Are you wondering, which TV to choose for gaming? If you're gaming on a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or connecting a PC, you definitely care about smooth visuals, low latency, and support for new features. In this list, you will find TVs that offer the best gaming experience! We've prepared a ranking based not only on specifications but also on our tests and opinions. This way, you can choose a TV that is tailored to your needs!

How is our ranking of the best TVs created? – methodology

We create the ranking of gaming TVs based on measurements and practical tests. The most important elements are:

• 4K support at 120 Hz – a foundation for next-generation consoles.

• HDMI 2.1, VRR and ALLM – variable refresh rate and automatic game mode.

• Input lag.

• HGIG – helps match the TV brightness to the console.

• Support for lower resolutions (1080p, 1440p) at 120Hz – important for PC gamers and those using older consoles.

• etc.

Each of these elements has its weight, and the total gives a weighted average, which constitutes the final assessment of the TV for gaming. Rating scale – weights and example.

Example assessment of a TV for gamers and (percentage weights)

Weighted average score ≈ 8.5/10

Our ranking of the best gaming TVs is not just a list of models, but real assistance in choosing equipment. We focus on what really matters when gaming: response speed, image smoothness, and support for features for next-generation consoles.

How do we check motion smoothness?

To evaluate this, we use the well-known UFO test, where a characteristic little alien moves across the screen. Thanks to the camera and our own eyes, we're able to check whether its outline remains sharp and clear, or if there's some shadow trailing behind it, indicating issues with ghosting. It's such observations that allow us to practically assess how well the television handles smooth motion display.

However, it's worth remembering that the refresh rate of the panel alone does not give a complete picture of the screen's capabilities. Indeed, 120 Hz is a value we consider an absolute minimum, which is perfectly sufficient for console users, while higher frequencies — 144 or 240 Hz — are mainly targeted at PC gamers. However, it's not just numbers on paper that determine the final effect. The panel's response time is equally important, which refers to the speed at which individual pixels change their state. And this is where the difference appears: two televisions with a refresh rate of 120 Hz can present motion in completely different ways. OLED, due to the instantaneous pixel response, offers a sharper image with less ghosting than even a 240 Hz LCD, which has slower transitions between shades that always leave a slight trace in motion.

HDMI 2.1 – important, but with different faces

HDMI 2.1 has become a magical term when choosing a TV for gaming – without this port, many gamers won’t even look at the equipment. It’s no surprise, as it opens the door to 4K at 120 frames, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and better sound through eARC. But… this is where the proverbial complications begin. The mere presence of the “HDMI 2.1” logo on the casing doesn’t always mean that the TV will actually deliver all those previously mentioned capabilities. It sometimes happens that in cheaper models, the HDMI ports comply with the HDMI 2.1 standard, but the panel itself refreshes at 60 Hz in 4K. And then one wonders – why would I need 2.1 if I won’t see the desired 120 frames? The answer is: because 4K isn't the only thing that matters. Most games, even on the latest consoles like PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, cannot run at 4K at 120 Hz due to very high requirements. However, at lower resolutions, such as 1440p or classic Full HD, they absolutely can. And this is where a very important thing comes into play: some TVs that are limited to 60 Hz in 4K can actually achieve a full 120 Hz at 1080p or 1440p. Therefore, it’s not worth looking solely at the numbers in the specifications. An informed choice involves checking how a given model performs in practice at various resolutions and modes.

Input lag – the line between comfort and irritation

Input lag is a parameter that doesn’t stand out at a retail display but determines if gaming is a pleasure or a source of frustration. It’s the delay between pressing a button on the controller and the response on the screen. In calm adventure games, it can be ignored, but in online shooters or racing games, the difference between 10 and 40 ms becomes critical. The best gaming TVs achieve results in the range of 5–10 ms, making gameplay feel like an experience from a computer monitor. It’s also worth noting that every additional “image enhancer,” from motion smoothing to noise reduction, can increase this result significantly. Thus, game mode is more than just a marketing slogan: it's a real advantage.

VRR and HGiG – technologies that make a difference

VRR, or variable refresh rate, is a feature that doesn’t stand out in the specifications but changes a lot in practice. Thanks to it, the TV adjusts to the number of frames generated by the console, eliminating tearing and stuttering. Gamers, especially those playing AAA titles, will appreciate this, as drops in fluidity can occur even on the strongest hardware. HGiG, on the other hand, is a standard developed jointly by console manufacturers and game developers that facilitates the correct HDR settings. The TV adjusts brightness and contrast so the image looks as intended by the authors, without requiring the player to guess which slider to adjust to the right level.

PS5 or Xbox Series X – Which console to choose? What do we test the TVs on?

The question of which console is better comes up regularly, and it's hard to answer in just one sentence. We primarily use the Xbox Series X when testing TVs for gamers. The reason is simple: it's the hardware that technically extracts the most from the TV. We have full HDMI 2.1 support, the ability to play in 4K at 120 frames, VRR and ALLM support, as well as Dolby Vision in games. The latter is simply not offered by the PlayStation 5. Therefore, the Xbox gives us a broader field for testing and allows us to check out all the features that TV manufacturers advertise as "gaming."

However, this does not mean that we consider the Xbox to be a better console than the PS5. In practice, the choice of hardware for a gamer depends on which titles you want to play. The PlayStation has been winning with exclusive titles for years, which build the entire identity of this platform. The Xbox responds with greater technical compatibility, access to Game Pass, and features that are hard to find on the PS5. Each manufacturer emphasises different strengths. That's why it's worth looking at consoles through the lens of your own expectations. If you are interested in the biggest single-player hits, the PS5 will likely be your first choice. If you want to make the best use of your TV's capabilities and additional picture features, the Xbox Series X will perform better. When we test TVs, we focus on the technical side. Which console will be more attractive to you is a matter of games and which side of the fence you feel better on.