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The Samsung S90C QD-OLED TV displaying colorful 4K content in front of a brick wall Credit: Reviewed.com / Timothy Renzi

The Best TVs for Gaming of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The Samsung S90C QD-OLED TV displaying colorful 4K content in front of a brick wall Credit: Reviewed.com / Timothy Renzi

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Editor's Choice Product image of Samsung QN55S90CAFXZA
Best Overall

Samsung QN55S90CAFXZA

Check Price at Samsung

The Samsung S90C delivers an incredible QD-OLED experience (and a wealth of gaming features) for less than top-tier TVs. Read More

Pros

  • Brighter than most OLEDs
  • Fantastic color
  • Wealth of gaming features

Cons

  • So-so software experience
  • No Dolby Vision
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Sony XR-65A95L
Best Upgrade

Sony XR-65A95L

Check Price at Amazon

The Sony A95L doesn’t come cheap, but it’s got the best picture quality money can buy, plus an exhaustive list of extra features. Read More

Pros

  • World-class contrast and color
  • Excellent software and features
  • Sleek, accommodating design

Cons

  • Fewer gaming features than competitors
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Hisense 65U8K
Best Value

Hisense 65U8K

Check Price at Amazon

The Hisense U8K is a bright, colorful, competitively priced TV overflowing with value. Read More

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful
  • Superb local dimming
  • Long list of gaming features

Cons

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 inputs
  • Quirky picture processing
  • Narrow viewing angle for most sizes
4
Editor's Choice Product image of Samsung QN65QN90CAFXZA
Best For Bright Rooms

Samsung QN65QN90CAFXZA

Check Price at Samsung

With its incredible picture and extensive list of features, the Samsung QN90C is one of the best-performing mini-LED TVs you can buy. Read More

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful
  • Impressive local dimming
  • Perfect for dedicated gamers

Cons

  • Off-axis viewing isn’t as sharp
  • Cluttered smart platform
  • No Dolby Vision
5
Editor's Choice Product image of Hisense 55U6K
Best TV Under $500

Hisense 55U6K

Check Price at Amazon

The Hisense U6K is the most affordable mini-LED TV on the market and a great fit for those who want a good-looking TV for daytime viewing. Read More

Pros

  • Offers mini-LEDs for less
  • Bright enough for daytime viewing
  • Excellent quantum-dot color

Cons

  • Motion-related color fringing
  • Narrow viewing angle
  • Lackluster design
  • Best Overall Samsung S90C
  • Best Upgrade Sony A95L
  • Best Value Hisense U8K
  • Best For Bright Rooms Samsung QN90C
  • Best TV Under $500 Hisense U6K
  • Other Top TVs For Gaming We Tested
  • How We Test TVs For Gaming
  • What You Should Know Before Buying a TV for Gaming
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

If you spend more time gaming than you do channel surfing, you've probably got slightly different priorities when buying a new TV. The models that are great for movies may not be optimized for the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. You want great image quality, but also the best gaming features you can find.

That’s why we’ve spent countless hours testing hundreds of TVs to help you pick the right one. The best gaming TV you can buy right now is the Samsung S90C (available at Samsung for $1,899.00) , thanks to its full suite of HDMI 2.1 inputs, its excellent picture quality, and the inclusion of Samsung Gaming Hub.

If that's too pricey, though, we've got plenty of other suggestions. Whatever your budget, there's a great gaming TV for you.

The Samsung S90C QD-OLED TV displaying colorful 4K content in front of a brick wall
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Samsung S90C combines the unbelievable performance of a QD-OLED with an array of exciting gaming features.

Best Overall
Samsung S90C
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77” (QD-OLED), 83” (WOLED)
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Samsung Tizen OS
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K/120Hz (up to 144Hz), ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, Samsung Game Bar, Samsung Gaming Hub

The Samsung S90C is Samsung’s most affordable OLED TV. While it’s not quite as impressive as the step-up S95C, it shares many of the same benefits and features, including all of the S95C’s gaming enhancements. As such, it’s our pick for the best TV for gaming right now.

