The Best Tablets

Q4/2023 update. When it comes to couch usage, gaming while out and about, taking notes, or even conducting research for school or work tablets have become increasingly popular and attractive devices. Even if Apple managed to establish itself as a dominant force in the tablet market they are not the only ones, and various exciting alternatives by numerous OEMs are available alternatively. Below, you will find the highest-ranking tablets we have had in review.

Notebookcheck (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy), Published 11/24/2023 🇩🇪 🇹🇷 ...

Apple’s first iPad literally jump-started the tablet market from scratch. However, in recent years the choices have become fewer and fewer. On the one side, tablets are getting attacked by ever growing smartphones. On the other side, convertibles have become increasingly popular in the notebook space. What is left are a few established OEMs with various tablets for sale. In addition, numerous Chinese manufacturers are trying to attract potential customers through low prices. In return, you should not expect too much in regard to warranty and potential software updates. Please also consider the following lists before making any decisions:

The Best Tablets

Position	Total Rating	Date	Model	Height	Weight	Size	Refresh Rate	Resolution	OS
1	91.3 %	10/2023 New!	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Qualcomm Adreno 740 12 GB Memory, 256 GB	5.7 mm	586 g	12.40"	120 Hz	2800x1752	Android 13
2	90.9 %	10/2023 New!	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Qualcomm Adreno 740 12 GB Memory, 256 GB	5.9 mm	500 g	11.00"	120 Hz	2560x1600	Android 13
3	90.6 %	09/2023 New!	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Qualcomm Adreno 740 12 GB Memory, 512 GB	5.5 mm	732 g	14.60"	120 Hz	2960x1848	Android 13
4	89.7 %	12/2022	Huawei MatePad Pro 11 2022 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G Qualcomm Adreno 650 8 GB Memory, 128 GB	5.9 mm	449 g	11.00"	120 Hz	2560x1600	Huawei HarmonyOS
5	89.3 %	09/2023	Google Pixel Tablet Google Tensor G2 ARM Mali-G710 MP7 8 GB Memory, 128 GB	8.1 mm	493 g	10.95"	060 Hz	2560x1600	Android 13
6	89.3 %	04/2023	OnePlus Pad MediaTek Dimensity 9000 ARM Mali-G710 MP10 12 GB Memory	6.5 mm	552 g	11.61"	144 Hz	2800x2000	Android 13
7	89.1 %	09/2023 New!	Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Qualcomm Adreno 730 12 GB Memory, 256 GB	6.53 mm	750 g	14.00"	120 Hz	2880x1800	Android 13
8	88.8 %	08/2023	Xiaomi Pad 6 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G Qualcomm Adreno 650 6 GB Memory, 128 GB	6.51 mm	490 g	11.00"	144 Hz	2880x1800	Android 13
9	88.8 %	08/2023	Lenovo Tab Extreme MediaTek Dimensity 9000 ARM Mali-G710 MP10 12 GB Memory, 256 GB	7.2 mm	740 g	14.50"	120 Hz	3000x1876	Android 13
10	86.5 %	09/2023	Huawei MatePad 11.5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Qualcomm Adreno 644 6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1	6.85 mm	499 g	11.50"	120 Hz	2200x1440	Android 12

The table above contains an overview over the best tablets reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: all devices in this class reviewed

Editors' Comments

The fourth quarter will see major changes as we remove various Apple tablets, including the Apple iPad Pro (2022), the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) and the Apple iPad 10 (2022). Our review of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is also 12 months old, which of course means that new devices have to take their place. These are mainly found in the three new Galaxy Tab S9 models (Ultra, Plus, 5G). They are joined by the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14.

Former top tablets:

1st – Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (Plus) 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 has too little memory and the Tab S9 Ultra is too expensive? Then Samsung offers the Galaxy Tab S9+, a variant with up to 512 GB of storage and a 12.4-inch screen. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, you save considerably and still get a fast SoC, a high-resolution AMOLED screen and pen support.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9+ is a high-quality 12.4-inch tablet with extremely high performance, a good screen and a great sound system. There is still room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency.

Interested buyers can order the Galaxy Tab S9+ (Plus) from Samsung's online store.

Pricecompare

2nd – Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G

Samsung has only slightly revised the Galaxy Tab S9 5G compared to its predecessor. New features include the most powerful Snapdragon on the market and a switch to OLED technology for the display. The Tab S9 still comes with an S-Pen and masters both work and pleasure.

The Samsung Galaxy Pad S9 is a great piece of hardware with sophisticated software. It leaves hardly any room for criticism and impresses in productive use, gaming and streaming.

In the US, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (Wi-Fi, 256 GB) is currently available from Amazon for around $786.

