We Found the Best Tablets for Students Going Back to School (2024)

While there are more feature-rich iPads, this is a sleek, versatile device priced right for most users. This 10.9-inch tablet is nicely sized and well-powered for a variety of tasks, like browsing, editing documents and video, gaming, streaming and making video calls. The A14 Bionic chip adeptly delivers the capacity for multiple tasks if needed.

When evaluating the iPad 10th Gen, our pros were impressed by the display's sharp resolution and responsive interface. Unlike its predecessor, we like that this latest model supports 4K video for the highest quality streaming and even features an improved front camera for snapping quick photos. As a bonus, it's offered in three fun pastel shades plus silver, but it does lack the audio jack that's been present on previous models — that means you'll only be able to connect Bluetooth headphones.

Like other Apple tablets, the App Store gives you access to loads of apps, so you can add games or productivity apps, depending on how you want to use the tablet. If you want to draw, jot or type, this iPad supports the Apple Pencil (1st generation) as well as the Magic Keyboard Folio.

With more than 100k positive reviews on Amazon, this well-rounded tablet is a great choice for most people. Our pros love that the Fire HD 10 can readily handle work on Microsoft Office apps as well as read Kindle books or stream Prime video and Netflix. It comes with Amazon Alexa built-in, so it can easily control your smart home devices.

The 10.1-inch 1080p full HD display should suffice for on-the-go entertainment (just keep in mind you won't be able to stream in 4K), and there's an optional 32 GB or 64GB of storage to suit your needs. Our experts noted the long battery life between charges and appreciate the headphone jack. Pro tip: There are frequently fire sales on Fire tablets, so keep an eye out for potentially deep cuts in price.

Android users will find easy compatibility across devices with this 11-inch tablet. Our experts loved the quality of the LCD display and its solid construction. We like that the tablet comes with the S Pen, which should deliver a more natural feeling when writing. This impressive tablet has 128 GB or 256 GB of storage and the option for 5G if you want to pay for cellular capability.

While we haven't tested this feature out yet, our pros like that you can work across your PC and tablet by setting up a mirror display (i.e. multiple windows). Multi-taskers, students and working professionals will also appreciate integration with Microsoft 365 so you can create and edit Excel spreadsheets and Word docs directly on your tablet.

The 2-in-1 design of the Surface Pro 9 gives professionals the ability to convert their tablet to a laptop with a full keyboard with the addition of a Signature Keyboard (sold separately). The tablet has an integrated kickstand that can stay closed to use the 13-inch touchscreen in tablet mode or be opened to prop the screen up for easy viewing, typing in laptop mode or angling for writing and drawing with the optional smart pen (or fingers).

The tablet alone is much lighter than a standard laptop, coming in at 1.94 pounds. Just keep in mind that it doesn't feature an incredible number of ports for a computer, though you can always purchase a dock with extra ports or connect your tablet to an external display or computer monitor.

Aimed at children ages 3 to 7, this 32 GB tablet backs up its kid-friendly claims with a rugged case and a built-in kickstand, plus a two-year full-replacement guarantee. It comes with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides kid-friendly, pre-vetted access to ebooks and audiobooks, movies and shows, music, apps and games, including content in Spanish.

You can let the subscription continue starting at $5 per month or cancel it in the Amazon Parents Dashboard, which also gives you strong parental controls over the content your child consumes and lets you set time limits. Amazon says the battery can last up to 13 hours, though in our heavy multimedia tests we often got a few hours less (though still ample for successful car rides!).

Designed for kids ages 6 to 12, this Pro tablet gives parents excellent control and kids great content. You can set time limits on activities (say, 30 minutes for games but two hours for ebooks) and view usage history; you can even allow only specific episodes of approved content.

The 10-inch Fire HD Kids Pro comes with a slim durable case with a built-in stand and a two-year guarantee. Fire tablets make it simple to access the content on Amazon Kids+, which starts at $4.99 per month, but is free for one year with the tablet purchase. The Pro also lets you customize the home screen. It offers 32 GB of storage, and upwards of 10 hours of battery life in our tests.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab have tested at least two dozen tablets in the past two years. When narrowing down the best tablets to use at home or on-the-go, we evaluate everything from a tablet’s design and performance, to screen resolution, ease of use and more.

