For portable gaming, many people might turn to dedicated handhelds like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. But if you want to game on a bigger screen, a tablet is the way to go.
Of course, not just any tablet works: You need a speedy device that can handle the latest Android and iPadOS games. Surprisingly, tablet makers don’t often market or design their slates specifically for gaming like some do with their phones. As such, many of our picks make the cut because they have enough CPU and GPU strength, as well as the memory and storage, to run the most challenging titles without hiccups.
Here we’ve rounded up some of the most powerful tablets on the market and discuss what makes them ideal for gaming. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for in a gaming tablet.
More About Our Picks
Best Low-Cost Gaming Tablet
Bottom Line:
Amazon updates the Fire HD 10 to deliver a very good tablet for $150, as long as what you want to do is control Alexa and consume Amazon books and media. Even without the Google Play store, it’s the best tablet you can get for less than $200.
Pros
- Fast processor for the price
- Plenty of RAM
- Acts as an Alexa smart display
Cons
- Poor app selection
- Very Amazon-centric interface
Why We Picked It
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a perfect compromise for people who want to play games without spending a ton of money. It has decent enough specs, including a 10-inch HD display, to handle most titles, and is a good value. By default, you’re limited to the games available from the Amazon Appstore, but you can always sideload apps from Google Play for a broader selection.
Who It’s For
This tablet should appeal to budget-conscious gamers who want a large-screen device on the cheap. It can handle many Android-based games without issue, though some popular titles may not be available from Amazon.
Most Affordable iPad for Gaming
Bottom Line:
Apple’s 2021 base model iPad delivers strong performance and an excellent front-facing camera at a very palatable price, making it the best tablet for most people.
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Multi-year OS upgrades
- Solid front-facing camera
Cons
- Dated design
- Tinny speakers
Why We Picked It
The entry-level iPad is perfect for anyone who wants to play games on a big screen without going over budget. The tablet’s A13 chip isn’t Apple’s latest, but it’s still more than powerful enough to handle most games on the App Store.
Who It’s For
Anyone invested in Apple’s ecosystem who wants a well-rounded 10-inch gaming tablet for under $350 should enjoy the standard iPad. It’s lightweight at 1.07 pounds and supports optional 4G connectivity (for an additional cost).
Best Small Gaming Tablet
Bottom Line:
Apple’s sixth-generation iPad mini tablet delivers Pro-level power in a smaller size that’s better for reading, taking notes, and slipping in a jacket pocket.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
- Works with second-generation Apple Pencil
Cons
- No multi-user option in iPadOS
- Pricier than previous model
Why We Picked It
The 8.3-inch and 0.65-pound iPad mini is easy to carry around, but still plenty of power to run anything from the App Store or Apple Arcade. It’s costlier than the standard iPad—you’re paying extra for the added portability.
Who It’s For
If you don’t feel comfortable holding a 10-inch tablet for extended gaming sessions, the iPad mini is your best bet. Nothing else offers a similar premium experience with a screen this small.
Best iPad for Gaming
Bottom Line:
The 2021 edition of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is just as powerful as a Mac, but its operating system keeps it so tightly leashed that much of its potential goes unrealized.
Pros
- Gorgeous Mini LED screen
- Desktop-level CPU
- Excellent cameras and audio
- Stellar 5G performance
Cons
- No real multiple monitor support
- iPadOS makes multitasking difficult
- Major apps missing from the platform
Why We Picked It
The iPad Pro’s M1 chip offers unbeatable power and won’t struggle with any game you’re likely to find from Apple’s collection. The option to load it up with 16GB of RAM gives it a substantial performance edge over the M1 iPad Air. We recommend picking the 11-inch model because the 12.9-inch variant is a little large for long gaming sessions and costs substantially more.
Who It’s For
Buy this tablet if you are an uncompromising Apple fan. It’s available with up to 2TB of storage, so you don’t have to worry about space. And don’t forget about its second-generation Apple Pencil support, 5G connectivity, and four-speaker audio.
Best Android Tablet for Gaming
Bottom Line:
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 is the best high-end Android tablet you can buy, but Android still falls short when it comes to pro-level applications.
Pros
- Fast, smooth performance
- Includes S Pen
- Dex mode enables a multi-window UI
Cons
- Fewer pro-level creative apps than iPadOS
- Android apps don’t often play well with tablets
- Some authentication bugs
Why We Picked It
Samsung consistently makes some of the most powerful Android tablets on the market and the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S8 is no exception. The base model comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. The far more expensive Ultra version offers up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of space, but its 14.6-inch screen makes it a little too cumbersome for mobile gaming.
