Best Gaming TVs 2025: Top Picks for PS5 and Xbox Series X
By Robert Jones · 2026-03-08
Right, listen up. I’ve been testing these new gaming TVs with my PS5 and Xbox Series X, and let me tell you, there are some cracking options out there to make your games sing. But you need the right tech, simple as that.
Right, listen up. For years, I’ve had folk coming into my workshop, scratching their heads over what TV to get for their shiny new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. And honestly, it’s not as simple as it used to be. Back in my day, a TV was a TV. You plugged it in, it showed a picture, and if it had a SCART socket, you were laughing. Now? It’s a whole different ball game. These new consoles, they’re proper beasts, pushing out graphics that need a screen that can actually keep up. If you're still running an old tellie, you're really doing your games a disservice. It's like putting cheap petrol in a Ferrari, isn't it? Just doesn't make sense.  *Best Gaming TVs 2025: Top Picks for PS5 and Xbox Series X — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* I’ve spent the last few months with a few of these top-end sets in my lounge, putting them through their paces with everything from the frantic chaos of *Call of Duty* to the moody, atmospheric vibes of *Alan Wake 2*. I’ve hooked up the PS5, the Xbox, even my old Switch for a laugh, just to see what’s what. And let me tell you, there are some cracking options out there that’ll make your games sing. But there are also a few pitfalls you need to watch out for, especially if you’re trying to save a few quid. **Quick Verdict: The LG C4 OLED is still the king for serious console gamers, but Samsung's QN90D is a brilliant bright-room alternative.** ### Why Your TV Matters More Than Ever for Gaming It’s not just about getting a big screen anymore. It’s about the tech packed inside. When these consoles first dropped, everyone was talking 4K and 120Hz. And fair enough, that’s a big chunk of it. But then you start hearing about VRR, ALLM, input lag measured in milliseconds, and suddenly it all gets a bit confusing, doesn’t it? I’ve seen some lads shell out a grand on a console, then stick it on a ten-year-old HD Ready set and wonder why their mates are always beating them online. Well, there's your answer. You’re playing with one hand tied behind your back. **Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)**, for instance. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? All it means is that your TV and your console can talk to each other, so the screen refreshes at the same rate as the game’s frame rate. No more nasty screen tearing, which, if you’ve ever played a fast-paced shooter, you’ll know is bloody annoying. **Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)** is another cracker. Basically, when the TV detects you’re playing a game, it automatically switches into its low-latency mode, cutting down the delay between you pressing a button and something happening on screen. Crucial for those split-second decisions. Then there’s **HDR**. High Dynamic Range. Forget standard picture quality; this is about brighter whites, darker blacks, and a whole lot more detail in between. Makes a massive difference to how immersive a game feels. And **HDMI 2.1**? That’s the magic pipe that carries all this lovely 4K 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM goodness from your console to your TV. Without it, you’re stuck. Simple as that. ### The Contenders: My Top Picks for Gaming TVs in 2025 I’ve had a good go with several models, but these three really stood out for different reasons. They all offer something special for the dedicated gamer, whether you’re after ultimate picture quality, retina-searing brightness, or something a bit more tailored for a specific console. *** #### 1. LG C4 OLED: The All-Round Champion For years, if someone asked me what the best TV for gaming was, I’d pretty much always point them to an LG C-series OLED. And the C4? It just keeps that tradition going strong. It’s probably the most balanced gaming TV you can buy right now, assuming your room isn’t absolutely drenched in sunlight all day. I had the 55-inch C4 in my workshop for a solid month, and honestly, I struggled to find fault with it for gaming. The OLED panel, with its self-emissive pixels, means you get perfect blacks. Not "really dark grey," but *proper* black. This makes a monumental difference in games like *Resident Evil 4 Remake* or *Cyberpunk 2077* at night. The contrast is just unreal, and the colours, oh, the colours are vibrant without looking artificial. I spent a whole evening just wandering around *Starfield*’s various planets, and the night sky views were just something else. They’ve even bumped the refresh rate up to 144Hz this year, which, while probably overkill for most console games that stick to 120Hz, means you’ve got a bit of future-proofing or if you decide to hook up a high-end PC. Crucially, it’s got four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports. That means you can plug in your PS5, your Xbox Series X, maybe a gaming PC, and still have one spare. No faffing about swapping cables. Proper convenient, that is. **Who it's for:** * Gamers who play in a room with decent light control. * Those who want the absolute best picture quality, especially for contrast and dark scenes. * Anyone with multiple current-gen consoles or a gaming PC. * Players who appreciate instant response times and smooth motion. **Who should skip it:** * People who play primarily in very bright, sunlit rooms. * Those on a very tight budget (OLEDs aren't cheap, though prices are getting better). * Anyone overly worried about image retention (burn-in), though it’s far less of an issue these days. **Key Features:** * Stunning 144Hz Refresh Rate (up from 120Hz in previous models) * G-Sync