The idea that gaming is something you can only do on a souped-up, multicolored PC — or on the box under your TV — is dead. Mobile gaming has arrived, luring millions of people with a wide range of challenges from matching three fruits in a row to colonizing planets. The best Android and iPhone games vary widely, but sometimes the lack of smartphone screen real estate can cramp your style. If portability is still a prime factor, then split the difference with the best gaming tablets.
While the emerging category of dedicated gaming phones may be starting to heat up, the idea of specialized gaming tablets seems to have died with the Nvidia Shield. The best gaming tablets today are somewhat though not entirely distinct from our best tablets, but they have a few standout features that make them optimal for gamers as well as overall tablet users.
Best gaming tablets at a glance
Best overall: Apple iPad Pro (11-inch)
Two things that set the iPad Pro head and shoulders above the crowd when it comes to gaming are the enormous, sharp, and smooth 120Hz display and the completely unrivaled raw processing power. We’ve highlighted the 11-inch model as the best pick because it’s a little more affordable and manageable, but if you want to get lost in something like Civilization VI, then the 12.9-inch model is even better. Pairing this tablet with some of the best iPad Pro games will be enough to keep the most demanding of gamers happy. Apple’s tablets stand apart from the Android crowd because of the level of polish and the optimization of many apps, and nowhere is this difference starker than with games. This is also a great-looking tablet, with convenient Face ID built in, and a host of fun augmented reality apps and games. Battery life is good enough to keep you gaming on the go for hours. The obvious downside is the high cost.
Best Android gaming tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
If you’d prefer an Android device to an iPad, then you won’t do better than the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus from Samsung. It boasts a lightning-fast Snapdragon 865 Plus processor backed by 6GB RAM and 128GB that is expandable up to 1TB. There’s a stunning 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display that you’ll never tire of looking at. It also has AKG and Dolby Atmos audio, 10,090mAh battery life, and a stylish design. Samsung’s special Game Booster promises a lag-free gaming experience and a partnership with Discord brings live chat features to the Game Launcher. The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus has S Pen support, too, which is great if you like to write notes by hand or sketch but also doubles as a remote control.
Best small gaming tablet: Apple iPad Mini 6
Games work just as well on smaller screens, and there’s a big space for a small gaming tablet in many lives. The new iPad Mini fits that gap pretty perfectly. It’s a big upgrade from the last iPad Mini, and the 2021 model sports a new bezel-less design to bring the tiny iPad series into the modern era. It isn’t just more beautiful though, as the addition of an A15 Bionic processor also means it’s just as capable as its bigger siblings. Processing speed is very important in gaming, and this new chip means the iPad Mini is able to keep up with the most powerful tablets in the world.
Of course, the major feature of the iPad Mini is its relatively small size. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina screen is great, but it is small. As such, if you’re not a fan of a smaller screen, then this isn’t the tablet for you. But if you need something that can be easily tucked away, the iPad Mini 6 is excellent. It’s not the cheapest option available, but it’s not the most expensive either.
Read more about the iPad Mini 6 (2021)
Best budget gaming tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
While it’s not the most powerful tablet around, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 offers more than enough to enjoy tablet gaming. The Snapdragon 662 at its core can struggle with some of the more demanding games out there but should handle most tablet games without much issue. The 10.4-inch LCD display is clear and crisp, and it’s lightweight and slim, so it won’t weigh you down during long gaming sessions. 32GB of storage is a little limited for games, so the 64GB model is recommended — though there is room for a microSD card as well, in case you need the extra space.
With a price under $300, this is a great tablet to grab, especially when you can often grab it on a deal. But if your budget can stretch a little further, we recommend the basic iPad (2021) rather than the Galaxy Tab A7. But at this lower price, it’s hard to beat the Tab A7.
Best gaming tablet for kids: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet
Amazon has upgraded its Kids offerings and now offers the Pro model as well. Specifically designed for kids between 6 to 12 years old, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro comes with one year of access to Amazon Kids+, a comprehensive warranty, and a colorful (and less cutesy) kickstand case to boot. It has the same 10.1-inch display and hardware as the non-Pro model, and it, unfortunately, doesn’t have access to the Google Play Store either, so the number of available games is limited. However, there are still plenty to choose from on the Amazon App Store.
It’s great for books, videos, and apps as well as games, making this a strong choice if you’re looking to get a big-screen kids’ device for work and play. Kids can even make video and voice calls over Wi-Fi to pre-approved contacts or install apps like Zoom or Minecraft.
