best tablet for homework

The best school tablet in 2024: lightweight and versatile picks for the classroom

Our picks for the best school tablet for students of all kinds

How to choose
How we test
▶ Best overall
▶ Best university
▶ Best Android

1. Quick list 2. How to choose 3. How we test 4. Top picks ▶ Best overall ▶ Best university ▶ Best Android

The best school tablet will offer you great performance and portability so you can get your work done wherever you are, whether its at home, at the library, or taking notes in class.

For pure portability and price, the Apple iPad Air 5 with M1 chip is our top pick overall, giving students the quality performance they need without breaking the bank, but also not sacrificing style and functionality. Alternatively, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Apple iPad Pro 12.9 with M2 are great alternatives for university students or creative students who need bigger canvases.

We've tested dozens of tablets over the past decade and change, so we know what the best tablet for students should bring to the table, these are the ones we've even used in our own academic journeys, so we stand behind these picks with our years of experience as reviewers and students ourselves.

The best school tablet: Quick List

The best school tablet overall The 5th-gen iPad Air comes with Apple's M1 chip, making it almost as powerful as a MacBook Air, so it's a perfect balance of performance and portability for school use.

How to choose the best school tablet for you

When choosing the best school tablet for yourself, you'll want to consider it's power, weight, size, and battery life. If you need to use the tablet throughout your school hours, then you need a powerful CPU and enough RAM to swiftly use different apps without getting stuck.

Plan to do a lot of notetaking? Check if your tablet ships with a wireless stylus pen. You'll want a high-resolution screen if you need the tablet for an art or graphics class.

School tablets don't always have the best cameras on them, so if you need to snap excellent-quality images, then you'll want to look at some of the more expensive options on the list.

Importantly, check how much battery life the device offers, especially in varying conditions. Not everyone will use the tablet the same way, so you'll want to make the right selection based on your work requirements.

How we test the best school tablets

To accurately assess how well these school tablets perform, we compared their tech specs and their real-world performance.

We looked at their weight, dimensions, OS, CPU, resolution, battery life, and camera quality. We checked if they had stylus compatibility, if they came with a stylus, how much storage they offered, and SD card support.

We tested their battery life by running different apps on them and seeing how many hours we could get out of them. We also considered their screen size and pricing, among other things.

The best school tablet: Top picks

The best school tablet in 2024 in full:.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best school tablet picks on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best school tablet overall

1. ipad air 5, m1 (2022).

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The iPad Air with the M1 chip is nearly perfect for a student. The M1 chip is powerful enough to push through late-night study sessions or create presentations for biology. With the advancements of iPadOS 16 , the iPad is becoming more and more capable while still staying a light, simple piece of glass. Adding a keyboard, whether Bluetooth or an Apple Keyboard, unlocks even more productivity power.

Candidly, the iPad route won't give you access to everything like you may be used to with a traditional laptop. However, more and more people are making the switch and finding that with a few simple shortcuts or even just a different app, just about everything can be done from an iPad.

Read our full Apple iPad Air 5 (2022) review .

^ Back to the top

The best school tablet for university students

2. ipad pro (m2, 12.9).

The iPad Pro 12.9" is the biggest and baddest iPad available on the market today. This iPad Pro saw an update in 2022 to bump it to an Apple M2 chipset , giving this piece of glass even more power under the display. Additionally, the larger storage sizes allow for an increase in RAM, topping out at 16GB.

The large screen size is perfect for content editing or creation and multitasking. Much like the iPad Air, this iPad has a few keyboard options, giving way to another level of productivity.

If you want the best of the best iPad, look no further than the M2 12.9" iPad Pro.

Read our full iPad Pro (M2, 12.9) review .

The best Android tablet for school use

3. samsung galaxy tab s8 ultra.

If you're looking for a tablet outside of the Apple Ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the best option right now for school use and beyond. The included S Pen unlocks so much for creative students, as well as those who would prefer to handwrite notes or draw diagrams. These tablets can expand their storage thanks to a micro-SD card slot.

This tablet packs a good amount of power, while also having an impressive battery life. All in all, if you choose this tablet for your academic endeavors or otherwise, you shouldn't be disappointed, especially if you're deep into the Android ecosystem and you want to have the best compatibility across your devices.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review

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Best student tablet in 2024 - our top picks

Our pick of the best student tablets for 2024

Best overall
Best Android
Best Chrome
iPad upgrade pick
Android upgrade pick
How to choose
How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best tablet overall 3. Best Androi d tablet 4. Best Chrome tablet 5. Best Windows tablet 6. Best premium Apple tablet 7. Best premium Android tablet 8. How to choose 9. How we test

The best student tablet is the one that helps you stay on top of your schoolwork without draining your wallet.

Screen size, portability, and price are just a few of the major factors to consider when shopping for ideal tablet to go back to school with, and we've compiled this list of recommendations with the goal of helping you get the power you need without paying more than you have to, because we know school can be expensive and saving money is key.

From the elementary school student who'll be using their first tablet to the college student who needs a tablet that's good for both work and play, below you'll find our top picks for the best student tablet to buy right now.

If you want a broader recommendation of great slates that worries less about keeping costs down, check out our guide to the the best tablets on the market.

In terms of pricing, remember to never pay full price and always check our guides to the best tablet sales and iPad deals !

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing tablet coverage and reviewing many himself every year.

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the tablets on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever tablet catches your eye.

The best student tablet for most

Apple's basic 2021 iPad is getting long in the tooth, but we still recommend it as best overall student tablet because it's cheaper than newer versions yet offers nearly all the same features.

The best Android tablet for students

Samsung's Galaxy Tab A7 offers a sweet mix of price and performance. It's cheaper than an iPad yet delivers competitive performance and battery life. It's not the newest or most powerful, but it should be good enough for schoolwork.

The best Chrome tablet for students

If you want a great, cheap Chrome tablet for school you'd be hard-pressed to beat the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which packs the utility of a Chromebook into a slick little slate that comes with a detachable keyboard included at no charge.

The best Windows tablet for students

If you want a cheap Windows slate for school you'd be hard-pressed to do better than the old Surface Go 2. It's getting on in years, but we like it better than newer models like the Surface Go 3 because it has better battery life, plus it's cheaper.

Best tablet overall

If you can afford to spend over $600 the iPad Air is a great upgrade over the base iPad because its more capable and more elegantly designed, plus it supports Apple's (expensive!) Magic Keyboard and other accessories.

The Android tablet upgrade pick

If you can afford to drop $500 or more on a more premium Android slate, the OnePlus Pad is a great tablet for students thanks to its speed, lengthy battery life and the fact that its keyboard costs under $50 yet works great.

The best student tablets you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best student tablet overall

The iPad 2021, in its keyboard case, is the best tablet for students

1. Apple iPad 2021

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Students who want a tablet should probably get the iPad , as its design is standing still in a decision that appears to be made for the education sector. It's still got a headphone jack and Lightning port, which help it fit into classrooms and your existing accessories. But on top of that, you get some great new updates in the 2021 iPad. Its 12MP webcam is a great update over the 1.2MP camera in the previous model, and Apple's also added a new trick called Center Stage that helps you stay in the focus on group calls.

And the upgraded A13 Bionic chip makes sure that the 2021 iPad is going to stay fast for a while. You'll also be able to easily take notes with the first-gen Apple Pencil, with Scribble-based annotation. The iPad 2021 also has a great screen and battery life, solid audio and all the basics we've come to expect from Apple.

Read our full iPad 2021 review .

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Retailing for $229 (and now often on sale for much less) the Galaxy Tab A7 is a great 10.4-inch tablet for students who chiefly need a device for research, studying, remote learning and basic homework.

Whether you're browsing the web or streaming movies you get endurance to spare, as the Tab A7 lasted 13 hours and 13 minutes on the Tom's Guide battery test. Oh, and it's also got an iPad Pro feature that Apple makes you pay a lot for: facial recognition to unlock the device.

And while it's not as fast as the iPad and its screen isn't as bright, neither is a serious problem at this price. Especially when Samsung gives you true Android with the Google Play app store, and not the watered-down Amazon Fire tablet experience. Attach a keyboard to this plucky tablet and you've got a decent tool for knocking out homework assignments or posting to study groups.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 review .

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook open on desk showing home screen

3. Lenovo Duet 3

The Lenovo Duet 3 (or Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3, depending on where you buy it) is a great Chrome tablet for students that can be yours for as low as $359. This is effectively a bigger, more expensive follow-up to the Chromebook Duet Lenovo released in 2020, a surprisingly capable and inexpensive Chrome tablet that's still decent if you want something even cheaper.

We loved the original Duet for its great battery life, solid performance and decent packed-in keyboard cover, all of which could be had for roughly $250. Lenovo's new Duet 3 costs a bit more, but it also delivers a bigger, brighter display, more ports, and the added power of a beefier Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip, all of which are nice to have as a student. It's one of the best Chrome tablets you can buy, and the fact that Lenovo includes the keyboard cover at no extra cost helps it double as a surprisingly effective 2-in-1 Chromebook.

Read our full Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook review .

4. Microsoft Surface Go 2

The Surface Go 2 is the best student tablet for those looking for an affordable Windows-powered slate because it's relatively cheap thanks to its age, yet still delivers enough performance for basic schoolwork and offers good battery life (11 hours and 39 minutes in our battery test).

While this model runs Windows 10 instead of Windows 11 , that's not a major handicap and in fact may be viewed as a positive thing by many Windows fans. The 10.5-inch display has thin bezels that don't distract, and the 5-megapixel 1080p camera in its top bezel is great for the era of remote learning.

Given this tablet's age we recommend buying the most upgraded version you can get your hands on, as spending to upgrade the CPU and memory now will make it more likely to last you through a few years of school.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Go 2 review .

The best premium Apple tablet

5. ipad air (2022).

As great as the iPad Air 4 is, the iPad Air 5 has replaced it by hitting the same sweet spot between portability and power. The new iPad Air 2022 is great for research, browsing the web, writing and doodling (with the right accessories, of course) and its $599 starting price makes it a good pick for students who can afford to spend more than $500 on a tablet.

That's because thanks to the addition of M1 , the iPad Air 2022 is almost on par with the iPad Pro in terms of speed. And with just over ten hours of tested battery life, it's good enough to get you through a day of classes.

One important caveat: This tablet is hampered by Apple's expensive accessories, as you really want the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen ($129) and Apple's Magic Keyboard ($299!) if you plan to use this slate for creating art, jotting down notes and typing up emails and homework assignments.

See our full iPad Air (2022) review .

The best premium Android tablet

6. OnePlus Pad

The OnePlus Pad ($479) is a great Android tablet for not too much money. With a huge 13MP rear camera, curved edges and a unique 7:5 aspect ratio, OnePlus’ first slate stands out from the competition.

This tablet has plenty going for it besides its distinctive design. Homework and videos look great on its vivid 11.6-inch 144Hz display, and thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU and Android 13 OS most apps and games run plenty fast. The lightweight OnePlus Pad also has exceptional battery life, lasting over 13 hours in our testing.

Plus, unlike the iPad you can outfit this slate with school-relevant accessories like the OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard ($39) and OnePlus Stylo ($99) without dropping a lot of dough. If you’re looking for an excellent Android tablet for under $500, you can’t go wrong with the OnePlus Pad.

Read our full OnePlus Pad review .

How to choose the best tablet for you

Start by thinking about the operating system you live in, which means opening your pocket and thinking about how much you rely on your smartphone. iPhone owners may jump straight to the 7th Gen iPad or iPad Pro, and they'd be right to do so — iMessage integration and the shared app ecosystems across iOS and iPadOS are an ideal combination. But if the iPad Pro is too expensive and the 7th Gen iPad isn't powerful enough, the iPad Air's faster CPU makes it the iPad to definitely consider, though I can't blame budget-conscious shoppers for going with the regular iPad.

Android folks have a wider set of options, but since Android apps aren't thriving on tablets as much as anyone would hope, this is a good time to consider all of your options. Yes the Galaxy Tab S6 has a fantastic screen and Android apps, but isn't Windows 10 a more capable platform? If you're nodding your head "yes," then the Surface Go 2 is the best tablet for you. That all being said, if you've got a big enough family, and you're all living in the Amazon Prime ecosystem, go for the Fire 7 if you're trying to fit to a budget, and the Fire HD 10 if you are tired of devices that don't have USB-C.

How we tested these tablets

How we test tablets.

First, we run as many benchmarks as that tablet will allow, to see how fast they are in ways that can be compared directly against competitors. We say "will allow" as some tablets, like Amazon's Fire slates, have trouble with side-loaded Android apps. We then use colorimeters and light meters to measure how colorful and bright these tablets’ screens can get. After that, we put them through our in-house battery test, which times how long it takes — while surfing the web with brightness at 150 nits — to drain a tablet of a charge.

After that, we do the same things you do — browse the web, watch YouTube , play games, compose emails — and then a lot more. We try and write some (or all) of our tablet reviews on the tablets we're testing, if there's a keyboard for it that is. Nobody wants to write a magnum opus on a glass screen, trust me.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice.

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The best tablets for students

Our experienced tablet testers pick the best tablets for students. Which is the best tablet for students?

1. Best overall
2. Best portable
3. Best for creatives
4. Best Windows
5. Best Android
6. Another Windows
7. Cheap 2-in-1
8. Affordable Android
9. Best budget
10. Affordable Windows
11. Best basic
12. Budget alternative
13. High-spec
How to choose
How we test

The best tablets for students; a mix of tablet computers on a blue background

Jump to the quick list↴ 1. Best overall : Apple iPad Air 2. Best portable : iPad Mini 3. Best for creatives : iPad Pro 4. Best Windows : Surface Pro 9 5. Best Android : Galaxy S8 Ultra 6. Another Windows : Surface Pro 8 7. Best 2-in-1 : HP x2 11 8. Budget Android : Galaxy S6 Lite 9. Best budget : Amazon Fire HD 8 10. Budget Windows : Surface Go 3 11. Best basic : IdeaPad Duet 12. Other options How to choose How we test FAQs

If you're starting back at school or looking to upgrade your old kit, the best tablets for students make for fantastic and versatile machines. Gone are the days when bulky, heavy laptops need to be lugged into every lecture and class; now, tablets are available with a variety of tools and software to make them just as good for note-taking, creative work, and organisation.

To help you choose the best tablet for your learning needs, we've assessed everything from the power, versatility, size and resolution specs to the available apps, any accessories that enhance the experience as well as the build quality to come up with a list of tablets that suit a variety of needs. We've weighed up the pros and cons, explaining why each of the devices below made the cut.;

As well as our own reviews, we've also considered customer reviews to determine which of these tablets most deserve your attention, but we've also got a more specific guide to the best budget drawing tablets , and the best iPad alternatives if you're ready to whittle down your options further. You may also find refurbished versions of the tablets on my list below; before buying those read our guide to buying refurbished tech .

The best tablets for students: Quick List

Below, we've summarised our top picks for when you want some quick insight, but you can scroll down, click the 'read more' text or find 'jump to' links at the side of this page to read our full thoughts.

Apple iPad Air 5th generation product shot

This slim, powerful, and lightweight tablet comes with Apple's own M1 chip, making it immensely capable - especially when it comes to creative software. The screen is sharp and vibrant, while the front camera and USB-C have been improved from the previous devices. Read more below

With Apple Pencil 2 compatibility and a processor boost, this powerful and compact little iPad is a great option if you care more about portability than screen size. The brightness is even, the color accuracy is impressive, and we love the new USB-C port. Read more below

A product shot of the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch on a white background

If you need size and power as a creative student, the best option is easily the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021). It's powerful and can handle even the most demanding visual design tasks with almost MacBook-level power. Read more below

The Surface Pro 9 laptop in Forest colour on a white backdrop

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a powerful tablet that, like iPad Pro, can be turned into a decent desktop computer by clicking in a cover/keyboard hybrid. Whichever model you choose – we advise the Intel builds, this is a quality tablet, with a fantastic screen and light and tactile build. Read more below

The best tablets for students; a photo of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra product shot

If Android tablets are more your speed, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers plenty of power at a reasonable price. It's a spacious slate, making it great for note-taking or sketching, and has some pretty powerful configurations too. Read more below

If the Surface Pro 9 is a little out of your price range, the Surface Pro 8 is the next best bet, allowing you to run desktop apps without issue. It's got a gorgeous screen and powerful processor. There are several configurations, so you can opt for lower RAM and storage space to save cash. Read more below

The best tablet for students overall

iPad Air 5th Gen, one of the best tablets for students, on a white table

01. Apple iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

We were already big fans of the 2020 iPad Air , and we had rated it as the best tablet for students since it came out. Now the new Apple iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022) has stolen its predecessor's crown by adding a level of power that comes very close to making it an iPad Pro . It's a powerful, slim and lightweight tablet, now with Apple's own M1 chip, which is the main upgrade over the previous model.

When we reviewed it, we found that this processor upgrade makes the new iPad Air capable of handling almost any task asked of it, including leading art apps such as Procreate and the best video editing software. Considering that it's cheaper than an iPad Pro, for us this makes it the best tablet for students overall.

We found the screen to be sharp and vibrant, while the front camera and USB-C have been improved from the previous devices (there's also now the option of 5G connectivity. Meanwhile, the revamped iPadOS has introduced desktop workflows, including multiple work windows that can make it faster to work. See our full Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) review for more details.

Back to the top ⤴

The best portable tablet for students

Apple iPad mini 6, one of the best tablets for students, on a table

02. iPad Mini (6th Gen, 2021)

Ever since it received Apple Pencil support the iPad Mini has been a firm favourite of ours, and the September 2021 update made it an even better option, adding Apple Pencil 2 compatibility. It also got a processor boost that makes it a pretty powerful compact little device.

This iteration uses a reworked version of the A15 Bionic chip for powerful processing, and while some users may feel frustrated by only 4GB of RAM, realistically this should be enough for the tasks you'd want to do on a screen this small. We found the compact size and lightweight (less than 300g) make the tablet perfect for use on the go, for example on transport.

There's a very welcome USB-C port, which opens up a lot of possibilities. For example, when we reviewed the tablet, we used it with a USB DAC to listen to Apple's Lossless Hi-Res music, and with a USB mic to record a voiceover. The display is a little larger than that of the last iPad Mini, even though the overall body is smaller, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. We found the brightness to be very even, making it pleasant to use for long periods, and we were very impressed with the colour accuracy. While you're still paying a fairly premium Apple price, we reckon the iPad Mini 2021 offers solid value for money.

See our full iPad mini 6 review for more details.

The best tablet for creative students

iPad Pro 2021, one of the best tablets for students, on a table with a Magic Keyboard

03. iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)

The big appeal of the iPad Mini is its portability, but if your area of study needs power (and you have a bigger budget), we recommend the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) as the best student tablet for those on creative courses. As Apple's most powerful tablet, it doesn't come with a very student-friendly price, but you get a device that can handle even the most demanding visual design tasks with almost MacBook -level power. Pair it with a keyboard and mouse, and it could could even use it as a super portable laptop.

The HDR display is the best we've seen on a tablet, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2048 x 2732. Its peak brightness is 1,600 nits, and with better control of local dimming, it's more pleasant to look at for long periods. We found darker areas to have more nuance and depth to them, making for a better and more accurate image that's excellent for photo and video editing.

Of course, we hesitate to recommend this as the best tablet for students because of the price, and we'd say it's only worth splashing out on if you really need the specs you need to run power-hungry editing apps. In that department, it shouldn't disappoint.

See our full iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review for more details.

The best Windows tablet for students

Best tablets for students; a person holds a Surface Pro 9 tablet

04. Surface Pro 9

The Microsoft Surface pro 9 is a powerful tablet that, like iPad Pro, can be turned into a decent desktop computer by clicking in a cover/keyboard hybrid. The thing to watch here is the build – the Intel i5 and i7 models are excellent high-end machines while the 5G SQ3 model is built for battery life, and so lacks some power to run complex software.

For the money, I'd opt for the Intel i5 model that can run full software such as Photoshop with ease and can be paired with the excellent Surface Pro stylus and keyboard for a complete package. Our Surface Pro 9 review found that if you're looking to replace your laptop with a powerful and adaptable tablet (that's also a laptop), and are wedded to Windows, then Surface Pro 9 is an excellent option.

If you're looking for a decent web-browsing, cloud-based tablet for online classes and writing, then the 5G model is good (though there are cheaper tablets on this list that can do this as well).

Whichever model you choose – again, opt for the Intel builds – the Surface Pro 9 is a quality tablet, with a fantastic screen and light and tactile build. A nice feature is this newer Surface Pro can use the keyboard and stylus of the Surface Pro 8, saving you money if upgrading.

The best Android tablet for students

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, one of the best tablets for students, on a table

05. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

If you prefer an Android tablet and need plenty of power, the new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra delivers that, and for a very reasonable price given its specs. You get a very big screen for a tablet – 14.6 in, which dwarves the largest iPad Pro. This makes it a good choice for those looking to take notes or sketch using the S Pen stylus, which refreshingly comes included as standard, making this even better value for a premium tablet.

You can take the specs up to pretty powerful configurations too, with up to 16GB in RAM and 512GB storage. Of course, the size makes this heavier than many of the options on our list of the best tablets for students, and not so conveniently portable. But we loved the slim, sleek design when we reviewed the tablet, and found the punchy screen fantastic for watching media and even editing photos. If you don't need the specs of the Ultra version, you might consider the cheaper standard Tab S8.

Note that there have been availability issues in the US due to high demand, but the Samsung store does now have stock available. There are also imported options available on Amazon. See our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review for more details.

Another Windows tablet for students

Surface Pro 8, one of the best tablets for students being held

06. Microsoft Surface Pro 8

If you choose an iPad or Android tablet then you'll probably be able to find all the apps you need in their respective stores. However, if your coursework requires the use of full desktop software rather than mobile versions, a Microsoft Surface Pro could be the best student tablet for you. The Surface Pro is a Windows PC in tablet form, which means you can use desktop software such as full-fat Adobe Photoshop and other Creative Cloud packages, without having to worry about them not having all the features you might need.

The Surface Go 3 below is a lot more affordable, making it a good student choice for general use, but if you need a tablet that really runs desktop apps without having to pause for breath every now and then, the Surface Pro could be your new best friend. When we reviewed it, we found the improvements over the older Surface Pro 7 to be much more notable, both in terms of design and performance.

The Surface Pro 8 is designed to showcase Windows 11 and it does that with aplomb thanks to a gorgeous screen and powerful processor. Pair it with a Type Cover, and you have an experience that can stand up to a laptop while being thinner and lighter Battery life is great as well. There are several configurations, so you can opt for lower RAM and storage space to save cash. This is always going to be a pricey tablet for students, but it's a good time to grab this 2021 device because it's starting to get regular discounts now that the Surface Pro 9 is coming out.

See our full Surface Pro 8 review for more details.

The best 2-in-1 tablet for students

HP Chromebook x2 11, one of the best tablets for students on a table

07. HP Chromebook x2 11

The HP Chromebook x2 11 is a smart little Chromebook that offers the best of both worlds; it's a tablet for note-taking, web-browsing, video streaming and digital art but can turn into a decent laptop for writing and productive work when its neat keyboard is clicked in place.

In my HP Chromebook x2 11 review , I found this tablet to be incredibly versatile. We were just as happy to use it on the go as a tablet or on a desk as a laptop; its 2K QLED screen and cloud-focused setup proved excellent for gaming and video streaming. Any student with an Xbox Game Pass account will find this useful between writing tasks and classes.

Of course, this is a Chrome OS device so that comes with the caveat that it runs apps via the Google Play Store rather than full software like the comparable Surface Go from Microsoft. However, Google's own suite of apps – Sheets, Docs, etc – are excellent substitutes for Word and Excel. Also, everything saves and exists in the cloud so you can access your work anywhere you have an internet connection.

For more, take a look at our guide to the best Chromebooks available now.

The best affordable Android tablet for students

a product shot of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, one of the best tablets for students

08. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

We've already recommended the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra above as the best tablet for students looking for a premium Android device with a reasonable price tag. But if you don't need those specs (or you don't want such a large tablet), you could save money by going for an older, more budget Galaxy Tab.

The Galaxy Tab 6 Lite has long been superseded, but you can still pick it up online, and often at a very tempting price. It still provides respectable performance and build quality, and again, it comes with the S-Pen included. While it can't compete with some of the more advanced styluses out there, it's fine for note-taking and doodles.

The best budget tablet for students

A product shot of the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020), one of the best tablets for students

09. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)

If you don't have a lot of money to spend on a tablet, don't despair. While you're never going to get iPad Pro-level performance out of a cheap tablet for students, if you opt for the very reasonably-priced Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) you should at least be pleasantly surprised by what it can do. Despite its low-end price it still packs some decent features, and it's a significant upgrade from its predecessor.

