It's been a great year for tablets, with superlative new iPads from Apple, Samsung at the top of its Galaxy Tab game, and Amazon constantly pushing the bargains beneath the bottom line.
We've reviewed the latest Apple iPad tablets, including the astonishing iPad Pro 11-inch, the thinnest tablet Apple has ever produced, with performance to beat most desktop computers. We've also reviewed the long-awaited update to the iPad mini (2024), which gives us a more powerful A17 Pro chipset inside and ... not much else. It's still our favorite small tablet, because there aren't many small tablets to buy.
We've reviewed the best Android tablets as well, including the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus as well, and Samsung is pushing into serious gaming .
We're not done with tablets, and we have some great devices in Future Labs and the hands of our reviewers. We'll have a full review of the OnePlus Pad 2 and the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra soon, and both of those are sequels to tablets on this list. Check back soon to see if the latest devices made the cut.
Quick List
The Apple iPad 10.9 is the oldest iPad on this list, and it remains the best tablet overall, because it didn't need much. It has plenty of power, it's a great value, it outperforms many Android rivals, and it opens up the wonders of Apple's ecosystem.
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The newest iPad Pro is the thinnest product Apple has ever produced. With an M4 chipset on board, the iPad Pro is more powerful than most computers. It also uses a super-bright OLED display. It's not cheap, but the 13-inch iPad Pro is the best tablet money can buy.
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OnePlus' first tablet delivers in the same way as its first phones, beating more expensive rivals. It offers great performance and a fantastic screen at an amazing low price. We're also reviewing the OnePlus Pad 2, so check back to see if it supplants our current OnePlus favorite on this list.
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The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is water resistant, and its big screen is great for drawing with the included S Pen. It's performance is built for gaming, but it handles multi-tasking better than most tablets. This is a perfect tablet for tablet bundle deals from your mobile carrier.
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You can find a tablet cheaper than this, but Apple's iPad 10.2 from 2021 is a great deal right now and offers much better value than the really cheap Android tablets. Plus, it will get new iPadOS updates for a few more years. We're always keeping a keen eye out for tablet deals on this one.
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Don't scoff at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus because it seems underpowered. What it lacks in power it makes up for with some of the best battery life we've seen on a tablet, plus a great, water resistant design that you can take anywhere. We saw great deals on this tablet recently, so we'll keep you posted on upcoming Galaxy Tab S9 FE deals.
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra is one of the largest tablets you can buy, and that makes it perfect for drawing and creation. The S Pen uses Wacom's EMR tech and has thousands of levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt awareness, and more. We're reviewing the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra right now, and this Tab S9 Ultra is a great candidate for a deal to clear room on shelves.
If you need to work on your tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 does the best job at helping you multi-task and get things done. Samsung's interface is made for manipulating multiple apps, and this Tab stuck around when the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus launched, making it the best 11-inch tablet from Samsung.
The iPad mini wins the award for best compact tablet by a knockout: all the best competitors stopped making small tablets. It's more powerful than the base model iPad, and even though the latest update was underwhelming, this is still a great tablet, especially if you like them small.
The best tablet 2024
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We've tested every tablet included here extensively, so you know you can trust our recommendations and know that each entry has earned a place on this list.
The best iPad for most people
The iPad 10.9 (2022) is a capable tablet available for an affordable price, and if you have an iPhone or Mac computer as well, the iPad should be your first stop for a new tablet. It works well at everything it can do, and it packs enough power to last for years.
The latest iPad 10.9 has lingered without an update for more than a year, but it was already a big step up when Apple upgraded its base model tablet to bring it closer to the iPad Air. Apple dropped the home button and gave this iPad a much bigger display, and there are only a few slight differences setting this iPad apart from its thinner, more expensive Air cousin.
For the price, we're guessing most people don't need the more powerful Apple M1 chip in the iPad Air, so the iPad 10.9 (2022) is our pick for the best iPad for most people. It has USB-C, no need to worry about the old Lightning connector. You can also get a 5G network connection for just a bit more. It even comes in some amazing colors, including pink and a bright yellow.
Read the full iPad 10.9 (2022) review
The best premium iPad
The iPad Pro 13 (2024) is unquestionably the biggest and baddest tablet money can buy in 2024. At 13 inches, it's the largest iPad ever, but it's also the most advanced, offering tandem OLED technology on an Apple XDR-branded display.
The newest iPad Pro comes equipped with an Apple M4 chip, too, meaning it's just as powerful as the very best MacBooks. This particular model boasts 20% better thermal performance than the previous iPad Pro, while also offering four times the rendering performance. So, if you thought the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) was powerful, you'll be blown away by the iPad Pro 13 (2024).
