Tablets are one of the most practical purchases you can make in the world of technology. You can use them to watch movies, exchange emails, surf the web, or even produce music. If your phone’s screen is too small and you don’t want to buy a laptop, a tablet is a great alternative. Here are the best tablets for 2023.
There are a variety of tablets available on the market, but which one is the best for you? Whether you’re looking for an iPad or one of the numerous Android devices on the market, we’ve compiled a list of the most important criteria to consider while purchasing, as well as some of the best-rated tablets.
Best Tablets for 2023
Apple vs. Android Tablets
Android tablets are excellent for playing media, reading ebooks, and even as kids’ tablets, but they can’t compete with iPads in terms of performance and versatility.
The significant advantages of Apple’s iPad OS are divided into two categories: It’s really clean and intuitive, and the various applications that you can purchase directly on your tablet work consistently well, with just a few exceptions. Although recent revisions have improved multitasking, iPadOS still can’t manage many users on the same device, and moving data between applications is still a headache.
What Is the Best Tablet for You?
Although it may seem apparent, the device’s size must be taken into account. First and foremost, though, is this: Whenever you hear a word such as “10-inch tablet,” it refers to the diagonal measurement of the screen, not the physical size of the tablet itself.
Tablets with screens less than 7 and 8 inches are classified as small-screen; tablets with screens more than 9 inches are classified as large-screen. Moreover, tablets such as Apple’s iPad and Amazon’s Fire tablets, as well as Samsung’s slates, are available in both small- and large-screen sizes. And now, more than ever, phones and tablets are blurring the barriers between them. Phones that fold, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3, may easily be converted into tablets, provided you’re ready to pay an exorbitant price. Screen resolution is also significant, particularly while reading ebooks and browsing the web. It is essential to have a clear and bright display.
One distinct benefit of a tablet over a laptop is its modest weight; nevertheless, with large-screen tablets often weighing approximately a pound, they aren’t quite as light as cellphones, which normally weigh under 100 grams. After 20 minutes of holding one with a single hand while standing up, your hand will get fatigued and need rest. The act of holding one flat in your lap, rather than raised up on a stand, might also be a bit uncomfortable. And, unless you’re wearing a really big jacket, it’s unlikely that many tablets will fit in your pocket. If you want something that fits in your pocket, you may want to consider a phablet.
Many tablets include cloud storage options, but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. When all of those applications are paired with music, video, and picture collections, the result is a significant amount of storage space. Some Android tablets provide a microSD card slot for adding more storage; however, it’s important to note that some programs will not function properly when using a microSD card.
Tablets with just Wi-Fi connectivity vs. tablets with cellular connectivity
Some tablets are exclusively available as Wi-Fi-only devices, while others are available with the option of always-on cellular service via a wireless operator. In most cases, unless you are frequently using your tablet in an area where Wi-Fi is unavailable or are a frequent foreign traveler, it is preferable to utilize your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of spending the additional money on an LTE tablet. You may also purchase a specialized mobile hotspot, which will not deplete your phone’s battery life. Some of them may also be used as backup batteries for charging your tablet.
1. Apple iPad Air (2022) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 461g
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
- OS: iPadOS 15.4
- Screen size: 10.9-inch
- Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: 10-hour
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Pros: Great design | Large display | Speedy performance
Cons: A little pricey | Limited storage
2. Apple iPad Mini (2021) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 293g
- Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm
- OS: iPadOS 15
- Screen size: 8.3-inch
- Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels
- CPU: A15 Bionic
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Pros: Compact design | Apple Pencil support | Superb performance
Cons: A little pricey | No Magic Keyboard support | Battery life could be better | 5G connectivity is limited
3. Apple iPad 10.2in (2021) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 487g
- Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm
- OS: iPadOS 15
- Screen size: 10.2-inch
- Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
- CPU: A13 Bionic
- Storage: 64/256GB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 8MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Pros: Affordable | Large display | Great performance
Cons: Dated design | Lacklustre cameras | Doesn’t support newer accessories
4. Apple iPad Pro 12.9in (2021) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 682g
- Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
- OS: iPadOS 14
- Screen size: 12.9-inch
- Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Pros: Best-in-class display | Class-leading performance | Upgraded front camera
Cons: Expensive | iPadOS can’t take full advantage of the M1 chip
Read more: Best Linux Tablets of 2022; Top Secure Slates!
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 891g
- Dimensions: 287 x 208.3 x 9.4mm
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- Screen size: 13-inch
- Resolution: 2880×1920 pixels
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel – Core i5-1135G7/Core i7-1185G7
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB SSD (Wi-Fi, LTE),512GB, 1TB SSD (Wi-Fi)
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 16 hours
- Rear camera: 10MP (1080p, 4K)
- Front camera: 5MP (1080p)
Pros: Excellent display | Slick design | Solid performance | Impressive battery life
Cons: Expensive | Limited ports | Tablet mode needs work
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 575g
- Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm
- 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 + 5MP
- Front camera: 8MP
Pros: Stunning display | Stellar performance | Great speakers
Cons: Middling software optimization | S-Pen charging is awkward
7. Apple iPad Pro 11in (2021) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 466g
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm
- OS: iPadOS 14
- Screen size: 11-inch
- Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Pros: Class-leading performance | Highly portable | Good battery life
Cons: Expensive | iPadOS can’t take full advantage of the M1 chip
8. Apple iPad Air (2020) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 458g
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
- OS: iPadOS 14
- Screen size: 10.9-inch
- Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels
- CPU: A14 Bionic
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 7MP
Pros: Great design | Large display | Compatible with Pro accessories
Cons: Awkward Touch ID placement | Ageing chipset | Thick bezels
Read more: Best Huawei Tablets for 2023; Top Choices for Every Need
9. Huawei MateBook E (2022) One of the Best Tablets for 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 709g
- Dimensions: 306 x 215 x 146 mm
- OS: Windows 11 Home 64bit
- Screen size: 12.6-inch
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel – Core i3-1110G4/Core i5-1135G7/Core i7-1185G7
- Storage: 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB NVMe PCIe SSD
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 8 hours
- Rear camera: 13MP
- Front camera: 8MP
Pros: Nice OLED display | Great cameras | Keyboard case included | Decent performance
Cons: Poor battery life | Frustrating fingerprint sensor | Terrible I/O
10. Xiaomi Pad 5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 511g
- Dimensions: 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm
- OS: Android 11, MIUI 12.5
- Screen size: 11-inch
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- microSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 16 hours
- Rear camera: 13MP
- Front camera: 8MP
Pros: Stunning display | Good performance | Slim design
Cons: Lacklustre selfie camera | MIUI not for everyone
Different companies produce devices that are geared at different types of users, therefore there is no such thing as a “best” brand; rather, there is only a brand that is best for you. Although Amazon’s slates are excellent for low-budget entertainment, they are not as effective for work or creative as other tablets. Samsung also offers several of these types of slates, albeit its higher-end models are more suited for office use.
Apple’s iPads strike all the right notes, however, they are extremely expensive, making them unaffordable for many people. Lenovo’s tabs are excellent for working, particularly for students, and its Yoga tablets have features that are excellent for entertainment as well. Other, smaller tablet manufacturers mainly concentrate on providing leisure tools, however, some are also helpful for business, and a limited group is also beneficial to creatives.
Read more: Best Samsung Tablets in 2023
What features should I look for when purchasing a tablet computer?
Most importantly, you must decide how much money you want to spend and which operating system you want, with Apple’s iPad OS and Google’s Android being the two most popular choices. Then consider what else is important to you in a tablet – whether it’s size, power, camera, or battery life – and make your selection based on that consideration.