Best Tablet 2025: The best options for all budgets and needs

The iPad Air M3 (2025) is the best overall tablet in our opinion. The Air doesn’t include all the premium features of the Pro model, but delivers fast performance and includes an array of high-end features at a more affordable price point. 

Despite its name, the iPad Air is actually slightly heavier than the iPad Pro (2024) in the same two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. However, the Air comes in a selection of fun colours and features the same flat-sided modern design and landscape camera, allowing for better-positioned video calls. 

There’s also a Touch ID-enabled lock button, two excellent-sounding speakers and docking points for an Apple Pencil (Pro or USB-C) and Magic Keyboard for those interested in picking up these accessories. 

The display consists of an IPS LCD panel, with Apple reserving Mini LED and OLED technologies as well as 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates for its Pro models. However, if you’re upgrading from an older Air or base iPad, the screen will feel familiar or even superior, depending on your previous tablet, with good brightness levels and very accurate colours. 

The iPad Air is powered by the Apple M3 chipset, which offers fantastic performance at its price point. This tablet outperformed some of the best Android tablets we’ve tested, including ones twice its price, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and it’s not too far from what the iPad Pro (2024) offers. 

We found that the battery life meets – and at times extends beyond – Apple’s 10-hour web browsing claim. It’s less volatile than the OLED-toting iPad Pro, and managed to deliver 11 hours of video playback on a long-haul flight.

If you’re not a fan of Apple’s iPadOS operating system, the Android 15-based OnePlus Pad 3 may be more up your street.

It ditches its predecessors’ curved edges for a more industrial, flat-edged affair not too dissimilar to Apple’s iPad collection, and comes in a similarly attractive shade of blue. As a result, the tablet looks much more modern and sleek despite its solidly mid-range price tag – and at a rather svelte 6mm thick, it’s easy to slip into a rucksack. 

The screen is LCD, like the Air’s, but it has a 144Hz refresh rate – faster than practically any other tablet on the market at any price point. At 13.2 inches, it’s also slightly larger than Apple’s alternative, and the unique 7:5 aspect ratio lends itself very well to productivity and split-screen multitasking. 

Combined with an eye-popping 3K resolution, it delivers the very best that LCD technology has to offer, and Dolby Vision HDR makes content from supported apps, such as Netflix, really pop.

The redesigned keyboard case is a particular highlight with a satisfying typing experience, and the ability to tap a OnePlus phone on the keyboard for instant file and connectivity sharing is a nice ecosystem-focused touch. The second-gen Stylo also has a few surprises in store, including haptic feedback that subtly changes depending on which pen you’re using to write or draw – though neither comes in the box.

Performance was already impressive with the Pad 2’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, but OnePlus has taken it to the next level with the inclusion of the top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Pad 3. 

This is the same chipset found in top-end Android phones, and it offers incredible year-on-year gains compared to the 8 Gen 3 – so much so that the Pad 3 is one of very few Android tablets to compete with Apple’s iPad range in performance tests. It can easily compete with older M-series iPads, such as the iPad Air M2, while outperforming the entry-level iPad and iPad mini in tests. 

Battery life is another highlight of the tablet, with its sizable 12,140mAh battery easily delivering all-day use without issue, and standby time was equally impressive. OnePlus claims it can last up to 60 days on standby, and although we couldn’t verify those claims, it was always seemingly ready to go.

Besides, with 80W SuperVOOC charging – the fastest on a tablet – the OnePlus Pad 3 can go from flat to full in a flash. It’s just a shame that the charger isn’t included in the box.

Still, if you’re looking for a competitive Android-based tablet with great hardware at a tempting price, the OnePlus Pad 3 should be your go-to.

If you’re looking for a big-screen tablet with plenty of power to run some of the best games available on Android, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the ideal option.

The display is not only huge at 14.6 inches, but with Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, it’s smooth, rapid and responsive in everyday use with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate ideal for gaming. The size means it’s not as portable as other options in our chart, taking up a similar footprint to a MacBook Pro 13 in a rucksack, but the large dimensions will no doubt provide the edge in competitive online titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG.

