What is the all-time tablet you can buy?

Tablets are one of tech's most versatile purchases. Yous can use them to sentinel films, send emails, browse the web or even brand music. If the size of your phone screen just doesn't cut it and you don't desire a laptop, then a tablet is the perfect companion.

At that place are many great tablets out at that place – iPads are obvious choices – simply in that location are several we'd recommend for you, depending on your upkeep, needs and gustatory modality in design. And of class, there are many terrible tablets out in that location too, simply rest assured, none of those features in our ranked nautical chart.

Best Tablets 2022

ane

Apple tree iPad Air (2020) - Best overall

Apple iPad Air (2020)

  • Pros: Bully pattern | Big brandish | Compatible with Pro accessories
  • Cons: Awkward Impact ID placement | A little pricey | Thick bezels
  • All-time Costs Today:

The iPad Air 2020 is a huge glow up for Apple's mid-range tablet, ditching the ageing design for something more industrial and modern.

Of class, information technology can't quite compete with the 120Hz ProMotion brandish tech or Face ID on offer from the iPad Pro range, but if you tin can live without such luxuries, even a couple of years on, the 2020 Air is still all the iPad most people volition actually need.

You get a groovy pattern, Touch ID, bright colour options, a gorgeous high-resolution full-screen brandish – admitting with slightly larger bezels than the Pro equivalent – and compatibility with both Apple'due south Magic Keyboard and Apple tree Pencil, accessories previously sectional to the visitor'south high-cease tablets.

The A14 Bionic – the same chipset found in the iPhone 12 range – is nonetheless a brute that can handle just about anything yous throw at it with ease, and although information technology'due south not quite every bit powerful equally the iPad Pro range or the company's A15 or M1 chips, it still packs plenty of dial.

Read our total Apple iPad Air (2020) review

2

Apple iPad Mini (2021) - Best for portability

Apple iPad mini (2021)

  • Pros: Compact blueprint | Apple Pencil back up | Superb functioning
  • Cons: A petty pricey | No Magic Keyboard support
  • Best Costsouthward Today:

The sixth-gen iPad Mini ditches the old form factor for something more akin to the iPad Air and Pro ranges; with an angular design, stereo speakers, Eye Stage engineering and much smaller bezels than earlier.

The Mini's 60Hz display has jumped to 8.3in, but without changing the physical size of the tablet – allowing for more display real estate without affecting its portable nature. It's a gorgeous display too, with the highest pixel density of whatever iPad correct at present, even if it is a chip on the small side for truthful split-screen multitasking.

It'south powered past the same A15 Bionic silicon as the iPhone thirteen range, making information technology more powerful than the iPad Air at a similar price.

The Touch ID sensor has been moved to the Power push button – like with the iPad Air – and there'south support for the second-gen Apple Pencil to boot. Even so, the lack of a Smart Connector on the rear means that information technology doesn't accept its own Magic Keyboard; a real benefaction for the iPad Air and Pro ranges, and the only real chink in the Mini's armour.

Read our total Apple iPad mini (2021) review

3

Apple iPad 10.2in (2021) - Ideal for productivity

Apple iPad 10.2in (2021)

  • Pros: Affordable | Large brandish | Not bad performance
  • Cons: Dated design | Lacklustre cameras | Middling speakers
  • Best Pricesouthward Today:

It might not be hugely different from the previous entry-level iPad, but Apple tree has however again created a tablet that's very hard to complain near.

If yous've got the seventh or eighth-gen iPad, at that place might non be plenty to tempt you, but at that place'due south a lot to beloved here if you lot're coming from an older device or want to dip your toe into the iPad experience.

The 10.2in screen offers TrueTone tech that'll automatically adjust the colour balance based on your surroundings, and there'due south improved colour accurateness too. There are also improvements to iPadOS, an upgrade to the A13 Bionic (the same chip as in the iPhone eleven) and most chiefly, Apple's upgraded the base of operations storage from an unusable 32GB to 64GB, while too offering upward a 256GB model for those that need a little more infinite.

Because the price hasn't inverse over the 2020 model, that's an impressive feat for the budget iPad. Sure, it doesn't accept a laminated display, ProMotion display tech or an updated design, like pricier iPads but so long every bit you don't care virtually such extras, this is a corking entry point that won't interruption the depository financial institution.

