The best gaming TV is an excellent way to boost the feel of your console or even PC with amazing visuals and performance.
Both PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X owners will want to make sure they've got HDMI 2.1 ports, while Nintendo Switch owners only need an HDMI 2.0 or above. The good news is that many of the best TV brands default to HDMI 2.1 now anyway, so it's much easier to secure.
Taking this into account we've gone ahead and considered things like connectivity, resolution, response time, and refresh rates to put together a list of standout gaming TVs that cater to all preferences and requirements - Regardless of your gaming platform, our list has you covered.
Best gaming TVs
- LG C3 OLED - best if you need an all-rounder
- Samsung QLED Q70C - a great QLED option
- Sony Bravia XR-55A80L - best 55-inch screen for gaming
- Samsung QE85QN900C - 8K excellence
- TCL 55C641K - top-tier budget choice
1. LG C3 OLED
Best gaming TV overall
Arguably the best gaming TV, and honestly just one of the best TVs in general, is the LG C3. This TV series comes in a range of sizes from 42" to 83", and each one is intensely powerful.
To begin with, it uses an OLED Evo panel that boasts an incredibly bright picture that helps bring a bit more colour and life to the display than previous models. It also supports NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, plus ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which automatically adjusts the screen for minimal delay alongside its 0.1ms response time. Pair that with the 120Hz refresh rate, and you're perfectly positioned for console gaming.
You get a modicum of ports too, ranging from a convenient aerial port to four HDMI 2.1 outputs for 4K, 120 fps console gameplay. It's got everything, at the end of the day, and even has loads of built-in streaming channels for when you're on a losing streak.
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2. Samsung QLED Q70C
Best QLED gaming TV
If you're specifically looking for a QLED TV, then you'll want to check out the Samsung QLED Q70C. This TV is incredibly powerful, and as a result, brings a lot of bang for your buck.
Aside from ticking all the essential modern-day gaming stats, like a refresh rate of 120Hz and 4K visuals, the TV also has a unique processor that upscales everything into 4K, even when it's not. That means even old-school favourites will look great on this display.
On top of that, it has Quantum HDR to help it produce some of what will probably end up being the best pictures you've ever seen in your life, and it uses Quantum Dot technology to boost the power and vibrancy of the colours as well.
Throw in the Samsung Gaming Hub for easier access and better settings, and you've got a TV that's going to treat you and whatever you're playing on it very well.
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3. Sony Bravia XR-55A80L
Best 55-inch gaming TV
Sony was one of the first brands to make sure they had TVs built for the current-gen consoles, specifically the PlayStation 5. The reason for this is pretty obvious, Sony makes both the console and the TV, so they want you to buy both. While it may be an obvious attempt at getting your money, there's no denying that Sony makes incredible TVs, and this one happens to be one of the brand's best.
With 4K visuals and a refresh rate of 120Hz, this thing can game with the best of them, and look truly incredible while doing so. With its OLED screen, you get a beautiful picture with an excellent range of colours to match the impressively fast refresh rate. Its XR OLED technology also helps it produce a vibrant image, which is key these days seeing as gaming graphics are better than ever.
Its sound quality wasn't an afterthought either as it has built-in subwoofers for more impressive bass notes - those explosions you always hear in Call of Duty? Yeah, those will leave your living rook shaking.
It also has built-in Google TV, which makes accessing streaming services far easier, which is a great way to wind down after all that gaming. Of course, you can hook this thing up to your Wi-Fi too, allowing for an even broader range of content for you to explore once you put down your controller.
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4. Samsung QE85QN900C
Best 8K gaming TV
Right now, you probably don't need an 8K TV unless you're looking to future-proof yourself. Neither the PS5 nor the Xbox Series X can really reach that resolution, so it's not a necessity. Nevertheless, if you still want one of the best 8K gaming TVs, then the Samsung QE85QN9500C is an excellent choice.
As with many of the TVs on this list, it features VRR, ALLM, and HDR 10, which are essentially the optimal combination right now for immersive and fluid gameplay. HDR 10 is especially handy as it helps this thing deliver incredibly vibrant and accurate detail, which is important when you're splashing the cash on something capable of an 8K picture.
Technically, this TV can upscale everything into 8K, so you're going to get a slight improvement to your games regardless, but it's not going to be the same as true 8K coming from the consoles themselves, so keep that in mind.
Nonetheless, it's still impressive regardless of its resolution. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, for example, which, as we've mentioned, is vital as it means it can deliver some seriously fluid gameplay. Okay, 4K options deliver this as well, but 4K will become obsolete one day, which is why this 8K TV is an investment for the future.
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5. TCL 55C641K
Best budget gaming TV
If budget is your main concern, then going for a TV with a lower output is a good shout. Despite being cheaper, however, this TCL display still offers a 4K resolution, you just have to sacrifice a little with a 60Hz refresh rate.
While this makes it great for the PS4 and Xbox One, it does mean that you can only enjoy a lot of PS5 and Xbox Series X games at 60FPS. In our experience though, that will be enough for all but the most frame-fanatical gamers.
