1. iPad Pro 12.9 M1 (2021) The best tablet camera overall Specifications Rear cameras (3): Wide: 12MP, f/1.8, 1/3″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Ultrawide: 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels Weight: 682g Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Brilliant rear cameras + Fantastic front camera + Smart HDR 3 software Reasons to avoid – Not that different from 2020 version It’s worth noting that these stats are exactly matched on the previous model, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020). It also now boasts an ultrawide view which, thanks to the new ‘Center Stage’ feature, means you’re automatically cropped into shot when on a video call or taking a selfie. On the back, though, you just get one 12MP wide sensor, so you’re missing the ultrawide lens and the LIDAR scanner of the iPad Pro 2021. 3. iPad Pro 12.9″ (2020) The best tablet camera for most people Specifications Rear cameras (3): Wide: 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/3″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Ultrawide: 10 MP, f/2.4, 11mm; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4″, 1.12µm Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2732 x 2048 Weight: 639g Dimensions: 280.4 x 214.8 x 5.8 mm OS: iOS 13.4 CPU: A12Z Bionic Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB Today’s Best Deals View at Musician’s Friend (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Brilliant rear cameras + 4K video at 60fps + Good value Reasons to avoid – Lacks auto-centering feature The main compromise is that the front-facing camera drops down from 12MP to 7MP and doesn’t have the automatic centering feature.
If that’s not the case, though, and the front camera isn’t important to you, we’d probably advise opting for the more affordable 2020 iPad Pro. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 The best tablet camera for Windows users Specifications Rear camera: 10MP Front camera: 5MP Screen size: 13-inch Resolution: 2880 x 1920 Weight: 891g Dimensions: 287mm x 208mm x 9.3mm OS: Windows 11 CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-i7 Storage: 128-1TB Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + 10MP rear camera + Vibrant display + Runs Windows 11 Reasons to avoid – Not a budget model The rear camera offers clean and clear images, and the extra 2MP bump from the Surface Pro 7 really makes a difference to the level of detail you can capture. The front camera, meanwhile, does a surprisingly good job of conducting video calls, as long as your room isn’t overly dim.
That’s thanks to an Ambient Color Sensor in the front camera, which Microsoft has added to this Surface Pro for improved brightness and colour. There are plenty of other improvements over the Surface Pro 7 too, including a boost in RAM from 4GB to 8GB, a bigger and brighter 13 inch display and longer battery life, plus it runs the latest Windows 11 operating system.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Tab Ultra The best tablet camera for Android users Specifications Rear cameras (2): Wide: 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm; Ultrawide: 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, AF 6 MP, f/2.2 Front cameras (2): Wide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm; Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ Screen size: 14.6-inch Resolution: 1848 x 2960 Weight: 726g Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm OS: Android 12 CPU: Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) Storage: 128/256/512GB Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + 13MP & 6MP rear sensors + Wide & ultrawide front sensors + Support for 4K video Reasons to avoid – Premium price The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has just been released for 2022, and has the best tablet camera for Android users we’ve seen to date.
It’s ultrathin at just 5.5mm thick and boasts a huge 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen that’s great for watching movies and working in creative apps like Photoshop.
It offers superior picture quality, with a 1848 x 2960 resolution, deep blacks, zingy colors, and a fast refresh rate of 120Hz.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ The best value tablet camera for Android users Specifications Rear cameras (2): Wide: 13MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, AF; Ultrawide: 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4″, 1.12µm Screen size: 12.4-inch Resolution: 1752 x 2800 Weight: 575g Dimensions: 185.0 x 285.0 x 5.7mm OS: Android 10 CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus Storage: 128/256GB Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + High-res cameras + Great shooting modes + Beautiful screen Reasons to avoid – Lacks audio jack The S Pen stylus is a joy to use for photo editing, and the 12.4in Super AMOLED screen delivers a lovely, hi-res picture quality.
Microsoft Surface Go 2 The best cheap tablet camera for Windows Specifications Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 5MP Screen size: 10.5 inch Resolution: 1920 x 1280 Weight: 553g Dimensions: 245 x 175 x 8.3mm OS: Windows 10 S CPU: Dual Core Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y Storage: 64-128GB Today’s Best Deals View at Buydig.com (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Good cameras + Shoot in HD + Excellent value Reasons to avoid – Not the most powerful The 5MP front camera lets you stream in 1080p too, which gives it the edge over many similarly priced laptops, which tend to be stuck around the 720p mark.
More generally, the Surface Go 2 is a 2-in-1 device that can be transformed into a laptop when combined with Microsoft’s Type Cover (sold separately). However, battery life is good, and overall this is a great budget choice for kids, students, or just anyone who wants to keep their costs low. If you’re seeking a cheap Android tablet with a good camera, check out Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018). These perform as well as you can expect in an older model, plus there are some nice tools in the camera app, including Night Capture, Panorama, and a Pro mode that lets you adjust things like white balance and ISO.
Obviously this is not the most powerful or up-to-date Android tablet, with just 3GB RAM, and running an older version of the operating system (8.1). 9. iPad Mini (2021) The best compact tablet camera Specifications Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.8, AF Front camera: Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ Screen size: 8.3 inch Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels Weight: 293-297g Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm OS: iPadOS 15 CPU: Hexa-core Storage: 64/256GB Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Ultra portable + Surprisingly powerful Reasons to avoid – Small screen size
But as long as you’re not using it for important voice calls, and you’re not bothered about selfies, this is the best iPad available for a cheap price today.
