Best 11, 12, or 13 Inch Tablets

With the new iPad Pro 12.9 Apple created a large tablet that can truly replace top-tier laptops and it is our pick for the best 13-inch tablet. Starting from $999.99 this iPad is very expensive, but with the A12X processor it can tackle even the most difficult tasks like editing 4K video. The screen is beautiful, it weighs just 1.39 lbs, and the battery will last over 10 hours on average with some tests giving it over 13 hours of life.

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 is truly a remarkable device. At this price it is useful for creative professionals, however it is really expensive for the average user.

The Apple iPad Pro 11 has the same internal components as the iPad Pro 12.9, but has an 11-inch screen and even longer battery life. Starting at $799.99 and up, the Apple iPad Pro 11 is our pick for the best 11-inch tablet. At just over 1 pound and .23 inches thick this device is light and thin for its size, all while giving you performance on par or better than most laptops.

The main problem with both iPad Pros is that the operating system just wasn’t designed for professional level of use with its lack of mainstream pro applications and poor handling of peripherals and multi-application workflows. So you end up paying a lot, but still might not be able to use it the way you want to.

With the new ipad Air, Apple created a much more affordable large tablet that we think is the best 10.5-inch tablet on the market. The internal components and overall performance are not quite as good as the iPad Pro’s, but the price is several hundred dollars less.

There really is nothing to complain about unless you want an Android tablet – the display is beautiful, it has very strong battery life, and support for Apple’s smart keyboard.

It is also available at Amazon.com.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a premium Android tablet that falls just short of being a laptop replacement. We rate it as the best 10.5 inch Android tablet. The Galaxy Tab S6 is powerful, has a long lasting battery of up to 15 hours, and a gorgeous screen. The included the S Pen stylus and Samsung Notes make this a great notepad.

However, the DeX desktop software still needs some work to properly multitask as you would on your work PC or laptop. There also is no headphone jack, instead opting for the USB Type C connector.

If you want a powerful Samsung Galaxy tablet that does not cost as much as the S6, then you should consider the Tab S5e because it costs about $300 less. It is also the thinnest and lightest 10.5 inch tablet you can buy.

The main difference between the S5e and S6 is the lack of the S Pen stylus and some cheaper internal components. But make no mistake, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is still an amazing tablet with long battery life. It might just be the best mid-range Android tablet you can buy.

The title of best Windows 10 tablet and the best 12-inch tablet belong to the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. This 2-in-1 convertible starts at $880 and has numerous configurations available including your choice of a speedy i5 or i7 Intel processor. Battery life has been increased from previous iterations of the Surface Pro with the Surface Pro 7 getting about 11 hours of mixed use. It sports a brilliant 12.3-inch display with 267 ppi.

If you are looking for a Windows 10 tablet then the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is perfect for you, although there are now some cheaper alternatives. Buyers should also beware that the keyboard is sold separately.

Huawei’s MediaPad M5 Pro is a worthy competitor to Apple and Samsung’s top tablets, falling just below them in our ratings. In fact it could be considered one of the best 11-inch Andoid tablets on the market. The Pro version of the MediaPad M5 comes with a keyboard and stylus pen.

It has a great 10.8-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 and 280 ppi. The quad speakers sound great as well, although they are not very bassy. If you watch a lot of videos on your tablet then this Huawei model is perfect for you.

However, there is one major flaw. You cannot use both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time effectively. This means you can’t use Bluetooth headphones while streaming anything thru Wi-Fi. This slate also doesn’t have a headphone jack, however it does come with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter you can use to plug in wired headphones.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5 has been replaced by the S5e and S6, but it is still available for sale and you might be able to find it at a discounted price since there are newer models available. It is bulkier compared to those newer Samsung tablets and has a lot less battery life. However, it is an option if you want a stylus and don’t want to pay up for the S6.

The 10.5-inch Super AMOLED screen has 265 ppi and is one of the brightest and most vivid available. It also has loud speakers, great stylus, and Samsung’s DeX integration brings a more desktop-like experience. However, you have to purchase the keyboard separately.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet is a worthy competitor of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and could be a laptop replacement. We think it is the best 13-inch Windows tablet. That 13-inch screen has a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels which is 277 ppi. There are several different configurations available with different options between the CPU, RAM, and storage.

The biggest negative is the price. It is the most expensive tablet on our list – even for the cheapest configuration. Although it does come with the keyboard included which you have to pay extra for on the Surface Pro 7.

It is also available at Lenovo.com.

The cheapest large display Android tablet on our list is the $279 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5. Besides the price the highlight of this Samsung device is the long battery life of of over 15 hours on average.

Unfortunately to get the cheap price and long battery life, the specs and screen are a bit lacking. The screen is a 10.5-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels with 216 ppi.

The bottom line is that if you are searching for a large, cheap Android tablet and want long battery life then the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 is for you. However, you could consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e for just a bit more money and get a better screen and better performance.

The Google Pixel Slate is a powerful, premium 12-inch tablet with a gorgeous display, good battery life, and runs on Chrome OS – and that is where the problem lies. As just a tablet the software can be confusing and Android apps on Chrome OS are often buggy. Also the pricey keboard folio does not work well in your lap.

The Google Pixel Slate should get a higher rating just based on the hardware, however it should not be this frustrating to use – especially at this price.

The Microsoft Surface Pro X is the first product to use Microsoft’s Snapdragon ARM processor the SQ1. Let’s start with the good – it is a beatiful build with a great 13-inch display and better battery life than the Surface Pro 7. However, due to the new processor, many apps do not work properly or at all.

If you are just sticking with Microsoft software then the Surface Pro X is a great tablet, however for other apps it can be a nightmare.