Best Tablet 2024: The best options for all budgets and needs

Although it’s not the most exciting iPad in Apple’s range, for the vast majority of people the iPad Air 2024 will undoubtedly be the best choice, thanks to its high-end features, speedy performance and decent price point. 

Available in a choice of two sizes, the 11-inch model is better suited for those who travel a lot and want the most lightweight option while the 13-inch alternative makes it easier for multitasking. 

Regardless of the size you choose, both options boast IPS LCDs, offering up to 500 nits of brightness. Although this is bright and clear enough for everyday use, we would love to see the iPad Air get the OLED screen found on the new iPad Pro one day. 

Otherwise, the iPad Air is powered by Apple’s desktop-level M2 chip which boasts exceptional power, especially for such a reasonably priced tablet. In fact, we found in our benchmark tests that the iPad Air’s performance surpassed even the best Android tablets we’ve reviewed, including ones at double the price, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. 

The iPad Air 2024 is fitted with two 12MP cameras, one at the front and another at the rear, with the latter able to shoot up to 4K video. The front camera is now landscape-facing, which is much better for video calls. 

It’s worth noting that certain existing iPad accessories, such as the Apple Pencil 2, are no longer supported so you’ll need to invest in either the Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil with USB-C.

The iPad Air 2024 is well deserving of the best overall tablet spot. Not only does it include high-end features, a powerful chip and promises security updates for years to come but it’s reasonably priced too. 

Review: Apple iPad Air 2024

Full review: Max Parker

If you’re not a fan of Apple’s iPadOS operating system, the Android 14-based OnePlus Pad 2 may be more up your street.

Based on our results, the device is a powerhouse product that goes toe-to-toe with – at times, even beats – the iPad Air at a technical level. It sports a CNC-milled aluminium body with a slight 2.5D curvature that sits comfortably in the hand, and it’s pretty svelte at just 6.5mm thick. Like the iPad Air, the frame offered no flex at all when pressed.

The screen is LCD, like the Air’s, but it has a 144Hz refresh rate – faster than practically any other tablet on the market at any price point. At 12.1 inches, it’s also a sweet spot between the iPad Air’s 11- and 13-inch screens. This, combined with an eye-popping 3K resolution delivers an impressive everyday experience, and Dolby Vision HDR makes content from supported apps like Netflix really pop.

The aspect ratio is also unique at 7:5, making it a solid option for split-screen multitasking and even work purposes when combined with the optional Keyboard case and stylus.

The keyboard case was a particular highlight with a satisfying typing experience, and the ability to tap a OnePlus phone on the keyboard for instant file and connectivity sharing was a nice ecosystem-focused touch. The second-gen Stylo also has a few surprises in store, including haptic feedback that subtly changes depending on which pen you’re using to write or draw.

Performance was fine with the original OnePlus Pad and its Dimensity 9000, but that has truly been kicked up a notch with the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a top-end chipset on the Android market in 2024. That means that the OnePlus Pad 2 can handle basically anything that’s thrown its way, including high-end gaming, though it’s still not on par with Apple’s M-class chips.

Battery life is another highlight for the tablet, easily able to last 11 hours before needing a top-up, and standby time was equally impressive. OnePlus claims it can last up to 43 days on standby, and while we couldn’t verify those claims, it was seemingly always ready to go.

Besides, with 67W SuperVOOC charging – the fastest on a tablet – the OnePlus Pad 2 can go from flat to full in just under an hour. It’s just a shame that the charger isn’t included in the box.

Still, if you’re looking for a competitive Android-based tablet with great hardware and a tempting price, the OnePlus Pad 2 should be your go-to.

Reviewer: Lewis Painter
Full review: OnePlus Pad 2 Review

If you’re looking for a big-screen tablet with plenty of power to run some of the best games available on Android, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the ideal option.

The display is not only huge at 14.6 inches, but with Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, it’s smooth, rapid and responsive in everyday use with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate ideal for gaming. The size means it’s not as portable as other options in our chart, taking up a similar footprint to a MacBook Pro 13 in a rucksack, but the large dimensions will no doubt provide the edge in competitive online titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG.

What’s more, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra sports a top-end chipset that makes it more powerful than any other Android competitor – though still not quite up to the task of de-throning the M2 of the iPad Air, let alone the M4 of Apple’s iPad Pro.

