The best gaming TVs of 2026: Top displays for PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC
If you've been gaming as long as I have, you've watched the medium evolve from simple 2D platformers to 3D open-world adventures. And as games have grown in scope and production, the screens we play them on have had to level up, too. Today's best gaming TVs look nothing like the clunky tube TVs of yesteryear. Modern displays deliver sharp 4K resolution, bright HDR highlights, and ultra-fast refresh rates that make every movement silky smooth.
To get the most out of a PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, or PC, certain display features are a must-have. That's where my work as a professional TV reviewer comes in. My team and I have tested the best gaming TVs across a range of budgets to find the top performers. The Samsung S90F earns my highest recommendation overall. It carries a reasonable price tag while offering excellent image quality, low input lag, wide viewing angles, and built-in support for Xbox Game Pass streaming. But if you're shopping on a tighter budget, the TCL QM6K stands out as one of the most affordable gaming TVs with a fast 144Hz refresh rate.
Our top picks for the best gaming TVs
Best overall
The Samsung S90F is the best gaming TV for most people, striking an impressive balance between price and performance. As a midrange OLED, it delivers everything most gamers need for a top-tier experience without creeping into premium-price territory.
All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, so you can plug in multiple consoles and still unlock features like VRR, ALLM, and super-fast response times. The panel also supports refresh rates of up to 144Hz with a PC or 120Hz with a console. When paired with systems that use these features, the S90F delivers smooth motion with none of the stuttering, tearing, flickering, or blurring that can disrupt immersion.
The S90F also excels in overall picture quality. Its OLED panel produces deep black levels and an infinite contrast ratio, since each pixel controls its own light output. That means you won't see the uneven brightness patches, blooming, or backlight issues that are common on LED and QLED TVs. Colors appear rich and accurate, fine details remain crisp, and dark shadows blend seamlessly into a dimly lit room. Black levels do rise a bit in bright environments, but never enough to distract from gameplay.
The S90F also has an edge over similarly priced LG OLEDs thanks to its quantum dot color technology. This allows the TV to reach higher brightness while maintaining strong color saturation. In testing, our reviewer measured a peak brightness of around 1,460 nits, which is outstanding for an OLED at this price point. HDR games benefit the most, with punchier highlights and more dramatic contrast. Just keep in mind that only the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models use this quantum dot OLED panel — other sizes use standard WOLED and won't get quite as bright.
Viewing angles are another strong point. The S90F maintains excellent color and contrast even when you're seated off to the side, making it ideal for rooms with multiple seating positions or local multiplayer nights.
Finally, Samsung gives the S90F a leg up with its cloud gaming support. The built-in Gaming Hub on Tizen offers apps like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna, so members can stream games without owning a console or PC. All you need is a Bluetooth controller. Just note that cloud performance depends heavily on your internet connection, and these services tend to work best for casual or less demanding titles.
Best budget
TCL's QM6K QLED TV offers a full suite of advanced gaming features at a budget-friendly price. The 65-inch model is often available for $550, making it one of the most affordable 144Hz TVs on the market.
Like all the best gaming TVs, the QM6K supports full HDMI 2.1 with VRR and ALLM. However, this set supports HDMI 2.1 only via two of its four ports, so it's not quite as stacked in connectivity as pricier options from Samsung and LG.
Still, given its relatively low cost, the QM6K punches way above its class. The set can enable 4K/120Hz support on a PS5 or Xbox Series X and can even display 4K/144Hz with a PC. Those capabilities are rare in this tier of TVs and enable smoother motion when paired with compatible sources.
The QM6K offers all the gaming features we look for, while costing notably less than most of its rivals. Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The QM6K uses a QLED screen with a Mini LED backlight. This means the TV has narrower viewing angles and lower contrast than an OLED TV. However, the QM6K still performs quite well for a display of this type. It has local dimming that adjusts its backlight across multiple zones, enabling solid black levels and minimal blooming. Black levels don't disappear into a dark room the way they do on an OLED, but the QM6K does a good job of minimizing uneven brightness patches.
