Tablets are the most underrated gaming devices in your house. Bigger screen than a phone, more comfortable than a laptop, cheaper than a dedicated handheld. Whether it’s a 12.7-inch media slab for bed or a compact 8-inch device that fits in a jacket pocket, the form factor just works for gaming. I covered the best tablets under $300 a while back, but Lenovo’s current sale changes the math. We’re looking at devices from $100 to $400, each hitting different emulation tiers and use cases. Slap a telescopic controller on any of them and you’ve got a solid emulation handheld that also watches Netflix. That’s the pitch—buy a tablet that happens to game well, not a gaming device that only plays games.
Tab One — $109 New, $85 Open Box (Bestbuy), $123 (Amazon)
$137 (Official Lenovo)
The specs:
- 8.7″ HD display (1340×800), 60Hz
- MediaTek Helio G85 (8-core, Mali-G52 MP2)
- 4GB RAM, 64GB storage + microSD
- 5100mAh battery, 15W charging
- Android 14
What it plays: The Helio G85 punches above its weight. Check MagicX One 35 benchmarks for reference—same chip, same 4GB RAM, same performance ceiling.
- 8-bit/16-bit to Dreamcast/PSP/N64: Flawless to full speed
- PlayStation 2: Light 2D titles and less demanding 3D playable
- GameCube: Light games run, heavier titles need frameskip or settings tweaks
- Nintendo 3DS: Some lighter titles playable
- Anything newer: Skip it
Why buy now: $109 is disposable money for a functional tablet. For light emulation, media consumption and android gaming, this is a steal.
Idea Tab — $219 (Lenovo official) / Idea Tab Plus — $209 (Best Buy)
The specs:
- Idea Tab: 11″ 2.5K (2560×1600), 90Hz, Dimensity 6300, 8GB RAM, 128GB, pen included
- Idea Tab Plus: 12.1″ 2.5K, 90Hz, Dimensity 6400, 8GB RAM, 128GB, no pen
The chip difference: Dimensity 6400 is a modest step up—better efficiency, similar emulation ceiling. Both handle the same library, but the Plus runs cooler and lasts longer.
What they play: Comfortably play PS2, Wii, Gamecube and some Switch titles. However, the Dimensity chip will hold it back from it’s full potential due to lack of custom driver support.
- Everything up to PS2/GameCube: Full speed
- PlayStation 2: Most titles playable at native resolution
- GameCube/Wii: Full speed, minor tweaks on heavier titles
- Nintendo 3DS: Good compatibility
- Nintendo Switch (emulation): Light indies possible, AAA struggles
The deal: Best Buy’s Plus at $209 beats Lenovo’s regular Tab at $219. Bigger screen, newer chip, $10 less—just no pen. If you want stylus input, pay the extra $10 to Lenovo. If you want raw value, Best Buy wins.
The treasure hunt: Best Buy open-box items can drop as low as $135 if you’re lucky and local. Check nearby stores—inventory varies wildly.
Why buy now: 209 (or $135 open-box) for a 12.1″ Dimensity 6400 tablet is such a steal.
Moto G 2025 — $149.99 (Alternative to Idea Tab) / Amazon $114 (Like New)
The specs:
- 6.7″ HD+ display (1604×720), 120Hz
- MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (same as Idea Tab)
- 4GB RAM, 128GB storage + microSD
- 5000mAh battery, 30W charging
- Android 15
- Forest Grey
What it plays: Same silicon as the Idea Tab, same emulation ceiling. Check those Dimensity 6300 benchmarks—PS2, GameCube, 3DS all run identical. Just on a 6.7″ screen instead of 11″ or 12.1″.
The trade-off:
- Screen: 6.7″ vs 11″/12.1″—emulation is playable but cramped for text-heavy games
- RAM: 4GB vs 8GB—multitasking suffers, but emulation runs fine
- Portability: Actually fits in your pocket vs. bag-only tablets
- Price: $150 vs $209–219—$60 cheaper for the same chip
Why consider it: If you want the Dimensity 6300 emulation power but need something that fits in a pocket, not a backpack. The 120Hz display smooths out UI navigation, and 5000mAh battery lasts longer than you’d expect. Skip the tablets if portability matters more than screen real estate.
Legion Tab Gen 3 — $399 (Official Lenovo) Use EXTRAFIVE at checkout.
The specs:
- 8.8″ 2.5K display (2560×1600), 165Hz, 500 nits
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (3.3GHz)
- 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 256GB UFS 4.0
- 802.11 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Eclipse Black
What it plays: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is top-tier mobile silicon:
- Everything through PS2/GameCube/Wii: Flawless
- PlayStation 2: Upscaling and texture filtering headroom
- Nintendo Switch (emulation): Eden with custom drivers will allow for really good performance on most titles
- PlayStation 3 (emulation): Light titles run, heavier games struggle but boot
- Xbox/Steam remote play: Excellent—Wi-Fi 7 handles low latency
- PC Emulation: Light Steam Titles and older AAA titles will run well
The 165Hz catch: Great for UI smoothness, but most emulated content tops at 60Hz. Useful for:
- Android-native games (Genshin, etc.)
- Moonlight/Steam Link streaming
- Menu navigation and UI responsiveness
Why buy now: $399 for 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 165Hz, Wi-Fi 7 is flagship pricing from six months ago. This is the “buy once, cry never” tier.
Controller Options
GameSir X5 Lite — Budget stretch Telescopic grip for phones and small tablets. Fits devices 110-162mm wide. Good for the Moto G or Tab One, but the Idea Tab Plus at 12.1″ is too big. Cheap, functional, not premium.
BSP D8 Pro – The only telescopic controller on this list that will be able to stretch long enough to fit the Idea Tab. You’ll need the mod kit for the Idea Tab Pro. Very solid controller especially for the price.
EasySMX M15 — Mid-tier phone grip Similar telescopic design, wider compatibility than the X5 Lite. Better build quality, still under $40. Good middle ground for the Moto G or if you want something sturdier than GameSir’s budget line.
Razer Kishi Ultra — Premium phone controller USB-C passthrough, console-quality sticks and buttons. Fits phones up to 6.8″—so the Moto G works, tablets don’t. $100+ but feels like a real controller, not a clip-on accessory.
abxylute S9 — Tablet grip Larger telescopic design meant for tablets. Good for turning your tablet into a Switch-like device.
Lenovo G9 — Legion Tab native Only works with Legion Tab/Y700 tablets. Usb C connection—no Bluetooth lag, no charging hassle. If you buy the Legion Tab, this is the controller to get. Skip it for anything else.
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