The 10 best tablets you can buy in 2016

By on July 3, 2016

10 best tablets 2016

Update: Our best tablets list has been updated in preparation for Back to School sales. Here’s the scoop before everyone makes a mad dash for the best iPad and Android tablets.

The best tablets of 2016 have maximized the mobile experience with larger displays, from Apple’s large-and-in-charge iPad Pro to Android’s Google Nexus and Samsung tablets.

And it’s more than just iOS 9 and Android Marshmallow devices, unlike the best smartphones. Windows plays a limited role with its larger laptop-replacements if that’s what you need from Lenovo and Asus.

All of our top picks posses even more versatility. Tablets for work by day, then have to be able to turn into primary sources of entertainment for kids by night, whether they’re 7 or 9.7 or 12.9 inches.

Just as important, they feature wider price ranges, more efficient processors, longer battery life and thinner and lighter designs for the first half of 2016 than years past.

Apple’s iPad, Samsung’s Galaxy and Google’s Nexus tablets get that right more than ever, especially with iOS 10 and Android N launching this year, making these the best tablets even better.

We’ve made it easy for you and pulled together the best tablets of the moment available right now.

It’s a difficult process divining which place each of these excellent tablets should occupy in our list, so we take into account multiple elements including performance, battery life, screen quality and more.

Price plays a part, as does age: a tablet that’s been replaced by a sequel will tumble down the rankings as you can get all the great features on a better slate.

If none of the best tablets here take your fancy then head on over to our tablet reviews pages, where you’ll find in-depth reviews for many more models.

Let us know your thoughts on the top 10 (and whether you think we’ve got the order wrong) in the comment box below.

iPad Pro 9.7

1. iPad Pro 9.7

A brilliant tablet that brings power to portability

See more iPad Pro 9.7 deals

Great speakers Pencil and keyboard support Pricey with accessories Not as much RAM as larger iPad Pro

The best tablet you can buy right now is the iPad Pro 9.7 – the smaller screen with powerful innards is the best combination on the market.

While there are plenty of brilliant Android tablets around at the moment, the new iPad offers a lot of the power of the larger iPad Pro, along with the Smart Keyboard and Pencil support, but brings it in a much more bag-and-palm friendly size. Oh, and those four speakers are just brilliant too!

2. Google Pixel C

This is the best Android tablet

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Fantastic screen Premium design Plenty of power

Google’s done it – the new Pixel C is the best Android tablet. The Pixel C has it all: a fantastic display, heaps of power and a premium design. Plus, for those willing to splash the cash, the keyboard is a great accessory. It’s not quite a laptop replacement, but for those in the market for a premium Android tablet – look no further.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

A top notch iPad rival

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Thinner, lighter design Rare expandable memory Improved interface

There are plenty of reasons to invest in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 – especially if you’re after a top Android tablet. This is the best tablet that Samsung has ever produced – it’s both reading and web surfing-friendly and you can pick it up in 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants. Almost impossibly thin, pumped full of power and with a slicker interface it gives the iPad Air 2 a real run for its money.

iPad mini 4

4. iPad mini 4

The best small-screen tablet

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Brilliant screen Sleek design Touch ID finger scanner

The best 7-inch tablet at the moment is definitely the iPad mini 4. If you like the look of Apple’s iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro, but find them a) too big, b) too expensive or c) both? Well you’re in luck as the diminutive iPad mini 4 gives you the best of Apple’s tablet world in a form factor which is not only beautiful, but highly portable.

5. Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Lighter, faster, waterproof… a real iPad Air 2 rival

See more Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet deals

Gorgeous display Improved lightweight design Keyboard dock included

The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is the best option for PS4 owners as it allows you to stream games from your console direct to the tablet when you’re in another room of your house. Link up your PS4 controller to the Z4 Tablet and you’ll be gaming in bed, in the kitchen and on the toilet. The included keyboard dock in the box also makes for a great stand.

6. iPad Pro

Apple’s biggest slate isn’t its best, but it’s not far off

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Expansive screen Hugely powerful Great speakers

The iPad Pro won’t be for everyone, but for those it does appeal to you’re unlikely to find a better tablet for your needs. Whether its graphics, multi-tasking or providing a pseudo-Mac experience when you’re away from the office the iPad Pro is capable of so much. Even the Pencil – hilarious name aside – is an impressive tool for a particular niche. For pro’s, this is the best tablet out there and for some it’s more than capable of replacing a laptop.

