Looking for a new TV that will satisfy all your multimedia viewing demands and at the same time provide you with a responsive and immersive console gaming experience?
We’ve put together this buyer’s guide in order to narrow down your choices according to your budget as well as to encompass everything you need to know before buying a new TV for console gaming.
Based on numerous tests, reviews, and thorough research, we find these to be the best TVs for gaming in 2023.
Type | TV | Panel | Dolby Vision | Peak Brightness | Input Lag | Response Time | 1440p/ 120Hz | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Budget 4K HDR Gaming TVs | VA | No | 200-nits | 13ms | 18ms | No | ||
VA | Yes | 500-nits | 11ms | 13ms | No | |||
Best Mid-Range 4K HDR Gaming TV | VA | Yes | 1200-nits | 6ms | 11ms | Yes | ||
Best High-End 4K HDR Gaming TVs | OLED | Yes | 500-nits | 10ms | <1ms | No | ||
OLED | Yes | 800-nits | 6ms | <1ms | Yes |
As long as you stick with our guidelines, we guarantee that you will be satisfied with the display you’ve picked as all TVs in this list offer the best value/price in their respective categories.
If you intend on using your PC with the TV as well, be sure to check out the best monitors for PS4 Pro/X1X.
If you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this article.
Best Budget 4K HDR Gaming TVs
In case you want the cheapest 4K TV that’s any good, we recommend none other than the TCL S435 series which offers unbeatable value for the price. If it’s too expensive for you now, we highly recommend that you save up for it; otherwise, you can check for some cheaper TVs in our best TV for gaming on PS4 and Xbox One buyer’s guide.
However, the Vizio MQ7 is only slightly more expensive yet it offers a much better image quality. So, it’s definitely worth the investment, even if you have to pick a smaller model.
TCL S435
Budget 4K TV For Xbox One X and PS4 Pro
Sizes: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Panel: VA
1440p/120Hz: No
VRR: No
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Low input lag
- Roku TV offers smooth navigation
- Decent contrast ratio for deep blacks
The Cons:
- Low peak brightness and narrow color gamut for HDR content
- Moderate trailing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
About The TV
The best TV for 4K gaming on a budget is undoubtedly the TCL S435. It has been Amazon’s best-selling TV for quite a while, and there’s a good reason behind it.
Image Quality
For just around $300, you can get a 50-inch TV with 4K Ultra HD resolution, entry-level HDR, and, most importantly for gamers, low input lag and decent response time speed.
The picture quality is also unbeatable at this price point. Thanks to its high-quality VA panel with a 6,000:1 static contrast ratio, the TV delivers deep blacks.
Moreover, 10-bit color depth support (8-bit + FRC) makes for 1.07 billion colors, which, along with 4K resolution, ensures vibrant and crisp picture quality for an immersive viewing experience.
Alas, the main downside of the panel is its rather low peak luminance of only 200-nits, which will result in some lack of details in the highlights of the picture.
What’s more, due to the semi-glossy screen coating, you will have to dim the lights in well-lit rooms, as the screen is quite reflective.
Finally, due to the only standard sRGB color gamut, low peak brightness, and no local dimming, HDR performance is underwhelming; but at this price, nothing more can be expected, really.
Performance
The TCL S435 has a very low input lag of only 13ms in the Game mode which makes for imperceptible delay at 60Hz meaning that the TV is fit for competitive gameplay.
In addition, the response time speed of 18ms will eliminate most of trailing behind fast-moving objects in video games. However, in scenes where dark pixels are predominant, there will be visible dark smearing and motion blur.
The amount of ghosting and motion blur certainly isn’t game-breaking and is, in fact, tolerable and expected from a VA panel display.
Lastly, the viewing angles are not as good as they are on IPS and OLED panels, so if you are looking at the TV too far from the side, there will be shifts in contrast – which is another expected drawback of the VA panel technology.
Features
The TCL S435 4K TV is based on Roku TV OS which offers surprisingly smooth navigation through the smart components with a user-friendly menu.
