Best Gaming TV 2025: Top UHD Picks for PS5, Xbox Series X and 120Hz HDMI 2.1 Performance

By Robert Jones · 2026-03-08

Right then, if you've shelled out for a PS5 or Xbox Series X, your old telly just won't cut it. Your screen is just as crucial as the console, so I've been testing the best 2025 gaming TVs to see what's worth your hard-earned cash.

Right then, if you're anything like me, you've probably shelled out a fair bit of cash on one of the new consoles – a PS5 or an Xbox Series X. And if you've done that, you'll know that shoving it onto any old telly from a few years back just doesn't cut it anymore. Honestly, it's like buying a Ferrari and then putting bicycle tyres on it. The jump from 1080p to proper 4K at high frame rates, with all the bells and whistles like HDR, means your screen is just as important as the console itself these days. It's not just about how pretty the picture looks, mind you; it's about how quickly it responds, how smooth the movement is, and whether it can actually handle what HDMI 2.1 throws at it. So, if you're still running an old set, you're really holding those shiny new boxes back. This year, we've seen some cracking bits of kit hit the market, and I've spent a fair few weeks putting them through their paces in the workshop. Let's see what's worth your hard-earned cash. **Quick Verdict: The LG C4 OLED is still the one to beat for most gamers, offering a fantastic all-round package.** ![Best Gaming TV 2025: Top UHD Picks for PS5, Xbox Series X and 120Hz HDMI 2.1 Performance](/src/assets/gaming-tv.jpg) *Best Gaming TV 2025: Top UHD Picks for PS5, Xbox Series X and 120Hz HDMI 2.1 Performance — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## Kicking Things Off: Why Your Old TV Won't Do Remember back in the day, when you just plugged your Sega Mega Drive into whatever SCART socket was free and away you went? Good times, eh? Well, those days are long gone. The PS5 and Xbox Series X aren't just a bit better than the old consoles; they're in a different league entirely. They're pushing out 4K pictures at up to 120 frames per second, complete with fancy HDR effects that make everything pop. If your telly can't keep up, you're essentially gaming with one hand tied behind your back. You'll miss out on the incredible detail, the super-smooth motion, and you'll probably feel a lag between pressing a button and seeing something happen on screen. That's just not on when you've spent five hundred quid on a console. We're talking about things like low input lag, which means your button presses register instantly. Then there's refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), which dictates how many times the screen updates per second. For gaming, 120Hz is the sweet spot. And, of course, HDMI 2.1 – this is crucial. It's the cable standard that allows all this high-bandwidth data, like 4K@120Hz, to actually get from your console to your TV. Without it, you're stuck. Don't even get me started on Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to stop screen tearing, or Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for a slick experience. These aren't just buzzwords; they make a proper difference to how games feel. Over the past couple of months, I've had a few of the top contenders in for a proper testing session. Running them through *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III* for those quick reactions, *Cyberpunk 2077* for the HDR and visual spectacle, and *Forza Horizon 5* to really push those 120Hz frames. I've been looking at how bright they get, how deep the blacks are, and crucially, how they handle the demanding grunt of current-gen hardware. Let's get stuck in. ## The Contenders: My Picks for 2025's Best Gaming TVs ### 1. LG C4 Series OLED: The Unbeatable All-Rounder LG's 'C' series, as many of you will know, has been the go-to for serious gamers for donkey's years. And the C4, bless its cotton socks, just carries on that fine tradition. What I really love about it is the sheer practicality – you get four full-fat HDMI 2.1 ports. That means you can plug in your PS5, your Xbox, your gaming PC, and still have one spare for something else, without faffing about swapping cables over. Big win, that. Under the bonnet, it's got a new Alpha 9 processor. Now, processors in TVs can sound a bit like marketing guff, but this one genuinely improves the picture, especially when it's upscaling a lower-resolution game or trying to make HDR look its best. But the real magic of OLED, and the C4 is no different, is the response time. We're talking 0.1ms. That's practically instant. For competitive games where every millisecond counts, that's