The best gaming TVs give you the keys to unbridled play. They will offer you the best gaming features and specs to match those fast-paced first person shooters as much as those slower RPGs. We've even picked out ones with enough oomph in the speakers to immerse you in your favorite digital worlds.
OLED TVs are some of the best gaming TVs, but plenty of Mini-LED models are fast becoming just as stellar. Specs you'll want to look out for are HDMI ports, like 2.1 or now even 2.2, refresh rates, including 120Hz, 144Hz, and now even 165Hz, and HDR support. You'll also want Nvidia G-Sync and/or AMD FreeSync if you're planning on gaming on a PC with your TV.
In picking the best gaming TVs, we focused not only on price but also three main aspects: four HDMI 2.1 ports, low input latency, and the inclusion of a Gaming Hub. Access to cloud gaming platforms directly on your TV is a huge addition, even if you'll just be playing PS5 or Switch 2. Read on below to see which is best for you.
The quick list
Here's a quick overview of the best TVs for gaming you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. And keep up on scrolling if you want to see our in-depth analysis of all the top TVs for every budget.
The LG C5 OLED is here, bringing with it incredible upscaling in line with superb picture performance. It's also a gaming powerhouse with a 144Hz refresh rate, Game Optimizer, and slew of cloud streaming platforms, made all the better thanks to its insane low input latency of 9.1ms.
Mini-LED TVs are fast becoming the new best way to experience gaming on a budget. The poster child of this success is the Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV, last year's mid-tier offering that still wills out with some exciting features like its 144Hz Game Mode Pro, ALLM support, and AMD FreeSync compatibility. It helps to also have a well-rounded speaker system, which most TVs tend to lack.
For just $900, the TCL QM8 makes itself known as a steal for those looking to get ample gaming features without a high premium. It comes with support VRR and ALLM, plus is one of the brightest TVs we've ever tested. An input latency of 13ms makes it prime for its price for any gamer looking to make the most out of their console or PC gaming.
With its insane brightness and incredible HDR color handling, the Hisense U8N Mini-LED TV is a true star made all the better with a long list of gaming features that set it apart from the rest. It does lag with just two HDMIU 2.1 ports, but wills out thanks to its exceptionally low price point.
With its own PlayStation hardware used by millions for gaming, it comes as no surprise to see Sony at the top of the best TVs for gaming with its A95L QD-OLED masterpiece. It's got every gaming feature under the sun, built on its 120Hz refresh rate with VRR and several PS5 exclusive features, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode.
Launched this year with a new anti-glare coating, the Samsung QN990F is here as one of the few 8K TVs on the market. It's kitted with one of the most powerful upscalers on the block and its extensive Gaming Hub gives it tons of ways to play.
The best gaming TVs available right now
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Best gaming TV overall
LG's C-series comes heralded on a yearly basis as among the best gaming TVs, pushing out some serious specs at value prices. The C5 OLED is yet another entry, proving the overarching talent in this line of sets, netting a 144Hz refresh rate in VRR on a 9.1ms input latency.
What underpins the C5 OLED as a grand gaming TV is a range of features, most notable among them being a full Game Optimizer with tons of game streaming platforms on offer. If that wasn't enough, it's also an OLED, which often serve as among the best screens to experience gaming on.
Xbox Game Pass was just added to webOS 25, which means Samsung's Tizen OS isn't the only place you'll be able to experience some of the best game streaming in the market. You will have to plug an ethernet cord into the TV to get the best possible experience, though.
Although a major value proposition, the LG C5 OLED isn't cheap. Despite its $2,699, the 65-inch model still makes a worthy investment for the right buyer, especially if you're pairing it with a modern games console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Better still, it's one serious display for PC gaming, as well, given its 144Hz VRR potential.
Read our full LG OLED C5 review.
Best budget gaming TV
I had a ton of fun reviewing the Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV and although it might be last year's model, it's still a powerful option for the right buyer. It's proof you don't need the latest and greatest spec wise to meet most demands for gamers, and does well by delivering just enough value without totally breaking the bank.
This idea can best be seen in its gaming performance. From the color-drenched Lands Between of Elden Ring to the fast-paced gun-toting arena shooter of Call of Duty: Black ops 6, the Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV holds true with some serious performance and little compromises.
About the only thing you might be missing on the Hisense U7K is Nvidia’s G-Sync technology for screen tearing mitigation, but it does still have AMD's FreeSync Premium Pro for the same amount of coverage, plus a 13.2ms input latency is pretty shabby, too. The lightning-fast, mech-based action of “Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon” looked incredible on this display thanks to the U7K’s Dolby Vision Gaming support, which amplifies color, contrast, and brightness in HDR games for even better immersion.
