The best gaming TVs can set you back thousands, but you don’t have to break the bank for an immersive gaming experience. These affordable options pack advanced features like mini-LED backlighting, HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen consoles, and buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rates that keep you locked in the action.
The 2023 LG QNED80 is a visual stunner. Its sleek design seamlessly blends with a brilliant Quantum Dot panel that explodes with vibrant, accurate colors. Content upscaling is flawless, ensuring both old games and low-resolution movies reach crisp 4K glory. It can also get bright without crushing dark scenes, resulting in an immersive and stunning picture quality.
On the gaming front, the QNED80 boasts butter-smooth 4K 120Hz performance with VRR on two of its HDMI ports, making it a perfect fit for next-generation console gaming. Motion handling is exceptional, keeping every detail razor-sharp even in the most action-packed scenes. While the lack of proper local dimming might lead to minor halo effects in some scenes, it’s a slight compromise for such an otherwise impressive feature set.
LG QNED80 URA Series
Best Overall
Packed with HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz panel for smooth gameplay, and vivid picture quality, the 2023 LG QNED80 shines as a reliable and affordable option for next-gen console gaming.
- Excellent picture quality
- Rich and vibrant colors
- HDMI 2.1 port for 4K/120Hz gaming
- Solid VRR support and quick response time
- Easy setup
- Poor local dimming
- Does not support Dolby Vision
Best Budget Gaming TV Under $500: TCL Q6
While cheaper options exist, the TCL Q6 stands out for its immersive, low-lag experience that’ll have you dominating fast-paced battles. Don’t let the HDMI 2.0 ports fool you; high-refresh-rate gaming is still very much alive and kicking here, reaching a smooth 120Hz with VRR at 1080p or 1440p.
The QLED panel delivers stunning picture quality with vibrant colors and punchy highlights. However, the lack of local dimming means some blacks might turn slightly gray in darker scenes, and occasional blooming could creep in during HDR. That said, the overall picture quality is still excellent, and Dolby Vision adds a touch of cinematic magic to your games and movies.
If you want something even more affordable without sacrificing 120Hz thrills, the TCL Q5 is a good alternative if you can find it in stock.
TCL Q6
Best Under $500
While its 4K refresh rate caps at 60Hz, this TV unleashes 120Hz at lower resolutions, ideal for competitive gaming on a budget.
- Affordable
- Brilliant picture quality with Dolby Vision
- Responsive 120Hz gaming
- Good response time and FreeSync VRR
- Does not support 120Hz in 4K
The Sony BRAVIA TV X85K is a rare gem among budget-friendly gaming TVs. It not only allows you to tear through fast-paced games at silky-smooth 4K 120Hz on your PS5 but also delivers a detailed and immersive viewing experience, thanks to exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping.
The X85K isn’t just about speed. While it doesn’t have a mini-LED backlight, Sony has masterfully tuned this TV to outperform other mid-range offerings. Its higher native contrast ratio and brighter panel make HDR content pop with realism and depth. Combine that with vibrant colors and Dolby Vision, and you have a TV that checks all the boxes for watching movies, sports, and anything else your heart desires.
Sony BRAVIA TV X85K
Best for PS5
If you’re looking for an affordable TV for your PS5, the Sony X85K delivers a dazzling experience with 4K 120Hz support, VRR for smooth visuals, and stunning HDR—all at a price that won’t break the bank.
- Brilliant contrast ratio
- Bright and vivid picture quality
- 4K/120Hz support
- VRR support and quick response times
Best Budget OLED TV for Gaming: LG C3
It might appear pricy at first glance, but the LG C3 is actually a hidden, relatively budget-friendly gem among OLED TVs. While similar options like the Samsung S90C quickly climb into luxury territory, the C3 offers OLED’s signature strengths—incredible contrast, deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a host of smart features—all at a very competitive price.
Compared to budget TVs, the C3 delivers smoother gameplay and superior motion clarity with its near-instantaneous response time and low input lag. All four HDMI ports support 4K at 120Hz gaming, perfect for next-gen consoles and high-end PCs. And its versatile sizes, including a compact 42-inch option, make it ideal for diverse gaming setups.
LG C3 OLED
Best OLED
The LG C3 is one of the most affordable OLED TVs with HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz support, making it a solid option if you prioritize top-notch visuals without breaking the bank.
- Exceptional picture quality
- Brilliant contrast and perfect blacks
- Outstanding color reproduction
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K/120Hz gaming
- Excellent motion handling
- Not as bright as premium OLED TVs
Best Budget Gaming TV for PC: Hisense U7K
Hisense offers a compelling package with the U7K, proving you don’t need cutting-edge tech like Dolby Vision and mini-LED. Boasting proper local dimming support and a dazzling 1,000-nit brightness, this mid-range TV shines, especially for HDR content. Whether you’re watching movies in a dark or bright room, it brings the IMAX experience right to the comfort of your home.
The surprises don’t stop there: the U7K boasts a native 144Hz refresh rate, exceeding the 120Hz standard for most gaming TVs, making it perfect for PC gamers who want every bit of a competitive advantage. It also boasts low input lag and smooth VRR across all refresh rates. While FreeSync may not work simultaneously with HDR on PCs featuring AMD GPUs, G-Sync and other VRR formats work flawlessly.
Hisense U7K
Best for PC
$674 $800 Save $126
The Hisense U7K delivers outstanding value, blending superb home theater and gaming features, including a smooth 4K 144Hz experience, making it a dream come true for budget-minded PC gamers.
- Excellent well-rounded performance
- Supports 144Hz with VRR in 4K
- Stunning picture quality
- Brilliant contrast and colors
- FreeSync may not work with HDR on PCs
FAQ
Q: What is a TV’s refresh rate and how does it affect gaming?
A TV’s refresh rate indicates how many times per second the image on the screen updates. So, a 60Hz TV refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 120Hz TV refreshes it 120 times per second.
Refresh rates matter in gaming. A higher refresh rate delivers smoother, more fluid visuals and eliminates motion blur, making it easier to see and react to on-screen action, giving you a significant advantage in highly competitive games.
Q: What are common refresh rates and what are the best for gaming?
The majority of monitors and TVs you’ll find on the market today come equipped with a 60Hz refresh rate. While this is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks and casual gaming, if you crave the smoothest, most responsive experience in fast-paced games, consider opting for a monitor or TV boasting a 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, or even higher refresh rate.
Q: What other aspects of a TV are important for gaming?
In addition to the refresh rate, other aspects to look for in a gaming TV include variable refresh rate (VRR), low input lag, and quick response times.
