The best tablets for travel will help keep you occupied in between flights and wait time as you tour your favorite places. You can use your tablet for diverse functions depending on your personal preference.
For example, you can continue with your office work, send emails, stream movies, or even play games as you travel. We have compiled a list of the top ones for you.
Whether you need them for your family vacation, working bussiness trip or for streaming as you fly to your next destination, this list has all you need.
Not all tablets are perfect for travellers. You will notice that their efficiency will largely depend on your preferences. Although some smartphones make good travel companions, simple specifications on tablets will result in better entertainment and professional use.
In our compilation, we considered a number of factors such as power and performance, operating system, intended usage, price range, and durability. The best options in this category will be small and lightweight, with a long battery life for easy portability.
Top Travel Tablets in 2025
- Apple iPad Air: Best overall
- Apple iPad Pro 11 inches: Best tablet for travel international
- OnePlus Pad: Best For Streaming
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: The Best Tablet from Android
- Lenovo Tab M9: Best budget tablet for office work
- Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2: The Best for the Money
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Best tablet with a pen
Apple iPad Air: The Best Tablets for Travel Overall
- Processor: M1 chip
- RAM: 8 GB of RAM.
- Screen Size: 10.9-inch
- Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
- Type: Liquid Retina display
- Storage: 64 GB and 256 GB
- Non-expandable storage
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C Port
- Camera: 12 MP front and 12 MP rear camera
- Security: Touch ID
- Battery: 10 hours
- Pencil: Apple Pencil 1
The 5th generation Apple iPad Air is our pick for the best tablet for traveling. It features a small 10.9-inch screen and an overall small body, making it easy to carry around.
The screen resolution is high at 2360 x 1640 pixels with a unique liquid Retina display. This is crisp and clear, displaying your view in rich, vivid colors. Additionally, it is capable of reaching up to 500 nits of brightness. This means you will be able to use it both indoors and outdoors in high-light conditions.
Whether you need a tablet for gaming or a professional-level tablet, the iPad Air packs enough power for both functions. It comes with a powerful M1 processor and 8 GB of RAM.
To save files to watch later when traveling, the tablet comes in two sizes: 64 GB and a 256 GB option. Unfortunately, you will not be able to expand your storage on an external MicroSD like you would on Android devices.
The iPad Air is compatible with the standard Apple Pencil 1, but you will have to buy it separately because it does not come in the box.
In case you need an upgrade, you will have to buy a larger model. Just like many Apple tablets, the iPad Air does not come cheap. However, most of the features, such as power, sleek design, long battery life, and an excellent screen, are very impressive.
Pros
- Large screen with high resolution
- Powerful M1 Processor Chip with 8 GB RAM for Multitasking
- 500 nits of brightness levels
- Apple Pencil 1
Cons
- Non expandable storage
- Accessories bought separate
Apple iPad Pro 11 inches: Editors Choice
- Processor: M2 chip
- RAM: 8 GB and 16 GB options
- Screen Size: 11 inches
- Resolution: 2388 x 1668 pixels
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB
- Non-expandable storage
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Cellular
- Camera: 12 MP front and 12 MP wide and 10 MP ultra-wide rear cameras
- Video Recording: 4K video recording capability
- Security: Face ID
- Battery: Long-lasting battery suitable for travel
- Pencil: Apple Pencil 2 (sold separately)
- Operating System: iPadOS
- Battery Life: 10 Hours
If you are not on a budget and still need more power, the Apple iPad Pro 11. is your best pick. It features a slightly larger screen than the iPad Air at 11 inches and a 2388 x 1668 pixel resolution.
This is a powerful, premium-level tablet. It features the latest M2 processor with 8 GB and 16 GB options. Processing power is perfect for gaming and professional tasks such as photo editing, drawing, and more.
For those who like taking photos on their travels, you will have a 12 MP front camera and 12 MP wide and 10 MP ultra-wide rear cameras.
You will be able to shoot crisp, clear videos thanks to the 4K video recording capability. To save your photos and recordings, the iPad Pro 11 comes with a large internal storage space with lots of options. You have a choice between 128 GB and 2 TB storage options.
These will come in handy when taking photos and recording videos. Unfortunately, changing to a larger storage space will require you to buy the larger storage space option because the storage is not expandable.
Just like the more expensive iPad Pro 12.9, you will have Face ID security features on the tablet. We recommend the cellular version instead of the WiFi if you like accessing the internet and uploading your pictures and videos in real time.
