Top-Rated Tablet Picks : Comprehensive Reviews From Tech Experts

Tablets have come a long way since the first iPad was released in 2010. Once a device designed simply for consuming content and playing games (anyone remember the days of Fruit Ninja?), it has, for many, become a full-fledged computer replacement , allowing them to get real work done. A good tablet should have a long battery life, a respectable selection of apps and services, and more functionality than just a screen to watch YouTube videos.

Also: The best cheap tablets you can buy

With so many tablets on the market today from brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and more, it can take time to choose one, but ultimately, it comes down to what you need the tablet for.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

What is the best tablet right now?

ZDNET went hands-on with tons of the best tablets on the market, using them for work and entertainment and even testing them out with our kids. Our pick for the best tablet for most people is the Apple iPad (10th generation) , thanks to its versatility and lightweight form. Read on to find the best tablet for your needs.

The best tablets of 2024

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at B&H Photo-Video View now at Best Buy

Pros

• Modernized design with a USB-C port
• Landscape front-facing camera is superior to other iPad models
• Four new colors to choose from

Cons

• Dongle required to charge Apple Pencil (1st gen)

Apple iPad (10th generation)

Best tablet overall

Apple’s tried-and-true tablet, the base model iPad, is arguably the best value in the Company’s tablet lineup, especially thanks to its versatility and compatibility. Plus, Apple just lowered the price on this tablet by $100, making it affordable at $349.

When it comes to features, you essentially get the same suite as the more expensive iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but in a lighter form factor and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, True Tone display. Additionally, this model breaks out of the iPad’s traditional space gray and silver color palette, adding pink, blue, and yellow in addition to sleek silver.

Review: iPad 2022 (10th Gen)

In his hands-on testing, ZDNET reviews editor June Wan determined that if you’re shopping on a budget, last year’s iPad should “make the most sense,” especially given the A14 Bionic processor, USB-C support, 5G support for on-the-go tasks, and a new 12MP ultra-wide camera. There’s also a Magic Keyboard Folio made specifically for this iPad. It includes an adjustable kickstand with a 14-key function row for shortcuts.

However, Apple customers point out that this iPad doesn’t support the 2nd gen Apple Pencil, which means you’ll have to use a dongle to use it.

Apple iPad specs: Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone | Processor: A14 Bionic chip with 16-core Neural Engine | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Silver, Pink, Blue, Yellow | Cameras: 12MP f/1.8 wide, 12MP Landscape f/2.4 front | Weight: 1.05 pounds | Dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x .28 inches | Connections: USB-C, Smart Connector | Battery life: Up to 10 hours of video playback with USB-C charging

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy View now at Target

Pros

• Affordably priced, especially when bundled
• Solid battery life
• New, modernized design

Cons

• Performance is just alright
• Important productivity apps are missing

Amazon Fire Max 11

Best Amazon Tablet

The Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s newest and best tablet yet. It still runs Fire OS, which means you’ll lose access to any of Google’s apps and services. However, Amazon’s own App Store has many of the same apps that regular Android devices have access to – including Netflix, Facebook, and Spotify.

With a starting price of $229, the Fire Max 11 brings an 11-inch display, 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage with support for 1TB of microSD card storage. If you’re looking for a tablet for work and play, the Fire Max 11 Productivity Bundle costs $329, but comes with a keyboard with touchpad, case and a stylus.

Review: Amazon Fire Max 11

ZDNET contributor, Jason Cipriani, went hands-on with the Amazon Fire Max 11 and said that it is “easily the best Fire Tablet Amazon has made yet.” “The Fire Max 11 productivity bundle provides everything you need to get some work done on the small and affordable tablet, as long as your work can be done in Microsoft’s suite of apps and services or in sites that work properly with Amazon’s Silk Browser,” he wrote.

