How we selected the best TVs for PS5
To find the best TVs for PS5, we surveyed dozens of reviews and testimonials, eliminated sets that didn’t offer the most important game-boosting features, and demoed the final selections in-store in order to ensure these were the right TVs for the job. Like the world warriors of Street Fighter, any of these sets could come out on top if they meld with the right player, it’s just a matter of matching your style and desire to your 4K (or 8K) combatant.
Best OLED: LG C1 SeriesBest under $750: TCL 5-seriesBest for single-player experiences: Hisense U7G series Best QLED: Samsung QN90A seriesBest 8K: Sony Z8H series
What to consider when picking a gaming TV for PS5
The key to picking a TV to pair with a PS5 is knowing that it has some features that you can take advantage of right now, and some that will be more important in the future. Every single one of the televisions we’ve listed will have a great display with deep blacks, 4K (or better) resolution, and vibrant colors. Some will be able to take advantage of higher framerates and visual features that will improve the game image even further. Of course, all the TVs also have streaming apps, and some even have smart home compatibility. Taking these as a baseline, we looked at price and display technology as the true separation factors, and came up with the following categories.
Cost
There are some basic features that you’re going to be looking for in the best TVs for PS5. Many of these features are new to the market, and weren’t available on any TV before two or three years ago. Therefore, finding a TV that includes everything you’d want to see the PS5 at its best is relatively difficult and undoubtedly expensive. While we’ve included a budget-conscious option, the vast majority of televisions that we recommend to pair with a PS5 are going to be more than $1000. If you’re not necessarily looking for every single next-gen feature, there are plenty of great screens that will look amazing even if they don’t produce the absolute best possible picture.
HDMI 2.1—An introduction to PS5 resolution and framerate
The main television technology that allows the PS5 to shine is HDMI 2.1. HDMI is the port that connects your audio and video between your gaming system and television. The HDMI standard has been the standard since the mid-2000s, but HDMI 2.1, the latest iteration of this tech, didn’t start appearing on televisions until 2018. HDMI 2.1 allows for a much larger amount of data to be sent and received between the console and the display, unlocking the highest resolutions at the best framerates. The PS5, at its maximum, can output 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. Keep in mind that very, very few games actually meet this maximum benchmark at this time, as processing demands can greatly affect that framerate. The last Sony console, the PS4 Pro, could manage 4K and 60fps at maximum, but few games ever reached that maximum either. The 4K/60fps threshold is much more reasonable for the PS5, and HDMI 2.1 (along with the more powerful processor and chipset of the PlayStation 5 itself) allows for that.
What about 8K resolution?
As of this moment, the PS5 does not support 8K resolution output. Some features of the PS5, such as the ability to install a secondary hard drive, weren’t activated at launch. Sony says these features, including 8K video and gaming, will be added via firmware over time. In the meantime, there is still some visual benefit to playing PS5 games on an 8K TV. Much like how a 1080p HD image on a 4K television looks better on a 4K television, a 4K image on an 8K television will still look better because of upscaling tech in the console and the television. We have included an 8K television in our list, but it isn’t our top recommendation since you’ll be buying into the technology ahead of really needing it. For what it’s worth, there’s very little content currently available in 8K. It’s unclear how well the current crop of PS5 games would run at that resolution, and most streaming services cap their videos at 4K. So almost everything you watch on an 8K is upscaled. By the time 8K gaming, streaming, and movies are readily available, the 8K television you buy today may be obsolete in other ways. Long story, short: playing PS5 games in 8K is a nice idea, but far from a necessity.
What non-gaming features do I want?
The other main consideration is audio. Even the nicest televisions have pretty ordinary sound output on the built-in speakers. Truly great sound demands its own system. For playing PS5 games, we strongly recommend players purchase a headset, which can take unique advantage of the console’s Tempest 3D audio technology. For recommendations on speakers for watching TV and movies, please check out our picks for the best soundbars and the best surround sound systems for home theaters.
The best TVs for PS5 Reviews & Recommendations
Playing PS5 on the best TV possible makes a huge difference in bringing your games to life. These televisions won’t just satisfy you, some will electrify you and bring your console to its full potential.
Best OLED: LG C1 Series
Why it made the cut: A beautiful, wide-angle OLED screen with the best colors available on the market, the LG C1 has every feature you need to max out your PS5 experience. Specs: Pros:
Every feature you need for gamingExtremely high-quality imageFreesync and G-SYNC support for gaming
Cons:
Not as bright as QLED displaysLarger sizes can get very pricy
All four HDMI ports support 2.1 features. Framerates are smooth and steady. The 4K resolution is clear and crisp. The colors have rich depth, and the blacks are wonderfully inky. If you want to connect your gaming PC, the LG C1 can do even more, with updated FreeSync and G-Sync to work in concert with the latest graphics cards. It’s a nearly perfect television, which explains why you’ll have to pay quite a bit for it. The LG C1 starts at $1,500 for the 48-inch model. If you can afford it, the LG C1 is the best choice.
