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.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
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. Best for most people: Apple iPad 11-inch (A16), $449. Best upgrade: Apple iPad Air 11 (M4), from $749. Best Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, $550.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for most people | Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) | most people | $449 ($399 at retailers) |
| Best upgrade | Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) | an upgrade | From $749 list |
| Best Android tablet | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE | Android users | About $550 |
| Best cheap tablet | Amazon Fire HD 8 | a cheap tablet | About $80 |
This is our shortlist for anyone who wants one good tablet. If you only want an iPad, see which iPad to buy; for Android, see best Android tablets.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Tablet | Price | Note | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16) | $449 at Apple; $399 at Amazon and Walmart (Wirecutter) | 11-inch | Most people |
| iPad Air (M4) | From $749 (11") / $949 (13") list | Wirecutter saw the 11" at $559 at Walmart | Power users, students |
| iPad Pro (M5) | $1,199 (11", 256GB) | Apple raised Pro prices about $200 in June 2026 | Pros, OLED display |
| iPad mini (A20 Pro) | $699 | 8.5" OLED; on sale from Nov 6, 2026 | Small, one-handed |
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE | About $550 (Wirecutter) | S Pen in the box | Android users |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 | About $80 (Wirecutter) | Amazon apps only | Kids, streaming, reading |
The picks in detail
1. Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[4][5] top pick is still the base iPad with the A16 chip. It lists the tablet at $449 at Apple and has seen it at $399 at Amazon and Walmart. It handles streaming, notes, schoolwork and casual games, and it works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C), but not the Pencil Pro. Compare it with Android options in Galaxy Tab S10 FE vs iPad (A16).
Price (Nov 2026): $449 ($399 at retailers) Source
Pros
- Cheapest current iPad
- Huge app library
- Often discounted to $399
Cons
- No Apple Pencil Pro support
- LCD, 60Hz display
2. Apple iPad Air 11 (M4)
Best for: an upgradeThe M4 iPad Air is Wirecutter’s[4][5] upgrade pick. After Apple’s June 2026 price increase, the 11-inch starts at $749 and the 13-inch at $949, but Wirecutter has seen the 11-inch at $559 at Walmart and $859 at Amazon, so shop around. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, and it comes in two sizes. See iPad Air vs iPad Pro if you’re choosing between the two.
Price (Nov 2026): From $749 list Source
Pros
- M4 chip
- Two sizes
- Apple Pencil Pro support
Cons
- List price rose $150 in June 2026
- No OLED or 120Hz
3. Apple iPad Pro 11 (M5)
Best for: pros and artistsThe M5 iPad Pro has Apple’s best tablet display, a tandem OLED panel with ProMotion. It costs $1,199 for the 11-inch with 256GB, after Apple raised Pro prices about $200 in June 2026; the 13-inch costs more, so check Apple for your configuration. Most people don’t need it. Artists should also read best tablets for drawing.
Price (Nov 2026): $1,199 (11", 256GB) Source
Pros
- Tandem OLED with ProMotion
- M5 chip
- Thin and light
Cons
- Expensive, before accessories
- Overkill for streaming and notes
4. Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)
Best for: a small tabletApple’s new iPad mini has an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip and a body that’s 14% thinner, and it starts at $699 at Apple. It went on sale November 6, 2026 (from $699), per MacRumors[1]. Wirecutter[4][5] hadn’t tested it yet when we last checked, and neither have we, so treat it as a promising option rather than a proven one.
Price (Nov 2026): $699 Source
Pros
- 8.5-inch OLED
- A20 Pro chip
- Easy to hold in one hand
Cons
- Not yet reviewed
- Expensive for its size
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
Best for: Android usersWirecutter’s[4][5] Android pick is the Galaxy Tab S10 FE at about $550. It has a 10.9-inch 90Hz LCD and includes an S Pen, so it costs less than an iPad Air with a Pencil. For more Android choices, see best Android tablets and Android tablets under $300.
Price (Nov 2026): About $550 Source
Pros
- S Pen included
- microSD slot
- Good Samsung software support
Cons
- LCD, not AMOLED
- Android tablet apps lag iPad apps
6. Amazon Fire HD 8
Best for: a cheap tabletFor about $80, Wirecutter[4][5] recommends the Fire HD 8 for kids, streaming and reading. It runs Amazon’s Fire OS, so you only get apps from Amazon’s Appstore, with no Google Play. See best budget tablets for more cheap options.
Price (Nov 2026): About $80 Source
Pros
- Very cheap
- Good for video and books
Cons
- No Google Play
- Slow and low-resolution next to an iPad
Also considered
Students should read best tablets for students. If you want a pen in the box for less, see tablets with a stylus under $500. The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is a cheaper Samsung alternative.
Apple’s June 2026 iPad price increase
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best tablet for most people?
What’s the best Android tablet?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- MacRumors: Apple isn’t done with 2026 — what’s still coming (macrumors.com)
- Apple Store: Buy iPad mini (apple.com)
- Apple Store: Buy iPad Air (11-inch and 13-inch prices) (apple.com)
- Wirecutter: The iPad is the best tablet (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
- Wirecutter: The best tablets (nytimes.com)
- Apple: iPad mini (apple.com)
- Apple: iPad Air (apple.com)
- Apple: iPad Pro (apple.com)
Related
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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofWhich 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofThe 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest Tablets for Students
Student-focused tablet picks for notes, keyboard cases, battery life and school apps—not just the cheapest sticker price.
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.
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.