Furthermore, in ‘PC Mode,’ the TV supports 4:4:4 chroma allowing you to use it as a monitor for PC without having to deal with fuzzy and blurry text on colored backgrounds.
Note that all TVs in this list support 4:4:4 chroma, which makes them viable for PC use.
Reducing the TV’s brightness to 17/100 introduces PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation), which is a method of regulating brightness by introducing screen flicker (at 120Hz on this TV).
This flickering is invisible to the human eye, and it helps clear up motion blur in fast-paced content.
Lastly, the TV cannot remove 24p judder from native 24Hz content unless it’s played via 24p sources such as Blu-rays or DVDs.
Design & Connectivity
The design of the TCL S435 is nothing spectacular, but the build quality is solid and the screen can be easily VESA mounted using the 200 x 200mm pattern.
Connectivity consists of three HDMI (one with ARC, all three with HDCP 2.2) ports, a USB port, both analog and digital audio jacks, composite-in, a tuner, an Ethernet port, two 8W DD+ built-in speakers, and WiFi.
Vizio MQ7
Best Budget 4K TV For Xbox One X and PS4 Pro
Sizes: 50″, 55″, 58″, 65″, 70″, 75″
Panel: VA
1440p/120Hz: No
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Good value for the price
- Low input lag
- Wide color gamut
- Decent brightness and contrast ratio
- FreeSync
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+
The Cons:
- Moderate trailing in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
About The TV
The Vizio M7 Series Quantum TVs offer a big jump in image quality and performance over TCL’s S435 series, yet they’re only slightly more expensive!
Image Quality
To start with, the Vizio MQ7 offers a significantly wider color gamut, covering almost the entire DCI-P3 color space! So, you get more saturated and rich colors, which in addition to the TV’s higher ~500-nit peak brightness makes for a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
The contrast ratio is a bit higher too, at around 6500:1, resulting in deep blacks; there’s even a 30-zone local dimming solution, which can help dim big parts of the screen where needed.
Just like you won’t find any other TV with such a wide color gamut at this price range, you won’t find one that supports AMD FreeSync and two major HDR formats: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision (in addition to the standard HDR10 and HLG support).
Performance
Performance is also very good! You get a ~13ms pixel response time speed, so only minor trailing will be noticeable in fast-paced games and mostly in darker scenes.
Input lag is imperceptible at ~11ms, but sadly, the TV doesn’t support 120Hz.
The Vizio MQ7 uses Pulse Width Modulation to regulate brightness just like most TV, but the 480Hz frequency shouldn’t bother most people sensitive to flicker.
Feature
FreeSync allows you to synchronize the TV’s refresh rate with GPU’s frame rate between 40 and 60Hz/FPS (Frames Per Second). This eliminates tearing without adding input lag, as long as your FPS is between the supported 40-60Hz range.
Other features include Clear Action; it’s a BFI (black frame insertion) technology that reduces perceived motion blur by inserting black frames between the regular ones, but it can’t be active at the same time as FreeSync and it reduces maximum brightness while active.
Next, you can eliminate judder from 24p DVDs, Blu-rays, and streaming applications by using Film Mode, while 4:4:4 chroma is supported for sharp text when connected to PC.
The Vizio MQ7 is based on SmartCast OS, which is reasonably responsive and simple to use.
Design & Connectivity
The TV has a slim design with thin bezels and it’s VESA mount compatible.
Connectivity options include four HDMI 2.0 ports (one with eARC), USB 2.0, digital and analog audio ports, two 10W integrated speakers, a tuner, composite-in, Ethernet, and WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5GHz).
Supported audio formats include Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS, and DTS:X.
Alternatives
Overall, the Vizio MQ7 is the best TV you can get for gaming for ~$500. Alternatively, you might be interested in the following models at this price range:
- TCL S535 – Has a bit higher contrast ratio and better local dimming (7000:1), but a lower peak brightness (up to ~400-nits) and no FreeSync or HDR10+ support.