If you shop on Amazon a lot and you have a Prime membership, you'll find a lot to like with this tablet, and it'll run plenty of apps that can help you with your studies and can be used for word processing and spreadsheets. It's also a good performer when it comes to entertainment. There's Amazon Prime, of course, along with Netflix and Disney Plus, and they all run well and look good on the 8-inch screen. If you want a tablet but don't want to spend much, then this is a great budget choice.

Note that with Amazon Fire tablets, the number refers to the size of the tablet (as opposed to Samsung, Microsoft and Apple tablets in which the number refers to the generation). If you need a larger tablet, there's the Fire HD 10, but we like this 8in version for its compact size.

The best affordable Windows tablet for students

10. Microsoft Surface Go 3

The Surface Pro 8 above is the best Windows tablet for students overall, if you have the money to splash and if you need that much power. But if you'll only be using your tablet for taking notes and writing up essays, it's really much more than you need. In that case, you might be better opting for the Surface Go 3.

The Surface Go 3 is not going to be able to cope with heavy creative apps and image rendering like its Pro cousin mat, but it is the most affordable Surface tablet, and it offers a stylish, lightweight design and low price. Invest in the Type Cover, and you can protect the screen and turn the Surface Go 3 into a great little Windows laptop for writing up essays.

The Surface Pro 3 offers a newer processor and slightly better performance over its predecessor, although its display is slightly dimmer and battery life isn't great, so you might also consider the older model if you spot a good deal. See our full Surface Go 3 review for more details.

The best basic tablet for students

A photo of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, one of the best tablets for students

11. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1

A Chromebook may not be your first choice when looking for the best tablets for students. Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons why you might opt for one. With Google Chrome as your OS, you get speed and ease of use, as well as Google's own security, cloud storage and free connected apps. And the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 is a fine option; not only does it come at a great price, it's absolutely perfect for things like research, writing and organisational tasks, and it's ideal for video conferencing too.

The downside to using a Chrome OS is the tablet lacks the power of an Apple or Windows device, and won't run desktop or intensive software. That aside, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 performs most tasks, and many desktop apps have mobile editions that can prove just as useful and are often far cheaper.

The Lenovo Duet is a well-designed tablet. It's a little chunky compared to Apple devices but that also means it's a sturdy device. The fact it comes packaged with a keyboard and stand is a bonus, and only serves to reinforce the value-for-money this budget tablet offers.

The best budget alternative tablet for students

A photo of the Lenovo Yoga Smart, one of the best tablets for students

12. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab

If you're short on budget, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is an interesting little tablet that's well worth a look. Compared to many of the tablets listed above it's a little short on power, but it has a great-looking screen and decent built-in speakers, and it has Google Assist built in. As a result, what you have here is a well-priced and functional tablet for any student who doesn't have money to burn.

The design of the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is unique. One end has a bulky, rounded cylinder that tapers away to form a smooth and curved design. This ensures it a natural typing position and can be stood upright at an angle for viewing – it's a perfect device for written work and video calls (and great for films).

Made from aluminium and covered with a soft-touch acrylic finish, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is a light and agile tablet. This device has a lot going for it, but it's also light on power and uses an older version of Android, which can limit its app use. That said, if you're writing and organising, researching and browsing the web, or taking on video calls and remote lectures, it's actually very handy; a good backup tablet.

The best high-spec tablet for students

Huawei Matepad 11 review, a photo of a drawing tablet on a wooden table

13. Huawei Matepad 11

The Huawei MatePad 11 is a high-spec tablet that is comparable to the Apple iPad. It is a light tablet with a superb and vibrant 120Hz display, a rarity in tablets at this size and budget (£449). The screen, its size and the excellent stylus make this a wonderful tablet for digital art.

There's an overall quality to the Huawei MatePad 11 that impresses, and in fact is a good alternative to Apple and Android, particularly as it comes in a 256GB edition. So what's the catch? Well, Huawei is a Chinese company and so has been banned from access to the Google Store. Huawei has its own versions of all of the apps you'd need for everyday tasks, including a word editor, PDF reader and excel-like document app.

In use, my Huawei MatePad 11 review revealed there's a neat APK direct download solution workaround, which means you can actually download all of the apps you'd usually use, including Netflix, but it's a little scrappy and not as easy as using Google Store. Also, you're missing out on some great art apps. If you can manage without some apps and need an everyday tablet for work and play, for less, then the Huawei MatePad 11 is a good option.

How to choose the best tablet for students

Which option is the best student tablet for you will depend on your requirements. We'd suggest considering size and weight: you'll want a tablet that can easily fit into your bag. Even with the largest tablets, like the 14in Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, they're still lighter and more portable than a laptop, but one of the reasons we rate the iPad mini so highly is that it offers good specs but also a very convenient size.

Some students will need high-level specs, especially those on creative courses who need to edit images or video. This is why we've included several of the most premium tablets around on our list. Unfortunately, these don't have such student-friendly prices, but you may be able to get an Apple student discount .

Otherwise, if you're studying a course that doesn't entail use of more demanding creative software, then you may be just fine with a cheaper tablet like an older Galaxy Tab S or the 2020 iPad Air, or the super economical Amazon Fire.

How we tested the best tablets for students

We review many tablets hands on at Creative Bloq, both drawing tablets and general-use devices. For our buying guides, we only include tablets that we have awarded three stars and above. We spend time with each tablet to test its usability, design, performance and portability, as well as assess the screen in terms of brightness, clarity and overall quality of the colours.

We test tablets under a mix of conditions, both in the home and on the go. As well as running benchmark tests, we use each tablet for our own projects and daily work tasks to test how well it copes with a real workflow. To test battery life we use the tablet on full charge and let it run down, and make a note of how long the battery lasts.

You can read our full process for all products in our How we test and review guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can a tablet be used for online classes.

Yes, modern tablets are designed to be used for streaming video and video calls. Whether it's the latest Apple or a Chromebook you'll find new tablets are excellent for taking online classes. You will, however, need a stand so make sure you cost this in; Apple and Microsoft sell these separately while Chromebooks tend to come with them.

Is a laptop or tablet best for college?

Laptops tend to be better workhorses and come with the extra protection of a folding case to keep the screen safe and clean. However, tablets released in the 12 months, such as Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) or Microsoft Surface Pro 8, offer the best of both worlds – power and the portability of a tablet. To explore laptop options, see our pick of the best student laptops .

Is a tablet good for college?

We'd say so, the portability of a tablet, and ideally one with a touchscreen, stylus and keyboard, is a good option for daily classes and campus jostling. If you're looking to take notes, record audio and write a tablet is great. As a companion to a laptop, a Chromebook tablet is a good option as they're cheap and save to cloud storage / Google Drive.

How much do the best student tablets cost?

Of course, when choosing the best student tablet, price is a factor. Some students will require high-end specs that are inevitably expensive, especially those on creative courses that involve the use of graphically demanding software that requires a powerful chip and lots of RAM for a smooth experience. Such students will probably want to go for options like the iPad Pro or Surface Pro, which can even replace a laptop in some cases.

However, students on courses that don't require visual design software won't need that level of power and will be fine with a much more affordable tablet. In our pick of the best student tablets above, we've been sure to include some more economical options for those on a budget or who don't need the highest-end specs for their study.

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Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creativebloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and leading video game title Official PlayStation Magazine. In his early career he wrote for music and film magazines including Uncut and SFX. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on AI, digital art and video game art and tech, and more to Creative Bloq, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5. He's also a keen Cricut user and laser cutter fan, and is currently crafting on Glowforge and xTools M1.

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Best tablets for students 2024: work and play on the go

Looking for a new tablet for school or college? Here are the best tablets in 2024.

Best tablets for students

Are tablets best for students.

Are you a student looking for a great tablet? We’ve got you covered — whether it's an iPad or an Android device — and across all price ranges and screen sizes.

Tablets slot nicely in between your smartphone and your laptop, offering a larger canvas for apps and creative projects than the former without the added bulk of the latter. They’re slim, can be connected to a keyboard and mouse, and often have an excellent battery life. They're often just as powerful as a laptop, too; in fact, some of the iPads on this list have the same processors as you'd find in the best MacBooks for students .

Whether you’re looking for something to boost your productivity levels, scribble down notes, or just enjoy watching TV and movies — or even play some games after a long day — we’ve rounded up our picks for the best tablets for students right here. If your heart is set on an Apple device, also check out our rundown of the best iPads for students .

1. iPad Air M1

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The iPad Air M1 makes the argument that anyone thinking about spending considerably more on an iPad Pro may not need to after all.

The recently overhauled, slimline tablet offers a 10.9-inch display that has a 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution and a 12 MP camera on each side. Most importantly, it features Apple’s M1 chip, also found in some MacBook models, meaning it has impressive battery life and more power than you’d ever really need in a tablet.

Add in Apple Pencil support and the ability to connect it to the Apple Magic Keyboard (sold separately) and you’ve got a very solid tablet option that’ll handle notetaking, content creation, and video calls with ease.

The only real issue is the 64 GB storage at the low end, which can be increased up to 256 GB for $150 more.

2. iPad Mini (2021)

Apple left the iPad Mini untouched for years, but the 2021 redesign was worth the delay. Overhauling the outer design to more closely match the iPad Pro, it now offers an 8.3-inch screen with thin bezels that means it remains impressively compact – you can fit it in a back pocket of a pair of jeans, for example.

The iPad Mini has an impressive battery life, so if you snap the Apple Pencil onto the side you’ll be able to enjoy hours of taking notes, drawing diagrams, or creating arty masterpieces. It’s also got a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, so it’s nice and secure.

This mini marvel also packs two 12 MP cameras, but is too small for the Magic Keyboard – so you’ll need to connect a Bluetooth one (although that’s going to be considerably cheaper). It also doesn’t have an M1 chip, so features like Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 won’t run, but at this screen size, it’s unlikely to be a major issue.

3. iPad Pro M2

The iPad Pro is widely considered Apple’s best tablet. It’s currently the only iPad with an M2 chip and it offers a crystal-clear, contrast-rich display that only gets better when it’s bumped up to the 12.9-inch model.

Its physical design has barely changed since 2018, but we’d argue it’s still the best-looking iPad out there (albeit lacking in color options) — but the real pull is in that M2 chip’s power. It’s much faster than the CPUs fitted into many of the best laptops for stude nts .

The only thing preventing it from taking the top spot on our list is its price tag, which makes it pricier than a MacBook Air if you opt for the large version. And that’s before you consider the (thankfully optional) keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

Samsung has been the de facto Android tablet manufacturer for a little while, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ shows just why that is. The 12.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and beautiful, and it includes the S Pen stylus, too.

The Qualcomm chipset is powerful, but Samsung has also added a huge 10,090mAh battery to ensure it can go for hours and hours while also offering quick charging when it’s out of juice. There’s also a microSD card, so you can add up to 1 TB of storage relatively cheaply, too.

Add to that an ultra-wide camera capable of 4K recording and access to the Play Store for downloading apps for work and play, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ could be the perfect tablet for you.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 8

While many tablets can feel like you need to compromise or cut corners somewhere to make them work for you, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is very much a laptop first and a tablet second – but that makes it incredibly capable.

In laptop mode, it’s a powerful 13-inch computer with a tactile keyboard and touch screen, as well as having support for a stylus (sold separately). As a tablet, it still runs Windows 11 so you’ll has access to the Microsoft Store, and becomes a great media consumption device, too.

If you’re looking for more than a tablet, you’ve found it, but it can cost over $1,000. Thankfully it’s regularly discounted, and we’ve seen as much as $300 off in recent weeks.

Product shot of the Apple iPad 10th generation.

6. iPad (Tenth Gen)

The iPad (10th Gen) is an excellent tablet, albeit one in a curious position as far as pricing goes. It’s considerably more expensive than its predecessor so perhaps not a great option for those looking to save a few bucks — for that, it's worth considering the iPad (9th Gen) as it's likely available for much less now.

This newer model is certainly worthy of a spot on our list thanks to its overhauled design, which drops the home button in favor of thinner bezels. It’s a sharp-looking tablet, and also the only iPad at the time of writing with the FaceTime camera on the landscape edge.

The A14 Bionic Chip is hardly new, but it's one of the best mobile chips out there and remains plenty powerful for the majority of apps and games in the App Store.

7. Amazon Fire 10 HD

The most affordable tablet on this list, the Amazon Fire 10 HD is a solid option for anyone hooked into the retail giant’s ecosystem already thanks to Alexa support right out of the box.

The latest version keeps much of what worked so well before, but adds to it with a speed boost thanks to extra RAM. It’s still not the fastest tablet around, and starts with just 32 GB of storage, but at least the latter can be upgraded with additional microSD storage.

The biggest issue is that Amazon’s own brand of OS doesn’t feature Google apps, so if you’ve come to rely on Drive, Docs, Sheets, and the like, you’re out of luck. Plus, you have to spend an extra $15/£10 to get the lockscreen without ads.

8. Microsoft Surface Go 2

Not to be confused with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, this tablet hybrid is akin to the Surface Pro’s little brother. Offering a 10.5-inch touchscreen on a tablet that weighs just 1.2 lbs, it’s a solid option thanks to its faster processor and ten-hour battery life.

While the keyboard cover isn’t included, it does offer a great typing experience, and you can expand the storage, too. That flexibility, coupled with the versatility of Windows 11, can ensure that the Surface Go 2 is just as capable as a tablet or as a laptop.

This is a complex question as there’s absolutely no denying that tablets have come an incredibly long way in the last few years. Previously seen as an awkward “halfway house” between phones and computers, advances in both hardware and software have been keenly felt in almost every effort over the last couple of years.

On the hardware front, more efficient processors mean a sizeable increase in battery life, while screen technology like OLED and AMOLED are brighter, more legible canvases to work on. Then there are more advanced styluses, which, while not mandatory, can be ideal in the right workflow – digital artwork, for example.

Tablet operating systems also continue to improve, with an increased emphasis on input/output, be that through additional options for connecting peripherals like card readers and docking stations, or full external display support.

So, tablets are closer than ever to being laptop replacements, but can they truly be considered as such? It’s a tough call, because so many apps and systems are so entrenched in Windows/macOS that professional apps don’t seem likely to make the jump anytime soon. As an example, Microsoft’s own Access application for database management, and Apple’s Final Cut Pro aren’t available on Windows or Apple tablets respectively.

Tablets also have some way to go when it comes to file management, although the emergence of systems like Google Drive, Dropbox, and similar cloud platforms have mitigated that somewhat.

It essentially comes down to the type of work you’re likely to be doing on a tablet on any given day.

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Lloyd Coombes freelance tech and fitness writer for Live Science. He's an expert in all things Apple as well as in computer and gaming tech, with previous works published on TopTenReviews, Space.com, Dexerto and TechRadar. You'll find him regularly testing the latest MacBook or iPhone, but he spends most of his time writing about video games as Editor in Chief at GGRecon.com. He also covers board games and virtual reality, just to round out the nerdy pursuits.

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Best tablet for students 2024

You can use a tablet for practically anything.

At a glance

Best overall, best apple tablet, best cheap tablet, best chromebook, best amazon tablet, best e ink tablet, how to choose.

1. At a glance 2. Best overall 3. Best Apple tablet 4. Best cheap tablet 5. Best value 6. Best Chromebook 7. Best Amazon tablet 8 . Best E Ink tablet 9. How to choose

If you're looking for a stellar student tablet, you've come to the right place. We understand that when it comes to buying a school-friendly device, you want something that's powerful enough to last all day, yet durable and lightweight enough to carry in a backpack. Something that's equally handy for scribbling notes in class and streaming movies after class, with enough power to be productive, but at a low enough price that you can afford it.

Luckily, there are plenty of options out there, and we've gathered them all below. Our favorite overall pick, and arugably one of the best Andrid tablets , is the Galaxy Tab S9, which has the S Pen included, a powerful SoC with up to 12GB of RAM, and a beautiful AMOLED 120Hz display. But of course, every student is different, so keep reading to see all of the best options under the sun.

Tablet deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Dell

The Galaxy Tab S9 is a well-balanced tablet with a fast SoC, a large screen, and ample battery life. It even has an 120Hz display that works well with the included S Pen.

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Samsung makes some of the best Android phones for students , so it's no surprise that it also makes some of the best tablets. The Tab S9 series is the top of the range for Samsung meaning these tablets have excellent AMOLED displays with 120Hz support, a powerful SoC, and an up-to-date build of Android 14 available for download. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC powering this tablet is one of the best mobile chips you can get with an octa-core CPU and enough power for gaming. That all means that it should breeze through schoolwork for the next few years so you can stay focused.

When it comes to storage, the base model comes with 128GB with an upgrade to 256GB available. The 128GB model comes with 8GB of RAM while the 256GB model gets 12GB to work with. If you plan to use the Galaxy Tab S9 as your primary device, the extra RAM with the 256GB model is a sensible upgrade. If you've also got a laptop for your heavier workloads, though, the 8GB version should be fine. Regardless of the version you choose, you can upgrade the storage down the line thanks to a microSD card slot.

Samsung bundles its excellent S Pen with this tablet so you're ready to take notes right out of the box. Besides that, the S Pen can be useful for navigating spreadsheets, large documents, or even just old text-heavy websites that weren't designed with touch in mind.

2. Apple iPad Air (2022)

Despite our site focusing on all things Android, our laudatory iPad Air 2022 review shows that we're not afraid to acknowledge when Apple knocks it out of the park. While not as large as the iPad Pro, the iPad Air (2022) offers impressive performance for demanding creativity apps at about half the price compared to the iPad Pro.

It has a lightweight, thin-bezel design with five metallic color finishes, Touch ID built into the power button, and two powerful speakers. Its 2360x1640 LCD only hits 60Hz (compared to 120Hz on the Tab S9), but it hits 500 nits of brightness with anti-reflective coating, perfect for use in direct sunlight or for late-night binges.

Its Apple M1 chipset which is also found in the excellent iPad Pro and MacBook Air , delivers incredible performance that surpass the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found in the best Android tablets. You can even add cellular data if your school's Wi-Fi network isn't reliable.

Add in iPadOS — better optimized in general than Android tablet apps — and USB-C charging, and the iPad Air 2022 has very few downsides. You'll have to pay a good chunk for extra storage since the 64GB base variant really isn't enough. And as is the case with many Apple products, its battery life is only so-so, with about an eight-hour average just out of the box in our tests. Still, it's great for students and non-students alike.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus lifestyle press render

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus

Many of the perks that make the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus our best cheap Android tablet pick also applies to why students will love it. It has a hefty 7,040mAh battery that'll never die on you in class, plus USB-C charging, so it can quickly jump back up to full capacity.

It has quad speakers that'll make movie nights a blast and drive your roommate nuts. At just under a pound (480g) with a 11-inch display, it's lightweight enough for its size to make holding it while reading textbooks easy.

We're huge fans of the design. Most budget tablets like the Fire HD 10 and base iPad have thick, uneven bezels, while the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus looks more uniform and attractive, particularly thanks to its aluminum finish. And alongside the USB-C port, we also think students will appreciate the headphone jack and 1TB-capable microSD card slot.

Its Snapdragon 695 SoC and up to 8GB of RAM should ensure better performance compared to the Tab A8 before it. You even get a 5G cellular variant through all the major US carriers. Its 1920x1200 display, while not as vivid as Samsung's other AMOLED panels, does give you a slight upgrade over regular 1080p displays. The A9 Plus also has a 90Hz refresh rate, so scrolling and general use should feel smoother.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

With the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite , the company opted to replace the S5e that previously had been one of our favorite value tablets. With this new tablet, you'll get a familiar, lightweight, sleek design, along with the solid specs you would expect from a Samsung tablet .

Samsung has equipped the S6 Lite with 12 hours of battery life, along with a microSD card slot, making it a perfect tablet for storing classwork or media files. The company also unveiled an updated S Pen, which sports a new design, a finer tip, and improved latency than the S Pen found with the standard Galaxy Tab S6. All of this makes for an impressive Android tablet, packed with loads of features and more to do almost anything for you.

With a 10.4-inch screen and just 4GB of memory, it's a more compact model that'll work great for scratching out notes and streaming Netflix, but isn't built for laptop-level efficiency. But as it sells for less than half the price of the Tab S9+, it's a much better choice for students planning to do most of their work on a laptop anyway. There's no point in overpaying for features that most students won't need.

Considering that the Tab S6 Lite is aimed at the value market, some corners had to be cut. Going back to media consumption, Samsung included two AKG-tuned speakers instead of the four. Plus, the microSD card slot can only use up to a 512GB card, while other tablets offer support up to 1TB.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 GTA San Andreas frozen

5. Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 3

2-in-1 Chromebooks like the Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 3 work well for parents or students looking for a tablet designed with a detachable keyboard in mind, letting it double as your laptop once you're back to your room or dorm. The Duet is one of the best Chromebook tablets for students by far thanks to its epic battery life, included productivity accessories, bright display, and very reasonable price.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 sports a 10.9-inch display with 400 nits of brightness, enough that it'll remain visible in direct sunlight. It has a 7,000mAh battery that could last you several days on casual use, or about 10–12 hours with constant use. It doesn't have the most power with its 4GB of RAM and 64GB of base storage, but Chromebooks like the Duet 3 are designed to handle most Chrome OS apps without using much power.

You'll slot on the attachable keyboard and type notes during class, then pull it off and enjoy relaxing with your favorite media apps. Because ChromeOS is fully designed for both touchscreens and laptops, it'll work well in either context.

Unlike many of our other picks, it lacks a microSD card slot, so you'll have to make do with just 64GB-128GB of storage. That should be plenty if your notes, homework, or creative projects can be stored in the cloud.

If you want affordable, portable power for your school laptop, you can also check out the best student Chromebooks .

Amazon Fire HD 10 2023 video call with coffee

6. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)

If you just need a basic tablet to help with note-taking, research, or just to relax with a movie after studying, the Fire HD 10 is a solid choice. This 2023 revision has a reasonably powerful SoC with an octa-core CPU from Mediatek paired with 3GB of RAM that should be plenty for most tasks outside of gaming. It all looks nice and sharp on the 10.1-inch IPS display running at 1920x1200, a comfortable 16:10 resolution.

This tablet comes with 32GB or 64GB of storage for files and apps, which isn't much, so it's a good idea to grab one of the best microSD cards for Android right away. Even with the price of a 128GB or 256GB microSD card factored in, the Fire HD 10 is still a phenomenal value. If you opt to download a few videos to watch on the bus or just want a large display for your favorite pictures, the extra space will be well worth it.

Amazon has loaded this tablet with Fire OS 8 running atop Android 11, so it's not the most up-to-date Android tablet in the world, but still new enough to run the vast majority of apps. Speaking of apps, out of the box, you're stuck using the Amazon App Store, but if you want Google services, those apps can be sideloaded .

If you want to make this tablet your go-to device to bring to class, you can grab a pressure-sensitive stylus to take notes in handwriting, or a keyboard if you prefer typing.

7. Onyx Boox Note Air 3

If you're looking for a robust device specially for note taking, it's hard to beat the battery life and notebook-like feel of an E Ink device. The new Onyx Boox Note Air 3 is the latest E Ink Android tablet, complete with the Play Store so you can use all your favorite apps too.

The metal build makes the device feel premium and sturdy, while the massive E Ink Carta 1200 display worked beautifully in the two months we used it for, both, for reading and sketching. There are a couple of shortcomings regarding the drawing part, like a slight delay when creating strokes, and you can't duplicate a layer or copy large drawings. The Note Air 3 ships with a protective case and the Pen Plus, which can attach to the tablet after you're done with it.

While Onyx has its own built-in note-taking application , the fact that this is powered by Android 12 and has the Play Store pre-installed means that you can download any drawing app of your liking. For those that need a color display, there's a Note Air 3 C model for $100 more, which comes with a Kaleido 3 color ePaper screen. This color-version of the Note Air 3 displays only mellow hues, since it is still E Ink after all. However, it's going to be much easier on the eyes, letting you spend hours on your assignments withouth the risk of eye fatigue.

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How to pick the best tablet for students

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Stage Manager vs Samsung DeX - Apple iPad Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

It's easy to see why the tablet market is dominated by the likes of Apple and Samsung. These are the most reliable options on the market, are more durable than others, and pack the most features compared to the competition. But if you're trying to figure out what the best student tablet is, there are a few things to take into consideration.

Any of these tablets are capable of running video calling apps or services, so that's not really much of a concern. But if you need to do any presentations, you'll be better suited for something like the iPad Air or the Galaxy Tab S9 thanks to the superior camera quality for video calls and high-quality displays. Apple and Samsung have also included features that ensure you remain in the center of the frame, at all times, thanks to built-in software capabilities.

