The best tablets in 2024: top 8 tablets you can buy now

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Tired of squinting astatine your phone, moreover though it's one of nan best? A tablet mightiness beryllium nan cleanable solution. But pinch a dizzying array of options available, uncovering nan correct 1 tin beryllium tough. That's why we've reviewed nan apical contenders, from budget-friendly picks to professional-grade powerhouses, and compiled a database of nan 11 champion tablets for 2024.

Our apical choice, nan iPad Air (2024), delivers exceptional capacity and value. But we understand that your needs mightiness beryllium different. Whether you're looking for an affordable option, a travel-friendly companion, a monolithic 14.6-inch surface for immersive entertainment, a productivity workhorse, aliases moreover a niche e-ink tablet, we've sewage recommendations for you. Don't settee for thing little than nan cleanable tablet. Check retired our master buying guideline to find your perfect match.

Looking for immoderate saccharine tablet deals? Check retired our lists of nan best iPad deals and nan best tablet deals.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple iPad Air (2024)

The champion tablet overall

Why should you bargain this? It offers everything astir group want successful an Apple tablet — and nary of nan extras nan much costly iPad Pro includes.

Who's it for? Anyone pinch an older iPad should see this version. It's our favourite of nan twelvemonth -- nan Goldilocks of iPad.

Why we picked nan iPad Air (2024):

Are you successful nan marketplace for an iPad, but want thing much than nan basal exemplary and little costly than nan feature-rich iPad Pro? If so, you're apt not alone. This communal script brings america to nan iPad Air (2024), which strikes nan cleanable equilibrium successful nan iPad lineup. It offers a prime of surface sizes, awesome power, and extended versatility — each astatine a value successful nan three-figure range. It's our apical tablet prime for nan year.

The iPad Air (2024) is an outstanding instrumentality that meets nan needs of astir users, including those who mightiness see it a laptop replacement, provided they don't require extended computing capabilities. Given nan important value jump to nan M4 iPad Pro and nan truth that nan 10th-generation iPad is complete 2 years old, nan iPad Air (2024) seems to beryllium nan perfect prime for astir everyone this year.

However, if you already ain an iPad Air aliases iPad Pro from nan past 5 years, location are less reasons to clasp disconnected connected an upgrade. The M2 iPad Air (2024) still lacks a 120Hz screen, and nan M1 spot successful nan older Air tablets remains highly capable. Additionally, nan past iPad Pro models utilize nan M2 chip, and moreover nan 4th-generation iPad Air supports nan Magic Keyboard, while each these devices tally nan aforesaid software. Unless you request much storage, location isn't a compelling logic to upgrade from your existing iPad Air aliases iPad Pro.

If you’re looking for your first iPad aliases want to upgrade from a importantly older model, nan iPad Air (2024) is superb and decidedly our prime among nan 2024 iPad offerings. Aside from its deficiency of a 120Hz ProMotion screen, you couldn’t inquire for thing more.

Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

OnePlus Pad 2

The champion Android tablet

Why should you bargain this? It's nan champion that Android tablets person to offer.

Who’s it for? Anyone who needs a medium-sized tablet pinch creative, professional, and casual options.

Why we picked nan OnePlus Pad 2:

The OnePlus Pad 2 makes a beardown lawsuit for itself arsenic nan top-tier Android tablet successful 2024. Its operation of Qualcomm's fastest processor, fantabulous accessories for illustration a high-quality keyboard and stylus, and promising package features creates a compelling package. The build value is superb, pinch standout speakers adding to nan premium experience. However, nan Pad 2 is not without its drawbacks.

While nan package is mostly enjoyable, it lacks nan polish of iPadOS 18, peculiarly in-app optimization and wide refinement. Samsung's Galaxy Tab bid besides presents a challenge, offering features for illustration DeX mode, superior model management, and longer package support. The absence of an IP standing for particulate and h2o guidance connected nan OnePlus Pad 2 is different notable omission.