Every model in the S90C series other than the 83-inch uses a QD-OLED display. The 83-inch version uses a WOLED display and will likely perform differently. Our recommendation, therefore, covers the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models.

The inclusion of quantum dots helps to explain why the S90C is brighter and slightly more colorful than many OLED TVs in its price range (like the LG C3 and the Sony A80K). When paired with the perfect black levels OLED TVs are known for, the S90C’s added brightness makes for a fantastically cinematic experience, particularly in HDR. Small, concentrated areas of brightness really pop.

Picture purists will appreciate the S90C’s razor-sharp Filmmaker mode, which produces an incredibly accurate picture right out of the box. Gamers, on the other hand, will love the S90C’s full-hearted support for current-generation consoles, as the S90C supports 4K gaming at up to 144Hz across all four of its HDMI 2.1 inputs. It also supports ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Samsung’s Gaming Hub streaming software suite.

There are a couple of downsides to report, unfortunately. Being a Samsung TV, the S90C does not support Dolby Vision, opting instead for the open-source alternative, HDR10+. A/V enthusiasts might miss having the option to watch Dolby Vision-enhanced content in its native format. In addition, the S90C’s software (especially its built-in smart platform) often feels like it gets in its own way.

It’s also worth noting just how much pricier the 65-inch model is when compared to the 55-inch version. The 55-inch S90C is the most competitively priced model, and there’s a significant price jump when moving up to the 65-inch version—more so than with most TVs in its class.

Nevertheless, if you’re interested in landing a Samsung-branded OLED TV, the S90C is the most affordable route. It’s an especially good choice for folks shopping in the 55-inch size category.

See our full Samsung S90C review.

Pros

  • Brighter than most OLEDs

  • Fantastic color

  • Wealth of gaming features

Cons

  • So-so software experience

  • No Dolby Vision

$1,899.00 from Samsung

$1,297.99 from Amazon

$1,299.99 from Best Buy

$1,297.99 from Abt
The Sony A95L QD-OLED TV displaying colorful, 4K content in front of a brick wall
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The A95L offers an incredible experience.

Best Upgrade
Sony A95L
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV
  • Gaming features: 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility

The Sony A95L is the follow-up to the A95K, a TV we had previously declared the best we'd ever seen. The A95L is even better than its predecessor. From a picture quality standpoint, it's the best TV money can buy. It also supports several key gaming features. This makes the A95L our pick for the best gaming TV for those who are looking to fully upgrade their home theater setup.

The A95L represents the best QD-OLED technology has to offer. Its color volume is unparalleled, its specular highlights are among the brightest in its class, and Sony's picture processing is second to none. Simply put, everything looks good on the A95L—from cable broadcasts to 4K movies mastered in Dolby Vision.

And if it's features you're after, the A95L is practically overflowing with them. There are more audio- and video-related enhancements than any TV I can remember, including IMAX Enhanced mode, Surface Acoustic Audio, and Bravia Cam support. Gamers are covered, too, as the A95L supports Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and Sony's Game Mode.

Unfortunately, gamers who own two current-gen gaming consoles and an eARC-enabled soundbar will have to juggle their devices across just two HDMI 2.1 inputs. This is the only aspect of the A95L's capabilities that falls short of its top-tier OLED competitors like the Samsung S95C and the LG G3.

It doesn't come cheap, but the Sony A95L is the ultimate TV for those looking for the absolute best picture on the market. If you’re shopping for a high-end gaming TV and you don’t mind losing out on two optimized HDMI 2.1 inputs, the A95L delivers the best picture quality of any TV on this list.

See our full Sony A95L review.

Pros

  • World-class contrast and color

  • Excellent software and features

  • Sleek, accommodating design

Cons

  • Fewer gaming features than competitors

$3,298.00 from Amazon

$3,299.99 from Best Buy

$3,298.00 from Abt

$2,947.00 from Walmart
The Hisense U8K, resting on a media console in front of a brick wall, displaying a 4K/HDR image of a city skyline
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Hisense U8K offers great performance for a price most people can justify.

