The best gaming TV for all budgets, all real-world tested by our experts

LG C5 on blue background
(Image credit: LG)

When looking for the best gaming TV, you obviously want to balance fantastic image quality with a budget that's right for you, and a size that fits into your room, just like any other TV. But there are also several specific gaming requirements you need to consider as well.

For our list of the best gaming TVs, we prioritize things a bit different to our overall list of the best TVs. For example, we want gaming TVs need to have a low level of input lag, meaning there isn't a delay between you pressing a button and what you see on your screen. We also want them to have HDMI 2.1 support on as many HDMI ports as possible, so they're future-proof, and to have great gaming features in general.

Today's top TVs all have high-end gaming features built-in. Higher-end models, including many of the best OLED TVs, are usually excellent for gaming regardless of which one you choose, though some are slightly better value than others. Budget TVs can be great for gaming too, but be warned that some won't have 4K 120Hz support or HDMI 2.1 if they're super-cheap.

Written by
Matt Bolton
Written by
Matt Bolton

I've been testing and reporting on TVs since 2017, but my experience writing about and reviewing screen technology stretches back to 2010. I love seeing all the latest TV releases as they come through our testing rooms, and I shape this guide by working with our reviewers and editors, to agree which TVs are the best fit for gaming, balancing features, sizes and price.

Recent updates

15 January 2026
Replaced the Sony Bravia 8 with the Sony Bravia 8 II as 'best for PS5'. Replaced the LG B4 with the LG B5 as 'best budget OLED'. Replaced the Hisense U7N with the TCL QM7K for 'best budget US'. Replaced the Samsung Q80D with the TCL C6K for 'best budget UK'. Removed the best elite and best cheap categories.

The best gaming TVs you can buy

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The best gaming TV for most people

The best gaming TV overall

Specifications

Available sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83-inches
Measured input lag: 9.2ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR support: FreeSync, G-Sync
HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1): 4 (4)

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional picture quality
+
Four HDMI 2.1 ports
+
Fantastic suite of gaming features

Reasons to avoid

-
Average sound quality
-
Only a small upgrade over the C4
Buy it if:

✅ You want lots of size options: Whether you’re gaming in the bedroom or the living room, the LG C5 comes in sizes from 42 to 83 inches to suit any setup.

✅ You want a superb OLED TV for gaming: With a low 9.2ms input lag and a full suite of gaming features – including 4K 144Hz, VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming across four HDMI 2.1 ports – it’s built for smooth, responsive gameplay.

Don't buy it if:

You want powerful built-in sound: Audio performance is decent, but it doesn’t quite match the C5’s excellent gaming features or picture quality.

❌ You’re shopping for the cheapest OLED for gaming: The LG B4, further down this list, is more affordable and still offers some of the same features.

The LG C5 builds on everything that made the C4 before it one of the best gaming TVs, refining performance with a new Alpha 9 Gen 8 AI processor and a brightness boost that makes HDR gaming look even more vivid. With sizes from 42 to 83 inches, it suits everything from desk setups to home cinema gaming spaces.

The C5 remains a gaming powerhouse, featuring four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144 Hz support, VRR (including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium), ALLM, HGiG and Dolby Vision Gaming. Input lag is measured at a super low 9.2 ms, which makes gameplay fluid and super responsive whether you’re on console or PC. Cloud gaming apps are here, like GeForce Now and Amazon Luna, which are also built-in via the Game Quick Card, which you’ll find on LG’s updated webOS 25 interface.

Picture quality really is outstanding. You’ll get rich contrast, vibrant colors and impressive HDR performance, especially considering this is a mid-range OLED. The only weak spot is audio. The 2.2-channel Dolby Atmos system is fine, but just fine. Pairing the C5 with a soundbar is your best bet, as that’s where you’ll see its full cinematic and gaming potential.

Although it’s only a modest upgrade over the C4 and currently more expensive, the LG C5 delivers premium gaming performance, superb image quality and long-term versatility too, making it our current top pick and one of 2025’s best gaming TVs.