10 Best Tablet Cameras in 2022 (For iOS & Android!)
The advancement in microcomputer technologies has quickly transformed tablets from glorified phones to small, portable cameras and computers. If you’re a photographer who likes the idea of having an all-in-one travel companion, a tablet could be a great option. The development of these smaller computers has created tiny but powerful camera sensors. They can perform powerful image editing functions just like a laptop or desktop computer. Apple has led the charge on what a small tablet camera can achieve in the modern day. The Apple iPad Pro 2021 has a whole load of features that make this tablet camera successful.
You will be blown away by the detail it manages to extract from a seemingly pitch-black room. It has full HD capabilities to shoot 240 frames per second if you want to capture slow-motion scenes. It has excellent battery life and an awe-inspiring Retina XDR screen. For all these reasons, the iPad Pro 2021 sits comfortably at the top of this list as the best tablet camera. This may only be an issue for the vain among us, who want to look crisp and sharp while video chatting or taking selfies. Elements like live mode and facial recognition make for a more effortless and more seamless photography experience.
This is important as we use phones and tablets as point-and-shoot cameras rather than fully manual devices. The advantage of these slight differences with its newer version is a bit more of an affordable price.
And it has other practical options like creating panoramas and night images. My personal favourite is using manual controls inside the camera application for more precise settings.
These two qualities alone, plus the fact they will be a considerate amount cheaper than Apple products, make for a tempting purchase. This smaller rendition will cost you half the price but does not have the same capabilities as its bigger sibling.
This means you’ll be able to take great pictures and edit or view them without compromise. And it is the first time that an iPad mini has Apple’s Smart HDR feature.
With the Surface Pro 8, Microsoft provides you with the most considerable amount of RAM in a Window’s tablet. Window’s Surface Pro 8 still gives you full 4K and HD video options. And there are plenty of photography modes and applications to get your creative juices flowing. The rear camera can support 4K filming, but you will only get HD video for the front camera… which is still great!
Levono makes its way onto our list of best tablet cameras with this fantastic Android option. It’s an ideal option for tablet cameras with a 2K display to view your photos on a more portable screen. These options are great, but it tends to be a little bit buggy when it comes to certain features, such as facial recognition. You can pick this tablet camera up for a considerate amount cheaper than options higher up this list.
The Surface Go 2 earns its spot on this list of best tablet cameras because it is a great budget option. And, it functions well as a portable device you can use to snap and show photos quickly.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is comparable to the Microsoft Surface Go 2 in weight and size. These last two options were released in 2020, so they are up to date in operating systems and software. Now that tablets have become computers of their own, they can make your life and daily workflow a lot easier.
The best Android tablets in 2022
Samsung is the current market leader, with devices that run pure Android and aren’t lacking in apps. However, if you’re a dedicated Amazon user looking for a portable device to enjoy your favorite Prime content on the go, Fire tablets are a great choice. In our path to help you find the right Android tablet for you, we test them all in the lab, measuring battery life and performance, as well as screen quality. Without further ado, here are the best Android tablets, based on our hands-on testing and review of dozens from Amazon, Samsung, Nokia and more.
If price isn’t an issue, its massive older sibling the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a powerful Android tablet that can double as a laptop. I’d personally recommend people spend almost twice as much, though, as the Fire HD 8 has amazing endurance, the likes of which beats practically every tablet up and down the list. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 The best Android tablet overall Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 120Hz LCD display Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 8GB RAM Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, beautiful display + Excellent battery life + Great sound quality + Surprisingly good cameras + Decent laptop replacement Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance vs. iPads – Camera quality degrades at extremes – Book Cover keyboard feels small, cramped On the couch its great for gaming or reading comics, and at work it’s nice to have as a note-keeping device or secondary display, especially if you go to the trouble of investing in the Galaxy ecosystem and making your workspace DeX-friendly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 The best budget Android tablet Specifications CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel Storage: 32GB Memory: 3GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Facial recognition + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Screen is a little dim – Underwhelming performance On top of that, it’s got thinner bezels than the 10.2-inch iPad and crazy 13+ hour battery life — so you can enjoy more of what you’re watching and reading for a lot longer time. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 The best Android tablet when you want a big screen Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 870 Camera Resolution: 8MP (front) Display: 13-inch (2160 x 1350 pixels) capacitive touchscreen Storage: 128GB Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI Dimensions: 11.55 x 8.03 x 0.24-0.98 inches Weight: 1.83 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Built-in kickstand + Vibrant 13-inch touchscreen + Impressive speakers + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Lacks 5G support – No rear camera – Hard to find suitable cases for it The slate can even act as a secondary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen a bit of extra versatility.
Amazon Fire 10 HD 2021 Best cheap Android tablet with amazing battery life Specifications CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front) Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Ports: 1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stellar battery life + Sharp and bright screen + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Speakers aren’t that strong – Still lacks Google apps The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) takes an already-good tablet and applies incremental upgrades, such as a slightly brighter screen, 1GB more RAM and a smaller, lighter design. That said, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still going to be great for the folks who are looking for a device to casually peruse the internet, read e-books, and watch videos. Amazon Fire HD 8 The best Android tablet under $100 Specifications CPU: 2.0 GHz quad-core processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 8-inch 1280 x 800-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Memory: 2GB Ports: headphone jack. Its impressive 13+ hours of battery life stands out in a sea of tablets we already complement for endurance, and, yes, you can get the reversible USB-C port at this wallet-friendly price. Amazon Fire 7 The best Android tablet if you’re on a tighter budget Specifications CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 7 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels Storage: 16GB, 32GB Memory: 1GB Ports: headphone jack.
