Whether youâre finishing up lesson plans, touching base with parents, or firing up your favorite playlist so you can grade that stack of papers, itâs hard to beat the versatility of a tablet. More convenient than a laptop and more powerful than a smartphone, the right tablet can help you get everything doneâeven though a teacherâs work is never really done. We looked around and found the best tablets for teachers.
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Choosing the Right Tablet
You have plenty of options when it comes to a tabletâs function, design, and style, but there are a few key factors worth paying extra attention to when itâs time to pick the best device for your specific needs:
- Battery life: For a tablet that can keep up with your entire school day and beyond, look for a device with at least eight hours of charge.
- Connectivity: Consider how you plan to access the internet as well as whether you want to pay for cellular data.
- Storage: Room for photos and files on a tablet can go fast, so in addition to the amount of GB, look into cloud options to expand your space.
- Software: Choose an operating system thatâs compatible with the rest of the tech in your home and classroom for seamless integration across devices.
Best All-Around Tablet: Apple iPad
With a 10.2-inch screen, an 8MP back camera, and up to 10 hours of battery life, itâs hard to go wrong with this best-in-show tablet. Starting at under $350, the latest generation of the Apple iPad includes some of the most-lauded features of higher-end devices (think quality performance, responsiveness, and competitive screen size) without the higher-end price tag.
Easily tailor your Apple iPad to your storage and data needs by opting for the 32GB or 128GB size as well as selecting a Wi-Fi-enabled only or Wi-Fi + cellular option, each available in multiple colors to fit your personal style.
Thereâs great news for teachers who are always jotting down things on the fly, tooâyou can extend the function of this tablet with add-ons like the smart keyboard or the Apple Pencil, which transform your device into a notebook for writing or drawing by hand.
Real Talk from Reviewers: âiPads are fantastic for folks who want high-tech capabilities with little complexity. Long battery life, easy to use, and syncs with your iPhone.â
Buy it: Apple iPad
Best Bargain or Beginnerâs Tablet: Amazon Fire HD 10
If youâre making your first foray into tablet ownership and the verdictâs still out on how much you really need one, or if youâre simply looking to buy on a budget, consider the Amazon Fire. PC Mag calls this device, âThe best media tablet you can get for under $150.â
In its latest release, the Fire is faster, more powerful, and has a longer-lasting battery than ever before. And with a 10.1-inch screen, the display of Amazonâs latest device rivals Appleâs newest iPadâat less than half the cost.
Educators with young children at home may also take comfort in the inclusion of Amazon FreeTimeâa free feature on every Fire that enables parents to create child profiles in order to set learning goals, manage content, and limit screen time.
Real Talk from Reviewers: âIâve been playing with it since I opened the box and have discovered the sound quality, image quality, and video playback to be superior to any other tablet Iâve used. Iâm pleased with the storage capacity and battery life as well. Itâs wonderful and powerful in every way! This will be the tablet I use, exclusively, from now on.â
Buy it: Amazon Fire HD 10
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Best 2-in-1 Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
For Android fans, Samsungâs latest Galaxy tablet is unrivaled as a two-in-one device. The Tab S6 provides convenience, ease, and mobility while offering the performance of a laptop, thanks to a speedy internal processor and large (for a tablet) internal memory.
Transitioning to laptop-style functionality is simple with an attachable smart keyboard (complete with track pad) and the latest version of Samsungâs S Pen. Both of these accessories are included with the tablet, so youâll be set up for the complete user experience as soon as the box arrives. Â Â
Real Talk from Reviewers: âIf you want it to be, the Tab S6 can be your laptop. It also syncs well with any Samsung/Android, Gear/Galaxy wearable, or Bluetooth devices. The S Pen acts great as a mouse and is extremely precise. Dex mode is very comparable to the Windows desktop layout. The battery does last all day for me.â
Buy it: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Best Splurge Purchase: Apple iPad Pro
If youâre after high-end performance, youâve found it with the iPad Pro. This device pulls out all the stops, from the largest screen of Appleâs iPad suite to noticeably sharp color accuracy to a camera that rivals some of the best smartphones on the market.
Much like what the Samsung Galaxy did for Android users, the Apple iPad Pro is the tablet to buy if you want to replicate the functionality of your laptop with something more portable. This is especially good news if youâll be carting your tablet back and forth between home and your classroomâthose laptops get heavy!
One final note: If youâre upgrading to a Pro and you already use an Apple Pencil with a different product, check to make sure your devices will stay compatible.
Real Talk from Reviewers: âThe iPad Pro is simply the best-in-class tablet device. The screen is beautiful, it is crazy fast, and the apps are excellent. Since I store my files on iCloud, integration is seamless: Documents that I annotate appear on my computer within seconds after changing them. So, it is not a laptop replacement for me, but I used it almost as much as I use my laptop.â
Buy it: Apple iPad Pro    Â
Best Mid-Level Tablet for Media: Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite
Not everyone needs a tablet that gives their work laptop a run for its money. If youâre an Android user looking for a quality mid-range tablet that youâll mostly use for entertainment or education, the MediaPad M5 Lite from Huawei is a solid choice. Itâs less expensive than the cheapest Apple tablet while still providing some of the same key features, like long battery life.
Marketing for the MediaPad has begun to skew toward younger users lately, due in part to the deviceâs strong parental-control capabilities. This makes the tablet a good contender if youâre sharing screen time with little ones at home.
Real Talk from Reviewers: âI bought this pad so I donât have to fight with my wife for our iPad Air, and Iâm super glad about what I received. It has all the pros the iPad Air has, plus some other features. The sound quality is fabulous! The experience of watching videos is just great with the four speakers and the 10-inch HD display.â
Buy it: Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite
Looking for great deals on tablets as we head this holiday season? Join our WeAreTeachers Deals Facebook page so you can stay in the loop about ways to save.
 Plus, ways teachers can save on laptops.Â