12 Best Tablets (2023): For Work, Play, Kids, Seniors, and More
12 Best Tablets (2023): For Work, Play, Kids, Seniors, and More
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best for Most People
Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen)
A More Modern iPad
Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen)
Best Android Tablet
OnePlus Pad
Best Tablet Under $200
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
A good 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 makes it the obvious choice for most people, but if you don’t want an iPad, other options exist. Android tablets are making a bit of a comeback recently, and Google has refocused its efforts on improving the tablet experience. Amazon’s Fire tablets are also an affordable way to get the basics like watching movies and browsing the web, as long as you don’t mind their limitations. If you want a tablet that can double as a laptop, an iPad or a Windows 2-in-1 might be your best bet. Our picks of the best tablets can help you decide.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best iPads, Best Drawing Apps, Best iPad Accessories, Best Fire Tablets, and Best Touchscreen Laptops.
Updated April 2023: We’ve added the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro and OnePlus Pad.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
-
Photograph: Apple
Best for Most People
Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen)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 five 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 feel a little less natural than its siblings. If you need a slate for sketching, upgrade to another iPad.
-
Photograph: Apple
A More Modern iPad
Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen)There's finally a nicer entry-level iPad! The 10th-gen iPad (7/10, WIRED Recommends) debuted in September 2022 and mimics the rest of Apple's iPads 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, and 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. The price has dipped to $400 often, so try to catch it on sale.
-
Photograph: OnePlus
Best Android Tablet
OnePlus PadIf you're eyeing a tablet that can replace your laptop every now and then, one that still works great as an entertainment slate, and it's 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.
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.
-
-
Photograph: Amazon
Best Tablet Under $200
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)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 $150, it's hard to beat the 2021 Fire HD 10 (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is our favorite Fire Tablet. It has enough power for most tasks, even some light work if you snag the Productivity Bundle Amazon sells, which includes a Bluetooth keyboard case and a year of Microsoft 365. There's a USB-C port, so you can charge it with the same cable as your laptop or Android phone, and it has hands-free Alexa support, meaning it can double as an Echo Show. If you snag the Fire HD 10 Plus model, you get an extra gig of RAM and wireless charging.
Note: Amazon steeply discounts its Fire tablets on Prime Day and Black Friday (and frequently throughout the year), so try to avoid paying full price.
-
Photograph: Amazon
Best Tablet Under $100
Fire HD 8 (2022)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 without spending a lot of money. 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 Amazon's 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.
-
Photograph: Apple
Best Upgrade
Apple iPad Air (2022, 5th Gen)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 $1,099, 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.
-
Photograph: Lenovo
A Cheaper Android Tablet
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen)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. 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 sadly there's no headphone jack, so you'll have to listen in with Bluetooth earbuds (or use a dongle).
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. Turn it off if you're not using it. The Android tablet experience still has some ways to go to rival the iPad, but it's getting better, especially with more tablet-friendly apps than ever before. 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'll get Android 13 soon and Android 14 in 2024. That's better than what the company has promised before, but still not as good as what Apple, Samsung, or OnePlus offers.
-
Photograph: Amazon
Best Kids Tablet
Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (2022)When you're giving a tablet to a kid, you want something durable and cheap. That way if it breaks, 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 recommendations.
-
Photograph: Samsung
Luxe Android Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, S8 UltraIt's hard to find many faults with Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8. The 11-inch screen, while LCD, is sharp, colorful, bright, and a perfect size. The speakers sound great, the performance is practically flawless, and it comes with a stylus that magnetically sticks to the back of the slate. Samsung's DeX mode lets you go into a desktop-like environment to crank out some light work as well, which is a nice perk. I don't like it as much as some of the new multitasking features in the OnePlus Pad though. This Tab S8 is quite pricey too, so it's best if you can find it on sale.