a solid advantage. No blurring, no ghosting. Just pure, clean motion. #### Who It's For: * Anyone with multiple current-gen consoles or a gaming PC. * Gamers who want the absolute best picture quality and response time. * People who play a mix of fast-paced shooters and visually rich story games. * Those with a gaming room where light control isn't an issue. #### Who Should Skip It: * People who game predominantly in very bright, sunny rooms. * Anyone on a really tight budget (OLEDs aren't cheap). * Those who are genuinely terrified of screen burn-in (though it's much less of a concern now). #### My Thoughts: I've had a C3 in my workshop for a good year now, and the C4 builds on that solid foundation. The picture is just stunning. Those perfect blacks really make a difference, especially in darker games or horror titles – the atmosphere is just incredible. The gaming menu, their 'Game Optimizer', is really intuitive too. You can tweak everything from input lag settings to VRR without digging through endless menus. It just works. My only slight niggle, and it's a small one, is that it doesn't get quite as bright as some of the QD-OLED or Mini-LED sets out there. But unless you're in a conservatory with direct sunlight blasting onto the screen, it's rarely an issue. **Pros:** * Truly incredible contrast and perfect, inky black levels. * All four HDMI 2.1 ports are full-bandwidth, supporting 4K at 120Hz for consoles and even 144Hz for PCs. * Plays nice with both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, so your PC gaming is buttery smooth. * Game Optimizer menu is genuinely useful and easy to navigate. * Near-instant 0.1ms response time means zero motion blur. **Cons:** * Peak brightness isn't quite as eye-watering as some rivals, especially the Mini-LEDs. * Still a theoretical risk of permanent screen burn-in with static images, though LG has loads of preventative measures now. * It's a premium TV, so expect a premium price tag (around £1,700 for a 55-inch). ### 2. Samsung QN90D Neo QLED: The Bright Room Champion Now, if your gaming setup happens to be in a big, bright living room, or even a sun-trap conservatory, an OLED might struggle a bit with reflections and overall brightness. That's where Samsung's QN90D comes striding in, all guns blazing. This TV uses what they call Mini-LED technology, which is essentially loads of tiny little LEDs creating the backlight. And when I say loads, I mean *loads*. This allows for staggering levels of brightness – we're talking over 2000 nits in some scenarios. It makes HDR content absolutely pop, even with the sun streaming through the windows. I had this one hooked up in my living room for a bit, which gets a fair bit of afternoon sun, and it handled it like a champ. Samsung's also got this thing called the 'Gaming Hub'. It's pretty clever, allowing you to stream games directly from services like Xbox Game Pass without even needing your console turned on. Handy if you just want a quick blast without all the faff. Their 'Motion Xcelerator' tech also does a grand job of keeping fast-moving action crystal clear, with minimal blur. I put it through its paces with some *F1 23*, and the cars just flew across the screen without a hint of judder. #### Who It's For: * Gamers with very bright rooms, where ambient light is a constant problem. * Those who prioritize extreme brightness and vivid HDR highlights. * People concerned about OLED burn-in, who want a truly bulletproof screen. * Anyone who might dabble in cloud gaming without needing a physical console. #### Who Should Skip It: * Those who absolutely demand the perfect, inky black levels of an OLED. * Gamers who want Dolby Vision support (Samsung uses HDR10+ exclusively). * If you're particularly sensitive to minor backlight blooming in very dark scenes. #### My Thoughts: Honestly, this TV is a beast for brightness. If you've ever tried to game on an OLED during a sunny afternoon and just seen your own reflection, you'll appreciate what the QN90D brings to the table. The anti-reflective coating on this thing is superb too; it genuinely cuts down on distractions. Input lag is incredibly low, right up there with the best. Where it falls a tiny bit short for me, compared to the LG, is in those absolute black levels. While they're fantastic for an LED TV, you do occasionally notice a tiny halo around very bright objects on a completely black background. It's not a deal-breaker for most, but if you're an OLED purist, you'll spot it. And the lack of Dolby Vision is a shame, as some games do use it. Still, HDR10+ looks amazing, so it's not the end of the world. **Pros:** * Eye-watering peak brightness, often exceeding 2000 nits, making HDR truly spectacular. * Excellent anti-reflective screen coating, perfect for bright rooms. * Extremely low input lag for responsive gaming. * Zero risk of permanent burn-in, offering peace of mind. * Gaming Hub for cloud gaming is a neat bonus. **Cons:** * Doesn't support Dolby Vision, relying solely on HDR10+. * Minor backlight blooming can sometimes be visible in very challenging dark scenes. * Black levels, while impressive for an LED, can't quite match OLED perfection. * The sound quality, whilst decent, isn't going to replace a dedicated sound system. ### 3. Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED: The PlayStation Aficionado's Dream Right, if you've got a PS5 and you want the absolute best visual experience tailor-made for it, then Sony's A95L QD-OLED needs to be on your radar. Now, this isn't just any old OLED; it's a QD-OLED, which basically means it combines the perfect blacks of OLED with the vibrant colours and brightness of Quantum Dots. The result? A picture that is just utterly mesmerising. Seriously, the colour volume on this thing is unbelievable. I ran *Horizon Forbidden West* on it, and the vibrant landscapes just exploded off the screen. It's got a brightness advantage over standard OLEDs too, meaning those HDR highlights truly sparkle. Sony, being the makers of the PlayStation, have some smart tricks up their sleeve for the A95L. It's got specific features like 'Auto HDR Tone Mapping' and 'Genre Picture Mode' that automatically optimise the picture settings when it detects a PS5. It really does make a difference. The picture just looks perfectly tuned without you having to fiddle about. The processing on Sony TVs is legendary, and the A95L is no exception; everything looks incredibly natural and detailed. #### Who It's For: * PS5 owners who want the absolute premium, optimised experience for their console. * Those who crave the most vibrant and accurate colours possible. * Buyers who want the combined benefits of OLED blacks and increased brightness. * Anyone who appreciates top-tier picture processing for both games and films. #### Who Should Skip It: * Gamers primarily on Xbox Series X or PC (the PS5 specific features won't benefit you as much). * If your budget is already stretched by the cost of a high-end console. * If you need multiple full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports (it only has two). * If you're worried about potential burn-in, despite the QD-OLED tech reducing the risk. #### My Thoughts: Look, the A95L is an absolute stunner. The colours are just so rich and lifelike, and the detail is phenomenal. For PS5 games, it's genuinely hard to beat; it feels like the TV was designed hand-in-hand with the console. The HDR is fantastic, brighter than a standard OLED, which helps it stand up to a bit more ambient light. My only real grumble with it is that it only has two HDMI 2.1 ports that do the full 4K@120Hz thing. That's fine if you've only got a PS5 and perhaps a soundbar, but if you're running a PS5, Xbox, and a PC, you'll be doing a lot of cable swapping. And it's not exactly cheap – you're paying a premium for that Sony badge and QD-OLED tech, so expect to shell out upwards of £2,000 for a 55-inch. **Pros:** * Unbelievable QD-OLED picture quality with stunning colour volume and brightness. * Specific PS5 optimisation features that genuinely enhance the gaming experience. * Superb motion handling and detail thanks to Sony's legendary processing. * Perfect black levels and infinite contrast of OLED. * Excellent built-in sound for a TV. **Cons:** * Only two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, which can be limiting for multiple devices. * Considerably more expensive than the LG C4. * Still carries a theoretical burn-in risk, though reduced with QD-OLED. * Not as bright overall as the Mini-LED QN90D. ### 4. Hisense U8N Mini-LED: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse Now, I know not everyone has two grand burning a hole in their pocket for a new TV. And that's perfectly understandable. This is where the Hisense U8N comes in. Hisense has really been making waves lately, offering serious performance for a fraction of the price of the big boys. The U8N is a Mini-LED TV, similar to the Samsung QN90D, meaning it gets seriously bright. We're talking over 1500 nits of peak brightness, which is outstanding for its price point. It handles HDR content with real punch, and colours are surprisingly vibrant. It's also packed with gaming features you'd expect on much pricier sets: 4K@144Hz support (for PC gamers), VRR, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro. It's