If you’re a gamer, you want a TV with the right features to optimize your gameplay, like low input lag. Whether you use a PC, a PlayStation, or an Xbox, these are the top gaming TVs we’ve tested.
Gaming from your couch requires a good TV with specific qualities, namely low input lag. I’ve been reviewing TVs (and gaming devices) for more than 15 years. I’m also a certified TV calibrator, and I test every TV I review using special equipment to get hard numbers that I can use to compare models. I watch movies and play games on them, too, because numbers aren’t everything. I’m here to help you find the best TV for gaming. The LG Evo C5 is a fantastic OLED TV at a reasonable price, while the Hisense U65QF is the best budget screen available; both feature high refresh rates with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. But these aren’t the only models we recommend, so read on for all of our top picks to find the one that’s right for you.Why We Picked It
LG’s Evo G5 is the best-looking and brightest OLED TV we’ve tested. It’s downright blazing, rivaling all but the most intensely luminous LED TVs in light output, while showcasing incredible color range and accuracy, as well as pixel-perfect black levels. It’s also very responsive and has 165Hz VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync.Who It’s For
Picture quality enthusiasts: Simply put, the LG Evo G5 is the best TV to get if money is no object, offering an amazing picture and numerous features, including a higher VRR ceiling than most other TVs, which typically cap at 120Hz or 144Hz.
Gamers with wall space: This TV is designed for wall mounting and comes with a flat, nearly flush wall mount. It’s a striking, clean look if you’re planning to tuck your PC or consoles to the side instead of putting them right under the screen. Why We Picked It
The Hisense U65QF looks far better than its low price implies. A dim picture is one of the most common compromises cheap TVs make, but this is one of the first we’ve seen in this price range to push past 1,000 nits of light output. That’s bright enough to properly display HDR content, and it features wide and accurate colors to complement it. It’s also surprisingly well-equipped for gaming, with a native 144Hz refresh rate and VRR, as well as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, features not often seen on budget TVs.Who It’s For
Budget shoppers: If you want a great-looking TV that can keep up with your games without spending a lot of money, the U65QF is the best choice. It punches far above its weight class for its price, with the refresh rate and low input lag you’re looking for. Why We Picked It
The LG Evo C5 is a simply excellent OLED TV with a great-looking picture, which you can usually find for a reasonable price. Its official MSRP ($2,699.99 for 65 inches) might be daunting, but we haven’t seen it for more than $2,000 since the summer, and it’s more often well under $1,500. For an OLED, that’s an incredible deal. It might not be as bright as LG’s much more expensive flagship OLED, but it offers similarly wide and accurate colors, along with plenty of features, including hands-free Alexa, Apple AirPlay, and Google Cast, as well as support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync for gaming.Who It’s For
PC gamers: With a variable refresh rate of up to 144Hz and both FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync certification, the Evo C5 will offer smooth action that doesn’t tear, whether you’re a Radeon or GeForce PC gamer.
OLED buyers on a budget: If you’ve been eying an OLED TV for gaming but the price has put you off, the Evo C5 is ideal. It offers the per-pixel light control and slim design that OLED technology affords, for around the same price as a mid-to-high-end LED TV. Why We Picked It
The Hisense U8QG is one of the brightest and most feature-packed TVs available. Although it’s more expensive than its predecessor, the U8N, it remains reasonably priced. It features 165Hz VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and has a built-in 4.1.2-channel spatial audio speaker system. If you want to easily connect any mobile device you have on hand, you can use the unique side-mounted DisplayPort-over-USB-C ports.Who It’s For
Sound quality enthusiasts: Spatial audio can truly immerse you in the game you’re playing, and the U8QG’s 4.1.2-channel speaker setup can provide that with a large, detailed sound field in front of you, featuring both vertical and horizontal imaging. It won’t give you much of a tactical edge in shooters, though; there are limits to what this type of sound system can produce without separate rear satellites.
Gamers with three or fewer systems: This is an excellent TV with strong gaming performance and numerous features, but be cautious if you frequently use multiple gaming platforms. It only has three HDMI ports, so if you have all three consoles and a gaming PC, you’ll have to do some juggling. The USB-C port is convenient and lets you connect a fourth device (that can output over USB-C) at 4K165, but it doesn’t support HDR, and means you’ll have a visible cable running from the side of your screen when you use it.
