With the ever-growing number of tablets on the market, it can get a little difficult to decide which ones are suitable for gaming and which aren’t. We are confident you’ll find the best gaming tablet for 2022 in our list.
Top Rated Gaming Tablets
- 12.9-inch edge-to-edge liquid retina display with promotion, true tone, and p3 wide color
- A12Z bionic chip with neural engine
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Best For Gaming
- Attachable keyboard with built-in trackpad
- All new S pen included
- Spectacular edge to edge super amoled display
- Best Android Gaming Tablet: Up to 15 hours on a full charge
- Best for Android
- 7.9-inch retina display with true tone and wide color
- A12 bionic chip & Touch id fingerprint sensor
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- The Best Small Gaming Tablet
Gaming Tablets – Our Reviews
Now that you’ve seen the comparison table and you have a general idea of what to expect, here is our in-depth review of each tablet suitable for gaming. Deciding on the best tablet for games just got a lot easier…
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 — Best Gaming Tablet
Hardware Specifications of Apple iPad Pro 12.9
| Processor | A12Z Bionic Chip |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Resolution | 1024 x 600, 171 PPI |
| Storage | 128 GB to 1 TB |
| Display | Liquid Retina with IPS technology, 2732 x 2048 pixels |
| Operating System | iPadOS 14 |
| Speakers | Quad speakers |
| Size | 12.9 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.42 lbs |
| UPC | 190198283108 |
Top 3 Features
It boasts other technologies like ProMotion, Wide Color, and True Tone, which all contribute to the tablet’s beautiful display.
It has a resolution of 2733 x 2048 with 264 Pixels-Per-Inch (PPI).
Well, no need to worry because the iPad Pro 12.9 has 6 GB of RAM!
Such RAM capacity is near impossible to find in tablets, meaning this one can handle any game you throw at it.
The smallest configuration available is 128 GB, which is considered large enough for gaming.
If you want your tablet to have the best storage capacity possible, you can opt for the 1TB configuration.
Apple is a brand that needs no introduction. They’re known for their high-quality products that have impeccable features, and that’s what you expect from their most luxurious tablet, the iPad Pro 12.9. It’s the best tablet for playing games, bar none.
As you can guess from the name, the tablet is 12.9 inches in size, making it the second-largest option on this list. If you’re a gamer who enjoys large displays with great quality, you’ll love this one.
If you love demanding games and playing on the highest settings possible, that’s possible with this tablet’s A12Z Bionic Chip processor. It’s one of the most powerful processors you can find on the market; this tablet can handle any and every game possible.
As an Apple product, you can guess that this tablet’s operating system is upgraded to the newest iPadOS 14, so you’ll be getting the latest updates immediately.
If you love gaming on the go, the iPad Pro 12.9 has a battery life of up to 10 hours! You can say goodbye to the days your tablet would die after an hour of gaming; this one will last all day long.
- 12.9-inch screen with Liquid Retina display
- 6 GB of RAM
- Up to 1 TB of internal storage
- Extended battery life
- No headphone jack (replaced by wireless or USB-C)
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 — Best Android Gaming Tablet
Hardware Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
| Processor | Octa-Core Qualcomm 855 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Display | Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Operating System | Android |
| Speakers | Quad speakers with AKG |
| Size | 10.5 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours |
| Weight | 0.95 lbs |
| UPC | 887276362816 |
Top 3 Features
Besides, it boasts Super AMOLED technology for vibrant, beautiful colors.
Such capacity is impressive, considering the tablet’s price point!
On top of that, it’s expandable with a MicroSD card up to 512 GB.
If you’re an Android user rather than an iOS one, you’ll love the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6! In addition to being the best Android gaming tablet, it’s not as expensive as the iPad Pro.
To ensure a beautiful gaming experience, the tablet has an edge-to-edge display, so you don’t have to worry about those annoyingly thick bezels. The bezels are there for you to hold your 10.5-inch tablet comfortably.
The Galaxy Tab S6 has an Octa-Core Qualcomm processor that guarantees smooth performance when gaming. This is why it is currently, in our opinion, the best android tablet for gaming. Besides, if you’ll be using your tablet for other tasks, it can easily handle multitasking.
Let’s move on to another important factor in a gaming tablet: battery life. This one doesn’t disappoint in that aspect as it can last up to 15 hours on a single charge! This android tablet for games supports fast charging, so even if your device dies, it’ll be back up and running within minutes.
As an Android device, you should have a clear idea of the number of game options on the Play Store; they’re endless.