Another deciding factor when picking a tablet is what you actually plan on using it for. Do you need stylus support where Samsung's S Pen and the Chromebook Duet 3's USI compatibility come in handy? Or would you prefer to type out your notes, essentially turning your tablet into a laptop?

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 is the only option on this list that includes a keyboard cover in the box, however, there are some first-party and third-party case options available for the others.

When it comes to battery life, there isn't a single option on this list for the best student tablets that won't last at least eight hours. And the Tab S9 is arguably above the rest, as you'll be able to get up to 15 hours on a single charge unless you start messing around and are watching YouTube or Netflix instead of studying. If you need the tablet strictly for studies and homework alone, getting something like the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 with its week-long battery life would be a game-changer.

There are some other features that might entice you to one tablet or another. For example, many of the best Samsung tablets include DeX mode, which gets rid of the basic Android interface in favor of a desktop-like one. This includes using apps in different windows, as opposed to relying on multitasking gestures.

Bottom line

There are quite a few different Android tablets to pick from, especially if you're a student. Of course, use-cases are different for everyone, but our favorite Android tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 for almost every situation.

It has plenty of power for multitasking and getting some work done, but best of all, Samsung includes an S Pen in the box, allowing you to take notes wherever along with using the S Pen's features.

You can take advantage of the new Samsung DeX Mode for more of a desktop-like experience when you pick up Samsung's Keyboard Cover. Since the processor is 5G-enabled, the tablet can take advantage of the fastest network speeds. Going from class to class and not needing to rely on spotty Wi-Fi can be a real game-changer.

If you're looking for more options, check out our list of the best Android tablets for kids to shop for the younger students in your life, or our choices for the best Android tablets overall.

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The best tablets for college students in 2023

These tablets offer all the power a college student needs in a portable package.

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Tablets made for college students offer the power and usability of a laptop with the versatility and portability of a much smaller device. Whether you’re researching topics, typing up essays, making presentations, or using design tools, choosing the right tablet for college can make all the difference. These devices excel when taking notes, reading textbooks, and staying organized. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be a daunting task. We’ve scoured the internet to make our list, considering factors such as battery life, screen size, processing power, and price. Whether you’re a freshman, a senior, or a parent shopping for your college-aged child, our comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision when selecting the best tablets for college students.

Best overall: Apple iPad Air M1

Best lightweight: iPad Mini (2021)
Best Android: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
Best laptop replacement: Microsoft Surface 9 Pro
Best budget: Amazon Fire 10 HD

How we picked the best tablets for college students

Tablets truly lend themselves to college work. They’re easy to carry around, offer tons of battery life, typically cost less the high-powered laptops, and they pull double duty as content consumption devices. In our quest for the perfect tablet for college students, we surveyed the entire tablet market from major manufacturers. There are tons of cheap and less-reliable options out there, but for a device that’s going to be so crucial to work and recreation, we want to recommend something durable and reliable.

We relied on a mixture of research, personal experience, spec comparisons, user reviews, and editorial opinions to come up with a list of devices that offer a solid mix of price and performance. We also gave extra credit to devices that work with a wide variety of accessories, so they’re easier to customize to a student’s own personal requirements.

The best tablets for college students: Reviews & Recommendations

The iPad may seem like the obvious choice here (and it is for a number of users), but needs vary and so do devices. Here are some options to consider before you plunk down that college cash.

Mike Epstein

Why it made the cut: With their iPad, Apple has cornered the tablet market for good reason. The iPad Air M1 is simply a great piece of tech. Slimline, powerful, and equipped with a powerful camera, this is our top-rated choice.

Display Size: 10.9-inch
Storage: 64GB/256GB
CPU: Apple M1
Lightweight
Great design

With the additional choice of a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (sold separately), the iPad Air M1 is capable of handling almost any academic task. Apple Pencil allows you to mark up documents, draw, or take notes, which are then translated from your handwriting into typed notes ready to share or save to the cloud. The Magic Keyboard has a trackpad and responsive keyboard to take your tablet to the next level and make typing comfortable even during those seemingly endless classes.

Thanks to its M1 chip, it’s a performance powerhouse with speeds up to 60 percent faster than previous generation models. The liquid retina display and 8-core GPU provide crisp images and fast graphics across video calls, gaming, content creation, and design apps. An impressive 12-megapixel camera includes an automatic pan feature to keep you in shot no matter how fast you move around. The back camera is perfect for scanning documents and shooting videos. It comes in five colors and boasts long-lasting battery life.

Particularly power-hungry students could step up to the iPad Pro to get even more processing oomph and an upgraded screen. While the upgrades are nice, they’re likely only necessary for students who want to do a ton of media creation or other resource-intensive activities.

Best lightweight: iPad Mini (2021)

the iPad mini on a plain background. It's one of the best tablets for college students.

Why it made the cut: Small but perfectly formed, this handheld tablet features an edge-to-edge screen and vivid colors. Ideally suited for note-taking with the optional Apple Pencil that magnetically attaches to the side of the screen.

Display Size: 8.3″
CPU: Apple A15 Bionic
Touch ID-enabled
Very compact and portable size
Sharp display
No headphone jack

This very small and portable tablet slips easily into your bag or even a pocket. It fits comfortably in the hand but offers a better screen size and performance than simply using your cell phone. Gameplay, photo editing, and content creation are more than possible because of the impressive A15 bionic chip. You’ll be able to stream content without slowdowns and download quickly with 5G connectivity . You won’t be able to use the magic keyboard with this size iPad but can use it with a separate Bluetooth keyboard to expand its use beyond simple note-taking or entertainment.

Available in four elegant muted colors including space gray, pink, light purple, or starlight, a champagne tone. Choose from a range of complementary different color smart folios (sold separately) to suit your unique style. The 12MP webcam helps you stay in touch with family back home or log in for virtual classes or group seminars.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ on a plain background.

Why it made the cut: Fast speeds, impressive battery life, and a large screen make the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 a great choice for students who prefer Android products.

Display Size: 12.4”
Storage: 8 GB/128 GB
Weight: 17.6 ounces
Included S pen
Large storage included in the base model
Bright screen

Unlike Apple tablets, this option’s base model comes with an included S pen and 128GB storage, making it a great value choice without having to purchase additional products and extra memory. It has a large and bright display featuring a 12.4-inch AMOLED screen. The battery life helps you work, and watch for hours, and when you do find it running low, it recharges at a lightning speed.

Expect beautiful graphics with high resolution, and super quick processing speeds to make all your school tasks, including content creation, photo editing, surfing the web, and lab work easy to complete. If the included 128GB isn’t enough space for your documents, photos, and schoolwork, the micro-SD card slot allows for further upgrades. The ultra-wide camera produces great shots and clear video calls for remote learning or catching up with friends. Choose from three colors, including graphite, silver, and pink gold.

Best laptop replacement: Microsoft Surface 9 Pro

Microsoft Surface 9 Pro on a stand on a plain background

Why it made the cut: A true replacement for even the top laptops for college , this powerful and versatile tablet offers excellent gameplay and graphics with a high-resolution display for a premium experience.

Display Size: 13”
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Weight: 31.3 ounces
Preloaded with Windows 11
1080p webcam
Excellent performance
Very expensive

This incredibly capable and powerful tablet can easily replace a laptop and make an excellent investment for academic use. The responsive and comfortable keyboard allows for extended typing and note-taking during lectures. A stylus is available for a separate purchase and it comes equipped with Windows 11. Although it is one of the more expensive tablets reviewed, it really offers the most bang for your buck and is regularly on sale for discounts of at least a couple of hundred dollars of the list price.

The battery can last an incredible 15.5 hours, more than enough for class use and homework after hours. The versatile edge-to-edge touchscreen and adjustable built-in kickstand ensure you get the perfect angle for media viewing or video calls. The two USB-C ports allow you to transfer documents, dock to monitors, or connect and charge various devices and accessories, so you’re ready for any task.

Best budget: Amazon Fire 10 HD

Amazon Fire 10 HD is one of the best tablets for college. Here's its home screen.

Why it made the cut: This budget-friendly option makes a great educational addition if you already have a more powerful laptop for most of your school work.

Display Size: 10.1″
Storage: 32GB/64GB
Weight: 16.4 ounces
Affordable
Compatible with Alexa
Good battery life
Not compatible with Google apps

Perfect for loading up books, and after-class entertainment, this affordable tablet is more than worth the modest investment of less than $150. The battery life of up to 12 hours works well for a day of learning, followed by surfing the web or watching your favorite shows.

This tablet doesn’t support Google products so you’ll need to switch over from G drive and docs to the Microsoft Office suite of products if applicable. Compatible with Alexa straight out of the box, it can also be used as an organizer and personal assistant. Optional extras include Bluetooth keyboards and standing cases to improve functionality and ease of use.

This tablet is definitely not the most powerful or responsive around, but at this very low price point, it makes an excellent option for cash-strapped students. It can also work as a solid secondary device for consuming content and reading (textbooks or anything else) to save wear and tear as well as battery life on a main device.

Things to consider before buying the best tablets for college students

Assess your needs.

When you’re selecting any of our top tablet picks , you’ll want to make sure your tablet works well with all the apps and platforms you regularly use. For example, if you prefer a particular data management, file storage, or design program, you’ll want to make sure your new tablet is compatible. The way you intend to use your tablet will also dictate which model you opt for. For example, you’ll want to consider whether you need a keyboard if you intend to play games or stream movies, and your preferred screen size for optimum viewing comfort.

Price

Students are often on a budget, so the cost of your new tablet is an important consideration. Luckily, there are lots of choices for top tablets under $500 . However, that doesn’t always mean the cheapest option is the best. Consider how you’ll use your new piece of hardware and how long you want it to keep working to make sure you plan ahead and buy the best model to meet your needs and price point.

Q: How much does a tablet for a college student cost?

Depending on features and storage size, a tablet for a college student will cost between $135-$1,350.

Q: Do students need keyboards for their tablets?

It really depends on how you’ll be using your tablet. If you intend it as an addition to a laptop, a keyboard may not be essential. However, if it’s your only way of taking notes and completing coursework, a keyboard may be a must-have feature.

Q: Do tablets come with pre-installed operating systems?

Whether you choose Windows, Android, or Apple iOS products, most tablets come preloaded with their associated operating system.

Q: Do I get a pencil for a tablet?

The touchscreen on tablets allows you to swipe, enlarge and control what you see on the screen with your hands. However, a stylus or pencil can give you more control and opens a world of design and artistic possibilities. They can also be very useful for photo editing, especially very fine and small details.

Final thoughts on the best tablets for college students

Best overall: iPad Air M1 – Apple
Best for Windows: Microsoft Surface 9 Pro

Balance your needs as a student with price concerns, and make sure your tablet pick is lightweight and easy to transport from your dorm to the classroom and back again. Tablets can be an excellent choice for college students, especially as many of our top picks are powerful devices capable of research, data management, and content creation to help you meet all your academic targets.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Best Tablets For Students

Get the very best tablets for students to use in class, for remote learning and beyond

The best tablets for students are fantastic for getting that ideal combination of portability and power, all with a decent screen and plenty of app functionality.

Thanks to built-in cameras and audio, tablets are great both for in-class use but also for video calls and remote learning. The fact that these can be a lot more affordable than laptops is just a bonus.

A few areas you may want to think about before taking the tablet-based plunge: How big does your screen need to be versus how portable do you want this tablet? Is all day battery a must or is processing power the key? Will you need your tablet to work with a stylus pen? Can the operating system work well with your school's setup? If it's parents buying, do you need to put restrictions on the tablet?

It's a lot of points to consider so we've taken the rest of the work out of it for you by laying out the best tablets for students right now.

Best Laptops for Teachers
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1. Apple iPad (2020): The best tablets for students top pick

Apple iPad (2020)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Apple iPad (2020) is the best tablet you can buy as a student, both for remote learning and for classroom use. Fortunately, this tablet's uses go even beyond that, making it a great investment, even if it is one of the more expensive and not newest of tablet options out there.

This is an iOS device so it has more apps than any other platform. That makes this capable as a school device that could even replace a laptop if paired with a keyboard case. The dual microphones and front-facing 1.2MP camera make it a very capable video classroom unit, ideal for remote learning.

Of course, multitasking also plays into this, if you want a document open while in a video class, for example – all of which is possible thanks to the power of that A12 Bionic processor and spacious 10.2-inch high resolution 2,160 x 1,620 Retina display.

The battery can last a full day on a charge, so this is great for use in the classroom too.

2. Samsung Tab S7 Plus: Best PC replacement tablet

Samsung Tab S7 Plus

The Samsung Tab S7 Plus is a tablet that students who want a PC replacement, while staying mobile, should consider. While it's primarily a touchscreen device, with a superb 12.4-inch Super AMOLED screen that boasts HDR10+ and 120Hz, this can also be paired with a keyboard, mouse, and screen thanks to its DeX smarts.

Consequently, you can output to a TV or monitor and use the tablet like a PC computer. It is still an Android-based device though, so you get access to all the apps you could want from the operating system.

For remote learning, the camera offers 8MP quality with HDR to adjust for any lighting, making it ideal even when moving from room to room – possible thanks to that 14-hour battery life. The S Pen Stylus is also a great addition for annotating and beyond. The keyboard case, which is a useful addition, is charged as an extra accessory. That said, this will pair with any Bluetooth keyboard, so that may not be a factor in your decision.

3. Amazon Fire 7: Best affordable tablet

Amazon Fire 7

The Amazon Fire 7 is a tablet designed for those on a budget who don't mind a simple tablet that covers the basics. The 7-inch screen isn't the highest resolution at 1,024 x 600, nor is the front-facing camera at 2MP. That said, both will do the job for video classroom work.

The Amazon Fire OS works on an Android base so there are lots of apps are available. Battery life spans just a few hours, however, the build quality is solid, so even when thrown in into a bag with a charger it should survive, although a protective case is always a good idea.

This device offers excellent parental controls, making it a good option for anyone giving this tablet to a younger student who, perhaps, needs limits on usage.

4. HP Chromebook X2: Best Chromebook tablet

HP Chromebook X2

The HP Chromebook X2 is, just as the name suggests, everything you could want from a Chromebook, while taking on the form of a portable tablet. As such, it is ideal for both remote learning at home and in the classroom.

This is a superb device for anyone hoping to integrate with Google systems, such as G Suite for Education, which many schools use. This is a fast and powerful option that also looks great thanks to its 12.3-inch display with high 2,400 x 1,600 resolution and 403 nits of brightness.

The leather-texture keyboard with trackpad and HP Active Pen stylus accessory are all great extras that come included with the setup. As does impressive built-in B&O Play sound and a 4.9-megapixel front-facing camera plus built-in microphones – all ideal for video lesson clarity.

This device is heavier than some tablets, but lighter than many laptops, which it can replace. The 12-hour battery life might explain the weight to some extent but then you won't need to carry a charger so that works out well.

5. Lenovo Smart Tab M8: Best for battery life

Lenovo Smart Tab M8

The Lenovo Smart Tab M8 is a tablet that works well at home, angling in its charging dock stand for video calls. It is also ideal for use in school due to its impressive 18-hour battery life.

Thanks to an efficient quad-core MediaTek processor that is paired with 2GB of RAM, it provides enough power for basic tasks. Combined with the 8-inch,1,280 x 800 and 350 nits brightness display, it may not be a full laptop replacement but should keep you mobile.

The Android operating system offers plenty of apps and free updates that should keep this tablet's value long after the initial price has been paid.

6. Microsoft Surface Go 2: Best Windows tablet

Microsoft Surface Go 2

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a tablet but one that doubles as a Windows 10 PC thanks to the full operating system and the option of a keyboard case attachment. There is plenty of processing power due to the Intel Core m3 processor and 8GB of RAM that allows for multi-tasking, video lessons, and more, all at the same time.

The display offers a Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution that, combined with the 5MP and 1080p Skype HD front-facing camera, offers a very clear video classroom experience. Battery life is good for a full day, and expect plenty of updates from Microsoft to keep the software secure and up-to-date long into the future.

7. Apple iPad Pro: Best premium tablet

Apple iPad Pro

The Apple iPad Pro is a really expensive option, which is a given at this top-end price. But you get what you pay for here with all the power of a laptop crammed into a svelte, strong, and super portable design. The screen is stunning, the cameras are excellent, and the power is zippy no matter which of the many, many excellent apps you're using.

With a great keyboard, superb stylus pen option and lots of other accessories available, this is a centerpiece that can be built around. Aside from the price it's tough to find any downsides to this tablet. If your school doesn't support Apple though, this may not be the best option for you, even if that iPad name is calling to you.

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Luke Edwards is a freelance writer and editor with more than two decades of experience covering tech, science, and health. He writes for many publications covering health tech, software and apps, digital teaching tools, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and much more.

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The Best Tablets for Students

Discover the best tablets for students that are easy to carry, offer plenty of processing power, and can even double up as a laptop for easy typing.

Brand Apple
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
CPU Apple M1
Storage 256GB
CPU A15 Bionic
Brand Lenovo
Storage 64GB
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 439
Brand Huawei
Storage 128GB
CPU Octa-core
Brand Samsung
CPU Qualcomm SDM865
9.60 /10 1. Premium pick: 2021 Apple iPad Pro
9.40 /10 2. Editors choice: 2021 Apple iPad Mini
9.00 /10 3. Best value: Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
9.60 /10 4. Huawei MatePad Pro
9.60 /10 5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
9.20 /10 6. New Microsoft Surface Go 2
7.60 /10 7. Huawei MateBook Signature

Tablets are becoming a viable alternative to laptops for students due to their lightweight nature, touch functions, and lower price.

From note-taking with a stylus to a battery that lasts all day, every tablet feature is designed to make students more productive.

Here are the best tablets for students available today.

1. 2021 Apple iPad Pro

The iPad Pro is Apple's flagship tablet that competes with the best tablets on the market. Thanks to the powerful M1 chip, students taking classes that require the use of heavy-duty applications such as AutoCAD, Illustrator, and Photoshop will not experience any lags or errors. The iPad Pro's screen is stunning, with a 120Hz refresh rate and high resolution. Students who enjoy digital arts would find it a delight.

Additionally, it comes with an integrated GPU, which boosts the overall graphics and makes photo and video editing applications run smoothly. The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), allowing students to take notes conveniently. Thanks to its high refresh rate, a top-notch display, and powerful processor, it almost feels like writing on paper with a pen.

The battery lasts for about 10 hours on a single charge, which is enough to carry you through a day's worth of work. Moreover, the tablet weighs about 1.5lbs, making it easy to carry all day long without tiring. Besides its top-quality cameras, the tablet has a USB-C port, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage (both are extendable).

Compatible with stylus
Liquid Retina XDR display
Ultrafast Wi-Fi
Thunderbolt port availability
Brand: Apple
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
CPU: Apple M1
Memory: 8GB / 16GB
Operating System: iPadOS 15.5, upgradeable to iPadOS 16
Battery: Non-removable 40.88 Wh Li-Po
Ports: USB-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4)
Camera (Rear, Front): 12MP wide, 10MP ultrawide, ToF 3D LiDAR Scanner, 12MP front camera
Display type: 12.9-inch 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR HDR10
Size: 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Optional 5G
Light-weight
Sturdy construction
Integrated GPU
Top-notch display
Supports 4K video recording

2. 2021 Apple iPad Mini

The iPad mini promises efficient, fast, smooth, and consistent performance. Needless to say, Apple has packed it with components that ensure trouble-free operation. The tablet comes with an A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU. It's the same chip that's powering Apple's iPhone 13 Pro. The chip's 16-core neural engine can perform 15.8 trillion operations in mere seconds, making it 43 percent faster than its predecessor.

This system is powerful enough to run all applications released to date smoothly. Furthermore, the iPad mini runs the latest version of Apple's operating system, iPadOS 15. The OS comes with the latest multitasking features, versatile widgets, quick notes, and a focus mode to reduce distractions. This allows students to maximize their productivity and concentration.

The Apple Pencil compatibility makes it easier for students to take notes. It also helps tailor visually appealing artworks for presentations and assignments. Students working on AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, and SketchUp would find the stylus easier to maneuver for a smoother drawing experience.

The battery life is long enough to last you through the entire day. With a weight of just 0.65lbs, you'll remain comfortable carrying the tablet all day long. Additionally, the iPad mini offers an expandable storage capacity of 256GB and 4GB RAM. Both the rear and front 12MP cameras are decent enough for casual photography. It also supports 4K video recording - ideal for students starting their vlog channel.

Compact design
Supports stylus
Touch ID for secure authentication
Available in four stunning colors
Storage: 256GB
CPU: A15 Bionic
Memory: 4GB
Operating System: iPadOS 15
Battery: 10 hours
Ports: 1x USB-C
Camera (Rear, Front): Rear - 12MP Wide, Front - 12MP Ultra-Wide
Display type: 8.3-inch, 1488x2266
Affordable device
Supports 5G
Works with Bluetooth keyboards
Decent cameras
No MagSafe charging

3. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab

In addition to serving as a tablet, Lenovo Yoga also functions as a smart display. Thus, besides being an exceptional work tablet for students, it also serves as an entertainment unit. Best of all, it incorporates Google Assistant and great speakers. In addition, the tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 439 processor and 4GB RAM.

Although it isn't a powerhouse, it gets you through a tough day's work. MS Office and a light image editor run smoothly and seamlessly on the device. But, it isn't suitable for heavy-duty applications like Photoshop and Illustrator. The Lenovo launcher uses Android 9.0 Pie as its operating system. It adds a few useful widgets to make users' lives easier. If you prefer a minimalistic display, you can disable these widgets from the settings.

The overall performance of the operating system is quite good. However, it may not support some new applications since it is dated. The device's audio system is above-average for its price, so it's appealing to remote students. It is equipped with three sensitive microphones to recognize the voice from a distance and deliver it. Using this tablet would significantly improve your online communications.

Compatible with Google Assistant
Kickstand design
Solid build
Brand: Lenovo
Storage: 64GB
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 439
Operating System: Android
Camera (Rear, Front): Rear - 8MP, Front - 5MP
Display type: 10.1-inch, 1920x1080
Good screen and speakers
Versatile form factors
Doubles as a smart display
Runs dated version of Android

4. Huawei MatePad Pro

Huawei launched the MatePad Pro in 2021 as one of its premium devices. Compact and light, it is the ideal device to carry around campus. Its 10.8-inch display, punch-hole selfie camera, flash-supported rear camera, and Huawei's top-of-the-line chip make it a worthwhile investment. The tablet is powered by a Kirin 990 5G chip, an upgraded version of Kirin 990 used in Mate 30 and 30 Pro.

The new chip has better AI capabilities, faster clock rates, and, above all, better power efficiency. In video-editing applications or heavy-duty games, the chip never disappoints. Huawei uses HarmonyOS 2.0 as the operating system for MatePad Pro. The operating system consumes a small amount of RAM and is not very demanding on the processor. Even when running heavy-duty applications, the users get a seamless and lag-free experience.

The 10.8-inch screen with high resolution looks incredible, displaying details with exquisite sharpness. Natural and accurate colors also ensure that what you see on the screen is exactly what you get from the printer. Furthermore, it supports a stylus to take notes with maximum control. It would be a blessing for students who work with artwork and graphics. Moreover, there are two decent cameras on the tablet, ample storage and RAM, and a long-lasting battery.

Wide aspect ratio
540nits brightness
TÜV Rheinland certified
Brand: Huawei
Storage: 128GB
CPU: Octa-core
Memory: 6GB
Operating System: HarmonyOS 2.0
Ports: 1x USB Type-C 3.1, 4x stereo speakers
Camera (Rear, Front): 13MP, 8MP
Display type: 10.8-inch, 2560x1600
Size: 7 x 3 x 2.5 inches
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Aesthetically appealing design
Fast and efficient performance
Powerful chip and RAM
Multiple microphones
You might not be able to access some Google services

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

The Galaxy S7 is a multipurpose device that can be used either as a tablet or a laptop. Samsung offers a keyboard with an expanded trackpad that turns its tablet into a PC. Qualcomm SD865 powers it, the same processor used in the most advanced Samsung smartphones. Additionally, Android 10.0 offers countless customization options.

The Google App store is also full of applications that students can use for their assignments and presentations without lagging. Its compatibility with a smartpen opens up a plethora of opportunities for students to customize their notes and assignments. The battery lasts for about 15 hours, which is a bonus. If you need to finish the task, you won't need to plug it in. You can pull an all-nighter to finish it.

It has 128GB of storage, which is enough for most students. You can still use an external microSD card if you run out of internal memory. Furthermore, it features cameras that produce excellent results during online conferences, meetings, and virtual classes.

