When it comes to getting the greatest gaming experience for your PS4 and Xbox One, the best gaming TVs play an important role. And no matter what console you own (Xbox One S/X, Xbox 360, PS4 Pro, PS3, Switch), know that this Gaming TV Guide is meant for you!
There are numerous essentials when it comes to console gaming; the console, the controller, the game, a pair of quality gaming headsets or surround sound system, a variety of gaming accessories, and the television.
You don’t need all of them, but again, these are instrumental in providing you with the most complete and best gaming experience you can possibly imagine.
And it’s no secret that for gamers, one of the most important additions to have when you buy a new console is to own the best possible gaming television.
So what makes for a great gaming television?
We know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have the time to research the best televisions”. There’s just so many options out there! We understand the pain. There’s so much research involved when it comes to buying the best gaming accessories.
That’s why we seek to do the research for you and compile the information into an easy to digest article.
What are the best gaming TV’s, and what’s the benefit to buying each one?
There is no one size fits all when it comes to purchasing the correct experience. That’s why we seek to give you the benefits of each television, and the reason the purchase will be right for you.
What about the sizes of the televisions, do they matter? How do they contribute to the experience? Should I care?
This depends on who you are as a person and how much detail you desire. Bigger televisions can provide more detail, but may not fit with your setup properly. This highly depends on who you are as a gamer since everybody has different expectations.
I’m on a budget and TV’s are expensive, how will you help me with this?
Well, we’re giving you a list for some of the best TV’s that are of great quality, some of which have a lower price range than most. Some more expensive televisions may be better, but a cheaper alternative can be just as good. There is plenty of information to help you make an informed decision based on your budget.
So many questions, so much research to do! We’re not going to leave you hanging here, we have the information you seek. If you need the answers to the above questions, check out our list of best gaming televisions. In the article, we strive to give you the information that will leave you proud of your purchase.
A Gaming TV Guide for all modern consoles
Even though this guide is designed to provide information for the best gaming TVs for PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One S/X, and Switch, it can be used as a resource to buy a gaming television for any video game console you might have.
So if you own a Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii U, then you can still use this buyer’s guide as a resource to help you purchase the best possible television for your gaming console.
Most of the time when a new generation of consoles and related devices releases, gamers tend to upgrade their television at some point during the generation migration. We chose the best gaming TVs we could find. And the list of televisions we selected are based on research, reviews, and opinions.
The fact is that there is no ‘best television’ for gaming. It’s always going to depend on you.
Best Gaming TVs
Best OLED Gaming TV: LG B8
The LG B8 is a fantastic option if you can afford to pop more than $1,000 on a gaming TV. It’s an OLED TV with outstanding picture quality and a very low input lag. You can get it in either 55 inches or 65 inches, with the latter selling for well over $2,000.
The B8 is a well-built TV with a sleek and modern design, featuring an extremely thin panel and a sturdy stand. The stand is narrow, which means it will easily fit on most regular tables without any issues. Separated into two sets, the input ports are easily accessible at the back: one set is positioned outward while the other is positioned sideward.
The sideward-positioned input ports make them easy to access when the B8 is mounted on the wall. Moreover, the control button is also located at the back, close to the side-facing input ports, which also make for quick access in a wall-mounted setup.
A smart TV with a native 4K resolution, the B8 easily stands out among the other products on this list because of its ability to produce stunningly gorgeous visuals with vibrant and accurate colors. It supports HDR and has great viewing angles, which means there’s no dramatic drop off in picture quality when viewing from the side.
The B8 has a very low input lag across different supported resolutions, even when running in its native 4K resolution with HDR. This means it’s an excellent gaming TV for fast-paced games where input timing is crucial, such as fighting games and first-person shooter games. Additionally, the B8 has an extremely fast response time, making it ideal for games with a lot of motion.
