Best tablets for 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert advice

The difference between a good tablet and a bad one can be stark. The worst models we’ve tested managed to fail in all key areas, with laggy and unresponsive software, awful screens and atrocious battery life.

What's worse, these sub-par tablets can cost the same, or sometimes more, than the models that beat them in every way. That’s why our lab tests and reviews are so important. There are also different operating systems to consider, such as Android from Google, Amazon's OS on its Fire tablets and Windows.

Here, we show you our pick of the best tablets, as proven in our tough independent tests, as well as expert advice to help you find the right tablet and not spend more on features you don't need.

Already narrowed it down to iPads? You'll see some iPads, but if you want to see more information on how the iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro compare, head to Best iPads for 2024

Best tablets

When people think tablet they tend to think iPad. Apple popularised the technology and still makes some of the best around. iPads are expensive though, so it's worth looking for a good Android tablet if you want to spend less.

Android tablets tend to have the widest spread of prices, with some available for around £100, but there are plenty of high-end models that cost closer to £1,000. Our tests will help you to spend your money on a good model, and avoid the worst.

Android, Google's operating system, is used by a number of brands, notably Samsung in its Galaxy Tab ranges. Chinese brands Lenovo, Huawei and Xiaomi also release Android tablets.

These are some of the best tablets on the market.

Which? members can log in to see the best tablets, as revealed by our expert, independent lab tests. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock our best tablet recommendations, our tablet reviews and all of our online reviews – from digital cameras to phones.

Check our tablet reviews to see all our favourite iPads and tablets.

Best budget tablets

If you're looking to spend less on a tablet, but don't want to compromise on quality, look for our Great Value badge. 

To get a Great Value badge from us, a tablet needs to score at least 65% in our lab tests and cost less than most other models on the market. They're the best budget tablets we've tested - they offer a sweet spot of good performance for their price.

A tablet's size affects its cost - so we take this into consideration when we make our selections. For example, when we check the average price of a 7-inch tablet to determine what price we consider to be great value, we don't include the cost of a 13-inch one. 

Which? members can log in to see our Great Value tablets. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock all of our best tablet recommendations and online reviews.

Check out our full range of Great Value tablet reviews.

Best tablets for kids

You probably don't need something high-end for a kid. More likely they just need something that will run games and YouTube. 

These tablets are at the more basic end and easily let you expand storage, so the numerous game downloads won't clog up the hard drive.

Which? members can log in to see which are the best tablets for kids, as uncovered by our experts. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock our best tablet recommendations and all of our online reviews.

Looking for a particular feature or price point? Take a look at all of our tablet reviews – we'll help you quickly pick the right model.

Video: how to buy the best tablet

How to choose the right tablet screen size

• 7 inches These are the smallest tablets you can buy and often the cheapest as well. They’re the best for one-handed use – which can be invaluable if you regularly use public transport. They’re a similar size to eBook readers, although the screens aren't always as good for reading, so can be a good alternative if you want a device that can entertain you with both literature and the latest TV shows. They tend to be more basic and it's rare to see a 7-inch tablet with high-end components or screens with a higher resolution than Full HD.
• 8 inches Still great for one-handed use, but typically a little heavier. There are some high-end models available in this size, including the iPad Mini, but the majority are mid to low-end.
• 9-11 inches These tablets are big, and only really suitable to use with two hands for long periods of time. There are a wide range of 10-inch tablets available. Budget devices, such as the Amazon Fire HD 10, share the category with high-end models, such as the iPad. 
• More than 11 inches These very large tablets are designed for getting work done, whether that's spreadsheets and documents or video and photo editing. They're best used with a keyboard, a stylus or both. Think the iPad Pro 12.9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+. Big-screen tablets tend to have high-end components and are more expensive than their smaller counterparts.
• More than 14 inches Huge tablets with a price to match. If you're after something special to watch video on, this is for you. Though you will need to invest in a stand as these can get heavy. Models include the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and Lenovo Tab Extreme.

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How much should I spend on my tablet?

• Less than £100 These devices, the cheapest you can buy, rarely score highly in our tests (with some exceptions). But they can be fine for watching videos and reading books, as long as you don’t mind a slow tablet that can't really cope with anything more demanding than emails, web browsing and simple games
• £100-200 The best-value models sit in this price range. They’re not always the fastest around, but from our tests we know that one costing around £150 can tick the boxes on screen quality and battery life
• £200-400 The sweet spot for quality is around £350. Here, you’ll find models with high-end specs and features, sleek metal design, sharp screen and great battery life. This is also the price range where you’ll find some iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs.
• £400-700 You'll find high-end tablets with 10-inches or smaller screens in this price range. The iPad 2022 is one of the most popular tablets at this price.  
• £700 or more Most people don't need a tablet at this sort of price range. Unless you want a laptop replacement, such as a Microsoft Surface Pro, or a tablet with a big 11- or 12-inch screen, such as an iPad Pro, then you should spend less.

