Best Tablets of 2025: How to Choose the Right One for Work, Play and Travel

Tablets sit comfortably between phones and laptops, delivering big screens in slim, portable designs. Whether you want a lightweight binge-watching slate, a travel-friendly gaming screen, or a portable workstation with a keyboard and stylus, today’s tablets can do it all. Here’s a concise, up-to-date guide to help you pick the right one.

Start with your use case

• Everyday streaming & browsing: Prioritize a bright screen, good speakers and long battery life. Budget Android models (and Amazon’s Fire line) can be great value if you mainly watch, read and browse.
• Work & school: Look for keyboard covers, trackpad support and strong multitasking. Apple’s iPad Air/Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series and Windows 2‑in‑1s (e.g., Surface Pro Copilot+) are standouts.
• Drawing & media creation: Favor tablets with low‑latency stylus support, high refresh rates and color‑accurate displays (OLED or mini‑LED). Check available creative apps on your platform.
• Kids: Durable shells, parental controls, curated content and easy repairs/accessories matter most. Budget models often shine here.

Pick your platform

• iPadOS (Apple iPad): Excellent performance, deep app catalog and strong keyboard/stylus options. If you use iPhone/Mac, continuity features (Messages, FaceTime, AirDrop, Sidecar) are a big plus.
• Android (Samsung, Lenovo, OnePlus, Google): Flexible hardware and pricing, better multitasking than in years past, and improving large‑screen app support. Samsung’s DeX can add a desktop‑like experience; Google’s Pixel Tablet doubles as a smart display with its speaker dock.
• Windows (Surface Pro & other 2‑in‑1s): Full desktop apps, multiple ports and robust multitasking. Heavier than pure tablets, but best for laptop replacement needs.

Display and performance basics

• Screen tech: OLED offers deep blacks and rich color; mini‑LED boosts brightness and HDR punch; quality LCD still looks great for less.
• Refresh rate: 90–120Hz makes scrolling smoother and improves stylus feel and gaming.
• Chipset & RAM: Aim for modern Apple Silicon (M‑series) on iPad; current Snapdragon/Dimensity or flagship Exynos for Android; latest Intel/AMD/Qualcomm X for Windows tablets. 8GB RAM is a baseline; 16GB is better for heavy multitasking (Windows/iPad Pro tiers).
• Battery life: Bigger tablets often last longer but are less portable. Expect 8–12+ hours on most current models.

Size, weight and portability

• 8–9 inches: Ultra‑portable, great for reading and travel, smaller keyboards.
• 10–11 inches: The sweet spot for portability and screen real estate.
• 12–13 inches: Best for split‑screen productivity, drawing and media creation—closer to laptop territory.

Accessories that elevate the experience

• Keyboards & trackpads: Essential for replacing a laptop; check key travel, stability and angles.
• Stylus: Verify latency, tilt/pressure support and app compatibility (Procreate, Concepts, Clip Studio, Adobe, etc.).
• Docks & hubs: Add ports (HDMI, USB‑A, SD) for creators and office setups. Some tablets (e.g., Pixel Tablet) include speaker/charging docks for smart‑display use.
• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6/6E or 7 for speed; consider 5G options if you work on the go (a phone hotspot is often enough).

Testing notes and buyer tips

• Performance: Prioritize responsive multitasking and fast app switching; check real‑world tests, not just benchmarks.
• Display quality: Brightness, color accuracy and HDR matter if you work with photos/video or watch lots of movies.
• Software support: Verify how often your brand delivers OS/security updates.
• Value: Budget for accessories (keyboard, stylus, hub, case). A cheaper tablet + well‑chosen accessories can beat an expensive slate alone.

Good picks by scenario (examples)

• Apple iPad (Air/Pro): Best all‑round for most Apple users; top‑tier performance and app selection.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S series: Great Android flagships with premium screens, S Pen support and DeX for desktop‑style workflows.
• Microsoft Surface Pro (Copilot+): Full Windows apps and a laptop‑class experience in 2‑in‑1 form; ideal for professional workflows.
• Google Pixel Tablet (with dock): Doubles as a smart display; fits well in Google‑centric homes.

Further reading and resources:
Engadget: Best tablets 2025 guide ·
Apple iPad lineup ·
Samsung Galaxy Tab ·
Microsoft Surface Pro ·
Google Pixel Tablet

Note: Prices, specs and availability change frequently. If RAM or storage isn’t upgradeable, consider stepping up at purchase to extend the device’s useful life.

Discussion: What will you use a tablet for most—streaming, note‑taking, creative work or a light laptop replacement?