- Beautiful, crisp display with Super AMOLED
- Extended battery life
- Fast performance
- Reasonable price
- Fingerprint sensor glitches quite often
3. Apple iPad Mini — Best Small Gaming Tablet
Hardware Specifications of Apple iPad Mini
| Processor | A12 Bionic Chip |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 64 or 256 GB |
| Display | Retina display, 2048 x 1536 pixels |
| Operating System | iPadOS 14 |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Storage | 16 GB, expandable with a MicroSD card |
| Size | 7.9 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 0.68 lbs |
| UPC | 190199062238 |
Top 3 Features
Small size doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice screen resolution as this one has a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which calculates to 326 PPI.
It boasts True Tone and Wide Color technologies.
The device’s processor is powerful enough to make up for it, so you’ll be getting a smooth gaming environment.
To be honest, 64 GB might be too limited for gaming, and the 256 GB is a little more pricey.
This is an important decision you’d need to make. Would you rather spend a little extra money or work with what the 64 GB option has to offer?
Another Apple product? Yes, the iPad Mini is the perfect choice for those who want a portable tablet that’s small in size and lightweight. There’s nothing better than gaming on the go, and the iPad Mini offers just that!
The small 7.9-inch tablet takes portability to a whole new level, but without sacrificing speedy performance. A portable tablet that can’t run video games is useless.
With its outstandingly powerful A12 Bionic Chip processor, the iPad Mini is unmatched. Considering the tablet’s price, such a processor is a high-quality one that’ll handle anything you can think of.
The thing about small screens is that they don’t drain your battery as quickly as large ones do. With that being said, the iPad Mini can last up to 10 hours! No complaints here whatsoever.
It’s not hard to guess which OS this tablet runs on: the newest iPadOS 14.
- Portable, small, and lightweight
- Crisp Retina display
- Powerful A12 Bionic Chip processor
- Good battery life
- 3 GB of RAM is a little limiting
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 – Kids Edition — Best Gaming Tablet for Kids
Hardware Specifications of Amazon Fire HD 10
| Processor | Octa-Core |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Size | 10.1 inches |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | FHD with IPS technology, 1920 x 1080 |
| Operating System | Fire OS |
| Speakers | Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 1.71 lbs |
| UPC | 841667169286 |
Top 3 Features
It boasts IPS technology, so your child will get the most vivid, crisp colors for a fun, interactive gameplay.
If you have little kids who love gaming, but you don’t want to give them a normal tablet yet, you’ll love the Amazon Fire HD 10 – Kids Edition. Its software is specified for children with a lot of learning applications and a colorful interactive display.
What I love most about this tablet is that it comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee, which means if anything happens to your tablet, Amazon will replace it free of charge. It comes with a kid-proof case that can take a beating and remain unscratched.
The tablet’s Octa-Core processor makes for a powerful performance that your kids will love. Children use tablets differently from us adults, they leave applications running in the background and keep switching between screens endlessly, but the Fire HD 10 will effortlessly handle that!
With a battery life of up to 12 hours, your little ones can enjoy endless gaming sessions without having to recharge the tablet every couple of hours.
Lastly, the tablet runs on Fire OS, which is based on Android. I have to be honest, it has some issues and glitches every now and then, but it’s not a deal breaker.
- Affordable price
- Kid-proof case
- 2-year worry-free guarantee
- Screen time control
- Fast-charging USB-C
- OS glitches and freezes
- Limited Internal storage
5. Apple iPad 10.2 – Wifi 128GB
Hardware Specifications of Apple iPad 10.2
| Processor | A10 Fusion Chip |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Size | 10.2 inches |
| Storage | 32 or 128 GB |
| Display | Retina display with IPS technology, 2160 x 1620 pixels |
| Operating System | iPadOS 14 |
| Speakers | Stereo Speakers |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.07 lbs |
| UPC | 190199808478 |
Top 3 Features
3 GB might be too limiting for some people. It’ll mostly get the job done for gaming, but don’t expect to multitask on your iPad.
The former is quite limited, considering that the software takes a good chunk of storage. Definitely get the 128 GB one; it’s worth the extra price.
Apple is just too good at making tablets, don’t blame me! The iPad 10.2 is a classic, ‘standard’ tablet that everyone knows and loves. It offers high-quality components and excellent performance without costing an arm and a leg!
The tablet is 10.2 inches in size — I mean, it’s in the name. That size is quite optimum for a couple of reasons. It’s portable and comfortable to hold. It’s still big enough to immerse you into the game completely.
