Tablets
Research-based tablet comparisons built from manufacturer specs and current US prices: iPad Air vs iPad Pro, Android flagships and student-friendly picks — with honest notes that we have not tested these devices ourselves.
Buying guides
Best Tablets of 2026
The base iPad is still the tablet most people should buy. Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026, so watch for retailer discounts before you pay list.
Buying guideBest Tablets for Students
Student-focused tablet picks for notes, keyboard cases, battery life and school apps—not just the cheapest sticker price.
Buying guideBest Tablets With a Stylus Under $500
Samsung’s Tab S10 Lite includes its pen in the box, which makes it the simplest choice. With an iPad, the pen costs extra.
Buying guideBest iPad to Buy in 2026
Buy the base iPad unless you know you need more. Get the Air for the Apple Pencil Pro and a bigger screen option, and the Pro only if you want the OLED display.
Buying guideThe Best Tablets for Drawing in 2026
iPad Pro + Pencil Pro is still the pro art default. iPad Air covers most illustrators for less. Galaxy Tab wins if you want Android and an included S Pen.
Buying guideBest Budget Tablets Under $600
Price-first tablet picks under about $600: which base iPad, Galaxy Tab and iPad Air configs make sense when the budget is the constraint.
Buying guideThe Best Android Tablets in 2026
Samsung still dominates meaningful Android tablets in the US. Pick S11 for AMOLED flagship specs; S10 FE for value with an S Pen.
Buying guideThe Best Pen Tablets and Pen Displays in 2026
Wirecutter’s top pick is the $80 Huion Inspiroy 2 M. On a tight budget, the $28 Huion H640P gets the job done. For pros, Wirecutter upgrades to the $380 Wacom Intuos Pro Medium, and Creative Bloq names the Intuos Pro its best pen tablet.
Buying guideBest Kobo E-Reader to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking.
Buying guideBest E-Readers of 2026
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing.
Buying guideWhich Kindle Should You Buy in 2026?
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers.
Buying guideThe Best Android Tablets Under $300
Under $300 you’re choosing between Samsung’s long software support and Lenovo’s sharper screens, pen support and better speakers.
Buying guideThe Best iPad Accessories: Keyboards and Apple Pencil
Buy the Pencil that matches your iPad first. Then choose Magic Keyboard for the laptop-like feel or Combo Touch if you want a kickstand and lower price.
Comparisons
iPad mini (A20 Pro) vs iPad Air (M4)
Buy the iPad mini if you hold the tablet in your hands: OLED, IP67 and 255 g. Buy the 11-inch iPad Air if you type on it or want the bigger screen, especially while Amazon has it under the mini's price.
ComparisonSamsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite vs Apple iPad (A16)
Buy the Tab S10 Lite for handwritten notes on a budget: the S Pen is in the box and storage expands by microSD. Buy the iPad (A16) for speed and apps if you don't need a pen.
ComparisoniPad (A16) vs iPad Air (M4)
The base iPad covers streaming, browsing, reading and notes. The iPad Air adds the M4 chip with 12GB of memory, Apple Intelligence, a fully laminated antireflective P3 display, Apple Pencil Pro support, faster USB-C and a 13-inch option. Engadget calls the Air Apple’s best overall tablet.
ComparisoniPad Pro (M5) vs MacBook Air (M5)
Both run Apple’s M5 chip. The iPad Pro has a tandem OLED touchscreen and weighs far less, but you pay extra for a keyboard and pencil. The MacBook Air is the simpler everyday computer, with macOS and longer battery life.
ComparisonGalaxy Tab S11 vs iPad Pro (M5)
The Galaxy Tab S11 is an 11-inch Android tablet with an S Pen in the box, IP68 dust and water resistance and a microSD slot. The iPad Pro (M5) adds a tandem OLED display, the M5 chip, Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 7, Face ID and a 13-inch option, but the Apple Pencil costs extra.
ComparisonKindle vs Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon refreshed both e-readers in October 2026. The $50 step up to the Paperwhite buys a larger 7-inch screen, waterproofing, adjustable warm light and twice the quoted battery life.
ComparisoniPad Air (M4) vs Galaxy Tab S11
Air starts cheaper with M4 and iPadOS. Tab S11 counters with 120Hz AMOLED, IP68 and an S Pen in the box.
ComparisoniPad Air (M4) vs iPad Pro (M5)
Air is the value multitasker from $749. Pro adds Tandem OLED, ProMotion, Face ID and Thunderbolt — worth it when the display is the product.
ComparisonKindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Colorsoft
The two share a 7-inch, 300ppi waterproof screen and warm light. The $289.99 Colorsoft adds a 150ppi color mode for comics, illustrated books and color highlights, but it costs $90 more and gets 8 weeks of battery instead of 12.
ComparisonKindle vs Kobo
Get a Kindle if you buy from Amazon or use Kindle Unlimited. Get a Kobo if you borrow library books, want native EPUB support, or don’t want to use Amazon.
ComparisonSamsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE vs Apple iPad (A16)
The Samsung includes a pen, IP68 and microSD. The iPad has the faster chip and the app library.
ComparisonGalaxy Tab A11+ vs Lenovo Idea Tab
Two 11-inch Android tablets under $300. Samsung has the faster chip and longer updates; Lenovo has the sharper screen and pen support.