Take a look at our best tablet deals for great prices on different tablets. Or see our tips on how to buy the best refurbished iPad if you want to save on an Apple tablet.

Which tablet operating system should I choose?

There are four different tablet operating systems to choose from, each with different strengths. 

The table below shows the basic differences between the operating systems - scroll past for more detailed analysis.

iPadOS

iPadOS (the tablet version of iOS) is Apple's operating system so it's only available on iPads. If you've ever used an Apple iPhone, you'll be instantly at home. It’s generally accepted as simple and easy to use, and even the uninitiated should get to grips with it fairly quickly, thanks to the straightforward layout.

What’s more, there are loads of apps designed specifically for iPads, which makes for an excellent big-screen experience.

Got your heart set on one of Apple's iconic tablets? Take a look at our pick of the best iPads. 

Android

Android is the most popular tablet operating system, with models available in every price range. There are small differences between brands, but generally they all operate in the same way, with little difference from one Android tablet to another.

One of the benefits of Android is that it’s easy to customise and adapt to your own needs. The disadvantage is that there aren’t as many apps specifically optimised for big screens as you'll find on an iPad. So it can feel like you’re just using big smartphone apps.

Browse the Google Play Store to see the full range of apps. You can also head to our pick of the best Android tablets to find out which models are worth your money.

Fire OS

Available exclusively on Amazon-brand tablets, Fire OS is based on Android but looks completely different. It’s very much focused on Amazon’s own products, with plenty of apps that let you buy Amazon books, videos and more.

If you choose a tablet ‘with special offers’ in exchange for a £10 discount, you’ll also receive occasional messages encouraging you to buy things. 

The app store has a smaller selection than Android’s Google Play Store, but it still has the key apps most people use, including Facebook and Netflix.

Check whether Amazon Fire has the apps you want, then check our Amazon Fire tablet reviews to see which we recommend.

Windows  11

Windows should be reassuringly familiar to anyone who has used a PC in the past 20 years. It's the same old Windows we're all used to, just on a tablet. 

This means you can run your Windows apps and programs, provided your tablet is powerful enough to handle them. With the addition of a keyboard, using programs such as Excel and Word can be on a par with the laptop experience. While Windows 11 has clearly been designed with tablets in mind, it can prove a little fiddly to navigate by touch on some devices.

The Microsoft Store shows the apps available - you can also download software directly from companies' websites. Check our Windows tablet reviews to see which is best for you.

What makes a great tablet?

The best tablets need to be a jack of all trades, with a fantastic screen to make videos and pictures look great, fantastic sound to immerse you in your favourite shows, a fantastic battery life so you're not caught short on a flight or train journey, and a quick enough processor to stop you from spending your time looking at loading screens. It's a lot to get right.

• Speed From low-powered, bespoke, mobile processors to the latest Intel chips, tablets are packed with varying levels of tech. Our benchmark tests reveal just how fast each one is, and the speed you can expect. Sluggish tablets are a nightmare to use as they're constantly stuttering, getting caught on loading screens and grinding to a halt if you try and multitask
• Screen quality Whether it's Full HD, 4K, or even sub-HD, our tests gauge how clear the screen is, how well it handles bright sunlight, and if it stands up to being viewed at an angle. Low quality screens can't cope in bright conditions, have drab washed-out colours and struggle to render crisp text
• Sound quality While slim and sleek tablets often look great, the audio usually suffers. Our tests include experts studiously listening to each model to let you know if there's enough bass and how good your favourite films will sound
• Battery life Decent battery life is essential if you want to take your tablet out and about with you, which is why we run several battery life tests, and tell you the actual number of hours to expect, rather than taking the manufacturer's claims as gospel. We've tested tablets that won't even manage both legs of a daily commute, so it's important to get one with an efficient, sizeable battery.

How important is tablet battery life?

Even if you're planning on keeping your tablet mainly at home, you don't want to be caught short the odd times you want it for a journey. You'd be surprised and unhappy if you bought a model that needed charging every few hours, right? Those tablets exist, but our testing makes sure you don't buy them.

On average, you can expect around nine hours on a single charge, with some tablets managing closer to 20 and some barely getting past four.

It’s best to ignore the manufacturer’s battery life claims. We run our tests multiple times to get an accurate reading of what you can expect from each tablet’s battery. Battery is a key part of our test, but it's not the be all and end all. Having a lengthy battery is no good if the tablet is a pain to use and boring to watch.

Top tablets with the best battery life

Which? members can log in to see reveal the tablets with the best battery life, as uncovered by our lab tests. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock our best tablet recommendations and all of our online reviews.