The tablet is compatible with the standard Apple Pencil 2, but you will have to buy it separately because it does not come in the box. Overall, this is a perfect tablet, but the price will lock out many travel enthusiasts.
Pros
- Powerful tablet that is suitable for gaming, photo editing, drawing, and professional tasks
- Premium tablet with sleek build quality, lightweight body that is easily portable
- Compatible with Apple Pencil 2
Cons
- Accessories bought separate
- Non expandable storage
OnePlus Pad: Best For Streaming
- Screen Size: 11.6 inches
- Resolution: 2800 x 2000 Pixels
- • Screen Type: LCD Display
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- Brightness: 500 nits levels
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
- RAM: 8 GB
- Operating system: Android 13.1
- Storage Space: 128 GB
The OnePlus Pad is our pick for the best streaming tablet. This is made possible by its 11.6-inch LCD display screen with a 2800 x 2000 pixel resolution. It will display your video in bright, vivid colors thanks to the 500 nits brightness levels and 144 Hz refresh rate.
Despite its affordable price range, it features a refresh rate higher than that on the more expensive iPad Pro and matches up to Samsung tablet brightness levels.
The tablet provides a perfect video streaming environment thanks to the perfect large screen and Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos speakers that provide an immersive sound experience.
Finally, the tablet features a minimalistic body design with slim bezels all around the screen and a lightweight body. It measures 6.5 millimeters and weighs only 552 grams, making it easily portable.
Additionally, it has a fast charging system, achieving a full charge after only 60 minutes of continuous charging. Once full, the battery will last up to a whole day of movie streaming usage.
Pros
- Slim and light weight with long battery life
- Good Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos speakers quality
- Durable body design
- Good screen with 2800 x 2000 Pixels resolution and 144 Hz refresh rate.
- Bright screen at 500 nits
- Light weight build
Cons
- Not the best cameras
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: The Best Android Tablet for Traveling
- Screen Size: 11”
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
- AMOLED Screen
- Storage Space: 256 GB expandable storage to 1 TB
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8 and 12 GB
- Pen: Free Samsung S Pen
- Camera: 12 MP ultrawide front camera and a 13 MP rear camera
iPads are more expensive compared to Android tablets. If you prefer an Android tablet, we recommend the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.
It comes with a similar 11-inch screen size with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution. The AMOLED screen is large and clear for comfortable use, whether when working or streaming.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 runs on an easy-to-use Android 13 operating system. To add to this user-friendliness, you will get a free Samsung S Pen.
If you like working during your travels, this is a fast and reliable tablet. This is made possible by the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 8 and 12 GB of RAM options.
This is not as powerful as the M2 or M1 chips above, but it is quite decent and will surely give them a run for their money at a cheaper price.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 comes with a 12 MP ultrawide front camera and a 13 MP rear camera to record videos and take pictures.
To save your files or videos you record on the road, the tablet comes with 128 GB, 256 GB, and a 512 GB option. What is great about Samsung tablets is the ability to expand the storage space up to 1 TB using an external MicroSD card.
You will, however, need to buy it separately. But the tablet price is not too high, so there are no worries about the price.
Pros
- Durable Design
- S Pen Included
- Long Battery Life
- Auto Focus Camera
- Expandable Storage to 1 TB
- AMOLED screen
Cons
- Expensive Price Range
Lenovo Tab M9: The Best Budget Tablet
- Screen Size: 9″
- Resolution: 1340 x 800 pixels
- Camera: Front 2MP & Rear 8MP
- Processor: MTK G80 Octa-Core processor
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage: 32 GB
- OS: Android 12 or Later
- Accessories: Folio Case Included
- Battery Life: 13 hours
If you are on a budget but still need a good tablet for your travels, we recommend the Lenovo Tab M9. Just like the Samsung S9, this tablet will also run on Android OS with Android 12 or later installed.
It is a good and reliable tablet, but you will have to forgo some of the specifications on the earlier tablets above. The screen size is slightly smaller at 9 inches and 1340 x 800 pixels. Not the best specs, but they are quite decent for their very affordable price range.
For processing power, you will have a powerful MTK G80 Octa Core processor and 3 GB of RAM. These are not the best, but they are good enough for basic gaming, streaming, and simple office work.
The selfie and camera are really poor, and you will not be able to record your experience clearly. This is thanks to a front camera with 2 MP and an 8 MP rear camera.
Battery life stands out for this tablet at 13 hours of continuous usage on a full charge. You will also have a 3.5mm audio jack to connect your headphones manually and listen to music on your tablet.