Worth considering:
Apple iPad Air 4 (2020)
Check out the latest iPad Air if you prefer a smaller, portable screen on their tablet but appreciate the features of an iPad Pro. Its compact screen allows for quicker hand or finger movements during your gameplay, making it a great option. Plus, you can choose between 65GB and 256GB of storage. This iPad also supports the Smart Keyboard Folio for more serious work. It’s a standard size at 10.9-inches and uses an upgraded A14 Bionic chip to outperform its previous models.
Many users will appreciate that the Apple iPad Air 4 has a USB-C connection to connect and charge rather than the Lightning cable of older, standard iPad models. This new connection makes charging your iPad even faster and more reliable.
Read more in our full iPad Air (2020) review
Frequently asked questions
How do gaming tablets differ from other tablets?
Most tablets can be used for playing simple games, but if you are an avid gamer who spends long hours playing high-processing games, you’ll need a tablet that can match your usage needs. So, if you play games with heavy files sizes, look for tablets offering ample storage space. Take, for instance, the Apple iPad Pro that offers up to 2TB storage, which is more than enough for most heavy games. Another difference could be the processing power. Most heavy games require a powerful processor for seamless play so look for tablets like the iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A and S series that offer super-fast loading and lag-free gaming.
Does battery capacity matter in a gaming tablet?
Battery life is one of the most underrated features in a gaming tablet. No matter how powerful of a device you buy, if it lacks a good battery life, you can’t fully enjoy it. So, if you are looking to play or stream games continuously, look for gaming tablets with at least 6-8 hours of battery life. Devices like the Apple iPad Pro, iPad Air 2020, Amazon HD Fire 10 boast 10-13 hours of performance on a single charge, making them excellent options for uninterrupted heavy gaming.
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10 Best Gaming Tablets in 2021
Tablets are the swiss army knife of modern life. They let you do everything from surf the web, to watch HD videos, to play the newest games. But only the best gaming tablets combine exceptional components and craftsmanship for unrivaled performance.
Their versatility, style, and cost have made tablets one of the most popular new categories of electronics. Tablets are by no means all the same, and there are many specifications (particularly when it comes to gaming) and things to consider before buying one. So join us as we take a look at the top 10 best tablets for gaming.
Zoom Out: 10 Best Tablets for Gaming Quick Compare
Here’s an overview of the top picks of the year. For a closer look at each model, head to our Zoom In section below.
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Tablet
Type
Size
Resolution
Cost
Zoom In: A Closer Look at the 10 Best Gaming Tablets
Without further ado, let’s dive into the 10 best gaming tablets in 2021.
1. Nintendo Switch Lite
The best tablet for gaming overall
Manufacturer: Nintendo | OS: Nintendo Switch Software | Display: 6.2” 1280 x 720 LCD | CPU/GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra Processor | RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 | Storage: 32GB (expandable with microSDHC or microSDXC slot) | Price: 💰💰
Ok ok, you got us, this isn’t exactly a tablet in the traditional sense of the word. But hear us out! The Nintendo Switch Lite came out in September 2019 as a cheaper, purely portable alternative to their massively popular hybrid console. It has a built-in 6.2″ touch screen and fully integrated controls, making it much more comfortable to game with than your average tablet. It doesn’t have removable Joy-Cons, limiting the capabilities of some games, but it makes the Lite feel much sturdier. It also weighs less and has longer battery life.
The main reason to buy a Switch Lite is access to the Nintendo Store’s library of games. You can play great Nintendo exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that you wouldn’t have access to on any other tablet, as well as hundreds of third-party and indie titles.
We think the Nintendo Switch Lite is the best tablet for gaming overall due to its design, library of quality games, and low price point. Plus, it comes in four colors!
Under $200
Four color options
Sturdy build quality
Analog drift issues
Issues syncing games from non-owner Switch accounts
Doesn’t work with Switch titles that require removable JoyCons
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The best premium tablet for gaming
Manufacturer: Microsoft | OS: Windows 10 Home | Display: 12.3” 2736 x 1824 PixelSense Display | CPU/GPU: 10th gen Intel i5 / Intel Iris Plus G4 Graphics | RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x | Storage: 256GB SSD | Price: 💰💰💰💰💰
The line between laptops and tablets can be a little blurry these days. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a prime example, as it combines the portability of a tablet with the power and versatility of a laptop. You can pair it with peripherals like a keyboard cover and a mouse for classic PC gaming or with a wireless controller for a portable experience. It has Bluetooth 5.0 and USB Type-C connectivity, so you won’t have to worry about latency, and you have the option to connect it to a laptop docking station when using it at home. You can also pair it with the Surface Pen for drawing and note-taking.
