.
Source
www.engadget.com