Buying a new TV for your PS5, Xbox, or PC in Kenya is exciting. With so many options at different price points, it's tempting to go for the biggest screen at the lowest cost. However, not all TVs are created equal especially for gaming.

Choosing the wrong model can turn your immersive experience into a frustrating slideshow of input lag, motion blur, and unreliable performance. To save you from buyer's remorse, here are five TV types and brands you should absolutely steer clear of for serious gaming.

1. Royal TVs: The Input Lag Nightmare

• The Problem: Extremely high input lag and poor motion handling.

• Why They're Bad for Gaming: These TVs are often priced aggressively to attract budget-conscious buyers. However, their internal processing is slow, causing a significant delay between your controller input and the action on screen. In fast-paced games like Call of Duty or EA Sports FC, this makes precise timing impossible. The motion also tends to look choppy and blurry during panning shots.

• The Verdict: A cheap TV that will make your expensive console feel broken. The cost-saving isn't worth the ruined experience.

 2. Infinix TVs: Sluggish Software, Gaming Afterthought

• The Problem: Unresponsive smart interfaces and lack of gaming-centric features.

• Why They're Bad for Gaming: While Infinix TVs might be adequate for casual streaming, their operating systems are often sluggish. This lag extends to the HDMI ports, resulting in noticeable input delay. They typically lack fundamental gaming features like a Game Mode (which reduces processing lag), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), or Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

• The Verdict: Built as media consumption devices, not gaming displays. You'll feel like you're fighting the TV to play your game.

 3. Skyworth Smart TVs: Unreliable Performance

• The Problem: Inconsistent quality, buggy software, and blurry motion.

• Why They're Bad for Gaming: Skyworth's budget offerings are a gamble. You might deal with laggy menus, apps that crash, and significant motion blur during gameplay. They often advertise "gaming features" but implement them poorly, leading to a sub-par, unreliable experience. The lack of consistent performance updates is another major red flag.

• The Verdict: "Budget-friendly" often means cutting corners where it matters most for gamers: consistent, responsive performance.

4. Generic "Shell" Brands (Roch, ITEL, GLD, etc.): The Ticking Time Bombs

• The Big Warning: This is the most critical category to avoid.

• The Problem: These are not TV manufacturers. They are brands that purchase generic, off-the-shelf chassis from white-label factories in China, slap on their logo and a fancy box with misleading specs.

• Why They're Catastrophic for Gaming:

  1. Deceptive Marketing: They liberally use terms like "120Hz" (usually referring to motion interpolation, not native refresh rate) and "HDMI 2.1" on the box, tricking you into thinking you're getting a high-performance gaming TV.

  2. Cheap, Unreliable Components: They use the lowest-cost power boards and capacitors. Modern consoles push high data bandwidth and generate heat. These TVs are not engineered to handle this sustained load.

  3. The Result: You are very likely buying a literal ticking time bomb. A common failure is a fried capacitor when the console tries to output a high-bandwidth HDR signal, leaving you with a dead TV and no meaningful warranty support.

• The Verdict: The ultimate false economy. You risk losing your entire investment on a product designed to be disposable. Never buy a gaming TV from a brand that is not a recognized display manufacturer.

5. Unbranded or "Shop" TVs (Mitashi, etc.)

• The Problem: Zero quality control, no support, and dangerous failures.

• Why They're Bad for Gaming: These are the deepest end of the generic pool. Sold in local electronics shops or online marketplaces, they have no brand reputation to uphold. They suffer from all the problems of generic shells but with even less accountability. The risk of permanent damage to your console's HDMI port due to power surge or signal issues is real.

• The Verdict: An immense risk to both your money and your gaming hardware. Just walk away.

What Should You Buy Instead? (The Smart Investment)

Don't despair! For a good gaming experience in Kenya, look for established brands that invest in panel quality and gaming tech, even in their mid-range models. Prioritize these features:

• A Dedicated Game Mode: Non-negotiable for reducing input lag.

• 4K @ 120Hz Support (for PS5/Xbox Series X): Ensure the HDMI port natively supports this, not just via software trickery.

• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Eliminates screen tearing.

• Low Input Lag (<20ms): Check professional reviews on sites like RTINGS.com.

• Trusted Brands: Look at Samsung (Crystal UHD, QLED series), LG (NanoCell, OLED), Sony(Bravia X80/90 series), and TCL (C-series) which have official distribution and service in Kenya.

 The Bottom Line: Don't Waste Your Console's Potential

Your PS5 or Xbox Series X is a powerful piece of technology designed to deliver stunning, responsive gameplay. Pairing it with a TV built from cheap, unreliable components is like putting cheap, used tires on a sports car—you'll never experience what it's truly capable of, and you might crash.

Invest in a display from a reputable brand that matches your console's capabilities. Your gameplay, and your wallet in the long run, will thank you.

Have you had a bad experience with a gaming TV in Kenya?