Sadly, the B8 is not a perfect TV. It has one major downside that might discourage some people from spending their hard-earned money on it. Like with other OLED TVs, there’s a risk of permanent burn-in. But aside from this, the B8 is free of any other major issues, not counting its expensive price, which is a big turn-off for a lot of people.
Overall, the B8 is a recommended OLED TV for gaming. It makes games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt even more beautiful, courtesy of its top-notch picture quality. It has good viewing angles and features a sleek design with no notable aesthetic flaws. It even has an above-average audio system, which is a bonus.
For more cool products for gamers, check out our guide to the best gaming monitors.
Best LED Gaming TV: Vizio P-Series 2018
Vizio, an American company based in California, is one of the best in the business, offering a selection of TVs that regularly rank among the very best. If money is not an issue for you, the best LED gaming TV you can get is the high-end P-Series Quantum, which sells for over $2,000. But if you prefer a more reasonably priced product, the 2018 P-Series is the more suitable option, with the 55-inch model selling for around $800.
Available in 55, 65, and 75 inches, the 2018 P-Series has a premium build quality, featuring a sleek and slim design with a very thin bezel. The stand is similar to the 2017 model but is more rounded. It has a wide footprint, which means you’ll need a wide table for it. The stand is well-built and can easily support the screen, with no wobbling issues.
A 4K TV with a VA panel, the 2018 P-Series has a clean back panel, with all the input ports located near the edge. Some ports are positioned downward while others are sideward. Their location makes them very easy to access when the TV is mounted on the wall, especially the sideward-positioned ports. Unlike with the LG B8, there is no cable management at the back, which isn’t exactly a deal-breaker considering the location of the ports.
What makes the 2018 P-Series ideal for gaming is that it has a very low input lag, even when running in its native 4K resolution. However, the input lag depends on which HDMI port is used. For the best input lag, HDMI port 5 is the best way to go, but keep in mind that port 5 has no HDR support. You can’t have it all, apparently.
With the low input lag, you’ll have a much better experience when playing competitive multiplayer games where quick reactions are required, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and other first-person shooter games. The low input lag is also beneficial when playing action-packed games like Monster Hunter: World, where a very poor input lag can translate to mistimed dodges when fighting a particularly agile foe. In addition to the low input lag, the 2018 P-Series also has a fast response time, which is ideal for games with a lot of motion.
Concerning overall picture quality, the 2018 P-Series is top-notch. It has a high native contrast and can produce gorgeous visuals with vivid and crisp images. What game you are playing and whether or not it fully supports 4K and HDR rarely matter when you have this gaming TV – almost everything will look better in it. If you thought Persona 5 was outrageously stylish, wait until you experience it on this TV.
Our only major gripe about the 2018 P-Series is that it has subpar viewing angles, which means viewing it from the side will not be the same as sitting right in front of it. There is a noticeable shift in picture quality, which can be disappointing. But other than this, the 2018 P-Series is solid.
If the 2018 P-Series is within your budget, and you get the chance to see it stocked at an online store, don’t hesitate to punch in your order. Few products in the same price range can offer what it brings to the table.
You may also be interested in some of the top microphones for gaming on the market. Be sure to check them out.
Best Cheap Gaming TV: TCL S405
Not everyone can spend over $500 on a gaming TV. A lot of people are more than OK with a decent unit if it means keeping expenses to a minimum. Fortunately, the market is also full of budget-friendly options, with the TCL S405 series being the best of them all. The 43-inch S405 goes for just $280, making it one of the most affordable 4K TVs on the market.
Considering the S405 is a budget gaming TV, you shouldn’t expect too much when it comes to overall build quality. TCL obviously cut corners in several areas to bring the price down to a more affordable level. The S405’s design is pretty simple, with not a single hint of premium-ness. It has a slim frame with a narrow bezel and comes with a wide stand, which means a wide table is required for the setup.
