Best Smart TV for Gaming: 51 Essential Features for the Ultimate Play

Do you recall a time when playing video games was about having fun? Nowadays it has evolved into a part of our culture and Smart TVs have significantly contributed to enhancing the gaming experience. Imagine immersing yourself in games on a screen with visuals, lightning fast responsiveness and the convenience of connecting with fellow players. In this guide I am thrilled to guide you through the must-know essentials when you’re on the lookout for the perfect and the best Smart TV for gaming!

1. Introduction to Gaming on Smart TVs

Evolution of Gaming

Hey there, fellow gamers! Remember when games used to look all blocky and had simple controls? Well, gaming has come a long way since then! Now we have games that feel like you’re in a movie, with awesome stories, amazing worlds, and graphics that can compete with big Hollywood movies. And all this is now made possible by the Smart TVs that are available in the market!

Best Smart TV for Gaming

Why choose a Smart TV for Gaming?

To start with, Smart TVs are like a dream come true for gamers because they combine entertainment and gaming in one amazing package. You don’t need a separate gaming monitor anymore – you can play games on your console or PC right from your living room. In addition to the above, Smart TVs typically have bigger screens and they also use the display technology behind the scenes. All of these add up to make your gaming experience even more fun and mind-blowing than you could ever imagine!

2. Key features to consider for choosing the Best Smart TV for Gaming

When you’re looking to buy a Smart TV for gaming, it’s essential for us to consider a few important things. ​The following list of features will guide you in finding the perfect TV for all your gaming needs. So let’s begin:

1. Screen Size

Screen size is the physical dimension of the TV’s display. It is generally measured diagonally in inches. Some of the most common TV sizes are 24 inches, 28 inches, 32 inches, 42 inches, 48 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, 70-80 inches, etc. In order to select the most relevant screen size Smart TV for gaming, it is important to consider the dimensions of your room and the viewing distance between the TV and yourself. Choosing the right screen size for gaming, simply enhances your gaming experience. Just make sure that if you wish to go for a larger screen TV, then it should fit in your room.

Example: If you have a TV that is anywhere from 24 – 28 inches, then that would be perfect for installation in your bedroom. The 32 – 42 inches TV are suitable for the living rooms. If you have little larger rooms, then you can go for 48 – 55 inches TV. If you have very spacious living rooms then you can go for the massive 65 – 72 inches TV in order to get the feel of a personal cinema right at your home.  

2. Display Technology (OLED, QLED, or LED panel)

The display technology controls the display of the TV visuals. There are multiple types of display technologies such as OLED, QLED, LED. The following table shows the display technology and its effect.

Example: An OLED TV can display deep blacks in a horror game, making dark moments more frightful. A QLED TV can display vivid colors in an open-world RPG, bringing the game world to life. 

3. Resolution (1080p, 4K, or 8K)

A resolution decides how sharp or crisp a picture appears on your TV screen. The higher the resolution, the much sharper and the much more detail are the images. The most popular resolutions are 1080p, 4K, and 8K.

Smart TV Video Resolutions

Example: Compared to a 1080p display, a 4K TV allows you to see intricate textures in a game’s environment, such as individual leaves on trees, which improves realism.  

4. Refresh Rate (60Hz, 120Hz, or 240Hz)

Refresh rate is the number of times the TV changes the picture in a second. If the refresh rate is less than, the pictures can appear blurry on the screen. Hence, it is advisable to go for a TV screen that has a higher refresh rate. When the refresh rate is higher, fast games benefit from better action and less blur. 

Example: Let’s say that you are a fan of racing games. In this scenario, when compared to a TV with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, a 120 Hz TV can show rapid motions and sudden twists in the game with enhanced clarity, thereby giving you a competitive advantage over your opponents.

5. HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR enhances the picture quality by showing richer colors, contrast and brighter highlights. It also shows more details in light and dark parts of the game.

Example: HDR can vastly improve the appearance of the sky in a game by showcasing a breathtaking sunset. At the same time, it maintains the ability to clearly see intricate elements like shadows and textures in the foreground.

