Best Tablet 2025: Top Tablets From Apple, Samsung, Amazon and More
According to recent data , Apple still has the highest global market share for tablets, and all its iPads are among the best tablets, including the entry-level 11th-gen iPad and iPad Air M3 , both of which were released in 2025 (the newish 7th-gen iPad Mini was released in late 2024). But there are plenty of other quality tablets I've tested, including several appealing Android tablets featured on this list. I've also selected some affordable budget tablets, which are good for consuming media or playing casual games but don't quite qualify as a professional productivity tool or true laptop replacement .
What's the best tablet overall?
I have Apple's iPad (11th-gen, 2025) at the top of the list because it's the overall best tablet value for most people, particularly now that the base model comes with 128GB of storage (instead of 64GB) and sometimes gets discounted to as low $299. We also like the iPad Air M3 for those who want a more powerful tablet from Apple but aren't ready to shell out even bigger bucks for an iPad Pro model. As for Android tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is our current top pick. It's expensive but can often be had at a nice discount when you trade in a device with Samsung.
What we updated:June 2025
We added the OnePlus Pad 3 and Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 to the list.
Best tablets of 2025
Read more: Best iPad of 2025" target="_blank
OnePlus Pad 2
OnePlus is known for producing solid-performing devices at a reasonable price. The midrange OnePlus Pad 2 delivers good bang for the buck.
Why I like it
Compared to the original OnePlus' Pad tablet, which remains on sale, the Pad 2 has a larger, brighter display (it's an IPS LCD, not OLED) that's a tad sharper. It's also equipped with an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which offers a bump in performance from the Mediatek Dimension 9000 processor found in the Pad (it's not a huge performance bump, but a bump, nonetheless).
With its strong performance and excellent display -- it's one of the few Android tablets with a 7:5 aspect ratio -- the OnePlus Pad 2 feels like a premium tablet but has more of a midrange price, so it's a good value. We also like that OnePlus throws in its Folio Case 2 or Stylus 2 for free when you buy it directly from OnePlus. A smart keyboard case is available for around $120.
Who's it for
Someone who can't quite afford Samsung's flagship tablet but wants similar performance for less money.
Who should skip it
With its 7:5 aspect ratio, the OnePlus Pad 2 looks more like an iPad than most Android tablets. Some people prefer the 16:10 aspect ratios of most Android tablets. You can also get better trade-in values for Samsung tablets (especially if you're trading in for a new Samsung model).
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
Amazon keeps updating its Fire HD 10 tablet every couple of years, bumping its processor speed and RAM. It delivers acceptable performance at a very affordable price.
Why I like it
In 2023, Amazon introduced a slightly lighter and 25% faster Fire HD 10. It comes in a few different versions, including a standard version with a list price of $140 with 32GB of storage, along with the Fire HD 10 Kids (intended for children aged 3 to 7) and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (targeted at 6- to 12-year-olds). Aside from its larger 10.1-inch display compared to the Fire HD's 8-inch display, this model's screen is sharper, with a pixel density of 224 pixels per inch, which is the best for any Amazon tablet, including the flagship Fire 11 Max.
The non-Pro model has a Disney theme option. As with all Fire Kids tablets, these are bundled with padded cases, a 12-month subscription to the Amazon Kids Plus service, which offers kid-friendly apps and content, and an included two-year free replacement policy should the tablet get damaged. Battery life is rated at up to 13 hours.
Who's it for
When it goes on sale, the Fire HD 10 is arguably the best budget tablet value, and it often is. It's a great option for media consumption and online shopping, naturally.
Who should skip it
While the Fire HD 10's screen offers 1080p resolution, if you're looking for a tablet with a very sharp display, the entry-level iPad is a better bet. This also isn't a good choice for content creation.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Lenovo Tab Plus
Lenovo bills its Android-based Tab Plus as a "premium entertainment tablet," it mostly lives up to that description though we could debate how premium it really is.
Why I like it
While Tab Plus' MediaTek Helio G99 processor delivers pretty middle-of-the-road performance, it was zippy enough. Its 11.5-inch 2K LCD (2,000x1,200 pixels) essentially provides 1080p resolution, though its 90Hz refresh rate helps create a smoother image and overall, the display seems like a small step-up from the screens you get with many budget Android tablets. All that said, the Tab Plus' standout feature is its sound. Equipped with JBL speakers, this tablet produces bigger -- and better -- sound than most of the tablets I've tested.
The built-in speakers add some girth to the tablet, which also has a retractable kickstand, so it's a bit chunky. Battery life is solid at around 12 hours, and I appreciate the included carrying case. The case is a little cheap-looking and feeling, but it is protective.
Who's it for
With its built-in kickstand and higher-grade JBL speakers, the Tab Plus is appealing for consuming media on the go. It's also a decent value, especially when discounted.
Who should skip it
If you're looking for a little svelter, sleeker tablet with more premium performance, this may not be for you.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Most recent additions
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE:The two models in the line look and feel a lot like the slightly more premium standard Galaxy Tab S10 models, which are powered by a more powerful processor and feature AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates instead of LCD screens with 90Hz rates. But the Galaxy Tab S10 FE models cost significantly less. They include an S Pen and are good tablets for those who like to draw or take handwritten notes that can later be converted to text.
How we test tablets
Tablets are, effectively, computers. We benchmark tablets against common performance and graphics metrics and run battery life tests for video playback. But we also look at what tablets can do that make them personal or fun. Playing games, trying out art apps, having video chats, watching movies and exploring how well multitasking works all factor in. Benchmarks are only one small part of the review story.
