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To reduce display-side delay in PC games, choose a TV with low measured input lag at the resolution and refresh rate you plan to use, then enable Game Mode and confirm the PC, HDMI port, and TV settings support that signal. A TV cannot remove latency elsewhere in the chain: the PC, controller or keyboard, connection, and display can all contribute.
What to check before choosing a TV
Input lag is the time between a source sending a signal and the TV displaying it. RTINGS identifies image acquisition, video processing, and displaying the image as contributors to TV input lag; processing such as motion interpolation can add delay. Its input-lag testing methodology, updated October 3, 2025, treats Game Mode as the most important TV setting for reducing delay.
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- Measured lag at your target signal: Compare results for the exact resolution and refresh rate you expect to play at, rather than relying on a single lag figure.
- Refresh rate and resolution: Make sure your graphics output, the TV’s chosen HDMI input, and the TV’s supported formats all match your target.
- VRR and pixel response: Variable refresh rate (VRR) can help address tearing, while pixel response affects motion clarity. Compatibility and results vary by TV model and GPU.
- Desktop use: If you will read or work on the TV, check 4:4:4 chroma support, subpixel layout, text rendering, and whether the screen is practical at your desk distance.
- Room and placement: Match screen size and viewing distance to your space, and consider room lighting and whether a large TV suits your mix of gaming, video, and desktop work.
RTINGS labels under 10 ms as good at 1080p/120Hz, 4K/120Hz, and 4K/144Hz, and under 15 ms as good at 1080p/60Hz, 4K/60Hz, and 4K/60Hz with 4:4:4. These are format-specific guide values from its testing methodology, not guarantees or universal thresholds for what every player will notice.
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RTINGS’ recommendations page, updated September 23, 2026, names the following sets for PC-monitor use. Treat them as starting points, not universal winners: check the exact regional model, screen size, current availability, and model-specific review before buying. The page is a recommendation source, not a live stock or price check.
#1 Best Overall
- Google TV Smart OS: The entertainment you love, all on one screen. Google TV offers a wide range of smart features and a vast library of content, all in one intuitive platform.
- Impressive 720p Resolution: The combination of 720p resolution and HDR10 provides crisp images, vibrant colors, and enhanced contrast, delivering a truly immersive and captivating viewing experience.
- Google Assistant Voice Remote: Control your entertainment effortlessly with Google Assistant, offering hands-free navigation and voice commands all with just a simple voice remote.
- Google Cast Built-in: Seamless streaming and casting with Chromecast, allowing you to wirelessly connect and enjoy your favorite content from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to Google TV.
- Connections: HDMI 1.4*2, USB 2.0*2, AV-in*1, Optical-out*1, LAN*1 and Earphone; Bluetooth 5 and WI-FI 5.
LG C6 OLED (2026): feature-rich PC-monitor use
RTINGS lists four HDMI 2.1 ports, support up to 4K/165Hz, HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync, G-SYNC compatibility, and proper 4:4:4 display. Its RWBG subpixel layout can make text less ideal for text-critical work, so it may be a stronger fit for gaming and video than for a desk setup dominated by reading or editing.
TCL QM7L: mid-range option with clearer desktop text
Its RGB subpixel layout is better suited to desktop text than the C6’s, and a boosted mode reaches 288Hz at lower resolution. The cited review notes that only two HDMI inputs support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, the smallest listed size is 55 inches, and contrast is weaker with more motion blur or ghosting than on the LG C6. Consider whether the size and motion trade-offs suit your room and games.
Rank #2
- TCL QM6K QD-MINI LED TV SERIES - AFFORDABLE PREMIUM PERFORMANCE FOR SPORTS, GAMING & STREAMING. Experience superior contrast, rich color, and ultra-smooth motion with TCL’s QD-Mini LED technology. Designed to outperform traditional QLED and OLED TVs, the QM6K is the best TV for every moment—whether you're streaming, gaming, or watching the big game.
- QD-MINI LED. IT’S MINI LED PLUS QLED COLOR - BREATHTAKING BRIGHTNESS AND COLOR IN ANY LIGHT. Combines ultra-precise Mini LEDs with Quantum Dot technology for incredible brightness, bold contrast, and over a billion vibrant colors.
- TCL HALO CONTROL SYSTEM - BETTER BLACKS. SHARPER DETAIL. NO BLOOMING. Advanced local dimming eliminates haloing, enhances shadow detail, and improves picture accuracy—so dark scenes look deeper, and bright scenes stay crisp.
- DOLBY VISION, HDR10+, HDR10 & HLG - STUNNING HDR IN EVERY FORMAT. Enjoy 4K content the way it was meant to be seen. Dynamic HDR support delivers exceptional color, contrast, and detail across all major formats.
