Are LG QNED TVs Good For Gaming? (Explained)
Disclosure: Tech Parasol is supported by its readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you.
- LG QNED TVs are good for gaming. They have low input lags and low response times.
- QNED TVs have a fully-array mini-LED backlight to deliver great contrast
- Great choice for gaming in bright rooms
You may not have heard too much about LG’s QNED TVs. That’s because they’re relatively new and are yet to receive the same attention as LG’s OLED TVs.
But, they are an exciting new development as they combine quantum dot and NanoCell technologies together with Mini LED backlighting.
But are they any good for gaming? Well that’s what you’re about to find out.
Here’s what you need to know about QNED TVs and gaming:
QNED TVs are excellent for gaming due to their responsiveness and low input lags. They are equipped with an IPS panel for wide viewing angles and a mini-LED backlight with full-array local dimming to deliver fantastic contrast. QNED TVs are a perfect choice for bright room gaming.
Are QNED TVs good for the PS5?
QNED TVs are great for the PS5 but not all models support Variable Refresh Rate.
But all of LG’s QNED models have at least two HDMI 2.1 ports which support ALLM to trigger “game mode” automatically.
QNED TVs also have extremely low input lags and quick response times.
Are QNED TVs responsive?
QNED TVs are very responsive. The LG QNED99 has a 100% response time of 11.5ms, whilst the QNED90 has a response time of 13.8ms.
These results were obtained from Rtings.com who carried tests on a total of 336 TVs between 2017 and 2021.
Response time, measured in milliseconds, refers to how fast a TV can switch from one color to another.
It is a particular important metric for gaming.
Fast response times mean sharp and clear images during fast-paced scenes, resulting in a better viewing experience.
A TV with a slow response time can cause the look blurry or smeared
Do QNED TVs have a Variable Refresh Rate?
Some QNED TVs have VRR, others don’t. For example, the QNED99 does not have VRR, but it is supported on the QNED90.
What is the input lag on QNED TVs?
The input lag on QNED TVs is excellent. The LG QNED99 has an input lag of just 6.2ms at 4K and 120Hz in game mode.
But this increases significantly to 56.2ms when viewing 8K content at 60Hz, which is not ideal for gaming.
The motion interpolation feature also increases the input lag on this TV.
In comparison, the QNED90 also has a really low input lag of just 5.4ms at 4K and 120Hz in game mode.
Having a low input lag for gaming is important, especially when playing a first-person shooter such as Call of Duty.
A high input lag in this game could mean getting shot before you get a chance to click a button on the controller!
Check out the video below by SpawnPoiint who showcases different games running on one of LG’s QNED TVs:
Do QNED TVs have a “game mode”
LG TVs including QNED TVs have what LG calls an “Instant Game Response mode”.
The Instant Game Response mode is basically Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
The TV will automatically switch to “game mode” when it detects that a game being played
Gaming mode works by bypassing the video signal processors in the TV.
It helps to reduce the time it takes the TV to process the video input from your game.
The result is a reduction in picture quality. But you get less lag from when the game console produces an image to the TV actually displaying it.
This can make a big difference in online or competitive games, where every millisecond counts.
Game Optimiser
In addition to “game mode”, LG has introduced a “Game Optimiser” (new for 2021).
The “Game Optimizer” is available in the revamped menu within webOS 6.0. Things that you can do include:
- Optimizing for performance based on game genre
- Reducing input lag
- Adjusting back/white stabilizer to see more detail in darker/lighter areas of the picture
Do QNED TVs have HDMI 2.1 gaming features such as ALLM?
QNED TVs do have support for HDMI 2.1.
The QNED99 has four HDMI 2.1 ports whilst the QNED90 has two HDMI 2.1 ports (ports 3 and 4).
Both TVs also support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
What are the refresh rates on QNED TVs?
There are currently four QNED TVs announced in the LG TV 2021 range, each of which are either 50Hz or 120Hz.
Are QNED TVs better for gaming than OLED?
In short, OLED TVs are better than QNED TVs for gaming.
Here’s why.
QNED TVs are part of LGs new mini-LED range of TV. Each LED is part of a zone that can be turned on and off as required.
But it’s not possible to completely turn off each pixel, like you can with an OLED.
Because OLEDs are self-emissive displays, you get deep blacks and infinite contrast ratios.
This results in a much better quality picture overall compared with a QNED.
Viewing angles are also better on OLED. At certain angles on a QLED, you will notice a reduction in contrast and colors.
This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, but you do need to watch the TV straight on.
Now with that being said, you should also consider your environment.
For example, QNEDs are less reflective than OLEDs, which can be quite mirror-like.
So if you’re gaming in a bright room, such as a conservatory where there’s a lot of ambient light or you’re near a window, then you may wish to consider getting a QNED.
QNEDs, after all, can get significantly brighter than an OLED, because they have an LED backlight, which OLEDs don’t.
One final consideration is “burn-in”.
OLEDs have an issue that can cause static images to be “burned-in” to the screen which can be caused by gaming.
Although this is unlikely to happen, especially if you vary the content, getting a QNED will give you that extra peace of mind.
Can QNED TVs withstand heavy and prolonged usage?
QNED TVs can last between 50,000 and 60,000 hours, which is between 5.7 years and 6.8 years of constant use.
These figures are based on the average lifespan of an LED, and although there are many parts to a TV, it is usually the LED backlight that fails first.
The figures also assume maximum brightness.
By reducing the brightness of the backlight, the TV will last even longer!
Do people generally use QNED TVs for gaming?
People do use QNED TVs for gaming but OLED TVs are favored.
OLEDs have faster response times and have a better overall image quality.
But if you game in a bright room, then a QNED TV would be a better choice.
Can QNED TVs be used as a computer monitor?
QNED TVs can be used as a monitor by connecting your laptop/desktop to the TV using HDMI.
But it’s worth noting that keyboards and mice, like game controllers, are prone to input lag.
Input lag can be reduced simply by putting the TV into game mode.
When in game mode, QNED TVs have input lags that are so low that they can rival most monitors that aren’t focused on gaming.
Do QNED TVs have a good picture quality and resolution?
Depending on the model, a QNED TV may have a 4K or 8K resolution.
The picture quality on QNEDs is excellent due to the mini-LED backlighting and local dimming.
This helps to ensure deep blacks for great contrast.
But QNED TVs aren’t able to produce blacks that are as deep as OLEDs.
Despite the fact that there are lots of LEDs (30,000 of them!), they can’t be individually turned off, unlike OLEDs. So they don’t look as good in dark rooms.
Sources
What is QNED? LG’s new Mini LED TV range explained
LG QNED99 8k Review (65QNED99UPA, 75QNED99UPA, 86QNED99UPA)
Monitor vs. TV for Console Gaming. What to look for in a console gaming monitor
Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson, the founder of Tech Parasol, had a keen interest in tech from a very young age. He studied Electronic Engineering at University and then went on to become a Software Developer. He launched Tech Parasol in 2021 to share his knowledge with the aim of making tech easier to understand for everyone.