Pros
- Long battery life at 13 hours
- Free Folio Case Included
- Affordable Price
- Good for basic gaming, streaming, and simple office work
Cons
- Small screen Size
- Low 3GB RAM
- Poor front camera
Best value for money: Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
- Resolution: 2000 x 1200 pixel 2K
- Screen Size: 11.2-inch
- Camera: Front 8 MP & Rear 13 MP Camera
- 42 nits of brightness
- Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 1300T
- RAM: 4 GB
- OS: Android 12L or Later
- Battery Life: 10 hours
If you want a tablet that will give you the best value for your money, we recommend the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2. It features a large 11.5-inch screen with a 2000 x 1200 pixel resolution, or 2K.
The front camera is not the best, but it is good enough for selfies and conferencing. The front camera has an 8-megapixel resolution.
On the other hand, the rear camera is perfect for photo and video shooting thanks to a 13-megapixel rear camera.
To install applications and save files, you will need 128 GB of storage space that is expandable to 1 TB. This will easily save most of your files before transferring them to your cloud storage.
For its affordable price range, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 comes with a powerful MediaTek Kompanio 1300T and 4 GB of RAM, which make it good enough for gaming and other professional tasks without problems.
You will be able to shoot images and edit them on the spot thanks to the front 8 MP & rear 13 MP camera with 1080p resolution.
The tablet Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 offers versatile accessories, such as a keyboard case and stylus pen for creatives.
Pros
- Full day battery life at 10 hours
- Good camera with 8 MP front & 13 MP rear camera at 1080p resolution.
- Large 11.5-inch screen with a 2000 x 1200 pixel resolution or 2K.
- 128 GB of storage space that is expandable to 1 TB
Cons
- 4 GB of RAM is limited when it comes to complex tasks like video editing.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Best tablet with a pen
- Screen Size: 11 inches
- Resolution: 2304 x 1440 pixel resolution
- S Pen Included
- Storage: 128 GB and 256 GB
- Expandable storage to 1 TB
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1380 processor
- RAM: 6 GB and 8 GB
- Battery Life: 18 hours
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is another simple tablet you can include on your travels. It features a long 18-hour battery life that will recharge super fast in only 90 minutes for a full charge.
The lightweight and long battery life make this a perfect tablet for outdoor usage. Additionally, the body is water- and dust-resistant if you are traveling to places with lots of water and dust particles.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE comes with a free S Pen on purchase, which comes in handy on the 11-inch touch-sensitive screen.
For a clear view, the screen features a 2304 x 1440 pixel resolution, which is better than Full HD. It is very crisp and clear. The tablet features good memory options with 128 GB and 256 GB storage size options, both expandable to 1 TB.
For easy multitasking, you will have 6 GB and 8 GB of RAM to choose from. Additionally, the tablet comes with a powerful Samsung Exynos 1380 processor.
Pros
- Expandable storage to 1TB
- 18-hour battery life with super fast 90 minutes recharging
- 6 GB and 8 GB of RAM for complex tasks
- Large 11 inch screen with 2304 x 1440 pixel resolution
- Free S Pen included
- Lightweight with a Durable Design
- Easy File sharing
- Dust and Water-resistant body thanks to the IP68 rating which protects your tablet.
- Comes with an Audio Jack for better sound consumption
Cons
- A bigger screen would be better
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Tablet
Not all tablets are good for travelers. To get the very best ones, you need to consider the below factors.
Portability
For the best user experience, choose a tablet that is easily portable. For this, it needs to be small and lightweight. Additionally, you need to choose a tablet that will fully charge its battery in a short time and maintain the power for up to a whole day or 10 hours.
These aspects will ensure it is easy to carry your tablet around.
Versatility
Travel tablets are used for a wide range of uses depending on the traveler. Many features and capabilities will make your tablet usable for many different activities. For example, a tablet that has a free pen and keyboard accessory can be used for drawing and writing.
Compatibility
Compatibility with different operating systems and software makes your tablet usable for many tasks. In our search, we found Android and iPad tablets to be the best.
Durability
The tablet you choose needs to have a sturdy and firm build quality. This ensures long life and durability. A metallic back build and a dust- and waterproof body will serve you longer.
Value for money
When buying your tablet, compare the accessories, specifications, performance, and features against the price range. Power and performance will be determined by the processor and RAM memory. Accessories include free stylus pens and keyboards. The better the processor and RAM, the higher the price.