The NFL is down to its final four teams of the year, and the Super Bowl is quickly approaching. Before you click off this article, thinking I’m about to go on about football, fear not — this is a post about a TV.
The LG C5 is an incredible gaming TV. If you know what 4K/120Hz, 4K/144Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, and HGiG mean, I have great news for you.
What is the best TV for gaming?
The LG C5 is part of LG’s historic lineup of well-reviewed OLED TVs. If you’ve followed my coverage here at Windows Central, you have seen many deal pieces about the LG C4.
In the LG C5, the company made a strong successor, especially when it comes to gaming. The LG C5 is a 4K OLED TV with up to a 144HZ refresh rate. It supports all the bells and whistles you want for Xbox, PS5, or even some PC gaming.
VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision game mode are all on board. The TV also has eARC support and optical output. All four of its HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps).
One of the only weak areas of the LG C5 is its sound quality. While it has speakers that are fine, you likely want to invest in one of the best soundbars. It’s important to note that the 42-inch LG C5 has a slightly different leg design than the larger models, so you will need to pick a shorter soundbar to fit well.
While the focus of this piece is the LG C5’s gaming performance and specs, the TV is also great for watching movies and TV shows, including the Super Bowl.
LG’s Alpha 9 Gen 8 chip powers upscaling and other features that help deliver clear, crisp, and colorful pictures.
“In terms of picture quality, the C5 delivers a cinematic and sharply detailed image. In its default settings, it can feel a little artificial, but switching to Filmmaker mode (with motion smoothing off) yields a much more natural and immersive look, with good contrast, solid peak brightness, and three-dimensional depth,” said What Hi-Fi in its roundup of the best TVs.
Considering you likely use your TV for gaming and watching content, it’s important to invest in a set that excels at both.
Alternative configurations and colors
Every size of the LG C5 is discounted at least a bit. The biggest discount is on the gargantuan 83-inch model ($2,100 off). I highlighted the 55-inch model above because it’s the goldilocks version that’s big without being too big.
But your room — or your budget — may call for a smaller TV. The LG C5 was “the best small OLED TV” tested by What Hi-Fi last year. That diminutive set is also on sale for a handsome $500 off.
The LG C5 is also on sale through Amazon. In fact, shopping at Amazon will save you a few dollars compared to Best Buy. For example, the 42-inch LG C5 costs $896.99 at Amazon.
When it comes to purchasing larger items like TVs, I prefer a big-box store like Best Buy. I don’t like the idea of having a massive TV sitting outside my doorstep where anyone can see. And if I’m going to have to arrange for delivery when I’m free or drive to pick up the TV from an office, I might as well just drive to a store.
Best Buy also has some nice perks for My Best Buy members, such as making returns easy. Some My Best Buy memberships grant access to exclusive deals as well, though you don’t need to be a member to save on the LG C5 right now.
FAQs
Does the Xbox Series X support 144Hz on this TV?
No. The Xbox Series X maxes out at 120Hz. To take full advantage of the refresh rate of the LG C5 you’ll need a gaming PC.
How does the 42-inch LG C5 look different?
The 42-inch LG C5 has a pair of feet rather than a central stand. That makes the smaller model rest at a different height, which is an important factor when shopping for soundbars.
Do I really need a soundbar for the LG C5?
Need may be a bit of a strong word, since the TV does have speakers. But those speakers are not the strong suit of the TV. A soundbar is recommended to get the best experience for movies, TV shows, and games.
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