Quick Decision: Monitor or TV?
Choose a Monitor if you:
- * Game at a desk
- * Play competitive multiplayer (FPS, fighting games)
- * Want the lowest possible input lag
- * Need a display for both gaming and PC work
- * Have limited space
- * Want 1440p/240Hz for PC or console
Choose a TV if you:
- * Game from a couch or bed
- * Primarily play single-player/story games
- * Want maximum screen size and immersion
- * Also watch movies, streaming, and sports
- * Want built-in speakers and smart features
- * Prefer 4K/120Hz with VRR support
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Gaming Monitor | Gaming TV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input Lag | 1-5ms | 5-12ms (Game Mode) | Monitor |
| Response Time | 0.5-5ms | 1-12ms | Monitor |
| Screen Size Options | 24-34" | 42-85" | TV |
| Max Refresh Rate | 360-500Hz | 120-144Hz | Monitor |
| VRR Support | G-Sync / FreeSync | HDMI VRR / FreeSync | Tie |
| ALLM | Always low-latency | ALLM via HDMI 2.1 | Tie |
| HDR Quality | Good to Excellent | Very Good to Outstanding | TV |
| Built-in Speakers | Basic or None | Good to Excellent | TV |
| Price per Inch | $10-25/inch | $8-20/inch | TV |
| Connectivity | DP + HDMI + USB-C | HDMI only (4x ports) | Monitor |
| Smart Features | None | Full Smart TV OS | TV |
Input Lag: The Critical Gaming Metric
Input lag is the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen. It is the single most important performance metric for gaming displays. Lower input lag means faster, more responsive gameplay.
Gaming Monitor Input Lag
- Average gaming monitor: 2-6ms total input lag
- High-end gaming monitor: 1-3ms total input lag
- Advantage: Monitors are designed for low latency first. There is no image processing pipeline to bypass.
- Consistency: Input lag is stable and predictable across all content types.
Gaming TV Input Lag
- Game Mode ON: 5-12ms total input lag (best TVs: 5-6ms)
- Game Mode OFF: 30-100ms total input lag (unusable for gaming)
- Advantage: Modern OLED TVs like the LG C4 achieve under 6ms, rivaling many monitors.
- Caveat: Budget TVs may have 15-25ms even in Game Mode.
Can You Feel the Difference?
Most people cannot perceive input lag differences below 10ms. Competitive gamers may notice the difference between 3ms and 8ms in fast-paced shooters, but for casual and story-driven games, a modern gaming TV in Game Mode is indistinguishable from a monitor in terms of responsiveness.
Response Time and Motion Clarity
Response time measures how fast pixels change color. Slow response times cause ghosting and motion blur. This is different from input lag -- you can have low input lag but still see ghosting if response times are slow.
| Display Type | Response Time | Ghosting | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPS Gaming Monitor | 1-5ms GtG | Minimal | Competitive gaming |
| OLED Gaming Monitor | 0.03-0.1ms GtG | None | All gaming |
| OLED TV (LG C4) | 0.1ms GtG | None | Console gaming |
| LED/QLED TV | 4-12ms GtG | Noticeable | Casual gaming |
Key Takeaway
If motion clarity is your priority, an OLED display -- whether monitor or TV -- provides the best experience. The LG C4 OLED TV has response times that match dedicated OLED gaming monitors. The main advantage of an OLED monitor over an OLED TV is higher refresh rate support (240Hz+ vs 120Hz).
Size: Desk Gaming vs Couch Gaming
Desk Gaming (Monitor Territory)
At desk distance (24-32 inches), monitors between 24 and 34 inches are ideal. Anything larger requires you to physically turn your head to see the edges, which can be disorienting during gameplay.
Couch Gaming (TV Territory)
From a couch (6-10 feet away), you need a large screen to fill enough of your field of view to feel immersive. Monitors are simply too small at couch distances.
Gaming Features: VRR, ALLM, and HDMI 2.1
Modern gaming requires several key features for the best experience. Here is how monitors and TVs compare on the features that matter most for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming.
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
Monitors:
Support G-Sync and/or FreeSync via DisplayPort and HDMI. VRR ranges are typically wider (48-240Hz or more). Monitors have used adaptive sync for years and the implementation is mature.
TVs:
Support HDMI VRR and FreeSync via HDMI 2.1. Range is usually 40-120Hz. Some TVs experience brightness flickering at low frame rates during VRR. The best OLED TVs handle VRR seamlessly.
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
Monitors:
Always operate in low-latency mode. ALLM is not necessary because there is no "movie mode" or image processing to bypass. Plug in and play.
TVs:
ALLM automatically switches to Game Mode when a console sends a gaming signal. Without ALLM, you must manually enable Game Mode or suffer 30-100ms of extra input lag from image processing.
