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The Best Tablets Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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The Best Tablets of 2024

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The Best Tablets Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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Editor's Choice Product image of Apple iPad Air (13-inch, 2024)
Best Tablet

Apple iPad Air (13-inch, 2024)

Check Price at Amazon

With the same M2 processor as last the last generation iPad Pro, the 2024 iPad Air is more powerful than ever and is now available in a 13-inch size. Read More

Pros

  • Embiggened 13-inch size
  • More affordable alternative to iPad Pro
  • Camera right place for video calls

Cons

  • iPadOS still limiting
  • Expensive accessories
  • Not water resistant
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2024)
Best Tablet for Professionals

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2024)

Check Price at Amazon

The king of productivity tablets keeps its crown. The 2024 iPad is a powerful, versatile content creation and consumption machine. Read More

Pros

  • Thin but sturdy
  • Massive processing power
  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Prohibitively expensive
  • iPadOS still suffers from limitations
  • Last generation Wi-Fi
3
Product image of Apple iPad Mini (2021)
Best Compact Tablet

Apple iPad Mini (2021)

Check Price at Amazon

Apple’s iPad Mini (6th-gen) is a fantastic small tablet, but a high price and the limitations of a small screen make it a niche device. Read More

Pros

  • Light, portable, and easy to handle
  • Perfect for use with Apple Pencil
  • Superb performance

Cons

  • Unimpressive display
  • Not great for multitasking
  • No Face ID
4
Editor's Choice Product image of OnePlus Pad
Best Android Tablet

OnePlus Pad

Check Price at OnePlus

The One Plus Pad’s excellent build quality, audio, and display are dragged down its limited storage space. Read More

Pros

  • Outstanding build quality
  • Fast Charging
  • Fast and Powerful

Cons

  • Only available with 128GB of storage
5
Editor's Choice Product image of reMarkable 2
Best Tablet for Focused Productivity

reMarkable 2

Check Price at Amazon

If you're interested in distraction-free note taking and productivity, there is no better tablet for the task than the reMarkable 2. Read More

Pros

  • Large, light and solidly built
  • Offers a superior digital note-taking experience
  • Allows for e-book and PDF annotations

Cons

  • No front lighting
  • Limited file compatibility
  • Slow cloud service sync speed

Reviewed Staff
Written by Reviewed Staff

Updated June 28, 2024

Tablets are versatile tools that can touch all facets of your life. The best tablets can surpass expectations to be your ultimate workhorse. They enable amazing productivity and allow you to enjoy your favorite games, streaming videos, books, or websites. Not all tablets are created equally, though.

After testing a wide variety of today’s top-rated devices, we found that Apple’s 2024 iPad Air (available at Amazon for $754.00) is the best tablet, for most people. Available in two different sizes—11 inches and 13 inches—for the first time, this tablet features the same powerful M2 chipset used in the last-generation iPad Pro. While it may not have the same stunning Ultra Retina XDR display as this year's iPad Pro does, your content will look great on the iPad Air. With its zippy internals, you'll have no problem plowing through any task or game. This, along with its excellent build quality and long support cycle will keep it serving you well, for years to come.

If you're an Android user, the OnePlus Pad is an outstanding choice. Its power, build quality, and premium feature set make it a tablet to be reckoned with. That it can be paired with a proprietary keyboard and trackpad case to up your productivity game is the icing on the cake.

If your mobile workflow involves processor-heavy tasks like working in Procreate, Logic, or, Final Cut Pro and want to slash through your to-do list as quickly as possible, we recommend the seventh-generation iPad Pro (2024). Available as an 11-inch or 13-inch tablet, The raw horsepower provided by its M4 chipset, brilliant display, and spacious internal storage options make it one of the best tablets we've ever reviewed.

Finally, for those who want a tablet that can provide the most focused productivity experience possible, we recommend the reMarkable 2.

Whether you're trying to get serious work done on the move or just stream Disney+, there's a great tablet in this guide, just waiting for you.

A 13-inch iPad Air sitting on a table in a dining room.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

Now available in two different sizes, the iPad Air is the best tablet, for most people.