Overall, 94% of Best Buy customers would recommend this tablet, giving it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Amazon Fire Max 11 specs: Display: 11-inch, 2000 x 1200, 410 nits brightness, 213 ppi | Processor: MediaTek MT8188J, 2.2Ghz Octacore processor | Storage: 64GB or 128GB | Memory: 4GB | Colors: Gray | Cameras: 8MP rear and 8MP front-facing camera | Weight: 490 grams | Dimensions: 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.50 millimeters | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 14 hours

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Samsung View now at Best Buy

Pros

• Improved Dynamic AMOLED display
• IP68 water and dust resistant
• Ultra responsive S Pen

Cons

• Not the most portable tablet
• Occasional app crashes

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Best Samsung Tablet

If you’re looking for an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is one of the best Android tablets. The Tab S9 Ultra features a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, runs on the Android 13 operating system, and Samsung’s S Pen stylus is included in the box.

The base model comes with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage, and a microSD card for adding up to an extra 1TB of storage to the tablet, the combination of which should be enough for most. Plus, new for this generation is IP68 water and dust resistant, that neither the iPad nor any premium tablet on the market is certified for.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

ZDNET’s Maria Diaz reviewed the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and said that while it looks and feels the same as last year, the upgrades give it a definitive edge over the competition. She also described the tablet as “The perfect device for a professional that seeks the power of a laptop and the flexibility of a tablet.”

If you opt for the $350 Book Cover Keyboard , you’ll be able to use Samsung DeX on the S9 Ultra, effectively turning the tablet into an Android-powered 2-in-1 device with plenty of space for multitasking and using more than one app at a time. Reddit users say that the S9 Ultra with this keyboard case will feel like a laptop, in terms of looks and weight.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra specs: Display: 14.6-inch, 120Hz refresh rate, Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2960 x 1848 display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Memory: 12GB, 16GB | Colors: Graphite and beige | Cameras: Rear: 13MP main, 8MP ultrawide, Front: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide | Weight: 1.6lb | Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches | Connections: 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery: 11,200mAh

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon

Pros

• Display looks good
• Solid performance
• Battery life

Cons

• Android apps still need tablet improvements
• Not a tablet for productivity
• It looks and acts a lot like an iPad

OnePlus Pad

Best Android tablet for entertainment

OnePlus is better known for its smartphone lineup and has led the way in producing phones that include a ton of features and performance while undercutting the competition when it comes to cost. And for the most part, that’s exactly what’s happened with the OnePlus Pad.

This Android-powered tablet has month-long battery standby, along with impressive daily battery life. Cipriani reviewed this tablet and found it quick and snappy for daily tasks like checking your email, playing games or browsing the web, all on a display that looks fantastic.

Review: OnePlus Pad

“One aspect of the overall experience I enjoyed using was the multitasking features built into OxygenOS, the operating system the Pad runs, Cipriani wrote. “More specifically, I found myself frequently using a quick gesture on the display to effectively split the display in half, putting one app on the left side of the screen and a second on the other half. A two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen was all it took.”

OnePlus also sells a keyboard case and a stylus for the OnePlus Pad, which more or less turns the OnePlus Pad into an iPad Pro dupe. However, verified customers who have bought and used this tablet say online that trackpad gestures and navigation are finicky, and a lot of the same interface features – such as the mouse pointer – on the OnePlus Pad come straight from Apple’s iPadOS interface for the same feature.

OnePlus Pad specs: Display: 11.61-inch, 144Hz refresh rate, LCD 2,800x2,000 display | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Mobile Platform | Storage: 128GB | Memory: 8GB | Colors: Halo green | Cameras: 13MP rear. 8MP front camera | Weight: 555 grams | Dimensions: 189.41 x 258.03 x 6.54mm | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 9,510mAh

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy View now at Microsoft

Pros

• Windows Hello
• Lots of ports
• Up to 256GB storage

Cons

• Can only install apps from Microsoft Store in Windows 10 S Mode

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best compact Windows tablet

The design hasn’t changed for the Go 3, meaning it should work with all of the original accessories, including the Type Cover keyboard. The Go 3 has faster internals that provide a better overall experience and performance, and this time around, all three configurations of the Go 3 use an SSD instead. Previously, the combination of slower storage via an eMMC drive and the Intel Pentium processor wasn’t an enjoyable experience.

Review: Microsoft Surface Go 3

ZDNET’s Mary Branscombe tested the Surface Go 3 back in 2021 and said it “shines as a portable device.” It’s perfect for working on an airplane tray table or a crowded train, and for throwing in a backpack. It’s a small tablet, with a display of just 10.5 inches, but it runs the full Windows operating system that you can customize.

