Tablets are portable computers that are less complex and easier to use than traditional computers. The best tablets are those that are versatile enough for all kinds of use cases: home, school, and work. Finding the best tablet for you doesn’t have to be difficult, but knowing where to start can be difficult. That’s where CNET tests and reviews can help. These tablets can do it all: check your email, manage your finances, test your art skills, casually browse YouTube or watch videos, and more. Best of all, you can save hundreds of dollars more with the upcoming Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday sales.
Price is a big factor in that regard. Most people we know think of tablets as a secondary purchase to a computer, or as a device for children. So value is probably more important for tablets than for any other product category. Some tablets are more premium, but may be worth it if you value a more future-proof device, a better OLED display, or a faster chip.
You can’t talk about tablets without talking about Apple. The iPad Pro and Air models just received a major hardware upgrade, with the more expensive Pro now getting an OLED display and new M4 chip for the first time, as well as an improved Pencil Pro. However, keep in mind that Apple devices have their own app ecosystem and are dependent on Apple services. The iPad is more feature-rich than ever, but it’s still not the same as a Mac when it comes to apps and OS.
The iPad is king in this space, but Android tablets have been making a comeback in the last year or two. The Google Pixel Tablet and OnePlus Pad are great, affordable options for family and home use (Pixel Tablet) or as a personal mini laptop (OnePlus Pad). Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 series slates are expensive, but all have excellent AMOLED displays.
In the value segment, Amazon’s Fire tablet remains the best tablet choice for an inexpensive, kid-friendly model. If you’re looking for productivity and entertainment, an affordable Chromebook that blurs the line between laptop and tablet is the way to go.
