Best 4K TVs for Gaming [PC, PS4, Xbox One]

Finding the perfect 4K TV for gaming can be a tricky endeavor, especially considering how quickly the gaming and technology industries move from one great invention to the next. It wasn't that long ago that games were rendered in 2D and not 3D. But most casual gamers probably think every TV is the same, and that couldn't be further from the truth.

From latency issues to refresh rates, each TV is uniquely suited for certain functions. Streaming TVs can get away with cheaper hardware because the streaming load isn't as much as the gaming load. Gaming TVs, generally speaking, are going to need great picture performance and reproduction, limited motion blur, ghosting and tearing, low input lag, good refresh rates, and more.

Of course, the industry giants - Samsung and Sony - have high-level gaming TVs that work perfectly fine as casual streaming devices as well. But, one extremely important aspect to consider when choosing the right 4K gaming TV for you is how quickly it will be outdated. The industry is moving like lightning. PC, Xbox and Playstation, as well as Amazon, Google and others, are constantly coming out with better and better products. If your TV can't withstand those future upgrades, it'll be a colossal waste of money in a couple years.

Fortunately, there are a few future-proof 4K HDR TVs to choose from. Below are our top recommendations for 4K gaming TVs: 

Top Pick - LG Electronics OLED65C7P Ultra HD

With a 4K display, this TV is pixel dense since you have over 8million pixels on a 65-inch TV. The beauty of it is that you can be as close or as far as you want from the TV and your eyes won’t get distracted over the area you have to cover. It’s right at the edge of the largest size you could get for a gaming TV.

LG Electronics OLED65C7P Ultra HD

We went high and low on this one as manufacturers don’t list TV input lags, so we had to look at lab tests from various sources. After comparing over 30 models, checking boxes on our short list of must-have features and pitting together the best we could find, LG Electronics OLED65C7P Ultra HD is the TV to beat.

From perfect blacks, excellent contrast, a 21ms input lag, and HDR 10, it supports just about every title you can throw at it on PCs and consoles the same.

If you are more about pixel density, no better way to game than on a 32-inch TV. Samsung puts its best leg forward with the Samsung UN32N5300AFXZA. It is not about 4K but a perfect size for the bedroom or dorm room.

Best 4K TVs for Gaming

1. LG Ultra HD Smart OLED TV: Best 4K TV for Gaming

Screen Size: 65 inches

Resolution: 3840x2160

Panel Technology: OLED

Connectivity Technology: Built-in WiFi, HDMI

Total HDMI Ports: 4


LG is one of the world's leaders in gaming equipment, and this 65-inch 4K HDR gaming TV shows exactly why. This is the best TV for gaming available on the market right now with an incredible 4K resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), Dolby vision, OLED panel technology, built-in WiFi, four HDMI ports, and more.

Thanks to the OLED panel technology, LG doesn't need backlighting to offer excellent color contrast and deep blacks, which makes this gaming TV especially thin. And with the new Smart TV Operating System, webOS 3.5, all of your movie and television shows are only a click of a button away.

The only knocks on this incredible product are that it lacks a component input and analog audio output, and using the split screen for the first time can be confusing. The first concern is fixed with plenty of workarounds, and the second concern is fixed with a little bit of time and attention to detail. 

           Pros

  • Doesn't need backlighting for great color contrast
  • Super thin to blend with home decor
  • Fast response time
  • Active HDR and Dolby vision
  • USB 3.0 inputs and HDMIs
  • User-friendly webOS interface

        Cons

  • Lacks a component input and analog audio out
  • First-time use with a split screen can be confusing

2. LG Electronics 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV: Best 55-Inch 4K TV for Gaming

Screen Size: 55 inches

Resolution: 3840x2160

Panel Technology: OLED

Connectivity Technology: HDMI, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wireless, USB

Total HDMI Ports: 4


Surprise! LG wins again. This OLED is only 55 inches, but comes with a 65-inch option. The 55-inch is plenty for most gamers, and the hardware makes the slightly smaller screen that much faster.

This Android TV has Google Assistant built into it, which makes it compatible with all of your other home gadgets, and also enables complete voice control through the LG Magic Remote. Oh, and it works perfectly with Amazon Alexa devices.

Enough about user conveniences, though. How does this gaming TV stand up against the competition? With a a7 Intelligent Processor inside the OLED panel technology, it offers one of the most elite HDR 4K experiences in the world. The color contrast is top-notch with over 8 million individually lit pixels, and the Dolby Atmos audio technology puts your senses directly into the game.

