Top Picks for the Mobile Gamer

Your options 9 top results, ranging in price from ∼ US$350 to US$654, with accessories.

Let's start with a broad search. The following offer the best value for the lowest price regardless of format preference. As a result, you will most likely see stationary computers down here and maybe a few portable options. You have the option to look for a specific kind of device at the bottom of the page.

• 

  Apple iPad 9.7 (early 2018) from US$270;
  ~$440 with accessories

  The 2018 version of the iPad is almost identical to its predecessor but features slightly improved performance and now support the Apple Stylus, if desired.

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	2/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  2/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  0/5

  Does not meet software's minimum requirements

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  4/5

  This should run nicely

  Specs

  Processor: Apple A10

  Graphics: Apple A10 Graphics

  Memory: 2.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 9.7"

  Screen Resolution: 2048×1536

  Dimensions: 24.00 x 16.95 x 0.75 cm

  Weight: 0.470 kg

  detailed info

  from US$265.08

  • US$265.08 from Staples (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 13:00:42, EDT
  • US$265.1 from The Source (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 12:59:01, EDT
  • US$287.82 from London Drugs (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 12:58:30, EDT
  • US$309.79 from WestWorld Computers (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:31:15, EDT
  • US$324.94 from Apple (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 12:56:49, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Nintendo Switch Lite from US$200;
  ~$350 with accessories

  This smaller version of the Nintendo Switch is dedicated to mobile gaming. So you do lose the option to connect this version of the console to the TV or to deta... Read More about the HDH-001

  • the Mobile Gamer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	1.5/5

  by Small Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	4/5
  Storage	4/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	1.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  N/A

  Not Available For this Platform

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  N/A

  Not Available For this Platform

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  Specs

  Processor: Nvidia Tegra X1

  Graphics: Nvidia Maxwell 256

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.5"

  Screen Resolution: 1280×720

  Dimensions: 9.14 x 20.83 x 1.40 cm

  Weight: 0.277 kg

  detailed info

  from US$196.91

  • US$196.91 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 14:41:24, EDT
  • US$196.93 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:29:54, EDT
  • US$196.93 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:31:39, EDT
  • US$196.93 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:33:55, EDT
  • US$196.93 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:36:45, EDT
  • US$196.93 from EB Games (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 13:03:37, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Apple iPad mini (2019) from US$410;
  ~$619 with accessories

  As someone who's only ever used tablets with 8" screens and smaller, I can tell you smaller tablets have their perks. Sure, when you have a surface on which you... Read More about the

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	3/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Small Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	1/5
  Power	5/5
  Storage	5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  2/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  N/A

  Not Available For this Platform

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  Specs

  Processor: Apple A12 Bionic

  Graphics: Apple A12 Graphics

  Memory: 3.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 7.9"

  Screen Resolution: 2048×1536

  Dimensions: 20.32 x 13.48 x 0.61 cm

  Weight: 0.301 kg

  detailed info

  from US$400.69

  • US$400.69 from Apple (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:24:13, EDT
  • US$400.69 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 12:25:03, EDT
  • US$401.44 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-12 13:01:12, EDT
  • US$401.44 from London Drugs (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 13:00:04, EDT
  • US$401.44 from Staples (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 16:09:27, EDT
  • US$498.21 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2019-10-13 07:40:14, EDT
  • US$527.18 from Bell (New)
    as of 2019-10-11 11:06:08, EDT
  • US$530.2 from Sasktel (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:11:40, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Nintendo Switch from US$300;
  ~$395 with accessories

  The Nintendo Switch is the game console you can either use in the living room as a "regular" game console, or on the move as a tablet. This slight revision of t... Read More about the HAC-001(-01)

  • the Mobile Gamer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	1/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by Small Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	4/5
  Storage	4/5
  Portability	1/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by Consoles standards

  Bang for the Buck	5/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	5/5

  performance in Video Games

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  N/A

  Not Available For this Platform

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  N/A

  Not Available For this Platform

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  Specs

  Processor: Nvidia Tegra X1

  Graphics: Nvidia Maxwell 256

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 6.2"

  Screen Resolution: 1280×720

  Dimensions: 23.88 x 10.16 x 1.40 cm

  Weight: 0.400 kg

  detailed info

  from US$299.04

  • US$299.04 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:29:30, EDT
  • US$302.95 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 13:59:28, EDT
  • US$302.95 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 14:01:47, EDT
  • US$302.97 from The Source (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:02:50, EDT
  • US$302.97 from The Source (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:11:30, EDT
  • US$302.97 from EB Games (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 03:55:40, EDT
  • US$302.97 from EB Games (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 03:35:06, EDT
  • US$302.97 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 13:57:13, EDT
  • US$302.97 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 13:57:59, EDT
  • US$309.79 from B&H (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 03:52:53, EDT
  • US$318.11 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 14:02:14, EDT
  • US$326.44 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 14:03:35, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7" from US$380;
  ~$590 with accessories