That said, the QM6K is notably dimmer than pricier TVs. During my review, I measured 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern and 736 nits on a 50% test pattern. Those aren't bad numbers for a budget-friendly HDR TV, but they fall short of the 1,000-nit mark that most HDR content is mastered for. This means bright HDR games won't look quite as punchy and impactful as they would on TVs with higher luminance. Likewise, QLED TVs like the QM6K have slower response times than OLED TVs, which can make motion look a bit blurrier.
But even with those limitations, I was still impressed with the QM6K's colorful images while swinging around New York City in "Marvel's Spider-Man" on PS5 with VRR and 120Hz enabled. The picture is a bit duller and not quite as sharp as I've seen on more expensive sets, but that's to be expected given the price difference.
For smart TV navigation, the QM6K uses the Google TV interface, which is one of my favorites thanks to its intuitive design and seamless integration with Google services. On the downside, though, Google TV does not have built-in access to the Xbox or Luna app, but it does support Nvidia GeForce Now.
Best high-end
LG's G5 is one of the best gaming TVs for premium image quality. Though all of the TVs in this guide deliver a good picture, the G5 is a step above. Of course, it has an equally high price tag to match its high-end performance.
Like the Samsung OLED TVs I recommend, the G5 features an infinite contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, and HDMI 2.1 support on all four ports. This enables VRR, ALLM, and 4K gaming at up to 120Hz with a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Like the Samsung S95F, the G5 also supports up to 4K/165Hz with a PC. This is only beneficial for people with systems powerful enough to play games at frame rates higher than 144 FPS, but it's a cool perk for those who can take advantage of it.
The other key area where the G5 shines (literally) is peak brightness. In fact, this is the brightest OLED TV I've tested. Though the G5 doesn't use quantum dots like Samsung's OLEDs, it uses a four-stack OLED panel design to achieve a similar boost in luminance. During my review, I measured a peak of around 2,400 nits. When coupled with the TV's pixel-level contrast, this high brightness enables some of the most impressive HDR performance I've seen.
LG's G5 is the brightest OLED TV available, enabling some of the best image quality we've seen. Steven Cohen/Business Insider
While playing various titles like "Cyberpunk 2077," "The Last of Us Part 1," "Spider-Man," "No Man's Sky," "Dragon's Dogma 2," and "Baldur's Gate 3," I was floored by the G5's excellent image quality, with sharp textures, vibrant colors, and bold highlights. With the PS5 set to 120Hz, the TV delivered smooth motion, and I didn't experience any ghosting or flicker while playing VRR-compatible games.
When the G5 launched in the spring of 2025, the TV suffered from posterization issues when displaying certain types of HDR content, including some games. This resulted in some color gradations looking blocky rather than smooth, particularly in skies and light sources. I never encountered any egregious instances of false contouring during my testing, but those concerned about the issue will be happy to hear that LG has since released a firmware update to address it. No TV's picture performance is perfect, but the G5's image quality gets about as close as I've seen.
The G5 uses LG's webOS smart TV interface, which is solid. I don't love how the homepage highlights shopping recommendations by default, but it does offer access to all the best streaming services, and there's a dedicated gaming section with cloud-streaming apps. Most notably, LG is the only TV brand besides Samsung to support the Xbox app on its smart TV platform.
The TV also stands out with its elegant design and thin profile. It includes a wall mount that lets you hang it with virtually no gap. On the downside, the G5 doesn't actually come with a traditional pedestal stand, so if you can't mount the display, you'll need to buy a TV stand separately.
Best anti-glare
The Samsung S95F OLED stands out from most rivals for one big reason: its matte screen. While typical TVs use glossy panels that maintain strong contrast but reflect every lamp and window in sight, the S95F's matte coating significantly reduces glare. If you're set up in a room with lots of ambient light, this is easily one of the best gaming TVs you can buy.
During testing in a bright room, I didn't encounter any of the usual mirror-like reflections that glossy TVs often struggle with. The panel's impressive brightness helps, too — in its most accurate picture mode, the S95F reached a peak of around 2,170 nits, which is incredibly bright for an OLED. HDR games look rich and vibrant, and Samsung's quantum dot technology ensures colors remain vivid even at high luminance levels.
