The best tablets from Apple, Samsung, and Google, and other top brands

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The bottom line: Which is the best tablet?

How did we choose the best tablet?

Tablets are the way to go for users looking for a compact, mobile-like experience they can take on the road. The best tablets seamlessly link with Apple or Android phones and can transform into mini laptops when paired with compatible keyboards. They are also tough enough for everyday use and have crisp, high-resolution touchscreens for watching movies or YouTube videos.

Our Pocket-lint teams specialize in testing the latest tablets, phones, and laptops and have hands-on experience with most of the models listed below. We also tried to pick various options because everyone has different requirements, and we wanted to include something for everyone.

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We don’t do arm-chair research. We buy and test our own products, and we only publish buyer’s guides with products we’ve actually reviewed.

Best Overall Tablet

Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

Ultra-thin powerhouse

The 13-inch iPad Pro can handle most tasks with the powerful M4 chip packaged in an ultra-thin, lightweight design with a vibrant OLED screen.

Pros

Fantastic OLED display
Ultra-thin
Incredible power

Cons

Pricey
Overkill for many users

Apple’s latest iPad Pro raises the bar with its M4 chip offering over 50% faster CPU speeds and improved graphics and AI performance for modern creators. The 512GB of internal storage should be enough for most users, and it’s easy to upgrade to one or two terabytes if you’re willing to spend the cash. It will effortlessly handle multitasking and demanding apps, and colors look bright and rich on the 13-inch OLED Ultra Retina XDR Display.

One of the best things about the iPad Pro is its incredible power-to-weight ratio. The svelte aluminum chassis available in Space Black or Silver weighs just 1.28 lbs and measures 11.09 x 8.48 inches. It’s also incredibly thin at just 0.20 inches while still cramming in a 12MP rear camera, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and an all-day battery to make it one of the best all-around options.

Few tablets can pack blistering speeds into such a compact package, and the iPad succeeds while including a stunning display and the usual premium construction. It doesn’t come cheap and might be overkill for some buyers, but it delivers on all fronts as the best tablet you can buy today.

samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-ultra-android-interface

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Stunning displays with a papery feel bring your graphics to life with these tablets for graphic design

Best Premium Tablet

Microsoft Surface Pro (2024) with Surface Pro Keyboard

The best of both worlds

The Microsoft Surface Pro includes the latest Snapdragon X Elite CPUs to handle demanding apps and instantly transforms into a laptop when you connect the compatible keyboard.

Pros

Clear OLED display
Excellent power and efficiency
Stable kickstand

Cons

Expensive
Keyboard and stylus are extras

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 was one of the best convertibles we’ve tested, and the new Surface Pro (2024) continues the tradition with more power for modern AI tools and a 13-inch OLED display. It marks a new era for the brand with a shift to the Qualcomm SnapDragon X Elite CPU, which offers better power and efficiency because it’s specifically designed for phones and tablets. The 16GB RAM is decent for the price, and the 256GB storage will be enough for all but the most demanding users.

The Surface Pro line is defined by its versatility, and the new model features the signature 166-degree kickstand on a sturdy 0.37-inch-thick aluminum frame. It’s worth getting the Surface Slim Pen for sketching and taking notes and the Surface Pro Keyboard with built-in backlighting to transform it into a lightweight productivity laptop.

You can’t go wrong with the Surface Pro, which can handle demanding generative AI apps while working as a tablet or a laptop when you connect the compatible keyboard. The experience gets pricey if you factor in the extras, but it’s still worth it for its all-around versatility.

The best budget-friendly tablets

A budget tablet is the perfect companion for browsing, gaming, and watching wherever you can tote a screen.

Best smart home tablet

Google Pixel Tablet with Charging Speaker Dock

A tablet an smart home display in one

$450 $500 Save $50

The Google Pixel Tablet offers a bloat-free software experience for most daily tasks and includes a handy dock for smart home integration.

Pros

Includes a dock
Fantastic Google integration
Bloat-free user experience

Cons

Not the most powerful
Average display
Limited hub mode functionality

Google’s Pixel Tablet is useful for browsing, watching videos, and other daily tasks thanks to the clear 10.95-inch screen. When you’re not using it, you can attach it to the handy dock to display the time, date, and other information. The dock doubles as a charger, allowing the tablet to work as a smart hub to control your lights, cameras, and other devices.

