Best tablets for 2023: 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.

If you need more help to decide what type of tablet you need and what your must-have features are, scroll down to read our expert advice on how to buy the best tablet.

Looking for iPads? We've got a page for that. See which models come out on top from the iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro: Best iPads for 2023

Best Android tablets

Android tablets tend to have the widest spread of prices, with some available for around £100. 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 Android tablets we’ve tested. 

Which? members can log in to see the Android tablets that we think are the best. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock all our best tablet recommendations on this page, our tablet reviews and all our online reviews – from digital cameras to phones.

You can see all of our expert Android tablet reviews.

Best Microsoft Surface Windows tablets

Windows tablets tend to be more expensive than Android, because they typically have mid to high-end quality components that put them on a par with pricy laptops. Almost all Windows 10 and 11 tablets are designed to slot into a keyboard dock.

No prizes for guessing that Microsoft makes the majority of Windows tablets. They are worth considering if you want laptop-level specs with a touchscreen display that works well with or without a keyboard.

Which? members can log in to see which Android tablets we think are the best. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock all of our best tablet recommendations on this page and all of our online reviews.

Best Amazon Fire tablets

Amazon Fire tablets come in at a much lower price than most of their rivals. They’re cheaper than most tablets and sometimes cheerful. While they’re never going to offer the pinnacle in speed, they’re designed for watching content and using the internet – not for doing work, and running demanding games and apps.

Only Amazon makes these tablets. While it's a different operating system to Android and iPadOS, it's still the same rows of app icons that you see on most smartphones and tablets.

Which? members can log in to see which Amazon Fire tablets we think are the best. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock all of our best tablet recommendations on this page and all of our online reviews.

Looking for a particular feature or price point? Make sure you 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, so could be a good Kindle alternative if you want a device that can entertain you with both literature and the latest TV programmes. 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 for 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 Microsoft Surface Pro X. Big-screen tablets tend to have high-end components and are therefore more expensive than their smaller counterparts.

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 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 and web browsing.
• £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 speed and screen quality.
• £200-400 The sweet spot for quality is around £300. 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 in which you’ll find some iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs
• £400-700 You'll find high-end tablets with 10-inch or smaller screens in this price range. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 range and the 2022 iPad are among the most popular.  
• £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 tablet deals for great prices on different tablets. Or see our tips for how to buy the best refurbished iPad if you want to save on an Apple tablet.

What is a Which? Great Value tablet?

To get a Great Value badge from us, a tablet needs to score at least 65% and cost less than most other models.

Since tablets come in several different sizes, we treat each bracket differently.

So 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. 

The size brackets are:

• 6-7.9 inches
• 8-10.9 inches
• 11 inches and above 

Seeing a Great Value badge on a tablet is a guarantee that it's good enough to consider buying and it costs less than most other tablets of similar quality. 

Great Value tablets can also be Best Buys, but they don't have to be. A tablet needs a score of 81% or above to be a Best Buy, while a Great Value tablet needs to score at least 65%.

The best tablets for less than £200

If you're looking to spend less on your next tablet, then Apple is out of the picture. The latest Apple tablets start at £499, and even ones from the previous generation are at least £300. The same goes for Windows tablets. If you want a Windows device at around this price, then a laptop might be a better option. 

That said, there are plenty of Android and Amazon tablets available for £200 or less.

Consider the Amazon Fire tablet range. They aren't all great, but some do well, and there are some Great Value models in there. Samsung's FE range is usually its cheaper models and, like the Fire range, there are some diamonds in there.

There are other options from less familiar brands, and while we can't comment on the quality of all of these, the ones we have tested did struggle. Since there are good options from well-known brands, we'd recommend sticking with those.

See our tablet reviews under £200, or check out our Amazon Fire tablet reviews.

How do the different tablet options differ?

There are four main options, which have different operating systems

• Android Available on the greatest variety of devices, but they vary wildly in quality. Popular brands using Android include Huawei, Lenovo and Samsung. 
• iPadOS The original tablet operating system will be familiar to anyone with an iPhone and is only available on the Apple range of iPads. 
• Windows Runs on most of the world’s laptops, and feels very similar on a tablet. Works best with a keyboard.
• Fire OS A special version of Android made by Amazon for its own-brand tablets. Simple to use and good if you’re just looking to do basic tasks (video, ebooks, emails and the like) and not much else.

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Which tablet operating system should I choose?

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

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 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 many apps specifically optimised for big screens, so it can often feel like you’re just using big smartphone apps.

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.

Windows 10 and 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 10 and 11 have clearly been designed with tablets in mind, it can prove a little fiddly to navigate by touch on some devices.

What our lab testers look for in a tablet

• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 

What apps can I get on my iPad, Amazon Fire or Android tablet?

You really should consider which apps you want to use before you take the plunge, particularly if you have a favourite video service or other utility that you’d be lost without on your tablet.

Fortunately, the four biggest app stores all have online versions so you can have a look at the apps that are available. The only exception is the Apple App Store, which can only be searched using the App Store app itself. You can get around this by searching online for the app you want followed by ‘app store’, so if you want to check if the app store has iPlayer, search ‘iPlayer app store’ and the first link should show you a preview of the app.

The links below take you to each of the web versions of the other big app stores.

• Amazon Fire
• Google Play Store
• Microsoft Store

You can search on the Apple website for an app to see which Apple devices it's available on.

