Selecting the best gaming TV is a big decision. And it's not just about picking the priciest or the shiniest: there is now so much choice in the range of quality 4K TVs available now that you can get a good gaming TV for far less money. Also, the best TV for watching movies on might not be the best for games: not all TVs are created equal, after all. There are premium panels which can cost a pretty penny (read: several thousand bucks), and while a bunch of them won't be worth it, the higher-end models do provide an extra level of detail and vibrancy to pictures that the more budget-end models simply can't come close to matching. The upward trend of higher price means more, does follow suit in the realm of features and bells and whistles, too. More upmarket TVs will bag you more intricacies, with some of them often being geared toward gaming (though not always). With such a wide variety to choose from, we're here to help you get the best gaming TV for your needs.
It's relentlessly realistic and true to life, but first consider you budget and what size TV you want. While it'd be counterproductive to spend more on a TV that is well oversized for the room or space it'll be in, we have also never heard of anyone complain that their TV is 'too big'. Ever. Just be sensible, know where you're putting it and aim for the biggest appropriate size (budget depending) In terms of features that enhance games, you need to really consider the type of panel you're getting: most are edge-lit LED panels and most come with HDR as standard, so will display pictures with reasonable color and sharpness.
Those looking for more vibrant pictures (ideal for colorful games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey) should consider one of Samsung's QLED sets, which run brighter than any other panels. Anyone who prefers darker games with more blacks (Metro: Exodus) should look at OLED panels (from a range of manufacturers, but LG's screens are the most well known here). If you can't afford those, as these are premium TVs, look to get a gaming TV with a high refresh rate and decent response time, and one that has a 'Game Mode' or two, and other features like Freesync. You should be fine by default but check on the number of HDMI ports they have; the more the better for gamers, particularly those with multiple games consoles, devices and sound systems and so on. For us, too, the last thing to consider is the User Interface - how easy is it to use? Is it quick at snapping between channels or inputs, and can you voice control the TV too?
Those lucky enough to have a hefty bank balance should really consider treating themselves to this wonderful OLED. The E8 is one of the most beautiful ‘traditional’ looking sets we’ve ever seen, and it's far better value than LG's W8 TVs, which are designed to be hung on a wall and used primarily for sports. The E8's clear, ultra skinny stand has been designed in such a way that it appears the picture is floating in mid-air, making it even easier to become immersed in gorgeous games like Forza 7 or God Of War.
LG’s 8 series also benefits from an impressive new Alpha 9 processor, helping make the TV’s HDR pictures brighter than previous OLEDs from the South Korean firm. In HDR10 mode, compatible games appear more dynamic, as long as you have Dynamic Tone Mapping switched on. Additionally, and unlike 7 series models, the E8 no longer dims the picture when set to HDR game mode, helping the likes of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and its lovely high dynamic range setting look even more alluring. Throw in predictably peerless blacks, and responsive input lag of just 21.4 ms, and this incredible OLED performs as well as it looks.
Here's our full guide to the best LG TVs for gaming, including advice on OLED tech.
Such was the popularity of Samsung's 2018 Q6FN, that the newest model - the Q60R - is available in a wide variety of sizes, and a genuinely superb price. You can get this entry-level QLED panel, which offers more vibrant pictures than any other type of TV. It's sharp too, although the black levels don't quite match LG's OLED range. While the Q60R doesn't benefit from some of the fancier features in the high-end Samsungs, like Direct Full Array (it's edge-lit), it brings incredible HDR, a 120Hz refresh rate, and speakers that perform well above average for standard TV audio.
All Samsung's QLED range have solid Game Modes (the new model comes with Real Game Enhancer) that boost refresh rate to maximum and response rate to below 10ms, and while this does come at the cost of the HDR brightness, it's worth the slight cut. It has Freesync too. The Q60R also has voice control (via the admittedly inconsistent Bixby - we suggest pairing with Alexa instead), the excellent Samsung Universal Guide and interface, and a bunch of streaming services built into the TV. The bright colours really are the star of the show here, and like all QLEDs this TV can light up a dark room while maintaining wonderfully sharp images. There's no risk of screen-burn with this tech either.
