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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.

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
Image
Model
Height
Weight
Size
Refresh Rate
Resolution
OS
191.3 %
10/2023
New!
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Adreno 740
12 GB Memory, 256 GB 
5.7 mm586 g12.40"120 Hz2800x1752Android 13
290.9 %
10/2023
New!
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5GSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Adreno 740
12 GB Memory, 256 GB 
5.9 mm500 g11.00"120 Hz2560x1600Android 13
390.6 %
09/2023
New!
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 UltraSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Adreno 740
12 GB Memory, 512 GB 
5.5 mm732 g14.60"120 Hz2960x1848Android 13
489.7 %
12/2022
Huawei MatePad Pro 11 2022Huawei MatePad Pro 11 2022
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
Qualcomm Adreno 650
8 GB Memory, 128 GB 
5.9 mm449 g11.00"120 Hz2560x1600Huawei HarmonyOS
589.3 %
09/2023
Google Pixel TabletGoogle Pixel Tablet
Google Tensor G2
ARM Mali-G710 MP7
8 GB Memory, 128 GB 
8.1 mm493 g10.95"060 Hz2560x1600Android 13
689.3 %
04/2023
OnePlus PadOnePlus Pad
MediaTek Dimensity 9000
ARM Mali-G710 MP10
12 GB Memory
6.5 mm552 g11.61"144 Hz2800x2000Android 13
789.1 %
09/2023
New!
Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Qualcomm Adreno 730
12 GB Memory, 256 GB 
6.53 mm750 g14.00"120 Hz2880x1800Android 13
888.8 %
08/2023
Xiaomi Pad 6Xiaomi Pad 6
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
Qualcomm Adreno 650
6 GB Memory, 128 GB 
6.51 mm490 g11.00"144 Hz2880x1800Android 13
988.8 %
08/2023
Lenovo Tab ExtremeLenovo Tab Extreme
MediaTek Dimensity 9000
ARM Mali-G710 MP10
12 GB Memory, 256 GB 
7.2 mm740 g14.50"120 Hz3000x1876Android 13
1086.5 %
09/2023
Huawei MatePad 11.5Huawei MatePad 11.5
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
Qualcomm Adreno 644
6 GB Memory, 128 GB UFS 2.1
6.85 mm499 g11.50"120 Hz2200x1440Android 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

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+

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 Galaxy Tab S9 5G
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

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
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)

Huawei MatePad Pro 11
Huawei MatePad Pro 11

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)

Google Pixel Tablet
Google Pixel Tablet

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 Pad
OnePlus Pad

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)

Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14
Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14

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)

Xiaomi Pad 6
Xiaomi Pad 6

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)

Lenovo Tab Extreme
Lenovo Tab Extreme

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)

Huawei MatePad 11.5
Huawei MatePad 11.5

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.

Huawei MatePad 11.5 offers an appealing package for less than 300 Euros (~US$317).

At the time of writing, the device is not available in North America.

Pricecompare

Top 10 Tablets in Comparison

Size Comparison

327.8 mm / 12.9 inch 210.8 mm / 8.3 inch 7.2 mm / 0.2835 inch 740 g1.631 lbs326.4 mm / 12.9 inch 208.6 mm / 8.21 inch 5.5 mm / 0.2165 inch 732 g1.614 lbs318.58 mm / 12.5 inch 206.1 mm / 8.11 inch 6.53 mm / 0.2571 inch 750 g1.653 lbs285.4 mm / 11.2 inch 185.4 mm / 7.3 inch 5.7 mm / 0.2244 inch 586 g1.292 lbs260.88 mm / 10.3 inch 176.82 mm / 6.96 inch 6.85 mm / 0.2697 inch 499 g1.1 lbs258 mm / 10.2 inch 169 mm / 6.65 inch 8.1 mm / 0.3189 inch 493 g1.087 lbs258 mm / 10.2 inch 189.4 mm / 7.46 inch 6.5 mm / 0.2559 inch 552 g1.217 lbs253.95 mm / 10 inch 165.18 mm / 6.5 inch 6.51 mm / 0.2563 inch 490 g1.08 lbs254.3 mm / 10 inch 165.8 mm / 6.53 inch 5.9 mm / 0.2323 inch 500 g1.102 lbs249.2 mm / 9.81 inch 160.4 mm / 6.31 inch 5.9 mm / 0.2323 inch 449 g0.99 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs
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Notebookcheck (Update: 2023-11-24)