Best Size TV For Gaming: Do You Need 50 Inches Or Less?

Whether you’re gaming on your favorite console or you’re weary of computer monitors while playing on PC, having a suitably sized TV can be essential to your gaming experience.

That’s why I’ve compiled all the information you need to find the best gaming TV. After reading this, you’ll know exactly what to consider when purchasing a TV for gaming.

Below, you will find:

Let’s dive in!

Several factors influence how the size of a TV may affect your gaming experience.

The primary consideration is likely the type of gameplay you require, whether it’s for PC or console, as well as the specific games you enjoy.

Additionally, you should consider the environment where you want to place the TV—what is the room size, is the viewing distance adequate, and at what angle will you be looking at it?

If you want to discover the answers to all these concerns, just keep reading!

What Kind of TV Is Good for Gaming

When searching for the best TVs for modern gaming, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, ensure that the contrast ratio is high, but the refresh rate and latency are perhaps the most crucial aspects to focus on.

Latency refers to the speed at which the images on your TV can change. Naturally, you’ll want this to be quick, so be sure to check this when purchasing your new TV.

It is advisable to seek a TV with an auto low latency mode to prevent any extra adjustments with the TV.

The refresh rate of a TV indicates how many times per second it can redraw an image on the screen. For fast-paced gaming, a higher refresh rate is preferable.

Clearly, screen resolution is likely to be the primary factor in your gaming experience. For a long time, Full HD resolutions were the highest quality available, but today, 4K screen resolutions are the standard, and you should consider choosing that option when purchasing your new TV.

Today, many games have high graphical demands, and ensuring good image quality while avoiding lower rendering resolutions will provide a smooth gaming experience.

Another important factor to consider is the size of the room. The dimensions of the room where you plan to place the TV will influence your gaming experience, as they impact angles and distance.

Modern TVs can be quite large, and while that may seem exciting, it’s important to consider how they will fit in your room.

Can TV Size Affect Gaming

While this may sometimes come down to personal preference, the answer is definitely yes.

One of the primary factors influencing your experience is whether the larger TV you desire actually offers poorer image quality. Occasionally, even when TVs are advertised as Ultra HD, they may provide a lower resolution.

This was primarily true in the early days of LED TVs, while modern Smart TVs typically do not experience this issue.

The size of the TV can impact gaming, depending on the type of gaming you intend to use it for. The ideal gaming TV will vary for a PC gamer compared to a gaming console player.

If we are discussing modern gaming consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox Series X/S, or Nintendo, an ideal gaming TV size would range from 40 to 60 inches, particularly if you wish to play in 4K.

If you want to play on consoles older than these, you need to verify the maximum screen resolution they support. Most of them work with a 1080p screen resolution.

The best choice is to select a TV that is between 32 and 40 inches, as larger sizes may adversely impact the resolution.

However, if you need a gaming TV to connect to your PC, the size of the TV you should choose will be different.

Some people might argue that gaming monitors are a superior choice for PC gaming, but I will discuss that in more detail shortly.

PC games are typically designed for a short viewing distance, which means you should avoid larger screens. When sitting that close, you literally wouldn’t be able to see everything on such a big screen.

The ideal TV screen size for PC games is likely 32 inches or smaller. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the TV is specifically designed for gaming, as these models are better equipped for fast-paced gameplay.

When selecting a gaming TV for PC gaming, you should consider features such as HDR, a fast response time, a high frame rate, reduced input lag, and adaptive sync options.

TV Size and Viewing Angles

A different viewing angle is more effective for various purposes. For instance, in cinema, the viewing angle is more acute than what is suitable for other applications.

The optimal viewing angle primarily depends on the screen resolution rather than the screen size. Modern 4K TVs typically offer good image quality from various angles.

Full HD 1080p TVs perform well from various angles, although not as well as 4K TVs.

TV Size and Viewing Distance

When purchasing any type of TV, not just a gaming one, you should take the viewing distance into account. It’s important to be mindful of the distance between the TV and your seating area when determining the size of your gaming TV.

When discussing gaming, the ideal distance is determined by a straightforward formula. The distance should be 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal length of the TV.

This means that if you have a 32-inch TV, you should sit 4 to 6 feet away from it, as this distance will allow you to see everything you need.

You shouldn’t be able to see the individual pixels from your seat while playing. If you can, it’s a sign that you need to sit further from the screen. No TV will be the best gaming TV for you if you continue to sit too close.

Should You Use a Monitor or a TV for Gaming?

Many gamers, particularly those who primarily play on PC, argue that a PC monitor is a far superior choice, as gaming monitors supposedly provide a better experience than even the best TVs for gaming available.

In reality, both options have their advantages, and you should choose based on your needs.

Advantages of Using a Monitor for Gaming

A gaming monitor is typically a better choice for avid PC gamers, primarily because PC games are designed with computer screens in mind.

Monitors also feature lower input lag, faster response times, and higher refresh rates. This is particularly crucial for competitive gaming, even on a gaming console.

As you may know, monitors are significantly less expensive, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to play on both console and PC.

The screen size of a monitor may not match that of a TV, but if the viewing distance from your seating position is relatively short, then this could be the better choice.

Advantages of Using a TV for Gaming

The size of the TV is likely the primary advantage when compared to a gaming monitor.

While the screen size won’t impact the frame rate, it will certainly alter your gaming experience. Therefore, having a TV for gaming truly depends on your gameplay style.

Monitors are generally better for competitive gaming, where maintaining focus and communication with fellow players is crucial. However, if you prefer more relaxed, adventurous games, a TV may be the better choice.

If you enjoy sports games, a TV is the better choice.

Best Gaming TV

After reviewing all the details that contribute to a good gaming TV, you will likely want to see a specific TV recommendation. That’s exactly what I have for you below.

There are many TVs available on the market, and although I have mentioned terms like 4K TV and smart TV throughout this guide, the sheer variety can understandably lead to confusion.

One model consistently emerged as the best option available, and believe me, there’s a good reason for that.

LG OLED 48 CX

This TV is frequently referred to as the best gaming TV available, and there are several reasons that support this claim.

Firstly, the 48-inch size is ideal for gaming. As I mentioned, choosing a TV that is too large can sometimes detract from your gaming experience, and this model is perfectly positioned between 40 and 55 inches.

It could easily fit on your desk or look attractive mounted on the wall just above it.

OLED gaming monitors are still not the most common options available, so opting for a TV can be a great alternative.

This is also a 4K TV, so you will definitely enjoy amazing image quality that will further enhance your experience.

The image quality is significantly enhanced due to OLED technology, which provides excellent contrast and deep black levels across the entire screen. Overall, in terms of image quality, there isn’t much that surpasses this.

Additionally, this TV is recognized as the best gaming TV because LG has included AMD FreeSync Premium support alongside the existing Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. Therefore, if you need a TV primarily for PC gaming, this is your choice.

Conclusion

While the decision will ultimately be primarily based on personal preference, it is important to consider some objective factors that can influence your gameplay.

Firstly, remember to check how the TV you want will look in your room and how it will function from the spot where you plan to sit while gaming.

Secondly, the primary factor to consider is the type of gaming for which you want the TV, as most gamers agree that the ideal TV size varies between PC and console gaming.

Finally, ensure that the screen resolution is compatible with the games you intend to play, particularly if they are graphically demanding.

If you intend to connect the TV to your gaming PC, it is advisable to choose a size no larger than 32 inches. However, for console gaming, a size between 32 and 55 inches is suitable, depending on the room. If the games require high graphics performance, a 4K TV will likely be the best option.

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