It can also run Windows 10 in S Mode, which limits you to installing apps from only the Microsoft Store, along with a few other security features. But you can opt for the full Windows 10 experience by leaving S Mode.

One Reddit user praised the Surface Go 3, saying, “No issues running a bunch of Edge tabs, Excel, Word, and PP docs all at the same time,” adding, “Even media consumption is way easier on the Go 3.”

Microsoft Surface Go 3 tech specs: Display: 10.5-inch PixelSense Display | Processor: Intel Pentium Gold or Intel Core i3 | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Memory: 4GB or 8GB | Biometrics: Windows Hello face sign-in | Colors: Platinum | Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 5MP front facing camera | Weight: 1.07 pounds | Dimensions: 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches | Connections: 1 x USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 x Surface Connect Port, microSD card reader | Battery life: 11 hours

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy View now at B&H Photo-Video

Pros

• Tandem OLED display gets plenty bright
• M4 processor is fast, reliable, and for everyone
• Strongest accessory ecosystem yet

Cons

• iPadOS still feels inconsistent and limited
• Accessories are expensive but almost mandatory

Apple iPad Pro (7th generation)

Best laptop replacement tablet

Apple’s 2024 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we’ve seen, and it makes replacing your laptop with a tablet an easy decision. The design is much slimmer than previous Pro models, and you’ll find Apple’s powerful M4 processor. This chip consists of a new 10-core GPU, next-generation machine learning accelerators to handle a diverse range of tasks, and ProMotion technology, enabling variable screen refresh rates ranging from 10 to 120Hz.

Wan spent some time with the 13-inch Apple iPad Pro and was especially impressed by the new Tandem OLED screen. “In practice, Tandem OLED makes the iPad Pro a phenomenal tablet for visual experiences. I’ve been able to complete text-heavy and photo-editing work – which often require adequate viewing angles – under a New York City sun that thinks it’s already summer,” Wan wrote in his review. “Watching Netflix and Disney+ on the iPad is straight eye candy; colors pop, and the darker, moodier scenes have a level of shadow detail unseen on older Pro models.”

Review: Apple iPad Pro (7th generation)

The Pro also supports the new Apple Pencil Pro , which has a range of features, including a squeeze gesture for quick tool, color, and other changes, a gyroscope for precise control of pens and brush tools with a simple rotation, and custom haptic feedback that you can feel via a pulse. It also pairs with the newly revamped Magic Keyboard, which is thinner and lighter, has a larger trackpad, and a new row of function keys this year, making the keyboard case more essential than ever for the full iPad experience.

Apple iPad Pro t ech specs: Display: 11- or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion | Processor: Apple Silicon M4 | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Biometrics: Face ID | Colors: Silver, space black | Cameras: 12MP wide (4K, ProRes), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide | Weight: 11-inch: .98 pounds, 13-inch: 1.28 pounds | Dimensions: 9.83 x 6.99 x .21 inches or 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches | Connections: USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4 | Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Best Buy View now at Target View now at B&H Photo-Video

Pros

• Good performance and battery life
• Finally, Android tablet apps done right
• The Charging Speaker Dock makes it a Nest Hub

Cons

• No official keyboard case
• Hub Mode could use some quality-of-life improvements

Google Pixel Tablet

Best Android tablet

Google’s first Android tablet in years is exactly what Android tablets should have been all along. It’s true, not all apps are optimized for the larger screen, but Google’s gotten clever in the way it handles those apps, while also getting a bunch of developers on board with updating their apps for the bigger display.

Review: Google Pixel Tablet

“When you open an app on the Pixel tablet, the app stays confined to a phone-like column view that takes up effectively a third of the tablet’s display,” Cipriani notes in his hands-on review. “The app can live on the left edge of the screen, in the middle, or on the right edge. You move it by double tapping in the blank space on either side of it.”

Not only is the app experience better with the Pixel Tablet, but it pulls double duty acting as a smart home hub when it’s not in use thanks to the included Charging Speaker Dock. The $129 accessory (if you want to buy extras) has a built-in speaker that ups the bass by 4x, while enabling a hub mode feature that effectively makes the Pixel Tablet more like a Nest Hub, instead of a tablet.

