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The Best Tablets for 2021
Tablets are great for playing games, reading, doing homework, keeping kids entertained in the back seat of the car, and a whole lot more. Whether you're looking for an Android or an Apple model, here's what to consider, along with reviews of the best tablets we've tested.
Nov. 25, 2021, 2:47 a.m.
The Best Tablets for Kids in 2021 The Best Cheap Tablets for 2021 The Best Android Tablets for 2021 What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2021?
Best For Best iPad for Most People
Apple iPad (2021)
Apple's 2021 base model iPad delivers strong performance and an excellent front-facing camera at a very palatable price, making it the best tablet for most people.
PROSPowerful performanceMulti-year OS upgradesSolid front-facing camera
CONSDated designTinny speakers
Read Apple iPad (2021) Review
Best For Best Low-Cost Tablet for Amazon Fans
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
Amazon updates the Fire HD 10 to deliver a very good tablet for $150, as long as what you want to do is control Alexa and consume Amazon books and media. Even without the Google Play store, it's the best tablet you can get for less than $200.
PROSFast processor for the pricePlenty of RAMActs as an Alexa smart display
CONSPoor app selectionVery Amazon-centric interface
Read Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) Review
Best For Creativity and Productivity
Apple iPad Air (4th Generation, 2020)
The fourth-generation iPad Air gives you the power of an iPad Pro for less money, making it the best Apple tablet to buy in 2020.
PROSSuper-fast processor and internet speedsExcellent camerasFantastic build quality
CONSUnimpressive battery lifeiPadOS still doesn't multitask as well as Mac/Windows
Read Apple iPad Air (2020) Review
Best For Younger Kids
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2021)
The kids' version of the new Fire HD 10 is ideal for parents who want to tap into Amazon's carefully curated Kids+ library and take advantage of powerful, detailed parental controls.
PROSExcellent parental controlsLibrary of brand-name kids' contentTwo rugged case optionsLong warranty
CONSApp store lacks some popular comics apps and gamesNot enough power for action gaming
Read Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2021) Review
Best For 5G Road Warriors
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ wows with strong performance and a gorgeous 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display, and its S Pen and optional 5G make it the best Android productivity tablet you can get.
PROSSolid build qualityBeautiful Super AMOLED displayTextured S Pen tip makes writing on screen feel natural5G connectivity option
CONSS Pen can easily become dislodgedAndroid app integration still falls behind iPadOSOptional Book Cover Keyboard Case feels flimsy
Read Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Review
Best For Best Small iPad
Apple iPad mini (2021)
Apple's sixth-generation iPad mini tablet delivers Pro-level power in a smaller size that's better for reading, taking notes, and slipping in a jacket pocket.
PROSExcellent performanceLong battery lifeWorks with second-generation Apple Pencil
CONSNo multi-user option in iPadOSPricier than previous model
Read Apple iPad mini (2021) Review
From its bright and bold display to its immersive speakers, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is among the best entertainment tablets we've tested. But its large size and quad speakers are a handful.
PROSVivid displayPerforms wellLong battery lifeWi-Fi 6 Support
CONSBulky designNo rear camera
Read Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 Review
Best For Reading Large-Format Documents
Onyx Boox Note Air 2
No other E Ink tablet offers the build quality and software flexibility of the 10-inch Onyx Boox Note Air 2, making it ideal for taking notes and reading large-format documents.
PROSTop-notch build qualityBuilt-in reading and note-taking apps work wellGood battery life
CONSTaking notes in third-party apps isn't greatApp compatibility can be hit or missNot waterproof
Read Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Review
Best For E Ink Productivity
Onyx Boox Max Lumi
A fully functional Android tablet and secondary monitor, the Onyx Boox Max Lumi lets you do everything with E Ink that you would with a big-screen tablet.
