Choosing a tablet is tough, we know. Apple’s side alone has a variety of options, and it’s not always clear what’s so different between them. Unless you’re versed in all the jargon, the difference between a “Liquid Retina display” and a “Ultra Retina Tandem OLED with Pro Motion” isn’t immediately obvious. There are also major differences under the hood, with Apple currently offering devices featuring an older A16 chip at the low end and an exceedingly fast M4 chip at the high end.
The Android tablet market only widens the field that much more. Where Apple tends to trim off the older tablets in its stable, the Android tablet market will still readily show you devices you shouldn’t have bought when they were new, let alone years later. And just like Apple’s devices, there’s a considerable range of hardware options that go from severely underpowered to total overkill — at which point a Windows tablet could make more sense. What makes Android tablet shopping even more complicated is the software support. Apple keeps its tablets running on the latest operating systems for a long time, but how long any given Android tablet will stay up to date is a much harder question to answer.
After looking at the market, considering the iPad and Android tablets we’ve tested, and weighing what actually makes sense when purchasing a tablet, we’ve narrowed down a handful of the best options that strike the right balance.
Additional contributions by Mark Knapp
TL;DR: The Best Tablets Right Now
1. iPad (11th Generation)
Best Tablet
Apple iPad (11th Generation)
6
Little has changed in outward appearance here, but a slightly bigger screen, faster chip, and extra storage are nice upgrades.
CPU
Apple A16 Bionic chip 5-core CPU + 4-core GPU
Display
11-inch, 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display
Cameras
12MP (rear), 12MP (front)
Stunning Liquid Retina display
Still on a dated processor
Apple has made finding the ideal iPad for most people quite easy over the years with its base-tier iPad generally being quite affordable while offering excellent performance and build quality. Even against competition from the Android side of the market, which has generally struggled with decent low-cost tablets, the base iPad stands out. And with the most recent 11th generation, Apple keeps the simplicity of choice going.
This new model is a very minor iteration on the 10th Gen iPad we had recommended previously. It makes very simple changes, like the shift from a 10.9-inch display to an 11-inch one, though the resolution remains unchanged. The display also continues to be a 60Hz one with a 500-nit peak brightness. Fortunately, none of this makes it a bad display. It even supports the Apple Pencil, albeit the same first-generation Apple pencil that the earlier model supported.
The internal upgrades are better. For one, the 11th Gen iPad finally does away with 64GB of base storage. It now starts with 128GB, providing a huge boost to the space you’ll have for apps, games, media, and digital creations. The chip inside also gets a bump from the dated A14 Bionic to the more recent A16 (though Apple is currently on the A18).
In all, the 11th Gen iPad brings a bigger screen, more storage, and a more recent CPU all packed into a tablet that hasn’t changed its physical footprint. Better still, it hasn’t changed price either. This updated model comes at the same $349 price of its predecessor and is still available in the same fun colors. I’ve even seen it going for $299 on sale already.
See our guide to the best iPad models for more options.
2. OnePlus Pad 2
Best Android Tablet
OnePlus Pad 2
3
Packing higher-end hardware than you’d expect for the price, the OnePlus Pad 2 is an exceptional option for those on the hunt for a worthy Android tablet.
Screen size
12.1-inch, IPS, 2120 x 3000
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Cameras
13-megapixel rear, 8-megapixel front-facing
Shorter-term OS support than Apple
I’m not convinced there’s any Android tablet worth spending $1,000 on – sorry, Samsung, but at that price you can get a competent 2-in-1 Windows machine that will have clearer longevity (like the Asus ProArt PZ13). And many of the cheaper options out raise a lot of concerns. But the OnePlus Pad 2 is neither a shoddy budget Android tablet nor an unreasonably expensive one, and it brings a ton to the tablet. It pulls on its flagship-killer roots to provide a tablet that won’t leave you wanting for much more.
First, it comes packing a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was the flagship chipset from Qualcomm for mobile devices until very recently and has yet to be supplanted in tablets. This gives the OnePlus Pad 2 excellent performance. 12GB of memory also helps it better keep up with the multitasking you’re liable to get up to on a tablet, which has a bigger screen better up to the task.
Speaking of screens, the OnePlus Pad 2 packs in a sizable 12.1″ display with a 2120×3000 resolution. It may only be an IPS panel, but it offers a 900 nit peak brightness and 144Hz refresh rate. That makes for easier visibility and smoother motion across the board. That 144Hz refresh rate can also help in the inking experience, as the OnePlus Pad 2 works with a stylus (that also charges while magnetically attached to the tablet – take a note, Apple).
