If you want to watch your favourite TV shows or movies on the move on a bigger screen than your smartphone, then investing in a tablet is a great way to go.
It seems like manufacturers are leaning into the AV capabilities of tablets more than ever, with more and more models boasting Dolby Atmos support and OLED displays.
Apple also just announced that a new iPad Mini is coming to its lineup, featuring an OLED display for the first time and a new 8.7-inch display. Stay tuned to see how it performs in our test room, and whether it makes an appearance on this very guide.
While we judge primarily on picture and sound performance, we can't negate the fact that tablets are also becoming powerful tools for productivity tasks and digital art creation too. Some models on the market are truly living up to the "laptop replacement" challenge, which is something to consider when selecting your next (or first) tablet.
Each model on this list has been put through our rigorous testing process by our expert team of reviewers. Each iPad, Fire and Galaxy tablet on this list has been given a What Hi-Fi? seal of approval, and you can find out more about how we test tablets below.
With all of that out of the way, here are the best tablets we've tested.
The best tablet overall
Apple’s tablet offerings have frequently impressed in our test room, and the brand’s newest iPad Air model is no different. While it has the same specifications as its predecessor when it comes to its screen and speakers, the key changes come with its upgraded M4 chip backed by 12GB. This gives the new iPad plenty of power for demanding productivity and AI tasks, including Apple's Siri AI.
The 13-inch Air uses Apple's Liquid Retina LCD panel, with a 2732 x 2048 resolution, 264ppi pixel density, and a quoted peak brightness of 600 nits. It also has a fully laminated screen and an anti-reflective coating.
But how does its picture perform? We find when watching movies in our review that “colours are rich and engaging without becoming overblown, while the presentation has the subtlety to keep skin tones and more restrained shades looking convincing.”
While its LCD screen can't deliver the same contrast or HDR punch as an OLED display, you still get a sharp and natural-looking picture in a device that will fit into your backpack.
Read the full Apple iPad Air review
The best cheap tablet
When it comes to buying new tech there are a lot of false economies, but Amazon’s Fire range of tablets isn’t one of them. If you want the best performance-per-pound model, look no further than the newest Fire HD 8.
The Fire HD 8’s low price means managing expectations when it comes to pretty much all areas of the tablet. There’s more plastic here than anything else, the processor can’t cope with top-tier games, and the screen can be quite reflective, but it has more than enough to deliver the basics.
The 8-inch screen is reasonably detailed and bright, and blacks are good considering it’s backlit. Colours look natural, and while the overall picture performance is a long way behind what you’ll get from the likes of the iPad Air, it’s still very good for this price.
The two stereo speakers are nothing to write home about, but they’re engaging enough if you don’t have a pair of headphones to plug in. Doing so will reward you with a more balanced and composed performance, though.
If an iPad is out of your price range and you don’t need high-end specs, Amazon’s Fire HD 8 is excellent value for money.
Read the full Amazon Fire HD 8 (newest gen) review
The best premium tablet
Apple delivered its thinnest and lightest iPad to date with the M4-powered Pro, and we deemed this OLED-imbued marvel to be a new benchmark for portable cinema – which is no small claim. This ultra-powerful tablet is crammed with features while remaining remarkably slender, and its picture and sound performance are both in a league of their own.
To address the elephant in the room, yes, this is a very expensive tablet, and if you plan on using it purely for watching videos and listening to music, you might find that you've paid for features you're not using. That being said, if you're after a tablet that is a capable productivity machine, or perhaps a portable digital art studio, then the iPad Pro will certainly meet your needs.
A big part of its appeal is the M4 chip. It also features the first OLED display in the iPad lineup, with Apple leveraging Tandem OLED to enhance brightness. It results in a tablet that delivers supreme contrast, rich and balanced colours, and crisp details –making it easily the best-looking tablet on the market.
Sound is also a highlight, with speakers that deliver an open and spacious sound; although they don't differ greatly when compared to the previous generation iPad Pro in most ways. Headphone performance, on the other hand, is a step up with additional warmth, richness and weight compared to its predecessor, without infringing on its existing dynamic prowess.
Put simply, this is the best tablet that money can buy, but only for those with deep pockets. Some may find it overkill for just movies and music, but if picture and sound performance is paramount (which we believe is certainly the case) then the latest iPad Pro is your best bet.
Apple has released its newest iPad Pro model which features an upgraded M5 chip. We have yet to review this fresh model, so until we do, the older model holds the crown for now.
Read the full Apple iPad Pro review
The best Android tablet
For those wanting an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the top choice. It boasts a surprisingly large footprint for a tablet, measuring 14.6 inches, but if you don’t mind the extra heft, this is one of the most cinematic ways to watch movies on the move.
It has the chipset to match its meaty design, with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+, ensuring the Samsung moves seamlessly between apps, quickly loads and buffers streams, and has no problem with multitasking.
