Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we carefully looked at different options from different brands and compared them based on their design, display, portability, battery life, and other important features to present you with the best options to make an informed decision. We’re always updating our guides with the latest information, so check back for newer additions.
Product Reviews
- Supports 5G and WiFi 6
- Powered by the A15 Bionic chip
- Liquid Retina display for gorgeous visuals
- Relatively high price point
If you are looking for the best small tablet, then the Apple iPad Mini from one of the world’s most famous tech giants might strike your fancy.
To start things off, this miniature device features the A15 Bionic chip, which is comparatively less powerful than the M1 chip but should deliver decent performance and better battery timings.
Coming to the display, Apple held nothing back with their Liquid Retina display, which, combined with impressive technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultra-low reflectivity, ensures that you get the best viewing experience and stunning graphics. It also weighs approximately 0.65 pounds, which is next to nothing, which should make it an ideal choice to take along on adventures and work trips.
As for the connectivity options, it supports both 5G and WiFi 6 for super-fast connections. This means that you can switch between WiFi and mobile data depending on which one works better wherever you are. This also helps for faster file download, upload, and transfers.
Known for their camera quality, Apple churned out the iPad Mini with a 12MP ultra-wide front camera and a 12MP wide back camera which is capable of capturing vibrant pictures and recording 4K videos.
Some other added features include Touch ID, which provides ease as you can unlock and sign into apps with your fingerprint and provides an added layer of security. The Apple Pencil, which charges wirelessly and attaches to the iPad magnetically, is designed to help you take notes, edit pictures, and make your dreams a reality by scribbling whatever – wherever creativity strikes.
All in all, the Apple iPad Mini takes the cake as the best small tablet, and if we look at all the features it brings to the tablet – it’s not surprising at all. If you’re interested in exploring more options that are solid options for creative purposes, then consider checking out our best tablet for photo editing guide for the best picks.
- Low price point
- Has a sturdy metal frame
- Weighs around 0.81 lbs
- The camera quality can use improvement
If you’re looking for the best small Android tablet, then look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite.
To kick things off, this small powerhouse sports a MediaTek processor, which the manufacturer claims gives it more processing speed than previous models. This, combined with its expandable storage – up to 1TB, should provide decent enough performance for casual work and streaming.
Regarding the display, it features an 8.7″ panel with a 1340×800 resolution. This means that it should provide enough area for streaming content with ease and doing casual work, such as taking notes, making presentations, and more.
When it comes to the design of this tablet, it’s slim and features a metal frame that provides a sturdy feel, yet it weighs around 0.81 lbs, making it easy to carry with you, whether it’s for work or a casual trip. The metal frame also adds a layer of durability that should make it ideal for kids and seniors, as it should probably work well even after suffering a couple of drops. However, if you’re interested in exploring tablets for seniors, then be sure to check out our best tablets for seniors guide for the best picks.
To put things into perspective, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers decent features, especially considering its price point, and as an added benefit, it comes with 2 months of free YouTube Premium – sounds like a win-win situation.
- Weighs approximately 9.9 ounces
- Storage expandable by up to 1TB
- Cameras are low quality
If you are on the hunt for the best small tablet that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then consider checking out the Amazon Fire 7 tablet.
To get things started, this tablet is powered by a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor with 2GB RAM. These specifications aren’t mind-blowing but considering the price bracket it comes in – they should be enough to handle basic tasks such as watching videos and taking notes.
Coming to the display, it features a 7-inch IPS panel with 1024×600 resolution which should be enough for day-to-day content viewing and reading but if you were looking to do some creative work on it, then this display size and resolution probably won’t cut it. However, if you’re interested in exploring options with more real estate, then check out our best 10-inch tablets guide for the best picks.
As far as portability is concerned, this tablet weighs around 9.9 ounces, which is light enough to carry with you without feeling tired or an imposing presence and the size makes it so that you can even carry it in your pocket.
On top of that, it features 2MP front and rear cameras capable of 720p HD video recording, so it should provide decent enough quality for video calls or recording a quick video if you’re out and about on a trip.
Regarding connectivity options, it has dual-band WiFi support along with USB-C to connect to other devices and to charge it. According to the manufacturer, it can fully charge in approximately 4 hours using this USB-C adapter that comes with it and should last you up to 10 hours.
To round things up, it also has a 3.5mm stereo jack with integrated speakers, meaning that it should give you good enough sound quality, and if you want to connect your headset for a better experience – you can do that as well.
Considering the features that the Amazon Fire 7 tablet brings to the table, it’s a solid option that won’t break the bank.
How to pick the best tablet
It’s important to consider some factors before investing in any tablet, and to help you make an informed decision; we’ve listed some below.
Purpose
What you plan on using the tablet for can open or close different avenues. For example, if you’re looking to do some photo editing or graphic designing, then going for an option with a high-end display, good features, and support for a pen is recommended. However, if you want to use it casually for watching videos and reading, then going for a high-end option isn’t recommended as you won’t be using its full capabilities and can find better options in a different price bracket.
Size
The size of the laptop comes down to preference. However, if you’re looking to use it for professional purposes, then more screen real estate is better as it can give you more freedom to move around and get work done. However, if you’re a frequent traveler and something small and light to carry with you, then a small tablet should be right up your
Display
One of the most important aspects of a tablet is its display. A subpar display can be immune to glitches and scratches and result in a poor experience. So, opt for a tablet with a good display, especially if you want to use it for graphical purposes as it will provide good color accuracy and support a wide range of the color gamut.
Battery Life
A tablet is of no use if its battery can’t sustain under heavy or normal workloads and discharges quickly. So, pay special attention to the battery capacity and the manufacturers claim to how long it’ll last. It’s also a plus if it supports fast charging, as you can get back in the game quickly with minimal disruptions.
Is a 7-inch tablet too small?
The size of the tablet depends on your usage and preference. If you’re looking to carry it with you during your adventures and quickly whip it out when inspiration strikes, then a 7-inch tablet might be good for you. However, if you want to connect your tablet to different peripherals and have a desk setup, then a larger tablet, such as 10 inches, might work better for you as it’ll have a better screen-to-body ratio.
Does screen size affect quality?
Generally, smaller screens present sharper images as the pixels aren’t spread a lot compared to larger screens. However, it can be argued that the panel plays an important part in this. For example, a 7-inch Liquid Retina display might present a sharper and more vibrant image than a 7-inch WXGA panel, so the screen size isn’t the sole factor in determining good or bad quality.
Our Verdict
After looking at all the features and specifications of the listed tablets, one stood out from the rest, and that is the Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation). First off, it’s powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which should deliver good performance while extending battery life. On top of that, it has a Liquid Retina display, which ensures you get the best viewing experience, and the support for 5G and WiFi 6 makes connectivity issues a thing of the past. So, all in all, it’s no surprise that the Apple iPad Mini took the crown for the best small tablet on our list.