Best Tablets for Music

Best Tablets for Music

If you’re a musician, you know how important it is to have the right tools for your craft. Whether you want to practice, compose, record, perform, or enjoy music on the go, you need the best tablet computer that can handle your musical needs with ease and efficiency. But how do you choose the best one for music? What features should you look for? What are the pros and cons of different operating systems and brands? How do you compare the performance, portability, and value of different models? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Top Tablets for Music:

Our team of experts has researched and tested dozens of tablets from various categories, including Windows, iOS, and Android devices, to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best tablet for music. Performance, portability, and overall value are important factors to consider. Our comprehensive guide provides all the necessary information to find the perfect tablet for your music needs in 2025. Explore our recommendations and reviews to discover top-rated brands and operating systems. Don’t settle for less – pick the best tablet for musicians with us.

In this guide, we’ll share with you our top picks for the best tablets for music in 2025, based on our rigorous analysis and comparison. We’ll also explain what factors we considered when making our selection, such as:

  • Display quality and size: You want a tablet that has a sharp and bright screen that can display sheet music, synthesizers, and other musical apps clearly and comfortably. You also want a tablet that has a suitable size for your needs, whether you prefer a larger screen for more visibility or a smaller screen for more portability.
  • Speaker quality and volume: You want a tablet that has powerful and clear speakers that can deliver high-fidelity audio without distortion or noise. You also want a tablet that has enough volume to fill a room or a stage with sound, or at least has a headphone jack or Bluetooth connectivity for external speakers or headphones.
  • Performance and battery life: You want a tablet that has a fast and smooth performance that can run multiple music apps at once without lagging or crashing. You also want a tablet that has a long battery life that can last for hours of music making or listening without needing to recharge.
  • Compatibility and versatility: You want a tablet that can run the music apps that you need and want, whether they are native or third-party apps. You also want a tablet that can connect with other devices and accessories that you use for music, such as keyboards, microphones, mixers, controllers, etc.

Based on these criteria and more, we’ve selected the best tablets for music in 2025 that will suit your budget and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a Windows tablet that can run full-fledged music software like FL Studio or Ableton Live, an iOS tablet that can access the vast library of music apps on the App Store like GarageBand or Korg Gadget, or an Android tablet that can offer more flexibility and customization like SunVox or RD4 Groovebox, we have a recommendation for you.


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Best Tablets for Music

At a Glance:

  1. Apple iPad Pro 6th Gen (M2 chip)
  2. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (M1 chip)
  3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
  4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
  5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
  6. Microsoft Surface Go 3
  7. Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
  8. Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Best Pick
Apple iPad Pro 6th Gen (M2 chip)
Apple iPad Pro 6th Gen (M2 chip) (Image credit: pccores.com)

Apple iPad Pro 6th Gen (M2 chip)

Best Tablet for Music Production

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: iPadOS 16.3 | Screen size: 11-inch (2388 x 1668), 120Hz | Processor: M2 | Storage: 128GB | RAM: 8GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 | Weight: 1.03 pounds (466 grams) |

The continual advancement of technology has amplified Apple’s commitment to producing exceptional iPads for business and personal use cases, such as music, reading, writing, and more. The newly-released iPad Pro 6th Gen (M2 chip) model is a testament to this, as it surpasses its predecessors in terms of performance, security, and reliability.

The presence of M2 chips in this new iPad Pro 11″, which is also found in the new Apple MacBook Pro 13, indicates that this iPad Pro is aimed at content creators, specifically musicians in the production business. The M2 chip provides lightning-fast performance for running music apps. And you can use it for a variety of iOS apps, like Forscore, plus additional accessories that make creating and producing tracks a breeze, and it can keep up with intensive music production tasks until the battery runs out.

The 11″ true-tone Liquid Retina display, with its 600-nit brightness is pure eye candy, and support for the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil allows for an immersive experience when annotating digital sheet music. However, Apple Pencil is incomparable to the Adonit Note+, an expensive stylus for music professionals.

