The best TVs for gaming, according to experts
Experts shed insight on smart TVs that will provide today’s gamers the best play-by-play action.
Input lag: 5.9ms
Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Variable refresh rate: Yes
HDMI 2.1 ports: 4
Game Mode: Yes
Willcox recommended this smart TV, which is designed to reduce glare and includes an Ultra Viewing Angle so you get optimal picture quality from anywhere in the room, saysSamsung. Its precision Mini LEDs also create a wide range of color and contrast. The Samsung QN90 includes Game Mode, to decrease input lag even further.
Input lag: 7.2ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Variable refresh rate: Yes
HDMI ports: 4 total (2 HDMI 2.1 ports)
Game Mode: Yes
Willcox recommended this Hisense model for its affordability and mini LED backlighting, which provides a brighter picture with more contrast control than typical LED backlit televisions, says the brand. It includes the Game Mode Pro package, which offers gaming technology that adjusts settings for uninterrupted play, 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs and an automatic low latency mode (ALLM). It also offers its FreesSync Premium Pro to minimize input lag, screen jitter and frame tearing, says Hisense.
Input lag: 11.7ms
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Variable refresh rate: Yes
HDMI 2.1 ports: 4
Game mode: Yes
Like the Hisense, the TCL has mini LED backlighting and is a more affordable option than some of the other TVs on this list. “The TCL is great because even though it’s not an OLED, it has mini LED backlights, so it has very bright brights and very dark darks,” said Greengart. “It also has VRR (variable refresh rate). You’re getting an awful lot of television for your dollar.” The TCL 6 Series gaming package comes with the AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and an auto Game Mode.
Input lag: 5.8ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Variable refresh rate: Yes
HDMI 2.1 ports: 4
Game mode: Yes
The M-Series 2023 QLED smart TV is a favorite of Deppe’s for gaming because it has extremely low latency and excellent refresh rate, he said. Its Quantum Color offers over a billion colors, and it was engineered with input from gamers, says the brand. It comes with Game Mode, FreeSync Premium VRR and HDR technology.
There are a wide variety of TVs that say they are equipped for gaming, but if the technology can’t keep up with your controller or your TV picture takes way too long to update, this could negatively impact the outcome of your game, said Willcox. For dedicated gamers, that’s just not an option. Here are five key things the experts say you should consider when shopping for a quality gaming TV.
Picture quality. In terms of picture quality, said Willcox, most bigger TVs—say, 50 inches and above—are now 4K models, with four times the number of pixels as regular high-definition sets, so they are capable of displaying much greater detail. “The good news is, you don't have to pay extra to get one,” he said. “Most now support high-dynamic-range (HDR) content, which can produce brighter, more vibrant images.” Willcox added, however, that not all TVs do a great job, though, so it’s necessary to choose a model that can provide a compelling HDR experience.
Latency. Also referred to as input lag, latency is the amount of time it takes for the on-screen action to respond to the actions you take using the game console or PC controller, and it is measured in milliseconds. “Dedicated gamers know that even a half-second delay can determine who wins or loses, especially games with fast action,” said Willcox. He added that many TVs now have a Game Mode, sometimes called Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically puts the TV into a setting that reduces latency. “For top-notch performance, you should look for a TV with an input lag under 20ms with the game mode activated,” said Willcox.
Refresh rate. Willcox said another thing to consider is the TV's refresh rate, measured in Hz, which refers to how many times per second the TV can refresh its image. “Although they're often used interchangeably, the refresh rate is different from frame rate, which is the number of video frames the TV can display every second,” said Willcox. ”It’s important for both to be in sync in order to avoid visual artifacts such as screen tearing, which happens when the TV shows part of an old frame along with the new one.”
Variable refresh rate (VRR). More TVs now have what’s called Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which means the TV can automatically match the frame rate from your gaming console or your computer so they're in sync, which can eliminate screen tearing. “You may see TVs advertising that they're compatible with G-Sync from Nvidia, or FreeSync from AMD, which are essentially two ‘flavors’ of VRR technology,” said Willcox.
Inputs. Willcox recommended making sure the TV has at least one HDMI 2.1 input, the latest HDMI standard. “It provides support for higher frame rates, such as 4K gaming at 120Hz, and VRR. Both the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X game consoles, as well as PCs with higher-end graphics cards, come with HDMI 2.1 connections, so having HDMI 2.1 on your TV will help you get the most out of these gaming systems,” he said.
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Jim Willcox is the senior electronics editor at Consumer Reports. He has spent more than two decades covering consumer electronics technology, products and services.
Mark Deppe is the director of esports at the University of California, Irvine. He is a self-proclaimed Chief Gaming Officer.
Avi Greengart is president and lead analyst at Techsponential, a tech market research and advisory service.
Correction: The input lag for the Samsung QN90LCD/LED TV is 5.7ms for a 120Hz refresh rate. For LG OLED C2 has an input lag of 5.7ms for the 120Hz refresh rate. An earlier version of this article misstated these figures.
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