Mobile gaming is becoming more than just a hobby. For many people it is now a way of life. They now fill up those hitherto boring moments spent in traffic or waiting at the train station checking out the latest game franchise. One of the characteristics they share in common is the search for the best gaming tablet. If you are one of them, we are here to help you.
Not to worry, we have reviewed may be a thousand tablets from dozens of manufacturers to come up with the best gaming tablet for you. Bear in mind that the best gaming tablets are not necessarily the most expensive. We found a few budget gaming tablets that delivered amazing experience. Without further delay, let’s explore the features that make these tablets to stand out of the pool.
Review of the Best Gaming Tablets
Manufacturers of tablets step up their game in 2021 with the introduction of cutting-edge technologies that improves performance. However, these ten trumped the rest in most of the criteria we considered.
Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) – The best iOS gaming tablet
If you are accustomed to playing games with keyboards, the first feature of the Apple iPad Pro that will catch your attention is its compatibility with Bluetooth keyboards and Smart Keyboard Folio. It’s the thinnest iPad ever. Having a weight that is slightly over one pound means you can carry it around with ease. Also, lighter weight comes handy for better performance when playing games with motion controls.
The new Liquid Retina display that runs from edge to edge ensures colour accuracy so that you get to see the tinniest details on the background of your game—having an eagle’s eye will surely give you an edge when you are playing a shooter.
Apples’ A12X Bionic is the smartest and most powerful chip ever by any Apple product. The Neural Engine which runs five trillion operations per second combined with 4 or 6GB RAM makes it possible for you to run your game without lags. Its screen is wide enough so that you won’t miss any detail.
Pros
- Non-flicker display that won’t irritate the eyes
- Capable of supporting high-end games without a lag
- Supports games that require keyboard controls
- Longer battery life for extended gaming
Cons
- Not a budget gaming tablet
- The size may feel bulky for young gamers
Fire HD 10 Tablet – The Best Budget gaming tablet
The first thing that caught our interest with the Fire HD 10 Tablet is that it runs on a Fire OS which is based on android. With a little tweak, you can get all your favorite android games installed on this device. Amazon Prime customers who purchase this device will also get a load of other perks. The overall beauty is that you are getting all of this at a friendly budget.
The design is simple and the size is not bulky making it easier to handle. The most interesting feature of this device is probably the inclusion of Alexa hands-free mode. Those with tons of applications can simply say “Alexa, open Call of Duty” rather than scrolling through the icons to find your favorite game.
The IPS LCD display and 1080p full HD gives you a wide viewing angle with impeccable brightness. Most android games will perform smoothly without lags on Fire HD 10 Tablet, thanks to the quad-core processors and 2 GB RAM. The icing topping is the expandable storage space which allows you to carry more of your favourite games wherever you go.
Pros
- Battery life of up to 10-hours mixed use
- Lightweight and sleek design for increased gaming comfort
- Tons of free games available at Amazon Underground game store
- Expandable memory to accommodate more games
Cons
- High-end games may experience lags during play
- Feels a little bulky at 17.7 ounces
- Slow charge time of about 5 hours
Asus ZenPad 3S – Best for toughness
The darkest nightmare of any tablet gamer is watching the screen of their device shatter. Asus ZenPad 3S is the top budget gaming tablet that is designed to withstand more impact. It comes with a cover glass made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for tougher and better protection from damage.
Asus ZenPad 3S is also rugged in performance. Beneath the powerful exterior lies an even more powerful interior. It boosts of a super-fast hexa-core processor with 4GB capable of handling any game. The 9.7-inch screen is big enough to give you a bigger view and finer details and the less than 1 pound weight and thin bezel makes it easier to handle.
The Asus ZenPad 3S is particularly optimized for the best gaming experience. Whenever you feel stuck in any game, make use of the ZenUI – Game Genie to find related walkthrough or information on the game. It also comes with built-in system enhancement boosters for easy live stream of your games through YouTube Gaming. These and more powerful features makes the Asus ZenPad 3S one of the best android tablet for gaming.
Pros
- Powerful processor to seamlessly handle high-end games
- VisualMaster technology for optimum sharpness and contrast
- Large battery capacity of 5,900mAh for extended play experience
- Boosts of SonicMaster 3.0 technology for more sound quality and effect
Cons
- Storage capacity cannot be expanded beyond 128GB
- Stylus comes with an additional fee.
Microsoft surface Pro 6 – Best windows gaming tablet
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 doubles as a laptop and a tablet. It is Microsoft’s most flexible and versatile gaming device yet and there is a strong reason why it is the best windows gaming tablet. The Surface Pro comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core Processor which gives the tablet an unrivaled performance and speed. The 12.3 inches screen will often fell like carrying your laptop around. However the bulkiness is also its drawback.