- Hisense H8G – offers a bit higher peak brightness (up to 750-nits). However, it doesn’t have FreeSync support.
In terms of input lag and pixel responsiveness, all three TVs are similar.
Best Mid-Range 4K HDR Gaming TV
Want the best 4K HDR TV for gaming between $500 and $1000? Look no further!
The Pros:
- Excellent value for the price
- High peak brightness and wide color gamut
- Full-array local dimming and high contrast
- Low input lag
- Dolby Vision support
- Supports 4K up to 120Hz
The Cons:
- Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
About The TV
Next up, we have the TCL R646 which is the best TV for console gaming you can get for ~$900.
For a notable improvement in picture quality over the R646, you’d have to invest over $1000 for a higher-end TV.
Image Quality
In short, the TCL R635 series TVs provide a picture quality and performance that’s worth much more, and in some aspects, they are unmatched even by some $1,000+ TVs.
It offers a high peak brightness of ~1,200-nits, a wide 90% DCI-P3 color gamut, and an excellent contrast ratio of over 19,000:1 via full-array local dimming. It also supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats.
Overall, you get a noticeable boost in image quality over the Vizio MQ7, as well as a significant improvement when it comes to performance.
Performance
With a pixel response time speed of around 11ms, the R646 is one of the fastest LED TVs, which makes for minimal ghosting in fast-paced games.
Further, its 960Hz flicker frequency and ~6ms input lag (Game Mode) are imperceptible.
There are plenty of useful features available as well, including the ability to remove 24p judder from any source, FreeSync, and black frame insertion.
The TV also supports 120Hz at 1080p, 1440p and 4K UHD for a drastic improvement in motion clarity, granted that the content supports 120FPS.
It is based on Google TV OS.
Design & Connectivity
The design consists of a standard-looking stand while the bezels are ultra-thin.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, a tuner, composite-in, analog and digital audio ports, two 15W speakers, and built-in WiFi.
HDCP 2.2, CEC, ARC (HDMI1 only), and eARC are supported over HDMI, while other supported audio formats include DTS, DTS:X, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Atmos.
Alternatives
- Hisense H9F – Offers a bit higher 1,200-nit peak brightness, but a slightly lower 9,000:1 contrast ratio. It also has a faster 9ms pixel response time speed, but no FreeSync or 120Hz support at 1080p/1440p.
- Hisense H9G – It has an even higher 1,500-nit peak brightness, a high 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and a rapid 8ms response time speed. However, it’s more expensive yet it doesn’t support FreeSync or 120Hz at 1080p/1440p.
Best High-End 4K HDR Gaming TVs
In this category, you will find the absolute best gaming TVs. These cost a little bit more but are definitely worth it if you want an outstanding gaming and movie watching experience.
The Pros:
- Infinite contrast for true blacks
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Decent peak brightness
- Dolby Vision support
- Flawless viewing angles and striking colors
The Cons:
- Risk of permanent burn-in and temporary image retention
- Limited to 60Hz, no VRR support
About The TV
If you want the best image quality for movies as well as blur-free performance for video games, we highly recommend one of LG’s OLED TVs.
The A1 series is limited to 60Hz, but they’re cheaper than the 120Hz models, so they’re a great option if you can’t afford a 120Hz version or if you simply don’t need a higher refresh rate.
Image Quality
OLED displays don’t rely on a backlight to produce the picture. Instead, they create each pixel individually, which allows for an infinite contrast ratio. This means that you get true blacks unmatched by any other panel technology.
The LG A1 also features a wide 98% color gamut for rich and eye-catching colors. However, it can’t get as bright as certain LED TVs, so its peak brightness is limited to ~500-nits, which is still very good.
The brightness is lower in comparison to equally priced LED TVs – still, the superior contrast, viewing angles, response time, and color quality of OLEDs certainly make up for it.
Moving on, the TV has a great anti-glare treatment, which makes it viable for well-lit rooms, but it’s in dark rooms where the TV shows its full potential.
