Discover our comparison of the best tablets of the moment to know which one to choose, whether for fun or for work.
The TOP 3 of the best tablets in 2021
The best for Android 8/10
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
- Excellent Amoled screen
- Improved stylus
- Performance, finesse and storage
Apple iPad Air 2020
- The A14 Bionic processor
- A modernized Touch ID
- iPad OS
Apple iPad 9 (2021)
- The ideal price-performance ratio
- Supports Apple Pencil and keyboards
- A little more powerful
Even if the tablet market is no longer as dynamic as it was in the heyday, the sector remains popular with fans of large screens. In recent years, tablets have become increasingly popular with ultraportable computers thanks to more powerful processors and accessories like keyboards that make them perfectly hybrid devices.
Above all, their operating systems are adopting more and more functions, such as multitasking, formerly reserved for “desktop” OS. Replacing an ultraportable with a tablet is therefore now entirely possible, in particular on Apple models which benefit from special attention from developers such as Adobe or Microsoft.
After years of undivided domination by Samsung and especially Apple, it seems that the competition is waking up a bit, with a Xiaomi and a Lenovo launching into the high end.
What are the best tablets for your needs and your budget? Discover our comparison to choose the right one.
If it is mainly the Apple brand tablets that interest you, take a look at our comparison of the different iPads.Apple iPad Air 2020 The Best Tablet
8 / 10
Product sheet See the Amazon test 669 €
- The A14 Bionic processor
- A modernized Touch ID
- iPad OS
With this 2020 vintage of the iPad Air, Apple is spreading the design and functionality of its iPad Pro to the rest of the range. Put side by side, it's hard to distinguish this iPad Air from its 11-inch big brother. Beyond the look, this new iPad Air also wins the smart connector which allows you to add a keyboard. Compatibility with the second generation Apple Pencil is also ensured.
Source: Idroid / Arnaud GELINEAU
Although still very good, the screen however skips 90 Hz. The adoption of the A14 Bionic processor, however, makes it the fastest and more generally the most powerful Apple tablet on the market. We also greatly appreciate the return of Touch ID in the form of a sensor integrated into the ignition button.
The autonomy is however less impressive since it is difficult to reach ten hours of use.
If the gap between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air has widened again, the latter remains by far the best choice for the vast majority of users. You will find more information about it in our review of the iPad Air 2020.
Where to buy theApple iPad Air 2020 at the best price?
- Amazon € 669 Discover the offer
- Baker € 669 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 679 € Discover the offer
If you want to make it a more serious working machine, we recommend that you invest in a cover / keyboard worthy of the name. In this category, we selected the Logitech Folio for its excellent build quality and the comfort of its keyboard.
A little too big? How about the iPad mini?
Is the classic iPad Air a little bulky for you? The new version of the iPad mini is here for you, with a modernized design, an Apple A15 processor and an 8,3-inch display. The price goes up a bit, but this is a great compact alternative to the iPad Air. We give you all the details in our iPad mini 6 test.
Where to buy theApple iPad mini 6 (2021) at the best price?
- Cdiscount 729 € Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 559 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 655 € Discover the offer
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus The best for Android
8 / 10
Product sheet See the Cdiscount test 849 €
- Excellent Amoled screen
- Improved stylus
- Performance, finesse and storage
If you're looking for an uncompromising tablet and you're allergic to Apple, look no further. The Galaxy Tab S7 + is the only one to compete with the iPad Pro in the Android universe.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus //Source : Samsung
No need to look very far to find where the Korean drew his inspiration for the design of his tablet. The 16:10 aspect ratio of the screen is surprising, but the 120 Hz Super Amoled panel stands out as one of the best we have tested. The supplied stylus also gains in precision and responsiveness compared to the previous version.
The rest of the machine is in keeping with a Snapdragon 865+ which still displays excellent performance. Autonomy is a little behind, but we appreciate the presence of an efficient fast charge (10 hours in 10 minutes).
To find out more, you can read our full review of the Galaxy Tab S7 +. And if your budget is a bit smaller, the Galaxy Tab S7 is a good alternative. Where to buy theSamsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus at the best price?
