The best tablets for teachers are a valuable resource when it comes to being digitally connected in class, while staying mobile and available for all students. Ideal for sharing one on one with students, or for controlling an interactive whiteboard from anywhere.
While tablets are now plenty powerful enough to replace laptops -- many coming with keyboards and stylus pens -- one can also be a useful extension of other devices. That can mean a more affordable tablet does the job of helping teachers interact digitally with students from anywhere in the class, without breaking the bank.
Tablets comes with a wealth of hardware to be taken advantage of in class, including cameras, microphones, speakers, motion sensors, and more. So from making video calls in a hybrid class to taking students on an interactive augmented reality experience, the uses are myriad.
It's worth thinking about how large you may need your tablet to be -- will students be looking from afar as a group, or is this mainly for one-to-one interactions? And how tough does it need to be -- are you using this alone or will it be left with younger students to handle too? Battery life could also be a consideration if you want to go all day without carrying a charger too.
So read on to find the best tablets for teachers available right now.
1. Apple iPad (2022): The best tablets for teachers top pick
The Apple iPad (2022) is the very best tablet for teachers right now -- in fact it's the best tablet outright. As such, being Apple, you can expect a steeper-than-many price tag. But it more than justifies this level because of its hardware as well as the backing of some of the best apps available in the world.
The 10.9-inch Retina display packs in a 2,360 x 1,640 resolution on the touchscreen for a clear and bright image. All that means a super clear and detailed display both for close-up and far viewing in the class. Whatever you need, the A14 Bionic chip will make short work of it with instant responsiveness. You also get a 12MP Ultra Wide selfie camera for video calls, and a 12MP rear snapper for sharing class materials and super realistic AR experiences.
Thanks to multiple microphones and high-quality speakers, you can use this for video interactions, video playback, and even recording and video editing as needed in class and for lesson prep. In fact, this is a viable laptop replacement with keyboard and stylus options. Plus, you can expect to get all-day use out of this with 10 hours on a single charge.
While this isn't the top-end iPad Air model, this offers nearly all the features that does without quite as high a price. In short, this offers more than enough excellent hardware, app support, and build quality to suit nearly all teaching needs -- as well as personal use outside of class.
2. Samsung Tab S7 Plus: Best PC-style tablet
The Samsung Tab S7 Plus is a tablet that blurs the line between laptop PC and portable touchscreen device. This is largely thanks to the DeX mode that allows you to enjoy a desktop-style interface on the otherwise Android 10 operating system – including outputting to a TV – ideal for at-home use when a monitor isn't available.
This tablet packs in serious specs with a stunning 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display capable of HDR10+ and 120Hz, which all translates to lifelike clarity and smoothness – perfect for video teaching. The camera supports this well too with an impressive 8MP selfie snapper that works well in all lighting thanks to HDR smarts.
The inclusion of the S Pen stylus is another big draw here, ideal for marking digital work, making notes, and drawing. You will have to pay extra for the keyboard case and this is already a pricey tablet, but as a genuine laptop replacement, with a 14-hour battery, it justifies the cost.
3. Amazon Fire 7: Best affordable tablet
The Amazon Fire 7 (2022) is a super affordable 7-inch tablet, making it a very practical option for many teachers. The build is rugged so it's ideal for the classroom, although the screen does lack the full HD resolution of some competitors. That said, at its size, the display does the job well enough – just don't expect an entire video classroom on that 1,024 x 600 screen.
This device runs Amazon Fire OS, which is Android-based, so there are lots of apps available, just not as many as Apple and Android devices offer. It is a great one-handed tablet that offers easy access to Kindle reading and comes with built-in Alexa voice assistant.
Battery life is relatively poor, and you'll need a charger nearby for any extended use over five hours. The 2MP cameras, in front and back, do a decent enough job of handling video calls and basic photography, but don't expect too much at this price.
4. HP Chromebook X2: Best tablet that doubles as a Chromebook
The HP Chromebook X2 is a great option for anyone who wants the freedom of a tablet without losing the functionality of their Chromebook – ideal for schools already supporting Google programs and hardware. The anodized aluminum tablet section is a 12.3-inch detachable display that sports an impressive 2,400 x 1,600 resolution and daytime capable 403 nits of brightness. It attaches to a leather-texture keyboard with trackpad and also comes with the HP Active Pen stylus accessory.
Audio is excellent thanks to built-in B&O Play sound onboard, which makes this very capable for video lessons, as does the 4.9-megapixel front-facing camera and built-in microphones. The 12-hour battery means no need to carry a charger and the Intel Core i5 processing makes it more than capable as a full computer, too. The only downside is this is heavier than some tablets – but then again it is a lot lighter than many laptops.
5. Lenovo Smart Tab M8: Best for battery life
The Lenovo Smart Tab M8 is another tablet that falls into the affordable category while remaining compact. As such, it features an 8-inch display that tops out at 1,280 x 800, but packs in lots of color and a daytime useable 350 nits of brightness. The design is attractive and the inclusion of a charging dock, which angles the tablet perfectly, makes this a useful tablet-top video classroom device.
Despite 2GB of RAM and a quad-core MediaTek processor, this device does struggle with more processor-heavy tasks. That is likely because it is throttled to help battery life, which is an impressive 18 hours -- making this one of the best, especially for its size.
While we'd like a newer operating system than Android 9, this may get an update and in the short term does just fine. Plus, it offers plenty of apps to make it a very useful tablet in the classroom and for remote learning.
6. Microsoft Surface Go 3: Best Windows tablet
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a tablet that also gives the full Windows 11 experience, allowing it to double as a laptop replacement – if you have the attached keyboard cover. This crams in the power with an Intel Core 10th Gen i3 processor backed by up to 8GB of RAM, making it capable of nearly any task a teacher could ask of it.
While the Touch Cover that features a keyboard and trackpad isn't included, the price of the tablet is relatively low for what you do get. Expect powerful performance, bright and clear 1,920 x 1,280 display, and an excellent 5MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video that's ideal for video teaching.
7. Apple iPad Pro: Best premium tablet
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 is one of the best tablets out there, bar none. This does it all and it does it in style. As such the price tag reflects that. You get all the premium build quality of an Apple tablet, that impressive app store, a full keyboard, and the ability to use a super sensitive and smart stylus in the Apple Pencil.
Expect super speedy performance, lots of storage space, even if you go for the smaller device, and everything shown off on an eye-wateringly good screen. This just works, it works well, and will do for a long time to come. And with the inclusion of Lidar sensors, this should be future-proof even for the coming advanced AR teaching tools of the near future.
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