However, there is one tradeoff to the matte design. The way the anti-reflective screen scatters light causes black levels to appear lifted in bright rooms, especially during dark scenes. With the lights off, the S95F still delivers deep, inky black levels, but perceived contrast takes a hit when ambient light spills across the screen.
For daytime gaming, this isn't a major issue, but movie lovers might notice it. Ultimately, the question becomes whether you value reduced glare or perfect contrast more. But if reflections are a constant annoyance in your space, I'd say the S95F's compromise in black levels is worth the trade.
Specs-wise, the S95F also ticks every gaming box: it features HDMI 2.1 on all four ports, VRR, ALLM, and an upgrade from the S90F's 144Hz refresh rate to a 165Hz maximum when connected to a PC. Samsung's Tizen interface also features a dedicated gaming menu and built-in access to cloud services, such as Xbox Game Pass.
How we test gaming TVs
To find the best gaming TVs, our team of experts reviewed several top models using a testing methodology informed by more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment products.
To narrow our selection, we focused on TVs that support key gaming-specific features, including HDMI 2.1 capabilities. We evaluated image quality, motion, and lag while gaming using various systems, including a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Tests involving 120Hz output and VRR performance were primarily conducted using a PS5 with compatible titles.
In addition to gaming-related functions, we also assess overall picture performance, smart TV capabilities, and general value. After all, a great gaming TV should also be a great all-around TV for various uses.
To measure peak brightness and color, we use meters and industry-standard test patterns. We also use a selection of demo clips to evaluate picture elements like contrast control, HDR highlights, color smoothness, and upscaling. In addition to specific tests, we live with each TV we review for several weeks, using it day to day as we would any TV we own. This allows us to spot glitches that might otherwise be missed.
Gaming TV FAQs
Several TVs have dedicated gaming hubs, enabling users to access cloud gaming apps such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. Steven Cohen/Business Insider
What features should you look for in a gaming TV?
High refresh rate - TVs with high refresh rates can present smoother motion when playing video games that support high frame rates. Entry-level TVs have 60Hz screens, which are enough to display games at 60 frames per second (FPS). However, some PS5 and Xbox Series X games can render at higher frame rates, with both consoles supporting up to 4K at 120Hz. So, to take full advantage of their capabilities, you need a 4K TV with a 120Hz refresh rate.
All of the best gaming TVs in this guide support at least 120Hz, and some models even support 144Hz and 165Hz. Those latter refresh rates are only beneficial if you have a powerful gaming PC that can render games at frame rates above 120 FPS.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) - In addition to a high refresh rate, it's also beneficial to get a gaming TV that supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). This means that the TV can adjust its refresh rate to match shifting frame rates while you're playing a game. This reduces stuttering and screen tearing that can occur when frame rates fluctuate during gameplay.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) - All of the best gaming TVs are capable of switching to a specific gaming mode that provides lower latency, so there's less of a delay between gaming inputs and what you see on screen. If a TV also supports ALLM, it will automatically recognize gaming sources over HDMI and switch to this mode, so you don't have to do anything manually.
Gaming bar menu - Many TV brands have a dedicated gaming pop-up menu that can be toggled on their TVs when they're connected to a gaming source. These handy menus offer convenient access to gaming-specific features and a quick view of gaming-related display details, including the current resolution and frame rate. All of our picks for the best gaming TVs have this feature.
Cloud streaming - Some TVs now include built-in access to cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna. These services allow members to play games via streaming without needing a console or PC. LG and Samsung both offer the most robust support for these services.
When will 2026 gaming TVs be available?
Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense all revealed new TV models at the 2026 CES tech tradeshow in January. TCL even launched preorders for its flagship X11L SQD TV during the event. That said, we don't expect most 2026 TVs to hit stores until the spring. You can learn more about upcoming models in our 2026 CES TV roundup.
Though new 2026 TVs will offer some performance upgrades, it's important to remember that 2025 models will likely stay in stock for the better part of the year. And since older models tend to get great discounts, they'll remain a great value for many shoppers.
Is the Xbox app coming to TCL and Hisense TVs?
