Apple iPad (A16)
The sensible default for most households.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Tablets of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best tablet in 2026 is the Apple iPad (A16). It tops our ranking with 9.3 out of 10.
Our tablet picks
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
A budget Android tablet with an 11-inch 90Hz screen and a microSD slot, good for streaming, school and the kids.
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Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
A very cheap 10-inch slate for streaming, reading and family use.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 tablets, compared
We compared 21 tablets sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. These ten cover iPads, Samsung, OnePlus, Lenovo and Xiaomi Android tablets and a Fire model, from an 8-inch mini and 10-inch family slates to 13-inch drawing and work machines, across a wide price range. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Apple iPad (A16)Best Choice
9.3 out of 10
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2
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)Best Premium
9.3 out of 10
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- 3 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+Value for Money 9.0 out of 10 Check Price
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4
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)Best Budget
8.8 out of 10
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5
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
8.8 out of 10
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6
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
8.7 out of 10
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7
Xiaomi Pad 7
8.6 out of 10
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8
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro
8.6 out of 10
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9
OnePlus Pad 3
8.5 out of 10
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10
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+
8.4 out of 10
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No. 1 and No. 2 are level
The Apple iPad (A16) and the Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) score the same, so either is a safe pick. The Apple iPad (A16) goes first because it leaves owners a little happier.
The full tablet reviews
1.Apple iPad (A16)
The sensible default for most households. An 11-inch screen, the A16 chip and Apple's long update record cover browsing, streaming, study and games without fuss.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 11-inch Liquid Retina screen with a 128GB starting size
- A16 chip with 6GB of RAM handles school work and mainstream games smoothly
- Works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio
- iPadOS gets updates for many years, so it holds its value and stays secure
Keep in mind
- The screen is not laminated and has no anti-glare coating, so it reflects light more than the Air
- No microSD slot, so extra space means paying for a bigger model or using iCloud
- Pencil and keyboard are extras and add a lot to the real cost
2.Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
The small one. An 8.3-inch screen and the A17 Pro chip fit a bag or a coat pocket, and suit reading, travel, notes and games.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 8.3-inch Liquid Retina screen in a body that weighs under 300g
- A17 Pro chip handles demanding games and Apple Intelligence features
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro for notes and sketches
- USB-C port and 128GB starting storage
Keep in mind
- The screen is small for split-screen work or typing on a keyboard
- No microSD slot, so extra space means a dearer model or iCloud
- Costs more than larger Android tablets with similar chips
3.Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
A budget Android tablet with an 11-inch 90Hz screen and a microSD slot, good for streaming, school and the kids.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is9th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 11-inch 90Hz screen, larger and smoother than most budget tablets
- microSD slot for cheap extra storage
- Full Google Play access, unlike Fire tablets
- Quad speakers and a metal body
Keep in mind
- Snapdragon 695 is slow, and demanding games stutter
- The 64GB model is cramped once apps and downloads pile up
- It is an older design, and Samsung now promotes a newer Tab A model
4.Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
A very cheap 10-inch slate for streaming, reading and family use. Fire OS suits Amazon services, though it lacks Google Play.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is10th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 screen with 3GB of RAM
- Up to 13 hours of battery life
- microSD slot for extra storage
- Works well with Prime Video, Kindle and Alexa
Keep in mind
- Ads on the lock screen on the cheaper version
- No Google Play, so some apps need workarounds or are missing
- Slow when switching between apps and in games
5.Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
A strong mid-range Android pick. It comes with an S Pen, is water resistant and gets Samsung's long update promise.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it5th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 10.9-inch 90Hz screen that suits streaming and reading
- S Pen included in the box
- IP68 dust and water resistance, rare at this level
- microSD slot and a long-lasting 8000mAh battery
Keep in mind
- The LCD screen is not as rich as the AMOLED panels on Samsung's dearer tablets