Nexus 9

7. Nexus 9

A perfect all round Android tablet

See more Nexus 9 deals

Great value for money Stock Android experience Solid performance

Originally a rather expensive Google-branded tablet, the Nexus 9 has now dropped so much in price it’s the best value tablet out there. There’s a whole load of power, stock Android and a high res screen making it a great all-round tablet at a very affordable price.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact

8. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Compact, portable and powerful

See more Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact deals

Great battery life Very thin and light Waterproof body

Tablets don’t have to be big and cumbersome, and the rather clumsily named Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is testament to just that. It’s not Sony’s best tablet – that goes to the Z4 further up the page, but it’s super-slim profile, waterproof chassis, bright display and solid line up of specs means it’ll comfortably slip in your bag and won’t baulk at the first sign of rain.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

9. Microsoft Surface Pro 4

The tablet that can replace your laptop

See more Microsoft Surface Pro 4 deals

Larger, sharper screen Vastly improved Type Cover Built in kickstand

Can a tablet really replace your laptop or home PC? That’s still up for debate, but the best tablet trying to make that happen is the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – and it does a fine job with the full blown version of Windows 10, an integrated kickstand and optional keyboard attachment. Great for for creative professionals, students and everyday folks alike.

10. iPad Air 2

The iPad Air 2 is still a good choice

See more iPad Air 2 deals

SleekSuperbly powerfulUnbeatable app selection

Until the iPad Pro 9.7, this was the best tablet in the world. Even though it has been replaced by Apple, it’s still a brilliant tablet that has further raised the bar for the rest of the competition in terms of build quality, features and performance. The best part is this is now cheaper thanks to the release of the iPad Pro 9.7. Apple’s range of tablet-optimised apps and a slick user interface makes the iPad Air 2 extremely versatile while also being incredibly easy, and enjoyable, to use.

Tablet apps

As with today’s best smartphones, applications play a big role on tablets – once you’ve decided which of these tablets is right for you, check out our top app lists so you can get your fill of Temple Run, update your friends on Facebook and read the latest news, all on a bigger screen.

Best tablets upcoming in 2016

If you’re not quite ready to part with your cash, then take a look at the slates which will be coming out this year. A few have launched but we’re waiting for them to come in for review before seeing if they make it into the top 10, while others are based on rumours but we feel confident they will arrive in 2016.

Samsung Galaxy TabPro S

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S

Windows 10 where you’d expect Android to be

Sleek design Good use of Windows 10 Poor keyboard Plastic design

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S was unveiled at the very start of 2016 and boasts a great screen, solid build and Windows 10 – but you can’t buy it just yet. It’s an odd device, but one that works better than we expected it to. The keyboard dock isn’t great, with a cramped mouse and keys which aren’t the easiest to type on – but over all Samsung’s made a solid Windows slate.

Huawei MateBook

Solid design Keyboard accessory No MicroSDS card slot Only one USB port

Huawei’s first Windows 10 device is a well-designed 2-in-1 that rivals the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro in places. It’s a promising, yet pricey, first 2-in-1 from the Chinese company, managing to feel fresh despite arriving late to the party.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Sony Xperia Z6 Tablet

The high-end waterproof tablet

Things have gone a bit pear-shaped in Sony’s camp in 2016. After we expect it to launch either the flagship Xperia Z6 or Xperia Z6 Tablet (or both) at MWC 2016, Sony did neither – instead launching the confusing new X series instead. That’s left the talk of the Xperia Z6 Tablet a little up in the air. Will we ever see this tablet? We’re not sure, but eyes are now on IFA 2016 in Berlin this September.

Tips for Sony: what we want to see on the Sony Xperia Z6 Tablet

iPad mini 4

iPad Mini 5

Thinner, lighter and even more portable?

The popular iPad mini range has won fans around the world, probably due to the fact it’s the cheapest iPad offering in Apple’s range. While the arrival of the iPad mini 5 in 2016 is likely, there’s a small question mark around whether Apple will bother after criticism for its less than impressive iPad mini 3 update. If it does arrive expect more power with a new processor, iOS 10 on screen and the same premium metal body.

What it needs to beat: iPad mini 4

Source: techradar.com

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25 Comments

Reply Lorena Tillman July 3, 2016 at 1:53 pm

yes you can,
look it up….
Reply Kaci Gibson July 3, 2016 at 5:44 pm

BAM!
Reply Clark Wyman July 3, 2016 at 5:47 pm

If Microsoft being in the OS game is stopping you from getting on with your life, may I suggest that it's time for you to get a life? By the way, you do know that Microsoft has 90% of the installed desktop OS systems in the world don't you?
Reply Dr. Carol Tremblay July 4, 2016 at 1:08 am

Good lord. Parking is their fault? Being busy is their fault?