The Surface Pro 7 has a lot of options for different specifications. You can get it with the brand new Intel 10th Gen i3, i5, or i7, and customize the amount of memory and storage it comes with. We recommend the i5 model with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, an ideal combination to match the capabilities of the tablet’s Intel Iris Plus G4 Graphics.
We also like that the Surface Pro 7 uses Windows 10 Home for its operating system. Programs like Steam and Epic were built to work with Windows. Buy this if you’re looking for a laptop-like gaming experience on a tablet.
Good build quality
USB Type-C connectivity
Intel Iris Plus G4 Graphics
Thick bezel
Over $1,000
Keyboard cover not included
3. Fire Tablet 7
The best budget tablet for gaming
Manufacturer: Amazon | OS: Fire OS 6 | Display: 7” 1280 x 800 IPS LCD | CPU/GPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 / Mali-450MP4 | RAM: 1GB | Storage: 16GB SSD (option to expand with microSD slot) | Price: 💰
Want to play some mobile games without spending a ton of money? You certainly won’t be playing Call of Duty on the Amazon Fire 7 anytime soon, but it might just be what you’re looking for if you want an affordable tablet that you can play some Candy Crush, Minecraft, or Clash of Clans on.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s also one of the best gaming tablets for reading, since the Fire series of tablets shares its DNA with the Kindle. The OS is designed to work seamlessly with Amazon’s library of books, videos, games, and music.
It isn’t anything fancy, but it’s an impressive piece of tech when you consider the price. The Fire Tablet 7 comes in black, plum, sage, or twilight blue!
Under $50
Great for reading
microSD storage expansion
Short battery life
Ad-free version costs extra
Amazon restricts Android apps
4. PlayStation Vita
The best pocket-sized tablet for gaming
Manufacturer: Sony | OS: PS Vita | Display: 5” 960 x 544 | CPU/GPU: Cortex-A9 MPCore / SGX543MP4+ | Storage: Separate memory cards | Price: 💰💰💰
The PlayStation Vita might seem a little outdated at this point. Sony officially ended their production in March of 2019, but there’s one reason this nine-year-old handheld is still one of the top tablets for gaming for PS4 owners.
The Vita has an ability called PS4 Link. This allows the Vita to remotely stream games from your PS4. So, while the big console is doing all the processing work, your Vita just has to stream the images. All your favorite PS4 games that you already own can be carried around in your pocket, from Fortnite to Ghost of Tsushima.
There’s also a rich backlog of games for the Vita that are more affordable now than ever. It’s even backward compatible with digital versions, so you can play anything from the PSP era as well!
The tricky part is tracking one down at a reasonable price. New ones are often massively overpriced. Used and refurbished Vitas can be found much more cheaply and easily.
You can’t have a list of the best gaming tablets without an iPad on there somewhere. I’m pretty sure it’s against the law. That’s because Apple has been at the cutting edge of tablet technology ever since the very beginning. The 4th Gen iPad Pro is their newest addition, and it’s an exceptional piece of hardware. They’ve moved away from Intel and are now using their A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine.
This tablet is great for just about everything. Want to use it for note-taking? No problem. Drawing? The Apple Pencil is fantastic. Gaming? You bet!
The only downside is that iOS severely limits the apps you can use on Apple devices (unless you jailbreak them, of course.) You’re going to have a hard time if a game you want to play isn’t on the App Store. That said, you won’t find better if you’re looking for the best tablet for Hearthstone or any of the other games available on the App Store.
Great for drawing
Fast and responsive
Beautiful Liquid Retina display
Almost $1,000
Finicky facial recognition
Apple Pencil not included
6. Samsung Galaxy S7 Tab
The best Android tablet for gaming
Manufacturer: Samsung | OS: Android 10 | Display: 11” 1600 x 2560 LTPS LCD | CPU/GPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus Mobile Platform | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB (option to expand with microSD slot) | Price: 💰💰💰💰
There’s a lot of competition when it comes to the best Android tablet for gaming, but one stands out above the rest. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a powerful tablet that’s ideal for almost any use-case. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus Mobile Platform, which has 20% faster processing and 36% faster graphic performance than the previous generation.
All that power makes it an ideal choice for the Android operating system, which has access to one of the biggest libraries of mobile games and can now use cloud gaming to access Xbox Game Pass or Steam Link to stream games from your home PC.
It comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB designations. We recommend you save your money and get the cheaper 128GB option since the Tab S7 has a microSD port and can support up to 1TB of additional storage. The S7 also comes with Samsung’s newly redesigned S Pen, making it a good choice for note-takers and graphic artists.
On top of all this, the screen is gorgeous, with a 120Hz refresh rate to make your games feel buttery smooth.
Here’s one of the best gaming tablets for all you Google fans out there. Chrome OS is an excellent alternative for people who aren’t fans of Android or Apple’s iOS, and no tablet runs it better than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet.
The Duet was designed to easily transition between laptop and tablet with a detachable keyboard and a built-in stand. It has an 8-core, 8-thread Mediatek Helio P60T CPU with integrated ARM G72 MP3 800GHz graphics that should handle just about any mobile game you throw at it. More advanced games will struggle as the Duet only has 4GB of RAM, but it’s still a fantastic option given its incredibly low price.
Windows is far and away the most popular operating system in the world, but it wasn’t always that common on tablets. In recent years, that’s been turning around as it’s grown more and more optimized for touch-screen functionality. This is great because many gaming platforms like Steam, Epic, and Xbox are optimized for Windows.
The Lenovo Flex 5 is one of the best tablets to run the King Kong of operating systems because it’s actually a two-in-one laptop/tablet. It has a beautiful 14″ IPS screen, and its Ryzen 5 4500U CPU with integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics has enough power to take advantage of the plethora of games the platform provides. Its built-in keyboard can be used for laptop-style gaming or turned around to the back for a more touch-screen focused gaming experience.
16GB DDR4 RAM
Ultra-thin, 2-in-1 form factor
10 hours of battery life, plus quick charge to 80% in just 1 hour
Runs warm
Plastic construction
Screen is dim compared to higher-end laptops
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
The best tablet for gaming and drawing
Manufacturer: Android | OS: Android 10 | Display: 12.4” 2800 x 1752 Super AMOLED | CPU/GPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus Mobile Platform | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB (option to expand with microSD slot) | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Are you an artist or graphic designer looking for a great tablet? Maybe you’re designing the next great indie game on Unity? If so, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the tablet for you! We already went over the details of the S7 as our pick for the best Android tablet for gaming, but the S7+ has a few bonuses that artists and gamers might be willing to pay a little extra for.
The Tab S7+ has a 12.4″ 2800×1752 IPS screen. That’s bigger and at a slightly higher resolution than the base model. The fact that it’s an OLED screen means that it will achieve much truer blacks than LCD. It also had HDR, NTSC color range, and Eye Care certification.
Samsung is known for their beautiful screens and perfect color accuracy; like the S7, the S7+ also comes with the S Pen. It’s the perfect tablet for gaming, sketching, and graphic design — so long as you can pay for it.
S Pen Included
120Hz refresh rate
Stunning Super AMOLED display
Over $800
No audio-jack
1090mAh battery is insufficient for continued use
10. Fire HD 10 Kids Edition
The best gaming tablet for kids
Manufacturer: Amazon | OS: Fire OS 6 | Display: 10.1” 1920 x 1200 IPS | CPU/GPU: Mediatek MT8183 / ARM Mali-G72 MP3 | RAM: 2048MB | Storage: 32GB | Price: 💰💰
It isn’t just the grown-ups who want to game on tablets, but it’s hard to hand over an expensive piece of tech to kids who may accidentally drop it or have the occasional urge to commit acts of wanton destruction.
The Fire HD Kids Edition is a great option. It comes equipped with a protective rubber case that keeps it safe from harm. Not enough? Well, it also comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee. In Amazon’s own words, “If it breaks, return it and we’ll replace it for free.”
It also comes with one year of Amazon Kids+. This give’s them access to “over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, Audible books, and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more.”
You can even bundle two Fire HD Kids editions for just $299.99! They come in blue, pink, or purple.
Under $200
Protective case with built-in stand
Comes with Amazon Kids+ (FreeTime Unlimited) kid-friendly games
Not waterproof
FreeTime Unlimited can be sluggish
Amazon App store has a limited selection
Gaming Tablet Guide Part I: Top 3 Most Common Mistakes When Picking Out a Tablet
The most common reason people buy gaming-ready tablets is that they are annoyed with their phone’s small screen size and want the extra display real estate a tablet offers. Other common reasons? They are performance junkies who want the very best, or they’ve found a game like Hearthstone or Fortnite and want to play it on the go.
