The Best Media Consumption Tablet For 2024

Piers Anthony By, Piers Anthony
Updated
2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB)
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: 2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB)

This tablet offers the latest Apple-designed Neural Engine for speedy pro-level augmented reality processing. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 Android Tablet

Kids can enjoy access to Samsung Kids, a library of safe and fun games, books, and videos that are kid-friendly and parent-approved. Read Review

3. Best Affordable: Fire HD 10 tablet

Enjoy all your favorite movies and TV shows on a high-resolution display with over a million pixels with this tablet. Read Review

4. Best Performance: SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7+ Plus 12.4-inch Android Tablet

With bigger edge-to-edge displays, TFT LCD screens, and AKG quad speakers, this tablet allows you to enjoy incredible cinematic watching. Read Review

If you’re looking for a tablet that’s going to be great for streaming video, playing games, reading e-books, and browsing the web, then a media consumption tablet might be just what you need.

They typically have high-resolution displays and are less bulky than most other tablets, so they’re great to carry around with you wherever you go.

In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best media consumption tablets currently available on the market. Our favorite, the 2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB), excels in lots of certain usage scenarios. To make a more informed decision, be sure to check out our other suggestions as well.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB)
Our Score:
9.9
Apple
  • Available in blue, purple, pink, starlight, and space gray
  • 12MP Wide camera
  • Stereo landscape speakers
  • All-day battery life
  • Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
  • 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
  • Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine
  • Up to 256GB of storage
  • 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating
  • 5G capable
TOP Choice #2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 Android Tablet
Our Score:
9.7
SAMSUNG
  • CHARGE FAST, POWER FOR HOURS: Go for hours on a single charge and back to 100% with the fast charging USB C port; Battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors
  • A SCREEN EVERYONE WILL LOVE: Whether your family is streaming or video chatting with friends, the Galaxy Tab A8 tablet brings out the best in every moment on a 10.5" LCD screen
  • KIDS DIGITAL LEARNING: Children can enjoy access to Samsung Kids, a library of safe and fun games, books and videos that are kid friendly and parent approved
  • POWER AND STORAGE FOR ALL: Get the power, storage and speed your family needs with an upgraded chipset and plenty of room to keep files — up to 128GB of storage; A long-lasting battery lets you go unplugged for hours to keep the family fun going
  • EASIEST. TRANSFER. EVER: No matter what operating system you're using, Smart Switch makes it a breeze to move your data and favorite files in three easy steps
  • YOUR NOTES, ALL IN ONE PLACE: Do more with your notes with Galaxy connectivity that automatically syncs everything from to-do lists to school work, whether you’re on your tablet, phone or watch
  • GALAXY ECOSYSTEM EXPERIENCE: Open up a new world of convenient possibilities with the Galaxy ecosystem experience — your devices, including your phone, laptop computer, and tablet, all automatically talk to one another seamlessly
TOP Choice #3 Fire HD 10 tablet
Our Score:
9.6
Amazon
  • Brighter display - Vivid 10.1" 1080p Full HD display is 10% brighter than previous generation, with more than 2 million pixels.
  • Thinner and lighter than previous generation. Screen made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass.
  • Enjoy your favorite apps like Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
  • Long-lasting 12-hour battery and 32 or 64 GB internal storage. Add up to 1 TB with microSD (sold separately).
  • Get more done – Check email, update shopping lists, and set reminders. Use your favorite apps like Microsoft Office, OneNote, and Dropbox.
  • Fast and responsive - powerful octa-core processor and 3 GB RAM. 50% more RAM than previous generation.
  • Hands-free with Alexa, including on/off toggle.
  • Stay connected - Download apps like Zoom, or ask Alexa to make video calls to friends and family.
  • Split screen – All-new feature for Fire OS that shows two compatible apps, like Facebook Messenger and Prime Video, open side by side for easy multitasking.
  • ENTERTAINMENT, UPGRADED: Experience cinematic viewing with larger edge-to-edge displays, TFT LCD screen, and AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos Surround sound
