Which is the best tablet for 2020?
Tablets, high-end and high-specced versions in particular, have had a good couple of years, and the current next-gen crop offers a wealth of options to consider.
In 2019, we saw Apple, Samsung and Google launch devices that were somewhere between a laptop and a smartphone, as well as the expansion of Microsoft’s Surface line in October and the release of the Apple iPad Air 2019 in December.
The following summary features our edit of the best tablets, with options to suit most people. Scroll down to read a full review of each product, or click through to explore our comprehensive verdicts.
- Best performance: iPad Air 2019
- Best for digital artists: iPad Pro 2018
- Best for media: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
- Best size: iPad Mini 5
- Best value: Amazon Fire HD 8
- Best for Windows: Microsoft Surface Go
- Best for versatility: Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
We’ve tested every product on this list thoroughly and there are links to our full reviews at the end of each summary.
Our expert reviewers use a test model as their primary tablet for at least a week to see how it performs in the real world before they give it a final score. For bigger devices we also run long-term reviews – our expert keeps the product for a prolonged length of time and updates our review with any new issues they encounter.
We also run every tablet we use through a series of synthetic benchmarks to gauge its performance. We then test its battery by looping a locally stored video until it dies.
Looking for more tablet-buying advice?
Check out our round-ups below for the best tablets for specific uses.
1. iPad Air 2019
The best tablet for most buyers
APPLE 10.5" iPad Air (2019) - 64 GB, Space Grey - Currys
£479
Pros:
- Great display
- Solid performance
- Long battery life
- Super-intuitive software
- Design is beginning to look a little dated
- First-generation Apple Pencil and older Lightning charge port
While it doesn’t have all the features of the Pro, it does a decent job of replicating a premier tablet experience – aside from a few technical compromises such as a first-generation Apple Pencil and an old-school Lightning port.
Featuring an advanced app ecosystem, stellar screen, great performance and a much friendlier price tag than its Pro siblings, the iPad Air 2019 is the best tablet for most people. However, if you just want to binge on Netflix or grab an entertainment station for your sprog, there are cheaper options available – albeit not as good.
2. iPad Pro (2018)
Best tablet for digital artists
2018 Apple iPad Pro 11, A12X Bionic, iOS, Wi-Fi, 64GB
£669
Pros:
- Amazing ProMotion Display
- Much improved design
- Switch to USB-C is positive
- Second-generation Apple Pencil is great
- Very expensive, and the accessories are even more so
- iOS is (still) limited
It’s also enormously powerful, with 4/6GB RAM, storage options ranging from 64G to 1TB, Apple’s own A12X Bionic chipset and the choice of Wi-Fi only or 4G and Wi-Fi. Now there’s also a USB-C port rather than Lightning, which allows devices such as SD card readers and cameras to be plugged in directly, although you can’t plug in expandable storage.
The main issue with the iPad Pro (2018) is iOS. The featured optimised apps are great and, of course, you can get stuff done but it’s still limited. The multi-window functionality is poor, only the Photos apps can read external media and Safari is still just the mobile version of the browser.
Many will also find the price hard to swallow. The 11-inch version starts at £769/$799 and the 12.9-inch version costs £969/$999. If you also purchase the Smart Folio Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2, you’re spending a lot of money.
The Liquid Retina display, however, is gorgeous, as is the ProMotion tech that switches refresh rates to ensure smooth scrolling – it looks really great.
The iPad Pro (2018) is a good tablet but it’s let down by software that can’t live up to the product.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The best high-end Android tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Wi-Fi 128 GB 10.5-Inch Tablet - Mountain Grey (UK Version)
£563.00
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Loud speakers
- Bold screen
- Powerful processor
- Fun stylus
- Cheaper S5e has several of the best features
- No headphone jack
You’ll pay £619 for the Wi-Fi version and £689 for the 4G option. If this sounds like too much, don’t forget the 11-inch iPad Pro, with half the amount of storage, will end up costing you £269 more when you add the Apple Pencil.
It’s big but not a monster, extremely thin (5.7mm) and fairly light at 420g. The main design annoyance is the same as the Galaxy Tab S5e’s – there’s no headphone jack.
This is the best Android tablet around, but if the stylus isn’t a big factor, you should consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e. It costs a lot less and still performs all the usual tablet jobs perfectly well.
