How We Tested
We used each tablet for real-world tasks: streaming video, reading, browsing the web, taking notes, light photo editing, and gaming. We evaluated display quality, performance, battery life, and app availability for each platform.
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
The 10th-gen iPad is the best tablet for most people. The 10.9" Liquid Retina display is gorgeous for media consumption, the A14 Bionic chip handles any app smoothly, and the iPad app ecosystem remains unmatched. USB-C charging, Touch ID, and all-day battery life round out a compelling package.
- Excellent display quality
- Best tablet app ecosystem
- Great performance for the price
- All-day battery life
- No headphone jack
- Apple Pencil (1st gen) requires adapter
iPad Pro 13" (M4)
The iPad Pro with M4 chip is essentially a laptop in tablet form. The stunning OLED XDR display with ProMotion is the best screen on any tablet, and the M4 chip outperforms most laptops. For creative professionals doing video editing, illustration, or 3D work, nothing else compares.
- Best display on any tablet (OLED XDR)
- M4 chip with laptop-class performance
- Thunderbolt connectivity
- Face ID and ProMotion
- Very expensive
- iPadOS limits laptop replacement potential
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The best Android tablet available, the Galaxy Tab S9 features a gorgeous 11" AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung's DeX mode provides a desktop-like experience, and the included S Pen adds value for note-takers. IP68 water resistance is a unique bonus among premium tablets.
- Beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display
- S Pen included
- DeX desktop mode
- IP68 water resistant
- Android tablet apps still lag behind iPad
- Expensive for Android
Amazon Fire HD 10
For pure entertainment value, the Fire HD 10 is hard to beat. It's perfect for streaming Netflix, Prime Video, and reading Kindle books. The 10.1" 1080p display is decent, battery life is solid, and the price is right. Just don't expect iPad-level performance or app selection.
- Incredible value
- Great for streaming and reading
- Alexa integration
- Long battery life
- Limited app store (no Google Play)
- Sluggish performance
- Lots of Amazon ads
iPad Mini (6th Generation)
The iPad Mini packs full iPad power into a pocketable 8.3" form factor. It's ideal for reading, note-taking on the go, and anyone who finds larger tablets unwieldy. Apple Pencil 2 support and the A15 Bionic chip mean no compromises on capability.
- Ultra-portable design
- Full iPad performance
- Apple Pencil 2 support
- USB-C and Touch ID
- Expensive for the size
- Screen too small for productivity
iPad vs Android vs Fire: Which Platform?
iPad (iPadOS)
Best app ecosystem, longest software support (5-6 years), and most polished tablet experience. Choose iPad if you want the best overall tablet experience or already use Apple devices.
Android (Samsung, etc.)
More customization, better file management, and works well with Windows/Android phones. Choose Android if you prefer Google services or want features like split-screen multitasking.
Fire OS (Amazon)
Budget-friendly and great for Amazon services. Choose Fire tablets for cheap entertainment consumption, but expect limited apps and lower performance.