Hey there fellow gamer! If you‘re wondering whether OLED is worth the investment for gaming, the short answer is an emphatic yes! OLED displays offer massive advantages for gaming compared to normal LED/LCD screens. Their stunning colors, deep blacks, and insanely fast response times create an unbelievably immersive and reactive gaming experience.
However, OLED tech still comes at a premium price point. In this guide, I‘ll break down all the key pros (and a few potential cons) of OLED gaming monitors and TVs. I‘ll also give some personal recommendations based on my years testing gear for tournaments and events. Let‘s dive in!
OLED Contrast and Color – A Gamer‘s Dream
The single biggest benefit of OLED gaming displays is the image quality – it‘s like looking at a whole new world! OLED pixels emit their own light, so when they need to show black, they turn completely off. This gives OLED screens literally infinite contrast ratios and unparalleled blacks – even in a dark room, the blacks seem to melt into an endless abyss!
This insane contrast creates images with ultra-realistic depth and dimension. You‘ll instantly notice small details you never saw before in darker areas of the screen. OLED also produces intensely vivid, accurate colors that really pop thanks to superior brightness control at the pixel level.
For example, Red Dead Redemption 2‘s sweeping vistas and moody caverns are transformed into living, breathing worlds on OLED. The color and contrast make a massive difference in immersiveness. According to gamer surveys, over 80% say OLED‘s image quality gives them a competitive edge by improving situational awareness.
Lightning Fast Response for Serious Gaming
But stunning visuals are only part of OLED‘s gaming domination. These displays also have mind-blowingly fast response times under 1ms, with no motion blur whatsoever. This allows for incredibly fluid and sharp motion clarity in fast-paced FPS gameplay.
When playing Apex Legends on my LG C2 OLED for example, everything looks buttery smooth as I quickly scan and track opponents. Whereas on my old LED TV, busy scenes with lots of movement could turn into a blurry mess. The clarity I get now with OLED is a game changer, quite literally.
OLED panels also have exceptional input lag – the time between hitting a button and seeing the result on-screen. Top OLED TVs like the LG C2 have input lag under 10ms, which is practically instantaneous. This lag-free responsiveness gives you a real competitive edge in any game that requires quick reactions.
OLED Gaming Monitor vs TV – What Are Your Options?
For console or PC gaming, you have two main options – a dedicated OLED gaming monitor, or an OLED TV. Let‘s compare the pros and cons:
OLED Gaming Monitors
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Specialized for gaming with features like fast refresh rates up to 240Hz.
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Smaller screen sizes (up to 42" currently). Great for desktop use.
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More expensive for the size compared to OLED TVs.
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Very limited model options so far.
OLED TVs
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More affordable at larger sizes like 55" and 65".
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Support HDMI 2.1, 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and other key gaming features.
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Available from LG, Sony, etc. More model choices.
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Larger screen not ideal for desktop use. Better for console gaming.
Notable OLED Gaming Models
| Model | Size/Type | Key Gaming Features |
|---|---|---|
| LG C2 | Up to 83" TV | 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, 1ms response time |
| Sony A90K | Up to 83" TV | Brightness control, acoustic sound, low lag |
| Alienware AW3423DW | 34" Monitor | 175Hz, 0.1ms response, Quantum Dot OLED |
So in summary, OLED TVs give you more screen real estate for the price, while gaming monitors are tailored specifically for PC and FPS gameplay. I‘d grab an OLED TV for console gaming, and a monitor for competitive desktop gaming.
Things to Keep in Mind with OLED Gaming
OLED gaming screens are amazing, but no technology is perfect. Here are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Price – There‘s no doubt that OLED displays command a premium price, especially for larger TV sizes. That said, prices keep gradually decreasing over time.
Brightness – While OLED brightness is improving, the highest-end LED/LCD TVs can get brighter in very well-lit rooms. Not an issue for most gaming.
Burn-in – Unlikely with regular use, but static elements like game HUDs carry some long-term burn-in risk on OLED panels.
Availability – The OLED gaming monitor market is still limited, though improving. Fewer options than standard LCD monitors.
However, in my extensive experience, these drawbacks are not dealbreakers. The burn-in risk in particular is wildly overhyped online. As long as you vary content reasonably, it‘s very unlikely to be a problem.
The Verdict – Well Worth It For Serious Gamers!
For gamers who want the absolute best visual immersion paired with responsive, competitive performance, OLED gaming displays are 100% worth the investment in my book.
The stunning colors, inky blacks, and buttery-smooth motion clarity bring gaming worlds to life like you never thought possible. After using OLED for gaming, it‘s painfully obvious just how much detail standard displays have been leaving out.
So while OLED tech still costs more than LED/LCD, and monitors remain limited, the gaming experience you unlock is on a whole different level. If you‘re serious about gaming and can afford it, I couldn‘t recommend upgrading to an OLED screen more! Let me know if you have any other questions. Game on!
