Whether you have a PS4 or PS5, Xbox One X or Xbox Series X, or even a gaming PC, you’ll want to play on the best gaming TV possible to make the most of your console. Each of these gaming machines is capable of outputting 4K and HDR content, which means pictures appear brighter, more detailed and more colourful when displayed on a 4K HDR TV compared to a standard FHD set.

But there’s plenty more to consider: the best TVs for gaming must have good motion clarity, strong contrast and bold colour handling, too. And you can’t forget about issues such as response time, refresh rate and burn-in, either.

Here at Expert Reviews, we test every TV that’s worth knowing about and in this article we’ve rounded up the models that are best suited to next-gen gaming. If you know your ALLM from your VRR, then you can jump straight into our list of the best gaming TVs. Got a few questions first? The buying guide below is here to help.

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Best gaming TVs: At a glance

Best QLED gaming TV: Samsung Q95T | from £1,249

Best OLED gaming TV: LG C1 | from £1,299

Best Sony gaming TV: Sony XH90 | from £769

How to choose the best TV for gaming for you

Why is input lag so important?

Input lag is the delay between executing an action (such as pressing a button) and the actual result manifesting itself on the TV screen. In terms of numbers, the higher the input lag, the more sluggish the game will feel. This obviously affects gameplay, especially for fast-paced games such as racing and first-person shooter titles.

Modern smart TVs come with complicated picture-processing algorithms that can increase input lag significantly, with everything from motion enhancement to deinterlacing having some impact. As a result, a lot of TV manufacturers now include a specific Game mode that minimises input lag.

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What are VRR, ALLM and 4K at 120Hz?

In recent years, we’ve begun to see mid-range and premium televisions adding support for a number of exciting “next-gen” gaming features, and they’re well worth knowing about if you want to get the best out of your new console or high-end PC.

VRR: Unlike films and TV shows, gaming frame rates fluctuate depending on the amount of processing required by the GPU. That’s where variable refresh rate (VRR) comes in: it allows the TV to adjust its refresh rate to match that of the game’s, thus minimising judder, lag and frame-tearing for smoother, more fluid gameplay. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync are two well-known forms of VRR.

ALLM: TVs supporting auto low-latency mode (ALLM) will automatically switch to a low-latency Game mode when compatible consoles are connected, helping the TV to deliver the fastest possible response times. Picture quality will take a small hit in low-latency modes because the TV has to dial back its picture processing to speed up response times.

4K at 120Hz: The PS5 and Xbox Series X are able to output games on a 4K signal at up to 120fps – double the frames that last-gen consoles could generate. Most TVs today are still 60Hz, however, meaning they can’t display games at anything above 60fps. Frustratingly, buying a new 120Hz TV doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to see your games in 4K at 120fps; unless your 120Hz TV is HDMI 2.1-compliant, it will be limited to a 4K 60Hz input.

Are OLED TVs really the best?

TVs with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels use an organic material that emits light when a current is passed through it. Each pixel acts as its own light source, and pixels can also turn off completely to achieve perfect black. This means that OLEDs can achieve amazing levels of contrast compared to their LCD counterparts.

However, OLEDs do tend to be more expensive and they also run the risk of incurring permanent burn-in, or image retention. This can occur when an image – such as the HUD in a video game – stays on the same part of the screen for long periods of time. In normal use, burn-in shouldn’t be a concern, and most OLEDs come with years of warranty.

Should I buy an LCD instead?

Liquid-crystal display (LCD) TVs are bulkier than OLEDs counterparts because they use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to backlight the panel’s liquid crystals. Cheaper LCD TVs often have only a few LED strips, whereas a premium LCD model can have hundreds of independently controlled LED zones behind the panel.

LCDs carry absolutely no risk of burn-in, and they can also reach much higher levels of peak brightness, which is a bonus for well-lit living rooms. With that said, OLEDs offer superior viewing angles over LCDs; if your furniture doesn’t face the TV directly then an OLED would be preferable so you don’t miss out on image contrast, brightness and colour vibrancy.

What about QLED TVs?