Yes, support for the Xbox app is coming to certain TCL and Hisense TVs in 2026. Specifically, TCL has confirmed that the Xbox app will be available on its flagship X11L SQD TV via a future firmware update. It's not yet clear if other TCL TVs will also get the app. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced that the Xbox app will be supported on select Hisense and V homeOS-powered TVs in 2026. However, no specific Hisense models have been confirmed so far.
Are QLEDs or OLEDs better for gaming?
QLED TVs and OLED TVs both have pros and cons regarding gaming performance, so which is best depends on your specific needs.
OLED TVs provide the best contrast, black levels, and viewing angles. This type of display is also known for having very low input lag, which ensures that the TV's video signal responds quickly when you press buttons on your gamepad. Top OLED TVs can deliver excellent brightness, but midrange OLEDs tend to be dimmer than midrange QLED TVs.
OLED TVs are also technically susceptible to burn-in, which can cause static images to get permanently stuck on the screen. However, burn-in is rare, and OLED TVs have unique features designed to prevent it, including pixel-shift modes and logo dimmers. In general, those with typical viewing habits shouldn't worry about burn-in.
QLED TVs, on the other hand, present no risk for burn-in. That said, QLED TVs can't control contrast as precisely as OLEDs, which can lead to inconsistent black levels and patchy brightness. Top QLED TVs with advanced local dimming can greatly reduce those issues, but even the most expensive QLED displays can't quite match OLED's infinite contrast ratio. Likewise, QLED TVs typically have slower response times than OLED TVs, which can make some games look blurrier in motion.
On the plus side, top QLED models can get brighter than even the most advanced OLED TVs. This can make high-end QLED TVs a better fit for people who game in rooms with lots of windows and ambient light.
Should you use the HGiG setting when playing HDR games?
Yes, if your TV supports HGiG or a similar function, you should use it when playing HDR video games.
HGiG is a gaming setting on some TVs. If selected, it disables the TV's tone-mapping when displaying high-dynamic-range (HDR) video games. Deactivating tone mapping is essential if you want to achieve an accurate HDR image with a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or Nintendo Switch 2. With tone mapping off, you can use each console's HDR setup wizard to properly adjust contrast levels to match your TV's capabilities. If tone mapping were left on, these setup wizards would not function correctly, resulting in an image that is either too bright or too dark.
LG and TCL specifically label this setting as "HGiG," but other TV manufacturers have similar functions under different names. For instance, you can deactivate tone mapping by changing the Game HDR setting to Basic on a Samsung TV.
What is HDMI 2.1?
HDMI 2.1 is a standard for transmitting digital video and audio. The best gaming TVs all feature HDMI 2.1 inputs, and many gaming devices feature HDMI 2.1 outputs. The HDMI 2.1 specification offers a bandwidth of up to 48Gbps and is required to enable full support for gaming features like VRR, ALLM, and 4K at 120, 144, or 165Hz.
What cables do you need to get 4K/120Hz?
You need an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable to send and receive 4K/120Hz signals. These cables are rated for 48 Gbps of bandwidth, which is enough to send the data required to display 4K/120Hz video properly. For cable recommendations, check out our guide to the best HDMI cables.
What size gaming TV is best?
The best gaming TVs are all available in various sizes, with the most common options being 55, 65, and 77 inches. Some models, like the LG G5 and TCL QM6K, are also available in larger sizes, including 83-, 85-, 97-, and 98-inch models. Meanwhile, other models, like the Samsung S90F, are also available in smaller sizes, including 50-, 48-, 43-, and 42-inch models.
The best option for you depends on your room's size and your budget. Generally speaking, larger TVs cost more than smaller versions of the same model. If you have the funds and space to work with, bigger TVs offer the most immersive experience. On the other hand, smaller gaming TVs can also work well as computer monitors.
For size-specific display recommendations, check out our additional TV buying guides:
- Best 100-inch TVs
- Best 85-inch TVs
- Best 75-inch TVs
- Best 65-inch TVs
- Best 55-inch TVs
- Best 50-inch TVs
- Best 43-inch TVs
