The best tablet 2024: the top tablets you can buy right now

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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Best Tablets banner showing iPad 10.9 (2022)
(Image credit: Future)

You'd be forgiven for thinking the best tablets list would be dominated by iPads. But while Apple's tablets do sit high up on this list, there are plenty of Android alternatives; we should know as we've tested all the tablets on this list so know how well they fare against each other, though the comparisons are not always apples to apples. 

Every tablet makes a great device for browsing the web, video streaming, and playing games on a larger screen to see all the fine details. But the best tablet needs to offer more, including productivity tools for getting work done, and special hardware for detailed drawing and pen work. 

Our includes the best iPads, known for incredible performance but high price tags, and the best Android tablets, known for great productivity tools and unique hardware options (you can use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 in the bathtub, for instance). So read on for our selection of the best tablets you can buy right now. 

Quick List

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

iPad 10.9 (2022) screen at angle

iPad 10.9 (2022) with Magic folio (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The best iPad for most people

Specifications

Weight: 477g
Dimensions: 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 10.9-inch
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
CPU: Apple A14
Storage: 64GB / 256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful mini-LED screen
+
Future-proof M2 chip

Reasons to avoid

-
128GB is small for the price
-
Battery life isn't huge

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

iPad Pro 13-inch with M4 chip on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best premium iPad

Specifications

Weight: 579g
Dimensions: 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 13-inch
Resolution: 2420 x 1668 pixels
CPU: Apple M4
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP + LiDAR
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful OLED screen
+
Future-proof M4 chip

Reasons to avoid

-
No ultra-wide rear camera
-
Only USB 2.0 cable included in box

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 Pad with magnetic keyboard and stylo pen

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Best Android tablet for most people

Specifications

Weight: 552g
Dimensions: 258 x 189.4 x 6.5 mm
OS: Android 14 with Oxygen OS
Screen size: 11.6-inch
Resolution: 2000 x 2800 pixels
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
Storage: 128GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 9,510mAh
Rear camera: 13MP
Front camera: 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
Display is sharper than some iPad Pros
+
A flagship tablet priced like a cheaper model
+
Big battery and faster charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Performance doesn’t match best phones
-
One option for storage, RAM, color
-
Stylo pen is pricey, needs charging

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

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus in the hand

(Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

Best premium Android tablet

Specifications

Weight: 586g
Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 12.4-inch
Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 10,090 mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Water and dust resistant
+
Includes an S Pen in the box
+
Excellent multi-tasking features

Reasons to avoid

-
Performance isn't as good as best iPads
-
Software can be overcomplicated
-
No 'magic keyboard' competitor from Samsung

With the Galaxy Tab S9 series, Samsung has taken its tablets to a new level of quality and durability, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus has the best combination of size, power, and price to be our pick for the best premium Android tablet you can buy. With a superfast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (same as the Galaxy S23 Ultra), a sleek design, and tons of multitasking features, you can't find a more capable Android tablet. 

While you get more screen real estate with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, you don't get more performance or features, and its larger 14.6-inch size is amazing for artists (making it our best drawing tablet), but it may be a too large and unwieldy for some folks, so we think the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is the better pick for a premium Android tablet. It's just as fast, and it's smaller screen is a bit more sharp than the larger Ultra display. 

At 12.4-inches, the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is just a bit slimmer and more portable than the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022), but Apple's newer iPad Pro 13 (2024) is thinner still. The Galaxy Tab S9 Plus does come with an S Pen in the box, mind, unlike Apple's iPad, which doesn't include a stylus. However, Apple's iPad Pro models are faster than the Tab S9 Plus, and Apple's Magic Keyboard accessory is much nicer than any keyboard cover that Samsung offers, if you're looking for a real laptop replacement. 

That said, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 Plus costs hundreds less than Apple's iPad Pro 13 (2024), and it gives you many more software features, including great multitasking if you like to keep multiple windows open, and a real DeX desktop environment to connect your Tab S9 Plus to a second display, mouse and keyboard, for a truly productive experience. 

Read our hands-on Galaxy Tab S9 Plus review

The best budget tablet

The Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) being used with an Apple Pencil

(Image credit: TechRadar)
Best budget tablet

Specifications

Weight: 487g
Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 10.2-inch
Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
CPU: A13 Bionic
RAM: TBC
Storage: 64/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent value
+
Upgraded selfie camera

Reasons to avoid

-
Only iPad without Face ID
-
Doesn’t support newer accessories

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

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus with screens and Book Cover in mint green

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Best battery life

Specifications

Weight: 627g
Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6
Screen size: 12.4-inches
Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm)
RAM: 6GB / 8GB / 12GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 10,090 mAh
Rear camera: 8MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Water and dust resistant
+
Great multi-tasking software
+
Includes an S Pen in the box

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky and heavy compared to iPad Air
-
Slower Exynos processor inside
-
Still expensive considering performance

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

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The best drawing tablet

Specifications

Weight: 732g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 11,200mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Samsung multitasking is better than iPad and Pixel Tablet
+
Gorgeous display and blazing performance
+
Value is surprisingly good compared to iPad Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
Same price as a Macbook Air (M2)
-
Faster charging would have been nice
-
Flimsy keyboard and no easy S Pen storage

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

galaxy tab S9

(Image credit: Future)
The best tablet for work

Specifications

Weight: 732g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 11,200mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Samsung multitasking is better than iPad and Pixel Tablet
+
Gorgeous display and blazing performance
+
Value is surprisingly good compared to iPad Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
Same price as a Macbook Air (M2)
-
Faster charging would have been nice
-
Flimsy keyboard and no easy S Pen storage

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

iPad mini 2021

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best compact tablet

Specifications

Weight: 293g
Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 8.3-inch
Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels
CPU: A15 Bionic
Storage: 64GB/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish compact design
+
Lots of power

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life could be better
-
5G connectivity is limited

There's nothing like the Apple iPad mini (2021). 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, and it's closer to the iPad Air than the base model iPad when it comes to performance. 

Even though the iPad mini hasn't been updated since 2021, Apple uses a faster A15 Bionic chip inside the iPad mini than the A14 Bionic chip in the regular iPad 10.9 (2022). The iPad mini is ready for all of the latest software and games, and Apple has kept it up to date with iPadOS updates, and likely will keep this tablet going for another few years. 

With such performance, the iPad mini (2021) isn't cheap, and it hasn't dropped much in price since it launched, but it's still a capable compact and the best small tablet you'll find. 

Read our full Apple iPad mini (2021) 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.

Philip Berne
US Mobiles Editor

Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.

With contributions from