By Mashable | Created at 2025-03-06 06:19:52 | Updated at 2025-03-10 08:37:00
4 days ago
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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
We've been living in the next generation — by which we mean next gen gaming — for several years now. So whether you're a PS5, Xbox Series X, or souped-up PC gamer, a 4K TV is pretty much mandatory — a crucial companion for your console.
Most 4K TVs come with gaming-friendly features built-in, but not all gaming TVs are made equal. There's spec for every type of gamer. It's a matter of navigating the jargon and finding a 4K TV that will best suit you and your gaming sessions. Most 4K TVs are also loaded with smart features, which are great for when you want to take a break from games, or for when your roommates fancy a good old binge-watch.
With top TV brands updating their TV tech on an annual basis, you can upgrade at pretty much any time. We've done some research to point you towards the best models. Which means you can spend less time reading up online and more time gaming. Here's some useful information and a selection of the best 4K TVs for gaming right now.
What is 4K?
4K is a fancy way of saying ultra-high definition. A 4K TV display has at least 8 million active pixels and a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 — that's four times the resolution of the HD standard of 1080p. More advanced TVs also upscale regular HD and SD content so it looks as clear and detailed as possible.
Do you need a 4K TV for gaming?
In a word, yes. At least, you do if you want to get the most out of your next-gen console. Not only do the PS5 and Xbox Series X boast 4K content, the current wave of 4K TVs are also packed with other features to meet these consoles’ spec. These include eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), 4K at 120Hz (High Frame Rate), HGiG tone-mapping, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and low input lag. These help with smoother gameplay and maximum performance.
How big are 4K TVs?
When it comes to 4K, a bigger screen just makes sense. You sure want to make the most of that 4K resolution. The smallest size in 4K is usually 48 inches, with sizes going up to 55, 65, 75, and even 80+ inch screens. That's a whole lotta TV.
What is low input lag?
This is tech jargon for how long it takes your TV to turn the data it's receiving into an actual image on the screen. The lower the input lag (counted in milliseconds) the better. This means the gaming action will be as up-to-speed as possible, without lagging behind what’s happening on the control pad or your opponent’s screen. What good is it if your trigger and target are out of sync? Milliseconds might not sound like something to worry about, but just 100ms can make a huge difference.
What is ALLM?
This stands for Auto Low Latency Mode. It’s a nifty bit of tech which automatically detects a gaming signal and switches your TV to gaming mode. This essentially shuts down any surplus picture processing power, which in turns speeds up the gaming performance and cuts down on the dreaded input lag. For gamers who like the path of least resistance — i.e. getting into the game with minimal effort — it eliminates the need to switch your TV to its gaming mode before firing up the console.
Do you need HDMI 2.1?
For the PS5 and Xbox Series X, you absolutely need HDMI 2.1. Both consoles use HDMI 2.1 to output games at up to 120fps (frames per second). HDMI 2.1 supports an increased bandwidth of 48Gbps, which means higher resolution, faster refresh rates, and better HDR. HDMI 2.1 also supports eARC for transmitting high-quality audio.
While TVs come with multiple HDMI ports, not all ports will be HDMI 2.1 (2.0 is often included as standard — anything under 2.0 won’t be able to handle 4K resolution at anything higher than 30 frames a second). Fortunately, most of the latest crop of 4K TVs will include at least one HDMI 2.1, which is all you need. This is unless you want to have both a PS5 and Xbox Series X plugged in at once. The PS4 and the last Xbox will happily make do with HDMI 2.0 — as will the Nintendo Switch.
What does 120Hz mean?
This is the refresh rate — how many times the screen refreshes per minute. The higher the refresh rate the smoother the handling of motion and gameplay is. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X pumping out games at 120fps, you want a 4K TV that can handle that with 120Hz. Thankfully, most do. You’ll also find some TVs equipped with VRR. This means Variable Refresh Rate, which keeps pace with sudden changes in a game’s fps output to prevent stuttering within gameplay.
What is the best gaming TV?
From high-end options to more wallet-friendly picks, these are the best gaming-friendly 4K TVs that deliver on fast action, quick response, and overall performance.
These are the best 4K TVs for gaming in 2025.
The Samsung S95D is one of the best OLED TVs available right now. It looks incredible and has all kinds of tech supporting the visuals, including Real Depth Enhancer, OLED HDR Pro, OLED Glare Free, and AI-assisted 4K upscaling. That’s more than just fancy jargon — this TV delivers finer details, richer colours, and more immersive action.
It’s also well stacked for gaming. It supports VRR and ALLM, along with FreeSync Premium Pro — for reducing screen tearing and stuttering — and Motion Xcelerator for a refresh rate of up to 144Hz when you connect a PC.
In addition to all that spec, it has an AI Auto Game Mode. It’s really very clever. It detects the genre of game you’re currently playing and automatically adjusts settings for the optimum gaming experience and performance. You can also tweak settings yourself in a dedicated Game Bar. You don’t even need a console or PC for gaming with this TV — it has a Gaming Hub where you can stream games from Xbox and other games manufacturers.
The Samsung S95D is also well equipped for immersive, action-packed sound. It uses Object Tracking Sound+, which utilises eight speakers that follow the sound across the screen, bringing the action to life and putting you at the centre of it. However, this TV will benefit from a Samsung soundbar that syncs with the brand’s Q-Symphony technology.
