Should You Get An iPad Or Pixel? Your Guide To Choosing A Tablet

Highlights: Powerful A16 bionic chip, more storage size options, more affordable than fancier tablets, 10-hour battery life

The classic iPad will probably always be a winner, and the newest version (the 11th generation) is no exception. This one provides an upgrade on the 10th-gen with a faster processing chip (A16 versus A14), while still retaining many of the 10th-gen's best features — a battery life up to 10 hours, 4K video recording, the fun color options and more. It's just a tenth of an inch bigger, and offers storage sizes of 128, 256 and 512GB, which is more flexibility than the 10th-gen's 64 and 256GB.

This iPad also lacks Apple Intelligence features that use generative AI for things like ChatGPT integration, "Genmoji" and more. But considering how much storage Apple Intelligence takes up, and the ambivalence of many Apple customers, its absence may not be a dealbreaker (and is potentially even a plus).

Bottom line: This is probably the best value and price, and is probably the most useful for everyday living, if you're not using your tablet for intense professional creative projects.

Highlights: No Apple Intelligence, offers smaller storage sizes, different color options than other models, less powerful A14 bionic chip processor

Not only has the 10th-generation iPad earned a high score and stamp of approval from Consumer Reports, but Wirecutter named it their top pick for most people in 2024 — as did Wired and CNET in 2025.

The 10th-gen iPad has an A14 bionic chip, which is an older and less efficient processor than some of the newer models' M-series chips, but should still be plenty usable for most people. Like the 11th-gen, this doesn't have Apple Intelligence. Meanwhile, you can still enjoy up to 10 hours of battery life on Wi-Fi, the USB-C port for fast charging and 4K video recording.

You can get the 10th-gen iPad in four colors and two storage sizes: 64GB or 256GB. It supports the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio, plus the USB-C and first-generation Apple Pencils (but not the second-generation Pencil).

Bottom line: This is probably the iPad (and tablet) with the most bang for your buck. If you plan to use your tablet for leisure, rather than as a professional creative, this model probably has everything you need.

Highlights: Connection to Google Home smart devices, good option for families with the charging dock, built-in Chromecast to cast video to your TV

CNET recommends the Google Pixel Tablet as a great option, especially for families, and Wirecutter named it the best Android tablet. You can get it with or without a charging speaker dock at Amazon (Target currently only sells it with the dock, but CNET does recommend including the dock for an enhanced experience).

The Pixel tablet has a battery life of up to 12 hours, and is designed for entertainment: You can Chromecast content from your tablet onto your TV with ease. The 11-inch screen can also be split to show two apps at once for even more functionality.

The 11-inch tablet features Google AI, as well as Google apps like Gmail, Docs, Photos and more. This includes the Google Home app, which lets you control any Google smart devices you have, from the popular Nest thermostat to lights, cameras and more. Find them in two colors and two sizes.

Bottom line: If you want an Android tablet, or plan on keeping your tablet in a central location in the home for the whole family to use, this is a great option for doing it all.

Highlights: Up to 15-hour battery life, IP8 water and dust protection, super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, includes S Pen

What about Samsung tablets? Enter the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. Consumer Reports named it a CR Smart Buy, and it's one of their top-scoring Android tablets.

It seems like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that runs this tablet and the Apple A16 bionic chip are somewhat comparable, though your preference may differ (and you may notice the difference more or less) based on what you're using it for. Much of the S9's (and other Samsung tablets') marketing right now centers on its inclusion of Galaxy AI built into the tablet.

One of the major pros of Samsung's tablets appears to be the battery life, which can last up to 15 hours on this one, an upgrade over most iPads' 10-hour battery life. It's also water- and dust-protected, a feature that iPads don't currently offer. Your purchase of the S9 also includes the S Pen for drawing or taking notes by hand, unlike any of the iPads, which would require a separate purchase for the Apple Pencil.

You can get the S9 in two colors and three storage sizes: 128, 256 and 512GB.

Bottom line: This is a great Android option that offers some features you'd miss on an iPad. The price is higher, but does include an S Pen, which may interest or deter you depending on whether you see yourself using the pen.

Highlights: M2 processing chip, two screen sizes, 128GB storage option (plus three others), Apple Intelligence, pastel colors available, close to the Pro in terms of features but without the price tag

Want an iPad that offers more features than the 11th-gen, but can't quite stomach the commitment to the Pro (the most premium option that you’ll find on the list ahead)? Enter the 2024 iPad Air. It's not quite the Pro — it runs on a less powerful M2 chip and has a less advanced camera and more standard LED display, among other things — but it's still a noticeable upgrade on the basic iPad. Enjoy an anti-reflective coating on the display, 4K video recording, fast USB-C charging and Apple Intelligence features for a comparatively mid-range price and equal 10-hour battery life. Consumer Reports gave this model perfect marks on convenience, performance, display and photo and video, for reference.