For creative types, Apple's new iPad Pro supports the impressive Apple Pencil Pro stylus, not to mention the redesigned Magic Keyboard. When it comes to cameras, you'll get 12MP rear snapper, though you'll need to turn to your phone (or proper camera) for any ultra-wide and telephoto shots.
Naturally, you'll have to pay handsomely for the privilege of owning this particular tablet, and if you just want to video chat with friends and watch movies, then it's serious overkill. However, if you're in the market for the best of the best, look no further than the iPad Pro 13 (2024).
Read our full iPad Pro 13 (2024) review
The best Android tablet for most people
OnePlus's first tablet was impressive with some of the perks we expect from OnePlus phones. It integrates with both OnePlus and Oppo phones, ships with Android 13, has a sharp and bright LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a large battery with 67W super-fast charging, and very loud speakers. Certainly, the iPad can seem better at being a tablet due to its large variety of tablet-optimised apps, but OnePlus just about matches it in day-to-day use.
To be fair, we found it was held back by the performance that wasn't quite as speedy as what you could get on the best phones. It uses a MediaTek Dimensity 9000, a chip that's a step down from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that most of the top Android phones – the OnePlus 11 included – are equipped with. This meant that for some heavy tasks like using Adobe Lightroom, there was enough lag that it would be annoying. On the other hand, if you're using it mostly for entertainment, you would be fine.
Due to the weak Android tablet market, the OnePlus also didn't offer separate storage offerings. It did however come with a lovely green shade that we praised in our review.
The OnePlus Pad's few flaws are covered by its $479 price. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S tablets and Google's Pixel Tablet are the only real competition for Android fans, and they cost more.
Read our full OnePlus Pad review
Take a look at our OnePlus discount codes for the best OnePlus offers and savings.
The best premium Android tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a top-tier tablet that's bursting at the seams with features you won't find on Apple's rival iPad tablets or other Android tablets. It's a serious contender for the tablet throne, and it's the best premium Android tablet you can buy.
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a gaming powerhouse, with even better gaming benchmark performance one some tests than an iPad Pro M4 tablet. This chip excels at graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding games.
But it's not just about raw power. Samsung's software, with the included S Pen, elevates this tablet to a productivity machine. Multitasking is a breeze, and the S Pen adds a layer of precision and control that's perfect for creative work and note-taking.
At 12.4 inches, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus isn't very portable, and Apple's newer 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) takes the lead in slimness. However, Samsung scores a major point by including the S Pen in the box, unlike Apple, who makes you shell out extra for the Apple Pencil. While benchmark tests might give the iPad Pro an edge in processing power, the Tab S10 Plus holds its own in real-world performance. Plus, Samsung's IP68 water resistance makes it a more durable and versatile companion for everyday life.
Price-wise, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus goes head-to-head with the 11-inch iPad Pro. But with Samsung, you get more screen real estate, a larger battery to keep you going, and the S Pen included.
Samsung also makes the best tablet software. It's incredibly intuitive for multitasking, and you can even transform the Tab S10 Plus into a desktop-like experience by connecting it to a monitor and keyboard.
Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is the Android tablet to beat. It's a powerful, versatile, and feature-rich device that challenges Apple's dominance in the tablet space.
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, since it's such a powerful tablet and a great entryway into Apple's walled garden. You can find cheaper tablets from Samsung, Amazon, and other brands, but Apple's iPad 10.2 gives you the experience of a premium tablet, for the cheapest possible price.
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 are second-to-none, even when you're buying the least expensive iPad it makes.
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 happier that you did.
Read our full iPad 10.2 (2021) review
The best battery life
Don't be fooled by the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus's confusing name; this is Samsung's competitor to the Apple iPad Air, and it does everything the iPad won't. Samsung has loaded the Tab S9 FE Plus with features, including the S Pen in the box, great multi-window software to run multiple apps at once, and features that connect the tablet to your Galaxy phone and laptop.
Performance is lagging compared to Apple's best iPad tablets, so if you need to run some truly Pro software, you'll need to look elsewhere. However, that slower Exynos 1380 processor gives the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus the best battery life we've seen on any tablet we've tested in the last few years, making it our top pick for best battery life on a tablet.
While the iPad Air managed more than 10 hours in our rundown tests, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE stayed awake and running for more than 18 hours, which is truly remarkable. If you have a long flight, or want a weekend away without a charger, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is your best tablet option.
