Display size is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a tablet. While many users prefer small-sized devices, some prefer large screen tablets due to multimedia convenience and ease of working. However, around 38% of the potential tablet buyers prefer a 10-inch display.
In the last couple of years, tablets have become popular for productivity tasks as well as for entertainment devices. Whether it is to play games, read e-books, doing school work, college studies, manage your small business, or even keeping the kids entertained, these versatile devices can do it all and a lot more.
The 7-inch tablets are small-screen, while 8.9-inch tablets and above are considered large-screen. Even though they might be a smidgen weighty compared to a small-screen devices, the extra weight pays off by being more functional and ergonomic.
11 Best 10-inch Tablets in 2021
The size is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor to consider. For instance, is there any point in getting a device that won’t support the apps you use? That’s why after spending hours researching around 47 different devices, here’s a list of 11 best 10-inch models suited for diversified tasks.
1. Best From Apple: Apple iPad Air
| Processor | A12 bionic |
| Size | 10.5 inch |
| Storage | 64GB and 256 GB |
| OS | iOS 12 |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Weight | 456 grams |
One of the lightest and most capable tablets in the market that doesn’t leave a dent in your wallet is the Apple iPad Air. Coming with a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, it is one of our favorite go-to 10-inch tablets. So, what makes this tablet an all-round winner, let’s find out.
The iPad Air comes with a 10.5-inch retina display, which provides stunning colors in both low light conditions as well as when it’s used directly under the sunlight. It makes for a very versatile option to use when on the move.
It comes with an A12 bionic chip on board which is the reason behind its zippy performance and the ability to tackle even the most power-draining apps. Out of the box, it is on iOS 12 but you can update it to the iPadOS.
The iPad Air now comes with the support of the Apple Pencil and its very own smart keyboard. The smart keyboard uses Apple’s proprietary technology that requires no pairing or charging, just dock your iPad over and you can start typing.
The Apple 1st Gen Pencil is compatible with the iPad Air giving you pixel-perfect precision which can be used for drawing, taking notes or just jotting down random ideas that pop up in your head.
It comes with the 8MP back camera now having AR capabilities, meaning more Apps can make use of it, as well as shooting in HD. On the front you have the 7MP FaceTime camera for crystal clear video calls that help you stay in touch with your loved ones.
On a single charge the iPad can last for 10 hours straight, meaning if you want to use this instead of your laptop you can get through your workday on a single charge. Since the device comes with a lightning charging port, this serves as an advantage as you can use the same connector to charge your phone.
- Lightweight
- Great camera
- Continued software support
- Retina display
- Cellular model
- Lightning port
- Older chip compared to new models
2. Best Android Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
| Processor | Snapdragon 855 |
| Size | 10.5 inch |
| Storage | 128GB & 256GB |
| OS | Android |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
| Weight | 420 grams |
Launched last year, the Galaxy Tab S6 is one of those tablets that makes use of the highly efficient yet power-packed Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chip which powers most of the high-end Android phones of last year, on the claim that it can match the powerful needs and demands of a tablet. And the result? A smooth 10.5-inch tablet from Samsung that indeed can handle anything thrown at it.
The Tab S6 comes with a stunning nearly bezel-less Super AMOLED Display with a 2560 x 1600 display. This is paired up with an immersive experience provided by the quad setup of the Dolby Atmos speakers, thereby truly making it an entertainment powerhouse.
It comes with its very own Dex mode, which gets activated when attached to a keyboard and gives you a desktop vibe to it, which is why Samsung pitches this as a 2 in 1 device. It comes with the support of the Samsung ‘S’ pen.
There’s an indent on the back to which the S pen attaches itself, and charges automatically while it’s attached. The S pen has unique features such as air gesture control, speaker control, the remote shutter for camera amongst others, while it can still be efficiently used for taking down notes or making sketches.
Coming to the camera, there is more to capture with the presence of a wide and ultra-wide camera set up on the back of the tab, while there is an 8MP camera for selfies and video calling, making sure you look crisp in your work from home meetings. The BookCover keypad (that has to be purchased separately) enables the desktop experience, which makes multi-tasking an absolute delight using the split view feature on the tab.
