Answer:
Monitors usually have lower input lag, higher refresh rates and faster response time than TVs, which make them a better choice for gaming.
On the other side, TVs are larger and more affordable, so they are fantastic for watching movies and TV shows, as well as console gaming.
Are you wondering if you should get a new TV or a new monitor?
Whether you are considering using a TV as a PC monitor (or vice versa) or you are just looking for a brand new screen, you should know all the differences between these two types of displays before making the final decision.
We’ll fill you in on everything you need to look out for when buying a new TV or monitor for both everyday use and gaming.
TV vs. Monitor – Everyday Use
Screen Size
When buying a new TV, most people prioritize the size of the screen.
However, screen resolution and panel type, among other things, play a more significant role when it comes to image quality.
Since more and more content is becoming available in 4K Ultra HD resolution, if you are buying a brand new TV nowadays, it should definitely support 4K.
Screen Resolution
While TVs are only available in Full HD and 4K UHD resolutions, monitors have an in-between option called QHD with 2560×1440 pixels. Moreover, there are ultra-wide monitors with 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios for a more immersive viewing experience thanks to the extended horizontal field of view.
The relation between screen resolution and screen size is called pixel density, which measures how many pixels per inch are there. Generally, 1920×1080 resolution is fine for a 32-inch TV, but not for a monitor larger than 24″.
This is because low pixel density makes small items on the screen, such as text and icons, appear smudgy and blurry if you’re looking at them from up close. The chart below depicts the ideal watching distance for a particular screen size/resolution.
HDR: OLED & Mini LED
Nowadays, there are plenty of HDR (High Dynamic Range) monitors and TVs to choose from. For the best HDR image quality, we recommend an OLED or mini LED display.
Samsung’s QD-OLED and LG’s W-OLED panels are the main choices for both TVs and monitors.
Alternatively, you should consider a mini LED display with FALD (full-array local dimming) zones (the more zones, the better), which is available in both TV and monitor forms, so again, you’ll have to pick according to your budget and preference (size, resolution, panel type, refresh rate, features, etc.).
TV vs. Monitor – Gaming
After you’ve considered all of the points mentioned above, there are additional things to keep in mind when looking for a display for gaming.
Input Lag
When it comes to console gaming, a TV can be a better choice since you are sitting further away from the screen, so the display can be larger. However, you need to ensure the TV has some sort of image post-processing bypass mode, usually called “Game Mode” or “PC Mode”.
This feature considerably lowers input lag, which is a must if you wish to have smooth and responsive gameplay. We recommend that the TV has less than 16ms input lag at 60Hz and less than 8ms if it supports 120Hz.
Response Time
Another vital thing to keep in mind is the display’s response time speed, and since TV manufacturers don’t put this specification on paper as they do with monitors, you will have to do some research.
While an average IPS panel monitor has a response time speed of ~5ms, an IPS panel TV has around 15ms, which will result in more visible ghosting and trailing behind fast-moving objects.
In short, if you’re looking for a TV for gaming, make sure it has low input lag (Game Mode feature), and it should preferably have an IPS panel as VA panels have a slower response time.
Additionally, it’s even better if you can afford an OLED TV, which has a faster response time speed than any LED-backlit monitor.
Refresh Rate
Nowadays, a gaming monitor can have a refresh rate of up to 600Hz, which provides you with the most responsive and fluid fast-paced gaming. TVs, on the other hand, are usually limited to 60Hz or 120Hz (or 144Hz via factory-overclock).
Furthermore, some TVs offer features such as LG TruMotion120, which is supposed to convert 60 FPS (Frames Per Second) content into 120 FPS. However, these are ‘fake’ frames and will more likely have an adverse effect on the image and gameplay experience.
You can read more about this frame interpolation technology here.
Overall, if you want a high refresh rate TV, make sure it’s “true 120Hz” and not using motion interpolation, also known as the “soap opera effect.”
Adaptive-Sync
Some gaming monitors offer variable refresh rate technology, such as Adaptive-Sync, HDMI 2.1 VRR, AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC.
This technology requires a compatible graphics card and, in turn, provides you with a variable refresh rate that removes all screen tearing and stuttering.
The Xbox One and Series S/X gaming consoles support FreeSync and HDMI 2.1 VRR up to 120Hz. The PS5 also supports VRR, but only via HDMI 2.1 VRR standard.
So, in this case, a 120Hz+ gaming monitor with proper VRR support is a perfect choice if you play both PC and console games.
Some newer TVs also support variable refresh rate through AMD FreeSync, NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and HDMI 2.1 VRR.
Smart Features
All modern TVs have integrated OS and smart features for game and video streaming, such as GeForce Now, Netflix, etc., but these are no longer exclusive to TVs.
There are several monitors that also feature integrated OS with streaming apps, voice assistance, DeX, Microsoft 365, etc.
Some of these models include the Samsung Odyssey Ark, the Samsung G6, the KTC A32Q8 and the LG 43SQ700S.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of differences between a TV and a monitor, and the choice between the two mostly depends on what type of content you’ll be browsing through and what games you will be playing.
