The best gaming tablets of 2022
For portable gaming, many people might turn to dedicated handhelds like 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, not just any tablet will do: you need a fast device that can handle the latest Android and iPadOS games. Surprisingly, tablet manufacturers often don’t market or design their tablets specifically for gaming as some do with theirs telephones. As such, many of our picks succeed because they have enough CPU and GPU power, as well as memory and storage space, to run the most challenging titles without issue.
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.
More about our picks
Best cheap gaming tablet
Conclusion:
Amazon is updating 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 under $200.
Avg
- Fast processor for the price
- Plenty of RAM
- It works like an Alexa smart display
Cons
- Bad choice of apps
- A very Amazon-centric interface
Why we chose it
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is the 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 screen, to run most titles, and it’s good value. By default, you’re limited to games available in the Amazon Appstore, but you can always load apps from Google Play for a wider selection.
Who is it for
This tablet should appeal to gamers on a budget who want an inexpensive device with a large screen. It can handle many Android-based games without problems, although some popular titles may not be available on Amazon.
The most affordable iPad for gaming
Conclusion:
Apple’s 2021 entry-level iPad offers strong performance and a great front-facing camera at a very reasonable price, making it the best tablet for most people.
Avg
- Powerful performance
- Multi-year OS upgrades
- Solid front camera
Cons
- Dated design
- Tinny speakers
Why we chose it
The entry-level iPad is perfect for anyone looking to play games on the big screen without breaking the bank. 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 is it for
Anyone invested in Apple’s ecosystem and wants a well-rounded 10-inch gaming tablet for under $350 should enjoy the standard iPad. It’s a lightweight 1.07 pounds and supports optional 4G connectivity (at extra cost).
Best small gaming tablet
Conclusion:
Apple’s sixth-generation iPad mini delivers Pro-level power in a smaller size that’s better for reading, taking notes and slipping into your jacket pocket.
Avg
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
- Works with Apple Pencil second generation
Cons
- There is no multi-user option in iPadOS
- More expensive than the previous model
Why we chose it
The 8.3-inch, 0.65-pound iPad mini is easy to carry, but still has enough power to run anything from the App Store or Apple Arcade. It’s more expensive than the standard iPad—you pay extra for the added portability.
Who is it 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 on such a small screen.
The best iPad for gaming
Conclusion:
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 bound that much of its potential remains unrealized.
Avg
- A beautiful Mini LED screen
- Desktop-level CPU
- Great cameras and audio
- Stellar 5G performance
Cons
- No real support for multiple monitors
- iPadOS makes multitasking difficult
- Main applications are missing from the platform
Why we chose it
The iPad Pro M1 chip offers unmatched power and won’t struggle with any game you’re likely to find in Apple’s collection. The option to load up with 16GB of RAM gives it a significant performance advantage over the M1 iPad Air. We recommend going with the 11-inch model as the 12.9-inch variant is a bit bigger for long gaming sessions and costs significantly more.
Who is it 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 it Second generation Apple Pencil support, 5G connectivity and audio with four speakers.
The best Android gaming tablet
Conclusion:
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 is the best high-end Android tablet you can buy, but Android still lags behind when it comes to professional-level apps.
Avg
- Fast, smooth performance
- Includes S Pen
- Dex mode enables a multi-window user interface
Cons
- Fewer professional creative apps than iPadOS
- Android apps often don’t work well on tablets
- Some authentication errors
Why we chose 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 storage, but the 14.6-inch screen makes it a bit bulky for mobile gaming.
Who is it 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.
The most powerful gaming tablet
Conclusion:
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 against equally portable premium gaming laptops.
Avg
- Exceptional performance for a tablet thanks to the Intel “Alder Lake” Core i9
- Legit beginner toy games
- XG Mobile eGPU (sold separately) significantly improves graphics performance
- Keyboard included
Cons
- High price for GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics performance only in a tablet
- Uncomfortable weight and thickness for a tablet
- The price with the optional eGPU is too high
- Conceptually, there’s no clear advantage over a high-end thin gaming laptop
Why we chose it
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming laptop disguised as a tablet. Its top specs include an Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 13.4-inch screen. It also has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, which blows away the graphics capabilities of most tablets. Not surprisingly, all that power pushes the price higher than that of similarly powerful (but not transformative) laptops.
Who is it for
This is for people who have deep pockets and want to take their games everywhere with them without sacrificing power. However, if you really value portability, you should check out the other, more traditional tablets on this list.
Which tablet is best for gaming?
There are several key hardware aspects to consider before buying a gaming tablet: power, storage, and battery life.
Choose something with a fast processor. Tablets with the latest chips are generally the best option because they will not only play games without problems today, but also later. Similarly, get a tablet with as much RAM as possible. More memory allows games to load more in advance and reduces the likelihood of loading delays. Be sure to check how well the tablet can handle heat; if it gets hot under stress, you won’t want to use it for a long time.
Plenty of storage space is just as important. Top games such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile and others consume 1GB or more and can quickly fill your storage. Opt for at least 64 GB. If you want to keep more games on your device at once (along with other media, like movies and music), consider 128GB. Or get a tablet that offers the ability to expand storage space via a microSD card.
Intense gaming can quickly drain a tablet’s battery, so your expectations should be realistic. Aim for something that can run modern games for at least a few hours. And when you need to top up, fast charging support is important because it can get you back in the game much faster.
Android, iPadOS or Windows: The best tablet software for gaming
Another important question is whether you want to Android tablet or an iPad. This is a matter of personal preference and depends on the type of other devices you have. For example, if you have been for a long time iOS user and subscribe to Apple One (which includes Apple Arcade gaming service), the iPad is probably the better way to go. Similarly, if you are an Android phone user and have purchased a lot of apps or content from the Google Play Store, Android slate makes more sense.
As for Microsoft’s platform, the biggest problem with gaming on Windows tablets is that most are underpowered. Additionally, many PC games work best with a mouse and keyboard or controller, which goes against the idea of relaxed gaming on the go. The main exception to that rule is the Asus ROG Flow Z13. It’s one of the most well-rounded gaming tablets on the market, but it’s still too expensive for most people.
What size tablet is best for gaming?
Screen size and tablet size go hand in hand and are therefore another factor to think about, although it ultimately comes down to how much you value portability and convenience.
Most tablets have screens ranging from seven to 12 inches, with 10 inches being the average. A seven-inch tablet can easily fit into a bag or purse, which means it’s easier to travel with, while a 10- or 12-inch tablet will need something bigger, like a backpack, to carry around. Larger tablets are also heavier and can cause hand fatigue when held for several hours. As for size, choose what feels most natural for you to use and wear. The advantage of choosing screen sizes larger than eight inches is that they provide significantly more space for gaming.
Of course, you want something with at least 1080p Full HD resolution, and more if possible. Next, tall refresh rate (90Hz or higher) will greatly enhance your experience.
Recommended by our editors
Do you need a mobile tablet for gaming?
Determining whether you need to spend the extra money (typically $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 often at home, at a coffee shop, or somewhere else with regular Wi-Fi access, you should be fine without a cellular connection. If you tend to 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 your wireless carrier’s monthly service plan.
Another thing to consider 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. But if you want to play multiplayer games that require online progression, a tablet with mobile capabilities might come in handy.
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