The back panel is good, with all the input ports neatly positioned near the edge, making them easy to reach when the TV is wall-mounted. Speaking of which, the VESA mount required for the S405 depends on the size, with the 43-inch model, our recommended choice, requiring a 100 x 100 VESA mount. Overall, the S405’s build quality is good but not exactly something to write home about, especially considering its plastic construction.
As an all-around TV for games, movies, and TV shows, the S405 is not that great, at least compared to the two products above. But for pure gaming, it’s an excellent choice. It has a low input lag, which makes it suitable for competitive multiplayer games like the uber-popular battle royale duo Fortnite and PUBG. Fighting game enthusiasts will also appreciate the S405’s low input lag.
In terms of overall picture quality, the S405 is very good, but don’t expect it to be on the same level as the Vizio P-Series 2018 and our other top picks here. It has a high contrast and works well even in a dark room. It’s also suitable for fast-paced games with a lot of motion involved, courtesy of its excellent response time. On the flip side, it suffers from below-average brightness and has subpar viewing angles, which means you need to sit in front of it at all times.
Additionally, the S405 has poor audio quality, which is not that surprising considering the low price. We recommend external speakers or the best wireless headphones for a much better gaming experience, especially when playing games with excellent music, such as Cuphead and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
In all, the S405 is a great gaming TV for the price. It has very low input lag and a fast response time and works really well for HDR gaming. If you can only spend about $300 on a 4K gaming TV, the 43-inch S405 is the first product you should look into.
Best Sony Gaming TV: Sony X900F
When it comes to TVs, Sony is one of the first names most people think of, and that distinction isn’t misplaced, as the Japanese company is certainly one of the top-tier brands. Sony offers a good selection of TVs, and none is more perfect for gamers than the X900F, which comes in different sizes, with the 49-inch model selling for about a grand.
In design, the X900F just what you’d expect from a Sony TV: attractive and well-built. It has a sleek profile with a thin bezel. It comes with a wide stand, separating it from the Sony X900E, which comes with a narrow stand. The legs allow for a Sony soundbar in the middle and have cable management at the rear, which is nice.
At the back, the X900F includes multiple connection ports, separated into two sets: one is positioned downward while the other is sideward. When the TV is mounted on the wall or placed very close to the wall, the side-positioned input ports are easy to access; the same thing can’t be said for the other set, though. As with most other TVs offered in different sizes, the X900F’s VESA mount varies depending on the size.
The X900F has a VA panel, which translates to an excellent native contrast but subpar viewing angles. You need to sit directly in front of it to get the best experience; the more you move away from the center, the worse the picture quality. The good news is that this is the X900F’s only major downside, at least when it comes to picture quality.
Aside from the subpar viewing angles, the one other thing that might disappoint you is the audio quality. The X900F’s audio system is probably decent at best, but the lack of a punchy bass really hurts it, so it’s best to simply use an external sound system, preferably one with a one more impressive bass.
Unlike the TCL S405 above, the X900F is a fantastic 4K TV all around. It’s suitable for gaming and watching movies and sports. When used for gaming, the X900F is impressive, producing vibrant colors and deep blacks. It’s great for gaming with the lights on and in a dark room and is excellent for HDR gaming. Connecting it to a last-gen console also produces great results, as it works well in both 1080p and 4K resolution.
As with all the other items included in this guide to the best gaming TVs, the X900F has low input lag and a fast response time. The former makes it ideal for fighting games such as Dragon Ball FighterZ, Street Fighter V, and Injustice 2, as well as shooter games like DOOM and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The fast response time, on the other hand, is great for when playing fast-paced games.
Overall, the X900F is a superb Sony gaming TV, boasting an excellent picture quality, low input lag across different resolutions, and a fast response time. If you prefer Sony more than any other brand on the market, the X900F is the best option.
Best Samsung Gaming TV: Samsung NU8000
Samsung is another easily recognizable name when it comes to TVs. Like Sony, the South Korean brand has a good selection of TVs at different price points. One of the best in the lineup, most especially for gaming, is the NU8000, which is being offered in several sizes. You can get the 49-inch model for around $650, which is a fair deal.
