Photo Illustration: Bridget Clegg: Courtesy Samsung; Hisense; LG
Every gamer knows this: Having a high-quality display is mandatory. And the latest gaming consoles need a good 4K TV to showcase their full hardware potential.
Many 4K TVs have gaming modes and onboard features to enhance your gameplay. We're talking low input lag, a high maximum refresh rate, and compatibility with HDR-enhanced content. We spent weeks scrutinizing the top products from leading brands to determine the best gaming TVs.
The above connectivity standard is one of the most important features to look for when shopping for a gaming TV, especially if you already own or plan to buy an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5. Because of its vast data bandwidth capabilities, it will allow the consoles to deliver 4K gameplay with HDR enhancements at up to a stunning 120 frames per second. For comparison, 4K TVs without HDMI 2.1 can only offer a 4K gaming in 60 frames-per-second — that's solid, but nowhere near as fluid.
HDMI 2.1 will also help the TV bring gaming with a variable refresh rate — aka, it'll help you enjoy stutter-free onscreen action that will always keep pace with your adventures.
If you plan to use your next TV with an older gaming console like the older PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One X, there’s no need to worry about HDMI 2.1 just yet. However, keep in mind that the standard is themost futureproof.
➥ Input Lag
In gaming, every millisecond matters. A low input lag, measured in milliseconds, ensures that the input from your gaming controller will be instantly reflected on the screen in front of you. This is crucial because it can make the difference between winning or losing a game.
The lower the input lag a TV has for gaming, the better. We suggest that you look for input lag that's well below 10 milliseconds during 4K gameplay. The product category's finest offer input responses as low as 1 millisecond.
➥ Refresh Rate
On the other hand, a high refresh rate makes the viewing experience and high-powered gameplay smoother and more enjoyable. When shopping for a 4K TV, it's best to look for one capable of delivering a 120 Hz refresh rate — most gaming TVs with HDMI 2.1 onboard support this functionality.
➥ HDR
An abbreviation for High Dynamic Range, HDR brings immersive onscreen content with more profound contrast and vibrant colors. I highly recommend that you shop for a TV that’s compatible with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. The Xbox Series X and the Sony PlayStation 5 support enhanced gameplay.
Having an HDR-capable gaming TV will also allow you to enjoy more immersive streaming content when you're not gaming.
The top 4K gaming TVs also have a gaming mode, which often becomes active when you power up your console. Enabling game mode might require you to go into your TV’s settings menu, but the functionality will optimize the input lag and screen refresh rate, guaranteeing that your games look their best.
Check out our favorite gaming TVs that will improve your favorite pastime.
The Hisense U7G 4K TV is our top pick for most gamers because it offers an awe-inspiring gaming experience at an agreeable price point. Its Game Mode Pro feature allows it to deliver an excellent 4K HDR gameplay with a high variable refresh rate and low latency.
The U7G is also an excellent TV, overall with vibrant colors, deep contrast, and high peak brightness. It has Google TV, which is a leading platform with access to voice commands. We like its backlit remote, too.
You can also order the TV with a 65- or 75-inch display panel.
The TCL 6-Series TV offers fantastic picture quality and superb 4K gaming performance at a higher price point than our top pick.
The product will automatically switch to gaming mode when you power up your console, reducing input lag and delivering a high frame rate for smooth onscreen action. It has an official THX certification, ensuring that its picture quality and performance during gameplay are excellent.
Available with up to a 75-inch screen, the 6-Series is an awesome entertainment centerpiece, too. It boots Google TV with access to all streaming services, along with the tech giant's virtual assistant.
Priced just a tad above $400 for a 55-inch variant, the Vizio V-Series 4K TV is a fantastic option for thrifty gamers. Its 65-inch and 70-inch iterations are also amazing bargains, costing below $500 and $650, respectively.
The V-Series has a gaming mode and support for 4K HDR gameplay, which tops out at 60 frames per second. Considering the TV’s impulse-buy price, we don't think this is a dealbreaker.
The product also has a feature-packed smart platform and connectivity features, so it's perfect for use beyond gaming.
The LG C1 OLED TV is the one to get if your budget has no restrictions: It offers peerless picture quality and gaming performance.
The TV’s gaming capabilities are in a league of their own when it comes to performance and available features. Its 1 ms response time is the lowest on this list, and it has a Game Optimizer feature for adjusting its settings.
The LG C1 isn't just phenomenal for gaming: It has an intuitive smart platform with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support.
Samsung’s QN85 Neo QLED 4K TV is a perfect option for Xbox Series X gaming. Thanks to a partnership between Samsung and Microsoft, the TV will flawlessly sync with the console and deliver stunning 4K gameplay with a high refresh rate.
The TV’s interface has a Game Bar, which will allow you to fine-tune your gaming performance. Its object-tracking sound capabilities are also impressive.
The QN85 Neo has a minimalist design and a slim profile. Its smart platform and solar-powered remote control are among the industry’s best.
This 85-inch 4K TV by TCL will allow you to entirely immerse yourself in your favorite video games. Its gigantic screen has superb picture quality, stellar brightness, vibrant colors, and deep contrast.
Like our top pick from the same brand, the TCL XL-Series delivers a solid gameplay performance. It has a THX-certified gaming mode that will automatically optimize its performance and support a high variable refresh rate.
Gaming aside, the latest TCL XL-Series has Roku TV with access to a ton of content. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant commands, as well as Apple HomeKit.
High-refresh-rate gaming is only available in Full HD
Key Specs
HDMI 2.1: No
4K Variable Refresh Rate: Yes (up to 240 Hz)
HDR Compatibility: Yes (HDR10 and HLG)
If you find the 85-inch TV mentioned above too small, consider a projector instead. The Optoma UHD38 can project up to a 300-inch screen, so your gameplay will be insanely immersive. All you need is a dark or shaded area with space for a projector screen.
The product has a gaming mode, which reduces the input lag and sharpens the contrast. A refresh rate of up to 240 Hz is also available for PC gaming in Full HD. The projector can stream 4K HDR content with excellent quality.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
