The best tablet in Australia for 2024: the top tablets you can buy right now

The best tablets are a lot more than just smartphones with larger screens – after all, that’s what the best foldable phones are for. What the top tablets offer is a middle ground between the best phones and the best laptops, often being bigger and more powerful than a smartphone while also more portable than a laptop.

Many also offer a versatility that smartphones and laptops just can’t match, such as offering stylus support and enough screen space to make them the ideal companion for graphic designers. While one of the best drawing tablets or best ereaders might be better options for certain needs, the best tablets overall are versatile and often deceptively powerful all-rounders.

In order to sort out the best from the rest when it comes to the top tablets in Australia, we've tested every major tablet and used them in everyday life for extended periods of time. In our testing, we’ve looked at a range of factors including performance, software, screen quality, battery life, and how well they interact with accessories.

To help you find the right device for your needs, we've gathered our picks for the tablets most worth buying in Australia for you to consider below.

The quick list

Below you'll find a quick roundup of our choices for the best tablets in Australia in 2023. We've selected a mixture of brands and screen sizes, and catered to a range of budgets. You can jump to a more detailed review of each pick, and shop the latest deals using our price comparison tool.

The best tablets in Australia for 2024

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Below you can find more in-depth reviews of our choices for the best tablets, and you can click through the full reviews of each, written by TechRadar's team of technology experts.

The best iPad overall

iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) on table

(Image credit: Future)

1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022)

The best iPad by far

Specifications

Weight: 688g
Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
OS: iPadOS 16
Screen size: 12.9-inch
Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
CPU: Apple M2
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP + LiDAR
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful mini-LED screen
+
Future-proof M2 chip

Reasons to avoid

-
128GB is small for the price
-
Battery life isn't huge

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is – as of 2024 – Apple’s ultimate tablet, and one which packs laptop-class power, thanks to an M2 chipset. Arguably this is overkill, since almost nothing you’d do on a tablet can even tax the M1 from the previous generation, but it certainly makes this future-proof.

In most other ways this is much like the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), including having a massive 12.9-inch screen that uses mini-LED to create a superior picture than you’ll find on smaller iPads.

It’s also remarkably thin and light for all the tech on offer, and has handy features like Face ID, capable cameras, and of course support for accessories like Apple’s Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2 – the latter of which is better than ever here, thanks to hover-detection, which makes this even better for drawing on than other iPads.

Yes, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is very expensive, and it’s probably overkill for most users, but if you want a superpowered slate, this is it.

Read the full iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) review

The best Android tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The best Android tablet

Specifications

Weight: 732g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 11,200mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Samsung multitasking is better than iPad and Pixel Tablet
+
Gorgeous display and blazing performance
+
Value is surprisingly good compared to iPad Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
Same price as a Macbook Air (M2)
-
Faster charging would have been nice
-
Flimsy keyboard and no easy S Pen storage

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the ultimate Android tablet, just like its predecessor. It comes with polished OneUI software that takes advantage of its big and beautiful 14.6-inch screen, and the included S Pen stylus and optional keyboard should make this a great device for creating artwork, editing documents, taking notes, and other productivity tasks.

For a tablet of this size, the display is its selling point. It is massive, sure, but it is also beautiful at 1848 x 2960 resolution and smooth thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate. It packs a dedicated Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset with up to 16GB of RAM, and the storage goes up to 1TB. In other words, this really, really wants to convince you it can replace your laptop.