Expandable storage
Convertible device
Edge-to-edge displays
Supports fast-charging
Brand: Samsung
CPU: Qualcomm SDM865
Operating System: Android 10.0
Battery: 15 hours
Camera (Rear, Front): Rear 13MP, 5MP, Front - 8MP
Display type: 11-inch, 2560x1600
Compatible with smart pen and keyboard
Above-par cameras
Powerful processor
It does not support cellular data

6. New Microsoft Surface Go 2

Microsoft's Surface Go 2 is one of the most successful pieces of electronic equipment Microsoft ever produced. It took the world by storm and for all the right reasons. Intel's Pentium Gold 4425Y serves as the device's engine. It isn't the fastest of processors, but it is adequate for students to run Microsoft apps efficiently. Thanks to the NVIDIA Graphics Coprocessor, the device can also run light photo and video editing applications.

The display also contributes to this by delivering natural and sharp colors. Go 2 is compatible with smartpens and keyboards, making it convenient to take notes and write assignments. Pen also gives more control over the little details while designing and editing the artwork. Moreover, the device is lightweight, so it is easy to carry around campus.

Additionally, the components consume little power. It enhances the battery's longevity, a fundamental requirement for students. About 10 hours is enough to get you through the entire day or night. The tablet runs Windows 10, which can be upgraded to Windows 11. Though the user experience is seamless, plenty of customization options are available to tailor it to your preferences. Best of all, it is one of the most affordable devices on the market.

Smartpen and keyboard compatibility
Adjustable kickstand
Brand: Microsoft
CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y
Operating System: Windows 10
Camera (Rear, Front): Rear 8MP
Display type: 10.5-inch, 1920x1280
Headphone jack: Yes
Inexpensive device
A stunning display that makes it a great entertainment unit as well
Convertible
Long battery life
Lightweight
Sub-par processor

7. Huawei MateBook Signature

The MateBook Signature ticks all the right boxes for a student tablet. Besides being lightweight and powerful, this device has an affordable price tag. The device boasts a powerful M5 processor, is power-efficient, and guarantees long battery life. Windows 10 is upgradable and allows for unprecedented customization, making this device a treat for those who love customizing the machine.

Additionally, all the applications students may use are compatible with it. Display tops the list of top features of this device. A 12-inch screen and a high resolution provide exceptional details and colors. Together, the display and premium speakers make it an excellent entertainment unit.

Mate Pen offers 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity and is compatible with the device. Besides editing images and videos, you can also take notes and write assignments using it. One can control the details of the subject very precisely with the S-pen.

IPS display
Compatible with MatePen
Thin design
High pressure sensitivity
CPU: Intel Core M5
Camera (Rear, Front): 5MP front
Display type: 12-inch, 2160x1440
Compact and lightweight unit
Incredible display
SSD storage
Dull looking machine

Q: Are Tablets Good For Students?

Tablets increase students' productivity and concentration, so they are good for them. Using these devices makes it convenient to take notes, research materials, and share data with friends more quickly and efficiently. Lightweight and portable, they are suitable to carry on campus. Above all, they are less expensive than laptops.

Q: Is Tab Better Than Laptop?

A tab is essentially a laptop in a compact size. Tabs, however, have longer battery lives, allowing them to work uninterrupted for more extended periods. Furthermore, they are lightweight, which is a slight advantage over laptops since they can easily carry them around. In addition to that, their prices are a bit cheaper, which makes them a good choice for students on a budget.

Q: Can I Print From A Tablet?

Yes, you can print from a tablet, but you need a printer with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

The 8 Best Tablets for College in 2022

Keep your textbooks, notes and favorite games easily accessible in one ultra-portable device.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

The best tablets are lightweight and can easily handle textbooks, note-taking, lab work and down-time entertainment. But shopping for a great tablet can be a headache, with every company giving you multiple models to choose from. That’s why we’ve collected the best of the best for college students to take to school this fall. Read on for our top recommendations, plus essentials to consider before shopping.

Looking for more must-have devices, gadgets, gear and accessories for school? Check out our stories on the best Apple Watch charging stands , the best wireless headphones , and the best college laptops .

Best Tablets for College

Best overall

Apple ipad (2021).

Apple iPad Air

Best Android

Samsung galaxy tab s8.

Budget Android

Samsung galaxy tab a8.

Most affordable

Amazon fire hd 10.

Best Windows

Microsoft surface pro 8.

Windows on-the-go

Microsoft surface go 3.

For digital artist

Apple ipad pro 12.9-inch, what to consider.

The best tablets have a lot in common: a high-resolution screen, great software, long battery life and room to customize. Below are a few major points to keep in mind when picking your ideal tablet.

Operating System

Unlike computers, tablets run a wide variety of different operating systems. With any new tablet, it's best to match the software as closely as possible to your existing devices. Students using Windows and Android will be best served by a tablet running the same operating system. Similarly, anyone with a MacBook will find excellent cross-connectivity using an iPad.

Most tablets are sold with different amounts of storage built-in. Students working with larger files, such as photos and videos, may want to consider purchasing a tablet with at least 128GB of storage. Users working mostly online will be fine with the average 64GB models.

Accessories

Accessories like an attachable keyboard or digital stylus can transform your tablet experience. If you plan on using such accessories, make sure your tablet of choice is compatible.

How We Selected

Many of these recommendations come from hundreds of hours of in-house use. For the products we couldn’t test ourselves, we perform intensive research, reviewing content from expert sources like Wirecutter , CNET , Tom’s Guide , DigitalTrends , and others, as well as thousands of consumer reviews from online storefronts like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. As for the products themselves, we evaluated them on performance, design, build quality, and price. Also, every tablet we cover has an average customer rating of 4 stars or more.

Display Size: 10.2 inches
Display Resolution: 2160 x 1620 pixels
Storage: 64GB, 256GB
Weight: 17.6oz

At this point, the iPad is almost synonymous with the tablet. Apple dominates the tablet market in the United States with their high-quality, easy-to-use tablets. That quality and accessibility make 2021’s iPad our top tablet pick.

The iPad’s software experience is second to none, with intuitive menus, apps, file sharing and more. While this is Apple’s most affordable iPad, it still has great build quality and a plethora of compatible accessories. We only wish there were a 128GB storage option.

Display Size: 10.9 inches
Display Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
Weight: 16oz

For Apple fans with a bigger budget, 2022’s iPad Air is one of the best all-around tablets on the market. This iPad is more modern than past models, with super slim bezels, USB-C connectivity, better color contrast and an excellent front and rear camera.

But the best addition has to be Apple’s M1 chip. Compared to iPads of the past, this M1-powered iPad Air delivers superior performance in apps, games and everything in-between. If your budget is over $500, this is one of the best all-purpose Apple tablets you can get.

Display Size: 11 inches
Display Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
Storage: 128GB, 256GB

Samsung makes some of the best Android smartphones, so it's no surprise that their Android tablets are also critically-acclaimed. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is one of their more premium options, with a large screen, excellent resolution, huge storage, and fast speeds. It even has a micro-SD card slot, meaning you can add additional storage later on.

Students can easily sync their Windows or Android devices with the Tab S8. And unlike most tablets on this list, the Tab S8 comes with 128GB of storage by default. It also comes with the S Pen stylus included, making complex notes and basic art tasks that much easier.

Display Size: 10.5 inches
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
Storage: 64GB
Weight: 17.9oz

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a similar experience to more premium Samsung tablets for a fraction of the cost. For less than $250, you still get a fast tablet that can tackle reading, writing and entertainment with ease.

The Tab A8 feels great to handle, thanks to a largely metal build and uniform design. While it may not have the standout features of higher-end tablets, it does feature a rare microSD card slot. This means that you can easily add hundreds of gigabytes of additional storage for less than $50.

Display Size: 10.1 inches
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Storage: 32GB
Weight: 16.4oz

If budget is your top concern and you already have a laptop for more complex tasks, consider Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet. While we wouldn’t recommend it for note taking or complex assignments, it is optimized nicely for books and entertainment, especially Amazon apps like Kindle and Prime video.

The Fire HD 10 tablet may not have the build quality or specs to match other tablets on this list, but at $150, it doesn’t need to. Especially if you have time to kill between classes, this tablet is great for reading and entertainment.

Display Size: 13 inches
Display Resolution: 2880 x 1920 pixels
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Weight: 31.3oz

If you want your tablet to act more like a computer-replacement than a mobile device, the Surface series is for you. The Pro 8 is one of the most premium Surface models available. Paired with the right accessories, it can replace your laptop for most classes.

A two-in-one at heart, the Pro 8 feels more like a traditional laptop than any other tablet on this list. Powered by Windows 11, it can access more apps, websites and file types than most tablets. Games in particular look amazing on its high resolution, high refresh rate screen. Extra additions like a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and two USB-C ports only add to this tablet’s versatility.

Storage: 64GB, 128GB
Weight: 18.8oz

One of the main advantages tablets have over laptops is portability. Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 features that attribute while offering a laptop-like experience. Running Windows 11 allows you to access apps and software normally available only on full-sized laptops.

The Surface Go 3 may not be as powerful as the Surface Pro 8, but it still offers a versatile and enjoyable tablet experience for students. While it has a great operating system, webcam and battery, speed is its achilles heel.

Display Size: 12.9 inches
Display Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Weight: 24oz

Art students working digitally have different computing needs than most. For many, a specialized drawing tablet is the preferred tool for bringing your art workstation with you. Apple’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro aims to change that, offering incredible drawing capabilities alongside powerhouse performance. The standout spec for artists is the incredible display, which features stunning image quality and a high refresh rate.

Be aware that the cheapest 12.9-inch iPad Pro still costs over $1,000, and doesn’t come with an Apple Pencil stylus. Still, it's more affordable than buying a high-quality drawing tablet and regular computing tablet separately.

Harry Rabinowitz is a writer, editor, and columnist covering the latest and greatest products in the gaming industry. He also works to tell educational and entertaining stories about tech, entertainment, home goods, and more. When he’s not learning or writing something new, he’s probably heading to the library for a new graphic novel to read.

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Electronics

The Best Tablets

A 9th-generation iPad, shown on an orange background with a stylus and books shown to the side.

By Wirecutter Staff

After hundreds of hours of research and testing over the past seven years, we think Apple’s 9th-generation iPad is the best all-around tablet, with all the performance and features most people need for watching video, browsing the internet, and staying on top of email and social media feeds. But we also have recommendations for people who want an Android tablet, a basic ebook reader, or a more powerful tablet for gaming, for handling design and creative tasks, or for replacing a laptop computer.

The research

The best all-around tablet: apple ipad (9th generation), an upgrade for multitaskers and creatives: apple ipad pro (m2), the best android tablet: google pixel tablet, a budget tablet for media: amazon fire hd 8, the best ebook reader: amazon kindle, what about the microsoft surface (and other windows tablets and convertibles).

Apple iPad (9th generation)

The best tablet for most people.

The standard iPad is fast, easy to use, and compatible with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, and it offers the features most tablet users need.

Buying Options

Who this is for: You want a great all-around tablet that can handle pretty much any task.

Why we like it: Although this isn’t the newest version of the Apple iPad, it’s still the best tablet for most people thanks to great hardware, an easy-to-use operating system, and a huge library of quality apps, even if you normally use Android on your phone or Windows on your computer. iOS also receives frequent updates—including prompt security updates—which isn’t something you can say of any modern Android tablet.

In 2022, Apple released the 10th-generation iPad, but it costs $120 more for an experience that’s very similar to what you get from the 9th-generation version. The 9th-generation 10.2-inch iPad is still the best tablet for most people because it offers the best balance of price and performance, it has a large screen, and it’s compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil stylus and Apple Smart Keyboard. The standard 64 GB model should be good enough if you plan to use your iPad mostly for streaming music and video, reading, browsing the internet, and playing casual games, but you may want to upgrade to the 256 GB model if you plan to use yours to play graphically intense games or download lots of media.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The 9th-generation iPad is built with a gap between the LCD panel and the front glass, making interactions with the Apple Pencil slightly less responsive. You have to upgrade to the iPad Air if you want an iPad with a faster M1 processor and support for the second-gen Apple Pencil.

For more on the 9th-generation iPad and how it compares to other iPad models, read our full guide to Apple’s iPad lineup .

The Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M2) connected to a compatible keyboard and displaying the home screen.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M2, 256 GB)

For pro-level performance and a massive screen.

This iPad has a bright, sharp screen with accurate color that’s better for multitasking or serious creative work such as digital illustration, writing, or editing photos, audio, and video.

Costco membership required, price includes shipping

Who this is for: You want the best possible performance for viewing and editing photos and video, multitasking, and other tasks you’d normally do with a laptop.

Why we like it: For most multitasking and serious creative work, the iPad Pro is the best option. It has a slim, uniform bezel that wraps around the entire screen, making it feel equally natural whether you use it in landscape or portrait orientation—a design choice that makes it stand out from competitors. It’s great for working with photos and as a canvas for artists who frequently make use of the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Apple advertises the iPad Pro as a replacement for a traditional PC, but whether it can serve that purpose depends on what you do, how you work, and what apps you use. In general, iPad Pro keyboard cases and covers aren’t as nice as standalone Bluetooth keyboards or the keyboards on the best laptops. But drawing and photo-editing apps are well suited to touchscreen and Apple Pencil controls, and they benefit from the iPad Pro’s large, color-accurate screen.

For more on the iPad Pro, read our full guide to pro tablets .

Google Pixel Tablet

Best android tablet for most people.

Google’s tablet has a vivid screen for viewing content and dock that transforms it into a smart-home hub.

Who this is for: You’re already invested in or partial to Google’s version of Android, and you want an affordable tablet with a good display, excellent performance, and useful smart-home controls.

Why we like it: The Google Pixel Tablet has a bright and vivid 11-inch display and is powerful enough to handle high-end gaming along with multitasking and split-screen apps. It offers our favorite Google features, like hands-free Google Assistant, voice typing, live translation, multi-profile support, and more. The 5,000 mAh battery lasted 12 hours in our testing. The included dock boosts the bass and enables Hub mode, which transforms the Pixel Tablet into a smart-home hub that allows you to control smart-home devices such as smart lights, video doorbells, security cameras, and thermostats.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you want a tablet that supports a stylus, your options for the Pixel Tablet are limited; the Lenovo USI Pen 2 and Penoval USI 2.0 styluses are among the few that are compatible. Those who want a tablet for drawing or writing may want to seek out a different option.

Visit our full guide to the best Android tablets to read more about the Pixel Tablet and other Android tablets we’ve tested.

Our pick for best android tablet on a budget, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th generation).

Budget pick

Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th generation)

A cheap tablet for streaming media.

The Fire HD 8 has a smaller, lower-resolution screen than the Galaxy Tab S8, but it’s a great cheap tablet for reading or watching video, especially if you get that content from Amazon’s store.

Who this is for: You want the cheapest tablet that’s good for reading and watching video, with access to a big library of video, ebooks, and music.

Why we like it: The Amazon Fire HD 8 (12th generation) costs less than $100 and is an excellent value. It lets you stream video from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular services, and you can also read your Kindle ebooks. It offers built-in support for the Alexa voice assistant used by Amazon’s popular Echo devices, which makes ordering products and media from Amazon easier. In addition, Amazon Prime members get access to a selection of no-extra-cost movies, TV shows, and ebooks (though Amazon’s apps for iOS and other Android tablets all work similarly).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Fire HD 8 is slower and has a lower-resolution screen than any of our other picks, so text isn’t as crisp—the Kindle Paperwhite is better for reading ebooks—and its performance is optimized for watching videos and reading rather than getting work done. It’s also limited to Amazon’s Android app store, which has a smaller selection of games and apps than the regular Google Play store (which in turn lags behind Apple’s App Store when it comes to great tablet apps). Although it’s possible to install the Google Play store on the Fire HD 8 , doing so requires a workaround, and we don’t recommend it. Unlike our other tablet picks, which offer a solid selection of apps and productivity tools, the Fire HD 8 is best used only as a media-consumption device.

To find out how the Fire HD 8 stacks up against other Android tablets, see our guide to the best Android tablets .

The Amazon Kindle with a page of a book on the screen, sitting on a green background.

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best e-reader for most people.

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, with a 6-inch screen that has finally been upgraded with a higher pixel density for sharper text and support for USB-C charging. Access to Amazon’s huge ebook library makes the Kindle the best dedicated device for reading.

Who this is for: You don’t care about apps or browsing—you just want to read books.

Why we like it: The cheapest Kindle is also the best one. Its 6-inch E Ink screen offers 300 pixels per inch, which makes text sharp and easy to read, and the portable size makes it convenient for toting it wherever you go—it even fits in a small purse. Amazon finally switched from Micro-USB to USB-C charging for the entry-level Kindle, meaning you don’t need to hunt down a special cable to juice it up. It lasts weeks on a charge, so it’s better than an iPad or Android tablet for reading. And the Kindle comes with 16 GB of storage, which is plenty of room for your library of ebooks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The entry-level Kindle isn’t waterproof, so if you plan to read by the pool or in the bathtub, you might want to splurge for the pricier Kindle Paperwhite.

If you’re interested in Amazon’s more expensive Kindles or non-Amazon options, read our full guide to ebook readers .

We also have a guide to pro tablets , where we recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 as a capable laptop replacement, but you need $300 in accessories to make the most of it. Our tablet picks are much better for tablet-focused tasks like watching videos, browsing the web, and using tablet apps than getting a lot of work done—if you need a productivity-focused device, an ultrabook (or a MacBook ) might be a better bet.

Meet your guide

Wirecutter Staff

Getting Work Done on an iPad

by Haley Perry

You can do a surprising amount of work on an iPad with the right gear. These are the best accessories for turning your iPad into a mobile work space.

A drawing tablet sitting to the right of an open MacBook Pro, showing a drawing of a person, with a stylus next to the drawing tablet.

The Best Drawing Tablets

by Arthur Gies

Drawing tablets are nearly indispensable for creating art on a PC or laptop, and models such as the Huion Inspiroy 2 M are great for beginners and veteran artists alike.

iPad Pro tablet open with a keyboard against a blue background.

The Best Pro Tablets

by Dave Gershgorn

If you’re looking to replace or supplement your laptop with a tablet, you have great options but also tough choices ahead of you.

A kid using an Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet.

The Best Tablet for Kids

by Ryan Whitwam and Andrew Cunningham

The best tablet for your kid is the old one you aren’t using anymore. If you’re buying new, Apple’s 9th-generation iPad has the best app selection.

Best Tablets for College & University Students | 2023 Edition

Which tablets are best suited for university students? We have compiled a list of the best devices for students to help you choose.

Last updated on

Published on

Many students now prefer handy tablets to clunky laptops for practical reasons. Whether it’s for surfing and researching on the web, reading e-books, writing homework, or simply procrastinating – many scenarios make a tablet the ideal companion during studies.

Thanks to the optionally available keyboard cover, typing is almost as good as on a conventional notebook. The stylus also makes it possible to quickly write notes and offers opportunities to be creative when drawing or to mark certain sections of text as if with a Sharpie. Tablets are no longer just entertainment machines for Netflix or gaming.

Microsoft Office and other useful apps for productive work are now available for most devices. If you want to be sure that all relevant programs for your studies run on the tablet, you should choose one with Windows – like the Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

Our best tablets list includes top picks for university students with a focus on great keyboard and pen support. We feature both high-end and budget-friendly options.

If you plan to use apps like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator Draw, or Procreate as a graphic design student, the tablet’s performance is crucial. However, if you only intend to use the device for browsing and research, a cheaper option with less powerful hardware may be suitable.

Best Tablets for College Students: An Overview

Best tablet for students overall: Apple iPad Pro M2 (at Amazon*) . Apple’s premium tablet models are leading the current market. They come in either an 11-inch or 12.9-inch display with 120 Hz and support the Apple Pencil 2, which is particularly useful for drawing, note-taking or highlighting text. Additionally, the available keyboard covers are great for productivity. These tablets contain the most powerful hardware in the market and are installed with the same M2 chip as the current MacBooks. This makes processing tasks such as picture rendering in Lightroom or video rendering in LumaFusion much faster than the Surface Pro 9.
Best iPad Pro alternative: Apple iPad Air (on Amazon*) . The iPad Air offers an almost equivalent experience to the iPad Pro. It has slightly less power than the Pro models, but this is hardly noticeable in reality during practical use. This tablet also supports the Apple Pencil 2 as well as an optionally available keyboard cover. The 10.86-inch screen of the iPad Air is a bit darker compared to the iPad Pro and only offers a refresh rate of 60Hz, instead of 120Hz like the iPad Pro. Especially due to its slim dimensions and low weight, the iPad Air is an ideal university companion.
Best Android tablets for students: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ and S9 Ultra (at Amazon*) . The tablets have great displays and come with Samsung’s S Pen, which is included when you purchase them. Additionally, they both have an optional keyboard cover that’s very good. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ has a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that has a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 8 Ultra has a 14.6-inch screen with a resolution of 2960 x 1848 pixels and 120Hz as well. Samsung promises to provide four major Android updates for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series and will offer security updates for five years.
Best Windows tablet for students: Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (at Amazon*) . The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 may seem like a typical tablet, but it’s actually a Windows PC that can run all desktop versions of Windows programs. However, it’s more expensive than a similarly equipped laptop. The device boasts a high-quality screen and optional keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2. However, it’s not as powerful as the iPad Pro or Apple iPad Air in terms of performance.
Best mid-range tablet for students: Apple iPad 10 (at Amazon*) . Despite its affordable price, the entry-level iPad performs well. It also comes with the option to add a keyboard cover and use the Apple Pencil. The only downside is that the display is not laminated. This can slightly affect the feeling of working directly on the display with the Apple Pencil, but it’s not a major issue for everyday use.
Budget Alternatives for Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9+: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ . If you have your heart set on Galaxy Tab S9 series but do not want to break a bank the you have worthy alternatives in the form of Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+. You won’t get a 120Hz AMOLED panel but still get 90Hz 1440p LCD screens. The Tab S9 FE is 10.9 inches while the Tab S9 FE+ measures 12.4 inches with S-Pen included in the bundle for seamless note-taking.
Cheap alternative for students: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook (on Amazon*) . The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook is great because it includes a keyboard cover. It costs around $450 and has a good screen with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels and 60Hz. It’s also convenient for students because it has the desktop version of Chrome. The tablet will receive updates until 2030, but it only has Android 9 and doesn’t have a strong performance.

Tablets for University Students: All Details

Let us now take a closer look at the devices.

Apple iPad Pro: Best tablet for students overall

Students who have a bit more budget at their disposal and want the best of the best should take a look at the iPad Pro. It supports the high-quality Apple Pencil 2, which costs $149 and is ideal for drawing and taking notes. The optionally available keyboard cover – called “Magic Keyboard” by Apple – is also on a very high level in terms of quality and offers a comfortable typing experience. However, it is not a bargain. The cost of the Magic Keyboard is higher for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at $299 compared to the 11-inch iPad Pro which costs $249.

The Apple iPad Pro with 12.9 inches has a large and high-quality mini-LED display. It offers a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi, and 120 Hz. The mini-LED technology allows the tablet to achieve great contrast levels, vivid colors, and deep black levels. It is comparable to OLED displays in terms of quality. SDR content is shown on the display with a maximum brightness of 600 nits. With HDR content, peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits becomes possible thanks to the mini-LED technology. The screen is fully laminated.

Please be aware that the modern mini-LED technology is only available in the 12.9-inch screen version of the iPad Pro. The 11-inch iPad Pro is equipped with a regular LCD screen which is not as bright and does not offer the same level of contrast and blackness as the 12.9-inch version, although the screen quality is still impressive.

The Apple iPad Pros’ four speakers provide excellent sound. In our battery test, the iPad Pro achieved a runtime of 6 hours. For the test, we played an HD YouTube video at maximum brightness in a continuous loop.

The tablet is available with Wi-Fi 6E and also comes with an optional 5G version. The Apple iPad Pro uses the M2 chip, which is present in the current Apple MacBook Pros and provides excellent computing power for running demanding applications. It is currently the most powerful tablet available on the market.

The iPad Pro also has great build quality, Face ID facial recognition, good cameras including a LIDAR sensor, and a very good overall package. Students looking for a high-quality tablet with an excellent display and the best computing power on the market are well served by the Apple iPad Pro.

Also Read: Apple iPad Pro M2 12.9-inch review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: Best Android Tablets for Students

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series is a great choice for students. They have excellent displays, robust hardware, and solid software, making them the best Android tablets available on the market. It is great that the S Pen is already included. Samsung also offers optional, high-quality keyboard covers that are fun to work with.