  This tablet has a high-quality HDR display and is ideal for digital painting on the go and movie watching. It also has pretty good potential for productivity... Read More about the SM-T820NZKAXAC

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Casual Worker
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  2/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  4/5

  This should run nicely

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  2.5/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 820

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 9.7"

  Screen Resolution: 1536×2048

  Dimensions: 23.73 x 16.90 x 0.60 cm

  Weight: 0.430 kg

  detailed info

  from US$378.68

  • US$378.68 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 15:54:42, EDT
  • US$595.77 from Mike's Computer Shop (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:21:47, EDT
  • US$605.94 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:25:29, EDT
  • US$624.13 from Tiger Direct (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 13:27:37, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019, 32GB) from US$220;
  ~$370 with accessories

  Straddling the line between Affordable and Capable, this tablet does not have all the bells and whistles, but it makes for a compelling source of portable enter... Read More about the SM-T510NZKAXAC

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Casual Worker
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  2/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  4/5

  This should run nicely

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  2.5/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 7904

  Graphics: ARM Mali-G71

  Memory: 2.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 10.1"

  Screen Resolution: 1920×1200

  Dimensions: 24.52 x 14.94 x 0.75 cm

  Weight: 0.469 kg

  detailed info

  from US$212.08

  • US$212.08 from Best Buy (Open Box)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:18:17, EDT
  • US$214.39 from eBay (Refurbished)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:27:42, EDT
  • US$226.45 from Mike's Computer Shop (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 14:46:54, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:13:12, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Samsung (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 14:03:41, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:16:04, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 16:10:21, EDT
  • US$227.23 from The Source (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 15:08:31, EDT
  • US$227.23 from London Drugs (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 15:57:40, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Staples (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 17:36:02, EDT
  • US$227.23 from Costco (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 14:08:41, EDT
  • US$262.07 from Tiger Direct (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 14:54:34, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Google Pixel 3 from US$460;
  ~$654 with accessories

  The latest entry in Google's line of premium phones, it does not feature the notch its larger sibling, the Pixel 3 XL has.

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Casual Worker
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	2/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by One-Handed Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  5/5

  Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  2.5/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 845

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 630

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.5"

  Screen Resolution: 1080×2160

  Dimensions: 14.56 x 6.82 x 0.79 cm

  Weight: 0.150 kg

  detailed info

  from US$453.71

  • US$453.71 from Google Store (New)
    as of 2019-10-14 15:28:56, EDT
  • US$795.28 from Videotron (New)
    as of 2019-10-11 11:04:31, EDT
  • US$833.18 from Bell (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 04:30:36, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019, 128GB) from US$310;
  ~$490 with accessories

  Straddling the line between Affordable and Capable, this tablet does not have all the bells and whistles, but this variant comes with a lot more storage spa... Read More about the SM-T510NZKGXAC

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Casual Worker
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	4/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	3.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  2/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  4/5

  This should run nicely

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  2.5/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 7904

  Graphics: ARM Mali-G71

  Memory: 3.00 GB

  Storage: 128.00 GB

  Screen Size: 10.1"

  Screen Resolution: 1920×1200

  Dimensions: 24.52 x 14.94 x 0.75 cm

  Weight: 0.469 kg

  detailed info

  from US$302.97

  • US$302.97 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 03:39:29, EDT
  • US$302.97 from Samsung (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 13:18:47, EDT
  • US$302.97 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2019-10-15 03:50:00, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7" from US$270;
  ~$440 with accessories

  Very thin, light and capable. The Galaxy Tab S2 makes a great tablet featuring one of the best screen around. If you'd want your iPad to run android instead, th... Read More about the SM-T813NZDEXAC

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Worker
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	2/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	1/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  performance in Video Games

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Hearthstone; Heroes of Warcraft

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Bruce Lee: Enter the Game

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  performance in Fallout Shelter

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 5433

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 420

  Memory: 3.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 9.7"

  Screen Resolution: 2048×1536

  Dimensions: 23.73 x 16.90 x 0.56 cm

  Weight: 0.390 kg

  detailed info

  US$265.1 from The Source (New) as of 2019-10-14 12:03:05, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the The Source site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×

Narrow down your search

Looking for a specific kind of device?

Looking for a laptop, tablet, smartphone or desktop computer specifically? Here are the product families in which we found options matching your needs: