Best Very High Volatility Slots - Casino Games With Extreme Variance

What is High Volatility Slots?

An important characteristic you should know about any online slot is its volatility level. Volatility, which is also known as variance, dictates how frequently a win is triggered. A slot with a high volatility level will not trigger frequent wins, but the counterbalance to this is that when a win is triggered, it will usually be for a larger payout. In comparison with low volatility slots, which do trigger frequent wins, with the downside that these wins will match with lower payouts. There are also slots with medium volatility, as you can imagine, these fall somewhere in between. The majority of new slot games released have high volatility levels.

What Are the Best High Volatility Slots?

Of course, there are so many exciting ones, it is difficult to pinpoint which the best high volatility slots are. In truth, it comes down to personal preference. In this guide, we give you an updated list of what we believe to be the top 10 best high volatility slots.

1. San Quentin 2: Death Row by NoLimit City

One thing you should know about the slot developers at NoLimit City is that they created their own volatility level - extreme. NoLimit City slots always come with the highest volatility. Such games can often be frustrating because you will inevitably hit a period where you’re just not really hitting any wins but at the other end of the scale, activating a free spins bonus will often almost guarantee a rather big win.

We have chosen San Quentin 2: Death Row as our pick of the best NoLimit City high volatility slots because it has just one free spins game. The majority of other slots by this developer have two or three free spins games and the big payouts are usually only available in the hardest bonus game to trigger.

You should keep in mind that this is a rather complicated slot to understand if you are a new player. Slots with ‘extreme’ volatility are usually favoured by and aimed towards high rollers and players who love to gamble at high stakes.

2. Razor Ways by Push Gaming

The first thing you will notice about Razor Ways is that it has expanding reels. Razor Ways begins with a 3x6 grid and for every win, the grid will expand by another row up to a maximum of six rows. Like the aforementioned Thoro slot, this means that every spin can result in multiple wins and ensures the slot does not become too tedious too quickly. During the bonus, all of the reels are active too.

Some important factors for you to consider here are that Razor Ways also has Mystery Symbols and Instant Win prizes, two popular features. Like all Push Gaming slots, it is possible for operators to change the RTP level. We know for certain that Razor Ways can have an RTP of either 96.36% or 94.32%. It goes without saying that you should find an operator which will offer Razor Ways with its optimal RTP level.

3. Thoro by Elk Studios

An exceptional game from Elk Studios which makes use of multiple modern slot features including a Lightning paytable, Walking Wilds and repsins. For many experts within the online slots scene, Thoro is one of top slots released in a long time. Thoro is not the highest volatility slot on this list, but we do believe that it is the best volatility slot around today.

Some extra information you may want to take into account is that the return to player (RTP) is a little on the low side at just 94%. It is generally agreed that the average RTP of a UK slot game is somewhere around the 96% mark. The maximum potential multiplier it is possible to win in Thoro is 10,000x your bet.

4. Tombstone RIP by NoLimit City

Although they are not everybody’s cup of tea, NoLimit City slot games are some of the most well-made slots today. They are also the ones with the highest volatility levels so it is impossible for us not to include any on this list. Tombstone RIP is actually the number one highest paying slot in the UK with a maximum multiplier of 300,000x. This means that it is entirely possible (although unlikely) to win £300,000 from just a £1 bet.

However, Tombstone RIP offers a lot more than just enticing multipliers. It contains many of NoLimit City’s best slot features including xNudge wilds as well as xSplit wilds. Like with the earlier slot we discussed on this list, San Quentin 2: Death Row, Tombstone RIP has ‘extreme’ volatility. The downside here is the low hit frequency (a common component of slots with high variance levels).

5. Piggy Riches 2 Megaways by Red Tiger

A huge improvement on the original game, Megaways slots by Red Tiger are usually fun to play and Piggy Riches 2 Megaways may be the best of the whole lot. We would like to point out that this is a great high volatility slot for beginners as at the top of the reels, you will be able to see an explanation of each of the slots symbols. It is also a simple game to play that is not tedious.

The bonus game here is all about building up a big win. The bonus is not played on the same grid as the base game, so it makes for a nice change when you do trigger it. As this has a Megaways engine, there can be up to 117,649 paylines and the maximum possible multiplier is 20,000x your wager.

6. Big Bass Bonanza by Pragmatic Play

Available at most online slots operators, Big Bass Bonanza became a huge hit when it was released at the end of 2020. Very simple and with an above-average return to player, it is easy to see why it became popular. These days, many slot sites will give new players free spins on Big Bass Bonanza when signing up. In fact, Big Bass Bonanza is very likely one of the first slots with high variance that a new slots player will play.

Played on a 5x3 grid with 10 payines, Big Bass Bonanza is more similar to a classic slot with its simple layout and gameplay.

7. Medusa Megaways by NextGen Gaming

Online slot machines themed around Greek mythology are both fairly common and very popular. Medusa Megaways is just a great all-round slot game. First of all, the graphics are a lot of fun, albeit a little dated these days. Secondly, all of the most important aspects of a slot are ticked by Medusa Megaways. A high RTP? Definitely, its RTP is 97.63%. High maximum multiplier? Absolutely, up to 50,000x. Loads of paylines? Oh yes, 117,649.

Medusa Megaways was one of the first games to have the cascading reels feature too which gives the opportunity for multiple wins from a single-spin. Medusa Megaways was released over five years ago now and it is rather hard to find, but regardless, it remains one of the best slots with high volatility of all time.

8. Cats of Olympuss by Push Gaming

Combining animals with gods was a genius play by Push Gaming, as both animal themed slots and god slots will always be popular. Combining the two with the excellently themed Cats of Olympuss meant for a fun game. But, have the game's mechanics matched up with the theme? They certainly have!

The best aspect of Cats of Olympuss is the bonus game where you can pick your own rewards and it is where the biggest payouts will be won too. It is also a progressive bonus game which gives you the possibility to spin on four different game grids if you are lucky enough. The bonus game is not too difficult to trigger either as although Cats of Olympuss has high variance, it is on the lower end of high.

9. Roman Emperors by Red Tiger

Another well-used theme which remains popular is Ancient Rome. There are dozens of Rome themed slots, but we believe that Red Tiger did an excellent job in one of their latest high volatility slots, Roman Emperors. The Emperor power bar is a great addition and it brings a real history dynamic to the slot as the game uses real Roman Emperors; Julius Caesar, Pompey and Marcus Licinius Crassus. Each emperor will trigger certain features and it is also possible to activate all three at the same time.

Vital details here include its RTP of 95.68%, maximum payout of 8,940x and a total of 25 paylines on a 3x5 grid.

10. Savannah Pride by Red Tiger

The newest high volatility slot machine on our list, Savannah Pride features 5 reels and 3 rows with 20 paylines. With a hit frequency of above 30%, this is certainly the high volatility slot which triggers the most wins on average. The game takes place on a plain in the Savannah and comes with different animal symbols as well as Warrior and Princess Wild symbols.

The lion symbols are the ones which will grant you access to the bonus game when you match three or more of them on the reels.