What makes the NU8000 well suitable for gaming is that it has a very low input lag. It’s got a low input lag when running in either 1080p at 60 Hertz or 4K at 60 Hertz, making it ideal not only for current-gen consoles but also for last-gen platforms. The low input lag makes the NU8000 a recommended gaming TV for competitive multiplayer games where timely button presses are important. You will have no input lag issues with this Samsung TV when playing Destiny 2, Battlefield 1, and other popular first-person shooter games.
It’s also perfect for fighting games in which quick reactions are, arguably, even more crucial. On top of its very low input lag, the NU8000 also boasts a fast response time, making it ideal for action-packed games – like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and surefire GOTY contenders Marvel’s Spider-Man and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Concerning overall picture quality, the NU8000 is more than impressive. It can produce vibrant images and will easily make your jaws drop when it’s running in 4K. It has an excellent contrast and works great when used in a dark room. On the other hand, the NU8000, like almost all the other products listed here, suffers from poor viewing angles, which isn’t surprising considering it has a VA panel.
When it comes to overall build quality, the NU8000 is well constructed and doesn’t feel cheap despite it being made up of mostly plastic. It has a narrow bezel and comes with a stable, T-shaped stand with a medium-sized footprint. The back panel is simple and clean, with all the input ports positioned sideward near the edge, allowing for easy access whether the TV is wall-mounted or placed too close to the wall.
To sum up, the NU8000 is an excellent Samsung TV for gaming, featuring an easy-to-use interface, easily accessible input ports, and impressive picture quality. It offers good long-term value and can make your gaming experience even better. But don’t count on it to provide an exceptional sound quality, as the integrated audio system is probably decent at best.
Here are some of the top-rated gaming headsets you may be interested in. Check them out.
Still can’t find the right gaming TV for you among our top picks above? Below are a few more recommended options, separated according to price range.
Gaming TVs Under $1,000
TCL R617
While TCL is probably best known for its highly affordable TVs under $500, the company also has a good selection of mid-range TVs. And out of that group, the TCL R617 is one of the best, offering excellent performance and quality for the price. The 55-inch model sells for around $650, placing it in the same price range as the 49-inch Samsung NU8000.
Compared to the TCL S405, our budget pick, the R617 is a lot more versatile and works great not only for gaming but also for watching movies and TV shows. It has a nice picture quality and works well for HDR gaming, although the viewing angles are not that great, as expected from a LED TV with a VA panel. You need to be in a sweet spot in front of it to get the best viewing experience possible, especially when playing games with top-notch graphics.
As with all our top picks, the R617 boasts a fast response time and low input lag, making it highly suitable for serious gaming. The fast response time will prove beneficial when playing fast-paced games with a lot of motion while the low input lag is great for shooter games like DOOM and the underappreciated Titanfall 2. It’s also great for action-packed RPGs such as Final Fantasy XV and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, with its picture quality making such games even more charming.
If you can afford to spend over $500 on a gaming TV, the R617, which also comes in 65 inches, is another solid option. It has a nice build quality, featuring a rigid stand and a clean back panel with easily accessible ports near the edge.
Be sure to check out our selection of the best-selling gaming PCs under $500, as well.
Samsung Q6FN
In regard to overall performance, the Samsung Q6FN is in the same neighborhood as the NU8000, our top Samsung pick. It’s a bit more expensive, with the 49-inch model selling for $700, which is about $50 more than its NU8000 counterpart. Although the Q6FN is often considered the better option, the difference in quality is not that big, so you really can’t go wrong with either product. Go for the one that best suits your gaming setup and budget.
The Q6FN is a QLED TV with a VA panel and a native 4K resolution, the latter of which makes it a suitable partner for the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X. It’s similar to the NU8000 in aesthetics, with the wider stand being the most noticeable difference. All input ports are conveniently positioned sideward at the back for easy access, with the cable management tracks making for a clutter-free back panel.