As far as connectivity technology is concerned, this gaming TV has tons of options. From HDMI to Bluetooth and from Ethernet to Wireless, there is no shortage of ways to connect to this LG product. With a great refresh rate and response time, there is no reason to pass on this one-of-a-kind, future-proof machine. 

         Pros

  • Motion control remote
  • Built-in Google Assistant
  • Cinematic 4K HDR gaming
  • Pixel-level dimming
  • Dolby Atmos audio technology
  • OLED display

      Cons

  • Extremely thin and easy to damage when handling

3. Samsung FLAT 65-Inch 4K QLED UHD 9 Series Smart TV: Best 4K TV for PS4 Pro and Xbox One X

Screen Size: 65 inches

Resolution: 4K

Panel Technology: QLED

Connectivity Technology: WiFi

Total HDMI Ports: 4


Samsung offers a product very much similar to LG, and the new flat, 65-inch 9 Series smart TV dominates much of the other competition. With QLED technology, it matches LG's OLED panel with Direct Fully Array LED and an anti-reflective screen. Forget about closing those blinds or playing in the complete dark -- that won't be necessary with this gaming 4K TV.

With Q HDR EliteMax, Samsung offers great color contrast and black levels, making its picture quality nearly unbelievable. Due to the flat back technology, this masterpiece mounts directly to the wall in the same way a picture does. And with Ambient Mode, you can turn your room into a decorative masterpiece when the Xbox One X is turned off.

Oh, and streaming is a breeze with Bixby Voice, which works smoothly with Samsung's OneRemote. There is nothing this TV can't do, and it shouldn't be surprising to see it rank as one of the world's best gaming TVs right now. 

         Pros

  • Premium HDR picture performance
  • Effective local dimming
  • Supports no-gap mount
  • Ideal as a smart hub
  • Powerful Q Engine processor
  • OLED display

      Cons

  • You can’t opt out of ads

4. TCL 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV: Best 4K TV Under $500

Screen Size: 55 inches

Resolution: 4K

Panel Technology: LED

Connectivity Technology: Built-in WiFi, HDMI

Total HDMI Ports: 3


TCL offers some of the best high-quality gaming TVs on the market at affordable price tags. This 2021 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV comes in three different sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch. The pricing difference makes the 55-inch the best option overall at under $500.

With Roku already built-in, TCL offers over 500,000 movies and TV shows at your fingertips, but more importantly, the gaming experience is great. From Xbox One X to PS4 Pro, this gaming TV will perform. the LED backlighting has contrast control zones to allow for local dimming, and the deep black levels produce a stunning picture quality.

TCL's Dolby vision HDR pairs well with the 4K ultra HD picture clarity, and this Android TV is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Oh, and the brushed metal design is perfect for any living space.

The only problem with TCL's effort is that it lacks a cable management system, which provides for a less than ideal aesthetic and practical setup, and the black levels are far from perfect. The color contrast is good, but LG and Samsung are better, though also more expensive. 

Pros

  • local dimming
  • Low input lag at only 19.6ms
  • Simple Roku TV interface
  • Brushed metal design
  • 4K with HDR Dolby Vision

      Cons

  • It lacks a cable management system
  • Blacks are not perfect

5. Samsung 32-Inch 1080P Smart LED TV: Best 32-Inch Gaming TV

Screen Size: 32 inches

Resolution: 1920x1080

Panel Technology: HD

Connectivity Technology: Built-in WiFi, HDMI

Total HDMI Ports: 2


If you're looking for a gaming monitor-sized TV, look no further than Samsung's brilliant 32-inch 1080p Smart LED product. With a full HD 1080p display, this gaming TV beats out other standard HD TVs, and it comes fully-equipped with smart technology via the Samsung remote control.

Most importantly, this gaming TV offers a good motion rate, variable refresh rate, great processing speed, and backlight technology. With a Quad Core Professor, streaming and internet browsing are easy, meaning this gaming TV could double as a computer.

For those who are move environmentally concerned, this TV has an energy-saving eco sensor, which is great for the planet and your wallet. You'll save money each month on electricity costs, and the world will benefit from the reduced carbon footprint.