Best Tablet
Apple iPad Air (13-inch, 2024)
  • Dimensions: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches (13-inch model, as reviewed)
  • Weight: 1.36 pounds
  • OS: Apple iPadOS
  • Screen size: 11 or 13 inches
  • Resolution: 2732 x 2048 resolution
  • CPU: M2 chip, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

In previous years, the key reason many people purchased an iPad Pro was that it was the only option if you wanted a large-screen tablet protected by Apple’s walled garden ecosystem of apps. As of June 2024, Apple presented folks with a new option: a 13-inch iPad Air—an embiggened tablet the same size as the far more expensive iPad Pro. The Pro is more expensive for a reason: it comes with a more powerful M4 processor, an amazing sharp Ultra Retina XDR display (both sizes of iPad Air feature Apple’s still great, but not near as gorgeous Liquid Retina display technology,) the option to upgrade to 1TB or 2TB of storage and display glass that makes the device more comfortable to write on with an Apple Pencil Pro and easier to view in direct sunlight.

But make no mistake: the latest iPad Air is an incredibly capable device, which runs on much of the same guts that graced the last generation iPad Pro. Its M2 processor is more than up to the task of general computing (email, word processing, social media doomscrolling,) and streaming. It can even hold its own with AAA games downloaded from the App Store or demanding apples like Logic Pro. The biggest difference between this year’s iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, outside of what we just outlined? The iPad Air, in both its 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, costs hundreds of dollars less than Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet does. Most users won’t miss the extra processing power provided by the ‘Pro. What a late-model iPad Air can provide will be more than enough for the sorts of things most of us use tablets for. For some, it may even be adequate as a laptop replacement.

That said, it has its flaws. Despite being less expensive than an iPad Pro, the iPad Air is still one of the priciest tablets out there. The base version of Apple’s 13-inch model costs $799 and comes with 128GB of storage. A few years back, 128GB was a lot of space for a mobile device. But, with the growing size of apps, video files, and digital photos, what was once roomy can get cramped pretty fast. For the price, we’d have liked to have seen at least 256GB as a storage starting point.

We were also disappointed to find that this tablet has no water protection rating. So, you may want to avoid sitting poolside with it. And then there’s iPad OS. The team responsible for Apple’s tablet operating system have made huge strides in making the company’s tablets more multitasking-friendly and have tinkered to improve its user-accessible file system. Unfortunately, it still has a long way to go before power users can consider it as a desktop or laptop replacement.

Despite these flaws, the iPad Air’s combination of price, features, a long support cycle, and excellent build quality make it a great choice for anyone in need of a solid tablet.

Pros

  • Embiggened 13-inch size

  • More affordable alternative to iPad Pro

  • Camera right place for video calls

Cons

  • iPadOS still limiting

  • Expensive accessories

  • Not water resistant

$754.00 from Amazon


$799.00 from Best Buy


$799.00 from Target


$754.00 from Walmart

A photo of the 2024 iPad Pro attached to a Magic Keyboard. The tablet is sitting on a desk.
Credit: Reviewed / Marc Saltzman

The 2024 iPad Pro is Apple's most powerful tablet so far.

Best Tablet for Professionals
Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2024)
  • Dimensions: 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches
  • Weight: 0.98 pounds
  • OS: iPad OS
  • Screen size: 11 inches
  • Resolution: 2420 x 1968 resolution
  • CPU: M4 chip, up to 10-core CPU and GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB

Available with either an 11-inch or 13-inch display, the 2024 iPad Pro is, simply put, the best tablet that Apple has ever made. Its powerful M4 chipset allows it to plow through heavy-lift tasks like video editing, multi-track audio production, and playing AAA desktop games. And, thanks to its bright, brilliant Ultra Retina XDR display, anything viewed on it will look stunning. What’s more, while it might be the thinnest device that Apple’s ever released, it’s sturdy enough, provided you treat it with respect, to last for years of faithful service.

All of these perks come at a high price—especially when the cost of extras such as a Magic Keyboard case, Apple Pencil Pro or AppleCare+ warranty are factored in. A comparable MacBook Air can be had for less. And, while iPad OS has come a long way in recent years, it still doesn’t provide the desktop-class experience that many require for a tablet to replace their laptop or desktop. Because of these issues, while it might be the best Apple tablet, it isn’t the best tablet for most people. However, professionals and enthusiasts who want/need the raw power and versatility that only an iPad Pro can deliver won’t be disappointed with this beast of a tablet.

Read the full iPad Pro (2024) review for more information.

Pros

  • Thin but sturdy

  • Massive processing power

  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Prohibitively expensive

  • iPadOS still suffers from limitations

  • Last generation Wi-Fi

$944.00 from Amazon


$949.00 from Best Buy


$944.00 from Walmart

_

One computer tablet stacked on top of another.
Credit: Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith

The Apple iPad Mini 6th-gen is much smaller in size compared to the standard iPad.