The Q6FN is an excellent TV for both regular gaming and HDR gaming. It boasts a super-fast response time and has very low input lag in both 4K and 1080p, making it an ideal companion for all gaming platforms, including PC. And unlike most gaming TVs suitable for games, the Q6FN has FreeSync support.
Combine all of that with the Q6FN’s impressive picture quality and what you get is a wicked gaming TV. Of the different models, the 55-inch Q6FN – which sells for around $1,000 – is the most recommended. If you’re in the market for a Samsung TV for gaming and can afford to spend a grand on one, definitely consider it; otherwise, just stick to the 49-inch Q6FN or the 49-inch NU8000, both of which sell for $700 or less.
You may also be interested in some of the most popular console gaming monitors from our list. Be sure to browse them.
Gaming TVs Under $500
TCL S517
The S517 is another affordable option from TCL, with the 43-inch, 49-inch, and 55-inch models all going for less than $500. It’s a LED TV with a VA panel and a native 4K resolution, featuring a solid build quality and an easy interface.
Compared to the R617, the S517 is considerably inferior, with a slower response time, though not enough to make it unsuitable for gaming. On the other hand, when compared to the S405, the S517 is better, but not by a wide margin. The most notable difference between the two is that the former has a lower input lag, making it the more ideal TV for serious gaming. That’s why we went for the S405 as our best budget choice instead of this one.
While that entire paragraph makes the S517 seem like a poor option, it’s actually a pretty good gaming TV in its own right. It has good picture quality, performs well with HDR support, and is great whether the room is bright or dark. It can produce good results in different resolutions and has a high native contrast. But as with the other two TCL products here, the S517 suffers from poor viewing angles, so you need to sit in front of it for the best viewing experience.
If the S405 is not to your liking, and you can’t spend more than $500 on a gaming TV, the S517 is an excellent TCL alternative. It’s got good picture quality and low input lag. It works well for different kinds of games, from first-person shooter games to sports games to RPGs.
Stay comfortable with some of the best-selling gaming chairs under $100 from our list.
LG UK6300
The LG B8 is definitely not for everyone, considering its price tag. If you want a significantly more affordable LG TV for gaming, the UK6300 is a much better choice. You can get it for as low as $350 for the 43-inch model; the 49-inch and 55-inch models are also budget-friendly, with both selling for less than $500.
Unlike most of the other products in this guide, the UK6300 is a LED TV with an IPS panel, which instantly means it has much better viewing angles. Viewing the screen from the side won’t significantly affect the picture quality, giving you more freedom to shift positions on a particularly long couch during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the UK6300 has a low native contrast ratio and is not recommended in a dark room.
The UK6300’s picture is fairly good for the price. Although it also works well for watching TV shows, this LG TV is best used for gaming. It has a fast response time and, more importantly, boasts an incredibly low input lag when Game mode is activated. Without Game mode, the UK6300 is not that great for gaming, so don’t forget to turn it on before you start playing.
While not as premium as the B8 and the Sony X900F – both of which are a lot more expensive – the UK6300 is still a very good TV for gaming. It has a simple and clean frame with a narrow bezel and a sturdy stand and performs well in both 1080p and 4K resolution.
Choosing the right Gaming TV
Hopefully at least one of the excellent products on this list made that possibly nerve-wrecking decision slightly easier for you. Since TVs aren’t exactly the most inexpensive gift you can give someone, you’ve definitely taken a step in the right direction by doing some research online.
We couldn’t come close to listing all of the best-selling TVs on this page but you can always see what’s selling well and learn more about the most popular TVs to buy at the moment by following the links below.
If you are purchasing an HDTV as a gift for someone, the best thing you can do is find out their preferences and likes. That way, you can find out if they’re a big gamer in need of high Hz, enjoy being able to use various Smart TV apps, or just want a bare-bones display that delivers amazing visuals and nothing more.
