11 Best Gaming Tablets for Playing Games Reviewed | 2024 Edition

Are you looking for a good gaming tablet to play your favorite games? We have been testing tablets since 2008, and for our reviews, we play numerous games on each of the tested devices. This includes Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, Roblox, and many more. Here, you will learn which tablets we have selected as the best for gamers.

At the beginning of this list, you get a quick overview of our test winners. Further down, you will find more details and links to our in-depth test reports. If you are interested in one of the tablets, it’s worth reading them. We test all important aspects: the graphics quality while playing for gamers among us, compare the displays and speakers with the competition, and run standard tests to check battery life, CPU, and GPU performance.

Now, here are the current best gaming tablets of the year:

Best Gaming Tablets for Gamers: An Overview

• The best overall tablet for gamers: Apple iPad Pro M2 (at Amazon*). The Apple iPad Pro 12.9″ impresses with its high-quality hardware performance, excellent craftsmanship, and an outstanding Mini-LED screen with flawless contrasts, vivid colors, and a refresh rate of 120 Hz as well as very high brightness. It is the most powerful tablet on the market. This enables the iPad Pro to easily display even the most demanding games and apps smoothly. The optional Apple Pencil 2 and the keyboard cover are also great, however, they are quite expensive. Another plus is that Apple is known for providing its devices with software updates over a long period, which contributes to a longer lifespan of the iPad Pro.
• Best iPad Pro Alternative: Apple iPad Air (at Amazon*). The Apple iPad Air is almost equivalent to the Apple iPad Pro. Although it has slightly less power on paper than the iPad Pro, the differences in practice are barely noticeable. The iPad Air also allows for all current games to be displayed at the highest graphics settings. The display of the iPad Air is slightly darker compared to the iPad Pro and only offers a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It is also only available in a version with a 10.9-inch screen diagonal.
• The Best Android Tablets for Gamers: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series (at Amazon*). The S9 series impresses with its excellent Super AMOLED displays with 120 Hz and strong performance. The three Samsung flagships lead the Android tablet market and offer a great gaming experience thanks to their excellent screens, great speakers, and very good hardware. Another plus is that the high-quality stylus is included in the delivery, unlike Apple’s iPads. The optional keyboard cover is also very good. Samsung’s software philosophy is also commendable. The company promises years of Android updates and security updates for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series.
• Great S9+ Alternative: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (at Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is an excellent mid-range tablet with a stylus. It has a 12.4-inch LCD display with 90Hz and a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, making it also a great gaming tablet. It also offers a successful design, a good battery including Super Fast Charging, and a fingerprint scanner, good speakers, and a robust housing that is protected against water and dust. Although the tablet lacks a bit in hardware performance to be the ultimate gaming tablet, most games can still be played smoothly with high graphics settings.
• Great Overall Package for Little Money: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (at Amazon*). The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a more affordable version of the S9 and also wonderfully suited as a gaming tablet. The device offers a 10.9-inch display with 90Hz. Even demanding games like Fortnite can be enjoyed on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, just not with the highest graphics settings.
• Worthy S9 Competitor: Lenovo Tab P11 Pro G2 (at Amazon*). The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, like the Galaxy Tab S9, has an 11-inch OLED display, but is slightly weaker in all other aspects. Nonetheless, the tablet impresses with powerful hardware, a 120Hz display, a good stylus, a great keyboard cover, and an excellent battery life.
• Best Mid-Range Tablet for Gamers: Apple iPad 10 (at Amazon*). The “regular” Apple iPad 10 offers surprisingly good performance for its price, enabling the playing of demanding games on high settings. Unfortunately, the tablet has a non-laminated display, which may sometimes give the impression of not directly touching the display when working with the Apple Pencil. However, this is not a disadvantage when gaming.
• Best 8-Inch Tablet for Gamers: Apple iPad Mini (at Amazon*). Gamers who value portability should consider the Apple iPad Mini. The tablet has a compact 8-inch display and provides enough performance for extended gaming sessions. It is easily stored in a larger jacket pocket and still offers a chic screen that ensures a comfortable gaming experience. The only downside is the so-called “jelly effect” of the display, which causes not all of the screen content to move evenly when scrolling, leading to a staggered presentation. However, this is not a problem when gaming.
• More Affordable Galaxy Tab S9 Alternative: Xiaomi Pad 6 (at Amazon*). Gamers who prefer Android and do not want to spend as much money as for the Samsung S9 series should take a closer look at the Xiaomi Pad 6. It offers an excellent display with an impressive 144 Hz, a solid processor, a good stylus, and a high-quality metal casing. However, compared to the Galaxy Tab S9, you have to do without a fingerprint sensor and a MicroSD card slot. Moreover, you can expect fewer software updates than with Samsung.
• Excellent Value for Money: Lenovo Tab P11 G2 (at Amazon*). With the Tab P11 G2, Lenovo offers a tablet that is quite affordable but provides very good value for money. We get a good 120 Hz display, decent performance, and a quite good optional keyboard cover. However, we cannot recommend the stylus.
• Best Gaming Tablet for Casual Gamers: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (at Amazon*). The device offers an 11-inch 90Hz display and is a good gaming tablet for beginners and casual gamers. The performance is on par with the S6 Lite, making the tablet a great value for money. Although you can often only play games with low graphics settings, many games run smoothly on moderate settings.