Best Compact Tablet
Apple iPad Mini (2021)
  • Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches
  • Weight: 10.4 ounces
  • OS: Apple iPadOS
  • Screen size: 8.3 inches
  • Resolution: 2266 x 1488 pixels
  • CPU: Apple A15
  • Storage: 64GB, 256GB

The iPad Mini is defined by its size. It’s easy to hold for longer periods of time even when reclining or gripping the device one-handed. It’s ideal for taking notes with the second-gen Apple Pencil. You can support it comfortably with one hand while writing with the other.

Performance remains excellent. It outperforms the base iPad, landing closer to the iPad Air, and it’s quicker than most similarly-priced PC laptops. During testing, it was great as a day-to-day use device for tasks like streaming video, reading, and answering emails. But it can also power through heavier apps like 3D games and photo editors.

We do have a few complaints. The display is good but not as bright and enjoyable as iPad Pro models. Multitasking can be difficult due to the display’s compact size. Like the iPad Air, the Mini lacks Face ID facial recognition login and relies on Touch ID inconveniently bundled into the power button.

Still, the iPad Mini is the best choice for small tablet enthusiasts. Few competitors exist and those that do, like Amazon’s Fire HD 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Lite, are far less powerful. The iPad Mini is as capable as the current-generation iPad Air but smaller.

Read the full iPad Mini review for more information.

Pros

  • Light, portable, and easy to handle

  • Perfect for use with Apple Pencil

  • Superb performance

Cons

  • Unimpressive display

  • Not great for multitasking

  • No Face ID

$468.99 from Amazon


$499.99 from Best Buy


$499.00 from Abt


$449.00 from Walmart

The OnePlus Pad tablet's display... on display.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The OnePlus Pad's bright, responsive 11.61-inch display makes every app and video on the tablet look like a million bucks.

Best Android Tablet
OnePlus Pad
  • Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches
  • Weight: 1.02 pounds
  • OS: Android 13
  • Screen size: 11.6 inches
  • Resolution: 2800 x 2000 pixels
  • CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor
  • Storage: 128GB

The OnePlus Pad is an impressive first-generation Android tablet that gets so much right, it's easy to overlook its few faults. Its MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor and 8GB of RAM make it ideal for resource-hungry apps, such as Adobe Lightroom and Diablo Immortal. The tablet's design is modern, lightweight, and of the highest build quality. What's more, it's available in your favorite color--provided that color is Halo Green. We love that the OnePlus Pad supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3: two speedy standards that improve the tablet's overall performance. We were, however, disappointed by its 128GB of storage, with no option to upgrade via Micro SD card. With the increasing size of apps, video, and audio files, you could run out of room, fast.

While testing this tablet, we experienced a number of software glitches, including issues with setting the tablet up for the first time, and a malfunctioning on-screen keyboard. But again, this is a first-generation device. OnePlus will no doubt correct these problems in a future software update. . but they are likely to be resolved through future software updates. Although the additional accessories required to get the most out of the tablet can also increase the cost of ownership, the OnePlus Pad's fast and powerful performance, along with its outstanding build quality and fast charging capabilities, make it a good option for those looking for a high-end Android tablet.

Despite its flaws, this is an outstanding device that's a great option for anyone in the market for a high-end Android tablet.

Read the full OnePlus Pad review for more information.

Pros

  • Outstanding build quality

  • Fast Charging

  • Fast and Powerful

Cons

  • Only available with 128GB of storage

Buy now at OnePlus

A reMarkable 2 tablet is held in someone's hand while they have a cup of coffee
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The reMarkable 2 is incredibly thin and light, yet feels solid enough to take some abuse.

Best Tablet for Focused Productivity
reMarkable 2
  • Dimensions: 7.4 x 9.6 x 0.19 inches
  • Weight: 0.89 lb
  • Screen Size: 10.3 inches
  • Screen resolution: 226 PPI
  • Storage: 8GB

The reMarkable 2 isn't a conventional tablet, like an iPad Air or Samsung Galaxy Tab. Rather, it's designed with one purpose in mind: distraction-free productivity. When it comes to note-taking, planning, drawing diagrams, or typing up the first draft of an assignment or a chapter of your latest book, this E-Ink tablet is an absolute beast. Primarily, the reMarkable 2 is designed to be used with a stylus—the device's textured display glass and wide selection of templates make it the closest thing we've found to scribbling on paper in the digital world. It can convert your handwriting to text and fire it off in an email or, sync with your smartphone, tablet, and computer where you can add typed notes to your work in the reMarkable app. Speaking of typing, while it might be pricey, at $199, adding the reMarkable Type Folio into the mix transforms your paper-free writing machine into a word processor designed for focused writing.