Ultimately, nan champion tablet prime depends connected your individual needs and ecosystem preferences. Users of nan iPhone mightiness find nan iPad Air aliases a refurbished iPad Pro much appealing. Samsung enthusiasts person fantabulous options successful nan Galaxy Tab S9 FE aliases Tab S8 Plus. However, nan OnePlus Pad 2 is simply a powerful and well-rounded instrumentality that delivers a awesome Android tablet experience, particularly for those already utilizing a OnePlus phone.

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Apple iPad (2022)

The champion worth tablet

Why should you bargain this? It's simply nan champion worth tablet you tin buy.

Who’s it for? Anybody who wants a tablet that tin grip each nan basics, without spending excessively overmuch money.

Why we picked nan iPad (2022):

The Apple iPad (2022) marks 1 of nan astir important updates to nan baseline iPad successful years. With a caller design, a larger screen, a much powerful chipset, and an improved camera system, it promises to beryllium nan fund tablet galore of america person been waiting for.

The latest standard-size iPad has a batch to appreciate. It features a freely display, awesome performance, and stunning colour options. The caller creation and colors are striking, nan iPad operates quickly, and nan artillery life is dependable.

However, it has immoderate drawbacks that are communal pinch fund tablets. For example, it includes a non-laminated show and only supports nan Apple Pencil (USB-C), not nan Apple Pencil Pro. These insignificant shortcomings tin go much noticeable compared to different iPads successful Apple’s lineup.

If you're looking for an iPad — possibly for your kids, arsenic a family tablet, aliases for watching YouTube videos connected a fund — nan iPad (2022) is an fantabulous choice.

However, if you person a larger fund and want a much tin device, see nan iPad Air (2024). It offers Apple’s overmuch much powerful M2 chip, which features a dedicated media engine, a higher-quality laminated display, a amended chipset, and compatibility pinch nan Apple Pencil Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Amazon Fire Max 11

The champion worth Android tablet

Why should you bargain this? It's an affordable Android tablet that will springiness you nan champion bang for your buck.

Who’s it for? Folks looking for an affordable Android tablet that handles each nan basics well.

Why we picked nan Amazon Fire Max 11:

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is simply a basal small tablet that will get nan occupation done if you are connected a tight budget. Design-wise, nan Fire Max 11 isn't going to beryllium a standout successful immoderate way, but that's fine. The 11-inch size, mixed pinch nan elemental design, makes it lightweight and incredibly easy to use.

The MediaTek MT8188 octa-core processor is not nan absolute champion retired there, but it handles basal tasks and moreover casual games conscionable fine. It besides has 4GB of RAM, truthful it's not going to beryllium capable to grip super-intensive tasks, but if you request thing pinch much power, past you wouldn't beryllium looking astatine thing this inexpensive either. For nan mean person, nan specs of nan Fire Max 11 are good for wide use.

Plus, this Amazon Fire Max 11 tin beryllium utilized pinch abstracted accessories, for illustration a keyboard and stylus, making it a awesome worth if you want to beryllium much productive.

However, nan Fire Max 11 won't travel pinch nan Google Play Store by default — you'll person to adhd that manually later on. The Fire Max 11 uses a type of Fire OS that is based connected Android 11, truthful it's a small outdated. It comes pinch Amazon's ain curated app store, truthful nan app prime whitethorn beryllium a spot much constricted than different Android tablets. But location are ways to get nan Google Play Store connected nan Fire Max 11.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is acold from perfect. Software and app readiness are a spot disappointing, and nan abstracted stylus has constricted usage (it doesn't travel pinch a sketching app by default). It has a 7,500mAh artillery that's decent, but nan included charging artifact has a max charging velocity of 9W. The Fire Max 11 only supports up to 15W of charging anyway, truthful moreover if you usage a faster charging brick, it will return astir 3 hours to get a afloat complaint — you amended not request to complaint up earlier you caput out!

But pinch artillery life being astir 10 hours, it should beryllium good for a afloat workday, past conscionable complaint it up overnight. For nan price, nan Fire Max 11 is simply a beautiful beardown value.

Adam Doud/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

Apple iPad mini 6

The champion mini tablet

Why should you bargain this? You want a awesome tablet pinch a smaller footprint.

Who’s it for? Anyone who wants a smaller tablet.