Who It’s For
If you prefer Android or have other Samsung gear and don’t want to spend too much, this tablet offers fantastic performance for the price.
Most Powerful Gaming Tablet
Bottom Line:
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet is impressive on a design and engineering level, but its high price and niche appeal make it a tough sell versus equally portable premium gaming laptops.
Pros
- Remarkable performance for a tablet thanks to Intel “Alder Lake” Core i9
- Legitimate entry-level gaming chops
- XG Mobile eGPU (sold separately) significantly boosts graphics performance
- Keyboard included
Cons
- High cost for GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics performance in tablet alone
- Awkward heft and thickness for a tablet
- Cost with optional eGPU is prohibitively expensive
- Conceptually, no clear advantage over a premium slim gaming laptop
Why We Picked It
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming laptop masquerading as a tablet. Its high-end specs include an Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 13.4-inch display. It also packs a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, which blows away the graphical capabilities of most tablets. Unsurprisingly, all that power pushes the price higher than that of similarly powerful (but not transforming) laptops.
Who It’s For
This is for people who have deep pockets and want to take their games with them everywhere without sacrificing power. If you truly value portability, however, you should look at the other, more traditional tablets on this list.
Which Tablet Is Best for Gaming?
There are a few key hardware aspects to consider before you buy a tablet for gaming: power, storage, and battery life.
Pick something with a fast processor. Slates with the most recent chips are generally the best bet as they’ll not only run games smoothly today, but down the road as well. Similarly, get a tablet with as much RAM as possible. More memory allows games to load more ahead of time and decreases the likelihood of loading delays. Make sure to inspect how well the tablet handles heat; if it runs hot under stress, you won’t want to use it for long periods.
Lots of storage space is equally important. High-end games such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and others consume 1GB or more and can fill up your storage quickly. Opt for 64GB at a minimum. If you like to keep multiple games on your device at once (along with other media, such as movies and music), you might consider 128GB. Or, snag a tablet that offers the option to expand storage via microSD card.
Intense games can drain a tablet’s battery life quickly, so you should keep your expectations realistic. Aim for something that can run modern games for at least a few hours. And when you do need to recharge, fast charging support is important because it can get you back to your game that much quicker.
Android, iPadOS, or Windows: The Best Tablet Software for Gaming
Another huge consideration is whether you want an Android tablet or an iPad. This is a matter of personal preference and depends on what types of other devices you have. For example, if you’re a longtime iOS user and subscribe to Apple One (which includes the Apple Arcade gaming service), an iPad is likely the better way to go. Similarly, if you’re an Android phone user and have purchased a lot of apps or content from the Google Play store, an Android slate makes more sense.
As for Microsoft’s platform, the biggest issue with gaming on Windows tablets is that most don’t have sufficient power. Additionally, many PC games work best with a mouse and keyboard or controller, which conflicts with the idea of casual gaming on the go. The major exception to that rule is the Asus ROG Flow Z13. It’s one of the most well-rounded gaming tablets on the market but remains way too pricey for most people.
What Size Tablet Is Best for Gaming?
Screen size and tablet size go hand in hand and are thus another factor to mull over, though it ultimately comes down to how much you value portability and comfort.
Most tablets have screens that range from seven to 12 inches, with 10 inches being the average. A seven-inch slate can easily fit into a handbag or purse, meaning they travel more easily, while a 10- or 12-inch tablet will require something larger, such as a backpack, to tote around. Larger tablets also weigh more and can cause hand fatigue when held for several hours. As far as size goes, pick what feels the most natural to use and carry around. The benefit of going with screen sizes larger than eight inches is that they provide substantially more real estate for gameplay.
Of course, you want something with at least 1080p Full HD resolution, and more if possible. Further, a high refresh rate (90Hz or higher) will go a long way toward improving your experience.
Recommended by Our Editors
Do You Need a Cellular Gaming Tablet?
Determining whether you need to spend the extra money (usually $100 or more) for a tablet with a cellular connection depends on where you will use the tablet most and what games you plan to play.
If you’re often home, at the coffee shop, or another place with regular Wi-Fi access, you should be fine without cellular connectivity. If you typically find yourself in places where Wi-Fi isn’t readily available, consider paying the extra money for a tablet with 4G or 5G along with a monthly service plan from your wireless carrier.
One other point to consider here is the type of games you like to play. If you generally stick to single-player games that don’t require a constant internet connection, a Wi-Fi-only model should work fine. But if you want to play multiplayer games that require back-and-forth over the internet, a tablet with cellular capabilities could come in handy.
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