Unfortunately, right now, there isn’t any sort of official keyboard or stylus for those who want to get some work done on the Pixel Tablet. Customers who have bought the tablet have voiced on Reddit that they mainly use it for media consumption and that it does the job for that purpose.

Google Pixel Tablet tech specs: Display: 10.95-inch LCD, 2560x1600, 500 nits | Processor: Google Tensor G2| Storage: 128GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Fingerprint sensor | Colors: Hazel, rose, porcelain | Cameras: 8MP front, 8MP rear | Weight: 17.39 ounces | Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches | Connections: USB-C, pogo pins | Battery life: Up to 12 hours of video playback

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at B&H Photo-Video View now at Best Buy

Pros

• Snappy M2 processor
• Two size options, including bigger 13-inch
• Landscape mode camera
• Increased base storage for the same price as older model

Cons

• Thicker and heavier than the iPad Pro

Apple iPad Air (6th generation)

Best middle-of-the-road tablet

Apple’s latest update to the iPad Air is more of a catch-up announcement than anything. The 6th-generation iPad Air keeps the same design we saw Apple bring to the Air in late 2022, but it now boasts an M2 processor, two size choices (11 inches or 13 inches), and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.

The Apple iPad Air still sits confidently between the base iPad and the iPad Pro when you look at the price, but it’s effectively caught up to the iPad Pro in terms of performance. Apple says you’ll get up to 50% better performance than in the previous model and much faster graphics performance for gaming or video editing. And, the big draw of the iPad Pro was always its bigger size, but that benefit has now come downmarket to a price tier that’s much more accessible.

Review: Apple iPad Air (6th generation)

Another standout feature is the iPad Air’s front-facing camera, which has been rotated to the side bezel for landscape mode, which means you’ll look a lot better during FaceTime calls.

Where the iPad Pro is the model for those who want nothing but the best, the iPad Air is the model for those who want to use the tablet for work and play, without big sacrifices in performance or features. In our review, we said the iPad Air is “where your search should begin and, likely, end” if you’re in the market for an iPad.

Apple iPad Air tech specs: Display: 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS, 60Hz | Processor: Apple Silicon M2 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Space gray, starlight, purple, blue | Cameras: 12MP rear camera, 12MP webcam (landscape-oriented) | Weight: 11-inch: 1.02 pounds, 13-inch: 1.36 pounds | Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches and 11.04 x 8.46 x .24 inches | Connections: USB-C port and magnetic connector for Apple Pencil Pro | Battery life: 10 hours

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Included pen for handwritten notes
• Compatible with Microsoft Word

Cons

• Premium pen upgrade will cost you more
• Does not support note-taking on magazines or newspapers

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Best tablet for reading

The Kindle Scribe is perhaps the perfect example of part e-reader, part tablet to satisfy your reading and note-taking needs. It has the same functions you’ve come to know and love in a Kindle, like a 300 ppi glare-free screen, weeks of battery life, and adjustable warm light. It’s also compatible with Amazon’s Basic or Premium Pen, so you can take handwritten notes or underline important quotations within the book you’re reading.

Your notes are automatically organized in one place for every book so that you can browse, review, and export them via email. The Kindle Scribe also comes with preset templates to help you create notebooks, journals, and lists, and you can create sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents.

Review: Amazon Kindle Scribe

ZDNET contributing writer Matthew Miller went hands-on with the Kindle Scribe and called it “close to perfect.” “I use my Kindle Scribe daily as my primary note-taking device, and the habit of carrying it has also resulted in me reading more books than I have in years,” Miller wrote. “It’s an excellent ebook device while also serving as a capable working tablet.”

The Kindle Scribe comes with the Basic pen but verified Amazon customers say it’s best to opt for the $30 premium pen so you get more advanced features like a dedicated eraser and the shortcut button.

Amazon Kinde Scribe tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display | Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Weight: 15.3 ounces | Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x .22 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks (at 30 minutes per day)

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon

Pros

• Affordable
• Kids edition has many perks
• Easy to use

Cons

• Performance will be an issue
• Amazon’s Appstore is hit or miss

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet

Best tablet for kids

Amazon just updated this tablet model in 2022, making it faster and with a longer battery life. Not only does it have a kid-proof case built to withstand 3 to 7-year-olds, but it also comes with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.

