The best business tablet will keep you on task, balancing performance, portability, and productivity.
Our team of expert reviewers have tested all the best tablets, alongside the best business laptops and best business computers. For us, the Apple iPad Pro is the top choice tablet for business – powered by the impressive M2 processor, it capably handles all the office apps, emails, meetings, web browsing, and photo editing you can throw at it. If you prefer Android, we highly rate the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, while the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G is our pick for best business tablet on Windows.
As part of our review process, we compared the specs, build quality, dimensions, and design to find the best offerings for all business professionals.
Quick list
Apple iPad Pro (M2, 12.9)
The best business tablet overall
Whether you’re in the field or in the office, this tablet has you covered with its powerful performance, ample screen space, and excellent battery life.
Read more below
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G
The best Windows tablet for business
Between the full Windows 11 operating and 5G connectivity, this always-connected tablet is perfect for business users who need the power of a laptop in the form of a tablet.
Read more below
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The best Android tablet for business
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is one of the most powerful Android devices on the market, putting many of the most essential business apps at your fingertips wherever you go.
Read more below
When deciding how to choose the best business tablet, remember that these days, for a tablet to prove itself genuinely useful, it needs to boast performance that is almost on a par with the top laptops. These kinds of tablets need to have enough processing power to manage demanding tasks, long battery lives to power you through long work sessions and lightweight builds.
Thankfully, the tablets featured on our list are incredibly versatile devices, and thanks to the combination of power and form factor, they are excellent devices for business use. The best 2-in-1 laptops, however, offer even more versatility if you’re looking for a true tablet-laptop hybrid. For outdoor use in hostile environments, see our round-up of the best rugged tablets built for durability.
The best business tablets you’ll find on this page can be used for various professional tasks, whether that’s reading documents on the go, being creative in a range of ways, or managing different systems and channels at the same time. You’ll therefore need to consider what tasks you plan to use your tablet for, whether you prefer working with iOS or Android, and also what budget you have to play with.
Our team of reviewers have expertly tested a massive range of the best iPads and best Android tablets for work, school, and play.
There are no shortage of contenders out there when it comes to selecting the best business tablets on the market. Since Apple changed the game with the launch of the iPad in 2010, the market has been swamped with the biggest names in tech looking to claim a chunk of the pie.
So we’ve been ruthless in whittling down our list, and among the areas we’ve sought to analyse include key factors one might expect, like graphics, processing speed, storage space and screen size. But we’ve also taken into account some considerations that can often be forgotten about.
Given the smaller size of tablets compared to desktop PCs and laptops, connectivity options aren’t always in high supply, which is why we’ve noted where tablets have managed to cram in an impressive variety of connectivity options and ports.
We’ve also tested what were previously deemed luxury features but now should be considered as standard, such as cameras, docking stations, and styluses. Finally, given the importance that Apple placed in design when launching the iPad, we’ve also made sure to consider the look and feel of each tablet.
The best business tablets in depth
Best business tablet in 2024
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Below you’ll find full write-ups for each candidate for the best business tablet. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best Apple tablet for business
The iPad Pro 12.9″ is the best iPad available today. This iPad Pro saw an update in 2022 to bump it to an Apple M2 chipset, giving this piece of glass even more power under the display. Additionally, the larger storage sizes allow for an increase in RAM, topping out at 16GB.
The large screen size is perfect for content editing or creation and multitasking. Much like the iPad Air, this iPad has a few keyboard options, giving way to another level of productivity.
The impressive cameras on the back, with LiDar, included, can pave the way for immersive AR functionality at a job site or in an office. Powerful speakers can project important content to a mass of people, and the Center Stage front camera can keep the focus on whoever is involved in a virtual meeting.
There is also an 11-inch model with the same great chip, with a slightly smaller screen and, in some cases, a little less RAM. If you are looking for the best of the best but don’t need the largest screen, this might be a great solution.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (M2, 12.9) review
The best Windows tablet for business
The best business tablet isn’t necessarily the newest, which is why the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G doesn’t top this list, but it’s still a decent device that could be useful for you, depending on what you need from your slate.
We didn’t find the Surface Pro 9 a huge upgrade on the impressive and dependable Surface Pro 6. The fact that the older slate is more affordable now is why we don’t believe the newer tablet will topple its predecessor. The Surface Pro 9 5G takes a continued step in the progression of Microsoft’s tablet line-up.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G features a quality array of cameras on the front and back, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a surface connector port. Another element that makes this stand out among competitors is including Windows 11 as the operating system.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G review
Get the best deal on you next Microsoft product with our Microsoft coupon codes.