The Tab S11 Ultra runs on Android 16, with Samsung’s One UI 8 running over the top. Samsung offers an impressive seven years of OS and security updates, meaning that your investment should be sound for at least that long.
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display does not disappoint when we watch movies, delivering a bright and engaging picture. It looks rich with punchy handling of colours and warm skin tones, but not in a way that looks misplaced or unnatural.
If you’re not using headphones, then you will be relying on four external speakers for sound. There’s support for virtualised Dolby Atmos, too, creating a decent sense of scale considering its size.
Read the full Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review
Also consider
- Google Pixel Tablet: Google's hybrid device delivers a solid picture performance and an engaging sound experience, but it's more suited to life as a smart display for your kitchen than a tablet.
How to choose the best tablet for you
There are lots of thing to consider when choosing the right tablet for you. What screen size do you want? Bigger-screened tablets make films, photos and TV shows look more impressive and are better suited to gaming, but they're heavier, less portable and usually more expensive.
Which operating system are you after? Android is more open than iOS, but it's not quite as slick or as simple an ecosystem. Or are you happy with Amazon's Fire OS? Members of Amazon Prime might well be, but if you rarely shop at the retail giant, you'll likely find it unsuitable and potentially even irritating.
How much storage do you need? Android devices usually come with slots for memory cards so you can add in extra capacity, which could be useful if you've an extensive library of films, music and photos. With an Apple tablet you're stuck with the internal storage. Bear in mind, though, that the rise of streaming means that most people need less storage than they used to.
The best tablet for you will come down to how you want to use it. If you're gaming, you'll want one with tons of power and long battery life, while if you're only sending the occasional email, you can save yourself some money and get yourself a cheaper model.
How we test the best tablets
Narrowing down the expansive tablet market into a small selection of tablets that we would recommend is harder than it sounds. Thankfully, here at What Hi-Fi? we have years of expertise and plenty of resources to ensure that we can rigorously test these options so we can recommend them to you with confidence.
Thanks to our dedicated testing rooms found in Bath and Reading, alongside our knowledgeable and experienced team, we can conduct thorough tests to explore what these devices can do. Our main area of focus is picture and sound, meaning that these tablets all must excel at delivering a quality AV experience; but features, cameras, battery life and software are all also key factors when it comes to testing these tablets.
In order to combat any personal preference or bias, each product we review is given a group consensus before any verdict is made. This step in the process also ensures that we haven't missed anything during the initial testing phase, as well as approaching the performance from different viewpoints to get a more holistic view of the device overall.
All of these tablets are also compared to others within their price ranges; this helps to contextualise the device within its category and enables us to consider if we would recommend it over its competition. It's important to remember that no product exists in a vacuum, so looking further than the device itself is crucial.
Our Best Buys are a collection of products that we believe provide the best experience at their price points, and ones that we would recommend you buy with peace of mind, knowing they have the What Hi-Fi? seal of approval.
You can check out our full range of Best Buys if you're looking of more approved tech recommendations.
F.A.Q
iPad OS, Android or Fire OS?
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Which operating system appeals to you will likely depend on your budget and your other devices. If you have an iPhone and AirPods, then we wouldn't blame you for opting for an iPad, as the iPad OS is very similar to the iOS system you'll find on your phone.
However, you don't have to be locked into an eco-system. For example, you can have a Samsung phone and still get a lot from an iPad. Fire OS is a touch trickier as it features on Amazon's cheaper tablets. It's based on Android, but it doesn't have the Google Play store, so be warned that not all apps are supported.
Ultimately, none of these operating systems have any fundamental flaws, so unless you have a preference or want device synergy, then don't let it influence your decision too much.
What are the options for watching and listening to content on your tablet?
You'll likely be relying on streaming services and video-on-demand services for watching and listening to content on tablets. Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Paramount Plus all have robust mobile apps for streaming content, or you can buy films through Apple, Google and Amazon's online storefronts.
Music is a similar affair, with Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer and more available on most app stores. You can, of course, download your films and music onto your devices if you have a digital content library, although you may need to download an app to play these files.
What screen size is best?
We've included tablets big and small on this list. Tablets like the iPad Mini and Amazon Fire 7 offer a more portable size that can transported with ease, while the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are bigger-screen behemoths.
Ultimately it will depend on your preference, the smaller tabs will be easier to carry around, while the bigger ones will offer a more cinematic experience.
Recent updates
October 2026: Removed 'best small' and 'best cheap small' categories due to lack of availability. Added Apple iPad Air 13-inch as 'best overall', Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra as 'best Android' and Amazon Fire HD 8 as 'best cheap'.
March 2025: Removed the Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) from the 'also consider' section as it has been discontinued and only refurbished models are available to buy.
- Find out how to get the best picture and sound on your tablet
- Listen to the best headphones around
