Gaming TV buying guide: PS5, Xbox Series X and PC

A good gaming TV is mostly about responsiveness and the right connections, then about how good it looks in your room. This guide covers the specs that matter for a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC.

The four things to check

1. Refresh rate and resolution. HDMI.org says the PS5 and Xbox Series X were the first consoles to support the latest HDMI gaming features, and that several graphics cards from Nvidia, AMD and Intel support them too. For TVs, the target is 4K at 120Hz. TechRadar's picks go beyond that, listing 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates on several models.

2. Variable refresh rate (VRR). It lets the console send each frame when it is ready, reducing judder and tearing. TechRadar lists the type of VRR for each pick, including FreeSync and G-Sync, so check what your hardware uses. Our VRR, ALLM and input lag explainer has the details.

3. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The TV switches itself into game mode when it detects a console. HDMI.org notes that this mode may turn off picture processing that helps movies, so it reverts automatically afterward.

4. Input lag. TechRadar measures it in game mode with a dedicated tester and says most TVs it tests come in under 20ms, with professionals preferring under 15ms according to Intel. Its picks include the LG C6 at 9.2ms in Boost mode, the Samsung QN90F at 9.5ms and the TCL C6K, the UK name for the QM6K, at 13.6ms.

HDMI 2.1 realities

The HDMI 2.1 label is not a guarantee of every feature on every port. TechRadar's gaming guide shows the number of HDMI ports and how many are HDMI 2.1 for each pick. For instance, the LG C6 and Samsung QN90F are listed with four HDMI 2.1 ports. The same guide says the TCL QM6K is a budget gaming TV with a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM.

Things to verify:

• How many ports match your devices. A PS5, an Xbox, a PC and an eARC soundbar can use four ports.
• Which port does eARC. If you add a soundbar, check which HDMI port the TV uses for eARC and whether it also supports your gaming features. The manual will say.
• Your cable. Use a certified Ultra High Speed cable, since HDMI.org specifies this cable for systems up to 48Gbps. Read HDMI 2.1 explained.
• Soundbar passthrough. TechRadar warns that a soundbar without 4K 120Hz passthrough is a poor fit if you want to connect a console to it. See the soundbar buying guide.

HDR for games

Dolby Vision gaming and HDR10+ gaming are different. TechRadar lists the C6 with Dolby Vision gaming but without HDR10+, the QN90F with HDR10+ gaming but no Dolby Vision, and the TCL QM6K with Dolby Vision gaming. Tom's Guide adds that Sony's Bravia 8 II is a top-tier TV but its gaming feature set is less thorough than what LG and Samsung offer. TechRadar's guide, on the other hand, credits it with full HDMI 2.1 features plus PS5 Tone Mapping. Check the current spec sheet if either feature matters.

Which panel for which room

• Dark room: An OLED like the LG C6 gives the deepest blacks. TechRadar says the C6 is prone to reflections in bright rooms.
• Bright room: The Samsung QN90F has high brightness and an anti-reflection screen, according to TechRadar.
• Budget: The TCL QM6K is TechRadar's budget pick in the US, with a long gaming feature list for its price class.
• PlayStation fans: The Sony Bravia 8 II is TechRadar's best for PS5.

See OLED vs. Mini LED for the trade-offs, and OLED burn-in explained if you play games with fixed on-screen displays for hours.

Size and seating

Gaming usually means sitting closer than for movies, so a 42 to 55-inch OLED or a mid-size Mini LED can be a good fit on a desk or media stand. Use the size guide to match size to distance.

Quick buying checklist

1. Confirm 4K 120Hz or higher and the VRR type your console or PC uses.
2. Count HDMI 2.1 ports and identify the eARC port.
3. Look for measured input lag in game mode, and compare in the same mode.
4. Choose the panel by room brightness.
5. Plan the soundbar and cable.

Use the finder to filter by gaming features.