Gaming on the go has become a staple for most people with smartphones taking a big part of this market. But tablets are not far behind, since they offer a bigger screen and better specs.
Plenty of companies are still trying to get into handheld gaming like ASUS announcing their new handheld, the ASUS ROG Ally. This would be a direct competitor for the Steam Deck or the Nintendo Switch. But the market is still being dominated by smartphones and tablets when it comes to portable gaming. Despite not having the same computing power as dedicated handhelds, tablets are still a very popular option, especially for casual gamers. So let’s have a look at some of the best tablets to pass some time while gaming on.
Best gaming tablet overall
iPad Pro
It’s pretty tough to beat the new generation of iPad Pro when it comes to build quality and specifications. Your gaming performance will be excellent due to the M1 processor. This new processor offers increased loading times as well as increased battery life. For people who like doodling in their free time using the Apple Pencil will amaze you with how precise it is.
If you’re willing to pay extra for the best version, the Liquid Retina XDR display will make any game you run on it look amazing. And for games that offer keyboard and mouse support, you can easily use both with this tablet.
Specifications
- Screen: 11-inch Liquid Retina (2388×1668)/ 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR (2732×2048)
- Operating system: iOS
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- Cameras: Front 7MP TrueDepth/ Rear 12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide, LiDAR Scanner
- Weight: 466g/682g
Best high-end gaming tablet
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Tablet
This is an interesting combo from ASUS, offering the raw power of a laptop with the option to quickly turn it into a tablet. There are a total of three different variants of this tablet, each with different processors. Depending on your needs, you can opt for any of them. Even though it is tough to recommend it as a gaming laptop due to the steep price, it makes for an amazing tablet. Equipped with an RTX 3050 Ti, it can run most modern games.
Despite the high price point, the Flow Z13 is an amazingly well-built device. The magnetic keyboard works like a dream and is easily detached. It also features a sturdy kickstand for those moments when you want to watch something without your hands growing tired.
Specifications
- Screen: 13.4-inch, 1920×1200, 60Hz, 30ms
- Operating system: Windows 11
- CPU: Intel i5-12500H/i7-12700H/i9-12900H
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti
- Storage: 512GB/1TB
- Cameras: Front 720P HD/ Rear 8MP
- Weight: 1.18kg
Best mid-range gaming tablet
iPad Air (2022)
If you want a lightweight option that can still run all your favorite games, look no further than the latest iPad Air. With its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, everything you run on it will look great. And since this new design doesn’t have a home button, you get a little extra space when watching a movie or TV show.
The iPad Air is a great option for people who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on one of the more expensive models. Even so, it still packs a punch regarding raw computing power. You’d be hard-pressed to find a game that won’t run great on it. And since it runs iOS you can easily test a plethora of games with an easy subscription to Apple Arcade.
Specifications:
- Screen: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (2360×1640)
- Operating system: iOS
- CPU: M1
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- Cameras: Front 12MP/ Rear 12MP wide
- Weight: 461g
Best low-end gaming tablet
Redmi Pad (10.61″)
Xiaomi can’t seem to get enough of creating new spinoff brands. And their newest one called Redmi has just launched a very affordable Android tablet. The Redmi Pad has an FHD+ display running at 90Hz which helps out when playing fast-paced games. It’s very solidly built with a metal body which is very similar to the Xiaomi Pad Pro.
Other extra features that you’ll get in this package are an expandable SD Card port with two excellent cameras. And if you’re worried about battery life, have no fear. The Redmi Pad comes equipped with a monster 8000mAh battery. So if gaming on the go is your thing, you won’t have to worry about access to a plug anymore.
Specifications:
- Screen: 10.61-inch IPS LCD (2000×1200)
- Operating system: Android
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Storage: 64GB/128GB
- Cameras: Front 8MP ultrawide/Rear 8MP wide
- Weight: 465g
Best budget gaming tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
Featuring a pretty sturdy chassis that can work well with kids or accident-prone adults, the A7 has a lot to prove despite the low entry cost. The overall design is decent enough if you’re not looking for something that will impress your friends. Specifications are also fair given how much it costs, allowing you to play, browse and view pretty much any content.
As an added bonus, Samsung offers its own accessories, including a very well-made folio case. This will keep the tablet clean while offering a better grip when carrying it around. Plenty of 3D games have been tested on the A7, and it can easily handle all of them. Battery life is also great with a 7040mAh battery that will allow you to game wherever you want without worrying about a recharge.
Specifications:
- Screen: 10.4-inch (2000×1200)
- Operating system: Android
- CPU: Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
- Storage: 32GB/64GB
- Cameras: Front 5MP/ Rear 8MP
- Weight: 476g
Since most of these tablets can also use a mouse, our best wireless gaming mouse list can help you find the perfect fit. Even though certain games don’t offer mouse functionality, it’s still good to have one on hand for browsing or using various types of software. And if you don’t want to bother people around you, maybe choose one of the best gaming earbuds as well.
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