7 Best Gaming Tablets Under $200 in 2023 [Performance-Friendly]

Maybe you already have a smartphone but want a portable yet large screen tablet for playing games. Whether you like lightweight games like Angry Bird or high-end games like Asphalt 9, tablets can give you the best possible gaming experience. However, deciding which one to get can be a difficult chore. Especially when you look for gaming tablets under 200 dollars.

This is because there are limited tablets under 200 dollars that feature a fast processor, high-speed RAM, and a high-refresh-rate display. Needless to say, games require a reliable GPU and low latency audio setup. Hence, it’s essential to look for a 3.5mm audio jack. There are also other factors to consider, which I’ve discussed in a dedicated buying guide section.

Expecting a flagship-grade experience is quite unreasonable, yet, you can still get your hands on the best tablet for gaming under 200 USD. After a month of testing over 25 devices with popular games like Angry Birds, PUBG, Call of Duty, Among Us, and Garena: Free Fire, I’ve narrowed down the top 7 choices for you that stood out the test of time.

7 Best Gaming Tablets Under $200 in 2023

The list contains some of the best budget gaming tablets, along with specifications, features, and my comprehensive analysis for each of them. All of the sub $200 gaming tablets featured here offer some unique characteristics that make them a fantastic deal.

Let’s have a look:

1. Best Overall: TECLAST M40 Pro

A successor version of the previously released M40, the TECLAST M40 Pro is priced slightly above $200. Do note that it’s totally worth spending every extra penny on it. Also, TECLAST is generous enough to run discounts of up to flat $30 off quite frequently. For the asking price, it’s a steal deal.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

It features a 10.1-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 at a 60Hz refresh rate which is not as good as the sub $500 mid-range tablets, but everything appears fast and snappy. The IPS display has good viewing angles and balanced color saturation levels, giving you a near VR experience while gaming.

The Unisoc T618 processor, in conjunction with a strong Mali-G52 GPU and 6GB RAM, can effortlessly play PUBG and Genshin Impact. To store such heavy games, there’s 128GB onboard storage and the inclusion of a micro SD card slot for upto 256GB of expandability. And to run the latest games, the device comes with Android 11, out of the box.

Connectivity Standards

The device comes with a USB Type-C port, allowing you to connect various peripherals such as an external mouse, gaming pad, etc. As for the wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. For audio output, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack is available on the side of the M40 Pro to make the gaming experience even better.

Design, Camera, Speakers

With a dimension of ‎9 x 6 x 0.4 inches and a weight of around 1.20 lbs, it’s one of the slimmest gaming tablets in the market. The 2.5D touch unibody design with a black metal finish gives you a premium feel in the hands.

For the camera department, the combination of 5MP + 2MP cameras is good enough to take decent quality images in natural lighting conditions. When it comes to sound, the M40 Pro is equipped with 2 bottom-firing stereo speakers. The sound is loud with just enough bass, making the gaming experience quite enjoyable.

Battery Life

The device is fitted with a 7000 mAh battery which easily lasts the whole day with light usage such as browsing the web or watching multimedia. However, heavy multitasking and gaming might affect the battery hours significantly.

Conclusion

Despite being one of the best budget gaming tablets, it checks most boxes. Compared with the rest of the devices on the list, you get an excellent hardware setup. But if you are looking for a product that provides better after-sales service, you might want to consider Amazon Fire HD or Lenovo M10, which I have reviewed below.

2. Best for Light Games: Amazon Fire HD 10

Developed by Amazon, Fire HD 10 is a reputable addition to a list of best tablets to play games. With 50% more RAM onboard than the last generation and a bigger display, Fire HD 10 is an excellent device to enjoy the games. Do note that it’s primarily designed for reading and multimedia, but you can play some light games on it.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

The device features a 10.1-inch IPS LCD screen that produces vibrant colors and high contrast ratio. With a resolution of 1900 x 1200, the screen is sharp and offers great details while watching your multimedia or playing HD games. The viewing angles are just fine, and the display has sufficient brightness for a good indoor experience.