As Xbox One X and PS4 Pro continue to advance toward 4K and HDR products, this Samsung product might fall by the wayside, but the price is right to make a quick replacement for the next one or two years. Most video games are going to work well on this TV, and since it is so compact, there isn't any need to worry about not having enough viewing angles. Cheap, high-quality TVs are hard to come by, but Samsung delivers with this one.

      Pros

  • Energy-saving eco sensor
  • Integrated Wi-Fi
  • Supports two-way mirroring
  • It has a contrast enhancer
  • Supports 720p and 1080p gaming
  • Micro Dimming Pro

    Cons

  • Does not handle motion blur well

6. LG 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV: Best 4K TV for PC Gaming

Screen Size: 43 inches

Resolution: 4K

Panel Technology: LED

Connectivity Technology: Built-in WiFi, HDMI

Total HDMI Ports: 3

This is the best TV for gaming on a PC currently on the market. At 43 inches, it is big enough to provide a stunning visual experience, but not too big to obstruct viewing angles. The multi-format 4K high dynamic range (HDR) includes HDR10 and HLG, both of which include LG's advanced tone mapping technology. And it supports TruMotion 120, which delivers a variable refresh rate of up to 60Hz.

The input lag is extremely low, which is important for high-load, intense-graphic PC games. Experience a true 4K gaming environment on a PC-designed video game can be astonishing, if the product has the equipment to handle it. This LG does exactly that.

With built-in WiFi and smart TV technology, the 4K TV experience goes beyond video games. Streaming and internet browsing are a breeze. While this LG is best for PC games, it can also handle both Xbox One X and PS4 Pro gaming consoles. To be honest, there isn't much it can't do, and the price is rather reasonable, so get ready to enter your game mode.

      Pros

  • Supports TruMotion 120 and 60Hz refresh rate
  • Lowest input lag in a 4K TV
  • Good viewing angle
  • Fast response time
  • Google Assistant voice control

    Cons

  • It is not as bright with SDR

7. Sony 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Android TV: Best Mid-range 4K TV for Gaming

Screen Size: 49 inches

Resolution: 4K

Panel Technology: LED

Connectivity Technology: Built-in WiFi, HDMI, USB

Total HDMI Ports: 4


Sony continues to offer the one of the best 4K TV experiences on the market. From Xbox One X and PS4 Pro to simple streaming and internet surfing, their machines handle it all. This particular Android TV comes in 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch models. The 85-inch 4K TV is an outstanding $2,500, while the 49-inch 4K TV is only $700. As far as gaming TVs are concerned, 85 inches is probably too big anyway.

With the X1 Extreme Processor, Sony equipped this 4K TV with controllable color contrast and a wide range of brightness levels. It has low input lag at 24.2 milliseconds, and a great variable refresh rate. X-Motion Clarity technology makes motion blur a thing of the past, and don't forget about streaming.

Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all display beautifully on this 4K masterpiece, and it comes with Alexa connective technology. With its voice compatibility, you can change channels without getting off the couch. It is one of the best 4K TVs on the market.

Unfortunately, for those that don't like the idea of Amazon snooping into their home, disabling the Alexa features on this TV can be sort of challenging. It is possible, but it could frustrate users.

      Pros

  • X1 Extreme image processor
  • Deep blacks and contrast
  • Low input lag at 24.2ms
  • X-Motion Clarity technology
  • Built-in Google Assistant
  • Unlimited access to apps through Android TV

    Cons

  • Disabling Alexa can be a tricky process

Buyer's Guide: Best 4K Gaming TVs

While some of the best gaming TVs are also generally speaking the best available TVs on the market, there are specific specifications to look for when buying the perfect 4K gaming TV. From refresh rate, game mode, OLED displays, and more, this guide helps you decide which 4K TVs are the best for what you need.

Below are a few frequently asked questions that'll help gamers decide what the best TV for their gaming build is.

What Is the Perfect Size for Gaming TVs?

The perfect size for a gaming TV depends a few factors, but most importantly, the TV should be comfortable for the viewer and maintain great picture quality. It isn't worth having an 85-inch TV, if it strains your neck to look at it, or doesn't fit on your wall.

Most gaming monitors don't get bigger than 30 inches, but PC and Mac players sit a foot or two away from the screen. Xbox, PS4, and other console gamers sit roughly 6 to 10 feet away from the screen. The further you sit away from the screen, the bigger the TV should be. Obviously, budget considerations are a factor, and most people won't be able to spend up on a 75-inch TV with hardware capable of maintaining perfect picture quality, but for the most part, the bigger the better - up to a certain point.