- Exynos 1580 is slower than the chips in rivals at a similar level
- Several non-UK versions are sold on Amazon, so check the listing says UK version
6.Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
The step up for students and creative users who want headroom. The M4 chip and 12GB of RAM keep multitasking smooth, and the laminated screen suits drawing and writing.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- M4 chip with 12GB of RAM for heavy multitasking and long-term use
- Laminated Liquid Retina display that is pleasant to draw and write on
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard
- Wi-Fi 7 and Touch ID in an 11-inch body that is easy to carry
Keep in mind
- Costs far more than the standard iPad, and the Pencil and keyboard add more
- 128GB starting storage fills quickly if you download films or shoot video
- No Face ID, and no microSD slot
7.Xiaomi Pad 7
A sharp, fast mid-range Android tablet for the money. The 11.2-inch 3.2K screen and big battery suit streaming and study.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 11.2-inch 3200 x 2136 screen at up to 144Hz
- Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, fast for the price
- 8850mAh battery with 45W charging
- Light at about 500g
Keep in mind
- Pen and keyboard are extras
- Some Amazon listings are global imports with a different warranty, so choose the UK version
- HyperOS adds Xiaomi apps and has a shorter update promise than Samsung
8.Lenovo Idea Tab Pro
A large 12.7-inch 3K screen at a mid-range price. It suits films, notes and light work, and some versions include a pen.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 12.7-inch 3K screen at up to 144Hz
- Dimensity 8300 chip with 8GB of RAM
- Some versions include a pen
- microSD slot and JBL-tuned speakers
Keep in mind
- Lenovo's update promise is shorter than Samsung's or Apple's
- Several versions are sold, and not all include the pen or a case
- Heavy and wide for one-handed reading
9.OnePlus Pad 3
A very fast Android tablet for the price. A Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 13.2-inch 144Hz screen and fast charging suit gaming and media.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB of RAM for smooth gaming and multitasking
- 13.2-inch 3.4K screen at up to 144Hz
- 12,140mAh battery with 80W fast charging
- Eight speakers for loud, wide sound
Keep in mind
- No microSD slot
- The stylus and keyboard are sold separately
- Big and heavy for reading one-handed
10.Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+
Samsung's new large-screen Android flagship. A 12.6-inch display, 12GB of RAM and an included S Pen suit drawing, note-taking and desktop-style work.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it10th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 12.6-inch screen with up to 1600 nits peak brightness
- Dimensity 9500 chip with 12GB of RAM
- S Pen is in the box, and a microSD slot takes cards up to 2TB
- Samsung promises seven software updates
Keep in mind
- The charger is not in the box
- Very expensive, and few owner reports exist yet because it is new
- Android tablet apps are still less polished than iPad versions
Before you buy a tablet
Should I buy an iPad or an Android tablet?
Pick an iPad if you want the smoothest apps, the longest software support and the best resale value. Pick Android if you want a cheaper price, a microSD slot or a bigger screen for the money, and Samsung gives the longest update promise on that side. Amazon's Fire tablets run Fire OS, which suits Amazon services but has no Google Play. None of these run Windows apps, so for laptop-style work use a keyboard case and split-screen mode.
How much should I spend on a tablet?
A budget tablet is fine for streaming and reading. Spend more for a faster chip, a brighter screen and longer updates. Extras change the real cost: a pencil or keyboard can add a lot, so total it up before you choose. Prices change often, so check the live listing.
How much storage do I need on a tablet?
128GB suits most people who stream and use cloud storage. If you download films, store photos or play big games, go for 256GB. A microSD slot, found on the Samsung, Lenovo and Fire tablets here, is the cheapest way to add space, while iPads and the OnePlus Pad 3 have none.
What screen size is best for a tablet, 8 inch or 10 inch and above?
An 8-inch tablet such as the iPad mini is best for reading and travel. 10 to 11 inches suits most people for streaming, study and browsing. 12 inches and above is better for drawing, note-taking and work with a keyboard. Larger tablets are heavier and harder to hold for long. Screen type matters as well: AMOLED has richer colour, a laminated screen reduces reflections, and a higher refresh rate makes scrolling smoother.
How long do tablets last and how many software updates will I get?
Apple supports iPads for many years, and Samsung promises seven updates on its newest flagship. Budget Android and Fire tablets get far less, so they are best treated as a shorter-term buy. A faster chip and more RAM also keep a tablet usable for longer. Battery wear shows after a few years of daily charging.
Is a cheap tablet good enough for streaming, school or kids?
Yes for streaming and school work. A budget tablet's screen is dimmer and its chip slower, so heavy games and many open apps will feel slow. For kids, a Fire tablet with Amazon Kids profiles or a Samsung with Google Family Link gives parental controls, and Amazon sells Kids editions with a case and a warranty. Wi-Fi only models cost less, and a phone hotspot covers most trips.
How we ranked these ten tablets
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 21 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.
How we rank, in full