Read our full Apple iPad ten.2in (2021) review

4

Apple iPad Pro 12.9in (2021) - All-time for artists

iPad Pro 12.9in (2021, M1)

  • Pros: All-time-in-grade display | Form-leading performance | Upgraded forepart camera
  • Cons: Expensive | iPadOS can't take total advantage of M1 bit
  • Best Costs Today:

Apple'southward 12.9in iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market right now, with the Mac-based M1 chipset chirapsia just nigh every competitor in benchmark tests. All the same, limitations of iPadOS – including screen mirroring, rather than screen extending  – mean it tin can't truly take advantage of all the power on offering.

The 120Hz micro-LED brandish (exclusive to the 12.9in model) is perfect for graphic design work and digital artistry, also as watching movies and browsing social media. Meanwhile, the upgraded front end-facing camera, with auto-tracking tech, is platonic for those working remotely.

Paired with the Magic Keyboard, it has the potential to be a true laptop replacement, but it'due south a very pricey one, even surpassing the starting toll of a MacBook Pro at the acme end.

It'due south undoubtedly Apple's best tablet, but if y'all're not going to get full use out of the large brandish and powerful internals, you'd probably be ameliorate off with a dissimilar iPad.

Read our total iPad Pro 12.9in (2021, M1) review

5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ - All-time for Android

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

  • Pros: Stunning display | Stellar performance | Bang-up speakers
  • Cons: Middling software optimisation | S-Pen charging is awkward
  • All-time Prices Today:

Samsung'southward most achieved tablet to engagement, the Galaxy Tab S7+ nails the fundamentals with its display, performance and design, whilst also boasting exciting embellishments in the form of excellent stereo speakers and a solid in-display fingerprint scanner.

Yous also get a decent fix of cameras and the impressive South-Pen stylus in the box, but the software is something of a weak point. Not for lack of trying on Samsung's function, many apps on the Google Play Store simply aren't optimised for Android tablets, so yous just get scaled-up clones that waste screen real-estate and lack any boosted functionality of the Tab's large 12.9in console.

While such quirks won't likely exist a dealbreaker for almost people, when you lot consider how polished apps on iPadOS handle, by comparing, the Tab S7+ does go a little harder to recommend.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ review

6

Apple iPad Pro 11in (2021) - Superb functioning

iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1)

  • Pros: Form-leading performance | Highly portable | Centre Stage
  • Cons: Expensive | iPadOS tin can't accept full advantage of M1 chip
  • All-time Tolldue south Today:

If the iPad Pro 12.9in is a footling too big for your tastes, the iPad Pro 11in may brand for a improve fit.

It has nearly key features of the 12.9in Pro, including a 120Hz ProMotion brandish, the Mac-based M1 chipset, the Centre Phase tech that tracks you lot when using the front camera and even its own Magic Keyboard.

The just real divergence is in the brandish department, where the 11in model features the same IPS tech as previous years, while the 12.9in version benefits from a more advanced micro-LED setup.

That's non to say the iPad Pro 11in doesn't characteristic a phenomenal viewing experience. It'southward bright, crisp, detailed and ideal for creatives on the go, especially with Apple Pencil support; it just isn't quite every bit vibrant as the larger 12.9in model's panel.

Still, if that's an adequate shortcoming in your eyes, the M1-powered 11in iPad Pro is an incredibly capable tablet, touting some of the best criterion results nosotros've ever seen from a slate; making it perfect for both work and play.

Read our full iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1) review

7

Xiaomi Pad five - Great all-rounder

Xiaomi Pad 5

  • Pros: Stunning brandish | Proficient operation | Slim design
  • Cons: Lacklustre selfie camera | MIUI non for everyone
  • All-time Prices Today:

It's been a while since Xiaomi offered upwardly a slate on the global stage but its return to the tablet space in 2021 – in the form of the Xiaomi Pad five – is pleasingly compelling.

The tablet boasts a thin design that's fronted past a gorgeous two.5K 120Hz brandish and comes backed up by slap-up stereo speakers and solid performance to boot.

But as with its phones, Xiaomi's tablet-optimised take on its MIUI user experience won't suit anybody but it'south wholly usable, and while the added connectivity found on the Chinese models doesn't make information technology to most markets internationally, there's still lilliputian else on the Android side of the fence we'd recommend, specially around the Pad 5'southward asking price.

Read our full Xiaomi Pad 5 review

8

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro - Great for amusement

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro

  • Pros: Great blueprint | Solid battery life | Superb brandish
  • Cons: Middling software optimisation | Central accessories cost actress | Underpowered
  • Best Prices Today:

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is a cracking selection for media-lovers, thanks to its superb display, solid quad-speaker setup and respectable bombardment life.

The additional flexibility afforded to users by the dedicated keyboard cover and the Lenovo Precision Pen two widens the Tab'southward entreatment also, but they don't come as standard unless you pay extra for a packet.