MediaTek’s Helio P60T, paired with 3GB RAM, handles the device very well under standard usage. The chipset is bundled with Mali-G72 MP3, making the device responsive and lag-free. When tested under some of the high-end games like COD mobile, the performance drops down due to the low multicore performance of the processor.

The 64GB internal storage may not be sufficient for some users, but an additional micro SD card support lets you expand the storage up to 1TB. Plus, it runs on Fire OS 7 on top of Android 9.0, and you are guaranteed to get further updates from google.

Connectivity Standards

The device features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5, ensuring you get a good ping while playing games. Additionally, the support for USB-C and Qi wireless charging makes charging fast and convenient. The device is also equipped with a 3.5mm stereo jack to connect your earphones and other 3.5mm output devices.

Design, Camera, Speakers

The Fire HD 10 offers a polycarbonate unibody design with standard-sized bezels and 7.6 x 4.5 x 0.4-inch. Although the device may not give you that premium metal feeling in your hands, it is comfortable to hold, thanks to perfectly rounded corners and a weight of 0.95 lbs.

There is not much to talk about the optics since it has an average 5MP + 2MP shooter set up with 720P video capability. The device has a dual-speaker located at the bottom, producing clear sound on medium volume. The output is crisp and good enough to enjoy the audio effects while playing games.

Battery Life

Under normal circumstances, the device should last through the entire day with web browsing, multimedia, etc. When it comes to gaming, the battery performance drops down.

Conclusion

Overall, Fire HD 10 has respectable specs, a trendy look with 4 color options, and some great Amazon services. It offers slightly compromised specs at the price when you weigh up against the likes of other budget kings, Vastking or MEBERRY. If you want to invest in a reliable brand, Fire HD10 is a tablet good for games and excellent customer service. Not to mention Alexa, which no other tablet offers you except this one.

3. Best with 2K Display: VASTKING KingPad M10

Is screen quality your top-most priority? Look no further and get yourself a KingPad M10. With 2K resolution, it is the best display unit you can get on a 200 dollar tablet. It has a few more things that make it a great pick.

An upgrade over its predecessor SA10, the VASTKING KingPad M10 is a gaming-friendly tablet with a slightly higher RAM capacity and gorgeous 2K resolution display. The device offers up to 12 hours of battery time which is impressive for a sub $200 gaming tablet.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

A 10.3-inch stunning IPS panel with a 2K resolution provides punchy colors and deep blacks, making it more enjoyable while gaming in high graphic settings. At 300 nits, the screen is bright enough and gives you decent viewing angles for outdoor usage.

The Unisoc T618 is as powerful as Snapdragon 662 or MediaTek Helio G80 chipsets. With 4GB of RAM and dual-core GPU, it provides smooth gaming. You don’t experience significant lag or frame loss while playing some intense graphic games such as Asphalt 9. The device comes with Android 11 and 128GB storage with a micro SD slot that supports up to 2TB.

Connectivity Standards

The device is equipped with a universal Type-C port with OTG support if you want to attach an external keyboard or pointing device. It’s also one of the few tablets with SIM slots and ever-reliable Wi-Fi 5 & Bluetooth 5.0. A standard 3.5mm earphone jack is mounted at the top right corner of the phone for audio output that is decent enough for gaming.

Design, Camera, Speakers

KingPad M10 comes in a full metal unibody design with a dimension of 10.91 x 7.28 x 1.93 inches and a weight of 2.13 lbs, making it on the heavier side. The perfectly rounded corners and smooth edges of the device give you a flagship product-like experience.

There is a 13MP rear shooter that can record at 1080P, and a front-facing camera with face detection and HDR capability is good enough for live streaming. Although it is packed with a quad-speaker setup, the output sound is average. I recommend you connect your Bluetooth speaker for better sound quality.

Battery Life

This model features a 6000 mAh battery that will easily get you through the whole day under normal usage. Vastking claims a staggering 12 hours of battery time, which is the highest on paper. But Unisoc T618 is not known for its power efficiency, and the battery might drain quicker in heavy usages like gaming or video editing.

