Tablets aren’t really a replacement for laptops, but they are brilliant devices in their own right. The portability factor makes them a great choice for streaming and reading on the go, while some apps on powerful devices make them perfect companions for students and professionals.
As with smartphones, there are many options and it can be difficult to know what is best for you. Fortunately, we at Tech Advisor have tested a range of tablets throughout the year and have selected the three best models.
If you want to keep your tablet purchase affordable, we’ve also crowned the best budget tablet for this year. However, if you just want the best of the best, keep reading.
Check out all of this year’s Tech Advisor Best of 2024-25 award winners.
Best Tablet of the Year – Winner: Apple iPad Air 6
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Apple has always delivered one of the best tablet experiences, and the sixth-generation iPad Air is solid proof of that.
This is the first time the iPad Air has offered two size options. You can opt for the standard 11-inch model or the larger-than-life 13-inch version. Whatever your size choice, iPad Air features a stunning premium aluminum design and comes in four colors to suit your personality.
Apple’s M2 chip eclipses its Android competitors in performance, making it one of the best choices if you want to run demanding apps or games, like editing photos or videos while you’re in shift. Plus, the big 10,340mAh battery means you’ll get plenty of use out of it.
Whatever your size choice, iPad Air features a stunning, premium aluminum design
It currently supports the latest iPadOS 18 software, which brings Apple Intelligence AI features to the device. The software is clear and simple and will be familiar to anyone who owns an iPhone. Additionally, many apps are better optimized for iPads than Android tablets.
The price will depend on the option you want. The iPad Air 6 (2024) starts from £599/$599 for the 128GB 11-inch Wi-Fi model, and you’ll pay an extra £200/$200 for this larger version. If you’re looking for an iPad, this is the best all-around choice that doesn’t have the exorbitant price tag of the Pro model.
Read our full iPad Air 6 (2024) review
$582.49
Best Tablet of the Year – First Runner-up: OnePlus Pad 2
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
If you don’t want to buy into Apple’s walled garden, the OnePlus Pad 2 is the best Android tablet you can buy this year.
OnePlus offers one of the cleanest versions of Google’s operating system on its smartphones, a feeling that extends to its tablets as well. This includes the “Open Canvas” feature, also found on the OnePlus Open foldable smartphone, which allows users to run up to three apps simultaneously and extend the total usable area beyond the edge of the screen.
It’s all presented in a stunning glass and aluminum design, paired with a stunning 12.1-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz – a huge win over the iPad Air, which is (still !) stuck at 60 Hz. Additionally, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood makes it perfectly capable of performing many tasks.
You get all this for £499/$549, a very tempting price that could drop further in upcoming Black Friday sales.
Read our full OnePlus Pad 2 review
Best Tablet of the Year – Second Runner-up: Xiaomi Pad 6
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Are the first two choices a little expensive for your taste? We’ve got you covered with the Xiaomi Pad 6, which has dropped further from its £369 price since its initial launch – although it’s not available in the US.
The front screen is remarkably similar to an iPad, although it once again bests Apple’s Air model in this area with an 11-inch 144Hz panel. The inclusion of four speakers is also a good idea if you are looking for a device for music and podcasts.
While performance won’t be as impressive as the other two options on this list, the Snapdragon 870 is perfectly suited for streaming, gaming, productivity, social media, and more – and it’s easy to switch between applications without lag or stutter.
The only real downside to this tablet is the MIUI 14 skin on Android, which has a lot of bloatware and some annoying software issues. However, navigation is much easier on a tablet than on Xiaomi smartphones, with intuitive floating windows and split controls.
If you want a high-performance tablet at a more affordable price, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is the one to consider in 2024.
Read our full Xiaomi Pad 6 review
$285.43
For other great options, check out our complete guide to the best tablets you can buy. You might also be interested in all 2023-2024 winners.