And while it’s not perfect, Amazon’s cheapest slate got a recent update that put a lot more kick under the hood with a snappy quad-core 1.3 GHz processor. The latest Fire 7 also fixes a mistake of previous updates, allowing you to summon the Alexa digital assistant with your own voice. Its sub-HD screen is good enough for younger children streaming kids’ shows on Prime, but their older siblings (who’ve seen a few tablets in their time) might ask for something a little sharper. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 The best Android tablet when price is no concern Specifications CPU: Snapdragon Qualcomm 865+ Display: 11-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel TFT panel Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 6GB/8GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic battery life + Beautiful 120Hz display + Thin and light design Reasons to avoid – Book Cover Keyboard has cramped layout – DeX mode still has room to grow
This beautiful slate is thin, light and packs slim bezels for an all-screen aesthetic that Apple’s given users for years with the iPad Pro. Its number keys will be too small for some and assembling its two-piece design is a little annoying if you transition from laptop to tablet mode often.
Also, we wish the Snapdragon 865+ had a bit more pep in its step, as benchmarks show Intel Core i5 and Apple A12Z chips running circles around it. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra A powerful Android tablet that could replace a laptop Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 12MP + 12MP UW (front), 13MP AF + 6MP UW (back) Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Big, beautiful OLED display + Svelte design + Snappy Android interface Reasons to avoid – May be too large for some – More expensive than better laptops And with the optional keyboard attachment and improved multi-window mode, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra could potentially replace a laptop.
Our web-surfing-based battery test times how long a tablet can browse the internet for, with its display set to 150 nits of brightness.
The best iPads for photo editing, video editing and photography in 2022
Lightweight and portable, they’re also becoming increasingly powerful, which means you can use programs such as Adobe Photoshop for iPad or Affinity Photo without having to suffer from lagging or loading issues. 1. iPad Pro 12.9 M1 (2021) The best iPad for photographers and video editors Specifications Weight: 682g Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm OS: iPadOS 14 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB microSD slot: No Rear cameras: 12MP wide (f/1.8), 10-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide TrueDepth (f/2.4) Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + New M1 chip + Up to 2TB of storage + TrueDepth selfie camera Reasons to avoid – No microSD slot – Key accessories cost extra Apple has gone under the hood and given the latest iPad Pro a substantial internal update that could revolutionize what users will expect from their tablets forever. Outside of the introduction of the M1 chip, some of the other exciting features include a 2TB storage option, the addition of 5G (and in the US, users will be able to experience super-fast mmWave 5G) and a new 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera with a 122º field of view. 2. iPad Air (2022) The best and lightest iPad for photographers and video editors Specifications Weight: Wi-Fi: 461g Wi-Fi + Cellular 462g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm OS: iPadOS 14 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 64GB/256GB microSD slot: No Rear cameras: 12MP wide (f/1.8) Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide f/2.5 Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) View at AT&T (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + New M1 chip + Very light + Stereo speakers Reasons to avoid – No microSD slot – Only up to 256GB of storage Outside of the introduction of the M1 chip, some of the other exciting features include either a 64GB or 256GB storage option, the addition of 5G (and in the US, users will be able to experience super-fast mmWave 5G) and a new 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera with a 122º field of view along with the companies Centre Stage, making sure you always in the frame while on important business calls. 2. iPad Pro 11 (2021) The second best iPad for photographers and video editors Specifications Weight: 468g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm OS: iPadOS 13 Screen size: 11-inch Resolution: 2388 x 1668 pixels CPU: A12X Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB/512GB/1TB microSD slot: No Rear camera: 12MP wide (f/1.8), 10-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide TrueDepth (f/2.4) Today’s Best Deals View at Adorama (opens in new tab) View at Apple (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Compact and light + Great value + Powerful M1 chip Reasons to avoid – Lower brightness than 12.9 inch Pro This matches its bigger sibling in almost all respects: you can get the same powerful M1 chip, the same storage, the same gorgeous display, the same first-class cameras, the same 5G connectivity.
The main difference other than size and weight is that the screen only offers 600 nits of brightness, to the 12.9 inch iPad Pro’s 1,600. Particularly if you’re thinking of getting a Apple Magic Keyboard to turn your tablet into a laptop, as there’s a big price difference between the 11 and 12.9 inch version of that too. 3. iPad 10.2 (2021) The best non-Pro iPad for photographers Specifications Weight: 487g Dimensions: 248.9 x 172.7 x 7.4 mm OS: iPadOS 15 Screen size: 10.2-inch Resolution: 2160 x 1620 pixels CPU: A13 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB microSD slot: No Battery: 32.4Wh Rear cameras: 8MP f/2.4 Front camera: 12MP f/2.4 Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Apple (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Double storage for similar money + True Tone screen + Much-improved front camera Reasons to avoid – Incremental update over 2020 version 4. iPad Mini (2021) The best compact iPad for photographers Specifications Weight: 290g Dimensions: 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm OS: iPadOS 13 Screen size: 8.3-inch Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels CPU: A15 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB microSD slot: No Battery: 5,124mAh Rear camera: 12MP Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Perfect portable size + Surprisingly powerful specs Reasons to avoid – Bezel-heavy design – Noticeably pricier than 2019 Mini
Compared to compact Android tablets, the iPad Mini blows them out of the water when it comes to performance, and it can even compete with Apple’s larger devices. 5. iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) It may be a generation old, but the 2020 iPad Pro is still hugely impressive Specifications Weight: 639g Dimensions: 280.4 x 214.8 x 5.8 mm OS: iPadOS 14 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels CPU: A12Z Bionic Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB microSD slot: No Battery: 9,720mAh Rear cameras: 12MP wide (f/1.8), 10-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals View at Musician’s Friend (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Super-fast performance + Decent battery life + Full mouse/keyboard support Reasons to avoid – Magic keyboard costs extra Though it may look virtually identical to the 2018 version, the iPad Pro 12.9 for 2020 had undergone plenty of improvement, not least of which is the new A12Z Bionic chip that delivers faster performance across the board.