Why we picked nan iPad mini (2021):

It took a while for Apple to update nan iPad mini nan past clip it sewage refreshed, and it's taken a likewise agelong clip to update nan iPad mini's quality arsenic well. Thankfully, nan hold is astatine an end, and nan new iPad mini (also known arsenic nan iPad mini 7) has arrived. The caller creation is now successful statement pinch nan different premium iPads, meaning nan iPad mini is now yet a smaller type of nan iPad Air and iPad Pro.

It doesn't lucifer nan caller iPad Air (2022) wherever specs are concerned, but it comes beautiful close. The iPad mini packs successful nan A15 Bionic processor — nan aforesaid spot that's still utilized successful nan iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus — and while that's not a lucifer for nan caller Apple M1 and M2 chips recovered successful nan much costly iPads, it doesn't request to be. The A15 will devour immoderate games you'll want to play, and you're improbable to request nan oomph nan M1/M2 supply for contented creation apps, because, well, nan iPad mini is excessively mini to activity good arsenic a contented processing instrumentality anyway.

Does that make it a bad choice? Absolutely not. In fact, nan smaller size and nan A15 spot are nan only differences that group nan iPad mini (2021) isolated from nan iPad Air (2022). In each different way, it's really conscionable a smaller type of that champion wide tablet. You get nan laminated show pinch an anti-reflective coating, 5G support, a 12MP beforehand camera pinch Center Stage, a Touch ID sensor successful nan broadside button, and overmuch more.

It's supremely portable, stupidly powerful, and an fantabulous prime if you request thing that leverages these strengths. The artillery besides lasts astir a time and a half of usage — nan aforesaid arsenic nan iPad Air (2022) — so it's a awesome prime for taking retired and about, and it besides pairs up pinch nan second-generation Apple Pencil arsenic well.

While nan pint-sized iPad isn't apt to beryllium everyone's cup of tea, nan iPad mini is an fantabulous prime if you're looking for a smaller tablet to transportation around. While nan smaller size intends it won't activity pinch Apple's Magic Keyboard, you tin brace it pinch immoderate Bluetooth keyboard and rodent to move it into an ultra-portable workstation aliases conscionable usage it for watching videos, reference books, aliases immoderate other you request connected nan move.

Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

Apple iPad Pro (2024)

The champion large tablet

Why should you bargain this? The iPad Pro is highly powerful and offers a immense screen.

Who’s it for? Gamers, creatives, and powerfulness users.

**Why we picked nan iPad Pro (2024):

The M4 iPad Pro is simply a polarizing device, lacking immoderate existent midpoint erstwhile it comes to value. Here’s nan gist: nan iPad Pro is expensive. However, nan 2024 exemplary whitethorn beryllium nan first that justifies its precocious price.

Available successful 11-inch and 13-inch displays, nan latest iPad Pro is packed pinch awesome capacity capabilities. The hardware is exceptional, and nan artillery life exceeds expectations. The OLED surface is outstanding, and nan speakers supply fantabulous multimedia support. The redesigned Magic Keyboard is simply a bully addition, though it comes astatine a premium price. If you’re wrong nan target assemblage from a package perspective, this instrumentality will consistently make you smile. It’s that impressive.

On nan flip side, if you don't beryllium to that fortunate group, iPadOS tin beryllium a frustrating acquisition filled pinch usability and functional challenges. On a bad day, you mightiness find yourself dealing pinch a stuck, non-resizable Google Docs window. On a bully day, you whitethorn moreover see ditching your laptop altogether and moving exclusively connected nan iPad Pro.

Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

The champion large Android tablet

Why should you bargain this?: You get a batch for overmuch little than astir of nan competition.

Who's it for: Anyone who wants a lower-cost tablet that's still offers a immense show should see this.

Why we picked nan Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra:

You mightiness wonderment whether a 14-inch tablet is necessary. Given nan fame of this size successful laptops, a tablet pinch akin dimensions could beryllium rather appealing. After all, bigger often intends better, right?