PROS13.3-inch screenHigh refresh rate modeGoogle Play compatibilityIncludes stylus
CONSExpensiveStylus has lag in some applications
Read Onyx Boox Max Lumi Review
Best For Low-Cost Android Access
onn. 8-Inch Tablet
Walmart's 8-inch onn. tablet is a solid alternative to Amazon's Fire line for anyone who prefers traditional Android software to the Amazon-focused Fire OS.
PROSInexpensive.Runs relatively stock Android.Decent performance.
CONSPoor battery life.Lackluster display and cameras.
There are countless tablets on the market, but which one is right for you? Whether you're eyeing an iPad or one of the many Android models available, we have the key factors you need to consider when shopping, along with some of the top-rated tablets we've tested.
Keep in mind that Windows slates are different beasts entirely. If that's what you're looking for, head on over to our picks for the best Windows tablets, as well as the best 2-in-1s.
Android vs. Apple Tablets
Android tablets make great media players, ebook readers, and kids' devices (if you want a tablet specifically for children, check out our story on the best kids' tablets), but they rarely compete with iPads when it comes to versatility and performance.
Generally speaking, the greatest strengths of Apple's iPadOS are twofold: It's very clean and intuitive, and the numerous apps that you can buy right on your tablet—more than one million iPad-specific titles at the time of this writing—work uniformly well, with a very few exceptions. The downside of iPadOS is that while recent upgrades have improved multitasking, it still can't handle multiple users per device, and transferring files between apps is still kludgey. iPads remain a supplement to, not a full replacement, for MacBooks. iPads also have the best selection of accessories, including the outstanding second-generation Apple Pencil.
Google's Android OS gives you a choice of hardware from several different manufacturers and offers maximum configurability, a top-notch notification system, fast and smooth web browsing, and seamless integration with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Meet for video chat. Android also includes support for multiple user logins, so you can share your tablet with a friend or family member, a useful feature that's missing in Apple tablets. (Apple's Family Sharing works the other way around, giving multiple people access to shared data and services.) That said, most Android tablets ship with an older version of the OS, and few get updates.
See How We Test TabletsSee How We Test Tablets
Amazon's Fire OS is a branch of Android with its own user interface and its own default apps. It's designed to be clear and easy to use for consuming Amazon content and for streaming video from various services, and it's easier to use than standard Android if most of what you're doing is web browsing and accessing your Amazon library. It's less flexible for customization, though.
Which Tablet Has the Best Apps?
What's a tablet without quality apps? If you want third-party apps specifically designed for a touch-screen interface, nothing out there beats the iPad and its huge library of programs and games designed specifically for Apple tablets. The App Store is well curated and monitored, offers a deep selection, and includes every popular app you can think of. If a wide range of compelling apps that look good and work well on your tablet is your main priority, Apple is your best bet. For more, see the best iPad apps.
The latest iPad mini works with the second-generation Apple Pencil
Android has made great strides in app selection, but it's still not home to as many as Apple offers. It's tough to say exactly how many tablet-optimized Android apps are available, but it's far fewer than Apple boasts. There are also Android phone apps, which look decent on a 7-inch tablet, but less so on a 9- or 10-inch one. Check out the best Android apps for our top picks.
Amazon tablets don't have access to the Google Play store, so they have considerably fewer apps available. There are plenty of people who have hacked the Play store onto Amazon tablets, but that violates both Amazon's and Google's terms of service and can't be considered a reliable solution. Though they have their own app store, which is a subset of Google Play, you should consider Amazon tablets designed to be used with the apps Amazon recommends.
What Size Tablet Do You Need?
This consideration is a bit obvious, but size—both screen real estate and storage capacity—is important to consider. First things first: When you hear a term such as "10-inch tablet," this refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself.
7- and 8-inch tablets are considered small-screen; 9-inch tablets and above are considered large-screen. Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire tablets, and Samsung's slates all come in small- and large-screen iterations. And more than ever, phones are blurring the lines with tablets. Folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 can easily do double duty as tablets if you're willing to pay a hefty premium.
