Many of us probably had a tablet written in our Christmas wishlist last year. Well, it’s never too late to get one if you didn’t end up receiving one. The problem is that there are too many models to choose from so you wouldn’t even know where to begin your search for the best tablet.
If you’re faced with the mind-boggling task of picking one among hundreds of possible tablets, we’ve got your back. We suggest that you narrow down your choices to these top-performing tablets:
Sony Xperia Z4
Connect your PS4 controller to the Z4 tablet and you could be playing video games anywhere in the house! It’s a must-have for PS4 console owners.
Besides letting you stream games from the console to the tablet, it comes with a keyboard dock that can double as a stand. It’s waterproof, fast, and light, too—what more can you ask for in a tablet with gaming capabilities and a gorgeous display? Not to mention that the Sony Z4 Tablet will also be getting the Android 7 Nougat update very soon.
The only downside? Its storage option is limited for such a powerful tablet.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The tech giant hasn’t been shy about its goal to replace your laptop. Microsoft is probably a step closer to making that happen with the best Windows tablet we’ve ever seen.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 undoubtedly impresses even at first glance, thanks to a sizeable screen in a stunningly slim structure. The screen didn’t just upsize, though. Microsoft actually made them sharper with a higher screen resolution. They’ve even given the keyboard cover and the Surface Pen timely improvements. It’ll definitely need every ounce of power from the latest Intel processors built into it!
Huawei MediaPad M3
Looking for alternatives to the Apple iPad Mini 4? This one undeniably tops that list. We love the HuaweiMediaPad M3
iPad Pro 9.7
Touted by critics as the best tablet on the market today, the iPad Pro boasts of having the best combo of internal components and external appeal. We even tested it ourselves to see if the claims are real and we weren’t disappointed.
It’s super slick and incredibly fast for something that’s easy on the hand and bag. The four speakers add a nice touch to the overall media viewing experience it offers, too. You’ll also love that it readily pairs with an Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.
Google Pixel C
Among Android tablets, the Google Pixel C is the tablet to beat. It has heaps of power, a premium design, and an amazing display. That’s not all. If you haven’t heard, it will be among the first recipients to receive the Android 7 Nougat software update.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8
Thin, light, and a joy to use—that’s our first impression of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. After using it for a while, we realized that it’s a worthy rival to iPad. You’ll instantly fall in love with its great display, decent battery life, and powerful processor. Those three combine to deliver a zippy performance, whether you’re watching videos or playing games on it. No surprise there, really, considering that it’s a flagship mini-tablet.
Honorable Mentions:
The following tablets aren’t necessarily bad. They just fare really well in one aspect but lag behind in other key areas. Nevertheless, they can surely delight and excite some specific users.
Best Tablet for Gamers: NVIDIA SHIELD K1 8″ Tablet
With NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, you can stream PC games directly to this tablet. Not only that, you can connect it to a TV via HDMI for an immersive gaming (or movie viewing) experience. You’ll also probably like that there’s very little customization made on its Android OS, unlike the ones you see on other Android devices.
Best Tablet When You’re on a Budget: Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
Running on a tight budget? In that case, Amazon Fire HD 8 is a perfect choice. A snappy performance, an HD display, and a premium feel all prove the Fire HD 8 isn’t your typical budget tablet. You may be a bit disappointed with the rear and front camera quality, though.
Best Tablet for Battery Life: Lenovo Yoga Tab 3
It’s not the fastest tablet around, but it’s worth a look when you’re after a long-lasting battery. The fact that it can last 20 hours on a single charge is the main selling point of the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3. It’s worth noting that it has two front-facing speakers that offer a decent audio experience than most tablets of the same price and size range.
Best Tablet for Kids: LeapFrog Epic
Can’t find any kid-friendly tablet to give to your little angel? The LeapFrog Epic may be a prime candidate. It’s durable, customizable, and perfect for any child. Setting it up is pretty simple, too, which makes it a great buy for non-techie parents. Not to mention that it has superb parental controls built into its user interface. While we’re on the topic of child-friendly devices, you may want to read up on our guide to choosing the best smartphones for your kids.
When you feed on everything that the Internet has to offer, you’d want them served fresh on a long-lasting, top-performing, and slick-looking tablet. Look no further because the mobile devices on this list surely won’t let you down.