Tablets were once purely thought of as windows for consuming content. But Apple and Microsoft have proven that these devices are more than just portable TVs by adding cursor support and keyboard attachments. We’ve compiled the best tablets for the money, from those posing as laptop replacements like the Surface Pro 7 and the iPad Pro 2020 to the best Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Amazon’s Kindle models.
Apple’s iPads are some of the best tablets so be sure to check out our full iPadOS review to learn about all the tricks these tablets can do. If you’re not sold on any of these, one of the best 2-in-1 laptops might be the right choice. Or if you’re a student who wants a sleek laptop or tablet that can last through four years of abuse, check out our best college laptops page.
Other tablets to keep an eye on are the Microsoft Surface Neo — a foldable PC made with dual 9-inch tablets — and the recently released iPad Pro. As previously mentioned, the Galaxy Tab S7 is our favorite Android tablet but for the best content viewing experience, go with the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus and its stunning OLED display. We’ve also reviewed the Surface Pro 7+, a new version of the Pro 7 made specifically for business users.
What are the best tablets for the money?
Apple and Microsoft continue to dominate the best tablets rankings, which largely consists of Surface devices and iPads. The best tablet for the money is the iPad Air. It might not offer the same power as the iPad Pro, or the portability of the iPad mini, but its size and price are what will attract everyday consumers.
If you need extra power or want a tablet to replace your laptop, then the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the best option. Its speedy A12Z chip can keep up with most laptops and the Retina display continues to impress. And now that it has mouse and trackpad support, the larger iPad Pro is a genuine laptop replacement. Just behind the iPad Pro is Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 (or the Surface Pro 7+ if you’re a business user). It too has a gorgeous display and fast performance. We even prefer its keyboard accessory over anything Apple sells.
If Apple and Microsoft aren’t your cups of tea, give Amazon a shot with Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. The company’s Fire tablets are still going strong, and are a good option if you’re primarily using the tablet for consuming entertainment. Also on this list is the excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, an Android tablet with a DeX desktop interface, which can be used to double as your laptop.
Apple’s latest iPad Air is the best non-Pro iPads ever, and the tablet we recommend to most people. Instead of being an upgraded version of the entry-level iPad, the new iPad Air is essentially an iPad Pro without the fancy, niche features. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with thin display bezels for a more modern design.
Under the hood is the A14 chip, making the iPad Air the first Apple product to flaunt the new six-core processor. So far, the performance numbers are impressive, with the Air outperforming some laptops. Battery life also remains excellent at 10 hours and 29 minutes, although competing slates endure for even longer.
But perhaps the best reason to buy the new $599 iPad Air is that it now supports the Apple Pencil Gen 2 (with magnetic wireless charging on the side) and the Magic Keyboard accessory, making the Air a potential laptop replacement.
Read our full iPad Air (2020) review.
Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad might seem a lot like its predecessor (and it is), but the company tweaked enough for us to still love this slate. Not only does the extra screen space (up from 9.7 inches) go a long way in iPadOS, but the added Smart Keyboard Cover support is a finally moment.
On top of that, we saw nearly 12 hours of battery life in our tests, and its colorful, super-bright display ties it all together for a solid experience. Priced at $329, the iPad is the cheapest tablet in Apple’s lineup, making it the best tablet for the money.
Read our full Apple iPad review.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the best tablet for power users, by some distance. Now equipped with an M1 processor, a mini-LED (XDR) display, and 5G support, no other tablet on the market will get you as complete of a package as the new iPad Pro.
This comes after big improvements were made to the software. Added cursor and trackpad support mean the iPad Pro is finally a true laptop replacement. You can now connect any Bluetooth mouse, wireless trackpad (like the Magic Trackpad 2) or the Magic Keyboard and use a cursor to navigate iPadOS 14 (iPadOS 15 is coming soon).
Another great new feature is support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 so you can transfer files faster than ever or connect to multiple 4K monitors. There is also a new software magic trick called Center Stage that keeps you in the frame of a video during conference calls when using supported platforms (FaceTime, Zoom). Yes, the iPad Pro is expensive, at $1,099 starting, but you won’t find a better tablet on the market.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (2021) review.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is one of the best tablets due to its battery life. This tablet can offer over 13 hours of battery life. Wow!
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ both have excellent cameras: a 13MP main camera and a 5MP secondary ultra-wide lens. On the front is an 8MP selfie camera. Both tablets are updates of the Galaxy Tab S6 and feature an improved S Pen that is included in the box. The Galaxy Sab S7 and Galaxy S7+ have faster processors and 5G connectivity.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is one of the best Samsung tablets, too, with its 12.4-inch, 2800 x 1752-pixel screen, but due to its magnificent AMOLED display, there is a dip in battery life (it lasts 8 hours and 51 minutes).