Of course, this device isn't without its shortcomings. During long-term testing, we've been unimpressed by the slow speed at which is syncs data with reMarkable's desktop and mobile apps. Additionally, the tablet's display has no front or backlighting—an issue for anyone wanting to do a bit of work with the lights down low. Finally, while it may be able to be used as an e-reader (ePub and PDF files, only,) it's not a very good one. While improvements to its e-reader software have been made over the past year, the user experience is spartan, at best.

Read the full reMarkable 2 review for more information

Pros

  • Large, light and solidly built

  • Offers a superior digital note-taking experience

  • Allows for e-book and PDF annotations

Cons

  • No front lighting

  • Limited file compatibility

  • Slow cloud service sync speed

Buy now at Amazon

Other Tablets We Tested

Product image of Google Pixel Tablet (2023)
Google Pixel Tablet (2023)
  • Dimensions: 10.16 x 6.65 x 0.32 inches
  • Weight: 1.09 pounds
  • OS: Android 13
  • Screen size: 10.95-inch
  • Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
  • CPU: Google Tensor G2
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB

Google's Pixel Tablet, takes a different approach to portable device user experience than many of its competitors have. Unlike brands like Apple and OnePlus, which offer a range of productivity accessories, Google's vision for its Pixel Tablet focuses on media consumption, rather than creation. It isn't designed as a productivity tool. But it shines as a device for watching videos, listening to music, and tasks like browsing the web or video chatting--especially when docked with its included magnetic speaker station. What's more, while docked, the tablet makes a great hub for controlling your smartphone devices.

Like all Android tablets, unfortunately, the Pixel Tablet's greatest enemy is its lack of tablet-optimized apps from The Google Play Store.

Read the full Google Pixel Tablet review for more information

Pros

  • Runs Google's Pixel UI

  • Comes with magnetic charging/speaker stand

  • Three OS updates and five years of security updates

Cons

  • Few first-party accessory options

  • Awkward speaker placement

  • No cellular option

$499.00 from Amazon


$499.00 from Best Buy


$499.00 from Target


$411.31 from Walmart

Product image of Apple iPad 9th-Gen (2021)
Apple iPad 9th-Gen (2021)
  • Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches
  • Weight: 1.07 pounds
  • OS: Apple iPadOS
  • Screen size: 10.2 inches
  • Resolution: 2160 x 1620 pixels
  • CPU: Apple A13
  • Storage: 64GB, 256GB

The iPad is compact enough to fit in most backpacks and bags, yet large enough to look great while web browsing or watching Netflix. Apps open quickly, multitasking feels responsive, and demanding 3D games look attractive. Battery life is solid, with up to 10 hours of video playback.

It also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is great for jotting down notes. You can add a keyboard and mouse, as well, transforming the iPad into a barebones computer competitive with Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 and most Chromebooks.

The iPad is compatible with the same apps, Apple services, and most of the peripherals as the iPad Pro, too. And while it lacks the iPad Pro’s juggernaut specs, it’s a fraction of the price.

Apple does make a few other sacrifices to keep the price low. The display is glossy and a bit dim, so it can be difficult to use outdoors or near a sunlit window. Audio quality is unimpressive and lacks volume, and the design is old-fashioned. Overall, though, it is an excellent tablet.

Read the full Apple iPad 9th Gen review for more information

Pros

  • Great performance

  • Extremely versatile

  • Excellent value

Cons

  • Display could use an upgrade

  • Weak speakers

  • Design feels old

Buy now at Amazon


$249.99 from Best Buy


$249.99 from Target


$329.00 from Abt

Product image of Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (Gen 2)
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (Gen 2)
  • OS: Android 12
  • Screen size: 11.2 inches
  • Resolution: 2500 x 1536, pixels
  • Chipset: MediaTek Kompanio 1300
  • Storage: 128GB

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, offers impressive performance and vivid visuals at a reasonable mid-range price. The highlight of this mid-range tablet is its OLED display--tech that is seldom seen in a device at this price point. The Tab P11 Pro's panel offers vivid colors, and deep black levels, and supports Dolby Vision/HDR10+. It features a 120Hz refresh rate, which, combined with the high-resolution screen, creates a smooth and responsive viewing experience.