The stunning visuals and vivid colors make visuals appealing, ideal for reading sheet music or working with music software. The ProMotion technology provides smooth scrolling and a 120Hz refresh rate for a fluid user experience, unlike the basic iPad 10″ the last year. And the design is ever great, Apple never settles for subpar and provides a premium look with a smooth aluminum back and thin bezels that give it a minimalist look.

What sets this iPad Pro apart from its predecessors is the improved performance of the M2 chip and the addition of hardware-accelerated media engines for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW encode and decode. This, combined with the 4 speakers system and 5 studio-quality microphones, makes for an outstanding experience in recording music in stereo using a range of professional apps from the App Store.

We are not alone with our claims, Tech enthusiasts like ‘Newzik’ have proclaimed that the iPad Pro with the M2 is incomparable for musical production. While the hardware specifications are exceptional, the only reservation that persists is the cost-benefit analysis, given its price point of $769.99.

The price is more than the previous gen, but it isn’t huge when evaluated against the 12-inch iPad Pro model, which retails for $1,169 and offers an inch larger display, double memory, and storage, and rests with the same M2 chip.

Decision-making becomes more transparent for the best iPad for the music production business. Consequently, whether the increased cost is justified will depend on how much you value the added features. With such vast compatibility, this iPad is similar to our picks for the best tablet for writers.

Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (M1 chip)
Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (M1 chip) (Image credit: pccores.com)

Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (M1 chip)

Best Tablet for Musicians

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: iPadOS 16.3 | Screen size: 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640) | Processor: M1 | Storage: 64GB | RAM: 8GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with Bluetooth 5.1 | Weight: 1.02 pounds (461 grams) |

The Apple iPad Air 5th Generation is an excellent replacement for the iPad Pro 6th Generation, particularly for musicians. The current model features the powerful M1 processor, which is comparable to the company’s desktop Macs and MacBooks and provides lightning-fast performance at a lower price point than the iPad Pro.

The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with brilliant colors and an anti-reflective coating is great for reading sheet music or working outdoors. While it lacks ProMotion technology and a 120Hz refresh rate, it does feature a good 60Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling.

When connected to a 4K external monitor, the iPad Air 5th Gen works similarly to Mac OS, including windowing, a dock, and drag-and-drop functionality. It is possible because of the strong M1 processor, which exceeds the Bionic chip and is more equipped to meet the needs of business today, distinguishing the iPad Air 5th Ge’s superiority from its predecessors.

Why we think the new iPad Air is perfect for music production. It runs the most recent iOS, has excellent speakers, competent hardware to handle an amp via USB-C, and the ability to connect powerful tools externally, and it is both high-quality and affordable in comparison to the iPad Pro.

What we can’t guarantee are the compatible accessories it can connect externally, which cost more than expected. The magic keyboard is pricey at $300, and it’s not the only item you need for professional work; there’s also the Apple Pencil; 2nd gen, which costs £139. In the meantime, Amazon is now offering a 6% discount for $121.29.

The new iPad Air is an improvement over its forerunners in terms of both technology and design. It looks better than ever and is compatible with a dock for multiple USB-C, HDMI, and additional USB-A connections, including an SD reader, which costs $70.

Nonetheless, the iPad Air 5th Gen boasts an 8,827 mAh Li-Po battery that can last up to 10 hours on stage, which makes it suitable for all-day music production sessions. It’s a deal for doing business on the fly.

Staff Pick
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (Image credit: pccores.com)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

Best tablet for recording music

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Android 12 | Screen size: 11-inch (1600 x 2560) | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB | RAM: 8GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e with Bluetooth 5.1 | Weight: 1.11 pounds (507 grams) |

The world of music production has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, and digital devices have become crucial tools for musicians, composers, and audiophiles. Tablets have emerged as excellent portable recording and composing machines, thanks to the availability of powerful music software and apps.