Read the full LG C5 review

Best gaming TV for PS5

The best gaming TV with 'Perfect for PS5' features

Specifications

Available sizes: 55 & 65-inches
Measured input lag: 16.3ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
VRR: HDMI forum
HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1): 4 (2)

Reasons to buy

+
Full HDMI 2.1 features, plus PS5 Tone Mapping
+
Excellent built-in sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Higher input delay compared to rivals
-
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
Buy it if:

✅ You own a PS5: The Sony Bravia 8 II has 'Perfect for PS5' gaming features including an auto HDR tone mapping mode that activates when a PS5 is connected.

✅ You want great built-in sound for your games: With accurate sound placement, clear speech and great dynamics, the Bravia 8 II delivers brilliant built-in sound better than most other TVs.

Don't buy it if:

You want the fastest gaming TV: The Bravia 8 II's 16.3ms input lag time is higher than most TVs we've tested previously.

❌You need multiple HDMI 2.1 ports: The Bravia 8 II only comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports so those with multiple gaming consoles plus a soundbar should take note.

The Sony Bravia 8 II is Sony's 2025 flagship OLED. It uses a QD-OLED panel and is the brand's first premium OLED model since the Sony A95L released in 2023. While it doesn't have all the gaming features of TVs from LG and Samsung, it's the perfect TV for PS5, thanks to PS5-centric features.

The Bravia 8 II has an Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature, which matches the dynamic range of generated images to what the screen is capable of, when it detects a connected PS5. It also supports Sony's Game Menu 2, where gaming and picture related adjustments can be made. The Bravia 8 II's gaming performance is solid overall, although its 16.3ms input lag time is higher than most other TVs we've tested. It also only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, so owners of multiple consoles and a soundbar should take note.

Where the Bravia 8 II really impresses is with its built-in sound. Few TVs on the market actually deliver truly great built-in sound and the Bravia 8 II is one of them. Its Acoustic Surface Audio+ means sound travels directly through the screen of the TV for more direct, clearer audio. The Bravia 8 II also delivers accurate, well-mapped sound and good power with solid bass.

The Bravia 8 II's picture quality is also superb. Delivering rich, natural colors and excellent shadow detail with inky blacks, the Bravia 8 II is fantastic for both movies and gaming. Its QD-OLED panel also delivers high brightness, which we measured at 1,439 nits peak. It also does a great job upscaling older movies and TV shows, as we found when streaming an episode of Colombo from the 1980's.

Read our full Sony Bravia 8 II review

The best budget gaming TV in the US

The best budget gaming TV in the US

Specifications

Available sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 & 98-inch
Measured input lag: 13.1ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: HDMI forum, AMD Freesync Premium, Nvidia GSync
HDMI ports: 4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Reasons to buy

+
Dolby Vision gaming and 4K 144Hz
+
Mini-LED on a budget

Reasons to avoid

-
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
-
Average built-in sound 
Buy it if:

✅ You want a budget TV for gaming: The QM7K is well equipped for gaming for its affordable price, with 4K 144Hz, VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all featured.

✅ You want a TV that has a good picture for the money: The QM7K's picture has vibrant color and strong contrast for the price – it's sure to make graphics look good.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best picture: While great for the price, the QM6K does have some vignetting and middling brightness.

❌You want immersive built-in sound: The QM6K's sound is fine, though it does feel narrow, and the bass is uneven.

The TCL QM6K has an impressive list of gaming features for a very affordable price. Its picture quality also surprises, delivering more than what you would expect at this price range.

The QM6K has a packed suite of gaming features, including 4K 144Hz, VRR including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync support, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM. It has a commendable 13.1ms input lag time and delivers smooth performance, as we found when we tested games such as Uncharted, Ride 5 and Dead Island 2. The QM6K's picture is vibrant, which really benefits graphics in various games.

The QM6K's picture has strong contrast, with solid blacks. Thanks to TCL's new Halo Control feature, blooming is successfully minimized for more uniform pictures. Colors are vibrant and bold, adding extra punch to games and movies. Its brightness is more limited compared to pricier TVs, topping out at 695 nits, and there is slight vignetting in the corners of the screen, but those are really the only complaints we have about the QM6K's picture.

Where the QM6K really shines is its value. For a 65-inch QM6K, you can expect to pay $599, which is exceptional value for a TV with this much on offer. While there are a couple of compromises made, this is a brilliant gaming TV for the price.

