Best tablets: which touchscreen tablet to choose in 2024?

The touchscreen tablet, halfway between the laptop and the smartphone, can provide many services. Easy to carry, it can be used for watching videos, reading, or working. To help you choose, here is our selection of the best tablets available in 2024.

The Top 3 best touchscreen tablets in 2024

Even if the touchscreen tablet market is no longer as dynamic as it was a few years ago, the sector remains appreciated by consumers. Placed between increasingly larger smartphones and laptops, tablets display touchscreen panels between 8 and 13 inches. Historically, the tablet market is mainly dominated by Apple with its iPads, which represent the best models available, regardless of the price bracket. Here is our selection of the best touchscreen tablets.

Lately, tablets are increasingly taking over from ultraportable computers thanks to more powerful processors and accessories like keyboards, making them more hybrid devices. Tablets are also excellent devices for family use or entertainment on the go. They may also be relevant for students, particularly in graphic arts, who can use them with a stylus.

What are the best tablets in 2024? Discover our selection here to choose the right one. You will first find Apple brand tablets, then Android tablets.

The best tablet of 2024: Apple iPad Air M1 (2022)

In its 2022 vintage, the iPad Air sees its comparison with the iPad Pro be even more relevant. The new version of the high-end tablet is equipped with an Apple M1 processor replacing the Bionic chip. The promise is to offer you power already seen on MacBooks or iPad Pros.

In terms of design, Apple remains conservative since the lines of its new tablet are unchanged. The screen still measures 10.9 inches with a Full HD display. It also offers a classic 60 Hz refresh rate. The iPad Air also includes optional 5G compatibility. It is quite simply the best tablet available on the market in 2024.

The starting price of the new iPad Air starts at 699 euros for the basic version with 64 GB of storage.

And why not the iPad mini: A little too big?

Is the classic iPad Air a little bulky for you? The new version of the iPad mini is here for you, with a modernized design, an Apple A15 processor, and an 8.3-inch screen. The price increases a little, but we have here an excellent compact alternative to the iPad Air.

The family iPad tablet: Apple iPad 10 (2022)

Like every year, Apple renews its catalog entry with the tenth generation of iPad. With the context of inflation, the purchase price of this tablet has inflated a little, passing above 500 euros, but in return, this iPad 10 brings some beneficial new features. The appearance of the USB-C port in particular is good news for the lifespan of your purchase.

Above all, iPad 10 offers a complete user experience with iPadOS. This one is full of apps and widgets. Daily use is a real pleasure. For its part, internal power is provided by the Apple A14 Bionic chip. It is accompanied by 64 or 256 GB of storage capacity depending on the version chosen. The performance deployed is sufficient for leisure use, but if you want to go higher, you have to turn to an M1.

In terms of battery, the iPad 10 promises good autonomy for two days of use without the slightest problem. With the 120W charger provided in the box, the tablet reaches 100% in an hour and a half of charging. A final word on the interface. The 10.9-inch LCD panel offers good brightness measured at 501 cd/m² during our test. This is well-calibrated for daily use. Finally, a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera is also in place on the back of this iPad.

The only real weak point of the iPad 10 is its price rise of 589 euros for the 64 GB version and 789 euros for the 256 GB version. In our eyes, it is a necessary investment if you are looking for a product that will last over time. However, sometime after its release, promotions offered it a very attractive quality/price ratio.

The most powerful tablet: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 M2

After the 2021 version of the iPad Pro which introduced the new Apple M1 (found on MacBooks), Apple is repeating the experience with this 6th generation by including the M2 chip. As a result, performance explodes.

The 2022 version is very similar to the 2021 version: 12.9-inch mini-LED panel, aluminum chassis with flat edges, dual rear photo sensor, and USB-C port. Already seen on certain televisions, mini-LED technology provides better brightness and above all a higher contrast rate. Please note, that only the 12.9-inch version has this new screen technology, not the 11-inch model. But it is above all the arrival of the M2 chip, extremely powerful, which is pleasing in this new version.

The front camera is also entitled to a nice improvement since we moved to a 12 Mpx ultra wide-angle sensor. The latter uses the power of the M2 to offer a fairly impressive tracking function during video calls to always keep you in the frame.

