The 5 Best TVs in 2018 for Playing Games

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If you are searching a TV for playing games, there some points you should consider. One of the major factors you should consider is about their input lags. Fortunately, in general, all models of TVs which released in 2017 have good input lags.  This very important particularly when you are playing fast paced content that require fast reflexes. The lower input lags of TVs in Game mode, playing a game will feel more responsive and the impact will be noticeable when you are playing fast paced games. In addition to the inputs lags, pixel response time also becomes the other major factor you should consider. This is also very important in order to when playing fast paced games, the picture produced will look smooth without many motion blur visible. Additionally, if you often play games with a group of your friend or family, you also can consider a TV that has wide viewing angle because playing games with a group of you friend or family certainly need wide seating. But this is only optional. If you often play game alone, you can ignore this issue.

Meanwhile, to support HDR game demand like what provided by some professional game consoles, most 4K TVs that released in 2018 also already support HDR.  Additionally, most of them also have some features to support advanced games like optional motion interpolation with low input lag, Variable Refresh Rate Panel, option Black Frame Insertion and others. All of these features certainly will further pamper you in playing game. And of course, picture quality also becomes the other factor you should consider in buying TV for games.  And for you who prefer to play games in a bright room, peak brightness of TVs should be also considered. Below are the best TVs for playing games, form entry level to premium model.

Samsung Q9FN

Almost all premium TVs actually have great performance when used for playing games. But of course, between them, there is the best. For this case, overall, we have chosen Samsung Q9FN is as the best TVs for playing games.  The other models that their performance close to Q9FN are all models of LG OLED TVs, but in some aspects, Samsung Q9FN is better, particularly when used for playing HDR games. Without HDR, the input lags of Q9FN may similar to what offered by LG OLED TV, but with HDR, its input lags are lower. Additionally, Samsung Q9FN also already supports Variable Refresh Rate while LG OLED TVs have not support. Additionally, combination of deep black level, outstanding color reproduction, and excellent peak brightness makes the picture displayed when used for playing games in both dark and bright room looks excellent. Overall, Samsung Q9FN is a great TV for games. But since its viewing angle is poor, for you who often play games with a group of your family or friend, LG OLED TVs may be a good alternative for you.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung Q9FN <<

LG OLED B8

As we have mentioned, for you who often play games with a group of your family or friend or prefer play games in a dark room, LG OLED B8 may become the best TV for you. Its performance and picture quality is not far different to higher model like OLED C8, E8 or even W8 that sold more expensive. In both SDR, the input lags of OLED B8 are almost similar to Samsung Q9FN. Meanwhile, in HDR, although not as low as Q9FN, but its input lags certainly are also low enough to play HDR games so feel responsively without laggy. And we know, all OLED TV has outstanding pixel response time that makes the picture produced looks smooth with almost no motion blur, even when you playing fast paced games. Not only that, it also has wide viewing angle, perfect for you who often play game with a group of your family and friend. Additionally, although not as bright as Q9FN, peak brightness of OLED B8 is also bright enough to fight the glare, make it is still suitable when used for playing games in a bright room. But even so, since it has a risk from temporary image retention or even permanent burn in, play the same game for a long time should be avoided. Additionally, OLED B* also doesn’t support a variable refresh rate.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the LG OLED B8 <<

Sony X900F

If you feel both Samsung Q9FN and LG OLED B8 are too expensive, there is a cheaper alternative that also have great performance when used for playing game that is Sony X900F. Overall, Sony X900F also has good performance for gaming. It has deep black level and bright peak brightness, makes the picture produced looks consistent, no matter that light condition of a room where it is used. Additionally, it also has good pixel response time, make the picture looks very smooth without a lot of visible blur when it is playing fast paced games. In 4k resolution, the input lags of X900F is also excellent, allow you to play any games so feel responsively. But a bit unfortunately, its input lags at 1080p is too high that is about 40 ms. This is only comfortable for casual games while for fast paced games, this may be disappointing. And like Q9FN, since X900F is a VA TV, its viewing angle coverage is poor, makes it is not suitable for you who prefer to play games with a group of your friend or family that certainly need a wide seating.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X900F <<

Samsung NU8000

If you still think Sony X900F is too expensive for you, Samsung NU8000 can be a best cheaper alternative for you. Overall, its picture quality may be not as good as X900F, but as a TV that sold cheaper, NU8000 even offers advantages in some features that required for gaming. Its local dimming and peak brightness may be not as excellent as X900F, but it still offers good performance when used in both dark and bright environment. It has lower input lags in both 4K and 1080p resolution, with HDR or not. This certainly makes it is more responsive than X900F, particularly for 1080p games. Additionally, NU8000 also already supports Variable Refresh Rate panel and FreeSync, allow it to synchronize automatically with the refresh rate of game consoles, so the screen tearing and stutter can be minimized. Additionally, although not as low as X900F, NU8000 also has excellent pixel response time. Not only that, it even also has an optional 60 Hz black frame insertion, makes the blur that caused by persistence when you are playing 60 fps games can be minimized. But like other TVs with VA panel, NU8000 has poor side viewing angle, so when you are playing a games with a group of your friend or family, each of you may not get the same picture quality.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung NU8000 <<

TCL R617

If you are searching best budget 4K TV for games, you can consider R617 as one of your options. It may be not from the big names, but the advantages offered, its performance and picture quality is not inferior to other TVs that sold tens or even hundreds dollar more expensive. Overall, picture quality of TCL R617 is not far different to NU8000. It is even able show brighter HDR images. Just like NU8000, TCL R617 also has good pixel response time and an optional 60 Hz BFI mode. Additionally, the input lags of TCL R617 are also not far different to NU8000, makes it is very comfortable and responsive when used to play any games, even for fast paced games that required fast reflexes. But unlike other models in above where they have native 120 HZ refresh rate panel (except 49” model of NU8000), TCL 6 Series only have native refresh rate panel. Additionally, since it uses VA panel, its side viewing angle coverage is also poor. But overall, for a budget TV, performance of TCL R617 when used for playing games is very satisfying.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the TCL R617 <<

All of them are the best TVs for playing games we have chosen in each price range. All of them have good picture quality for each of their class, excellent motion handling, low input lags, and good performance in other aspects that required for playing games. In addition to the performance, their price certainly also becomes one of our consideration. Actually, there are also some other models that also has good performance when used for playing games, or even almost all TVs have good performance for gaming. This is just our recommendation for you based on our personal opinion. So, if you have your own choice, in addition to picture quality, the major aspects you should consider is about their input lags and response time.

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