Background information
The perfect gaming TV: what you need to know
by Luca Fontana
Gaming TVs for every budget: find the right one for you
3.10.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
Finding the right TV for your needs isn't an easy task. Especially if you're into gaming. Here's a list of gaming TVs for every budget – from pricey to affordable.
I recently wrote an article about what gamers should look out for when buying a TV. Here's a quick summary of three main aspects:
- Low input lag – max. 20 milliseconds.
- Game mode that can be activated on the TV – this reduces lag time even further.
- Short response time (max. 20 milliseconds) – so the images don’t slide, even in game mode.
The frame rate is important if you're considering the next generation of consoles or want to connect your PC directly to the TV: in these cases, look for an HDMI 2.1 interface (especially for consoles) or variable frame rates (especially for PCs). Both are rather pricey additions.
What makes things tricky is that not many manufacturers publish actual figures. That's why our product managers added the filter option «For gaming». Rtings.com offers a comprehensive database, too.
And because you also asked me about it in the comments to the gaming TV article, I decided to do some research for you and have come up with a list of gaming TVs to cater for a range of budgets.
By the way: the input lag is always measured in the game mode of the TV.
High-end gaming TVs
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 13.8 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 13.7 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 16.2 milliseconds
- Response time: 1.6 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: HDMI Forum VRR (HDMI 2.1)
OLED TV with HDMI 2.1. The Alpha 7-Gen-2 processor is the second most powerful TV processor LG has ever built. Let’s say, it darn powerful. The input lag is extremely low for a TV and the response time is extremely low for an OLED TV.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 13.5 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 13.4 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 13.4 milliseconds
- Response time: 2.4 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: HDMI Forum VRR (HDMI 2.1) and Nvidia G-Sync
OLED TV with HDMI 2.1. The Alpha 7-Gen-2 processor is the most powerful TV processor LG has ever built. The input lag is extremely low for a TV and the response time is extremely low for an OLED TV. Thanks to Nvidia G-Sync support, this TV is suitable for PC gamers with an Nvidia graphics card who want to use the TV as a monitor.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 14.7 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 14.7 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 14.6 milliseconds
- Response time: 9.6 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: AMD FreeSync
This QLED TV is equipped with nanoparticle technology with Full Array Local Dimming but without HDMI 2.1. The AI Quantum Processor-4K is the second most powerful TV processor. The response time is very low. Thanks to AMD-FreeSync support, this TV is suitable for PC gamers with an AMD or recent Nvidia graphics card who want to use the TV as a monitor.
Mid-range gaming TVs
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 14.0 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 14.0 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 13.8 milliseconds
- Response time: 12.4 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: not supported
This NanoCell TV is equipped with nanoparticle technology without HDMI 2.1. The Alpha 7-Gen-2 processor is the second most powerful TV processor LG has ever built. The input lag is extremely low for a TV and the response time is low.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 19.7 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 21.2 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 21.4 milliseconds
- Response time: 9.7 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: not supported
This Triluminos TV is equipped with nanoparticle technology without HDMI 2.1. The X1 Ultimate processor is the most powerful TV processor Sony has ever built. The input lag is low for a TV and the response time is very low.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 15.0 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 15.0 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 14.9 milliseconds
- Response time: 13.7 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: AMD FreeSync
This QLED TV is equipped with nanoparticle technology with Full Array Local Dimming but without HDMI 2.1. The AI Quantum processor 4K is the second most powerful TV processor Samsung has ever built. The input lag is low for a TV and the response time is low. Thanks to AMD-FreeSync support, this TV is suitable for PC gamers with an AMD or recent Nvidia graphics card who want to use the TV as a monitor.
Entry-level gaming TVs
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 10.8 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 10.8 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 10.9 milliseconds
- Response time: 19.5 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 60 Hz
- Variable frame rate: not supported
This TV comes with LCD technology but without HDMI 2.1. The UHD processor is decent for an entry-level TV. The input lag is extremely low for a TV and the response time is low.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 17.6 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 19.2 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 19.6 milliseconds
- Response time: 12.4 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 60 Hz
- Variable frame rate: not supported
This TV is equipped with LCD technology and Full Array Local Dimming but comes without HDMI 2.1. The input lag is low for a TV and the response time is low.
- Input lag FHD, 60 fps: 14.7 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, 60 fps: 14.6 milliseconds
- Input lag UHD, HDR, 60 fps: 14.6 milliseconds
- Response time: 10.4 milliseconds
- Native frame rate: 120 Hz
- Variable frame rate: AMD FreeSync
This QLED TV is equipped with nanoparticle technology without HDMI 2.1. The AI Quantum processor 4K is the second most powerful TV processor Samsung has ever built. Let’s say, it's darn powerful. The input lag is very low for a TV and the response time is low. Thanks to AMD-FreeSync support, this TV is suitable for PC gamers with an AMD or recent Nvidia graphics card who want to use the TV as a monitor.
Check out our full range of gaming TVs.
Considering a second TV for your living room, bedroom, office or any other room? Or you're interested in projectors or have questions about projecor screens?
In other words: hat would you like to find a shopping guide on next?
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
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