Key takeaways
- Best overall: Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) ($299 – $349).
- Decide what you will do: streaming and reading need a good screen; notes and drawing need stylus support.
In this article
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Not sure which tablets to buy in the US? This list keeps it short: our top pick, the best-value option, the premium choice and the models we would avoid, all with typical prices.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) ($299 – $349)
- Premium pick: Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) ($549 – $599)
Tablets compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) | Buy | 9.0/10 | $299 – $349 |
| Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) | Buy | 8.9/10 | $549 – $599 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE | Buy | 8.1/10 | $449 – $529 |
| Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) | Consider | 8.6/10 | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | Consider | 8.3/10 | $1,100 – $1,300 |
| Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet (2023 release) | Consider | 7.1/10 | $99 – $149 |
Our picks in detail
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip)
Most people · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $299 – $349
Why we like it: Full iPad experience at the lowest Apple price.
Pros: Fast A16 chip · 128GB of storage to start · Years of software updates · Works with Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Cons: Screen is not laminated · No Apple Intelligence support
Buy it if you want a fast, well-supported tablet for streaming, reading, homework and video calls.
Skip it if you want Apple Intelligence features or an anti-reflective laminated screen; look at the iPad Air.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
Students and note-takers · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $549 – $599
Why we like it: M3 power with Apple Pencil Pro support.
Pros: M3 chip with headroom for years · Laminated, anti-reflective screen · Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support · Supports Apple Intelligence
Cons: 60Hz screen · Accessories add up fast
Buy it if you take handwritten notes, sketch or edit photos and want a tablet that can stand in for a laptop with a keyboard.
Skip it if you only stream and read; the base iPad does that for about $250 less.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
Android users · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.1/10 · Typical price: $449 – $529
Why we like it: S Pen included in the box.
Pros: S Pen included · microSD storage expansion · IP68 water and dust resistance · Long Samsung update promise
Cons: Midrange chip · LCD rather than AMOLED
Buy it if you use an Android phone and want a big-screen tablet with a stylus included and expandable storage.
Skip it if you want the fastest Android tablet for heavy games; the Tab S10+ and Ultra are quicker.
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $1,200 – $1,500
Our verdict on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $1,200 – $1,500.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $1,100 – $1,300
Our verdict on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $1,100 – $1,300.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet (2023 release)
Budget streaming and kids · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.1/10 · Typical price: $99 – $149
Why we like it: Big screen for very little money.
Pros: Very low price · Full HD 10.1-inch screen · Good for Kindle, Audible and Prime Video · Long battery life
Cons: No Google Play Store · Lock-screen ads unless you pay to remove them · Sluggish for anything demanding
Buy it if you want a cheap screen for Prime Video, Netflix and Kindle books and you live in Amazon's world.
Skip it if you need Google Play apps or a smooth, fast tablet; Fire OS is limited and ad-supported by default.
What to check before you buy
- Decide what you will do: streaming and reading need a good screen; notes and drawing need stylus support.
- Storage of 128 GB is comfortable if you download shows or use it offline.
- Long software support keeps a tablet safe and useful for years.
What to skip
Common mistake: Paying for a pro tablet and keyboard you will only use for streaming.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. Entry tablets from the big brands are excellent for streaming, school and video calls.
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best tablets in the US?
Our top pick is Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) (typically $299 – $349).
What should I check before buying tablets?
Decide what you will do: streaming and reading need a good screen; notes and drawing need stylus support. Storage of 128 GB is comfortable if you download shows or use it offline.
When is the best time to buy tablets in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying tablets?
Paying for a pro tablet and keyboard you will only use for streaming.