If you stumbled upon this article, it looks like you’re hunting the “interwebz” for the best gaming tablet money can buy. So, if you need one bad, and you need it now, you’ve landed in the right place. Whether you’re trying to replace an old laptop, or you’re just scouting for an extra-screen to use when “couch-surfing”, there are quite a few pretty cool gaming tablets out there to choose from, for everyone’s budget. Fortunately for you, we’ve done the “internet-combing” and the research, so you won’t have to.
Top Picks
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Now, even if this is going to be your first gaming tablet, or you’ve been there already, we’ll start today’s article with a little bit of advice, a quick guide of sorts with regard to tablet purchasing, and then we’ll present you with the best choices on Amazon.
How to Choose a Gaming Tablet
Operating System
To begin with, you’ll have to determine what your needs are. This is important when it comes to choosing the operating system. Which means you’ll have to choose between iOS (read iPad), Android tablets and Windows tablets. There’s not much else between these 3 companies (Google, Microsoft and Apple that is). And, truth be told, Android and iOS are dominating this racket, which in layman’s terms translates into mobile-gaming apps, and there’s no end in sight for their virtual monopoly, hence you’re kind of stuck, at least for now.
To begin with, one thing that Android lacks (compared to iOS) is that mobile games in the Google Play Store are not specifically designed for Android tablets, as in there’s no actual difference between tablet apps and smartphone apps. Or, to put it more simply, the gaming experience quality on your Android gaming tablet would depend on luck, i.e. if the developer has optimized the respective game to take advantage of your tablet’s display/hardware.
Apple-made tablets, also known as iPads, are running on iOS, and Apple took extra-care to make their customers happy, as there are more than 800,000 apps custom-built for iPad. Which means, the gaming experience on an iPad is flawless. At least, that’s the theory. The only downside with iOS and iPads is a lack of customization. Oh, and the price, yes. Apple products are high-end/high-quality, and that comes at a hefty price tag.
Tablets running on Windows OS offer a similar experience to traditional computing, and that’s good news if you’re coming from a regular PC or laptop. The Windows Store is touch-friendly, but the touchscreen experience in Windows Tablets is not on-par with iOS nor Android. The app-choice is also sub-par, compared to the leaders in the industry, and the same goes for app-quality.
Screen Size And Resolution
When it comes to gaming, screen real estate is of utmost importance. Gaming tablets come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10-inch tablets to up to 18’’ (Samsung has a monster-tablet like that if memory serves). Most gaming tablets, including the iPad, have displays around 10 inches wide, which is basically the standard in the industry, give or take. And yes, ~10’’ are enough for most of us. However, just to play it safe, try a few different models in a “mortar and brick” store, see how they fit in your hands and all that.
And speaking of screen real estate, don’t forget resolution. If you want “the good stuff”, forget about entry-level 1280×800 pixels gear, go for full HD 1080p/1920×1080 pixels or more (2k/QHD). With regard to screen resolution, the metric to look out for is pixels-per-inch or PPI density. The bigger, the better, as in the bigger the pixel density, the sharper the image will be. Also, look at the battery capacity and don’t forget to build quality and ergonomics.
Build Quality
If you intend to play a lot on your gaming tablet (else why would you buy one?), you should choose a tablet that fits well in your hand, and it’s sturdy enough to withstand short bursts of nerd-rage following head-shots and what not. Joke aside, yes, build quality should rank high on your list when it comes to everyday gaming gear.
Storage and Connectivity
Storage also comes into play, along with connectivity. Most modern tablets support Bluetooth along with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connections. A Wi-Fi only model will probably save you some money, so keep that in mind if you’re on a tight budget. Micro USB/USB connectivity is also important (most tablets have them, don’t worry), and expanded storage via SD/micro SD would be nice to have, but not a deal breaker. And speaking of non-essential things to have in one’s gaming tablet, check out NFC support and/or micro HDMI output.
With all these things in mind, let’s dive right into the “meat of the article”, after a short commercial break!
8 Best Gaming Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
A Miniature Computer and Tablet All in One
Tables have gone a long way for the past few years and some can even combine console-quality gaming and the versatility of a PC in one small but powerful package. This is one of them.
This product is extremely customizable as it can be transformed, with the DeX mode, into a convertible pc with the inclusion of an optional keyboard with up to 1 TB of storage space.
The touch-sensitive display presents an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and a sensitive S Pen with 9 mm latency that gives this tablet just the right touch needed to further give it the option to become a solid sketching and note-taking device on the go.