- 144HZ NATIVE REFRESH RATE + MOTION RATE 480 - SMOOTH, FAST ACTION—PERFECT FOR LIVE SPORTS. Watch fast-paced action with incredible clarity and minimal motion blur—making this one of the best TVs for sports.
Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K: casual play or a second screen
The cited guide lists a 60Hz native refresh rate, a 4K/60Hz limit, 1080p/120Hz support, RGB subpixels, and VRR. It also cautions about tearing around 55Hz and slower pixel transitions that cause more motion blur, making it a poor fit for fast-paced gaming.
Check the whole signal chain
A high refresh-rate label on a TV does not by itself confirm that your PC can send the signal through the input you plan to use. RTINGS’ supported-resolution guidance, updated October 3, 2025, notes that high-bandwidth formats such as 4K/120Hz may require a full-bandwidth setting for the selected HDMI input. Setting names vary by model and region; examples include Samsung Input Signal Plus, LG HDMI Deep Color, and Sony HDMI Signal Format.
Rank #3
- QD-Mini LED: This premium level of Mini LED TV, now with the New TCL Halo Control System, ensures a high-quality viewing experience.
- Confirm the PC output. Check that your graphics output can provide the intended resolution and refresh rate.
- Use a suitable TV input. Verify that the specific HDMI port supports the target format; some models do not provide the same bandwidth on every port.
- Enable the input’s full-bandwidth setting if required. Find the setting for the selected port in the TV’s picture or external-input menus. Menu names and paths depend on model and year.
- Set the PC output. Choose the intended resolution and refresh rate in the operating system or graphics settings, then confirm the TV receives that signal.
- Turn on Game Mode. Enable it for the input used by the PC. If the TV has Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), a compatible source may switch the set into Game Mode automatically.
- Verify desktop chroma if text matters. Confirm the TV displays 4:4:4 at your planned output. Many TVs require PC mode for correct 4:4:4, although some detect a PC connection automatically.
Do not assume that an HDMI 2.1 label alone guarantees every resolution, refresh rate, VRR feature, or chroma format you want. Confirm support for the exact TV model and input, as well as the PC’s graphics output.
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RTINGS’ comparison of tested devices found that monitors generally had lower input lag across its sample and tended to keep lag lower across picture modes; TVs usually needed Game Mode for low gaming lag. Its 2025 sample averages were:
Rank #4
- 3,800LM BRIGHTNESS FOR 120" BIG SCREEN: Enjoy a vibrant 120-inch big-screen experience even with the lights on. The 3,800lm high brightness ensures clear visuals for any room environment.
- LICENSED GOOGLE TV DONGLE INCLUDED: Comes with an officially licensed Google TV dongle for endless streaming. Easily access Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ with a simple plug-and-play setup.
- ULTRA-SMOOTH 16.7MS LOW INPUT LAG: Perfect for fast-paced gaming, the 16.7ms low input lag ensures an ultra-smooth and responsive experience. Experience instant action with no annoying delays.
- FOUR MODES FOR IMMERSIVE VIEWING: Features Cinema, Sports, Game, and 3D modes. Each is tailored to deliver the best image quality for all your home entertainment and viewing needs.
- FLEXIBLE SETUP AND EASY INSTALLATION: The 1.1x optical zoom and Auto Vertical Keystone correction allow for easy placement. Get a perfectly squared image instantly without a complicated setup.
| Tested display category | Average at 60Hz | Average at 120Hz |
|---|---|---|
| TVs | 12.4 ms | 6.8 ms |
| Monitors | 11.7 ms | 5.5 ms |
These are RTINGS’ averages across its tested sample, not a claim that every monitor is faster than every TV. Its comparison, updated November 10, 2025, describes TVs as appealing for large-screen gaming and video viewing, while monitors are designed for close PC use and more often include dedicated gaming features. Compare individual models at your intended distance; if desktop text and close-range use dominate, a monitor may be the more practical choice.
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Make the choice fit your setup
- For high-refresh competitive play: Prioritize measured input lag at your target format, the exact HDMI input’s bandwidth, VRR compatibility with your GPU, and motion clarity.
- For a TV that also serves as a desk display: Check 4:4:4, subpixel text rendering, usable size at your seating distance, and whether the screen is comfortable for text-heavy work.
- For casual play or a second display: A lower-refresh option can be adequate if its resolution, input lag, and size fit your use; avoid treating it as equivalent to a fast gaming TV for motion-sensitive games.
Before deciding, compare your budget, viewing distance, intended screen size, room lighting, desktop-text needs, GPU model, and desired frame rate. Those details determine whether a particular TV’s combination of refresh rate, ports, VRR, and panel characteristics is a good fit.
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