The Galaxy Tab S9+ features a 12.4-inch display, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes with a huge 14.6-inch screen. Both tablets use a Dynamic AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which provides excellent contrast, color, and deep blacks. The Galaxy Tab S9+ offers a resolution of 2960 × 1440 pixels, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra delivers a resolution of 2960 x 1848 pixels. Both displays are fully laminated. We think that the Galaxy Tab S9+ and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra have the best displays on the market. The four integrated stereo speakers also sound good. They also include IP68 rating for water and dust resistance which makes them even better to carry around without worrying much about accidental spills.

The tablets offer a Widevine level of L1. Thus, you can watch Netflix and other streaming services in 1080p on both devices. The tablets also support HDR 10. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series offers Wi-Fi 6E. In addition, there are 5G versions of the tablets. In our battery test, the Galaxy Tab S9+ and S9 Ultra both achieved up to 11 hours of runtime. For the test, we played an HD YouTube video at maximum brightness in an endless loop. Samsung’s top models boast several benefits including advanced features such as a fingerprint scanner, superior camera quality, excellent build materials, and powerful hardware. These devices are also known to be the fastest Android tablets available in the market.

The Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra now run Android 14, and the devices are supposed to get a total of four major Android upgrades as well as five years of security updates. Students who prefer Android over iPadOS or Windows will make a great choice with the Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra thanks to strong hardware and great S-Pen and keyboard support.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9: Best Windows tablet for students

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a superior choice in the Windows tablet market due to its stylish design and convenient kickstand. Additionally, Microsoft offers the optional Surface Pro Signature Keyboard for approximately $150, which is ideal for writing. The Surface Slim Pen 2 is also available for purchase for around $100.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 has a 120 Hz display, which is of high quality. It is powerful enough for most study-related applications and can even handle CPU-intensive apps like Adobe Photoshop. You can also use it for moderate gaming. The device has a high-quality camera, which is perfect for video calling. The screen resolution is 2880 x 1920 pixels with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Moreover, the display has high contrast, saturation, and brightness.

The advantage of Windows is that you have access to all Windows programs without restrictions, just like you are used to from a PC. However, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is quite expensive compared to a conventional laptop with the same equipment.

The basic version of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 128 GB SSD costs $1099. In return, the SSD is replaceable, which can prove to be handy in everyday use. In terms of hardware performance, however, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is inferior to the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Students who want to make sure that all relevant programs run on their tablet and enjoy full Windows compatibility should take a closer look at the Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

Also Read: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review

iPad 10: Best mid-range tablet for students

If the performance of your tablet is what matters most to you, then we recommend the iPad 10, which supports the Apple Pencil 1 and a keyboard cover. The Pencil and the cover are great. However, it is a bit inconvenient that you need an adapter for the iPad 10 since it has a USB-C port, while the Apple Pencil 1 only has a Lightning port. It would have been more elegant if the iPad 10 was directly compatible with the Apple Pencil 2. However, the Apple Pencil 2 is only compatible with the current iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro models. Apart from the adapter, however, this is not a big problem since the detection of pressure levels and tilt works equally well for both models. However, you have to do without the tap function and charging via induction in the Apple Pencil 1.

Going by the Geekbench 5 test results, the iPad 10 is even more powerful than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series. Thus, students get a great performance for relatively little money with the iPad 10.

The design – which looks a bit outdated – and the screen has to be cut back. The screen is also not laminated. Thus, it can sometimes feel like you do not touch the screen directly when working with the Apple Pencil. However, this hardly bothers in everyday use. Otherwise, the iPad 10 scores with a flawless build and good cameras. Apple offers the tablet in versions with 64 GB and 256 GB storage capacity. If you want to use a lot of apps for your studies, we recommend buying the 256 GB variant.

Budget Alternatives for Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9+: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+

Galaxy tab S9 FE and S9 FE plus tablets by Samsung

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE comes with a 10.9-inch display featuring a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels. It delivers a high pixel density, resulting in sharp and crisp visuals. The larger Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ boasts a 12.4-inch display featuring a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. The pixel density here is exceptionally high, ensuring that everything on the screen appears sharp. You also get official accessories like a keyboard cover from Samsung. You can enhance your setup by spending some extra bucks.

In contrast to iPads, the Tab S9 FE series comes with an S-Pen stylus included in the bundle. The stylus is great for taking notes on the go and also for drawing. The Exynos 1380 may not be as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the Galaxy Tab S9 but it still delivers more than satisfactory performance on normal usage. For students, the Exynos 1380 can easily handle multitasking and other tasks without breaking a sweat. It is also powerful enough to tackle demanding games like Call of Duty or PUBG.

An 8000mAh battery backs the Galaxy Tab S9 FE while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ has packs a bigger 10,090mAh battery. In our tests, we found the batteries on both tablets power-efficient that can easily go on for an entire day on moderate usage. You also get 45W fast charging on these tablets.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ run Android 13 OneUI 5.1 out of the box, and just like Tab S9 series, they will also be receiving 4 years of major Android OS upgrades.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook: Cheap alternative for students

The tablet is available for under $500 including the keyboard and is thus the ideal device for price-conscious students. As the name of the tablet suggests, the desktop version of Chrome is already preinstalled on the device. It is also great that it is supposed to be provided with updates until 2030. The Chrome browser allows you to install the same extensions as on a normal PC, which can be especially useful when studying.

Chrome was originally a desktop-only operating system. Thus, it can also be operated flawlessly on the tablet with a mouse and keyboard. In addition, you can install Android apps on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook and access the Google Play Store. This means that you can use the majority of Android apps and games on the IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook. However, please note that most Microsoft Office apps cannot run on the tablet. Nonetheless, Chrome offers suitable alternatives.

You will have to make concessions in terms of performance. The device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor and either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The 10.1-inch display is also rather mediocre. It offers a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels and the playback of Netflix and other streaming providers is not possible in HD. This is only possible in the Chrome browser.

The battery life of 5.5 to 6 hours is also not impressive. For our test, we played an HD YouTube video in an endless loop with the brightness set to full. If you primarily want to use your tablet for writing tasks at university and do not want to spend a lot of money, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook could be the right choice for you.

Also Read: Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook Review

Apple iPad Air: Best iPad Pro alternative

If you’re a student who likes the iPad Pro but can’t afford it, consider checking out the iPad Air. This tablet is highly capable, supports the great Apple Pencil 2, and offers two great keyboard options. The iPad Air is equipped with the same M1 chip as the iPad Pro but is priced slightly lower. With this chip, it outperforms any Android tablet currently available. The iPad Air has an attractive design, good cameras, and a fancy LCD display with 60Hz, as well as up-to-date software.

It’s a shame that the base version of the iPad Air only offers 64GB of storage. This might be too little for students who want to use many large apps on their tablets. Overall, the iPad Air is a great choice for college due to its very good performance, chic display, and excellent keyboard and stylus support.

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The best note-taking tablets: Expert tested

Tablets can do so many different things, but one of their go-to uses these days is for taking notes. These devices make it easier than ever for students or professionals to jot down everything they need while being portable and even powerful enough to replace a heftier laptop.

Tablets run the gamut in terms of everything they can do (and all the prices they show up at), so even if you're looking for a tablet to take notes in classes or meetings, it's important to consider what else you might want to use your tablet for. For students, you might get a tablet for school instead of a laptop, while professionals might carry one for commuting purposes since they are much more portable. There are tablets on the market that fit both of those scenarios.

Also: The best tablets you can buy

What is the best note-taking tablet you can buy right now?

ZDNET went hands-on with the following tablets, with our pick for the best note-taking tablet overall being the iPad Air , thanks to its lightweight build and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil. But we also included tablets from Microsoft, Amazon, and more to take digital notes on.

The best note-taking tablets of 2024

Apple ipad air (5th generation), best note-taking tablet overall.

Fully customizable with color, storage, and access
Fast speed with Apple's M1 chip
Retina display
Only compatible with iOS
Camera cannot be used with other apps

Even Android fans will like Apple's iPad Air. The lightweight tablet can do everything -- including taking notes. Compatible with the Apple Pencil (second generation), the iPad Air makes it easy to take notes in class or meetings and watch seminars virtually if needed. Apple's products are largely customizable, and this is no different: you can opt for one of five colors and get more or less storage depending on what you need.

In addition, you can also equip your iPad to use cellular data if Wi-Fi doesn't feel sufficient for classes or commuting. For students or professionals who might need to use their tablets while on the go often, a cellular data plan ensures you can always get online to access.

Review: iPad Air (2022): So good I almost regret buying my iPad Pro

ZDNET contributor, Jason Cipriani, went hands-on with the iPad Air and was impressed by its 2-in-1 compatibility thanks to the Apple Keyboard and Apple Pencil additions. "It's as powerful as the iPad Pro, but costs hundreds of dollars less -- even when you max out the storage -- with a display that's on par with the 11-inch iPad Pro," he wrote.

Overall, 98% of Best Buy customers who bought the iPad Air would recommend it to others and gave it an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best lightweight note-taking tablet.

Fully customizable
Lightweight
Stylus and keyboard sold separately
Customizations can get pricey

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a lightweight tablet that you'll hardly even notice it in your bag. It's just over a pound, and even if you add a keyboard to it, it still doesn't take up too much space. The Surface Go 3 has a hefty battery life that can last you through a full day and also charges quickly if you need it in a hurry.

Review: Microsoft Surface Go 3: A portable and versatile 2-in-1, but battery life disappoints

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 also has a facial recognition camera to add a layer of security and runs a Windows operating system. It's also compatible with the Surface pen, should you want to use a stylus while taking notes. It also has a crisp 1920x1280 resolution for joining Zoom calls or simply watching Netflix.

Contributing writer Mary Branscombe tested the Microsoft Surface Go 3 when it first debuted back in 2021 and called out that it's "a real PC that can run standard Windows workloads -- just in a tiny, light and slim package." "Like the previous models, the Surface Go 3 shines as a portable device: it's perfect for working on an airplane tray table or a crowded train, and for throwing in a backpack or the kitbag in the back of a vehicle," she wrote.

In addition, you can customize your machine with different storage options and processors to boost it up if you want it to run faster or have more space. Just keep in mind that the more you customize, the higher the price tag.

One Reddit user praised the Surface Go 3, saying, "No issues running a bunch of Edge tabs, Excel, Word, and PP docs all at the same time," adding, "Even media consumption is way easier on the Go 3."

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Best note-taking tablet for reading.

Impressive battery life
Included pen for handwritten notes
Compatible with Microsoft Word
Premium Pen upgrade will cost you more
Does not support note-taking on magazines or newspapers

The Kindle Scribe is perhaps the perfect example of part e-reader, part tablet. It has the same functions you've come to know and love in a Kindle, like a 300 ppi glare-free screen, weeks of battery life, and adjustable warm light. It's also compatible with Amazon's Basic or Premium Pen, so you can take handwritten notes or underline important quotations within the book you're reading.

Your notes are automatically organized in one place for every book so that you can browse, review, and export them via email. The Kindle Scribe also comes with preset templates to help you create notebooks, journals, and lists, and you can create sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents.

Review: Amazon Kindle Scribe: 7 months later, it's so close to perfect

The Kindle Scribe comes with the Basic pen, but verified Amazon customers say it's best to opt for the $30 premium pen so you get more advanced features like a dedicated eraser and the shortcut button.

ZDNET contributor, Matthew Miller, called this 2-in-1 tablet "close to perfect" in his hands-on review. "A key function is how I can quickly and easily erase my handwritten notes by 'brushing' the eraser portion of the $59 Premium Pen . It's an optional accessory for the Scribe, but one that I highly recommend picking up if you want the full note-taking experience," Miller advises.

Kindle Scribe tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display | Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Weight: 0.96 pounds | Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x .22 inches | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks (at 30 minutes per day)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Best note-taking tablet for android users.

Stunning display
S Pen in box
Many of the same features as the pricier S9 Ultra and S9+
Missing apps

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is part of Samsung's latest tablet series released this year. The Tab S9 comes with 8GB or 12GB of memory and starts at 128GB of storage which can be expanded by up to 1TB thanks to microSD card support. Inside the Tab S9 is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

The 11-inch LCD display is compact enough to make the tablet portable. But most importantly, included in the box with the S9 is an S Pen that you can use to write or draw in your favorite apps, just like you can with the Samsung Galaxy Note lineup.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Miller also tested this base Tab S9 model, saying it was an enjoyable experience, including the new and improved S Pen that has an IP68 waterproof rating and a 2.9ms latency. "Samsung clearly beats Apple by including the S Pen with the tablet, and I love using the Samsung Notes app that includes support for syncing flawlessly with OneNote. It's hard to beat a Samsung tablet when it comes to taking notes, and I stand by that," he wrote.

Reddit users also note that the Samsung Notes app is "heaven" for note-taking.

Amazon Fire Max 11

Best budget note-taking tablet.

Affordably priced, especially when bundled
Solid battery life
New, modernized design
Performance is just alright
Important productivity apps are missing

With a starting price of $245, the Fire Max 11 brings an 11-inch display, 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage with support for 1TB of microSD card storage. If you're looking for a tablet for work and play, the Fire Max 11 Productivity Bundle costs $370, but comes with a keyboard with touchpad, case, and a stylus that has 4,096 levels of pressure.

Review: Amazon Fire Max 11: Easily the best Fire tablet yet

Cipriani also went hands-on with the Amazon Fire Max 11 and said that it is "easily the best Fire Tablet Amazon has made yet."

"You can use the pen to write in the search field of the Silk Browser or the search bar on the Fire Max 11's main screen," he wrote. "The handwriting recognition is pretty good, converting my horrible handwriting to text with impressive accuracy." Plus, it has an impressive battery life of up to 14 hours.

Overall, 94% of Best Buy customers would recommend this tablet to others, giving it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

What is the best note-taking tablet?

The best note-taking tablet is the iPad Air based on price, ratings, display, features, and more. It's also super lightweight, making it the perfect choice to carry anywhere.

*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.

Which note-taking tablet is right for you?

Choosing a tablet really comes down to what you want to use it for and what you want to spend. Basic tablets tend to be cheaper, so if you don't plan to use them for much other than taking notes, you can look at spending a little less and getting something like an Amazon Fire Tablet.

However, if you want a tablet you can use for school and and for everyday things like streaming, photo editing, and more, something like an iPad might be a better choice.

Factors to consider when choosing the best note-taking tablet

Before you buy a note-taking tablet, you'll want to consider the following:

Display: A tablet's experience is largely based on its display, so pay attention to tablets with HD resolutions and even paper-like displays.
Stylus compatibility: Most people use a stylus when taking notes on a tablet, so consider tablets that either come with a stylus right out of the box or have the option to buy one from the maker separately. It's important to note most universal styluses will also work with these tablets.
Size: Tablets that you will mainly use for note-taking purposes will have different requirements than tablets you need to replace a laptop with. Smaller size tablets are best for note-taking purposes and are lightweight and portable.
Price: Tablets will vary in price from $150 all the way up to $1,000 or more, depending on storage capacity, display quality, processors, and more.

How we test tablets

In choosing these tablets for note-taking, we considered tablets we have used hands-on and reviewed at ZDNET. We do extensive hands-on testing of tablets, including ease using them for work and entertainment, and paying attention to specs like display, battery life, and overall experience while using the tablet.

For products we recommend, we write a product spotlight review that we update periodically with new features and pricing information.

Do I need a stylus for a note-taking tablet?

Using a stylus is totally up to you, but it can definitely help with functionality. Some tablets come with a stylus, while others will have them sold separately. If you're looking at this from a cost perspective, consider the fact that the stylus will often be an added expense, but you may find it worth it for ease of use, especially if you're the type that likes the feeling of writing out your notes rather than typing them.

What are the best note-taking apps?

The best note-taking apps let you digitize your notes and to-dos while keeping them all in one place or syncing them to a cloud. Our favorites are Notability, Evernote, GoodNotes 5, and even Apple's free Notes app is a worthy choice.

Does the Apple Pencil convert handwriting to text?

Yes--the Apple Pencil can convert your hand-written notes into text for better legibility. Here's how:

In the Notes or Freeform apps, tap to show the tool palette.

In the tool palette, tap the Handwriting tool (to the left of the pen).

Write with Apple Pencil, and Scribble automatically converts your handwriting into typed text.

Other note-taking tablets we've tested:

If none of the above caught your eye or don't seem quite like what you're looking for, there are some similar models at different price points that will also serve you well in taking notes at school or at work.

ZDNET Recommends

The best tablets you can buy: expert tested, these are the best android tablets you can buy: expert tested, the best ipad stylus you can buy: expert tested.

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Best for Most People Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen) Read more

ipad 10th generation blue front and back

A More Modern iPad Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen) Read more

OnePlus Pad tablets with keyboards attached

Best Android Tablet OnePlus Pad Read more

Best Tablet Under $200 Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) Read more

The best tablet can be a portable TV screen around the house and a way to get some light work done away from your desk. They're not essential but are nice to have around. With a wealth of apps for drawing, painting, and making music, they’re also a great outlet for creative impulses.

The iPad’s ease of use and best-in-breed software make it the obvious choice for most people, but if you don’t want an iPad, other options exist. Android tablets are making a comeback recently as Google refocused its efforts on improving the tablet experience. Amazon’s Fire tablets are also an affordable way to watch movies and browse the web, as long as you don’t mind their limitations. There are even great E Ink slates for jotting down notes or sketching. These are our favorites of the many we have tested.

Be sure to check out our other buying guides , including the Best iPads , Best Digital Notebooks and Pens , Best Drawing Apps , Best iPad Accessories , and Best Amazon Fire Tablets .

Updated November 2023: We’ve added the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, ReMarkable 2, TCL NxtPaper 11, and Wacom One 13 Touch.

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Best for Most People

It's surprisingly hard to find another tablet that performs as smoothly as Apple's iPad. The ninth-generation model ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) uses the same A13 Bionic chip that powers the iPhone 11 , which outclasses similarly priced slates. Sure, it looks like an iPad from six years ago, with thick borders around the screen and a classic home button (with Touch ID), but maybe that's what you want. It's the only iPad with this design anymore, and the only one that comes with an audio jack.

The best addition to the 2021 model is the 12-megapixel selfie camera with support for Center Stage. The camera will ensure you're always visible in the frame, handy if you're cooking and FaceTiming with Mom. You also get Apple's class-leading ecosystem of tablet-optimized apps, which truly make this a slate capable of entertainment and work. The latter is especially true if you hook up Apple's Smart Keyboard (or a third-party alternative ). It supports the first-gen Apple Pencil too, but this is the only iPad with a larger air gap between the glass and screen. There's a discernible space between your fingertip and the actual pixels, which makes using the iPad for sketching a little less natural than its siblings.

A More Modern iPad

Apple finally introduced a nicer entry-level iPad in 2022. The 10th-gen iPad ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) mimics the rest of Apple's slates with a uniform, slim bezel around the slightly larger 10.9-inch LCD screen. There's also no home button—instead, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is embedded into the power button at the top—and no headphone jack. It does have a USB-C port, which means you can use the same cable as your MacBook to recharge it. There's also 5G support on the cellular model. The 12-MP selfie camera now sits at the center when you hold the tablet horizontally—no need to awkwardly look to the side during video calls.

Unfortunately, the price has jumped up, which is why Apple continues to sell the 9th-gen model. There's also only first-gen Apple Pencil support , and the air gap between the screen and glass remains, so it's not the best iPad for sketching. It supports the Magic Keyboard Folio and the Smart Folio case , but we recommend you go with a third-party keyboard to save some cash.

Best Android Tablet

If you're eyeing a tablet that can replace your laptop every now and then—one that still works great as an entertainment slate, and is not an iPad—take a look at the OnePlus Pad ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). It's the first-ever tablet from the phone maker and it runs Android 13 out of the box, so there are a lot of improvements in making the Android experience on a tablet really great. Multitasking is notably efficient here, aided by the company's accessories: a Magnetic Keyboard case and a stylus. It was the first time I felt comfortable working for long stretches of time on an Android tablet. (OnePlus occasionally has a sale bundle that includes the keyboard or stylus with your tablet purchase for free on its own storefront.)

The 11.61-inch LCD 144-Hz display is sharp, fluid, and colorful, the battery has excellent standby time and can get through close to a full workday, and performance is pretty smooth. It'll get three years of OS updates and four years of security updates. It's a shame there's no microSD slot, headphone jack, or biometric authentication.

Best Tablet Under $200

Amazon's Fire tablets aren't for everyone. They really push Amazon Prime services and apps, but they're great for leisurely tasks, like playing games and watching movies. There's no Google Play Store (though there's a workaround ), and not every Android app is readily available. Still, for $140, it's hard to beat the 2023 Fire HD 10, which is our favorite Fire Tablet . The update over the 2021 model is largely just a processor bump, making it slightly faster. It has enough power for most tasks, even some light work if you pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard (there's a keyboard bundle !). There's a USB-C port, so you can charge it with the same cable as your laptop or phone, and it has hands-free Alexa support, meaning it can double as an Echo Show .

Note that Amazon steeply discounts its Fire tablets on Prime Day , Black Friday, and for shopping holidays like back-to-school season, so try to avoid paying full price. That's why it might be worth looking at the Fire Max 11 , which is a faster, better quality tablet, but has far too high of an MSRP. When it dips to $150 or less, it's worth it.

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If you want to do some work on your tablet, get Apple's iPad Air ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends) . Thanks to the M1 processor, it's the most powerful tablet for the money. You can play demanding games, edit batches of RAW photos, render 3D designs, and so much more. Apple's recent strides in iPadOS make it easier to multitask than ever too. This slate delivers slim bezels around the 10.9-inch screen and USB-C for charging, and it supports the second-generation Apple Pencil ( Amazon ), which magnetically attaches to the top and recharges wirelessly. That also makes this one of the best tablets for sketching, as the laminated display offers a more natural drawing experience. There's no Face ID, but Touch ID is integrated into the power button.

★ The ultimate iPad: The 12.9-inch 2022 iPad Pro ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) is much more expensive at $1,049 , but it's more feature-rich. The large screen makes it even better for drawing. It has Mini-LED backlighting technology , which outputs a brighter display with better contrast, and improved performance with the M2 chip. You also get a 120-Hz screen refresh rate , two extra speakers, 5G, Face ID, and a lidar sensor, among other perks.

Best Tablet and Smart Display Combo

Google's Pixel Tablet ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) is part tablet, part smart display. This 11-inch slate is like a big Pixel phone , with a sharp LCD screen, good speakers, and slick software. It's powerful too, thanks to the Tensor G2 software inside. However, it comes with a hub, so when you're done using it as a tablet, you can magnetically dock it to automatically start recharging. This hub doubles as a speaker, and since the Pixel Tablet is the first to support Chromecast, you can cast music or shows to it from your phone or laptop and get beefier sound out of the system. When you're not using it, you can have the display show a clock or friends and family from your Google Photos library like a digital picture frame .

The best part is multi-user support. The Pixel Tablet supports up to eight profiles, so every member of the family can switch to their own personalized profile, and it's securely locked via fingerprint. On another note, I highly recommend getting the official Pixel Tablet Case ($79) , as it adds a much-needed kickstand and it doesn't interrupt the hub attachment point. I also tested a Speck case that has a decent kickstand and is a little cheaper .

Image may contain Book Human Person Text and Sitting

Best Digital Notebook

I've been using the ReMarkable 2 for more than a year as a digital notebook, and it's hard to imagine life without it. Writing with the stylus feels closer to paper and pen than any other digital notebook I've tried (we've tested others here ). You can choose between the Marker and the Marker Plus. The latter has an eraser at the other end, but I don't think it's worth the higher cost. The company has done a (sorry not sorry for the pun!) remarkable job of keeping the software updated while adding more organizational features. You can add tags and make folders or notebooks, and the slate does a decent job of converting handwriting to text. You can send files to your email in a few different formats too. You don't need to subscribe to Connect ($3 per month) , but it gives you unlimited cloud storage and the ability to access and make notes on desktop and mobile.

What really upped the game with the ReMarkable 2 for me was the new Type Folio Keyboard Cover ($199) . This handy accessory magnetically sticks to the tablet and adds a tiny keyboard! It connects via pogo pins, so you never have to recharge it. The keyboard takes some getting used to, as the layout is cramped, but I love using it to write when I absolutely need to get away from all the distractions from Slack, email, and other messaging apps. Best of all is the ReMarkable's long-lasting battery—I plug it in once a week if not less.

Best Tablet Under $100

The 2022 Fire HD 8 ( 6/10, WIRED Review ) doesn't add much over the 2020 model outside of a slightly faster processor and thinner design. For the money, you get decent performance, a USB-C charging port, stereo sound, and hands-free access to Alexa—all of this in a travel-friendly 8-inch size. The screen isn't as nice as the Fire HD 10, and it can be a little tough to see images and text clearly if you're outside, but this is the best tablet you can get for around $100. There's officially no Google Play Store, but there's a workaround that nets you access to more apps.

