The perfect tablet for your purposes might be difficult to discover, whether you’re wanting to outfit the kids with affordable, sturdy tablets for school or simply want a gorgeous second screen to keep near the sofa.
We evaluate all of the top tablets in our lab and in the real world to help you determine which tablet is best for you. In general, Amazon tablets are ideal for children and those on a restricted budget. iPads are ideal for academics and creative professionals, especially with the M1 processor and better screens in Apple’s iPad Pro 2021.
Without further ado, here are the finest tablets you can purchase right now, based on our hands-on testing and evaluations.
What are the best tablets 2022?
The iPad is linked with tablets for a reason: the base iPad comes with a fantastic screen and powerful audio. And, with the announcement of iPadOS 16 at WWDC 2022, most iPads are going to get a feature upgrade. However, when it comes to selecting the best iPad for the majority of people, we prefer to recommend the iPad Air. It’s a touch more expensive, but if you want to use an Apple Pencil or an attachable keyboard, it’s the best iPad for the money because it supports the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd Gen).If you don’t intend to type a lot, the iPad mini is worth considering for its small size and mobility. The iPad Pro is the finest tablet for individuals who want a device for both work and pleasure; available in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, the iPad Pro 2021 combines amazing performance and a fantastic screen, especially if you splurge for the 12.9-inch model with its new mini-LED display.
If you prefer Android, Samsung produces some of the greatest Android tablets available. The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is a fantastic premium Android tablet with an amazing screen, long battery life, and fast performance. If you simply must have the largest, baddest Android slate available, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the way to go.
The Amazon Fire tablet series has several excellent alternatives for parents or those on a tight budget. While their Amazon content-first interface may be off-putting to people who aren’t Prime members, their pricing are unbeatable, and Amazon is gradually upgrading them to USB-C, which it has in the Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 8. For those who like to take tactile notes, the reMarkable 2 tablet is a one-of-a-kind slate that perfectly duplicates the sensation of pen and paper.
You may also look at the Microsoft Surface Go 2, which improves on the original by lasting longer, thinning its bezels, and offering a faster CPU option. All of this, plus a kickstand as powerful as the one used to support its bigger sibling, the Surface Pro. It also runs Windows 10, which is likely the most sophisticated operating system available on any tablet today. Microsoft has recently produced a successor, but as our Microsoft Surface Go 3 review shows, it’s a step down from the fantastic Go 2.
The best tablets you can buy 2022
1. Apple iPad Air (2022)
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: M1
Camera Resolution: 12MP wide (f/1.8) (front and rear)
Display: 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid RetinaStorage: 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
- 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
The iPad Air 4 has been superseded by the iPad Air 5. It strikes a balance between mobility and power. The new iPad Air 2022 is great for both reading and generating content, and its $599 starting price puts it within many people’s budgets.
The inclusion of M1 puts the iPad Air 2022 on par with the iPad Pro. That isn’t to argue the Air is a Pro replacement, but the power difference is much less. This, combined with its lower starting price, may make the new iPad Air more appealing than the iPad Pro for budget-conscious buyers who nonetheless want the best iPad money can buy.
Overall, the new iPad Air is a near-perfect tablet. While there is definitely space for development, it’s difficult to dismiss this sleek, powerful tablet. This is perhaps the greatest tablet for the vast majority of people.
See our full iPad Air (2022) review.
2. Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel Core i5-8365U 4 x 1.6 – 4.1 GHz, Whiskey Lake-U
Camera Resolution: 1080p video at 30(fps)
Display: 12.3 inches
Storage: 16GB
Ports: 1 USB-C
Dimensions: 0.37 by 11.5 by 8.2 inches
Weight: 1.9 lbs
Panel Technology: IPS
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
- REASONS TO BUY
- Automatically extending kickstand
- Sturdy keyboard case
- Three-year warranty, as configured
- Excellent computing performance
- REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive in test configuration
- No LTE data option
- No 4K display
Windows 10 tablets are a niche alternative to the Apple iPad and Android tablets. Windows tablets with business IT capabilities are even more uncommon.
The Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1 (starts at $979; $2,119 as tested) is one of the few, a well-designed tablet with a kickstand and a keyboard cover that allows you use it as a laptop in a hurry. It’s not unquestionably superior to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, which is our current top selection for individuals looking for a tablet with business IT security. Nonetheless, it is a good choice for those who might otherwise choose a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 or an Apple iPad Pro, particularly entrepreneurs.
See our full Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1 review.
3. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
- 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
- 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 Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is an entertainment-focused Android tablet with a large 13-inch display and high-quality speakers that can make you feel like you’re watching movies and shows on a big screen TV rather than a clunky tablet. Gaming is also a joy, thanks to the fast Snapdragon 870 processor and 8GB of memory. The slate may even be used as a supplementary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen even more versatility.
Although it is excellent at what it does, it is not the most portable device available. Because to its odd design, it’s also nearly impossible to find a protective cover. The lack of 5G support is particularly disappointing, as is the absence of a headphone jack. Still, if you want an entertainment-focused tablet that you won’t be carrying around much, the Yoga Tab 13 is an excellent option.
See our full Lenovo Yoga Tab review.
4. Lenovo Tab P11
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
Camera Resolution: 13MP (rear), 8MP (front)
Display: 11-inch, 2000 x 1200-pixel
Storage: 64GB
Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI
Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
Weight: 1.1 pounds
Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Lenovo Tab P11 joins the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 as pure-Android iPad alternatives worthy of your consideration. One of the more intriguing new goods introduced at CES 2021, it costs $100 less than the iPad but includes a quad-speaker configuration and is rated to last all day on a single charge.
It also comes with a slew of peripherals, indicating that Lenovo feels this tablet should be used for smart home and productivity rather than just content consumption. We have some reservations, given what prior 2-in-1s of this size have done to their keyboards, but we’re still really pleased.
See our full Lenovo Tab 11 review.
5. Microsoft Surface Go 2
- 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
- REASONS TO BUY
- Lengthy battery life
- Bright, vivid screen
- Great webcam
- REASONS TO AVOID
- Unimpressive performance
- Type Cover requires adjustments
Sometimes it takes a second try to get something correctly. The Surface Go 2 targets and eliminates all of the shortcomings of its predecessor. To begin with, thinner bezels allow for a larger screen, which is perhaps the most significant aspect of a tablet. The Surface Go 2 features a 10.5-inch display, up from 10 inches on the previous generation.
Sometimes it takes a second try to get something correctly. The Surface Go 2 targets and eliminates all of the shortcomings of its predecessor. To begin with, thinner bezels allow for a larger screen, which is perhaps the most significant aspect of a tablet. The Surface Go 2 features a 10.5-inch display, up from 10 inches on the previous generation.
See our full Microsoft Surface Go 2 review.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Camera Resolution: 13MP + 6MP (rear), 12MP + 12MP (front)
Display: 14.6-inch, 1848 x 2960 pixels
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Memory:4GB, 8GB
Ports: headphone jack, USB-C, microSD, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
Weight: 726g
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
- REASONS TO BUY
- Very powerful
- Giant screen can be useful
- REASONS TO AVOID
- Unwieldy to transport
- Incredibly expensive
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra isn’t only seeking to compete with the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), but also to outperform Apple’s tablet, and in some ways, it succeeds.
Samsung’s tablet has a larger 14.6-inch screen and comes with a S Pen pen in the box, but the iPad requires users to purchase an Apple Pencil separately.
While we expected the massive screen to be overpowering, it really works well for both art and viewing movies.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can also compete with Apple’s greatest tablet in several areas, including power (thanks to a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU) and cameras (both slates include an useful 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front).
A keyboard folio for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with superb speakers and plenty of storage is also available. In many respects, it is an even larger iPad Pro, albeit one that runs Android.
But, because Android is a bit clunky tablet operating system, that final element is a large part of why the Tab S8 Ultra doesn’t quite equal the best that Apple has to offer.
When you consider that the slate is huge and hefty, it is not as portable as you would like your tablet to be, Apple comes out on top. However, this is the tablet to buy for Android enthusiasts who want the finest possible option and aren’t on a tight budget.
See our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
- 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
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
- REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent battery life
- Facial recognition
- USB-C charging
- REASONS TO AVOID
- Screen is a little dim
- Underwhelming performance
Android users now have a legitimate iPad rival at a far lower price. The Galaxy Tab A7 is an excellent 10.4-inch tablet for content consumption. Because of its super-thin bezels, which are narrower than Apple’s $329 iPad, you can focus more on your content whether browsing the web or streaming movies. Oh, and it has plenty of stamina, clocking in at 13 hours and 13 minutes on the Tom’s Guide battery test. Oh, and it has an iPad Pro feature that Apple charges a premium for: face recognition to unlock the tablet.
And, like Apple’s more expensive tablets, the Galaxy Tab A7 charges through USB-C, so you can keep ditching non-reversible microUSB cords. While it isn’t as speedy as the iPad and the screen isn’t as brilliant, neither is a major issue at this pricing. Especially when Samsung provides pure Android with the Google Play app store rather than the watered-down Amazon Fire tablet experience.
See our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A7.
8. Apple iPad mini 6 (2021)
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: A15 Bionic
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
- 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
Take practically everything we know and love about the iPad Air and drop it down to a size and weight that makes it super-easy to use with just one hand, and you have the iPad mini 6 (2021), which may be the iPad you’ve been waiting for. With the flat-edged design, much-smaller bezels, and practically everything else we love about an iPad, it supports the Apple Pencil 2. With the price of its Fire slates, Amazon currently has the market cornered on sub-10-inch tablets, but the new iPad mini provides quality-conscious consumers with an option worth investing in.
On top of that, you get the super-fast A15 Bionic system-on-chip, which outperforms the iPad Air and any other non-Pro iPad. It also has an extremely brilliant display (over 500 nits of brightness) and surprisingly superb acoustics for a gadget this compact. In terms of outperforming its size, the iPad mini 6 offers an excellent battery life. The only thing that isn’t little about the iPad mini 6? ”What you pay for is what you get.”
See our full Apple iPad mini 6 2021.
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1185G7
Display: 13-inch screen (2880 x 1920)
Storage: 512GB | 1TB (128GB or 256GB removable SSD options)
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Ram: 8GB | 16GB | 32GB
Weight: 1.96 pounds
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
- 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
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the newest in the company’s Surface Pro range of 2-in-1 tablets. This model features an Intel 11th generation CPU, a 13-inch 120Hz display, two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, and a removable SSD. Also, with this 2-in-1, you’ll receive Windows 11 right out of the box. Even if you don’t want to spend extra for the detachable keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus, this is the greatest Windows 11 tablet you can purchase right now.
The Surface Pro 8’s tiny size and lightweight design make it suitable for usage at home or on the go. The front and back cameras are likewise excellent, producing clear, detailed photos. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro 8 falls short as a gaming tablet and fell short of the advertised 16-hour battery life in our testing. Despite these reservations, the Surface 8 Pro is likely the greatest Surface Pro to date.
See our full Microsoft Surface Pro 8.
10. Apple iPad Pro 2021
- SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1
Display: 12.9-inch screen, 2048 x 2732 pixels
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
OS: iPadOS 14
Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
Front camera: 12MP
Battery: Up to 10 hours
- TODAY’S BEST DEALS
- REASONS TO BUY
- Phenomenal power
- Fantastic display
- REASONS TO AVOID
- The most expensive tablet
- Lackluster color options
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is a fantastic tablet, with the M1 processor that drives it being the standout feature. This processor was taken directly from Apple’s high-end Macs, so you’re getting desktop power on a tablet.
When we evaluated the tablet, we were taken away by how effectively the processor performed in applications such as picture and video editing, as well as gaming.
But that’s not the only thing this tablet has going for it. It also sports a Mini LED screen for the first time in an iPad, with a surprisingly high 1,600-nit peak brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 2048 x 2732 resolution. It’s clean, bright, and vibrant, and it’s overall impressive.
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also features a long-lasting battery, a good camera, a premium metal design, and support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2 – these are offered separately, but they make it into a true work machine, and we used them nonstop during our testing time.
So, if you need to perform some serious work or creative on a tablet, or if you’re a huge tablet gamer, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is the gadget for you. However, if your requirements are more limited, you may find this to be excessively costly and large.
See our full Apple iPad Pro 2021.