The tablet also grants users an Amazon Kids+ subscription, which grants them access to thousands of kid-friendly, ad-free books, as well as movies, games, and other kid-friendly and educational content . Parents who purchased this tablet on Best Buy give it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, and 95% would recommend it to other parents.

Review: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet

“The Fire HD 8 Kids tablet is a well-built, entry-level tablet that comes with a sturdy kid-proof cover and features useful parental controls,” wrote ZDNET’s Maria Diaz, who bought the tablet for her kids. “Its 13-hour battery life means that you’ll need to charge it less often than other competitors, and the combination of a durable case and screen ensures the integrity of the Fire tablet for years to come.”

The tablet’s kid-friendly case is also worth mentioning because it protects against drops and bumps, and it comes complete with an adjustable stand so your kids can go hands-free. But Amazon does offer you a two-year worry-free guarantee in case the tablet does succumb to playtime.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tech specs: Display: 8-inch display | Processor: Hexa-core 2.0 Ghz | Storage: 32GB or 64GB (expandable by up to 1 TB) | Memory: 2GB | Colors: Blue, purple, Disney Mickey Mouse, or Disney princess | Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording | Weight: 18.3 ounces | Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches| Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 13 hours

Show Expert Take Show less

What is the best tablet?

After going hands-on with all of these tablets, the 10th-generation iPad is our pick for the best tablet. It has a battery life of up to 10 hours, up to 256GB of storage, and a lightweight design that’s perfect for working or streaming movies on the go. Its fairly affordable price tag also makes it a great choice for students who need a mobile work computer.

If you want to see quickly how the 10th-generation iPad specifically compares to the other tablets that made our list, see the handy chart below that compares factors like price, storage, and display size.

Tablet	Price	Display size	Storage
Apple iPad (10th gen)	$349	10.9 inches	Up to 256GB
Amazon Fire HD 10	$150	10.1 inches	Up to 512GB with microSD card
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra	$1000	14.6 inches	Up to 1TB with microSD card
OnePlus Pad	$480	11.6 inches	128 GB
Microsoft Surface Go 3	$450	10.5 inches	Up to 256GB
Apple iPad Pro (7th gen)	$999	11 or 13 inches	Up to 2TB
Google Pixel Tablet	$499	10.95 inches	Up to 256GB
Apple Gen iPad Air (6th gen)	$600	11 or 13 inches	Up to 1TB
Amazon Kindle Scribe	$390	10.2 inches	16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids	$150	8 inches	32GB or 64GB

Which is the right tablet for you?

The biggest question you’ll need to answer about any tablet purchase is what you plan on using it for: Do you just want something to read a comic book and binge on some Netflix shows while you walk on the treadmill? If so, then a Fire tablet or the base model iPad is going to be more than enough for you.

However, if you want to use a tablet more like a laptop, then you’ll want to consider the iPad Pro, or one of the Surface devices. Here is a decision matrix that can help you choose which tablet is right for you:

Choose this tablet…	If you want or are…
Apple iPad (10th gen)	The best overall option when it comes to power, storage, and user-friendliness. The Apple iPad is the best tablet for anything.
Amazon Fire HD 10	An affordable tablet with basic features great for streaming. If you’re looking to spend less on a tablet, this is a great pick.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra	An Android tablet with expandable storage up to 1TB. This is Samsung’s best tablet–and largest–tablet, by far.
OnePlus Pad	The best Android tablet for entertainment and daily tasks like checking your email and browsing the web.
Microsoft Surface Go 3	A compact tablet for travel and mobile work. One of the best parts about this tablet is that it has A LOT of ports.
Apple iPad Pro (7th gen)	A tablet to replace your laptop thanks to its powerful Apple M4 chip. All you need to add is an attachable keyboard, and you have a device as powerful as the MacBook Pro.
Google Pixel Tablet	Google’s Pixel Tablet is one of the best Android tablets on the market. It’s fast, reliable and comes with a Charging Speaker Dock that completely changes how you use it.
Apple iPad Air (6th gen)	A lightweight tablet for those who want something for work and play, without big sacrifices in performance or features.
Amazon Kindle Scribe	An part e-reader, part tablet with an outstanding battery life and an included pen. It’s even compatible with Microsoft Word.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids	A kid-friendly tablet with built-in parental controls. It even has a kid-proof case and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