Paying the extra $20 for the Fire HD 8 Plus is wise, as you get extra RAM (which helps when you're scrolling the web or juggling multiple apps) and wireless charging, so you can recharge it on almost any charging pad. You can also use an official wireless charging dock , which props up the tablet and turns it into an Echo Show while it's juicing up. Either way, consider picking up Amazon's magnetic cover to hold the tablet steady when you're bingeing TV shows.

★ An alternative: Amazon also refreshed the Fire HD 7 ($60) in 2022 to offer better performance and USB-C connectivity. You only get 16 gigs of storage (though there's a MicroSD card slot), and the screen is still tiny (7 inches), but if that's what you want, it's a fine option.

A Cheaper Android Tablet

Lenovo's Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen) is all you need if you want a lag-free Android tablet. The MediaTek 1300T processor inside did an excellent job juggling various apps and games, even when spending a few workdays in Lenovo's Productivity Mode, which kicks in when you connect a Bluetooth keyboard. The interface switches to a laptop-like environment with resizable app windows. It's not quite as nice to use as the OnePlus Pad for work though. I tested the version with six gigabytes of RAM—the 4-GB model is cheaper but will likely feel more sluggish. I strongly recommend using Lenovo's Keyboard and kickstand if you plan to get some work done as it connects via pogo pins and doesn't require any power or Bluetooth fiddling (though it's frequently out of stock). You can doodle if you get Lenovo's Precision Pen 3 , and I found it fairly responsive.

The 11-inch OLED (!) display is a nice size to carry around, and the screen is sharp and colorful, joined by a quad-speaker system that sounds robust. There's a microSD card slot to expand the 128 GB of built-in storage if you need it, but there's no headphone jack, so you'll have to listen in with Bluetooth earbuds (or use a dongle ). Other downsides? There's no biometric authentication, the cameras aren't much to write home about, and while I got nearly seven hours on a single charge, this tablet devours battery life in standby mode so turn it off if you're not using it. Lenovo is also promising three years of security updates and two OS updates for this slate, which means since it's running Android 12, it won't get anything past Android 14. That's better than what the company has promised before, but still not as good as the competition, and it doesn't help that Lenovo is really slow to roll these updates out.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition 2022 model on green backdrop

Best Kids Tablet

When you're giving a tablet to a kid, you want something durable and cheap so that it's unlikely to break and, if does, a replacement won't be too costly. Amazon offers kid-friendly versions of all its Fire tablets, and the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition sits in the sweet spot of having a kid-friendly size and a wallet-friendly price. It's the exact same as the Fire HD 8 above, but the extra money you spend adds a bulky case to protect the tablet and a two-year worry-free damage plan. That means if your kid breaks it, you can return it and Amazon will send you a replacement for free. You also get a year of Amazon's Kids+ service , which provides access to kid-friendly books , movies, games, and apps, all with parental controls. It's $8 per month after the first year ($5 for Prime members).

There's also the larger Fire HD 10 Kids Edition, which comes in two variants: one for kids aged 3 to 7 , and a Kids Pro Edition for kids aged 6 to 12. Both are pricier and might be too big for younger children to comfortably use. Check out our Best Kids Tablets guide for more ideas.

Luxe Android Tablets

Samsung's Tab S9 series ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) consists of three tablets: the Tab S9 ($800) , Tab S9+ ($1,000) , and Tab S9 Ultra ($1,200) . They're all insanely expensive, but you get some of the best hardware in Android, from superbright 120-Hz screens and IP68 water resistance to an included S Pen stylus and flagship performance. Samsung offers some of the longest support outside of Apple, with a promise of four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.

These slates are capable at work and play, thanks to multitasking improvements and an improved DeX desktop mode. But I think the Tab S9 is the weakest of the lot in terms of value. You can get a very close experience with tablets like the OnePlus Pad and Pixel Tablet for far less (or even Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE ). Instead, if you really like the look of these Samsung tablets, stick with the Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra. There aren't a lot of large-screen Android slates, and these do the job exceptionally well. Just remember that Samsung's Book Cover keyboard attachment is yet another expensive purchase.

A Great Drawing Tablet

Want a tablet strictly for drawing? Get the Wacom One 13 Touch ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). WIRED's resident artist and product reviewer Jaina Grey has been using an iPad to draw for years, and yet the Wacom's silky smooth touchscreen drew her in. It's easy to set up—just plug the USB-C cable into your PC—and start sketching with your preferred drawing app ; the stylus doesn't need recharging. The downside is that it needs to be tethered to another device, so you can't just bring it wherever you want, as you would an iPad.

Best Portable Tablet

Want something a little bigger than your phone, but still pocketable and easy to travel with? The 8.3-inch iPad Mini ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) should be up your alley. You get a compact tablet with a refreshed iPad Pro-like design. It has the A15 Bionic processor, the same that powers the iPhone 13 range , and Touch ID embedded inside the power button. It also features Center Stage in the camera, like the aforementioned iPads, and USB-C for charging. It's unbelievably small and cute, and you can attach the second-gen Apple Pencil to it for on-the-go sketching.

Best Laptop/Tablet Hybrid

Who says tablets need to run operating systems originally designed for smartphones? Microsoft's Surface line employs Windows, making it a suitable choice for heavy, desktop-grade workflows. The Surface Pro 9 doesn't add much over its predecessor—it has a faster processor—but it remains powerful, with a large 13-inch screen and a 120-Hz refresh rate . The best part is the built-in kickstand, which lets you plop it down on almost any surface. It's not as polished as an iPad in tablet mode, but Windows 11 has larger touch targets that make it easier to use. Our main gripe? Battery life is not as great as Microsoft promises.

The Surface Go 3 suffers from similar battery woes, but it's a cheaper option. It's not as powerful, so it's better suited for simpler tasks like writing emails, browsing the web, and watching Netflix.

We recommend the Surface Pro 9 with the Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256-GB SSD for most people.

Best for Seniors

If you have a family member who has a hard time with technology and you want to maintain easy contact with them, the GrandPad ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is your best bet. It's a yearly subscription, so it's expensive, but you're getting LTE connectivity out of the box, so the device is always connected to the internet—no need to set up Wi-Fi. The slate itself has outdated specs (it's an Acer 8-inch tablet), but there's a large, optimized interface, speakers tuned to help those hard of hearing, ad-free music streaming and radio stations, unlimited photo and video storage, and games like Solitaire. If the device is ever damaged or lost, the company will send a replacement.

The GrandPad excels at one-to-one video calls, and it's portable, meaning they can take it with them and still receive your calls. It sits on a wireless charging cradle too, so your loved one won't have to fuss with cables.

Google Pixel Fold with WIRED homepage displayed on the screen

Get a Folding Phone Instead

OK, hear me out. If all you're really after is a slightly larger screen to catch up on shows and movies at bedtime, then instead of getting another device you need to deal with, why not upgrade your phone to a folding smartphone? The whole idea behind these kinds of folding devices is to offer a larger screen than ever before in a smaller package. The Pixel Fold ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) opens up to be a 7.6-inch slate—not a massive difference from the 8.3-inch iPad Mini! Not all apps take advantage of the larger screen size, but this is something that's improving over time. Best of all, you can easily hop into a split-screen mode to run two apps simultaneously side by side. Read our Best Folding Phones guide for more options.

Honorable Mentions

We test tons of tablets every year. Here are a few others we like, just not as much as our picks above.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus for $600 : The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the “ Fan Edition ” version of the flagship Tab S9 series, which essentially means it makes some sacrifices for a more palatable price. It comes in a Plus and standard variant —I tested the former—and both include a stylus. It performed much better than the older Tab S7 FE tablet I tested, with not many stutters. The 12.4-inch LCD screen is vast and a rarity to find at this price in the world of Android tablets, but it's a bit tricky to comfortably hold, especially when you're browsing apps in bed. I still prefer the OnePlus Pad and Pixel Tablet over it, especially at this price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series for $500+ : Whether it's the Tab S8 , Tab S8+ , or Tab S8 Ultra , it's always smart to buy 2022's flagship tablets when they go on sale. (Make sure you don't pay MSRP!) They're not that different from the new Tab S9 series, except the smallest slate is stuck with an LCD panel here instead of AMOLED, and there is no IP68 water resistance rating. You still get a stylus that magnetically sticks to the back of the tablet, Samsung's DeX mode to get some work done, and long software support.

Nokia T20 Android Tablet for $145 : I nearly gave the Nokia T20 our top Android tablet spot above. It's pretty great. What brought it down was … my time with the Lenovo P11, which performed better and had a nicer screen—all for not much more money. Still, the T20 will run most apps and games, it has a decent 10.3-inch screen that's not too big and not too small, and there's a headphone jack. The speakers and screen are just OK. HMD Global, which makes Nokia hardware, promises two OS upgrades and three years of security updates (it was only recently updated to Android 13, so the rollouts are slow).

Nokia T10 Android Tablet for $130 : I think the Nokia T20 is the better option, but the T10 is a smaller 8-inch slate if you want something more pocketable. The screen resolution is lackluster, and the performance isn't super snappy, but it's decent enough for reading or catching up on a show before bed. The company promises two OS upgrades and three years of security updates.

TCL Tab Pro 5G Android Tablet for $400 : Unless you really want 5G connectivity and are prepared to sign up for a monthly data-only plan with Verizon, I think Lenovo's P11 Pro (2nd Gen) is the better buy. This TCL has a solid 2K LCD screen, but it's not as contrasty and colorful as our top Android pick. Its speakers are nice, as is performance—it ran all the usual apps just fine. However, the 10-inch screen size isn't large enough to make some apps split into two columns when in a vertical orientation (not the case on the P11 Pro). At least you get a fingerprint scanner.

Avoid These Tablets

TCL Nxtpaper 11 Tablet for $290 : This TCL tablet has dipped on sale as low as $161, so try to avoid paying more than $200 for it. It has a matte paper-like 11-inch screen, which is easy on the eyes, much like an E Ink screen on an ebook reader. It's totally fine to use for browsing your favorite apps and even watching movies and shows, though performance is pretty choppy across the board. But it will only get two security updates, with zero promises to get Android 14. That's pretty pathetic.

Lenovo Tab Extreme for $950 : This is a really expensive, premium-feeling tablet. It's fantastic … until you start using it. My unit was riddled with bugs (apps kept force-closing) not to mention that Lenovo's Android interface made some weird design decisions that affected my workflow. Unlike every other new Android tablet, you can't open a second Chrome tab in split-screen mode to have two Chrome tabs side by side. When I took it to an in-person meeting to type up notes, my palm kept touching the trackpad on the keyboard case and moved my cursor around. It was frustrating. It's also weirdly difficult to buy right now. It's just not worth the hassle.

Amazon Fire 11 Max for $230 : If you are OK with a tablet that shoves Amazon content in your face, and nothing else, then the Fire 11 Max is a fine buy. However, Amazon has a Productivity Bundle that adds a keyboard case for $330, and this is where the Max starts losing value. You can do so much more with many of the tablets above. It's only worth it if you can find it at a steep discount, like during Black Friday.

Great Tablet Accessories

Tablets often don't come with kickstands or enough ports, so it's a good idea to snag a few accessories to enhance your experience. These are some of our favorite tablet accessories, many of which you can also find in our Best iPad Accessories guide .

Satechi Aluminum Desktop Stand for $45 : This is my favorite tablet stand, so much so that I've taken it with me on trips. It packs down relatively well, and it is very stable—there's no wobbling around here. You can also adjust the angle quite a bit. It can handle huge sizes too—it worked perfectly with my 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Twelve South Compass Pro Stand for $50 : This is made for iPads, but I've had no trouble using it for plenty of other tablets. It's more travel-friendly than the Satechi above and fairly stable, but when I lift the tablet off, the back leg tends to change positions. You can angle it pretty low for sketching or keep it upright for watching movies. Unlike the Satechi, it's not a great option for keeping the tablet upright on a mattress.

Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $60 : This works with iPads and other tablets just fine. You can either plug it in and keep it flush with the edge of a slate or use the included cord to keep it extended. You get a USB-C port you can use for pass-through charging, a USB-A, an HDMI, and a headphone jack.

Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder for $26 : I've used this on my bed frame to hold up various tablets for more than a year. The gooseneck requires a bit of finagling to get to the right position, and if you're constantly tapping the tablet, it will jiggle around. But it's a great hands-free way to watch movies. You can affix the clamp to any surface, like a desk or kitchen counter.

Twelve South HoverBar Duo Mount/Stand for $80 : You can use this as a stand or as an arm mount, and Twelve South makes it really easy to switch between the two. That means you can easily affix your tablet to your bedside arm mount, and then put it on the stand in your home office in the morning. Both are sturdy, and the arm mount is decently adjustable. Best of all, it doesn't wiggle around as much as the Lamicall above when you tap the screen.

Keychron K3 Pro Mechanical Bluetooth Keyboard for $100 : If you want to use a third-party Bluetooth keyboard with your tablet, a cheap one ( like this Logitech ) will do the job perfectly. But if you're a mechanical keyboard snob like me, this Keychron is an upgrade that's pretty easy to tote around. You can connect it to multiple devices and switch between them quickly; the keys light up in different, configurable colors; and best of all, it delivers the clickety-clackety experience you want with a mechanical keyboard. It needs to be recharged every three to four days, but you can also use it plugged in.

Anker Nano 3 30-Watt Charging Adapter for $20 : Most tablets charge at around 18 watts, so this 30-watt charger from Anker is more than capable. The plugs fold up, and it's pretty compact. If your tablet does support faster charging, then I recommend Satechi's 108-watt three-port USB-C charger ($75) . This will let you charge your phone, tablet, and laptop all off the same plug.

Einova Ultra Fast Power Bank for $47 : This power bank is slim enough to store next to a tablet in your bag, and it has enough capacity (20,000 mAh) to recharge an 11-inch tablet twice. You can fast-charge with the USB-C port and use the two USB-A ports to recharge other devices.

Brenda Stolyar

How to Choose the Right Laptop: A Step-by-Step Guide

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8 Best Tablets for School in 2023 [E-Learning & Homework]

posted on January 19, 2022

Are you a parent seeking a school student’s tablet to manage online classes, do homework, and complete assignments even when you are on the move? If you’re searching for a tablet with a powerful processing unit, capable of handling school and artwork apps, then you’ve come to the right place.

A handy portable 2-in-1 will serve as a worthy purchase to both the students and the parents to handle work & entertainment. A long battery should take care of your requirements at school and double as an entertainer at home. Don’t let the budget constraints stop you from getting in on the digital wagon.

Emphasizing the essential requirements for school students, and the features required to supplement parents, the article brings you the list of the best school tablets in the market. Quality display, prolonged battery life, expandable storage, wired/wireless connectivity, and aesthetic design take precedence, among other features.

Best Tablets for Schoolwork in 2023

After a thorough, comparative analysis of over 40 tablets, I’ve narrowed it down to the 8 good tablets for school that could make the lives of high school students easier, as we transition into a new era of remote/virtual/digital educational ecosystem.

Starting the list with the premium products in the space in terms of price, performance, and a wide range of utility, I move on to the value for money choices priced at an affordable price range. If you are looking for budget alternatives, jump straight ahead to the end of the list.

1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Display: 10.4-inch TFT (2000 x 1200)
Processor: Samsung Exynos 9611
Storage: 128GB
Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
Weight: 1.02 pounds
OS: Android 10.0

Released as a toned-down version of the S6 tablet, Samsung accommodates the price range with a marginal reduction in the hardware. It includes changes to its octa-core processor and the operating memory. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offers the best value for money for students, businesses, and working professionals.

Why Is It Suited For School Work?

Samsung packs an S-Pen with the S6 Lite. Be it taking school notes, planning, or creating sketches or any digital artwork, sensitivity and design make your job easier. Two high-resolution cameras with HD quality are complemented by excellent connectivity of Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth that adds quality to your online schooling.

The 10.4-inch TFT screen brings a delightful, detailed experience with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. At 1.02 pounds, the slim metallic body gives durability to the slim aesthetics and improved portability. The entire unit measures about 9.62 x 6.07 x 0.27 inches.

Hardware & Performance

Samsung packs an Exynos 9611 Octa-core processor with a maximum frequency of 2.3 GHz. An expandable microSD slot with a memory combination of 4GB RAM and 128GB storage makes it ideal for multiple educational platforms. It eases through the office, OTT applications, and mid-range games apps offered by Android OS.

Overall, Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite is one of the best Samsung tablets for school students. It offers S-Pen to keep up your note-taking and productivity. The AKG powered dual speakers with surround sound, expandable storage, makes this double up as a solid entertainer. If S6 Lite exceeds your budget, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 offers a similar experience.

Fun fact: This tablet is also featured in my list of recommended tablets for college students .

Great display & cameras
Compact & durable design
Powerful Octa-Core processor
Comes with a responsive Stylus
Long battery life
USB 2.0 connectivity

2. Best for Remote Learning: Apple iPad (9th Gen)

Display: 10.2-inch True Tone (2160 x 1620)
Processor: Apple A13 Bionic
Storage: 256GB
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Weight: 1.07 pounds
OS: iPad OS 15

The 9th Generation Apple iPad 10.2 gets a processing boost with an A13 Bionic chip, increased storage, improved front camera, and a better display compared to its predecessor. It offers a wide range of utilities beyond your school work and curriculum.

The 10.2-inch true-tone display delivers a sophisticated visual experience matching your external environment. Get detail-rich visuals with 2160 x 1620 pixels. Weighing a little over 1 pound, the metal body comes with slim side bezels It measures 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.3 inches in dimension.

Live educational sessions or business calls or any virtual meetups, the 12MP ultra-wide camera with center stage comes in handy. It’s compatible with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil and the smart keyboard which are both not a part of the package. iPad retains the Wi-Fi 5 and the Bluetooth connectivity with a lightning and USB 2.0 port.

A13 Bionic chip comes with a hexa-core processor with a cranked-up speed of 2.65GHz and a quad-core GPU to ease through remote learning sessions, Edutech apps like Google Classrooms in the latest iOS 15. The 3GB and 256GB storage offers the requisite multitasking/ processing power and storage for business oriented/design apps.

The 9 th Gen iPad, despite its premium price, offers upgrades over its predecessor, making it an ideal iPad for school students who can afford them. A stylus and keyboard to the iPad would make it a great substitute for notebooks. Improvements in camera and storage make it the best tablet for remote learning.

Improved Storage
10.2 -inch Truetone display
Stereo speakers
Secure Touch ID
Hexa-core processing unit
Quad-core GPU
No USB-C port
No expandable storage

3. Best with 2K Display: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Display: 11-inch 2K IPS (2000 x 1200)
Processor: Mediatek Helio G90T
Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
Weight: 1.08 lbs
OS: Android 11

Lenovo brings several upgrades in the display, storage, cameras, and chipset to improvise its processing unit and battery life. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus can store and handle the workload of multiple subjects and applications. If you prefer a bigger and brighter screen for a more immersive visual experience, P11 Plus backs it with a solid performance.

The two HD quality cameras, the rear being 13MP, and the selfie camera being 8MP, makes it one of the better tablets for Zoom , Google Meet, or capturing memories. The support of a stylus makes it easier for school notes and your artistic aspirations. Dual-band Wi-Fi and the latest Bluetooth ensure faster data transfers.

The 11-inch 2K IPS screen with a higher screen-to-body ratio elevates the visual experience. The aluminum body feels durable while Lenovo maintains a slim aesthetic with the tablet measuring 10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 inches, weighing 1.08 pounds. The detail-rich high resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels and 400 nits brightness delivers the required punch.

The Mediatek Helio G90T Chipset has eight cores clocking over 2GHz in tandem with Mali G76 MC4 GPU offers the processing capability to handle multiple streams of school work, games offered by Android 11 OS. The memory combination of 4GB RAM and storage of 128GB, and expandable storage, comes in handy.

The longer battery life of 15 hours means it can last an entire day of schoolwork. With four speakers to amplify your hands-free entertainment, the Lenovo tablet finds its place below the iPad for its display quality and a matching performance that makes it a steal at this price.

Steller 2K display
Stylus support
Excellent mid-range chipset
Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos
Sizable chunk of RAM & Storage
USB 2 connectivity

4. Best Homework Tablet: CHUWI Hi10 X

Do you need a tablet with a keyboard for school and work? Look no further as CHUWI Hi10 X is here to serve. Let’s find out if you should invest in a product from a not-so-well-known brand.

Display: 10.1-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1200)
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
Weight: 1.15 pounds
OS: Windows 10

Chuwi adds one of the best budget 2-in-1 in its array of products by adapting to an Intel-based ecosystem and improving its memory components. If you prefer the comfort of the Windows ecosystem, CHUWI Hi10 X comes with some good features on offer.

Not the best combination of cameras, but the 2MP (front) and 5MP (back), can rise up to match the requirements for online classes. The stylus and the keyboard come with a package, which makes a strong case in favor of this 2-in-1. Chuwi is generous in offering a plethora of wired and wireless connectivity with multiple USB ports, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 10.1-inch FHD screen brings life into the visuals with a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. At 1.3 pounds, and measuring 10.27 x 6.58 x 0.34 inches in dimensions, Chuwi manages to pack a compact design within a smaller surface area.

The Intel Celeron N4120 comes with a quad-core processing unit clocking at 2.6GHz, bringing sufficient processing power to handle the demands of the digital education environment. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage with additional storage of 128GB supports the multitasking and storage requirements for a student.

Don’t let the less familiar brand value downplay the plethora of features that come with the budget 2-in-1. Despite its shortcoming in battery life and camera quality, the Hi10 X finds its place just below Lenovo P11 plus for its all-around utility and flexibility.

Flexible 2-in-1
Affordable price
Stylus and keyboard included
Excellent wired & wireless connectivity
Battery life
Camera quality

5. Best with SIM Support: VASTKING KingPad M10

Display: 10.3-inch IPS (2000 x 1200)
Processor: Unisoc Tiger T618
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Weight: 1.0 pounds

The Vastking KingPad M10 brings a 2K display with an improved processing unit from its previous releases to add more value to your purchase. If you are looking for LTE support at an affordable price range, Kingpad M10 makes a strong case in its favor.

A combination of 13MP and 8MP cameras ensures you get quality output for your educational/interactive sessions. The support of a stylus and a keyboard translates to flexibility and ease of operation for long working hours. Dual-band Wi-Fi and BT 5 ensures lag-free connectivity to the accessories and internet.

The 10.3-inch 2K touch screen is a treat to your eyes with the details and clarity it brings with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. The design incorporates a larger screen without any noticeable increments in weight or dimensions. It weighs 1 pound and measures 9.7 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches in dimensions.

Vastking puts a capable octa-core processor and a dual-core GPU unit to ensure the tablet handles loads of virtual classroom applications, gaming applications the Android 11 offers.

The 4GB RAM plays a crucial role in the tablet’s multitasking ability. Storage of 128GB with the capacity to expand up to 2TB is a boon for storing offline tutorials for students.

A great display with 4 stereo speakers and 12 hours of battery life gives you room to clock some hands-free entertainment. This is one of the few tablets with SIM support that allows you to stay connected even when you are on the move and puts the tablet above the Chromebook duet.

Octa-core processor
Compact design
Keyboard and Stylus support
Dual-core GPU
No accessories

6. Best for Google Classroom: Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Display: 10.1-inch FHD (1920 x 1200)
Processor: Mediatek Helio P60T
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
OS: Chrome OS

An improved display and a processing unit make up for the cramped-up keyboard giving an advantage over its predecessor. If you are in search of the best tablet for Google classroom, Lenovo Chromebook Duet wouldn’t disappoint you, courtesy of 2-in-1 functionality and affordable price.

Be it taking notes on your online classroom session or attending business meetings, the dual camera and its support for the stylus will make things easier for you. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 covers your wireless connectivity requirements. Lenovo throws in a kickstand and detachable keyboard with this tablet.

The 10.1-inch touch screen with an FHD display delivers visuals at a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The ergonomic design of the kickstand with multiple viewing angles and an aluminum alloy body gives a premium feel to the convertible. It measures 9.44 x 6.29 x 0.29 inches in dimensions and weighs a little over 1 pound.

The strength of a MediaTek Helio P60T eight-core unit and GPU clocking at 800MHz takes care of your requirements in managing cloud classroom applications in a lightweight ChromeOS environment and the seamless online sessions. The duo of 4GB RAM and 128GB flash storage is crucial to its multitasking ability.

This 2-in-1 can be your cheaper alternative for Microsoft Go. If you like the idea of a cloud-based ecosystem, the Lenovo Duet is amongst the most value-for-money Chrome OS tablets you can lay your hands on. The keyboard and kickstand as a part of the package put this ahead of the lower-priced M40.