Samsung Tab S9 family, including the Tab S9 FE, is water resistant, so you can literally browse the web and watch shows from the shallow end of the pool (or a nice, hot bathtub, we won't judge). Apple has never made an iPad that you can get wet, so kudos to Samsung for its new durability push. We love to see it, and it makes the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus easier to recommend. It even comes in some cool new colors.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus review
The best drawing tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a behemoth, and it's much larger than most people need or want a tablet to be, but not if you're a fan of having a huge, open canvas for drawing. Samsung isn't just paying lip service to its artistic fans, either. It's S Pen has always been built with familiar Wacom technology inside, making these devices serious tools for artists and doodlers alike.
The S Pen offers thousands of levels of pressure sensitivity, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can detect when the pen is tilted and adjust the flow of digital ink accordingly. There are tons of drawing tools built into this tablet from the start, including Samsungs' popular social network just for drawing and art fans, Pen-Up.
Of course, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a super-powered Android tablet besides its drawing prowess. It's huge display features a 1848 x 2960 resolution and silky 120Hz refresh rate, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset inside can power all of the most demanding productivity tasks.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Plus packs the same power and feature inside, so if you don't need the gigantic display, we think the Plus model is the ideal premium Android tablet. If you need a bit more, especially for drawing and seeing your work on the largest screen possible, then the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the best drawing tablet you can buy.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review
The best tablet for work
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 work.
Samsung includes DeX software to make the Galaxy Tab S9 look more like a Chromebook with windows and a proper home screen dock. 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 straight across the others with almost 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 more room.
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 for even more storage. The iPad Pro admittedly has a much faster processor, but unless you're running pro-level apps like Apple Logic or Final Cut Pro, you won't have any trouble with performance on the Galaxy Tab S9.
Read our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 review
The best compact tablet
There's still nothing like the Apple iPad mini. If you want a compact tablet that you can fit in a jacket pocket, the iPad mini isn't just the best small tablet you can buy, it's one of the only small tablets worth buying. You can find media playing tablets from Amazon and cheaper Android brands with small screens, but if you need a good compact tablet, the Apple iPad mini is a great choice, and it's the only one worth considering.
Sadly, that's because the best tablet makers have opted for larger sizes, and we no longer have a small Galaxy Tab from Samsung or a small Pixel or Nexus tablet from Google. That doesn't mean the iPad mini is only worth choosing because it's the default. The iPad mini is surprisingly powerful, though Apple has left it behind the larger iPad pack by including an A17 Pro chipset instead of an Apple M2 or better platform.
The iPad mini is ready for all of the latest software and games, including Apple Intelligence, since it uses the same processor as the iPhone 15 Pro.
With such performance, the iPad mini (2024) isn't cheap, and it hasn't gotten any major new features with the latest update, but it's still a capable compact and the best small tablet you'll find.
Read our full Apple iPad mini (2024) review
How we test tablets
Our reviewers test the best tablets at home and in the office, and work with Future Labs to make sure each tablet is tested by our performance laboratory. We use tablets in our daily lives every day, and will replace our work laptop computers with a tablet for regular use and testing. We travel with tablets and use them extensively for work and personal travel. We use tablets for fun, for games, for creating art, for getting work done, and for doing nothing at all.
FAQs
What is the best brand of tablets?
Is the Apple iPad or the Samsung Galaxy Tab the best tablet brand, or is there another tablet brand to consider?
Tablet makers often match features to your smartphone, so the best brand of tablets for you may be the same brand as your phone. The Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab are two of our favorite tablet brands, and OnePlus boasts an excellent tablet, too: the OnePlus Pad. Google's Pixel Tablet is also good and has room for improvement.
What should I look for when buying a tablet?
The first thing to look for is the operating system, if you want to use your tablet alongside your Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone. If that doesn't matter, you should consider the size of the display and how you'll be carrying and using the tablet. If you plan on doing more professional work on your tablet as a laptop replacement, you should consider the tablet's performance handling multiple apps or pro-level apps. Of course, price is always a consideration, because the least expensive tablets are surprisingly capable, and you may not need to spend more.
What tablet can replace a laptop?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series, including the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, can be a great computer for doing real work, instead of using a laptop. The Apple iPad Air and iPad Pro models are also powerful enough to do work, but Apple does not make it easy to keep multiple windows and multiple apps open at the same time. Apple makes better keyboard accessories for its tablets, especially the Magic Keyboard, but that accessory is expensive, and most tablets will work with any Bluetooth or USB-C keyboard you find.