I have to admit that the iPad 10.2’s processor, the A10 Fusion Chip, isn’t the most powerful option out there. At the end of the day, this tablet is quite affordable when compared to the option on the market, so I can’t really complain.
The iPad 10.2 has a decent battery life that’s advertised to last up to 10 hours.
Do I even need to mention the OS? It’s the iPadOS, of course.
- Reasonable price point
- Decent battery life
- Retina display with IPS technology
- Lightweight for its size
- A10 Fusion Chip processor
- Only 3 GB of RAM
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
Hardware Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
| Processor | Octa-Core |
| RAM | 4 or 6 GB |
| Size | 10.5 inches |
| Storage | 64 or 128 GB |
| Display | Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1600 pixels, Widescreen |
| Operating System | Android |
| Speakers | Quad speakers with AKG and Dolby Atmos |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours |
| Weight | 0.88 lbs |
| UPC | 887276331089 |
Top 3 Features
There’s a massive advantage here, though: this tablet has a wide display. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, this is the closest you’ll get to traditional PC gaming on a tablet.
This way, you’re guaranteed a seamless performance no matter how much data you have on your tablet.
If you’re on the lookout for a powerful Android tablet, check this Samsung Galaxy tab S5e. This slim tablet has everything you might be seeking in a gaming tablet; from portability to speedy performance, you name it.
Starting off, this 10.5-inch tablet only weighs 0.88 lbs. So, not only is it the optimum size for gaming, but it’s also incredibly slim and lightweight so you can play on the go.
With its Octa-Core processor, you’ll be getting an unmatched performance. However, you should expect some glitches or slowness here and there when running highly-demanding games.
Wait, it gets even better: the tablet can last up to 15 hours on a single charge. If that’s not enough to impress you, maybe the fact that it supports fast charging will. Within minutes, your tablet will be ready for gaming, and it’ll last for hours on end.
Lastly, as a typical Samsung tablet, the Galaxy tab S5e runs on Android, which is an OS known for its wide selection of games.
- Widescreen display
- 4 or 6 GB of RAM
- Super AMOLED display
- Incredibly lightweight and slim
- Extended battery life and supports fast charging
- Not the best processor for demanding games
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Hardware Specifications of Apple iPad Mini
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus |
| RAM | 8 or 16 GB |
| Size | 12.3 inches |
| Storage | 128, 256, or 512 GB, SSD |
| Display | PixelSense display, 2736 x 1824 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Battery Life | Up to 10.5 hours |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs |
| UPC | 889842512267 |
Top 3 Features
It’s large enough to fully immerse you into your gameplay without sacrificing high-quality graphics or crispiness.
Such capacity allows you to play any game you’d like and multitask without running into any issues.
There’s nothing better than a 2-in-1 laptop/tablet for gaming. On top of that, there’s nothing better than the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. It has everything a laptop has to offer, from a powerful processor to a large RAM capacity, in a small touchscreen tablet.
Let’s jump right into what matters most: the CPU and GPU. Firstly, as a 2-in-1 device, this one has a 10 Gen Intel Core i5 or i7. Both configurations are good enough for gaming, but I recommend going with the i7 option.
Additionally, to ensure a seamless gaming experience, it has an integrated graphics chip, the Intel Iris Plus GPU.
A feature that sets this tablet aside from all the other options is the fact that it runs on Windows 10 Home, the most versatile OS out there for gamers. You can download and install endless mobile games from distribution services like Steam and Epic Games.
Wait, that’s not all! The tablet has a battery life of up to 10.5 hours, meaning it can last through hours upon hours of gaming on a single charge.
- Versatile Windows 10 OS
- Multiple storage configurations
- 8 or 16 GB of RAM
- PixelSense display – excellent graphics
- SSD storage
- On the expensive side
8. Apple iPad Air
Hardware Specifications of Apple iPad Air
| Processor | A12 Bionic Chip |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Size | 10.5 inches |
| Storage | 64 or 256 GB |
| Display | Retina display with IPS technology, 2224 x 1668 pixels |
| Operating System | iPadOS 14 |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.0 lb |
| UPC | 190199777293 |
Top 3 Features
It has IPS, True Tone, and Wide Color technologies. Did I mention that it has a Retina display, too?
It’ll handle most of your mobile games easily without glitching or lagging. It’s worthy of 8th position for gaming tablet for 2022.
I strongly recommend going for the latter if you want to download as many games as possible.
Alright, don’t give me that look. Yes, I’m including another Apple product because the iPad Air is just that good. It has everything you need in a gaming tablet: it’s lightweight, powerful, and has a beautiful display. On top of that, it’s not as expensive as the iPad Pro.