Best Gaming Tablets for Gamers: All the Details

Let’s take a detailed look at the gaming tablets, including our video reviews. Watch our videos — because you’ll see the tablet in action—and you can be the judge as to how it performs in daily use and its gaming performance.

Apple iPad Pro M2 12.9 inches: The best overall tablet for gamers

The Apple iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display features a large, high-quality Mini-LED display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi, and 120 Hz. Thanks to Mini-LED technology, it offers excellent contrasts, vivid colors, and deep black levels comparable to OLED displays. It has a maximum SDR brightness of 600 nits and reaches up to 1,600 nits peak brightness for HDR content. The display is fully laminated. The iPad Pro’s four speakers deliver great sound. In our battery test, it lasted 6 hours while playing a YouTube video in HD at full brightness.

It comes with Wifi 6E, and a 5G version is also available optionally. It is the most powerful tablet on the market, equipped with the M2 chip found in the latest Apple MacBook Pros. This ensures that the iPad Pro’s computing power will be sufficient for several years to enjoy even the most demanding games and apps.

We also appreciate the excellent Apple Pencil 2, though it must be purchased separately and costs 149 euros. The optionally available iPad keyboard covers are great and ideal for typing. Also commendable are the excellent build quality, Face ID facial recognition, good cameras, and the LIDAR sensor.

If you’re looking for a tablet with a large, fantastic display and the best computing power on the market and price is not a central consideration, then the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inches is the perfect gaming tablet for you.

Also Read: Best Free iPad Games in Review

iPad Air: Best iPad Pro Alternative

If you’re looking for a powerful tablet that is a good alternative to the more expensive Apple iPad Pro, then the Apple iPad Air might be the right tablet for you.

It’s slightly more affordable yet still features the powerful M1 chip, making it faster than any Android tablet. The iPad Air supports Apple Pencil 2 and offers two keyboard options. The design is attractive, the cameras are good, and the tablet has a high-quality IPS display and up-to-date software.

However, if you’re an ambitious gamer, there are a few things to consider. The 10.9-inch screen has only a 60 Hz refresh rate, and the base version of the iPad Air offers only 64 GB of storage space. This could be too little for gamers who own many large gaming apps on their tablet.

Overall, the iPad Air is a great choice for gamers because of its great performance and stylish display.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series: The Best Android Tablets for Gaming

If you’re looking for a tablet with an impressive display and strong computing power for gaming, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series is an excellent choice.

If you’re into large displays with great colors and contrasts, you’ll love the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series.

All tablets in the S9 series feature a high-quality AMOLED display. Compared to LCD, AMOLED impresses with deeper black levels, more vibrant colors, and better contrasts. Thus, your favorite games will shine in their due glory.

The refresh rate for all devices in the S9 series is a smooth 120 Hz, making gaming on the tablets wonderfully fluid – assuming the games support 120 Hz.

By the way, the S Pen is included and does not need to be purchased separately – unlike with Apple. Like the Apple Pencil, the S Pen also offers 4000 pressure levels.

The smallest model in the series – the S9 features an 11-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, while the 12.4-inch S9+ offers a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels. The 14.6-inch S9 Ultra boasts a proud resolution of 2960 x 1848 pixels.

The tablets are equipped with four integrated, high-quality stereo speakers that enable a great gaming experience. The two larger devices – the S9+ and S9 Ultra – sound even fuller.

The tablets support Widevine Level L1 and HDR 10+, meaning you can watch Netflix and other streaming services in 1080p. All models support Wi-Fi 6, and there is an optional 5G version for each.

The tablets also have a fingerprint scanner, good cameras, high-quality craftsmanship, and powerful hardware that outperforms all other Android tablets. This allows you to play all current Android games with the highest graphic settings.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series comes pre-installed with Android 13, including Samsung’s DeX desktop mode. This allows you to game on a large screen if needed. However, that would be almost a pity for the top-class AMOLED displays of the S9 series.

On a positive note, Samsung intends to keep the Galaxy Tab S9 series up to date with security updates and major Android updates for years to come.

Overall, the Samsung flagships are the best Android tablets on the market. They are perfectly suited for playing demanding games and much more.

Also Read: Best Retro Games for Android Tablets

Successful S9+ Alternatives: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ features a 12.4-inch LCD display with 90Hz and a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels and overall offers a really convincing package. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is almost identical to the FE+ except for the smaller 10.9-inch display.

It’s great that the S Pen is included with both. The design of the tablets and the casings protected against water and dust are also pluses. Even the speakers sound good on both devices.

The gaming tablets also offer a good battery including Super Fast Charging.

The computing power of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+ is also good. You can play most games smoothly with high graphic settings. However, to be able to play all current games at the highest graphic settings, they would need to be a bit stronger in terms of hardware power.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+ each run on a Samsung Exynos 1380 processor. The internal storage is 128GB or 256GB. Additionally, you can optionally purchase these gaming tablets with 5G.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+ already run Android 14 with the current version of Samsung’s OneUI. Typical for Samsung, the devices are expected to be kept up to date with regular software updates for years. The manufacturer promises a total of four major Android updates and five years of security updates.

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2: 11 Inch Samsung Alternative with OLED

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is a great alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. It also features an 11-inch OLED display with 120 Hz, but is slightly cheaper than the competing tablet from Samsung. Thanks to the OLED screen, the device delivers great black levels and contrasts, and it gets up to 600 nits bright and offers HDR 10+.

Gaming is enjoyable on this tablet. This is thanks to the very good hardware of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, even if it can’t quite keep up with the S9 series from Samsung.

Inside the P11 Pro Gen 2, a MediaTek Kompanio 1300T Octa-Core processor works with 6 GB or 8 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB internal storage. It is thus a first-class tablet for games and performs smoothly even in demanding games on high graphic settings. In direct comparison to the S9, however, some games might look a bit weaker.

The battery life of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is also great: In our standard battery test, the tablet achieved a great result of 10.5 hours. For this, we played an HD YouTube video at full brightness in a continuous loop.

The Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is available along with the Lenovo Precision Pen 3. It’s a very good pen, but in direct comparison, we prefer the Apple Pencil or S Pen. This is mainly due to the better software from Apple and Samsung. The optionally available Keyboard Cover is also recommended.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 loses points for the somewhat cheap-looking plastic casing. Additionally, you have to do without premium features like a fingerprint scanner.

Overall, gaming on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is very enjoyable thanks to the great display and strong hardware.

Also Read: Best Offline Games for Android Tablets Without Wi-Fi

iPad 10: Best Mid-Range Tablet for Gamers

The Apple iPad 10 is not only a good mid-range tablet in the Apple lineup but also surprisingly powerful. According to the Geekbench 5 benchmark test, the iPad 10 even performs better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series. Therefore, it is a good choice for those looking for an affordable and powerful gaming tablet.

Demanding games run smoothly on the tablet with the highest graphic settings. However, a downside of the tablet is that the display is not laminated. This can sometimes give the feeling of not directly touching the screen when working with the Apple Pencil. However, this does not interfere with gaming. Otherwise, the iPad 10 impresses with excellent build quality and good cameras.

The iPad 10 supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. A bit annoying: you need an adapter for the iPad 10 because it has a USB-C port, while the Apple Pencil 1 has a Lightning connector. It would have been more elegant if the iPad 10 were directly compatible with the Apple Pencil 2, which, however, is only available for the current models of iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. However, apart from the adapter, this is not a big problem, as the recognition of pressure levels and tilt is equally good in both models. However, with the Apple Pencil 1, you have to do without the tap function and charging by induction.

It is available in versions with 64 GB and 256 GB of storage capacity. If you want to install many games, we recommend buying the variant with 256GB storage.

Also Read: Best Platformer Games for iPads Compared

Apple iPad mini: Best 8 Inch Tablet for Gamers

The Apple iPad mini is a powerful tablet that is perfect for gaming on the go. It is equipped with the Apple A15 processor, which is not as powerful as the M1 chip but still provides enough power to outshine most Android tablets. A large portion of the games available in the Apple App Store will run smoothly on high graphic settings.

The high-quality metal case and the comfortable weight of 297g are other plus points. The fingerprint reader, good stereo speakers, cameras, and the USB-C port also stand out positively.

