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Article updated on March 5, 2024 at 9:00 AM PST

Best Tablet 2024: Top Tablets From Apple, Samsung, Amazon and More

We've tested tablets across several operating systems, including iPadOS, Windows, ChromeOS and Android and these are our top picks.

Our Experts

Written by 
Joshua Goldman
Scott Stein
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
Scott Stein Editor at Large
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Expertise VR and AR, gaming, metaverse technologies, wearable tech, tablets Credentials
  • Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Our Picks

$329 at Apple
9th Gen iPad with accessories sits on gray surface with green background.
The most affordable iPad
Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 9th generation, 2021)
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$1,099 at B&H Photo-Video
iPad Pro and Pencil 2 on a table
Best for creatives
iPad Pro 2022
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$493 at Amazon
google-pixel-7-tablet
Best full Android tablet for families
Google Pixel Tablet
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$400 at Amazon
OnePlus Pad tablet on a marble-patterned background.
Best midrange budget Android tablet
OnePlus Pad
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$1,000 at Samsung
Two Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 tablets side by side on a table, two different sizes
Already looking promising
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
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$400 at Best Buy
iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad
Expensive, but the best smaller tablet
Apple iPad Mini (2021)
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$120 at Best Buy
The Fire HD 8 Plus 2022 has 3GB of RAM and wireless charging
Best tablet value
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
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$150 at Target
fire-hd-10-lifestyle-1
A better but still low-cost Amazon tablet
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
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$850 at Microsoft
surface-pro-9-1
Best for productivity
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
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$379 at Best Buy
Lenovo Duet with a colorful splash image onscreen
Affordable Chromebook tablet
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
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Tablets are portable computers that have great usability while being less complicated than a traditional computer. The best tablet is the one that's versatile enough for all kinds of use cases from home, school or work. While finding the best tablet for you isn't hard, knowing where to start can be overwhelming, and that's where CNET's testing and reviews can help. We've picked out the best of the best, and these tablets can do it all, including checking email, managing finances, testing your art skills or casually browsing YouTube and watching videos.

You cannot discuss tablets without talking about Apple. It updated its entire iPad lineup in 2022, with faster processors across all of the latest models. Apple introduced the 10th-gen iPad with an entirely new design. While this updated version gets a bunch of features, it also comes at a higher price. So Apple is still selling the ninth-gen iPad as its least expensive option. 

While the iPad is the king of the segment, Android tablets have made a comeback. The Google Pixel Tablet and OnePlus Pad are excellent and affordable options that are good for family or home use (Pixel Tablet) or as a personal mini laptop (OnePlus Pad), and the slates in Samsung's newest Galaxy Tab S9 series, while expensive, all have excellent AMOLED displays. 

In the value segment, Amazon's Fire tablets are still the best tablet option for cheap and kid-friendly models. If you're looking for something good for productivity and entertainment, an affordable Chromebook blurs the line between a laptop and a tablet. 

What's the best tablet?

The ninth-gen iPad from 2021 is the best tablet that we continue to recommend, despite the availability of newer iPad models. That's mainly for its position as the lowest-price iPad, which at around $300 offers excellent value. There are definite advantages to spending up for newer models, though (multitasking with the M1 processor on the iPad Air, a better front camera on the 10th-gen model iPad, and second-gen Pencil support on iPad Pros and Airs). If you're going with an iPad, we strongly recommend you check out the entire iPad lineup because there might be a better option for your needs. Keep in mind, that new iPads are expected this fall, so you might be better off waiting right now if you can.

Not interested in an iPad? Our other top picks for the best tablets 2024 has to offer right now are below. All offer ways to get popular apps, but you'll want to check that your must-have apps are available on the device before buying (don't look for Fortnite on the iPad through the App Store, for instance). We included budget tablet and premium tablet options, as well as laptop-replacement devices at prices in between, including Android tablet and Apple iPad options. We even threw in tablet PC and Chromebook options. All of these products (or previous versions thereof) have been fully reviewed or anecdotally tested by CNET editors. 

Read more: How We Test CNET Products and Services

Best tablets of 2024

$329 at Apple

The most affordable iPad

Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 9th generation, 2021)

We've always appreciated the entry-level 9th-gen iPad for its affordable price. Although this mode's getting a bit old now, it's still very functional: Its older A13 chip and Lightning-charger-equipped, Touch ID home button design all feel somewhat out of date but work fine. This iPad's screen size is perfect for everyday work and fun, there's an auto-zooming front-facing Center Stage camera, and unlike the 10th-gen iPad, the first-gen Apple Pencil doesn't need a dongle to work. This one also has a headphone jack, and It's still compatible with a range of keyboard cases, too.

