5 best cheap TVs for gaming

The best gaming TVs can cost you thousands of dollars, but you don't have to spend a fortune to get a great gaming experience. These affordable options include advanced features like mini LED backlighting, HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen consoles, and smooth 120Hz refresh rates to keep you focused on the action.

LG QNED80 URA Series

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 LG QNED80 2023 has impressive images. Its sleek design pairs perfectly with the brilliant Quantum Dot panel bursting with vivid, accurate colors. Content upscaling is flawless, ensuring both old games and low-resolution movies achieve sharp 4K quality. It can also light up without blurring dark scenes, delivering vivid and stunning picture quality.

On the gaming front, the QNED80 boasts smooth 4K 120Hz performance with VRR on two HDMI ports, making it the perfect choice for next-gen console gaming. Motion handling is extremely excellent, keeping every detail sharp even in the most intense action scenes. While the lack of proper local dimming can result in a slight halo effect in some scenes, it's a small compromise for such an impressive feature set.

TCL Q6

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 While there are cheaper options, the TCL Q6 stands out for its immersive, low-latency experience that helps you dominate fast-paced battles. Don't let the HDMI 2.0 ports fool you; High refresh rate gaming is still vivid and awesome here, hitting a smooth 120Hz with VRR at 1080p or 1440p.

The QLED panel delivers stunning picture quality with vivid colors and striking highlights. However, the lack of local dimming means some blacks can appear slightly gray in dark scenes, and occasional blurring can appear in HDR. However, the overall picture quality is still excellent, and Dolby Vision will add a little cinematic magic to your games and movies.

Sony BRAVIA TV X85K

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The Sony BRAVIA TV X85K is a rare gem among budget-friendly gaming TVs. Not only does it let you watch fast-paced games at a smooth 4K 120Hz on PS5, but it also delivers a detailed and vibrant viewing experience thanks to exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping.

The X85K is about more than just speed. Although it doesn't have a mini-LED backlight, Sony has masterfully tuned this TV to outperform other mid-range products. Higher native contrast ratios and brighter panels make HDR content look realistic and have depth. Combine that with vivid colors and Dolby Vision, and you have a TV capable of watching movies, sports, and anything else you desire.

LG C3

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It may seem expensive at first glance, but the LG C3 is actually a hidden gem that's relatively budget-friendly among OLED TVs. While similar options like the Samsung S90C sit at the high end, the C3 offers OLED's signature strengths - incredible contrast, deep blacks, vibrant colors and a host of features. Smart features - all at a very competitive price.

Compared to budget TVs, the C3 delivers a smoother gaming experience and superior motion clarity thanks to near-instant response time and low input lag. All 4 HDMI ports support 4K gaming at 120Hz, 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.

Hisense U7K

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Hisense offers an attractive package with the U7K, proving you don't need advanced technology like Dolby Vision and mini LEDs. Boasting proper local dimming support and a brilliant 1,000 nits of 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 refresh rate of 144Hz, exceeding the 120Hz standard of most gaming TVs, making it perfect for PC gamers who want every 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 with AMD GPUs, G-Sync and other VRR formats work perfectly.

Micah Soto

Update 02 February 2024