The Best 4K TVs for Gaming & Streaming in 2023
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Video games may not be the one and only reason that we run out and buy a new TV, but if you’re planning on investing in a next-gen system that will shine an arresting light on your latest peripheral’s graphical strengths, you’ll definitely want a powerful 4K screen to back it up. And the same goes for streaming from popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+: sure, you can find these services built into every TV it seems, but which models are the best of the bunch?
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Whether you’re shopping on a budget or plan on spending top-dollar for a leading flagship set, there are plenty of the best 4K TV options to choose from. So here are a few key points to keep in mind when shopping for a new TV:
Price – Narrowing down your budget not only keeps you from overspending, it helps to narrow down your choices as well. It’s a lot easier to choose between a list of about a dozen models than it is from a list of thousands. Knowing your budget will also help you to make sure you’re getting the best features at the best price. And just because you’re sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on features. Brands like TCL and Hisense offer budget-friendly models that have many of the same features as their mid-tier and even high-end competitors, so you can still get an awesome 4K TV without having to skip rent this month.
Screen Size – The best way to determine the ideal screen size for your space is to measure, in inches, from where you’ll be sitting to where your TV will be wall mounted or placed on a dedicated stand, then divide that distance in half. So if your couch is 10 feet (120 inches) from your TV, the ideal size would be 60 inches. You can go a bit bigger or smaller depending on what’s available and what your budget is, but a screen that is too big can overwhelm your living room and even cause motion sickness. On the other end of the spectrum, a screen that is too small for your space will be difficult to see, and it will force everyone to crowd around the TV; and nobody wants to sit all squished together on Game Day or during family movie night.
Connectivity – You need to make sure your new TV is going to be able to connect to all of your game consoles, audio equipment, and playback devices. You’ll want to choose a TV that has at least three HDMI inputs to accommodate DVD and Blu-Ray players, game consoles, and soundbars. You can also opt for Bluetooth-enabled models that allow for wireless connections between sound equipment to allow for custom home theater configurations as well as to keep your space neat and organized. If you use a virtual assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant, you’ll want to make sure your new TV is compatible so you can integrate it into your smart home network.
We want you to be able to find the best 4K TV that fits your space, budget and needs, so we’ve gathered up 13 picks from brands like Sony, TCL and LG. We broke down their features and price points to make it easier to see which will fit best in your home. You can keep reading below to find the 4K TV of your dreams.
BEST OVERALL
Samsung 55S95B
Buy Now On Amazon
$1,447 at walmart
Best For: Those of us looking to take advantage of a new and cutting-edge picture technology
Why We Chose It: The Samsung S95B delivers the vibrant illumination of a traditional LED TV, along with the incredible colors and contrast of an OLED set.
Read More: The 14 Best TVs of 2023 for Every Budget
Key specs:
QD-OLED picture technology
4K/120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
Tizen OS user interface
For years, Samsung has steered clear of traditional OLED TVs from the likes of Sony and LG, opting for a more patented approach with the company’s QD-OLED technology. But the gloves are off now with the release of Samsung’s all-new S95B (available in 55- and 65-inch sizes), the first Samsung TV with a true OLED screen.
There are 8.3 million self-illuminating pixels on the S95B, which is a big deal when it comes to color and contrast. For those unfamiliar with OLED tech, these screens have the ability to achieve plasma-TV black levels by cutting off lighting to pixels individually, delivering rich colors and contrast of lifelike proportions. When you combine this with Samsung’s Quantum HDR picture processing and Real Depth Enhancer for increased foreground-background juxtaposition (ideal for nature programming), and you’ve got a powerhouse of a TV that isn’t afraid to pull out all the stops.
While this isn’t technically a flagship set, Samsung’s S95B sure looks, sounds (with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking audio capabilities) and runs like a premium TV, which is why we’re giving it top honors for 2023.
Pros
Breathtaking picture quality
Excellent viewing angles
Smooth and responsive user interface
Top-notch 4K upscaling
Cons
Brand new technology
A bit expensive for some
RUNNER UP
Samsung QN90A
Buy Now On Amazon
$1,400 at Best Buy
Best For: Fans of Samsung’s quantum dot technology who expect nothing but the best from their favorite TV brand.
Why We Chose It: The QN90A may be a slightly older set by this point, but it’s hard to beat the top-notch picture quality that it delivers
Read More: The 10 Best TVs for Gamers in 2023
Key specs:
LED-LCD with quantum dots
4K/120Hz with four HDMI inputs
Tizen OS user interface
The 55-inch QN90A from Samsung is another stand-out 4K TV. It features a proprietary Neo QLED panel with Samsung’s Quantum HDR 32X to give you colors, contrast and details that rival OLED options. The intuitive processor analyzes movies and shows scene-by-scene for the best viewing experience possible, and the native 120Hz refresh rate makes motion blur a thing of the past. Object tracking sound follows the action on screen for 3D audio without extra equipment, and the SpaceFit Audio feature automatically monitors ambient sound and adjusts settings to give you the best audio for your space.
