Best Gaming TVs for 2023
We tell you the best high-resolution, low-latency TVs to help gamers level up their gaming experience—and destroy spawn-camping scum.
LG C2 4K OLED
Price (55”): $1,296.99
Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and 83
HDR: Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Input lag: 5.9ms*
HDMI: (4) 4K @120Hz
Gaming features: Game Optimizer, FreeSync Premium, ALLM, HGiG, VRR, G-Sync, NVIDIA GeForce cloud gaming
LG C2 4K OLED
Price (55”): $1,296.99
Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and 83
HDR: Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Input lag: 5.9ms*
HDMI: (4) 4K @120Hz
Gaming features: Game Optimizer, FreeSync Premium, ALLM, HGiG, VRR, G-Sync, NVIDIA GeForce cloud gaming
Hisense U8H 4K Mini-LED ULED 4K Google TV
Price (55”): $699.99
Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Audio: Dolby Atmos
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Input lag: 7.5ms*
HDMI: (2) 4K @ 120Hz, (2) 4K @ 60Hz
Gaming features: ALLM, VRR
Hisense U8H 4K Mini-LED ULED 4K Google TV
Price (55”): $699.99
Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Audio: Dolby Atmos
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Input lag: 7.5ms*
HDMI: (2) 4K @ 120Hz, (2) 4K @ 60Hz
Gaming features: ALLM, VRR
TCL 5-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Roku TV
Price (55”): $429.99
Screen sizes: 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”
HDR: Dolby Vision HDR
Audio: Dolby Digital Plus
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Input lag: 10.9ms†
HDMI: (4) 4K @ 60Hz
Gaming features: Auto Game Mode, VR
TCL 5-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Roku TV
Price (55”): $429.99
Screen sizes: 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”
HDR: Dolby Vision HDR
Audio: Dolby Digital Plus
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Input lag: 10.9ms†
HDMI: (4) 4K @ 60Hz
Gaming features: Auto Game Mode, VR
Gamers have different TV needs. Like binge-watchers and movie buffs, they crave superior picture and sound quality. That means high resolution, HDR, HDMI 2.1 ports, a high (and variable refresh rate), low input lag, and more. We’ve rounded up the best gaming TVs from LG (best overall), Hisense (Best midrange), and TCL (best under $500) so you can get your game on.
Best gaming TVs
- LG C2 4K OLED Smart TV ($1,296.99)—Best overall
- Hisense U8H Mini-LED ULED 4K Google Smart TV ($699.99)—Best under $1,000
- TCL 5-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Roku TV ($429.99)—Best under $500
Compare top gaming TVs head to head
| TV | Price | HDR | Input Lag* | Refresh rate | HDMI ports | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LG C2 4K OLED Best overall |
$1,296.99 | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, HGiG | 5.9ms* | 120 Hz (VRR) | 4 HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz) | View on Amazon |
|
Hisense U8H 4K Mini-LED ULED Google TV Best under $1,000 |
$699.99 | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dynamic Tone Mapping | 7.5ms* | 120 Hz (VRR) | 2 HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz); 2 HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz) | View on Amazon |
|
TCL 5-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Roku TV Best under $500 |
$429.99 | Dolby Vision | 10.9ms† | 60Hz (VRR) | 4 HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz) | View on Amazon |
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 01/17/23 at 4:08 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Input lag stats courtesy of RTINGS.com. * 4K @ 120Hz, † 4K @ 60Hz
Pro tip: If you’re curious about what these specs indicate, jump to our What to Look for in a Gaming TV section.
LG C2 4K OLED TV—Best overall
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 01/17/23 at 4:08 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Input lag stats courtesy of RTINGS.com.
Pros
- Superb picture quality
- LG Game Optimizer
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports
- LG Magic voice remote
Cons
- Convoluted setup and options
- No HDR10+ support
LG’s OLED TV game is strong—we frequently recommend an LG OLED TV in the best picture category in our annual Best Smart TVs guide.
OLED technology uses millions (8 million in the LG C2) of self-lit pixels to give users the most control of brightness, contrast, and color. That’s why LG touts “extreme realism” with its OLED TVs, and gamers love realism, even in their gaming fantasies.
Further contributing to the LG C2 OLED’s incredible picture quality is its α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K and Cinema HDR with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro. The TV is also HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGiG)–compliant, meaning you’ll see the game’s contrast and color precisely as its developers intended.
Video games aren’t all about image quality, though. A fully immersive experience demands excellent sound quality. The LG C2 delivers big time with a 40-watt speaker system, Dolby Atmos, and AI Sound Pro for virtual 7.1.2 surround sound.
