Tablets aren’t quite a laptop replacement, but they’re brilliant devices in their own right. The portability factor makes them an excellent choice for streaming and reading on the go, while some apps on powerful devices make them perfect companions for students and professionals alike.
Like smartphones, there are many options out there, and it can be hard to know what’s best for you. Fortunately, we here at Tech Advisor have tested a range of tablets across the year and have cherry-picked the best three models.
If you’re looking to keep your tablet purchase affordable, then we’ve also crowned the best budget tablet for this year. However, if you just want the best of the best, then keep on reading.
Best Tablet of the Year – Winner: Apple iPad Air 6
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Apple has consistently offered one of the best tablet experiences, and the sixth-generation iPad Air is solid proof of that.
This is the first time the iPad Air has had two size options. You can opt for the standard 11-inch model or the larger-than-life 13-inch version. Regardless of your size choice, the iPad Air has a stunning premium aluminium design and is available in four colours to suit your personality.
Apple’s M2 chip eclipses its Android competition in terms of performance, making this one of the best choices if you want to run demanding apps or games, such as editing photos or videos while you’re out and about. Plus, the big 10340mAh battery means you’ll get plenty of use out of it.
Regardless of your size choice, the iPad Air has a stunning premium aluminium design
It currently supports the latest iPadOS 18 software, which brings Apple Intelligence’s AI features to the device. The software is clean and simple and will be familiar to anyone who owns an iPhone. Plus, many apps are better optimised for iPads than Android tablets.
Pricing will depend on what option you want. The iPad Air 6 (2024) starts from £599/$599 for the 128GB 11-inch Wi-Fi model, and you’ll pay an extra £200/$200 for that larger version. If you’re looking for an iPad, this is the best all-around choice that doesn’t have the eye-watering price tag of the Pro model.
Best Tablet of the Year – First Runner-Up: OnePlus Pad 2
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
If you don’t want to buy into Apple’s walled garden, the OnePlus Pad 2 is the best Android tablet you can buy this year.
OnePlus offers one of the cleanest versions of Google’s OS on its smartphones, a sentiment that also extends to its tablets. That includes the ‘Open Canvas’ feature, which is also seen on the OnePlus Open foldable smartphone, which allows users to run up to three apps simultaneously and extend the total usable area beyond the edge of the display.
This is all packaged in a stunning glass and aluminium design, paired with a showstopping 12.1-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz – a huge win over the iPad Air, which is (still!) stuck at 60Hz. Plus, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood makes it perfectly capable of numerous tasks.
You get all of that for £499/$549, a seriously tempting price which could come down even further during the upcoming Black Friday sales.
Best Tablet of the Year – Second Runner-Up: Xiaomi Pad 6
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Are the first two picks a little expensive for your tastes? We’ve got you covered with the Xiaomi Pad 6, which has come down even further from its £369 price tag since it first launched – though it isn’t available in the US.
The front display is remarkably similar to an iPad, though it yet again bests Apple’s Air model in this area with a 144Hz 11-inch panel. The inclusion of quad speakers is also a nice touch if you’re looking for a device for music and podcasts.
While performance won’t be as impressive as the two other options on this list, the Snapdragon 870 is perfectly capable for streaming, gaming, productivity, social media and more – and it’s easy to switch between apps with no lag or stuttering.
The only real downside of this tablet is the MIUI 14 skin over Android, which has lots of bloatware and some annoying software hiccups. However, navigation is much easier on a tablet than it is on Xiaomi smartphones, with intuitive floating windows and split controls.
If you want a tablet that performs to a high standard for a more affordable price, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is the one to consider in 2024.
For more great options, see our full guide to the best tablets you can buy. You may also be interested in all the 2023-24 award winners.
