Tablets are great for working & playing on the go, and the market has become more diverse in recent years, offering you a wider range of options. However, with so many options, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Below is a complete list of the best tablets for 2021 to meet all of your demands. From heavy-duty workhorses to kids’ tablets, the best overall buy is the 2020 Apple iPad Air, which is good at everything. This list will find you in selecting the best tablet for your needs.
Are you looking for an good bargain on tablets? Check a list of our best iPad deals and best tablet deals.
Apple’s iPad (2020)
Pros
- Outstanding hardware design
- Long battery life and USB-C connectivity
- A stunning exhibition
- Professional-level performance
- Support for Magic Keyboard
- Fingerprint sensor that works quickly
Cons
- 64GB of storage as a starting point
- Expensive 256GB upgrade
Why should you buy this item? The new iPad Air retains all of the benefits of the iPad Pro while costing $200 less.
Who is it intended for? Anyone who can afford $600 and wants a powerful, mobile best tablets modern-looking camera.
The following are the reasons why we picked the iPad Air (2020)
The iPad Air isn’t as inexpensive as the entry-level iPad, which remains our top pick for the best value tablet, but if you have $600 to spare, it’s well worth it. It’s more powerful, has a more modern appearance, and supports more accessories, among other things.
The iPad Air has almost all of the features of the great-tier iPad Pro, but it costs $200 less. That starts with the great huge screen, which, despite being somewhat smaller at 10.9 inches and lacking 120Hz support, looks fantastic. It’s a perfect screen for gaming and viewing movies.
The iPad Air is no slouch in terms of performance. The device is equipped with Apple’s newest A14 Bionic chip, which is capable of handling whatever you can throw at it. It’s not as powerful as the M1 chip in the iPad Pro, but it’s still more than powerful of handling practically all tasks. It’s all powered by a battery that, in most cases, will outlast computers.
The iPad Air supports the iPad Pro’s accessories as well because it has the same overall design and footprint as the iPad Pro mobile best tablets. That means you can use both the second-generation Apple Pencil and the relatively expensive but still fantastic Magic Keyboard.
The only significant drawbacks of the iPad Air are the loss of 120Hz, which you can definitely live without, and the fact that its camera system isn’t as good as the iPad Pro’s — but how many photos do you take with your iPad anyway? Aside from that, it’s still not a cheap device, even though it’s less expensive than the Pro. If you can afford it, howevers, it’s definitely worth the money. If you truly want performance, the 11-inch iPad Pro, which offers with a super-powerful M1 CPU, Face ID, and a few other features, is a no-brainer, but it’ll pay you back $800.
iPad Air by Apple (2020)
Pros
- Fantastic video screen
- Extremely powerful
- Long-lasting battery
- Includes a S Pen stylus
Con
- There is no wireless charging available.
- Android on tablets is still a work in progress.
Why should you buy this item? The Samsung-Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is the closest Android tablet to the iPad Pro in terms of display quality, and it has a stunning display.
Who is it intended for? Anyone seeking for an iPad replacement that runs on Android.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus was chosen for a number of reasons.
With an exceptionally stunning display, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is the best Android tablet available in 2022. There are few tablets on the market that can match the S7 Plus’s 12.4-inch OLED display, especially with its 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports with HDR10+ content (which companies like Netflix and YouTube are making increasingly available these days). Even non-HDR entertainment looks fantastic on the S7 Plus’ 2800 x 1752 pixel display.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor (the same chips that powers older flagships smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S20) is fast, and the 6GB or 8GB of RAM is more than enough to keep this tablets humming happily. It comes with the 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal-storage, but it can be expanded via a microSD card if you want to download a lot of content.
The tablet’s four speakers are loud, and it features cameras on both the front and back: the rear-facing dual-lens 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel main camera can capture 4K video at 30 frames per second, while the front-facing 8-megapixel camera is good for selfies and video chat.