It also has an active voice amplifier that boosts dialogue so you never miss a line of your favorite shows and movies. With Multi View and Tap View, you can instantly share content from your Samsung phone by touching it to the TV and watch several video sources at once. The new GameView lets console gamers monitor frame rate, refresh rate, input lag and VRR settings in real-time for a smoother experience.
Pros
Quantum HDR 32X is a fantastic picture engine
Blistering motion capabilities
Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound is a remarkable feature
The best price it’s ever been
Cons
A little hard to find
Lacks Dolby Vision support
BEST BUDGET TV
TCL 40-inch 3-Series Android TV
Buy Now On Amazon
$230 at Best Buy
Best For: Fans of the Android TV OS who are looking to score a great deal on a mid-sized TV.
Why We Chose It: TCL is fast-becoming one of the most recognized TV brands in the budget category, and the 3-Series is an excellent example of the company’s dedication to quality for a fantastic price.
Read More: TCL’s New 85-inch 6-Series TV is Here to Stay
Key specs:
1080p/60Hz
Android TV user interface
This model from TCL is a great option for anyone looking to buy their first 4K TV or upgrade their current setup on a budget. The Android platform gives you access to thousands of streaming apps while keeping your favorites and all of your connected devices together in a simplified, easy-to-navigate hub menu. You can connect this TV to Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled devices for hands-free voice controls, or you can download the Roku app to turn your mobile device into a voice-enabled remote.
Pros
Inexpensive
Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
Android TV grants access to thousands of streaming apps
Cons
Only 1080p
Some issues with light blooming
BEST MID-SIZED TV
Samsung 50-inch AU8000
Buy Now On Amazon
$450 at Best Buy
Best For: Those looking for a rock-solid TV from Samsung, but without all the bells and whistles of higher-priced models.
Why We Chose It: The AU8000 Series delivers astonishing colors and contrast, but at a price that most of us can wrap our heads around.
Read More: The 12 Best Samsung TVs of 2023
Key specs:
4K/60Hz with three HDMI inputs
Tizen OS user interface
This model from Samsung gives you an excellent balance between budget, screen size and features. The 50-inch screen uses Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Color technology to produce excellent native and upscaled 4K resolution as well as rich, deep colors. It has Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung’s Bixby built-in for hands-free voice controls right out of the box, and with Q Symphony compatibility, you can set up a soundbar that works with your TV’s speakers for better audio. You can instantly share videos and pictures from your Samsung mobile devices via Tap View, and with PC on TV, you can use your new TV as a remote access monitor for your desktop or laptop.
Pros
Dynamic colors and contrast
Built-in Bixby voice assistant
Compatible with Samsung Q Symphony products for wireless audio
Cons
Only 60Hz
Not the best off-angle viewing
BEST OLED FOR GAMING
LG 55-inch C2 Series
Buy Now On Amazon
$1,297 at walmart
Best For: Fans of the infinite black levels and rich colors that only an OLED can provide.
Why We Chose It: LG is the king when it comes to OLED technology, and the C2 Series is the best example of the cutting-edge practices the brand employs.
Full Review: Is the LG C2 Series Worth It?
Key specs:
OLED technology
4K/120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
webOS user interface
From its chart-topping Evo screen that delivers the kind of vibrancy you’d find on a traditionally lit LED set, to its incredible color, contrast and motion capabilities, the C2 produces the kind of picture you won’t soon forget.
And that’s on top of the TV’s optimized gaming features, including Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync, and VRR support, along with four HDMI 2.1 inputs to ensure you can keeping with this TV even when Sony drops the Playstation 6.
Pros
Perfect black levels and incredible colors and contrast
Optimized for next-gen gaming consoles
webOS is fast and responsive
Evo panel makes this one of the brightest OLEDs
Cons
Lacks HDR10+ support
BEST SONY OLED
Sony 55-inch A90J
Buy Now On Amazon
$1,798 at walmart
Best for: OLED fans who want their PS5 gaming experience to look and feel better than ever.
Why We Chose It: The A90J is everything we love about Sony TVs, but now with an OLED screen for enhanced colors and contrast.