  • REDESIGNED S PEN INCLUDED: With improved 9ms Pen latency, the redesigned S Pen can control presentations and take notes effortlessly
  • PC PERFORMANCE. TABLET PORTABILITY: Transform your tablet into a PC experience with DeX mode and the optional keyboard¹ with expanded trackpad (Keyboard sold separately)
  • CHANGE THE WAY YOU GAME: Take console gaming anywhere thanks to an immersive screen and Bluetooth-enabled controller
  • [Brilliant FHD Display]: The 8" Tablet has a vivid 1200x1920 FHD IPS screen for a better viewing experience when streaming online video, reading, playing games, video chatting and surfing the internet.
  • [Experience the Difference]: As a globally trusted brand, Hyundai delivers budget friendly, yet with advanced technology to enhance your lifestyle that meets the demand of your daily needs. No need to search elsewhere, be confident and be assured with Hyundai
  • [Fast and Expandable]: 4GB RAM & 64GB Storage. Store more with the expandable microSD slot that supports up to an additional 256GB of storage.
  • [Latest Android OS]: The Hyundai Tablet comes with the newest Android 11 operating system, which is 20% faster in launching apps from the Google Play store like Netflix, Youtube, Disney+ and more along with better privacy security
  • [WiFi + 4G LTE]: Connect to 4G LTE or AC WiFi. This Android tablet supports data and calling purposes with compatible GSM networks - Comes with Free Screen Protector, Stylus and Wired Earbuds
6 Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
Our Score:
9.2
Lenovo
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (8C, 8x A53 @2.0GHz)
7 Microsoft Surface Pro 8-13" Touchscreen
Our Score:
9.1
Microsoft
  • The first Surface Pro built on the Intel Evo platform. Do it all with the Intel Evo platform — performance, graphics, and battery life in a thin and light PC.
  • The best pen experience on Pro with rechargeable Surface Slim Pen 2 and Surface Pro 8, for the natural feeling of pen on paper,(4) securely stored in Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.
  • You’re going to need Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Don’t forget to add Microsoft 365
  • Type in comfort. Sleek and compact, Surface  Signature Keyboard performs like a traditional laptop keyboard complete with a full function row and backlit keys.
  • Windows 11 brings your closer to what you love. Family, friends, obsessions, music, creations — Windows 11 is the one place for it all. With a fresh new feel and tools that make it easier to be efficient, it has what you need for whatever’s next.
  • The power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, and every angle in between, with 13” touchscreen, iconic built-in Kickstand, and detachable Keyboard.
8 Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ Android Tablet
Our Score:
9.0
SAMSUNG
  • ULTRA WIDE CAMERA: Record super clear video in 4K and great photos with an ultra-wide front camera with auto framing; With Galaxy S8+, your photography skills will shine regardless of your experience level behind the lens
  • DeX MULTITASKING: Do more on the go with enhanced productivity capabilities, like Samsung DeX and Microsoft 365 integration, that give you a PC experience, wherever you happen to be
  • FASTEST WI-FI: Work and play with the blazing fast speed of Wi-Fi 6E* -- 3x faster than the previous generation of Wi-Fi
  • LONG-LASTING BATTERY + UNIVERSAL CHARGING: Go for hours on a single charge** and back to 100% quickly with the fast charging USB C port
  • LARGE DISPLAY, INCREDIBLE VISUALS: Get more enjoyment out of every moment with a big 12.4 inch sAMOLED screen and high resolution that dazzles with unbelievable brilliance, crispness, and color
  • PACKED WITH POWER: Galaxy Tab S8+ provides powerful performance with an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and all-day battery to get you through your day, whether you’re working, streaming, or gaming
  • S PEN: Inspire your imagination with our fastest S Pen yet, an S Pen that is more responsive than ever, feels even more like a real pen, and it’s included with tablet purchase
  • Intel Atom Z3580 Super Quad-Core, 64bit, 2.3GHz
  • 8M/5M Dual Camera; 1 x microSD Card slot, support up to 128GB SDHC
  • 8" IPS Display (2048 x 1536) with Corning Gorilla Glass3 and ASUS True2Life+ technology for premium visual experience
  • 4G RAM, 64G Onboard Storage
  • Android 5.0 Lollipop,Dual band wireless 802.11 ac; USB type C connector. Please refer the User Manual before use.
  • 256 GB SSD of storage.
  • Multitasking is easy with 8 GB of RAM
  • Equipped with a blazing fast Intel i5 2.60 GHz processor.
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best media consumption tablet?

The best media consumption tablet is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.

