Are you looking for a convenient and affordable alternative to a bulky laptop? Whether you need a device for work, gaming, or entertainment, you can find the best tablets for 2025 that suit your needs and budget. Tablets are ideal for professionals who travel a lot, as they are easy to carry and offer great performance.
| Image | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
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Amazon Fire HD 10 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Microsoft Surface Go 2 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Apple iPad Air M1 (10.9-inch) | Check Price on Amazon |
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Xiaomi Pad 5 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Fire HD 10 Kids Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE | Check Price on Amazon |
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TCL TabMax 10.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
We have updated our best tablet computers for 2025 based on our extensive research and testing. These good tablets have the best value for money, as they offer a balance of design, functionality, and connectivity. You can use them for various tasks, from productivity and creativity to education and entertainment.
Top Tablets for the Money (Entertainment, Work and Play):
If you have a tight budget, you can also check out our picks for the best tablets under $300. But with their sleek and portable design, amazing display, fast internet, and long-lasting battery life, our current list of tablets will impress you with their capabilities and versatility.
Being a Student, artist, or writer, you will find a suitable tablet that meets your expectations. Our picks contain stunning screens and lots of features and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good tablet PC. Many mid-range options come as the best tablets under $400 with excellent quality for money.
Why PCCores is trustworthy because our expert reviewers put in a lot of time and effort to test and compare different products and services, allowing you to make informed decisions about what is best for you. Find out How We Review
Best Tablets 2025
At a Glance:
- Amazon Fire HD 10
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3
- Microsoft Surface Go 2
- Apple iPad Air M1 (10.9-inch)
- Xiaomi Pad 5
- Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- TCL TabMax 10.4
Amazon Fire HD 10
Best Cheapest Tablet
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm), Octa Core | Display: 10.1 inches (1920 x 1200 pixels) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 5MP rear, 2MP front | Storage: 32GB, 3GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Battery: Li-Ion 6,500mAh | Dimensions: 9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 inches | Weight: 465g, 1 pound |
When you’re on the very edge of your budget but still want a great tablet for all your entertainment needs, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is our top recommendation for the cheapest tablet that is suitable for all purposes. Basically, you get a starter package for doing all sorts of basic tasks with a few compromises here and there, but it also offers a host of competitive features that make it well worth the price.
With its large 10-inch 1080p display, solid plastic body, and thin 9.2mm design, it’s easy to hold for reading books and watching your favorite media channels live, thanks to the vivid IPS technology. You can easily make video calls with the 2MP front-facing camera and 5MP back camera but don’t expect it to be usable in low light. However, for daytime conference calls, it can make sense for video calls and document scanning.
What’s more, this 11th gen Fire HD 10 supports the latest FireOS 8.3.1.3, which offers improved performance for regular tasks and has a demanding 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, USB-C connector, dual speakers, and a 3.5mm audio socket. It also has additional support for optional drawing and typing keyboard attachments to make it suitable for your go-to backup work and leisure activities.
We compared it to the Fire HD 8 tablet and found that the latest Fire HD 10’s hardware and software have both improved and played back smoothly. What’s intriguing is that the battery can stream for more than 12 hours, which is excellent value for money at just $149.99. This is a decisive win over cheap Chinese tablets in the same price range, with significantly higher quality in both software and hardware.
Despite some weaknesses, we have named the new Fire HD tablet the best value for money, capable of streaming Prime shows out of the box and allowing you to read Kindle novels with comfort. This will undoubtedly save you money, even if you use it for work, and as a student, this is the best budget tab at a cheaper price.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3
Best Large-Screen Tablet
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm), Octa Core | Display: 10.6 inches (1200 x 2000 pixels) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 8MP (front and rear) | Storage: 128GB, 4GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Battery: Li-Po 7700 mAh | Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.26 x 0.29 inches | Weight: 465g, 1 pound |
The Lenovo’s Tab M10 Plus is a versatile device for multipurpose and is a great option for students, travelers, and anyone looking for something portable and easy to use. It is a new entry in Lenovo’s M line of tablets, which is known for providing a great deal of features for the money.