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth
Monitors:
Many gaming monitors use DisplayPort 1.4 or 2.0 as the primary connection, which offers even more bandwidth than HDMI 2.1. HDMI 2.1 is also available for console connections. Some monitors support 1440p/240Hz or 4K/144Hz.
TVs:
HDMI 2.1 is the primary and often only gaming input. Supports 4K/120Hz with full 48Gbps bandwidth. Most TVs have 2-4 HDMI 2.1 ports, enough for multiple consoles and a streaming device.
Price Comparison and Value
| Category | Price Range | Price/Inch | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27" 1440p 144Hz IPS Monitor | $200-400 | $7-15/inch | Desk gaming (budget) |
| 27" 1440p 240Hz OLED Monitor | $700-1100 | $26-41/inch | Desk gaming (premium) |
| 42" 4K 120Hz OLED TV | $800-1200 | $19-29/inch | Desk or close couch |
| 55" 4K 120Hz OLED TV | $1000-1800 | $18-33/inch | Living room gaming |
| 55" 4K 120Hz LED TV | $400-800 | $7-15/inch | Budget couch gaming |
Best Value Proposition
For raw screen real estate per dollar, a mid-range LED TV cannot be beaten. For the best gaming experience per dollar at a desk, a 27" 1440p 144Hz IPS monitor is the champion. For the ultimate no-compromise experience, a 42" LG C4 OLED TV used as a desk monitor offers OLED quality at a larger size than any OLED monitor, often at a comparable price.
Which Should You Choose?
Competitive Desk Gamer
27" 1440p 144Hz+ Monitor
Lowest input lag, highest refresh rates, most responsive controls. A gaming monitor is the only right choice for ranked play at a desk.
Immersive Desk Gamer
42" OLED TV or 34" Ultrawide
For single-player games at a desk, a 42" OLED TV offers unbeatable immersion with OLED picture quality. An ultrawide monitor is the alternative if 42" is too large.
Couch Console Gamer
55" OLED TV
There is no substitute for a large TV when gaming from a couch. A 55" OLED TV with HDMI 2.1 is the gold standard for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming.
Top Picks: Best Monitor and TV for Gaming
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MONITOR
LG 27GP850-B 27" 1440p 165Hz Nano IPS
An excellent all-around gaming monitor for both PC and console use. The Nano IPS panel delivers wide color coverage (98% DCI-P3), fast 1ms response times, and 165Hz refresh rate. Works perfectly with PS5 at 1440p/120Hz and supports both G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium.
- * 27" QHD (2560x1440) Nano IPS, 165Hz (180Hz OC)
- * 1ms GtG response time, HDR10
- * G-Sync Compatible + FreeSync Premium
- * HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort 1.4
TV
LG C4 42" OLED evo 4K 120Hz
The LG C4 is the gold standard for gaming TVs. Its OLED panel delivers perfect blacks, instant response times, and wide color gamut. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR, ALLM, and under 6ms input lag, it is purpose-built for next-gen console gaming. The 42-inch size also works brilliantly as a desk display.
- * 42" 4K OLED evo Panel, 120Hz native
- * 0.1ms response time, under 6ms input lag
- * 4x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps), VRR, ALLM, eARC
- * Dolby Vision Gaming, HDR10, HLG
- * G-Sync Compatible + FreeSync Premium
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how you play. For desk gaming and competitive titles, a 27-inch 1440p 144Hz+ monitor delivers lower input lag and faster response times. For couch gaming and cinematic single-player experiences, a 42-55 inch OLED TV provides a more immersive experience with excellent HDR. The PS5 supports both 1440p and 4K output, VRR up to 120Hz, and ALLM, so both monitors and modern TVs can take full advantage of its capabilities.
Historically, TVs had significantly more input lag than monitors due to image processing. Modern gaming TVs with Game Mode enabled have closed this gap dramatically. The best gaming TVs like the LG C4 OLED achieve under 6ms of input lag at 4K/120Hz, which is comparable to many gaming monitors. However, the average gaming monitor still has 1-4ms less input lag than the average gaming TV, which matters for competitive play.
Yes, 42-inch OLED TVs have become popular as desk monitors, especially the LG C-series. At 42 inches, the pixel density at 4K is about 105 PPI, which is acceptable for desktop use. You need a deep desk (30+ inches) or a monitor arm to push it far enough back. The main concerns are potential burn-in from static desktop elements and the need for a powerful GPU to drive 4K. Many users report excellent experiences using 42-inch OLEDs for mixed gaming and productivity.
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) is an HDMI 2.1 feature that automatically switches your TV to Game Mode when it detects a gaming signal from a console. Without ALLM, you have to manually enable Game Mode every time you switch from watching movies to playing games. All modern gaming monitors operate in low-latency mode by default, so ALLM is primarily a TV convenience feature. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X support ALLM.