Tablet Buying Guide

A tablet is a versatile piece of technology, compact enough to tuck into a bag yet large enough to comfortably view your favorite television shows, digital comics, or photo albums.

If you are prepared to invest in a more robust processor and additional storage, you can even handle demanding tasks like editing high-resolution photos and videos. Pair the device with a stylus, and you gain a convenient tool for taking notes or producing digital artwork.

However, not everyone requires or desires such advanced capabilities. With prices for new tablets spanning from $60 to $2,500 depending on specifications and storage capacity, determining your ideal budget can be challenging.

Below, we outline the questions you should consider before purchasing a tablet. Once you have addressed these, you can consult our tablet ratings to help identify the best device for your needs, whether you choose to shop with Amazon, Apple, Samsung, or another manufacturer.

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering a fair marketplace. We purchase every product we evaluate—from SUVs and laptops to printers—at retail, ensuring the model we test is identical to the one you bring home.

Is Portability a Priority?

Tablets with screens of 8 inches or smaller typically weigh less than a pound, making them highly portable. Most also offer at least 10 hours of battery life. Conversely, a tablet with a larger display can provide a superior experience for watching media, reading, or utilizing productivity software—provided you are comfortable with a higher price tag.

Who Makes Your Other Tech Devices?

Many consumers prefer buying a tablet from the same brand that produced their smartphone or laptop. This approach ensures a familiar user interface, access to the same ecosystem of apps, and seamless compatibility with your existing gadgets. This integration often enhances convenience; for instance, you can easily switch between texting on an iPad and an iPhone because both utilize iMessage. Similarly, a Samsung Galaxy phone and a Samsung Galaxy Tab share the same S Pen stylus functionality.

What’s Your Budget?

If you have $200 or less to spend, you might consider Amazon’s Fire tablets or the Onn line from Walmart. These affordable models are excellent if you stick to basic tasks like reading, emailing, and web browsing. Samsung and Lenovo also provide options priced under $200. E-readers—streamlined devices primarily intended for digital books—are another alternative, though we no longer test them.

You must spend at least $450 for Apple’s entry-level iPad, though prices often drop during promotional events. Several Android tablets at this price point also receive positive marks from our testers. The majority of the market falls between $500 and $1,000, featuring many highly rated options from various manufacturers. For professional users with a budget exceeding $1,000, there are models available with high-refresh-rate displays and premium processors designed for intensive software applications.

Once you have selected a model, you might consider purchasing a refurbished unit as a way to save money. Apple and Samsung offer devices restored by certified technicians, which often include fresh batteries and new warranties.

Do You Have Specific Needs?
How do you intend to use your tablet, and which features matter most to you? Consider factors such as screen size, battery longevity, storage requirements, and any accessories you wish to utilize.

These are personal preferences—there is no objectively “correct” screen size—but a larger display is often better if you plan to watch significant amounts of video or use the tablet as a laptop substitute. A smaller screen is easier to carry on a flight or to a local cafe, and lighter devices are generally more comfortable to hold for extended periods.

Battery performance for tablets is typically strong, with many models offering over 10 hours per charge according to our testing. The 13-inch iPad Pro provides nearly 20 hours on a single charge, though some models in our ratings do fall below the 10-hour mark.

Most users can manage with 64GB of storage, or even 32GB. However, keep in mind that the operating system and pre-installed apps occupy a significant portion of that space right out of the box. If you intend to store many photos, videos, and games, you may want to opt for 128GB or more. Apple offers up to 2TB on its iPad Pro line.

If you are interested in adding a keyboard or a stylus for drawing or note-taking, verify compatibility first. Apple, for example, sells several versions of its Pencil, but not all are compatible with every iPad. For details on Apple Pencil compatibility, visit the Apple website, and check their support pages for information regarding the Magic Keyboard and other cases.

Do You Have Kids?
If you are purchasing a tablet for a child, you likely do not need the most advanced model available. An older-generation iPad or an affordable Amazon Fire or Onn tablet should suffice. Many devices include parental controls to restrict screen time and access to specific apps or websites. Some also offer durable, child-friendly cases designed to withstand rough handling.

Most tablets feature a front-facing camera and offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Some include built-in cellular capability, allowing for internet access on the go, though this typically adds about $10 to your monthly mobile bill. Many users find a Wi-Fi-only connection sufficient.

