The best tablet in 2025 varies for each person, as it needs to align with your specific needs and budget. Some buyers just want the best cheap tablet for reading PDFs and watching the best streaming services, while others require a more portable, versatile and powerful laptop alternative.
Luckily, the best tablets in Australia account for a range of different users and we've tested all the finest options to ensure you're making an informed purchase – from top iPads like the 13-inch iPad Pro to the greatest Android tablets in 2025 like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus.
We test them by using them the way you would – watching movies, reading books, browsing the web and hours of social media, plus a variety of different scenarios like using it with a keyboard or playing games with a PlayStation DualSense controller connected. To complete our tests, we use benchmark software and our own proprietary testing tools.
Whether you're seeking a tablet that's basically a larger phone or a laptop replacement, this guide offers key options for most users and those who need a more premium device, plus more specified tablets for writing or drawing.
No matter what you're after, there's a tablet for every need and budget in this list, but we're constantly reviewing the latest models – so check back for our updated insights. For now, read on to see our 10 top picks.
The quick list
Below you'll find a quick roundup of our choices for the best tablets in Australia in 2025. 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 iPad for most people
The perfect blend of performance and value, if you need a stylish tablet to handle all your entertainment and some work without breaking your budget, it's very hard to beat.
The best Android tablet for most people
The S10 Plus and Ultra are now stocking shelves, but the Tab S9 remains the best Android tablet. It still offers the display and performance we loved, at a cheaper price.
The best premium iPad
Able to handle the most draining activities, the iPad Pro's M4 chip makes it more powerful than most computers while also being Apple's thinnest product ever.
The best premium Android tablet
Big, fast and beautiful, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus offers no compromises in being exceptionally premium, even making a viable laptop replacement.
The best budget tablet
There's cheaper tablets on the market, but the 2021 iPad is still a very good tablet. At its price, it offers snappy performance, a viewing experience that is almost unrivalled and its selfie camera makes for easy video calls. It still has a good few years of OS support, too.
The best tablet for students
The M3 iPad Air is a great option for students, workers and who need easily portable premium performance. Much cheaper than the iPad Pro, its display, battery life and light frame make it easy to recommend.
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The best compact tablet
The 7th generation iPad mini, powered by the A17 Pro chipset is almost identical in appearance to the 2021 iPad mini. However, its exceptionally powerful, utilises Apple Intelligence and excels as a drawing tablet.
The best tablet for drawing
While it's big, water-resistant, powerful and long-lasting with advanced, Pro-level software, we found the S10 Ultra almost justified its price. For art, though, its 14.6-inch display excels.
The best smart display tablet
The Echo Show 15 attempts to be both a smart-home controller and Fire TV entertainment tablet, and falls short of both, but it's still a quality smart display.
The best e-ink tablet
If you're looking for a tablet to write, draw and scribble on without distraction, the reMarkable 2 is for you – you can add a keyboard to type articles, and it's passable as an ereader.
The best tablets in Australia for 2025
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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 for most people
The iPad 10.9 (2022) is a capable tablet that can be purchased at an affordable price. It should be your first consideration for a new tablet, especially if you already own an iPhone or MacBook. While it doesn't boast the power of some other tablets on this list, it performs everything well and packs enough power for years to come.
Already an attractive purchase for budget-conscious iPad buyers, Apple's new entry-level iPad became even more enticing earlier this year with the new A16 chip. While it still doesn't support Apple Intelligence – you'll need the iPad Mini 7 for that – this upgrade saw it run up to 50% faster than the previous iteration.
This makes it a compelling purchase, especially considering it was already a significant step up from the 2021 model. Bringing it closer in line with the iPad Air, Apple dropped the home button and gave the device a much bigger display.
This iPad is more than enough for most users and remains considerably cheaper than the old M1 iPad Air model (if you can find it). Therefore, unless you need the M3 power of the newer iPad Air, we comfortably recommend the iPad 10.9 (2022) to most people.
It comes in some fantastic colour options, offers 5G connectivity and even has USB-C, so you don't need to worry about the old Lightning connector.