OLED TVs also have the widest viewing angles ensuring that the picture will remain flawless no matter the angle you’re looking at the screen.
Supported HDR formats include HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG.
OLED Burn-In & Image Retention
The biggest downside of OLED displays is the risk of permanent image burn-in and temporary image retention.
In short, this means that if you leave a static image on an OLED TV for too long, that image could permanently burn-in, and you’d always be able to see its trail.
Sometimes, the burnt-in picture will fade away over time, in which case it’s actually image retention.
The LG A1, however, has numerous features to prevent this, such as Pixel Refresher, Screen Shift, Logo Luminance Adjustment, Screen Savers, etc.
Overall, you shouldn’t worry about image burn-in as long as you mind how you use your TV. So, if you like to leave your TV on all night or use it as background noise, don’t forget to at least set a shutdown timer and make use of LG’s above-mentioned features.
Image retention is another issue. If you are watching the news or playing a video game with static elements such as banners, logos, health bars, mini-maps, etc., – those elements can also get burnt in.
However, this only happens after prolonged use, and it can be fixed by merely shuffling through a few channels or by refreshing (aka shifting or calibrating) the pixels.
Performance
Another aspect of OLED that is unmatched by any other panel technology is the pixel response time speed.
Thanks to the rapid response time of less than 1ms, you won’t encounter any prominent ghosting of fast-moving objects.
In combination with the exceptional 10ms input lag in the Game mode, you can enjoy responsive and fluid gameplay without any issues whatsoever.
Features
Additionally, there’s the TruMotion framerate interpolation feature, which can further eliminate stutter and motion blur for 30FPS content (the ‘De-Judder’ setting).
You can also remove 24p judder from native apps and 24p sources via the Cinema Screen setting.
The LG A1 is based on LG’s WebOS 6.0, which provides simple and quick navigation as well as plenty of applications in LG’s store.
Design & Connectivity
Yet another advantage of OLED displays is the design as they can be extremely slim.
Connectivity options include three HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB ports, both digital and analog audio jacks, a tuner, Ethernet, WiFi, and 20W built-in speakers.
The TV also boasts eARC/ARC (over HDMI3) and Dolby Atmos/Digital support.
Summary
Thanks to its infinite contrast ratio, impeccable viewing angles, punchy colors, and instantaneous response time speed, the LG A1 offers an exceptional gaming and viewing experience. While the risk of burn-in may scare off some users, there’s nothing to worry about as long as you use the TV responsibly.
The Pros:
- HDMI 2.1
- Infinite contrast for true blacks
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Supports 4K up to 120Hz
- Decent peak brightness
- Dolby Vision support
- Flawless viewing angles and striking colors
The Cons:
- Risk of permanent burn-in and temporary image retention
- No DTS passthrough
About The TV
If you want a higher refresh rate, VRR support, and a bit higher brightness, the LG B1 and C1 are for you!
Both TVs use the same panel, but the C series includes a 48″ variant, has a bit more modern design and a slightly faster processor (though it doesn’t affect PC/console performance).
The 2020 models, the BX and the CX are also worth considering as they offer identical image quality, performance and main features, but can sometimes be found cheaper on sale.
Further, the LG 2020/2021 B and C series OLEDs support BFI and VRR with certified G-SYNC compatibility up to 120Hz (40-120Hz range).
Design & Connectivity
Connectivity options of the C1 include four HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, Ethernet, tuner, composite-in, analog and digital audio jacks, WiFi and 2.2 channel 40W speakers. The C1 model has two HDMI 2.1 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports instead.
Conclusion
Still not sure what TV to buy? Feel free to leave us a comment below!
Overall, if you’re on a limited budget, you can’t go wrong with the TCL S435, though we recommend saving up for the Vizio MQ7 or the TCL R646 as they offer exceptional image quality and performance for the price.
In case you can afford something pricier, consider the LG A1 or the LG C1 if you want to future-proof your setup as much as possible and at the same time get remarkable image quality and performance.
Updates +
- November 25, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - November 25, 2021:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available.