and FreeSync Premium VRR support for super-smooth gameplay * Dedicated Game Optimizer Menu for quick adjustments * Four full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports * Near-instant pixel response times **Pros:** * Unbeatable contrast with true blacks and incredible HDR detail. * Near-instantaneous response times make fast-paced games feel incredibly fluid. * Excellent motion handling, no blurring or ghosting. * G-Sync and FreeSync support for broad compatibility. * Intuitive webOS smart platform. **Cons:** * Peak brightness, while improved, can still be an issue in very bright rooms. * Potential for image retention (burn-in) if static elements are left on screen for *very* long periods (unlikely for typical gaming). * Can be a fair bit pricier than Mini-LED alternatives, especially at larger sizes. *** #### 2. Samsung QN90D Neo QLED: The Brightness Monster Now, if your lounge is like a conservatory, or you’ve got massive windows that let the sun blast in all day, then an OLED, for all its beauty, might struggle a bit. That’s where Samsung’s Neo QLED range, and specifically the QN90D, comes into its own. This thing is ridiculously bright. I mean, proper retina-searing bright. I had the 65-inch QN90D in for a few weeks, and it was a revelation for daytime gaming. Samsung uses Mini-LED technology, which means they cram thousands of tiny LEDs into the backlight, giving it incredibly precise local dimming. This results in fantastic contrast for an LCD-based TV, and those bright HDR highlights really pop. Playing *Forza Horizon 5* on this thing during a sunny afternoon, the reflections off the cars and the glare from the sun were almost blindingly realistic. The anti-glare coating on the screen is also brilliant; it really cuts down on reflections, which is a blessing in a bright room. My only niggle with Samsung, and it’s a personal one, is their refusal to support Dolby Vision HDR. They stick with HDR10+ instead. Now, for most games, this isn’t a huge deal, as most console games default to HDR10 anyway. But some films and streaming services do look a touch better with Dolby Vision. For a gaming TV, though, it’s not a deal-breaker. You still get stunning HDR, just a slightly different flavour. **Who it's for:** * Gamers who frequently play in very bright, sunlit rooms. * Those worried about OLED burn-in, or who leave their TV on static screens for extended periods. * Anyone who loves punchy, vibrant colours and incredible peak brightness. * Fans of Samsung’s smart TV ecosystem and integrated cloud gaming services. **Who should skip it:** * People who prioritise absolute black levels and infinite contrast above all else. * Those who insist on Dolby Vision support for their movies and streaming. * Gamers on a tighter budget (it’s still a premium TV). **Key Features:** * Quantum Matrix Technology with Mini-LED backlight for phenomenal brightness. * Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ for super-smooth motion up to 144Hz. * Integrated Samsung Gaming Hub for easy access to cloud gaming and console inputs. * Excellent anti-glare screen coating. * Four full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports. **Pros:** * Phenomenal peak brightness and excellent HDR performance, even in bright rooms. * No risk of permanent image retention (burn-in). * Great smart features and built-in cloud gaming apps (Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now). * Effective anti-glare coating significantly reduces reflections. * Punchy, vibrant colour reproduction. **Cons:** * No Dolby Vision HDR support. * Can exhibit some slight "blooming" or haloing around very bright objects on dark backgrounds (though very well controlled for Mini-LED). * Black levels aren't *quite* as perfect as OLED, though they are still very impressive. *** #### 3. Sony BRAVIA 8 OLED: The PlayStation Pal If you’re a dedicated PlayStation fan, especially if the PS5 is your only console, then the Sony BRAVIA 8 OLED deserves a serious look. Sony makes both the console and the TV, so it stands to reason they know a thing or two about making them work together. And they do. This TV is absolutely "Perfect for PS5," as they say. I got my hands on a 55-inch BRAVIA 8 from a mate in retail for a test run. The picture quality, as you’d expect from an OLED, is stunning. Rich colours, deep blacks, all the good stuff. But where it really shines is with those exclusive PS5 features. **Auto HDR Tone Mapping** is genuinely clever; it optimises the HDR settings specifically for your PS5, so you’re always getting the best possible picture without having to faff with settings. And **Auto Genre Picture Mode** automatically switches to Game Mode when you fire up the console. Little things, but they make a difference. The sound from this TV is also a cut above many others, thanks to Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+. The screen itself vibrates to create sound, which makes dialogue feel like it’s coming directly from the characters on screen. Not a substitute for a proper sound system, mind, but for built-in audio, it’s really good. My only slight complaint is that it only has two full HDMI 2.1 ports, which can be a bit limiting if you’ve got a PS5, an Xbox, and maybe a soundbar that needs one too. Planning your connections is key here. **Who it's for:** * Die-hard PlayStation 5 owners who want the absolute best integration with their console. * Those who appreciate excellent picture quality *and* better-than-average built-in audio. * Gamers who want a premium OLED experience with Sony’s renowned picture processing. **Who should skip it:** * Anyone with multiple HDMI 2.1 devices (PS5, Xbox, PC, soundbar, etc.) who needs more than two full-bandwidth ports. * Gamers on a strict budget (it's a premium OLED, after all). * Those who primarily play on Xbox or PC and don