Perfectly portable and packed full of features, a tablet is a highly versatile piece of tech to add to your setup. Whether you’re looking for something to help boost your productivity at work, expand your creative horizons or just some portable entertainment, here are our top tablet picks and all the specs to make choosing your next device easy.
What is a Tablet?
A tablet computer, most commonly known as a tablet, is a portable touch screen device that can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, or mobile data if it is SIM-enabled. You can use a tablet for many of the same things you might do on your smartphone or PC, such as streaming movies and TV shows, video calls, gaming, note taking, illustration, and taking and editing photos. It can even be used as a second screen.
When shopping for a tablet, ask yourself what you’ll use it most for. For example, if you’ll be carrying it around with you a lot, be sure to consider size and weight. Or, if you’re wanting to game on the go, look for a tablet with a powerful processor. This will determine what key features to focus on and ensure you find the right tablet for you.
Key Features to Consider
Screen size: Measured diagonally, this tells you how big the tablet’s display is. When choosing your device, think about the overall size: smaller screens are easier to carry around, while bigger screens make reading, watching videos and doing multiple things at once more enjoyable.
Resolution: This refers to the density of pixels within the tablet’s display. The more pixels, the higher the picture quality. Pixels are measured in the format of width by height.
Weight: As tablets are portable devices, it's important to consider the weight of the device itself. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand and won’t weigh you down, especially if you’re using it on the go or for long periods.
Battery life: This determines how long the tablet can go without charging. If you’re after something that will stick with you throughout the day, be sure to take note of the battery life of the device.
Camera: Whether you need it for online meetings or snapping pics, most tablets have an in-built camera. Camera quality is measured in megapixels (MP), a unit of measurement that roughly equates to one million pixels. If you want your tablet to capture high-quality pictures or video, look for a higher-megapixel camera.
SEE ALSO: How to Choose the Right Monitor for You
Best Tablet For Multitaskers: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ WiFi 64GB Graphite
Screen size: 11 inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
Battery life: 16 hours
Weight: 480 grams
Camera: 8MP rear camera; 5MP front-facing camera
Does the shape of your days change constantly? A meeting-heavy day working from home one day and a long commute to the office the next? Then you need a tablet that allows you to juggle the day’s tasks. This tablet has a multi-window feature that allows you to have up to three applications open at once, and works hard to make every video call clear and each document easy to view with a 90Hz refresh rate, 1920 x 1200 resolution and quad 1.2-watt speakers. Plus, with a battery life of 16 hours, it will help you unwind with your favourite movie or show at the end of the day without needing a charge.
Best Tablet For Creativity: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G 128GB Grey
Screen size: 10.9 inches
Resolution: 2304 x 1600 pixels
Battery life: 16 hours
Weight: 523 grams
Camera: 8MP rear camera; 12MP front-facing camera
This tablet and digital pen duo will enhance every stage of your artistic process, from the initial sketchings of a design to adding the final touches. Enjoy a smoother creative flow with the S Pen’s low latency and the tablet’s responsive touch screen. Its high-resolution display allows for precise detail and its DCI-P3 colour gamut replicates a wide and rich range of colours for you to work with. Finally, both the Galaxy Tab S9 and S Pen hold an IP68 rating, meaning they’re dust and waterproof, so whether you feel creatively inspired by the great outdoors or urban jungles, you can take it wherever you go.
Best Tablet For Entertainment: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G 12GB/256GB Graphite
Screen size: 12.4 inches
Resolution: 2800 x 1752 pixels
Battery life: 9 hours
Weight: 581 grams
Camera: 13MP rear camera; 12MP front-facing camera
Whether you’re an avid gamer or movie lover, find a device that’s as serious about your entertainment as you are. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, it can run more powerful applications so you can game, stream and browse more with fewer limitations. Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display precisely reproduces vivid colours and smooth movement, and its low blue light filter lets you comfortably enjoy your downtime for longer. With a quad AKG speaker system supporting Dolby Atmos surround sound, this Samsung tablet delivers an immersive audio-visual experience for gaming and streaming. Want to bring your little media centre on the go? Its IP68 water and dustproof rating means it can handle dust or small spills.
SEE ALSO: Find the Best Smartphone for You
Best Tablet For Largest Display: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra WiFi 12GB/256GB Graphite
Screen size: 14.6 inches
Resolution: 2800 x 1752 pixels
Battery life: 9 hours
Weight: 732 grams
Camera: 13MP rear main camera; 12MP front-facing camera
Looking for a little extra space? This Samsung tablet offers a 14.6-inch display so you can dive deeper into your spreadsheets or feel more immersed in your favourite show. Its Dynamic AMOLED screen, a new and improved mobile variation of OLED technology, produces true-to-life picture quality so you can enjoy your larger display in high definition.
The multi-window feature means you can make the most of its ultra-wide display and split your screen up to three ways, or even add it to your desktop setup as a second screen, so you can multitask till your heart’s content. And its powerful Octa-Core processor lets you run your apps smoothly so you can do it all without missing a beat.
