For people who are passionate about gaming, investing in one of the best TVs that is specifically optimized for next-gen gaming is a must. This can greatly improve the overall gaming experience. While it is not necessary to spend money on the most expensive TV model available, there are certain key factors that should be met in the best TV for gaming.
This includes high resolution, smooth motion, and the ability to customize your gaming experience to your individual preferences. Based on extensive testing and evaluation of numerous TVs that are optimized for connection to modern consoles, we have compiled a list of recommendations to help you choose the perfect gaming TV 2024 for your specific needs.
These recommendations take into account various aspects including display quality, audio options, input lag, refresh rate, and compatibility with the latest gaming technologies to ensure a truly enjoyable gaming experience. By considering these factors when choosing a TV for gaming consoles 2024, you can make a more informed purchase decision that suits your gaming preferences.
TVs for game consoles 2024
TCL C655 – The Best Budget Gaming TV
The TCL C655 series is the bottom rung of TCL’s flagship QLED ladder. In terms of HDMI inputs, you’ll be working with three 2.1 ports. But their functionality is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. So all three of these inputs support VRR (48…60Hz), but the real selling point of the C655 is its incredibly low input lag (around 10ms).
This is especially true for professional gamers who can’t miss a beat during an online match. The C655 series (aka T7B ) handles both HDR and SDR content very well. The former provides a nice, bright gaming picture, while the latter further enhances peak brightness.
If you’re going to be gaming in a well-lit room most of the time, it’s important that your TV is bright enough to beat out the sun and any ambient light. Luckily, the TCL C655 does a good job of handling reflections, so even if the screen is a little dark, you won’t see much glare.
The C655 models lack local dimming, and with the Game Accelerator 120, TCL makes 1080p60 gaming feel like 120Hz. But the TV’s overall response time still suffers because of it. If you’re looking to save some money on your purchase and want a gaming TV that meets a few essential requirements for offline and online gaming, the TCL C655 series is definitely worth considering.
Key Features – Display Type: QLED; Screen Sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI Inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 60 Hz; Input Lag: 10 ms; VRR: No; ALLM: Yes; Operating System: Google TV 12.0.
Hisense U6KQ – The Best Budget Mini LED Gaming TV
The Hisense U6KQ TV may not be as colorful or vibrant as the brand’s pricier U7KQ models and flagship U8KQ. But when it comes to budget TVs that can deliver a great gaming experience, the Hisense U6KQ fits the bill. But what are this TV’s best gaming features, you ask?
The biggest pluses are the U6KQ’s fantastic contrast ratio, VRR support, and excellent response time. When the gaming mode is enabled, it prioritizes motion, delivering super-smooth images and low input lag. And since the U6K also performs well in bright rooms, you won’t have to worry about reflections on sunny days.
Unfortunately, when using Game Mode, you can’t use VRR and local dimming at the same time. That means you have to choose between near-instantaneous motion reproduction or backlight accuracy. And considering the TV only supports HDMI 2.0 and has some issues with response time in dark game scenes, the choice can be difficult.
Key Features – Display Type: QLED Mini LED; Screen Sizes: 55 and 65 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI Inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0; Refresh Rate: 60 Hz; Input Lag: 10 ms (4K @ 60 Hz); VRR: Yes; ALLM: Yes; Operating System: VIDAA U6.0.
Samsung S95D – The Best Gaming TV for Bright Rooms
The Samsung S95D’s anti-glare coating reduces ambient light reflection by distributing it across the entire surface of the screen. This helps create a more comfortable viewing experience, especially in bright rooms where regular OLEDs often struggle. However, some people prefer a more limited effect, as the diffusion affects the entire screen, unlike most other TVs.
But whether you care about the S95D’s antiglare technology or not, the TV is on this list for its strong performance in bright rooms, as well as its excellent gaming performance. Gamers will love the Samsung S95D’s smooth , lag-free gaming experience, thanks to the QD-OLED panel’s 144Hz refresh rate. It’s also one of the best TVs of 2024 for watching movies and TV shows.
It also features AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro support and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the TV to Game Mode when it detects a gaming console. And if you don’t have a console, no problem. Since it’s a Samsung, it comes with the Sammy Gaming Hub, which lets you play tons of games from Xbox and other online gaming streaming services.
Key Features – Display Type: Quantum Dot OLED; Screen Sizes: 55, 65, and 77 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG; HDMI Inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 144 Hz; Input Lag: 9 ms; VRR: Yes; ALLM: Yes; Operating System: Tizen OS.
Sony X93L – The Best Mid-Range Mini LED Gaming TV
One of the main advantages of Mini LED backlighting is that this type of TV typically has more local dimming zones. And because these panels can be exceptionally bright, you need lightning-fast dimming that can handle large bursts of light. Luckily, the Sony X93L is a recognized leader in Mini LED backlighting and local dimming.
And that also makes it a great TV for gaming. You can hook up an Xbox Series X/S or Nintendo Switch to the Sony X93L , and both the picture quality and motion clarity will be very good. But because it’s a Sony TV, the Playstation 5 gets some extra gaming benefits that you won’t get on other consoles.