What’s more, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra sports a top-end chipset that makes it more powerful than any other Android competitor – though still not quite up to the task of de-throning the M2 of the iPad Air, let alone the M4 of Apple’s iPad Pro.

Still, the use of the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 will likely come as a surprise to Samsung fans expecting a flagship Snapdragon chip. Still, it’s a smart move from Samsung, as the 9300 scored better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped Android tablet alternatives, such as the OnePlus Pad 2, although it falls behind the newer OnePlus Pad 3.

That said, the Tab S10 Ultra can handle just about anything you can throw at it. That not only means AAA games with high graphics enabled, but split-screen multitasking, video editing and anything else you could think of. Even if you’re not an Android mobile gamer, the gorgeous display is well suited to both cloud gaming and binging series’ on Netflix with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Elsewhere, the S Pen provides a satisfying writing experience with a faster response time than the Apple Pencil 2, and it comes in the box too. There’s also IP68 dust and water resistance, a rarity among tablets, and solid battery life that can comfortably get you through a week’s sporadic use.

There’s also the same Galaxy AI smarts you’ll find on Samsung’s flagship smartphones, including exclusive S Pen functionality, and it gets the same seven years of OS upgrades as the flagship smartphone range too.

It’s just a little annoying that, at comfortably over £1000/$1000, there isn’t a charger in the box to take advantage of the tablet’s 45W fast charging. Even the iPad range still comes with a charger in the box.

We loved using the iPad Pro M4 for multiple reasons, from its stunning screen and lightweight body to its powerful and exclusive M4 chipset. Having said that, the iPad Pro M4 is jaw-droppingly expensive, so it should be considered as more of a luxury device.

Available in either 11-inch or 13-inch models, the iPad Pro M4 boasts a vibrant OLED display, which results in an HDR-capable canvas that fixes the common issues found with older Mini LED technology. Plus there’s 120Hz ProMotion which offers buttery smooth scrolling, something that’s unfortunately missing on the iPad Air M3.

While both tablets are thin and lightweight, surprisingly the 13-inch model takes the title of the “thinnest Apple product ever” at just 5.1mm.

In the meantime you can still experience impressively speedy performance, as we found in our benchmark tests that the iPad Pro M4 easily surpassed any Android competition with sheer ease.

Like the iPad Air M3, the iPad Pro has readjusted its front-facing 12MP camera from portrait to landscape, which means it’s much more convenient for taking video calls. There’s now also just one 12MP camera at the rear, as Apple has ditched the ultrawide of its predecessor, but it can shoot 4K video.

The iPad Pro M4 comes in a variety of storage sizes: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, with the latter two models equipped with a nano-texture glass display for a matte finish. As the most expensive model (13-inch with 2TB) will set you back a whopping £2299/$2299, consider your needs properly before making the splurge.

Keep in mind that you’ll still get mostly the same performance from the cheapest £999/$999 11-inch iPad Pro M4.

Unfortunately, if you already own a Magic Keyboard then you’ll need to upgrade to the dedicated iPad Pro M4 model, as Apple has rejigged the magnetic arrangement. Not only that but you’ll also need to upgrade to the new Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil USB-C, as the Apple Pencil 2 is no longer compatible.

If you want an iPad purely for general scrolling or streaming then we would not recommend buying the iPad Pro M4. However, if you’re a creative professional who will utilise the power of the iPad Pro M4 then you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re hankering after a big-screen tablet, but don’t fancy the iPad Pro, then the Lenovo Tab Extreme is a solid – and even bigger, if you can believe it – alternative.

The Lenovo Tab Extreme embodies the extreme moniker with its huge 14.5-inch display, but it’s not just big, sporting a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.5K resolution and OLED tech for vivid colours and deep, inky blacks that make streaming HDR content on Netflix an absolute dream. Paired with the sheer size, it’s a decent replacement for a TV when away from home and also proved a particularly well-suited option for cloud gaming.

