Most people buy a tablet for the same few things: streaming, reading, browsing from the couch, taking notes and keeping kids entertained. For that, you don’t need the most expensive model. The bigger decisions are iPad or Android, which size, and whether you’ll use a stylus or keyboard.
2026 brought a new M4 iPad Air in March and an OLED iPad mini in the fall. Apple also raised iPad prices in June 2026, so the launch prices below may be lower than what you see today. Samsung’s lineup is led by the Galaxy Tab S11, with cheaper FE and A-series models below it.
Quick verdict
Best for most people: iPad (A16): the simplest, most affordable way into iPad, now with 128GB.
Best all-rounder: iPad Air (M4): near-Pro performance and Apple Pencil Pro support.
Best Android value: Galaxy Tab S10 FE: S Pen included in the box.
Compare the ten picks
| Pick | Best for | Screen | Stylus | Launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. iPad (A16) | Most people | 11″ LCD | Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately | $349 |
| 02. iPad Air 11″ (M4) | All-rounder | 11″ LCD | Apple Pencil Pro, sold separately | $599 |
| 03. iPad mini (OLED) | Portability | 8.5″ OLED | Sold separately | $699 |
| 04. iPad Pro 11″ (M5) | Pro creative work | 11″ tandem OLED | Apple Pencil Pro, sold separately | $999 |
| 05. Galaxy Tab S10 FE | Android value | 10.9″ LCD, 90Hz | S Pen included | $499.99 |
| 06. Galaxy Tab S11 | Premium Android | 11″ AMOLED | S Pen included | Check current price |
| 07. Galaxy Tab A11+ | Budget Android | 11″ LCD, 90Hz | No | $249.99 |
| 08. Amazon Fire HD 10 | Cheapest streaming | 10.1″ LCD | No | $139.99 |
| 09. Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ | Big screen on a budget | 13.1″ LCD, 90Hz | S Pen included | $649.99 |
| 10. Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra | Biggest screen | 14.6″ AMOLED | S Pen included | About $1,200 |
The picks and their trade-offs
01. Apple iPad (A16): best for most people
The entry-level iPad covers everything most people use a tablet for, and it now starts with 128GB of storage instead of 64GB. It has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, USB-C, Touch ID and support for the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Magic Keyboard Folio. It launched at $349 in 2025; Apple raised prices in 2026, but retailers frequently discount it.
Key specs: 11-inch Liquid Retina LCD · A16 chip · 128GB base · USB-C · Touch ID · Apple Pencil (USB-C) support
Pros: Huge app library · Simple to use · Good value on sale
Cons: No Apple Intelligence · No laminated display · Doesn’t support Apple Pencil Pro
Buy it if: You want a dependable tablet for streaming, reading and light schoolwork.
Skip it if: You’ll draw seriously or want Apple Intelligence. Get the Air.
02. Apple iPad Air (M4): best all-rounder
Released in March 2026, the M4 iPad Air is the sweet spot of Apple’s lineup. The M4 chip is far more than most people will ever need, it supports Apple Intelligence and the Apple Pencil Pro, and it comes in 11-inch ($599 at launch) and 13-inch ($799 at launch) sizes. It’s the iPad to buy if you want it to last many years.
Key specs: 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina LCD · M4 chip · 128GB base · Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support · Apple Intelligence
Pros: Excellent performance · Long software support · Two sizes
Cons: LCD rather than OLED · Accessories add a lot to the cost
Buy it if: You want an iPad for drawing, note-taking, light editing or as a laptop alternative.
Skip it if: You only stream and browse. The base iPad is enough.
03. Apple iPad mini (OLED): best for portability
The new iPad mini moves to an 8.5-inch OLED display and the A20 Pro chip. It’s small enough to hold in one hand for reading and light enough to carry everywhere, which makes it popular for travel, e-books and handwritten notes. It starts at $699 following Apple’s price increases this year.
Key specs: 8.5-inch OLED · A20 Pro · Apple Pencil support · USB-C
Pros: Gorgeous OLED screen · Very portable · Fast chip
Cons: Expensive for its size · Small screen for split-screen work
Buy it if: You want a tablet you’ll actually carry everywhere.
Skip it if: You watch a lot of video or use a keyboard. A bigger iPad is more practical.
04. Apple iPad Pro (M5): best for pro creative work
The iPad Pro has Apple’s best tablet display, a tandem OLED panel, and the M5 chip. It starts with 256GB and comes in 11-inch ($999 at launch) and 13-inch sizes. It’s built for artists, video editors and anyone who pushes their tablet hard.
Key specs: 11-inch or 13-inch tandem OLED · M5 chip · 256GB base · Apple Pencil Pro · Thunderbolt
Pros: Stunning display · Top performance · Very thin and light
Cons: Expensive, especially with accessories · iPadOS still isn’t a full desktop OS
Buy it if: Your work depends on the best screen and speed.
Skip it if: You mainly stream and browse.
05. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: best Android value
The Tab S10 FE includes Samsung’s S Pen in the box, which saves you $79 to $129 compared with buying an Apple Pencil. It has a 10.9-inch 90Hz display, the Exynos 1580 chip, an 8,000mAh battery and Samsung’s productivity features like DeX. It launched at $499.99 in April 2025.
