The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Gaming TV for Your PS5 or Xbox Series X
Finding the best TV for your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X is about more than just a great picture. To make your games look and feel their absolute best, you need a TV with specific gaming-focused features. Here is a breakdown of what to look for and some top picks across the price spectrum.
What to Look for in a Gaming TV
All good TVs share core traits like 4K resolution, high brightness, deep contrast, and accurate colors. For gaming, you need more. The ideal set has a 120Hz or higher refresh rate for smoother motion, VRR support to eliminate screen tearing, minimal input lag for faster response times, and sharp motion handling to prevent blur.
OLED vs LCD
OLED TVs are generally considered the pinnacle for picture quality, offering perfect blacks and incredibly fast pixel response. They come in two main types: traditional WOLED and the newer QD-OLED, which uses a quantum dot layer for even more vibrant colors. However, OLEDs can be more expensive and sometimes aren’t as bright as the best LCDs, which might be an issue in very sunny rooms.
LCD TVs are often more affordable and can get extremely bright. The best ones use mini-LED backlights with full-array local dimming for improved contrast and many also use quantum dots, marketing themselves as QLED TVs. While they usually can’t match the perfect blacks of OLED, the top models offer excellent performance for the price.
HDMI 2.1 is Essential
For modern consoles, full HDMI 2.1 support is non-negotiable. This standard provides the bandwidth needed for 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate, a feature supported by many new games for incredibly fluid motion. It also enables key gaming features like VRR and ALLM.
Be aware that some manufacturers label ports as HDMI 2.1 even if they don’t support all these features, so check the specs carefully. While a new HDMI 2.2 spec was recently announced, it will be some time before it appears on retail TVs.
Understanding HDR and HGiG
HDR, or High Dynamic Range, allows a TV to display a wider range of brightness and colors, bringing out detail in both dark and bright areas of the image. Various formats exist, like the common HDR10 and the more dynamic Dolby Vision. Note that the Xbox supports Dolby Vision for gaming, while the PS5 does not.
For the best HDR gaming experience, look for a TV with HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) support. This is a set of standards that helps games automatically recognize your TV’s capabilities and optimize their HDR settings, saving you from tedious manual calibration.
Key Gaming Features: ALLM and VRR
ALLM, or Auto Low Latency Mode, is a convenience feature. It lets your game console tell the TV to automatically switch to its low-lag Game mode when you start playing, then switch back when you watch a movie.
VRR, or Variable Refresh Rate, is a game-changer. It syncs your TV’s refresh rate with the frame rate output by your console. This eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, making gameplay feel significantly smoother, even when the frame rate dips.
Forget 8K
You do not need an 8K TV for gaming. No major games are rendered in 8K, and the benefits are negligible unless you sit extremely close to a gigantic screen. These sets are also prohibitively expensive, making them a poor value for gamers.
Top Gaming TV Picks Right Now
While TV models change every year, these well-reviewed options represent great choices for gamers. Remember, last year’s model on sale is often a better value than the latest release.
For the premium experience, the LG G4 OLED is a top-tier choice. It’s incredibly bright for an OLED, has four full HDMI 2.1 ports, and delivers flawless motion handling with stunning picture quality.
A fantastic mid-range option is the Hisense U8N. This mini-LED QLED TV punches far above its weight, offering exceptional brightness and strong gaming features at a much more accessible price point.
On the budget end, the TCL Q6 QLED TV provides solid 4K performance and basic gaming features like a 120Hz mode and VRR support, making it a great entry point for gamers watching their wallets.