Apple iPad (9th Gen, 2021) review

$1,099 at B&H Photo-Video

Best for creatives

iPad Pro 2022

Apple's 2022 iPad Pro refresh added a more powerful M2 chip, faster Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G connectivity, and a new Pencil 2 "hover" feature that activates the display when the stylus is in close range. Not many apps take advantage of hover, and the rest of this iPad design is the same as the previous model. The iPad Pro lineup is still the only model with faster 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a step-up Mini LED HDR display on the 12.9-inch model, Face ID and depth-sensing lidar cameras and a faster Thunderbolt 4 port. If you don't mind that the front-facing camera isn't landscape-oriented yet like the 10th-gen iPad -- and you have the money to burn -- this is the most advanced model, but it doesn't get you any closer to being a Mac. Keep in mind, that Apple is expected to maybe have a newer OLED iPad Pro in the works for next year.

Apple iPad Pro 2022 review

$493 at Amazon

Best full Android tablet for families

Google Pixel Tablet

Google's versatile, dockable Pixel Tablet doubles as a home hub and a speaker dock-enabled assistant, and its multitasking features work great. You'll have to find your own stylus and keyboard options, but Google has otherwise served up a pretty great family iPad alternative for anyone in the Android ecosystem. A fast Google Tensor G2 processor, a good front camera for video chats and a crisp display, plus a clean Google Android software experience, make this one of our favorite new tablets this year. 

Read our Google Pixel Tablet review 

$400 at Amazon

Best midrange budget Android tablet

OnePlus Pad

The OnePlus Pad boasts a great display, an excellent optional keyboard case, and most of the performance and features you'd expect from a premium Android tablet but at a sub-$500 price. The OnePlus Pad vs. Google Pixel Tablet decision is a tough one (we prefer the Pixel Tablet overall), but the OnePlus Pad feels like a sleeker personal mini-laptop with its keyboard case and stylus, which we loved. 

Read our OnePlus Pad review

$1,000 at Samsung

Already looking promising

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus was our favorite pick last year, but the newer S9 series arriving in August adds IP68 water and dust resistance and a newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. This is essentially the Android equivalent to Apple's iPad Pro, available in three different sizes and prices and all featuring AMOLED displays. Our favorite is probably this Plus model, which has a big screen that's not too massive. Samsung's DeX interface gives it an edge for productivity if you're looking for a more laptop-like feel from the tablet. It's built around a beautiful 12.4-inch, 2,800x1,752-pixel Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother-looking visuals. Samsung also includes one of its great S Pens, so you're ready to start sketching and taking notes right out of the box. The tablet can also double as a wireless display, so you can extend your Windows laptop's screen space on the go. While you can also hunt around for a Tab S8 model on sale, Samsung's already offering up some discounts on the new tablets, too. We'll loop back when we've finally finished reviewing the S9 Plus.

First impressions of the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
Galaxy Tab S8 Plus review

$400 at Best Buy

Expensive, but the best smaller tablet

Apple iPad Mini (2021)

The iPad Mini got a big redesign a couple of years ago, and it's still a great pick for anyone who wants a small tablet. Its A15 processor is still capable, and this model supports Pencil 2 and a more bezel-free display, but it's tough to swallow the fact that this smaller 8.3-inch model has a relatively high price for its size. Some folks love this model as a smaller, lighter mobile device option that's well-sized as an upscale ebook reader.

Apple iPad Mini (2021) review

$120 at Best Buy

Best tablet value

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)

Amazon continues to make the best inexpensive tablets for media consumption. The Fire HD 8 is the middle of the lineup, hitting a sweet spot for price and performance. The 2022 model sports a thinner, lighter design, a faster processor and an hour more battery life (13 hours vs. 12) than its predecessor. It's a good low-cost option for streaming video, reading ebooks and web browsing, but we still recommend waiting to pick it up when it's discounted, which Amazon regularly does. We also recommend spending an additional $20 for the Plus version, which adds 1GB of RAM, wireless charging and a 9-watt power adapter.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) review

$150 at Target

A better but still low-cost Amazon tablet

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

The 10-inch Amazon Fire HD tablet is faster and better than the 7- or 8-inch Fire tablet, and it's still a pretty low $150 (or less). For the Amazon Fire HD 10, there are two storage options, 32 and 64GB. The Amazon Fire HD tablet also charges its battery via USB-C now. A adds wireless charging, 4GB of RAM and a soft-touch finish. 

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) review

$850 at Microsoft

Best for productivity

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

While there are several imitators, the Surface Pro continues to offer the best detachable two-in-one PC experience. The 2022 version jumps from an 11th-gen Intel CPU to a newer 12th-gen one and moves to a slightly faster type of RAM. There's also a 5G version that switches from Intel to a Microsoft/Qualcomm ARM-based chip for faster mobile wireless with long battery life. Unfortunately, unless you get a bundle, the keyboard and active pen are still separate purchases. Also, the Surface Pro 8 is still around and worth considering, especially because it's at a better price.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review

$379 at Best Buy

Affordable Chromebook tablet

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. It's a good pick if you're looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class, or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, gaming, reading and streaming video.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review