As we head into the final stretch of 2025, the TV landscape has never been better for gamers. With HDMI 2.1 now standard on most mid-range and high-end sets, 144 Hz panels, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), Dolby Vision Gaming, and brighter Mini-LED/QD-OLED panels, choosing the perfect recommended TV for gaming has become both easier and more exciting.
Whether you play on PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, or a high-end gaming PC, these are the 10 best TVs that dominate leaderboards, Reddit threads, and professional lab tests in 2025.
1. LG C5 OLED evo (Best Overall Recommended TV for Gaming)
The LG C5 remains the undisputed king and the most frequently recommended TV for gaming in 2025. With four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports (48 Gbps), 144 Hz refresh rate, G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro, and input lag as low as 4.2 ms in Game Optimizer mode, it checks every box. The new α11 AI processor delivers the best motion processing ever seen on an OLED, while peak brightness hits 1,450 nits on HDR game content — a massive leap over the C4.
Best for: PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, PC gamers who want perfect blacks and zero blur.
2. Samsung S90F QD-OLED (Brightest OLED Experience)
Samsung’s 2025 QD-OLED flagship reaches an eye-searing 2,100 nits in HDR gaming mode, making it the recommended TV for gaming in bright living rooms. It supports 4K@144 Hz on all four HDMI 2.1 ports, has near-instantaneous 0.1 ms response time, and Tizen’s Gaming Hub is still the smoothest cloud-gaming interface.
Best for: Competitive gamers and anyone who hated OLED brightness limitations in the past.
3. Sony Bravia 8 II OLED (PlayStation Perfection)
Sony’s “Perfect for PlayStation 5” badge is earned. Exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode make this the recommended TV for gaming on PS5 Pro. Acoustic Surface Audio+ turns the entire screen into a speaker, and the new heatsink pushes brightness to 1,600 nits. Input lag? A ridiculous 4.1 ms at 120 Hz with VRR.
Best for: Die-hard PlayStation owners who also watch a lot of 4K Blu-ray movies.
4. TCL QM8K Mini-LED (Best Value Brightness Monster)
TCL shocked the industry again in 2025. The QM8K delivers over 3,000 local dimming zones in the 65-inch model and peaks at 3,200 nits. With 144 Hz, full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and Google TV, it’s frequently cited as the best “bang-for-buck” recommended TV for gaming under $1,500.
Best for: Bright-room gamers on a budget who still want flagship-level HDR punch.
5. Hisense U8QG Mini-LED (The Budget King Keeps Winning)
Hisense refuses to lose the value crown. The U8QG offers 2,500 nits, 144 Hz, Dolby Vision Gaming, IMAX Enhanced certification, and surprisingly good black levels thanks to improved Mini-LED control. At well under $1,000 for 65 inches, it’s the most recommended TV for gaming among cost-conscious buyers.
Best for: Gamers who want near-premium performance without spending premium money.
6. LG G5 OLED evo (Gallery Series – The Ultimate Showpiece)
If money is no object, the 2025 G5 is the new benchmark. Zero-gap wall mount, 3,000 nits peak brightness (thanks to Micro Lens Array + new heatsink), and the same gaming feature set as the C5. It’s the recommended TV for gaming when you want your friends to literally say “wow” the moment they walk in.
Best for: Home theater enthusiasts who demand the absolute best image quality.
7. Samsung QN90F Neo QLED (Anti-Glare Champion)
Samsung’s matte “Glare-Free” coating makes the QN90F the recommended TV for gaming in rooms with big windows or bright overhead lights. 2,400 nits, 165 Hz native panel (with BFI), and excellent upscaling make it a favorite for sports gamers and PC enthusiasts.
Best for: Daytime gaming without pulling the curtains.
8. TCL QM6K 144Hz (Insane Value Under $700)
The 2025 QM6K is the entry-level set that punches way above its weight. 144 Hz, VRR, Dolby Vision Gaming, and surprisingly decent reflection handling — all for under $650 (65-inch). It’s the most recommended TV for gaming among first-time 120 Hz+ buyers.
Best for: Budget gamers upgrading from 60 Hz consoles or older TVs.
9. Panasonic Z95B OLED (Cinematic Gaming Master)
Panasonic finally returned to the U.S. market with the Z95B — a Master OLED with 3,000 nits MLA panel, custom heatsink, and the most accurate color out of the box. It supports every gaming feature and includes a built-in directional speaker system tuned by Technics.
