Top 6 compared
The best tablets
A big screen for shows, books, games and video calls that goes from the couch to the car.
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The top 6 at a glance
A tablet sits between a phone and a laptop: big enough to watch a movie in bed, read a magazine or make a video call, and light enough to carry from room to room. The system decides the apps you get. iPads run iPadOS and Apple’s App Store, Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs run Android with Google Play, and Amazon’s Fire tablets run Fire OS, built around Amazon’s own apps, Kindle books and Alexa.
Downloaded shows fill storage quickly, so the microSD slot on the Samsungs and Fires is handy; iPads have no slot, so their storage is set when you buy. The battery figures in the table are the makers’ own, and each maker measures a little differently, so read them as a guide rather than a contest.
What matters
- Security updates promised for years, not months.
- Enough memory (RAM) to stay quick as apps grow.
- Pen support, and whether the pen comes in the box.
- A charger in the box, and how fast it charges.
#1Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, 128GB, Wi-Fi, Blue)
Over $300
Apps, games and photo edits stay quick on Apple’s A16 chip, the 11-inch Liquid Retina screen is sharp at 2360 x 1640, and Touch ID in the top button unlocks it in a moment. It works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Magic Keyboard Folio when you want to write or type.
What owners say: Owners call it reliable and a good value, with quick, smooth performance and an 11-inch screen they describe as crystal clear. The battery life and quick charging get praise too, and many mention how much their children enjoy using it.
A closer look: Center Stage keeps you in the middle of the frame on video calls as you shift about, which suits a FaceTime chat from the couch. The USB-C port also drives an external display up to 4K, handy for showing photos on a bigger screen. Choose a larger storage size if you plan to keep plenty of movies or games on it.
- Touch ID in top button
- Front camera keeps you centered
- Drives a 4K external display
- 12MP front and back cameras
- Works with Magic Keyboard Folio
Best for: Schoolwork, games and video calls
- Screen
- 11 in, 2360 x 1640
- Chip
- Apple A16
- Storage
- 128GB
- RAM
- –
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 10 hrs
- OS
- iPadOS
- Stylus
- Apple Pencil (USB-C)
#2Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ (6GB, 128GB, Wi-Fi, Gray)
$200–$300
Samsung’s family tablet has an 11-inch 90Hz screen that scrolls smoothly, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos for movies and music, and a microSD slot that takes cards up to 2TB. It runs Android 16, with Google Gemini and Circle to Search built in.
What owners say: Owners say it feels like using a Galaxy phone, with apps opening without lag, and that it charges from empty to full in about two hours. They like the crisp screen, the room to add a microSD card and how easy it is to use.
A closer look: Fast charging needs a 25W Samsung wall charger, which isn’t in the box, so add one if you don’t already own a Samsung charger. Samsung lists security updates for this model until November 2032, so it should stay safe to use for years. Go for the 8GB and 256GB version if you keep a big library of games on it.
- Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos
- 90Hz screen scrolls smoothly
- Gemini and Circle to Search
- Security updates until 2032
- Charger not in the box
Best for: Android families and movie nights
- Screen
- 11 in, 1920 x 1200
- Chip
- MediaTek MT8775
- Storage
- 128GB + microSD
- RAM
- 6GB
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 15 hrs video
- OS
- Android
- Stylus
- No
#3Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray)
Over $300
For an iPad that will stay quick for years: the M4 chip and 12GB of memory handle heavy apps, video edits and Apple Intelligence with room to spare. It adds Apple Pencil Pro support with hover, a fully laminated anti-reflective screen and Wi-Fi 7, in a body that weighs just over a pound.
What owners say: Owners find the screen bright and the size just right, with quick, responsive performance, and they see it as a clear step up from the basic iPad. Battery life divides them: some get through a whole day, while others say it only just lasts.
A closer look: Add the Magic Keyboard, with its trackpad, and it covers writing and email much like a small laptop. The USB-C port runs one external display up to 6K, so it can drive a desk monitor too. A 13-inch version is also sold if you’d like more room for two apps side by side.
- Anti-reflective laminated screen
- Wi-Fi 7
- Drives a 6K external display
- Pencil hover support
- Weighs 1.02 lb (464 g)
Best for: Drawing, editing and heavy apps
- Screen
- 11 in, 2360 x 1640
- Chip
- Apple M4
- Storage
- 128GB
- RAM
- 12GB
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 10 hrs
- OS
- iPadOS
- Stylus
- Apple Pencil Pro or USB-C
#4Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, Wi-Fi, Silver)
Over $300
For writing by hand: the S Pen comes in the box, Samsung’s Handwriting Assist straightens and spaces out untidy notes, and Math Solver reads equations you write on the screen. It’s rated IP68 against water and dust, so a spill at the kitchen table doesn’t have to be the end of it.
What owners say: Owners praise the sharp, clear screen and a battery they say can go more than two and a half days between charges, and they find it easy to use for schoolwork. The screen size suits them, though some have trouble with the Wi-Fi connection.