Another unfortunate and somewhat stingy new development from Apple: the iPad Pro comes without a keyboard and without a stylus. The Magic Keyboard is nevertheless excellent, and, coupled with this accessory, the iPad Pro further blurs the boundary between tablet and classic computer. Generally speaking, it stands out by far as the best tablet for working. There remains its price: it too comes close to a high-end computer thanks to its M2 chip or even exceeds it, the prices have risen further. Its starting price is, in fact, 1469 euros for 128 GB of storage capacity (WiFi).

The cheap iPad: Apple iPad 9 (2021)

The new Apple iPad vintage 2021 continues to evolve in very small steps. First of all, the design is similar with its wide borders and the Home button equipped with Touch ID on the front. On the SoC side, we move to an A13 Bionic Fusion chip introduced by the iPhone 11. This represents a power gain of around 20% compared to the previous generation.

This does not make the iPad a lightning bolt, but it is sufficient for the vast majority of uses, in excellent conditions. The photo module also evolves since we move to a 12 Mpx sensor coupled with 122° ultra-wide-angle optics. This new sensor provides compatibility with Center Stage.

It retains the same format as last year, that is to say, a diagonal of 10.2 inches, compared to 9.7 inches for the 2018 iPad. The panel is however now True Tone compatible, with temperature colors that adapt to the ambient light. The Smart Connector always answers the call, so you can connect a keyboard or the Apple Pencil to it.

As always, count on around ten hours with charging via a Lightning port, which is good battery life for this type of tablet. It’s a shame that Apple hasn’t taken the plunge and finished switching its iPad range to USB-C.

The iPad 9 is therefore not a revolution, but an honest update, this tablet continues to be the reference for those who want an excellent tablet for non-professional use.

The best Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

In the touchscreen tablet market, Samsung is the only manufacturer to compete with Apple. The new Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is thin at 5.5mm thick. Only the photo block is different compared to the Tab S8 Ultra, for the rest, the layout of the tablet is similar, especially with the notch. The only real difference lies in the certification since it is the first from the manufacturer to be IP68.

As always with Samsung, the touchscreen particularly shines. It is an AMOLED panel in 16:10 format, with refresh rates up to 120 Hz and HDR10+ compatibility. We were able to put this interface to the test during our test. We measured a brightness of 976 cd/m2 which is adequate, while the Delta E is 6.24. A rather disappointing score.

It is also in terms of performance that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra stands out. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 combination with at least 12 GB of RAM works wonders. This configuration offers excellent performance for running demanding software and demanding mobile games. For storage, it is even possible to add a micro SD card. In terms of performance, only the iPad Pro surpasses this Samsung tablet.

OneUI 5.1.1 offers an excellent software part daily while the photo part is correct – without being dazzling. In terms of autonomy, it's not breathtaking, with around fifteen hours for mixed-use. Especially since it takes two hours to fully recharge the tablet... For a starting price of 1,349 euros, it is the best Android tablet on the market and a serious rival to the iPad.

In the same range of new high-end Samsung tablets, it is always possible to turn to the Fan Edition version. This, although offered at 700 euros, the tablet remains attractive for people looking for a high-performance device, but which remains accessible without making too great a financial effort. 

The best value for money Android tablet: Xiaomi Pad 6

Ultra present in the smartphone market, Xiaomi has also invested in the tablet market since the Pad 5. Its successor, the Pad 6, is an excellent mid-range model with an attractive quality/price ratio.

With its 11-inch screen, the Xiaomi tablet offers a neat design and a rather successful aluminum construction. The panel, although it is LCD, offers a good 2.8 K definition and an adjustable refresh rate up to 144 Hz. It is generally rather balanced, whether in terms of brightness, sufficient indoors, or colorimetry. (7254K, which leans slightly towards blue). The use of a Snapdragon 870 is also a good surprise, the chip is powerful and particularly good for gaming.

Xiaomi has integrated a large 8840 mAh battery, which translates into 16 hours of battery life according to the manufacturer. In practice, you can use the tablet for several days for navigation and a little video playback.

As always with Xiaomi, the software component is provided by MIUI, deployed here in version 14 (Android 13). Although it's a bit lacking in customization options, it's still simple and effective for multitasking. The photo and video component turns out to be quite good, the tablet will therefore be entirely recommended for videos.

