Key takeaway: Insignia TVs are not good for gaming. Most Insignia TVs can only reach 60 FPS and don’t offer a variable refresh rate. These TVs also lack HDMI 2.1 and a local dimming feature that boosts contrast.
Are Insignia TVs good for gaming? Here’s an honest look at their specs and how they measure up for gamers.
Insignia lacks premium picture-quality features
Insignia TVs, except for the 70″ Class F50 Series, lack gaming features like HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision. The F50 Series has a 60Hz refresh rate, suitable for most games but not for hardcore ones.
HDR 10 standard sends static metadata to the video stream. This metadata has info on color settings for a real-looking picture. Unlike HDR10, HDR10+ sends dynamic metadata, letting TVs adjust color and brightness for each frame.
Like HDR10+, Dolby Vision sends dynamic metadata and is 10 times brighter than HDR10. Except for the 70″ Class F50 Series with Dolby Vision, Insignia TVs lack dynamic brightness for games.
Next-gen game consoles, like the Xbox Series X/S, need Dolby Vision to ensure the best gaming experience possible. Only 1 model of Insignia TV has Dolby Vision.
I’d say the Insignia brand is not the best for gaming in terms of picture quality. Screen technology like full-array local dimming is also absent on Insignia TVs.
Insignia TVs don’t have Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Insignia TVs lack gaming-focused features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate.
A variable refresh rate lets the monitor adjust its speed based on the frames received from the game console.
With a variable refresh rate, the frame rate isn’t locked, often at 60 FPS; it’s dynamic. Variable refresh rates keep screen motion smooth by syncing with the game’s varying frame rate.
Games like Call of Duty and Fortnite on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S use 120fps support. Insignia TVs, lacking VRR and limited to 60Hz, risk screen tearing and stuttering in gaming.
Most Insignia TVs do not have HDMI 2.1
Most Insignia TVs lack HDMI 2.1, except for the 70” Class F30 Series with LED 4K UHD that has three HDMI 2.1 inputs. The 70” Class F30 Series is priced under $450.
However, it doesn’t offer the best gaming experience for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Until November 2020, there was no need for HDMI 2.1. However, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S were designed with it in mind. They’ll work with HDMI 2.0, but you won’t get the full feature set.
PS5 and Xbox Series games that run at 4K 120Hz are rare, but several titles, like Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War and Destiny 2, run at upscaled 4K in 120Hz mode.
PS5 needs HDMI 2.1 for VRR, whereas Xbox consoles support it with HDMI 2.0. So, without HDMI 2.1, PS5 gaming won’t be as smooth. When buying a display, choose HDMI 2.1.
Although Insignia TVs are affordable, many lack this essential gaming feature. You’ll need HDMI 2.1 to future-proof yourself. I would recommend checking the TCL brand or the Hisense brand.
Both have gaming TVs with plenty of HDMI 2.1 inputs. True 4K 120Hz is likely the future norm, especially with potential releases like PS5 Pro or newer Xbox Series models.
Insignia only has LED and QLED TVs
You probably have encountered terms like LED, OLED, and QLED.
LED TVs are the most affordable models available. They don’t provide the best picture quality, but they are fine if you’re on a tight budget.
OLED TVs offer the best gaming experience with true blacks and excellent color and contrast. The technology gives hardcore gamers vivid and realistic picture quality.
QLED TVs strike a balance between OLED and LED TV features.
They cost less than OLED TVs but offer better color accuracy than LED TVs. They are brighter than OLED and LED TVs, making them ideal for gaming in well-lit rooms.
All Insignia TVs use LED displays, except the 70″ Class F50 Series. This model is a QLED TV with a 4K resolution at 2160p.
Final verdict
So, are Insignia TVs good for gaming?
It depends on the game console you use with the TV. Older consoles like PS4 or Xbox One run games at 1080p resolution at 60 FPS. Insignia TVs work well with them.
For next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, Insignia TVs lack a few key features. They don’t have HDMI 2.1 ports or a variable refresh rate. Also, their picture quality isn’t the best for these consoles.
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