Best TVs for Gaming
At Audio Advice, we think the best gaming TV is the one that has the best picture quality for viewing everything else, too. Video games benefit from deep black levels and vivid colors just as much as movies and TV shows do — but to our eyes, the picture on Sony TVs just looks a lot more natural than the other brands.
When it comes to great cinematography, Sony is the only brand that actually makes the technology that powers movie studios and theaters all over the world. From commercial movie cameras to professional video editing consoles, Sony touches every single part of the film-making process. So, we think this gives Sony a leg up on the TV competition — especially for gamers.
As we mentioned in our Sony 4K LED vs OLED TV Comparison, most TVs have greatly improved input lag which used to be a big deal for gamers. However, OLED still holds an advantage in that it has a faster response time and the deepest blacks compared with LED TVs.
Table Of Contents
Which TV Tech Is Best For Gaming?
Best 4K TV For Gaming & Movies
Features & Technology
What Are The Best TVs For Gaming?
If you play the same game constantly and you never put anything else on your screen, you might run the risk of OLED burn-in. Burn-in is something gamers need to be aware of with OLED TVs. We recommend Sony LED-type TVs so you don’t have to worry about this happening to you. LED-type TVs with full-array backlighting deliver a very impressive picture and they typically cost less than OLED TVs of the same size too. This type of TV can deliver more light output and it generally works well in rooms where you cannot control the lighting.
When you are gaming, your gaze is always fixed on your television screen, so the need for OLED’s better off-axis viewing angle is much less advantageous here. What is at play is what you see on your television screen. LED TVs produce very bright and vivid images with excellent contrast and details. Some of the latest Sony LED 4K models also offer next-gen gaming features with ultra-fast response times, variable refresh rate (VRR), and immersive sound capabilities. We’ll cover all of this in the next section.
For the best performance with next-gen gaming consoles, these are important factors in our decision to focus solely on Sony LED-type TVs. Plus, if you are already on team Sony, you’ll enjoy the benefits of owning a PS5 Ready TV. This important spec optimizes your gameplay with Sony’s Playstation 5 — allowing 4K resolution at 120fps! This next-gen feature is only available on specific Sony models, but we have them all right here.
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 is a big deal in a lot of ways, but it’s especially important for gamers — and particularly for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. HDMI 2.1’s higher bandwidth opens up the door for high frame rates (HFR), variable refresh rates (VRR), and many more possibilities specific to high-performance gaming.
TVs that feature this newer connection will immediately see game-changing advantages 4K at 120fps or even higher resolutions — like 8K at 60fps! You’ll need a PS5 Ready TV to take full advantage of this, but don’t worry — our list covers the best TVs to game on. We cover each one in the next section.
While not a console feature, eARC is a next-gen TV feature to keep in mind when shopping for a high-performance soundbar or a TV to game on. It's the evolution of ARC (or Audio Return Channel), and it transmits full Dolby Atmos (and other object-based surround formats like DTS:X and tempest 3D) from the TV back down the HDMI cable without compression.
It’s important to note you will not get true 3D Dolby Atmos surround sound without a TV that features the newer eARC connection (unless you use an AVR with video passthrough). If your TV supports HDMI eARC, all you’ll have to do is connect an HDMI cable from your TV to the soundbar, and you’re done.
Best 4K TV For Gaming
Sony BRAVIA XR X90J 4K Ultra HD LED TV Series
HDMI 2.1 FEATURES — 4K120/eARC/VRR/ALLM
If you’re looking for the best possible performance for the money, strongly consider any of the models in Sony’s X90J 4K LED TV series. There’s a host of sizes to choose from with 50, 55, 65, and 75” models.
Plus, if you want a PS5 Ready TV, you will want to own this model. This one has the coveted HDMI 2.1 port, which offers low-input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR), eARC, Dolby Atmos and it’s PS5 Ready with 4K resolution at 120fps. Just plug in an HDMI 2.1 cable and the Sony X90J 4K TV will recognize when the console is connected to it, and it will switch to game mode, automatically. You’ll enjoy smooth responsive gameplay with game mode enabled — and if you want to control your PlayStation 5 with your TV remote, you can do that.
This one doesn’t feature a wide viewing angle, but that’s one of the reasons we like this so much for gaming. Since you’ll be facing this TV while gaming, you’ll get the best contrast ratio with the deepest inky blacks and 4K details that just pop out right in front of you. It’s these kinds of details that immerse us deeper in our games so we can have the upper hand.
Best 4K TV For Gaming & Movies
Sony X95J 4K Ultra HD LED TV Series
HDMI 2.1 FEATURES — eARC
If you want the best balance between game performance and beautiful cinematics, you can step things up to Sony’s X95J series. This is the series that offers the most value, overall. This one is the most flexible option if you want the best of both worlds for gaming and cinema.
The advantage with this one is the wider viewing angle compared to the X90J series — so, movies, TV shows, and video games all look great for everyone in just about any seating position. Having a wider viewing angle layer slightly compromises the contrast ratio here, but it’s still a great option for high-performance gaming. For anyone looking for the best 4K TV to share the gaming experience with friends in a large family room or rec room, this 4K LED TV offers the best overall balance between gaming performance and intimate movie nights with the family. You get the choice between 65, 75, and 85” models.
The Ultimate Gaming TV with 8K Capabilities
Sony Z9J LED 8K UHD TV Series
HDMI 2.1 FEATURES — 4K120/8K60/eARC
Most gamers, however, will find the best TV for gaming is the best high-end TV (period). If that’s you, strongly consider the Sony Z9J 8K series of LED TVs. For video enthusiasts, this covers the two most popular sizes with a 75” and 85” model. Both of these have an 8K panel, but we love the fact you can now get a 75” 8K panel with Sony’s very best picture quality for less than $8,000.
If you want the very best LED picture that will completely transform your home theater or media room, go all the way. Sony’s Z9J 8K series is PS5 Ready, allowing for high-speed 4K resolution at 120fps. It also opens up the 8K capabilities of your Xbox Series X or PS5, so this one is fully future-proofed. Just like the X90J series you get ultra-smooth, clear movement, and responsive gaming performance in 4K resolution, but with the capabilities for exquisite 8K detail. With this, your gaming is not only ready for the PlayStation 5, it’s truly ready for the future.
Overall Recommendation
The product life-cycle for a single console generation typically lasts about seven years. If you’re already making the investment in one of these next-gen consoles, you might as well do it right. You’ll be with that system for a very long time. Whether you’re on team Sony or team Microsoft, you might as well squeeze every last drop of performance from these very powerful gaming consoles. An LED TV is a great way to give yourself a slight competitive advantage with the best immersion for your money, available.
LED type TVs with full-array backlighting deliver a very impressive picture and typically cost a little less than OLED TVs of the same size. This type of TV can deliver more light output and is better suited for a room where you can not fully control the lighting. Since you are always viewing the screen directly when you're gaming, the viewing angle of LED-type TVs is the best choice for gamers.
Every year it seems like Sony takes their video processing to another level and takes what was their best and puts it into more affordable models, which is just fantastic for people who want a great picture without breaking the bank.
When you combine their amazing picture with the best service in the industry, there is just no other choice in our opinion.