- Cdiscount 849 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 849 Discover the offer
- Baker € 849 Discover the offer
- Darty 849 € Discover the offer
- Fnac Marketplace € 859 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 876 € Discover the offer
- Topbiz 888 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 949 € Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc € 1 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
Apple iPad 9 (2021) Best value for money
Baker product sheet 389 €
- The ideal price-performance ratio
- Supports Apple Pencil and keyboards
- A little more powerful
The new Apple iPad vintage 2021 continues to evolve with very small touches. First of all, the design is similar with its wide borders and the Home button equipped with Touch ID on the front. SoC side, we go to an A13 Bionic Fusion chip introduced by the iPhone 11. This represents a power gain of about 20% compared to the previous generation.
This does not make the iPad a thunderbolt, but it is sufficient for the vast majority of uses of a tablet in excellent conditions. The photo module is also evolving since we go to a 12 Mpx sensor coupled to an ultra wide-angle lens of 122 °. This new sensor gives it compatibility with Center Stage.
It retains the same format as last year, that is to say a diagonal of 10,2 inches, against 9,7 inches for the iPad of 2018. The panel is however now compatible with True Tone, with a temperature colors that adapts to the ambient light. The Smart Connector always answers the call, so you can connect a keyboard or Apple Pencil to it.
No change for autonomy, count as always about ten hours with a charge via a Lightning port. Too bad Apple has not taken the plunge and finished switching its iPad range to USB-C ...
The iPad 9 is therefore not a revolution, but an honest update, this model continues for us to be the reference for who wants an excellent tablet for non-professional use.
Where to buy theApple iPad 9 (2021) at the best price?
- Baker € 389 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 549 € Discover the offer
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 M1 The Hardest Worker
9 / 10
Product sheet See the Amazon test € 1
- The exceptional performance of the Apple M1
- A stunning mini LED screen
- But a price that stings, especially with the keyboard
Apple's “Pro” tablet had recently taken a turn for the worse, blamed on an aging processor. A weakness that the 2021 vintage of the machine corrects by embedding the same Apple M1 processor that we find on the MacBook Pro M1! As a result, performance explodes and, as a bonus, application development is clearly facilitated.
The mini LED screen of the iPad Pro 12,9 ″ 2021 // Source: IDROID / Anthony WONNER
The changes do not stop there since Apple inaugurates a mini LED panel in its most high-end tablet. Already seen on some televisions, mini LED technology provides better brightness and above all a higher contrast ratio. We measured it at 1000000: 1, which is close to what you get with OLED. Please note, only the 12,9-inch version has this new screen technology, not the 11-inch model.
The front camera is also entitled to a nice improvement since we go to a 12 Mpx ultra wide-angle sensor. The latter also uses the power of the M1 to offer a fairly impressive tracking function during video calls to always keep you in the frame.
This new iPad Pro comes with a new (and very expensive) keyboard called Magic Keyboard. Coupled with this accessory, the iPad Pro further blurs the line between tablet and classic computer. In general, it stands out by far as the best tablet for working. The price remains: it also approaches, or even exceeds, that of a high-end computer. For more details, go to our test of the iPad Pro 12.9 2021.
Where to buy theApple iPad Pro 12.9 M1 at the best price?
- Amazon € 1 Discover the offer
- Fnac € 1 Discover the offer
- Baker € 1 Discover the offer
- Darty € 1 Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc € 1 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount € 1 Discover the offer
Xiaomi Pad 5 Xiaomi attacks tablets
8 / 10
Product sheet See the Baker test 399 €
- 120 Hz screen
- A powerful processor
- Efficient design
Ultra present in the smartphone market, Xiaomi remained discreet for the moment on the tablet market. The situation changes, however, with this Pad 5 which attacks Apple's iPad 9 head-on.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 front view //
Adopting a 16:10 format, it offers a neat design and a rather successful aluminum construction. The screen itself measures 11 inches and offers an overall pleasing picture. We really appreciate its 120 Hz compatibility, very rare at this price level. The use of a Snapdragon 860 is also a pleasant surprise, the chip is powerful and particularly good for games. Nothing to say about the autonomy: as often we will hold about ten hours depending on usage.
As always with Xiaomi, the software component is provided by MIUI, deployed here in version 12.5. The user experience is therefore generally good, even if the interface alone cannot overcome the application handicap of Android with regard to tablets.
With the Pad 5, Xiaomi has kicked off the (small) anthill of Android tablets. It is a solid mid-range model, which will interest those allergic to the iPad. For more information about it, find our review of the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5.
Where to buy theXiaomi Pad 5 at the best price?