Read our full TCL QM6K review

The best budget gaming TV in the UK

The best gaming TV with 4K 120Hz for a lower price in the UK

Specifications

Available sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75 and 85-inches
Measured input lag: 13.6ms
Refresh rate: 144Hz
VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync Premium Pro
HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1): 4 (4)

Reasons to buy

+
Great gaming features for the price
+
Rich, colorful picture

Reasons to avoid

-
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
-
Middling sound quality
Buy it if:

✅ You want a great value TV: The C6K delivers good picture quality and is a solid choice for gaming, while being more affordable than most other gaming TVs.

✅ You want an affordable gaming TV: The C6K not only has a near-full suite of features, but it has solid performance to match, all for a budget-friendly price.

Don't buy it if:

You want a complete picture: The C6K's picture is good overall, but it does suffer from some black crush, has screen uniformity issues, including contrast fade when viewed off-center.

❌You want the very best gaming TV: While the C6K is a very good gaming TV, it doesn't tick all the boxes like more premium gaming TVs, such as the LG C5.

The TCL C6K is an excellent budget option for gaming, delivering a stacked list of features and solid performance. When you combine that with its good overall picture quality, it is one of the best affordable gaming TVs around.

The C6K supports 4K 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, which is a solid suite of features at this price. While its 13.6ms input lag isn't the best, it's still low enough to deliver smooth performance, even with the most challenging of games, as we found when playing Battlefield V.

The C6K's picture is very good overall for the money. Its color reproduction is vibrant and mostly accurate. It also has good contrast, with deep blacks and refined detail. While its brightness is limited compared to other mini-LED sets and there are some issues, such as occasional black crush and limited viewing angles, there aren't many better TVs at this price.

If you want a great value TV, you can't go wrong with the TCL C6K. For a 65-inch model, you'll look to pay £599. At that price, there aren't many other TVs available with this level of gaming features and performance.

Read our full TCL C6K review

The best gaming TV for lighter rooms

The best gaming TV for high-brightness gaming

Specifications

Available sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches
Measured input lag: 9.5ms
Refresh rate: 165Hz
VRR support: HDMI forum, FreeSync, G-Sync
ALLM: Yes
HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1): 4 (4)

Reasons to buy

+
High brightness
+
Effective anti-reflection screen
+
Great gaming features and performance

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision
-
Pricey compared to competition
Buy it if:

✅ You want a TV for daytime gaming: The Samsung QN90F's high brightness and Glare Free anti-reflection screen make it perfect for gaming in bright rooms.

✅ You want a vibrant, detailed picture: With its great contrast, vibrant colours and refined detail, the QN90F is perfect for current-gen gaming.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best value gaming TV: The QN90F is excellent, but the TCL QM6K and TCL C6K are arguably better value when it comes to price vs performance.

❌You want the very best TV for gaming: The QN90F is a great TV, but the LG C5 at the top of this list is still the best overall TV for gaming.

Daytime gaming can be a challenge, but the Samsung QN90F's high brightness, reflection-beating Glare Free screen and vibrant colours make gaming in a bright room easy.

With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K 165Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), HGiG, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming, the QN90F is well equipped for current-gen consoles. It also has an ultra-low 9.5ms input lag time for impressively slick performance and features Samsung's Gaming Hub, which serves as a portal for all things gaming, including access to plenty of apps such as Xbox.

The QN90F's picture holds up well in well-lit rooms thanks to its high peak brightness (2,087 nits) and fullscreen brightness (667 nits) and effective Glare Free screen. It also delivers realistic details and textures and stunning contrast, with deep black levels.

While the QN90F may be one of the pricier TVs on this list, it delivers across the board for both gaming and picture quality. If you find your room is too bright for a standard TV, the QN90F could be the answer.

Read our full Samsung QN90F review

The cheapest gaming OLED TV

The best gaming TV for cheaper OLED thrills with 4K 120Hz support

Specifications

Available sizes: 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83-inches
Measured input lag: 9.1ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync, G-Sync
HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1): 4 (4)

Reasons to buy

+
Great gaming performance
+
Full HDMI 2.1 support, plus G-Sync and FreeSync

Reasons to avoid

-
The least-bright OLED available
-
Middling sound quality
Buy it if:

✅ You want an affordable OLED for gaming: The LG B5 is the cheapest way to get a great OLED TV for gaming, slightly undercutting the more premium LG C5.