Pricecompare

3rd – Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra aims to unite two worlds: Work and leisure. In our test, the Galaxy tablet reveals strengths in gaming and multimedia use, but also impresses in the area of productivity, including the S Pen. It uses the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and an updated Dolby Atmos AKG quad speaker system.

There is not much to criticize about the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. If you have the money to spare, you can get one of the best tablets currently available with long-lasting support.

All the storage and color versions of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are available from Samsung directly starting from $1,200.

Pricecompare

4th – Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2022, SD 870 5G)

The MatePad Pro 11 is a high-quality tablet for relatively little money with pen support and AMOLED. However, since it comes from Huawei, you have to accept some limitations: For example, there are no Google services and no 5G.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 is a chic, enduring professional tablet with a great screen. However, possible compatibility issues might scare off many business users.

Huawei devices are not available in North America.

Pricecompare

5th – Google Pixel Tablet (Tensor G2, Mali G-710 MP7)

With the Pixel Tablet, Google offers an exciting alternative to the Apple iPad 10 or Galaxy Tab S9. The 10.95-inch Pixel Tab is not only a classic tablet, but also a smart home control center or a smart speaker á la Apple HomePod including an XXL display with its docking station. Google wants nothing less than to change the usage behavior of tablet lovers with the Pixel Tablet. Tablets are often seen as a possible laptop replacement and offered with a keyboard case, but not so with Google. The US manufacturer rather offers a versatile all-in-one solution consisting of a classic tablet, smart home center and smart speaker. This is made possible by a docking station to which the Pixel Tab can be attached magnetically and with pogo pins.

The concept of the Pixel Tablet makes us look forward to more. We can only hope that Google will also provide resources for optimizing Android for tablets.

The Pixel Tablet starts with an RRP of $499 and is available at online dealers such as Amazon, or on the Google Store.

Pricecompare

6th – OnePlus Pad (Dimensity 9000)

OnePlus has finally ventured into Android tablets with the OnePlus Pad, an area that has been almost entirely ceded to Apple and Samsung. Equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and a fast, vibrant 144 Hz display in a 7:5 aspect ratio, the OnePlus Pad aims to stand out from the competition with a number of accessories like the Magnetic Keyboard and the OnePlus Stylo.

The OnePlus Pad looks like a solid alternative to the Apples and Samsungs of the tablet world. The OnePlus Pad is definitely not a laptop replacement, but in combination with the optional accessories, it can be more than just a device for media consumption.

In India, the OnePlus Pad can be purchased directly from OnePlus.in or via Amazon India.

Pricecompare

7th – Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14 (SD 8+ Gen1, Adreno 730)

The Xiaomi Pad 6 Max is an exciting alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but the Xiaomi tablet is only half the price of a Tab S9 Ultra. Fans of large tablets will be delighted to find an affordable alternative to a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra or Lenovo Tab Extreme. With the Pad 6 Max, Xiaomi is adding its largest tablet to date to its portfolio, which is equipped with a 14-inch IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate.

If you are interested in an XXL tablet and don't want to fork out €1,000 or more, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max is an exciting alternative from the Far East.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 Max is available for around $580, including from Trading Shenzhen.

Pricecompare

8th – Xiaomi Pad 6 (SD 870 5G, Adreno 650)

The mid-range tablet Xiaomi Pad 6 shows improvement in many aspects compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5 in our review. The attractively priced 11-inch tablet offers many arguments for a purchase with its 144 Hz display, Snapdragon SoC, high value and pen support.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 does many things better than its predecessor and is a very interesting choice in the mid-range price segment.

At the time of writing, the Xiaomi Pad 6 (128GB + 8GB) is available for $342 on Amazon US.

Pricecompare

9th – Lenovo Tab Extreme (Dimensity 9000, Mali G-710 MP10)

With 14.5 inches, the Lenovo Tab Extreme is hardly a match for anyone in terms of size. It is aimed at professional users who get a creative tool and workhorse with the precise pen input, the elegant aluminum case and the high price. Lenovo thus manages a very good entry into the league of professional tablets. A big plus point is that you get an extensive accessory package with a folio cover and stylus included, which keeps the investment lower overall than Apple's iPad Pro 12.9.

The Lenovo Tab Extreme is a high-quality tablet with a very large screen that is very well suited for professionals thanks to pen support and keyboard cover. Home users can also take a look, the tablet is also a great entertainer.

In the US, interested users can order the Tab Extreme (with keyboard and pen) via Lenovo's online store for $1,000.

Pricecompare

10th – Huawei MatePad 11.5 (SD 7 Gen 1, Adreno 644)

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 has a large IPS display and can rely on a modern Snapdragon 7 with ample memory. Huawei offers both a stylus and a keyboard cover. Google services are not available, but that is not a problem for a productive tablet.