Best Value
Hisense U8K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85"
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV
  • Gaming features: 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, AMD Freesync Premium Pro

If you’re shopping for a high-performance TV without a high-end price, the Hisense U8K should be at the top of your list. Its set of features and picture quality rival some of the best LED TVs from competitive brands, but its price tag is much lower. It's not quite as powerful a gaming machine as other high-end TVs, but there’s enough here to satisfy casual and dedicated gamers alike.

Like many top-shelf TVs in 2023, the U8K blends mini-LEDs and quantum dots for a bright, colorful picture. Its high amount of dimming zones and excellent local dimming software keep its black levels inky while minimizing light bloom. If you have a brighter-than-average living space, the U8K is a slam dunk; it’s one of the brightest TVs of the year, and its average picture brightness is plenty sufficient to cut through sunlight.

It’s equipped with two HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz gaming (or up to 144Hz with VRR), as well as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Its picture processing isn’t as sharp as some of the other TVs in its class, and like all mini-LED TVs, the picture quality gets noticeably worse during off-axis viewing. Nevertheless, with 55-inch models starting at $750 and 65-inch models frequently on sale for about $1,000, the U8K is positively overflowing with value.

See our full Hisense U8K review.

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful

  • Superb local dimming

  • Long list of gaming features

Cons

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 inputs

  • Quirky picture processing

  • Narrow viewing angle for most sizes

$998.00 from Amazon

$999.99 from Best Buy

$998.00 from Walmart
The 65-inch Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV in a living room setting displaying a 4K image of a shoreline
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Samsung QN90C is one of the brightest LED TVs we’ve reviewed this year.

Best For Bright Rooms
Samsung QN90C
  • Screen sizes: 43", 50", 55", 65”, 75”, 85”
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Tizen OS
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K/120Hz (up to 144Hz), ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, Samsung Game Bar, Samsung Gaming Hub

As we've come to expect from Samsung's Neo QLED line, the QN90C is sensationally bright and colorful. It's one of the brightest TVs of the year, making it a great choice for folks with sun-soaked living spaces. The QN90C's sheer brightness and quantum dot-enhanced display make for an impressively punchy palette of colors, regardless of what you're watching.

Most impressive, however, is the QN90C's local dimming, which does a remarkably good job of keeping all of that brightness in check. Rarely did we notice any light bloom around brighter objects, including bright, white subtitles during darker shows and movies. Simply put, if you have your heart set on a mini-LED TV, the QN90C is one of the best at implementing that display technology.

Gamers will feel right at home with the QN90C, as it offers a full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K gaming up to 144Hz, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and AMD FreeSync Premium. Like many high-end Samsung TVs this year, the QN90C also supports Samsung's cloud gaming software suite, Gaming Hub. This allows users to access a host of popular cloud gaming services—no console required.

Like all LED TVs, the QN90C doesn't look quite as good when viewed from an off-axis position. We also find the overall software experience to be fussier than Google TV. Nevertheless, the QN90C is one of the best mini-LED TVs money can buy, and certainly one of the best TVs of the year.

See our full Samsung QN90C review.

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful

  • Impressive local dimming

  • Perfect for dedicated gamers

Cons

  • Off-axis viewing isn’t as sharp

  • Cluttered smart platform

  • No Dolby Vision

$2,799.00 from Samsung

$1,497.99 from Amazon

$1,499.99 from Best Buy

$1,497.99 from Abt
The Hisense U6K Mini-LED TV on a table with a brick background.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Thanks to mini-LED display technology, the Hisense U6K delivers excellent performance for a budget TV.

Best TV Under $500
Hisense U6K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.0 ports that support 4K gaming at 60Hz, ALLM, VRR

The 55-inch Hisense U6K is the most affordable mini-LED TV on the market, making it a great choice for gamers shopping for a budget-friendly TV with a hefty amount of performance-related upside. Its picture quality is better than most TVs in its price range, and although it's not packed to the brim with gaming features, there should be enough here to satisfy most bargain-hunters.

The U6K owes most of its success to its mini-LED display. This hardware is typically reserved for pricier TVs, but the U6K features a scaled down version of the technology with fewer dimming zones, keeping it firmly locked into a budget-friendly price bracket. With mini-LEDs in tow, the U6K offers tighter dimming zone control than entry-level and mid-range TVs that rely on traditional LEDs.

