Everyone who’s ever played in an online casino knows that slots are the most popular game you’ll come across.
They come in different shapes and sizes and more importantly, they don’t require any skills. Unlike blackjack, slots are pretty great for beginners. The thing is that they can be confusing for new players, especially due to all the technical terms they use.
Many players have always wondered what slot volatility is. It’s an inseparable element of virtual slot machines. Check the guide out and you’ll see a slot classified as low, medium, or highly volatile. But, what does volatility mean in slot machine? Why the difference between slots? Are highly volatile slots more profitable?
We’ll answer that question and many more in this guide to slot machine volatility.
What Is Slot Volatility?
Slot variance or volatility is a factor that determines how often an online slot pays. There are three categories:
- Low variance slots
- Medium variance slots
- High variance slots
All of these games come with their pros and cons. In general, the higher the variance, the better-paying the slot. However, there are levels of high variance too, especially with modern online slots. While a high variance slot can pay solid wins, extremely volatile slots are unlikely to do the same.
Conversely, low variance slots pay much more often. However, there’s a catch – they pay significantly smaller sums of cash. That’s where medium volatile slots slide in. They pay with varied frequency and offer varied rewards, making them a huge fan favorite. Some of the best games in the iGaming industry are medium volatility slots, coming with strings of excellent bonus features that will make them worth your while.
What are Medium Variance Online Slots?
The easiest way to describe medium slot volatility is a middle ground between low and high variance. These slots pay varied wins, so expect a bit of small and some big time hits as well. Of course, that mostly depends on your luck, but that’s how medium volatility slots have been designed.
These slot games are great for new players and pros. Of course, beginners with a smaller bankroll will almost always opt for low volatile slots just to get a feel for the games. High rollers will naturally flock to higher paying online slots. They might also occasionally go for medium slot machine volatility as extremely volatile slots can be stressful.
The great thing about the best medium variance slots is that they come with tons of features and solid wins. Why spend your money on extremely volatile slots and go for dozens of spins without a win? Why win small sums on low variance slots? Go for medium volatility slots – they strike a perfect balance between easy and impossible wins.
Most online casinos have a mix of high, low, and medium variance slots. If you are looking to play at one of the best US online casinos for slots, then have a look at these best MGM slot games.
Are Medium Variance Slots Better than High Payout Slots?
If you ask us and most slot players, yes, they are. We already mentioned why it’s like that. These slots offer better wins that low volatility slot machines and allow you to hit scores more often than highly volatile slots. You can even find high RTP medium variance slots that are a true blessing for newcomers and high rollers too. These slot games can provide stunning wins considering you get lucky and are pretty fun to play as well.
Another great reason why you should go for medium volatility slots is the fact that you can score sweet deals online. Online casino sites give great free spins packages to new players and those might be available on medium volatility slots. In that case, you get to have fun for almost nothing, and hopefully win a nice sum of cash on a slot with medium variance.
Most Popular Medium Volatility Slots
Some of the industry’s slots with highest RTP are either low in terms of volatility or on the medium side. There are some high variance too, but in general, the higher the RTP goes, the lower the variance is. No slot developer is eager to offer frequent big wins on a slot that pays 99% of the time.
With that being said, you can find numerous high RTP medium variance slots. Carnival Queen by Thunderkick, for example, has an RTP of 96.10% with medium variance. NetEnt’s Koi Princess clocks in at 96%. While those numbers are not record-breaking, they are still higher than the average for medium volatility slot games.
Here are just a few of the most medium volatility slots with a high RTP:
- Carnival Queen by Thunderkick: a Mardi Gras and carnival-themed slot by Thunderkick, Carnival Queen dazzles with its 96.1% RTP and medium variance. The slot has 4,096 betways and can pay a maximum line win of 22,700x your bet, much higher than other medium variance slot. It’s a very fun slot to play overall – get a few spins in and you’ll be dancing yourself.
- Koi Princess by NetEnt: if you’re into manga and the Japanese subculture associated with it, Koi Princess is a great slot for you. Its base game RTP is 96%, but the bonus bet option has an RTP of 96.23%. Of course, it’s of medium variance too, offering wins up to 1,000x your stake across 20 paylines. It’s a visually impressive slot you won’t forget soon after playing.
- Reel Rush by NetEnt: with a base game RTP of 96.96%, medium variance, and 3,125 paylines, Reel Rush is one of NetEnt’s most impressive slots from a technical perspective. It’s also a fun slot to play, mixing classic symbols and gameplay with a lot of modern features. Line the fruits up on the reels and you can win up to 3,840x your stake in this medium volatility slots game.
The Best Medium Volatility Slots Online in 2025
The slots we mentioned previously are among the most popular games with medium variance. However, they aren’t the best ones or even the best-paying ones. Slot studios have worked hard to deliver loads of medium variance titles that can pay decent sums of real money. Furthermore, some of these, like NetEnt’s Guns N’Roses have an impressive RTP of 96.98%, which is far higher than the medium variance average.
Without further ado, we give you the best medium variance slots you can play in online casinos today.