It's necessary to remember the following factors before selecting best media consumption tablet:

Online Access

Many tablets come with Wi-Fi, while others offer mobile broadband, 3G and 4G for data. However, this requires you to sign up for an additional plan. Another option is the Wi-Fi only tablet. They can be used over Wi-Fi, just like the name implies, and also via your smartphone's mobile hotspot feature (standard on all new models). If your 3G plan is not sufficient, you might consider a 4G tablet that comes with its own plan.

Battery

One charge should be enough to last for a tablet through mixed use. Look at reviews on all of the tablets that you have shortlisted. For a 10-inch tablet to be reliable, it should contain a minimum of 7,000mAh. Tablets with larger screens (11-inch and 12-inch) should pack close to 10,000mAh to keep them going for a full day. Although not all devices can be rated on battery capacity, you should still consider other factors such as battery life. Reviews and test results are a good way to get an idea of what the actual battery life is.

Screen & Audio

When buying a tablet, the first thing you should look at is the screen size and quality. It's often the most used component. A tablet with a 10 inch screen and Full HD resolution is a good choice. Tablets with 7-inch and 8-inch screens may be small and lightweight, but they can feel cramped when browsing the internet and taking online classes.

Storage

The capacity of most tablets ranges from 16GB up to 128GB. The type of use you make for your tablet will determine how much storage you need. Most tablets can be used for browsing the Internet, checking email, streaming video and similar content.

Cameras

Tablets have less importance than smartphones for cameras. It should still have an 8MP, 12MP, or F2.0 aperture camera, as well as 4K 30fps video recording (although 1080p is acceptable if the tablet costs less than $100). Look out for 5MP front-facing cameras that record Full HD video. This ensures that you video will appear clearer when video calling or conference with people on the other end of the call.

Software

No matter if you're buying an iPad, an Android tablet or a smartphone, ensure that your device is pre-installed using the most recent version of the operating systems. It should at least include a guarantee of an upgrade to iOS or Android. The newest Android version is 11 and iPadOS version 14 in 2020.

Hardware Connections

While connections are important for laptops and PCs, it is less relevant for tablets. Tablets use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as apps to store and transfer data. Apple tablets lack hardware connections. However, adapters can be attached to the dock port of the tablet or added wirelessly using purpose-built gadgets. Android tablets offer more options in terms of hardware connections. They have a USB port and HDMI-out.

FAQs

What Is The Screen Size Of A Tablet As Compared To A Hand-held Phone?

Every tablet comes with a touch screen. It can be anywhere from 5 inches (Dell Streak), roughly the size your hand, to as large as 10.1 inches. This is the equivalent of a notebook for a boy in school. A tablet's average screen size is approximately 8.5 inches.

What Tablet Can Replace A Laptop?

An iPad Pro is a great option if you want to do serious work on your tablet, like the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021). It has a large screen and plenty of power. Additionally, it supports keyboard accessories. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is an Android alternative with similar features.

Do Tablets Support The Dongle Facility?

Dongles allow you to connect your device to secure software and facilities such as the internet. This prevents unauthorized access. Dongles are usually included with tablets that do not have the SIM capability to access the internet.

What Is The Difference Between A Smartphone And A Tablet?

The specifications are almost identical. Its screen size is what makes it different. The tablet has a significantly larger screen that allows for better view of the workspace. It is portable and convenient, but it's not as mobile as a smartphone. The smartphone was designed for handheld use, while the tablet can be carried around in a case or bag. This is a comprehensive questionnaire.

Can I Make A Call Using A Tablet?

You can use your SIM card to make a call or video call. Even tablets without SIM support can make video calls using WiFi or software like Skype. Nearly all Samsung tablets support the calling feature, while iPad supports SIM but cannot be used to make calls.

I Want To Use My SIM Card In A Tablet. Do Tablets Support This Facility?

Modern tablets have SIM card support. However, they are more expensive than those without it. This facility is not available on older tablets or some tablets today.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Tablet?

You need to decide how much money you are willing to pay and which operating system you prefer. The two most popular options for Android and Apple iPad users are Android and Apple. Next, think about the other things you value in a tablet, such as size, battery life, and power.

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About Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is a freelance writer and computer expert who enjoys helping others get the most out of their technology. He has written extensively about laptops, soundbars, and other computer-related topics, and he currently serves as the editor of The Audio Insights website. When he's not writing or tinkering with his gadgets, Piers can be found spending time with his wife and family.