It’s bright enough for casual daytime viewing and looks good in the dark, too. With quantum dots in play, the U6K is also quite colorful for a mid-range TV; it covers an impressive 96% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3). It’s not as gaming-friendly as pricier TVs from Hisense and competitive brands, but Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) are included.

The U6K isn’t a powerful gaming machine, but it’s more gaming-focused than most of its competitors. While most TVs in this price range support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), the U6K takes it a step further with its support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), a feature that dynamically adjusts the display’s refresh rate to limit visual artifacts during gaming.

There are a few drawbacks to the U6K’s otherwise excellent approach: Its design isn’t as sturdy or sleek as we’d like, and there are some picture processing issues that spoil some of the fun. Like many Hisense TVs, the U6K often exhibits a subtle, red-tinted ghosting effect on objects in motion, particularly during dimly lit scenes in warm lighting. It also struggles to upscale sub-4K content as cleanly as other mid-range TVs.

Still, if you’re looking for an affordable gaming TV that delivers better performance than most in its class, the U6K is a great pick.

See our full Hisense U6K review.

Pros

  • Offers mini-LEDs for less

  • Bright enough for daytime viewing

  • Excellent quantum-dot color

Cons

  • Motion-related color fringing

  • Narrow viewing angle

  • Lackluster design

$398.00 from Amazon

$399.99 from Best Buy

$398.00 from Walmart

Other Top TVs For Gaming We Tested

Product image of Samsung QN55S95CAFXZA
Samsung S95C
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 77”
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Samsung Tizen OS
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K/120Hz (up to 144Hz), ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, Samsung Game Bar, Samsung Gaming Hub

The second generation of Samsung’s quantum dot-enhanced OLED display technology is even more stunning than the first. With class-leading brightness, incredibly vibrant color, and a bevy of gaming features, the Samsung S95C picks up right where its predecessor (the S95B) left off.

An S95B on sale is still the better financial option, unless you’re after a 77-inch model or want the flexibility of Samsung’s One Connect box which puts all connections in a conveniently detached box, both only offered with the S95C.

The S95C is the brightest OLED we’ve tested to date, with HDR specular highlights reaching as high as 1,400 nits. Colors on the S95C look spectacular no matter what you happen to be watching, but HDR movies, shows, and video games look especially vibrant. The S95C covers 99% of the HDR color gamut, and the sheer luminosity of its quantum dot-enhanced palette truly makes a difference.

The S95C is a gaming powerhouse and its low input lag and 144Hz native refresh rate are just the tip of the iceberg. All four of its HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K/120Hz gaming, along with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and AMD FreeSync Premium. Like last year’s model, the S95C also offers Samsung Gaming Hub (a cloud gaming platform) and Game Bar, a settings menu that puts the TV’s various gaming enhancements right at your fingertips.

As is the case with all Samsung TVs, you won’t be getting Dolby Vision support with the S95C. Instead, the TV offers HDR10+ support in its place, an HDR format that harnesses frame-by-frame metadata similarly. In addition, while the S95C’s software has seen subtle improvements year over year, we find the user interface to be somewhat confusing and certain processes to be slow, which might disappoint those looking for a simple, easy smart platform experience.

See our full Samsung S95C review.

Pros

  • Incredible contrast

  • Dazzling color

  • Fantastic gaming support

Cons

  • Sluggish, cluttered software

  • Raised black levels in ambient light

  • No Dolby Vision support

$2,499.00 from Samsung

$1,797.99 from Amazon

$1,799.99 from Best Buy

$1,797.99 from Abt
Product image of LG Evo OLED65C3PUA
LG C3
  • Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 83”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 23
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, LG Game Optimizer menu

With its incredible picture quality and extensive selection of gaming-related features, the LG C3 OLED is a great choice for gamers who want a high-end experience but don’t want to spend within the highest price tier.

The C3 pairs picture-perfect black levels with punchy highlights and rich, voluminous color. It’s brighter than its predecessor, but only by a hair due to new picture processing enhancements that manage light output.