got two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, which is perfectly adequate for most people with one console and perhaps a soundbar. I was genuinely impressed with how little input lag it had – it felt incredibly responsive when I was putting it through its paces with *Diablo IV*. #### Who It's For: * Gamers on a tighter budget who still demand excellent performance. * Anyone who needs a bright TV for a well-lit room but can't stretch to a Samsung. * Those who primarily game on one console or PC and don't need loads of HDMI 2.1 ports. * If you want impressive HDR without breaking the bank. #### Who Should Skip It: * OLED purists who won't compromise on perfect black levels. * If you need more than two HDMI 2.1 ports for multiple high-end devices. * People who want the absolute best motion processing (it's good, but not Sony-level). * Those who prefer a more established, premium brand name. #### My Thoughts: Honestly, for the money, the Hisense U8N is a bit of a steal. It delivers a huge chunk of what the more expensive Mini-LED TVs offer without the hefty price tag. The brightness is its standout feature; it makes HDR content really pop. The contrast is also very good for an LED TV, with local dimming doing a decent job of keeping blooming in check most of the time. You do notice it a bit more than on the Samsung, but it's rarely distracting. Where it falls a little short is in the finer details of picture processing and perhaps viewing angles aren't quite as wide as the premium sets. But if you're sat dead centre, you'll be chuffed to bits with the picture. It's a cracking option for anyone wanting a proper gaming TV without emptying their wallet. **Pros:** * Exceptional brightness and HDR performance for its price category. * Excellent gaming features, including 4K@144Hz, VRR, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro. * Very competitive pricing, offering superb value. * Good contrast for a Mini-LED TV. * Solid built-in sound for a mid-range set. **Cons:** * Only two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports. * Black levels and local dimming aren't as refined as the Samsung QN90D or any OLED. * Motion processing isn't quite as advanced as Sony or LG. * Viewing angles can be a bit more limited compared to OLEDs. ## Comparison Table: A Quick Glance | Feature | LG C4 OLED | Samsung QN90D Neo QLED | Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED | Hisense U8N Mini-LED | | :------------------ | :------------------ | :--------------------- | :-------------------------- | :----------------------- | | **Panel Type** | OLED | Mini-LED | QD-OLED | Mini-LED | | **Peak Brightness** | ~1000 nits | ~2000+ nits | ~1300 nits | ~1500+ nits | | **Contrast** | Perfect (Infinite) | Excellent | Perfect (Infinite) | Very Good | | **HDMI 2.1 Ports** | 4 (Full-bandwidth) | 4 (Full-bandwidth) | 2 (Full-bandwidth) | 2 (Full-bandwidth) | | **Max Refresh Rate**| 4K@120Hz/144Hz PC | 4K@120Hz/144Hz PC | 4K@120Hz | 4K@120Hz/144Hz PC | | **VRR Support** | FreeSync, G-Sync | FreeSync Premium Pro | VRR (HDMI Forum) | FreeSync Premium Pro | | **HDR Support** | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision | | **Input Lag (120Hz)**| ~5ms | ~5ms | ~8ms | ~8ms | | **Best For** | All-round Gaming | Bright Rooms | PS5 Gaming | Value Gaming | | **Typical Price (55")** | £1,700 - £1,900 | £1,800 - £2,100 | £2,200 - £2,500 | £800 - £1,000 | ## Demystifying the Jargon: What Do All These Bits Mean for Gaming? It's easy to get lost in all the techy terms floating about when you're looking for a new TV. Let's quickly break down the important ones for us gamers. ### HDMI 2.1: The Gateway to Next-Gen This is the big one. Without HDMI 2.1, you simply can't get 4K resolution at 120 frames per second from your PS5 or Xbox Series X. It's got the bandwidth required to carry all that information. Older HDMI 2.0 ports can do 4K, but only up to 60Hz. So, if you want that super-smooth 120Hz experience, HDMI 2.1 is non-negotiable. Make sure the TV you're looking at has enough *full-bandwidth* HDMI 2.1 ports for all your gear. ### VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Smooth Operator Ever seen a game where the screen looks like it's torn in half for a split second? That's screen tearing. It happens when the console is sending out frames at a different rate to what the TV is refreshing at. VRR fixes this by letting the TV dynamically adjust its refresh rate to match the console's output. The result? Buttery smooth visuals, no tearing, no stuttering. Essential for any serious gamer. Look for FreeSync, G-Sync, or HDMI Forum VRR. ### ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): Instant Reactions This is a simple but effective one. When you switch to a game, the TV automatically switches into its 'Game Mode', which cuts down on all the extra processing that can add delay (input lag). When you switch back to watching a film, it reverts to a picture mode more suited to movies. It just means you don't have to dive into menus every time you change what you're doing. Very handy. ### OLED vs. Mini-LED vs. QD-OLED: Picture Quality Face-Off * **OLED (e.g., LG C4):** Each pixel lights up individually or switches off completely. This gives you perfect blacks and infinite contrast. Colours look incredible, and viewing angles are wide. Response time is lightning-fast. The downside can be peak brightness isn't always as high, and there's a theoretical risk of burn-in, though it's much reduced these days. * **Mini-LED (e.g., Samsung QN90D, Hisense U8N):** These are traditional LED TVs but with thousands of tiny LEDs making up the backlight, grouped into "dimming zones". This allows for very high brightness and much better contrast than older LED TVs. They're great for bright rooms and have no burn-in risk. Black levels are excellent for an LED, but they can still have a bit of 'blooming' (light spill) around bright objects on a dark background. * **QD-OLED (e.g., Sony A95L):** This is a newer hybrid tech. It combines the perfect blacks of OLED with a Quantum Dot layer. This means you get the best of both worlds: perfect blacks, wide viewing angles, and the incredible colour vibrancy and higher peak brightness of Quantum Dots. They're currently the cream of the crop for picture quality, but also the most expensive. ## FAQ: Your Gaming TV Questions Answered ### Q: Is 120Hz really necessary for gaming? A: For competitive games like first-person shooters or racing games, absolutely. The smoother motion makes it easier to track enemies or hit apexes. For slower, more cinematic games, 60Hz is often fine, but once you've played at 120Hz, it's hard to go back. Your PS5 and Xbox are capable of it, so why not use it? ### Q: What size TV should I get for gaming? A: This really depends on your room size and how far away you sit. For 4K, generally, bigger is better without seeing individual pixels. A 55-inch or 65-inch is a popular sweet spot for many living rooms. Just make sure you can see the whole screen comfortably without having to move your head around too much. ### Q: What about input lag? How low is low enough? A: Input lag is the delay between you pressing a button and the action appearing on screen. For gaming, anything under 20ms is generally considered good, and under 10ms is excellent. All the TVs I've mentioned here are well within that excellent range, typically around 5-8ms in game mode at 120Hz. You won't notice that small a delay. ### Q: Should I worry about OLED burn-in? A: For most people, no. Modern OLEDs have loads of features to prevent burn-in, like pixel shifting, logo dimming, and pixel refresh cycles. If you play the *exact same game* with a *static HUD* for hours on end, every single day, for years, then yes, there's a tiny risk. But for normal varied gaming and TV watching, it's highly unlikely to be an issue. Samsung's Mini-LEDs have zero risk, if you're still concerned. ### Q: Do I need a specific soundbar for gaming TVs? A: While most of these TVs have decent built-in sound, a good soundbar or a full surround sound system will always give you a much more immersive experience. Look for soundbars with HDMI eARC to get uncompressed audio from your TV, and ideally, one that supports Dolby Atmos for those really cinematic game soundtracks. ## Final Word: Get the Right Tool for the Job So there you have it. Choosing the right gaming TV in 2025 isn't just about grabbing the biggest screen you can afford. It's about making sure the tech inside is up to scratch, allowing your expensive console to really stretch its legs and show what it can do. The LG C4 is still my top pick for most people – it just does everything so well and offers fantastic value for an OLED. But if your room is really bright, don't dismiss the Samsung QN90D or even the Hisense U8N if you're on a budget; those Mini-LEDs really shine when the sun is out. And for the PlayStation faithful, the Sony A95L is a truly glorious screen, if you can justify the extra cash. At the end of the day, you've invested in some incredible gaming hardware. Don't let a sub-par display hold you back from experiencing games the way the developers intended. Get the right tool for the job, and you'll be enjoying those virtual worlds in all their glory. Happy gaming, folks!