This article originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been modified for the UK audience.
Is it the right moment for a tablet upgrade? Surely, no household can be without one. Alongside the smartphone and laptop, a tablet constitutes one third of the essential group of indispensable smart devices. Sleek and compact, a tablet is effectively a computer that you can take anywhere.
Indeed, tablets are not solely about portability. Some possess processing power and specifications suitable for serious work, creative endeavors, and gaming. In fact, it can be challenging to find your ideal tablet because there are a multitude of options designed to meet various smart device requirements.
Just pose the crucial questions: Are you an Apple or Android user? Is Alexa a necessity? Do you need a tablet for heavy graphic design or casual streaming? What kind of battery life is essential? And should it be suitable for children? These inquiries will ultimately determine which tablet suits your needs. To assist in navigating the terminology, we’ve compiled a brief guide and chosen the finest tablets for 2025.
Do you require a tablet?
Certainly, a tablet isn’t suitable for everyone. It may be unnecessary, but they are also extremely useful and efficient. If you engage in a lot of video streaming and eBook reading while on the move, or if you simply need a portable device for both work and leisure, a tablet is likely for you. There are additional advantages as well. They typically boast ample battery life and manage apps (of which there are thousands) at exceptional speeds.
Which tablet operating system is the best?
It usually boils down to a selection of four — Apple, Android, Windows, or Fire. Each offers its own advantages. Apple iOS — or in this case, iPadOS — is generally regarded as the most polished all-rounder, featuring a user-friendly interface and seamless syncing across devices.
Android provides greater customizability and is supported by numerous manufacturers (such as Samsung and Lenovo). Windows functions as a cross-platform OS, suitable for virtually any device. Fire is a variant of Android and is utilized on Amazon products, granting you access to Alexa and other Amazon-exclusive functionalities.
Smart device users typically remain loyal to their chosen OS — it’s a lifestyle decision as much as a technological preference — hence we’ve included choices for each operating system.
What features are available on tablets?
Every model and operating system presents its unique interpretation of the user experience. Not to mention all those apps. However, there are several fundamental aspects worth considering:
Battery Life — Tablets surpass smartphones in terms of battery longevity, yet you’ll still want to ensure you receive ample power for your investment. Aim for 10 hours or more.
Camera — Front and rear-facing cameras are quite common on tablets, with 12MP being fairly decent. Even superior cameras are featured in high-end tablets.
Ports — Confirm that the tablet you’re purchasing includes the requisite ports. Do you own wired headphones? Then ensure there’s a headphone jack (which is becoming increasingly rare). Also, check for USB and micro HDMI ports.
Screen Resolution — This is crucial if you’re an avid streamer or enjoy gaming. Tablets generally exhibit HD — 1280 x 720 — or superior resolutions.
Speakers — While you may not purchase a tablet anticipating fantastic audio, if streaming movies and shows is your passion, decent sound quality is essential.
Storage — This is vital for storing music, photos, and videos, as well as offline downloads from streaming platforms, such as <a href="https://mashable.com/category/netflix" target="_blank" data