Few TVs offer as many gaming-related features as the LG C3 including ultra-low input lag, four HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz gaming, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The C3 also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. LG’s Game Optimizer is back, too, which gives gamers an easy-to-access menu for adjusting the TV’s picture and toggling its gaming-related enhancements on the fly.

The C3 is at its best when displaying HDR content, covering an impressive 99% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3) and doling out highlights as bright as 800 nits. Picture purists will appreciate the TV’s out-of-the-box accuracy and Dolby Vision support, and everyone in the room will appreciate the C3’s remarkably wide viewing angles (a hallmark of OLED displays).

See our full LG C3 review.

Pros

  • Incredible contrast

  • Vivid, accurate color

  • All the gaming features you’ll need

Cons

  • So-so smart platform

  • Not as bright as competitive OLEDs

Buy now at LG

$1,596.99 from Amazon

$1,599.99 from Best Buy

$1,596.99 from Abt
Product image of LG OLED65G3PUA
LG G3
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77” (with MLA), 83” (without MLA)
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 23
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, LG Game Optimizer menu

The G3 OLED is one of the best TVs LG has ever made, thanks in part to its unique Micro Lens Array (MLA) panel technology. This special hardware allows the G3 to produce peak white highlights at brightness levels on par with QD-OLED TVs. When you put those highlights alongside perfect black levels, magic things happen to the picture. (Note: The 83-inch G3 does not feature MLA technology.)

Gaming enthusiasts will be thrilled to see a full suite of HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K gaming at 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync, and Auto Low Latency Mode. Like all LG OLEDs, the G3 also offers Game Optimizer mode—a convenient set of enhancements to improve the experience from one game to the next.

Like its predecessors, the G3 is designed to hang on the wall like a portrait. This means if you want to set up the G3 on a media console, you'll have to fork over an extra $150 to $200 for a compatible, first-party stand. If you wall-mount the G3, however, you'll be treated to a work of art. There is no gap between the panel and the wall, and its metallic border calls to mind a fancy frame.

The G3 is not perfect, though. Those chasing the brightest, boldest colors an OLED has to offer might want to explore alternatives. While its colors are spectacular to behold (and accurate right out of the box), the G3 lags behind QD-OLED when it comes to color volume. In addition, the G3's stand is wobbly, and the configuration causes the panel to lean back slightly, which might bother some.

That said, it's among the best OLEDs money can buy, which puts it near the top of the list of the best TVs, period. It's an especially good pick for those looking to wall-mount their next gaming TV.

See our full LG G3 review.

Pros

  • Excellent contrast and out-of-the-box accuracy

  • A gaming powerhouse

  • Attractive wall-mounted design

Cons

  • Lackluster tabletop configuration

  • Lags behind QD-OLED in some ways

  • So-so streaming platform

Buy now at LG

Buy now at Amazon

$2,299.99 from Best Buy

$2,296.99 from Abt
Product image of LG Evo OLED55C3PUA
LG C2
  • Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 83”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 22
  • Gaming features: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, LG Game Optimizer menu

The LG C2 was originally released in 2022, but you can still find great deals on this award-winning OLED TV.

The C2 is one of our favorite TVs for gamers. All four inputs are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1, supporting 4K gaming at 120 Hz. It comes with features for optimizing frame rate and reducing input lag, including Auto Low Latency (ALLM) Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. LG’s Game Optimizer menu lets you toggle VRR and picture options, and keeps frame rate information handy while you play.

In HDR, the TV can produce specular highlights in the 700- to 800-nit range, and it covers about 97% of the HDR color space (DCI-P3). SDR content (like most cable broadcasts) also looks spectacular, though not as bright. HDR support includes Dolby Vision, a big draw for cinephiles.

It’s not perfect. It doesn’t support DTS audio, diminishing the experience of some Blu-Rays. We’re also not a fan of LG’s webOS smart platform, which is slow and full of sponsored content. Still, that’s nothing an affordable streaming device can’t fix.

The LG C2 is a successful addition to a long line of winning LG OLED TVs. It’s pricier than most TVs, but its world-class performance and wide array of features justify the price tag.