For security, the Tab S6 comes with an on-screen optical fingerprint scanner that instantly unlocks the screen. The same fingerprint scanner can be used as a password for compatible apps.
And finally, when it comes to battery life, the Tab S6 is in a league of its own with up to 15 hours of battery life and fast charge. It comes with a USB Type C charger, while users can also opt for a POGO Charging dock.
- Lightweight
- Powerful processor
- Quad speaker setup
- Brilliant Super AMOLED display
- Ultrawide camera
- No 3.5mm jack
- The S pen placement at the back results in scratches
3. Best Value For Money: Apple iPad
| Processor | A10 fusion |
| Size | 10.2 inch |
| Storage | 32GB and 128 GB |
| OS | iPadOS |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Weight | 493 grams |
This is the 7th generation of the Apple iPad, and probably the last one with the predominant bezels on the head and the chin. The design would seem slightly outdated in 2021, but let’s see whether it still holds up on the inside.
The main USP of this device was the compatibility with the smart keyboard cover and the Apple Pencil, giving it the laptop vibe. It is compatible with the Apple pencil 1st generation, it’s great for note-taking and sketching given its large 10.2-inch retina display.
The smart keyboard which doubles up as a cover has a nifty keyboard and gives the effect of the butterfly keypad on the MacBook, but needs to be purchased separately.
It’s one of the best educational tablets in the market, given the A10 fusion chip that handles multi-tasking so well; studying for a course while simultaneously making notes on the notes app. Given the power of the A10 chip, you can also connect your PS4 or Xbox controller to the game which makes it a very versatile device to own.
At the back, you have an 8MP camera capable of recording HD videos while on the front you have the FaceTime HD camera, albeit just 1.2MP, but it does the job when it comes to video calls.
It also comes in a 4G LTE model, which means you can just use a sim card and have connectivity on the go. Although the 7th generation iPad might now seem old, it is still a great device for someone to enter the Apple ecosystem without punching a hole in their wallet.
- Apple Pencil and smart keyboard support
- Cheaper than other iPads
- Touch ID for added security
- Pair your gaming controllers
- 4G LTE model available as well
- Lower resolution front-facing camera
- Huge bezels on the head and chin
4. Best Windows Tablet: Microsoft Surface Go
| Processor | Intel Pentium Gold |
| Size | 10 inch |
| Storage | 64GB and 128 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 in S mode |
| Battery life | 9 hours |
| Weight | 583 grams |
The Microsoft Surface has usually been Microsoft’s answer to Apple in the tablet market and this is no different. Although Microsoft now uses the Surface tag to even sell some really sleep laptops too, here we shall look at the Surface Go.
The Surface go, unlike the other tablets above, runs on a dedicated Intel Pentium Gold chip, so that performance is not compromised even the slightest. It runs on Windows 10 in S mode, it’s a version of Windows 10 that has been streamlined for performance and security while still providing the users with the familiar Windows 10 experience. As a measure for increased security, you can install apps only from the Microsoft store.
The tablet comes with a kickstand at the back which can be used for three different modes. Laying it flat results in the tablet mode, slightly raised for studio mode which enables you to make notes and sketch and fully raised helps you work in laptop mode when connected with the type cover that comes with the keyboard. You also have the option to purchase the surface pen for all your sketching and noting needs.
It has a 10-inch screen with a PixelSense display, meaning each pixel is crisp and allows you to have great viewing angles. The Pentium gold processor inside, helps you achieve laptop performance in a tablet, with options of 4GB and 8GB RAM, while keeping people familiar with the Windows experience that we are all so used to. If you do not want to purchase a laptop but what a tablet that can do it all, the Surface Go is a lightweight solution just for you.
- Good processor and graphics
- Up to 8GB RAM available
- Kickstand at the back allows for multiple viewing options.
- Apps only from the Microsoft store
- Short battery life
5. Best Under $200: Lenovo Tab M10
| Processor | Snapdragon 429 |
| Size | 10.1 inch |
| Storage | 16GB and 32GB |
| OS | Android P |
| Battery life | 9 hours |
| Weight | 583 grams |
The Lenovo M10 is what you’d ideally call the family tablet, as it is one of those devices that every member can use, without any hiccups. So, what makes it ideal for young families? Let’s dive in.
