Microsoft is a household name that is usually instantly connected with computers and Windows. Naturally, Microsoft is very involved with console gaming as well, as proven with their famous Xbox consoles. The original Xbox was released in 2002. Around the same time Sony released their famous Playstation 2 – which is the most famous console to this day.
Until today, Microsoft has continuously released improved generations with their console: Xbox 360 in 2005, Xbox One in 2013 and an improved Xbox One S and X in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Right now, the company is looking to release their next-gen console in 2020, codenamed as Xbox Project Scarlett.
4K and 8K technology is on the rise and with Xbox Scarlett on the doorstep, it makes sense to invest in the right 4K TV for Xbox gaming to fully unleash the console’s potential. We have prepared the best TVs for Xbox gaming for you.
These are the Best TVs for Xbox Gaming in 2020
- Deep blacks & good contrast ratio
- 120 Hz (55 inch up)
- Very low input lag
- VRR through FreeSync
- No local dimming
- HDR performance
- Very deep blacks
- Contrast of 11000:1
- Full Array Local Dimming
- VRR through FreeSync
- Very clear movements
- Color accuracy
- No Dolby Vision, DTS or Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.1
- 4K with 120 Hz
- VRR (HDMI Forum) (except 77 inch)
- Auto Low Latency Mode
- HDMI eARC
- Very low input lag
- Viewing angle
- Burn-in risk
The Best affordable TV for Xbox Gaming with FreeSync
RU8000
For gaming on the Xbox, the Samsung RU8000 is a great choice that’s especially easy on the wallet. Of course, TVs in its level aren’t exactly cheap, but the RU8000 is the most affordable contender in this selection. The range of functions is nevertheless impressive.
The most interesting feature for Xbox gaming is FreeSync VRR. The input lag is already only 15ms, which is record-breakingly low, but with VRR through FreeSync this figure drops again to only 6ms. Virtually no delay will be visible to the naked eye.
When using an Xbox One X or Xbox One S, some games can even be displayed in 4K resolution. This works great with the RU8000 and its 120 Hz panel. The same goes for gaming in Full HD. Attention: The 120 Hz panel is only available from 55 inches. The 49 inch version only has a 60 Hz panel. Further gaming features are the Auto Low Latency Mode, Real Game Enhancer and Dynamic Black Equalizer to further improve the picture.
Unfortunately, the RU8000 doesn’t have local dimming and isn’t bright enough to display HDR content impressively.
The Best high end TV for Xbox Gaming with FreeSync
Samsung Q90R
All the benefits of the RU8000 are better with the Samsung Q90R: Better picture quality, significantly higher peak brightness and more beautiful HDR performance. The outstanding brightness means that some colors aren’t as accurate, but animated films or video games look extremely impressive.
VRR is also available here through FreeSync, which pays off especially with an Xbox One X or S. The viewing angle of the Q90R is good, better than other VA panels. It doesn’t quite come close to an OLED, but the brightness is much higher here, so it’s very suitable for gaming in bright and dark rooms.
The input lag is 6 ms at 1080p @ 120 Hz and 13 ms at 4K @ 60 Hz. These are excellent numbers. For gaming, however, only 4K @ 60 Hz is supported. The input lag here is 14 ms, which is still very good. Unfortunately no HDMI eARC is supported.
Furthermore the Q90R does not have Dolby Vision but HDR10 and HDR10+. Due to the lack of HDMI eARC there is also no uncompressed Dolby Atmos.
The Best OLED TV for Xbox Gaming with HDMI 2.1
LG C9
If you don’t want to compromise on picture or sound when it comes to gaming, you need a LG C9 OLED TV. It is one of the most exciting televisions currently on the market. As one of the few devices that currently have HDMI 2.1, it offers some exciting features.
These include 4K and HDR at 120 Hz, uncompressed Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision. All this is made possible by the maximum transfer rate of 48 Gbps. HDMI 2.1 makes the LG C9 a good investment if the new console generation is interesting for you. The announced improved graphics and performance of the Xbox Scarlett will definitely take advantage of the new HDMI standard.
