The best tablet can be a portable TV screen around the house and a way to get light work done away from your desk. They’re not essential but are nice to have around. With a wealth of apps for drawing, painting, and making music, they’re also a great outlet for creative impulses.
The iPad’s ease of use and best-in-breed software make it the obvious choice for most people, but if you don’t want an iPad, there are other options. Android tablets have made a comeback in the last couple of years. Amazon’s Fire tablets are also an affordable way to watch movies and browse the web, as long as you don’t mind their limitations. There are even great E Ink slates for jotting down notes or sketching. We’ve tested dozens of tablets over the years, and these are the best right now.