Embedded around that huge display is an all-metal body that measures in at an exquisite 5.9mm thick, helping offset just how unwieldy the large tablet can be to move around. Still, it looks and feels just as premium as the iPad Pro does.

Trying to match the iPad Pro’s capabilities, the Tab Extreme is compatible with the Lenovo Precision Pen 3 and a new keyboard case, and the company sells a bundle with both included for £999/$949. The stylus is ideal for creatives with 4,000 points of pressure and minimal lag, while the magnetic keyboard case is perfect for getting some work done.

Battery life is also solid despite powering such a large display with a whopping 12,500mAh cell that’s comfortably larger than most external battery chargers. As such, the Tab Extreme had no problem lasting an entire workday with constant use, and with 68W charging, it charged from flat to full in just under 90 minutes.

When it comes to performance, the tablet is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For reference, that’s the same chipset as the first-gen OnePlus Pad that was released in 2023, but that’s more a testament to OnePlus’ value for money than the Tab Extreme being underpowered for the price.

Everyday performance is solid with no stuttering or lag, though our reviewer noted that the display’s 3.5K resolution was just too much to power high-end games. Performance is also behind what you’ll find from Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple’s M4 processor, so those who need the most performance should look elsewhere, but for sheer streaming and cloud gaming capabilities, the Lenovo Tab Extreme is a particularly strong (if not pricey) option.

If you want a tablet that can easily fit into even the smallest of bags, then the iPad Mini 7 is the device for you.

Much like its predecessor, the iPad mini 7 looks like a shrunk-down version of Apple’s current-generation Pro and Air tablets. It’s been upgraded to feature Apple Pencil Pro support, too. The latter is particularly welcome, since it means the tablet can match the Pro-level iPad when it comes to drawing capabilities.

The A17 Pro chipset is a welcome upgrade over the ageing A15 Bionic that, while not as fast as the M3 that features in Apple’s more expensive iPad Air, is still more than powerful enough. In our time with the tablet, we never noticed any slowdown, with apps universally launching in milliseconds and running with zero performance issues.

The upgraded chipset also brings support for Apple’s GenAI smarts, Apple Intelligence, though we’d argue that this isn’t the reason to upgrade at the moment.

The only downside to the iPad mini is that, while the size is great for people who want a portable tablet, the Mini isn’t quite as good for video streaming or gaming in a home environment as its larger Air sibling.

We found the 8.2-inch screen isn’t anywhere near as immersive for video viewing as the iPad Air, let alone the Pro or Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Thankfully, its high max brightness meant it proved suitably dynamic for casual video in bed or while travelling.

The lack of Apple’s Promotion tech means it’s locked at a bog-standard 60Hz refresh rate. This coupled with its small size meant that although it’s fine for mobile gaming on the go, the device is ill-suited for more serious players looking for a tablet from which to stream triple-A games. We found the HUD and text on PC games running via GeForce Now were a little too small to comfortably read when the tablet was sitting on a desk.

For such users, the iPad Air or OnePlus Pad 3 with their larger screens are far better options.

Amazon has its niche at the market’s budget end with a swathe of its own Amazon Fire-branded tablets coming in all shapes and sizes, from the small Amazon Fire 7 (2022) to the kid-proof Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2023). However, it’s the newest in the Fire tablet collection that truly stands out, even compared to fully-fledged Android tablets.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 stands at the top of the Fire tablet collection, not only in price at £249/$229, but also in size, sporting an 11-inch display. The display is one of the main reasons to opt for the tablet, boasting a 2K resolution that delivers pin-sharp visuals when watching movies, reading books on the Kindle app and browsing the web. It’s also fully laminated with no gap between the protective glass and LCD panel to create that horrid hollow tap sensation present on most cheaper tablets (and even Apple’s iPad 10).

It feels like a more premium device than others in the collection, with an aluminium body, rounded corners and relatively slim bezels. In fact, it looks a lot like the iPad 10, just much cheaper. It’s a shame that it’s only available in slate grey – more colourful options could help Amazon’s tablet stand out in a sea of grey tablets.