The battery can last the entire day and up to 13.5 hours of video playback. This should give you a decent playing time and it runs on Windows 10 Home. This means you will not be able to play all your favorite android games. However, this tablet gives you the power to play all the games you would play on your PC at a decent resolution.
The talking point of this tablet is the processor and the large 8GB RAM which makes room for seamless playing experience. It might be a little pricey but is definitely a win for those who place elegance and class above price.
Pros
- Ultra slim design for easy handling
- Expandable memory for more storage
- Large screen and fine resolution allows you to see finer details
- Massive 13.5 hours battery life for extended play
Cons
- Windows games are usually more expensive than android games
- Holding a tablet of 4.94 pounds may feel like a weight
- The 12.3 inches screen may be too bulky to handle.
Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi, 64GB) – Best design
The Apple iPad mini is the smallest Apple tablet that packs all the features of the iPad Pro. If you say it is a condensed iPad Pro that makes handling a lot easier, you are definitely right. It also has the Retina display with True Tone that gives depth to the colors allowing you to clearly spot interactive items in distant backgrounds when playing your favorite game.
This tablet comes in either 64 GB or 256 GB which is decent enough to accommodate a good number of your favorite games. The iPad mini weighs only 0.66 pounds which means you will hardly feel like you are holding anything. Its high-responsiveness to touch is also good for your game controls.
The tablet is also compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio and Bluetooth Keyboards and this comes in handy if you prefer playing your games with keyboard. Apple products are known to be on the higher spectrum when it comes to price. However, the iPad mini is relatively affordable.
Pros
- Supports games that require keyboard controls
- Up to 10 hours battery life for longer play time
- Deep and immersive color technology for use in any lighting
- Supports high-end games without lags
- Lightning connector for charging accessories
Cons
- Pricey for players on a slim budget
- Limited number of games when compared to android
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7-Inch, 32GB Tablet – Best for display
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 features a High Dynamic Range on a Super AMOLED display which delivers deep contrast, cinematic vividness, and details to your game. The Quad speakers which recalibrate with your movements makes the game more immersive by delivering an exceptional sound. It is also one of the best android tablet for gaming that allows you to seamlessly switch from touch to keyboard.
Besides the sleek design, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 has a snapdragon quad-core processor that combines with 4GB RAM to make multitasking easy. This means you can pause your game for a second and reply to your mail without overtly affecting the fun. Interestingly, with the Adaptive Fast Charging, you can get up to 12 hours of battery life with just 3 hours of charging time.
The processing power of this 9.7 inches tablet makes it suitable for playing all your favorite high-end android games. One of the drawback of using this device that you will notice on first touch is the weight. Compared to other alternatives with bigger screens, 1.79 pounds for a 9.7 inches display is certainly not attractive for gamers.
Pros
- Revolutionary AMOLED display for finer details
- Quick charge time
- Longer battery life for extended gaming
- Impressive sound that adjusts to your movement
- Suitable for games with keyboard controls
Cons
- Heavier than competitors with larger screen sizes
- Pricey for gamers on a slim budget
Huawei MediaPad M5 Tablet – Best for power
The Huawei MediaPad M5 Tablet is definitely the best android tablet for gaming when it comes to power. It takes about 1.9 hours to fully charge the 5,100 mAh battery that delivers up to 11 hours of battery life. Thanks to the Smart Power-Saving technology. The Smart EMUI allows you to enjoy all your favorite android games.
The MediaPad M5 Tablet is also stylish, brandishing a curved metal body that is both beautiful and simple. This creative design combines with a 359 ppi high resolution display to make sure that you never miss out on any detail and the thin bezel makes handling easier. On the inside, the M5 tablet has a proprietary Kirin 960 series octa-core chipset with 4 GB RAM that can handle high-end games without lagging.
Games are better enjoyed with sound. The MediaPad M5 Tablet supports Hi-Res audio that gives you a 3D rich sound experience. The M5 tablet comes at a price that justifies the innovative features that it parades.
Pros
- Curve metal stylish design that creates elegance
- Fast proprietary Kirin 960 series octa-core chipset
- Charge from zero to hundred in 1.9 hours
- Up to 11 hours battery life for extended game play
Cons
- Pricey for gamers on a low budget
- Non-expandable storage memory
Lenovo Tab 4, 10.1″ Android Tablet – Best for kids
The Lenovo Tab 4 has a number of features that makes it kid’s best android tablet for gaming. This include a blue-light screen filter that protects the eyes, a shock-resistant bumper to withstand rough handling, as well as fun stickers. The tab offers an optional pack that will allow you to transform it between productivity tablet and dedicated kids tablet.
The screen resolution maxes out at 1280×800 which is really not the best for a 10.1 inch display. However, the Lenovo Tab 4 compensates for this with up to 20 hours of battery life. The Tab 4 runs on android 7.1 Nougat making it possible to download and play all your favorite games from Play Store.