A tablet’s functionality is largely defined by its operating system, which dictates app availability. Apple’s iPadOS is linked to the Apple App Store, while Google’s Android uses the Google Play Store. Amazon’s tablets utilize Fire OS, which is based on Android but restricted to the Amazon Appstore. This means it lacks some apps found in the Google Play Store, and updates may arrive on a different schedule.

For everyday tasks like web browsing, reading, or streaming video, you will find apps on every platform. However, some apps are platform-exclusive—Apple’s iPad, for instance, has a robust ecosystem of independent developer apps—so you should ensure your preferred software is supported.

In the past, tablets struggled with multitasking, but modern versions of both iPadOS and Android handle running multiple apps simultaneously quite well.

Ports
Like other modern electronics, tablets utilize USB-C ports for peripherals. This allows you to connect thumb drives or SD card readers directly without needing an adapter. If you own older accessories, however, you may need a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

Printing Capability
You should be able to print wirelessly from virtually any tablet without installing additional software. This is typically managed through the notes app or by connecting directly to the printer.

We find the iPad’s squarish screen to be better suited for general use than a longer, narrower display. However, rectangular screens, such as those with a 16:9 ratio when held horizontally, provide a wider landscape view that is better for watching movies.

Apple’s app market maintains a competitive advantage with the iPad regarding both breadth and quality, often overshadowing those for Android and Fire OS. Developers frequently prioritize Apple’s platforms, sometimes creating apps exclusively for them. Fire OS users may also miss out on popular apps like Google Docs. While workarounds exist—such as accessing Google Docsmless than using native apps

WiFi Is Good Enough for Most People
Wi-Fi-only models are more affordable than those with cellular service, which also incur recurring monthly charges. Remember that many mobile plans allow you to share your smartphone’s cellular data with your tablet

You Might Not Need a Tablet Case

Cases are nearly essential for phones, leading many to assume the same for tablets. However, cases and screen protectors may be less necessary for tablets. Phones are more susceptible to drops because they are carried constantly and used while in motion. If you plan to carry your tablet daily, toss it into a bag with keys, or give it to a child, a case or screen protector is a wise investment. If your tablet stays mostly at home, you can likely forgo one.

Most tablets, including those from Amazon, Apple, and Samsung, allow you to set up parental controls to restrict access to specific apps and websites. They may also offer curated content for an additional fee. If multiple children will share a tablet, look for a model that supports multiple user profiles to ensure an age-appropriate experience for everyone. If you plan to travel, ensure the battery life is sufficient to keep your child occupied, ideally in the 7- to 9-hour range.

Fire tablets are available in competitively priced 7-, 8-, 10-, and 11-inch models. Amazon Prime subscribers have access to additional content, including books, movies, and TV shows. The app store is curated by Amazon, and the Fire OS interface is customized by the company. Amazon also offers specific models for children that include a rugged case and a two-year “worry-free” guarantee, meaning the device will be replaced for free if it breaks for any reason.

Apple’s tablet lineup includes the high-end iPad Pro and the midrange iPad Air, both available in 11- and 13-inch sizes, as well as the entry-level iPad and the iPad Mini. Beyond screen size, differences primarily involve processing power and compatibility with specific Apple Pencils, Magic Keyboards, and associated features. The iPad Pro features Apple’s fastest tablet chip and an enhanced display. Older, more affordable models remain widely available online.

Lenovo tablets offer a solid middle ground, generally being more affordable than premium Samsung tablets while providing the full flexibility of the Android OS, unlike Amazon’s restricted Fire OS. Lenovo devices come in various sizes, including 8-, 9-, 11-, and 11.4-inch models.

Samsung tablets consistently rank among the highest-scoring Android devices in our ratings. The top-tier models are often more expensive than other Android tablets, with some high-end versions rivaling Apple’s most powerful iPads in terms of hardware quality, features, and price. Others, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, are quite reasonably priced. If you desire the flexibility of Android but want the screen sharpness, long battery life, and fast processor speeds of an iPad, Samsung is a strong contender.

Walmart’s private-label electronics brand, Onn, offers budget-friendly tablets. They perform similarly to Amazon Fire tablets, making them a suitable choice for users who primarily want to browse the web, use social media, and watch videos. They also provide full access to the Google Play Store, including apps like Gmail and Chrome.