The OnePlus Pad 2 even gets decent treatment where software is concerned. OnePlus launched on Android 14 and promised three years of OS and four years of security updates. In a market of tablets launching on outdated operating systems with next to no promise of updates, it’s refreshing to see an option that’s not destined to be outdated right out of the gate.
While the OnePlus Pad 2 launched at $550 and still proved a good value at the price, it has more often been running for $450 from OnePlus lately, and can include a free accessory, like the keyboard case.
3. iPad Pro (M4, 2024)
Best Tablet for Creative Work
Apple iPad Pro (M4, 2024)
3
This stunning tablet has a OLED display and runs on Apple’s powerful M4 processor, making it perfect for creatives.
Display
12.9-inch Tandem OLED
Cameras
12MP wide camera (rear), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide camera (front)
Powerful M4 chip ready for video editing and 3D rendering
Tandem OLED display is the best you’re going to get in a tablet right now
The most expensive tablet most people will ever buy
When I first opened the iPad Pro, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Apple was branding it as a permanent workstation replacement, but it still wasn’t running Finder or the desktop applications I would want in that kind of device. However, after a month of using the iPad Pro, it’s become one of my go-to daily devices. The Tandem OLED display alone is enough to get most people hooked, even if the price tag makes you wince a bit.
The iPad Pro with an M4 is quite simply the most powerful tablet on the market right now. The M4 that powers the thing is packed with an 8-core CPU clocked at 3.49GHz, which is accompanied by a 10-core GPU that will make easy work of any game you throw at it. Just keep in mind, however, that the amount of RAM you get depends on the storage configuration you go with. As long as you get a 1TB model, you’re getting a respectable 16GB of RAM, but the 512GB and 256GB models will have to make do with half the memory. If you’re not planning to use the iPad Pro for heavy creative workloads, this is going to be a non-issue. After all, iPadOS isn’t exactly known for being super memory-intensive. If you’re doing a lot of work in Photoshop or Premiere, you’re going to feel it, though.
Artists will also want to pair this tablet with the Apple Pencil Pro, or one of the myriad Apple Pencil alternatives out there. With a stylus in hand, the iPad Pro becomes an incredible creative powerhouse, even with the limits that come with working with what’s essentially a souped-up version of iOS.
4. iPad Air (2024)
Best Thin and Light Tablet
Apple iPad Air (2024)
1
Upgraded to an M2 chip and slightly larger display, the 2024 iPad Air is a great portable option and an exceptionally thin one
Storage
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Display
11-inch 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display
Cameras
12MP (rear), 12MP (front)
Apple put together a wonderful little package with the 2024 iPad Air. It upgraded from its predecessors with a thinner design, a selfie camera upgrade, and a newer chip under the hood. You can snag the iPad Air with either an 11″ or 13″ display, and beyond a corresponding adjustment to resolution, most of the specs of the two tablets otherwise remain the same. Either option gets you an Apple M2 chip backed by 8GB of memory. In our testing, we found this provided ample performance for everyday uses, like streaming movies and browsing, and it even held up for extended gaming sessions in Zenless Zone Zero. The thin design of the tablet can result in some heat build-up though, so be mindful of that if you’re looking to do serious gaming.
The new design of the iPad Air trims its depth down to just 6.1mm, which is even thinner than an iPhone 16. Between that and the tablet weighing just a hair over 1lb, it’s exceptionally portable, which you should want from your tablet. It’s also boasting a quality build with an aluminum frame and back – not that I’d expect any less from Apple.
The display on the iPad Air isn’t as bright as some of its competition, hitting 500 nits, but it offers a wide color gamut that looks great for TV and movies. It also works well with the Apple Pencil Pro, providing smooth inking for drawing and note taking. And, for those looking to incorporate the tablet into a broader device ecosystem, you’ll get the benefit of a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the bottom of the tablet, supporting faster data transfers and DisplayPort output.
New models of the iPad Air offering an M3 chip are releasing on March 12th.
5. iPad (9th Generation)
Best Budget iPadOS Tablet
Apple iPad (9th Generation)
3
Spend less with this budget tablet that still delivers a solid performance and a crisp 10.2-inch Retina display.
Display
10.2-inch 2160 x 1620 LED-backlit Multi-Touch Retina display
Cameras
8MP (rear), 12MP (front)
Ultra affordable price tag
Upgraded front-facing camera
Processor isn’t as fast as other iPad models
Apple may have moved onto better things, but the 9th Gen iPad is still floating about in the market. Its A13 Bionic processor isn’t the hot new thing and its 64GB of storage may be limiting for some. It also has an older style that’s not liable to excite techies who chase the latest devices. But it’s still a serviceable little machine that can run the latest version of iPadOS.