Under the Google Pixel Tablet’s hood is a capable Google Tenser G2 CPU with 8GB of RAM, which offers smooth performance when paired with 128 or 256 GB of storage space. The hardware is enclosed in a silky 10.16 x 6.65 x 0.32-inch aluminum chassis that weighs just 17.39oz and comes in Hazel, Porcelain, or Rose.

The Pixel Tablet might not be the most powerful, but it offers a smooth, bloat-free software experience and excellent integration with Buds and other Google devices. The included hub increases its versatility and saves you from buying a separate smart home device.

Google Pixel Tablet review: Hi honey, I’m (Google) home

Google’s return to tablets sees optimised apps for the larger display, a focus on smart home integration – but should you buy the Pixel Tablet?

Best Screensize Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Super sized screen

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers impressive performance for most tasks and a massive 14.6-inch display to bring out the best in your content.

Pros

Massive display
High-end performance
IP68 durability

Cons

Doesn’t come cheap
No S Pen storage

Buyers looking for a massive display for design apps or watching shows can try Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This powerhouse tablet features a pristine 14.6-inch AMOLED display offering superb graphics powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and up to 16GB of RAM. It’s available with 256 GB, 512GB, or 1TB of internal storage and includes an SD card reader for transferring data from phones and cameras.

There’s no compromise on build quality, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can withstand daily use thanks to its aluminum housing, which has an IP68 rating for water and dust protection. For a tough tablet, it’s still lightweight and compact at 1.6 pounds and 12.85 by 8.21 by 0.21 inches, and it includes the handy S Pen for writing notes.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra provides an unrivaled experience with fantastic performance and a huge display that brings out the best in movies, games, and other content. It doesn’t come cheap, but most buyers won’t mind because of the hours of enjoyment it will provide.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Impressively big and capable

I put the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra to the test over the last two weeks, using it as an entertainment-only device, and then for work. Here’s my experience.

Best budget Tablet

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)

Budget-friendly practicality

$75 $140 Save $65

The Amazon Fire HD 10 offers decent performance and durability for students and other budget-conscious buyers who want a tablet at a great price.

Pros

Fantastic price
Durable
Built-in Alexa

Cons

Average performance
No Google apps

Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is a great option for buyers looking for practicality without the price. This tablet is strictly for lighter tasks like browsing and less demanding apps with a MediaTek MT8186 CPU and 3GB of RAM. The 32 or 64GB of internal memory does the job, and you can use the MicroSD card reader or online cloud-based services if you need more space.

Designwise, the Fire HD 10 keeps things simple with a black plastic body measuring 9.73 x 6.53 x 0.36-inch and weighing 16.4 ounces. Thick bezels give it a sturdy feel and surround a 10.1-inch display, offering decent visuals for typing emails and browsing websites. You also get decent 5MP cameras for the price, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones and speakers that isn’t included in many rivals.

This tablet is perfect for students and other budget-conscious buyers because of its impressive value. It might not be the most powerful, but its decent performance and durability make it one of the best options under $100.

Amazon’s latest Fire HD 10 is a cheap tablet that nails the basics

Amazon’s Fire HD 10 gets the job done, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The bottom line: Which is the best tablet?

Apple’s latest iPad Pro is the best overall tablet because of its incredible power in an ultra-thin package. The Microsoft Surface Pro 2024 is the best premium tablet because it provides a smooth user experience in a practical design that doubles as a laptop. Anyone shopping on a budget can try the Amazon Fire 10 HD because it takes on lighter tasks and has durable construction for a low price.

How did we choose the best tablet?

We review the latest tablets from most brands and have hands-on experience with countless brands and models. Our team used most options listed here in their daily lives and graded them based on performance, practicality, and value to see how they stack up.

All our picks offer fantastic performance for the price and are durable enough for daily use. Everyone’s looking for a great deal, and all our choices offer great value to buyers. The premium picks justify their prices with high performance and OLED displays, while the affordable models offer durability and practicality for less.