If it weren't for the fact that it feels a little underpowered and the UI quirks that we ran into during testing, this would exist an firsthand alternative recommendation to the likes of Samsung'south Galaxy Tab S series.

Read our full Lenovo Tab P11 Pro review

nine

Microsoft Surface Pro seven - Best for Windows

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

  • Pros: Portable 2-in-ane design | Huge functioning leap over predecessor
  • Cons: Pricey | Fundamental accessories cost extra
  • Best Pricedue south Today:

The Surface Pro seven is a powerful tablet that doubles as a decent laptop, if you opt for the Blazon Cover, although trying to actually apply it in your lap is a claiming non many will succeed with.

The improved internals and upgraded graphics are where the Pro seven really shines. It's certainly more than powerful than the Pro X and it's a massive jump forward from the Surface Pro 6 too. Information technology's still not a gaming laptop, mind you, and cheaper standard laptops can offer more in terms of raw power, however, you'll lose that versatile pattern past going that road.

If you're going to get some employ out of the portable and flexible nature of this ii-in-ane, so the Pro 7 is worth considering; that said, there are more powerful laptops at a similar price if processing grunt is key.

Our review of the Surface Pro 8 is also on the manner, merely its release also spells price cuts for the 7 Pro, which is something to keep in heed.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review

10

Amazon Fire HD ten (2021) - Most affordable

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

  • Pros: Stylish & lightweight | Practiced functioning | Nice screen
  • Cons: Limited apps | Deadening charging | Basic cameras
  • Best Prices Today:

Amazon has refreshed its 10in Burn tablet once again, and while, as always, in that location'south a model that'south tailor-made for kids, there'southward as well at present a package that places a focus on productivity, which includes a Bluetooth keyboard and year'southward subscription to Microsoft Function 365.

Even without the extras, the Hard disk drive 10 is withal a bully budget entertainment slate, also boasting improve performance and better cameras to boot. It besides features always-on Alexa support, so you can fire off queries, even when the Hard disk drive 10'southward display is off.

Y'all take the pick of a Plus model with wireless charging and information technology does ameliorate than expected every bit a productivity auto, but in every case, the tablet's low cost tag versus more conventional Android-based competition comes with the caveat that Fire Os doesn't support Google Play Store apps natively, so y'all won't necessarily discover all the experience you're looking for with this slate (i.e. check before you buy).

Read our full Amazon Burn down HD 10 (2021) review

Your buying guide to the all-time tablets in 2022

While Apple tree has something of a hold on the tablet conversation, there are great Android alternatives from Samsung, Xiaomi and Amazon. And if yous need a tablet with full Windows, Microsoft is there for you lot with Surface.

Should I buy an Android, Windows or iPadOS tablet?

If you're on a tight budget, y'all should be reading our best budget tablets roundup. And if you're looking for a tablet for your child, cheque out our all-time kids' tablets commodity.

Only if y'all want the best, you've got four main choices: an iPad, an Android tablet, an Amazon Fire tablet or a Windows tablet.

Apple tree iPads run the company's own iPadOS, which is widely regarded as one of the all-time out in that location. It's easy to employ and app developers normally go far their start option, and so you're pretty much guaranteed to find what you're after.

If you take an iPhone, and so it'll also exist very familiar.

This is valuable when you purchase accessories that require apps  – mainly smart home or fitness gadgets – every bit you may non be able to control these from a Windows (or Fire) tablet.

In almost cases, apps are fabricated available on Android likewise as iPads, merely non always. Android tablets can exist cheaper than iPads, merely there are some Samsung models which cost the same or are more expensive.

Windows tablets come in both cheap and expensive guises, with the advantage of being able to support the same programs you're probable already used to running on your laptop or PC. There just aren't every bit many finger-friendly tablet-optimised apps as you'd notice on your phone or an iPad.

And that'southward why most Windows tablets come with a keyboard (or at to the lowest degree offer i as an optional accompaniment) they're actually a hybrid of a laptop and tablet. But as you'll find out in nigh of our Windows tablet reviews, this is rarely a case of getting the all-time of both worlds. One exception being the Surface Pro line, from Microsoft.

The quaternary option is Amazon'south Fire tablets. These are based on open up-source Android only are locked into Amazon's own ecosystem, running on what's called Fire OS. As such, you won't find whatever Google services or apps on them natively, so bear this in heed. They are very affordable, though.

Your neck muscles volition also give thanks yous if you invest in an affordable tablet stand up to improve your posture and reduce neck strain likewise.