I am all for reasonable complaints, and I am far from a fanboy. But you're a damn moron.
Reply Dr. Jarrell Corkery Sr. July 4, 2016 at 3:55 am

I had a $1,400 ASUS laptop. It needed the Geek Squad multiple times. Finally scraped it 14 months later and bought a MacBook Pro. I will never go back.
Reply Sabryna Murray July 4, 2016 at 5:32 am

The real challenge is to write an article entitled "The Best $100 Tablets for 2016".
Reply Blair Reynolds July 4, 2016 at 2:05 pm

I have tried at least three times to migrate from Apple to Android devices including my "smart phone". All the hype makes it SOUND easy yo switch, but IT AIN'T!!!! iPhone with a Mac Computer (any Mac) no problem syncing data, (contacts, notes, etc). It was when I started looking of the "package" that did the same thing for using the Android units. Answer, sift through hundreds of Apps that all claim to work "just like" the Mac/Apple system! THEY LIE! I started loading some "works just like the Apple/Mac" that were recommended at one of the better known (and trusted) web sites. Didn't work at all or only partially worked. What mess clearing all of the crap left behind!!! Plug in my iPhone, iTunes pops up as does iPhoto. Syncs pretty much unassisted! FAR CRY FROM ANYTHING that Android offered, AS FAR AS I COULD EASILY FIND!!!
Reply Emelie Johnson DDS July 4, 2016 at 9:24 pm

The Nvidia Shield is looking pretty good to me especcially the 32GB version with LTE for only $399. .amzn.to/1C1EDPH
Reply Milo Morar July 5, 2016 at 9:57 am

You sound like a Republican.
Reply Sammie Stokes July 5, 2016 at 10:57 am

no windows surface? this list is such a joke
Reply Isac Yundt July 5, 2016 at 2:09 pm

RecPad 10 is probably best tablet I owned and I went through few of them. Everything about this tablet says quality. But the best part about s not the tablet, its out of this world support. If you have problem, company will bend backwards to resolve it.
Reply Dr. Scotty Hilpert July 5, 2016 at 3:28 pm

i look first at display ..samsung OLED and apple's IPS display.
i also look at battery mah..two important factors for me
Reply Chaya Kuhlman July 5, 2016 at 6:43 pm

Where's the Shield? and how are the comments below from 1-2 years ago? this article is dated May 2015. Or is this some general comment area?
Reply Benton Champlin July 6, 2016 at 5:45 am

I worked as a Genius. I worked there while working as a Grad Student towards my PHD. My boss had graduated from Vanderbilt, but was doing it as a side job.

Aka, jus stop.
Reply Tony Cummings July 6, 2016 at 6:25 am

Kindle Fire HDX is the worst tablet I have come across. I paid about $475 in Feb. 2014 and I deeply regret having bought that POS!! Most apps that you can download on Apple, Nexus, Samsung, etc. cannot be downloaded on to the KF! I even wrote to Jeff Bezos with no response. Crappy product!!
Reply Mr. Adan Bayer IV July 6, 2016 at 7:40 am

"and is excellent for media and internet viewing, which is really the point of a tablet"

Where do reviewers get off, thinking they are in a position to determine what the real point is of a given device?
I don't need a tablet to view stuff, but if I want to work or draw or design stuff, then I need a tablet, if I must do it away from the office.

And so, I expect everyone to be wanting something different from Tablets… there is no fixed 'point' of a tablet. A lot of people probably shouldn't have one at all.

Next they go into blathering about design, making up justifications for their totally subjective likes and dislikes that are of no concern to anyone.
Reply Prof. Jasper Walker DVM July 6, 2016 at 8:05 am

Why wasn't the Nvidia Shield Tablet included? Its better than half the ones on the list.
Reply Prof. Kareem Bogisich July 6, 2016 at 10:01 am

I'm not tech savvy and never owned an apple product before. But I have tried several tablets, Walmart will take them back within 15 days no questions asked. I tried next book 8 fail, Lenovo tab 2 a-10 fail, kindle fire hdx 8.9 newest edition, it was alright but hated the Interface. Debated between Galaxy Tab s 10.5, tab s2 9.7 and iPad Air 2. I chose iPad Air 2. I got it for a steal, after all was said and done.with Amazon and the run around they gave me, I was credited back an extra 100 bucks for all my troubles, and got price match at Walmart for 399. So in all actuality I paid 300 for my iPad Air 2. I would still be happy if I paid 399. This table is beautiful. Faster than my laptop. Faster than any tablet I've tried. I ran benchmark tests, which I don't know much about but mine was over 70,000. Which is faster than any other on the market. I keep hearing the tab s2 is fast, but air 2 is faster. No flash on camera, but it takes such good and clear pictures. Love the fingerprint scanner. With the 9 so it does split screen multi task, runs 2 apps at once. Plays any game I could ask for. And as far as App Store, true there aren't as many, but that's only because there is no junk. All other app stores are full of trash. The volume is awesome. The picture is beautiful, the screen is anti glare. I've had it for about 2 months and I just love it. And since I bought it at Walmart, I got a 2 year accidental drop/spill plan for 50 bucks. No deductible. I agree with this opinion, it is still the best of the best. Outdoes samsungs newest offering.
Reply Prof. Forrest Durgan July 6, 2016 at 2:45 pm