One of the best options for music production on a tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. The device boasts a sleek and stylish design, with a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display making it an easy choice for editing music scores, and reading with Forscore. This tablet also features smooth scrolling thanks to the 120 Hz refresh rate, and the metal frame and glass back make it both durable and attractive.

For those primarily interested in consuming creative work in the music industry, the Galaxy Tab S8 offers the same excellent audiovisual experience as its predecessor, the Samsung S6 Lite. This is a much improved Android tablet for writers and readers, comparable to our list of the best tablets for reading comics.

The device is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which offers the fastest performance for running music apps and producing tracks, capable of rendering high-res video in minutes. It also features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it suitable for storage-intensive music production tasks.

On top of great hardware, the Galaxy Tab S8 runs on an intuitive and user-friendly Android One UI interface which offers millions of apps for audiophiles straight from the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store. The device also supports the S Pen, which enables accurate and precise note-taking and annotation, without needing extra investment,

Furthermore, the Galaxy Tab S8 has a 10,090 mAh battery that can last up to 11 hours. This is ideal for musicians and producers who need to work on their tracks in the studio for extended periods, and it truly enhances the user experience as a great investment for any music enthusiast.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE (Image credit: pccores.com)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

Best for Music Sheet and Songwriting

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Android 12 | Screen size: 12.4-inch (1600 x 2560) | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G | Storage: 64GB | RAM: 4GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5.2 | Weight: 1.34 pounds (608 grams) |

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is an excellent option for budget-conscious users who want a tablet that can keep up with their demands. The 12.4″ diagonal display is not AMOLED, but it is comparable to that of the premium Galaxy Tab S7 Plus and much better than the Tab S7. The Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset in the Tab S7 FE is competitive with that of the Galaxy Tab S7 865+.

The tablet offers great performance, thanks to its capable hardware, despite having a lower-model chipset. It comes with all the perks that a musician can love, including a vivid screen, stylus, and powerful-sounding stereo speakers system. Additionally, you can increase its storage up to one Terabyte using an SD card, which is a great feature.

In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers great WiFi speed, with downloads marking almost 682Mbps and uploads getting a minor drop from 50mps lower to a maximum of 100mbps high, occasionally. With a keyboard and stylus, it’s almost a laptop replacement; you can draw and create art as you would on a graphics tablet, but if you want to see more options, check out our round-up of the best tablets for drawing.

This tablet is an excellent choice for professionals looking for a work tablet, and musicians on a budget will find it a must-have for their business needs. It supports Samsung Dex, just like its premium-end sibling Samsung tablets, but you will need to invest in a keyboard cover. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers great value for its price and is worth considering.

Budget Pick
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ (Image credit: pccores.com)

Microsoft Surface Pro 7+

Best tablet for lyrics on stage

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Windows 11 | Screen size: 12.3 inches PixelSense (2736 x 1824) | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4 | Storage: 128GB | RAM: 8GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5.2 | Weight: 1.75 pounds (796 grams) |

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ is a powerhouse device that is perfect for music production and office work. With its high-performance Intel i5 10th gen processor, it allows for seamless audio recording and editing. The tablet’s large screen size makes it easy to see multiple tracks and audio clips at once, making it a great choice for musicians at studio jobs.

In our experience, Surface Pro 7+ runs Windows 11 in S mode very well, and it comes loaded with all the office apps, at least having a trial, but it allows the flexibility to use a wide range of music production apps such as GarageBand and FL Studio Mobile, making it a laptop killer tablet for writing music notation and composing.

You can use it instead of a bulky laptop for professional tasks, and music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Tidal are pre-installed, making it simple to access your favorite music on the go. In terms of hardware, it’s a minor upgrade over the Surface Pro 6 with the addition of a USB-C port, but it works well as a hybrid portable PC.

If you’ve never used a Surface tablet before, it’s well worth the money. While this new model is similar to the Surface Pro X and its predecessors, the Surface Pro 6 and 5, it still offers excellent value. Although it is not recommended for an 8K TV, you can power up to two 4K external monitors.