6. Response Time (Measured in milliseconds)

Response time is how quickly a pixel on your screen changes its color. For fast-paced games, lower response times is highly preferred as it reduces the blur.

Example: If you are a fan of first-person shooter games, then a quick response time can show quick movements and aiming changes on the screen, without blurring or ghosting.

7. Input Lag (Measured in milliseconds)

Input lag is the duration between pressing a controller button and its visual response occurring on your TV screen.

Example: Having a low input lag ensures that the on-screen character in your game responds quickly to your key presses or commands. This is really helpful if you play competitive multiplayer games, wherein, having a low input lag provides you a very high advantage over rivals with larger input lag. 

8. HDMI 2.1 Ports

HDMI 2.1 ports are like turbocharged ports that level up your TV for gaming. They can display games in super-duper high resolutions, making them look extra smooth and crazy realistic.

Example: The next-generation gaming consoles are equipped with HDMI 2.1 connections. Using these connections, your TV can show off games in very high quality, like 4K gaming at a super smooth 120Hz. And if you own a 8K TV, you can even play games in mind-blowing 8K resolution! It feels as if you are in the game for real. 

9. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Technology

VRR technology is like magic for your TV. It helps your TV and gaming device work together so that the game looks smooth and doesn’t have any weird glitches or delays. 

Example: VRR makes sure that the gameplay is smooth even if your console’s performance changes in an action-packed game with changing frame rates. 

10. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

ALLM is like a secret code that your TV and gaming console use to talk to each other. It helps your TV know when you want to play games and automatically makes everything work better for gaming. 

Example: ALLM makes sure that your TV is immediately optimized for gaming when you turn on your Xbox system, so you can start playing without making any manual modifications. 

11. Game Mode

Game mode is like a special setting on your TV that makes it work faster and better for gaming. It’s like turning on turbo mode on your television! 

Game Mode for Smart TV

Example: Your TV’s game mode prioritizes responsiveness when it is turned on, making it perfect for competitive gaming or fast-paced action games. 

12. G-Sync Compatible

G-Sync is a special technology that makes sure your game looks perfect on your TV. It stops the screen from getting all messed up and makes everything look smooth.

Example: A G-Sync compliant TV ensures a tear-free gaming experience even during prolonged gaming sessions if you have an NVIDIA graphics card.

13. FreeSync Technology

Another unique technology that enhances your game’s visuals is FreeSync. It stops the screen from tearing and makes everything look super smooth.

Example: You can experience more fluid gameplay without visual artifacts like screen tearing if your TV supports FreeSync and you have an AMD graphics card.

14. Dynamic Motion Handling

Dynamic motion handling is like a superhero power for your TV. It makes everything in the game look really clear and smooth, especially when things are moving really fast.

Example: Dynamic motion handling makes the gameplay in sports games more realistic by ensuring that the ball’s movement and player actions are displayed precisely. 

15. Dynamic Contrast Enhancement

Dynamic contrast enhancement is like a magic spell for your TV. It makes the dark parts of the game easier to see and the bright parts look even brighter.

Dynamic Contrast Enhancement Gaming Smart TV

Example: Dynamic contrast enhancement makes sure you can see details in the shadows while maintaining the brightness of spooky, moonlit moments in a horror game.

16. Adaptive Contrast

Adaptive contrast is like having a personal assistant for your TV. It helps your TV know how to make the game look its best, no matter if it’s really bright or really dark. 

Example: Adaptive contrast makes sure you can see all the details without making any modifications when playing a game with scenes ranging from dimly lit caves to bright vistas.

17. Ultra HD Premium Certification

Ultra HD Premium is like a gold seal of approval for your TV. It means that your TV is really good at showing games in super high quality, with amazing colors and details.

Example: You can be sure a TV will offer superb 4K and HDR gaming experiences if it bears the Ultra HD Premium label.

18. Dolby Vision HDR

Dolby Vision HDR is like a special potion for your TV. The already magnificent game is made much more beautiful with the addition of more color and brightness. 