The tablet’s software experience is perhaps its biggest downside mobile best tablets. While the One UI combined with Android 10 will suffice for most, many Android apps simply don’t support the big-screen experience. The tablet gets around this with the Samsung DeX desktop interface, but not all apps support DeX at all.
The included S Pen stylus interact smoothly with the tablet’s screen & will please note-takers and artists; it also attaches magnetically & recharges wirelessly. The downside here is the high price if you’re primarily after an laptop experience, Samsung’s Chromebook Pro or Microsoft’s Surface Go are both cheaper and might entice you.
The Samsung-Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is a good pick if you’re addicted to Android devices; it’s a solid step forward from the Tab A 8.0, but the expensive price may put you off.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus (Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus)
Pros
- Excellent software with an extended support period
- Longer battery life
- A vibrant and easy-to-understand display
- Connects to Apple’s powerful ecosystem
Cons
- 32GB of basic storage is insufficient
- Tinny single speaker
- No USB-C, but still Lightning
Why should you buy this item? The iPad has a bright display, silky-smooth performance, and a long battery life, all at a low price.
Who is it intended for? Anyone interested in purchasing a tablet computer.
The following are the reasons why we picked the Apple iPad (2020)
For years, the iPad has dominated the tablet market, and the eighth-generation iPad (2020) marks the conclusion of Apple’s efforts. There are no frills or gimmicks here. Keep exploring for new ideas if you want to be innovative. This is a solid, easy-to-use device that provides a good tablet experience at a fair price. It replaces the iPad from last year, but with a faster processor, so it should be even faster.
For watching videos, the bright 10.2-inch display is perfect. It feels sleek & light in the hand, with Apple’s customary great build quality shining through, however the large bezels are starting to appear antiquated. The A12 Bionic processor is inside mobile best tablets, along with 3GB of RAM, but all you need to know is that it operates well. The iPad boasts lag-free performance whether you’re hopping between apps, browsing the web, watching a movie, or playing the latest games.
If you need to snap photos with your tablet, it has an 8-megapixel rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture that is quick and captures a lot of detail. The 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera has an f/2.2 aperture, which is good enough for FaceTime at 720p but not much else.
The battery life is exceptional. A single charge can provide more than 10 hours of HD movie playback, and with normal Wi-Fi use, you can expect to go up to a week between charges.
If you’re searching for flaws, the bottom-firing speakers and the fact that the entry-level device only offers 32GB of storage are two of them. Aside from that mobile best tablets, we don’t see any major drawbacks, and we believe the Apple iPad (2020) is the best tablet you can buy without spending a lot more money.
Apple’s iPad (2020)
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Outstanding performance
- Lightweight and portable
- Support for Apple Pencil
- Long-lasting battery (so far)
Cons
- The same old design
- No support for the second-generation Apple Pencil
- Fast charging cable and adaptor are not included.
Why should you buy this item? The iPad Mini is the perfects compromise between power and mobility. It’s portable, so you can read or watch shows on it anywhere you go.
Who is it intended for? Anyone looking for a more compact tablet.
Why iPad Mini 5?
Apple waited a long time to update the smallest of its iPads, and the iPad Mini 5 looks identical to its predecessor on the outside, but there are some significant differences on the inside. This tablet features the powerful A12 Bionic CPU, which ensures silky smooth performance whether you’re playing a game, editing a photo, or drawing.
Apple has added support for the 1st-generation Apple Pencil to the 7.9-inch display, making it a pleasure to read on. It’s also good for watching movies or playing video games mobile best tablets, however you’ll most likely require headphones. The battery life is excellent, lasting for almost 10 hours between charges. A main camera with an aperture of 8 megapixels and a front-facing camera with an aperture of 7 megapixels are also included.
The iPad Mini 5 was chosen for its portability. This is the iPad for you if you prefer something smaller in size.
Regrettably, the design is now a little antiquated. It’s also expensive, more more so than the iPad 2020. However, if you’re looking for a little tablet, the iPad Mini 5 is unbeatable.
5th generation Apple iPad Mini
Pros
- Integration with Amazon
- Ultra-affordable
- Long-lasting battery
- Alexa
Cons
- Software can resemble a commercial.