While the 2020 version is no longer current, this iPad is still lightning-fast, and it’s clear that Apple is gunning for its users to replace personal computers with this model.
It’s got support for the new Magic Keyboard (though that’ll cost extra), and though app developers need to do some catching up to the new mouse/keyboard inputs offered by the new iPad, it’s certainly a boon for photographers who may prefer this method of editing to the touchscreen. 6. iPad 10.2 (2020) Still a great option for photographers Specifications Weight: 483g Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm OS: iPadOS 13 Screen size: 10.2-inch Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels CPU: A10 Fusion RAM: 3GB Storage: 32/128GB microSD slot: No Battery: 8,827mAh Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 1.2MP Today’s Best Deals View at Apple (opens in new tab) View at GameStop (opens in new tab) View at Adorama (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Slightly bigger screen + Works with the Smart Keyboard Reasons to avoid – Marginally better than iPad 9.7 – iPad Air is superior for sketching
You still get a large and vibrant screen, and it supports most of the peripherals that the iPad Pro does, including the excellent Apple Pencil. 7. iPad Air (2020) A brilliant all-round iPad Specifications Weight: 458g Dimensions: 247.4 x 178.3 x 6.1 mm OS: iPadOS 15.1 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels CPU: A14 Storage: 64GB/256GB microSD slot: No Rear camera: 12MP Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at AT&T (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Brilliant-looking laminated screen + Cheapest Smart Keyboard iPad Reasons to avoid – Uses the 1st Gen Apple Pencil – Traditional design doesn’t wow
It’s cheaper than the iPad Pro, while still offering a large screen and enough power to run photo editing apps with ease. 8. iPad 9.7 (2017) An oldie, but a goodie Specifications Weight: 469g Dimensions: 240 x 169.5 x 7.5mm OS: iPadOS 13 Screen size: 9.7-inch Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels CPU: A9 RAM: 2GB Storage: 32GB/128GB microSD slot: No Battery: 8,827mAh Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 1.2MP Reasons to buy + Good screen quality + Powerful for the price Reasons to avoid – Apple Pencil costs extra – Getting old This is the best mid-range iPad that offers a large and vibrant screen (10.2-inches), whilst remaining thin and light enough to easily carry around with you. The screen is still large enough to use comfortably, and thanks to the gorgeously vibrant and sharp image quality, it’s a great iPad for showing clients your work.
They are great for working on intensive apps, like video and photo editors, and if you’re after an iPad that can double as a laptop (you’ll need to buy a keyboard, however) then this is a good shout.
The best tablets in 2022
You can also check out the Microsoft Surface Go 2, which erases the memory of the lackluster original by lasting longer, thinning its bezels and providing a faster processor option. Apple iPad Air (2022) The best tablet for everyone Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP wide (f/1.8) (front and rear) Display: 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid Retina Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: 1 USB-C Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) View at AT&T (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Thin and elegant design + Sharp, colorful display + Speedy M1-powered performance + Long battery life + Solid 12MP cameras Reasons to avoid – Peripherals are expensive
Apple iPad 2021 A dependable Apple tablet Specifications CPU: A13 Bionic Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 12MP (front) Display: 10.2 inches, 2160 x 1620 pixels Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: Lightning, Headphone Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.07 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with optional LTE Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Apple (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright screen + Improved front-facing camera + Speedy performance + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Dated design with big bezels – Nowhere to store Apple Pencil The A13 Bionic chip gives the 2021 iPad that necessary bump in performance to keep it speeding along, as iPadOS 15 brings more machine learning tricks like LiveText.
Also, Apple’s sticking with its first-gen Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio for its supported Apple-made accessories, which many may find easier to use than third-party Bluetooth options. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 The best premium Android tablet Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 120Hz LCD display Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 8GB RAM Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, beautiful display + Excellent battery life + Great sound quality + Surprisingly good cameras + Decent laptop replacement Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance vs. iPads – Camera quality degrades at extremes – Book Cover keyboard feels small, cramped On the couch its great for gaming or reading comics, and at work it’s nice to have as a note-keeping device or secondary display, especially if you go to the trouble of investing in the Galaxy ecosystem and making your workspace DeX-friendly. Amazon Fire 7 The best tablet for those on a budget Specifications CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 7 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels Storage: 16GB, 32GB Memory: 1GB Ports: headphone jack.
Fortunately, the most recent iteration of the company’s cheapest slate packs a snappy quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, which helps you navigate apps and browse the web faster than you’d expect from a tablet this cheap. Microsoft Surface Go 2 The best tablet for Windows 10 Specifications CPU: Pentium Gold, 8th Gen Intel Core m3 Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 5MP (front) Display: 10.5 inches, 1920 x 1280 pixels Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB Memory: 4GB, 8GB Ports: headphone jack, USB-C, microSD, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.22 pounds (1.75 pounds with type cover) Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Buydig.com (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Lengthy battery life + Bright, vivid screen + Great webcam Reasons to avoid – Unimpressive performance – Type Cover requires adjustments
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra The best Android tablet when you absolutely need the biggest screen possible Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 12MP + 12MP UW (front), 13MP AF + 6MP UW (back) Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Big, beautiful OLED display + Svelte design + Snappy Android interface Reasons to avoid – May be too large for some – More expensive than better laptops And with the optional keyboard attachment and improved multi-window mode, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra could potentially replace a laptop.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 The best mid-range Android tablet Specifications CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel Storage: 32GB Memory: 3GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Facial recognition + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Screen is a little dim – Underwhelming performance Whether you’re browsing the web or streaming movies, you get to focus on your content more, thanks to its super-thin bezels that are thinner than what you get with Apple’s $329 iPad. And just like Apple’s pricier tablets, the Galaxy Tab A7 charges over USB-C, so you can continue to cut non-reversible microUSB cables out of your life.