Still, the use of the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 will likely surprise Samsung fans expecting a flagship Snapdragon chip, but it’s a smart move from Samsung as the 9300 scored better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped Android tablet alternatives like the OnePlus Pad 2 – and by some margin too.

That said, the Tab S10 Ultra can handle just about anything you can throw at it. That not only means AAA games with high graphics enabled, but split-screen multitasking, video editing and anything else you could think of. Even if you’re not an Android mobile gamer, the gorgeous display is well suited to both cloud gaming and binging series’ on Netflix with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Elsewhere, the S Pen provides a satisfying writing experience with a faster response time than the Apple Pencil 2, and it comes in the box too. There’s also IP68 dust and water resistance, a rarity among tablets, and solid battery life that can comfortably get you through a week’s sporadic use.

There’s also the same Galaxy AI smarts you’ll find on Samsung’s flagship smartphones in 2024, including exclusive S Pen functionality, and it gets the same seven years of OS upgrades as the flagship smartphone range too.

It’s just a little annoying that, at comfortably over £1000/$1000, there isn’t a charger in the box to take advantage of the tablet’s 45W fast charging. Even the iPad range still comes with a charger in the box.

Reviewer: Lewis Painter
Full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Review

We loved using the iPad Pro M4 for multiple reasons, from its stunning screen and lightweight body to its powerful and exclusive M4 chipset. Having said that, the iPad Pro M4 is jaw-droppingly expensive, so it should be considered as more of a luxury device. 

Available in either 11-inch or 13-inch models, the iPad Pro M4 boasts a vibrant OLED display which results in an HDR-capable canvas that fixes the common issues found with older Mini LED technology. Plus there’s 120Hz ProMotion which offers buttery smooth scrolling, something that’s unfortunately missing on the iPad Air M2. 

While both tablets are thin and lightweight, surprisingly the 13-inch model takes the title of the “thinnest Apple product ever” at just 5.1mm.

In the meantime you can still experience impressively speedy performance, as we found in our benchmark tests that the iPad Pro M4 easily surpassed any Android competition with sheer ease. 

Like the new iPad Air M2, the iPad Pro has readjusted its front-facing 12MP camera from portrait to landscape, which means it’s much more convenient for taking video calls. There’s now also just one 12MP camera at the rear, as Apple has ditched the ultrawide of its predecessor, but it can shoot 4K video. 

The iPad Pro M4 comes in a variety of storage sizes: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, with the latter two models equipped with a nano-texture glass display for a matte finish. As the most expensive model (13-inch with 2TB) will set you back a whopping £2299/$2299, consider your needs properly before making the splurge.

Keep in mind that you’ll still get mostly the same performance from the cheapest £999/$999 11-inch iPad Pro M4. 

Unfortunately, if you already own a Magic Keyboard then you’ll need to upgrade to the dedicated iPad Pro M4 model, as Apple has rejigged the magnetic arrangement. Not only that but you’ll also need to upgrade to the new Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil USB-C, as the Apple Pencil 2 is no longer compatible. 

If you want an iPad purely for general scrolling or streaming then we would not recommend buying the iPad Pro M4. However, if you’re a creative professional who will utilise the power of the iPad Pro M4 then you won’t be disappointed. 

Review: Apple iPad Pro M4

Full review: Max Parker

If you’re hankering after a big-screen tablet, but don’t fancy the iPad Pro 12.9-inch, then the Lenovo Tab Extreme is a solid – and even bigger, if you can believe it – alternative.

The Lenovo Tab Extreme embodies the extreme moniker with its huge 14.5-inch display, but it’s not just big, sporting a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.5K resolution and OLED tech for vivid colours and deep, inky blacks that make streaming HDR content on Netflix an absolute dream. Paired with the sheer size, it’s a decent replacement for a TV when away from home and also proved a particularly well-suited option for cloud gaming.

Embedded around that huge display is an all-metal body that measures in at an exquisite 5.9mm thick, helping offset just how unwieldy the large tablet can be to move around. Still, it looks and feels just as premium as the iPad Pro does.

Trying to match the iPad Pro’s capabilities, the Tab Extreme is compatible with the Lenovo Precision Pen 3 and a new keyboard case, and the company sells a bundle with both included for £999/$949. The stylus is ideal for creatives with 4,000 points of pressure and minimal lag, while the magnetic keyboard case is perfect for getting some work done.