Gaming gets even better on the C2 with LG’s Game Optimizer, which tweaks the settings to fit game types (FPS, RPG, or RTS). Game Optimizer also lets you toggle the 120Hz variable refresh rate (VRR), NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for reduced lag and screen tearing.
The LG C2 also has four HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz) ports, plus cloud gaming with NVIDIA GeForce NOW (subscription required).
You can buy the LG C2 in six sizes priced $1,000–$4,400. To choose the right size for your gaming space, check out our TV Viewing Distance Calculator.
LG C2 OLED TV prices by screen size
|
42” (OLED42C2PUA) |
48” (OLED48C2PUA) |
55” (OLED55C2PUA) |
65” (OLED65C2PUA) |
77” (OLED77C2PUA) |
83” (OLED83C2PUA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $996.99 | $1,046.99 | $1,296.99 | $1,696.99 | $2,646.99 | $4,396.99 |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 1/18/23 at 11:40 a.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Hisense U8H Mini-LED ULED 4K Smart Google TV—Best under $1,000
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 1/18/23 12:01 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Great price
- Bright, colorful picture
- Game Mode Pro
- Two 4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 ports (plus two 4K 60Hz)
Cons
- Lower contrast than OLED
- Possible low-end audio problems
If you need something a bit more affordable—after all, you need money to buy games and accessories—the Hisense U8H ULED is a pretty good gaming TV for only $700 (55-inch) or $1,000 (65-inch).
ULED is what Hisense calls its TVs with Neo QLED technology, a fast-rising competitor to OLED. Neo QLED’s picture quality gets close to OLED’s superior contrast and color with its mini-LED backlight, 4K resolution, HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG), AI upscaling, and local dimming.
The U8H’s Game Mode Pro isn’t as fancy as LG’s Game Optimizer, but it has ALLM and a 120Hz VRR to combat screen tearing, jitter, and lag. The TV has four HDMI inputs: two HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz) and two HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz).
As for sound, the U8H has two 10W and one 20W speaker, plus Dolby Atmos and IMAX enhancement. That’s a decent stock setup, but we’ve read reviews complaining of low-end crackling. But, considering Hisense’s rep for making excellent affordable smart TVs, we’d take a chance on it—especially if you already have a soundbar or surround sound.
The Hisense U8H comes in one more size—75 inches—but it’s $1,500. That might be a good option if you don’t necessarily need a budget gaming TV but want a bigger screen for watching movies.
Hisense U8H ULED TV prices by screen size
| 55” (55U8H) | 65” (65U8H) | 75” (75U8H) |
|---|---|---|
| $699.99 | $999.99 | $1,499.99 |
| View on Amazon | View on Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 1/18/23 at 12:01 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
TCL 5-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Roku TV—Best under $500
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 1/18/23 12:01 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Excellent user interface (Roku)
- Voice remote
Cons
- Lower contrast than OLED
- No HDMI 2.1 ports
- No Bluetooth
As noted above, gaming is an expensive hobby. You may need an even cheaper gaming TV. How does $430 sound? That’ll get you the TCL 5-Series 55-inch Roku TV.
The 5-Series has a mini-LED QLED (another euphemism for Neo QLED) display, 4K resolution, HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG), and AI upscaling for an excellent picture—but not quite as good as the other two TVs.
Don’t expect too many flashy gaming features—and some important ones. The 5-Series has an Auto Game Mode and 60Hz variable refresh rate but only four HDMI 2.0 ports. For ideal 4K gaming, 120Hz VRR and at least one HDMI 2.1 for connecting your gaming console. But the TCL 5-Series will do the job until you can afford another upgrade.
The 5-Series comes in four screen sizes. The smallest (50-inch) would make an excellent dorm-room TV for students. And you could go with a larger 65-inch U8H for only $550 (or 75 inches for $800).
TCL 5-Series Roku TV prices by screen size
| 50” (50S555) | 55” (55S555) | 65” (65S555) | 75” (75S555) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $399.99 | $429.99 | $549.99 | $797.99 |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
CableTV.com uses paid Amazon links.
Amazon.com pricing as of 1/11/23 at 2:10 p.m. MST. Read full disclaimer.
Pro tip: The TCL 5-Series Roku TV is like having a Roku inside your TV, so you should get the TCL 5-Series Google TV, which runs on the Google TV platform (with Chromecast built-in) and costs the same as the Roku version.
What to look for in a gaming TV
When choosing a TV for gaming, you want excellent audio and video quality, responsiveness, and stability. To that end, you should look for 4K resolution, HDR compatibility, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and game optimization mode with features like auto low-latency mode (ALLM) and variable refresh rate. Let’s discuss these.
Resolution
Higher is always better—you want a 4K TV (or, if you’re flush with cash, an 8K TV).
