Choosing a tablet is tough, we know. On Apples side, theres quite a wide variety of options to choose from, and its not always clear whats so different between them. Unless youre versed in all the jargon, the difference between a Liquid Retina display and a Ultra Retina Tandem OLED with Pro Motion might not be obvious. There are also major differences under the hood with Apple currently offering devices featuring an older A14 Bionic chip at the low end and an exceedingly fast M4 chip at the high end. And all of that is just Apple. The Android tablet market only widens the field that much more. Where Apple tends to trim off the older, outmoded tablets in its stable, the Android tablet market will still readily show you devices you shouldnt have bought when they were new, let alone years later. And just like Apples devices, theres a considerable range of hardware options that go from severely underpowered to totally overkill at which point a Windows tablet could make more sense. What makes Android tablet shopping even more complicated is the software support. Apple keeps its tablets running on the latest operating systems for a long time, but how long any given Android tablet will stay up to date is a much harder question to answer. After looking at the market, considering the iPad and Android tablets weve tested, and weighing what actually makes sense when purchasing a tablet, weve narrowed down a handful of options that strike the right balance. Additional contributions by Mark KnappFeatured in this articleOur Top PickApple iPad (10th Generation)OnePlus Pad 2Apple iPad Pro (M4, 2024)Apple iPad Air (2024)See it at AmazonApple iPad (9th Generation)A combination of power, versatility, and portability has helped cement tablets place in the portables market. So, no matter your need, whether you just want a device to entertain you at the end of a busy workday or require something more robust for video editing on-the-go, theres a tablet out there for you. To help you with your search, weve gathered the best tablets on the market. Check them out below. Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Michelle Rae Uy1. iPad (10th Generation)Best TabletOur Top PickApple iPad (10th Generation)A repositioned 12-megapixel front-facing camera, upgraded design, a faster A14 Bionic processor, and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display make this iPad a standout.Product SpecificationsCPUApple A14 Bionic chip 6-core CPU + 4-core GPURAM4GBStorage64GBDisplay10.9-inch 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina displayCameras12MP (rear), 12MP (front)PROSSpeedy A14 Bionic processorStunning Liquid Retina displayCONSOnly supports 1st gen Apple Pencil and needs an adapter to chargeIts hard to argue against the tried and true original Apple iPad, and its colorful 10th gen iteration brings a new design with a faster chip to make it as powerful as ever. You finally lose the home button with Apple opting to put Touch ID on the power button, giving you more Liquid Retinathough still not fully laminatedscreen space to play around with. And theres a good deal of oomph behind that display to handle multitasking and some light gaming with ease thanks to the A14 Bionic chip, though we question why Apple decided against using the newer A15 chip. Now, the 10th gen Apple iPad continues to remain affordable like previous generations of the tablet, coming in well under $500, but that does mean it has some tradeoffs. This device only works with Apples Magic Keyboard, not the more affordable Smart Keyboard. You also dont get support for the feature-full 2nd gen Apple Pencil, only the first gen, and youll need to grab a $9 adapter just to charge it. Or you could just, you know, grab one of the dozens of Apple Pencil alternatives out there instead.See our guide to the best iPad models for more options.2. OnePlus Pad 2Best Android TabletOnePlus Pad 2Packing higher-end hardware than you'd expect for the price, the OnePlus Pad 2 is an exceptional option for those on the hunt for a worthy Android tablet.Product SpecificationsScreen size12.1-inch, IPS, 2120 x 3000ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Storage128GBCameras13-megapixel rear, 8-megapixel front-facingPROSLarge, smooth displaySolid performanceCONSShorter-term OS support than AppleIm not convinced theres any Android tablet worth spending $1,000 on sorry, Samsung, but at that price you can get a competent 2-in-1 Windows machine that will have clearer longevity (like the Asus ProArt PZ13). And many of the cheaper options out raise a lot of concerns. But the OnePlus Pad 2 is neither a shoddy budget Android tablet nor an unreasonably expensive one, and it brings a ton to the tablet. It pulls on its flagship-killer roots to prove a tablet that wont leave you wanting for much more. First, it comes packing a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was the flagship chipset from Qualcomm for mobile devices until very recently and has yet to be supplanted in tablets. This gives the OnePlus Pad 2 excellent performance. 