Should I get OLED or full array LED for gaming?

January 6, 2025

When deciding between OLED and Full Array LED (often simply referred to as LED TVs or LED-LCD), there are several factors to consider, especially if you plan on using the TV for gaming. Each type of display has its advantages and drawbacks depending on your gaming preferences, budget, and needs. Let’s dive into a comparison based on key gaming-related factors:

1. Picture Quality

OLED:

Superior Contrast & Blacks: OLED technology offers perfect black levels because each pixel is individually lit, which means that when a pixel is off, it is completely black. This leads to deep, true blacks and a high contrast ratio.
- Ideal for HDR: This enhances HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, making highlights pop and creating a more immersive experience.
Wide Color Gamut: OLED TVs also have an excellent color range, providing vibrant and accurate colors, especially in HDR gaming.
Viewing Angles: OLED panels maintain consistent color and brightness from wide viewing angles, making it perfect for gaming with friends or in a living room setting.

Full Array LED:

Brightness: Full Array LED TVs use local dimming to improve contrast by selectively dimming or brightening areas of the screen. While they can achieve higher peak brightness than OLED, they still fall short of OLED's true blacks.
- Full Array LED TVs excel in bright rooms because they can get significantly brighter than OLED TVs, which can be important for gaming in well-lit environments.
Local Dimming: The quality of local dimming varies between models, but good Full Array LED TVs can improve contrast by darkening black areas while keeping bright areas lit. However, the effect is less precise than OLED's pixel-level control.
Blooming Effect: Full Array LEDs can suffer from blooming (light spill around bright objects), particularly on lower-end models. This can affect gaming experiences, especially in dark scenes or titles with fine details.

2. Input Lag & Response Time

OLED:

Ultra-Low Input Lag: OLED displays typically have extremely low input lag, often 1ms in Game Mode, which is excellent for fast-paced competitive gaming. The response time of OLEDs is also incredibly fast due to their instant pixel switching capabilities.
Perfect Motion Handling: Since OLEDs don’t rely on a backlight, they can produce smooth motion with no motion blur, which is especially beneficial for first-person shooters or action games.

Full Array LED:

Input Lag: Full Array LED TVs tend to have slightly higher input lag than OLEDs, but many high-end models still offer excellent input lag performance (typically in the range of 5ms to 10ms) when in Game Mode.
Response Time: While Full Array LEDs have a good response time, they still fall behind OLEDs in terms of motion clarity. High-end Full Array models can reduce motion blur, but OLED is still superior for fast-paced gaming.

3. Burn-In Concerns

OLED:

Burn-In Risk: One of the biggest concerns with OLED is burn-in, especially in gaming. Burn-in happens when static images (such as HUD elements or score displays) remain on the screen for prolonged periods, leading to permanent ghost images.
- Gaming: If you frequently play games with static elements (e.g., FPS HUDs or RPG status bars), OLED may pose a risk of burn-in. That said, modern OLED TVs have anti-burn-in technology to minimize the chances, but it is something to keep in mind.
Mitigation: Many gaming consoles (e.g., PS5 and Xbox Series X) have screen savers and settings to reduce the chances of burn-in, but caution is still advised.

Full Array LED:

No Burn-In: Full Array LED TVs do not suffer from burn-in, which makes them a safer bet for long gaming sessions and games with static UI elements. They are generally more durable for gaming over extended periods.

4. Price

OLED:

Higher Price: OLED TVs tend to be significantly more expensive than Full Array LED models, especially in larger sizes (55-inch and above). You’ll typically pay a premium for the superior picture quality, faster response times, and true blacks that OLED provides.

Full Array LED:

More Affordable: Full Array LED TVs can be found at a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly options to premium models. You can find high-quality Full Array models at a lower cost than OLED TVs, making them more accessible for gamers on a budget.

5. Durability and Longevity

OLED:

Lifespan: OLEDs have a limited lifespan compared to Full Array LEDs, although this has improved over the years. The organic materials in OLED panels degrade over time, leading to potential brightness loss after many years of use.
- However, for most users, an OLED TV will last for a long time before any noticeable degradation occurs.

Full Array LED:

Longer Lifespan: Full Array LED TVs have a longer lifespan than OLEDs and are less susceptible to degradation over time. They are built with LED backlighting, which is more durable in the long run.

6. Gaming-Specific Features

HDMI 2.1: Both OLED and Full Array LED high-end models generally support HDMI 2.1, which is essential for 4K gaming at 120Hz (for consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X). This allows for higher frame rates and faster refresh rates, which are essential for competitive gaming.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Many newer TVs, especially OLEDs and premium Full Array LED models, support VRR to eliminate screen tearing and ensure smoother gameplay.

Which Should You Choose for Gaming?

Choose OLED If:

You want the best picture quality with true blacks and vibrant colors.
You're playing fast-paced games like FPS or racing games, where low input lag and fast response time are crucial.
You’re gaming in dark rooms or want a TV with wide viewing angles.
You're okay with the potential for burn-in, and you're willing to take precautions, such as avoiding static HUDs or playing a mix of content.

Choose Full Array LED If:

You’re on a budget and need a more affordable option for gaming.
You play games with static images or spend extended hours in one game where burn-in might be a concern.
You often game in a bright room, where high peak brightness and anti-glare performance are important.
You want more durability and a longer lifespan.

Conclusion

Both OLED and Full Array LED are excellent choices for gaming, but they have their differences. If image quality and low input lag are your top priorities and you’re willing to pay a premium, OLED is likely the better choice. However, if burn-in is a concern or you’re on a budget, Full Array LED offers great value without the risk of burn-in and still delivers excellent gaming performance.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your budget, gaming habits, and how much you value the visual quality of your gaming experience.