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Tablet

The best cheap tablets 2022: top budget devices

You might have to sacrifice some features or performance with the best cheap tablets, you can save quite a bit compared to the more expensive Apple versions. Of course, there are so many tablets out there, with new ones popping up on the market all the time, that figuring out which one to get can be tough.

Instead of dropping your hard-earned cash on best iPads or best Android tablets, which are certainly not cheap, you can find tablets in your price range that can get the job done. And, we’re here to guide you to that perfect budget-friendly tablet. 

Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 487g
Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 10.2-inch
Resolution: 1620 x 2160
CPU: A13 Bionic
Storage: 64/256GB
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 8MP (wide)
Front camera: 12MP
 

REASONS TO BUY

+Great looking screen
+iOS 15 runs well on it

REASONS TO AVOID

-Battery life still only 10 hours
No Face ID support


The new champion of the best cheap tablets, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) offers everything its older model did and more. That includes a gorgeous 10.2-inch screen that now has True Tone technology so its colors and brightness automatically adjust to suit the light. That feature proves especially useful for outdoor use, where you might be faced with bright sunlight.

There’s also the new and handy Center Stage feature when taking video calls which means the camera keeps you in frame at all times. We found this made a big difference. iOS 15 keeps things running well with easier-to-use multitasking features and the ability to place widgets anywhere on the screen.  

Elsewhere, the battery life is the same at 10 hours. There’s no Face ID, but for a cheap tablet, it’s hard to fault how well this one works. 

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Tablet

The best iPad 2022: top Apple tablets for you

Get one of the best iPads if you want a tablet that’s top quality. Don’t worry; that doesn’t mean you’d have to go for the latest, priciest, and most kitted out model. Apple’s tablet family has four different lines aimed at different users, so there’s an ideal choice for practically every type of user, including kids.

Among the best tablets on the market, the top-tier iPad Pro family targets creatives and professionals with their high-end performance that’s on a par with MacBooks, along with high-end screens and plenty of storage space. But, something like the original iPad is a great entry-level option that’s perfect for families or seniors.

Which iPad is best for you? We’re here to help. 

iPad 10.2 (2021)

iPad 10.2 (2021)

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 487g
Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 10.2-inch
Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
CPU: A13 Bionic
RAM: TBC
Storage: 64/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 12MP
 

REASONS TO BUY

+Excellent value
+Upgraded selfie camera

REASONS TO AVOID

-Only iPad without Face ID
Doesn’t support newer accessories


The iPad 10.2 (2021) is arguably also the best value iPad right now. It’s not a huge upgrade on the previous model, but the new 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera makes it much better for video calls, while the True Tone display makes it more pleasant to use in a variety of environments, with the screen automatically adjusting based on the ambient light. This especially makes the iPad 10.2 (2021) a joy to use outdoors.

From testing all the iPads on this list, we found that the 10.2 provides the best value-for-money proposition. Sure, it’s not as good for sketching and audio as the iPad Air, or as useful for high-performance tasks as the Pro, but it’s also a lot cheaper.

And that’s all relative too – compared to lots of non-iPad alternatives you might be considering, we found the iPad 10.2 feels smooth to use and has enough power for most tasks. So unless you’re going to need all the bells and whistles of the Air or Pro, this is a great choice.

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Tablet

Best tablet 2022: the top tablets you can buy right now

The best tablets combine the portability of a smartphone with the versatility of a laptop. These portable devices have come a long way since their early beginnings, and many of them are now powerful enough to serve as great laptop alternatives.

When choosing the ideal tablet, whether you want the best iPad, the best Android tablet, or a cheap tablet with excellent performance, it’s important to know what you’ll be using it for. Some tablets are made for professionals and creatives, offering powerful performance and useful features like a stylus or keyboard folio compatibility. Others work best as portable entertainment devices, being great for gaming or watching movies.

iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)

 iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 682g
Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
OS: iPadOS 14
Screen size: 12.9-inch
Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
CPU: Apple M1
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
Front camera: 12MP
 

REASONS TO BUY

+Phenomenal power
+Fantastic display

REASONS TO AVOID

-The most expensive tablet
Lackluster color options


The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is a spectacular tablet, with its headline feature arguably being the M1 chipset that powers it. This chipset was lifted straight from Apple’s top-end Macs, so you’re truly getting desktop power in a tablet here.

We were blown away when we tested the tablet – the chip was great for tasks like photo and video editing, as well as gaming. But that’s not all this tablet has going for it. For the first time in an iPad, it also has a Mini LED screen, with a remarkably high 1,600-nit peak brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 2048 x 2732 resolution. It’s crisp, bright, vibrant, and all-round impressive.

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also has a long-lasting battery, a decent camera, a premium aluminum design, and support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2 – these are sold separately, but turn it into a real productivity machine, and we used them non-stop in our testing period.

So if you want to get some proper work or creation done on a tablet, or you’re just a big tablet gamer, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) will be the perfect device. But if your needs are lighter then you might find this too expensive and too big.

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Tablet

The best tablets in 2022

The best tablet for your needs can be tricky to find, whether you’re looking to outfit the kids with cheap, durable tablets for school or just want a beautiful second screen to keep near the couch.

To help you decide which tablet is right for you, we test all of the top devices in our lab and in the real world. In general, Amazon tablets are great for kids and anyone on a tight budget. 

Without further ado, here are the best tablets you can buy right now, based on our hands-on testing and reviews.

What are the best tablets?

The iPad is synonymous with tablets for a reason: when you buy the basic iPad, you’re guaranteed to get a great screen and strong audio. And with iPadOS 16 announced at WWDC 2022, most iPads are about to get a feature upgrade. But when it comes to picking the best iPad for most people, we tend to push people towards the iPad Air. It may be a little pricier, but if you want to use an Apple Pencil or an attachable keyboard, it’s the best iPad that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, as it supports the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd Gen). 

Apple iPad Air (2022)

 Apple iPad Air (2022)

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: M1
Camera Resolution: 12MP wide (f/1.8) (front and rear)
Display: 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid Retina
Storage: 64GB, 256GB
Ports: 1 USB-C
Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches
Weight: 1 pound
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, 5G
 

REASONS TO BUY

+Thin and elegant design
+Sharp, colorful display
+Speedy M1-powered performance
+Long battery life
+Solid 12MP cameras

REASONS TO AVOID

Peripherals are expensive


As great as the iPad Air 4 is, the iPad Air 5 has replaced it. It hits a sweet spot between portability and power. The new iPad Air 2022 is ideal for consuming and creating content, and its $599 starting price is within reach for many people. 

Thanks to the addition of M1, the iPad Air 2022 is almost on par with the iPad Pro. That isn’t to say the Air is now a Pro replacement, but the gap in power is considerably smaller. This, along with its relatively affordable starting price, could make this new iPad Air more compelling than the iPad Pro for budget-minded shoppers who still want the best iPad their money can buy.

Overall, the latest iPad Air is an almost perfect tablet. While there’s still some room for improvement, it’s hard to put this sleek, powerful slate down. This is arguably the best tablet for most people.

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