When it comes to pairing with the latest video game consoles—the Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X—not all TVs are created equal. The best gaming TVs take full advantage of the improved performance specs that make the newest gaming consoles worth buying: 4K resolution, HDR compatibility, high frame rates, low latency, and more.
After extensive testing, we’ve found that the LG C3 OLED TV is the best choice for gamers thanks to its low input lag, large range of screen sizes, and gaming-friendly features. Oh, and the picture looks great, too.
Our pick
This OLED TV provides low input lag and the most comprehensive set of gaming features, as well as excellent overall picture quality.
The LG C3 OLED TV is the best gaming TV to pair with the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. Its input lag is very low, which means less time between when something happens in a game and when you see it on your screen. And unlike many other TVs, the C3 doesn’t sacrifice image quality in its game mode.
All four HDMI inputs support the full HDMI 2.1 feature set, including automatic low-latency mode, variable refresh rate, and the bandwidth to accept a 4K signal at 120 frames per second (see How we picked for an explanation of these features). The C3 also supports the HGiG high dynamic range guidelines for gaming, as well as 4K 120 Hz Dolby Vision gaming. PC gamers can also use it as a monitor thanks to its support for the AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync variable refresh rate modes on certain GPUs and graphics cards.
In addition, this TV provides an on-screen gaming dashboard that lets you easily check and adjust its gaming-specific settings to ensure that it’s giving you the best performance, and it’s available in screen sizes from 42 to 83 inches. As an OLED TV, the C3 offers better viewing angles than an LCD TV and faster pixel-response times for less image blurring. But this premium performer also carries a premium price tag.
Runner-up
This LCD/LED TV offers low input lag, four full HDMI 2.1 inputs, built-in cloud gaming, and a helpful Game Bar for quickly assessing stats.
Some people worry about burn-in, or uneven wear on the screen, when using an OLED TV for gaming. We don’t think that’s an issue with the LG C3, but if you prefer to use an LCD TV instead, the Samsung QN90B is a great choice.
Like the C3, the QN90B offers low input lag, HDMI 2.1 gaming features, and a gaming dashboard that makes it easy for you to see whether all those features are set up correctly. It also gives you four HDMI 2.1 inputs and (like all Samsung TVs from the past couple of years) access to built-in cloud gaming from sources such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now.
In addition, the QN90B is considerably brighter than any OLED TV and has a good antireflective screen filter, so it’s a great choice for rooms with lots of windows or skylights. It’s available in screen sizes from 43 to 85 inches, and its overall image quality for movies and TV is top-notch.
Ultimately, we preferred the LG C3’s superior black levels, wider viewing angles, and faster pixel response time in comparison with the QN90B, but this Samsung TV is so good that it’s almost neck and neck.
Budget pick
This LCD/LED TV lacks the higher-end performance tech you get in our other picks, but it still renders a pleasing image and supports the alternative timing modes that gamers desire.
For perhaps the first time ever, serious gamers can buy a truly budget-oriented 4K TV that’s specifically outfitted to complement modern PC and console gaming. The TCL Q6 is available in screen sizes from 55 to 85 inches, with the 55-inch model often selling for less than $400.
Although the Q6 has only a 60 Hz refresh rate, its “Game Accelerator 120” feature allows it to accept 1080p 120 Hz and 1440p 120 Hz signals, to utilize variable refresh rate, and to reduce the effective screen resolution to provide fast, snappy gameplay (albeit at the expense of image detail). Note that while this TV comes in both Google TV and Fire TV variants, only the Google TV version supports Game Accelerator 120.
The drawback here is that the Q6 is almost wholly geared toward gaming. While the TV supports all the major HDR formats and has quantum-dot color, its LED backlighting lacks any form of local dimming—so the picture contrast and black-level performance are not as good as what you can get from our pick for the best budget 4K TV, the Hisense U6K. Movie and TV lovers will be better served by that TV, but if what you really want is a huge gaming monitor, the TCL Q6 is a uniquely solid choice.
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