The best Android tablet for business
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the best option for business use and beyond if you’re looking for a tablet outside of the Apple Ecosystem. The included S Pen unlocks so much for designers and those who prefer to handwrite meeting notes, sign many documents, add some red pen to a written document or draw diagrams.
These tablets can expand their storage thanks to a microSD card slot. Alternatively, if you want to expand your screen size, you can opt for the Ultra, adding 1.4 inches of diagonal display. We use our Tab S8 as our daily driver, finding it impressively fast, with a sharp, bright screen ready-made for watching Netflix. Armed with the stylus, we’ve found the tablet more than capable of photo editing and digital art – although it does sometimes struggle with very large canvases. For handwritten notes, though, it’s a delight.
This tablet packs a good amount of power while also having an impressive battery life. You shouldn’t be disappointed if you choose this tablet for your professional endeavors.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 review
Best business tablet: FAQs
What are business tablets?
Business tablets are mobile devices that allow professionals to get important work done on-the-go, whether it be during a long commute or during a flight for an important work event.
While these generally won’t have the same functionality as business laptops, it trades some functionality for better connectivity, battery life, and portability while still offering professionals access to all of their important work apps and accounts.
Which tablet is best for working professionals?
Generally, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the best business tablet if you’re talking about features and performance, but the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus are also great alternatives.
How to choose the best business tablet for you
Complete your workspace set-up
When deciding how to choose the best business tablet, the main considerations are price, screen size, battery life, performance, and operating system.
Price
Business tablets generally cost more than consumer-focused products, so expect to pay a bit more if you want the better specs and form-factor that define business tablets. Having said that, you can get some good deals on older iPads that still run well, and Android tablets are typically cheaper than Apple devices.
Screen size
Most business tablets we’ve reviewed clock in at around 10-12in. At this size, the tablet remains portable and the display remains clear during productivity tasks and meetings, and ample space for watching TV and films. Make sure to check resolution alongside screen size. This is particularly important if you’re creating content, where devices like the best drawing tablets will boast better resolutions and better color space coverage than the average office tablet.
Battery life
Always check battery life. If you’re working on the go, you want to know your tablet will keep up. In our full reviews, we also run battery life tests so you can check how long the device lasts. You’ll never get as much battery life from a business tablet as you will from a machine like the best 2-in-1 laptops, but we’ve had great results pairing devices with some of the best laptop power banks.
Performance
As with buying a laptop or computer, check the specs of your chosen business tablet. When it comes to performance, there’s a world of difference between a lower-spec machine and the seamless power of one equipped with a better mobile processor and more RAM. That’s critical for maintaining the proper workflow. As part of this, make sure to check the tablet’s webcam and microphone quality. With so many online meetings, you don’t want to worry about whether or not other attendees can hear you.
Operating system
When it comes to a business tablet, your choice will generally be between Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems and Android – both have advantages and disadvantages. In general, Apple devices are more expensive, but highly secure and very powerful – especially for content creation. Across Android, you’ll find a wider choice of tablets to fit a range of budgets and uses, while the platform offers more freedom to customize. While there aren’t many Windows tablets on the market that we’d recommend, check out Microsoft’s Surface tablet line-up if you prefer the Windows ecosystem.
How we test the best business tablets
Our team of reviewers have expertly tested a massive range of the best iPads and best Android tablets for work, school, and play.
There are no shortage of contenders out there when it comes to selecting the best business tablets on the market. Since Apple changed the game with the launch of the iPad in 2010, the market has been swamped with the biggest names in tech looking to claim a chunk of the pie.
So we’ve been ruthless in whittling down our list, and among the areas we’ve sought to analyse include key factors one might expect, like graphics, processing speed, storage space and screen size. But we’ve also taken into account some considerations that can often be forgotten about.
Given the smaller size of tablets compared to desktop PCs and laptops, connectivity options aren’t always in high supply, which is why we’ve noted where tablets have managed to cram in an impressive variety of connectivity options and ports.
We’ve also tested what were previously deemed luxury features but now should be considered as standard, such as cameras, docking stations, and styluses. Finally, given the importance that Apple placed in design when launching the iPad, we’ve also made sure to consider the look and feel of each tablet.
Today’s best deals on business tablets
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