Key specs: 10.9-inch LCD, 90Hz · Exynos 1580 · 8GB RAM, 128GB + microSD · 8,000mAh · S Pen included
Pros: Stylus included · Expandable storage · Samsung DeX
Cons: LCD, not AMOLED · Fewer tablet-optimized apps than iPad
Buy it if: You want an Android tablet for notes and media with the pen included.
Skip it if: You use an iPhone and Mac. An iPad fits your ecosystem better.
06. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: best premium Android
The Galaxy Tab S11 is Samsung’s flagship 11-inch tablet: a sharp AMOLED display, an 8,400mAh battery with 45W charging, four speakers and an S Pen in the box, all in a body just 5.5mm thick. Its list price has moved around, and Samsung has offered it for $699.99, so check the current price.
Key specs: 11-inch AMOLED, 2560 x 1600 · 12GB RAM · 128GB / 256GB / 512GB · 8,400mAh, 45W · Four speakers · S Pen included
Pros: Beautiful AMOLED screen · Thin and light · Stylus included
Cons: Keyboard cover costs extra · Price fluctuates a lot
Buy it if: You want the best Android tablet in a portable size.
Skip it if: The FE does everything you need for much less.
07. Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+: best budget Android
The Tab A11+ is a solid family tablet for streaming, video calls and homework. It has an 11-inch 90Hz display, quad speakers, a headphone jack and up to 8GB of RAM. Samsung announced it at $249.99 for the Wi-Fi model.
Key specs: 11-inch LCD, 90Hz · Up to 8GB RAM · microSD slot · Quad speakers · 3.5mm headphone jack
Pros: Low price · Great speakers for the money · Headphone jack
Cons: No stylus support · Modest performance
Buy it if: You want a reliable Android tablet for media and kids on a budget.
Skip it if: You want to take handwritten notes.
08. Amazon Fire HD 10: cheapest for streaming and reading
If you mostly want a screen for Netflix, Prime Video, Kindle books and video calls, the Fire HD 10 does the job for very little money. It has a 10.1-inch Full HD display and a microSD slot. The catch is Fire OS: there’s no Google Play Store, so you’re limited to Amazon’s Appstore.
Key specs: 10.1-inch 1080p LCD · 32GB / 64GB + microSD · Fire OS · Alexa built in
Pros: Very cheap · Great for Kindle and Prime content · Frequent deals
Cons: No Google Play · Slow for anything demanding
Buy it if: You want an inexpensive streaming and reading screen.
Skip it if: You need Google apps or schoolwork apps.
09. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+: big screen on a budget
The Tab S10 FE+ stretches the FE formula to a 13.1-inch display, the largest ever on an FE tablet, and still includes the S Pen. It’s great for reading PDFs, watching movies and split-screen work. It launched at $649.99 and has often been discounted below that.
Key specs: 13.1-inch LCD, 90Hz · Exynos 1580 · 128GB + microSD · S Pen included
Pros: Huge screen for the price · Stylus included
Cons: Big and heavy to hold · LCD, not AMOLED
Buy it if: You want a large canvas for documents and video without flagship prices.
Skip it if: You’ll mostly use it handheld.
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra: biggest screen
The Tab S11 Ultra has a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display and an 11,600mAh battery, yet it’s only 5.5mm thick. It’s almost a laptop replacement when paired with Samsung’s keyboard cover and DeX mode. Expect to pay around $1,200.
Key specs: 14.6-inch AMOLED, 2960 x 1848 · 12GB or 16GB RAM · 256GB to 1TB · 11,600mAh, 45W · S Pen included
Pros: Enormous, beautiful screen · Long battery · Stylus included
Cons: Expensive · Too big for comfortable handheld use
Buy it if: You want the biggest tablet canvas for drawing, video or multitasking.
Skip it if: Portability matters.
How to choose a tablet
- Match your phone. iPads work best with iPhones and Macs; Galaxy tablets pair nicely with Galaxy phones.
- Count the accessories. Samsung includes the S Pen on most models; Apple sells its pencils and keyboards separately, which can add $100 to $300.
- Get enough storage. 128GB is a sensible minimum. Android tablets with microSD slots are easier to expand.
- Pick the right size. 8 to 9 inches is best for reading and travel, 11 inches is the all-rounder, and 13 inches or more is best for documents, drawing and video.
- Check prices often. Tablet prices shifted a lot in 2026, and retailer discounts are common.
Frequently asked questions
iPad or Android tablet?
iPads have the best tablet apps and accessories. Android tablets, especially Samsung’s, offer more value with included styluses and expandable storage.
Why did iPad prices go up?
Apple raised prices across its iPad lineup in June 2026. Retailers often discount iPads, so check current deals before paying full price.
How much storage do I need?
128GB is enough for most people. Choose more if you download lots of movies or work with large files.
Can a tablet replace a laptop?
For email, browsing, notes and streaming, yes. For heavy multitasking or specialized desktop software, a laptop is still better.
The bottom line
For most people, the iPad (A16) is the easiest choice. If you want a tablet that will last for years and handle drawing or light editing, the iPad Air (M4) is worth the extra money. On Android, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is the best value because the S Pen comes in the box.