The 6 Best 4k TVs For PC Monitors - Spring 2021 Reviews

If you want a smaller-sized TV, the best TV for computer monitor use is the Sony KD-43X80J. It's an entry-level TV with an ADS panel that's great for use as a PC monitor thanks to its wide viewing angles, which ensure the edges of the screen look accurate when sitting up close. It comes in a 43 inch size that's well-suited to smaller spaces but still large enough to open multiple windows side-by-side.

Its 4k resolution delivers a crisp image, and as a result of its ADS panel, it uses an RGB sub-pixel layout, which doesn't affect text clarity the way some other panel types might. Unlike many TVs, it also has a flicker-free backlight, which can help reduce eye strain during long sessions. It has a remarkably low input lag for a responsive desktop experience, and gamers should be pleased with its great response time, although it lacks variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing.

It supports most resolutions, but unfortunately, it's limited to 60Hz, and it can't display chrome 4:4:4 properly in 1440p @ 60Hz. However, it displays proper 4:4:4 in all its other supported resolutions. Also, because of its ADS panel, it has a mediocre contrast ratio, resulting in blacks that look more like gray in the dark. Despite these issues, it's one of the best TV monitors we've tested that most people should be happy with.

The Samsung QN65Q80AAFXZA is the best TV to use as a PC monitor if you want a larger screen. This mid-range model from Samsung's 2021 lineup uses an ADS panel, giving it nice wide viewing angles that are ideal for a PC setup. It's also packed with gaming features, and its 65 inch screen is large enough to open multiple windows side-by-side or enjoy an immersive movie and gaming experience.

Using a PC with this TV should feel responsive thanks to its remarkably low input lag. It also has a 120Hz panel and a great response time that results in smooth-looking motion. It can display all resolutions up to 4k @ 120Hz, but it can only display proper chroma 4:4:4 in 1080p or 4k, not 1440p. For gaming, it supports FreeSync VRR to reduce screen tearing, and it has an HDMI 2.1 port for gaming on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Unfortunately, it has a fairly low contrast ratio, so blacks appear more like gray in the dark, but that's typical of an IPS-like panel. On the upside, it gets very bright, more than enough to overcome glare in a sunny room, and it delivers a satisfying HDR experience thanks to its wide color gamut and high HDR brightness. All in all, if you're looking for a TV in a bigger size, this is the best TV monitor we've tested that should please most people.

The best TV for monitor use with an OLED panel is the LG C1 OLED. It's very similar to its predecessor, the LG CX OLED, which we actually tested as a monitor. Its OLED panel has self-lit pixels, allowing it to achieve a near-infinite contrast ratio and pitch-perfect blacks. On top of that, it feels well-built, comes in a range of sizes, and is chock-full of extra features like VRR support, ALLM, and HDMI 2.1 ports.

It has a 120Hz panel and supports most common resolutions, including proper chroma 4:4:4, which is important for text clarity. It also has very low input lag, making for a responsive desktop experience and a nearly instantaneous response time with exceptional motion clarity. Gamers should also be pleased that it supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing. It can also deliver a satisfying HDR experience thanks to its wide color gamut, exceptional contrast ratio, and fair HDR brightness.

Unfortunately, OLED TVs come with a small risk for permanent burn-in when static elements like a desktop interface, for instance, are displayed for long periods of time. However, we don't expect it to be an issue if you vary the content that you watch or play. It also doesn't have the same high brightness that you'd get with an LED TV, but it's still brighter than most monitors, so it should be more than enough to combat glare in moderately lit rooms. All in all, if you want an OLED, this is the best TV to use as a monitor.

The best TV monitor in the budget category that we've tested is the Hisense H8G. It's an upper mid-range TV in Hisense's lineup and sits right below the Hisense H9G. It's available in a range of larger sizes, so it may not be the best choice if you need a small, low-cost TV as a monitor. However, if you need something larger, it performs well as a PC monitor and delivers good overall performance.

It's a good choice for well-lit environments. It gets bright enough to combat glare and has decent reflection handling, but the reflections may become too distracting if you place it opposite a window with direct sunlight on it. It displays chroma 4:4:4 whether you're using it with a 1080p or 4k resolution. It has a 60Hz panel and supports most common resolutions, including 1440p, but naturally, it doesn't support any 120Hz signal. Input lag is very low and has a good response time, resulting in a responsive desktop experience. It also has an excellent native contrast ratio that displays deep blacks when viewing in the dark.

Unfortunately, our unit has some uniformity issues as the edges appear darker, and there's a bit of dirty screen effect in the center. This could get distracting if you have web pages or documents with large areas of uniform color. It also has narrow view angles, so the image looks washed out at the edges if you sit too close, but this is expected from a VA panel. Regardless of this, this is still the best TV for PC monitor available for a low cost.