The tablet, which is midway between a smartphone and a laptop, is still popular. Find out which tablet to buy by reading this guide to the best tablets available in 2022.
Even if the tablet market is not as active as before, some people still appreciate the industry. Tablets have touch screens ranging in size from 8 to 13 inches, and fit between smartphones and laptops. With iPads, which are the best models available regardless of price range, Apple has historically dominated the tablet market.
With more powerful processors and peripherals like keyboards making tablets more than just a hybrid device, tablets are now even further ahead of ultrafast PCs. More and more features that were previously exclusive to desktop operating systems are being included in their operating systems. It is now possible to switch from an ultrabook to a tablet, especially on Apple models that are of particular interest from software providers such as Adobe or Microsoft.
Tablets make great portable entertainment systems or family computing devices. It can also be useful for students, especially those studying art who might use a pen with them.
Which tablets are best for your needs and budget? Check out our guide to making the best choice.
How do you choose the best tablet for you?
The popularity of tablets has declined as smartphones have increased in size. This explains why, with the help of keyboards or pens, they are increasingly focusing on productivity. As a result, while high-end tablets are still excellent devices for web navigation and entertainment, they are mainly evolving into tools for creation. Also, the less expensive products always make excellent secondary devices for watching Netflix or Disney + on the go.
The number of brands that are still actively competing in the market has decreased significantly as a result of the decline in the tablet market. Apple and Samsung are the two giants that control the majority of the market. Other manufacturers have recently returned or entered the market. This is the case with Xiaomi, which offers a high-quality, affordable Android tablet, as well as Realme and Huawei.
Now that smartphones come with 7-inch screens, we suggest switching to tablets of 10 inches or more to get the most out of your tablet. Smaller devices, as large as 8 inches, may be justified in some unique circumstances. With the Fire HD 8 model, Amazon is also providing a middle ground that may be attractive to some.
Top 5 best tablets available in the market in 2022
Apple iPad Air M1 (2022): The best iPad
Comparing the iPad Air to the iPad Pro is more relevant to the 2022 model. The Bionic chip in the latest tablet version has been replaced by the Apple M1 CPU. The guarantee is to provide you with power comparable to that of MacBooks or even the iPad Pro.
Since the lines of the new tablet haven’t changed, Apple is staying conservative in the design department. The screen is still 10.9 inches and has a Full HD display. It also provides a standard 60Hz refresh rate. In addition, iPad Air offers optional 5G compatibility. Simply put, it is the best tablet currently available in the market for its price. For the entry-level model with 64GB of storage, the new iPad Air costs $599.
We recommend spending money on a case and keyboard if you want to turn it into a more serious work PC. We chose the Logitech Folio for this category because of its impressive build quality, keyboard comfort, and touchpad inclusion.
Find the iPad Air too bulky? Now you can have access to the updated iPad mini, which features an 8.3-inch display, Apple A15 processor, and a more modern design. Although it costs a bit more, it’s a great little alternative to the iPad Air.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: The best Android tablet out there
Samsung is the only company that can challenge Apple’s dominance in the tablet market. The Korean manufacturer is trying to test the limits of its capabilities with the new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The score is undoubtedly not enough to match the iPad Pro M1, but Android users will still be able to access their accounts.
First, be aware of the size of the tablet. It offers an amazing 14.6-inch display that has a notch at the top. Samsung’s touchscreen is of the highest standard, as usual. You’re entitled to a 120Hz refresh rate plus good contrast. To experience the best possible performance, keep the mode in Vivid.
In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a powerful inner strength. In fact, the tablet has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. It is among the best that you can use with Android as it enables you to run any software at its full potential. The Apple M1 chip is the only one that beats the Snapdragon processor. Finally, the tablet offers a full day of battery life.
It’s not the least expensive option on our list, coming in at $1,099. Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a very high-quality product, as its testing suggests.
Our recommendation is to look at the previous generation tablets if you want to spend a little money and still get a tablet that performs well. The Galaxy Tab S7+ is still great in this case, but it has a less powerful processor and touch screen.
Apple iPad 10 (2022): The best iPad available on the cheap
With the iPad 10th generation, Apple updates this entry-level tablet in its catalog as it does every year. The price of this tablet has increased slightly due to inflation, as it exceeded $ 449, but in return, the iPad 10 offers some useful new features. The appearance of the USB-C port in particular is helpful.
Above all, iPadOS software for iPad 10 provides a complete user experience. This device is full of tools and applications. Daily use is really fun. On the other hand, the Apple A14 Bionic chip provides the internal power. Depending on the version chosen, it comes with 64 or 256 GB of storage. The performance offered is adequate for most use cases, but if you want to go the extra mile, you should use the M1.
The iPad 10 has a two-day battery life without experiencing any major issues. The tablet charges 100% in an hour and a half using the 120W charger included in the box. Another thing about the screen. The 10.9-inch LCD panel has respectable brightness, which in our testing measured at 501 cd/m2. It is precisely calibrated for everyday use.
The increased price of the iPad 10 is the only real drawback compared to the previous generation. If you want a product that will last over time, in our opinion, you should make this investment.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 M1: The most powerful iPad
By incorporating the same Apple M1 processor as the MacBook Pro M1, performance increases as a result, and as an added benefit, application development is much simpler. This is the case for the iPad Pro 12.9 with M1 chip. It’s the most powerful iPad in the lineup.
There are still more changes to come as Apple adds a mini-LED panel to its most expensive tablet. Mini-LED technology, which is already used in some TVs, provides increased brightness and, most importantly, a higher contrast ratio. Please be aware that the 11-inch model does not have the latest screen technology; Only the 12.9-inch model works.
Since it’s got a 12MP wide-angle sensor, the front camera also gets a nice improvement. The latter keeps you in the picture at all times during video chats using the power of the M1 to provide excellent tracking functionality.
A brand new (and incredibly expensive) keyboard called the Magic Keyboard is included with this new iPad Pro. When used with this accessory, iPad Pro blurs the line between tablet and PC. It clearly stands out as the best tablet for work in general. Its price is also similar to a high-end computer.
Xiaomi Pad 5: The best Android tablet
While very active in the field of smartphones, Xiaomi is now playing great in the tablet market. With this Pad 5, which is directly fighting the Apple iPad 10, the situation has changed.
It uses a 16:10 format and features an attractive design and aluminum construction. The 11-inch screen provides a generally acceptable picture. We greatly appreciated its 120Hz compatibility, which isn’t really uncommon at this price point. The inclusion of the Snapdragon 860 is also a welcome surprise. The chip is powerful and excels in gaming in particular. There is nothing wrong with autonomy. Depending on the needs, we will usually have about 10 hours.
As usual with Xiaomi MIUI, included in version 12.5, provides the software component. Overall, the user experience is positive, despite the fact that issues with Android tablet apps cannot be fixed by the user interface alone.
Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the title of the best affordable Android tablet in this guide. It’s a reliable mid-range device that will appeal to people who don’t like iPads. Find our review of the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 for additional details.