The Steam Machine is capped at 60Hz in 4K, but these are the TVs I'd actually pair with the new PC

Steam Machine is going to bring PC play to the living room in the most tangible way yet this year. Sure, we've been able to hook up PCs, laptops, and handhelds to the big screen for a long time now, but this is a device designed to permanently sit next to one of the best gaming TVs.

Thankfully, the Steam Machine's 4K 60Hz output isn't going to stretch the limits of most sets in 2026. In fact, you'll likely find your existing TV is over-specced for the system if you've bought a new display in the last few years. If you're building out a second setup, using the Steam Machine an an excuse to upgrade your main set, or you're keen to try a new panel type with your Steam library, it's worth taking a look at what's on the market today.

Three TVs offer specific examples of what kinds of specs and features you can get for your cash this year.

The go-to for anyone after a major upgrade (not just for the Steam Machine, but for everyday streaming) is going to be the LG OLED C5. It's an OLED panel that steers a little lower than usual OLED prices and offers boosted refresh rates compared to the market. That's not going to help much at 4K, though, which is why the cheaper Hisense M7 might be on your radar. You're spending far less here and still getting local dimming via that MiniLED panel. At 60Hz you're set for UHD gameplay as well.

Sitting in between them, we have the TCL QM7K. This is a 144Hz option, but it's best positioned for more competitive players looking to drop that 4K resolution down to 1080p. Sacrificing this visual quality will leave you with more room to push past 60fps, and the TCL's Game Accelerator 288 tech can see those refresh rates proliferate.

LG OLED C5: An all-out OLED upgrade

If the Steam Machine is just one part of your new TV setup puzzle, the LG OLED C5 is almost certainly on your radar already. This is the latest in a long line of affordable OLED panels that have been filling living rooms for years.

I'd only recommend it to anyone taking their first OLED leap in time for the Steam Machine, though. LG iterates on its previous releases rather than offering something groundbreaking every year. The C5 will provide extra brightness over previous releases, which will yield a better performance in brighter viewing conditions and boosted HDR when it comes to lighter scenes. Its slightly newer Alpha α9 Gen 8 CPU can also smooth over AI upscaling to 4K a little better. There's nothing massive separating it from previous releases though. If you've already got an LG OLED in your setup you're good to go.

If you're coming from a standard LED panel, though, it's well worth taking a look at the C5. Yes, it's only slightly upgraded from the C4, but prices are looking about the same at the moment. A 55-inch C4 will run you $1,079 at Best Buy right now, while a C5 only ups the price to $1,099. It's worth keeping an eye on both sides of the coin if you're shopping between sizes. If the C4 is considerably cheaper it's definitely the better buy from a value standpoint.

Hisense M7 Series: A budget panel to match Steam Machine's output

Just grabbing a TV for Steam Machine specifically? 120Hz refresh rates are the standard in the mid-range these days but you don't need to spend too much to get a 60Hz panel that still makes the most of more modern display tech. The Hisense M7 Series is currently less than $300 and offers both Dolby Vision HDR and a MiniLED panel that provides better contrast and local dimming.

That means your games will still run in full 4K with some extra fancy picture features thrown in, without having to hit the top of the price range. You're still getting the low latency gaming modes and variable refresh rates you'll see in more dedicated gaming TVs, with Dolby Atmos and a whole wad of HDR options available as well. That's a stack of specs for a great price.

It's worth double checking your existing setup, though. Most 4K TVs bought in the last ten years will be running at 60Hz refresh rates at their minimum. If you're eyeing up this set as your main TV it's likely you've already got similar specs in the living room.

TCL QM7K Series: A mid-ranger for resolution droppers

Say you want a high-speed panel, and you're willing to drop your resolution down from 4K to make the most of it. You can always pick up a cheaper 1080p display, but very few of these budget TVs will offer you 120+Hz. The TCL QM7K is still a 4K display, but it offers 144Hz at a rate much lower than you'll pay in an equivalent OLED panel.

That means you can drop down to 1080p and make the most of much higher framerates in competitive titles. Sure, you can do that on the LG OLED C5 above as well, but this model gets you there for three figures.

Usually available at around $750 for a 55-incher (but often on sale for a little less), the TCL QM7K has a secret weapon up its sleeve. It uses the brand's Game Accelerator 288 tech with an appropriately low resolution input. That means speeds usually found on the best gaming monitors on the big screen. Obviously you're not getting a true 240Hz refresh rate, it's a software trick that will drop visual quality a little. Still, if you're going all out on speed it's a solid trade-off.

For a more traditional PC experience, check out the best curved gaming monitors and best ultrawide monitors. For more console options, check out the best TV for PS5.