See our full LG C2 review.

Pros

  • Incredible contrast

  • Vivid, accurate color

  • All the gaming features you’ll need

Cons

  • So-so smart platform

  • Not as bright as competitive OLEDs

Buy now at LG

$1,396.99 from Amazon

$1,399.99 from Best Buy

$1,399.99 from Target
Product image of Sony XR-55A80K
Sony A80K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77"
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV
  • Gaming features: 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz, ALLM, VRR, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility

The A80K is the most affordable Sony OLED TV on the market and is currently seeing some deep discounts, making it a terrific option for bargain-hunting gamers who appreciate the look and feel of a Sony-branded TV.

Like all OLED displays, the A80K sports perfect black levels and incredible contrast, especially when viewed in a dark room. It also boasts the ultra-wide viewing angles of an OLED, maintaining excellent contrast and color saturation wherever you’re sitting in the room. Its color gamut coverage is remarkable, covering 99% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3) with impressive accuracy when using the “Custom” picture mode.

Unfortunately, A80K loses some luster when you compare it to other OLED TVs in its price bracket. It isn’t as bright as the competition, topping out at around 700 nits of brightness when displaying small, concentrated highlights. Meanwhile, the LG C3 bumps right up against 800 nits and the Samsung S90C eclipses 1,000 nits. OLED TVs already struggle in bright rooms, and the A80K struggles more than most in its price range.

The A80K is also not quite as gaming-friendly as competitively-priced OLED TVs. It features HDMI 2.1 and all of its benefits (ALLM, VRR, and 4K gaming at 120Hz), but only on two of its four inputs—one of which is also the dedicated eARC port. Meanwhile, the C3 and the S90C have those features on all four of their inputs.

Nevertheless, the A80K sports a sensational picture, a fast, user-friendly smart platform powered by Google TV, and an elegant design. Sony’s superb picture processing ties the whole recipe together. As long as you’re not planting the A80K in a bright room (and you don’t mind missing out on some of the benefits of its competitors), it’ll serve you well.

See our full Sony A80K review.

Pros

  • Excellent color and contrast

  • Elegant design

Cons

  • Not as bright as other OLEDs

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

Buy now at Amazon

$1,399.00 from Walmart
Product image of TCL 65QM850G
TCL QM8
  • Screen sizes: 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV
  • Gaming features: 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz (up to 144Hz), ALLM, VRR, TCL Game Master

The TCL QM8 is one of the best TVs TCL has ever made. It’s a fantastic pick for gamers who yearn for a high-performance TV at a lower cost than most flagships. It combines mini-LEDs and quantum dots for a bright, colorful picture, a better-than-average selection of gaming features, and a reliable smart platform, all for a price that comes in lower than most TVs with similar spec sheets.

The QM8 is one of the brightest TVs of the year, and it doesn’t matter what you’re watching. SDR content (cable TV, over-the-air broadcasts, and most streaming content) is bright enough to hold up in even the most sun-drenched rooms, and HDR content (UHD Blu-rays and Dolby Vision streaming titles, for example) looks superb. Specular highlights climb as high as 2,000 nits, and the QM8’s impressive local dimming algorithm ensures that the TV’s high-octane mini-LEDs aren’t bleeding into surrounding darkness. In fact, the QM8’s ability to limit light bloom (while still providing fiercely bright highlights) is its best quality.

Almost as good as the QM8’s contrast is its color production. Its quantum dot-enhanced display covers about 96% of the HDR color gamut, and while it’s not quite as accurate out of the box as other TVs in its price range, its most accurate picture mode still looks great.

At first blush, gaming enthusiasts might balk at the fact that only two of the QM8’s HDMI inputs support 4K gaming at up to 144Hz, but there’s good news: The TV’s dedicated eARC port is separate from its pair of gaming-enhanced inputs, so owners of multiple current-generation consoles don’t have to play favorites with their ports.