- Performance that is sluggish
- Unsatisfactory presentation
Why should you buy this item? Some may find the Fire HD 8 to be too Amazon-centric, but Prime subscribers and Alexa fans will like its ease.
Who is it intended for? Amazon aficionados on a tight budget.
Why picked we choose the Fire HD 8?
The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020), which is a refresh of the 2018 Fire HD 8, doesn’t provide much in the way of new features. A USB-C connector and a speedier processor are nice additions, but it’s the low, low price that gives this cheap tablet our full endorsement.
The LCD screen, with a resolution of 1280 x 800-pixels, isn’t the sharpest, and the viewing angles aren’t ideal, but it’s adequate for watching movies and reading. To reach this price, compromises are unavoidable.
The Fire HD’s all-plastic body is vibrant and long-lasting. On movies, TV shows, & Amazon’s Prime Music streaming service, you’ll also find stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos, which produce reasonably powerful, clean sound.
On this tablet, Alexa performs admirably. While you ask queries about popular movies, neighbouring restaurants, or the weather, the mobile best tablets Fire HD 8’s screen (even when it’s locked) displays visual results. Alexa on the Fire-HD can also control smarthome devices, order pizza, call a Uber, and perform many of the same tasks as Amazon’s Echo speakers and Echo Show.
The battery life is very outstanding. It has a 12-hours battery life and can be used for reading, gaming, and streaming. The Fire OS software on the Fire HD 8, which is a modified version of Android, isn’t for everyone. For You, an Amazon recommendation engine that displays videos, apps, games, and movies from the retailer’s library on your home screen, will appeal to those who are involved in the Amazon ecosystem.
For less than $100, you won’t find a perfect tablet, but the Fire HD 8 is an impressive combo. Sure, the screen isn’t as sharp or bright as we’d like, and the hardware struggles under high load, but at this price, there isn’t a better tablet.
If you really want something bigger than the Fire HD 8, you’ll have to pay extra, but the Fire HD 10 is a good option.
Amazon Fire HD 8 is a new tablet from Amazon.
Pros
- Content that is age-appropriate
- A generous two-year warranty is included.
- Parental controls are simple to use
- Tough case
- Longer battery life
Cons
- Intertwined with the Amazonian ecology
- Some content necessitates access to the internet.
Why should you buy this item? The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is unrivalled when it comes to parental restrictions.
Who is it intended for? Young kids who require supervision.
The following are the reasons why we picked the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Although there is a frustrating lack of serious competition in this market, Amazon’s redesigned Fire 8 HD Kids Edition (2020) improves on its long-running series of kid-friendly tablets.
Bright and beautiful colours are delivered by an 8-inch screen with a 1280 x 800-pixel resolution, and a thick rubber casing surrounding the mobile best tablets frame protects against accidental drops. The tablet’s 32GB of internal storage is ample for storing a large number of books, games, and other media, and there’s a microSD card slot for additional storage if you run out.
The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is unrivalled when it comes to parental restrictions. You can regulate usage restrictions, create educational goals, and restrict access to age-inappropriate information with the Fire OS software, which is a modified version of Android. The Parent Dashboard also allows you see what your kids are up to on their tablets and encourages participation with discussion questions about the books they’re reading.
The Fire HD 8 Kids Editions also comes with a year of free access to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited, which contains over 15,000 kid-friendly games, apps, educational content, books, and movies from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and other sources. Amazon’s two-year, no-questions-asked replacement guarantee covers every purchase: if the Fire HD 8 breaks, Amazon will replace it.
Simply put, at this price, there is no better tablet for small kids who still require parental supervision.
There’s also an 2021 Fire HD 10 Kids Edition if you want something bigger than the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a special edition
Pros
- USB-C is finally here
- New processors boost performance.
- 3:2 screen with the same sharpness
- The Type Cover is excellent.
- Graphics have been improved
Cons
- The chassis appears to be out of date.
- Type Cover is still missing.