✅ You want a brilliant OLED TV for gaming: Its four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, with superb performance to match.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best built-in sound: The B5's speakers are okay for day-to-day viewing, but you'll want to add a soundbar if you want fuller sound.

❌You like a bright picture: Compared to all other TVs on this list, the LG B5 has limited brightness, topping out at just over 650 nits.

If you want an OLED TV for gaming but don't want to pay the full premium, the LG B5 is an excellent choice. Not only does it carry all the features you could need, but it also delivers brilliant gaming performance and rich picture quality, resulting in a great gaming experience.

The B5 carries a full suite of gaming features. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports, which all support 4K 120Hz, AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM. It has a measured input lag of 9.1ms, which results in snappy and smooth performance, even when playing demanding games such as Battlefield V.

The B5 delivers fantastic picture quality. Its colors are rich and natural, its blacks are inky and it has the powerful contrast you'd expect from an OLED TV. Motion handling, once adjusted correctly, is smooth, making it great for gaming, movies and sports. One area where its lacking compared to the other TVs on this list is brightness, which peaks at 668 nits. This is, however, the only complaint we have with the B5's picture.

The B5 is an excellent value gaming TV. While the price gap at 55 inches between it and the step-up C5 is only roughly $100 / £200 / AU$1,000, at larger sizes the B5 becomes an even better value. When it comes to gaming, this is the best way to get an OLED TV for less.

Read our full LG B5 review

The best OLED gaming TV for brightness

The best OLED gaming TV for bright rooms

Specifications

Available sizes: 48, 55, 65, 77 & 83-inches
Measured input lag : 9.1ms
Refresh rate: 165Hz
VRR: HDMI forum, FreeSync Premium, G-Sync
HDMI 2.1: 4

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic gaming performance
+
Bright, dynamic picture

Reasons to avoid

-
Remote lacks input button
-
Pricey compared to LG C5
Buy it if:

✅ You want a super-bright OLED: With a 'four-stack' panel that hits new brightness highs for OLED, the G5 is perfect for gaming.

✅ You want a TV with every gaming feature: The G5 is fully equipped for gaming, with 4K 165Hz, VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all supported.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best value OLED: While it is a fantastic TV, the G5 is significantly pricier than LG's C-series OLEDs, which carry as many features for less.

❌You want HDR10+ support: HDR10+ gaming may be a new thing, but the G5 doesn't support HDR10+ in any capacity.

The LG G5 features LG's latest OLED panel tech: the Primary Tandem RGB OLED (or four-stack). This panel delivers stunningly high brightness levels for OLED (the brightest we've measured so far) and when combined with the G5's full array of gaming features, it's the ideal TV for those who want OLED gaming in bright rooms.

Equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, the G5 supports 4K 165Hz, VRR (incluidng AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync formats) Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, meaning it covers every base. Combine this with its ultra-responsive performance (and low 9.1ms input lag time) and you get a superb OLED for gaming.

We measured the G5's peak brightness at 2,268 nits and fullscreen brightness at 331 nits (both in Filmmaker Mode), making it the brightest OLED we've tested so far. Its high brightness lets it be used in brighter viewing environments while maintaining accurate color, black levels and contrast.

The flagship G5 is undoubtedly a pricey, premium OLED TV. While there are better-priced mid-range options, such as the LG C4 at the top of this list, when it comes to bright room gaming, there aren't any better OLED TVs than the G5.

Read our full LG G5 review

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How to choose the best gaming TV

How to choose the best gaming TV

• High latency causes a delay between button-pressing and action

• Almost all TVs now have a Game Mode for lower latency

• For best performance look for HDMI 2.1, 120Hz, VRR and even Nvidia G-Sync

There are a few key things to consider when you're choosing the best gaming TV for you.

Game Mode and low latency: Latency is the time between when an image is sent by the console and when it actually shows up on the screen. Modern TVs do a lot of clever processing to images to make them look better, but this takes time, which means there's a delay between you pressing a button on a controller and seeing the result – that's not ideal in a fast-paced game. All TVs now have a Game Mode, or something with a similar name, which reduces the processing, meaning lower latency.

