Are Vizio TVs Good For Gaming? (We Checked)

Looking for a budget-friendly TV for gaming?

Vizio has been on the market for quite a while now, offering affordable TVs to consumers who prefer not to splurge on high-end TVs. And Vizio’s offerings hold the potential to rival the top brands while at a fraction of the cost. 

With that in mind, can Vizio handle the needs of gamers?

About Vizio TVs and Their Capacity for Video Games. 

Vizio has a good selection of TVs for the budget consumer and several units that are perfect for gaming. All Vizio TVs have Game Mode which makes them ideal for games. That said, professional gamers will want a computer monitor for the lowest lack and fastest graphics.

How Much Input Lag Do Vizio TVs Have?

The Vizio P Series provides the lowest input lag among Vizio TVs. It has an input lag of 14.5 ms in 4K.

Meanwhile, the Vizio OLED has an input lag of 21.6ms, with 21.1ms in Gaming Mode, in 4k resolution at 60 Hz Refresh Rate. 

What Are The Refresh Rates On These Models?

All Vizio TVs have a refresh rate of at least 60 Hz.

Some TVs from Vizio can do a 120 Hz Refresh Rate, with a few capable of supporting Variable Refresh Rate. 

Do Vizio TVs Have a Variable Refresh Rate? 

Not all Vizio TVs support the Variable Refresh Rate function. 

A Variable Refresh Rate allows a TV to render images spontaneously from the data it receives from a gaming console. 

Since video game scenes are mostly based on a player’s input, TVs need to have a system to cope with on-the-fly commands and inputs. Variable Refresh Rates let TVs adapt to the movement of your game based on your commands. 

You’ll need to check each model to see if it has Variable Refresh Rate. 

Do Vizio TVs Have a “Game Mode”?

All Vizio TVs feature a Game Mode that optimizes picture settings to improve the gaming experience. 

Game Mode is a feature found in many modern TVs and monitors on the market that decreases input lag while sacrificing a bit of image quality. By redirecting resources to render images, Game Mode improves the response time and input lag so that you don’t miss a thing.

Vizio has also rolled out new features that enable Game Mode to activate automatically when a game is connected to the TV. 

If your Vizio TV does not have Automatic Game Mode, here’s how to activate Game Mode. 

• Open the Menu and go to the Picture Settings.
• Under this menu, look for Picture Mode, and select Game Mode.
• To save your settings, exit the menu.

Can All Vizio TVs Be Used As Computer Monitors?

Vizio TVs can be used as computer monitors since they feature both HDMI and VGA inputs. 

But remember that using a TV as a computer monitor, regardless of brand, comes with some minor flaws.

• The most notable issue you may encounter is the input lag. You may notice that typing or moving your cursor on the TV comes with some delay. Should you encounter this, turning on the Game Mode will help.
• Another issue you may notice is poor text rendering from applications such as Word Processors and Spreadsheets. Unfortunately, not all TVs have features that improve the appearance and format of text on the screen.

Now, all that does not mean there are no benefits to using a Vizio TV, or any other TV for that matter, as a computer monitor. 

• You can use it as a second monitor for editing videos or photos and take advantage of its great image and color quality.
• You can also use it as a monitor for desktop-based games, although there may be some limitations, such as the lack of G-Sync support in some models.

What About Vizio PlayStation and Xbox Compatibility?

Vizio TVs work well with the Sony PlayStation and Xbox. 

The company also recently rolled out firmware updates for its TVs that improve its support for Variable Refresh Rates and 4k 120 FPS gaming. 

Do People Generally Use Vizio TVs For Gaming? 

Vizio is not yet a hugely popular option for gaming use. 

This can be attributed to certain limitations that the brand has when it comes to gaming. But its recent firmware updates should change that.

Should the updates indeed improve the video gaming experience, Vizio TVs may become a preferred gaming TV.

How Good Is the Image Quality and Resolution? 

For the most part, Vizio TVs have good image quality and resolution. 

The most common weakness of Vizio TVs is their viewing angles. Save for its OLED TV, Vizio TVs use a VA panel, which tends to have narrow viewing angles. You might get good picture quality when watching front and center, but that changes when watching off the axis. 