Inasmuch as the Tab 4 has an impressive design, the 1.4 GHz and 2 GB RAM may not be adequate to seamlessly handle high-end games. This factor and the low storage memory ultimately limits the type and number of games that you can play with this device. Notwithstanding, if you are looking for a budget gaming tablet under $200, the Lenovo Tab 4 will easily come to mind.
Pros
- Easily transforms for adult and children use
- Large screen for a wider viewing experience
· Multi-space and multi-user functionality
· Long battery life for extended gaming
· Budget-friendly
Cons
· Low storage space that is not expandable
· May not be seamlessly handle high-end games
· Suboptimal screen resolution that doesn’t emphasize background details
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 128 GB WiFi Tablet Silver – Best for sound
Gamers that pay so much attention to sound will love the Dolby Atoms Surround sound that fills the room with cinematic clarity that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A possess. However, it’s not only about what you hear. The Tab A also has a large 10.1 inches screen that is perfect for big entertainment. A combination of lightweight, corner-to-corner display and premium metal design makes it the ideal gaming tablet.
With the Samsung Galaxy Tab A, you will be getting up to 13 hours of battery life for extended gaming. Another feature of this tablet that cannot be overemphasized is the massive storage space which can be expanded to 512 GB with a microSD card. It runs on Android 9.0 Pie which allows you to carry all your favorite games wherever you go.
The new version is slightly lighter than the older version and has thinner bezel that makes it more comfortable to hold. Inasmuch as it is still not as light as some of its competitors, it offers a lot at a decent price.
Pros
· Immersive sound with cinematic clarity
· Long battery life for extended gameplay
· Large storage memory that can be expanded further
· Crystal clear corner-to-corner display
· Samsung Kids to control kid’s time and access
Cons
- Slightly low processor speed
- Price for those on a slim budget
Apple iPad Air (10.5-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) – Best for performance
The Apple iPad Air comes in the 64GB and 256GB storage variant but the emphasis of this device for gamers would be the performance. It runs the iOS 12 which allows you to do more. It supports both the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard making it efficient for playing games that requires keyboard controls.
Surprisingly, even with all the high-end features the iPad Air weighs just about 1 pound. This thin and light design makes it easy to handle as well as carry along wherever you go. The A12 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine delivers an incredibly fast performance that can run the most powerful apps while the Retina Display make it possible for you to enjoy your game in any light.
The Apple iPad Air is definitely the best tablet for performance but it comes at a price. If you are looking for a budget gaming tablet you need to look elsewhere. However, those who can afford it will have up to 10 hours of battery life.
Pros
- Capable of supporting high-end games without a lag
- Supports games that require keyboard controls
- Longer battery life for extended gaming
- Crystal clear display that allows you to see the fine details
Cons
- Not a budget gaming tablet
- The size may feel bulky for young gamers
Buying Guide for the Best Gaming Tablet
There designs and models of gaming tablets on the market are diverse but there are factors you should look out for when making your choice. These factors are critical to the experience you will get from your games. The game genre and the mode of play will also significantly affect your choice because some of these tablets come with accessories that can make gaming more fun. Whatever your preference may look like, this guide will give you a better insight on how to make the right choice.
Screen Resolution
The screen resolution will determine the pixels-per-inch which in turn affect the depth of color display. A screen with high resolution will make it easy for you to see distant objects clearly. A better graphic always makes the game a bit more immersive. Some manufacturers incorporate technologies that makes play possible in any lighting.
Weight
Mobile gamers will generally prefer a gaming tablet that is light to make it easier for them to carry around. Lightweight tablets also makes controls easier for games that use gravity sensor. If you enjoy outdoor gaming, you should go for a device that is light.
Virtual and Storage Memory
Tablets with a higher RAM size allows you to multitask without running out of memory. It also determines the type of games you can play on your device. The storage memory, on the other hand, will determine the number of games that you can carry on your device. Your game preference should guide your choice.
Keyboard Accessory
If you play games that require keyboard controls, you should pick a tablet that can sync with keyboards. The mode of connection is usually through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Endeavor to pick the one that is most convenient.
Cost
You should already have a budget when you are planning to buy a gaming tablet. However, it is important to understand that budget gaming tablets usually have their limitations. If you want something worthwhile, you should be ready to spend extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are accessories included in the box?
For most of the tablets, the accessories are sold separately.
- What kind of games can I play?
You can play any game that is supported by the tablet’s operating system.
- How many hours can I play on full charge?
This varies on your settings. Games are power intensive but you should be able to get from 3 to 8 hours depending on the tablet.
- How many games can I carry on my tablet?
This depends on the size of the game and on the size of the storage memory of your tablet
Conclusion
We all have our different expectations and preferences and this ultimately affects our choices. The tablets presented on this list are the best in their respective categories. The goal should be picking the one that meets your need as well as enhances your gaming experience. Even when you cannot afford what you need, you will get a close substitute at a budget price. The decision ultimately falls back on you.