12GB of memory also helps it better keep up with the multitasking youre liable to get up to on a tablet, which has a bigger screen better up to the task. Speaking of screens, the OnePlus Pad 2 packs in a sizable 12.1 inch display with a 2120x3000 resolution. It may only be an IPS panel, but it offers a 900-nit peak brightness and 144Hz refresh rate. That makes for easier visibility and smoother motion across the board. That 144Hz refresh rate can also help in the inking experience, as the OnePlus Pad 2 works with a stylus (that also charges while magnetically attached to the tablet take a note, Apple).The OnePlus Pad 2 even gets decent treatment where software is concerned. OnePlus launched it on Android 14 and promised 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates. In a market of tablets launching on outdated operating systems with next to no promise of updates, its refreshing to see an option thats not destined to be outdated right out of the gate.While the OnePlus Pad 2 launched at $550 and still proved a good value at the price, it has more often been running for $450 from OnePlus lately, and can include a free accessory, like the keyboard case. iPad Pro 2024 Photos3. iPad Pro (M4, 2024)Best Tablet for Creative WorkApple iPad Pro (M4, 2024)This stunning tablet has a OLED display and runs on Apple's powerful M4 processor, making it perfect for creatives.Product SpecificationsCPUApple M4 RAM8GB/16GBStorage256GB 2TBDisplay12.9-inch Tandem OLEDCameras12MP wide camera (rear), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide camera (front)PROSPowerful M4 chip ready for video editing and 3D renderingTandem OLED display is the best you're going to get in a tablet right nowCONSThe most expensive tablet most people will ever buyWhen I first opened the iPad Pro, I wasn't sure what to make of it. Apple was branding it as a permanent workstation replacement, but it still wasn't running Finder or the desktop applications I would want in that kind of device. However, after a month of using the iPad Pro, it's become one of my go-to daily devices. The Tandem OLED display alone is enough to get most people hooked, even if the price tag makes you wince a bit. The iPad Pro with an M4 is quite simply the most powerful tablet on the market right now. The M4 that powers the thing is packed with an 8-core CPU clocked at 3.49GHz, which is accompanied by a 10-core GPU that will make easy work of any game you throw at it. Just keep in mind, however, that the amount of RAM you get depends on the storage configuration you go with. As long as you get a 1TB model, you're getting a respectable 16GB of RAM, but the 512GB and 256GB models will have to make do with half the memory. If you're not planning to use the iPad Pro for heavy creative workloads, this is going to be a non-issue. After all, iPadOS isn't exactly known for being super memory-intensive. If you're doing a lot of work in Photoshop or Premiere, you're going to feel it, though. Artists will also want to pair this tablet with the Apple Pencil Pro, or one of the myriad Apple Pencil alternatives out there. With a stylus in hand, the iPad Pro becomes an incredible creative powerhouse, even with the limits that come with working with what's essentially a souped-up version of iOS. 4. iPad Air (2024)Best Thin and Light TabletApple iPad Air (2024)Upgraded to an M2 chip and slightly larger display, the 2024 iPad Air is a great portable option and an exceptionally thin oneSee it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPUApple M2RAM8GBStorage128GB/256GB/512GB/1TBDisplay11-inch 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina displayCameras12MP (rear), 12MP (front)PROSImpressively thinExcellent performanceCONSCan get hot under loadApple put together a wonderful little package with the 2024 iPad Air. It upgraded from its predecessors with a thinner design, a selfie camera upgrade, and a newer chip under the hood. You can snag the iPad Air with either an 11-inch or 13-inch display, and beyond a corresponding adjustment to resolution, most of the specs of the two tablets otherwise remain the same. Either option gets you an Apple M2 chip backed by 8GB of memory. In our testing, we found this provided ample performance for everyday uses, like streaming movies and browsing, and it even held up for extended gaming sessions in Zenless Zones Zeroes. The thin design of the tablet can result in some heat build-up though, so be mindful of that if youre looking to do serious gaming. The new design of the iPad Air trims its depth down to just 6.1mm, which is even thinner than an iPhone 16. Between that and the tablet weighing just a hair over one pound, its exceptionally portable, which you should want from your tablet. Its also boasting a quality build with an aluminum frame and back not that Id expect any less from Apple. The display on the iPad Air isnt as bright as some of its competition, hitting 500 nits, but it offers a wide color gamut that looks great for TV and movies. It also works well with the Apple Pencil Pro, providing smooth inking for drawing and note taking. And, for those looking to incorporate the tablet into a broader device ecosystem, youll get the benefit of a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the bottom of the tablet, supporting faster data transfers and DisplayPort output. 