Alternative Tablets Worth Considering
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) for $140: This Amazon tablet can drop to a price of $75 on sale, making it an unbeatable deal. The improvements over the 2021 version are mostly a processor upgrade, resulting in a slight performance boost. The overall performance is satisfactory (consider opting for the keyboard bundle if you intend to handle some light typing tasks).
Poco Pad for £415: This economical tablet from Xiaomi’s vibrant budget subsidiary features a delightful large, sharp 12.1-inch display with a 120-Hz refresh rate and four stereo speakers around its edges. The build quality is surprisingly good for its price, although it is relatively heavy and bulky, making it ideal primarily for watching movies or casual gaming in bed. Performance may falter with demanding applications, and the HyperOS overlay on Android 14 can be awkward and unattractive. Battery life is impressive, providing several days of use with light activity. However, it is not currently available in the U.S. —Simon Hill
Honor MagicPad 2 for £500: This stylish tablet is also not available in America. It bears strong similarities to the aforementioned OnePlus Pad 2, featuring a stunning OLED display with remarkable specifications (3K resolution, 1,600 nits brightness, 144-Hz refresh rate), which are typically hard to find in this price range. Equipped with eight speakers, enjoying movies and gaming on this tablet is a treat. The stylus and keyboard perform admirably (I particularly appreciate the handwriting and formula recognition), but they currently seem unavailable in the UK. I found the AI features, such as Magic Portal, to be quite useful—possibly more so on a tablet than a smartphone. Battery life is good, and charging speeds are impressive (66 watts). Its only notable downside is the limited processing power, which falls short compared to an iPad (though equivalently specked Apple devices will likely be pricier). —Simon Hill
Tablet Accessories
Since most tablets do not include kickstands or adequate ports, investing in a few accessories can significantly enhance your experience. Here are some of our preferred tablet accessories, many of which are also highlighted in our Best iPad Accessories guide.
Satechi Aluminum Desktop Stand for $45: This is my top choice for a tablet stand; I’ve even traveled with it. It collapses reasonably well and is extremely stable—no wobbles here. You can also adjust the angle quite easily, and it accommodates larger sizes perfectly—it worked well with my 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Logitech K380 Pebble Bluetooth Keyboard for $40: If you’re after a straightforward Bluetooth keyboard for your tablet without spending a fortune on a keyboard case, Logitech’s K380 is an excellent choice that I’ve relied on for years. It operates on two AA batteries that have yet to be replaced (Logitech claims a lifespan of two years) and allows switching between three connected devices via Bluetooth.
Twelve South Compass Pro Stand for $30: Although designed for iPads, I’ve used it without issues with various other tablets. It’s more travel-friendly than the aforementioned Satechi but is still fairly stable; however, the back leg tends to shift position when lifting the tablet off. You can set it at a low angle for sketching or keep it upright for watching content. Unlike the Satechi, it’s not ideal for securing the tablet upright on a mattress.
Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $60: This hub is fully compatible with iPads and other tablets. You can either plug it in to keep it flush against the tablet’s edge or utilize the included cable to keep it extended. It offers a USB-C port for pass-through charging, a USB-A, an HDMI connection, and a headphone jack.
Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder for $28: I’ve utilized this on my bed frame to support various tablets for over a year. Adjusting the gooseneck to the perfect position can require some effort, and if you frequently tap the screen, it may jiggle somewhat. Nonetheless, it’s an excellent hands-free solution for watching movies. The clamp can attach to various surfaces, such as a desk or kitchen countertop.
Twelve South HoverBar Duo Mount/Stand for $80: This versatile accessory can serve as either a stand or a mount, and switching between the two is made hassle-free by Twelve South. You can easily attach your tablet to a bedside arm mount and transfer it to the stand in your home office the next morning. Both configurations are robust, and the arm mount offers good adjustability. Best of all, it doesn’t shake as much as the Lamicall holder when you tap the screen.
Anker Nano 3 30-Watt Charging Adapter for $20: Most tablets charge around 18 watts, making this 30-watt charger from Anker more than capable of meeting your needs. Its plugs fold up and its compact form makes it convenient to carry. If your tablet does support faster charging, I recommend Satechi’s 108-watt three-port USB-C charger ($75), which enables you to charge your phone, tablet, and laptop from the same outlet.
Einova Ultra Fast Power Bank for $47: This power bank is slim enough to fit next to a tablet in your bag, with a 20,000 mAh capacity that can recharge an 11-inch tablet twice. It supports fast charging through the USB-C port and includes two USB-A ports for recharging other devices.
