Buying Guide
The Best Monitors for TV and Gaming
Three 43-inch 4K screens with built-in TV apps, from a 60Hz smart monitor to a 144Hz Mini LED.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A screen that doubles as a TV needs built-in streaming apps as well as gaming inputs. Only three listings we found state both at a gaming refresh rate or better.
We compared refresh rate, smart features and HDR from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Refresh
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch SmartThe highest refresh rate here (144Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best TV Value
Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TVA 120Hz mode and a gaming hub.
Best for: Consoles and cloud gaming.
Check price for Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Smart Monitor
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart MonitorStreaming apps and wireless display.
Best for: Streaming and casual games.
Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (144Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 120Hz mode and a gaming hub. | Consoles and cloud gaming. | Check price for Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Streaming apps and wireless display. | Streaming and casual games. | Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 3
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart
Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 43 is a 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen at 144Hz with built-in Smart TV apps.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Samsung M70H was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The maker says the picture can shrink to a smaller on-screen size. On refresh rate it leads this guide at 144Hz, ahead of the Samsung M70H (120Hz). You get a DisplayHDR 600 here, which sets it apart from the M70B 43 and its an HDR10.
It also comes with Quantum Mini LED backlighting and an adjustable on-screen size from 43 down to 20 inches. Reaching 144Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. Only the M70B 43 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 43 inches
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- Built-in Smart TV apps
Cons
- Costs more than the Samsung M70H at the time of writing
Best TV Value2 of 3
Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV
Samsung's M70H is a 43-inch 4K Mini LED TV with a 120Hz mode through Motion Xcelerator.
Best for
- Consoles and cloud gaming.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when refresh rate of 120Hz, behind the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz) is a problem.
Why we like it
Its gaming hub covers consoles and cloud services. Its 120Hz refresh rate ranks second of 3 here, behind the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz) and ahead of the M70B 43 (60Hz). It is the only pick here with a mini LED HDR; the Odyssey Neo G7 43 has a DisplayHDR 600 instead.
It also offers Samsung TV Plus channels. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. Another plus: 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the M70B 43 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 43 inches
- HDR
- Mini LED HDR
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- Motion Xcelerator with DLG 120Hz
- Gaming hub for consoles and cloud services
- Samsung TV Plus channels
Cons
- Refresh rate of 120Hz, behind the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz)
Best Smart Monitor3 of 3
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor
Samsung's M70B is a 43-inch 4K smart monitor with built-in TV apps, wireless display and USB-C.
Best for
- Streaming and casual games.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It runs at 60Hz, so it suits streaming and casual play. On refresh rate it trails the group at 60Hz, while the Odyssey Neo G7 43 offers 144Hz. An HDR10 is unique to it among these picks, while the Samsung M70H uses a mini LED HDR.
You also get wireless display from phones and laptops and SmartThings IoT hub. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. When we checked, only the Samsung M70H cost less, and the Odyssey Neo G7 43 cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 43 inches
- Response
- 4ms
- HDR
- HDR10
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a USB-C input for laptops
- Built-in streaming TV apps
- Wireless display from phones and laptops
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Refresh rate trails the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz)
How We Chose These Monitors for TV and Gaming
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and response from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while response has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Odyssey Neo G7 43 to the M70B 43, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Samsung M70H gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Samsung M70H ($250 to $500) to the Odyssey Neo G7 43 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Monitor for TV and Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 tops refresh rate at 144Hz and the M70B 43 sits lowest at 60Hz. The Samsung M70H comes second at 120Hz, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Odyssey Neo G7 43.
HDR
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 lists DisplayHDR 600; the Samsung M70H lists Mini LED HDR; the M70B 43 lists HDR10. Settling HDR first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting Extras that separate them
The Odyssey Neo G7 43: Quantum Mini LED backlighting. The Samsung M70H: a gaming hub for consoles and cloud services. The M70B 43: wireless display from phones and laptops.
Budget
$250 to $500 buys the Samsung M70H and the M70B 43; $500 to $1000 buys the Odyssey Neo G7 43 at our last check.
A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk Start from what matters most
Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates: the Odyssey Neo G7 43. Consoles and cloud gaming: the Samsung M70H. Streaming and casual games: the M70B 43.
How to Choose a Monitor for TV and Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | Odyssey Neo G7 43 | The highest refresh rate here (144Hz) |
| Consoles and cloud gaming | Samsung M70H | A 120Hz mode and a gaming hub |
| Streaming and casual games | M70B 43 | Streaming apps and wireless display |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 leads on refresh rate at 144Hz, ahead of the Samsung M70H at 120Hz. "Not listed" marks response where the Samsung M70H leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey Neo G7 43 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | 1ms |
| Samsung M70H | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
| M70B 43 | 60Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | 4ms |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Samsung M70H was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the Odyssey Neo G7 43 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Samsung M70H, M70B 43 |
| About $500 to $1000 | Odyssey Neo G7 43 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the Odyssey Neo G7 43 or the Samsung M70H?
Between the top two, it is 144Hz on the Odyssey Neo G7 43 against 120Hz on the Samsung M70H, a 20% difference. The M70B 43 closes the ranking at 60Hz.
What does the Odyssey Neo G7 43 add over the Samsung M70H?
The spec sheets show refresh rate (144Hz against 120Hz) in its favour. On our last price check the Samsung M70H was in the $250 to $500 tier and the Odyssey Neo G7 43 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.
Why is the M70B 43 our Best Smart Monitor pick?
The label rests on streaming apps and wireless display. The price of that: the Samsung M70H, the cheapest pick, still beats it on refresh rate (120Hz against 60Hz). It is aimed at streaming and casual games.
Do the Odyssey Neo G7 43 and the M70B 43 differ on response?
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 uses 1ms; the M70B 43 uses 4ms. The Samsung M70H has no response listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Odyssey Neo G7 43 and the Samsung M70H include?
The Odyssey Neo G7 43: built-in Smart TV apps. The Samsung M70H: Motion Xcelerator with DLG 120Hz. The M70B 43: built-in streaming TV apps.
Bottom Line
Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 43 is the best for gaming. The M70H TV adds a 120Hz mode for less, and the M70B smart monitor suits streaming and casual play.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Monitors
- Higher budgetThe Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsWhen Is Integrated Graphics Enough for a PC?
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
- Topic hubAll gaming monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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