The Lenovo Tab M10 comes with a 10.1-inch HD screen with dual front-facing speakers to enhance your entertainment while watching movies or just browsing videos on YouTube. The screen comes with an eye protection film that reduces eye strain upon prolonged usage.
For security, it comes with facial recognition to unlock your device. As this tablet is targeted to families, it comes with a special kids mode. This has custom content, and the usage in this mode can be monitored by parents. Parents can enable and disable certain features, and navigation is extremely simple for kids.
It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 428 with a quad-core setup. This means that it can handle basic tasks with ease, and usage is mostly smooth, but don’t be expecting heavy multitasking or laptop-like performance.
It runs on Android Pie which means, you have access to the Google Play store and can download various apps, given your needs and usage. Although it’s competitively priced, it loses out to the Apple iPad Mini that’s targeted to the same demographic.
- Lightweight
- Kids mode
- Access to the Google Play store
- Dolby Atmos speaker setup
- Expandable memory
- Slow processor
- Other tablets offer better feature to the same demographic
6. Best Battery Life: Samsung Galaxy Tab A
| Processor | Snapdragon 450 |
| Size | 10.5 inch |
| Storage | 32GB |
| OS | Android P |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
| Weight | 534 grams |
Launched in late 2018, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A was at that time the thinnest tablet launched by Samsung at 8mm thick. Backed by 3GB of RAM and a whopping 7300mAh battery life, this is a tablet that will last you the day.
It comes with a 10.5-inch LCD capacitive screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10 which means, movies can be watched in the right manner given the ration settings and therefore nothing would be cut from your screen.
Accompanying this great visual is the quad setup of the Dolby Atmos speakers, which provide 3D surround sound. A unique feature about this setup is that it auto-adjusts the speaker output based on the orientation you’re holding the tablet in.
Samsung has introduced what it likes to call the Home Experience with the Tab A. On standby mode, the tablet can act as a digital photo frame showing you images that you have selected from the gallery. You can also use it to just display the time, weather and your upcoming tasks from the calendar.
It also comes with Bixby vision, Samsung’s very own counterpart of Siri. But it has enhanced features, such as live results. You can use the tablet’s camera to point at things and get live results, landmarks, business and food spots and also translates foreign languages on the fly.
It comes with a mammoth 7300 mAh battery which means it easily lasts all day if not more. Samsung says the battery lasts upto 15 hours and we found that to be accurate as well. To speed up the charging process it also comes with fast charging.
- Great battery life
- Bixby vision has unique features
- Quad speaker setup
- Expandable memory
- Fast charging
- Thick bezels
- Old processor
7. Best FireOS: Fire HD 10
| Processor | Mediatek MT8173 |
| Size | 10.1 inch |
| Storage | 32GB and 64GB |
| OS | Customized Android 5.1, Fire 5.3 |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Weight | 504 grams |
A tablet right from the Amazon ecosystem, the Fire HD 10 was Amazon’s first Alexa hands-free tablet. It comes with a plethora of features so let’s check them out.
It comes with a 10.1-inch 1080 Full HD display, this being the highest-rated display on any Fire tablet by Amazon yet. Comes with both front and rear-facing cameras. The rear camera is 2MP while the front camera is VGA. This barely gets the job done when it comes to video calling, but by today’s standards, it is really far off.
Inside we have the Quad-core Mediatek processor with 2GB RAM. It starts with 32GB and there’s also a 64GB option available. Running on FireOS this is a version based on Android 5, so you do have access to the Google Play Store to download apps and use them. It comes with a 10 hours battery life which falls to 7 hours if you’re constantly browsing and watching content on the internet.
Some of the unique features on the Fire HD 10 include having something called Show mode. This is a feature that changes the layout of the home screen so that it can be viewed even from far and shows you daily information, temperature, trending news, etc with the aid of Alexa.
