As an avid gamer, I understand the importance of having the best gaming setup possible. Recently, I’ve been thinking of upgrading my monitor to an OLED TV or Monitor, but I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. So, I decided to do some research and find out what the pros and cons were.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my findings and the tips and tricks I’ve learned for getting the most out of an OLED TV or Monitor for gaming.
At its core, the OLED display is all about self-emissive pixels that help with contrast and image crispness. Additionally, the response rates on most OLEDs cater to a smooth gaming experience. However, there are pitfalls to consider, from cost to longevity.
If you’re considering using a TV or a monitor that runs on OLED tech for your gaming room, this article will help guide your decision, so hang tight!
Table of Contents
What Makes OLED Displays Good for Gaming?
We know you’re in a rush to see what the hype is all about, so let’s dive right into the highlights of OLED displays.
Crisp Image
While LCDs are popular among gamers, they hardly ever match the OLED’s visual capabilities.
That’s because, in OLED, each pixel is self-lit, functions independently of the others around it, and turns off to true black when it’s not receiving signals. This way, you’ll avoid the annoying bleeds that you’d usually see on IPS back-lit panels on LCD screens.
The result is a crisp image that takes the gaming experience to the next level, but that’s not all.
Most OLED displays support HDR, too, thanks to the high contrast ratio and color gamut. Of course, you need to be playing a game that’s compatible with HDR in the first place to be able to see a difference.
Variable Refresh Rates
With movies and videos, it’s easy to predict the refresh rate you’ll need on your display to keep up with frames.
However, when you’re gaming, it could be better to have something that adjusts as you go. This is exactly what OLEDs with variable refresh rates (VRR) do.
Excellent Response Time
One of the main appeals of OLED screens is the swift response time.
According to LG, the market leader for OLED, you can expect a response time of around 1 millisecond. This translates to a low input lag, so you don’t have to lose a match just because your monitor couldn’t handle the signal from the console fast enough!
Wide-Viewing Angles
Even compared to QLED displays, OLEDs are quite impressive when it comes to viewing angles. This makes the OLED display great for multi-player games.
So, you can invite your friends over for a gaming session without having to sit crammed and too close to the screen to get the best view.
With that in mind, you’ll probably want to dim the room down to be able to enjoy the OLED’s full experience.
What Are the Drawbacks of OLED Displays for Gaming?
So, if OLEDs are such great gaming displays with almost-instantaneous responses and dazzling deep blacks, why aren’t they as common among gamers?
Well, they might have impressive features, but that doesn’t mean they’re without flaws.
Let’s take a look at two downsides to keep in mind before getting an OLED display for your gaming setup:
Budget and Selection Limitations
A major drawback that holds many gamers from choosing OLEDs is the cost. Sure, they cater to crisp images and high performance, but they’re usually priced as high-end displays.
Plus, odds are, you won’t find a wide selection of screens to choose from — at least not compared to something as familiar as LCD technologies. You might not even find the exact dimensions you need for your gaming room.
Image Retention Risks
For many gamers out there, OLEDs are quite a risky investment. Not only because of the price tag but also because you’ll be worried about burn-ins the entire time.
A Burn-in (or permanent image retention) happens when you wear out the pixels with static elements.
So, OLEDs might not seem like the most durable option for a gamer that sits with the same logo or HUD on-screen for over eight hours a day.
OLED TV vs. OLED Monitor: Which Is Better for Gaming?
Regardless of the technology, gaming monitors usually have higher response times since they’re made to accommodate more demanding commuting needs. Of course, this applies to OLED technologies, too.
Take, for instance, how LG’s UltraGear UHD OLED monitor has an impressive response time of 0.1 milliseconds!
On the other hand, TV screens can be a better choice if you want something more versatile and don’t play very performance-intensive games often. Just pick a model with a gameplay mode to boost the experience when needed.
All in all, you’ll still need to balance out the pros and cons here to decide if you want to go with an OLED TV or an OLED monitor.
Pros of OLED Displays for Gaming
- Crisp image quality
- Variable refresh rates
- Excellent response time
- Wide-viewing angles
Cons of OLED Displays for Gaming
- High cost
- Limited selection
- Risk of image retention
Final Thoughts
So, are OLED TVs or monitors good for gaming?
They can be a great option if you prioritize swift response times, wide-viewing angles, and true blacks.
On the other hand, they can be too expensive for many gamers out there, especially those who’d rather not risk a burn-in on their main gaming display.
Read more: can you put a TV upside down?