With the Pad 6, Xiaomi confirms its good position in the mid-range of touch tablets. It's a solid model that may interest those who don't want an iPad and don't have an extensive budget.

The Android alternative: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

The arrival of an entry-level tablet from Samsung could not go unnoticed. As its name suggests, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a lighter version of the Tab S6.

If the design and manufacturing quality are exemplary, Samsung makes compromises with the screen. Forget Amoled, we have to settle for a “simple ” LCD panel here. The latter is however of good quality, with the only criticism being a slightly low brightness. More annoying, however, is the use of a somewhat lightweight Exynos 9611 processor, especially in games with 4 GB of RAM. You are entitled to good autonomy, with around ten hours of use per charge.

In short, Samsung offers a very decent model here, but it pales in comparison to an iPad sold at a similar price. If you want to stay in the Android ecosystem, it remains an interesting choice, particularly in terms of quality/price ratio.

The affordable large format: Honor Pad 6

To conclude this selection, here is a large format tablet, at a more than attractive price. It is Honor that has entered the dance, facing very active competitors in the tablet market, like Xiaomi or Oppo. On the menu therefore is a 12-inch screen, a Snapdragon 680 SoC coupled with 4 GB of RAM, and two photo sensors of 5 Mpx each. The storage capacity offered is 128 GB.

We find ourselves in front of a large, very classic touchscreen tablet. Honor still manages to stand out a little thanks to this large 12-inch panel, at a price equivalent to its competitors who nevertheless offer smaller screens. We nevertheless remain on LCD, but the definition (2000 x 1200 px) and quality are honorable, with a well-covered sRGB space.

Another successful point is the audio component, which is rather rare on a tablet. The eight speakers deliver sufficiently powerful sound, without marked distortion. For watching a movie comfortably, it's perfect. Small disappointment, however: no jack port here. You will need to rely on a Bluetooth audio device or one connected via USB-C.

In terms of performance, the Honor Pad 8 does not disappoint and is fluid daily. You can play small games there. What about autonomy? With a 7250 mAh battery and 22.5 W fast charging, you can use it for several days in a row. It will take 2 hours to fully recharge it.

In short, for a first tablet, this one is perfect for leisure, rather sedentary use, all at a really attractive price.

What about the Google Pixel Tab?

Google's return to the touch tablet market is the Pixel Tab. The proposal is interesting with the provision of a dock so that the tablet becomes a Smart Display, like a Nest Hub. The tablet in its hub form covers several uses and makes the product very interesting in the home. However, the Google touchscreen tablet is mediocre in terms of its technical sheet, especially considering its price of 670 euros. Its positioning against the iPad Air M1 is especially painful.

How to choose the best touchscreen tablet?

What are the uses of a touchscreen tablet?

With increasingly larger smartphones, the interest in slates has diminished. This explains why they are increasingly focused on productivity thanks to keyboards or styluses. So, if high-end tablets remain excellent consultation terminals, they are above all increasingly becoming creation tools. Less expensive products will still make very good secondary devices for watching Netflix or Disney+ on the go, for example.

What is the best brand for a tablet: Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi?

The contraction of the tablet market has significantly reduced the number of brands still really involved in the market. Two behemoths share the majority of the market: Apple and Samsung. Recently, other manufacturers have returned or entered the market. This is the case of Xiaomi which offers a quality Android tablet at a lower cost, as well as Realme and even Huawei.

What is the recommended screen size of a tablet for watching movies?

At a time when smartphones have screens of up to 7 inches, we recommend turning to panels of 10 inches or more to take advantage of your slate. Smaller terminals, around 8 inches, may also make sense in some more specific cases. Amazon with its Fire HD 8 also offers an in-between that may appeal to some.

What accessories for my tablet?

It depends on what you want to do with it. If you are simply looking for a second screen to surf on your sofa and watch videos more comfortably than with a smartphone, the accessories will be indispensable. Conversely, if you consider your slate as a productivity object, we will advise you to invest at least in a keyboard, or even a small Bluetooth mouse.

If you are a gamer, on the other hand, investing in a controller will be a good idea, especially if you want to try cloud gaming services.

What is the best tablet for drawing?

In terms of multimedia use, it is the iPads that stand out, particularly with the addition of a stylus to try drawing. However, if you have more serious use of this, we recommend a specialized device.