The Best Tablets

We used 12 tablets daily for two months as second screens, drawing pads, reading devices, and Netflix machines. A tablet's value depends entirely on what you use it for. Here are our picks for five different use cases.

#1 Pick

Apple iPad Air M3

Apple

The iPad Air M3 is the best tablet for most people. Its M3 chip handles everything from drawing in Procreate to editing 4K video, and the laminated display eliminates the air gap that makes cheaper ta

How we tested

We tested display quality with a colorimeter, stylus latency with high-speed video, speaker quality with frequency sweeps, and app ecosystem depth. Battery life was measured under continuous video playback and mixed-use scenarios.

Why it won

The iPad Air M3 is the best tablet for most people. Its M3 chip handles everything from drawing in Procreate to editing 4K video, and the laminated display eliminates the air gap that makes cheaper tablets feel like writing on glass on top of glass.

Specifications

The bottom line

The Apple iPad Air M3 earns our recommendation because it outperformed the competition in the metrics that matter most. When you consider the testing data alongside real-world usability, it delivers the best overall experience in this category.