Unlike the Pro, this iPad also offers a 128GB storage size. (Wirecutter noted the lack of a 128GB option as a flaw of the 10th-gen iPad, because 64GB might be too little but 256GB too much.) That's in addition to 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. You can get the iPad Air in an 11-inch or 13-inch size in four colors, including two pastels. It supports the USB-C Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.

Bottom line: The iPad Air is a nice Goldilocks option if you want more than the basic models have to offer and you're willing to shell out a little more money — but not over $1,000.

Highlights: Smaller and lighter design (but still thicker than the iPad Pro) that's good for travel or kids, A17 Pro processing chip, Apple Intelligence, 128GB storage option, pastel colors available

At only 8.3 inches, the petite dimensions of the 2024 iPad Mini's screen certainly stand out from the pack, and can be a draw if carrying around a larger tablet isn't as convenient for you. Beyond this distinguishing factor, the location of the front camera (at the top in portrait mode rather than landscape) and the A17 Pro chip, the Mini is otherwise quite similar to the iPad Air. That means it has Apple Intelligence features, a Liquid Retina display with an anti-reflective coating, 10-hour battery life, 4K video recording and USB-C charging.

The A17 Pro chip is newer and faster than the 10th-gen iPad's A14 but slower than any of Apple's M-series chips. You can get the iPad Mini in four colors, including two pastels, and three storage capacities (128GB, 256GB and 512GB). It supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro, as well as Bluetooth keyboards — but notably not the Apple Magic Keyboard (this could be due to its smaller size, which doesn't make as much sense with a keyboard as larger tablets do).

Bottom line: Travelers, commuters, kids and anyone who'd like to have a screen bigger than a phone but smaller than a laptop can enjoy the Mini. But if size isn't a dealbreaker, this is pretty similar to the iPad Air, which offers a faster processing chip and other goodies.

Highlights: 20-hour battery life, IP68 water and dust protection, S Pen included, an upgrade on the S9 FE

The S10 FE is a CNET top pick for affordability, though CNET says you might want to get the S9 (which is about the same price) instead of the S10 FE. This is mainly due to the S10 FE running on the Exynos 1580 chip — it's an upgrade to the S9 FE's Exynos 1380 in terms of speed and performance, but again, is less advanced than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Otherwise, much of this is the same, from the included S Pen to the water and dust protection and bright 10.9-inch display. One of the standout features of the S10 FE that even the S9 doesn't offer is the long battery life, which can extend up to 20 hours. You can grab this in three colors and two storage sizes, 128 and 256GB.

Bottom line: For this price, you might be better off grabbing the faster S9 instead, but this still boasts an impressive battery life.

Highlights: 18-hour battery life, S Pen included, IP68 water and dust protection, designed to be more affordable than the S9 while still containing many of its features

Also Consumer Reports-recommended, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a slightly watered-down version of the S9 for less. FE stands for Fan Edition, meaning this tablet is built using fan feedback and designed to be more affordable.

It runs on the Exynos 1380 chip, which is less advanced than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but many of the features are the same: Your purchase comes with an S Pen, the tablet is durable with water and dust protection and it offers two of the same storage sizes (128 and 256GB). The S9 FE also comes in two more colors, thoughy ou'll want to check the stock, and has a longer battery life than the S9.

Bottom line: If you're not as concerned with having the fastest performance, and can't swing the S9's full price but you like the features, this is a good alternative.

Highlights: 13-hour battery life, smaller storage options, lower price, good for streaming, made with strengthened glass for durability

Available in three colors with 32 or 64 gigs of storage and with or without lockscreen ads, Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet is a budget-friendly choice that offers plenty of diversions in the form of streaming, social media and more, along with a 13-hour battery life. The limited storage capacity makes it hard to compare to other tablets on this list — if you're planning to keep photos or a ton of apps on this, you may want more room, but if you're looking for the cheapest model worth buying, this may be for you.

The 1,080-pixel display measures 10.1 inches and is compatible with Amazon’s stylus, which is sold separately. This model offers 25% faster performance than its predecessor, according to Amazon, and superior durability.

Based on some review feedback, we’d advise checking Amazon’s list of Fire-compatible apps to ensure that this tablet can run your favorites.