Read the full iPad 10.9 (2022) review
The best Android tablet for most people
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is made for getting things done. Samsung's OneUI interface makes it easier to multitask on a Galaxy Tab than any other tablet, including the iPad Pro. If you want to run multiple apps at the same time, drag images and text between windows, or just keep an eye on everything at once, the Galaxy Tab S9 is the tablet for you.
Samsung includes DeX software to make the Galaxy Tab S9 look more like a Chromebook with windows and a proper home screen dock, and you can even connect an external monitor, mouse and keyboard for a multi-screen solution. Or, if you have a Galaxy S phone and a Samsung Galaxy Book laptop, you can drag a mouse from one screen across the others with basically no setup required.
While the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra give you more screen space, the Galaxy Tab S9 offers the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the same S Pen in the box, and all of the same productivity features, so there's no need to spend more on a larger tablet if you don't need it.
The Galaxy Tab S9 is less expensive than a comparable iPad Pro 11-inch tablet, plus it comes with an S Pen and it has a microSD slot to increase the storage. The iPad Pro admittedly has a much faster processor, but unless you're running pro-level apps like Final Cut Pro, you'll have no trouble with the Galaxy Tab S9's performance.
Read our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 review
The best premium iPad
While the Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra offers serious competition, the iPad Pro 13 (2024) is not only the best iPad that money can buy, but it remains the most formidable tablet available in 2025.
It's the largest iPad ever with a 13-inch display, and it combines that size with its most advanced display – boasting tandem OLED technology on an Apple XDR-branded display.
This newest iPad Pro is also a true laptop alternative. Equipped with an Apple M4 chip, it's as powerful as (or even more powerful than) the best MacBooks. It boasts 20% better thermal performance and four times the rendering performance compared to its predecessor. If the power of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) impressed you, the iPad Pro 13 (2024) will undoubtedly exceed expectations.
Creative types are taken care of on this machine, too. Apple's new iPad Pro supports the impressive Apple Pencil Pro stylus, not to mention the redesigned Magic Keyboard. And, while we wouldn't be lugging it on a hike to capture the view, its 12MP rear snapper is more than satisfactory.
Naturally, all of this power and versatility in a supremely designed device means you'll have to pay handsomely for the privilege of owning it. And, if all you want to do is watch movies and video chat with friends, it's overkill. However, if you want the best of the best, look no further than the 13-inch iPad Pro 13.
Read our full iPad Pro 13 (2024) review
The best premium Android tablet
Taking over from its predecessor in this list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is exactly what you want from a premium tablet – providing the best of both worlds between a phone and a laptop. With its included S Pen stylus, it has perks if you prefer writing text, and it aces tasks that take advantage of everything the stylus has to offer. However, this is a premium feature that would be (mostly) wasted on casual consumers – those who want a large display to watch, read and play on. tIf that's you, we'd push you towards the Galaxy Tab A9 series, which almost beat out the 10.2-inch iPad for the best budget spot.
Matching its incredible AMOLED display – which is no easy task – the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus has exceptionally rich sound. And, despite its large size, it's comfortable enough to hold for a while in its landscape form factor – making watching the best streaming services and listening to music a fantastic experience with the Tab S10 Plus.
Close rivals, particularly from Apple, also do this exceptionally well, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus's AU$1,799 price point puts it in heated competition with Apple’s iPad Pro (AU$1,699). Still, with the included S Pen stylus, and some retailers offering the Galaxy Tab keyboard as a bundle bonus , the Tab S10 Plus looks like a better deal all-around.
Samsung still sells the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, and its price will likely become increasingly attractive with the release of its successor, even if it is a generation older. But if you want the best, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is about as good as it gets – though the S10 Ultra might have it beat, as it's basically the same, just bigger.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review
The best budget tablet
The iPad 10.2 (2021) is not the cheapest tablet you can buy, but it might be the cheapest tablet you should buy, especially if you prefer Apple products. You can find cheaper tablets from Samsung, Amazon, and other brands, but Apple's older iPad 10.2 still gives you a premium experience at a price that other tablets can't match.