Apple’s smallest tablet has a visually high-quality screen, however, it offers “only” 500 nits and 60Hz. A downside of the display is the so-called “jelly effect,” where not all content moves evenly when scrolling, leading to a staggered presentation, which can be disturbing. However, this is not a major problem when gaming.

The iPad mini is available in versions with 64 GB and 256 GB of storage space. For gaming fans who value mobility, the iPad mini is a great choice.

Also Read: Best Apple Arcade Games Reviewed

Xiaomi Pad 6: More Affordable Galaxy Tab S9 Alternative

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is a recommendable Android tablet for gaming fans on a budget. It offers a high-resolution display with 2880 x 1800 pixels and a unique 144 Hz. Even premium devices from Apple and Samsung, as well as the Pad 5 predecessor, only offer 120Hz. The screen is also fully laminated, and the viewing angle stability and brightness are excellent. Also on board: Good speakers, solid cameras, and good performance.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which is accompanied by 8GB to 12GB of RAM and 128GB to 512GB of internal storage, depending on the version. An LTE option does not exist, and GPS is also missing.

The Snapdragon 870 is a slightly older flagship processor, and so the performance in benchmarks like Geekbench 5 is noticeably better than the Pad 5, but it is weaker than, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. Yet most games run wonderfully, only if you want to play the latest games at the highest graphic settings, the Xiaomi Pad 6 occasionally reaches its limits.

Thanks to the great display, the decent-sounding speakers, and the good performance, gaming on the tablet is enjoyable. The tablet is available with 128 GB and 256 GB.

The solid cameras and the additional accessories available, such as the active stylus and the keyboard cover, are also commendable. The stylus of the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers 4096 pressure levels but is not quite on the level of Apple and Samsung, and there is a slight delay when drawing.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 comes with Android 13 and a customized interface.

Price-conscious players who prefer Androids will find the Xiaomi Pad 6 a good choice.

Also Read: Xiaomi Pad 6 Review

Lenovo Tab P11 G2: Great Value for Money

The Lenovo Tab P11 G2 scores mainly with a great price/performance ratio. Lenovo bundles a good overall package with a solid, optional keyboard. Thus, the tablet is also a smart and affordable choice for students.

The P11 G2 has an 11.5-inch FullHD display with 120Hz – amazing for this price range. The speakers also sound solid. Thus, the device is wonderfully suitable as an entertainment tablet for Netflix, YouTube, and for gaming on low to medium graphic settings.

A big downside is the stylus. Although the tablet supports the Lenovo Precision Pen 2, it did not convince us in our test. If you need a stylus, we recommend you to go for the Xiaomi Pad 6 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022. The Precision Pen 2 is – even if the name suggests otherwise – not precise enough.

The good performance of the P11 G2 is thanks to the MediaTek Helio G99 processor with 4GB or 6GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage. It is significantly weaker in benchmarks and gaming tests than the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, but also much cheaper. The computing power fits most games and apps.

The optional keyboard cover is commendable. It protects the device from all sides and additionally offers a good keyboard and a reasonable touchpad.

Overall, you can certainly enjoy gaming on the Lenovo Tab P11 G2, if you do not have the requirement to play current games at high graphic settings.

Also Read: Lenovo Tab P11 G2 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: For Casual Gamers

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is significantly less powerful than the S9 FE. As is typical for Galaxy Tab A tablets, it is an entry-level device and thus only moderately suitable as a gaming tablet. However, the A9+ is also considerably more affordable than the other tablets on our list. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, you can still enjoy gaming, but you shouldn’t expect to run demanding games on high settings.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy Tab A9+ does not support the S Pen.

A great feature is that the device runs the same software as its more expensive counterparts. Currently, the tablet operates on Android 13, with an update to Android 14 not far off. It even supports the same Samsung DeX desktop mode as the S9. Naturally, you can’t open quite as many apps at once before the device starts to lag.

Its performance is on par with the S6 Lite 2022. Thus, you won’t be able to play Fortnite on the A9+ smoothly. It runs, but very choppily and at a low resolution, so it’s not really enjoyable for gaming. However, it’s sufficient for more moderate games.

The tablet is available with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, as well as 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The A9+ also includes a MicroSD card slot. Additionally, there’s a version with 5G and a SIM card slot.

The A9+’s 11-inch display even offers 90Hz. If you can do without the S Pen, the A9+ is a solid choice for casual gamers.

The only downside is the build quality, which feels somewhat cheap. However, this is forgivable considering the price.

Also Read: Best Android Games of All Time Reviewed