- Battery life suffers a setback.
Why should you buy this item? We don’t love for Windows 10 as a tablet, but the Surface is a good laptop replacement that prioritises touch.
Who is it intended for? Anyone in the market for an Windows tablet that can also be used as a laptop.
Why picked we choose the Surface Pro 7?
Although the initial Surface Pro had flaws, it made a significant impact on the market. Since then, Microsoft has improved the design, and the Surface Pro 7 is the closest thing to a hybrid device that can be used as both a tablet and a laptop. The 2-in-1 is the one to beat.
Although Microsoft hasn’t made many changes since the Surface Pro 6, the performance boost and switch from mini-DisplayPort to USB-C are pleasant. You still have a lovely 12.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels, a clever design mobile best tablets, and a range of internal specs from basic to lightning fast. It is, without a doubt, the most customizable device on our list. It’s fun to watch movies on because of the pixel-packed display and strong speakers, but it falls well short of the iPad Pro when it comes to gaming.
In terms of battery life, the Pro 7 falls short of the Pro 6, but you can still expect to get through a full day of mixed use before needing to charge it.
The Type Cover and Surface Pen are terrific accessories that, when combined with the full edition of Windows 10, make this a great choice for creative professionals, students, and everyone in between. This is really mobile productivity at its finest.
On the downside, Windows 10 tablet mode is still buggy, and the Surface Pro 7 can be prohibitively expensive if you want top-of-the-line specifications plus the Type Cover. Even so, it’s our favourite 2-in-1 computer.
If the Surface Pro 7 is out of your price range, the Microsoft Surface Go, which retails for $400-$500, might be a better option. It boasts a 10-inch screen and runs Windows 10, as well as a fantastic keyboard cover and support for the Surface Pen.
If touchscreen Windows laptops are more your speed, we have additional recommendations for you. We have also found some of the best Microsoft Surface discounts currently available. If you need something more powerful, consider the Surface Pro 7+ or Lenovo ThinkPad x12 Detachable.
Surface Pro 7 by Microsoft
Pros
- High-quality construction
- It’s a lot lighter than the iPad.
- Exceptional worth
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Inconvenient keyboard layout
- The entire package is a little bulky.
- Below-average performance
Why should you buy this item? While most people prefer the iPad, individuals who are deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem will like the connection with Assistant and other Google services.
Who is it intended for? Fans of Google who want a Google tablet can get one.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
If you use Google’s services frequently, have Assistant-connected gadgets in your home, and don’t mind utilising Google’s online apps and services, a Chrome OS device might be the way to go — and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the best option.
The device comes with a connectable keyboard and a kickstand on the back, making it a great option for doing some work in classic 2-in-1 fashion. The keyboard is also quite good, making it simple to compose emails and documents on the device.
The Chromebook Duet isn’t the most powerful mobile best tablets on the market, but that shouldn’t matter too much because you’ll be using online apps most of the fact anyway. Furthermore, the device is extremely light and has a long battery life, ensuring that it will last for several days of normal use.
If you enjoy the simplicity of Chrome OS, we have a comprehensive list of the best Chromebooks and Chromebook discounts currently available.
Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch)
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- On the 12.9-inch model, the display is stunning.
- Beautiful design
- Center Stage is a great option.
- Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 port
Cons
- Almost as expensive as a MacBook
- The 11-inch model does not have a Mini-LED.
Why should you buy this item? The iPad Pro is a powerful device with a large display.
Who is it intended for? Gamers, creators, and power users are all represented.
Why the iPad Pro (12.9-inch) was chosen:
This is the biggest & most powerful tablet available, and it’s perfect for a wide range of applications. The iPad Pro (12.9-inch) is not only the best tablet for multimedia and games, but also for drawing. The device has a large, edge-to-edge display that’s ideal for watching movies, learning, gaming, and other such activities. Apple has adopted USB-C, which provides you many more options in terms of accessories and peripherals. The bezels are small, and the home button has been replaced by Face ID.