If budget is an issue, Samsung does a 43" version of this TV, but we'd recommend 55" or above.
If you don't want to spend OLED or QLED prices, but still want a premium 4K TV for your gaming, the new RU8000 series from Samsung is worth looking into. Samsung's panels are very good across their whole range, and later models have made big strides around viewing angles and the quality of upscaling non-4K pictures. What we like about the RU8000 series models is the Real Game Enhancer feature, which drops the response time of the panel to a super-low 6.8ms. Combined with Freesync, this makes the panel superb for faster-paced shooters and games that require reflexes as well as a handsome display. Just be aware that the 49" version doesn't have a number of these features, including Real Game Enhancer, so make sure you stick to 55" or above for this set.
You get a bunch of Samsung's 'nice to have' features, like a universal remote (with built-in voice control - although this is very, very inconsistent), cable management around the back of the TV, and the Universal Guide with a whole bunch of streaming services already built in. It's a nice all-rounder. While the rest of Samsung's standard 4K TV range is cheaper, the 8000 series is best for gaming, so it's worth spending a little extra on.
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TCL’s 2018 55-inch LED is ridiculously good value. If you love a bargain, this is the one for you. There’s no other TV in this price bracket that offers such a brilliant balance between price and performance. Thanks to this set’s decent blacks, punchy overall brightness, and winning contrast performance, it easily holds pace with a number of more expensive rivals from Samsung and Sony.
Considering how cheap TCL is selling this display for, it’s super impressive the set boasts full array local dimming, rather than inferior edge-lit pictures. This system gives the R617’s convincing blacks, which stand out even more thanks to the TV’s wide colour gamut, brought about by what the manufacturer refers to as ‘Nano Band Phosphor’ tech. The panel becomes even more impressive when you consider its input lag measures in at a supremely speedy 17.9 ms when game mode is enabled, while the inclusion of HDR10 and Dolby Vision is borderline ridiculous for a TV at this price range. Looking for a new 4K television, and on a budget? Then you’d be a fool to overlook the R617. One word of warning: we wouldn't recommend TCL sets from earlier than 2018, as the company's panels have come a long, long way in the past few years. While the 2017 and earlier panels are not bad at all, the 2018 sets are easily the best deals among TCL's TVs.
When it comes to 43" 4K TVs you've got plenty of choice. This 4K panel brings a few key improvements and still manages to offer itself affordably for most of the year. That is exceptional value for this mighty TV.It comes with an IPS screen, which means the picture stays great for anyone watching at an angle, and while the 60Hz refresh rate isn't the best for movies or games, the on-screen images are razer sharp. LG's panels are superb in this budget-category, and the processing power behind them is decent.
While not as thin as an OLED, the 7300PUA is slender and neat, with a thinner bezel than previous models. It also comes with Alexa voice control compatibility and Google voice assistant which, while not 100% precise, is a neat extra and something that supplements LG's rather middling user interface. The sound quality is among the best for TVs in this range, although we'd recommend supplementing the built-in speaker with headphones or a surround sound system if you're serious about audio. In all, it's tough to find anything better.
If you're looking for a smaller TV with a superb picture, perhaps as a second TV for gaming instead of your main set, then the X800E from Sony is excellent. What you always get with a Sony is a superb panel and a powerful TV when it comes to the actual picture and any content upscaling. It lacks some of the premium gaming features touted by other TVs, like higher refresh rates, Freesync, and low response rates but... if you just want a small set that makes your games look magical, this is one to consider.
The Sony TVs come with plenty of extra features too. This is an Android TV, and is compatible with Google voice search, plus is has Chromecast built in (which is a handy bonus - although we don't yet know if that means it'll be Stadia-ready). Sony's UI is just fine, if not class-leading, and setting up the TV requires a bit of tinkering and learning how to operate the TV. If you can snag this TV in a sale, it's worth picking up. The newer X-series Sony TVs are great, but come with a massive price premium, so we'd definitely recommend picking up the new model to save money.
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