The U7K is in a class of its own and its 65-inch model goes for a mere $800. Like its Sony counterpart, the Hisense U7K Mini-LED is not only just a gaming powerhouse but a true bargain that meets most TV buyers’ needs. Both PC gaming and PS5 titles stun on this display, and no matter where you play you’ll be getting ample coverage that’s rarely if ever muddled or desaturated.
The Hisense U7K even comes equipped with a handy gaming bar that lets you alter settings on the fly, like toggling VRR or adding an fps counter to the top of the screen. It might not reach the same lengths of LG’s or Samsung’s game bar, but the U7K is an apt display for its price and won’t leave you in a rut when it comes to fast-paced, colorful action.
Read our full Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV review.
Best value gaming TV
Last year's TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV isn't a flashy OLED but does come with notable upgrades that make it prime for gaming. A 65-inch model goes for just around $900, lumping it in similar lines with the Hisense U7K. Although it might not come equipped with the most bombastic speaker system, it still provides one of the highest brightness levels we’ve tested and has a variety of gaming-centric features that let it stand out over the competition.
The TCL QM8 isn't quite on the same level as the Hisense U8K, but it still works at a phenomenal rate, especially with a color coverage of 97.2% on the UHDA-P3 gamut in tandem with around 1,348 nits of peak brightness (specifically in Movie mode). An input lag of 13ms is a serviceable bar for gaming, especially at this price point, and the addition of 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs is great for those who might have two different systems and want to use ALLM and VRR.
That’s not all, either, as the TCL QM8 also comes equipped with some interesting gaming quirks, like a screenshot feature, crosshair, and a variety of picture presets for the most optimal playability. Want to game on one of the best PCs at 240Hz at 1080p without dropping over $1,000 for a display? This is the gaming cohort for you.
Read our full TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV review.
Best mini-LED gaming TV
Hisense is known for its incredible value and, although at the top of the range, the U8N is a budget model with tons of flare. That's apt in a number of ways, most prominently due to its insane brightness as the U8N is still one of the brightest TVs we've ever tested, which means ample glare mitigation and improved HDR performance.
The biggest fault holding back the Hisense U8N is its mere two HDMI 2.1 ports, but with few households having more than one gaming console (or time enough for two), this should suffice for most users. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 only offers support for HDMI 2.0, and given the U8N's HDR10 certification, it's a nice compromise for the newer system.
Another slight pain point for some is a 13.1ms input latency, but this can easily be looked past when you take into account its 144Hz refresh rate on a slim design that costs a mere $650 in its 55-inch configuration.
Unfortunately, there's no game streaming platforms built into the system like you might get on a Samsung or LG model, but you're getting best-in-class color and brightness at a sub-$1,000 price point. That's hard to beat.
Read our full Hisense U8N Mini-LED TV review.
Best high-end gaming TV
As maker of one of the most well-known and sought-after gaming consoles in the market, Sony being behind of the best gaming TVs should come as no surprise. Its A95L OLED is one of the most remarkable displays in the market and although it might be a tad expensive and lacking a 144Hz refresh rate, it's still more than enough juice for console and PC gamers alike.
Seeing as the Sony A95L QD-OLED is, after all, a PS5 companion piece, it leverages a well-rounded Game Menu for all of your various settings, like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Motion Blur reduction. It also has four total HDMI 2.1 inputs, which means you won't have to sacrifice one or more for audio connectivity.
Beyond its gaming chops, the A95L also makes a case for itself as among the best TVs with an ATSC 3.0 tuner, which many modern displays are lacking, plus a range of HDR certifications, like Dolby Vision and HDR10.
This QD-OLED TV is anything but a steal. With a hefty price tag of around $2,500 for its 55-inch model, the Sony A95L is quite the investment even for an OLED TV, but worth its muster. If you're looking for the best possible gaming experience with several extra features to make assorted entertainment look stellar, than this is the TV to buy.
Read our full Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED.
The best 8K gaming TV
It's true that 8K gaming isn't quite so popular, but that doesn't mean you can't future proof your home entertainment setup with an incredible display. That's where the Samsung QN990F comes in to steal the limelight.
The first major upgrade you'll see over last year's set is a new anti-glare coating that puts to bed any concerns you might have with glare. The inclusion of the One Connect box also makes this 8K monster totally wireless, letting you put the I/O box practically anywhere within a 30m range.
Unlike other TVs on this list, the QN990F also has a fifth HDMI 2.1 port, giving it an extra leg over several competitors. But the real standout features are HDR10+ gaming support, a 120Hz refresh rate, and AI auto game mode. You can also set the resolution to 4K to get 240Hz of performance for PC gaming, which is absurd.
Of course, there are some misses here, like exceptionally high input latency. This is largely due to its wireless One Connect Box, but you could cut down on it using the fifth onboard HDMI 2.1 port. There's also no Dolby Vision support, but neither the PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2 use the HDMI format.
Read our full Samsung QN990F 8K QLED TV review.
