Tablets have become an essential device for many people, providing a larger display and enhanced productivity compared to smartphones. With a wide range of options available in the market, finding the best tablet can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve thoroughly researched and tested various tablets to bring you our top recommendations for 2023. Whether you’re an Apple enthusiast, an Android lover, or in search of a budget-friendly option, we’ve got you covered.

Apple iPad Air (2022): The Best Tablet Overall

Pros:

• High-performance M1 processor
• Slim and light design
• Software suitable for work or play
• Large, colorful, and sharp display
• Wide array of quality accessories
• Center Stage works well

Cons:

• 64GB storage may not be sufficient
• Battery life could be better

If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple iPad Air (2022) is the best tablet overall. It offers almost everything you’ll get from the iPad Pro but at a lower price point. Packed with the high-performance M1 processor, the same chip found in the iPad Pro lineup and MacBook Air, the iPad Air delivers exceptional performance for both work and play. The powerful iPadOS software transforms the iPad Air into a laptop replacement, especially when paired with the Magic Keyboard. Additionally, the iPad Air supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, making it an excellent choice for artists and typists.

The design of the iPad Air is sleek and attractive, with slim bezels and a lightweight build. The 10.9-inch display provides vibrant colors and sharp visuals, although it lacks the faster 120Hz ProMotion display found in the iPad Pro. The cameras on the iPad Air are impressive for a tablet, particularly the 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage, which keeps you in the frame even if you move around. While the 64GB storage may not be enough for everyone, the iPad Air offers a wide range of accessories and a robust software ecosystem.

OnePlus Pad: The Best Android Tablet

Pros:

• Bold and unique design
• Fun green color option
• Sharp and vibrant LCD display
• Up to 144Hz refresh rate
• Three years of Android upgrades
• Fast performance

Cons:

• Low-quality cameras
• Odd placement of the rear camera
• Some software quirks

For Android enthusiasts, the OnePlus Pad is the best Android tablet available. With its bold and unique design, including a brushed metallic back in a vibrant green color, the OnePlus Pad stands out from the crowd. The 11.61-inch LCD display offers a sharp and vibrant visual experience, with a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip, the OnePlus Pad delivers fast performance for both casual and professional use. The tablet also comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

While the cameras on the OnePlus Pad may not be the best in the market, they are suitable for basic needs such as document scanning and video calls. The tablet boasts a 9,510mAh battery that provides excellent battery life, lasting up to 12 hours of consecutive video watching. The OnePlus Pad runs on OxygenOS 13, a custom interface based on Android 13, which offers a clean and intuitive user experience. Overall, the OnePlus Pad offers great value for its price and is a versatile option for creative, professional, and casual use.

Apple iPad (2021): The Best Value Tablet

Pros:

• Great battery life
• Powerful internals
• Upgrade to the front-facing camera
• Amazing software support
• Base storage more acceptable at 64GB

Cons:

• Display could be brighter
• Still uses Lightning port in 2021
• Slow Touch ID sensor

If you’re looking for the best value tablet, the Apple iPad (2021) is an excellent choice. Although it’s not the latest iPad model, it still offers great performance and features at an affordable price point. The iPad (2021) features a 10.2-inch display, long-lasting battery life, and a powerful A13 Bionic chip, which is the same chip used in the iPhone 11 lineup. With 64GB of storage as the base option, the iPad (2021) provides ample space for your apps, media files, and documents.

One of the standout improvements in the iPad (2021) is the front-facing camera, which has been upgraded from a paltry 1.2MP lens to a 12MP lens. This improvement makes video calls and selfies much better, and the auto-framing technology is a nice touch. The iPad (2021) runs on iPadOS, which offers excellent software support and compatibility with a wide range of apps. While the design of the iPad (2021) may not be the most cutting-edge, it’s a reliable and budget-friendly option that can handle all the basics.

Amazon Fire Max 11: The Best Value Android Tablet

Pros:

• Great screen for video
• Keyboard feels good to type on
• 10-hour-plus battery life
• Useful kickstand case

Cons:

• Sparse app store
• Slow charging

For those seeking an affordable Android tablet that offers great value, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is an excellent choice. With its 11-inch display, the Fire Max 11 provides a great screen for video playback and reading. The tablet comes with a keyboard that feels good to type on, making it a useful tool for productivity tasks. The Fire Max 11 boasts a long-lasting battery life, lasting up to 10 hours or more on a single charge.

While the app store on the Fire Max 11 is more limited compared to other Android tablets, it still provides access to essential apps and services. The tablet runs on Fire OS, a version of Android, so it’s compatible with most Android apps. The Fire Max 11 also includes a kickstand case, which is useful for propping up the tablet for hands-free viewing. Overall, the Amazon Fire Max 11 offers excellent value for its price, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

Apple iPad Mini 6: The Best Small Tablet

Pros:

• Big enough to perform most tasks
• Compact enough to travel easily
• Powerful performance
• Loud speakers
• USB-C port

Cons:

• Screen is not bright enough
• Too small for content creation
• No headphone jack

If you’re in the market for a smaller tablet, the Apple iPad Mini 6 is the best option available. With its compact size, the iPad Mini 6 is easy to travel with and handle. Despite its small form factor, the iPad Mini 6 offers powerful performance with its A15 Bionic chip, which is the same chip used in the latest iPhones. The tablet provides a great viewing experience with its 8.3-inch display, although the brightness could be improved.

The iPad Mini 6 features loud speakers, making it great for media consumption and video calls. The tablet also includes a USB-C port, which allows for faster charging and data transfer compared to the Lightning port found on other Apple devices. While the iPad Mini 6 may be too small for content creation tasks, it’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize portability and performance in a smaller package.

Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch): The Best Big Tablet

Pros:

• Sleek and modern design
• Bright, vivid, gorgeous display
• Wild performance from the M2 chip
• Apple Pencil hover feature
• iPadOS 16 is super robust

Cons:

• Stage Manager needs more work
• Lackluster, awkward front camera
• Prohibitively expensive

For those who need a large tablet with exceptional performance, the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch) is the best choice. With its sleek and modern design, the iPad Pro offers a stunning visual experience with its bright and vivid display. The tablet is powered by the M2 chip, which delivers wild performance and makes it suitable for demanding tasks such as gaming and content creation. The iPad Pro also features support for the Apple Pencil, offering precise input for artists and designers.

The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS 16, which provides a robust and intuitive user experience. However, there are some areas for improvement, such as the Stage Manager feature and the front camera, which can be lackluster and awkward to use. While the iPad Pro is on the pricier side, it offers unparalleled performance and a large, gorgeous display, making it the best choice for power users and professionals.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus: The Best Big Android Tablet

Pros:

• Very competitive price
• Water and dust resistance
• Long-lasting battery life
• Bright, vibrant display
• S Pen included for free

Cons:

• Android software experience could be better
• Bulky and heavy
• Refresh rate is disappointing

If you’re looking for a big Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is the best option available. With its competitive price, the Tab S9 FE Plus offers excellent value for money. The tablet comes with water and dust resistance, making it durable and suitable for outdoor use. The Tab S9 FE Plus boasts a long-lasting battery life, ensuring that you can use it throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.

The tablet features a bright and vibrant display, providing an immersive visual experience. However, the refresh rate could be improved, as it may not offer the smoothest scrolling experience. The Tab S9 FE Plus includes the S Pen for free, allowing for precise input and note-taking. While the software experience could be better, the Tab S9 FE Plus is a solid choice for those in search of a big Android tablet at an affordable price.

Lenovo Tab Extreme: The Best Productivity Tablet

Pros:

• Beautiful 3K OLED display
• Immersive speakers
• Comes with stylus
• Has two USB-C ports
• Capable performance
• Good value

Cons:

• Size can be unwieldy
• Magnets on back for stylus not great
• Multitasking quirks

For those in need of a tablet that prioritizes productivity, the Lenovo Tab Extreme is the best choice. With its beautiful 3K OLED display, the Tab Extreme offers a stunning visual experience for work and entertainment. The tablet features immersive speakers, providing high-quality audio for media consumption. The Tab Extreme comes with a stylus, allowing for precise input and note-taking.

The tablet includes two USB-C ports, making it convenient for connecting various peripherals. With its capable performance, the Tab Extreme can handle multitasking and demanding tasks with ease. While the tablet’s size may be unwieldy for some, it offers great value for its features and performance, making it an excellent choice for productivity-focused users.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3): The Best Affordable Tablet

Pros:

• Solid battery life
• Good horizontal-focused design
• Lightweight
• Low price

Cons:

• Camera is often hit-or-miss
• Overall lack of processing power

If you’re on a tight budget and looking for an affordable tablet, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3) is a great option. The tablet offers solid battery life, making it suitable for all-day use. With its good horizontal-focused design, the Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3) is lightweight and easy to handle. The tablet provides a clean user experience at a low price point, making it a cost-effective option for basic tasks such as streaming video, note-taking, and social media.

While the camera on the Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3) may not deliver the best photo quality, it’s sufficient for basic needs. The tablet may lack processing power for more resource-intensive apps, but it performs well for everyday tasks. Overall, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3) offers great value for its price, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious users.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: The Best E-Ink Tablet

Pros:

• Big anti-glare display with a matte finish
• Fast for an e-ink device
• Excellent battery life
• Brilliant keyboard case
• Comes with a stylus

Cons:

• Expensive
• Keyboard is sold separately

For those seeking an e-ink tablet, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra is the best choice. The tablet offers a big anti-glare display with a matte finish, providing a comfortable reading experience without straining the eyes. Despite being an e-ink device, the Tab Ultra is surprisingly fast in performance, making it suitable for basic tasks such as reading e-books, browsing the web, and writing. The tablet features excellent battery life, ensuring that you can use it for extended periods without worrying about running out of power.

The Tab Ultra comes with a brilliant keyboard case, offering a comfortable typing experience and protecting the tablet when not in use. Additionally, the tablet includes a stylus for precise input and note-taking. While the Tab Ultra may be on the pricier side for an e-ink tablet, it offers a unique reading experience and is a worthwhile investment for avid readers.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: The Best Colorful E-Ink Tablet

Pros:

• Color e-ink screen is unique
• Easy-to-read display
• Plenty of customization tricks
• Extremely good battery life
• Storage expansion facility
• Terrific build and great keyboard

Cons:

• Runs dated Android 11 experience
• E-ink holds back performance
• Not suited for multimedia consumption
• Awkward fingerprint button placement

For those looking for an e-ink tablet with color capabilities, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is the best option available. With its color e-ink screen, the Tab Ultra C offers a unique reading experience with easy-to-read displays. The tablet provides plenty of customization options, allowing users to personalize their reading experience. Additionally, the Tab Ultra C boasts an extremely long battery life, making it suitable for extended reading sessions without the need for frequent charging.

The tablet offers storage expansion facilities, allowing users to store a large number of e-books and documents. The Tab Ultra C features a terrific build quality and comes with a great keyboard for a comfortable typing experience. While the performance may be hindered by the e-ink display, the Tab Ultra C is an excellent choice for reading and note-taking, although it may not be suitable for multimedia consumption.