Full Review: Sony’s 4K X90J is Built for the Future
Key specs:
OLED technology
4K/120Hz with four HDMI inputs
Google TV user interface
The A90J from Sony is the best choice for anyone who prioritizes picture quality over everything else when shopping for a new 4K TV. It uses an OLED panel with millions of individually lit pixels to produce almost unrivaled colors, contrast, and details. It also uses Sony’s proprietary XR suite of software to enhance color volume, smooth motion blur, and better upscale non-4K content. It’s also optimized for gaming with the PS5, using G-Sync VRR for a better experience.
With Acoustic Surface Audio+, the entire screen gets turned into a speaker for near-perfect sound and video syncing and audio that better fills your space. The IMAX Enhanced and Netflix Calibrated modes make everything from Hollywood classics to the latest blockbusters look exactly as their creators intended.
Pros
One of Sony’s most powerful usages of XR picture tech
Next-level sound with Acoustic Surface Audio+
Google TV platform is packed with content
Supports IMAX Enhanced and Netflix Calibrated picture standards
Cons
Not as bright as conventional LED
A little expensive
BRIGHTEST QLED ON A BUDGET
Hisense 55-inch U8H
Buy Now On Amazon
$899 at best buy
Best For: TV watchers and gamers looking for one of the brightest QLEDs on the market, that just so happens to have an easily digestible price, too.
Why We Chose It: With its local dimming strengths and powerful peak brightness levels, the U8H is one of the brightest TVs we’ve ever seen… for the price.
Full Review: All Hail the King of Budget Premium TVs
Key specs:
LED-LCD with quantum dots
4K/120Hz
Google TV user interface
If you’re shopping on a budget for your next gaming-optimized TV, you could do worse than Hisense. Over the last several years, the Chinese company has become one of the most sought-after TV brands, and when it comes to the flagship U8H, life doesn’t get any sweeter.
This is one of the brightest TVs we’ve ever tested, with specular highlights approaching the 2,000 nit mark, which is a huge deal for any TV, never mind a budget-friendly option. The U8H also includes a Google TV user interface, future-proofed HDMI inputs, and so much more.
Pros
Powerful brightness
Excellent colors and contrast
Optimized for next-gen gaming
Google TV smart platform is feature-laden and easy to use
Cons
Poor off-angle viewing
Some issue with light blooming
BEST FOR PS5
Sony 77-inch A80K
Buy Now On Amazon
$2,699 at Best Buy
Best For: Playstation 5 owners who want their next-gen system to be plugged into the kind of TV that will optimize each and every gaming experience.
Why We Chose It: Nothing says “flagship performance” like plugging Sony’s most powerful game system into one of the company’s most amazing TVs, and that’s an accolade that goes far beyond picture quality.
Read More: The Best 65-inch TVs for Every Budget
Key specs:
OLED screen
4K/120 Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
Google TV user interface
If you’re one of the lucky next-gen devotees who was able to score a Playstation 5 before the nationwide shortage, the Sony AR A80K is the next-gen-ready TV you’ll want to pair your PS5 with. With its assortment of console optimizations, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping, Auto Genre Picture Switch, HDMI 2.1 inputs and incredibly low lag times, the A80K will allow all your favorite PS5 titles to perform better than ever better.
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention that you’ll be the proud owner of a top-tier Sony 4K OLED TV, complete with XR OLED Triluminos Pro for some of the greatest colors you’ll ever see on an OLED, along with Sony’s powerful 4K upscaling and intuitive Google TV user interface.
Pros
Fantastic OLED performance
XR Triluminos Pro delivers rich colors
Optimized for PS5 gaming
Cons
Expensive
BEST 85-INCH TV
Samsung 85-inch Q60B
Buy Now On Amazon
$1,698 at walmart
Best For: Those looking to score a top-notch 85-inch set from a reputable name, but at a cost that doesn’t totally break the bank.
Why We Chose It: Samsung is one of the leading brands in the world of TVs, and if you’re okay with some tamped down motion performance, the Q60B is one of the best deals you’ll find for an 85-inch screen.
Read More: Samsung’s $500K+ The Wall TV is the Stuff That Dreams are Made Of
Key specs:
LED-LCD
4K/60 Hz
Tizen OS user interface
Year after year, Samsung has reigned supreme as one of the top names in the TV marketplace, and if you’re looking for one of the best large screens that money can buy, Samsung’s Q60B is a fairly cost-friendly option that we’d like to recommend.
The Q60B uses Dual LED technology to deliver two distinct color palettes: one cool, and the other warm, on top of a quantum dot layer for breathtaking colors and enhanced brightness. The Q60B also supports a number of HDR formats, delivers impressive 4K upscaling, and connects you with all your favorite streaming apps through Samsung’s Smart TV Hub.
Pros
Dual LED technology for enhanced colors
Excellent 4K upscaling
Tizen OS is fast and responsive
Cons
Only 60Hz
Lacks the more advanced picture features of other Samsung models
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