Best tablets in 2024 (UK)

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for a UK audience.

If you don’t have a tablet, where have you been? Along with the smartphone and laptop, the tablet is one third of the holy trinity of must-have smart devices. Strong and smooth, you can take it on the tablet anywhere. But they’re not just portable. Some have processing power that will allow you to do heavy work, creative tasks, or games.

But with so many different types of tablets and competing brands, it’s hard to find the right tablet for you. Indeed, there is no shortage of options. Which means there’s no shortage of questions to ask yourself before buying.

For example, do you want an Android tablet? Maybe an iPad? Maybe an Amazon Fire tablet would be a good fit? Fear not because we can help you answer those questions. We took the time and read reviews to find the best tablet for everyone — let alone budget. But first, here is some useful information.

Do you need a tablet?

Of course, a tablet isn’t for everyone. They may be surplus to requirements, but they are also very useful and productive. If you do a lot of video streaming and eBook reading on the go, or simply need a portable device for work and play, a tablet is probably for you. There are other benefits as well. They tend to pack a lot of battery power and run apps (of which there are thousands) at lightning speed.

What is the best operating system for a tablet?

It usually comes down to a choice of four – Apple, Android, Windows, or Fire. Each has its advantages. Apple is generally accepted as the most intelligent of the circle, with its easy-to-use interface and precise synchronization between devices.

Android is highly customizable and supported by various manufacturers (such as Samsung and Lenovo). Windows is designed as a cross-platform OS, which is highly compatible with any device. People often stick to their favorite OS – it’s a lifestyle choice as much as a technology choice – so we’ve included options for each OS. Fire is only for Amazon devices, so you’ll get Alexa and other Amazon-specific features.

What are the most important features of a tablet?

Every model and operating system has its own spin on the user experience. Not to mention all those apps. But there are a few basics to remember:

• Battery Life – Tablets outperform smartphones in battery life, but you’ll still want to make sure you’re getting the most juice for your money. Look for 10 hours or more.

• Camera – Front and rear facing cameras are standard for tablets and 12MP is decent. Although the best cameras are found in high-end tablets.

• Ports — Make sure the tablet you buy has the ports you need. Do you have wired headphones? Then make sure there is a headphone port (which is increasingly rare). Also check the USB and mini HDMI ports.

• Screen Resolution – This will be important if you are a heavy streamer or like to play games. Tablets usually have HD — 1280 x 720 — or higher.

• Speakers — You may not buy a tablet expecting great sounds, but if streaming movies and shows is your thing, good sound is a must.

• Storage – This is important for storing music, photos, and videos, as well as offline downloads from streaming sites, such as Netflix. Around 38GB is standard for a mid-priced tablet, but it can go beyond that – anything up to 1TB.

Keep these features in mind when shopping for your next tablet.

What is the best tablet for kids?

Many tablets designed for children come with parental controls. Things to keep in mind when buying a tablet for kids: screen resolution (depending on the amount of movie watching and gaming they’ll be doing), storage (they’ll probably have more apps than you), parents’ tolerance. controls (for obvious reasons), and durability (because kids drop and break things – true).

Which tablet is the best?

To make your shopping easier, we’ve ranked a selection of the best tablets according to online reviews, with popular models from top brands like Apple and Samsung making the cut. You just need to consider all these options and choose a device that meets your tablet needs.

These are the best tablets of 2024.