HDMI 2.1: The latest and greatest HDMI connector tech, which includes support for ALLM, 4K 120Hz, and VRR.

ALLM: Auto Low Latency Mode is a newer feature where consoles can tell the TV to switch into Game Mode automatically – you won't have to set it with a remote.

4K 120Hz: This means a TV can refresh its screen up to 120 times per second, while still displaying at 4K resolution. Cheaper TVs are more likely to refresh at 60 times per second. You may also find some mid-range 4K TVs that refresh at 120Hz, but don't include HDMI 2.1, so they can only show Full HD resolution at 120Hz, or 4K at 60Hz.

VRR: Variable Refresh Rate is a feature that means the TV will synchonize the speed at which is refreshes the screen with whatever the current framerate of your game is. This means games don't have to stay locked to 30, 60 or 120fps to avoid screen tearing, which means they can offering better graphics. There are three types of VRR: HDMI forum; FreeSync and G-Sync.

HDMI forum VRR: This is supported by both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and is an official part of the HDMI 2.1 spec. Most TVs with HDMI 2.1 support it.

AMD FreeSync: This is supported by the Xbox Series X and AMD graphics cards on PC. It's pretty common to find on TVs, including on some without HDMI 2.1.

Nvidia G-Sync: This is supported by Nvidia graphics cards on PC, but not by consoles. It's pretty rare to find on TVs, too, but it does happen.

What features on gaming TVs are relevant to PS5 and Xbox Series X?

• Both PS5 and Xbox Series X support 4K 120Hz and VRR

• Xbox Series X supports Dolby Vision gaming, PS5 does not. However this is not available on Samsung TVs

• Some Sony TVs have PS5-specific features to automatically enhance the picture

Whether you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X could impact the gaming TV you choose, especially if you're looking to get the most from your console. Certain TVs on this list are better suited to certain consoles.

While both consoles support 4K 120Hz, VRR, and other gaming features, the Xbox Series X supports Dolby Vision gaming, while the PS5 does not. But, if you have an Xbox Series X, you won't be able to take advantage of Dolby Vision gaming if you opt for a Samsung TV as Samsung TVs don't support Dolby Vision.

Elsewhere, Sony's range of TVs, including the Sony Bravia 8 OLED and Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED, carry PS5-specific features (as Sony also makes the PS5), including an Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature that automatically enhances the picture when a PS5 is detected on a compatible Sony TV.

Generally, you'll still get a lot from your console regardless of what TV you buy from this list, but the above features are worth noting if you're looking to get that little bit extra.

Is a TV good for PC gaming?

• A 4K gaming TV can make for a great gaming monitor substitute

• You'll need a PC that can handle 4k resolution on a big screen

• Some TVs may struggle to upscale lower resolutions such as 1440p or 1080p

We've established that gaming TVs are fantastic companions for your games consoles, but what if you play on PC? There's certainly an appeal in playing graphically intensive PC games on a big screen, but how does that play out in practice?

While a gaming TV can certainly substitute for a PC gaming monitor, you'll need to make sure your PC can handle the resolution. 4K screens are naturally more taxing on your PC's resources due to them offering much higher image quality.

If your PC is up to scratch, you'll get a smooth experience at 4K on a bigger screen. If not, you may have to switch your game to a lower resolution like 1440p or 1080p, in which case your gaming TV might not be able to handle the upscaling needed very well. This will result in a blurrier than intended image thanks to the size of the TV compared to a monitor.

It's a double-edged sword, then, and almost entirely dependant on how powerful your PC is. If you've got the high-end parts to make it happen, then PC gaming on a TV can produce wonderful results. If it's not quite there, then you're better off playing on a smaller monitor able to output a sharper, cleaner image.

How much is a gaming TV?

• 4K TVs are now very cheap – you could get one for as little as $300 / £300 / AU$450

• At this price you probably won't get gaming features such as 4K 120Hz and VRR

• For gaming features and a big screen expect to pay around $800 / £900 / AU$1,200

TVs suited for gaming vary wildly in price, depending on a wide number of factors. 4K TVs are incredibly common these days, and can be bought for as little as $300 / £300 / AU$450. Of course, you're getting very basic features with a TV at this price, with a size of around 43 inches, and almost certainly lacking 4K 120Hz support, and variable refresh rates.

