Aside from your console or PC itself, the most important part of any gaming setup is the screen you're playing on. But what's the best option for 2021--the competitive edge of a gaming monitor or the size and bombast of a gaming TV? The question of which is better--gaming monitor vs. TV--was a lot easier to answer when gaming monitors had the clear advantage in speed, accuracy, and response time, but in recent years, many gaming TVs have adopted features that have helped bring them in line. Still, there are key differences between a gaming monitor and TV that are worth noting, especially if you're a dedicated gamer who spends a lot of time looking at your screen of choice.

While gaming TVs have started to enter the world of higher refresh rates, gaming monitors have pushed their speeds even higher, climbing up to 360Hz. This makes them hard to beat in the realm of competitive gaming, but if you're looking for the best image possible, a 4K gaming TV with an OLED panel is unbeatable. There are some great 40-inch-plus monitors out there that provide gorgeous visuals, but they can't quite match up to the best TVs. And few gaming monitors use the new HDMI 2.1 interface technology to push 4K and 120Hz, which makes gaming TVs a more viable option for utilizing the full capabilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Of course, an excellent 144Hz monitor is still a great choice for PC gamers who use a keyboard and mouse as their main tools--or those who own the smaller Xbox Series S.

Despite these differences, gaming monitors and gaming TVs have started to tie up their loose ends, and both can provide an excellent gaming experience. You can't go wrong either way, but there are still some different benefits that each type of screen has, and depending on the type of gamer you are, one might just edge out the other.