The Best Gaming Tabl…
For portable gaming, many people turn to dedicated handhelds, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 or the Steam Deck. But if you want to game on a bigger screen, a tablet is the way to go. Of course, not just any tablet works: You need a speedy model that can handle the latest Android and iPad games. PCMag has been reviewing tablets for nearly two decades. Our top picks for gaming, such as the iPad Pro, have sufficient CPU power, GPU performance, memory, and storage to run the most demanding titles without issues. Read on for more recommendations and what you need to consider when choosing the right gaming tablet for you.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
September 26, 2025: With this update, we added the11th-gen Apple iPad, replacing the 10th-gen model. We also added the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ and the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we reviewed and evaluated a half-dozen new tablets for potential inclusion in this roundup and our other tablet roundups.
- Most affordable iPad
- Good everyday performance
- High-quality hardware
- Improved storage options
- No Apple Intelligence
- Hardly anything new
The 11th-generation Apple iPad is a fantastic choice for casual and budget-conscious gamers, offering a well-rounded experience that excels at the basics. Its biggest upgrade is the move to Apple’s A16 processor, a two-generation jump from the previous model. This chip, combined with an increase to 6GB of RAM, provides more than enough power to handle popular games from Apple Arcade and beyond, ensuring smooth performance for most titles. It’s also a great tablet for watching videos and doing homework.
Starting at $349 for a new 128GB model, the base iPad gives you an unbeatable combination of performance, build quality, and app access for the price.
Operating System
IPadOS 18
Dimensions
9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight
1.05 lbs
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
2,360 by 1,640 pixels
CPU
Apple A16
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours
Learn More
Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025) Review
- Premium design
- Brilliant OLED display
- Unparalleled performance
- Flexible connectivity options
- Top cameras for a tablet
- Expensive
- Pricey accessories
- iPadOS can be clunky
The iPad Pro runs on Apple’s powerful M4 chip, features four quality speakers, and comes with up to 2TB of storage for all your games and media. Moreover, its mini-LED backlit display enables excellent brightness and contrast and supports an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. And if you want to game on the go, the tablet is available with 5G connectivity.
The iPad Pro is unbeatable if you want the most premium tablet experience and can afford the high starting price.
Operating System
Apple iPadOS 17
Dimensions
11.09 by 8.48 by 0.20 inches
Weight
1.28 lbs
Screen Size
13 inches
Screen Resolution
2,752 by 2,064 pixels
CPU
Apple M4
Storage Capacity
256 GB
Battery Life
10 hours (est.)
Learn More
Apple iPad Pro Review
- High-quality hardware
- Useful AI and productivity features
- Excellent performance
- Includes S Pen stylus
- Waterproof build
- Expensive
- Average cameras
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is Android’s answer to high-end iPads with lots of power for anything you throw at it. The S10+ includes a 12.4-inch AMOLED display for vivid colors and deep blacks with a refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth gaming. Its MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip and 12GB of RAM make easy work of almost any task, including the most demanding games. This tablet also comes with 256GB or 512GB of onboard storage, and you have the option to add another 1.5TB using a microSD card. All of that makes the Galaxy Tab S10+ a great gaming package.
If you don’t want an iPad but still want a high-end slate, the Galaxy Tab S10+ is the top Android option. It should also appeal to artists because it comes with Samsung’s smooth S Pen stylus and serves as a truly immersive canvas. If you plan to take your tablet on the go, there’s even a 5G-capable version available.
Operating System
Android 14
Dimensions
7.30 by 11.24 by 0.22 inches
Weight
1.27 pounds
Screen Size
12.4 inches
Screen Resolution
2,800 by 1,752 pixels
CPU
MediaTek Dimensity 9300+
Storage Capacity
256 GB
Battery Life
8 hours, 10 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ Review
- Large, sharp display
- Thin and light design
- Impressive performance
- Includes S Pen stylus
- Powerful productivity software
- No Galaxy AI
- 5G limited to smaller model
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ carves out a compelling niche for gamers who want a big-screen experience and strong performance without paying a premium flagship price. Its large 13.1-inch LCD with a 2,880-by-1,800 pixel resolution provides an expansive and sharp canvas for gaming, while the 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and fluid visuals. It’s also a solid pick as an everyday tablet.
If you prioritize a big, immersive display for games, but don’t want to spend nearly $1,000 on a flagship model, the Tab S10 FE+ is a great fit. It offers a significant screen size advantage over smaller tablets without a huge price jump.
Operating System
Android 15
Dimensions
7.66 by 11.83 by 0.24 inches
Weight
1.46 lbs
Screen Size
13.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2,880 by 1,800 pixels
CPU
Samsung Exynos 1580
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
7 hours, 45 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ Review
- Affordable
- Good build quality
- Decent display
- Alexa Echo Show mode
- Limited app selection
- Amazon-focused content
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is an excellent choice if you want to play games without spending a ton of money. It has decent enough specs to handle most titles and features a 10-inch HD display. By default, you’re limited to the games available from the Amazon Appstore, but you can sideload apps from Google Play for a broader selection.
This Fire HD 10 should appeal to budget-conscious gamers who want a large-screen tablet on the cheap.
