Traditionally, tablets were known for offering battery life similar to a phone’s and much larger displays.

Today, some tablets are also as powerful as top-of-the-line laptops.

But what exactly defines a tablet?

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The presence of a touchscreen and the ability to operate without a physical keyboard are key features.

So, what are the best tablets?

We’ll introduce you to the best tablets across various categories.

While it lacks some features of themore expensive models, it’s excellent for content consumption of all types.

The option of the $80USB-C Apple Pencilalso makes the latest version more appealing to some users.

The 10th-gen iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic SoC, offering decent CPU and GPU performance.

You also get iPadOS, the most complete tablet OS available.

A brilliant combination of price, performance, and features makes this an easy top choice for media consumption.

If you’re willing to pay a bit more, the iPad Air is a top choice.

120Hz refresh rate display.

HDR capable OLED display.

Good | Most Have ItImpressive battery life.

Average | Competitors May Be BetterExpensive.

Still not a direct laptop replacement.

Pencil and Magnetic Keyboard sold separately.

The iPad Pro is the best tablet available on the market.

Unlike the iPad Air, the USB-C connector supports USB4/Thunderbolt speeds.

For various professionals, the Pro stands out as the top choice.

Graphic artists will find drawing on the 120Hz display uniquely satisfying.

Interior designers looking to showcase potential designs for kitchens or offices will find the LiDAR feature indispensable.

You also get a 12MP front camera with TrueDepth and Face ID, and four speakers.

Of course, the Pencil Pro is also supported.

Two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Stylus has haptic feedback.

Good | Most Have ItGorgeous 120Hz display and long battery life.

Average | Competitors May Be BetterStylus and keyboard cost extra.

Many Windows apps don’t have an Arm version.

You also get a 10-megapixel rear camera and a 1440p front camera for Windows Hello.

The Slim Pen 2 charges wirelessly and provides haptic feedback, and the Signature Keyboard uses backlit mechanical keys.

The downside is that, like with iPads, the keyboard and stylus cost extra.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC.

Android updates until 2027.

Good | Most Have ItSleek design.

Good battery life, cameras, and speakers.

Average | Competitors May Be BetterAndroid on tablets is still in the shadow of iPadOS.

Performance can’t match Apple’s flagship.

Both the S8+ and S9 tablets feature a 120Hz Super AMOLED panel with vibrant colors and perfect blacks.

The Galaxy Tab S9 is still a good option thanks to its IP68 water and dust resistance.

It also has an additional 12MP front camera.

The S9 Ultra starts at$1,050with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Regardless of your size preference, you’ll have to deal with somewhat disappointing software.

This makes it much more comfortable to use in portrait mode.

The 144Hz LCD display features true 8-bit color (10-bit with FRC) for accurate reproduction.

It’s currently on offer for$480with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip isn’t as fast as the Snapdragon 8.

Support for 2nd-gen Apple Pencil.

Easy to hold with a single hand.

Good | Most Have ItLong battery life.

Sub-6GHz 5G speed support on the Wi-Fi + Cellular version.

Average | Competitors May Be BetterKeyboard support limited to Bluetooth.

The Wi-Fi + Cellular version supports sub-6GHz 5G speeds, similar to the iPad Air and Pro models.

It also has the same ultra-wide 12MP front camera and 12MP wide rear camera.

Limited apps

It’s a case of buyer beware when purchasing a budget tablet.

It’s even more useful if you have a Prime subscription.

The Fire HD 10 features Alexa, allowing it to function like Amazon Echo devices.