Conclusion

Overall, KingPad M10 is the best tablet for mobile gaming, courtesy of a power-efficient chipset, 2K display, and cellular connectivity. If you are someone who stores a lot of heavy games on your device, this is an excellent option for you, with the highest expandable storage on the list.

4. Best from Lenovo: Lenovo Tab M10 Plus

The Tab M10 Plus is a value-packed offering priced around $200. The device promises significant upgrades over its predecessor Tab M8 with higher RAM and a bigger screen, making Lenovo Tab M10 Plus the best affordable tablet for gaming.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

Like most 200 dollar gaming tablets, the Tab M10 Plus features a standard 10-inch display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The screen is bright and colorful with great viewing angles, making it a bit easier to use with an external keyboard or gaming pad than other competitors.

The Tab M10 Plus is powered by MediaTek’s Helio P22T Octa-core processor and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU, elevating the gaming experience. The Duo can handle some of the graphics-oriented games such as Call of Duty and Minecraft efficiently.

The combination of 4GB RAM and 128GB storage works just fine to handle everyday tasks and multimedia usage. There is also a micro SD slot to expand the storage upto 256GB. However, the device runs on the dated Android Pie version and struggles with some heavy long hours of gaming. This means you might see some frame drops.

Connectivity Standards

Apart from Dolby ATMOS, the device is also packed with a standard 3.5mm jack for all your standard audio output devices. For charging and data syncing, the device is equipped with a standard USB Type-C port with 20-watt fast charging support. For wireless connectivity, you have the latest Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Design, Camera, Speakers

Tab M10 Plus has a compact size of 9.6 x 6.04 x 0.33 and offers a metal design with a hint of polycarbonate at the top and bottom. The device feels premium in hands with a weight of just over 1 lb and a thickness of 8.2mm. There is a decent camera setup of 8MP + 5MP onboard for regular photography. For the sound, the dual speakers with Dolby ATMOS give you a great surround sound experience.

Battery Life

The 7000 mAh battery works rather well with the power-efficient Helio P22T processor and Android 9.0 OS. While with typical usage, you get around 10 hours of battery time, the battery performs exceptionally well with some heavy games like Fortnite and multitasking as well.

Conclusion

So there you have it. With Tab M10 plus, you get flagship-like features and decent battery life, making it one of the best tablets to play games. When compared with the rest of the products in this catalog, Lenovo offers you a complete package that you expect from a cheap gaming tablet.

Just like Amazon Fire HD10, you get great customer service as well, which is a bonus. So if you’re looking for a tablet good for gaming and high-quality speakers and Dolby Atmos, this is the right choice for you.

5. Best with SIM Card Slot: CHUWI Hipad X

If you are looking for a premium-looking gaming tablet under 200 dollars, look nowhere else. The CHUWI Hipad X is a tweaked version of the company’s previous Hi9 plus that comes with better RAM management as well as improved graphics, making it the best tablet for Google Play games.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

The device features a 10.1-inch IPS display which is a Full HD panel with a 1900 x 1200 screen resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen produces natural color saturation with deep blacks, making gaming a worthwhile experience. The screen is crisp and bright, even for outdoor usage.

The Heilo MT6771V octa-core processor, coupled with Mali G72 GPU, helps the device handle day-to-day tasks with ease. The 4GB LPDDR4X and 128GB USF storage let you run multiple applications in the background without any stutter.

Overall the hardware on Hipad X offers above-average performance when tested under heavy multitasking and gaming. The device is powered by Android 10 with the possibility of further software

Connectivity Standards

The device is fully loaded with all the modern connectivity features. You get a USB Type-C port for your external devices and peripherals. For earphones, a 3.5mm audio jack is located on the left side of the device. As far as internet connectivity is concerned, you get the latest 2.4G/5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, and LTE support for your SIM card to stay connected to the internet anytime, anywhere.

Design, Camera, Speakers

The full metal unibody design with high-precision corners and edges gives a wonderful and premium feeling to your hands. The device is 1.23 lbs heavy with the dimensions of 9.92 x 6.37 x 0.37 inches, making it easy to carry or hold for long hours while enjoying your favorite games.