The tablet has a sleek and modern design with an all-aluminum build that provides a sturdy and lightweight chassis for durability and comfort. It is slim, measuring only 0.29″ in thickness, and weighs 465g, making it easy to carry around. The tablet runs on Android 13 and has a 10.6″ 2K resolution IPS display that is vibrant and brilliant to look at from any angle.
What you can expect from the Tab M10 Plus’s $200 price tag is an eye catchy appearance which holds a quad-speaker system tuned by Dolby Atmos that produces immersive sound and an eight-core MediaTek Helio G80 processor that provides shutter-free performance. Not to forget, this also supports a microSD card reader for expanding the 64GB eMMC storage.
You’ll be happy to know that it comes with a 20W fast charger and an integrated stylus pen for drawing and taking notes in class. The back camera, however, lacks a flashlight, and while it is a sub-$200 tablet, it still provides excellent value for money. Overall, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus is the best tablet for music, gaming, and play since it gives the most for its price. If you want to spend an extra $200 for a premium tablet you can check our list of the best tablets under $400 price range.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
Best Tablet for Adults
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core M3 processor, Quad Core | Display: 10.5 inches PixelSense (1920 x 1280 pixels) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 5MP front and 8MP rear | Storage: 128GB, 8GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Battery: Li-Po 3500mAh (3.5Ah) | Dimensions: 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches | Weight: 553 grams, 1.22 pound |
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a tablet designed for professionals who need the precision of work on the go without sacrificing laptop-like compatibility. At $339, it’s a cost-effective option with LTE connectivity, stylus support, a keyboard attachment, upgradeable 128GB SSD storage, and long battery life, and, yes, this is all genuine, a great deal for the price.
The tablet runs Windows 11, which provides a dependable S-mode for effectively managing business tasks. Consider a laptop replacement that we title as the best non-Apple tablet featuring amazing productivity. You can consume 4K media while also editing documents and creating business presentations with professional office tools, natively.
While the Surface Go 2 is not the most recent model, it is a very powerful tablet for office workers, with an Intel 8th generation CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD (upgradable to 1TB), making it a strong choice for doing tough business for 8 hours on battery life continuously, more like a 2-in-1 laptop.
Furthermore, the high camera quality enables Windows Hello features for password-free unlocking and allows you to make crystal clear conference calls, which are useful not only for remote meetings with colleagues but also for homeschooling and online learning classes.
If you find laptops at work or university to be too bulky, Surface Go 2 is an excellent tablet for power users. You’ll also get Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which protects against scratches, as well as LTE connectivity, a MicroSDXC Card Reader, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Overall, this is a good-value professional tablet that outperforms most Android competitors in office work and browsing. If you want more options, check out our well-researched list of the best tablets for writers with keyboards.
Apple iPad Air M1 (10.9-inch)
Fastest Tablet for Work
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: M1, Qcta Core | Display: 10.9 inches (2360-by-1640 pixels) Liquid Retina IPS | Cameras Built-in: 12MP (front and rear) | Storage: 64GB, 8GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 | Battery: Li-Po 28.6‐watt‐hour | Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches | Weight: 461 grams, 1 pound |
The new 10.9-inch iPad Air is a game-changer for Apple, boasting a big screen with curved edges and a complete redesign over the previous model. It also features support for the Folio and Magic keyboard attachments, as well as the second-generation Apple Pencil stylus.
The front camera has been upgraded with a 12MP ultra-wide lens over the previous 8MP, but the implementation of M1 chipsets is the most significant part of the upgrade, highlighting Apple as the best company in tablet manufacturing.
If you’re debating between the old and new iPad Air models, the 5th-generation model is $120 more expensive than the 9th-generation model, but it offers significantly more performance and the most up-to-date hardware, as well as support for many of the most expensive iPad attachments you could ever want.
You’ll never go back once you’ve gotten used to the new iPad Air, which we say is the best iPad tablet on a budget. This upgrade is exceptional for power users, and it delivers exceptional performance for productivity businesses, thanks to its M1 chip, which is 60% faster in terms of CPU score than last year’s A14 Bionic chipset, and GPU is more than 2x faster than before.
Although battery life hasn’t significantly improved, you can still expect around 10 hours of screen time, which is impressive for a device of this caliber. It’s big, bulky, and faster than ever; you shouldn’t pass up this deal if you need a reliable tablet from the current generation.