Especially when Samsung gives you true Android with the Google Play app store, and not the watered-down Amazon Fire tablet experience.
8. iPad mini 6 2021 The best ultra-portable tablet Specifications CPU: A15 Bionic Camera Resolution: 12MP (front and rear) Display: 8.3-inch (2266 x 1488 pixels) Liquid Retina Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: USB-C Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches Weight: 0.7 pound Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, optional 5G (Sub-6) Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Super-portable, light design + Speedy A15 Bionic processor + Sharp and bright display Reasons to avoid – No Magic Keyboard or headphone jack – Pricey Currently, Amazon has the market cornered on sub-10-inch tablets with the pricing of its Fire slates, but the new iPad mini gives quality-focused folks an alternative worth investing in. 9. iPad Pro 2021 (11-inch) The best tablet for power users on the go Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP (rear, wide) 10MP (rear, ultra wide), 12MP True Depth (front) Display: 11 inches (2388 x 1668 pixels) Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Ports: USB-C, Smart Connector Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.2 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic screen + Epic battery life + M1 processor is blazing-fast Reasons to avoid – 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s display is better – iPadOS feels limited with M1 power Its bright and colorful display is sharp, its four speakers provide much larger sound than you might expect from such a thin device and.
And if you’re willing to pony up the cash its amazing (optional) Magic Keyboard offers the simplest and smoothest tablet typing experience there is. 10. iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch) The best tablet for power users, period Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP (rear, wide) 10MP (rear, ultra wide), 12MP True Depth (front) Display: 12.9 inches, 2732 x 2048 pixels Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Ports: USB-C, Smart Connector Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.5 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + XDR display gets super bright + M1 processor sets new iPadOS records + Center Stage is pretty cool Reasons to avoid – Display needs HDR content to look its best – Expensive with accessories That said, the super-bright XDR display needs HDR content to thrive, and that’s not always available — as the likes of Hulu and HBO Max have yet to adopt it. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 The best Windows 11 tablet Specifications Display: 13-inch screen (2880 x 1920) CPU: Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1185G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 8GB | 16GB | 32GB Storage: 512GB | 1TB (128GB or 256GB removable SSD options) Weight: 1.96 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Large, vibrant display + Tailor-made for Windows 11 + Supports external devices + Sharp webcam Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming gaming performance – Slim Pen 2 and Signature keyboard sold separately
While you’ll probably want to pay extra for the detachable keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus accessories, even if you don’t this is the best Windows 11 tablet you can buy right now. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro 8 disappoints as a gaming device and didn’t live up to the promised 16 hours of battery life in our testing. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 The best Android tablet when you want a big screen Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 870 Camera Resolution: 8MP (front) Display: 13-inch (2160 x 1350 pixels) capacitive touchscreen Storage: 128GB Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI Dimensions: 11.55 x 8.03 x 0.24-0.98 inches Weight: 1.83 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Built-in kickstand + Vibrant 13-inch touchscreen + Impressive speakers + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Lacks 5G support – No rear camera – Hard to find suitable cases for it
The slate can even act as a secondary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen a bit of extra versatility.
13. reMarkable 2 The best tablet for writers Specifications CPU: 1.2 GHz dual core ARM processor Display: 10.3-inch, 1,872 x 1,404 digital paper Storage: 8GB Memory: 1GB Ports: USB-C Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.2 inches Weight: 14.1 ounces (0.88 pounds) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz and 5GHz Today’s Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) $299 at reMarkable (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Amazingly slim design + Faster stylus input + Excellent writing feel Reasons to avoid – More expensive than an iPad – Just for writing and reading, no apps The reMarkable 2, however, is a much more seductive device, now measuring a sleek 0.2 inches and ditching its plastic frame for a sleeker metallic chassis.
The reMarkable 2 also translates your handwriting to editable text, so you can share your notes with your whole team, or turn your draft ideas into a manuscript. And its two weeks of battery life means you can just leave it on your coffee table, for when inspiration strikes, rather than keep it plugged in all the time.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite The best cheap Android tablet Specifications CPU: Samsung Exynos 9610 Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 5MP (front) Display: 10.4 inches, 2000 x 1200 pixels Storage: 64GB Memory: 4GB Ports: USB-C, headphone jack Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Slimmed down bezels + Lengthy battery life + Bright display Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance – Some Android apps still need tablet optimization Android tablets don’t have the strongest track record, but on hardware, Samsung’s caught up with the iPad with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. This excellent tablet has a ton of battery life — lasting over 12 hours on a single charge — and offers a sleek design with a bright screen and solid sound. Oh, and the S-Pen stylus, which offers low-latency drawing, is included by default, and it snaps to the top of the Tab S6 Lite, so you’re less likely to lose it.
Amazon Fire 10 HD Best cheap Android tablet with amazing battery life Specifications CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front) Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Ports: 1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Reasons to buy + Stellar battery life + Sharp and bright screen + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Speakers aren’t that strong – Still lacks Google apps The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) takes an already-good tablet and applies incremental upgrades, such as a slightly brighter screen, 1GB more RAM and a smaller, lighter design.
That said, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still going to be great for the folks who are looking for a device to casually peruse the internet, read e-books, and watch video. Its bright screen and epic 13+ hours of battery life make it great for consuming content, and its reversible USB-C port is a feature we wish was in the cheaper Fire 7 tablet.
On top of that, this $90 tablet is good enough at everything else — decent audio, OK performance — for its price that I can’t deny how many will find it a great value. I also found its front camera surprisingly crisp when I snapped some selfies while writing the review, as more expensive laptops have much worse webcams.