Like most mini-LED TVs, off-axis viewing is a good way to spoil the fun; the QM8’s contrast is at its worst when viewed from off to the side. Its design isn’t as fetching as other TVs in its class, either. That said, if you’re looking for a jaw-droppingly bright LED TV with a friendlier price than most, the QM8 might be the ticket.

See our full TCL QM8 review.

Pros

  • Bright and Colorful

  • Exceptional local dimming

  • Great for gamers

Cons

  • Design lacks polish

  • Picture quality drops off-axis

$999.99 from Best Buy

$998.00 from Walmart
Product image of Hisense 65U7K
Hisense U7K
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The U7K is right in the middle of Hisense’s mini-LED lineup, sandwiched between the entry-level U6K and the top-shelf U8K. It’s a great fit for those who are looking for a better-than-average TV but don’t want to cross into a higher price range. It’s an especially great pick for gamers on a budget.

Although it doesn’t showcase small, specular highlights as impressively as its higher-end counterpart, the U7K is nevertheless bright enough for most living spaces on account of its relatively high average picture brightness. Its HDR performance in particular won’t exactly wow dedicated A/V enthusiasts, but most people will be perfectly pleased with the U7K’s picture–especially those upgrading from an older TV.

The U7K’s set of gaming features is terrific. It supports 4K gaming at 120Hz (or 144Hz for PC gaming), ALLM, VRR, and FreeSync Premium Pro. Unfortunately, only two of its HDMI inputs are optimized for gaming, and one of them also functions as the TV’s eARC port. If you own two consoles and a soundbar, they’ll be fighting over one of the HDMI 2.1 inputs.

The U7K is a respectable, affordable TV that ought to entice casual viewers and gamers alike.

See our full Hisense U7K review.

Pros

  • Bright picture

  • Impressive backlight control

  • Great gaming features for the price

Cons

  • HDR content often looks washed out

  • Minor motion-related color fringing

$748.00 from Amazon

$749.99 from Best Buy

$748.00 from Walmart

How We Test TVs For Gaming

Credit: Reviewed

Our lab is outfitted with much of the same equipment you would find at a factory that manufactures and calibrates televisions.

The Testers

Reviewed has been testing TVs for over a decade. Our Home Theater expert, Michael Desjardin, has been at Reviewed since 2014. A film enthusiast and TV expert, he takes picture quality seriously, but also understands that not every TV is a good fit for everyone.

John Higgins is Reviewed's A/V & Electronics Senior Editor. He has been reviewing, measuring, and calibrating TVs for years and is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator.

A TV tester measuring a TV's contrast
Credit: Reviewed / Chris Snow

We measure things like peak brightness, black level, hue, and so on.

The Tests

At our Cambridge, Massachusetts laboratory, we test TVs with much of the same equipment factories use to manufacture and calibrate them.

Our hardware includes a SpectralCal C-6 HDR2000 colorimeter, a Konica Minolta CS-200 tristimulus color meter and a LS-100 luminance meter. We have a Leo Bodnar input lag tester, and a Murideo Seven 8K signal generator for testing 8K TV features.

For software, we use Portrait Displays’ Calman Ultimate color calibration software. It’s the industry standard for display measurement and screen calibration.

Over many years, we’ve developed a testing strategy that collects enough esoteric data to satisfy curious video engineers, while also focusing on what matters to the average viewer. We measure factors like brightness, black levels, and color, weighing our scores based on the order that the human eye processes information like brightness and color.

We also just spend time using the TV like normal, looking for any unexpected difficulties or little frustrations.

What You Should Know Before Buying a TV for Gaming

There are plenty of factors involved in buying a TV, and image quality is a big one. However, if you specifically want to play games, you have a few extra factors to consider. There are plenty of extra features available focused on making a smooth gaming experience.

That includes minimizing the lag between pressing a button and seeing the result onscreen. It also includes helping the frame rate of the game and the refresh rate of the television match each other for smooth visuals. Here are some terms and features to know.

What Is HDMI 2.1 And Do I Need It?

HDMI 2.1 is the latest version of the HDMI interface, featuring both improved ports and cables. This new standard is a requirement for 4K gaming at 120Hz, or even 8K gaming at 60Hz.