How to find a good tablet deal

As with any tech product, if you shop around and wait for a good time to buy a tablet, you can save serious cash. Here are some easy ways to get a good deal on each of the major tablet operating systems.

Alternatively, let us do the hard work for you - here are our top tablet deals.

iPadOS

You don’t often see Apple products on discount, so the best way to save on an iPad is to buy an older-generation model, as these typically drop in price after a new version launches. 

It's more important to choose the right retailer though. Our research has found choosing the right retailer can save close to £50 on the cost of a standard iPad - we found one retailer was selling an iPad Mini for almost £200 more than average.

You can use the 'View retailers' link on our Apple iPad reviews to make sure you don't pay over the odds, as we show you the cheapest prices we can find from leading retailers.

To save even more money, it's also worth considering second-hand or refurbished iPads. For more advice on buying an iPad, go to best iPads.

Android

The cost of Android tablets can fluctuate dramatically and it's best not to buy them when they are just released. When looking at an older tablet, which is generally cheaper than the latest model but can be just as good, make sure it has enough security support left. Otherwise you might end up with a tablet that's unsafe to use after less than a year. 

Check which tablets have the best security support.

For Android models, it’s simply worth shopping around to find the best price. Use the 'View retailers' link in our Android tablet reviews and check our expert pick of the best tablet deals.

Want to compare more models? Head to our round up of the best Android tablets.

Fire OS

You’ll normally find the best discounts on Amazon tablets on Amazon itself. Periodically, these tablets will have up to 20% lopped off their price, and you can expect big discounts around Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.

Windows 11

Because Windows tablets are treated more like laptops by retailers, and the fact that they’re generally more expensive, you can get some great deals after a model has been on sale for a few months. We tend to see the best deals on these during the Black Friday sales.

You can use our 'View retailers' links in our Windows tablet reviews to find the best prices.

Ready to buy? Take a look at all our tablet reviews to find the right model for you.

Where to buy tablets

There are several online stores where you can buy most iOS, Android, Fire OS, and Windows 11 tablets. The most popular retailers we found include Amazon, Apple, Argos, Currys, and John Lewis. You should be able to find most tablets at each of these sellers except Apple, which only sells iPads, iOS devices and their accessories. 

• Amazon is the easiest place to buy a Fire OS tablet. Otherwise, it also has a wide range of iOS, Android, and Windows tablets. It's easy to browse refurbished and second-hand products from each product page if you're looking for a deal. The retailer offers a trade-in programme that can get you Amazon credit in exchange for a range of devices. If you buy second-hand, use our tablet security guide to check if it's still getting vital security updates.
• Apple only offers iOS devices and accessories from its website. Buying an iPad directly through Apple is one of the easiest ways you can customise your iOS tablet, get compatible accessories and contact its support if you have any questions. Apple offers trade-in deals on several devices, including tablets, smartphones and laptops. You can also browse a range of certified refurbished Apple devices if you're looking to save some money. It's not always the cheapest place to buy them though and it pays to shop around. Our research has found differences of up to £180 in price on some iPads from different retailers.
• Argos stocks a wide range of Windows and Android tablets; it even has some selections for Fire OS and iPads, too. It offers a trade-in programme where you can exchange most devices for cash, as opposed to in-store credit. It offers refurbished tablets too, but doesn't always have them in stock.
• Currys sells a huge selection of tablets that run the above operating systems; it carries a larger range of Windows tablets than other retailers. You can trade-in most devices and get credit towards a new product, or you can trade-in laptops for cash. 
• John Lewis sells Android, Fire OS and iOS tablets. It offers trade-in deals on most of its tablets.
• Second-hand retailers, such as Box and BackMarket can be a good option to save on an iPad, but they don't tend to have many Android tablets in stock. Check our guide to buying a refurbished iPad to get a sense for what's available and what you could save.

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How long will a tablet be supported?

Having good digital security is important to avoid scams and prevent having your personal information leaked across the internet. Even tablets that have the best security can still be vulnerable to breaches and attacks, though, so it's important that manufacturers regularly roll out software updates. This gives your tablet the best chance of fending off computer viruses, malware and spyware. 

Unfortunately, as new models of tablets are released yearly, older models eventually lose their security support, so they won't get the updates needed to keep their digital security in top condition. Our research has shown that some manufacturers support their devices for as little as two years. 

While buying an older model is a great way to bag a bargain and save money, it's important to know which tablets will still get those vital security updates. If you're thinking of buying an older tablet, you can use our Which? tablet security tool to help you get an idea of how much longer it will still get security updates.

Most recently reviewed tablet

We review tablets throughout the year and often start testing new models as soon as they're released. Take a look at the latest tablet to hit our test lab.