Dolby Vision HDR of Smart TV for Gaming

Example: Dolby Vision HDR helps you become fully immersed in the world of a fantasy role-playing game by bringing out the vivid colors of magical spells and the minute details of mythological animals.

19. HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC is like a magic tunnel for sound. It helps the sound from your game travel from your TV to your speakers or sound bar, so you can hear everything in the game really well.

Example: You may experience dramatic audio effects and spatial sound in games using HDMI eARC, giving explosions and dialogue a lifelike quality.

20. HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

HDMI CEC is like a remote control wizard. You no longer need to juggle a variety of remote controls because it allows you to operate your TV and gaming system with only one remote.

Example: With HDMI CEC, you can streamline your gaming session by turning on both your gaming console and TV with only one button push on your controller.

21. Pixel Shift

Pixel shift is like a little dance for your TV screen. It helps prevent the game’s menu or heads-up display from getting burned into the screen by moving the pixels around a bit.

Example: Pixel shift makes sure that there are no spectral traces of the HUD or menu on the screen during lengthy gameplay sessions with static items.

22. Black Frame Insertion

Black frame insertion is like a secret trick for your TV. It makes everything in the game look really clear and smooth by turning off the screen for a tiny moment between frames.

Example: BFI can enhance the clarity and fluidity of character motions and quick camera pans in a fast-paced action game.

23. Anti-ghosting

Anti-ghosting is like a ghost-busting power for your TV. It makes sure that everything in the game looks clean and clear, without any weird leftover images or artifacts.

Anti Ghosting in Smart TV

Example: Anti-ghosting removes ghostly trails behind cars in a racing game with tight corners, maintaining a clean and realistic perspective of the course.

24. Screen Tearing Reduction

Screen tearing reduction is like a magic spell that keeps your game looking perfect. It ensures that the top and bottom portions of the screen exactly line up to prevent the appearance of any strange lines.

Example: Fast-paced games won’t have a distracting line dividing various portions of the screen thanks to screen tearing reduction.

25. Ambient Mode

Ambient mode is like a chameleon for your TV. When you’re not playing games, it can turn your TV into a fancy picture frame or show you cool information like the weather.

Example: When you’re not playing games, ambient mode can display lovely scenery, pictures of your loved ones, or even current weather conditions on your TV screen.

26. Ambient Light Sensor

An ambient light sensor is like a detective that can tell how bright or dark the room is where your TV is. With the use of this data, your TV’s brightness and color settings are automatically adjusted so that you can see everything properly..

Example: The TV will automatically lower its brightness if you’re playing a game in a dimly lit space to prevent eye strain and preserve visual quality.

27. Motion Smoothing

Motion smoothing is a fancy technology that makes fast-moving things on your TV look smoother. In order to lessen blurriness, additional frames are placed in between the actual frames.. 

Example: Motion smoothing in sports simulation games can make player motions appear more natural and fluid, similar to viewing a live sports broadcast.

28. Smart TV Operating System (Tizen, Android, WebOS)

The smart TV operating system is like the brain of your TV. The software is what enables you to control everything and makes all the smart features function.

Example: You will have access to a variety of apps and Google services if your TV is powered by Android TV, allowing for easy connection with your Android devices.

29. App Support (Specifically for Gaming)

App support for gaming means that your TV can work with special apps and services that are all about games. You may buy new games, stream games, and play games online with pals using these apps.

Example: You can stream and play a sizable library of games directly on your TV if your TV has app support for services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Now.

30. Integrated Voice Assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant)

Integrated voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant let you control your TV and access information using voice commands.

Example: You may ask the built-in voice assistant on your TV to search and play your favorite games, change settings, or give you free information about games.

31. Smart Home Integration

A unified and integrated smart home ecosystem can be created by connecting and controlling other smart devices in your home with your TV using smart home integration. To improve the atmosphere and comfort of gaming, you may use your TV to control smart lighting, thermostats, and security cameras.