Performance is also surprisingly impressive considering it sports an unnamed octa-core processor and just 4GB of RAM, performing much better in CPU and GPU tests than most of the similarly priced competition, and everyday performance was refreshingly free of stutter and lag.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is compatible with an optional keyboard case and stylus, with the stylus magnetically attaching to the side of the tablet when not in use. Amazon hopes this will frame the tablet as a work device, but it’s not entirely up to the same standard as most competitors – and that’s down to Fire OS.

Despite running on Android 11, the Fire Max 11 (like all other Fire tablets) is devoid of Google services and Google Play, instead offering its own alternative in the form of the Appstore. While plenty of apps are available, including Microsoft Office, it lacks key apps like Google Drive or Dropbox that’d make it handy for work purposes.

You will find most streaming apps, however, and plenty of free-to-play games, framing the tablet as more of a high-end (for Fire tablets, anyway) entertainment device than a work one.

Editor’s Note: Apple has released the upgraded iPad 11. We’re currently reviewing the tablet, and it could potentially replace the iPad 10 in this list, but we can’t confirm this for sure at this time.

Bringing in a complete redesign for Apple’s entry-level tablet that makes it look far more like the iPad Air range, there’s a lot to like about the iPad 10. In addition to its new look and much like the iPhone 15, it’s done away with Apple’s Lightning port of old in favour of USB-C.

There’s also a respectable jump to the A14 Bionic chipset, making it much more powerful than its ageing predecessor, and following a price cut soon after launch, it retains the same entry-level price too.

The iPad 10 has strong battery life and you can readily anticipate getting through 10 hours of video playback, which is more than enough for plodding on through a day’s work.

In our Best Lists, we tend to only include products which score 4 out of 5 – picking up a Recommended badge in the progress. However, Google’s first Android Pixel tablet is still deserving of a spot because for the right type of buyer it is a great device.

What really sets this apart from all the other tablets on this list – including the iPads and other Android tablets – is the wireless docking station included in the box. Dock the Pixel Tablet onto this and it turns from a standard 11-inch device into a home hub, capable of playing music, showcasing snaps from Google Photos or just the time. It makes the tablet a device that can be used all the time, rather than sparingly for checking emails or browsing the web.

We would like the speaker to sound better, and Google Assistant isn’t always reliable for voice commands however it’s nice to see a tablet try something different.

Elsewhere, it’s all fairly standard stuff. The screen is sharp, but the 60Hz refresh rate falls short of the OnePlus Pad 3’s, and it feels a little sluggish as a result. There are no official keyboard or stylus accessories either, so this isn’t a great choice for those who want a laptop replacement.

While the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra might be great for gaming and the iPad Air is something of a productivity powerhouse, neither of these tables (or many of the tablets on this list) are designed to face the elements, so if you need something to carry with you in the great outdoors when the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 is your best bet.

Samsung’s ‘Active’ range has been pairing tablet tech with rugged design for quite some time now, being the go-to option for those who need such a device on building sites, oil rigs or even when out in the woods. Building upon those expertise, there’s a lot to like about the Tab Active 5.

For starters, the rugged backing is not only easy to hold but it can also take a serious knock thanks to military grade MIL-STD-810H durability, as well as an official IP68 rating for water resistance.

Unlike most modern tablets, there are also pretty sizeable bezels on every side to avoid any accidental interactions with the touchscreen. If you’re wearing gloves, however, and touching the screen just isn’t an option, you’ll be glad to know that the tablet comes bundled with Samsung’s S Pen, so you can easily interact with any apps, even when it’s cold out.

What’s even rarer is the fact that the battery inside the Tab Active 5 can be removed and replaced without issue, so if you’re going to be away from a charging point for quite some time then you can simply cycle through any spare compatible batteries you have on hand.

When it comes to the software, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 is no slouch. The Exynos 1380 processor housed inside the device does a great job of powering through most apps with ease, as well as handling any multitasking when needed.

The only thing to bear in mind is that with just a single speaker in tow, the Tab Active 5 isn’t the best option when it comes to watching a bit of content, but given the intended use-case for this device, this probably isn’t the biggest setback.