CNET also looks at our deep collective history and experience with tablets and computers in general. Our editors have decades of knowledge across Google, Microsoft, Apple and Amazon ecosystems, and we look at the value and performance of tablets against what laptops and other PCs can provide too.
Factors to consider when buying a tablet
Tablets are portable computers that have great usability while being less complicated than a traditional computer. The best tablet is the one that's versatile enough for all kinds of use cases from home, school or work. While finding the best tablet for you isn't hard, knowing where to start can be overwhelming, and that's where CNET's testing and reviews can help. We've picked out the best of the best, and these tablets can do it all, including checking email, managing finances, testing your art skills or casually browsing YouTube and watching videos.
Price, in that regard, is a huge factor. Most people we know consider tablets a secondary computer purchase or as a device for kids. Value matters for tablets more than maybe any other product category for that reason. Some tablets are more premium, which may be worth it if you value a more future-proof device, better OLED displays or faster chips.
You can't discuss tablets without talking about Apple. The iPad Pro and Air models just got big hardware upgrades, with the expensive Pro introducing OLED displays and a new M4 chip for the first time, along with an improved Pencil Pro. But keep in mind that Apple devices have their own app ecosystem and lean on Apple services. iPads are more versatile than ever, but they're still not the same, app or OS-wise, as Macs.
While the iPad is the king of the segment, Android tablets have made a comeback over the last couple of years. The Google Pixel Tablet and One Plus Pad 2 are excellent midrange options that are good for family or home use (Pixel Tablet) or as a personal mini laptop (OnePlus Pad 2). Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 tablets" target="_self , which feature a slim design and excellent AMOLED displays, are a top premium Android tablet option.
In the value segment, Amazon's Fire tablets are still the best tablet option for cheap and kid-friendly models. If you're looking for something good for productivity and entertainment, an affordable Chromebook blurs the line between a laptop and a tablet.
Tablet FAQs
What's the difference between Apple's iPads?
For the most part, Apple's iPads differ in terms of price, display quality and chip performance. Higher-end models also work with different Apple Pencil Pro styluses. All iPads run iPadOS similarly, and they all are capable of multitasking. All current models have USB-C ports too. The entry-level iPad is our versatile top pick, but the Air and Pro models add M-series chips that can add more multitasking with connected monitors and work with a few pro-level Apple apps. The new Pro iPads add even faster M4 chips, step-up OLED displays with better brightness and contrast and refresh rates, and are a bit thinner and lighter. If you care about Apple's Pencil stylus, the Air and Pro work with a new Pencil Pro that adds rotational and squeeze gestures. However, they're not compatible with the older Pencil 2.
Which tablet operating system is best? Fire OS, iPadOS, Android or Windows?
Apple's iPadOS is arguably the best for a few reasons. For starters, its user interface is clean and easy to use, it has strong security features and it plays well with other devices in Apple's ecosystem, including iPhones that run iOS, Macs than run MacOS, Watches that run WatchOS and Apple TV streamers that run tvOS. That's obviously a big plus for Apple users. You can also expect that the iPad you buy gets several years of iPadOS updates and there are thousands of iPadOS apps.
The same is true to a certain degree for Android tablets, but the Android market is more fragmented and many Android tablets have their own slightly different user interfaces thanks to tablet manufacturers mixing in their own OS overlays (for example, OneUI in the case of Samsung and the OxygenOS in the case of OnePlus). Also, the Android tablet you buy will likely only get three years of guaranteed Android OS updates (even Google's own Pixel Tablet only promises three years), so it feels a little less future proof.
While Amazon's FireOS runs on top of an Android base, there's no access to the Google Play Store (yes, there are hacks to add it, but that's another story), which is a bit of a problem. That said, Amazon does offer a lot of "free" content if you're an Amazon Prime member, so there are benefits to playing in Amazon's walled garden -- and Fire OS tablets are very affordable.
As for Windows tablets, the big plus is that they are full-fledged Windows computers and give you full access to Windows apps.
How much money should I expect to spend on a tablet?
You can pay as little as $50 for Amazon's entry-level Fire 7 tablet or over $1,000 for a large premium tablet like Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra or Apple's iPad Pro 13-inch. Midrange tablets like Apple's entry-level iPad, the iPad Mini, iPad Air M3 and Samsung Galaxy S10 FE range from around $300-$600. Naturally, when a new model comes out, previous versions tend to get discounted, sometimes nicely.
How to choose buying a tablet vs. buying a laptop
Many premium tablets can now serve as laptop replacements, especially when you add a keyboard accessory, so it's become more tempting to buy a tablet instead of a laptop, especially because they tend to be lighter and more travel-friendly. But if you're just trying to choose between one or the other, it really comes down to how you intend to use the device and whether you can live with some possible limitations. The nice thing about a Windows tablet is that it's a full-fledged Windows computer -- it just has a touchscreen. Alas, some iPads are certainly capable of running MacOS and could be even more MacBook-like, but they only run Apple's iPadOS and iPad apps. Editor Scott Stein has always wished Apple would marry iPadOS with MacOS, but it's yet to happen.
What's the best time to buy a tablet?
Unlike phones, tablets arrive at random times of the year. Apple releases iPads erratically, although entry-level models tend to come in March or April. Samsung usually has new tablets in August, with ongoing discounts and trade-in options to help bring the final price down. Holiday sales and Amazon Prime Day sales are always worth waiting for, but remember that many sales tend to spring up again and again.