To start, our product analysts first evaluate the tablet's design, assessing features such as portability, ergonomics and number of ports. Is the tablet comfortable to hold?

For ease of use, we note how intuitive it is to browse the web and use a variety of apps on the tablet, as well as the functionality of on-device controls. We also heavily evaluate each tablet’s performance and how smoothly the device operates. Does the tablet feel fast and responsive? We track the time it takes to boot up as well as the time it takes for apps to start up. Is video quality crisp and clear? Once we’ve assessed the screen’s resolution and graphics, we consider the tablet’s resistance to glare as well as the audio quality. We also take note of the tablet’s battery life, connectivity and touchscreen responsiveness.

Lastly, we evaluate the tablet’s operating noise and measure the temperature during operation and extreme use.

✔️ Price: Like laptops, tablet prices vary widely based on performance, build quality and size. Consider what you will be using it for to get the capabilities you need. Also note that accessories, like keyboards and styluses, are often not included — and not all accessories are compatible, so it’s important to factor in their cost at the onset.

✔️ Operating system (OS): Apple and Android are two of the more common options, though there are Windows and Fire models. Apple has a massive app store, so you're likely covered for any app you want to add. But if there's an app you know you want for another OS, you should check that it's available for that platform. If all of your other devices are on a specific OS, you'll likely want to stay with it. It's not a requirement, but you might find the tablet more intuitive when getting started. It will also allow syncing across devices, which is great if you want to open docs or pick up streaming between, say, a laptop and tablet.

✔️ Drop-resistant: If you’re getting a tablet for a child, you want to make sure it’s more rugged. Look for models that are water-resistant, easy to wipe down and drop-proof.

✔️ Connectivity: Some tablets work only over Wi-Fi, but others allow a cellular connection from a provider. If you need apps to work without access to Wi-Fi, choose a device that's enabled for cell service — or you can tether to your smartphone or purchase a portable hotspot.

✔️ Size: Tablet sizes relate to the diagonal size of the screen — not the overall device — but screen size is a good indicator of the dimensions. Tablets can run from about 7 inches up to 13 inches. While a bigger screen can be nice (better viewing of movies, less page turning for ebooks), it might not be as easy to hold. For most people, 10 to 11 inches is good for productivity and portability, though if the tablet will double as a laptop, you'll likely want to opt for a larger screen of about 13 inches. Young children will do well with a smaller, roughly 8-inch model, which is easier for them to grasp in their smaller hands.

✔️ Battery life: Check how long the tablet is estimated to work between charges. Some last only a few hours while others can survive the whole waking day. Also, keep in mind that battery life between brands isn’t apples to apples so you should take this spec with caution and read the particulars on how it was tested (continuous talk time, video, etc.).

✔️ Storage: Most tablets access cloud storage, but you'll likely still need ample internal storage as well for apps, media and photos. In this case, bigger is better. If the tablet you want offers multiple storage options, get the largest capacity you can afford. It will give you more flexibility in the long run.

The major players are Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon, so the best tablet for you might be from a brand that matches the platform you already use for your other devices. But you may want to venture into new territory: Do you want a tablet specifically for reading ebooks? For a child? For work? Look for options geared toward that use.

The best tablets will effectively bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops. They're nimble (think smartphone responsiveness, not laptop boot-up time) and portable (so you can slip them into bags and car seat pockets with ease). Yet they provide a sharp, roomy display and offer loads of productivity and entertainment apps — ideal for scrolling, drawing, working and streaming.

The Good Housekeeping Media & Tech Lab provides expert reviews and recommendations on all types of electronics, devices and consumer tech.

Sarah Wharton, a deputy editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, wrote this guide and frequently tests products such as smart water bottles, heated mugs and more. For this story, Sarah consulted with the GH Institute's Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering, Rachel Rothman, on our most recent tablet testing data and feedback. Rachel, whose background is in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics, leads GH's categorical testing across a number of categories, including consumer electronics, smart home, automotive, toys, parenting, fitness and more.