During testing, the Tab P11 Pro performed reasonably well. It managed graphically intensive games at high-quality settings and frame rates. Its 120Hz OLED screen is optimal for gaming, especially for titles that support 120 frames per second. This, combined with its reasonably powerful processor, makes it a great choice for binge-watching shows from your favorite streaming service or, settling in for a bit of gaming.

However, it falls short in offering timely Android updates and the placement of its speakers is awkward.

Read our full Lenovo Tab 11 Pro Gen 2 review for more information.

Pros

  • OLED Display

  • Adequate gaming chops

  • Decent battery life

Cons

  • Underpowered for the Price

  • Disappointing camera

  • Awkward speaker placement

Buy now at Amazon


$199.99 from Best Buy


$268.00 from Walmart

Product image of Amazon Fire Max 11 (Ad-Free, Productivity Bundle)
Amazon Fire Max 11 (Ad-Free, Productivity Bundle)
  • OS: Fire OS (Android 11)
  • Screen size: 11 inches
  • Resolution: 2500 x 1536, pixels
  • Chipset: MediaTek MT8188JV/A
  • Storage: 64GB or 128GB (expandable by up to 1TB with a micro-SD card)

Amazon's Fire Max 11 tablet packs a responsive eight-core MediaTek CPU, offering considerable speed for a budget device and can outperform competitors like Lenovo's Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 in certain tasks. However, we found that its gaming performance was only average. Many users will find that, no matter what they'd like to use this tablet for, they may be held back by the Amazon Appstore's meager selection of apps. Many of the apps that Android users take for granted, such as Google's suite of productivity tools, and AAA games, such as Diablo Immortal (which we typically use for testing) aren't available to download to the Fire Max 11.

The Fire Max 11's 2000 x 1200 LED display delivers vibrant, well-saturated colors and a decent brightness range. However, 4K YouTube videos are limited to 720p in the tablet’s browser-based player. That said, like the other tablets in Amazon's Fire lineup, it's held back by Fire OS. Built on the back of Android 11, the current version of Fire OS lacks modern features such as gesture controls and customization options, making it feel dated compared to other Android tablets.

Amazon has marketed the Fire 11 Max as a productivity tablet. At this time, we can't recommend it for this purpose. We've already mentioned its lack of important productivity apps; not having must-haves like Slack, Airtable, Jira Cloud, Confluence Cloud, PhotoShop Express, and Asana really puts the breaks on getting things done. The tablet's accessory keyboard and trackpad do just as much to stymie your workflow. The typing experience is passable, but navigating the tablet's numerous menus with its small and poorly calibrated trackpad makes getting around the Fire Max 11's display more difficult than it should be.

Read our full Amazon Fire 11 Max tablet review for more information.

Pros

  • Expandable storage up to 1TB

  • Good display

  • Reasonably fast chipset

Cons

  • Lacks significant productivity apps

  • Frustrating user Interface

  • mediocre keyboard case and stylus

$344.99 from Amazon

Product image of Microsoft Surface Go 3
Microsoft Surface Go 3
  • Dimensions: 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches
  • Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • OS: Windows 11
  • Screen size: 10.5 inches
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1280 pixels
  • CPU:Intel Core i3-10100Y
  • Storage: 64GB, 128GB

Suppose you like the idea of owning a Microsoft Surface Pro 8 for productivity tasks but prefer using a smaller device when the time comes to use your tablet, well, like a tablet. In that case, Microsoft's sturdy, magnesium-clad Surface Go 3 might make you happy, provided you can see your way past its faults.

It’s a delight to pick up and use with its keyboard detached to stream movies or browse the news. The built-in kickstand helps showcase the many viewing angles that the sharp PixelSense Display allows.

This tablet's Intel Pentium Gold processor and limited 4GB or 8GB RAM is sufficient for word processing, email, and some games. However, if you need a tablet for heavy-duty gaming or productivity tasks, such as processing photos in Adobe Lightroom, you should look elsewhere.

The Go 3 only comes with 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage. Given the hefty storage requirements for Windows 11 and must-haves like Microsoft 365, that's not a lot of wiggle room for your photos, documents, and media files. A microSD card or a storage device attached to the lone USB-C slot can serve as workarounds, of course. But that’s an additional investment if you don’t already own them.

