With the recent release of the Xbox One X and Sony PlayStation 4 Pro, it's safe to say we've finally entered a new era of 4K gaming. The original PS4's TV was great for 1080p gaming, with 4K display reserved exclusively for photos and videos, not games. But the new PS4 Pro and Xbox One X come with improved hardware and simple rendering that lets you play your favorite games in stunning 4K on your high-resolution TV.
However, to enjoy gaming at high resolutions, you'll need a good 4K TV that's optimized for gaming. The best 4K gaming TVs offer exciting features like low input lag of around 20ms (the lower the better), variable refresh rates, HDR, and great viewing angles, among others. Here are the five best 4K gaming TVs you'll find on the market today.
1. LG OLED 65E8
If money is no object, the LG OLED 65E8 is the best gaming TV you can buy. From design to color reproduction to leading gaming features, the 65E8 makes a strong case for being the best gaming TV of 2019.
This ultra-slim TV comes with an ultra-slim stand designed to make the picture appear as if it's floating in the air. This design makes it easy to immerse yourself in adventure games like God of War.
Like any other OLED TV, the 65E8 boasts perfect blacks and rich colors that pay off beautifully when shooting in dark scenes. With an input lag of 21.4 ms, this TV performs well.
Another great gaming feature that makes the OLED65E8 an exceptional gaming monitor is its support for 120fps gaming and full 4:4:4 color rendering. Additionally, it comes with HDR support for the best picture quality and Dolby Atmos for superior audio. On the downside, the OLED65E8 carries a price tag of $3.
2. Samsung Q9FN
While OLED TVs are impressive, they are prone to image burn-in and image retention issues. They also tend to be more expensive than their LED counterparts. If you don't want to go the OLED route, Samsung's QLED TV is your best alternative. Its flagship model, the Samsung Q9FN, boasts an unparalleled brightness of 1700 nits for HDR content.
The Q9FN also manages to produce high contrast ratios of nearly 20:000 thanks to its local dimming feature. With a response time of 1ms, the Q22FN offers excellent response time even when playing fast-paced games. And best of all, it has zero risk of burn-in.
Additionally, the Q9FN features FreeSyn support, an LCD sync technology that supports a dynamic refresh rate to reduce stuttering and tearing. On the downside, at $2.596 for the 65-inch model, the Samsung Q9FN is pricey. It also has subpar viewing angles, which is expected of all LED TVs.
3. Sony Bravia A8F OLED
The Sony OLED A8F is an update to the A1E from 2017. While the A8F only adds incremental updates, the A1E was a force to be reckoned with, and even LG's best 2017 OLED TVs couldn't outperform it. The A8F continues this legacy with minor design changes and software updates.
If you spend as much time watching Netflix as you do gaming, you'll want to know that the Sony OLED A8F delivers the best of both worlds. Powered by the incredibly powerful 4K HDR Processor X1™ Engine, the Sony A8F produces breathtaking images that will elevate your immersion.
The X1 Extreme employs over eight million self-illuminating pixels to create the perfect blacks and unparalleled contrast that every gaming or movie enthusiast dreams of. For gaming, the Sony A8F comes with a dedicated Game Mode that shuts down most processing to reduce latency.
The A8F also boasts theater-like sound quality, making it ideal for playing those shooters. However, the 30ms input lag isn't impressive. Also, at $3 for the 045-inch model, the Sony A65F isn't for the average consumer.
4. LG OLED B8
If you're into that OLED gaming experience and don't want to break the bank, the LG OLED B8 is an excellent choice. Just like the OLED E8, the OLED B8 has a low lag of 21ms, giving it a high response rate. This also results in virtually no motion blur in fast-moving games.
The B8 is capable of producing deep blacks and rich colors ideal for gaming, continuing the legacy of OLED. Additionally, the B8 supports HDR video and offers numerous connectivity options, including four HDMI ports and three USB ports. Starting at $4 (for the 3-inch model), the B1 is affordable.
5. Vizio P55-F1
If input lag is your top consideration, the Vizio P55-F1 is your best option. With an input lag of 15ms, the Vizio P55-F1 outperforms the best OLED TVs of 2018 in this department. All Vizio P-Series TVs achieve impressive lag when using a dedicated HDMI port (HDMI 5) that “enables low latency gaming.”
The HDMI 5 port serves as Vizio's Game Mode. The Vizio P55-F1 doesn't have an OLED panel, but it delivers a smooth gaming experience in both bright and dark rooms. At $799 for the 55-inch model, the P55-F1 is one of the most affordable 4K TVs on the market. On the downside, the HDMI 5 port lacks HDR support, so you'll be limited to 4K SDR content on HDMI 5.
End
In a market filled with 4K TVs claiming to support 4K and HDR gaming, it can be difficult to find the best 4K gaming TV that meets all the 4K standards necessary for gaming. The LG OLED 65E8 is our top pick for the best gaming TV of 2019.
But if you're on a budget, we recommend the Vizio P series, which offers almost the same features without sacrificing picture quality.