There is a standard 5MP camera at the front and the rear that does just enough under natural light. You can use an external cam, thanks to OTG support. The device sports a single speaker placed on its back, and output lacks clarity and bass. For a better experience, you can either connect wired earphones or external speakers via Bluetooth.

Battery Life

The 7000 mAh battery works fine with light tasks such as emails, browsing, and reading. When tested under gaming and heavy multitasking, battery level drops significantly. The Hipad X ranks low in battery performance, but this is still a decent gaming tablet at a low price.

Conclusion

Overall, the Hipad X has some outstanding features, such as UFS storage for faster data processing and a premium metal aesthetic that sets it apart. While you may have to make some sacrifices in of battery department, this is still a good gaming tablet for under $200. It offers a beautiful design in the budget segment.

6. Best Affordable Gaming Tablet: TECLAST P20HD

A slight improvement over its predecessor, the TECLAST P20HD offers slightly enhanced performance with a larger RAM and the upgraded version of Android OS. For under $200, Teclast offers specifications just enough to handle mid-end games like Free Fire and everyday key tasks.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

You get a 10-inch full HD IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, giving you enough details and sharpness. The quality is nice, and it renders the colors exceptionally well. There is a natural feel to the colors when you watch your multimedia or enjoy classic games on it.

The P20HD comes with a decent Unisoc SC9863A Octa-Core processor, along with a PowerVR GE8322 GPU that works well with regular gaming and everyday tasks. You get 4GB RAM and 64GB storage with a micro SD slot to expand up to 128GB. It comes preloaded with Android 10, so you can expect some future updates as well.

Connectivity Standards

To connect your data sync and charging cable, you get a standard USB-C with OTG support if you want to use an external USB keyboard or other peripherals. The device is also equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing you to plug in your usual earphones. In terms of wireless connectivity, you get dual-band Wi-Fi and a faster Bluetooth 5.0.

Design, Camera, Speakers

With the dimensions of ‎9.57 x 6.4 x 0.37 inches, the device comes with a polycarbonate back with a brushed aluminum finish on it. This device looks premium, but the 2.03 lbs weight makes it difficult to hold for a long time. The camera setup on board is pretty ordinary, with a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP selfie shooter.

As far as sound quality is concerned, a dual-speakers setup is located on the bottom of the device that performs very well. Even at the high volume levels, the sound is crystal clear, giving you an overall excellent audio experience with your games or multimedia.

Battery Life

A non-removable 6000 mAh battery holds through the day under normal usage. And with support for a universal Type-C port, you don’t need to worry about charging, even when you’re on the move.

Conclusion

The P20HD offers decent specs with premium looks and a gorgeous screen. It offers a somewhat compromised design compared to its rival MEBERRY, but better RAM management and a superior display make it a better choice. This is a great pick if you seek a full HD display and powerful processing without hurting your pocket much.

7. Best with Accessories: MEBERRY ME20200806-1

With a competitive price, the MEBERRY ME20200806-1 offers you some great specs and decent performance with medium gaming and everyday usage. The device comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse in the box, giving it an edge over some competitors at this price.

Why is it suited for Gaming?

The ME20200806-1 comes with a rather low-resolution 10.1-inch display and a 1200 x 800 resolution. The IPS LCD panel gives you below average viewing experience but uses fewer resources from the processing unit, giving you an overall smooth feel while switching through the apps. The screen is bright enough with punchy colors, just good enough for indoor usage.

Although the Octa-Core Unisoc SC9863A is not a powerhouse in performance, it fares well with average multitasking and day-to-day tasks. The 4GB RAM + 64GB storage combo works well with Android 10 OS and handles the background apps with minimum lag. Plus you can expand the storage up to 256GB, courtesy of a micro SD slot.

Connectivity Standards

There is a USB Type-C available to connect your charging and data transfer cable. The device supports standard 802.11bgn wireless connectivity with the latest Bluetooth 5.0. You get multiple external accessories in the box, such as a stylus, wireless mouse, and keyboard, which you can just plug and play with. Thankfully, the device also comes with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output.