Even though it's a bit older, Apple supports its iPad tablets with regular software updates, so you can be sure that this tablet will get iPadOS on the same day as the best iPads you can buy. You can't say that about older Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets or any of the bargain tablets you might find. Apple's service and support is second-to-none, even when you're buying the most affordable iPad available.
Better yet, Apple's iPad 10.2 doesn't saddle you with ads or unnecessary software, like Amazon Fire tablets, and it feels much faster than similarly-priced Samsung tablets. You'll have no trouble running the latest apps, playing games on the larger screen, and browsing any website you please.
If this is still too much to spend, check out our list of the best budget tablets you can buy, but if you can afford to buy Apple's least expensive iPad, you'll be happy you did. Whether you're watching the best streaming services, playing games or typing up a few documents, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) is the best cheap tablet to do so.
Read our full iPad 10.2 (2021) review
The best tablet for students
If you're looking to upgrade your tablet or older iPad model to something that feels worthy of 2025, but don't quite want to shell out the exorbitant price to grab the latest iPad Pro, enter the iPad Air (2024).
While it's available in two sizes – 11- and 13-inches – if you're looking for an alternative to the iPad Pro (2024), then we have to recommend the bigger 13-inch model. A truly massive display, it makes drawing, note-taking and sketching a breeze, and you'll be happy to have it when using the iPad Air for other fun things like watching movies.
The iPad Air (2024) comes equipped with an M2 chipset – the very same chipset that powers some of the older best MacBooks – making it 50% faster than its M1-equipped predecessor and a ridiculous three times faster than the iPad Air (2021)'s A14 Bionic chip.
Other key upgrades for the iPad Air (2024) include a landscape-oriented front-facing camera, stereo speakers with spatial audio, and a much improved maximum storage capacity of up to 1TB.
While it may be the more affordable option compared to the iPad Pro (2024), it's not cheap – starting at AU$999, this iPad Air is still very much a premium device. However, if you're looking to upgrade without splurging on the iPad Pro, this iPad Air is more than enough for most users – professionals, students or those who just want to watch movies and video chat.
Read our full iPad Air 13-inch (2024) review
The best compact tablet
In our Apple iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review, our biggest problem with Apple’s return to the compact iPad model is its similarities to the three-year-old 6th generation iPad Mini. In terms of cameras, speakers, display and overall design, the A17 Pro powered iPad mini’s only visibly noticeable hardware change is one that's only visible if you shell out for an Apple Pencil. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – the iPad mini is everything you want from a compact iPad, just don’t be expecting any revolutionary changes.
That new A17 Pro chip is built with Apple Intelligence in mind, allowing it to perform without a hitch. Among other things, it enables you to quickly summarise notes or change the tone of an email with Writing Tools, have your notifications summarised, and even get a priority look into your inbox. Plus, the ability to send handwritten queries to Siri is pretty much tailor-made for the iPad, and cleaning up photos is a whole heap easier.
If you’re looking for versatility from your new tablet, rather than a complete laptop or phone replacement, few tablets offer the portability and versatility of 2024's iPad mini. It's powerful enough for most kinds of work, its 8.3-inch liquid retina display is a dream for entertainment, and drawing on it was actually one of our favourite parts of our time with it, even if its display is smaller than other other offerings in this guide.
While you'll have to go without Apple Intelligence, we recommend holding off on upgrading if you own the old 2021 iPad mini. However, if you're looking to buy your first iPad – or are upgrading from a much older model – and don't quite have the budget for the new iPad Air 11-inch, think the 10.9-inch iPad 10th gen is a touch too big and don't want to opt for the smaller, ultra-powerful 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPad mini might be the perfect tablet for you. Plus, it supports a stylus, and the increasingly massive iPhones are still lacking that.
Read our full Apple iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review
The best tablet for drawing
If you think bigger is better when it comes to tablets, the Galaxy Tab 10 Ultra is likely the device for you. It sports a huge 14.6-inch screen that can be a work surface, drawing space, tabloid newspaper or a mini TV for your bedroom.
It also comes with the Galaxy S Pen out of the box, making it a tablet to consider for creatives looking for a drawing tablet – though you might want to buy Samsung’s Smart Book Cover case. It's also water resistant to the point that it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes thanks to its IP68 rating, so it's the tablet to have if you like watching content in the bath (though the S10 and S10 Plus offer the same resistance).