5. iPad (9th Generation)Best Budget iPadOS TabletApple iPad (9th Generation)Spend less with this budget tablet that still delivers a solid performance and a crisp 10.2-inch Retina display.Product SpecificationsCPU A13 BionicRAM4GBStorage64GBDisplay10.2-inch 2160 x 1620 LED-backlit Multi-Touch Retina displayCameras8MP (rear), 12MP (front)PROSUltra affordable price tagUpgraded front-facing cameraCONSProcessor isnt as fast as other iPad modelsThe original iPad is back and better than ever, with much snappier performance, an upgraded front-facing camera for all your FaceTime needs, and a display that now touts Apples True Tone technology. In the shadow of Apple's newer and mightier chips, the A13 Bionic on this 2021 iPad might seem a tad late to the party.However, its plenty powerful for the rest of the tablet users who mostly rely on their devices for casual, everyday tasks like doing video calls with friends and family, streaming shows and movies, gaming, and sending the occasional email. Luckily, its also cheaper than the rest of Apples tablet offerings, which means its the best value for most people. How to Choose the Best TabletThe first step when deciding on a tablet is setting a budget. Looking to just stream shows and scroll socials? A cheap slate should suffice. However, you'll need to up your spending if youre after a productivity tool that performs similarly to a laptop. You can even slap a keyboard onto some tablets, essentially turning them into the best detachable laptops, albeit with the limits of their hardware and operating system.Next, design should be taken into consideration. You want an option thats lightweight but still durable for on-the-go use. A sizable, crisp, and responsive display ensures the best user experience, while OLED panels are a more premium option with deep blacks and richer colors over their LCD counterparts.Of course, the internal components are just as important, as you dont want a sluggish device that leads to you reaching for one of the best smartphones or laptops instead. To prevent that from happening, a solid processor and at least 4GB of RAM is a must. For gaming or creative work, upgrading those specs can make a world of difference. Beyond that, youll want to ensure your software is up to date. Android OS is in its 15th generation while iPadOS 18 is Apples latest.Other features like long battery life, great-sounding speakers, crisp cameras, and stylus support can help improve your experience on a tablet. You may even want to consider getting a 5G tablet that can connect to your cellular network when youre not on Wi-Fi.Tablets FAQ Are iPads better than Android tablets?No. Both types of tablets have plenty of solid models to choose from; its more a matter of personal preference. If you already have the best iPhone and MacBook, it makes sense to grab an iPad for seamless integration into your Apple Ecosystem, including the ability to double as a second screen for a MacBook. iPads are known for their smooth, enjoyable user experience along with their wealth of apps and games, but the pricing is more restrictive.Tablets running on Android OS come from various manufacturers using a wide variety of components and different versions of the Android operating system, meaning performance and the experience is all over the place. But theres a wider selection of slates, from ultra-cheap to high-end. Its just important to do your research, as there are some dudsiPads performance is a bit more consistent. The selection of apps optimized for an Android tablet is also more limited. Still, almost all Android apps should function, just not as well as on your phone.Should you buy a tablet with cellular network support?Most will find that a tablet with cellular network support is unnecessary unless youre constantly on the go with no way to connect via Wi-Fi. Adding that extra line to your cellular plan can be expensive, and your smartphone can usually work as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your tablet when youre in a pinch. However, should you decide youd like cellular network support, many of our picks come in 5G versions, just know you have to make that decision up front.Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra