What is the Best Cheap Gaming Tablet? A Guide to Affordable Gaming Tablets
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Gaming on a tablet has become increasingly popular thanks to the convenience and portability it offers. While gaming laptops or consoles are more powerful, tablets provide an accessible and cost-effective option for gaming enthusiasts who need flexibility and mobility. But with so many choices available, what’s the best cheap gaming tablet for you?
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the top budget-friendly gaming tablets, their features, and how to choose the right one for your gaming needs.
What Makes a Tablet Good for Gaming?
Before diving into the recommendations, it’s essential to understand what features make a tablet suitable for gaming. The best gaming tablet should have:
- Decent Processor: The CPU and GPU power determine how well a tablet can handle high-quality games. Look for tablets with strong processors like the Snapdragon series or Apple’s A-series chips.
- Good Display: A high-resolution display (preferably 1080p or better) with a refresh rate of at least 60Hz ensures that the gaming experience is smooth.
- Battery Life: Gaming can drain a tablet’s battery quickly, so you want a tablet with enough battery life for long gaming sessions, typically 8 hours or more.
- Storage Space: Games can take up a lot of storage, so a tablet with at least 32GB of internal storage (expandable via SD card) is ideal.
- Affordable Price: A gaming tablet under $300 can still deliver a great experience without breaking the bank.
Top Affordable Gaming Tablets
Here are some of the best cheap gaming tablets that offer great value for money while providing a solid gaming experience.
1. Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
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Price: Around $150
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Key Features:
- 10.1-inch Full HD display for vibrant visuals.
- Powered by an Octa-core processor and up to 3GB RAM, which can handle lighter games smoothly.
- 32GB storage with expandable memory up to 1TB.
- Great for casual and mid-level games.
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Why It’s Great for Gaming: The Amazon Fire HD 10 offers a solid display and good performance for the price, though it’s best for casual gamers and lighter Android games like Candy Crush, Angry Birds, and Minecraft.
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Where to Buy: Amazon
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
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Price: Around $230
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Key Features:
- 10.4-inch display with 2000x1200 resolution for sharper visuals.
- Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor.
- 3GB RAM and 32GB storage (expandable to 1TB with microSD).
- Up to 13 hours of battery life.
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Why It’s Great for Gaming: The Galaxy Tab A7 provides a large, high-quality screen with a powerful enough processor for smooth gameplay on mid-tier games like PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Fortnite (on lower settings).
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Where to Buy: Samsung Store
3. Lenovo Tab P11
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Price: Around $230
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Key Features:
- 11-inch 2K display for high-resolution gaming.
- Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 with 4GB RAM for smooth gameplay.
- 64GB internal storage with microSD expansion.
- Up to 15 hours of battery life.
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Why It’s Great for Gaming: The Lenovo Tab P11 is a solid choice for casual to mid-range gamers, offering a balance of price, performance, and screen quality. It can easily handle games like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, and Genshin Impact on lower settings.
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Where to Buy: Lenovo Official Website
4. Huawei MediaPad T5
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Price: Around $170
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Key Features:
- 10.1-inch Full HD display.
- HiSilicon Kirin 659 octa-core processor with 3GB RAM.
- 32GB storage, expandable via microSD.
- Up to 10 hours of battery life.
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Why It’s Great for Gaming: The Huawei MediaPad T5 offers a great balance between price and performance, especially for casual gaming. It runs games like Clash Royale, Subway Surfers, and Temple Run smoothly.
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Where to Buy: Huawei Official Store
5. Apple iPad (9th Gen)
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Price: Around $329
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Key Features:
- 10.2-inch Retina display with 2160x1620 resolution.
- Powered by A13 Bionic chip, making it fast and efficient for gaming.
- 64GB storage (expandable via cloud storage).
- Up to 10 hours of battery life.
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Why It’s Great for Gaming: If you’re willing to spend a little more, the iPad 9th Gen is an excellent choice. It handles high-quality games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and Minecraft with ease, thanks to its powerful processor and smooth display.
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Where to Buy: Apple Store
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Cheap Gaming Tablet
Before making your final decision, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Performance: Cheap tablets may not handle high-end games well. Choose one with a solid processor and sufficient RAM (3GB or more).
- Display Quality: A decent screen makes a big difference in gaming. Aim for a tablet with at least 1080p resolution.
- Battery Life: Gaming can drain battery quickly, so opt for a tablet with long battery life, especially if you plan on gaming for extended periods.
- Game Compatibility: Ensure the tablet you choose supports the games you want to play. Some tablets might struggle with graphically intensive titles.
- Storage Space: Gaming apps and data can take up a lot of space. Choose a tablet with expandable storage if possible.
Popular Games for Budget Tablets
- PUBG Mobile: A competitive battle royale game that’s popular on Android and iOS. It runs well on many budget tablets.
- Asphalt 9: A fast-paced arcade racing game that looks stunning on tablets with high-resolution screens.
- Minecraft: A sandbox game that’s available on nearly every tablet and runs well on mid-range devices.
- Genshin Impact: An action RPG that has high graphics requirements, but still playable on mid-range tablets like the Lenovo Tab P11.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a cheap gaming tablet, your best options are the Amazon Fire HD 10, Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, and Lenovo Tab P11. These tablets strike a good balance between affordability and performance for casual gaming. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget slightly, the Apple iPad (9th Gen) is a top choice for handling more graphically demanding games.
Make sure to consider your gaming preferences, the type of games you play, and your budget to find the tablet that best suits your needs.
Happy gaming! 🎮
