Level up your gaming experience with the LG CX OLED TV

Level up your gaming experience with the LG CX OLED TV
(Image credit: LG / Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sony)

With the recent release of next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft, there’s never been a better time to invest in a 4K OLED TV. But while some models feature a gaming mode, not every TV is well-suited to displaying state-of-the-art graphics. So if you want to take full advantage of your PS5 or Xbox Series X, it’s worth noting that LG makes some of the best gamer-friendly TVs we’ve ever tested, including the What Hi-Fi Award-winning LG CX OLED. 

The LG CX range comes in 48in, 55in, 65in and 77in sizes, all of which are on offer at Currys right now as part of their ‘Upgrade your Living Room’ promotion. The slim OLED display delivers a cinematic picture and because each pixel is self-lit, the CX delivers perfect blacks, rich detail and intense contrast – all of which make for an incredibly immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.

The CX backs up its impressive picture with a generous feature set. Crucially, all four of its HDMI ports support HDMIs 2.1, which brings support for gamer-centric features such as eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and 4K@120Hz. The latter is new technology that's built into both the PS5 and Xbox Series X and makes games look smoother and feel more responsive. It’s still relatively rare to see all of these features on a TV (even one as cutting-edge as this), which makes the LG CX a superb option if you want your next-gen console to fire on all cylinders.

VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) is another big deal and – again – the CX ticks that box. While a film or TV show runs at a consistent frame rate, the frame rate of a game changes according to the pace of the on-screen action. The VRR-supporting CX dynamically matches its refresh rate to the frame rate of the game. The result? When you blow an ammo dump sky high or trigger a string of sofa-shaking explosions, gameplay remains silky smooth. (The Xbox Series X and S already support VRR, and the PS5 will gain VRR support “soon” according to Sony).  

Prefer PC games to PS5? LG’s OLED TVs support Nvidia G-sync, which is a VRR format tailored to PC gaming. It cuts down on dreaded stuttering and screen ‘tearing’, both of which can ruin a gaming session faster than you can hit Control-Alt-Delete. Head over to Currys now if you fancy ditching your old monitor for one of LG’s state-of-the-art OLED TVs.

At the heart of the CX lies LG’s beefy Alpha 9 (α9) processor. The ‘Gen 3’ chip brings with it a host of top-notch technology including a feature called AI Picture Pro, designed to “remove noise and optimise contrast and saturation via a Deep Learning technique”, and AI Sound Pro, which “provides the optimal sound or Virtual 5.1 surround” according to what’s on screen. The α9’s considerable heft also results in a super-low input lag time of around 13 milliseconds, so when you hit a button on your controller it’s instantly reflected on screen.

Of course, it’s no use taking gaming to another level if the audio doesn’t match. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is the first games console to support Dolby Atmos, so it really deserves to be paired with an Atmos-supporting TV. Happily, the LG CX obliges, creating a large and spacious soundstage. No matter what screen size you plump for, the CX gets you a built-in 2.2-channel, 40W sound system that delivers good clarity to dialogue and effects.

Put simply, LG’s CX OLED is a brilliant way to amp up your gaming experience, particularly in the case of the PS5 of Xbox Series X. That said, whether you’re strafing an enemy’s position or streaming your favourite TV show, LG’s OLED TVs make excellent all-rounders. Better yet, they’re more affordable than ever. Head over to Currys now to see the latest deals.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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