Example: To improve the atmosphere and convenience of gaming, you may use your TV to control smart lighting, thermostats, and security cameras.

32. Wi-Fi Connectivity

With Wi-Fi connectivity, your TV can wirelessly join your home network and provide access to online games and the internet. 

Example: Without a physical network cable, Wi-Fi enables you to stream games, access online multiplayer, and receive game updates.

33. Ethernet Connectivity

In contrast to Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity offers a wired network connection for your TV that is more dependable and fast. 

Example: For the lowest latency and most stable connection when playing online games, you can utilize an Ethernet cable to link your TV directly to your router.

34. Bluetooth Connectivity

With other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets like laptops, headphones, and game controllers, your TV can wirelessly interact. 

Example: For a cable-free gaming experience, you may connect a Bluetooth gaming controller to your TV. You can also use Bluetooth headphones to enjoy rich music without bothering others.

35. Number of HDMI Ports

The quantity of HDMI connections determines how many external devices, such as game consoles, Blu-ray players, or sound bars, you can simultaneously connect to your TV. 

Example: Multiple HDMI ports allow you to switch between gaming consoles if you have more than one without repeatedly disconnecting and replugging connections.

36. Number of USB Ports

You may attach USB media players, external hard drives, and game controllers to your TV using one of its many USB ports.

Example: A USB port can be used to play media directly from a USB flash drive or to charge a game controller.

37. Audio Output (2.1, 5.1, 7.1 Audio Output)

The amount of audio channels and speakers the TV supports determines the audio output options, such as 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1, which offer varying degrees of immersive sound.

Example: Your TV can produce surround sound with five unique channels when it has a 5.1 audio output, giving video games a dramatic audio experience.

38. Built-in Speakers

Built-in speakers are the TV’s integrated audio system that provides sound without the need for external speakers or a sound bar.

Example: The built-in speakers let you experience gaming sounds directly from the TV if you don’t have external speakers.

39. Headphone Jack

A headphone jack on the TV allows you to connect wired headphones for private gaming without disturbing others.

Example: You can use headphones when playing video games late at night to hear the sounds without disturbing your family.

40. Sound Mode

In order to improve various audio experiences, such as gaming, movies, or music, sound modes are pre-configured audio profiles that change the TV’s sound settings.

Example: By emphasizing footsteps and in-game elements for a competitive edge, the TV optimizes audio settings for gaming when the gaming sound mode is selected.

41. Bass/Treble Control

By balancing out the low-frequency (bass) and high-frequency (treble) components of the audio, you may customize your listening experience.

Example: By adjusting the bass setting on the TV, you may give your video games’ explosions a more powerful impact.

42. Wireless Headphone Support

Wireless headphone support enables you to connect Bluetooth headphones directly to the TV for wireless audio while gaming.

Example: To experience great game audio without being bound by cords, utilize wireless headphones.

43. Digital Audio Out (Optical)

A digital audio out (optical) port allows you to connect the TV to external audio systems, sound bars, or AV receivers using an optical cable for high-quality audio output.

Example: You can get better audio quality while gaming by using the optical port to link your TV to a sound bar. 

44. ARC Compatible (Audio Return Channel)

ARC (Audio Return Channel) allows audio to flow from the TV to external audio devices through an HDMI cable, simplifying audio setup.

Example: With ARC compatibility, you can transmit both video and audio from your TV to a speaker using a single HDMI connection.

45. Picture Mode

Picture modes are pre-configured options that enhance the TV’s ability to display content like video games, movies, and sports with higher visual quality.

Example: The “Gaming” picture option optimizes parameters like contrast and brightness to deliver the finest gaming visuals.

46. Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio determines the shape and size of the TV screen; common ratios are 16:9 (standard) and 21:9 (ultra-wide).

Example: In racing or simulation games, an ultra-wide aspect ratio can improve the gameplay experience by giving players a larger field of view.

47. Color Accuracy

Color accuracy refers to how faithfully a TV reproduces colors as intended by content creators. Games with rich and realistic colors look as intended thanks to accurate coloration. This feature of color accuracy really adds value to the best Smart TV for gaming. 