Battery life is also solid despite powering such a large display with a whopping 12,500mAh cell that’s comfortably larger than most external battery chargers. As such, the Tab Extreme had no problem lasting an entire workday with constant use, and with 68W charging, it charged from flat to full in just under 90 minutes.

When it comes to performance, the tablet is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For reference, that’s the same chipset as the first-gen OnePlus Pad that can be found for less than £300 in 2024, but that’s more a testament to OnePlus’ value for money than the Tab Extreme being underpowered for the price.

Everyday performance is solid with no stuttering or lag, though our reviewer noted that the display’s 3.5K resolution was just too much to power high-end games. Performance is also behind what you’ll find from Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple’s M2 processor, so those that need the most performance should look elsewhere, but for sheer streaming and cloud gaming capabilities, the Lenovo Tab Extreme is a particularly strong (if not pricey) option.

Reviewer: Sean Cameron
Full review: Lenovo Tab Extreme Review

If you want a tablet that can easily fit into even the smallest of bags, then the iPad Mini 7 is the device for you.

Much like its predecessor, the iPad mini 7 looks like a shrunk-down version of Apple’s current-generation Pro and Air tablets. It’s been upgraded to feature Apple Pencil Pro support, too. The latter is particularly welcome, since it means the tablet can match the Pro-level iPad when it comes to drawing capabilities.

The A17 Pro chipset is a welcome upgrade over the ageing A15 Bionic that, while not as fast as the M2 that features in Apple’s more expensive iPad Air, is still more than powerful enough. In our time with the tablet, we never noticed any slowdown, with apps universally launching in milliseconds and running with zero performance issues.

The upgraded chipset also brings support for Apple’s GenAI smarts, Apple Intelligence, though we’d argue that this isn’t the reason to upgrade at the moment with only limited features and functionality in the US.

The only downside to the iPad mini is that, while the size is great for people who want a portable tablet, the Mini isn’t quite as good for video streaming or gaming in a home environment as its larger Air sibling.

We found the 8.2-inch screen isn’t anywhere near as immersive for video viewing as the iPad Air, let alone the Pro or Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Thankfully, its high max brightness meant it proved suitably dynamic for casual video in bed or while travelling.

The lack of Apple’s Promotion tech means it’s locked at a bog-standard 60Hz refresh rate. This coupled with its small size meant that although it’s fine for mobile gaming on the go, the device is ill-suited for more serious players looking for a tablet from which to stream triple-A games. We found the HUD and text on PC games running via GeForce Now were a little too small to comfortably read when the tablet was sitting on a desk.

For such users, the iPad Air or OnePlus Pad 2 with their larger screens are far better options.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple iPad Mini 7 Review

Amazon has its niche at the market’s budget end with a swathe of its own Amazon Fire-branded tablets coming in all shapes and sizes, from the small Amazon Fire 7 (2022) to the kid-proof Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2021). However, it’s the newest in the Fire tablet collection that truly stands out, even compared to fully-fledged Android tablets.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 stands at the top of the Fire tablet collection, not only in price at £249/$229 but size, sporting an 11-inch display. The display is one of the main reasons to opt for the tablet, boasting a 2K resolution that delivers pin-sharp visuals when watching movies, reading books on the Kindle app and browsing the web. It’s also fully laminated with no gap between the protective glass and LCD panel to create that horrid hollow tap sensation present on most cheaper tablets (and even Apple’s iPad 10).

It feels like a more premium device than others in the collection, with an aluminium body, rounded corners and relatively slim bezels. In fact, it looks a lot like the iPad 10, just much cheaper. It’s a shame that it’s only available in slate grey – more colourful options could help Amazon’s tablet stand out in a sea of grey tablets.

Performance is also surprisingly impressive considering it sports an unnamed octa-core processor and just 4GB of RAM, performing much better in CPU and GPU tests than most of the similarly priced competition, and everyday performance was refreshingly free of stutter and lag.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is compatible with an optional keyboard case and stylus, with the stylus magnetically attaching to the side of the tablet when not in use. Amazon hopes this will frame the tablet as a work device, but it’s not entirely up to the same standard as most competitors – and that’s down to Fire OS.