Cloud storage
Lightweight
Comes with Keyboard and stand
No external storage
Cramped keyboard

7. Best Under Budget: TECLAST M40

Weight: 2.05 lbs
OS: Android 10

Marketed as a gaming tablet, the TECLAST M40 gets an upgraded processor and improved RAM that offers an advantage over its predecessor to handle overloads of schooling apps. The discounted price makes it a steal for students for its excellent processing capacity and its overall utility.

The M40 comes with a dual camera combo of 8MP on the front and the rear, adding more visual quality to your interactive learning sessions. The capacitative touch screen supports a stylus, aiding students in quick information recording. With dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, you get access to seamless wireless connectivity.

A full HD 10.1-inch display delivers quality visuals at a high resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Wide viewing angles, aided by an aesthetic design and thin bezels on all four sides are worth mentioning. Not amongst the lightest tablets, M40 weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures 9.56 x 6.4 x 0.37, leaving an impression of durability.

Teclast M40 relies on the power of an octa-core processor clocking at speeds over 2GHz. The ARM processors combine with Mali-G52 GPU, offering the requisite capacity to handle games, and education apps in the Android ecosystem. The duo of 6GB RAM and 128GB storage (with expandable storage) is imperative for performance and storing offline educative materials.

TECLAST M40 comes with a battery that can last up to 10 hours. The overall utility of the tablet known for performance ticks most of the requirements of students and finds its place in the list above Fire HD. Grab it at a sale price of $170 will sweeten your deal further, adding more value for your money.

Expandable storage
Eight processing cores
Adequate Operating memory

8. Cheapest Tablet for School: Fire HD 10

Display: 10.1-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
Processor: 2.0GHz Octa-core Mediatek Helio P60T
Storage: 32GB
OS: Fire OS

Primarily considered as one the best reading tablets , the Amazon-branded Fire HD 10 gets massive upgrades over its predecessor, Fire HD 8. An overhaul in the processing unit, supplemented by an increase in operating and storage memory, and the inclusion of a fast-charging port. If you are on the hunt for an affordable tablet for students, this is it.

The camera has HD size output, which will be adequate for your virtual/remote learning environment. The screen is robust enough to support various stylus and digital pens, turning note-taking into an easy process. Access to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 brings fast wireless connectivity to the internet and other accessories.

The matte-black plastic chassis finds room to accommodate stereo speakers on its sides in a body weighing 1.02 pounds and measuring 9.73 x 6.53 x 0.36-inches in dimensions. The display delivers quality visuals with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels.

The amazon-based tablet comes with a MediaTek octa-core processing unit with units clocking at a max frequency of 2GHz, enabling it for multitasking. The 3GB RAM and 32GB storage get supplemented by an expandable storage capacity of 1GB, with adequate room for offline, online tutorials, and educational videos accessible through the Fire OS platform.

The utility of the amazon ecosystem with kids-friendly content and a long battery backup of 12 hours makes the tablet stand out as a great budget alternative to aid your kid’s schoolwork.

Alexa compatible
Amazon kids
Fast charging capacity
Limited apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Technology has added dimension to education, which is going through a transition phase. Remote/virtual educative environments shortly would make usage of gadgets imperative to manage curriculum, submitting, and evaluating work.

Chromebooks with constant improvement in their ecosystem have made it a viable product of a diverse set of users. Its price positioning, user-friendly ecosystem, access to the Google Eco-system makes it a great tool for school students.

Samsung S6 lite offers one of the best value to cost, capable of catering to a wide group of students and professionals. It offers a user-friendly ecosystem to art/design enthusiasts, making it a capable tool for nurturing the creative mindset among the school students while enabling them to manage their school work.

Yes. The iPad comes with a powerful processing unit with a wide range of applications, offering a sophisticated user experience and a secure environment. Although at its price, it becomes a worthy yet premium choice for school students. If you are trying to work with budget limits, an iPad may not be a preferred choice.

The transformation of the education scenario into a digital environment has put a lot of emphasis on choosing the right device to complement your kid’s education. A rational approach towards understanding requirements, working with expectations, and budget constraints will help you gain the right device.

Very few tablets come close to finding the sweet spot of price, features, and utility like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite .
The CHUWI Hi10 X and Lenovo Chromebook Duet are the two devices that come with keyboard. They offer the best bargain for convertibles.
The TECLAST M40 is an ideal choice for combining gaming and entertainment with education.
Looking for budget alternatives, Fire HD 10 will do the job for you.

About Joseph Edwin

Despite spending the majority of my professional career in the US, I am well-versed with tablets and smartphones launched across the globe.

I ensure that every new tablet is reviewed in the most detailed manner.

It is my belief that it is important to explain each complex tablet-related concept as clearly as possible and I always try to avoid heavy, technical jargon.

Please email me directly at [email protected] if you have any questions about an article!

Reader Interactions

11 Best Tablets for Homeschooling: a Homeschool Dad’s Take

Do you have a friend who's thinking about homeschool too? Share this with them. ❤️

Looking for reviews of the best tablet for homeschooling?

Adam McCarter, certified STEM teacher and homeschool dad , will be sharing his expertise in this article. He says, “Technology plays a major part in today’s educational scene. I’ve taught remote engineering courses using just an iPad, so the functionality is really limitless”.

Our family uses tablets throughout our homeschool day for a wide range of educational purposes like spelling and math apps, dyslexia intervention, science videos, online homeschool hang outs, and live classes on Outschool.

That’s why I’ve invested a significant amount of time to researching the absolute best tablet for homeschooling, and I highly recommend the 5th generation Apple iPad Air for home educators and students.

#1 Best Tablet for Homeschooling

There’s a tablet for every budget. .. Check out this table with an honest summary of our top 4 recommended tablets for homeschoolers.

1. Apple iPad Air (5th gen)

The Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) is a notable tool for homeschooling families, providing a range of features that can effectively replace the need for a laptop, especially when combined with a keyboard case.

Its compact design is suitable for mobile learning, though most users have expressed concerns about its durability and recommend protective casing. There have been mixed reviews about the battery life, and some users have noted issues with overheating during certain games.

Overall, its performance and user-friendly experience make it a great option for educational use.

➡️ Price check the 5th gen Apple iPad Air on Amazon here

2. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th gen)

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) has a high rating from over 1,000 user reviews. On the positive side, users upgrading from older models have praised the improved XDR display, noting its enhanced brightness and HDR content.

The larger screen size is greatly appreciated, especially for design tasks and playing building games like Minecraft. The device’s speakers maintain Apple’s reputation for quality, and the seamless experience with the Apple Pencil is highlighted. However, some users have raised concerns about battery life and overheating issues.

For homeschoolers, while the display and performance might be appealing for multimedia and educational apps, the potential battery and overheating issues could be a concern.

See the iPad Pro on Amazon when you click here

young child sitting at table looking down at tablet

Tablet for Homeschooling with Pen

Homeschoolers can benefit from using a stylus or Apple Pencil in various ways. Here’s a list of reasons:

Note-taking : A stylus allows students to take handwritten notes on tablets or other touch devices. Handwriting can help with memory retention.

Digital Art : Homeschoolers interested in art can use the Apple Pencil or other styluses to draw, sketch, and paint directly on their tablets.

Interactive Learning : Many educational apps are designed to be interactive, and a stylus can enhance the experience, especially for younger students who might find it easier than using their fingers.

Math Problems : Working out math problems by hand can be essential for understanding. A stylus allows students to write out problems and solve them directly on a tablet.

Annotating Texts : Students can highlight, underline, and make notes directly on digital texts, PDFs, or e-books.

Improved Handwriting : Writing with a stylus can help students practice and improve their handwriting skills.

Interactive Assignments : Some assignments might require students to draw diagrams, fill in blanks, or interact with the content in a way that’s easier with a stylus.

Tactile Learning : For tactile learners, physically writing or drawing can be more effective than typing or tapping.

Accessibility : For students with certain disabilities, a stylus can be an essential tool that allows them to interact with digital content more easily.

Precision : A stylus offers more precision than a finger, especially for detailed tasks like creating intricate designs or diagrams.

Science Projects : For projects that require sketches, such as biology diagrams or physics concepts, a stylus can be invaluable.

Language Learning : When learning languages with different scripts (like Chinese, Arabic, or Japanese), a stylus can help students practice writing characters.

Interactive Quizzes : Some educational apps offer quizzes where students can draw their answers or interact with the content using a stylus.

More reasons why a tablet with a pen is a great investment for homeschoolers:

Mind Mapping : Students can use a stylus to create digital mind maps, helping them organize their thoughts or study for exams.

Protecting Screens : Using a stylus can reduce the amount of direct touch interaction with the screen, potentially keeping it cleaner and free from smudges.

Musical Notation : For students learning music, a stylus can be used to write musical notes or annotate existing scores.

3D Modeling : Some apps allow for 3D modeling or design, and a stylus can provide the precision needed for these tasks.

Coding & Design : For older homeschoolers interested in coding or design, a stylus can be used for wireframing or sketching out ideas.

Engagement : Simply having a new tool to interact with can increase a student’s engagement and interest in their studies.

Flexibility : With a stylus, students can easily switch between writing, drawing, and interacting with apps, offering a flexible learning experience.

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 has garnered positive feedback from users for homeschooling purposes.

Its optimal functionality when paired with a detachable keyboard and large screen size make it a versatile choice for online learning. The device boasts an impressive camera quality, ensuring clear visuals during virtual meetings, and the inclusion of a writable pen enhances interactive learning experiences.

However, some users have also reported reliability issues with the camera, necessitating frequent restarts before video meetings.

Overall, its features, combined with Windows 11, make it a compelling option for homeschoolers, though it’s essential to consider the potential need for accessory purchases and occasional technical hiccups.

➡️ Click here to see the Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Affordable Homeschool Tablet

Although the highest rated tablets generally run $500-1000 USD, the Microsoft Surface Go is the best of the more affordable tablets and can be bought for less than $400.

Remember, if you don’t have a ton of room in the budget, even an affordable tablet can enhance the homeschooling experience. Here are a couple of ways your family would benefit from your investment in a tablet:

Adaptive Learning : Some apps adjust the content based on the student’s performance, ensuring personalized learning experiences.

Language Learning : Tablets support a plethora of language learning apps that offer lessons, quizzes, and interactive exercises for various languages.

Accessibility Features : For students with special needs, tablets come with features like voice-over, screen readers, and magnification to make learning more accessible.

Instant Feedback : Many educational apps provide instant feedback, helping students understand their mistakes and improve in real-time.

Portability : Tablets are lightweight and portable, allowing students to learn on the go, whether it’s in a park, during travel, or any other setting.

Environmentally Friendly : Using tablets can reduce paper waste. My kids love to draw on the Procreate app (Apple app store, $9.99) with my Apple pen and it saves us tons of money on drawing supplies. Plus we don’t have to clean up afterwards!

4. Microsoft Surface Go

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 – 10.5″ Touchscreen is an affordable option for homeschoolers on a budget. Users appreciate its form factor, excellent touchscreen, and compatibility with Windows, making it intuitive for those familiar with the OS. It’s been highlighted as a cost-effective option when paired with a docking station, keyboard, and external monitors.

However, concerns arise with the device’s internal storage, with the maximum being 128 GB, which some find limiting, especially when considering the OS and pre-installed apps. The device’s compatibility with Google browser software and apps like eM Client is a plus for many.

On the downside, issues with the device’s battery life, fragility of the screen, and limited port options have been noted. For homeschoolers, while the Surface Go 3 offers portability and ease of use, considerations around storage and durability might be essential.

See the affordable Microsoft Surface Go on Amazon here

Samsung Tablet for Homeschooling

You might choose a Samsung tablet over an Apple iPad for the following reasons:

Price and Value : Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, for instance, is priced to undercut Apple’s offering, providing a larger screen size at a lower cost. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra starts at $899.99 for the 128GB version, while the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2021 starts at $1099.

Storage Flexibility : Unlike iPads, many Samsung tablets, such as the Galaxy Tab S8+, come with a microSD card slot, allowing users to easily expand storage. This offers a tangible advantage for those who require more storage without relying solely on cloud solutions.

Included Stylus : Samsung tablets that support the S-Pen stylus include it in the box, whereas Apple users need to purchase the Apple Pencil separately, adding to the overall cost.

In summary, while iPads might offer a smoother and more polished experience, Samsung tablets provide more freedom, customizability, and better value for the money, making them a compelling choice for many users.

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A8 presents itself as a practical choice for homeschooling families on a budget. Its seamless connectivity with Samsung phones ensures that parents can easily sync educational resources and apps. The tablet’s storage is commendable and can be expanded with a micro SD card, allowing for a vast library of educational materials, videos, and apps. Its 10.5″ screen offers a clear view, making it suitable for reading and watching educational content.

However, its weight might be a concern for younger students during prolonged use. The device’s lack of automatic brightness adjustment might require manual tweaking during different times of the day, ensuring optimal visibility for lessons. Setting up child profiles can be a bit tricky, but once done, it can provide a controlled environment for students.

With Android 11 and access to the Google Play Store, homeschooling parents have a plethora of educational apps at their fingertips. It’s advisable to opt for the 4GB RAM variant to ensure smoother multitasking during lessons. In summary, the Galaxy Tab A8 is a valuable tool for homeschooling families, offering a blend of affordability and functionality, making digital learning accessible and efficient.

Why Use a Tablet For Kids Homeschooling?

There are many reasons you might use a tablet for kids while homeschooling.

Interactive Learning : Tablets support a variety of educational apps that offer interactive lessons in subjects like math, science, and languages.

E-Books and Reading : Tablets can store a vast number of e-books, making it easier for students to access textbooks, literature, and other reading materials without the bulk of physical books.

Virtual Classrooms : With video conferencing apps, students can attend virtual classes, participate in group discussions, or get one-on-one tutoring.

Art and Creativity : Drawing and graphic design apps allow students to express their creativity and can be especially useful for art lessons.

Note-taking : With stylus support, tablets can be used for handwritten notes, which can be organized, stored, and even converted to text.

6. Apple iPad Mini (6th gen)

The Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) is a compact and versatile device that can be particularly useful for homeschooling families. Many users appreciate its portability, making it easy to carry around, and its compatibility with the Apple Pencil 2, which offers a seamless writing and drawing experience.

There are some concerns about the device’s “jelly scrolling” effect in portrait mode, which some find distracting. Additionally, the absence of a headphone jack and a perceived decrease in screen brightness compared to previous models are noted drawbacks.

Overall, the iPad Mini 6 is still highly recommended for those who prioritize portability and pencil support.

7. Apple iPad (9th gen)

The Apple iPad (9th Generation) offers a blend of portability and functionality, making it a valuable tool for homeschooling. Its touchscreen is particularly beneficial for interactive educational apps.

Potential users should consider opting for higher storage due to the plethora of educational resources available. Some users have reported some performance issues during gameplay and frequent recharging needs.

Overall, it’s a promising device for homeschoolers, but it’s essential to weigh its benefits against potential limitations.

Cheapest Tablet for Homeschooling

If you’re searching for the most affordable tablet to enhance your homeschooling program, you really have two options.

✔️ Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus (2nd Gen) ✔️ Amazon Fire Tablet 11

Both of these tablets, while they don’t measure up to the iPad Air , iPad Pro, or Microsoft Surface Pro, are decent options for homeschooling.

Based on my experience teaching both in the classroom and at home, I would choose the Lenovo Tab over the Amazon Fire Tablet because it has way more functions and doesn’t have the heavy ad interface that frustrates most Fire users.

I highly recommend the 5th gen iPad Air for homeschoolers of all ages.

8. Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus (2nd gen)

The Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus (2nd Gen) offers a unique “kids mode” feature, which is initially appealing for homeschooling parents aiming to limit their children’s access to specific apps.

However, users have reported that the mode often malfunctions, failing to restrict access as intended. Additionally, there have been issues with OS updates affecting widget functionality and occasional unexpected power losses.

While the tablet provides value for its price, homeschooling parents might encounter challenges with its reliability and the effectiveness of its child safety features.

What tablet is best for homeschooling?

The 5th generation iPad Air is an excellent choice for homeschoolers because:

Performance : Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, the iPad Air offers fast and smooth performance, ensuring that educational apps and tools run seamlessly, enhancing the learning experience.

Versatility : With support for the Apple Pencil and a vast ecosystem of educational apps available on the App Store, the iPad Air provides a range of interactive learning opportunities, from note-taking to art projects.

User-Friendly Interface : Apple’s intuitive iOS ensures that students of all ages can easily navigate and utilize the device, making the learning process straightforward and engaging.

This combination of features makes the 5th generation iPad Air a top choice for homeschooling needs.

The 5th gen iPad Air is the best tablet for homeschooling ➡️ click here to check the price.

9. Samsung Galaxy S7

The SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 FE offers a variety of features that can be beneficial for homeschooling families. Users have praised its performance, especially for drawing and retro gaming, with the tablet’s large screen size and responsiveness being standout features. The DEX mode, which provides a desktop-like experience, is also highlighted as a major advantage.

However, there are concerns about storage limitations, with a strong recommendation to opt for the 256GB version over the 64GB. Some users have also reported issues with battery drainage and the device’s overall reliability, suggesting that while it has many strengths, it may not be as seamless as other tablets in its price range.

10. Lenovo Yoga Book

The Lenovo Yoga Book – FHD 10.1″ Android Tablet is a versatile device tailored for homeschooling needs. Its strengths lie in its impressive performance, vibrant screen, and long battery life, making it ideal for various educational tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and even sketching. The innovative halo keyboard is a standout feature, offering a unique typing experience.

However, homeschooling parents might be concerned about the screen’s susceptibility to scratches, especially when used for its primary note-taking function. Some design choices, such as the limited compatibility of the stylus with the touchscreen, might also pose challenges.

In summary, the Lenovo Yoga Book offers a plethora of features beneficial for homeschooling, although it does come with certain design and durability considerations.

Do tablets make homeschooling more effective?

Tablets most certainly make homeschooling more effective. Here are a couple of benefits that a tablet would bring to the table.

Multimedia Projects : Tablets can be used to create presentations, videos, and other multimedia projects for assignments.

Research : With internet access, students can use tablets for research, accessing online libraries, articles, and educational websites.

Educational Games : There are numerous educational games available that make learning fun and engaging.

Virtual Field Trips : Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) apps can provide virtual field trip experiences, allowing students to explore places and concepts in an immersive way.

Lab Simulations : For science subjects, there are apps that simulate lab experiments, allowing students to understand complex concepts without the need for physical lab equipment.

Organization and Scheduling : Homeschoolers can use calendar and organization apps to keep track of assignments, tests, and study schedules.

11. Amazon Fire Tablet 11

Our family gifted two Amazon tablets to our kids when they were in pre-k. Although they worked alright for games – the software felt very clunky especially compared to Apple’s iOS and the tablets definitely weren’t powerful enough to use for anything besides a few educational apps.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet has received varied feedback. Many users commend its performance, especially when compared to older Fire models, noting its fast UI, quick app loading, and efficient memory use. The tablet’s software, while improved from previous versions, still has some limitations, particularly with certain updates that restrict customization and the addition of Google services.

The tablet case and keyboard are generally appreciated, though some users have pointed out issues with the trackpad’s sensitivity. The screen quality is satisfactory for its price point, and the battery life is notably commendable.

However, some users have expressed concerns about the device’s software, particularly the pervasive ads and perceived “spyware.” The tablet’s compatibility with various apps, including Google services and other third-party applications, is a highlight for many.

For homeschoolers, the Fire Max 11 offers a cost-effective alternative to pricier tablets, but potential buyers should be aware of its software limitations and ad-heavy interface.

Buying Guide For the Best Homeschooling Tablet

If you’re considering purchasing a tablet for homeschooling, here are some essential features to look for:

Performance and Processor : A fast and efficient processor ensures that educational apps and software run smoothly. Look for a tablet with a recent-generation processor.

Screen Size and Resolution : A larger screen (around 10 inches or more) with a good resolution is ideal for reading, watching educational videos, and interacting with educational apps.

Battery Life : A long battery life (at least a couple hours) is essential to ensure uninterrupted learning sessions, especially if you have multiple kids.

What features should I look for when buying a tablet for homeschooling?

Storage : Depending on the number of apps, books, and other educational materials you plan to store, consider a tablet with at least 32GB of storage. More storage (64GB or 128GB) would be even better, especially if the tablet will be used for multiple subjects or students.

Operating System : Ensure the tablet’s OS supports a wide range of educational apps. Both iOS (Apple) and Android have extensive app ecosystems.

Stylus Support : A stylus can be beneficial for note-taking, drawing, and other interactive activities. We love using our Apple pen with the drawing app, Procreate.

Camera Quality : A decent front-facing camera is essential for video calls or virtual classroom sessions. A rear camera can be useful for capturing images for projects or assignments.

Durability : Since accidents can happen, especially with children, consider a tablet that’s robust or get a durable case to protect it.

Connectivity : Wi-Fi is a must, but also consider if you need cellular connectivity for learning on the go. Additionally, check for Bluetooth support for connecting external devices.

What to consider when choosing a tablet for homeschooling

Keyboard Compatibility : If the student will be doing a lot of typing, consider a tablet that can connect to an external keyboard. Price : While it’s essential to get a tablet with the necessary features, it’s also crucial to consider your budget. There are many good tablets at various price points, so find one that offers the best value for your needs.

Multitasking Capabilities : The ability to split the screen or run apps in the background can be beneficial for older students juggling multiple tasks.

Best iPad for Homeschool

➡️ As a certified teacher and homeschool parent, I recommend checking out the 5th gen Apple iPad Air because it has the most functions for home education.

Can you homeschool on a tablet?

Yes, you can definitely homeschool on a multipurpose tablet. I’ve even taught advanced STEM classes entirely using an iPad. It really is functional enough for pretty much anything you want to do as an educator.

What is the best technology for homeschooling?

It’s arguable that a tablet is the best technology for homeschooling; many tablets have just as many functions as a laptop or desktop computer and are much more portable. Plus, you can get a really sturdy case for a tablet to make it much more durable than a traditional computer.

I really like the 5th gen iPad Air for homeschooling, check prices on Amazon here.

Can I use an iPad for homeschooling?

Yes, you most certainly can use an iPad for homeschooling. We use the X iPad to homeschool our two children, and when I taught in public schools, each student used an iPad for homework and online classes. As a teacher I was given an iPad to teach my online classes and didn’t ever feel the need for a laptop.

In Conclusion: Best Tablets for Homeschooling

For homeschoolers navigating the digital learning landscape, the decision between iPads, Samsung tablets, and Microsoft tablets is pivotal.

Apple’s iPads, especially the Pro and Air models, are recognized for their smooth operation and potent M1 chips, making them suitable for a range of educational apps and interactive tasks.

On the other hand, Samsung tablets offer affordability, expandable storage, and the added benefit of the S-Pen stylus, enhancing note-taking and creative endeavors.

Meanwhile, Microsoft tablets, particularly the Surface line, bring the advantage of a full Windows operating system, allowing for a more computer-like experience with access to a broader range of software and multitasking capabilities.

In summary, while iPads might be ideal for a polished, app-centric educational journey, Samsung provides flexibility and value, and Microsoft bridges the gap between tablets and traditional computing, ensuring homeschoolers have diverse options to cater to their unique needs.

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Welcome! I'm Beth, your homeschool education consultant. I'm a 2nd generation homeschooler and certified teacher. I help parents smoothly transition from public school to homeschooling.

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The Best Tablets for 2024

Whether you're looking for an amazon, android, or apple slate, here's what to consider, along with recommendations for the top tablets we've tested..

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Apple iPad (2022)

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Amazon Fire Max 11

Apple iPad mini (2021)

Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2022)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)

Google Pixel Tablet

There are countless tablets on the market, but which one is right for you? Whether you're eyeing an iPad or one of the many Android models available, we detail the key factors you need to consider when shopping, along with some of the top-rated tablets we've tested.

Keep in mind that Windows slates are different beasts entirely. If that's what you're looking for, head on over to our picks for the best Windows tablets , as well as the best 2-in-1s

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks, why we picked it.

The iPad Air offers many of the same features as the iPad Pro for much less money, including high-end performance and support for the latest Apple Pencil. It's also quite portable and has strong battery life.

Who It's For

We recommend the iPad Air for content creators and students. If you need a tablet that can handle advanced applications and/or editing, it's worth the premium over the base model.

Excellent performance
Works with second-gen Apple Pencil
Fits existing iPad cases and keyboards
Light and easy to carry
Battery life could be longer
No millimeter-wave 5G support

You can't go wrong with the latest version of Apple's entry-level iPad. It retails for a reasonable price compared with the iPad Air and the iPad Pro, but still offers a 10.9-inch display that's sufficiently large for multitasking and productivity.

This is the best iPad for most people. It performs well, has plenty of features, and gets you into the Apple ecosystem for a relatively affordable price.

