Gaming monitor vs. TV: Why a TV could be your next gaming monitor

W

e said it at CES, but now that we’ve started testing new 2020 TVs, it bears repeating: Your next gaming monitor should probably be a newer 4K HDR TV. This is certainly true for console gamers and I would argue for most PC gamers as well. The console versus PC argument will no doubt rage on, but when it comes to developments in display technology, it’s time to rethink what you consider a monitor.

Due to certain advances in TV technology over the past few years (and especially a few we’re going to see later this year), I feel compelled to suggest that you seriously consider one of a handful of TVs for your new gaming monitor.

The chief reasons gaming monitors have made more sense for PC gamers and competitive console gamers in the past are: Response time, variable refresh rate, input lag, and pixel density.

Gaming monitors have long had abilities TVs didn’t or at least performed better in some of those key areas. But on the other hand, gaming monitors haven’t been able to offer the kind of picture quality you could get with some TVs. Only now are gaming monitors expanding color gamuts with quantum dots, implementing mini-LED backlight tech, or going OLED for its killer black levels and amazing contrast.

But those fancy gaming monitors come at a cost as high as many TVs, and they still aren’t as big or as beautiful as a TV. As for so-called big-format gaming displays (BFGDs)? As far as I’m concerned, those are now irrelevant. They were already ridiculously expensive.

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