In our review, we were very impressed with both the software and its performance. Qualcomm's processor really put in the work here, and Samsung's OneUI software makes this feel like a real laptop with enhanced multitasking capabilities that you simply won't find on offerings from Apple or Google. Unfortunately, its biggest flaw is that it continues to feel like a real laptop without actually being one. If you want a laptop to do all the laptop things, you'll still be better served running a real laptop. But as a big tablet? Unmatched.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review

The best tablet for designers

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 drawing

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The top tablet for designers

Specifications

Weight: 879g
Dimensions: 287 × 209 × 9.3mm
OS: Windows 11
Screen size: 13-inch
Resolution: 2880 x 1920 pixels
CPU: Intel Core i5 12th Gen (or Microsoft SQ 3 for 5G model)
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 19 hours
Rear camera: 10MP
Front camera: 5MP

Reasons to buy

+
Fast processing power
+
Generous display
+
Especially good for artists
+
5G model on offer
+
Generous battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Windows 11 sometimes runs edgy
-
Modest camera array
-
Pen and other accessories not included

If you're on the hunt for a quality tablet with particularly unique potential for design and creative applications, look no further than the Microsoft Surface Pro 9. With ample battery life, large screen real estate and the Windows 11 OS, the Pro 9 might be at its very best when combined with the Surface Slim Pen 2, which turns it into an unrivalled graphics-tablet option for designers.

But its prowess certainly doesn't begin or end with how well it pairs for creative endeavours.

Usurping 2021's Microsoft Surface Pro 8 as the ultimate Windows tablet, the whisper-thin Pro 9 is an exceptionally flexible slate, particularly in its 5G compatible model. It isn't entirely without its issues however, with its capabilities for running more heavy-duty software sometimes spotty, and the fact that it doesn't come with accessories included is disappointing (but perhaps not surprising) given its premium price.

Still, that latter issue is one also shared by Apple's iPads; you'll have to pay extra to add a keyboard or case whether you go with an iPad or a Surface. All things considered, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a tremendously capable tablet that shines especially with what it offers to professional creatives and artists.

Read the full Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review

The best iPad Pro alternative

In-person images of the ipad Air 2022 in use

(Image credit: TechRadar)
A more affordable version of the iPad

Specifications

Weight: 461g
Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
OS: iPadOS 15.4
Screen size: 10.9-inch
Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels
CPU: Apple M1
Storage: 64GB/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 10-hour
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Speedy performance
+
Great design

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited storage
-
Clear steps down

Apple's latest iPad Air has a lot more in common with the iPad Pro than with the company's entry-level slates. And, when we tested the thing, we had to keep checking which tablet it actually was.

There's an all-body display, M1 chipset, Apple Pencil compatibility and long-lasting battery. Oh, and of course it runs on Apple's iPadOS which is a supremely useful tablet operating system. On test, its performance is very close to the iPad Pro range, which is impressive when you consider its list price. 

This is one of the best tablets we've tested, and the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra only beat it in a few ways, like with their bigger screens, extra storage space and high-res displays. But if you don't have the money to stretch for those two premium tabs, this mid-range alternative could be great for you.

Read the full iPad Air (2022) review

The most fun Android tablet

Google Pixel Tablet at Google I/O

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Most fun Android tablet

Specifications

Weight: 493g
Dimensions: 258 x 169 x 8.1mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 10.95-inch
Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Tensor G2
Storage: 128GB/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 7,020mAh
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
Great value for a tablet and speaker dock combo
+
Home screen controls are useful and improving
+
Excellent sound for immersive audio

Reasons to avoid

-
Android still seems a phone OS shoehorned into a tablet
-
Soft-touch back picks up dirt and fingerprints
-
Smaller than the ‘11-inch’ marketing makes it see

The Google Pixel Tablet comes with Google's tablet-optimised take on Android that debuted in Android 12L and later reached maturity in Android 13. The Pixel Tablet is a genuine pleasure to use as the company has built out a suite of apps that now work well with large-screen devices and tablets, including the Google Suite of apps, including entertainment apps like YouTube, Google Play apps, and more.

The Pixel Tablet isn't meant for productivity, though. So if you're looking for a tablet to assist with work, or to even replace your laptop, then you'll want to look elsewhere. It's for this reason that the Pixel Tablet doesn't feature higher on this list. 

It's still very deserving of a place though, as Google would explain it, you're meant to see it as an entertainment device, whether you lean into the company's positioning of this as a smart home device, or you use it simply as a tablet. With a lovely screen, a powerful speaker dock, and quick updates, the Pixel Tablet certainly lives up to the hype.