HDR (high dynamic range)
HDR is on most TVs nowadays. Dynamic range is the contrast between light and dark areas, and HDR enhances that contrast, producing a more lifelike picture. There’s a caveat, though: Your source material must also support HDR to take advantage of it. Fortunately, all the latest consoles, including the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 Pro, support HDR video.
Contrast ratio
Contrast ratio is the ratio of the brightest white to the darkest black a screen can produce. Perhaps more than any other property of a TV, contrast ratio has the potential to make or break a picture. A poor contrast ratio makes the image feel washed out and shallow.
An OLED TV has the best possible contrast ratio. These TVs only light up the individual pixels needed to display an image, leaving the others off. The result is deep, silky blacks and infinite contrast.
Refresh rate
TVs (and screens in general) don’t actually display moving images. What you’re really seeing is a still image updated many times per second to give the illusion of a moving picture.
Refresh rate is the rate at which those updates occur. For the best 4K gaming performance, look for a 120Hz variable refresh rate (VRR). But if you’re looking at budget TVs, a 60Hz VRR isn’t terrible.
What do these numbers mean? A 60Hz screen refreshes 60 times per second (and so on for higher rates).
A faster refresh rate is always better, but there are diminishing returns. The jump from a 60Hz refresh rate to a 120Hz refresh rate is a significant improvement but moving from 120Hz to 240Hz is less noticeable. Aim for 120Hz for the best bang for your buck.
Input lag
Latency, a.k.a. input lag, is the response time between when you press a button (or provide other input) and when the TV registers it. Low input lag is especially important in multiplayer and first-person shooter games like Call of Duty or Fortnite, where the action is fast-paced and competitive.
In these games, anything slowing down your reactions is a major disadvantage. That’s why most TVs include a “game mode” that adjusts various settings (like VRR) to reduce lag time while maintaining picture quality.
Generally, lower input lag times are better—aim for under 20 milliseconds (ms). Don’t get too focused on this feature, though. At a certain point, it’s hard to notice the difference, and higher picture quality often increases input lag. Strive to find the right balance between quality and lag time, and you’ll have a TV that covers both bases.
Screen size
Screen size is a personal decision based on the size and layout of your room, how far you want to sit from the TV, and how much money you have to spend. With modern consoles supporting 4K resolution, you can generally go as big as you want and not worry about losing picture quality.
Generally, the further back you’ll be sitting from the screen, the bigger you’ll want your screen to be. Our TV Viewing Distance Calculator can help you find the perfect screen size for your room.
Viewing angles
The picture on any TV (or any screen, for that matter) will always appear clearer and more vibrant when viewed head-on. Watching from above, below, or to the side of the screen will cause the picture quality to degrade—this is true of all screens (though some TVs suffer more than others).
Wider viewing angles minimize image degradation, so they’re fantastic for gaming—especially if you’re playing couch co-op where not everyone can sit directly in front of the screen. OLED TVs have the widest viewing angles, followed by Neo QLED (or mini-LED QLED, ULED, and QNED), QLED, and LED.
Final take
Whether you’re looking for a cheap gaming TV for your bedroom or want the best of the best for your media room, these picks should serve you well.
The LG C2 OLED ($1,000–$4,000) is the best overall, with outstanding picture and audio quality, plus the powerful LG Game Optimizer.
We recommend the Hisense U8H ($700–$1,000) as a midrange pick for its fantastic picture, Game Mode Pro, and a 75-inch option for $1,500.
And our low-budget pick, the TCL 5-Series Roku TV ($430–$800), gives you a solid picture, decent audio, and Auto Game Mode—but subpar refresh rate and HDMI connectivity.
We wish you luck in your quest for esports greatness.
Best gaming TVs FAQ
Which TV has the best input lag?
Low input lag is best, and the LG C2 OLED Series we’ve chosen as the best overall gaming TV has a 5.9ms input lag (4K @ 120Hz)—but there are models we haven’t tested that come in as low as 5.3 ms.1
What is the best size TV for gaming?
As gamers, we’d say the best size TV for gaming is the biggest one you can afford. But as TV experts, we recommend getting the right size TV for your room. Check out our TV Viewing Distance Calculator to see what size your space can accommodate.
Methodology
CableTV.com’s TV experts keep track of smart TV and gaming tech, with an eye on advancements in TV and gaming technology as well as new TV models and gaming consoles—which we personally test whenever possible. We then share our findings and opinions in reviews, guides, and other articles so that you can make informed buying decisions. To learn more about how we do things, see our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Endnote
- Ian Cumming, Nicholas di Giovanni. RTINGS.com, “Our TV Input Tests,” Nov. 10, 2021. Accessed January 23, 2023.