Microsoft Surface Go 3
Microsoft Surface Go 3 (Image credit: pccores.com)

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best digital sheet music tablet for studio work

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Windows 11 | Screen size: 10.5 inches (1920×1280) | Processor: Intel Pentium Gold (Dual Core) | Storage: 64GB | RAM: 4GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with Bluetooth 5.0 | Weight: 1.2 pounds (544 grams) |

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is our top-rated recommendation for students’ budgets. It provides excellent value for its price, delivering similar performance to the more expensive Surface Pro models. However, it does have some limitations due to its lower cost.

One limitation is its battery life, which can last for up to 7 hours under tough use. Another limitation is the inability to upgrade the mSSD storage, which is sealed inside and not easily accessible for manual upgrades, which Microsoft sold for an additional cost.

Still, as a DIY project, there are two options for upgrading the storage: cutting the chassis or unscrewing the entire device, which can be difficult. Despite these limitations, the Surface Go 3 is a powerful tablet with high-quality hardware that can run business applications smoothly.

Overall, you can benefit from fast internet, a high-quality speaker system, and crystal-clear cameras for Zoom calls. It also includes a USB-C connector for fast charging and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired headphones, providing studio-grade sound when recording music.

If you want to see more budget options for an educated decision, check out our list of the best tablets under $400.

Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 (Image credit: pccores.com)

Xiaomi Mi Pad 5

the best tablet for learning piano

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Android 11 | Screen size: 11 inches 1600 x 2560 (WQHD+), 120Hz | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 | Storage: 128GB | RAM: 6GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with Bluetooth 5.0 | Weight: 1.1 pounds (498 grams) |

The Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 is a high-performance tablet that is great for home and workplace usage. While it lacks cellular connectivity, like iPad WiFi-only models, it is a fantastic value for those who do not require 5G and rely on faster WiFi connectivity.

The tablet boasts a premium 120Hz screen and a speedy Snapdragon 860 processor, making it ideal for music production and other demanding tasks. However, it does lack GPS, which can be a disadvantage for some users. On the other hand, the absence of GPS helps improve the battery life, which can last up to 15 hours on a single charge.

In our experience, there is currently no competition that offers the same battery life with such a fast performance. Xiaomi claims that it can play music for 5 days, play videos for 16 hours, and play games for 10 hours. We agree with the gaming and video playback scores, but we couldn’t keep up with the music playback for 5 days.

Nevertheless, you can use the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 as a laptop replacement by attaching the Xiaomi keyboard, and you can hand-draw notes with a stylus, increasing productivity significantly compared to a tablet with limited battery life.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 is an excellent low-cost option for a high-performing tablet that is not limited by low-quality hardware or design.

Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (Image credit: pccores.com)

Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Best tablet for singers

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System: Android 11 | Screen size: 11 inches (2000 x 1200) | Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T | Storage: 128GB | RAM: 4GB | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 with Bluetooth | Weight: 1.08 pounds (489 grams) |

In the last, we’ve spared the most affordable tablet that can handle all your singing and business needs. You can look no further than the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus. This Android tablet packs in solid performance, a vibrant 11-inch display, and impressive features for a fraction of the cost of its competitors.

Compared to Apple’s and Samsung’s offerings, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus may not offer the same level of power or high-end features found in their flagship tablets. However, it still gets the job done with its quad-channel front-facing speakers, 2K resolution, and speedy MediaTek MT6785 Helio G90T performance.

While it lacks some of its competitors’ high-end hardware, the P11 Plus’s slim profile and metal design make it a comfortable tablet to use for extended periods of time. It has most features than the competition and appears to be compelling for reading sheet music and listening to audio tracks. However, if you need more budget options, you can look at our list of the best tablets under $300, which suit creators on a tight budget.

