PC monitors and TVs are close relatives. TVs usually have more advanced image processing capabilities than monitors and come equipped with tuners, and they're usually bigger. TVs offer a PC Mode option, which removes the extra image processing and ensures the lowest possible input lag. Monitors usually have DisplayPort connections that TVs still lack. The most important thing to consider when choosing a TV for PC monitor usage is the TV's ability to display chroma 4:4:4 for clear text. You'll likely want to get a TV with a wide viewing angle so the image remains accurate at the edges if you sit close.
We've tested more than 100 TVs under the latest test bench, and here are our recommendations for the best TVs to use as a PC monitor. See our picks for the best TVs, the best LED TVs, and the best HDR TVs.
The best LED TV to use as a monitor that we've tested is the Samsung QN85A QLED. It's a great TV with a few features that make it an excellent choice for using it as a PC monitor. Additionally, it's available in larger sizes, from 55 to 85 inches, but the 85 inch model performs differently from the 55 inch version we tested because it has a different panel type.
The QN85A uses an IPS-like panel with a wide viewing angle, so the image remains accurate whether you're sitting close or sharing the screen with someone standing next to you. It uses Mini LED backlighting that lets it get very bright, and combined with its fantastic reflection handling, glare won't be an issue even in the brightest of rooms with direct sunlight. If you want to use it for photo editing, it has fantastic out-of-the-box accuracy, so you likely won't need to get it calibrated, and it displays a wide range of colors.
Sadly, it has uniformity issues with some dirty screen effect in the center, which could get distracting during PC use. Also, because it has an IPS panel, the contrast ratio is low, and despite having a decent local dimming feature, it's not the best for use in dark rooms because there's blooming around bright objects. If these don't bother you, it's the best TV for monitor use.
If you prefer something smaller, look into the Samsung Q80/Q80A QLED. It sits lower in the Samsung lineup than the Samsung QN85A QLED, so it doesn't include Mini LED backlighting, and the local dimming is worse, so it's a better choice to use in bright rooms compared to dark ones. In regards to that, it has excellent peak brightness and good reflection handling. Your mouse movements will feel responsive thanks to its low input lag, and it doesn't have any issues displaying chroma 4:4:4 with 4k signals up to 120Hz thanks to its HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. Sadly, it has uniformity issues, and the out-of-the-box accuracy is mediocre, so you might need to get it calibrated to enjoy accurate colors.
If you want the best TV with an LED panel to use as a monitor, then look into the QN85A, but if you prefer something cheaper and don't mind the lack of Mini LED backlighting, consider the Q80A.
The best TV for computer monitor use that you can get in a small size is the Sony KD-43X80J. It's available in a smaller 43 inch size that the Samsung QN85A QLED and the Samsung Q80/Q80A QLED aren't available in, so you can sit close to the screen and see everything without moving your neck too much. Another advantage of a smaller screen is the increased pixel density, which helps deliver clearer images.
It's a basic entry-level TV that offers great performance as a PC monitor because its IPS-type panel has a wide viewing angle, so the image remains accurate if you sit close. The 43 inch model performs like the 55 inch version we tested, but the 50 inch variant has a VA panel with a worse viewing angle. It also displays proper chroma 4:4:4 with 1080p and 4k signals, and it has very low input lag in PC mode for a responsive feel.
Unfortunately, it's limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and not HDMI 2.1, and it has a 60Hz refresh rate, so you can't use it to display 4k signals at 120Hz. It doesn't get the brightest either, but it's fine enough to use in a room with a few lights around, and it also has decent reflection handling. All in all, it's one of the better choices to use as a PC monitor.
The LG C1 OLED is the best TV to use as a monitor if you want an OLED panel. These TVs are different from LED-backlit TVs because they have self-lit pixels, resulting in a near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity. It means that it's a great choice if you have your PC in a dark environment or tend to game at night.
It's available in a wide range of sizes, including a 48 inch model that we tested as a monitor. They all offer amazing performance as a PC monitor, and the TV delivers sharp images with fantastic picture quality. It has four ports with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, meaning you won't have an issue displaying 4k @ 120Hz signals with chroma 4:4:4 for clear text. Your mouse movements and keyboard inputs will feel responsive thanks to the low input lag, and you won't notice any blur trail when scrolling through long documents. It even has a wide viewing angle, making it easy to place in a meeting room with a wide seating arrangement.
Unfortunately, the main downside to using an OLED as a monitor is the risk of permanent burn-in. It can be problematic with cumulative exposure to the same static elements, but there are ways to avoid this, like hiding the taskbar and watching varied content. If this isn't a problem for you, it's the best OLED to use as a PC monitor.
If you're on a budget, then the best TV for PC monitor use that we've tested is the Hisense U6G. It's a versatile TV that's great to use as a PC monitor. It's available in larger sizes, from 50 to 75 inches, so it's a good choice if you need to place it in a meeting room, and it's also fairly well-built with a stylish design.
It performs well in both dark and bright environments. It has a VA panel with a high native contrast ratio and decent black uniformity, great for use in a dark room. Even in a room with a few lights around, it gets bright enough to fight glare and has excellent reflection handling, meaning visibility won't be an issue. Motion looks smooth thanks to the quick response time, and it has low input lag for a responsive desktop experience. It also doesn't have any trouble displaying chroma 4:4:4 with any of its supported signals.
Unfortunately, there are widespread reports that the 50 inch model shows signs of subpixel dithering, which can be very noticeable when used as a PC monitor. This issue doesn't seem to be present with the larger sizes. It has a narrow viewing angle, so the image looks washed out at the edges if you sit too close. If this doesn't bother you, it's the best budget TV monitor we've tested.
If you prefer something with a wide viewing angle, look into the LG UP8000. It doesn't get as bright as the Hisense U6G, so it's not a good choice for bright rooms, but the wider viewing angle makes the image remain accurate no matter where you sit. Keep in mind that some models don't have an IPS-like panel like the 65 inch variant we tested, so if you want the wide viewing angle, you can't get the 50, 60, or 70 inch models. It also displays chroma 4:4:4 with 1080p, 1440p, and 4k resolutions to make text look clear, and it has a quick response time. It has excellent gradient handling if you want to use it for photo editing, but its 120Hz backlight flicker isn't ideal for long work sessions.
If you're on a tight budget and want the best TV monitor we've tested, you can't go wrong with the Hisense, but if you want a wide viewing angle, then check out the LG.
Mar 15, 2022: Updated text for clarity and verified picks for availability.
Jan 14, 2022: Added the Samsung QN85A QLED as the 'Best LED TV' and moved the Samsung Q80/Q80A QLED to 'Cheaper Alternative'; moved the Hisense U8G to Notable Mentions because it doesn't have wide viewing angles.
Nov 08, 2021: Replaced the LG UP7000 with the LG UP8000 and renamed it as 'Alternative With Wider Viewing Angles' because the UP8000 is better; added the Sony A90J, TCL 5 Series/S546 2021, and TCL R745 QLED to Notable Mentions.
Sep 09, 2021: Updated text for clarity; added the Vizio M7 Series 2021, Sony X85J, Hisense U7G, LG QNED90, Samsung QN800A, and LG UP8000 to Notable Mentions.
Jul 13, 2021: Replaced the Hisense H9G, Hisense H8G, and LG UN7000, with the newer Hisense U8G, Hisense U6G, and LG UP7000; updated Notable Mentions based on market availability.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best TVs to use as a PC monitor for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our TV reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.