TABLETS HAVE YET to make themselves essential, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t nice to have around. A good tablet can be a portable TV screen around the house and a way to get some light work done away from your desktop. These slates are becoming more capable and versatile every year.
The iPad’s ease of use and best-in-breed software makes it the obvious choice for most people, but if you don’t want an iPad, there are other options. Android tablets have become useful enough to consider, and Amazon’s incredibly affordable Fire tablets are also worth it if your needs are basic. If you mostly want a laptop that can also be used as a tablet, a Windows-powered 2-in-1 might be your best bet. Our picks of the best tablets can help you decide.
Best for Most People
Apple iPad (10.2-Inch, 2019)
The standard iPad is the best buy for most people. It’s mostly the same as the 2018 model, which topped previous versions of this list. It even, somewhat disappointingly, has the same A10 Fusion processor. But worry not, it’s still plenty powerful for most use cases. (If you’re planning to do a lot of intensive work, like photo editing, you may want to look into the iPad Pro models.) On the standard iPad, we like the small .5-inch bump in screen size, which makes this latest model half an inch taller. And the Smart Connector hookup that lets you use an Apple Smart Keyboard ($99 from Amazon) means you can easily use it for most office work.
Our only real gripe remains the same as on the 2018 model—the larger air gap (space between glass and screen) compared to the iPad Air, Mini, and Pro. For this reason, the base iPad isn’t our top choice if you’re planning to make heavy use of the Apple Pencil, though it is compatible and works just fine.
Changes for the Better 