Best Tablet For On The Go: Lenovo Tab M8 HD 8" 2/32GB Tablet Arctic Grey + Clear Case
Screen size: 8 inches
Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
Battery life: 19 hours
Weight: 320 grams
Camera: 5MP rear camera; 2MP front-facing camera
Slimline and lightweight, this super portable Lenovo tablet will help you stay entertained when you’re on your daily commute or travelling long distances. Its 8-inch LED screen delivers high definition visuals and 32GB storage allows plenty of space to download apps and movies to enjoy on the go. If you have your little ones in tow, its built-in Kids mode lets you set up parental controls and offers child-friendly content so you can keep them entertained too. And with a battery life of 19 hours, this tablet won’t fail you even on your longest or busiest days.
Best Tablet For Kids: Lenovo Tab M10 3rd Gen 10.1" WUXGA 4/64GB Tablet Storm Grey
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
Battery life: 10 hours
Weight: 460 grams
Camera: 8MP rear camera; 5MP front-facing camera
Your little ones will love exploring the web on this Lenovo tablet. It features Google Kids Space which curates kid-friendly content so they can watch and learn safely. You can also set parental controls on the device itself or monitor everything from your own device using the Family Link app. It also includes low blue light technology so you can rest assured the whole family’s eyes are protected.
Best All-Rounder Tablet: Lenovo Tab P12 Tablet and Tab Pen Plus 12.7 Storm Grey
Screen size: 12.7 inches
Resolution: 2944 x 1840 pixels
Battery life: 10 hours
Weight: 615 grams
Camera: 13MP rear camera; 8MP front-facing camera
Whether it’s a hectic work day or you’re playing a fast-paced game, this Lenovo tablet is sure to keep up. Together, its 3K resolution quad JBL speakers and Octa-Core processor will guarantee elite performance from multitasking throughout the day to streaming movies in your downtime. The Lenovo Tab Pen Plus is just as handy as the tablet itself. It replicates the sensation of using a real pen or pencil with its pressure sensitivity, registering 4096 levels of pressure, and ultra low latency. It also doubles as a remote control for things like the tablet’s camera or for clicking through a presentation.
Best Entry Level Tablet: Laser 799IPS 7" Android Tablet 2/32GB Black and Blue
Screen size: 7 inches
Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels
Battery life: 6 hours
Weight: 250 grams
Camera: 2MP rear camera; 0.3 MP front-facing camera
Fill the lulls in your day with some entertainment with the Laser tablet. It has 32GB of storage so you can load it up with all your favourite mobile games and streaming apps, and its lightweight design makes it the perfect day-to-day companion. Plus, with built-in rear and front-facing cameras you can make video calls to friends and family in your free time. The Laser tablet is also a great family device. The Google Kids Space app comes pre-installed, creating a kid-friendly space for the little ones to safely learn, play and explore online and giving parents peace of mind.
SEE ALSO: Make Your Device Last: Screen Protectors, Battery Life and More
Best 2-in-1 Tablet
2-in-1 tablets are typically defined by their ability to be used as either a laptop or a tablet. The display is usually a touch screen that can connect to a keyboard, meaning it can be used interchangeably as a tablet or laptop to best suit the task at hand. The duality of a 2-in-1 tablet makes it versatile enough to tackle a range of creative, business and entertainment purposes at home or on the go.
Microsoft Surface Pro (11th) Copilot+ PC 13" X Plus 16GB/512GB Black
Screen size: 13 inches
Resolution: 2880 x 1920 pixels
Battery life: 14 hours
Weight: 895 grams
Camera: 1440 QHD
Caught between buying a laptop or a tablet? Then the Surface Pro is your answer. Its smart design makes it easy to switch from tablet to monitor to laptop. It’s also been designed with portability in mind; it’s lightweight and has a built-in stand, making it the perfect companion for you no matter where you’re off to. The OLED display shows a dynamic range of colours and its 2880 x 1920 resolution delivers a precise picture quality. The Snapdragon Elite X processor is responsible for this device’s impeccable performance, and it also features the latest AI technology with Copilot, Windows’ AI assistant. Pair it with the Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard to complete your 2-in-1 setup or Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 to enhance the usage of your tablet.
Tablet Accessories
Once you’ve found the right tablet for you, complete your setup and make the most of your device with these helpful accessories.
Wacom One Bluetooth Tablet Small
Active area: 7 inches
Battery life: 15 hours
Weight: 354 grams
Bring your art to the digital space with the Wacom One pen tablet. This drawing tablet is compatible with a range of different devices so it seamlessly slips into your existing tech setup. Use this tablet to realise your creative vision by drawing on the tablet using the pen and see each line or brushstroke appear on your computer or tablet screen. Its pen can register 4096 levels of pressure so you can create digital designs with precise detail. It’s compact and connects wirelessly so you can take it wherever you go.
What to Try:
- Bonelk Universal 9"-11" Tablet Folio Case Black
- Targus Stylus Pen Grey
- Lenovo Keyboard Pack for Tab P12
- POS-mate Universal Tablet Stand Classic Black
- Bonelk Universal 9"-11" Tablet Keyboard Folio Case Black
- Cygnett 2.5D Screen Protector Microsoft Surface Go
- Cygnett CarGo Adjustable Car Mount for Tablets
- J.Burrows 2 in 1 Stylus
- Microsoft Surface Pen Charcoal
Battery life/runtime may vary and is dependent on various factors including loaded applications, configuration, features, usage, network, and settings. Battery run times quoted are typically results of benchmark testing by brands.