Screen resolution is important too, especially for ebook reading and web surfing. A sharp, bright display is key. If you're in the market for a 10-inch tablet, look for a display with a resolution of at least 1,280 by 800 pixels.
The onn. 8-inch tablet is good for low-cost Android access
The low weight of a tablet is one definite advantage it has over a laptop—but with large-screen tablets typically weighing around a pound, they're not nearly as light as smartphones. After you hold one with a single hand while standing up for 20 minutes, your hand will get tired. Setting one flat in your lap, rather than propped up on a stand, can also be a little awkward. And few tablets will fit in your pocket, unless you're wearing a very large jacket. If you want pocketability, you might want to consider a phablet.
Cloud (off-device) storage is an option for many tablets (Amazon Cloud Storage for Fire tablets, iCloud for iPads, Google Drive for Android tablets), but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. All those apps, when combined with music, video, and photo libraries, can take up a lot of space. Some Android tablets feature a microSD slot for additional storage, but it's worth noting some apps will not work from a microSD card.
Wi-Fi-Only vs. Cellular Tablets
Some tablets come in a Wi-Fi-only model or with the option of always-on cellular service from a wireless provider. Unless you constantly use your tablet in an area without Wi-Fi or are a frequent international traveler, you're probably better using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and saving the extra money you'd spend on an LTE tablet. You can also buy a dedicated mobile hotspot, which won't kill your phone's battery life. Some even double as backup batteries to charge your tablet.
The Top Tablets (for Now)
The tablets chosen here represent the best Android and Apple options across a variety of price levels. That said, there are plenty of other great tablets out there, and one might be right for you. For the latest lab-tested reviews, check out our tablet product guide. And if you're looking for a good deal, head over to our roundup of the best cheap tablets we've tested.
Book Formats
Review 1.1 64 10.2 2,160 by 1,620 pixels Apple iPadOS 9.8 by 6.8 by 0.3 inches Apple A13 Bionic CBR, CBZ, EPUB, RTF, AZW, HTML, MOBI, PDF, TXT 5 hours, 18 minutes
Review 16.4 32 10.1 1,920 by 1,200 pixels Amazon Fire OS 9.73 x 6.53 x .36 inches MediaTek Helio P60T 12 hours, 48 minutes (video streaming)
Review 1 64 10.9 2,360 by 1,640 pixels Apple iPadOS 9.74 by 7 by .24 inches Apple A14 4 hours, 45 minutes (video streaming)
Review 25.2 32 10.1 1,920 by 1,200 pixels Amazon Fire OS 8.2 by 10.6 by 1.1 inches MediaTek Helio P60T 12 hours, 48 minutes (video streaming)
Review 1.3 128 12.4 2,800 by 1,752 pixels Android 10 11.3 by 7.3 by 0.2 inches Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Not Tested
Review 10.4 64 8.3 2,226 by 1,448 pixels Apple iPadOS 7.7 by 5.3 by 0.3 inches Apple A15 Bionic 6 hours, 41 minutes
Review 1.83 128 13 2,160 by 1,350 pixels Android 11 11.6 by 8.0 by 0.2 inches Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 9 hours, 41 minutes
Review 14.8 64 10.3 1,872 by 1,404 pixels Android 11 9.1 by 7.7 by 0.2 inches Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 RTF, HTML, MOBI, PDF, TXT, CBR, CBZ, EPUB
Review 20.1 64 13.3 2,200 by 1,650 pixels Android 10 12.2 by 8.98 by .31 inches Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 MOBI, PDF, HTML, TXT, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, RTF 7 days
12 64 8 1,280 by 800 pixels Android 9.0 8.3 by 5.0 by 0.3 inches Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 3 hours, 58 minutes
The Best Tablets for Kids in 2021
The Best Cheap Tablets for 2021
The Best Android Tablets for 2021
What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2021?
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