QLEDs are LCD LED TVs with a layer of microscopic quantum dots that emit colour in reaction to light, enabling the panel to reach higher levels of peak brightness. While QLED is not a proprietary technology, most QLED TVs today are made by Samsung. LG also has its own TV panel technology called NanoCell. Something of a rival to QLED, NanoCell LCD panels have a particle film that boosts the TV’s colour vibrancy.

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The best gaming TVs to buy in 2021

1. Samsung Q80T 55in (QE55Q80T): Cheapest gaming TV with HDMI 2.1 and FALD lighting

Price when reviewed: £899 (55in model) | Buy now from Very

The excellent mid-range Q80T from Samsung is the South Korean brand’s most affordable 2021 4K QLED TV to have both full-array local dimming (FALD) backlighting and HDMI 2.1 support. Although there is a cheaper 49in version of the Q80T, it’s important to note that it doesn’t have a 120Hz refresh rate or VRR. To get the full range of features on the Q80T, you need to buy at least the 55in model that we were sent for testing.

Like the pricier Q95T listed below, the Q80T has a 120Hz refresh rate and a lone HDMI 2.1 input that supports VRR, ALLM and 4K@120Hz, meaning it’s got everything you’ll need to make the most of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Input lag is an ultra-low 12ms, which is just behind the Q95T’s 10ms and not far off the LG C1’s class-leading result of 6ms. Suffice to say, you won’t need to worry about response times holding back your performance when you game on the Q80T.

On the HDR front, the Q80T is equally impressive. With its 50 independently controlled dimming zones and quantum dot layer, the panel can achieve a very high peak brightness yet is still able to retain specular highlight details. Overall, the HDR experience is much more impactful than on its predecessor, the Q70R, and it’s the best you can get from a 4K LCD TV at this price.

Buy now from Very

2. LG C1 55in (OLED55C16LA): The best OLED for next-gen consoles

Price when reviewed: £1,299 (48in model) | Buy now from Amazon

When it comes to next-gen gaming TVs, the LG C1 has cornered the market. With its 120Hz OLED display, Alpha 9 Gen 4 processor and four HDMI 2.1 inputs, it’s ready for everything that the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 can throw at it. On the LG C1, you’ll find every gaming-centric HDMI 2.1 feature you need: VRR (including G-Sync and FreeSync) for fluid, tear-free play; ALLM to boot the TV into a low input lag Game mode; eARC for lossless audio passthrough; and 4K gaming at 120Hz.

When Game mode is activated, the C1 is capable of astonishing response times. On a 4K/120Hz signal, we recorded an input lag of only 6ms. That’s the fastest response time of any TV we’ve tested to date. Although the Alpha 9 Gen 4 chipset has to tune down its picture processing to reduce input lag in Game mode, overall image quality remains superb.

Speaking of image quality, the C1 has one of the most impressive, colour-accurate displays on the market. And with its pixel-level control, it can achieve perfect black, resulting in a stunning level of contrast for games and films. Viewing angles are excellent on the C1, and it does a great job of reducing diffusion from external light sources, too. Add in Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG and Dolby Atmos, and the LG C1 is clearly the best all-around OLED for gamers and movie buffs alike.

3. Samsung Q95T 55in (QE55Q95T): The brightest 4K QLED gaming TV ever

Price when reviewed: £1,799 (55in model) | Now £1,249 from Amazon

The Samsung Q95T might not be as well equipped for gaming as the LG C1 OLED, but it’s definitely a close second. Thanks to its lone HDMI 2.1-compliant input (HDMI 4), the Q95T is capable of 4K at 120Hz playback and supports VRR for a tear-free gaming experience. It also supports ALLM to kick the TV into Game mode for lower input lag, and response times are excellent: we measured a lightning-quick input lag of 10ms on a 4K at 60Hz signal when Game mode was engaged. Because it’s an LCD LED, the Q95T has absolutely no risk of screen burn-in, unlike the LG C1.