- Baker € 399 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 385 € Discover the offer
- Fnac Marketplace € 473 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount Marketplace 495 € Discover the offer
- Topbiz 508 € Discover the offer
- Amazon Marketplace 518 € Discover the offer
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite L'alternative Android
7 / 10
Product sheet See the Amazon test 355 €
- Good finish
- Stylus included
- Interface One UI efficace
In a dying Android tablet market, the arrival of a mid-range model from Samsung could not go unnoticed. As the name suggests, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a slimmed down version of the Tab S6.
If the design and build quality are exemplary, Samsung compromises with the screen. Forget the Amoled, here we have to be content with a "simple" LCD panel. The latter is, however, of quality, with the only complaint that the brightness is a little low. More annoying, however, is the use of a slightly light Exynos 9611 processor, especially in games. Autonomy remains solid, however, with around ten hours of use per charge.
In short, Samsung offers here a very correct model, but which is a little pale in comparison to an iPad sold at a similar price. If you want to stay in the Android ecosystem, it remains an interesting choice. Be careful though, it should be replaced soon by the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite. To learn more, read our full review of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.
Where to buy theSamsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite at the best price?
- Amazon € 355 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 349 € Discover the offer
- Amazon Marketplace 355 € Discover the offer
- Topbiz 357 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 359 € Discover the offer
- Baker € 369 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount Marketplace 375 € Discover the offer
- Fnac Marketplace € 376 Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 389 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 399 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 439 € Discover the offer
Amazon Fire HD 8 2020 Compact and inexpensive
6 / 10
Product sheet See the Amazon test 99 €
- A quality / price ratio difficult to match ...
- ... despite several faults
- Correct performance
Amazon's Fire HDs have been offering inexpensive alternatives for several years. Available for around a hundred euros depending on the configuration, they allow you to perform the basic functions expected of a tablet: multimedia and web browsing.
The latest addition to this range, the Fire HD 8 (2020), offers an 8-inch HD screen (1280 x 800 pixels), 32 or 64 GB of storage and performance that is all in all sufficient for basic use.
Today it is one of the few small tablets on the market. The iPad mini is an alternative, but at 429 euros, this solution is far too expensive for our taste to be recommended. There is also a 7-inch version of Amazon's tablet, but we were quite disappointed with the latter. As evidenced by our test of the Fire 7.
Its specificity is to run under FireOS, a fork of Android without the Play Store, but with the Amazon Appstore. However, the Amazon store offers a number of applications, to allow you to enjoy SVOD services or games for example. Its updated look and its accessible price from 99 euros on Amazon make it a very interesting product.
You will find all the details in our review of the Fire HD 8 2020. Where to buy theAmazon Fire HD 8 2020 at the best price?
- Amazon € 99 Discover the offer
- Fnac Marketplace € 49 Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 126 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 161 € Discover the offer
- Cdiscount Marketplace 186 € Discover the offer
Good to know before buying a touchscreen tablet
What can a modern tablet do?
With increasingly larger smartphones, the interest in slates has diminished. This explains why they are increasingly geared towards productivity thanks to keyboards or styluses. Thus, if high-end tablets remain excellent consultation terminals, they are increasingly becoming creative tools. Less expensive products will always make very good secondary terminals for watching Netflix on the go, for example.
iPad, Samsung Galaxy: which one to choose?
The contraction of the tablet market has significantly reduced the number of brands still really engaged in the markets. There are actually only two serious left: Apple and Samsung. To a lesser extent, we can also add Amazon, which remains a benchmark on the entry level.
What is the right screen size for my tablet?
At a time when smartphones have screens of 6 inches and more, we recommend turning to slabs of 9 inches or more to really enjoy their slate. Smaller terminals, around 7 inches, may also make sense in some more specific cases. Amazon with its Fire HD 8 also offers an in-between that may appeal to some.
What accessories for my tablet?
It depends on what you want to do with it. If you are simply looking for a second screen to surf on your sofa and watch videos more comfortably than with a smartphone, the accessories will be dispensable. Conversely, if you consider your slate to be an object of productivity, you will be advised to invest in at least a keyboard. If you are a gamer on the other hand, investing in a controller will be a good idea, especially if you want to try out cloud gaming services.
You haven't found what you are looking for?
If you are looking more for a large smartphone, do not hesitate to consult our guide to buying the best smartphones of the moment to find what you are looking for. On the contrary, if you are looking for a more complete device, we recommend that you take a look at our selection of ChromeBook.
What are the best Chromebooks to buy in 2021?
Chromebooks have become great alternatives to Windows laptops, but also to MacBooks. For the start of the school year, we have chosen the best Chromebooks of the moment for you.