But these features can be found on TVs that aren't too expensive, often available for under $800 / £900 / AU$1,200 in smaller sizes. If you want gaming feature for next-gen consoles, you need to assume you'll pay something starting in that region.

Do I need an 8K gaming TV?

• You definitely don't need an 8K gaming TV

• PS5 Pro supports 8K, and a handful of 8K games are available

• 4K 120Hz gaming currently offers a better TV gaming experience

The short answer? No.

While the original PS5 and Xbox Series X console technically come with this capability baked-in, the PS5 had its 8K status removed before the arrival of the PS5 Pro. The Xbox Series X, meanwhile, can upscale games to 8K, but would struggle to run them natively due to the power demands.

The PS5 Pro is marketed as 8K capable, but again there's a little more to it than that. Though a very powerful console, even the PS5 Pro usually upscales games to hit the 8K mark. It does this through its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) feature – which is similar to Nvidia's DLSS and which uses AI to upscale the image.

There are currently a handful of games that can take advantage of the PS5 Pro's 8K capabilities – among them No Man's Sky, F1 24 and Gran Turismo. There's also one game, the forthcoming Pure Pool Pro, that will reportedly run in native 8K on PS5 Pro, rather than being upscaled via PSSR.

However, even with PS5 Pro there are further caveats – for instance your TV will need to have Display Stream Compression (DSC) over HDMI 2.1 in order to actually be able to output at 8K.

In short, unless you are an 8K obsessive, there's really no immediate need to get an 8K TV for gaming. Gaming devs are still getting to grips with 4K performance, and in general other picture specifications such as high frame rate (60fps, 120fps) are more important.

Maybe it'll be a different answer in 2026 or 2027, but for now we think the 4K gaming TVs listed above will do you just fine.

New gaming TVs for 2025

At CES 2025, several brands revealed their TV lineups for 2025 and among them were a few TVs that could make their way onto this list, either alongside or replacing their predecessors.

From Samsung, we have the Samsung S95F, its flagship 2025 OLED and predecessor to the Samsung S95D. It carries improved gaming features including 165Hz refresh rate for PC gaming, but it's the improved, second-generation OLED Glare Free tech we're excited about. We loved OLED Glare Free (an anti-reflection screen) on the S95D as it effectively eliminated reflections in bright viewing environments and from what we've seen of the second-gen version on the S95F, it's just as effective and maintains more accurate black levels.

Also from Samsung is the Samsung QN90F, the successor to the best TV for bright rooms on this list, the Samsung QN90D. The QN90F will also have a Glare Free screen and we're expecting a brightness increase, which will hopefully make the QN90F even better than its predecessor for gaming in bright environments.

Panasonic revealed the Panasonic Z95B, its 2025 flagship OLED, which will come stocked with a near-full suite of gaming features. It also uses a four-stack OLED panel and from what we've seen, its picture is seriously impressive. If its sound quality is anything like its predecessor, the Panasonic Z95A, the Z95B could be an excellent all-rounder.

We've yet to hear about new gaming TVs from Hisense, Sony, Philips and TCL, and we're still waiting for more details on the LG B5 OLED, but we expect there'll be other competitive TVs to follow in the footsteps of the Hisense U8N, Sony Bravia 8, Philips OLED809 and OLED909 and more in 2025.

How we test the best gaming TVs

• We primarily test the best gaming TVs in Game Mode with an Xbox Series X

• We test latency using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag tester

• We test image quality with a test pattern generator, colorimeter and other specialized equipment

When we test the best gaming TVs, we’re mainly looking at gaming performance and related features that enhance gaming. For these tests, we apply the same criteria used in our reviews such as picture and audio quality based on objective and subjective tests.

For gaming TVs, we use a gaming console (mainly an Xbox Series X although this can vary based on the reviewer) to test motion performance with graphics, analyzing latency and response time. We put the TV in its Game Mode during these tests to keep it consistent across each model and to maximize the gaming experience.

We also look for features such as VRR and 120Hz refresh rate to test their effectiveness. Not all the best gaming TVs have to provide these features, but it’s something we take into consideration during testing. To test latency added by the TV’s processing, we use a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag tester, with that measurement taken in the set’s Game Mode.

