The best tablets according to online reviews

Who it's for:

After spending some time with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, we can see how it could make a Microsoft fan of even the staunchest Apple die-hard. Yes, it's a powerful device in its own right, but the name of the game here is versatility. If you're a student who needs a device that can do a little bit of everything, and do it well, look no further. It's a laptop, it's a tablet, and it's a powerful productivity machine. The note-taking features also make it indispensable in the classroom.

Why we picked this:

As a 2-in-1 laptop, the Surface Pro 9 is extremely impressive. It's a breeze to switch from laptop to tablet mode at a moment's notice, and with the help of the computer's 12th Gen Intel Core processor (which can be upgraded, along with a bunch of other customizable specs), you'll get fast and smooth performance whether you're going handheld or setting up home base at a desk. The Pro 9 is also the first Surface to offer 5G support, which is a welcome addition. Access to all your favorite Android apps, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming, is here too, which only sweetens the deal.

We loved the new Slim Pen 2, which makes taking notes an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The ability to handwrite messages and convert them to computer text never ceases to feel like magic, and pulling up your go-to note-taking app by clicking the pen's tip is a fun little gimmick that actually feels useful. Art students will especially love the Slim-Pen-2-Adobe-Suite synergy. The new kickstand is also improved, and feels much more balanced in tabletop mode than any of its predecessors (we still don't recommend using it on your lap, though — it's too unstable).

While we really loved the feel of the Pro 9's detachable keyboard, we couldn't help but feel like it was a little bit flimsy. Long story short, we don't think this thing is surviving any big falls, so we recommend playing it safe and getting a carrying case. One more minor gripe we had with the laptop-tablet combo was the angle it sits at in tabletop mode — it's not great for video calls and makes you look downright awkward on the other end of the camera feed (the camera quality is really good, though). As long as you're OK with everyone on the call staring at your chin, it shouldn't be a dealbreaker for you. Oh, and not having a headphone jack will always be a bummer to us. Sorry!

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is basic but it gets the job done for young kids. It ships with a colourful and durable "kid-proof" case and has a two-year worry-free guarantee. If something happens to the tablet during that timeframe, Amazon will replace it with no questions asked.

The tablet comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+, which offers more than 20,000 books, movies, TV shows, and games made for kids. It’s safe too. Amazon Kids+ users can't use Alexa or social media, or make in-app purchases without a parent approving. It's super-safe for little ones.

Parents are also able to set restrictions on screen time, permissible websites, and curfews for each user. Speaking of users, there can be up to four different child profiles, so it will keep your entire brood entertained.

If you have the kind of budget to splurge on a tablet for drawing, you could always get a tablet that does other things as well. The Apple iPad Pro gets more powerful all the time. The newest models are computers in their own right.

There's no need to transfer your drawings anywhere with this tablet — you can email them straight to clients. Plus, iPads allow you to watch videos on drawing techniques, take reference photos, and do just about anything. It's little wonder: Apple is the brand that revolutionised tablets.

Though just about all iPad models are adequate for drawing, the newer ones are particularly great. The newest iPad Pro has Liquid Retina XDR display with TrueTone tech (great for high contrast and high brightness content) and an M2 chip that provides super-fast processing speed.

If you opt for an older model to save money, be sure that it runs the software you want to use, and keep in mind that battery life and resolution, among other things, won't be as impressive. The only downside is that iPads typically aren't specifically designed to be for drawing, so you'll have to buy an Apple Pencil to provide the control you need — and those aren't cheap.

A new laptop might not be the most feasible gift, but you can still surprise her with some new technology. This iPad has a 10.9-inch Retina display with up to 10 hours of battery life. It's available with either 64GB or 256GB of storage, with or without cellular, and in several different color options.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is more than a tablet. It's an entertainment system. You can literally see how well built it is for pure entertainment, with a 13-inch 2K OLED display — plus Dolby Vision, Netflix HD support, and JBL quad speakers that immerse you in the action.

It's built with a kickstand that props the slate up like a mini TV. The stand also flips out, allowing you to hang the tablet from a wall, hook, or shelf. Indeed, you can watch the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 just about anywhere. OK, maybe not anywhere. It's a big piece of kit, so it can be a bit cumbersome.

A micro HDMI port allows you to connect to other devices and use the tablet as a second screen. It's also equipped to handle AAA gaming. An all-round quality piece of tech that's geared towards entertainment.

Armed with a Full HD 10-inch touchscreen display, the Amazon Fire HD 10 delivers crisp images and videos. Not only can it play Full HD movies, it also plays music from Amazon Music, runs mobile games from the Amazon App Store, and doubles as a hands-free smart home hub with built-in Alexa. Not even the Apple iPad can do the smart home thing like the Fire HD 10.

The tablet comes in 32GB and 64GB varieties, but it's also expandable up to a whopping 256GB with a microSD card.

If you're a Prime member, then you'll also get access to thousands of books, magazines, songs, movies, and TV shows for free. The Fire HD 10 can do so much for under £160 that it's really a steal.

The anti-Apple (and Amazon) community can rock with Samsung's new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S9, a premium and polished Android device that includes a compatible stylus — what a concept. Its 11-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is the other highlight of its spec sheet, and what makes it especially great for entertainment (along with some built-in speakers that support Dolby Atmos). While it's not nearly as fast as one of the newer iPad's chips, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip can zip between projects.

Not every tablet needs to cost a month’s wages. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 you get a premium quality tablet — from one of the best electronics brands in the tablet game — for a fraction of the cost of the iPad. You’ll be impressed. The performance comfortably outmatches the price.

It has a snazzy LCD screen that’s a step up from usual budget fare. And there’s plenty going on behind the visuals, with competitive processing power and storage.

There are nice features out-of-the-box too, including Samsung TV Plus for access to free TV channels, Samsung Kids for kids’ content and parental controls, split screen options for keeping track of windows, and screen recording for saving online classes. Not to mention synchronicity with other Samsung devices, allowing to share files and notes.

The only negative is a slightly underwhelming battery — but budget models do have to sacrifice performance in some areas.