One of these features is called Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which optimizes the PS5’s HDR capabilities. Then there’s Auto Genre Picture Mode, which automatically changes to Game Mode when you’re playing video games and switches back to Standard when you turn off the console. The Sony X93L also features HDMI 2.1 ports, supports VRR, and has extremely low input lag and response times while gaming.
Key Features – Display Type: Mini LED; Screen Sizes: 65, 75, and 85 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 120 Hz; Input Lag: 19 ms (4K @ 60 Hz), 11 ms (4K @ 120 Hz); VRR: Yes; ALLM: Yes; Operating System: Google TV.
LG C4 – The Best Mid-Range OLED Gaming TV
When it comes to OLED TVs, LG has made a name for itself in the last few years, to the point where companies like Samsung buy OLED TV screens directly from LG Display. When it comes to gaming, the LG OLED C4 is easily one of the best models in the upper mid-range category. LG has been developing and implementing brighter OLED screens (called Evo panels) in many of its higher-end models for a couple of years now.
Additionally, the Brightness Booster feature adds extra peak and color brightness all around. Combining this improved brightness with the LG C4’s superior color gamut and inky blacks results in stunning visuals that are ideal for console and PC gaming. HDMI 2.1 support on all four ports of the C4 translates into good results when it comes to input lag, response time, and overall motion handling.
Thankfully, LG more than delivers on all these fronts, and the addition of an automatic Game Mode further optimizes colors and contrast across all games. Of course, overall HDR brightness suffers a bit when Game Mode is enabled. But the C4 is also no slouch in reducing reflections, so even if you’re dealing with bright sunlight, it shouldn’t affect your gaming experience too much.
Key Features – Display Type: OLED; Screen Sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ; HDMI Inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 144Hz; Input Lag: 4.8ms (4K@120Hz); VRR: Yes (HDMI Forum VRR, AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync); ALLM: Yes; Operating System: webOS 24.
Philips OLED808 – The best gaming TV with Ambilight
Ambilight technology helps Philips TVs stand out in a crowded market and enables the OLED808 to deliver a unique gaming experience. LEDs embedded into three sides of the panel illuminate the wall behind the TV and change colour depending on what is on screen. This greatly enhances immersion in gaming and makes viewing in dark rooms more comfortable.
In addition to Ambilight, the Philips OLED808 TV delivers excellent SDR and HDR picture quality, supports VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision HDR gaming. Its 2.1-channel audio system is surprisingly powerful, full-bodied and pleasantly balanced. Google TV completes the exceptional offering, giving access to a range of streaming services and a host of smart features.
Key Features – Display Type: OLED; Screen Sizes: 42, 48, 55, and 65 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced; HDMI Inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 120 Hz; Input Lag: 6.8 ms (4K @ 120 Hz); VRR: Yes (Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium); ALLM: Yes; Operating System: Google TV.
Samsung S95C – The Best Premium Gaming TV
Flagship gaming TVs may be expensive, but the picture and performance are literally impossible to beat. We have a premium beast on our list, known as the Samsung S95C OLED. QD-OLED TVs are a relatively new display technology that can be found from Samsung and Sony, although both companies seem to be ditching the “QD” part of the name these days.
The Samsung S95C is a QD-OLED TV, and not only does it feature a quantum dot layer to improve brightness and color, but it also uses an OLED panel with millions of self-emitting pixels that can be turned on and off in an instant. In addition, Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K automatically scales and calibrates picture quality on a frame-by-frame basis.
In terms of gaming tech, the S95C has four HDMI 2.1 ports. That means you can play PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in full 4K HDR at up to 120Hz, or up to 144Hz for compatible PCs. And with ultra-low input lag and response times, the S95C delivers blazing-fast motion without any noticeable motion blur. And while there’s no Dolby Vision support, the gaming experience still looks stunning.
Key Features – Display Type: Quantum Dot OLED; Screen Sizes: 55, 65, and 77 inches; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160); HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG; HDMI Inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Refresh Rate: 144 Hz; Input Lag: 9 ms; VRR: Yes; ALLM: Yes; Operating System: Tizen OS.
How to Choose the Best Gaming TV
Before we wrap up, we want to tell you what’s important to us when choosing a gaming TV. The first thing we look for is low input lag. Because if there’s too much delay between pressing a button on the keyboard or joystick and seeing the action on the screen, it’s unnecessary frustration. Plus, it can be a huge disadvantage in competitive gameplay, where victory is literally a few milliseconds away from defeat.
Next up, we’re looking at the TV’s solid picture quality in Game Mode, which you should use to keep input lag to a minimum. Picture quality doesn’t have to be videophile-quality, but it can’t suck either. Modern gaming graphics are great, so you want to find the best balance between low input lag and great picture quality.
Next, you need to see excellent motion clarity. You don’t need panels with a native 120Hz refresh rate to display motion well. TVs can do well with 60Hz too. But not all of them are, so you need to make sure there’s little blur or stuttering on the screen during fast-paced gameplay.
But since we mentioned 120Hz, it’s definitely nice to have, along with some other advanced gaming features. These include variable refresh rate (VRR), auto game mode, Dolby Vision gaming, and maybe even 144Hz refresh rates in some cases. It’s also good to see that these TVs can handle both HDR and SDR gaming content.