Alexa can now also control your smart home appliances for you to regulate temperature, switch on/off the lights amongst other things. If you want an Alexa with a screen, this is the device to go for.
Given that this is an Amazon product, it has its very own BlueShade which is a specific lighting mode that can be used to read and make the tablet seem like a kindle to make reading easier.
- Blue Shade for reading
- USB Type-C port
- Alexa Hands-free
- Show mode
- Access to Kindle
- Poor camera quality
- OS is lacking
8. Best With Stylus: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
| Processor | Snapdragon 835 |
| Size | 10.5 inch |
| Storage | 64GB and 256GB |
| OS | Android P |
| Battery life | 16 hours |
| Weight | 483 grams |
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 was Samsung’s answer to the iPad Pro back in 2018. Samsung has recently shifted to showcasing that its tablets can handle the performance requirements of a computer with the launch of their Dec mode and the S4 certainly excels in this category.
It comes with a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display, meaning all the visuals are extremely crisp and clean with 287 PPI. Accompanying the screen are a pair of cinematic Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers to give you a truly cinematic experience given the large screen size.
It comes with the S pen included that comes with its unique air gesture controls, and doubles up as a tool to draw, sketch and jot down notes. On Dex mode you can connect the S4 to an external monitor and use the tablet as a digitizer as well, to sketch, or be used as a touchpad as well.
It comes with Wi-Fi calling, meaning you can attend your Hangouts calls via this. To enable better video calls, the S4 also comes with far-field mics which means you don’t necessarily have to be close to the tablet when attending your work from home meetings.
Building on the Bixby experience comes the Bixby vision which uses the rear camera to give you live results, be it based on directions, business or even do live translations of foreign texts. For security, it comes with a facial recognition lock as well as the newly introduced iris scanner for an added layer of security.
S4 comes with expandable memory with an external memory card. Also has USB type-C and has the option of OTG (On the go) option as well. If you want the iPad Pro performance in Android, this is the tablet to go for.
- Super AMOLED display
- S Pen digitizer
- Iris scanner
- Expensive
- No fingerprint scanner
9. Best 2-in-1: ASUS Transformer Mini
| Processor | Intel Atom |
| Size | 10.1 inch |
| Storage | 64GB and 128GB |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Weight | 530 grams |
With the world trying to switch from laptop to tablets that are more 2 in 1, Asus joined the bandwagon by launching the Transformer Mini. From the name itself, their intent was evident that they don’t want this to be looked upon as just a tablet, but as one that works as a fully functional laptop as well. With its Magnesium alloy body that is just 0.6 inches thin, it truly does stand out.
The Transformer Mini comes with the Stylus pen as well as the travel keyboard, as Asus felt they shouldn’t be charging the customers extra for accessories that they were going to use. With the keypad attached, it weighs less than 700 grams meaning it is great to travel around with.
It has 64GB and 128GB storage options but what is unique about this is that the 128GB comes in the SSD variant for faster performance. This becomes evident as the tablet is powered by the Intel Atom processor and the additional 4GB RAM. The active stylus lets you work with the Windows ink workspace and is pretty smooth to use.
On the back there is a smart hinge design, which enables you to rest the tablet as you may, be in laptop mode, or just slightly elevated to sketch or jot down notes.
When it comes to connectivity it makes no compromises as it comes with a USB port, a micro HDMI port, a Micro SD card port as well as the 3.5mm headphone jack. It comes with all-day battery life of up to 12 hours, but regular usage brings it down to 9 hours which is still sufficient to get done with your workday.
- Accessories included
- 0.6 inches thin
- Premium finish
- Lightweight
- Smart hinge design at the back
- Windows 10 sometimes feel too heavy
- Expensive
10. Best Notebook: Samsung Galaxy Book
| Processor | Intel Core M3 |
| Size | 10.6 inch |
| Storage | 64GB and 128GB |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Battery life | 9 hours |
| Weight | 638 grams |
The Samsung Galaxy Book is seen less as a tablet and more as a single screen laptop. It is not because of its weight (although at 639 grams it is on the heavier side compared to other tablets) but because of the performance it delivers. So, let’s tune in.