Buying the best TV for console gaming
A lot of you have found this page because you’re looking for information on the best gaming televisions around. Casual gamers who don’t know much about video games and some of the more popular gaming televisions aren’t quite sure what to look for.
Even experienced gamers possibly don’t know what type of gaming television they need in order to better their overall video game experience.
When you shop for a quality TV for PlayStation 4 and other video game consoles, you’re most likely going to have to do a lot of unwanted research. We’re going to try to make it easier for you by combining all the information we’ve found into one useful resource.
Some of the things you should look for when buying a television for gaming:
- Find a television that can display gaming actions quickly and do it in a way that is responsive to input from your gaming controller.
- See if the television comes with a Gaming Mode. Not to be confused with the picture setting ‘Game mode’. Gaming Mode is a great feature to have but it is not necessary.
- The television needs to be able to support images that remain static for extended periods such as mini maps, HUDs (Head Up Displays), and long periods of inactivity by the player.
- Look for ‘burn-in protection’ on the television you plan to purchase.
- Make sure the TV is at least HD ready for older consoles (Xbox 360, PS3).
- Check that the TV has Full HD true 1080p resolution for current consoles (Xbox One, PS4, Switch).
- Get a 4K TV to play PS4 Pro and Xbox One X 4k enabled games.
The last bullet point is really important for gamers. The Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 come with component cables. But the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Switch all come with HDMI cables.
This means your new television must have an HDMI port. The majority of new televisions do, but if for some reason it doesn’t you won’t be able to connect any of the newer consoles.
And if you own multiple video game systems, you’ll want to make sure your new television has multiple HDMI ports. This way you won’t have to keep swapping out consoles with the one HDMI port.
Also, if you need to connect your satellite/cable box to the HDMI port, switching between multiple HDMI supported devices with only one HDMI port can become an absolute annoyance.
Issues to be aware of when buying gaming TVs
Most uninformed people buy their television in a variety of wrong ways.
- They buy a TV that’s a reasonable size and looks the prettiest.
- They buy the cheapest TV that they can find with a good enough picture quality.
- They just walk into a store and buy a TV, only relying on the information a sales rep gives them.
None of these examples are the right way to approach buying a gaming TV as there’s a lot of minute details that can hinder your overall gameplay experience.
For those of you who play a lot of first-person shooters like Battlefield 4, Halo or Call of Duty, these are the type of games that require millisecond-fine responses.
One of the biggest problems that can ruin your gaming experience is a television that produces a large amount of input lag.
Input lag
Input lag is a term referring to the delay between a television getting a signal and the results of that signal appearing on the TVs screen, broken down by milliseconds. For most people who play games, input lag goes unnoticed. And the milliseconds of delay won’t really affect your gaming.
If you’re playing games that require quick reflexes, fast input, and is fast paced, then input lag could be a huge problem. For most first-person shooters and fighting games, the amount of input delay could be the difference between winning and losing. Especially when it comes to online multiplayer games.
Typically, Game mode on televisions help to reduce the amount of input lag during gameplay.
Image burn-in
So what is image burn-in? When an image on your television screen is static for a long period of time, it can cause permanent damage to the screen.
Pausing a video game, network logos or other static images will cause a faint outline or ghostly image to appear on your screen if left on for too long. Even when you change the channel or turn the television off, the image will still remain. It’s as if it’s “burned in” your screen and in some cases, it won’t ever go away.
Luckily, modern televisions are less likely to receive this problem due to anti-retention features. And older TVs are much more susceptible to this type of problem than newer models. Older Plasma televisions, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs and monitors are a lot more likely to get burn-in from still images.
An LCD based-screen can suffer from short term burn-in called image persistence which unlike image burn-in, is not permanent. In most cases, the chances of having image persistence on your LCD television is rare, and image burn-in even rarer, but it does happen on LCDs and OLEDs.