The Tab S8 series also includes the 12.4-inch Tab S8+ and the massive 14.6-inch Tab S8 Ultra. I haven't tested these, but the biggest difference is that the larger tablets have OLED screens, which will net you deeper blacks and richer colors. However, it's tough to justify $900-plus for Android tablets. Things are improving, but in general, there are more and better apps for creative pros on iPads. Not to mention, you can buy a great laptop or two-in-one (see below) for that price if you want to get some proper work done. If it's any consolation, these tablets have some of the longest software support you'll find on Android—four years of version upgrades and five years of security updates—so they'll last for a good long time.
-
Photograph: Apple
Best Portable Tablet
Apple iPad Mini (2021, 6th Gen)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 and modern iPad Pro-like design. It has the latest 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.
-
Photograph: Microsoft
Best Laptop/Tablet Hybrid
Microsoft Surface Pro 9Who 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.
-
Photograph: GrandPad
Best for Seniors
GrandPadIf you have a family member that 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, which are quite straightforward to operate, 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.
-
Photograph: Google
Google Has a New Tablet
Google Pixel TabletGoogle announced a new Pixel Tablet in May 2022, and it's expected to launch in May 2023 at its I/O developer conference. It has a simple design and will be powered by Tensor G2, the chipset inside the Pixel 7 smartphones. The company is taking a page from smart displays and is designing a wireless charging speaker dock that will be the resting place of the Pixel Tablet when it's not in your hands—adding more capabilities like talking to Google Assistant for smart-home control. It pops right on and off via magnets. We'll add more details as Google releases them. If you've been eyeing an Android tablet, it might be worth waiting to see how the Pixel Tablet turns out.
-
Photograph: Nokia
Honorable Mentions
Other Good TabletsWe test tons of tablets every year. Here are a few others we like, just not as much as our picks above.
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) Tablet for $370: I really enjoyed my time with the first-gen P11, and while I haven't used the second-gen version yet, it's purportedly faster and runs Android 12L for a better tablet software experience. It has a similar 11-inch LCD screen with a 2K resolution, and it retains the slim and portable design. It'll get updates through Android 14 and three years of security updates. The one big perk? This one does have a headphone jack.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE for $520: The OnePlus Pad is a better buy, but the Tab S7 FE is a solid option, and it regularly goes on sale. You get a spacious 12.4-inch LCD screen that's sharp and bright; the speakers are wonderful; and Samsung also includes the S Pen stylus, which magnetically sticks to the back of the slate. It's no Apple Pencil, but it does the job for simple doodles and for marking up documents. Samsung also has a keyboard cover you can buy separately if you want to type away on this tablet, and its DeX mode offers up a workable desktop-like experience. It will get five years of security updates and three Android OS upgrades. Unfortunately, there's no headphone jack. I wasn't thrilled with its performance. It stuttered now and then, though I was able to run every app and game I regularly use just fine. This is likely due to the limited 4 gigabytes of RAM in the 5G model I tested. The 5G version also runs off the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, whereas the Wi-Fi model uses the better-performing Snapdragon 778G. It's odd. Stick with the Wi-Fi-only model.
Nokia T20 Android Tablet for $250: I very 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.
Nokia T10 Android Tablet for $150: 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 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.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Android Tablet for $205: The A7 is a fine Android tablet if you want to stick with Samsung. The Nokia above performs better, but the screen is nicer here, and the speakers sound richer.
-
Photograph: Satechi
Great Tablet Accessories
Gear for Your SlateTablets 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 recently took it with me on a trip. 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 $55: 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 the Galaxy Tab S7 FE for months. 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 $94: 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 $23: 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—for example, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE supports 45-watt 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.
Related Posts
How to Preorder Samsung's Galaxy S23—and Which Model to Buy
How to Use Your Smartphone to Counteract Vision Loss (2023): iPhone, Android, Apps
How to Back Up Your Digital Life (2023): Hard Drives, Cloud-Based Tools, and Tips
About The Author
