The best tablets have revolutionized how we work, learn, and play. Whether you’re streaming younotepadr favorite show, taking notes in a meeting, or keeping kids entertained on a road trip, these versatile devices are indispensable companions for modern life.
Best Overall | Bang for Your Buck | Best on a Budget | Best for Kids | Another Great Tablet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple iPad | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | Amazon Fire HD 8 | OnePlus Pad 2 |
 |  |  |  |  |
The Apple iPad delivers a versatile and powerful experience with its A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and intuitive iPadOS, making it perfect for productivity, creativity, and entertainment. | The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ combines a stunning 12.4-inch AMOLED display, advanced AI features, and robust durability for exceptional performance at a reasonable price. | The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus offers impressive multitasking capabilities, Dolby Atmos audio, and expandable storage, delivering great value in an affordable and compact tablet. | The Amazon Fire HD 8 provides kid-friendly features, long battery life, and durable design, making it an ideal choice for children and families on a budget. | The OnePlus Pad 2 excels with its high-resolution 12.1-inch display, cutting-edge Snapdragon processor, and fast-charging battery, offering premium features for power users. |
What Is a Tablet?
A tablet is a portable, touchscreen device that combines the functionality of a smartphone with the larger screen and power of a laptop. Typically lightweight and sleek, tablets are perfect for browsing, streaming, reading, and light productivity tasks. They run on various operating systems like iOS, Android, or Windows, each offering unique apps and features. With options ranging from budget-friendly to premium, there’s a tablet for everyone.
Why Buy a Tablet?
Tablets bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops, offering a balance of portability and performance. For professionals, tablets provide an excellent platform for note-taking, presentations, and video conferencing. Students benefit from their ability to run educational apps, access e-books, and participate in online classes.
For families, tablets are fantastic for entertainment, from streaming movies to playing games. Many come with parental controls, making them safe for kids. Additionally, tablets can serve as creative tools for artists, thanks to stylus compatibility and apps for drawing and design. With long battery life and advanced features like multitasking, tablets are versatile devices that can meet a wide range of needs.
Tablets: What to Look For
When shopping for a tablet, consider these critical features:
Best Overall: Apple iPad
Image credit: Apple
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The Apple iPad is a powerhouse tablet reimagined for versatility and productivity. Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it perfect for streaming, browsing, or creative work. The screen’s True Tone technology adjusts brightness based on ambient lighting, ensuring comfortable viewing in any environment. Whether you’re sketching with the Apple Pencil or watching your favorite series, the display elevates every experience.
Under the hood, the iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, offering desktop-level performance in a slim, portable design. Multitasking is seamless with iPadOS features like Split View and Slide Over, allowing users to work across multiple apps effortlessly. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals, students, and creatives alike. The tablet’s battery life is impressive, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy usage.
Accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio further enhance its versatility, though they are sold separately. Despite the additional cost of accessories, the iPad’s excellent performance, build quality, and intuitive software make it the best overall choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-performing tablet.
Bang for Your Buck: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Image credit: Samsung
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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ offers impressive features and performance at a reasonable price. Its 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display provides stunning visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. The large screen is ideal for watching movies, editing photos, or using the S Pen for creative projects. With HDR10+ support, this tablet ensures an immersive viewing experience for entertainment enthusiasts.
Performance-wise, the Tab S10+ is powered by a cutting-edge processor and offers up to 512GB of storage, expandable via microSD. This makes it capable of handling intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, and multitasking with ease. Samsung’s DeX mode transforms the tablet into a desktop-like interface, boosting productivity for users who need to work on the go. The tablet also boasts an impressive battery life, capable of lasting through a full day of demanding use.
Designed for durability and convenience, the Galaxy Tab S10+ features an aluminum frame and is water-resistant, making it a reliable companion for both work and play. While accessories like the keyboard and S Pen are an extra investment, the tablet’s overall value and performance make it a standout choice for those seeking premium features without breaking the bank.
Best on a Budget: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Image credit: Samsung
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The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the perfect balance of performance and affordability. Its 11-inch display features a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals that are great for casual gaming, streaming, and browsing. The screen’s high resolution ensures clear and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for everyday tasks. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry, whether you’re commuting or relaxing at home.
Powered by an upgraded processor, the Tab A9+ delivers reliable performance for daily use, from running apps to browsing the web. While it’s not built for heavy multitasking or high-end gaming, it handles standard tasks effortlessly. With quad speakers featuring Dolby Atmos, this tablet offers an immersive audio experience that enhances video calls, movies, and music.
The device includes expandable storage, allowing users to add a microSD card for additional space. Parental controls and Smart View for screen mirroring make it a versatile choice for families. For anyone seeking a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a great investment.
Best for Kids: Amazon Fire HD 8
Image credit: Amazon
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The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a kid-friendly tablet designed for safe and engaging experiences. Its compact 8-inch HD screen is durable and perfectly sized for little hands. The vibrant display is great for watching videos, reading e-books, or playing games, while the sturdy build ensures it can withstand drops and rough handling. A rubberized bumper case, often included, adds extra protection.
The Fire HD 8 comes preloaded with Amazon Kids+, which offers a vast library of age-appropriate content, including books, games, and educational apps. Parents can easily manage screen time and set usage limits with the comprehensive parental controls. The tablet also allows multiple profiles, so each child can have a personalized experience tailored to their age and interests.
While it may not have the processing power of higher-end tablets, the Fire HD 8 excels in providing a safe and fun environment for kids. Its affordable price point and robust ecosystem of kid-friendly content make it an excellent choice for families looking for a dedicated tablet for children.
Another Great Tablet: OnePlus Pad 2
Image credit: OnePlus
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The OnePlus Pad 2 is a sleek and powerful option for tech enthusiasts. Its 12.1-inch display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, offering ultra-smooth visuals ideal for gaming, streaming, and productivity. The vibrant colors and high resolution make it a joy to use for creative tasks, while the slim bezels provide an immersive viewing experience. With a durable aluminum unibody, the tablet combines style and resilience.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the OnePlus Pad 2 is built for speed and efficiency. Multitasking is a breeze, with plenty of power to handle demanding apps and processes simultaneously. The large storage capacity and long-lasting battery make it perfect for users who need a reliable device for work and entertainment. Features like HyperRendering for gaming and AI-powered editing tools set this tablet apart from competitors.
While it is priced higher than some alternatives, the OnePlus Pad 2 justifies its cost with premium features and a high-quality build. Whether you’re a gamer, a creative professional, or a multitasking enthusiast, this tablet offers a robust and satisfying experience.