No matter which category you fall into, there are a few pitfalls you’ll want to avoid when choosing a gaming tablet.
Focusing on looks over specs. Some tablets look pretty but cost more than models that feature better hardware on the inside.
Assuming a tablet can play any game. The iOS store and Android store have different app and game selections. However, most popular games will be available on both. Keep in mind: Apple and Android tablets will not be able to play Windows, PlayStation, or Xbox games. The exception is a 2-in-1 device that runs Windows.
Not getting enough storage. We highly recommend at least 16GB of storage, and if your budget permits, 64-128GB or more. Game and app file sizes keep getting larger, so by spending that little extra for more storage, you are essentially future-proofing your device.
Gaming Tablet Guide Part II: Pro Tips for Buying a Gaming Tablet
Whether you’re looking for the very best gaming tablet or simply want a budget model to run games on, here’s a few things to keep in mind before spending that dough.
Size
Before you buy a 10-inch tablet, you should be aware of how big a device it is and whether it meets your needs. Larger tablets will need the use of both hands to be operated efficiently, whereas smaller tablets can be operated with one hand. For use on the road, a smaller tablet of 7-8 inches is ideal.
Anyone who often uses Microsoft Office, wants to open and edit PDF documents, or wants to work with a pen on the tablet, however, will be better off with a 10-inch or larger tablet. Fortunately, whether it’s a Samsung tablet, an iPad, or a cheaper tablet, there are many options available.
Resolution
The central element of a tablet is the display, as it serves as the visual output and control alike. On the one hand, it has to provide good image quality, and on the other hand, it must be precise and responsive to touch and gesture commands. Fortunately, cheap displays can usually be recognized quickly, as they have a coarse-grained resolution, uneven brightness, and poor viewing angles.
As lovely as a 10-inch tablet screen is, if the resolution is not good, it’s better to grab a smaller device. Since multimedia use (such as watching movies or videos) is often the focus of 10-inch tablets, the maximum resolution needs to be high for an optimal viewing experience. That’s why we recommend a high-quality LCD or IPS display that boasts at least 1,920 × 1,080 pixels for true HD playback.
Internal Memory and Extension
Since many of the best gaming tablets ship with pre-installed apps (and their respective operating system, of course), it is essential to keep your eye on storage specifications. If you want to keep a bunch of eBooks, movies, music, apps, and games on your device, you should choose a tablet with a large internal memory of 64GB+.
Keep in mind that storage capacity can be often be extended via an SD card — in many cases up to 128GB or even more.
Gaming Tablet Guide Part III: Other Considerations
These factors aren’t as critical as the above, but they’re still worth thinking about.
Think About a 2-in-1
Does a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet hybrid make more sense for your situation? If you’re going to University, save yourself some bucks and buy one device instead of two. With a Surface Pro or Pixelbook, you’ll be able to write papers and do a little casual gaming on the side. A fully functional keyboard can be a nice option to have when you need to crank out an email or get any work done. If you’re simply looking for a gaming, web browsing, and movie/tv show watching device, then a standalone tablet should work fine.
Internet Connection and Connectivity
Some models only connect via Wi-Fi, while others are 4G or LTE compatible.
If the tablet is capable of 4G or LTE, a SIM card can be used for mobile surfing, and dependency on an available Wi-Fi network within reach is eliminated. Be careful though; those data plans can get spendy!
If you’re going to use the tablet mainly at home or in places with an available Wi-Fi network, a tablet with an internet connection via Wi-Fi might be enough. The Wi-Fi versions of tablets are usually much cheaper than the devices with LTE capability.
If you want to use extra peripherals like a gaming keyboard or gaming mouse, then you have to look for a gaming tablet that has this connectivity option enabled. Not every tablet comes with this option, so you’ll want to check carefully before you make a final decision.
Operating System
Keep in mind that the best gaming tablets and 2-in-1’s run a variety of operating systems including Windows, Android, Apple iOS, and Chrome OS. That means not all games will be accessible because each OS has access to different app stores.
Also, look out for which version of the OS the tablet is running. Newer tablets will run the latest OS, while older tablets may need to be upgraded to the latest OS (in the case of Android that’s 9.0 Pie).
Battery Life
If you plan to use your tablet on the move or use it as a replacement for a laptop, you should choose a model with a high maximum battery life (eg an Acer tablet).
If background apps are closed regularly and Bluetooth and GPS are turned on only when needed, the models from our tablet comparison 2021 hold out sufficiently long no matter how you choose to game.