Overall, the new iPad Air is a strong competitor to the iPad Pro, with powerful features and high-end specifications at a lower price point. It’s an excellent alternative to the best tablets for music that can handle heavy-duty tasks effectively. We call it the best bang for your buck and recommend it to everyone.
Xiaomi Pad 5
Best Tablet to Game On
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm), Quad Core | Display: 11 inches (1600 x 2560 pixels) 120Hz IPS | Cameras Built-in: 8MP front and 13MP rear | Storage: 256GB, 6GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0 | Battery: Li-Po 8720mAh | Dimensions: 10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 inches | Weight: 511 grams, 1.13 pound |
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a tablet that has gained our attention for offering a great deal for its price point. It competes well against the Samsung Fan Edition Tab S7 and is considered a fantastic alternative to Samsung tablets with a less expensive price tag.
With the release of Pad 5, Xiaomi has finally produced a tablet that has a design that is alluring and comparable to the iPad line. However, there are some weaknesses to Pad 5. It comes in two versions, one for the Chinese market and the other for the international market.
The Chinese version supports 33W fast charging but does not include the same fast rating charger in the package, rather an in-box 22.5W power brick. Whereas, the worldwide version includes a better deal of 51W charging, which is swift and efficient.
It is worth noting that the Xiaomi Pad 5 lacks GPS, a fingerprint reader, and 5G connectivity (there is no cellular version), instead relying solely on Wi-Fi 6. However, it has a battery life of more than 14 hours, which is longer than that of the iPad Air and the Samsung Tab S7 FE.
So far, a good deal for a secure and reliable Android tablet, but you must be willing to sacrifice some features in exchange for its low price. Those looking for a good reading experience for a reasonable price couldn’t pass it up, and for more options, see our list of the best tablets for reading comic books and graphic novels.
Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
Best Tablet for Kids
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: MediaTek Kompanio 500 (MT8183), Quad Core | Display: 10.1 inches (1920 x 1200) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 2MP front and rear | Storage: 64GB, 3GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0 | Battery: Li-Po 6500mAh | Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches | Weight: 465 grams, 1 pound |
The Fire HD and Kindle tablets are the most affordable options with essential features for everyone. This same rule applies to the new Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet, which is ideal for schoolchildren who need to read books and play games, and it comes with a free case.
The tablet is appropriate for children of all ages, with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage that can be expanded via an SD card and OTG support. It has built-in parental controls that allow parents to monitor their children’s activities, all the time, good for schooling.
In comparison to previous generations of Fire tablets, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro has superior features such as a large 10.1-inch screen and Kids+ content, as well as a stylish case that doubles as a stand.
If you are curious, the accompanying case costs $120 price and is covered by a two-year worry-free warranty, which means that the brand will replace it if it breaks while being used.
So far, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is a great option for parents who want an affordable tablet for kids that is backed by a solid warranty, very affordable, and controllable.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Best Android Tablets
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm), Octa Core | Display: 12.4 inches (2560 x 1600) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 5MP front and 8MP rear | Storage: 64GB, 4GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 3.2 | Battery: Li-Po 10,090mAh | Dimensions: 11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 inches | Weight: 607 grams, 1.34 lb |
When you need impressive support for all of your productivity work tasks in the office or studying in college, there is no better choice than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE; a well-designed, powerful, and large tablet for only $300 from the world-renowned brand Samsung.
You will receive exceptional support for software and security updates, as well as native support for a keyboard cover and stylus, both of which are included in the box. making it an affordable option for everyone from family members to college students who need a modern tablet for on-the-go, hassle-free productivity, and entertainment.
It comes with all of the high-quality necessities you could want, such as a 12.4-inch screen with sharp resolution, faster Snapdragon 778G 5G chipsets, and more battery life with a 10090mAh Li-Po capacity that can last up to 12 hours on a single charge and increases further when performing less demanding tasks.
Given the cost of the keyboard cover and the premium components included (pen), it is comparable to that of flagship Samsung tablets. Furthermore, software and security updates are guaranteed for three years from the date of manufacture, implying long-term dependability.
