The 7 best tablets of 2026: Comparing iPad, Samsung, Lenovo

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air 2026 (M4).

The iPad Air is not just the best iPad, it's the best tablet. It will be your new go-to device for streaming, reading, or creative projects. And if you plan on using your tablet as a substitute for a laptop, it'll work for that, too, especially when paired with the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air or Apple Pencil. It's fast, moves smoothly between apps, and has a stunning high-definition display.

While we prefer the iPad Pro for creatives, the iPad Air is a more budget-friendly option that will still handle tough design jobs, and it's compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.

For all the power this tablet provides, it's an exceptional value. In 2026, while the iPad Air upgraded to the M4 chip, it didn't receive a price increase, meaning the iPad Air still starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model.

To kick off 2026, Apple upgraded the iPad Air to include the M4 chip. While the update didn't feel necessary in light of the already powerful iPad with M3 chip, we'll never say no to more computing power, especially with no price increase.

The iPad Air bridges the gap between tablet and laptop, yet it still remains affordable and user-friendly. With the M4 chip upgrade, the iPad Air got a performance boost, now scoring 13,176 on the Geekbench 6 test, up from its previous score of 11,464.

While the iPad Pro is technically slightly thinner and lighter, the iPad Air still lives up to its name. It's a great tablet to bring on the go due to its light weight, which helps avoid wrist strain when holding the device.

It has a crisp display for brilliant graphics, and one of its most surprising upgrades in the 2026 model is more memory. Now with 12GB of RAM, it's better equipped as a gaming device, too. For creatives too, the extra memory makes it even more capable of creative tasks, whether that be in Final Cut Pro or while doing design work with the Apple Pencil.

Essentially, it gives you everything you'd want in a starter MacBook, but it costs you just $599 and has a touchscreen.

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Looking for an Android tablet? Our pick is the Lenovo Yoga Tab. It's an exceptional value that performs on par with Apple's iPads. It's a fast-moving tablet, delivering laptop-quality speeds, and almost feels like one with the included keyboard and pen.

If you think you need an iPad for writing and drawing on a tablet, think again. The Lenovo Yoga Tab is the best writing experience on any tablet we've tested.

Right off the bat, I liked the Lenovo Yoga Tab. Setting it up is a breeze, and the apps downloaded quickly. After an initial charge, the Lenovo Yoga Tab's battery life lasted nearly an entire week when I used it a couple of hours per day.

Its performance was undeniable, and the Geekbench 6 confirmed that. The Lenovo Yoga Tab's multi-core score was 5,799, on par with the iPad's 6,233 score and nearly double the OnePlus Pad Go 2's 3,030 score.

What I like best about the Lenovo writing experience is the haptic feedback. While the screen is smooth and glossy like any tablet, the pen has a roughed tip that makes it feel like an actual pen on paper. It's easily the best writing experience I've had on a tablet, and that's not to mention Lenovo's built-in note-taking app has a better user interface than both Apple and Samsung.

Each Yoga Tab includes a keyboard case and pen, so you're getting more than just a tablet. On Lenovo's site, it's given an estimated value of $619.99, but I've never seen it priced higher than $419.99. That's an amazing deal, considering an iPad with equivalent accessories will run you $677.

I should say, I don't love the case on the Lenovo Yoga Tab, finding it stiff and not the most well-balanced. The keyboard and stylus, though, are far superior in design.

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Amazon Fire tablets aren't our favorite, but they get the job done. Having tested several models, the best one also happens to be the cheapest. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is great if you just want the basics, like access to social media and streaming services. Just keep in mind that the Amazon Appstore doesn't have the most extensive app selection.

The 8-inch screen on the Fire HD 8 is the ideal tablet size. It's comfortable to hold for hours of reading, but still has plenty of space for watching shows. However, the screen brightness on the HD 8 was surprisingly dim even at its max.

Since the HD 8 is the newest model among Amazon's Fire tablets, it's also the fastest, despite being the most affordable. Compared to more technically advanced models like the Amazon Fire Max 11, the HD 8 was even faster, experiencing little lag time when downloading and switching between apps.