The input lag is 6ms at 1080p @ 120 Hz and 13ms at 4K @ 60 Hz. Video games with fast-moving content can thus be operated very quickly and look great due to the good motion handling. Thanks to VRR by HDMI Forum, tearing during gaming is avoided.
In addition, the LG C9 naturally offers all the advantages of an OLED TV. Extremely wide viewing angle, very deep black, infinite contrast ratio and impressive display of HDR content. Well-known disadvantages of OLED TVs are rather low peak brightness and the burn-in risk, which, however, can be almost completely excluded with normal use. Static content such as news bars should be avoided, but televisions like the C9 can counteract this risk with innovative technologies.
Attention: VRR is only available with the 55 and 65 inch versions of the C9. The largest version does not support this feature!
The Best TVs for Xbox Gaming compared
| | | |
RU8000 | Samsung Q90R | LG C9 | |
| Picture quality Here the overall picture quality of the television is measured during gaming. | |||
| HDR gaming Just as there are videos and movies with HDR, there are also video games with a particularly large contrast range. | |||
| Viewing angle The viewing angle of a TV is the angle at which you can sit in front of the TV without colors washing out and black areas losing their depth. | |||
| Refresh rate at 1080p This number indicates the number of images displayed in one second at Full HD resolution. | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Refresh rate at 4K This number indicates the number of images displayed in one second at 4K resolution. | 60 Hz | 60 hz | 120 Hz |
| Input lag The input lag is the delay of the input signal from the movement of the controller / keyboard and mouse to the screen. | 15ms | 14ms | 13ms |
| Motion Handling Motion handling refers to the presentation of fast content. The aim here is to avoid motion blur as well as possible. | |||
| Variable Refresh Rate VRR is the general term for a dynamic refresh rate that can change continuously and seamlessly during operation on screen. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Low Latency Mode Auto Low Latency Mode is a mode to which a TV is switches automatically when a game console is switched on. This mode reduces the latency between input and output signal. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI 2.1 HDMI 2.1 is a 48 Gbit/s transmission standard. This makes it possible to implement particularly demanding requirements for gaming, for example 120 Hz at 4K resolution. | No | No | Yes |
| Burn in The burning (or "burning out") of a single pixel is called burn-in. Only OLED televisions are exposed to this risk. Examples are very bright or static contents (white news bars). For normal users, however, the risk is virtually non-existent. | No | No | Theoretically possible |
| | | |
RU8000 | Samsung Q90R | LG C9 | |
| Available sizes The compared TV for Xbox Gaming are available in following screen sizes | 49 Inch See price 55 Inch See price 65 Inch See price 82 Inch See price All prices | Inch See price 65 Inch See price 75 Inch See price All prices | 55 Inch See price 65 Inch See price 77 Inch See price All prices |
What makes the best TV for Xbox gaming?
Powerful consoles like the Xbox One X or Xbox One S need a correspondingly good TV to unfold their maximum performance. My recommendation for beginners who want to immerse themselves in the gaming world with a strong but affordable device is the Samsung RU8000. It comes with VRR through FreeSync which enables gaming without tearing and a very low input lag, which is good for fast action games. Because of the VA panel, the viewing angle is a bit narrow, but that’s fine if you’re sitting in front of the screen and now at an angle.
Sophisticated gamers will love the Samsung Q90R for its gaming capabilities – and even more. It’s the brightest TV in this selection, delivering impressive HDR content and great performance in both dark and bright rooms. Despite the VA panel, the viewing angle is wider, so gaming in larger groups is as much fun as playing alone. It also offers VRR through FreeSync and effortlessly handles 4K and Full HD content from the Xbox. The Q90R is also a great choice for movie nights.
If the Xbox One is already a thing of the past for you and you are looking forward to the Xbox Scarlett, I recommend you make an investment. The LG C9 is already a great TV, but its features aren’t made use of yet. With HDMI 2.1, it delivers 4K at 120Hz, which current consoles aren’t yet able to deliver. Furthermore, uncompressed Dolby Atmos is no problem. The new consoles will take advantage of these and other features, and with the C9 you’re ready for the future of gaming.