It comes with a 10.6-inch TFT FHD display with 1920×1280 pixel density. Onboard we have the Intel Core M processor to match all your laptop needs and for that extra boost it comes with 4GB RAM. It comes with a keyboard cover and the S pen included. The keyboard gets activated just on contact and neither the Keyboard nor the pen needs any charging.
Trying to make some sort of ecosystem for easy connectivity, it comes with what Samsung calls, Samsung Flow, which seamlessly and wirelessly connects to your Samsung mobile to transfer data, content or even just view your smartphone screen on the tablet.
Owing to its original tablet form factor, it’s equipped with a 5MP camera for video calls, which is more than what you find on most laptops, meaning you can have HD video calls with ease on the Galaxy Book.
It has an expandable microSD slot meaning you can increase the storage capacity by upto 250GB. The battery life usually lasts around 9 hours, but it is enabled by the adaptive fast charging meaning going to 100% does not take much time.
If your requirements are not extremely heavy and want a light-weight laptop to carry around without the hassle of too many functions, the Galaxy Book is definitely a device worth checking out.
- Samsung Flow
- Inclusive keyboard and pen
- Fast charging
- No rear camera
- Overheats quickly
11. Cheapest 10-inch: Dragon Touch Notepad K10
| Processor | 64-bit Quad-core |
| Size | 10.1 inch |
| Storage | 32GB |
| OS | Android P |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Weight | 890 grams |
One of the only entry-level tablets on this list, the Dragon Touch Notepad K10 is one that you can use if all you aim to do is watch movies and browse the internet. It is sleek, performs most tasks, and does not burn a hole in your wallet.
The 10.1-inch screen comes with an IPS HD display, with vivid colors on the 800×1280 resolution screen. It also comes with an eyecare mode, similar to the Apple true tone that optimizes the backlight of the display based on your surroundings, and makes it easier to read at night.
It comes with a 64 bit Quad-core processor with 2GB RAM which enables for the faster app launch. To add to this, you also have dual speakers for making movie watching a lot more pleasurable. If you’re in the mood for an even bigger display, you can just connect the K10 to your TV with the micro HDMI port that’s onboard.
It comes with built-in Google Assistant, meaning, you can ask Google things instead of manually searching for them. It also has an integrated GPS sensor, which can help in navigation provided you have downloaded the required offline maps.
In an attempt to throwback to the old times, the K10 even comes with the FM radio, in case you just didn’t want to stream music on Spotify. It comes with a dual-camera setup, one on the front and back. Video calls are manageable, and the rear camera does take decent pictures. The inbuilt storage is only 32GB but this can be increased by 128GB via a micro SD card.
- Relatively inexpensive
- Sturdy
- Expandable memory
- 64-bit processor
- Micro HDMI port
- Restricted viewing angles
- Small onboard storage
The FAQs
A few tablets come with a micro HDMI port with which you can easily connect your tablet to your TV. For others, you can also use WiFi direct if you have a smart TV to connect your tablet.
We would recommend the Apple iPad Air for the best 10-inch tablet, due to it’s a fast processor and continuous iOS support. You can also consider Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 if you’re looking for 10-inch android tablet.
We believe anything around 9.7 inches to 10.3 inches is perfect for a tablet, as it makes it durable and lightweight enough to carry but not also too small so that you cannot enjoy multimedia content on it.
Most tablets now come with a WiFi-only model and a WiFi + LTE model. Be sure to check the variant you buy. In the LTE model you can insert a sim card and enjoy the internet on the go.
A good tablet will be lightweight, have a decent pair of cameras and have good performance, meaning it’ll have the latest professors underneath. If you are an artist or student looking to take notes, you might also want to check out the accessories it pairs up with for added use.
Verdict
We are now witnessing a shift from the laptops to tablets. As more and more tablets become powerful, the 2-in-1 feature becomes more desirable, as they are lighter and much more durable than a laptop. Thanks to the touch screen element and the use of a stylus pen come as a bonus.
The Apple iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 remain the most powerful devices on this list, given your preference for iOS or Android. Both lightweight and equally good in additional features should enable you to ditch your laptop.
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