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
9.69 by 6.49 by 0.34 inches
Weight
15.3 oz
Screen Size
10.1 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours, 18 minutes
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 10 Review
- Compact and portable
- High-quality hardware
- Solid performance
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- Works with Apple Pencil Pro
- Dated design
- Few real upgrades
The 8.3-inch, 0.65-pound iPad mini is easy to carry around but still has plenty of power to run anything from the App Store or Apple Arcade. It’s pricier than the standard iPad because you’re paying extra for the added portability, but it’s still capable enough to run Apple Intelligence.
If you’re uncomfortable holding a 10-inch tablet for extended gaming sessions, the iPad mini is your best bet. No other small slate offers as premium an experience.
Operating System
IPadOS 18
Dimensions
7.7 by 5.3 by 0.3 inche
Weight
1.1 lbs
Screen Size
8.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,226 by 1,448 pixels
CPU
Apple A17 Pro
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
7 hours, 23 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPad mini (2024) Review
- Fast performance
- Long-lasting battery
- Useful software
- Screen could be brighter
- No expansion slot
The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a dedicated gaming tablet that combines top-tier performance with a highly portable and comfortable design. Its 8.8-inch screen features a 165Hz refresh rate and a 165Hz touch sampling rate, ensuring animations look silky smooth and the display responds quickly to touch input, which is critical for competitive gaming. The Tab also features a cooling system to effectively manage heat during intense gaming sessions.
This tablet is for you if you prioritize performance and portability. If you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-carry device that can run demanding games like Genshin Impact at the highest settings without breaking a sweat, the Legion Tab is an excellent choice.
Operating System
Android 14
Dimensions
5.10 by 8.21 by 0.31 inches
Weight
0.77 lb
Screen Size
8.8 inches
Screen Resolution
2,560 by 1,600 pixels
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Storage Capacity
256 GB
Battery Life
9 hours, 45 minutes
Learn More
Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 Review
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The Best Gaming Tablets for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Tablets for 2025
Which Tablet Is Best for Gaming?
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
Before you buy a tablet for gaming, consider the following key hardware aspects: power, storage, and battery life.
Pick something with a fast processor. Slates with the most recent chips are generally the best bet because they can run the games of today (and tomorrow) smoothly. You should also get a tablet with as much RAM as possible. More memory allows games to load more in advance and decreases the likelihood of stutters. Inspect how well the tablet handles heat; if it runs hot under stress, you won’t want to use it for long periods.
Lots of storage space is equally important. High-end games, such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile, consume a lot of space and can quickly fill up your storage. Opt for at least 128 GB. If you like to keep multiple games on your tablet at once (along with other media, such as movies and music), consider moving up to 256GB. Alternatively, opt for a tablet with the option to expand storage via a microSD card.
Intensive games can quickly drain a tablet’s battery life, so keep your expectations in check. Aim for something that can run modern games for at least a few hours. And when you need to recharge, fast charging support is important because it can get you back to your game that much quicker.
Android, iPadOS, or Windows: The Best Tablet OS for Gaming
Another huge consideration is whether you want an Android tablet or an iPad. This is a matter of personal preference and depends on the types of other devices you have. For example, if you’re a longtime iPad OS user and subscribe to Apple One (which includes the Apple Arcade gaming service), an iPad is likely the better option. Similarly, if you’re an Android phone user and have purchased a lot of apps or content from the Google Play Store, an Android slate makes more sense.
As for Microsoft’s platform, the biggest issue with gaming on Windows tablets is that most of them lack sufficient power. Moreover, many PC games work best with a mouse and keyboard or controller, which conflicts with the idea of casual gaming on the go.
What Size Tablet Is Best for Gaming?
Left to right: iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Screen size and tablet size are closely related and thus another factor to consider. Ultimately, however, your choice depends on how much you value portability and comfort.
Most tablets have screens that range from 7 to 12 inches, with an average size of 10 inches. A seven-inch slate can easily fit into a handbag or purse, making it more portable, while a 10- or 12-inch tablet likely requires a larger bag, such as a backpack, to carry around. Larger tablets also weigh more and can cause hand fatigue if held for several hours. Regarding size, pick what feels the most natural to use and carry around. The benefit of going with screen sizes larger than eight inches is that they provide substantially more real estate for gameplay.
If possible, opt for something with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD) or higher. Further, a high refresh rate (90Hz or higher) goes a long way toward improving your experience.
Recommended by Our Editors
Do You Need a Cellular Gaming Tablet?
Determining whether you need to spend the extra money (usually $100 or more) for a tablet with a cellular connection depends on where you plan to use the tablet most and what games you want to play.
If you’re often home or somewhere else with regular Wi-Fi access, you should be fine without cellular connectivity. If you typically find yourself in places where Wi-Fi isn’t readily available, consider paying extra for a 5G tablet and a monthly service plan from your wireless carrier.
Another point to consider is the type of game you enjoy playing. A Wi-Fi-only model should work fine if you generally stick to single-player games that don’t require a constant internet connection. But a cellular connection could be invaluable if you want to play multiplayer games that require back-and-forth over the internet.