Although modern day televisions have features that help lower the risk of image burn-in and image persistence, proper care should still be taken.
See the section below for more details.
Best ways to protect your new gaming television
Buying a brand new television is a pretty sizable investment. And nobody wants to see his or her investment ruined. Your new gaming television should be able to provide you with thousands of hours of gameplay and entertainment. It shouldn’t become defective shortly after you purchase it.
Simple tasks and safety advice
Protecting your new television isn’t complicated. By taking these preventative measures and doing these simple tasks, your TV should last you quite a while.
- Plug your television into a surge protector.
- Dust and clean your television regularly.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean you television screen.
- Use a mount or TV strap to secure your television.
Doing things like plugging in your television into a surge protector and using proper cleaning solutions for your screen can save you a lot of headaches. And if you have children, especially young kids who like to grab and push things, getting a wall mount or $22 TV strap to secure your television would be a very smart investment.
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission says 43,000 people are injured each year in TV- and furniture-related incidents”.
If you’re thinking about setting your new television on a TV stand use caution as chances are your kids will knock it over. It’s a good idea to mount your television to the wall or use a quality TV strap. It’ll not only protect your new investment, but it will also help to prevent your kids from getting hurt as well.
Cleaning products for your television screen
As we mentioned before, taking care of your television can mean the difference between a short and long lifespan. One of the easiest ways to do this is by simply taking care of your TV screen. Using cleaning cloths and television wipes without harsh chemicals can help to not only keep your TV screen clean, but you also lower the risk of streaking and scratching your television.
Buying a screen cleaning kit is something you definitely should invest in if you want to keep your television screen looking flawless.
Preventative measures against image burn-in
When you buy a new TV, the first 100 to 200 hours of use can be highly susceptible to image burn-in/image persistence. The best way to help protect your television against problems like image burn-in or image persistence is to use the following advice:
- Keep your Contrast below 50% for the first 100 to 200 hours.
- Use screen savers if your television is equipped with one.
- Use automatic shutdown options for your TV when not in use.
- Be cautious about watching letterbox movies/TV shows during the first 200 hours.
- Take breaks from video games that display static images (maps, HUDs).
All the advice we just provided for prevention isn’t necessary but it helps. Chances are your new television is equipped with features to prevent a lot of problems that were common issues long ago. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry and doing what we listed above can only benefit your TV in the end.
If the problem does occur, don’t panic. The best thing to do is to keep watching television. Change the channels or play other video games and eventually, the image on screen will disappear in a matter of minutes to hours.
Remember, image burn-in is permanent but less likely to happen with modern televisions. Image retention (temporary form of image burn-in) or image persistence is short-term and much more common. It’s nothing to worry about and should go away after a while.
Should I buy an Extended Warranty?
The best way to make sure your television has a long life is to protect it. By practicing some of the preventive measures and tasks we’ve outlined above, your gaming TV should outlast your console.
Just in case though, bad things do happen regardless. Accidents are quite common especially if you have children. So is it worth it to get an extended warranty for your new television?
There are a couple of things to consider. Does the manufacturer’s warranty cover accidental damage, and certain issues like image burn-in? Some manufacturers consider image burn-in the fault of the owner and do not cover it. And accidental damage in certain cases might not be covered at all as well.
So do your research regarding the manufacturer’s warranty to see what they do and do not cover. If you want extra protection or added protection that covers what the manufacturer’s warranty won’t, then invest in an extended warranty.
Again, do your research on the extended warranty.
- What exactly is covered and for how long?
- Who is behind the actual extended warranty?
- Are they a trusted and reputable company?
- How is their customer service?
- Will they send someone to my residence to fix the issue?
- Will they replace my TV if the problem can’t be fixed?