If you’re familiar with Lenovo’s Yoga Smart Tab and SmartTab P10, you’ll feel right at home with the P11 Plus. It’s compatible with Lenovo’s great typing experience with a detachable keyboard and stylus for note-taking and editing sheet music. Plus, the tablet’s magnetic design keeps the pen attached and gives an extra layer of versatility to your workspace or home environment.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is an excellent all-rounder for students, singers, and business professionals looking for an affordable tablet that can handle basic productivity tasks, online classes, and drawing without breaking the bank.

Buying Guide of Tablets for Music

What tablet is best for playing music?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra stands out among the best options as the tablet of choice for musicians around the globe. In some ways, it surpasses Apple’s top iPad Pro models (at least in terms of screen size), and it is unquestionably the best Android tablet for music production. However, the new iPad Pro with M2 is a competitive option overall, and it benefits from the ecosystem of iOS. You can choose from the more affordable options as well. For example, we recommend the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus because it has Dolby Atmos for excellent sound and is less expensive than our top picks.

What kind of iPad do musicians use?

Usually, the iPad Pro models with M1 and M2 chipsets are the best choice for musicians who want to use an iPad for music production, due to their powerful hardware and software capabilities. However, the iPad is not typically the primary device used by professional musicians for music production, but rather a supplementary tool for sketching out ideas, recording demos, and performing live. However, with the advancement in technology, iPads have become more powerful and capable, and many music production apps have been developed specifically for the iOS platform.

Pros and Cons of Tablets for Music

Can a DAW be run on a tablet?

Yes, it is possible to use Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software on a tablet, such way you can have an iPad DAW, an Android DAW, and a Windows DAW to record, edit, and produce audio and music. Some of these DAW tools are free, while others require payment, but they should all allow you to complete production tasks while on the go. The idea of using DAW software programs is to provide a digital representation of a physical recording studio, allowing you to create high-quality audio for a wide range of mediums, including film, gaming, podcasting, music, UX, and more.

Can you record music on tablets?

Music can be recorded on tablets, they include built-in microphones, speakers, and capable hardware to run music encoders, as well as the ability to connect to external aftermarket tools via a USB port. There are also a plethora of music production apps that are based on Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), such as iRig and FL Studios. You have the potential to become a modern musician and use tablets as your go-to tool for creating and recording music wherever you go. To decide your options, check out our list of the best music tablets and choose from trusted brands to help improve the recording and production process by providing the best possible recording quality to meet your production needs.

Tablets vs Laptops for Music

How Professional Musicians are Revolutionizing Music Production with Tablets?

In the fast-paced world of music production, tablets are becoming increasingly popular among professional musicians. While most musicians use tablets for apps and sound tools, the versatility of tablets as a mobile version of a laptop computer has revolutionized music production. With features like metronome, timer, amp modeling, digital music, multi-track recording apps, and synths, tablets provide all the necessary tools for a musician on the go.

The rise of mobile versions of DAWs like Garageband, Auria Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, BandLab, and SoundTrap, which are easy to handle on a tablet, have further enhanced the portability and convenience of tablets for music production. With each new improvement, possibilities and capabilities increased for professional musicians to do more.

Conclusion

We thoroughly examined all of the top brand tablets from Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung, comparing both technical and practical aspects to help you with music production, from lyrics to recording, and everything in between, with capable high-end devices to help you become a successful music producer. When it comes to music production, the best quality tablet can be an invaluable tool to have worry-free usage. Whether you are a professional musician, a serious music lover, or a concert performer, having the best tablet for music can enhance your experience and provide you with the tools you need to create, perform, and enjoy listening to music to its fullest potential. Our proposed options will guide you through the process of navigating high-quality tablets and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your music needs. If you are satisfied, please leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Aleksha McLoughlin
Meet Aleksha McLoughlin, a Hardware Editor at PCCores with a background at top firms, GamesRadar, and Trusted Reviews. She's an expert in the field and your go-to source for insights and information on the latest handheld gadgets, from smartphones and tablets to wearables. Follow her for buying guides, reviews, and news coverage on components and prebuilt machines, and stay up-to-date on all the must-have tech items she carries in her handbag.

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