If you want to explore more options for drawing? Take a look at our review of the best Android tablets for drawing with pen (stylus).
TCL TabMax 10.4
Best Tablet for the Money
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: MediaTek Kompanio 500 (MT8183), Quad Core | Display: 10.1 inches (1920 x 1200) IPS | Cameras Built-in: 2MP front and rear | Storage: 64GB, 3GB RAM | Ports: 1 USB Type-C 2.0 | Battery: Li-Po 8000mAh | Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches | Weight: 465 grams, 1 pound |
The TCL TabMax 10.4 Android tablet is a solid mid-range option for those seeking a multimedia tablet with impressive features at an affordable price point. That said, it is priced at $240, and impressively boasts 6GB of RAM and 256GB of extendable ROM, making it one of the best options in the sub-$200 price range.
This tablet has a plastic body with a rough texture that is comfortable to hold and surprisingly lightweight, given its metal frame appearance. The 10.4-inch screen is color-accurate and provides a crisp display, and the front camera has an 8 MP resolution, while the back camera has a 13 MP resolution and also includes a tiny flash.
Compared to the Fire HD tablet, the TCL TabMax 10.4 offers better aesthetics and hardware, and a larger screen that covers 83.2% of the front panel. However, the tablet comes with only a charger and a cable, which may be ideal for starters but not for pro users.
Overall, the TCL TabMax 10.4 Android tablet is an excellent choice for those looking for a mid-range tablet with impressive features at a low price. A better soul alternative to the Fire HD tablet range, but slightly more expensive, which is somewhat justified.
Tablets, like smartphones, can function as a portable touchscreen, but there is more to it. To know more, these are the most frequently asked questions about tablets to help you make an informed decision. You should read these FAQs about Tablets before making a decision.
Buying Guide for Best Tablets
What is the Difference Between a Tablet and a Laptop?
Laptops have more processing power and storage capacity than tablets, making them better suited for demanding tasks like video editing or running complex software. The true advantage of laptops, however, is that they have more connectivity options than tablets, allowing them to connect to multiple devices at once, including external monitors. Dedicated GPUs are also advantageous for rendering and playing games at maximum settings, which tablets are unable to do due to a lack of active cooling in a compact design, and not only that PC gaming is the most intensive task that you can you do on a laptop that you can’t do on a tablet.
Is a Laptop or Tablet Better for Seniors?
Tablets are often easier to use for tasks like reading, browsing the internet, and video chatting, and they have a less complex operating system compared to laptops. For seniors, having a good tablet is a much better approach than a laptop computer. It allows for more freedom for personal use, video conferencing, reading e-books, watching movies, sharing photos, and more importantly, connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi without needing an Ethernet cable. Laptops, on the other hand, are big and bulky and better for office tasks that require more processing power, such as photo or video editing.
Pros and Cons of Best Tablets
Is a Tablet PC the Same as a laptop?
Tablets and laptops share some similarities, such as the ability to run the same software apps and connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, but their form factors and capabilities differ significantly. Tablet computers are smaller, lighter, and more portable than laptop computers, but they have less processing power and storage capacity. Tablet form factors generally have less space for standard components such as high-power CPU and dGPU, and they cannot have active cooling systems that support such high-end components found in powerful laptops.
Do Tablets Get Outdated?
Tablets typically receive software updates for at least three years, which helps keep them up-to-date and functional for users. After that time, tablets not only stop receiving updates but newer models with better hardware and features are set to be released. As a result, new hardware with greater power, features, and efficiency renders older tablets obsolete, and that is the known lifecycle of tablets.
Best Tablets Vs Laptops
Conclusion
When choosing a tablet, it is important to consider your budget, preferred features, and operating system familiarity. With these fundamental features in mind, it will be simple to choose the best tablet for your needs—one that is both attractive and of great quality. The new iPad Air may be more attractive to iPhone users prospectives, while Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3, TCL, and Samsung FE tablets offer a lot of features without sacrificing quality at an affordable price, and they are well designed for all purposes users, including, productivity work and multimedia consumption. However, if you have a strict budget, the Fire HD tablet is an option for the lowest price point around $100, which is an unbeatable range.



















