In many ways, tablets strike an ideal balance between laptops and smartphones, especially when it comes to gaming. For around the same price as a console, you can get mobile apps and portability without compromising on performance or screen space. Plus, options abound no matter your budget.
You would be hard-pressed to find any that are meant specifically for gaming, though. The last bona fide gaming tablet was the Nvidia Shield from seven years ago. A lot has changed since then, and modern tablets are equally focused on fun and productivity, featuring stunning displays, impressive speakers and compatibility with countless accessories.
Of course, in terms of gaming, some still fare better than others. So, if you're looking for a slab of screen for portable play, the following tablets lead the pack.
Apple iPad Pro
The best premium tablet overall
+ Excellent screen
+ Powerful chipset
+ Mouse support
- Very expensive
With plenty of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, not to mention the unbeatable A12 Bionic processor, the iPad Pro is by far the most capable gaming tablet. The introduction of Apple Arcade, which currently offers almost 200 games bar any ads or in-app purchases for a monthly subscription, makes iOS a more compelling platform in this regard than before.
Then there's the huge 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It measures 2732 x 2048 pixels across and is packed with tech like ProMotion - Apple's name for screens that feature an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The newer 2020 version of the iPad Pro adds support for peripherals including trackpads and keyboards, bringing it closer to the laptop playing field.
While it might not be a key selling point for most gamers, the dual-camera setup with LIDAR sensors on the back of the Pro make for an improved augmented reality (AR) experience among titles that utilise it. Plus, you can snap some rather impressive shots if you're inclined to hold your glass and metal behemoth up for a photo.
As for downsides, the obvious one is price. The iPad Pro isn't cheap in any configuration. You can expect to pay a pretty penny if you want any of the official accessories, too. But if budget is less of a concern to you, then this tablet is certainly worth considering - unless you're adamant on Android. In which case, check out the following options.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
The best Android tablet for gaming.
+ Expandable storage
+ Impressive display
+ Compact and light
- No headphone jack
In the crowded Android tablet market, the Tab S7 Plus reigns supreme and outshines the competition with its 12.4-inch Super AMOLED screen. Samsung made sure to match Apple this time by giving the 2800 x 1752 panel a 120Hz refresh rate. They also surrounded it with minimal bezels to reduce the tablet's footprint, thus improving portability.
Powering your games is an octa-core Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset and a healthy serving of RAM, paired with your choice of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of onboard storage. What's great about the Tab S7 Plus is that you can always make space for more games and media by inserting a micro-SD card.
Another major advantage comes in the form of a 5G antenna inside models that take SIM cards, which goes a long way in future-proofing this tablet. With current deals on SIM only plans becoming increasingly compelling, you'll want to opt for the cellular version to make sure you can game on the go and stay connected when Wi-Fi is unreliable.
Affordable SIM only plans are available from Lebara, whose connections run on the award-winning Vodafone network and can be used for tethering to share data with your other devices. Last but not least, the S7 Plus is compatible with Samsung's intuitive S Pen stylus, which comes in the box with most versions.
What you don't get on any model is a headphone jack, so you'll have to pick up a pair of earphones or a dongle. This might add to the already hefty price tag, but you certainly get what you pay for here.
Amazon Fire 7
The best tablet for budget gaming.
+ Light and portable
+ Sleek design
+ Very cheap
- Awkward OS
- Inadequate storage
For years, the Amazon Fire range has managed to undercut the competition without too many compromises. At the very bottom of the price range is the Fire 7, which can be bought new for half the price of an Apple Pencil.
In exchange for your change, you get an adequate 7-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. A fairly basic quad-core CPU powers the tablet, and you can choose between 16GB or 32GB of expandable storage. It's enough to enjoy most mobile games, but you'll naturally struggle with big titles like PUBG and Asphalt 9.
The Fire 7 is primarily a book-reading and movie-streaming device and excels in those areas. Where it doesn't impress is the Amazon Fire operating system, which is essentially a heavily-skinned version of Android. This does have the benefit of giving you access to everything on the Google Play Store, and there are certainly worse skins out there.
It's best to avoid the cheapest version of the Fire 7, if possible, as it comes loaded with lock screen ads to make up for the lower price. On the bright side, every version sports front and rear cameras that are packaged into a clean and lightweight design. Plus, you can choose from various fun colours to add some additional flair.
iPad Air
The best mid-range gaming tablet.
+ Attractive premium design
+ Powerful internals
+ Stunning display
- Limited storage options
If you prefer the Apple ecosystem and the iPad Pro is beyond your budget, the Air is a more than capable alternative. It comes in at a far more reasonable price - especially for the company that makes it - and still provides everything you need to enjoy gaming on the go. This includes a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina panel up front with a 2360 x 1640 resolution.
Below the hood is an A14 Bionic chip that will breeze through anything and everything you throw at it. From the latest and greatest Apple Arcade titles to 4K movies to advanced photo and video editing, the redesigned iPad Air is up for the job. With the removal of the home button, this tablet is more modern and portable than ever as well.
You can also hook it up to a keyboard and trackpad to gain a significant advantage in certain multiplayer games. Plus, the latest generation of iPad Air adds support for the aforementioned Pencil stylus.
Honourable Mentions
For gamers who want a tablet running Windows 10, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is an obvious choice. Granted, it isn't exactly cheap, and accessories can further add to the price. If you're adamant on Windows as your operating system, be sure to also check out Lenovo's offerings in the tablet space, which tend to be more affordable.
On the budget end of Apple's line-up is the iPad Mini. It lacks the modern design of its costlier counterparts, but makes up for it with excellent features and performance.
Let's end off with a few more recommendations in the Android world. The Galaxy Tab A7 is a great budget option, while the equally affordable Asus ZenPad range provides more screen real estate. Check out the Google Pixel slate for a premium alternative.