LG have long been credited as the undisputed kings of OLED TVs, so it’s little surprise they make an appearance on this list. The LG C4 is a superb model that offers a huge amount for gamers.
It has everything you need for silky smooth, lag-free gameplay, including AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatibility, 4K 144Hz support, ALLM, and VRR. It also has a Game Optimizer and Game Dashboard for adjust your in-game settings. Impressively, you don’t need to pause the action to use either of those tools. You can optimise the game while you play.
Elsewhere, the LG C4 gives you access to stacks of games via cloud gaming platforms such as GeForce Now and Boosteroid.
If you like to unwind after a hard day’s gaming with a movie, this TV is well equipped in that department, too. It has a special Filmmaker Mode that works with Dolby Vision to adjust the picture and enhance every frame — just as the film director intended (it’s even endorsed by Martin Scorsese).
Other features include a Brightness Booster with Light Boosting algorithm, AI Picture Wizard for creating personalised visuals, and AI that fine tunes the pictures and sounds in real time. It also analyses the room to deliver audio for the specific dimensions of the space and acoustics.
It may come as a surprise to see an Amazon TV recommended here — we tend to think of smart speakers when it comes to Amazon’s Alexa-powered smart devices — but the Amazon Fire TV Omni is a cracking smart TV for the money. And it comes with a surprising array of gaming-friendly features.
As well as support for VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, it has a specific Dolby Vision gaming mode and a 144Hz refresh rate. You can stream games via Amazon Luna or download games via the Amazon App Store.
If there’s a drawback to this TV’s gaming prowess, it’s that it has just two HDMI 2.1 ports, once of which is an eARC port. That means if you've got a soundbar, you can only connect one console to the remaining 2.1 port for maximum performance. Unless you want to manually change the connection every time you switch between Xbox and PS5. If you’re a one console household, however, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
A you’d expect, it’s well suited for homes that already have Alexa. With Amazon’s voice assistant already built in, it syncs with and controls other Alexa devices. You can also set up Amazon smart speakers for surround sound.
If you’re trying to manage costs — because let’s be honest, gaming comes at a serious price — look no further than the Samsung Q80D, which is rated by smart TV experts as one of the best mid-range models around right now.
At a glance, there’s plenty to recommend for general viewing. It has features that include Real Depth Enhancer, 4K AI upscaling, Quantum Dots for boosting the brightness and colour gamut, and Quantum HDR+ support.
As for gaming, you get a lot of what’s available in the more expensive Samsung model: Motion Xcelerator 120Hz, FreeSynch Premium Pro, VRR, ALLM, and automatic Game Mode optimisation. There’s also the Gaming Hub and the option to further optimise your settings with the game Game Bar.
The great thing about this TV versus the more premium model is, of course, the price. You’d have to be a real stickler or aficionado to notice the dip in spec. And despite the lower price, the Samsung Q80D boasts four HDMIs (usually the domain of higher ticket TVs), which makes this perfect for multiple console game stations — or anyone who’s also got high performance Blu-ray player and speakers. Overall, it's excellent for this price point.
It stands to reason that the Sony Bravia XR A80L would pair nicely with the PS5. They’re both made by Sony, after all. The Japanese tech giant has packed this 4K TV with Playstation 5-ready features.
These features include Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which automatically adjusts and optimises visuals depending on the content — in this case, your PS5 game — plus a specific gaming menu which can give you the advantage during gameplay. The menu gives you the option of a crosshairs, which you can use for more accurate shooting, as well as Motion Blur Reduction, Black Equalizer, and adjustable screen size settings. The only real downside to its gaming spec is the HDMI selection. Only two support HDMI 2.1.
That’s all gamer specific, of course. Let’s not overlook the fact that this is just a great TV before you’ve even switched on the PS5. It boasts an OLED panel, which pairs with sharp-sounding Acoustic Surface Audio+. It actually turns the screen into a speaker, so sound emanates from the action.
One welcome addition is 24 months of Bravia Core, a streaming platform for Sony’s movie (if you like Spider-Man films, you’re in business). There’s also access to 700,000+ movies and episodes through Google TV and its wealth of streaming apps. Be warned that some UK catch-ups are missing, however.
OK, it might be a stretch to call anything that costs around the £500 mark as “budget”, but in the context of gaming gear, the Hisense U6N is a steal. And it comes as little surprise. This is very much Hisense’s wheelhouse: Budget or mid-range level TVs that perform admirably for the money.
It uses Mini-LEDs with full array local dimming and full HDR support. Yes, there’s plenty to enjoy from its visuals — nice colours, contrast, and detail — though it obviously won’t compete with 4K TVs that come at twice the price.
In terms of gaming, it has Game Mode Plus, which automatically kicks in when you fire up your console. Reviewers have rated its visuals and smooth action while gaming, and though reviewers have also marked it down for only supporting HDMI 2.0, Hisense now lists the model as being equipped with three HDMI 2.1 ports that support VRR, ALLM, and eARC.
Delivering 60Hz in 4K, it doesn’t match the top refresh rate of more expensive 4K TVs but that's only be an issue is you’re super specific about refresh rates.
For general viewing it has Filmmaker and Sports Mode, both of which optimise the viewing experience to maximise the movie and sports-watching experience. You could always fork out for the more expensive Hisense U7N, which is often rated as a top choice for 4K gaming, but this one is respectable option.
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming services, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.
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