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
- More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Our Picks
What's the best tablet?
With its new price drop, the lower-cost 10th-gen iPad is our top pick because it's affordable and still full of features most people want. The newer design offers a larger screen that previous budget iPads. The front camera is better positioned for video chat in landscape mode, and the iPad finally charges with USB-C. The awkward Pencil-charging situation still isn't great, though. It's worth considering a step-up 11-inch iPad Air with its new M2 chip and support for the improved Pencil Pro at the right price. The 2024 Pro models, while lovely, are likely not worth it for most (if you have the budget, and want an OLED HDR screen, though, go for it).
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
For most people, the most affordable iPad is the best iPad. Apple's entry-level model, released in 2022, recently got a price drop that makes it the go-to recommendation over the aging (and discontinued) ninth-gen model. The larger display, USB-C port, better-positioned front-facing camera, and faster processor make it a great choice for most. The only thing that's a letdown is its lack of Pencil 2 support. The entry-level config has only 64GB of storage; we suggest the 256GB model, which is less likely to suddenly run out of storage space.
Best midrange iPad for creatives
iPad Air 2024
The newest iPad Pro has a fantastic OLED display and M4 processor inside, but we're impressed with the value on the less-expensive iPad Air line. The M2 chip, plus support for the new Pencil Pro with its squeeze and rotational controls, makes this feel just like an iPad Pro in nearly every way except price. The only downside is that the still-good display lacks the extra vividness and faster screen refresh rates of the Pro line's OLED screens. There's also a 13-inch model Air for the first time, which considerably less expensive than the Pro 13. (The Magic Keyboard case and Apple Pencil Pro are sold separately.)
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 Android options. Google's offering the tablet for $100 less without the dock now, but that dock is one of our favorite parts of the tablet.
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 versus 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.
Great premium Android tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
Samsung's S9 series improves on previous models with IP68 water and dust resistance, a newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and AMOLED displays across the board in all sizes. This is essentially the Android equivalent to Apple's iPad Pro, available in three different sizes and prices. 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.
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.
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 versus 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.
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 Plus version of the tablet adds wireless charging, 4GB of RAM and a soft-touch finish.
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.
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.
How we test tablets
Tablets are, effectively, computers. We benchmark tablets against common performance and graphics metrics and run battery life tests for video playback. But we also look at what tablets can do that make them personal or fun. Playing games, trying out art apps, having video chats, watching movies and exploring how well multitasking works all factor in. Benchmarks are only one small part of the review story.
CNET also looks at our deep collective history and experience with tablets and computers in general. Our editors have decades of knowledge across Google, Microsoft, Apple and Amazon ecosystems, and we look at the value and performance of tablets against what laptops and other PCs can provide too.
Factors to consider when buying a tablet
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. Best of all, with the Memorial Day sales, you can save significantly more if you buy now.
Price, in that regard, is a huge factor. Most people we know consider tablets a secondary computer purchase or as a device for kids. Value matters for tablets more than maybe any other product category for that reason. Some tablets are more premium, which may be worth it if you value a more future-proof device, better OLED displays or faster chips.
You can't discuss tablets without talking about Apple. The iPad Pro and Air models just got big hardware upgrades, with the expensive Pro introducing OLED displays and a new M4 chip for the first time, along with an improved Pencil Pro. But keep in mind that Apple devices have their own app ecosystem and lean on Apple services. iPads are more versatile than ever, but they're still not the same, app or OS-wise, as Macs.
While the iPad is the king of the segment, Android tablets have made a comeback over the last year or two. 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 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.
Tablet FAQs
What's the difference between Apple's iPads?
For the most part, Apple's iPads differ in terms of price, display quality and chip performance. Higher-end models also work with different Apple Pencil Pro styluses. All iPads run iPadOS similarly, and they all are capable of multitasking. All current models have USB-C ports too. The entry-level iPad is our versatile top pick, but the Air and Pro models add M-series chips that can add more multitasking with connected monitors and work with a few pro-level Apple apps. The new Pro iPads add even faster M4 chips, step-up OLED displays with better brightness and contrast and refresh rates, and are a bit thinner and lighter. If you care about Apple's Pencil stylus, the Air and Pro work with a new Pencil Pro that adds rotational and squeeze gestures. However, they're not compatible with the older Pencil 2.
What's the best time to buy a tablet?
Unlike phones, tablets can arrive at random times of the year. Apple releases iPads erratically, although entry-level models tend to come in the fall. Samsung usually has new tablets in August. But sales on tablets are ongoing. Holiday sales and Prime Day sales are always worth waiting for, but remember that many sales tend to spring up again and again.
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