Guns N’Roses
If you love rock music, you’ve surely heard Guns N’Roses or may even be a diehard fan. Once considered the biggest rock band on the planet, Guns N’Roses have become a big part of pop culture. They’ve infiltrated various media and the slot industry as well. The most perfect example of it is NetEnt’s hit simply titled Guns N’Roses.
The 2016 online slot is part of NetEnt’s music series of slots. It’s also the most popular one and the most fun to play. It features all of the band’s members rocking their hearts out as well as the 5 most popular songs released by GNR, Paradise City included.
The action kicks off with a slew of special features including expanding wilds, a special Appetite for Destruction wild, solo multipliers, and whatnot. The Crowd Pleaser bonus game is a fantastic addition that will make GNR fans happy.
This medium volatility slots game pays well over 1,000x your stake. Its variance ranges between low to medium, being more focused on the latter. With a bit of luck, you’ll be hitting the biggest wins across 20 paylines while singing the band’s hits be it Paradise City or Sweet Child of Mine.
Diamond Strike
A Pragmatic Play slot with 15 paylines, RTP of 96.48%, and medium variance, Diamond Strike is a perfect mash-up of the old and the new. It’s a slot that heavily relies on oldie video slots, with diamonds the most valued symbol. Of course, the classic looks have been updated with modern gameplay features, mainly the golden 7 symbol that can trigger a jackpot.
The fact that it’s simple to play will appeal to new players. Pragmatic Play has done a great job with the retro look and feel, while not forgetting anything about modern features.
It’s great retro action with medium slot volatility that you should surely try. If not for the line wins, then for the jackpot.
Mystery Joker
Play’n GO’s Mystery Joker is a medium volatility slot game that may fool you with its looks and presentation. Its variable RTP may feel a bit lower than expected and the 5 paylines are simply too few for the modern era. Right? Well, not exactly. The slot may offer classic gameplay and may not have a lot of features, but it can still pay whopping cash rewards over 6,000x your stake.
Get to the free spins round and that’s where the slot blossoms. Any 2 symbols along with a Joker hat can deliver mystery wins between 1 and 100x your stake. The free spins can be retriggered infinitely, boosting the slot’s winning potential.
It’s a great retro slot game with wins that will appeal to new and seasoned players. Add the medium variance to the mix and it becomes a slot you don’t want to miss.
Count Duckula
Developed by Blueprint Gaming, Count Duckula is based on the beloved cartoon character. It also gives the dark Bram Stoker classic a funny twist packed with medium volatility and an RTP of 93.95%. That didn’t prevent it from becoming one of the best medium variance slots still enjoyed years after its release.
The slot features 20 paylines that can expand to 40 during free spins. There are 5 bonuses in total so it’s safe to say there’s plenty of money to be made in Count Duckula. The medium volatility ensures you get solid returns, although luck still plays a big part in it.
What we love the most about the slot is its undeniable charm and the top-notch representation of the popular show. It’s a must for all medium variance slot fans.
Satoshi’s Secret
No one knows who Bitcoin’s mysterious creator Satoshi Nakamoto is except for Endorphina. The studio seems to know Satoshi’s Secret, decoding the name and whereabouts of the elusive Satoshi in an exclusive slot. A medium variance slot game with an RTP of 96%, Satoshi’s Secret is a cryptographic journey through 1s and 0s hackers are going to love.
You can win across 20 paylines by linking virtual currencies up. If you manage to hit the biggest ones, you’ll uncover Satoshi’s secret and get a fortune in return. In fiat money, not cryptocurrencies.
Advantages of Medium Volatility Slots
Every type of slot volatility has its pros and cons. For low variance slots, you get rewards more often, but they’re smaller. Highly volatile slots are a great chance for high rollers to score the big bucks, but you must be ready for dry spells.
Medium volatile slots offer a much better risk vs. reward ratio. They pay more frequently than high variance slots and have bigger prizes than low variance slot games. Many of them come with progressive jackpots valued at millions of coins.
These slots are also great for beginners since they allow you to manage your bankroll properly. Set a budget and spin medium variance online slots and you should be able to get the most out of these games.
FAQ
What is medium slot machine volatility?
Medium volatility slots offer a mid-range risk vs. reward ratio. They pay more frequently than high variance slots and offer higher rewards than low volatile slot machines.
What slot machines have the highest RTP?
The highest-paying slots in the industry have low or medium volatility. For example, Playtech’s Ugga Bugga has an RTP of 99.07% and low variance. Barcrest’s Ooh Aah Dracula is of medium variance and has an RTP of 99%. Both can be found in most casinos and among the best slots on DraftKings app.
Do medium volatility slots have progressive jackpots?
Yes, they do. One notable example is NetEnt’s Arabian Nights. While it’s not the biggest progressive jackpot in the industry, it can reach whopping values of several million coins.
Are medium variance slot games better than low and high variance slots?
If you ask most players, they are. Medium variance slots have a much better risk vs. reward ratio – we can say that they offer the best bang for your buck.
