Are you a hardcore gamer looking to take your gaming experience to the next level? Whether you‘re an Xbox, PlayStation, Switch or PC gamer, having the right TV can make all the difference. The best gaming TVs deliver buttery-smooth motion, vibrant colors, deep blacks, and ultra-responsive inputs to give you the ultimate immersive gaming experience.
But with so many TVs on the market, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is the best for gaming. Fear not – I‘ve done the research for you. After carefully evaluating the top models and latest gaming TV technologies, I‘ve put together this ultimate guide to the 10 absolute best gaming TVs you can buy in 2024.
Whether you‘re on a budget, want the biggest screen possible, or demand the very best image quality, there‘s a perfect gaming TV for you on this list. Let‘s dive in!
What Makes a Great Gaming TV?
First, let‘s talk about the key features and specs you should look for in a gaming TV:
Low input lag: This is the delay between when you press a button on your controller and when you see the action happen on-screen. For fast-paced games, you want the lowest input lag possible – ideally under 20ms.
High refresh rate: Measured in Hz, this is how many times per second the TV refreshes the image on-screen. 60Hz is standard, but for an extra-smooth gaming experience, look for a 120Hz TV.
HDMI 2.1: The latest HDMI spec enables 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM) and other next-gen gaming features. If you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X, HDMI 2.1 is a must-have.
VRR: This syncs the TV‘s refresh rate to your console‘s frame rate output to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are proprietary VRR technologies.
ALLM: Automatically switches your TV to low-latency game mode when it detects gameplay for the most responsive experience.
Brightness & contrast: A bright TV with deep blacks is ideal for seeing enemies lurking in the shadows and details in bright scenes. Look for high peak brightness (measured in nits) and contrast ratio specs.
Wide color gamut: The latest consoles support high dynamic range (HDR) for super vibrant colors. The best gaming TVs can display over a billion colors in the DCI-P3 or Rec. 2020 color spaces.
Now that you know what makes a great gaming TV, let‘s count down the top 10 models you can buy today.
The 10 Best Gaming TVs of 2023
#10: Hisense U8H
The most affordable TV on this list, the Hisense U8H is an incredible value for gamers on a budget. This QLED TV packs in gaming features like HDMI 2.1, FreeSync Premium, and Game Mode Pro for low latency. It also gets very bright at up to 1,500 nits, so HDR games look fantastic. The Google TV operating system is a breeze to use. All this for under $1,000 is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Excellent gaming performance for price
- Very bright HDR
- Google TV OS with hands-free voice control
Cons:
- Limited viewing angles
- Image quality not on par with more expensive TVs
#9: Vizio P-Series Quantum X
Another great value, Vizio‘s P-Series Quantum X delivers incredible gaming performance for the price. Featuring up to 792 local dimming zones and 3000 nits of peak brightness, this TV has some of the best contrast and HDR for immersive gaming. It also handles reflections very well if your gaming room gets a lot of light. 4 HDMI 2.1 ports and FreeSync Premium Pro make this a very capable gaming TV.
Pros:
- Outstanding brightness and local dimming
- 4 HDMI 2.1 ports
- Good at handling reflections
Cons:
- Narrow viewing angles
- SmartCast OS has limited apps
#8: TCL 6-Series Roku TV (R655)
The TCL 6-Series packs a gaming punch for under $1,000. A Mini-LED panel provides over 1,000 nits of peak brightness and excellent local dimming for impressive HDR. The 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for PC gaming and it supports FreeSync Premium Pro. TCL‘s THX Certified Game Mode provides the optimal color and low latency gaming experience. The Roku OS is simple and lets you get to your games quickly.
Pros:
- Mini-LED with excellent local dimming
- 144Hz refresh rate
- THX Certified Game Mode
Cons:
- Viewing angles could be better
- Not as feature-rich as higher-end models
#7: LG G2 OLED
The LG G2 is a fantastic all-around OLED TV that‘s also excellent for gaming. It hangs nearly flush with your wall for a sleek, artwork-like look when not gaming. But fire up your favorite FPS and the G2 delivers with deep blacks, near-instant response times, low input lag and VRR up to 120Hz at 4K. LG‘s Game Optimizer mode gives you quick access to all the key gaming settings. It also gets brighter than any other OLED for spectacular HDR.
Pros:
- Infinite contrast ratio of OLED
- Super-fast response time
- Game Optimizer puts key settings at your fingertips
Cons:
- Expensive for its size
- Risk of permanent burn-in with OLEDs
#6: Sony X95K
If you like the brightness of Mini-LED but want the superior viewing angles of an IPS panel, the Sony X95K is for you. This TV gets eye-searingly bright at over 2,000 nits, so explosions and sun glare really pop. It also delivers very low input lag, 120Hz at 4K, VRR and ALLM for super responsive gaming. Exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode detect when you‘re gaming and optimize settings accordingly.