Best under $750: TCL 5-series
Why it made the cut: The vast majority of next-gen features really bump up the price of a TV, so it’s hard to find something truly PS5-worthy at below $1,000. If you just want a really good 4K screen without worrying about refresh rates and HDMI 2.1, though, the TCL 5-series is an excellent choice at a great price. Specs:
QLED displayAuto Low Latency Mode4 standard HDMI inputs (1 eARC for easier audio set-up)Google TV or Roku TV streaming apps built inSiri, Alexa, and Google Assistant supportSizes: 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”
Pros:
Low cost of entryGood image quality for the priceIncludes ALLM for improved gaming
Cons:
No HDMI 2.1
The future isn’t cheap, and after spending $500-$600 on a PS5, another $100-$200 on accessories, and a further $200-$300 on games, you may not want to spend another $1,000 bucks or more on a new TV. The TCL 5-series is a 4K QLED panel that will really impress you with its clear colors and solid blacks. It features an “Auto Low Latency Mode,” or ALLM, which automatically switches the display to optimal settings when it detects a game console in one of its HDMI ports, reducing the need to manipulate the sliders yourself every time you want to switch. You’re not going to get the best framerates, but the 5-series starts at $600 for a 50-inch TV, so you’re also not going to be paying an arm and a leg, either.
Best for single-player experiences: Hisense U7G series
Why it made the cut: While the Hisense U7G’s color, blacks, and viewing angles aren’t market-leading, it’s incredibly feature-rich with the next-gen settings and inputs you’d want at an approachable price. Specs
ULED displayHDR10+ certifiedFreeSync compatible120Hz refresh rateAuto Low Latency ModeVariable Refresh Rate2 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 2 standard HDMI inputsGoogle Assistant built-inSizes: 55”, 65”, 75”
Pros:
Lowest-cot set to include all relevant next-gen featuresFreesync for PC gaming2 HDMI 2.1 ports
Cons:
Narrow viewing angleLimited sizes
Hisense’s U7G model is built with gaming in mind. Hisense packed nearly every relevant next-gen gaming feature into it: HDR10, 120Hz refresh rate, two HDMI 2.1 ports—all the key specs. It even features FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, which enhances the U7G’s performance when paired with a gaming PC. And the price point is incredible, with the 55-inch model starting at $850. So there has to be a catch, right? There are a couple of minor ones. First of all, more advanced settings do mean more complex adjustments, so don’t expect the fastest setup if you want the optimal experience. Also, the viewing angles on the U7G are limited compared to some of our other recommendations, so you’ll want to sit directly in front of the panel to get the full glory of its pristine picture. While this means group multiplayer sessions in the living room might have some discernably “better” seats, it’s a non-factor if your gaming setup is for you alone. Overall, the screen quality is a tremendous upgrade over most TVs from even a couple years ago. And little touches help you get the most out of an already value-packed set. HDMI ports are clearly labeled with different Hz capabilities. And the two feet, which are secured via two screws, can attach to two different spots depending on how wide your TV stand is.
Best QLED for PS5: Samsung QN90A series
Why it made the cut: Termed “Neo QLED” by the Samsung marketing team, the Mini-LED technology in the Samsung QN90A offers the best display on the market for gaming, but at the cost of some of the compatibility features that the LG C1 offers. Specs: Pros:
Wonderfully bright screen that keeps clarity in a sunny roomWide variety of sizes
Cons:
Only one HDMI port
Mini-LED is a “best of both worlds” screen technology, and the Samsung QN90A is one of the best examples of it. Mini-LED puts tiny sets of lights beneath the panel, allowing for better brightness control and pure output that OLED technology can’t match. While it doesn’t reach the depth of OLED’s blacks, colorful games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will pop and look incredible on the QN90A screen. However, it only has only one HDMI 2.1 port capable of showing a game at 120Hz and few gaming-specific presets. Gamers with complex setups may find that limiting.
Best 8K: Sony Z8H series
Why it made the cut: In 2021, 8K is an unnecessary luxury, but the Sony Z8H is a great choice if you want to treat yourself. Specs: Pros:
Clear jump in image quality over 4KHDMI 2.1Strong customer support
Cons:
Very little native 8K content availableExpensive
Let’s be honest: The Sony Z8H is overkill. Yes, the picture quality is undoubtedly better than 4K televisions, even if you aren’t watching in native 8K. Yes, you’ll probably make people very, very jealous when you say the words “8K TV.” But your PS5 can’t run games or video in 8K right now. Sony may, hopefully, activate that potential in the PS5 in the next few years, but TV manufacturers will make new versions of their TVs every year, so it makes sense to hold off on making that kind of upgrade until you can actually take advantage of it. That said, if money is no object, you will see a difference playing games on the Z8H, even over the LG C1. The image will be sharper, the colors better, and the blacks just as nice. Plus, it only comes in massive sizes. If having the absolute best, rather than the best value, is your platonic ideal of a best TV for PS5, this is the move.
Final thoughts on the best TVs for PS5
Each TV on this list is a great fit for playing games on PS5. The LG C1 OLED is the critic’s pick, with incredible picture and a great feature set, but there are solid reasons to opt for a QLED screen over an OLED. And if a $1,000-plus isn’t in the cards, there are still plenty of ways to optimize your setup for high-end console gaming. Even with our recommendations in hand, the best thing to do is to preview the floor models in a store. Your eyes will tell you what they like. No matter what model you choose, your PS5 is going to look great, and you’ll really get to make your friends jealous.
More TV roundups to help you find the perfect set
Best 8K TVsBest TVs for gamingBest OLED TVsBest QLED TVsBest Roku TVsBest TVs under $300Best TVs under $1,000Best 40-inch TVsBest 55-inch TVsBest 65-inch TVsBest 70-inch TVsBest 75-inch TVsBest outdoor TVs