You are guaranteed an illustrious experience deserving of Samsung’s brand name with the sAMOLED screen quad speakers specially tuned by AKG, while Dolby Atmos surround sound is also included.
The sheer power you get with this device is brought to an entirely new level as you can get a joystick control to enhance your experience even further without having to worry about charge-related issues as the battery can go on for 15 hours of continuous use with a fast-charging feature included.
The miniature design of this potent machine ensures that you are given a portable gem that encompasses the best of both PCs and consoles within one product.
Pros:
- Powerful capabilities
- Excellent sound system
- Expandable memory
- Long battery life
- Four-month ad-free youtube
Cons:
- No headphone jack
Apple iPad Pro (4th generation)
The Next Generation of Miniature Laptops
Apple has done an outstanding job yet again with a product that flawlessly competes with the processing speed and power of the market’s high-end laptop classes with flying colors.
The greatest innovation within this model is the inclusion of the A12Z Bionic chip, Apple’s newest SoC portable CPU that offers immense power in a miniature design (with a maximum CPU clock rate of 2.49 GHz).
Closely following the best standards of ergonomic design, the trackpad and iPad both offer immense comfort during prolonged, making this choice perfect for both static and mobile activities alike.
The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display is enriched with additions such as True Tone, ProMotion, and P3 wide color, offering fantastic visual quality.
This device is also competent as a photo-taking gadget, with a 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide back camera. The 7MP front camera is equipped with a precision face ID scanner that will quickly scan your face for all secure transactions on this device.
Apple is yet again revolutionizing the marketplace once again with a truly innovative invention, making their quote “Your next computer is not the computer” hold all that much more weight.
Pros:
- Extremely fast and powerful
- High-quality cameras and LIDAR Scanner
- Facial recognition security feature
- Spatial storage space (from 128GB to 1TB)
- 5 microphones and 4 speakers for audio
Cons:
- Magic Keyboard and pen are all sold separately
- Most of the services are paid after the trial period ends
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
A 3-in-1 Convertible With Speed and Power to Back Up All Modes
If a “Swiss army knife” of the laptop world is what you want, you don’t have to look further as the Surface Pro 7 is designed to that adapt to your needs with next-generation specs to give you the power you need.
The first thing you will notice is that the laptop weighs merely 1.70 pounds! This option is perfect for those who wish to carry a potent device while remaining unencumbered.
The 12.3” touchscreen display offers an industry-standard viewing experience that is further increased with pen input. In tablet or studio mode, you can take advantage of the seamlessly integrated multi-functionality that the system is designed to deliver to bring all your ideas to life!
The processing and RAM capabilities are dependent on your needs; From Intel’s i3 to i7 Core processor and from 4GB to 16GB of RAM, the flexible model offers you specifications to suit your needs and wants first and foremost.
Intel Iris graphics (you get to choose from i5 to i7) and SSD storage (up to 1TB) further exemplify the raw power this machine can bring, giving you a very solid configuration that is both portable and powerful.
Pros:
- An impressive set of specifications available
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Long battery life and fast charging functionality (Can work up to 10.5 hours)
- 3 in 1
- The quality of the included mic is fantastic
Cons:
- Both the pen and keyboard are sold separately
- No Thunderbolt 3
Amazon Fire HD 10
The Best Cheap Gaming Tablet
The Fire HD 10 tablet represents everything that’s great about Amazon: lots of bang for the proverbial buck. Or, to put it differently, amazing quality at dirt-cheap prices. Retailing for under $200, this tablet runs the latest version of Fire OS, an Android version heavily modified by Amazon, and boasts a quad-core 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, a full HD 1080p display (the IPS variety), and up to 10 hours of autonomy.
Considering the price tag, this is really impressive. On top of that, the Fire HD 10 offers a storage expansion slot, in the form of a micro SD card, which supports cards up to 512 GB. With regard to the app ecosystem, the Fire HD 10 will give you instant access to hundreds of thousands (literally) of apps, including best selling games, along with movie provider apps, social media and whatnot.
Pros:
- dirt-cheap price
- sharp display
- decent gaming performance
- dual band WiFi
- Alexa integration, if that’s your cup of tea
- solid autonomy
Cons:
- limited OS
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
The Budget-cut Tablet For The Entire Family
Designed to match the experience placed on modern-day tablets and still remain very affordable, Lenovo has engineered a truly immersive device that offers much in return for little.
The FHD Plus offers a 10.3” display experience with picture-perfect visuals. Two side speakers, which are custom tuned by Dolby Atmos, excellently match with the visuals to give you the quality you can both see and hear every time you use this great tablet.
