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Today's tablets offer a great way to take gaming wherever you go, without sacrificing crisp resolution and speedy processing
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Tablets are a perfect middle-ground between laptops and smartphones, particularly for gaming. It combines the portability of a phone, with a much bigger screen, and an operating system that merges the two. They’re easy to learn, pack some gorgeous graphics and dazzling displays, along with strong speakers and processing speeds to immerse you in games like Minecraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, or whatever you’re currently playing.
While we’ve picked our favorites for gaming here, we didn’t leave out the fact that you’ll probably be streaming movies and TV shows on these tablets too, and they work great for all types of media. If you’ll only need a tablet for light tasks like web browsing and reading, it’s better to go for a more budget-friendly option, as you won’t need (or be using) all that these gaming tablets have to offer.
What Are the Best Tablets for Gaming?
From the amount of memory a tablet has to screen size and resolution, here are just a few of the factors to keep in mind before choosing your new gaming device.
Memory: Just like with a computer, the higher the amount of RAM in a tablet (along with the more RAM cycles in MHz), the better your CPU is going to run. RAM and CPU are a team, and it’s best not to go all-out on one but lacking on the other. Think of RAM as what handles short-term tasks, like keeping multiple applications open without losing your place, while CPU handles the speed of launching and running those applications, as well as long-term memory you’ll need in a frequently used device.
Refresh Rate: Though it might look like a consistent unbroken image to us, each and every second, screens update with new images — otherwise known as the refresh rate. It’s a speedy process, and even a low to mediocre refresh rate is around 60Hz (meaning it’s refreshing 60 times every second), while 120-144Hz is noticeably better, and anything beyond that is more than enough for the average tablet gamer. A high refresh rate means you’ll end up with less “screen tearing,” which happens when a tablet’s video feed isn’t in sync with the display, resulting in multiple frames on a single screen.
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Processing Speeds: Also known as the CPU, this is what handles it all and keeps multiple multimedia running smoothly. The more cores a processor has, the more you’ll be able to multitask things like listening to music while playing your favorite game, without any lag or choppiness. While Quad-core were all the rage of a few years back, many tablets now feature octa-core processors to handle high numbers of commands at once.
Resolution: Resolution refers to the number of pixels that are able to be displayed on the screen, and the higher the pixel count, the better quality the image will be. This is one of the main measurements you’ll find listed in all tablets, and as of right now, 4K Ultra HD is quickly becoming the norm.
Screen Size: Don’t fall into the “bigger is always better” trap. While a tablet may have a large screen that looks great for gaming, a low resolution will seriously affect the image quality. Stick to a proportional size: a screen that’s big enough to meet your gaming needs, with a balanced resolution quality and a price-point that fits your budget. Plus even on a big screen, beware of bezels — these boundaries can cut your screen size down if they’re too thick and invasive.
Sound: Especially if you won’t be using headphones, good sound from a tablet’s built-in speakers are an important part of your gaming experience. The little speakers inside a tablet can pack some really powerful drivers too, ditching the tinny and too-soft sound of generations past to booming Dolby with impressive bass. And it’s not just one or two speakers inside either, as some have four or five, carefully placed to coincide with your gaming experience as a whole. Same goes for microphones if you’ll be playing multiplayer. It’s not a fair comparison to match these against big standalone surround speakers, but for their size and power, tablets’ sound has come a long way.
1. Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro
This iPad Pro packs a stunning 12.9-inch liquid retina display, 264ppi, and bezels that only take up minimal space. The smooth frame rate makes sure the tablet keeps up with your game, while the display delivers eye-popping color, thanks to True Tone and the ProMotion tech.
Sound isn’t an afterthought either, as this hides an impressive four speakers and five microphones inside.
Gaming on it looks absolutely gorgeous since this tablet is powered by Apple’s latest M1 chip technology — the same chip most new MacBooks use. Games like Fortnite, for example, can run at 120fps, and it’s more in line with a PC than a typical tablet.
Apple hasn’t sacrificed battery life either, as this iPad lasts about 10 hours and charges up fast via a USB-C connector, a relatively new and more conveniently universal step for iOS devices.
Buy Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro $2,399.00
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Samsung always packs new surprises as its line of tablets evolve, and this one has more than a few eye-catching features.
First, the 11-inch LCD display runs right up to the edges, and there’s the option to go even bigger with the S7+’s 12.4-inch screen. This tablet contains 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and outshines much of the competition with a battery life of 15 hours.
Samsung’s excellent S-Pen is also included, while Bluetooth keyboards and controllers are supported. Meanwhile, a USB-C port means no more having to rely on wall charging.
Possibly our favorite feature, however, is the compatibility with Xbox, allowing you to play console games right on your tablet. The sound stands out, too, with quad speakers featuring Dolby Atmos surround sound. Bonus: A fingerprint scanner is included for extra security.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 $499.95
3. Fire HD 10 Tablet
Available in four striking colors and two storage options (32 and 64GB) the Fire HD 10 is the best gaming tablet if you’re strapped for cash. You can even boost storage up to 1TB with a micro SD card if you wish to download more games.
The 10.1-inch screen features Full HD resolution for clearer graphics and has three gigabytes of RAM for a more glitch-free gaming experience. There are also up to 12 hours of battery life which means you’ll easily be able to game in between your daily tasks without needing to charge your tablet up.
Since Alexa is built-in, you’ll be able to keep track of your daily calendar, listen to music or get movies and TV recommendations, all completely hands-free. When you’re not gaming, feel free to stream from your favorite platforms including Disney+, Hulu and more.
A USB-C cable and 9W power adapter are included and its weight, at just over one pound, makes it ideal to travel with on big trips and commutes alike.
Buy Fire HD 10 Tablet $119.99
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you want a true 2-in-1 tablet, you’ll like the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. Featuring a 13-inch touchscreen and a built-in kickstand, this tablet can be set at any viewing angle you please — set it as a tablet, laptop or in tabletop mode when you’re streaming your favorite movies or TV shows.
This tablet also features Intel’s EVO platform for better graphics, longer battery life and stronger performance. There are also multiple ports available including two USB-C and four Thunderbolt ports for added connectivity (you can connect this tablet to your monitor, TV and more, especially if you want to game on a bigger screen).
It’s also ultra-thin, even though it packs up to 16GB RAM and a powerful Intel Core processor under the hood. Game, stream or work on heavy productivity apps like Adobe Photoshop all day long. It also weighs just under two pounds which means you’ll easily be able to carry it in your backpack or tote as you head out the door.
Buy Microsoft Surface Pro 8 $1,020.99
5. Apple iPad Mini
This powerhouse of a tablet has an 8.1-inch Liquid Retina display and comes enabled with Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip which is faster and more powerful than its predecessors. You’ll be able to multitask or play all the storage-intensive games you want without your tablet ever crashing on you.
Apart from that, the iPad Mini also has a 12MP Wide back camera and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, great if you’re also into photography. Since it’s also compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil, you’ll be able to edit your pictures, take notes and even draw on your new versatile tablet.
The battery life is amazing too, lasting about 10 hours on a single charge — enough to get you through a whole day of gaming. There are four colors to choose from, 5G compatibility and at only 0.65 pounds, this option makes for a good choice for on-the-go gamers.
Buy Apple iPad Mini $399.99
