The best iPad for games 2025: Apple tablets to suit every budget

Unsurprisingly, the best iPad for most is the brand’s vanilla model. Combining value for money with top-tier performance, the 2022 iPad is still capable of high-level performance worthy of all the best iPad games three years later, while also offering a stellar streaming experience thanks to its LCD screen.

While older Apple tablets struggled with battery life, this iPad goes and goes, offering at least eight hours of screen time before you have to plug in the charger. That’s if you’re using it constantly, but we found with more occasional use, it can go for a full day or two, so you don’t have to worry about taking your adaptor everywhere you go. It’s also incredibly easy to use, so if you’re looking for a tablet that is as good for kids as it is for grown-ups, this iPad has you covered.

The only caveat to this option is that we’re anticipating a new iPad model in 2025, and considering that we’ve not seen many discounts on the 2022 version, you might be better off saving your money and waiting for the refresh. Still, this anticipated update also means this iPad is cheaper than ever, so if you’re not bothered about Apple Intelligence AI features and a potential performance boost, this is still a great option. For more details, check out our iPad (2022) review.

If budget isn’t an issue, the iPad Pro is the obvious way to go. This thing is an absolute performance powerhouse, which isn’t a surprise considering it packs Apple’s M4 chip, the same processor you’d find in the brand’s 2024 MacBook Pro. Yes, that means you’re essentially getting laptop levels of performance from this tablet, so when it comes to gaming, it’s more than ready for almost anything you have to throw at it.

Not only does the iPad Pro offer the best performance of any of the iPads on this list, but it also has the best display, with the choice between 11 and 13-inch OLED panels giving you a super crisp viewing experience. We’ve tried a lot of tablets in our time, and nothing looks better, especially in colorful games such as Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact. It also comes with up to 2TB of storage, which might seem excessive, but if you’re using the iPad Pro for work and play, it’s nice to never have to worry about running out of space.

The obvious drawback of the iPad Pro is that it’s the most expensive iPad out there, setting you back upwards of $1,000. In our opinion, it’s more than worth it, as this pick is not just the best of the best iPads, but it also wipes the floor with almost all of the entries from our guide to the best gaming tablets. You also don’t get a charger adaptor in the box, which feels a bit stingy considering how much you’re spending, but there are plenty of affordable third-party chargers out there that get the job done.

If you’re looking for something that belongs in the happy place between a phone and a tablet, the iPad Mini is the best option for you. Still, while this option is more compact than the others on this list, it’s not lacking in performance power and is just as capable of running even the most demanding entries from our guide to the best mobile games without breaking a sweat.

Outside of its gaming credentials, the iPad Mini is also a great pick for anyone who wants to try out the new Apple Intelligence AI features, including Genmoji and Image Playground, or creatives who put the Apple Pencil to good use. It also comes with more storage than any previous iteration of the iPad Mini, so you’ve no shortage of space for all of your favorite apps, photos, and games.

My only real problem with the iPad Mini is that the bezels feel massive compared to some of the other options on this list, limiting your display retail estate. This isn’t a problem in casual games, such as Candy Crush or Royal Match, but if you’re trying to play something like Honkai Star Rail, you need all the screen space you can get to follow the action. It’s also worth pointing out that the iPad Mini only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so you’re not going to get gameplay as smooth as you would on the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 120Hz display, but honestly, it’s not that noticeable in most games.

If you’re looking to pick up an iPad for gaming for under $300, the 2021 version of the vanilla Apple tablet is the way to go. Considering how much cheaper it is than the rest of the options on this list, there isn’t really a noticeable gulf in quality when compared to this pick, unless you’re looking to play some of the App Store’s more demanding games, such as Death Stranding or Resident Evil village. Sadly, it’s not quite up to the job there.

Still, if you’re looking for something to play casual games on, we’re talking about the likes of Royal Match and Candy Crush, the 2021 iPad is a great pick. It’s also just as competent as any of the other iPads on this list for those who need a tablet for streaming content, and while the iPad Pro might have an OLED display, this cheaper alternative is still great for checking out all your favorite movies and TV shows while on the go.

The only caveat to this pick from our guide to the best iPads is that Apple tends to only offer software support for six years, so we’re not expecting any updates by the time 2028 comes around. That feels like a long time away, but time flies, so it’s worth taking some time to decide whether you’d rather spend more now and have your iPad for longer or save in the short term and come back to this list in a couple of years.