Monitor vs TV For Gaming

Have you ever wondered whether playing on a TV or monitor is hampering your game? No? Just us then? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision about which is best for your gaming experience.

Overview

Generally, monitors have higher refresh rates, faster response times, and lower input lag. These features make them more appropriate for PC gamers, those looking to put themselves on another level when it comes to their gear. However, they’re not for everyone. 

For casual gamers, a larger TV with better sound might be the best enhancement for your experience.

On one hand, TVs are more affordable and they are perfect for watching films, binging your favorite series, and ideal for console gaming. On the other hand, monitors offer a close-up experience with little to zero lag that can mean the difference between winning or losing that 1v1.

Where TVs matter

If you’re a dedicated console gamer, then a TV is undoubtedly the best choice for you. Sitting further away from the screen can mean less eye strain, along with providing a more casual experience when racing in a car or playing your favorite RPGs. 

You’ll want to make sure that your TV is in 4k mode for the best definition (the same goes for monitors, make sure they are in 4k too). If you want to feel more immersed in your game and have the room in your budget, then you can even look at getting an ultra-wide 4k screen, to give you that feeling of really being part of the action, with your boots on the ground.

As mentioned previously, input lag is something that can make or break your gameplay. An ideal ballpark to aim for is 15ms input lag. If your TV has any type of “image post-processing bypass mode” then this will ensure you don’t needlessly suffer from slower gameplay, it also might just be called “game mode” in the settings. 

Where monitors matter

Most gaming monitors will have a response time of around 5ms, which is 3 times faster than the average TV response speed of 15ms. So, if you’re tracking fast-moving objects in an FPS or RPG you’ll get much more visible ghosting from a TV over a monitor.

Input lag isn’t the only thing you need to consider though. Refresh rates vary for both monitors and TVs. You’ll be looking for a gaming monitor to have up to 360Hz of refresh rate and for TVs somewhere closer to 120Hz. 

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds and cost is not an issue, then you should go ahead and snag an OLED TV. These have a faster response time than any LED-backlit gaming monitors and will set you apart from your peers, the downside of these is that you’ll only find them at 48” or larger.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many differences you need to consider when deciding what you want to play your games on. It entirely depends on budget, what sort of gaming you do, whether it’s casual or competitive, and of course, how much room you have for your set-up. In any case, we’ve given you the information you need to make an informed decision and we trust you to make the best choice for you.