Appealing iPad Pro-like design
Relocated webcam
Higher-quality cameras
Improved speakers
Faster performance
Higher price than previous model
Loses traditional Touch ID button

With a 10.1-inch, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screen, a good-enough MediaTek processor, 3GB of RAM, and more than 10 hours of battery life, the Fire HD 10 is the most well-rounded Amazon tablet you can get. We're also fans of the device's modern design, microSD card slot for up to 1TB of extra space, and decent speakers. And it remains as exceptional a value as ever, with a price under $150.

If you want to watch movies and shows on the go without worrying about battery life or paying a lot, the Fire HD 10 is your best bet.

Good build quality
Decent display
Alexa Echo Show mode
Limited app selection
Amazon-focused content

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers a lot of great features for a reasonable price, including an Exynos 1380 processor, a 12.4-inch screen with a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel resolution, and excellent battery life. It uses top-notch materials and sports an IP68 rating that protects it from dust and water. It also includes Samsung's excellent productivity and multitasking software. We like that Samsung promises four Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the device, too.

Look no further if you want an excellent Android tablet that doesn't cost too much and is durable enough to use in your backyard or near a pool.

Good performance
Long battery life
High-quality, waterproof build
Includes S Pen stylus
Occasional performance stutters
Finicky fingerprint sensor

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is our favorite low-cost Android tablet because it doesn't have any glaring flaws. Most aspects, including the refined design, 11-inch screen, reliable hardware, and helpful software enhancements are better than expected for the price. Moreover, a microSD card slot helps you get around the limiting 64GB of standard storage, while the face unlock option mitigates the lack of a fingerprint sensor. If you need 5G connectivity for travel, you can add a cellular radio for $50 more.

If you want unfettered access to the Google Play Store and the full Android experience on the cheap, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is a capable choice. It's fast enough for most tasks and can handle all your entertainment needs.

Large screen
Expandable storage
Software aids productivity
No fingerprint sensor
Low base storage

Amazon finally ventures out of the ultra-cheap tablet segment with the Fire Max 11. It performed well in our benchmark tests and feels snappy to use in real-world scenarios. The 11-inch, 2,000-by-1,200-pixel display is plenty large and sharp enough for enjoying movies and large-format reading material, while the build quality is a step up over other offerings in the company's lineup.

If you like the simplicity of Amazon's Fire OS platform or want the largest screen for the price, the Fire Max 11 is the way to go.

Big, vibrant display
Stepped-up design
Respectable performance
Amazon ecosystem access
No clear path to future OS versions

The 8.3-inch iPad mini might not get as much attention as its larger siblings, but it's sized just right if you value portability. Importantly, it doesn't give up any of the power, connectivity, or accessory support that makes iPads so popular.

The iPad mini is ideal for anyone who wants the feature and performance of a larger iPad in as small a package as possible.

Works with second-generation Apple Pencil
No multi-user option in iPadOS
Pricier than previous model

The iPad Pro's M2 chip is incredibly powerful, and options for up to 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM elevate Apple's tablet to new performance heights. It also has a fantastic display, offers reliable connectivity (including 5G and Wi-Fi 6E), and works with a full suite of quality accessories, including the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard for expanded productivity.

If price is no concern and you want the top-of-the-line iPad to push through professional workflows, you can't do better than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Laptop-level performance
Gorgeous, roomy display
ProRes video support
Capable cameras
Excellent connectivity
Costs as much as a laptop
iPadOS is still a limiting factor
Accessories add up quickly
Awkward front camera placement

With its 14-inch, 2,960-by-1,848-pixel screen, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is ideal for getting work done, watching movies, playing games, and running multiple apps. It performed well in testing thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12GB of RAM. Additionally, the tablet sports a durable IP68 rating, ships with the excellent S Pen stylus, and includes a microSD card slot. Samsung's productivity-focused tools make it a near laptop replacement.

If you want the biggest Android tablet for entertainment and cost isn't a concern, the Tab S9 Ultra is the one to get. Its giant screen and multitasking software make it a viable tool for getting work done. Just keep in mind that if you plan to travel or commute with your tablet, the 12.4-inch, 5G-capable Galaxy Tab S9+ is a better choice with comparable specs.

Gorgeous screen
Fast performance
Tight Samsung integration
Good productivity software
IP68 rating
S Pen stylus included
Size makes it awkward to handle
Android on tablets is still limiting

The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a bright screen with a decent 1,280-by-720-pixel resolution. It's a more reasonable platform for medium consumption than the smaller Fire Tablet 7, while still offering as much battery life. It comes in under $100, too.

You should enjoy the Fire HD 8 if you want a budget-friendly device with a larger screen than your phone. It doesn't compete with high-end iPads or Android tablets on performance metrics, but it's more than fast enough for casual use.

Vibrant screen
Good battery life
Lightweight
Sluggish performance
$10 more than the previous model

The Pixel Tablet provides a pure Android experience and feels snappy for everyday use. Its 10.95-inch, 2,560-by-1,600-pixel screen is enjoyable for media playback too, especially thanks to its 24-bit color support. The slate sounds good by itself, but the included speaker dock (which doubles as a charging stand and turns the device into a smart display) takes things up a notch with fuller, richer sound.

If you're committed to Google's version of Android, the Pixel Tablet is easy to recommend. It doesn't perform quite as well as some competitors or last as long per charge, but its audio chops are sure to attract music lovers and the smart display functionality can be a home-helping bonus.

Solid Android tablet
Flawless audio hand-off
Good sound from Speaker Dock
Speaker Dock has limited functionality
Hub Mode could do more

Buying Guide: The Best Tablets for 2024

Is android, fire os, or ipados better.

Broadly, Android tablets make great media players, ebook readers , and kids' devices (if you want a tablet specifically for children, check out the best kids' tablets ) but they rarely compete with iPads when it comes to versatility and performance.

The greatest strengths of Apple's iPadOS are twofold: iPadOS is intuitive and the numerous apps that you can buy right on your tablet work fairly uniformly. The downside of iPadOS is that it can't handle multiple users per device and transferring files between apps is still awkward. iPads mostly remain a supplement to, not a full replacement for, MacBooks . iPads also support the best selection of accessories, including three different Apple Pencils .

Google's Android OS lets you choose from a wider range of hardware manufacturers. That means you get maximum customization, a top-notch notification system, fast and smooth web browsing, and seamless integration with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Meet for video chats. Android also includes support for multiple user profiles, so you can share your tablet with a friend or family member. (Apple's Family Sharing works the other way around, giving multiple people access to shared data and services.) Some Android tablets ship with older versions of the OS and seldom get updates, but Google and Samsung outline upgrade policies for their devices to give you peace of mind.

Amazon's Fire OS is a branch of Android with a distinct interface and set of default apps from Amazon. It's a simple gateway to Amazon content and for streaming videos from various services. We find it easier to use than standard Android if most of what you do is browse the web and access your Amazon library. It's less flexible, though, and doesn't support as many apps.

Which Tablet Has the Best Apps?

What's a tablet without quality apps? If you want third-party apps that work with a touch-screen interface, nothing beats the iPad's massive library of programs and games. The App Store is well-curated and offers a deep selection. Apple is your best bet if a wide range of compelling apps that look good and work well on your tablet is your main priority. For more, see the best iPad apps and the best Apple Arcade Games .

Android has made great strides in app selection, but it's still not home to as many as Apple offers. It's tough to say exactly how many tablet-optimized Android apps are available, but it's far fewer than on the iPad. You can use Android phone apps of course, which look decent on a 7-inch tablet, but less so on a 9- or 10-inch device. Check out the best Android apps for our top picks.

Amazon tablets don't have access to the Google Play Store, so they work with considerably fewer apps. Plenty of people have hacked the Play Store onto Amazon tablets, but that violates both Amazon's and Google's terms of service and isn't a reliable solution. With these tablets, you should likely stick with the subset of apps that Amazon considers appropriate.

What Size Tablet Do You Need?

This consideration is a bit obvious, but size—both screen real estate and storage capacity—is important to consider. First things first: When you hear a term such as "10-inch tablet," this refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself.

We consider 7- and 8-inch tablets as small-screen devices and 9-inch tablets as the start of the large-screen category. Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire tablets, and Samsung's slates all come in small- and large-screen versions. And more than ever, big phones blur the distinction between what is and isn't a tablet. Folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or OnePlus Open can easily do double duty as tablets if you're willing to pay a hefty premium.

Screen resolution is important, too, especially for reading and web surfing. A sharp, bright display is key. If you're in the market for a 10-inch tablet, look for a display with a resolution of at least 1,280 by 800 pixels.

The low weight of a tablet is one definite advantage it has over a laptop —but with large-screen tablets typically weighing around a pound, they're not nearly as light as smartphones. Holding one in your hand likely won't be comfortable after a while. Setting one flat in your lap, rather than propping it up on a stand, can also be a little awkward. And few tablets fit in your pocket (unless you're wearing a very large jacket).

Cloud (off-device) storage is an option for many tablets (Amazon Cloud Storage for Fire tablets, iCloud Drive for iPads, Google One for Android tablets), but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. All those apps; your local music, photo, and video libraries; and system updates can take up a lot of space. Some Android tablets feature a microSD slot for additional storage, but it's worth noting some apps won't work from those external cards.

Should You Buy a Wi-Fi-Only or Cellular Tablet?

Some tablets can connect only over Wi-Fi, but others can take advantage of always-on cellular service from a wireless provider. Unless you constantly use your tablet in an area without Wi-Fi or are a frequent international traveler, you're probably better off using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and saving the extra money you would spend on a 4G or 5G tablet. You can also buy a dedicated mobile hotspot , which won't kill your phone's battery life. Some even double as backup batteries to charge your tablet.

The Top Tablets (for Now)

The tablets here represent the best options from Amazon, Android, and Apple across a variety of price levels. That said, plenty of other great tablets exist that might be better for you. For the latest lab-tested reviews, check out our tablet product guide . And if you're looking for a good deal, head over to our roundup of the best cheap tablets we've tested.

Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.

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About Iyaz Akhtar

I’m one of PCMag’s mobile analysts. That means I check out phones, hotspots, and mobile networks. Technology has been my passion and hobby since I was a child. I’ve covered tech professionally for over 15 years at outlets including The Apple Blog, This Week in Tech, and CNET.

The 6 best tablets for business in 2024

Buying the best tablet for business isn’t quite as simple as just buying something from our look at the best tablets . Business users have specific needs which mean they don’t have to worry so much high-end gaming performance or a particularly sharp and speedy display. Instead, it’s mostly about strong number crunching ability, plenty of storage, good cameras for calls, and those kind of responsible considerations.

That’s why we’ve specifically picked out the best tablets for business below. Further down, we’ve also gone into greater depth about how we came to our decisions but rest assured, we’re experts in the field and know exactly what a business user needs from a great tablet. For some of you that may mean one of the best iPads but for others, it means an Android device or even a hybrid laptop/tablet setup.

We’ve featured tablets that cover many different price ranges and requirements so there’s always something that’s an appropriate fit for you here. Here are the best tablets for business.

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The best tablets for business

Buy if you want the fastest performing tablet.
Buy for a great mid-range option.
Buy for the best Android tablet for business.
Buy for working away from Wi-Fi.
Buy for a budget business tablet.
Buy for a laptop/tablet hybrid.

Apple iPad Pro with M2

Best performing tablet for business.

Powerful enough to replace a laptop, the Apple iPad Pro with M2 chip is a true powerhouse of a business tablet. For some people, it’ll be excessive and it’s certainly expensive rivalling the price of a laptop, but it’s never going to let you down. The M2 chip inside this Apple iPad Pro is the same processor you’ll see in many MacBooks with the only difference here being that you’re using iPadOS instead of macOS. iPadOS has seen many updates over the year meaning it’s highly competent for all your productivity tasks. The Apple iPad Pro also works with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and the Magic Keyboard. That means you can be more precise with your taps but you can also type as easily as you would with a laptop keyboard. The Magic Keyboard also has a built-in trackpad so it works well as a laptop replacement.

If you use a Mac anyway, you’ll love that the Apple iPad Pro makes it simple to switch between the two. You can use many of the same apps like Safari, Keynote, Pages, and other everyday business essentials. AirDrop means transferring files is a breeze.

Throughout, the Apple iPad Pro looks gorgeous. It has a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display which is sufficiently large enough to be able to see what you’re doing. It offers 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness with 1,600 nits of peak brightness. Reference Modes provide a more colour-accurate workflow while there are display technologies like ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color which all mean you get a great picture no matter what the lighting is around you or how fast you’re scrolling. It all means more enjoyable productivity for you.

Apple iPad Air (5th generation)

Best mid-range business tablet.

For everyone other than power users, the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) is sure to be a big hit. It remains very powerful with the Apple M1 chip powering proceedings and ensuring you can easily get plenty of work done on the move, whether that’s updating spreadsheets or simply taking video calls and meetings. The M1 chip is one we’ve seen in slightly older MacBooks and it’s a processor that still performs admirably.

The Apple iPad Air (5th generation) also has a great display with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display looking stunning. The display has support for technologies like True Tone and P3 wide color so it looks great even in low light situations or when looking at particularly vibrant imagery. It lacks ProMotion support so there’s no variable refresh rates here but otherwise, the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) looks exceptional.

Like the iPad Pro, the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) also works well as a form of laptop replacement. It has support for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) as well as the Magic Keyboard so you can easily use it in a more productive way. Being able to use a keyboard instead of a touch-based interface makes a huge difference.

For video calls, the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) has a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera. It has Center Stage support so you’re always the main focus when moving around on a video call. For capturing photos or snapping receipts on the move, the 12MP wide back camera does a good job of helping you keep on top of things.

Essentially, the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) is the iPad for anyone who simply doesn’t need the extra power and screen size of the iPad Pro and the vast majority of people will be delighted.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus

Best android tablet for business.

For the ultimate Android tablet for business, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus will serve you well. If you have an Android phone, you’re already tied into the ecosystem so it simply makes sense. Even better, if you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, functionality between the two goes even more smoothly. Whatever your phone, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus is super speedy thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ensuring that performance flies here.

In conjunction with such technology, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus also has Samsung Galaxy AI which helps you search more effectively, has a transcribing function, and also helps you format your notes more clearly. If you’re collecting your thoughts or recording a meeting, Galaxy AI is going to help you a ton. Talking of notes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus has an S Pen which feels like a real pen so you can easily sketch out designs or take notes in a natural feeling way.

Continuing the productive trend, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus also has a gorgeous 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with features like Vision Booster which automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast of the display as needed. It means looking through documents is clear while taking video calls looks suitably natural. When on a video call, you’ll look great too thanks to Auto-Focus keeping the attention on you. Hearing the other person is fine as well thanks to Dolby Atmos support within the four speaker system.

If you want a powerful tablet for your business and you don’t want an iPadOS-based system, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus will fulfil all your needs with Android software running the show.

Apple iPad Pro M1

Best for working away from wi-fi.

While there are seemingly Wi-Fi networks at every turn these days, sometimes that’s not the case and it can be at the most awkward of times. That’s where having a tablet with a cellular connection can be a truly useful thing. It means you don’t have to worry so much about your location as long as you have a cellular signal. That’s a huge selling point for the Apple iPad Pro M1 . It sports an older chip but the M1 remains speedy and more than competent. Going for the older processor means that the cellular-based iPad Pro M1 is more affordable.

Besides the prowess of the Apple iPad Pro M1, there’s also a great display. It has a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display which is about as large as a tablet can get. It has True Tone support as well as P3 wide color so it looks great, even in unusual lighting conditions. Even better, there’s ProMotion so you can browse away without any annoying motion blur.

As you’d expect from an iPad, the Apple iPad Pro M1 is also highly versatile when it comes to being able to connect other devices to it. It has a Thunderbolt port for connecting to fast external storage, displays, or a dock. You can also connect it to an Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard for further functionality.

For taking video calls, the Apple iPad Pro M1 has four speaker audio and five studio-quality microphones. For the actual call side of things, the Apple iPad Pro M1 has a 12MP wide camera, and 10MP Ultra Wide camera so it’s perfect for making you look at your best as well as allowing you to take photos of important things.

Lenovo Tab P12

Best budget business tablet.

If you’re on a tight budget or simply only need a tablet for occasional use with your business, check out the Lenovo Tab P12. It has all the essentials you need without breaking the bank. One significant highlight is its 12.7-inch widescreen display. It’s the biggest display we’ve featured here so it’s a good bet if you need plenty of room to manage your apps. Granted, it lacks the finer details of the screens we see on the iPad Pro so it doesn’t look exceptional, but it’s just fine.

That’s kind of the trend with the Lenovo Tab P12 as it manages to be satisfactory without ever truly wowing you. It runs Android 13 so you have full access to seemingly everything imaginable while its 8-core CPU is speedy if somewhat unremarkable for performance. There’s already 256GB of storage but as with most Android devices, you can easily upgrade the storage with a microSD card if you prefer more room.

For video calls, the Lenovo Tab P12 has a 8MP front camera which lacks any special features but is fine for taking a quick call. On the back is a 13MP rear camera which is perfect if you need to take a photo of a project or snap some receipts for later consultation.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best laptop/tablet hybrid.

If you want a laptop but you also need a tablet and you’re really not sure where to begin, how about the Microsoft Surface Pro 9? It effectively offers the best of both worlds as you can use it as a tablet as needed but also switch over to using it as a regular laptop too. It runs Windows 11 so it’s the Windows version you know and love. It’s powerful too with an Intel Core i7 processor only really potentially outperformed here by one of the Apple M chips. Other than that, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 truly flies as helped by its 16GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage.

Like we said, this is a laptop with a twist, but that’s why we adore the Microsoft Surface Pro 9. Its screen is a hugely important part and it doesn’t falter. It has a 13-inch PixelSense Flow display with 2880 x 1920 resolution. The display is virtually edge-to-edge so no space is wasted here while everything looks great. That’s aided by Dolby Vision support which may be only really used when watching movies but hey, we all have moments where we’re working a little slower, right? Where the screen will help more as you work is its Dynamic Refresh Rate which adjusts to up to 120Hz as needed so scrolling is always sleek.

The only place the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 truly falters is its cameras. It has a 5MP front camera and 10MP rear camera which is fine but lacking compared to the competition. If you need the best detail on your calls, maybe look elsewhere or plan to add a separate one via the Thunderbolt 4 ports available. Whatever your plans on this front, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 will still delight.

How we chose these tablets for business

When we collated our list of the best tablets for business, we considered some key things before just throwing out some names. Picking a tablet for business is a little different than the average tablet purchase as it’s not like you need to worry about how well it plays games or how good the screen is when watching movies. Sure, you might do those activities once in a while, but the main aim here is business purposes. To help you come to your decision, we’ve listed everything we considered when making our decision.

Processing power

If you’re working hard on your tablet, you don’t want such activities to be slow and cumbersome. That’s why it’s important to have a powerful tablet. A $99 tablet simply won’t cut it when time is money, and you need to work efficiently. That’s why we’ve focused on tablets that offer plenty of power and high performance. Even our budget offering is still pretty speedy so you’ll be happy with the results. It’s worth considering the kind of storage involved too as well as how much RAM is offered, as all this hardware adds up to ensure speedy performance.

Stick with a good screen

A good screen is great for gaming and movie watching, but it’s almost as important when working too. If you’re poring over spreadsheets, documents, or even simply email, you want to do so clearly. A large screen helps a lot here but you also want one with refined features like variable refresh rates or simply enhanced color options. It could even help with eyestrain and general comfort levels. Ultimately, no one wants to struggle to see what they’re doing so it makes sense to go with a bigger display so you don’t have to keep holding the tablet close to your face all the time.

Don’t forget the cameras

These days, video calls are a vital way to keep in contact with clients, employees, and anyone else you might wish to talk to. Any camera will do but it’s sensible to go for one with as much MP as possible. Some tablets have fairly weak front-facing cameras so if you take regular calls, this could frustrate you. Features like autofocus and Center Stage help a lot too. The front-facing camera isn’t all that matters either. The rear-facing one can be useful if you need to take a lot of photos for work. That could be to update clients on projects unfolding or it could be to take records of the receipts you’re collecting and need to expense later.

Keep on working with good battery life

If you’re buying a tablet, you’re almost certainly planning on moving around a lot with it. If you don’t want to be tethered to a power source, make sure your chosen tablet has good battery life. Most of the ones listed here do but it’s good to be aware of your needs. Not everyone needs over 12 hours but it can be useful if you’re having a busy day or you’re liable to forget to charge as often as you should.

This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.

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Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. She primarily writes about the best deals coverage for Digital Trends but also has a keen interest in Bluetooth speakers, smart home technology, wearables, and all things gaming.

As well as writing for Digital Trends, she regularly contributes at TechRadar, Lifewire, Mashable, and numerous others. She's also featured on the BBC. In her spare time, she watches many movies, plays many games, and enjoys the outdoors.

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Apple's iPad is undoubtedly one of the most popular tablets on the market right now. There are several different models to choose from, but no matter which one you go with, you'll be getting one of the best tablets out there. Still, Apple provides an abundance of choice here, and with so many different versions — and almost annual updates — it can be tricky to know which one is the best to get.

All of Apple's iPads are pretty great, and they're each designed with a slightly different audience in mind, so it's hard to pick a single one as "the best." That's why we've broken this list down by categories; after all, there's an ideal iPad for nearly every situation. Whether you're looking for the best overall iPad, the best iPad on a budget, something in the middle of the pack, or even the best small iPad, we've got you covered.

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A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.

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The best school tablet: Quick List. Best overall. Apple iPad Air 5 (2022) View at Amazon. View at Amazon. View at Apple. The best school tablet overall The 5th-gen iPad Air comes with Apple's M1 ...
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Another Windows: Surface Pro 8 7. Best 2-in-1: HP x2 11 8. Budget Android: Galaxy S6 Lite 9. Best budget: Amazon Fire HD 8 10. Budget Windows: Surface Go 3 11. Best basic: IdeaPad Duet 12. Other options How to chooseHow we testFAQs. If you're starting back at school or looking to upgrade your old kit, the best tablets for students make for ...
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Add to that an ultra-wide camera capable of 4K recording and access to the Play Store for downloading apps for work and play, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ could be the perfect tablet for you. 5 ...
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Best lightweight: iPad Mini (2021) Best Android: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+. Best for Windows: Microsoft Surface 9 Pro. Best budget: Amazon Fire 10 HD. Balance your needs as a student with price ...
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The S Pen Stylus is also a great addition for annotating and beyond. The keyboard case, which is a useful addition, is charged as an extra accessory. That said, this will pair with any Bluetooth keyboard, so that may not be a factor in your decision. 3. Amazon Fire 7: Best affordable tablet.
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7.60 /10 7. Huawei MateBook Signature. View All. Tablets are becoming a viable alternative to laptops for students due to their lightweight nature, touch functions, and lower price. From note-taking with a stylus to a battery that lasts all day, every tablet feature is designed to make students more productive.
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Storage: 128GB, 256GB. Weight: 17.6oz. Samsung makes some of the best Android smartphones, so it's no surprise that their Android tablets are also critically-acclaimed. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 ...
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An upgrade for multitaskers and creatives: Apple iPad Pro (M2) The best Android tablet: Google Pixel Tablet. A budget tablet for media: Amazon Fire HD 8. The best ebook reader: Amazon Kindle.
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Best Tablets for College Students: An Overview. Best tablet for students overall: Apple iPad Pro M2 (at Amazon*). Apple's premium tablet models are leading the current market. They come in either an 11-inch or 12.9-inch display with 120 Hz and support the Apple Pencil 2, which is particularly useful for drawing, note-taking or highlighting text.
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As far as portability is concerned, the Lenovo tablet weighs only 1.39 pounds, so you should barely feel any burden at all. Plus, the tablet has a massive 10200mAh battery that can last for about 10 hours, which should be enough for an average school day. 3. Best Android tablet for students.
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OnePlus Pad. $480 at Amazon. Best Tablet Under $200. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) $140 at Amazon. Show more. 4 / 19. The best tablet can be a portable TV screen around the house and a way to get some ...
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Best Homework Tablet: CHUWI Hi10 X. Do you need a tablet with a keyboard for school and work? Look no further as CHUWI Hi10 X is here to serve. Let's find out if you should invest in a product from a not-so-well-known brand. Display: 10.1-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1200) Processor: Intel Celeron N4120;
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Choosing the best tablet for homeschooling is essential for a seamless learning experience. Whether it's the smooth operation of Apple's iPads, the flexibility and value of Samsung tablets, or the computer-like capabilities of Microsoft's Surface line, each offers unique advantages tailored to diverse educational needs. This guide dives deep into the features and benefits of each, helping ...
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