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For portable gaming, many people may turn to dedicated handheld devices such as the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. But if you want to play on a bigger screen, a tablet is the way to go.
Of course, just any tablet won’t do: you need a powerful device that can run the latest Android and iPadOS games. Surprisingly, tablet manufacturers don’t release their slates as often for gaming as some have on their phones. So many of our picks make the cut, as they have the CPU and GPU power, as well as the memory and storage, to run the most demanding titles flawlessly.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most powerful tablets on the market and discussed what makes them ideal for gaming. Read on for our top picks, then what to look for in a gaming tablet.
Why we chose it
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great compromise for people who want to play games without spending a ton of money. It has decent specs, including a 10-inch HD display to run many titles, and is a good price. By default, you’re limited to games available from the Amazon Appstore, but you can always download apps from Google Play for a wider selection.
Who is this for?
This tablet should appeal to budget-conscious gamers who want a large-screen device at an affordable price. It can handle many Android-based games without issue, but some popular titles may not be available from Amazon.
PROS
- Fast processor for the price
- Lots of RAM
- Alexa works as a smart display
THE NEWS
- Poor app selection
- A very Amazon-centric interface
Read our Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) review
Apple iPad (2021)
The cheapest iPad for gaming
Why we chose it
The entry-level iPad is perfect for those who want to play games on a big screen without breaking the budget. The tablet’s A13 chip isn’t Apple’s latest, but it’s still powerful enough to handle most games on the App Store.
Who is this for?
Anyone invested in the Apple ecosystem who wants a 10-inch gaming tablet under $350 should be happy with the standard iPad. It weighs 1.07 pounds and supports optional 4G connectivity (for an additional fee).
PROS
- Strong performance
- Years of OS updates
- Solid front camera
THE NEWS
- A dated design
- Tinny speakers
Apple iPad mini (2021)
Great little gaming tablet
Why we chose it
At 8.3 inches and 0.65 pounds, the iPad mini is easy to carry, yet powerful enough to run anything from the App Store or Apple Arcade. It’s more expensive than a standard iPad — you’re paying extra for extra mobility.
Who is this for?
If you’re uncomfortable holding a 10-inch tablet for long gaming sessions, the iPad mini is your best bet. Nothing else offers a similar premium experience with such a small screen.
PROS
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
- Works with second-generation Apple Pencil
THE NEWS
- iPadOS does not have a multi-user option
- More expensive than the previous model
Read our Apple iPad mini (2021) review
Apple iPad Pro (2021)
The best iPad for gaming
Why we chose it
The iPad Pro’s M1 chip offers incredible power and won’t struggle with any game you’ll find in Apple’s lineup. The option to load it with 16GB of RAM gives it a significant edge over the M1 iPad Air. We recommend opting for the 11-inch model, as the 12.9-inch option is a bit large for long gaming sessions and is significantly more expensive.
Who is this for?
Buy this tablet if you are a die-hard Apple fan. It’s available with up to 2 TB of storage, so you don’t have to worry about running out of space. Don’t forget about its second-generation Apple Pencil support, 5G connectivity and four-speaker audio.
PROS
- A beautiful Mini LED screen
- A desktop level CPU
- Excellent cameras and audio
- Stellar 5G performance
THE NEWS
- No real multiple monitor support
- iPadOS makes multitasking difficult
- Core applications are not available on the platform
Read our Apple iPad Pro (2021) review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The best Android tablet for gaming
Why we chose it
Samsung consistently makes 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 more expensive Ultra version offers 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but its 14.6-inch screen makes it a little awkward for mobile gaming.
Who is this for?
If you like Android or own another Samsung device and don’t want to spend too much, this tablet offers incredible performance for the price.
PROS
- Fast, smooth performance
- Includes S Pen
- Dex mode enables a multi-window UI
THE NEWS
- There are fewer pro-level creative apps than iPadOS
- Android apps often don’t play well with tablets
- Some authentication bugs
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 review
Asus ROG Flow Z13
The most powerful gaming tablet
Why we chose it
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming laptop that looks like a tablet. Its high-end features include an Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 13.4-inch display. It also packs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU, which blows away the graphics capabilities of most tablets. Unsurprisingly, all of this power drives the price higher than similarly powerful (but no-nonsense) laptops.
