Tablets are great for working and playing on the go, and the market has become more diverse over the last few years, offering you a variety of options to choose from. But with so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start.
Below, you can see a full rundown of the best tablets of 2021 to suit all of your needs. From heavy-duty workhorses to tablets for kids, and the 2020 Apple iPad Air , which is the best overall buy that's good at everything. This list will help you find the right tablet for you.
Looking for some sweet tablets deals? Check out our list of the best iPad deals, and our best tablet deals.
- Apple iPad Air [2020]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
- Apple iPad [2020]
- Apple iPad Mini 5
- Amazon Fire HD 8
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet
- Apple iPad Pro [12.9-inch]
- Research and buying tips
- How we test Show 6 more items
Apple iPad Pro [12.9-inch]
Research and buying tips
Which OS is best for you?
If your top consideration is entertainment, and youre likely to use a lot of apps and games, then we recommend Apples iPadOS over Android. There are a lot of polished apps made specifically for the iPad and you have access to all the top subscription services and an extensive content store. Its also slick and accessible, so anyone can come to grips with it quickly.
Android has a larger selection of free apps and games, though theyre generally less polished, which might be a trade-off youll accept. Things are a little complicated by manufacturer UIs, or in the case of Amazon, forked versions of the platform. They can delay Android updates and make the user experience quite different. Amazons tablets, for example, run a version of Android called Fire OS and they initially only have access to the limited subset of apps and games that are available in the Amazon Appstore, not the full list that youll find in Googles Play Store.
If you like the idea of accessing the same apps you have on your Windows PC, and you want a business device that ties seamlessly into your Microsoft services, then a tablet running Windows 10 is going to be tempting. Its powerful, but its also relatively expensive to get decent hardware for a good user experience. If youre not a business user, or you dont need to run Windows-only apps, it may be overkill.
Can you print from a tablet?
Yes, you can indeed print from a tablet. Check out our guides on how to print from an iPhone and how to print from an Android tablet for all the details you need.
Can you make phone calls on a tablet?
Yes, you can make phone calls on a tablet, but you will need to be connected to the internet. You can either connect to Wi-Fi, which every tablet can do for free, or if you need to make calls while you're out and about beyond the reach of a Wi-Fi network, buy a tablet with cellular support and space for a SIM card. Just bear in mind if you go the SIM card route, you will also have to sign up for a service plan of some kind. Some carriers offer special plans for tablets.
You can use FaceTime on an iPad, but there are lots of good alternative video chat apps that work with Android tablets or iPads. Many of them allow you to make audio calls as well. However, the person you want to call usually has to have the same app. Some apps, like Skype, also allow you to call regular landline or mobile phone numbers, but you'll generally have to pay per minute or get a subscription. A good app that will work on Android tablets or iPads that gives you a free number for calling, text messages, and voicemail is Google Voice, but it only works in the U.S.
If you're interested in this option for a business, then you might also consider one of the best VoIP [Voice Over Internet Protocol] services.
Can you text on a tablet?
Yes, you can send text messages from a tablet. If you have an iPad then you can use iMessage, which can connect to your phone to send standard SMS messages and iMessages alike. There are lots of great text messaging apps that work on Android or iOS. You could also use Google Voice if you are based in the U.S. as it gives you a free number for calls and text messages.
How we test
The tablets we test serve as our daily drivers, so we use them extensively to put them through their paces. That means watching movies, gaming, testing out lots of apps, reading, working on them, and even taking photos and shooting videos with them [which is impossible to do without looking stupid]. We love new, innovative features, but we can also appreciate classic design done well. Ultimately, we look for tablets that will fulfill the needs of most people, so their ability to serve up entertainment is paramount.