Don't expect the Fire HD 8 to handle large tasks, though. Compared to the iPad 11th generation, which has 6GB RAM, and the Lenovo Yoga Tab with 12GB RAM, the Fire HD 8 just has a measly 3GB or 4GB. Not to mention, as an Amazon device, it's loaded with ads, especially on the home and lock screens.

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If you prefer saving money over splurging on the latest tech, the Apple iPad (11th generation) gets the job done. It's the base model, meaning it won't have the fastest processor like the iPad Air's M4 chip or the latest features like Apple Intelligence. However, it is the most affordable Apple tablet. With the M4 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro models, this iPad's price dropped to $349 — a real steal for Apple.

Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop, but don't want to spend a ton of money. It's compatible with the Magic Keyboard Folio and together costs $598 — the same price as the iPad Air.

Plus, it's especially great for kids if you want to get them a tablet but don't want to spend a fortune on it.

Most of Apple's iPads now have the M-series of chips; however, the classic iPad has the A-series, typically found in iPhones. That being said, the 11th-generation iPad still offers enough processing power for everyday use thanks to its A16 Bionic chip. You'll be able to multitask without the system sputtering out, whether you're watching YouTube videos, playing your favorite high-res games, or just have a habit of leaving your apps running in the background. It also packs a decent amount of storage space. The base model starts at 128GB, so there's no need to pick and choose what apps and pictures you want to keep. Speaking of, it sports 12MP front and rear cameras with Center Stage, a feature that keeps you in frame during FaceTime calls.

Combine all these features with the functionality of iPadOS 26 (yes, the A16 iPad is compatible with iPadOS 26), and you have an iPad that looks unassuming but is anything but — and all for a pretty unbeatable price point. It's a fine choice if you're just dipping your toes into tablets; however, creative professionals might prefer the power of the iPad Air or Pro.

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If you're an Android user who's seeking out a tablet that is well-equipped to handle all the tasks of a laptop, let us point you in the direction of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. It has a beautiful display and syncs automatically with Google accounts. Plus, it can handle multiple apps at a time, allowing you to split the screen between apps. It even comes with a stylus for illustration or note-taking.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is one of the largest tablets out there, with a 14.6-inch screen. The screen size admittedly feels overkill, making it difficult to use when you're just trying to watch a show or browse the internet. But on the upside, with that giant screen, you can use multiple apps at once, allowing you to watch and play games at the same time. However, reading on the S11 Ultra is difficult, simply because the device is just so oversized that it's hard to hold, and there's just too much screen size unless you shrink the window.

But it's built for much more than reading. It starts with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but goes up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The S11 Ultra tablet has a MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor and a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 8,797. That makes it not quite as powerful as Apple's iPad Pro or Air, but the most powerful Android tablet we've tested. Not to mention it scores higher than the standard iPad's Geekbench 6 score.

Its battery life is extremely impressive. When conducting a battery rundown test, it lasted 16 hours and 6 minutes, potentially allowing you to work on it for two days before needing a charge.

The stylus comes included with the S11 Ultra, and it's a lightweight pencil with a button to control the settings with a simple click. It writes beautifully and allows for a lot of precision, though some might prefer something with a bit more heft behind it.

If you are going to do work on the device, I recommend getting a keyboard and cover that doubles as a stand. Since the tablet is just so large, it's awkward to hold and type on. The keyboard and stand, however, make it feel like a great laptop while still maintaining the convenience of a tablet.

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Read our full review of the iPad Pro (M5).

Professionals looking for an iPad should go for the iPad Pro with M5 chip. Released in 2025, the new iPad Pro is loaded with Apple's fastest M5 chip, giving it way more power than the average user really needs. Graphic designers can store all of their creative work on the device, which has up to 2TB of storage. It's also a smart choice for video editors, though the premium nano-texture glass, which prevents glare while working in any environment, even full sun, will cost extra. Plus, the XDR Retina display lets you play back HDR video and use this tablet as a reference monitor.

For creative professionals, the Apple iPad Pro is a dream come true. It's also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, a tool that features a unique squeezable design and a barrel roll feature, enhancing precision and control in design work.