Who is this for?
It’s for people with deep pockets and want to take their games anywhere without sacrificing power. If you really value portability, you should check out the other, more traditional tablets on this list.
PROS
- Outstanding performance for a tablet thanks to Intel “Alder Lake” Core i9
- Legit entry level gaming
- The XG Mobile eGPU (sold separately) significantly increases graphics performance
- Keyboard included
THE NEWS
- The high price of GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics performance on a tablet
- Uncomfortable weight and thickness for a tablet
- The price with the optional eGPU is very high
- Conceptually, there is no clear advantage over a premium slim gaming laptop
Read our Asus ROG Flow Z13 review
Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Tablets of 2022
Which tablet is best for gaming?
There are a few key hardware aspects to consider before buying a gaming tablet: power, storage, and battery life.
Choose something with a fast processor. Slates with the latest chips are generally the best bet, as they not only run games consistently today, they also play on the go. Likewise, get a tablet with as much RAM as possible. More memory allows you to load more games ahead of time and reduces the likelihood of loading delays. Check how well the tablet retains heat; if it’s hot under stress, you don’t want to use it for long periods of time.
Equally important is plenty of storage space. High end games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile and others consume 1GB or more and fill up your storage quickly. Choose a minimum of 64 GB. If you want to store multiple games (along with other media like movies and music) on your device at the same time, consider 128GB. Alternatively, grab a tablet that offers storage expansion via a microSD card.
Intense gaming can drain a tablet’s battery life quickly, so you need to keep your expectations realistic. Aim for something that can run modern games for at least a few hours. And when you need to recharge, fast charging support is essential because it gets you back in the game faster.
Android, iPadOS or Windows: The best tablet software for gaming
Another important consideration is whether you want an Android tablet or an iPad. This is a matter of personal preference and depends on what other types of devices you have. For example, if you’re a long-time iOS user and subscribe to Apple One (which includes the Apple Arcade gaming service), the iPad is probably the best way to go. Similarly, Android slate makes more sense if you are an Android phone user and have purchased a lot of apps or content from the Google Play Store.
As for Microsoft’s platform, the biggest problem with gaming on Windows tablets is that most of them are underpowered. Additionally, many PC games work best with a mouse and keyboard or controller, which goes against the idea of ​​playing casually on the go. The main feature of this rule is the Asus ROG Flow Z13. It is one of the most advanced gaming tablets on the market, but remains too expensive for most people.
What size tablet is suitable for gaming?
Screen size and tablet size go hand in hand and is another factor to consider, but ultimately it comes down to how much you value portability and convenience.
Most tablets have screens between 7 inches and 12 inches, with an average of 10 inches. Seven-inch slates fit easily into a bag or purse, meaning they’re easy to carry, while a 10- or 12-inch tablet requires something larger, like a backpack. Larger tablets also weigh more and can cause hand fatigue when held for several hours. As for size, choose what feels most natural to use and carry. The advantage of going with screen sizes larger than eight inches is that they provide significantly more real estate for gaming.
Of course, you’ll want something with at least 1080p Full HD resolution, and possibly more. Furthermore, a high refresh rate (90Hz or higher) will go a long way in improving your experience.
Recommended by our editors
Do you need a mobile gaming tablet?
Determining whether or not you should spend the extra money (usually $100 or more) for a tablet with cellular connectivity depends on where you’ll be using the tablet the most and what games you plan to play.
If you’re at home, at a coffee shop, or anywhere else with regular Wi-Fi access, you should be fine without a cellular connection. If you usually travel in places where Wi-Fi isn’t readily available, consider paying extra for a tablet with 4G or 5G and a monthly service plan from your wireless carrier.
Another factor 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, the Wi-Fi only model should work just fine. However, if you want to play multiplayer games that require back-and-forth over the Internet, a tablet with cellular capabilities will come in handy.
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