Some TVs may include features that are standard for HDMI 2.1—like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, but won’t include HDMI 2.1 ports themselves. That means you get some neat enhancements, but you won’t get 4K/120Hz gaming.

What Is Refresh Rate And Why Is It Important For Gaming?

TVs scan and refresh their images many times every second. The number of times, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the refresh rate. The current standards are 60Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz. The more often the TV updates its picture, the smoother and more realistic motion will appear.

TVs with a native refresh rate of 120Hz and above are better equipped to deliver a smooth video game experience. However, you can still get a lot out of 60Hz TVs, especially if you’re on a budget.

Finally, refresh rate (Hz) is not the same as the fps, or frames per second, of what you’re watching—but they are related. A TV with a 4K at 60Hz function can often play lower-resolution, 1080p (full-HD) content at 120 frames per second.

What Is Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)?

Variable Refresh Rate, or “VRR,” is a software feature that helps a TV adjust its refresh rate to match the frame rate of a game. This helps prevent visual problems like screen tearing or artifacting. Some forms of VRR carry names, like Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync.

What is Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)?

Auto Low Latency Mode, or “ALLM,” is a feature that allows a TV to automatically switch into its designated gaming mode when you start a game. It adjusts the settings to minimize input lag and low latency without you having to make those adjustments manually.

ALLM is part of the HDMI 2.1 standard. If you see an HDMI 2.1 port, you know you’ve got ALLM. However, some TVs include ALLM even without having the latest HDMI technology.

What Is Input Lag?

Input lag is the time between the player making a physical input and seeing the result onscreen. Too much input lag can be a big problem in games that require split-second reflexes, and it's even worse if you're playing online. Thankfully, input lag is minimal on most modern TVs.

How Do I Reduce Input Lag?

Your TV may have features that you can enable to reduce its input lag. Here are some things to consider.

1. Turn on Game Mode. Most TVs have a "Game Mode" (or some similar) that enables faster response times. This may be an option under "Video Mode," a preset picture setting, or even a standalone setting that you can toggle on or off. It usually turns off reduction features and motion-smoothing modes, and pumps up the brightness and color saturation. TVs that offer Auto Low Latency Mode will automatically enable Game Mode when playing a video game.

2. Turn off reduction features. Most TVs on the market today come with at least a few reduction settings. They may be hidden deep in sub-menus and tricky to find, but it’s worth seeking them out.

These settings have many names. You may see: Noise Reduction, Mosquito Reduction, NR Reduction, and MPEG Reduction. Whatever they may be called, they always increase input lag.

If a certain feature sounds enticing, at least try to play the game without it first. You can always turn it on later, but you may notice that it affects response when you do.

3. Turn off motion enhancements. Nearly every TV that we've tested for input lag goes from excellent (sub-30ms input lag) to horrible (over 80ms input lag) just by turning motion smoothing on. Whatever else there is to say about it, it’s terrible for gaming.

Meet the testers

Michael Desjardin

Michael Desjardin

Senior Staff Writer

@Reviewed

Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media production and screenwriting. He specializes in tech for Reviewed, but also loves film criticism, weird ambient music, cooking, and food in general.

See all of Michael Desjardin's reviews
John Higgins

John Higgins

Managing Editor, Tech

@johntmhiggins

John is Reviewed's Managing Editor of Tech. He is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator with bylines at ProjectorCentral, Wirecutter, IGN, Home Theater Review, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine. When away from the Reviewed office, he is a sound editor for film, a musician, and loves to play games with his son.

See all of John Higgins's reviews
Michael Garrett Steele

Michael Garrett Steele

Contributor

@MGarrettSteele

Michael Garrett Steele has been writing and editing professionally since 2013, and has been a part of Reviewed since 2020. An MFA in music composition, Garrett has lent audio expertise to everyone from Independence Community College to Bethesda Softworks, informing reviews of audio equipment and services. Garrett also covers tech, drawing on experience working everywhere from IT helpdesks to enterprise architecture sales. Steele has also become a go-to reviewer for minor plumbing fixtures since covering bidets for Reviewed in early 2020.

See all of Michael Garrett Steele's reviews

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