The aesthetic qualities are also commendable as the device has a full metal back cover with an impressive panel-to-body ratio that gives the entire device a modern and pristine look.
The heart of the devices lies in its processor, the Octa-Core that operates at 2.3 GHz, which is excellently complemented with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space.
The 9Pie Android operating system is smooth and powerful. All of the aforementioned makes this device a fantastic choice that won’t break the bank.
Pros:
- Solid specifications
- Fast and responsive OS
- Good battery life
- Expandable SD that can store up to 256 GB
- Two Dobly Atmos side speakers that produce excellent audio
- Solid battery life (from 7-8 hours)
- Affordable
Cons:
- It is impossible to root due to strigid protection code
LG G Pad 5
An Attractive Middle-range Tablet With Numerous Features
This beautiful tablet is encompassed with black lining on the side a clean silver metal on the back which elegantly matches together to give it a pleasing and high-quality look. It is designed to neatly fit in your hands and remain ultra-sensitive to the touch.
The EDGE-TO-EDGE 10.1 inch HD display fantastically does its job of providing pristine visuals with the same high-end quality as the dual front speakers that come with the famed Dolby Atmos software which, together with the excellent visuals, offers a plethora of benefits which turn activities such ad watching youtube or movies on the device into movie-quality audio and visual experiences.
This system is powered by Qualcomm MSM8966 Snapdragon and a Dual processor with the power of 1.6GHz which enables consistent smooth operation during a multitude of different activities such as playing games and streaming video content.
It includes the use of a fingerprint sensor that unlocks the tablet at the press of your finger. The device can be outfitted with a 512GB micro SD card to enable the gadget to allow you to keep all of your data in one place.
All in all, this product has amazing battery life (8,200, mAh), a stable OS (Android 9.0-Pie), and specs that allow it to function even if you multi-task on demanding activities. A great upper-mid tier product overall.
Pros:
- Sleek and lightweight
- Great for the price
- Excellent sound system
- Long battery life
- Big storage space
- HD display resolution
Cons:
- With everything considered, there aren’t really any cons
VANKYO MatrixPad S20
An Entertainment-dedicated Machine With Long Battery Life and Vast Capabilities
In the market for a device that can go on for hours without end while streaming movies and engaging in productive activities while doubling as a reading tablet with all the necessary software to provide long hours of use that won’t strain the eye?
The MatrixPad S20 can provide all of the above and more!
The center of all its power comes from the Octa-Core processor and 3GB of RAM that fulfills the above-average requirements for even the most demanding tasks while retaining the multi-tasking capability to seamlessly shift through apps.
Another unique feature that separates this option from the rest is the integrated Eye Comfort function that is specifically designed to reduce eye-strain, even in the case of little to no light.
The 10 inch IPS HD display offers a unique immersion experience into your books with a long-lasting battery to allow you to get to the end of the day without a recharge handily (it can last from 9 to 15 hours, depending on what you use it for).
It is equipped with 2 box speakers that produce crystal-clear sound anywhere you go while consuming minimal power.
This tablet is designed to allow multiple users to take advantage of its many features, marking it as an ideal travel companion for any occasion.
Pros:
- Fast and responsive
- Lightweight
- Expandable memory up to 128GB
- Crystal clear audio
- Eye-saver software
- HD display
- Long-lasting battery life
Cons:
- Low memory space, even when expanded
Dragon Touch Max 10 Tablet
One of the Fastest Handheld Miniature Laptop Experienced on the Tablet
When it comes to pushing the standards of quick-response gadgets, few can stand against the raw power exemplified in the Max 10 which response in the blink of the eye with its 8 core Octa-Core processor.
The device has a simple yet elegant and unassuming look. It can accommodate additions such as an optional keyboard and SD card to boost its capabilities further, effectively transforming it as your convertible laptop away from home
It comes with a beautiful 10.1” IPS screen which can give the user a vibrant and color-rich experience on the go.
The Android 9 Pie OS is user-friendly and well-known both stable and fast. What’s more, this device is fully GMS certified meaning that you have unrestricted access to all of Google’s services and pretty much all other software- your hands are always untied, allowing you to surf and use your device the way you see fit.
The dual-band Wi-fi (5GHz and 2.4 GHz) enables you to always stay connected and enjoy high-speed internet; enjoy your favorite movies and series without pause through this high-speed tablet that excels in providing long-lasting entertainment.
Pros:
- Extremely fast and responsive
- Allows for offline GPS map usage
- Eye saver software
- GMS certified
- Up to 128GB storage space
Cons:
- The RAM could be improved