Your new television is an investment. And it is better to be safe than sorry. Ask the right questions and get the right answers when it comes to the protection coverage on your TV because most likely, you’ll be keeping it for a long time. Try taking a look at Square Trade as they offer some really great warranties for televisions.
Does TV size matter for gaming?
When you are looking for the best gaming TV for the PS4 or other console systems, you will probably have to wade through a lot of reviews before you find the right television. One important factor when choosing a new television will be the size of it before you make a purchase.
The consensus among many gamers is that a larger TV is generally better—if the specs are right. But buying a huge HDTV that has a large amount of input lag is like buying a large paperweight. As in, the TV is useless for playing anything other than a really old game system on it.
With that said, purchase the largest TV that you can fit into the space you have. A larger TV will be able to show you more detail in your games, plus playing on a huge screen is just fun.
A larger screen will give you a better sense of immersion when playing your games. Plus, with the larger TVs, if there are issues in resolution, you are likely not noticing it heavily when closer to the screen.
How to Choose the Right Screen Size – Additional information on how to choose your TV size.
Television size vs. your budget
When choosing your new TV, it is best to set a budget and then go from there. Once you have your budget, you should choose a television for video games specifically. Meaning a TV that offers the best specifications for gaming first while providing the largest size that fits within the budget you set.
For smaller budgets, finding an overall good HDTV for gaming might be difficult. You really want to spend about $700 to $1,500 for a good mid-range television. Larger budgets will yield better TVs at almost any size up to 75”.
No matter what your budget is, try to stay at 40” or above for the HDTVs size. Any smaller and you will have to sit too close to the television to play the video game system comfortably.
A good size for your gaming television would be 55”. This size is easy to find, fits well in most rooms and you can find a stand or wall mount kit for it very easily (and a little cheaper).
Don’t forget essential accessories for your HDTV
HDMI cables
When you purchase a new television for console gaming, make sure it comes with everything you need in order to have the best video gaming experience. You are going to need HDMI cables, stereo cables and all other cables/hookups for anything else you have set up in your entertainment center.
If you have more than two or three gaming consoles, you should purchase a HDMI switch. This device allows you to hook up multiple consoles with HDMI cables to just one of your HDMI slots, leaving the others clear for different devices.
Some of the older consoles use regular component cables, so make sure you have some of those on hand if this applies to you.
The best gaming headsets to compliment your gaming TV
Then there’s the essential pair of gaming headsets you’re going to want to buy. No matter what television you purchase, you’re going to want to experience surround sound at its best. A TV just can’t do this.
One of the best solutions is to buy a gaming headset so that you can experience incredible 7.1 surround sound while playing your games. All without disturbing neighbors, roommates or any other people that might be around you. This also makes late night gaming a lot more doable.
We’ve put together a list of the best-selling gaming headsets for PS4 and other gaming consoles. Head over to the page and see why these are the most popular gaming headphones that are best suited to compliment your gaming TV.
HDMI: So many options
New HDTVs use HDMI ports to connect most devices. This means that you will need to purchase the HDMI cables for your older video game consoles in order to take advantage of this.
These type of cables do not come with the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. The Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 all come with HDMI cables included. But having extras on hand is not a bad idea as some owners have reported having issues or receiving bad HDMI cables with their system.
You can purchase the cables for relatively cheap. Do not let the electronics clerk tell you that a $60 or more HDMI cable is the answer for better picture quality. The truth is that even the more expensive cables offer not much of a difference in picture than off-brand varieties. But buying a more expensive HDMI cable does have its benefits over a cheaper cable.
- A longer lifespan
- Can withstand twist and turns better than cheaper cables
- Better video and audio reliability than cheaper HDMI cords
If you’re planning on running the HDMI cable over a long distance, it’s best to go for a more expensive brand. The greater the distance, the more the signal will degrade so in this case quality wins out. And don’t forget to make sure the HDMI cables have the gold tip connectors, because that feature does matter. Gold allows for a better connection, especially when you have to have a longer cable.