A closer look: The S Pen in the box has no Bluetooth, so it never needs charging or pairing, though that also means it can’t act as a camera shutter or remote. Storage starts at 128GB, and a microSD card adds more, which helps if you save lectures, sketches and movies to use offline.
- IP68 water and dust rating
- Tidies up handwritten notes
- Reads handwritten math equations
- S Pen never needs charging
- 90Hz screen
Best for: Students and note-takers who prefer Android
- Screen
- 10.9 in, 2304 x 1440
- Chip
- Samsung Exynos 1580
- Storage
- 128GB + microSD
- RAM
- 8GB
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 20 hrs video
- OS
- Android
- Stylus
- S Pen included
#5Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024, 64GB, Blue)
$75–$100
A full tablet rather than a toy, made for ages 3 to 7: it comes in a chunky Kid-Proof Case whose handle doubles as a stand, and if it breaks within two years Amazon replaces it free. Parents can set time limits, see what’s being used and put books and learning apps ahead of entertainment.
What owners say: Parents say it’s great for little ones and will last for years as children grow, with a battery that keeps going and parental controls that let them set clear limits. The games and learning apps keep kids busy for hours. App choice and speed get mixed reports, with some finding it slow.
Heads up: Check the Amazon Kids+ term on the bundle you choose: this one includes six months, after which it renews as a paid monthly plan unless you cancel in the Parent Dashboard.
A closer look: Set it up from the Parent Dashboard before handing it over, so the age filters and daily limits are in place from day one. The microSD slot takes cards up to 1TB, useful for downloading shows ahead of a long car trip. A full charge takes under five hours with the 5W adapter in the box, so plug it in overnight.
- Kid-Proof Case doubles as stand
- Free replacement within two years
- Parent Dashboard time limits
- Six months of Amazon Kids+
- Learning apps before entertainment
Best for: Kids aged 3 to 7
- Screen
- 8 in, 1280 x 800
- Chip
- Hexa-core, 2.0 GHz
- Storage
- 64GB + microSD
- RAM
- 4GB
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 13 hrs
- OS
- Fire OS
- Stylus
- No
#6Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023, 4GB, 32GB, Black)
$50–$75
The simple way to a big, sharp screen for streaming, Kindle books and video calls: the 10.1-inch 1080p display does movies justice, the battery runs up to 13 hours and Alexa is built in for quick questions and the smart home. Its aluminosilicate glass is made to shrug off everyday knocks.
What owners say: Owners find it quick to set up and easy to use, with a sharp, high-resolution screen, and they’re pleased with what they paid. Speed and battery life get mixed reports: some say it runs smoothly, while others find it slow, and a few have had one that wouldn’t turn on or wouldn’t charge properly.
Heads up: The 32GB version leaves about 24GB free, so add a microSD card (sold separately, up to 1TB) if you plan to download movies for trips.
A closer look: Kindle Read Aloud has Alexa read your Kindle books out loud, and there’s a screen magnifier and larger font settings too, which makes it an easy first tablet for anyone who finds small text hard to read. A full charge takes under four hours with the 9W adapter in the box.
- Reads Kindle books aloud
- Screen magnifier, larger fonts
- Alexa built in
- Glass made to resist knocks
Best for: Big-screen reading and streaming
- Screen
- 10.1 in, 1920 x 1200
- Chip
- Octa-core, 2.05 GHz
- Storage
- 32GB + microSD
- RAM
- 4GB
- Battery (maker)
- Up to 13 hrs
- OS
- Fire OS
- Stylus
- USI 2.0 pen
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 6.
| Feature | #1iPad (A16) | #2Galaxy Tab A11+ | #3iPad Air (M4) | #4Galaxy Tab S10 FE | #5Fire HD 8 Kids | #6Fire HD 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best Android | Best premium | Best for note-taking | Best for kids | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Price | Over $300 | $200–$300 | Over $300 | Over $300 | $75–$100 | $50–$75 |
| Screen | 11 in, 2360 x 1640 | 11 in, 1920 x 1200 | 11 in, 2360 x 1640 | 10.9 in, 2304 x 1440 | 8 in, 1280 x 800 | 10.1 in, 1920 x 1200 |
| Chip | Apple A16 | MediaTek MT8775 | Apple M4 | Samsung Exynos 1580 | Hexa-core, 2.0 GHz | Octa-core, 2.05 GHz |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB + microSD | 128GB | 128GB + microSD | 64GB + microSD | 32GB + microSD |
| RAM | – | 6GB | 12GB | 8GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Battery (maker) | Up to 10 hrs | Up to 15 hrs video | Up to 10 hrs | Up to 20 hrs video | Up to 13 hrs | Up to 13 hrs |
| OS | iPadOS | Android | iPadOS | Android | Fire OS | Fire OS |
| Stylus | Apple Pencil (USB-C) | No | Apple Pencil Pro or USB-C | S Pen included | No | USI 2.0 pen |
| Best for | Schoolwork, games and video calls | Android families and movie nights | Drawing, editing and heavy apps | Students and note-takers who prefer Android | Kids aged 3 to 7 | Big-screen reading and streaming |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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