Best Gaming Tablets for Any Budget

The rise of mobile gaming has made gaming tablets an increasingly popular option for gamers who want to game on the go. With a range of options from top brands like Apple, Samsung, and more there’s certainly no shortage of viable options.

But you’ll need to consider performance, display quality, and the software you want to use to find the right option for you.

To help narrow down your choices, we’ve rounded up the best gaming tablets available, from the top-tier models for hardcore gamers, to more economical options for budget-conscious consumers.

Let’s Look at the Best Gaming Tablets

1. ASUS ROG Flow Z13

Best gaming tablet

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H (14 cores, max 4.7GHz)
• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage: 512 GB (PCIe SSD)
• Battery Capacity: 56 Wh
• Screen Size: 13.4 inches

When you think of gaming tablets, Windows probably doesn’t come to mind does it? For serious gamers who want a versatile Windows tablet that doubles as a laptop and can offer a PC gaming experience, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is hands-down the best gaming tablet available.

This sleek 2-in-1 powerhouse tablet boasts impressive specs. It features the powerful 14-core Intel Core i7-12700H, which offers six performance cores that boost up to 4.7GHz. Along with the mobile RTX 3050, 16GB of RAM, and screen cover that doubles as an RGB backlit keyboard, it offers the performance and usability of a gaming laptop while retaining the portability and versatility of a traditional tablet.

The ROG Flow Z13 presents crystal clear visuals on its impressive 120Hz Pantone-validated 13.4-inch FHD touchscreen. And it offers plenty of extra goodies to entice PC gamers – WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, XG Mobile eGPU compatibility, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen2) and USB 2.0 ports.

The battery life isn’t the best on this tablet, with what amounts to a small battery for its hardware. However, thanks to its 100-watt USB-C charger, it charges quickly and brings so much more gaming potential to the tablet market than Android and Apple tablets, making this drawback easy to overlook.

2. Apple iPad Pro

Best Apple tablet for gaming

• CPU: Apple M2 (8 cores, max 3.49GHz, 10 GPU cores)
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 256 GB
• Battery Capacity: 7538 mAh
• Screen Size: 11 inches

For the Apple faithful, the Apple 2022 iPad Pro offers plenty of power for gaming and streaming. Coming with its powerful Apple M2 processor and 8GB of RAM, the iPad Air can easily handle demanding games and multitasking.

The iPad Pro is easy on the eyes with its 11-inch Liquid Retina display, making everything you watch and play look gorgeous. And at its size, it strikes the balance between portability and screen real estate perfectly.

It also boasts impressive battery life of 10 hours on average, thanks to the 7538 mAh battery and energy efficiency of the M2 processor, making it a great tablet for long days when you aren’t near a charger. Speaking of chargers, it’s also quick to charge with its USB-C charging port with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4.

Whether you’re looking for a powerful tablet for work or play, the 4th-gen iPad Pro is a top-notch choice that offers the best of all worlds.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

Best Android gaming tablet

• CPU: Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (8 cores, max 3GHz)
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 10,090 mAh
• Screen Size: 12.4 inches

When it comes to high-end Android tablets, it’s no surprise that Samsung – the Apple of the Android ecosystem – sits near the top of the list. Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+.

Driving the Galaxy Tab S8+ is the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 8GB of RAM, which makes for a snappy and responsive experience, even while multitasking and running the most demanding mobile games.

It comes with a gorgeous 12.4-inch super AMOLED screen that offers HDR10+ support and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate, for a truly polished affair. And with its inclusion of an S-pen and Samsung’s DeX desktop software, the Galaxy Tab S8+ offers an unrivaled versatility.

It also boasts impressive battery life with a 10,090 mAh battery for all-day use. And with USB-C charging, it’s quick to charge from 0 to 100. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, but you’ll need to supply your own charging block, which is disappointing for a high-end tablet of its price.

Still, with its impeccable screen, large battery, and powerful hardware, it’s hard to find a better Android tablet for gaming than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+.

4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

Best gaming tablet for kids

• CPU: Mediatek MT 8183 (8 cores, max 2GHz)
• RAM: 3 GB
• Storage: 32 GB
• Battery Capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches

Looking for a kid-friendly tablet to give to your kids to watch shows and play games on? The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is a great choice for parents on a budget who want a tablet made for kids under 12.

The 2021 Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers a number of improvements over older Fire tablets. A more powerful octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM make it snappy and responsive, while its beautiful 10.1-inch display is the perfect size for entertainment and portability. It also has impressive battery life, and charges quickly, thanks to its 10,000 mAh battery USB-C charging port.

It comes with a thick and durable foam childproof case that has a built-in kickstand, and a 2-year no questions asked warranty. It also comes with a free 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing tons of games and educational content while keeping children contained in a walled garden they’re free to explore without worry.

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Honorable mention

• CPU: Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 cores, max 2.3GHz)
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB
• Battery Capacity: 7040 mAh
• Screen Size: 10.4 inches

If you’re looking for a modest alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a good choice for a much lower price.

The 2022 Galaxy Tab S6 is a great little tablet for those who seek out the quality of a Samsung tablet, but don’t need high-end hardware at the high-end cost. Featuring the octa-core Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G and 4GB of RAM, this modest tablet offers spectacular performance for a mid-range device that makes it great for casual mobile gamers.

The Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a beautiful and responsive 10.4-inch display, making it the perfect size for portability while offering plenty of screen space. And much like the beefier Galaxy Tab S8+, it ships with an S-pen and provides Samsung’s DeX software, making it a versatile gaming tablet that doubles as a drawing tablet and a portable desktop-like device.

In terms of its battery, it comes with a robust 7040 mAh battery that can provide up to 13 hours of streaming use on a single charge, while providing quick charging capabilities with its USB-C charger. For casual gamers that are looking for quality and performance on a budget, this tablet is one of the best choices available.

6. Xiaomi Mi Pad 5

Honorable mention

• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (8 cores, max 2.96GHz)
• RAM: 6 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery Capacity: 8720 mAh
• Screen Size: 11 inches

When it comes to gaming tablets, Apple and Samsung have a stranglehold on the mid and high-end markets, thanks to their reputation for exceptional quality and brand recognition. But that doesn’t mean they’re the only players in the game. Enter the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5.

This feature-rich mid-range tablet features the octa-core  Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 and 6GB of RAM, delivering excellent performance to handle whatever you throw at it. Its 11-inch WQHD+ display provides stunning visual clarity, and at a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s great for playing fast-paced games.

The Mi Pad 5 also boasts impressive quad stereo speakers that offer surprisingly immersive sound quality for a tablet. And with its 8720 mAh battery and USB-C charging, it supplies all-day battery and quick charging, both of which are a necessity when it comes to gaming.

All of this comes at a modest price, especially compared to Apple and Samsung’s offerings. An exceptional bang for the buck tablet, it’s perfect if you want quality and performance without an exorbitant price tag.

Take Your Mobile Gaming Experience to the Next Level

The best gaming tablets provide an immersive and portable gaming experience, with powerful hardware and high-resolution displays. Whether you prefer Apple’s iPad Pro, the versatility of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, or the ROG Flow Z13’s familiar Windows environment, there’s never been a better time for mobile gaming.

The key is to consider the operating system, performance, and display quality before making a purchase. With the right gaming tablet, you can enjoy your favorite games on-the-go and experience gaming like never before.

If you’re looking for a more powerful gaming-specific solution, for the price of some of the tablets listed above, you can build your own gaming computer. Check our Cheap Gaming PC Builds guide for more information.