Gaming Smart TV Color Accuracy

Example: Color accuracy makes sure that the greens of the trees and the apparel of the characters appear faithful to the game’s concept in a game with lush forests and colorful characters.

48. Contrast Ratio

The contrast ratio calculates the difference between an image’s brightest and darkest areas. In games, greater contrast ratios produce more depth and detail.

Example: In a horror game, a high contrast ratio makes sure that the shadows in the dark hallways are actually dark, enhancing the impact of jump scares.

49. Viewing Angle

The viewing angle has an impact on how well you can see the picture from various locations when you’re watching TV.

Gaming Smart TV Viewing Angle

Example: To ensure that everyone has a good view of the screen while playing games with friends or family, a TV with a wide viewing angle is excellent.

50. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is all about how much electricity a TV uses. TVs that are energy-efficient consume less power, which means you’ll have lower electricity bills. In addition, conserving electricity is great for the environment..

Example: By using less energy when gaming and other activities, an energy-efficient TV benefits your money as well as the environment.

51. Warranty Coverage

Warranty coverage is like a promise from the TV manufacturer that they stand behind their product. When a TV has a longer warranty, it means you have more protection if anything goes wrong. When you make a major purchase, it is always wonderful to feel at ease.

Example: A TV with a thorough warranty gives you peace of mind in your purchase because you know you’re protected if any problems occur while the TV is still under warranty.

If you are curious to find out, check out this article on what makes a Smart TV, actually smart! Additionally, you may check out our beginner’s guide to Smart TV to make an informed decision. For gamers at heart, check out the Best 4K TVs for Gaming.

3. Recommendations for Best Smart TV for Gaming

Here are my recommendations for finding the perfect Smart TV companion for your gaming adventures, tailored to your budget and priorities:

Budget Champions

• The Value Champion: The TCL 5-Series Roku TV (43-inch or 55-inch) is your budget-friendly ally. Its bright LED display with HDR support brings games to life, while Roku’s easy-to-use interface keeps you entertained even after the final boss is defeated.

Mid-Tier Masters

• Performance Powerhouse: The Samsung QLED Q80T Series (50-inch or 65-inch) unleashes the power of QLED technology, making colors pop with vibrant intensity. Experience smooth gameplay with a 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag, perfect for outsmarting your rivals.

High-End Heroes

• Ultimate Gamechanger: The LG C2 OLED TV (55-inch or 77-inch) reigns supreme in the gaming arena. Its self-illuminating OLED pixels deliver stunning contrast and deep blacks, while VRR and G-Sync technologies ensure buttery-smooth visuals, even during intense action scenes.

4. Beyond the Budget

Remember, your ideal gaming TV depends on your personal preferences. For some, clear motion handling might be crucial for sports games, while others crave the cinematic magic of Dolby Vision HDR. Tailor your search to your specific needs and gaming styles!

5. Bonus Round: Pro Tips for Savvy Gamers

• Port Power: Enough HDMI ports mean seamless switching between consoles and accessories.
• Sound Surge: Immerse yourself in surround sound with a soundbar or compatible audio system.
• Read Reviews: Get the full picture by checking out expert and user reviews before making your final choice.

Armed with extensive knowledge of insights and recommendations, you’re now ready for your quest for the perfect gaming Smart TV. So form your party, lock in your champion and prepare to unleash your inner warrior on the grand stage of your living room!

6. Conclusion

• Picking the coolest and the best Smart TV for gaming means you have to think about a bunch of stuff. Like how clear the picture is, how fast the game responds when you press buttons, what kind of screen it has, and how it connects to other stuff. Consider the features that we talked about, as a guide for you to make an informed decision when you are about to purchase the best Smart TV for gaming. 
• Along with the above features, also consider the kind of games you generally like to play and your budget, before making a decision.​ It doesn’t matter if you play games sometimes or if you’re a super fan, the right Smart TV can make your gaming experience way more awesome.

Happy gaming!

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