Factors to consider when choosing the best tablets:

These were the factors that were most important to us when making our top picks:

• Feature sets: Not all tablets are created equal. Some are better for kids, others are simply for artists, and then there’s the mini laptop for working professionals and students. We considered a variety of use-cases to match virtually every need.
• Price points: Tablets are an expensive piece of tech, especially if you’re planning on investing in compatible accessories or buying for your kids to inevitably drop at a moment’s notice,
• Integrations with other products: We considered options that can work with a smart case, attachable keyboard, Apple Pencil, or Stylus, and other work and entertainment add-ons.
• Battery life: Whether you’re using your tablet for work or play (or both), you’ll want it to last the duration of your task.

How we test tablets

The ZDNET team chose all of the tablets included in this list based on their performance when tested in the real world . When we test tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.

• Display: We measure the brightness level in different lighting conditions and assess color accuracy.
  We also compare the display’s performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen’s responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer’s stylus.
• Performance: For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet’s temperature during intensive tasks.
• Battery life: We test different scenarios for battery life, including measuring how long the battery lasts while streaming, web browsing, using productivity apps, and playing games.
• Camera and audio: For cameras, we evaluate features like resolution, aperture, low-light performance, autofocus accuracy, dynamic range, color accuracy, image quality, sharpness, and video quality. For audio, we look at the sound quality and overall listening experience, including audio clarity at different volumes, stereo separation of left and right audio channels, maximum volume level in various environments, and if there is perceived distortion.

For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive tablet testing methodology .

What does it mean if a tablet is Wi-Fi only?

When a tablet says it is “Wi-Fi Only,” it requires a wireless internet connection to access things like email, websites, and apps. There are models available that give you the option to use LTE cellular data to connect to the internet, but if you aren’t planning on traveling with your tablet, you can stick to a Wi-Fi only model.

Is a tablet better than a laptop?

That depends on what you want to use your tablet or laptop for. Digital artists tend to prefer tablets since they’re easier to draw on with a stylus. Tablets are also great for photo editing and streaming movies if you get one with a large enough screen size. But if you want to do things like create spreadsheets, type in a word processing program, or do intensive 3D animation or modeling, you’re better off with a laptop.

What is the best tablet for students?

Our top pick for the best tablet for students is the 10th-generation iPad, thanks to its affordable price and versatility of use. However, we’d also recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ or the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for students looking to buy a tablet.

Also: The best tablets for students going back to school

Are there alternative tablets worth considering?

Of course, the tablet market is more than just these 10 picks above. There are plenty of other options from different brands at various price points if you’re looking for additional tablets.

A small and affordable kids tablet alternative Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet This tablet has a smaller, 7-inch display, but still has all the perks like parental controls, Amazon Kids+ subscription, and a kid-friendly case. View at Amazon A good large screen alternative Lenovo Tab P11 Plus - A tablet with a large screen The 11-inch, 2K display is impressive, and the performance is reliable. Plus, it’s under $300. View at Amazon A highly portable Samsung alternative Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. The 8.7-inch screen makes it a tablet worthy of streaming, working, and more. View at Amazon A compact iPad alternative Apple Mini (6th generation) Apple’s recent update to the Mini brought it current with the company’s new flat-edge design, a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil. View at Apple

Newsletters

ZDNET Recommends

ZDNET saves you time and money by delivering the best products and tech deals to your inbox every week.

Subscribe

See all

ZDNET Recommends

The best smartwatches you can buy: Apple, Samsung, Google, and more compared

The 5 best VPN services (and tips to choose the right one for you)

The best Android phones you can buy (including a surprise pick)

The best robot vacuum and mop combos (and if they’re worth the money)

• The best smartwatches you can buy: Apple, Samsung, Google, and more compared
• The 5 best VPN services (and tips to choose the right one for you)
• The best Android phones you can buy (including a surprise pick)
• The best robot vacuum and mop combos (and if they’re worth the money)

Also read: