There’s no point in grabbing the latest and greatest consoles if you don’t have a good TV to match! Without a good TV, your next-gen games will look distinctly subpar, marred by low resolutions and bad refresh rates. A good gaming TV is one that puts your games first. A TV that allows your games to run smoothly, and look at their absolute best.

But the trouble is, the TV market is incredibly vast. There are all kinds of different models, all with their own distinct features. All of which are competing for your attention! Two different types of TVs that often mystify new owners are LED and OLED TVs.

These TVs differ in terms of the display technologies they employ. But which of the two display types is best for 4K gaming? Should you stick with the tried and trusted LED? Or should you check out the more modern OLED? Our Reliant tech experts have pitted the two head-to-head, and we’ve collected everything they found down below!

Is 4K OLED or 4K LED Better As A Gaming TV?

In order to find out which display type is better for gaming, we have to take a look at how each works. LED displays are closer to the traditional TVs you would expect. To project an image, they make use of an array of LED lights behind a panel of pixels. The pixels create an image, and then the light shining through the pixels makes the image visible!

OLED displays, on the other hand, cut out the need for LEDs entirely. OLED pixels not only generate images but also create light. OLED pixels are incredibly responsive, and can quickly turn on and off to create immense contrast. Because they’re so responsive, OLED pixels are naturally perfect for gaming.

One of the most important things to look out for in a good gaming TV is a quick response time. Whenever you press a button on your game controller, it sends a signal to the console to render the corresponding action. Once the action has been rendered, the image is then sent to the TV screen. The time for this process to finish is referred to as “Input lag”. OLED TVs have an incredibly short input lag. The instant you press a button, the corresponding action shows up on screen!

OLED TVs are incredibly responsive. There is far less input latency on an OLED TV when compared to an LED TV. OLED TVs are the best choice for gamers looking to master their favourite titles!

It’s best for input lag to be no more than 30 milliseconds. OLED TVs regularly clock in at under 30 milliseconds, whereas LED TVs are more likely to clock over!

What Are The Benefits Of OLED Displays For Gaming?

High Refresh Rate

We mentioned above that OLED TVs are best for gamers thanks to their responsive nature. OLED TVs are incredibly responsive and fast-acting. This not only ensures low input lag. It also ensures that OLED TVs can display high frame rates!

OLED TVs naturally have much higher refresh rates, with some models climbing higher than even 144Hz! If you plan to enjoy games at 120FPS, you’ll need a TV that has a refresh rate of at least 120Hz!

Perfect For HDR

When paired with HDR technology, OLED displays are really able to shine! HDR allows your TV to access more colours and more brightness levels. This truly allows each and every OLED pixel to reach its full potential.

The widened colour palettes offered by HDR technology allow for greater sharpness and clarity. When paired with the contrast created by OLED displays, every single frame will pop with detail!

What Are The Benefits Of LED Displays For Gaming?

High Brightness Levels

LED displays are able to reach much higher brightness levels when compared to OLED displays. The individual LEDs are able to pump out much higher light levels. This is beneficial for those hoping to game during the daytime. With increased brightness levels, it’s much easier to play your favourite games even on the brightest days!

Lower Price

LED TVs have been around for some time now. This means that they have slowly been improving more and more year on year. At the same time, their price tags have also seen a steady decline.

Though OLED TVs are preferred by the vast majority of gamers, LED TVs are still a great option. LED TVs are now far more affordable. For gamers who just need a quick and simple display, they’re the perfect option!

LED TVs are incredibly affordable. This makes them a great option for any gamers looking for a simple display to put in a smaller space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Gaming TVs Better With 4K LED Or OLED?

Generally, OLED displays tend to be much better for gaming. This is because they are highly responsive. OLED displays have high refresh rates, which are perfect for high frame rates. As well as that, they also have very low input lag. Gaming on an OLED TV feels snappy, responsive, and intuitive. However, LED TVs still make for a solid budget choice. They also feature much greater brightness levels!

Are OLED TVs Worth It For Gaming?

OLED TVs cost a little bit more than other displays. However, they’re more than worth every single penny. OLED displays work alongside gamers, to deliver immense performance. These TVs are also essential for PS5 and Xbox One X gaming. The high refresh rates of these displays allow gamers to play at frame rates up to 120FPS!

Does A TV Matter For Gaming?

You might wonder whether it’s worth worrying about the TV you use for gaming. Ultimately, it’s not necessarily worth worrying over, but you should be sure to carefully consider it! A good gaming TV will display your games at their very best. The TV should also be responsive to all of your inputs, for optimal play!