After that, we put them through our in-house battery test, which times how long it takes — while surfing the web with brightness at 150 nits — to drain a tablet of a charge.
Best Android tablets 2022: which should you buy?
That size sees it dwarfing even the largest iPad Pro, but with its included S Pen stylus this also makes it a superb device for creating artwork, editing documents, taking notes, and other productivity tasks. The display is crisp at 1848 x 2960 and smooth at 120Hz, there’s tons of power from the Tab S8 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and it has a great 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front, making this an ideal device for video calls. While the slate works brilliantly as a conventional tablet, it also has a built-in stand, so you can prop it up without a case, and there’s a micro HDMI port, so you can easily use it as a second screen for a laptop or other device – two features which we found very useful,. What you don’t get – in another unusual move – is a rear camera, but then tablets are never ideal for taking photos anyway, and we also found the design made it hard to use with a case.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus The best older Samsung tablet Specifications Weight: 575g Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 12.4-inch Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 10,090mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Storage Size 256GB Colour Silver Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Gorgeous OLED screen + Premium design Reasons to avoid – Android lacks quality tablet apps – High price – but it justifies it You also of course get a whole lot of power from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’s Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, enough that we found it the smoothest Android tablet experience we’d come across at launch.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro The best Android tablet for media Specifications Weight: 485g Dimensions: 264.3 x 171.4 x 6.9mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 11.5-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 730G Storage: 128GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 8,600mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP + 8MP specifications RAM 4GB RAM Storage Size 128GB – 256GB Screen Type OLED Read more ▼ Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Lovely OLED display + Loud quad-speakers Reasons to avoid – Weak camera – Middling power Samsung has long been ruling the high-end Android tablet world, but it now faces an unlikely challenger in the form of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro.
Coupled with loud quad-speakers, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro makes for an accomplished media machine, and with its long-lasting 8,600mAh battery it’s a great travel companion. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro packs an attractive metal build too, and it supports both a keyboard and a stylus, transforming it into a capable productivity device – though one that’s still no match for a typical laptop. Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) The best big screen, budget Android tablet Specifications Weight: 468g Dimensions: 247 x 166 x 9.2mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 8-inch Resolution: 880 x 1280 CPU: quad-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 5MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB – 64GB Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Well priced + Good quality screen Reasons to avoid – Looks dated – Could be faster That means it’s ideal for watching your favorite movies or shows, especially as we also found that it manages around 12 hours of battery life, so you won’t run out of juice at a pivotal moment.
Storage is limited at either 32GB or 64GB and we’d like speedier performance in an ideal world, as the chipset was a little bit dated even at launch, but at this price, it’s not bad at all. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 The best Android tablet for flagship buyers on a budget Specifications Weight: 420g Dimensions: 244.5 x 154.3 x 7mm OS: Android 9 (upgrade to Android 10) Screen size: 10.5-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 855 Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 7,040mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Storage Size 128GB – 256GB Colour Blue Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at BHPhoto (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Beautiful AMOLED display + S Pen as standard Reasons to avoid – Samsung’s One UI not perfect – No headphone jack It’s not the perfect device – there isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack and we found that the user interface had its own quirks – but it’s still a top Android slate. It’s an upgrade on its predecessor thanks to 30% more power, improved battery life, double the storage, and the presence of a USB-C (rather than micro USB) port, but that aside this is familiar territory if you’ve used an Amazon slate before. Huawei MatePad Pro The best Android tablet for productivity Specifications Weight: 460g Dimensions: 246 x 159 x 7.2mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 10.8-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 CPU: Kirin 990 RAM: 6GB/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB Battery: 7,250mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful hardware + Robust lightweight design Reasons to avoid – Limited software functionality – No headphone jack The Huawei MatePad Pro also has a stylish, slim, and lightweight design, plus an optional stylus and keyboard, so it’s premium and built for productivity.
That’s going to be a major issue for a lot of people, but if you can live without that then this comes closer than most Android slates to matching the iPad Pro experience. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) The best super-cheap Android tablet with a large display Specifications Weight: 465g Dimensions: 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 10.1-inch Resolution: 1920 x 1200 CPU: Octa-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 5MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB Colour Black Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Crisp display + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Bit slow – Limited software For the price, you get a good quality and large screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, which we found was ideal for watching films or your favorite YouTube videos.
If you plan to use your tablet for work or creative endeavors then it’s also worth seeing whether it supports a keyboard or stylus, and whether any such things are included. Every tablet included in this guide has been reviewed in full, so we’ve spent a lot of time with each of them working out what’s good, what’s bad, and how they compare. We’ve made sure to fully test out their performance with apps and games, how good content looks on their screens, whether their interface is intuitive, how long the battery lasts, and how the cameras hold up, as well as assessing their design and build quality.
The best Android tablets in 2022
Samsung is the current market leader, with devices that run pure Android and aren’t lacking in apps. However, if you’re a dedicated Amazon user looking for a portable device to enjoy your favorite Prime content on the go, Fire tablets are a great choice. In our path to help you find the right Android tablet for you, we test them all in the lab, measuring battery life and performance, as well as screen quality. Without further ado, here are the best Android tablets, based on our hands-on testing and review of dozens from Amazon, Samsung, Nokia and more. If price isn’t an issue, its massive older sibling the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a powerful Android tablet that can double as a laptop. I’d personally recommend people spend almost twice as much, though, as the Fire HD 8 has amazing endurance, the likes of which beats practically every tablet up and down the list.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 The best Android tablet overall Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 120Hz LCD display Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 8GB RAM Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, beautiful display + Excellent battery life + Great sound quality + Surprisingly good cameras + Decent laptop replacement Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance vs. iPads – Camera quality degrades at extremes – Book Cover keyboard feels small, cramped On the couch its great for gaming or reading comics, and at work it’s nice to have as a note-keeping device or secondary display, especially if you go to the trouble of investing in the Galaxy ecosystem and making your workspace DeX-friendly. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 The best budget Android tablet Specifications CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel Storage: 32GB Memory: 3GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Facial recognition + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Screen is a little dim – Underwhelming performance On top of that, it’s got thinner bezels than the 10.2-inch iPad and crazy 13+ hour battery life — so you can enjoy more of what you’re watching and reading for a lot longer time.