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7 Plus review.
Amazon has upgraded its best tablet with a port that not even Apple’s iPad offers: USB-C. On top of that, you get fantastic battery life with a bright, colorful 1920 x 1200-pixel screen that’s great for binge-watching.
We still wish Amazon would allow the Google Play store in by default — the Fire OS mail app is wanting and the real YouTube app is far better than the website.
Read our full Amazon Fire HD 10 review.
Apple’s updated one of its most beloved tablets with a set of specs that makes it more than worth buying. From its speedy A12 Bionic chip to its bright, beautiful display, this is both a slate that’s great to consume content on and get things done on as well. On top of that, you get lengthy battery life plus support for the Apple Pencil.
Read our full iPad mini (2019) review.
Adopting many of its rival’s best features, the Latitude 7320 swims toward the top of our best tablets and best 2-in-1 laptops rankings. Standout features include a gorgeous 13-inch display, fast performance, a comfortable detachable keyboard with a built-in stylus slot, useful security features, and a class-leading webcam (yes, you read that right). These are all packaged in a sleek metal chassis that can easily be slipped into a backpack or purse.
The Latitude does waver in a few areas. The kickstand feels somewhat flimsy and the sky-high price will detract all but the highest-ranking execs or the wealthiest corporations. Despite these faults, the Latitude 7320 gives Dell enterprise customers an excellent version of this ultra-mobile form factor so they can work or relax from anywhere.
See our Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable review.
Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 gives you a ton of the perks of the Surface Pro, but at a much more affordable price. Starting at $399, it offers a bright, colorful display, a comfy keyboard and a sturdy-feeling magnesium design. It also includes Windows Hello support for facial recognition login.
You shouldn’t expect the faster performance from its Core m3-8100Y CPU but it should provide enough power for everyday tasks. Compared with the previous version, the Surface Go 2 has thinner bezels, faster speeds and now delivers epic battery life of more than 11 hours.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Go 2 review.
You get a bright 10.4-inch display, an included S Pen stylus and amazing, all-day battery life all for just $350. That is what makes the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite such a compelling tablet for those in the market for an iPad alternative. Running Android 10, this slate is great for Droid owners, especially those with Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
While its performance can lag behind at times, the S6 Lite is a good choice if you just need to run basic everyday tasks, like web browsing or video streaming. In many ways, the S6 Lite fills the same role as the iPad but for those who aren’t in the Apple ecosystem.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is, in short, a better version of the Surface Pro 7. It has the same detachable form factor and uses a kickstand that can rotate to about the same 160-degree angle. The 12.3-inch display is almost identical to the one on the Surface and, like the Pro 7, the detachable keyboard is fantastic. You even get military-grade durability from its rigid chassis.
Why is it better than the Surface Pro 7 and Pro 7+? Because the ThinkPad X12 Detachable lasts longer on a charge, enduring for more than 11 hours, and it weighs slightly less than its magnesium alloy competitor. Better yet, the X12 Detachable comes bundled with the keyboard and pen, although you’ll need to spend a pretty penny on this business-focused detachable.
If you need good speakers or a USB Type-A port, then you might go with the Surface Pro 7, otherwise, we prefer the X12 Detachable.
See our Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable review
How to choose the best tablet for you
Choosing the right tablet requires the same thought process as buying a laptop. As with any product, the first thing you need to decide is your primary use for a tablet. If it’s to browse the web on the couch or watch Netflix in bed, then you don’t need to spend $1,000 on the iPad Pro. You’re probably better off with the $329 iPad or even the $400 Surface Go — both of which have excellent displays. You can even settle on the $80 Amazon Fire HD 8, a tablet made strictly for multimedia viewing.
If you need a tablet that can double as a laptop, then your best options are the iPad Pro or the Surface Pro 7 — tablets that can be paired with an attachable keyboard and support trackpad/mouse input. Both of these devices provide plenty of power for even the most demanding users.
The size of the tablet is another consideration. While it might not sound like it, a 12.9-inch tablet feels massive in the hand. If you want something less unwieldy, consider a tablet with a screen that is smaller than 10 inches. Almost all tablets are thin and lightweight but few have good connectivity options. The Surface tablet stands out in this regard, offering a USB-A input.
How we test the best tablets
Our tablets go through rigorous benchmark testing before they even land in the hands of our reviewers. Our test vary slightly based on which OS the tablet runs, but the overall performance and graphics of almost all tablet is measured by the Geekbench 5 benchmark.
We also use a fancy colorimeter to quantify display quality. The device can measure the sRGB color range a display captures and the average brightness across the panel.
Our battery test gives an accurate measure of everyday runtimes. To test the endurance of a tablet, we set the display to 150 nits then run a continuous loop consisting of web browsing and video playback until the device powers off.