Read our full Google Pixel Tablet review

The best affordable iPad

iPad 10.9 (2022) screen at angle

iPad 10.9 (2022) with Magic folio (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

6. iPad 10.9 (2022)

The best affordable

Specifications

Weight: 477g
Dimensions: 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm
OS: iPadOS 16
Screen size: 10.9-inch
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
CPU: Apple A14
Storage: 64GB / 256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide

Reasons to buy

+
All-new design
+
Improved cameras and performance
+
Good battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
No support for Apple Pencil 2
-
Screen can be too reflective

The iPad 10.9 (2022) isn't the outright cheapest iPad you can buy – that accolade belongs to the 9th Gen edition, which you can still buy – but the substantial upgrade this 10th Gen model offers over its predecessor is what earns it its spot on this list as the best affordable model. It has a new, iPad Pro-like design, a big 10.9-inch screen, strong battery life, and improved cameras, with the front-facing camera now being on the long edge, which is an infinitely better position for video calls.

Add to that a selection of vibrant colours that you can buy the slate in, and support for various accessories such as the Apple Pencil, and you’re left with an excellent tablet – and one which is remarkably close to matching Apple’s iPad Air line, just at a lower price.

That said, the iPad 10.9 (2022) only supports the original Apple Pencil rather than the Apple Pencil 2, and in our review we found the screen more reflective than we’d have liked, so there are still some compromises here.

Read the full iPad 10.9 (2022) review

The best budget tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

(Image credit: Future / Sharmishta Sarkar)

7. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Few compromises with this cheap and capable slate

Specifications

Weight: 508g
Dimensions: 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9mm
OS: Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Screen size: 10.5-inch
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
CPU: Unisoc Tiger T618
Storage: from 64GB, expandable up to 1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 7,040 mAh
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 5MP

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous display for the price
+
Expandable memory for content hoarders
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Software can crash at low battery
-
Battery takes its time to recharge

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 presents itself as a great option for anyone looking for a larger-screen media device, but who doesn't want to spend big on one. The 10.5-inch screen could well be the sweet spot for most users, being small enough to make it portable, and large enough to warrant having it as a secondary device to your phone. 

The metal chassis certainly belies its price point, and just adds to the argument that you really don't need to spend the big bucks to get a product of real quality. Of course, compromises need to made, and so you shouldn't expect the Galaxy Tab A8 to be as lightning fast in navigation and its handling of media compared to the beefier-specced Tab S8 series, but the A8 is certainly no slouch and should be more than adequate for the casual user. 

We were surprised to find out how slow the Tab A8 was to recharge in our review, at least when compared to tablets costing similar money. You will get a day of use from it, and you could leave it on charge overnight to alleviate the slow charge woes, but ultimately, we expected a little more from Samsung. All in all, however, this is a fantastic budget tablet. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review

The best tablet display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

(Image credit: Future)

8. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

A display-first iPad competitor

Specifications

Weight: 581g
Dimensions: 185.4 x 285.4 x 5.7mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 12.4-inch
Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Storage: 256GB, 512GB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 10,090 mAh
Rear camera: 13MP + 8MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Super AMOLED, HDR10+ display
+
Solid battery life
+
S Pen stylus included

Reasons to avoid

-
Android apps still lacking on tabs
-
Not cheap
-
Charger not included

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus has yet to be given the full, in-depth review treatment here at TechRadar, but we have gone hands-on with it and can already surmise that the brighter screen is even better than that of the S8 Plus it replaces. 

As with the predecessor S8 series, the S9 Ultra is yet more accomplished than the S9 Plus listed here, but that tablet also costs even more money (and the S9 Plus is already a considerable investment). You may be thinking the Tab S9 Ultra has an even better display, and you would largely be correct. The reason we've selected the Tab S9 Plus as our pick for the best display is that the differences don't necessarily justify the difference in cost, and for most people, the Tab S9 Plus is going to impress. 