That said, it does feature a low low latency, and a genuinely pretty picture as well. It also has Android TV built-in, which isn't going to help you game, but will help you relax if you end up on a losing streak and need some time away from your console to destress.
Even if this TV cost a little bit more, it'd be worth it. At this price though, it's essentially a no-brainer and without a doubt a top pick for gaming.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Buying a new TV can often lead to a ton of questions. We're here to answer a few of the most commonly asked ones below.
Is a gaming TV worth it?
If you're someone who wants to game on a much larger screen than a computer monitor typically is, then gaming on a TV is certainly worth it.
In addition, a TV is perhaps better designed for those who use consoles to game as opposed to a PC, although there isn't anything stopping you from using a TV as a monitor if you so wish.
You'll be getting all the powers of OLED-backed screens, in most cases, with excellent black levels and contrast alongside support for high resolution and refresh rate output with some of these top contenders, making them a real no-brainer if you want to game on a TV.
The only thing we would say is that a smaller monitor is ideal for competitive action as all the gameplay takes place right in front of you as opposed to appearing in and around your peripheral vision on a larger TV. Monitors usually have higher refresh rates and lower response times as well, which is worth keeping in mind if you value smoothness above all else.
What type of TV is best for gaming?
We'd say 4K would be the best to go for to start with, especially if you're playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X. 4K also allows you to have a big TV without losing image quality.
In terms of panel type, both OLED and QLED have their own advantages, so you can't go too wrong with either. Mini LED displays are also a good way to go for increased contrast and reducing 'blooming', but OLED and QLED really are the pinnacle right now.
As for refresh rates, you'll want to stick at 60Hz and above for gaming, or 120Hz for PS5 and Xbox Series X, especially if you play fast-paced shooters like Warzone.
Do you need a 4K TV for PS5?
Officially, no. Sony says that the PS5 can support resolutions of 720p upwards to 108p, 1080i, and of course, 4K.
However, we'd say that in order to get the best gaming experience on a TV with a PS5, opting for a 4K TV will allow you to experience a world in more detail with a sharper picture and better resolution.
How do you know if a TV is good for gaming?
It's a case of looking out for specific features a TV should have that make it good for gaming really. For instance, you'll want a TV that can handle high refresh rates (most likely 120Hz thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity), as well as one with a good response time for low input lag.
Moreover, many of the best gaming TVs also feature handy comforts such as VRR (with either NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync) and ALLM, which optimise your TV's output for gaming and eliminate screen tearing.
They may also utilise handy features such as HDR to offer up more vibrant colours in conjunction with their respective panel tech, which can definitely make a TV quite a formidable choice for PC and console gaming alike.
Is LED or OLED better for gaming?
We'd say OLED would probably win here, but it depends on your budget. LED TVs are still great and come in at a lot cheaper than OLED displays.
OLED TVs provide higher contrast and more vivid colour than LED TVs thanks to their self-lit pixels and higher brightness, which makes them great for more cinematic gaming experiences.
Is 55 inch TV too big for gaming?
No, in fact, it's great for immersion. The only thing it's not good for is competitive first-person shooters, as most competitive players take advantage of smaller gaming monitors so they can see all the action right in front of them.
If you go bigger than 55" you may find that some image quality reduces at 4K, due to the laws of pixel density. Think of a low-resolution jpeg being enlarged until you can see the pixels, and you'll get an idea of the concept!
What size TV should I get for gaming?
This, of course, depends on your personal preference and what type of gaming you're going to be using it for.
For consoles, anything up to 55 inches should provide you with some amazing immersion, while for PCs, we'd say to go for something a little bit smaller, or you could choose to opt for one of the best gaming monitors instead.
Moreover, if you're planning on playing competitive FPS titles, for instance, then you may want to go for a smaller display so you can stay focused on the action, but this is of course down to personal choice.
If you head for a 48-inch panel as a convenient mid-range, you certainly won't go wrong.
What type of TV goes with PS5?
Anything which is HDMI 2.1 or HDMI 2.0 for that matter. Many TVs are compatible with PS5, but to get 4K, 120Hz you'll want to go for an HDMI 2.1 set.
Be careful, as some TVs say they are 120Hz, but they are actually HDMI 2.0. The 120Hz may refer to 120 motion rate, which would be an intelligent upscaling of framerates rather than 'true 120Hz'.
The best way to be sure is to get something that is HDMI 2.1, be it one of these gaming TVs or any of the best HDMI 2.1 monitors, for instance, as an alternative.
Even then, some HDMI 2.1 displays have been noted as being 'Fake HDMI 2.1' which refers to a display that states it's HDMI 2.1 but doesn't have features most typically associated with it such as VRR and ALLM, or in other words, Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode.
This is because the older HDMI 2.0 now is a sub-standard of HDMI 2.1, so all displays can be referred to as that, regardless of whether they have their typical feature set. Just be sure to check the features out so you know you've got the right panel.
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