4. Apple iPad Mini 5 (2019)
Best tablet for powerful features in a small package
Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi, 64GB) - Space Grey (Latest Model)
£389.97
Pros:
- Good display
- Extremely powerful
- Works well with the Apple Pencil
- Same design
This new mini iPad is powered by the same A12 Bionic chip you’ll find in the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, which means it’s very, very fast. There’s enough grunt to tackle any iOS game without any fuss and it’s a real joy to play titles like Fortnite or Asphalt 9 on the 7.9-inch display. Battery life is great too.
Added Apple Pencil support turns the iPad Mini into an excellent notebook.
5. Amazon Fire HD 8
A really good tablet at an impressive price
New Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet with Alexa,16GB Latest Model UK Stock
£79.99
Pros:
- Affordable
- Hands-free Alexa
- Show Mode is a nice addition
- Ad-riddled interface
- Basic navigation a little slow
Its screen is fair, the build quality is fine and there’s plenty of storage. While it doesn’t feel incredibly fast, it has enough power to do justice to some the most impressive Android games – plus Alexa on a tablet is a nice touch.
This is one of the best budget tablets you can buy from a well-known brand. It costs just £79.99 for the tablet on its own or £109.99 with the nifty new Show Mode charging dock. To get the most out of the device, definitely consider picking up the latter and this is a great package at the price.
The Fire HD 8 is perfect for those who want a cheap, basic tablet primarily for media consumption and reading. There’s more on offer here than with a Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Oasis and it’s a lot more compact than the very large Fire HD 10. It’s a great way to binge on some Prime content and the addition of hands-free Alexa gives it something other tablets simply don’t have.
6. Microsoft Surface Go
Best tablet for Windows
Microsoft Surface Go - 64GB - 4GB RAM - Windows 10 Home EX DISPLAY
£365
Pros:
- Windows 10 gives users lots of freedom
- Extremely portable
- Kick-out stand offers versatility
- Pricey considering type cover isn’t bundled in
- Low-powered performance
- Dated design
The kick-out stand turns the Go into an ultra-versatile machine that makes it easy to watch Netflix at your desk or hammer away at the keyboard. Given the steep price, however, it’s disappointing that the type cover isn’t bundled in the box.
While the Surface Go doesn’t have the performance, display or even the price advantage to rival the 9.7-inch iPad, it’s still a great alternative if you’re looking for a versatile, workaholic machine and are happy to shell out for Microsoft’s separate accessories.
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
Looks great, has a fantastic display and is affordably priced
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e T720 64GB Wi-Fi 10.1″ Tablet – Black
£325
Pros:
- High-quality aluminium design
- Loud, punchy speakers
- Excellent battery life
- Great OLED screen
- Ultra-slim
- GPU lacks power
In some ways this is a successor to the Galaxy Tab S4, but it uses a lower-end processor to help bring down the asking price to below £400 (for the 64GB version). This means it will appeal to those looking for a straight tablet rather than a device to replace their laptop. Its design and screen are delightful.
The main issue is the current standstill state of Android tablet progression. Tablets are great devices to entertain younger kids, but the Samsung Galaxy S5e is arguably far too fancy to fulfil that demand. A new feature such as Google Stadia support would give tablets in general a renewed sense of meaning.
The Galaxy Tab S5e looks great, has a fantastic display and comes in at a price that’s easy to swallow. Samsung has finally made an Android tablet worth buying – but an iPad is more powerful.
How do I choose the right tablet?
When picking a tablet there are a few key issues you should bear in mind. The biggest are which operating system is right for you and what you need the tablet for, as these issues will affect your budget.
Understand the different tablet operating systems
Currently, there are tablets running a variety of different operating systems. The two biggest are iOS and Android, and some people would also list Windows, which runs on top-end devices including the Samsung Galaxy Book and Microsoft Surface Pro.
However, given their emphasis on being used with an attachable keyboard, we classify these models as convertibles and list them in our separate best laptops guide.
iOS vs Android: In general, we find iOS is better suited to tablets as Apple has invested significantly into optimising it for larger screens. Android is still very good but issues generally arise when companies add custom skins to the OS, which usually cause annoying bugs, needlessly rework the user interface, and delay how quickly the devices can receive software updates.
Even if you are firmly embedded in Google’s software ecosystem, you should still consider an Android tablet as many options are significantly cheaper than Apple iPads and are generally fine for basic functions like web browsing and video streaming.
Decide what you need your tablet to do
Before you buy a tablet, you should consider your specific needs. There’s no point shelling out for a top-end tablet with a digital stylus if you just want to watch TV or to distract the kids during long journeys. The extra investment is only really worth it if you’re a designer or you plan to use your tablet for work or at school.
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