If your primary use for a tablet is to stream the latest movies and shows, you might find there's no better option than the Tab S9 Plus in terms of how well it will present your favourites. Gaming also benefits here, with the S9 Plus featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and QHD resolution. 

For productivity purposes, particularly with the idea of replacing a laptop, there might be better alternatives. But from an entertainment and content-consumption perspective, the S9 Plus has a great deal to offer.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

9. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

The perfect tablet/phone hybrid?

Specifications

Weight: 252.3g
Dimensions: 67 x 154.9 x 13.5mm (folded); 129.7 x 154.9 x 6.1mm (unfolded)
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 7.6-inch (main display); 6.2-inch (cover display)
Resolution: 2176 x 1812 (main display); 2316 x 904 (cover display)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 2
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 4,400 mAh
Rear camera: 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 10MP (telephoto)
Front camera: 10MP

Reasons to buy

+
Folds completely flat
+
Snappy performance
+
Lighter and thinner than ever before

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
No S Pen included
-
Cover screen could be too narrow for some

If your main reason for getting a tablet is to take advantage of a larger display for basic productivity or bingeing the latest and greatest movies and TV shows, then perhaps a foldable phone such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 could be the perfect device for you. 

By combining a 7.6-inch screen when unfolded with a speedy and highly capable mobile experience, it really is two devices in one. Samsung has continued to tweak its software to maximise the productivity potential of the Z Fold, and so you can now split the 7.6-inch screen into multiple windows, running various apps at the same time. 

A 7.6-inch screen may be smaller than anything else on this list, but it's still a big step up on the best smartphones. The Z Fold5 isn't cheap, and costs more than most tablets on this list, but consider it at two high-end devices in one svelte package and it soon becomes more justifiable. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 review

How we test the best tablets

Every tablet on this list has been thoroughly tested and put through a comprehensive review, so we know exactly what makes them tick and how they compare. From there, we've ranked them based on our findings, factoring in their price and value too.

How to choose the best tablet

When choosing a tablet, the first thing you'll need to decide is how much you want to do with it. Will it be an extra device for entertainment and productivity, or will it replace a laptop as a main computing device? Today's tablets can certainly handle all of the tasks of a basic laptop. 

Then you'll need to decide on your price range, because tablets can range from cheap budget devices to very expensive cutting edge portables, far more expensive than the laptops they replace. 

Finally, it would be helpful to choose between an Apple iPad OS tablet and an Android device, based on the services and software you prefer. 

The best tablets in Australia: FAQ

What is the best brand for tablets

Different brands make devices aimed at different buyers, so there's no 'best' brand, there's just a brand that's best for you.

Amazon's slates are great for low-budget entertainment, but aren't as good for work or creativity. Samsung has some like that too, though its top-end slates are better for workers.

Apple's iPads hit all beats, though they cost a lot, so aren't great for everybody. Lenovo's tabs are great for working, especially for students, and its Yoga devices bring features that are great for entertainment too.

Other, smaller tablet makers generally focus on entertainment tools, though some are good for work and a select few are also useful for creatives.

What should I look for when buying a tablet?

The main things to consider are how much you want to spend, and what operating system you want - with Apple's iPadOS and Android being the two main options. Then think about what else matters to you in a tablet - be it size, power, camera or battery - and choose accordingly.

What tablet can replace a laptop?

If you're hoping to get serious work done on a tablet then an iPad Pro would be a good option. This has a big screen, lots of power, and supports a keyboard accessory. Alternatively, the screen size on offer with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 will rival that of many laptops while boasting as good or better productivity prowess.

Max Langridge
Staff Writer

Max is a digital content writer for TechRadar, covering home entertainment and audio, phones, laptops, gaming and virtually anything else that falls under the consumer electronics umbrella. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Max spent a combined five years writing for What Hi-Fi? and Pocket-lint, before moving to Australia in 2018. After a brief stint writing for men’s lifestyle publications, Max is back to working on his first passion of technology.

With contributions from