If your needs from the tablet are light, it might fit the bill. It should still be more than up to the task of browsing the web, reading comic books, watching videos, and having FaceTime calls with friends and family where people’s heads aren’t the size of your fingertip. But here’s the catch: Apple is driving a really strong bargain on the 11th Gen iPad, which comes with a bunch of upgrades and costs just $349. This model exists in a gray area for the units still available on the market, and there’s no firm price to work with. If you see this 9th Gen iPad going for $250 — which it occasionally does — then consider it a worthy budget alternative. But if it’s anywhere over $300, go for the 11th Gen iPad instead.
What About the OnePlus Pad 3?
The OnePlus Pad 3 is one hell of a machine, but it may be flying a little too close to the sun to earn a solid recommendation. The sun in this case being full-fat PCs. To get just the OnePlus Pad 3 on its own, you’ll be looking at a $699 price tag — already in laptop price territory. On top of that, OnePlus has its keyboard cover going for $199 and stylus going for $99. You’re looking at $1,000 to get the full OnePlus Pad 3 experience, which – I can’t stress enough – is still Android running on a tablet. Looking over at the Windows PC market, you’ll find no shortage of quality laptops under $1,000, and Asus even offers a 2-in-1 tablet fully loaded with keyboard cover and stylus with the Asus ProArt PZ13, and I’ve frequently seen it going for $849.
I’m generally a fan of Android, but it can still be pretty limited, especially in the quality of its game library. The OnePlus Pad 3 may be running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that has been a hit in other phones, but it’s so powerful it can almost feel wasted here. It ought to be running games with sharper graphics than some of the low-res titles I come across on Android. Maybe we’ll see some strong emulation in the future that makes the chip’s capabilities more valuable. But as it stands, the OnePlus Pad 2 isn’t absurdly far behind this one, and it’s cheaper.
What We’re Looking Forward to:
Android tablets are getting a little extra love in the gaming realm. Lenovo recently introduced the new Legion Tab 3, a compact gaming tablet with potent internals. And RedMagic, the maker of our favorite gaming phone, has the Astra tablet on its way. Both of these tablets offer a smaller, more portable footprint that could let them better compete with gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck. Crucially, both also run on recent Snapdragon chips. The Legion tablet uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in many 2024 flagship phones, and should still be plenty powerful for gaming while still offering a value-minded price. Meanwhile, the Redmagic Astra tablet steps up to a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and uses some active cooling for what should be truly impressive performance if the brand’s reputation holds.
How to Choose the Right Tablet for You
The first step when deciding on a tablet is determining a budget. Looking to just stream shows and scroll socials? A cheap slate should suffice. However, you’ll need to up your spending if you’re after a productivity tool that performs similarly to a laptop. You can even slap a keyboard onto some tablets, essentially turning them into detachable laptops, albeit with the limits of their hardware and operating system.
Next, design. You’ll want an option that’s lightweight but still durable for on-the-go use. A sizable, crisp, and responsive display ensures the best user experience, while OLED panels are a more premium option with deep blacks and richer colors over their LCD counterparts.
Of course, the internal components are just as important; you don’t want a sluggish device that leads to you reaching for your smartphone or laptop instead. To prevent that from happening, a solid processor and at least 4GB of RAM is a must. For gaming or creative work, upgrading those specs can make a world of difference. Beyond that, you’ll want to ensure your software is up to date. Android OS is in its 15th generation, while iPadOS 18 is Apple’s latest.
Other features like long battery life, great-sounding speakers, crisp cameras, and stylus support can help improve your experience on a tablet. You may even want to consider getting a 5G tablet that can connect to your cellular network when you’re not on Wi-Fi.
Tablets FAQ
Are iPads better than Android tablets?
No. Both types of tablets have plenty of solid models to choose from; it’s more a matter of personal preference. If you already have an iPhone and/or MacBook, it makes sense to grab an iPad for seamless integration into your Apple ecosystem, including the ability to double as a second screen for a MacBook. iPads are known for their smooth user experience along with their wealth of apps and games, but the pricing is more restrictive.
Tablets running on Android OS come from various manufacturers using a wide variety of components and different versions of the Android operating system, meaning performance and the experience is all over the place. But there’s a wider selection of slates, from ultra-cheap to high-end. It’s just important to do your research, as there are some duds. The selection of apps optimized for an Android tablet is also more limited. Still, almost all Android apps should function fine, just not as well as on your phone.
Should you buy a tablet with cellular network support?
Most will find that a tablet with cellular network support is unnecessary unless you’re constantly on the go with no way to connect via Wi-Fi. Adding that extra line to your cellular plan can be expensive, and your smartphone can usually work as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your tablet when you’re in a pinch. However, should you decide you’d like cellular network support, many of our picks come in 5G versions; just know you have to make that decision up front.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