Slightly larger than the previous Apple tablet, the iPad Air is 10.5 inches in size, making it both immersive and portable. Such a combination is hard to achieve, but Apple nails it with the iPad Air!
For mobile gaming, you need the best performance possible. Well, luckily, the iPad Air offers just that with its A12 Bionic Chip processor that’s able to run any and every game smoothly. You’re in for seamless gameplay with this tablet.
You can game for hours on end on a single charge as the iPad Air can last up to 10 hours! That’s quite standard for an Apple tablet but impressive when compared to other options on the market.
Listen, you know the drill, by now. The iPad Air runs on iPadOS 14; need I say more?
- Lightweight and portable
- Retina display with IPS technology
- Extended battery life
- Optimum size for gaming
- USB-C Connector
- Pricey
- Limited RAM capacity
9. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus – Best Budget Tablet for Gaming
Hardware Specifications of Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
| Processor | Octa-Core |
| RAM | 2 or 4 GB |
| Size | 10.3 inches |
| Storage | 32, 64, or 128 GB |
| Display | FHD display with IPS technology, 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Operating System | Android |
| Speakers | Dual speaker system with Dolby Atmos |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 1.0 lb |
| UPC | 194552946180 |
Top 3 Features
The display is still beautiful and has eye-care filters that are incredibly comfortable on the eye.
It can accept MicroSD up to 256 GB if you’d like a bit more expansion.
If a budget tightly bounds you, you’ll surely love the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus for how many functionalities it offers at an affordable price!
This budget tablet feels incredibly high-quality in hand, thanks to the fact that it’s so lightweight and has narrow bezels. Its screen is incredibly beautiful despite not having the highest resolution out there, but we’ll dive deeper into that later.
With its Octa-Core processor, you can game all night long, and your tablet will run as smoothly as ever, meaning we found it to be the best cheap gaming tablet. However, I have to mention that it occasionally lags or slows down, but it’s not that big of a deal considering its unmatchable price point if it’s cheap tablets for gaming you’re after, this is it.
The Android-running tablet has a battery life of up to 8 hours. It may not seem like much, but your tablet can last through multiple gaming sessions on one charge.
- Affordable price
- Decent display
- Octa-Core processor
- Narrow bezel design
- Eye-care technologies
- Occasionally lags
- Relatively low display resolution
10. Lenovo Flex 14 – Best Windows Gaming Tablet
Hardware Specifications of Lenovo Flex 14
| Processor | Octa-Core |
| RAM | 2 or 4 GB |
| Size | 10.3 inches |
| Storage | 32, 64, or 128 GB |
| Display | FHD display with IPS technology, 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Operating System | Android |
| Speakers | Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 1.0 lb |
| UPC | 193638623861 |
Top 3 Features
The tablet has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. To be honest, I expected a higher resolution considering how large the screen is, but it’ll get the job done.
12 GB is a dream come true for gamers. You can multitask for days, and you can play whichever game you might think of, and it’ll be a breeze.
Behold the beauty of the Lenovo Flex 14! This large 14-inch tablet that runs on Windows is the perfect choice for all gamers who want the largest touchscreen possible without paying a fortune.
The 2-in-1 convertible tablet/laptop offers everything a gamer might be seeking. Do I even need to say anything about its glorious 14-inch display? The Flex 14 takes gaming tablets to a whole new level.
With an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor and Radeon Vega 8 GPU, the Flex 14 isn’t just an ordinary tablet. Such specs are found in mid-range gaming laptops, and that should tell you a thing or two about the tablet’s gaming capabilities.
That’s not it; it also has a battery life of up to 8 hours, quite impossible to find in large touchscreen devices, so no complaints here. There’s also a headphone jack, handy if you want to plug in some gaming headphones.
Lastly, it runs on Windows 10 Home, meaning you have versatility, control, and access to thousands upon thousands of games.
- Incredibly large screen
- 12 GB of RAM
- AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- Large SSD storage
- Speedy performance
- Low display resolution
11. Google Pixelbook – Best Google Tablet for Gaming
Hardware Specifications of Google Pixelbook
| Processor | 7th Gen Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Size | 12.3 inches |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Display | LCD display, 2400 x 1600 pixels |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Speakers | Dual speaker system |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 2.45 lbs |
| UPC | 842776102270 |
Top 3 Features
Many people love Google tablets because they have their own operating system, Chrome OS. Well, a great choice for gaming would be the Google Pixelbook because that device is built to last.