With its anti-glare filter and exceptional peak brightness, the Q95T is the perfect choice if you prefer to game with the lights on. And thanks to the panel’s viewing angle compensation film, you’ll still see a great picture when you’re not facing the TV dead-on. Meanwhile, the handy external One Connect box helps keep your play zone free of cable spaghetti.

Although the Q95T has half the number of local dimming zones of its predecessor, the Q90R, Samsung’s local dimming algorithm has come along in leaps and bounds. Shadow detail is now much clearer in darker scenes and game sequences, while specular highlights are more pronounced. Suffice to say, the Q95T is well prepared for the arrival of the Xbox Series X and PS5.

4. Hisense Roku TV 50in (R50A7200UK): The best budget 4K gaming TV

Price when reviewed: £379 (43in model) | Buy now from Argos

If you’ve yet to make the leap to 4K because the high prices put you off, Hisense’s 2021 Roku TV could be the perfect opportunity for you to finally get on board. Pretty much unrivalled for its balance of features and affordability, the Roku’s VA-type LCD panel using direct LED lighting is able to deliver brighter pictures and higher colour accuracy than its modest price tag would suggest.

As well as serviceable 4K SDR playback, the Roku comes equipped with one of the best TV operating systems on the market. Packed with a full roster of streaming services – including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and Now (formerly NowTV) – and compatible with media players such as Plex, Roku OS is versatile and extremely easy to use. As an added bonus, Roku’s own streaming app, the Roku Channel, has an ever growing list of content that is completely free to watch, albeit with adverts.

While the unremarkable HDR and relatively low refresh rate won’t make this the ultimate gaming experience, at this price point the heights reached here are still noteworthy. If higher specifications are important to you (or you want additional features such as HDR10+, VRR or ALLM), you’re better off browsing the rest of this list – but be prepared to up your budget. If you’re looking for 4K playback that won’t break the bank, the Roku is the one for you.

Buy now from Argos

5. Sony XH90 75in (75XH9005): Big-screen gaming at a reasonable price

Price when reviewed: £2,199 (75in model) | Now £1,499 from John Lewis

Out of the many 4K HDR Sony TVs launched last year, the XH90 is the only series to support the HDMI 2.1 features gamers will need to get the most out of the Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Although the XH90 was not next-gen ready at the time of our review, Sony has since rolled out an HDMI 2.1 firmware update that has granted the XH90 VRR, ALLM and 4K@120Hz playback capabilities.

The XH90 is suited for more than just gaming, though. We tested the whopping 75in model and were most impressed by its outstanding motion handling as well as it top-notch colour accuracy (after calibration). It doesn’t have anywhere near as many local dimming zones as LCD competitors such as the Samsung Q95T, meaning its luminance control isn’t as refined, but the panel can still deliver a high level of brightness as well as deep blacks, so HDR playback looks great.

For a premium 75in TV it’s surprisingly affordable, too: rival 75in TVs cost hundreds or thousands more, making the XH90 75in the best-value big-screen TV you can buy right now.

Buy now from John Lewis

6. Hisense A9G 55in (55A9G): Decent audio and visual features at a competitive price

Price when reviewed: £1,799 (55in model) | Buy now from Currys PC World

While it’s not the most optimised TV for next-gen gaming – a relatively high input lag, no 4K at 120Hz and VRR limited to 48-60Hz – Hisense’s A9G is still a solid, more affordable OLED option for viewers who are less concerned about cutting-edge gaming performance as they are about image fidelity.

With those drawbacks out of the way, let’s get into all the things this TV does right. First of all, it’s packed with flagship features, including Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+ and even IMAX Enhanced. With these, any 4K HDR content you load up from the TV’s slick and customisable smart platform will be optimised instantly to deliver exceptionally high impact visuals and (if you have a surround-sound setup) immersive, cinema-worthy audio.

There’s also still plenty to love here for gamers, especially if you don’t plan on picking up a next-gen console any time soon. Our reviewer, for instance, played Horizon: Zero Dawn on his PS4 during testing and found the gameplay to be enjoyably responsive, with smooth motion, detailed images and well-defined highlights.

Buy now from Currys PC World