If you already own an Android smartphone and you’re looking at buying an Android tablet, the app selection will be largely the same. The issue with this is that while the selection of apps is the same, most of them won’t have been optimised to run on a larger screen. This isn’t necessarily a huge problem, especially if you’re only looking for video streaming apps, for example, but some games and other apps may have large buttons or oddly laid-out text in a larger screen format.

The same is true of iPads if you already own an iPhone. If an app exists on iPhone, it almost certainly exists as an iPad app. The difference is that far more apps are optimised especially for tablets. So while the app will exist, it may have been enhanced to be easier to use on a bigger screen.

How important is tablet battery life?

How good a battery you need depends entirely on how you’ll be using your tablet. Tablets that manage more than 10 hours of video playback and web browsing score well in our tests. 

If you only use your tablet in short bursts, such as watching some iPlayer before bed or reading an eBook, a long battery life isn’t essential. Unless you absolutely hate charging your tablet more than once a week.

15 hours

The longest-lasting tablet on test survived 15 hours of video playback – enough to entertain you on a flight from London to Singapore.

2 hours

The worst tablet we've tested for battery life lasted for just 2 hours – enough to watch a movie on a flight to the Isle of Man.

On the other hand, if you’re buying a tablet/laptop hybrid to use out and about, you’ll probably want all-day battery life to make the most of your thin and light work machine. If you plan on taking your tablet out and about with you, you may want a longer battery, too.

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.

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.

The easiest way to find a good deal on a tablet is to let us find them 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. For example, the 2021 standard iPad dropped in price by around £25 when the 2022 model launched.

If you’re a UK student with an email address ending ‘.ac.uk’, you could also bag an Apple bargain via its student-discounts programme. For more, see our guide on laptops for students to find out more about student discounts.

Android

Android tablets typically drop at least £20 from their asking price after a few months on the market, and the prices do fluctuate. It can depend on the manufacturer and retailer, too. For Android models, it’s simply worth shopping around and checking our tablet deals.

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. 

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. 
• Argos stocks a wide range of Windows and Android tablets; it even has some selections for Fire OS and iOS tablets, too. It offers a trade-in programme where you can exchange most devices for cash, as opposed to in-store credit. At the time of writing, Argos didn't have any refurbished tablets in stock, but offers refurbished products.
• 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.

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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.

Do you need a tablet stylus?

Many modern tablets come with a stylus to make them easier to use. Some tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, come with a stylus as part of the package; if you want a stylus for your iPad, though, you'll need to buy one separately. 

Capacitive styluses: make any tablet easier to use

If you’re looking to make your tablet (or phone) easier to use, making it less of a faff to tap on tiny buttons and on-screen keyboards, a capacitive stylus could be what you need. While it isn't as smart as an active stylus, it can be very useful.

A capacitive stylus simulates a touch of your finger using a rubber end or nib that activates the touch-sensitive points on your screen, so it doesn’t require any expensive parts and will work with any modern tablet that has a ‘capacitive’ glass touchscreen (this includes every big-brand tablet sold in the past decade).

Pros of capacitive styluses

• Don't cost much – typically just a few pounds
• Great for navigating menus and websites
• Compatible with any modern touchscreen tablet, laptop or phone
• Different sizes available
• Most work without batteries.

Cons of capacitive styluses

• Can feel a bit flimsy and light
• Not great for precise work such as writing and sketching; if you plan on doing this a lot, and your budget allows, choose a tablet that is compatible with an active stylus
• Not all nibs are replaceable: if you use a stylus a lot, the tip will eventually wear out and become harder to use. More expensive capacitive styluses, such as the Wacom Bamboo Solo, can be purchased with replacement nibs
• Capacitive styluses with very thin nibs may not work with all tablet screens, as most are designed to sense fingers, not tiny rubber nibs
• If you rest your hand on the screen while writing or drawing, your hand will be sensed as the stylus instead of the stylus itself, making it impossible to use.

Active styluses: for the ultimate pen-like experience

To use an active stylus, a tablet needs a so-called ‘digitizer’ screen – an extra layer on the touchscreen that can sense an active stylus. Not all tablets have this; if a device doesn’t advertise its stylus compatibility, it probably doesn’t have any.

Not only will an active stylus activate a tablet's touchscreen, it also works with your tablet to establish how hard you’re pressing (for thicker or thinner lines). Some even identify what angle the stylus is being held at (to simulate pencils, fountain pens and even paintbrushes). This technical complexity means it needs a rechargeable or replaceable battery, depending on the model.

Your experience of using an active stylus will differ considerably depending on what tablet and what app you happen to be using. 

You should try to match the brand of your stylus to the brand of your tablet, such as the Apple Pencil, unless it's very clearly stated which tablets are compatible with your stylus of choice. 

Bear in mind, too, that an active stylus may not be able to use all of its features in every app, and will revert back to behaving like a capacitive stylus if the app you’re using doesn’t support it. This makes life very confusing and means you’ll need to do research on what apps work with your stylus before buying.

Pros of active styluses

• Excellent precision for sketching and drawing
• More natural for handwriting
• Many have ‘palm rejection’, so you can rest your palm on the screen without it preventing you using the stylus
• Can sense different pressures.

Cons of active styluses

• Cost much more than capacitive styluses
• Not compatible with all devices and won't work with every app
• May require special software
• Always require replaceable or rechargeable batteries.