How we test the best gaming TVs
We put every TV we review through a series of benchmark tests to measure different aspects of performance, like color accuracy, brightness, lag times and more. We use the results to supplement anecdotal impressions gathered through hours of hands-on evaluation, which includes everything from watching movie clips and streaming Netflix to gaming with the latest console and games.
To test actual gaming capability, we spend time using every TV with an Xbox One X, playing current titles and checking the compatibility of features on each TV. Where it makes sense to do so, we'll also adjust the TV settings to enable all of the features the console offers. In most cases, this doesn't require anything more than switching to the TV's game mode, but in some instances, we'll also need to adjust the TV's input settings to allow the full range of features to be supported, such as higher frame rates and HDR gaming capability.
When evaluating how well-suited a TV is for 4K gaming, we take a fresh look at specific test results, namely refresh rate and lag time, which both play into how well a set will display fast-paced games and handle the responsiveness they require. This is on top of our usual observations about image detail, color quality, brightness and features.
How to choose the best gaming TV for you
When it comes to picking the best 4K gaming TV, there are several factors to consider. While the advice in articles like Everything you need to know about buying a TV offer a one-size fits all approach for most TV shoppers, there are some factors that gamers need to consider differently.
Refresh rate: You'll want to check the TV's frame rate, often listed as the refresh rate. Most current TVs will offer a 120Hz refresh rate, which means that the TV refreshes the picture 120 times per second. Given that most current consoles and games top out at 60 frames per second, this is more than enough juice for most gamers. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) now allows consoles to hit 4K 120Hz if the TV supports it, too. Current-gen consoles, like the PS5 and Xbox Series X can't go any higher than this, even as TVs are getting higher and higher specs, like 2025 flagships out of LG and Samsung that now sport 165Hz. This will only really benefit PC gamers, so if you're on the hunt for a new gaming TV and just have a console (even the PS5 Pro) you don't really need 144Hz, but it is nice to have whenever an upgrade does come along. Check out our TV refresh rates: How to see through the TV industry's biggest lie article for more info.
Lag time: The other major aspect of a good gaming TV is lag time or input latency, which encompasses the interval between an image or button press registering on the console and the resulting change displaying on screen. Measured in milliseconds, we recommend sticking to less than 20 millisecond lag times for any gaming, but more competitive gamers will want to find sets with lag times shorter than 10 milliseconds for the best performance. Several Sony TVs, ironically, tend to have some of the highest lag times while LG and Samsung TVs tend to sit under 10ms depending on the set.
Screen size: Size is another element to consider. A larger TV will fill your field of vision, making for a more immersive gaming experience. Just don't go too big; you want to be able to clearly see everything on the screen. You might also want to consider larger sizes if you intend on playing in 8K resolution in the future, though with all but two current games supporting the spec, you probably still have a long while to wait. Our guide answers the old question: What size TV do I need?
Design: One additional point to consider is the physical design of the TV. The thinner the set's bezels, the more immersive gaming and picture will be. Port placement will also be a significant factor is you need to disconnect your game system with any regularity - some TVs have easily accessible connections, but others do not, and your own setup will vary depending upon whether or not you choose to wall-mount your TV.
Smart features: Don't skimp on smart features if you plan to use your new TV outside of gaming. Smart TVs let you use your favorite apps and streaming services, mirror content from your phone or tablet, and provide a blend of online and over-the-air options for cord-cutters. Some now even have gaming platforms baked into the set, like Samsung and LG sets that come equipped with Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and more.
Price: Budgets play a pretty important role in people's decision making, which is why we include TVs that will support gaming for less than $500. These affordable options prove that you can get a great TV for 4K gaming without spending more than you paid for the console itself. Save a few bucks and go buy the game you really want to enjoy.
How to set up a gaming TV
Once you pick one of the best 4K gaming TVs above and your choice of gaming platform, you'll need to get a few details straightened out before you can enjoy high-resolution gaming.
Console | HDMI Standard | Resolution and refresh rate |
|---|---|---|
PS5 Pro, PS5, Xbox Series X | HDMI 2.1 | 4K @ 120Hz or 8K @ 60Hz |
Nintendo Switch 2 | HDMI 2.0 | 4K @ 60Hz or 1440p @ 120Hz |
PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, Xbox One S | HDMI 2.0 | 4k @ 60Hz |
Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One | HDMI 1.4 | 1080p and 720p |
You'll also need to check your settings. On the console, enable 4K and HDR content. On the TV, you'll want to check that HDR content is accepted from external devices. For optimal color support, you'll also want to enable higher bit-rates. The specifics will vary from one TV to the next, but most manufacturers have instructions online for getting set up with a console.
Some TVs will have a special gaming mode, which will either need to be manually selected or will automatically switch on when the TV recognizes a gaming source, usually in more premium TVs. This mode will usually offer the lowest input lag, have tailored motion processing settings and will often give the color settings a boost too.