To reply this question, it's important to see if immoderate Android tablet is genuinely worthy purchasing. The challenges faced by nan Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra aren’t owed to Samsung, but are inherent to nan Android strategy itself. If you tin judge these limitations, past nan Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers nan champion large-screen Android acquisition available.

If you’re looking for a tablet chiefly for media depletion and prioritize surface space, this is an fantabulous choice. It besides useful good arsenic a companion instrumentality if you ain a Samsung telephone aliases laptop. However, if you dream to usage it arsenic a laptop replacement aliases expect a seamless acquisition comparable to nan iPad Pro, you mightiness beryllium disappointed. While nan Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra excels astatine multitasking, nan package has limitations that it cannot wholly overcome.

Overall, we enjoyed utilizing nan Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. It whitethorn not beryllium nan champion for typing connected nan couch, but nan ample surface is incredibly useful. It’s cleanable for usage successful nan room aliases for intermezo purposes erstwhile you're distant from home. If this matches really you usage a tablet, nan Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra could beryllium nan correct prime for you. Just support its limitations successful mind, and you’ll find it to beryllium a awesome device.

Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

The champion e-ink tablet

Why should you bargain this?: An e-ink show that's besides successful colour is thing that's genuinely unique, but is besides bully and bad.

Who's it for: Anyone who has been wanting an e-ink show that has a colour option.

Why we picked nan Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C:

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C looks beautiful overmuch nan aforesaid arsenic nan Tab Ultra — you person a large hunk of acold metallic that feels highly bully successful nan hands. This is simply a premium-feeling tablet, and it shows. This 10-inch tablet is simply a small complete a pound, but it does person an extra-wide articulator connected 1 of nan vertical edges that makes it easier to get a patient grip while utilizing it.

Onyx's Boox Tab Ultra C has a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 sheet that has 2480 x 1860 resolution. But erstwhile reproducing colored content, nan solution is conscionable 1240 x 930 pixels, which is conscionable somewhat supra HD quality. The Kaleido 3 sheet is an e-ink show that tin nutrient 4,096 colors and has 16 levels of grayscale strength control. The dual-channel speaker besides sounds amazingly good, considering that it is fundamentally an e-reader.

When you usage nan Boox Tab Ultra C successful black-and-white mode, you get a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch (ppi). But successful colour mode, it drops to 150 ppi. Still, it's a 200% betterment complete nan previous-gen e-ink Kaleido Plus panels, truthful that's a plus.

In our use, nan Boox Tab Ultra C show is almost for illustration insubstantial successful position of consciousness and colour output. It's not reflective, which is simply a immense bonus, and you tin comfortably position contented nether nonstop daylight. The colour show is awesome erstwhile reference things for illustration comics. But for illustration each e-ink displays, ghosting is still a thing, particularly successful multimedia astatine higher levels of brightness.

The Boox Tab Ultra C comes pinch a bare-bones type of Android 11, but it does person immoderate convenient shortcuts to make it easier to use. Onyx besides includes a group of controls that wouldn't really make consciousness connected a regular Android tablet, but they do make much consciousness for an e-ink display. And connected nan inside, you person a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, which is commonly recovered successful value-for-money smartphones from Chinese brands specified arsenic Xiaomi. It's honestly a small much powerfulness than you'd really request for a colour e-ink tablet.

Again, this is not nan benignant of tablet that you should really usage for a batch of graphically intensive games and apps. But for moving and note-taking, nan Boox Tab Ultra C is great.

The value of nan Boox Tab Ultra C is simply a small high, but it is decidedly a unsocial tablet. But that's besides a double-edged sword. It's not a capacity champ, but this is nan champion e-ink colour show you'll find correct now. If that's what you're successful nan marketplace for, past by each means, cheque this 1 out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How we test

The tablets we trial service arsenic our regular drivers, truthful we usage them extensively to put them done their paces. That intends watching movies, gaming, testing retired tons of apps, reading, moving connected them, and moreover taking photos and shooting videos pinch them (which is intolerable to do without looking stupid). We emotion new, innovative features, but we tin besides admit classical creation done well. Ultimately, we look for tablets that will fulfill nan needs of astir people, truthful their expertise to service up intermezo is paramount.