Despite running on Android 11, the Fire Max 11 (like all other Fire tablets) is devoid of Google services and Google Play, instead offering its own alternative in the form of the Appstore. While plenty of apps are available, including Microsoft Office, it lacks key apps like Google Drive or Dropbox that’d make it handy for work purposes. 

You will find most streaming apps, however, and plenty of free-to-play games, framing the tablet as more of a high-end (for Fire tablets, anyway) entertainment device than a work one. 

Reviewer: Lewis Painter
Full review: Amazon Fire Max 11 Review

Apple iPad 10

Best cheap iPad

Trusted Score

Pros

• The design is a massive upgrade
• USB-C is far more convenient than Lightning
• Smart front camera placement
• Unbeatable tablet apps and software

Cons

• Huge price jump, especially in Europe makes its position in Apple’s iPad range confusing
• Odd Apple Pencil integration
• 64GB isn’t enough (256GB probably too much)

Bringing in a complete redesign for Apple’s entry-level tablet that makes it look far more like the iPad Air range, there’s a lot to like about the iPad 10. In addition to its new look and much like the iPhone 15, it’s done away with Apple’s Lightning port of old in favour of USB-C.

At present, the iPad 10 is also the only model in the entire iPad range that features a landscape placement for its front-facing camera, meaning that it works far more like a laptop or webcam when it comes to Zoom calls. No more video from a slightly off-centre angle.

Just like its predecessor, the iPad 10 has a strong battery life and you can readily anticipate getting through 10-hours of video playback, which is more than enough for plodding on through a day’s work. Unfortunately, there is a hefty price bump to contend with and the screen offers no laminated protection against sun glare so it’s not the best option to use in the great outdoors. Given that the iPad 9 is still for sale, the iPad 10 works far better as a productivity device than an entry-level tablet for entertainment.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple iPad (10th Gen) Review

In our Best Lists, we tend to only include products which score 4 out of 5 – picking up a Recommended badge in the progress. However, Google’s first Android Pixel tablet is still deserving of a spot because for the right type of buyer it is a great device.

What really sets this apart from all the other tablets on this list – including the iPads and other Android tablets – is the wireless docking station included in the box. Dock the Pixel Tablet onto this and it turns from a standard 11-inch device into a home hub, capable of playing music, showcasing snaps from Google Photos or just the time. It makes the tablet a device that can be used all the time, rather than sparingly for checking emails or browsing the web.

We would like the speaker to sound better, and Google Assistant isn’t always reliable for voice commands however it’s nice to see a tablet try something different.

Elsewhere, it’s all fairly standard stuff. The screen is sharp, yet the 60Hz refresh rate can’t match the OnePlus Pad 2 and it feels like a little slow as a result. There are no official keyboard or stylus accessories either, so this isn’t a great choice for those who want a laptop replacement.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Google Pixel Tablet Review

While the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra might be great for gaming and the iPad Air 6 is something of a productivity powerhouse, neither of these tables (or many of the tablets on this list) are designed to face the elements, so if you need something to carry with you in the great outdoors when the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 is your best bet.

Samsung’s ‘Active’ range has been pairing tablet tech with rugged design for quite some time now, being the go-to option for those who need such a device on building sites, oil rigs or even when out in the woods. Building upon those expertise, there’s a lot to like about the Tab Active 5.

For starters, the rugged backing is not only easy to hold but it can also take a serious knock thanks to military grade MIL-STD-810H durability, as well as an official IP68 rating for water resistance.

Unlike most modern tablets, there are also pretty sizeable bezels on every side to avoid any accidental interactions with the touchscreen. If you’re wearing gloves however and touching the screen just isn’t an option, you’ll be glad to know that the tablet comes bundle with Samsung’s S Pen, so you can easily interact with any apps, even when it’s cold out.

What’s even rarer is the fact that the battery inside the Tab Active 5 can be removed and replaced without issue, so if you’re going to be away from a charging point for quite some time then you can simply cycle through any spare compatible batteries you have on hand.

When it comes to the software, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 is no slouch. The Exynos 1380 processor housed inside the device does a great job of powering through most apps with ease, as well as handling any multitasking when needed.

The only thing to bear in mind is that with just a single speaker in tow, the Tab Active 5 isn’t the best option when it comes to watching a bit of content, but given the intended use-case for this device, this probably isn’t the biggest setback.

Reviewer: Sean Cameron
Full Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 Review