The best 5 tablets in 2022 are no different than a smartphone with a larger screen; they’re almost as productive as laptops while also being significantly more portable and offering a touchscreen and, in many cases, stylus capability.
That is true regardless of whether you desire one of the best iPads or one of the best Android tablets. One of the best cheap tablets can also provide a surprising amount of power and versatility.
Of course, with so many tablets to select from, it might be a challenging task to find the perfect fit, but we’re here to assist.
THE BEST IPAD IS THE APPLE IPAD AIR M1 (2022)
The comparison of the iPad Air to the iPad Pro is even more relevant for the 2022 generation. The Apple M1 CPU has replaced the Bionic chip in the newest tablet edition. The bet is that you will have power comparable to that found on MacBooks or even iPad Pros.
Apple maintains its design conservatism by keeping the lines of its new tablet untouched. The screen remains 10.9 inches in size and offers a Full HD resolution. It also has the normal 60 Hz refresh rate. In addition, the iPad Air supports optional 5G connectivity. Simply put, considering its price, it is the best tablet currently available on the market. The new iPad Air costs $599 for the entry-level model with 64 GB of storage.
If you want to make it into a more serious work, we recommend investing in a case and a keyboard. The Logitech Folio was chosen for this category due to its excellent manufacturing quality, the comfort of its keyboard, and the addition of a touchpad.
Do you think the iPad Air is a little too big? You can now purchase the upgraded iPad mini, which has an 8.3-inch screen, an Apple A15 CPU, and a more modern appearance. Despite the little price increase, this is a fantastic compact alternative to the iPad Air.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 8 ULTRA: THE BEST ANDROID TABLET
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is designed not just to compete with the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022), but also to outperform Apple’s tablet. And it succeeds in certain ways.
Samsung’s tablet has a larger 14.6-inch screen and comes with a S Pen stylus in the box, but the iPad requires users to purchase an Apple Pencil separately. While we anticipated the massive screen to be overpowering, it actually works well for both art and viewing movies.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can also compete with Apple’s greatest tablet in several areas, including power (thanks to a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset) and cameras (both slates include an useful 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front).
A keyboard folio for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with superb speakers and plenty of storage is also available. In many ways, it is an even larger iPad Pro, although it runs Android. But, because Android is a bit clunky tablet operating system, that last element is a large part of why the Tab S8 Ultra doesn’t quite equal the best that Apple has to offer.
When you consider that the tablet is large and hefty, it is not as portable as you might want your tablet to be, Apple comes out on top. However, this is the tablet to buy for Android enthusiasts who want the best possible option and aren’t on a tight budget.
THE BEST CHEAP IPAD AVAILABLE IS THE APPLE IPAD 10 (2022).
Apple refreshes its entry-level tablet in its catalog with the tenth iteration of the iPad, as it does every year. The iPad 10’s price has risen somewhat due to inflation, exceeding $449, but in exchange, it delivers some handy new capabilities. The introduction of the USB-C port, in particular, is beneficial.
Above all, the iPad 10’s iPadOS software offers a comprehensive user experience. This one is packed full of widgets and programs. It is extremely delightful to use on a daily basis. The internal power is provided by the Apple A14 Bionic chip. It comes with 64 or 256 GB of storage, depending on the edition. The performance provided is acceptable for most applications, but if you want to go farther, an M1 is required.
The iPad 10 offers a two-day battery life. The 120W charger provided in the box charges the tablet to 100% in one and a half hours. Another note about the screen.
The only major difference between the iPad 10 and the previous version is the price hike. If you want a long-lasting product, we believe you should make this investment.
THE MOST POWERFUL IPAD IS THE APPLE IPAD PRO 12.9 M2
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is Apple’s best tablet as of 2022, with laptop-class power thanks to an M2 Chipset. This is arguably overkill, given that absolutely nothing you’d do on a tablet can even tax the M1 from the previous generation, but it does make this future-proof.
In most ways, this is similar to the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), with a huge 12.9-inch screen that employs mini-LED to deliver a better picture than smaller iPads.
It’s also surprisingly thin and light for all of the new tech it offer, with useful features like Face ID, capable cameras, and, of course, support for accessories like Apple’s Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2 – the latter of which is better than ever here, thanks to hover-detection, making this even better for drawing on than other iPads.
Yes, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is pricey, and it’s definitely overkill for most users, but if you’re looking for a powerful tablet, this is it.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 8: THE BEST LARGE TABLET
I’d be dishonest if I didn’t include Microsoft’s Surface series on my list, as it helped pioneer the 2-in-1 detachable computer market. After all, it is marketed as a standalone tablet. Microsoft revamped the Surface Pro 8, reducing the bezels around the 13-inch display and giving it the same overall look as the Surface Pro X.
The Surface Pro 8 comes with a tablet that runs Windows 11, rather than a mobile operating system like Android or iPadOS. That means you won’t have to search for apps or workarounds for your workflows.
Of course, if you want to use the Surface Pro 8 as a laptop, you’ll need to purchase a Surface Pro Signature Keyboard, or you can get the keyboard plus Microsoft’s Slim Pen 2 stylus in a bundle. There’s also a handy compartment on the keyboard that stores and charges the pen at the same time.