Pros:
- Class-leading Mini-LED brightness
- Wide viewing angles
- PlayStation-exclusive gaming features
Cons:
- Slightly higher input lag than some competitors
- Expensive for an LED TV
#5: Samsung S95B OLED
Samsung‘s S95B proves that the TV leader knows how to do OLED right. By combining OLED with quantum dots, this TV achieves incredible color volume at up to 1,500 nits of peak brightness in HDR — brighter than any other OLED. It‘s also packed with gaming goodies like 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and incredibly low input lag. The built-in Gaming Hub even lets you stream Xbox games without a console.
Pros:
- Stunning QD-OLED color and contrast
- Brightest OLED screen
- Samsung Gaming Hub is very handy
Cons:
- Just one HDMI 2.1 port
- No Dolby Vision support
#4: Hisense 65U8H
Hisense delivers again with the 65U8H, an outstanding Mini-LED TV designed with next-gen gaming in mind. It pumps out 1,500 nits of peak brightness and sports a 120Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium Pro. Game Mode Pro automatically optimizes your visuals and input lag for a no-fuss gaming experience. Built-in Google Assistant, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ cap off a very impressive package at its sub-$1,500 price point.
Pros:
- Superb Mini-LED brightness and local dimming
- Game Mode Pro for easy optimization
- HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ support
Cons:
- Some blooming around bright objects
- Google TV interface can be sluggish
#3: Samsung QN90B Neo QLED
Samsung‘s QN90B is a beast of a 4K QLED TV powered by Mini-LED. It delivers a whopping 2,000+ nits of peak HDR brightness and deep blacks thanks to its precise local dimming. And with HDMI 2.1, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium Pro and incredibly low input lag, this TV is ready for the most demanding next-gen games. As a bonus, the extra-wide viewing angles make it great for big multiplayer gaming sessions.
Pros:
- Incredible Mini-LED brightness
- Deep blacks and wide viewing angles
- All the HDMI 2.1 gaming features you need
Cons:
- No Dolby Vision support
- Black levels not as inky as OLED
#2: Sony A95K QD-OLED
For the ultimate in picture quality and gaming responsiveness, look no further than the Sony A95K with QD-OLED technology. This cutting-edge panel combines the self-emitting pixels of OLED with quantum dots for the best of both worlds — perfect blacks, ultra-wide viewing angles, and incredible color volume at high brightness levels. It‘s also packed with next-gen gaming features like 4K at 120Hz, auto HDR tone mapping, and auto low latency mode. The X-Reality Pro upscaling chip makes non-4K games look amazing too.
Pros:
- Best-in-class QD-OLED picture quality
- Excellent motion handling
- Exclusive features for PS5 gamers
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Can‘t get quite as bright as Mini-LEDs
#1: LG C2 OLED
The LG C2 OLED takes the top spot on this list for providing the best balance of picture quality, next-gen gaming features, design and value. With its self-emissive OLED pixels, the C2 delivers perfect blacks, near-instant response times and ultra-wide viewing angles for immersive gaming. It also supports every HDMI 2.1 feature you could ask for: 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and eARC. The Game Optimizer puts all the gaming settings in one place and even includes genre-specific presets. And with 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, you can connect all your consoles and a soundbar.
Pros:
- Perfect infinite contrast ratio
- Comprehensive HDMI 2.1 support
- Best-in-class gaming features
Cons:
- Slight risk of burn-in if gaming UI is static for long periods
- Doesn‘t get as bright as QD-OLED or Mini-LED TVs
How to Choose the Right Gaming TV
Now that you‘ve seen the top contenders, how do you choose the best gaming TV for your needs and budget? Here are some guidelines:
OLED vs QLED vs LED: OLED TVs have the best picture quality overall with perfect blacks, near-instant response times and wide viewing angles. However, they can‘t get as bright as QLED or Mini-LED models and have a slight risk of permanent image retention (burn-in). LED/Mini-LED LCD TVs can pump out 2-3x higher peak brightness than OLEDs and have zero burn-in risk. However, they have narrower viewing angles and can suffer from "blooming" around bright objects. QLED TVs are LCD TVs that use quantum dots to achieve higher brightness and color volume than regular LED TVs.
Refresh rate: 120Hz is the sweet spot for next-gen gaming. Avoid TVs that are only 60Hz.
HDMI 2.1: A must-have if you want to take full advantage of the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Look for models with at least 2 HDMI 2.1 ports.
VRR and ALLM: VRR eliminates tearing and stuttering while ALLM auto-switches to game mode. Ideally you want both.
Size and budget: As you move up in size and resolution, prices increase rapidly. Expect to pay a premium for 65"+ and 8K. Set a budget, then look for the largest screen that fits your space and budget while ticking all your must-have feature boxes.
Ultimately, the best gaming TV for you comes down to your unique combination of needs, preferences and budget. The models covered here represent the absolute elite in gaming TVs. You can‘t go wrong with any of them. Choose the one that best aligns with what‘s most important to you and prepare to be blown away!
I hope this in-depth guide has helped you find the perfect gaming TV to take your gaming to the next level. If you found it useful, feel free to share it with your gamer friends. Happy gaming!