Vizio’s OLED TV, meanwhile, has improved image quality and viewing angles. 

Quickly scan our article that talks about 6 Most Common Problems With Vizio TVs

Are Vizio TVs Durable? 

Vizio TVs are generally durable.

But a lot of what dictates durability, regardless of brand, is how the TV is used and handled.

On average, modern TVs can last seven years with almost round-the-clock use and proper handling. But with less use and proper handling, you can expect any TV to last up to 10 years.

Critical factors that can affect a TV’s lifespan include backlight management, color contrast settings, and the ventilation of the TV. 

What Features Should You Look for in a Gaming TV or Monitor? 

The most important feature you should look for in a Gaming TV or monitor is low input lag. 

• Ideally, your TV’s input lag should be at 30 ms or below.

The next thing to look for is the refresh rate. 

• If you can get a Variable Refresh Rate, that will help improve the gaming experience.
• Should Variable Refresh Rates be unavailable for your choices, you should get a TV with a 120 Hz Refresh Rate, which can better handle graphic-intensive games. 

In terms of future-proofing, it would be good to get something that can handle HDR games well, which will become more popular in coming years.

What Are the Best Vizio TVs for Gaming? 

Here are a few of Vizio’s best options for gaming.

Vizio OLED 

The Vizio OLED is the brand’s entry into the OLED TV market that aims to be the budget alternative to more expensive OLED TVs. 

• Since the main feature of this TV is its OLED display, you get all the benefits that come with it. That includes having lower input lag than the more traditional LED TVs, wider viewing angles, and deep blacks that make OLED TVs ideal for both well-lit and dim rooms.
• It can also handle HDR video games with little effort, although it does lack a little when making highlights pop.
• This TV’s weaknesses are its risk to burn-in since it’s an OLED TV and its buggy Variable Refresh Rate, which will most likely be addressed in upcoming updates.

Vizio P Series Quantum 2020 

The P Series Quantum 2020 is a good alternative to high-end, more expensive LED TVs.

• The P Series Quantum has better brightness and contrast and a wider color gamut for HDR gaming than many of its more expensive competitors.
• Aside from that, this TV features a 120 Hz panel, HDMI 2.1 inputs, low latency, and exceptional response time.
• The P Series Quantum also supports FreeSync for Variable Refresh Rates but has a few limitations.
• Its weakness, though, is its narrow viewing angles, which can be restrictive for those who need a TV that has clear pictures no matter where you stand in the room.
• And there’s also the narrow range of the P Series Quantum when handling Variable Refresh Rates at 4k and 1440p resolutions.

Vizio M7 Series 

If you are on a budget, the Vizio M7 Series is a diamond in the rough when it comes to gaming TVs. 

• One of the most notable features of the M7 Series is its FreeSync support, but it is only available for 60 Hz. But that is not bad at all, considering it is a Variable Refresh Rate feature at a budget price point.
• The M7 can handle reflections without problems, but it has an average peak brightness that can’t handle glare well. But it looks great in dimmer environments.
• The response time on the M7 Series is remarkable.
• It also comes with Black Frame Insertion to enhance clarity, and low input lag, which works in Variable Refresh Rate and HDR.
• The viewing angles on the M7 are sub-par, though. This TV is best-used solo for gaming, as the narrow viewing angles are irritating in a wide seating setting.
• Another weakness of this TV is its inability to properly upscale lower resolution content. Your old Sony PlayStation will have to take a backseat if you have this for a gaming TV.

Final Thoughts

Vizio is a good brand for the budget-conscious gamer. 

While there might not be a wide range of options, when compared to other brands, these select few can give you a great gaming experience at a more affordable price point. 

All things considered, if you have a budget to work with, you can’t go wrong with Vizio.

If you’re looking for more information on gaming TV options, check out our articles Are 4K TVs Good For Gaming? and Are OLED TVs Good For Gaming?.

Sources:

Vizio’s latest update helps its TVs catch up to the PS5 and Xbox Series X

How to Use a Vizio TV As a PC Monitor

TV Features Gamers Need NOW | VIZIO