Best for: Gamers who also demand reference-level movie performance.
10. Sony A95L QD-OLED (2024 Carryover Steal)
Yes, it’s technically last year’s model, but with 2025 street prices now under $2,200 for 65 inches, the A95L remains one of the most recommended TVs for gaming thanks to its perfect blend of QD-OLED color volume and Sony picture processing.
Best for: Deal hunters who want flagship performance at mid-range pricing.
2025 Gaming TV Comparison Table (65-inch models, U.S. street prices as of November 2025)
| Rank | Model | Panel Type | Peak Brightness (HDR Game) | Refresh Rate | HDMI 2.1 Ports | Input Lag (Game Mode) | Approx. Price (65″) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LG C5 OLED evo | WOLED + MLA | 1,450 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 4.2 ms | $1,896 | Overall best |
| 2 | Samsung S90F QD-OLED | QD-OLED Gen 3 | 2,100 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 4.5 ms | $2,297 | Bright rooms |
| 3 | Sony Bravia 8 II | WOLED | 1,600 nits | 120 Hz | 2 | 4.1 ms | $2,499 | PS5 Pro perfection |
| 4 | TCL QM8K Mini-LED | Mini-LED | 3,200 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 6.8 ms | $1,398 | Value brightness king |
| 5 | Hisense U8QG | Mini-LED | 2,500 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 7.2 ms | $949 | Best under $1,000 |
| 6 | LG G5 OLED evo | MLA OLED | 3,000 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 4.2 ms | $4,299 | Money-no-object |
| 7 | Samsung QN90F Neo QLED | Mini-LED | 2,400 nits | 165 Hz | 4 | 5.1 ms | $1,999 | Glare-free daytime gaming |
| 8 | TCL QM6K | QLED 144 Hz | 1,800 nits | 144 Hz | 2 | 8.9 ms | $649 | Insane budget performance |
| 9 | Panasonic Z95B | MLA OLED | 3,000 nits | 144 Hz | 4 | 4.8 ms | $3,799 | Accuracy + audio |
| 10 | Sony A95L QD-OLED (’24) | QD-OLED | 1,900 nits | 120 Hz | 2 | 4.3 ms | $2,199 | Best deal on flagship tech |
Key Features Every 2025 Gaming TV Must Have
- 4K @ 120 Hz minimum (144 Hz preferred)
- VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro or Nvidia G-Sync Compatible)
- ALLM + input lag under 10 ms
- Dolby Vision Gaming or HDR10+
- At least two full HDMI 2.1 ports
All TVs on this list exceed those requirements.
Final Verdict: Which Recommended TV for Gaming Should You Buy?
- Under $800 → TCL QM6K or Hisense U8QG
- Under $1,500 → TCL QM8K (bright room) or LG C5 (dark room)
- Best overall → LG C5 OLED evo
- Brightest living room → Samsung S90F or QN90F
- PS5 Pro perfection → Sony Bravia 8 II
- No budget limit → LG G5 or Panasonic Z95B
No matter your price range, 2025 is the best year ever to upgrade your gaming display. The gap between budget and flagship has never been smaller, and every TV on this list will make your games look and feel next-gen.
FAQ – Best Gaming TVs 2025
Q: Is OLED still the best for gaming in 2025? A: Yes, for dark-room gaming and motion clarity, OLED (especially WOLED and QD-OLED) remains king. Mini-LED has closed the brightness gap dramatically.
Q: Do I need 144 Hz for console gaming? A: PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X can output 120 Hz. 144 Hz gives extra headroom and smoother VRR performance, especially on PC.
Q: Is burn-in still a concern with 2025 OLEDs? A: Vastly improved. New panels, better pixel-shift algorithms, and heat management make burn-in extremely rare with normal mixed use.
Q: Which size is best for gaming? A: 65-inch is the sweet spot for most living rooms (2.5–3 m viewing distance). 55-inch for desks or smaller spaces, 77–83-inch if you sit 3.5 m+ away.
Q: Should I wait for 2026 models? A: No. 2025 brought huge leaps in brightness and 144 Hz adoption. 2026 will be incremental (mostly 8K focus and slightly better processors).