When a gaming TV gets too big, it starts to experience lag, suffer in terms of color contrast and brightness, and distort the images the game designer worked so hard to create. The best gaming TV understands its own limits and doesn't increase in size without also increasing its hardware and specs.

What Is Input Lag, and Why Should I Care?

Input lag is the amount of time it takes your TV to display an update after receiving the signal to do so. For example, the TV gets a signal from your Blu-ray player that the credits started to roll in the new Marvel Avengers movie. There is a split second between that signal and the credits actually starting to roll on your TV's screen.

This is especially important for gaming. If your input lag is too high, it might feel like the game is constantly out of your control. You pull the trigger, but the gun doesn't fire exactly when you tell it to. The person you're shooting at isn't in the exact location he or she was when you saw them on your screen. In sporting games, the ball isn't exactly where it should be when you swing the bat, or the boxer's face isn't where you've thrown your punch. This can be a very frustrating experience.

Most TVs have an input lag between 15 and 80 milliseconds. Under 20 milliseconds is exceptional. Between 20 and 40 milliseconds is good. Between 40-60 milliseconds is decent. And over 60 milliseconds means it's time for a new 4K gaming TV.

Are 4K and HDR Really Necessary?

The short answer is no - at least, not right now. Currently, most gaming consoles and video games do not fully utilize 4K resolution or high dynamic range (HDR).

The longer answer is yes. Both gaming consoles and video games are working toward incorporating 4K and HDR into their gaming experiences. Right now, the gaming industry is on the brink of change, and purchasing a new gaming TV that doesn't come fully-equipped with 4K and HDR might be a waste of money, as you'll likely have to purchase a new one soon in the future to get the best overall gameplay.

According to Xbox's website, "As developers and publishers continue to take advantage of the true power of Xbox One X, we will regularly update this list with new games and any updates to their capabilities like HDR and 4K.

The same goes for PlayStation and others. 4K and HDR are becoming increasingly common, and while most gaming consoles and games do not utilize these features to the full benefit of the gamers, in the future they will. Make your new gaming TV future-proof by getting 4K and HDR now.

Here are a few games that are currently benefiting from 4K and HDR:

Gran Turismo Sport, Greedfall, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Infamous, Madden, Metro Exodus, MLB The Show, Monster Hunter World, NBA 2K, Red Dead Redemption - and the list goes on.

How Does Color Contrast Impact Gaming?

Color contrast isn't all that important for gaming performance, but it does create a much better overall gaming experience. Video games are designed with visuals in mind, and hundreds of hours are dumped into creating stunning landscapes. You'll want these landscapes to come fully alive, and a great color contrast can do just that.

Having the ideal color contrast can also help to eliminate eye strain, as poor colors and flickering lights are a challenge for all gamers. All newer 4K and HDR gaming TVs have great, high-quality, dynamic color contrast.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, TVs are a lot like computer monitors. Yes, they are much bigger, so the weight of certain specs needs to be emphasized over others, such as refresh rate and a specific game mode, but with more advanced technologies, such as OLED panels with local dimming, 4K and HDR experiences, and more, console gaming is quickly becoming the preferred way to game.

While not all Xbox One or PS4 games will take full advantage of the best 4K TVs on the market, the best ones will. Imagine playing the new Assassin's Creed and not getting to experience the masterful world-building with an OLED display equipped with 4K and HDR. Imagine loading Borderlands 3, diving into the first mission, and noticing your TVs refresh rate is too low to handle all game's heavy load. The best 4K TVs won't let you down. They'll breeze through Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 or Devil May Cry 5, Far Cry 5 or FIFA 19, Final Fantasy XV or God of War. All of these games are optimized for 4K and HDR.

Gaming experiences can be good with standard HD TVs, but the best 4K TVs make it that much better. Plus, they're future-proof, for the time being. Sony and Microsoft are headed toward 4K and HDR in gaming right now, so get ahead of the curve, and you won't have to buy another TV for a long time. It'll be well worth the investment down the road when all your friends are complaining about their games looking pale in comparison to yours. You'll have the best gaming experience on the block, and they'll all be drooling over that OLED display. After all, gaming isn't about being good, it's about being the best. 

Originally posted 2021-01-19 13:51:45.

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