I've used the iPad Air 2, a mini, a galaxy note 10", and a nexus 7. In terms of hardware, I've found the iPad Air to outmatch the rest in a spectacular way. The processor is ridiculous, the OS and apps feel super snappy and I tried a couple cross-platform benchmarks and it beat or was around the same as my s6, and no other tablet has the processor of the s6 (the nexus 9 comes close, but it has some optimization issues)". In all, I don't think there's even any software written for the air that takes advantage of what's available.

The camera is the best on a tablet, the screen is gorgeous, battery life is great, Touch ID is a great addition, and this thing feels awesome to hold without a cover. I honestly think that this is Apple's flagship mobile device, over the iPhones. I'd grab this over a nexus 9 or Nvdia tablet any day. I just wish it had an active digitizer for note taking.. That's my only irk.

As for an ecosystem, Android is nowhere near having the amount of high quality apps for tablets as iOS. Don't get me wrong, I prefer Android for phones, but Android apps tend to be stretched out versions of the phone apps whereas iPad apps are immersive, delightful experiences all on their own. No comparison.

Windows tablets? Their ecosystem in terms of mobile-specific apps (I.e. Metro apps) is just utterly lacking in quality and even quantity. Now, if you want to use one of these as a laptop replacement and use desktop style apps, then of course windows tablets/2-1s are about the only option (you can try with an iPad, but it's not worth it IMO). For a tablet experience though (consuming media, standalone native apps, tablet specific UI, etc) windows tablets are pretty bad and I don't think they're great at being a laptop either, so you get the best of neither worlds.

So yes, and I say this as a multi-platform user (Android, iOS, windows, Linux, & OS X), the iPad Air 2 is by far the best tablet on the market at the moment. Don't let any Apple-haters convince you otherwise, they're as bad or worse than iSheep.
Reply Lonnie Reichel July 6, 2016 at 2:52 pm

iPad Air 2 runs like a dream, is why. It's very hard to appreciate unless you have to use it for work-related tasks like professional live music performance, etc. Just blows everything else out of the water. It's fanboy-ism, it's scientific reality. Not that the android tabs are bad; they have their uses. I use Sony tablet to run emulators that aren't available for iOS, like the TI-89 calculator one. But sadly even though it was released after iPad 3, it can't run the latest android version.
Reply Demario Beatty July 6, 2016 at 6:03 pm

mine didnt llol guess i was lucky or know how to take care of stuff
Reply Elsie Labadie July 6, 2016 at 6:53 pm

I had an Android tablet for for over 3 years and it did it's job. But I have always wanted a Windows tablet. I finally bought one with Windows 8.1 installed and within a couple of days upgraded to a free Windows 10. Will never go back to Android. I gave my Android tablet to my ex-girlfriend. Now almost any software I use on my Windows home PC can also be used on my tablet. And Windows 10 has a better start screen than Windows 8.1 for apps on the tablet comparable to android. So, if you are in a market for a tablet, consider one that has Windows on it.
Reply Norwood Muller July 7, 2016 at 1:49 am

SP4 at #9, and surface 3 at $499 doesn't even make the list, behind 2 iPad Mini's. Right…no bias here.
Reply Mr. Rasheed Smitham I July 7, 2016 at 2:08 am

Not saying I agree with this list but just wondering, how can the number one tablet on the list drop to number 10 after an update is released, dropping below a bunch of tablets that it used to be above, when the only change is that it's cheaper? the iPad Air 2 is the same tablet it was a month ago, nothing on it has changed, so how is it now worse than the others on this list, when a month ago it was better than them? If you were true to the list the iPad air 2 would be in the number 2 spot, or does not having the 128 gb version available make the difference between number 1 and number 10?
Reply Haleigh Schulist July 7, 2016 at 2:51 am

Your first review is linked to the screen protector at walmart. It's not 5.05 for the tablet.