With a 2732 x 2048-pixel resolution & Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR display technology, the tablet has the largest and best screen on the market. The iPad’s Liquid Retina XDR display makes use of Mini LED for very deep black levels and loads of brightness, as well as a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming.
Then there’s the issue of processing power. With an M1 chip, the iPad Pro is on par with the new Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Air in terms of performance, so power users shouldn’t have any issues. Whether you’re controlling armies in Civilization VI or editing an image in Photoshop, nothing beats speed. Any game or sketching app you throw at the iPad Pro will run smoothly.
Storage starts at 128GB & goes up to 2TB, but a large capacity comes at a high price. There is no support for microSD cards.
A full charge will give you 10 hours of mixed use, or nine hours if you choose the model with cellular connectivity. The Apple Pencil is magnetically attached and charges wirelessly, but it costs $99. The Smart Keyboard costs $169 for the 12.9-inch model.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pros is still your best pick if you’re a power user who wants the best you can get. It’s expensive, especially if you need an lot of storage, and there’s no headphone port, but it’s still your best bet if you’re a power user who wants the best you can get.
Apple iPad Pro is an tablet computer designed by Apple (12.9-inch)
Buying advice and research
Which operating system is best for you?
If entertainment is your primary concern, and you plan to utilise a lot of apps and games, we recommend Apple’s iPadOS over Android. There are many high-lot iPad apps available, as well as access to all of the leading subscription services and a large content library. It’s also smooth and easy to use, so anyone can pick it up quickly.
Android has a greater number of free apps and games, however they are often less polished, which you may be willing to accept as a trade-off. Manufacturer UIs, or, in the cases of Amazon, modified versions of the platform, make things a little more challenging. They can make Android upgrades to be delayed, resulting in a very different user experience. Amazon’s tablets, for example, run as version of Android dubbed Fire OS, and they only have access to a selection of the Amazon Appstore’s apps and games at first, rather than the full list found in Google’s Play Store.
A tablet running Windows 10 will be appealing if you want to access the same apps you have on your Windows PC and want a work device that integrates easily with your Microsoft services. It’s powerful, but getting adequate hardware for a good user experience is also somewhat expensive. It may be overkills if you’re not a business user or don’t need to run Windows-only apps.
Is it possible to prints from a tablet?
Yes, you can print from a tablet computer. For further information, see our guides on how to print from an iPhone and how to print from an Android tablet.
Is it possible to makes phone calls on a tablet?
Yes, a tablet can make phone calls, but it must be linked to the internet to do so. You can either connect to the Wi-Fi, which every tablets can do for free, or buy a tablet with cellular support and space for a SIM card if you need to make calls when you’re out and about beyond the reach of a Wi-Fi network. Just keep in mind thats if you choose the SIM card route, you’ll need to sign up for some sort of service plan. Some carriers have tablet-specific plans.
On an iPad, you can use FaceTime, but there are plenty of other video chat apps that work with Android tablets and iPads. You may even make audio calls with several of them. The person you wish to call, on the other hand, almost always has to have the same app. Some apps, such as Skype, also let you call regular landline or mobile phone lines, but you’ll have to pay per minute or subscribe. Google Voice is a good software for Android tablets or iPads that provides you a free phone number for calling, texting, and voicemail, but it only works in the United States.
If you’re looking for a business option, you should look into one of the best VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services.
Is it possible to text on a tablet?
Yes, you may use a tablet to send text messages. If you have an iPad, you can send regular SMS messages and iMessages via iMessage, which can connect to your phone. There are numerous excellent text messaging apps available for Android and iOS. If you live in the United States, you can also utilise Google Voice to get a free phone number and text messages.
How do we conduct tests?
We put the tablets we test through their paces on a daily basis because they are our daily drives. That includes watching movies, playing video games, trying out a variety of apps, reading, working on them, and even capturing photos and videos with them (which is impossible to do without looking stupid). We love fresh, inventive features, but we equally respect well-executed classic design. Finally, we want tablets that can serve the needs of the majority of people, thus their ability to provide entertainment is critical.