Design, Camera, Speakers

With dimensions of 9.45 x 6.69 x 0.35 inches and a weight of around 1.08 lbs, the device feels light and premium at the same time. It has an average camera setup with an 8MP rear and a 5MP front shooter. The fixed-focus cameras don’t offer much in terms of image and video quality. A pair of stereo speakers are located on the bottom works decently in most situations, with not very loud but crystal clear sounds.

Battery Life

MEBERRY features a massive 8000mHh battery, making it one of the best battery life tablets. The company promises 8 hours of playback time with normal usage such as browsing and watching HD videos. The battery performance may vary under heavy usage, but that entirely depends on the type of applications or games you run on the device.

Conclusion

Overall, MEBERRY offers the highest battery backup but a very low-quality display when compared with the likes of Lenovo M10 or Amazon FireHD10. Unlike the rest options, MEBERRY offers you a bunch of goodies like a wireless keyboard and mouse, an OTG plug, and a protective case inside the box. Pick this device if you want a good battery and are unwilling to spend on external peripherals.

Buying Guide

So, what features should you look for when locating the best tablet to play games with? What makes a tablet appropriate for gaming?

Type of Gaming

Most tablets with decent specs can handle medium and low-end games like Among Us that do not require hefty graphics or high frame rate settings. However, high-end games with high-quality graphics might cause lag or heating issues.

Such games may take up to 2GB of your storage after installing them. Asphalt 9, Call of Duty, PubG are some of the examples of some intense graphics games in the market.

Display Quality

When it comes to viewing comfort while gaming, the IPS screen provides a good bright screen with beautiful color schemes, while the AMOLED screen focuses on natural colors and deep blacks.

The games look much better on an AMOLED display, but you might have to settle down with an IPS screen since you can’t get an AMOLED screen in the $200 price bracket.

Hardware & Graphics

As for the performance, it is critical to keep an eye on the hardware. Now, for $200, it’s unrealistic to expect high-end processors such as the Snapdragon 800 series. But there are some decent mid-range processors from Unisoc T-series or Mediatek Helio series that offer decent performance while minimizing battery drain.

Mediatek SOC coupled with a decent GPU provides a lag-free gaming experience without causing the device to overheat. Any average CPU paired with an auxiliary GPU lets you use the full graphical capabilities of a particular game, which an integrated GPU can not.

Furthermore, a large RAM capacity ensures a quick response time when you open games or switch between apps while keeping your game running in the background. This again depends on the RAM management mechanism of the processing unit of the device.

Under $200, 4GB to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB internal storage is more than sufficient to handle most of your games without a lag.

Connectivity Standards

Most Android game tablets reviewed above include a docking facility, which means you can use an external keyboard/trackpad and use it as a laptop. For more advanced gaming, alternative options include a gaming pad or a VR headset that you can use with either of these tablets using Bluetooth or a USB-C port.

In the audio department, the reviewed options offer a good microphone and decent speakers, as well as an audio jack for your earphones.

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most important ingredients to keep in mind while buying a gaming-friendly tablet. Heavy games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact typically shorten battery life considerably. However, some of the devices include power-efficient processors and a good battery capacity, so the device lasts long without being plugged in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

The detailed analysis above should help you pick the best gaming tablet under $200. Most of the tablets discussed in this article have comparable specs, although there are critical differences in their performance and pricing. Here’s a short summary of the above analysis:

• Consider buying the TECLAST M40 Pro if you’re okay spending a bit more than $200. It offers a massive 6GB of RAM, enhancing the overall experience on the device.
• The MEBERRY is a good option for you if you are tight on the budget and don’t want to invest in additional peripherals. The device come bundled with a bunch of accessories such as a keyboard, mouse, and stylus, saving you a lot of money.
• If you are a fan of popular brands, choose from Lenovo M10 Plus or Amazon Fire HD10. These devices features decent specifications and good after-sales customer service.

Each product listed here represents excellent value for money, providing adequate specs without breaking the bank. Although it is unrealistic to expect the fastest gaming tablet in this price range, these options provide good overall performance. Put on your thinking cap, thoroughly examine all of the specifications, and choose the one that best suits your needs.