The Surface Go 3 also doesn’t include the keyboard cover or Surface Pen that you’ll need in order to effectively use Windows 11. Having to purchase these extras can suddenly make this slab a whole lot more expensive.

Read the full Surface Go 3 review for more information.

Pros

  • Vivid 1080p touch display

  • Beautiful solid magnesium body

  • Windows 11 pre-installed

Cons

  • Slow

  • Dismal battery life

  • Accessories sold separately

Buy now at Amazon


$636.26 from Walmart

Product image of Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th Gen)
Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th Gen)
  • OS: Fire OS (Android 11)
  • Display Size: Eight inches
  • Resolution: 1,280 x 800
  • Chipset: Google Tensor G2
  • Storage: 32GB, 64 GB (upgradeable via Micro SD Card)

The Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 shines as a budget tablet, ideal for Amazon Prime subscribers offering easy access to Amazon's most popular services like Amazon Prime Video, Audible, and Comixology. With its robust build quality and satisfactory performance for lightweight tasks, it's perfect for content consumption, despite its inability to match the power and versatility of competitors like the iPad Mini or Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. However, its lack of access to Google services and the Google Play Store limits its functionality.

With an 8-inch display, 2GB of RAM, and 32 or 64GB storage options expandable via MicroSD, the Fire HD 8 is designed for essential productivity and streaming needs. Its major drawbacks include a somewhat disappointing display resolution of 1,280 x 800 (189 PPI) and laggy app response times. Sound quality suffers too, with dual speakers delivering tinny, underwhelming audio.

The Fire HD 8's price structure is also worth noting. At the time that this guide was written, it ranged from $99.99 for 32GB with lockscreen advertising, to $144.99 for 64GB without ads. Users may find the additional cost of disabling lockscreen ads and the need for extra storage off-putting. Overall, if you're steeped in Amazon's ecosystem, the Fire HD 8 is a reasonable option. However, the absence of Google services, as well as mediocre audio and display quality may prompt some to consider investing in a pricier Android device.

Read our full Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th Gen) review for more information.

Pros

  • Inexpensive

  • Great for Amazon Prime subscribers

  • MicroSD card slot

Cons

  • No access to Google Play Store

  • Underwhelming speakers

  • Going ad-free will cost you.

$129.99 from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Tablet for You

Tablets are an excellent bridge between your phone and your computer. Here are some things to consider when looking for a tablet.

Operating System

While to some degree that's a matter of taste, most people will do best with iPadOS for its simplicity of use, stability, security, and the long-term free operating system and security updates that Apple provides.

Others prefer Windows 11 because of an almost endless variety of desktop and (considerably fewer) tablet applications that can be run on the platform.

Android is lauded by those who appreciate the ability to customize their tablet’s user experience and how easily files can be transferred between Android devices and a Windows 11 computer. But Android tablets often have shorter support cycles which can make them become obsolete, quickly.

Purpose

How you plan to use a tablet should be a big factor in what tablet you should purchase. A tablet used mostly for entertainment needs different features than one that will be used for productivity or educational purposes. Our favorite tablets can handle all these requirements to varying degrees.

How We Test Tablets

The Best Tablets
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Tests

To test the best tablets, we spend time using them as you would. After loading each device with the apps we use to work or to unwind (when they’re available), we spend days with each device to figure out how it works as a full-time companion.

Is it pleasant to hold and use for long periods of time? How are its speakers? Do its build quality and design make it feel like a sound investment?

In addition to documenting our subjective experiences with each of the tablets, we also carefully put them through tests our team has developed, including:

  • How easy it is to type 300 words using each tablet’s on-screen keyboard
  • How well each device handles editing a DMG or RAW format image in Adobe Lightroom Mobile (if the app is available to download)
  • How accurate a stylus is with each device, where applicable
  • How easy it is to browse the web using each tablet’s built-in browser

We also subject each tablet to a set of benchmarking tests. Provided the tablet can download and run the apps, each device in this guide was tested using 3DMark, GFXBench, and, in the case of Android devices, AnTuTu.

Meet the tester

Reviewed Staff

Reviewed Staff

Contributors, Writers, Editors

@reviewed

The Reviewed staff is based in the heart of Cambridge, MA. Backed by our knowledgeable writers and rigorous test labs, we're working hard to make sure you can make the right decisions about what to buy.

See all of Reviewed Staff's reviews

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Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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