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 The best Android tablet when you want a big screen Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 870 Camera Resolution: 8MP (front) Display: 13-inch (2160 x 1350 pixels) capacitive touchscreen Storage: 128GB Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI Dimensions: 11.55 x 8.03 x 0.24-0.98 inches Weight: 1.83 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Built-in kickstand + Vibrant 13-inch touchscreen + Impressive speakers + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Lacks 5G support – No rear camera – Hard to find suitable cases for it The slate can even act as a secondary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen a bit of extra versatility.
Amazon Fire 10 HD 2021 Best cheap Android tablet with amazing battery life Specifications CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front) Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Ports: 1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stellar battery life + Sharp and bright screen + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Speakers aren’t that strong – Still lacks Google apps The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) takes an already-good tablet and applies incremental upgrades, such as a slightly brighter screen, 1GB more RAM and a smaller, lighter design. That said, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still going to be great for the folks who are looking for a device to casually peruse the internet, read e-books, and watch videos. Amazon Fire HD 8 The best Android tablet under $100 Specifications CPU: 2.0 GHz quad-core processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 8-inch 1280 x 800-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Memory: 2GB Ports: headphone jack. Its impressive 13+ hours of battery life stands out in a sea of tablets we already complement for endurance, and, yes, you can get the reversible USB-C port at this wallet-friendly price. Amazon Fire 7 The best Android tablet if you’re on a tighter budget Specifications CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 7 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels Storage: 16GB, 32GB Memory: 1GB Ports: headphone jack.
And while it’s not perfect, Amazon’s cheapest slate got a recent update that put a lot more kick under the hood with a snappy quad-core 1.3 GHz processor. The latest Fire 7 also fixes a mistake of previous updates, allowing you to summon the Alexa digital assistant with your own voice. Its sub-HD screen is good enough for younger children streaming kids’ shows on Prime, but their older siblings (who’ve seen a few tablets in their time) might ask for something a little sharper. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 The best Android tablet when price is no concern Specifications CPU: Snapdragon Qualcomm 865+ Display: 11-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel TFT panel Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 6GB/8GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic battery life + Beautiful 120Hz display + Thin and light design Reasons to avoid – Book Cover Keyboard has cramped layout – DeX mode still has room to grow This beautiful slate is thin, light and packs slim bezels for an all-screen aesthetic that Apple’s given users for years with the iPad Pro. Its number keys will be too small for some and assembling its two-piece design is a little annoying if you transition from laptop to tablet mode often.
Also, we wish the Snapdragon 865+ had a bit more pep in its step, as benchmarks show Intel Core i5 and Apple A12Z chips running circles around it. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra A powerful Android tablet that could replace a laptop Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 12MP + 12MP UW (front), 13MP AF + 6MP UW (back) Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Big, beautiful OLED display + Svelte design + Snappy Android interface Reasons to avoid – May be too large for some – More expensive than better laptops And with the optional keyboard attachment and improved multi-window mode, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra could potentially replace a laptop. Our web-surfing-based battery test times how long a tablet can browse the internet for, with its display set to 150 nits of brightness.
Best Android Tablet for 2022
And since Android tablets have fewer makes, models and even manufacturers these days, it’s easier to skip the category altogether and head straight to Apple. Use our CNET Shopping extension to compare top products or find coupon codes before buying your next tablet. Just like its smaller 8-inch sibling, the Fire HD 8, the tablet is packed with benefits for Prime subscribers making it easy for members to stream and download movies, TV shows and games. Updates to Samsung’s DeX software even makes the Tab S8 a possible laptop substitute, letting you connect to a mouse and even an external display. A keyboard cover isn’t included but one of Samsung’s fantastic S Pens is, so you can use the big screen for note-taking and content creation right out of the box. This Lenovo tablet comes with Android Oreo, front and rear cameras, fingerprint scanner and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor.
The Best Android Tablets for 2022
High-end iPads and Windows tablets dominate the top of the field with impressive tools for productivity, but Google’s Android operating system is very popular at lower price points. Plenty of RAM Acts as an Alexa smart display Cons Poor app selection Unimpressive cameras No promise for OS updates after Android 12 Read Our Full Review $209.99 at Lenovo See It (Opens in a new window)
App compatibility can be hit or miss Not waterproof Read Our Full Review $479.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window)
Alcatel Joy Tab 2 4.0 Excellent Best for Affordable 4G Connectivity Bottom Line: The Alcatel Joy Tab 2 is an excellent alternative to Amazon’s Fire lineup, with a clean Android experience, strong LTE connectivity, and impressive audio quality. Strong LTE connectivity Excellent audio for the price Cons Cameras perform poorly in low light Read Our Full Review $199.99 at Metro by T-Mobile See It (Opens in a new window)
Poor cameras Base models include ads on the lock screen Read Our Full Review $59.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window) Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) 3.5 Good Best for Video Playback and Zoom Calls Bottom Line: Amazon’s inexpensive Fire HD 8 tablet continues to be an excellent value for the price, but its poor app store is really starting to feel limiting.