We also test picture quality with movies and TV shows, cycling through preset picture modes such as Standard and Movie to determine which is the most accurate. We’ll then play a variety of sources including 4K Blu-ray, 4K and HD streaming, and lower-res formats such as broadcast TV and DVD to evaluate the TV’s upscaling.

Another important area we test is how well a gaming TV handles dark tones, looking particularly at black uniformity (the ability to evenly display black across the screen) and its overall contrast.

We use specialized equipment, including a test pattern generator and colorimeter, to take measurements for our objective tests, with the results recorded in Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software.

To test a TV’s overall brightness, we use various-sized white windows, including 10% and 100%. A 10% window provides a standardized indication of the peak brightness that can be expected, whereas 100% shows how consistently it can display a bright image such as a colorful video game. These tests also determine how a TV handles screen reflections, which is crucial for daytime gaming.

The color reproduction tests we make with both HDR and SDR sources are important to see how faithfully and accurately a TV can display source material, and they also indicate the maximum color gamut available. We additionally test for grayscale accuracy, looking at how consistently a TV tracks gray tones on the screen from black to white.

We aim to keep conditions consistent across our tests, but it’s worth noting that some writer setups do vary. We always strive, however, to use equivalent equipment and procedures so our results are comparable across TVs.

You can read more in-depth about how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link, and in particular for this guide, how we test TV input lag.

Other TVs we've tested

Hisense U8N: A super-bright, feature-packed mini-LED TV, the Hisense U8N comes with a good stock of gaming features at an affordable price (though it's better priced in the US than anywhere else). While it is a superb TV, the Samsung Q80D and Hisense U7N are cheaper, and have a great list of gaming features in their own right. But, as you can read in our Hisense U8N review, it's still a fantastic TV.

LG G4: The LG G4 is a premium OLED TV that delivers a premium gaming experience with a full stock of features across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Its MLA OLED panel means it delivers phenomenal brightness for an OLED, and its detail, contrast and color are incredible, too. While it's a superb TV, we preferred the Samsung S95D overall as the best TV for 'Super-bright OLED' as it delivers not only higher peak and fullscreen brightness, but its OLED Glare Free screen makes it perfect for daytime gaming. However, if you want Dolby Vision gaming support, read our LG G4 review, because the G4 carries that feature.

TCL QM851G: The TCL has spectacular brightness levels that make it a great option for brighter room gaming, but the Samsung QN90D is our choice due to its superior processing and wider range of size options (the QM851G starts at 65-inch). Make no mistake, as our TCL QM851G review says, this TV still delivers excellent picture quality, sound and a good number of gaming features so is still one for consideration. (Note that this is a US-only TV – the closest UK/Europe equivalent is the TCL C855)

The latest updates to this best gaming TVs guide

15 January 2026
Replaced the Sony Bravia 8 with the Sony Bravia 8 II as 'best for PS5'. Replaced the LG B4 with the LG B5 for 'best budget OLED'. Replaced the Hisense U7N with the TCL QM7K for 'best budget US'. Replaced the Samsung Q80D with the TCL C6K for 'best budget UK'. Removed the best elite and best cheap categories.

24 October 2025
Swapped the LG C4 for the new LG C5 as our 'best gaming TV for most people' based on our recent testing and review.

14 July 2025
Swapped the Samsung QN90D for the Samsung QN90F for best for bright rooms as the latter features and anti-reflection screen and higher brightness levels.

6 May 2025
Swapped the Samsung S95D for the LG G5 as 'best super-bright OLED' for the latter's superior brightness levels.

Matt Bolton
Managing Editor, Entertainment

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, meaning he's in charge of persuading our team of writers and reviewers to watch the latest TV shows and movies on gorgeous TVs and listen to fantastic speakers and headphones. It's a tough task, as you can imagine. Matt has over a decade of experience in tech publishing, and previously ran the TV & audio coverage for our colleagues at T3.com, and before that he edited T3 magazine. During his career, he's also contributed to places as varied as Creative Bloq, PC Gamer, PetsRadar, MacLife, and Edge. TV and movie nerdism is his speciality, and he goes to the cinema three times a week. He's always happy to explain the virtues of Dolby Vision over a drink, but he might need to use props, like he's explaining the offside rule.

With contributions from