Bottom line: The Fire HD 10 is great for streaming or video calling and has an excellent battery life for the price, but the limited storage capacity may turn some shoppers away.

Highlights: One of the more affordable Samsung tablets, good for students and general note-taking with included S Pen, 14-hour battery life, offers smaller storage options

If you look at Samsung's chart denoting the differences between some of their models on Amazon, the S6 Lite probably doesn't look the most impressive: It's not water- or dust-protected, its 14-hour battery life is less than the S9 or S10 models, and it runs on the older and slower Exynos 1280 chip.

However, if you compare this to some other tablets like iPads, it may look more positive in relation. After all, the 14-hour battery life is still more than the standard iPad's 10 hours, and the iPads also aren't water- or dust-protected. The S6 Lite's 10.4-inch screen is just a bit smaller than the S10 FE's 10.9 inches, and Samsung markets it as a good option for students, who can take notes using the included S Pen.

Available with 64 or 128GB, this is also a useful buy for someone who doesn't need a ton of storage and would rather pay less for a lower capacity. The S6 Lite comes in three colors.

Bottom line: This is a lower-tech option than something like the S9, but that can be a plus depending on what you're willing to spend — and it still has a longer battery life than an iPad.

Highlights: Newest and fastest M4 processing chip, more vibrant display, more screen and storage sizes, Apple Intelligence, slightly lighter design, more advanced camera

The latest version of the iPad Pro makes more sense for people who aren't on a budget and are looking for a tablet to lean on full-time for work, art creation or other more involved use cases. Equipped with the most efficient and powerful Apple processor, the M4 chip, the iPad Pro also has OLED technology for a more accurate and vibrant display with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare.

Apple Intelligence is included in this model, as is a more advanced rear camera with an ambient light sensor that can help with scanning documents, among other things. The battery life is pretty even with other models at up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi.

One of the other big draws of the iPad Pro is the storage capacity and screen size options. You can get an 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro, and choose from capacities of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB in two different colors. For the two largest capacities, you can also choose between a standard glass display or a matte, nano-texture display to reduce glare even further (though not everyone thinks this is worth the extra cost). The iPad Pro supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro, as well as the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.

Bottom line: The iPad Pro is the fastest, most powerful, most high-tech option among the models. But is it worth all those extra hundreds of dollars? If you plan to use all of the features all day, every day, it could be. But otherwise, this one may be excessive for the average consumer.

Highlights: A15 bionic chip, no Apple Intelligence, option for 64GB storage, pastel colors including pink available

There aren't too many differences between the 2024 iPad Mini and this discontinued 2021 model. They have the same camera, very similar Liquid Retina displays, USB-C charging and a 10-hour battery life.

One major difference is the processing chip, since this model has an older A15 chip that isn't as efficient. Other differences include a lack of Apple Intelligence features, and different storage capacities and colors. Storage on the 2024 Mini starts at 128GB, so the 2021 Mini's 64GB option could be appealing, especially if you don't plan to store much on here. This generation also offers a pink iPad Mini, which the newer one does not (it replaced the pink with pastel blue). It supports the USB-C and second-generation Apple Pencils, and like the 2024 Mini, only supports third-party Bluetooth keyboards.

Right now, we can't recommend the 2021 Mini. This is mostly because the price is too high to justify when compared to the 2024 Mini. If your heart is set on this one, you'll probably want to wait until there's a major sale.

Bottom line: If you specifically want a miniature iPad with 64GB of storage and no more, the 2021 Mini can fit your needs like no other model can... but otherwise, this model is currently very expensive, so you might as well upgrade to the 2024 iPad Mini for something better and slightly cheaper.

Highlights: Older M1 chip, more color options but fewer storage capacity and screen size options, Apple Intelligence, not a great price right now

You can still buy the discontinued fifth-generation iPad Air, the last one released before the 2024 model, at Walmart — but we don't recommend it, especially because stock is very limited right now.

This model runs on the older M1 chip, and has a lot of the features that the current iPad Air does: Apple Intelligence, the Liquid Retina display, USB-C charging, a 10-hour battery life and the same camera (though the front camera is at the top of the fifth-gen iPad, whereas the 2024 model has it centered on the side so you can take video calls in landscape mode, attached to an Apple Magic Keyboard).

There's both less and more choice with this model, too. It comes in one more color than the 2024 Air (pink) but is only made in one size with a 10.9-inch screen. The storage capacity is similarly limited to either 64GB or 256GB. This model supports the USB-C and second-generation Apple Pencils, plus the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio.

Bottom line: Skip this iPad Air and get the new one instead.