Limited app compatibility Sluggish performance Read Our Full Review $89.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window)
Very expensive No monitor mode Read Our Full Review $879.99 at Amazon Check Stock (Opens in a new window)
You can find an endless array of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates sold at your local CVS or through mysterious “fulfilled by Amazon” drop-shippers. Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Samsung used to deliver solid iPad competitors, but they’ve all slowed down their cadence to once every two years or so.
Speaking of Amazon, it and other large manufacturers like Samsung like to customize Google’s OS by adding a bevy of features, new app stores, and completely revamped user interfaces. These are not for everyone, but those who are familiar with Amazon’s Fire OS or Samsung’s One UI should give the latest devices from each company a try. Even if you don’t have the most recent OS iteration, Android continues to be the most configurable tablet operating system you’ll find. T-Mobile sells unlocked tablets, but some have very limited band support if you decide to switch carriers. If you’re thinking of switching to a different carrier, be sure to check out LTE and 5G band support to ensure your tablet will work without any hiccups. Most carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot for those times when you’re not close to Wi-Fi, and many newer cars have built-in LTE connectivity for road trips or keeping your child occupied while you sit in traffic.
Many of these off-label tabs are perfectly serviceable, but we recommend choosing a brand you can count on for software support and hardware quality control.
Best tablets in 2022
There are so many models available, and typically each new tablet that enters the market comes with a larger, more powerful feature set than its predecessor. For example, you can buy a basic tablet for under $100 or a high-end model that costs more than $2,000, which can make choosing tricky. This type of work can use a lot of a device’s resources and require a powerful processor, which can bring up the price significantly. It’s easy to lust after the biggest and most powerful tablets, but that’s a good way to spend more money than you need on a device that’s overkill for your work and life.
If you choose to go with an Android tablet, in many cases, you’ll have the ability to do more customizing and expand your system. If you buy the Microsoft Surface device, you’ll get Windows 11, a full computer operating system. Larger models are pricer and more challenging to travel with but include premium capabilities. The vast majority of the tablets you’ll find on the market at the moment connect to chargers and computers via USB-C.
Even Apple has transitioned its iPads to USB-C connections instead of its proprietary Lightning cables. However, since most people don’t shoot many photos or videos using a tablet, they’re not the most important feature you’ll need to consider unless you have a specific reason for it. For instance, the higher-end iPads can achieve some truly cool augmented reality feats using their rear cameras. Though a few models have cameras with very low megapixel counts that you may want to avoid if quality is important to you.
Another important consideration is finding compatible accessories for your tablet, such as a keyboard, stylus, case, mount, earbuds, etc. Some of these accessories can be extremely pricey, so make sure you consider the total cost of the package before you pull the trigger on the device itself. Apple didn’t drastically overhaul the iPad Air’s insides with its latest update, but the design changed a lot.
The new Air now has a powerful A14 chipset, so it’s capable of performing many different types of power-hungry tasks including photo and video editing. That means you’re not stuck with the 64GB or 256GB of onboard storage.You can even plug a camera directly into the iPad to transfer images to its built-in storage. Why it made the cut: As the best Android tablet is concerned this model comes close to the performance you get on the top-performing Apple iPad. Although this tablet is a bit on the pricey side, it’s an excellent performer and is powerful enough to handle all your work and personal tasks. It has a sharp, colorful 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display, which Samsung says is more flexible and has a better viewing experience than OLED. In at least two important ways: First, it has a memory card slot, which allows you to expand your storage capacity by up to 1TB. Samsung recently announced new versions of the S-series tablets, and we’re looking forward to testing them when they hit the market. Why it made the cut: This compact version of Apple’s iPad pairs portability with performance, which is great if you’re always on the go. While very affordable, they lack the flexibility of a more open operating system and they’re typically very underpowered.
Lenovo’s budget-friendly Tab P11 employs a fairly powerful eight-core processor and up to 6GB RAM, which is more than enough for most tasks. The 11-inch screen only has a 2,000 x 1,200 resolution, which isn’t as pixel dense as some of its competition, but again, it’s plenty for most tasks. It’s especially good for watching content since it can handle 1080p HD movies just fine and they don’t take up as much space as 4K versions. It even has a MicroSD slot built in for expanded storage and uploading photos and video, something many of its more expensive competition lacks. Why it made the cut: It’s very pricey, but this iPad pro fits the bill for those looking for photo editing performance that can match a laptop. This iPad is ideal for all types of content creators, including photographers, videographers, motion graphic designers, animators, and musicians.
Plus, it gives you the ability to store those videos and presentations because the iPad Pro is available in several storage configurations, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Of course, it also includes a USB-C port to transfer media to an external SSD for additional storage.
But what prevents this iPad from being the best tablet for everyone is its very high sticker price, even for the basic version that’s Wi-Fi only and has just 128GB of storage. It can truly replace a full-powered laptop for some users who don’t need access to desktop versions of software. But what really makes this model stand out for content creators is that you can use a full version of your favorite software since it runs Windows 11 for its OS, not Android. So instead of using mobile apps, you can use the entire host of features and tools found in desktop versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and even Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
But for those who want to stick with Windows and not buy an iPad Pro for their creative work, this model absolutely does the job. When tablets were first introduced more than ten years ago, many used them to mostly read text and ebooks, browse the web, and check emails. For example, you can download a variety of mobile apps for tasks like photo and video editing, creating music and audio, and producing various types of animation and motion graphics for movies and presentations. To choose the best models, we considered many different factors but focused on those most important to consumers and creatives, especially photographers, including price, performance, the quality of the display, versatility, and its feature set.
It’s wise to consider which mobile apps you’ll want to use on your new iPad or Android tablet, particularly if you’re interested in making photo or video edits, or you want to create content for social media.
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