The Google tablet is 12.3 inches in size, which can really boost your gameplay, especially considering the tablet’s beautiful display.
Google describes this tablet as a “4-in-1” for how versatile it is. However you like to sit while you’re playing, the Pixelbook has a mode that’ll fit right into your setup.
The Pixelbook boasts a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, which is known for how powerful it is. Your tablet can easily handle any game you throw at it without glitching, freezing, or overheating.
If you’re impatient, and the most irritating part of gaming is having to wait for your tablet or laptop to power up, you’ll love this Pixelbook. Because Chrome OS is not as ‘heavy’ as a regular Windows or Android one, it can power up much faster than both.
On top of that, the Pixelbook can last up to 10 hours, and it supports fast charging! Waiting is a thing of the past with the Pixelbook.
- 8 GB of RAM
- Good battery life
- Supports fast charging
- Slim, sleek design
- Heavy
- Expensive
Gaming Tablets – Buyers Guide
Good gaming tablets are out there. Before making your final purchase, there are a few factors you need to double-check. In other words, here’s everything you need about choosing a tablet for gaming.
Size
Choosing the perfect size for tablet gaming is completely subjective.
For example, if your main priority (right after gaming, of course) is portability, you should opt for a smaller tablet. One around 10 inches should be your best bet; its screen is large enough for a fun gaming experience, but it won’t be too bulky that you can’t even carry it around the house.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking the largest display possible that’ll simulate gaming on a laptop or a monitor, maybe you should go for a 14-inch tablet. To be honest, such size isn’t easy to find, and you might have to settle for a 12-inch one, which is still incredibly large.
Storage
For gaming, I strongly recommend going for a 128 GB storage capacity or higher. Games are larger than they’ve even been; for example, PUBG Mobile is over 2 GB on Apple’s App Store, and that’s just one game.
You should opt for a tablet that can accept a MicroSD card. Although they’re not the most secure or reliable, they’re a much better option than having to delete personal data or applications.
Processor and RAM
Although RAM alone is a massive tell whether your tablet is capable of handling gaming or not, you need to double-check that the processor is powerful enough, too. A tablet’s performance depends on both the RAM and the processor; they’re equally important.
Firstly, make sure your processor is new; in technology, the newer, the better. Secondly, opt for a RAM capacity of 4 GB or larger if it’s strictly a tablet. In case of settling for a 2-in-1 tablet, make sure the RAM capacity is at least 8 GB.
Display
A huge part of gaming is the display. A gaming tablet needs to have a high-resolution display & graphics that’ll allow you to see as many details as possible.
At least, go for a Full HD display; anything higher will make for luxurious gameplay. To that end, a large display has multiple advantages, such as being able to use the tablet for taking handwritten notes.
Operating System
There are multiple OS options, as you’ve seen throughout the article. The most popular ones are Android, iPadOS, and Windows. All three of them are completely unique, and you should already have an idea of which you prefer.
If you want a tablet that’ll provide a phone-like experience, you should opt for either iPadOS or Android. They have a similar selection of games; it just depends on which interface you prefer.
On the other hand, if you want as much versatility as possible, going for a Windows-running tablet should spark your interest.
Battery Life
Do I even need to say anything about this? Make sure your tablet can last as long as possible, so you’ll be able to play games on the go. Also, don’t blindly trust the advertised battery life; read users’ reviews to get the full image.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Tablet for Gaming?
That depends on what you’re looking for in a gaming tablet. Going for the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 should be your safest bet. If that’s a bit too expensive for you, maybe you should take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
Which Tablet Is Better for Gaming: Android or iOS?
Both of them are equally good. Most developers make sure to release their games on both Android and iOS, so neither of them really takes the cake here. I recommend going for whichever OS you’re more familiar with.
How Much Storage (GB) Should a Gaming Tablet Have?
At least 128 GB. If a budget bounds you, you can opt for a 64 GB one, but make sure it accepts MicroSD cards in case you need an upgrade. While large storage capacities are more expensive, they’re worth the investment.
Conclusion
Choosing a gaming tablet isn’t a stroll in the park. You need to consider multiple factors, like which OS the tablet runs on and how long it lasts on a full charge.
If you want a tablet that can do it all and you’re willing to spend a little more money, the iPad Pro 12.9 is the perfect tablet for you. If you prefer Android devices, make sure you take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
If you’re on the lookout for a Windows-running 2-in-1 tablet, maybe the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 or the Lenovo Flex 14 is what you’re seeking.