There’s Galaxy AI too, but tools like Sketch to Image or Circle to Search are useful additions, not reasons to buy a premium tablet. Otherwise, this is almost exactly the same as last year's Tab S9 Ultra, which is both good news and bad. While the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra was excellent, their designs are identical – with S9 Ultra accessories working with this tablet.
Performance is good for a tablet, but it isn’t a Snapdragon. Last year’s Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra came with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset found in the Galaxy S23 family. This year’s Galaxy S24 uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The MediaTek 9300 can mostly keep up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and once in a while beat it, but not always.
The Tab S10 Ultra does have slightly better graphics capabilities than a Galaxy S24 phone, but this is supposed to be Samsung’s best tablet. Why is it only slightly better? Compared to the iPad Pro, the Tab S10 Ultra gives you more display at the cost of performance.
If you want to run pro-level software, you should buy Apple’s tablet. If you want the biggest, best display to run all of your Android apps and games and watch your favourite content, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a great choice, with a screen that will knock your socks off.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review
The best smart display tablet
Returning with moderate hardware upgrades and quality-of-life improvements that make for a slightly more rounded offering, but there was still a question of whether new Echo Show 15 (2024) could earn a place alongside its siblings on our list of the best smart displays.
The first Echo Show 15 found itself on the sidelines until Amazon released a Fire TV update. While it had weak audio and a mediocre display, that upgrade made the Echo Show 15 an interesting option as a smart display for kitchens, offices and more.
This smart display has always struggled to decide what it is. It's designed to cater to the relatively small niche market of “small TV-shaped smart hubs” by offering app support for various streaming services in addition to the standard array of music streaming platforms supported by the best smart speakers, as well as some basic smart home controls.
However, following the release of the Echo Hub in early 2024, which arrived rocking a new user interface and features specifically designed for smart-home control, I had high hopes that some improved smart-home… well, smarts, from the Echo Hub’s user interface would make an appearance in the second-generation Echo Show 15 as well as the all-new Echo Show 21.
Sadly, that’s not the case. Instead, the Echo Show 15 is both an entertainment and smart-home hub, no with built-in Fire TV, widgets and an Alexa Voice remote. It's got an improved camera too, as well as upgrades to its display, audio and connectivity – areas of concern according to customers the first go around.
Amazon has addressed the bare minimum upgrades needed to make the Echo Show 15 a more attractive option; unfortunately, not enough has changed for me to recommend the device as a must-have smart display. Especially with the release of the all-new Echo Show 21, the Echo Show 15 doesn't even have "being the biggest Amazon Echo Show" going for it anymore. It is, however, a nice-to-have screen that might fill a relatively small gap in your smart-home ecosystem, and is plenty capable for what it is.
Read our full Amazon Echo Show 15 review
The best writing tablet
If you're looking for a ereader with note-taking capability, the Kobo Elisa 2E and Amazon Kindle Scribe in our guide to the best ereaders has you covered. If you're looking for a dedicated e-paper tablet that lets you focus on the task at hand, the reMarkable 2 is for you.
Super thin with a 10-inch display, it's perfectly sized and even has slip-preventing little feet on its rear that allow it to sit comfortably on surfaces. We think the Kindle Scribe is the king of e-ink screens, but the reMarkable 2 offers the best writing and sketching experience. With various pen options, nib thicknesses and template options that can service all kinds of creative needs.
While it has a minimalist interface, there's actually quite a lot going on – from sharing notes via email and changing individual page templates to converting handwriting into text and more, there's a plethora of features to enjoy. And, if you shell out the extra cash for the keyboard folio, the reMarkable 2 transforms into a lovely e-paper laptop that's perfect for typing out articles.
We didn't love it as a reading device – there's no front lighting – but as an e-ink tablet first and ereader second, it's exceptional. And while there's no bookstore access, you can sideload ebooks (EPUB and PDF only). There's better ereaders that double as note-takers on the market, but if reading isn't your priority this is hands-down the best writing tablet there is.
Read our full reMarkable 2 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.
