Tablets are becoming an increasingly important part of many business’ operations. They combine a lot of the portability of a business mobile phone with the productivity increases you’d get from a laptop; making them a fantastic middle-ground between the two.
If you’re considering the purchase of a business tablet or iPad, we’ve created this guide to help you decide what might be the most suitable choice for you.
Table of Contents
The Best Tablets For Your Business
We’ve looked at the current range of tablets available on the market and made our suggestions based on a range of criteria, including: specifications, price, and features.
Our recommendations below take all of those into account to help you make the best decision for your business needs. We’re very aware that not everyone needs the latest iPad, which although they’re usually the most advanced model, they can be overkill for many business users. For that reason, we’ve selected a range of tablets from different manufacturers, to account for all budgets and use-cases.
Best iPad For Business
iPad Air 13 Inch
The 13-inch iPad Air (6th generation), released in May 2024, offers a compelling option for business professionals seeking a balance between performance and portability. Equipped with Apple’s M2 chip, this model provides enhanced capabilities suitable for various business applications., especially if you value fast working or have resource-heavy tasks to complete.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent user experience | More expensive than rival devices |
| Can handle resource-intensive tasks | No expandable memory |
| Large screen size helps productivity |
If you choose the iPad Air 13-inch, you’re getting one powerful device. It’s powered by Apple’s M2 chip — the same processor found in the MacBook Air and previous-generation iPad Pro models — which represents a significant step forward for a mid-range tablet. For business users, this means consistent and reliable performance across a wide range of professional applications. Day-to-day tasks such as emailing, word processing, spreadsheet editing, and video conferencing are handled effortlessly, and with barely any noticeable load times. More intensive workflows, including multitasking across apps, managing large documents, and even basic photo or video editing, are well within the iPad Air’s capabilities.
Apps optimised for Apple Silicon — including Microsoft 365, Zoom, Slack, Adobe Acrobat, and even heavier tools like Photoshop or Affinity Photo — run smoothly with no noticeable slowdowns. The M2 chip includes a 10-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, which also enables on-device machine learning tasks. This becomes especially useful for advanced features like real-time transcription, document scanning, and intelligent automation within business apps. Importantly, this performance remains consistent whether the device is used standalone or connected to an external display via USB-C.
Speaking of displays, as you’d expect from a 13-inch model, you get plenty of screen real estate to play with. The large display provides more room for multitasking, whether you’re comparing documents side-by-side, running video calls alongside notes, or working within complex spreadsheets. For tasks that require visual clarity — such as reviewing presentations, marking up PDFs, or working on design layouts — the additional screen real estate makes a noticeable difference, especially compared to smaller tablets or smartphones.
Apple rates the battery life at up to 10 hours for web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi, and up to 9 hours when using cellular data. This endurance supports a full workday without the need for recharging, beneficial for professionals on the move.
Overall, the iPad Air’s performance is more than adequate for the vast majority of business users. It bridges the gap between portability and power, offering a reliable, versatile tool for work, whether you’re at a desk or on the move. While it doesn’t offer every premium feature found in the iPad Pro line, it delivers excellent value and usability at a lower price point.
Best Samsung Tablet For Business
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) is a fantastic, affordable tablet, that offers a practical solution for business users seeking a reliable device for everyday tasks. With its 11-inch display, Snapdragon 695 processor, and expandable storage, it caters to professionals who require a functional tablet without the premium price tag.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent performance for its price point | Only 4GB RAM |
| Expandable storage is a nice option | Slow charging |
While it doesn’t have the raw power of the latest iPads, it’s also not designed to compete with them. What it does have is more than enough to handle standard business applications such as email, document editing and video conferencing with ease. It’s 4GB RAM may limit extensive multitasking, or resource-intensive tasks, but it does support Samsung’s Multi Window feature which lets you run several apps at the same time to enhance productivity.
There’s also Samsung DeX Lite, which mimics a desktop interface when connected to an external display via USB-C. While not as full-featured as the DeX found on Samsung’s higher-end devices, it still enhances usability for those needing a basic desktop-style environment. It won’t replace your desktop or PC any time soon, but it can provide a nice option when you’re on the go or needing to connect to a client’s display in a meeting room.
In terms of display, its 11-inch size offers a good balance between screen real estate and portability. It’s large enough to view documents, spreadsheets and presentations with ease and without excessive zooming and scrolling. The 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome inclusion at this price point, making scrolling and interface navigation feel smoother than on standard 60Hz panels. However, brightness levels are modest, while it’s fine for indoor use you do get a lot of glare which can make outdoor use more difficult, although still satisfactory.
With a 7,040mAh battery which offers around 7-8 hours of screen time depending on which apps are running. This makes it adequate for a standard workday, and should get you through without needing to charge often. It is worth pointing out that it supports 15W charging, which does make charging times longer than some other devices.
Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ doesn’t offer the premium experience of some top-of-the-line models, we do believe that it gives the best balance between price and performance. For businesses needing an affordable tablet for email, meetings, document handling, and web-based tools, especially when purchasing for a large number of staff, it provides solid value and usability without the complexity or cost of high-end devices.
Best Budget Tablet For Business
TCL Tab 10 (Gen 2)
The TCL Tab 10 Gen 2 offers a practical solution for businesses seeking an affordable yet capable tablet for everyday tasks. With its 10.4-inch 2K display, octa-core processor, and Android 13 operating system, it caters to professionals who require a reliable device without the premium price tag.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great value for money | Only 4GB RAM |
| Solid battery life | Smaller screen than rivals |
Equipped with a MediaTek Helio P22T octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM, the Tab 10 Gen 2 handles standard business applications such as email, document editing, and web browsing with ease. While it may not be suited for intensive multitasking or demanding applications, it provides a smooth experience for routine tasks. The Android 13 OS ensures compatibility with a wide range of productivity apps, and TCL has indicated plans for an upgrade to Android 14, extending the device’s longevity.
The tablet features a 10.36-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. TCL’s NXTVISION technology enhances the display by adjusting contrast and brightness in real-time, providing a comfortable viewing experience during extended use. This makes it suitable for reviewing documents, presentations, and participating in video conferences.
With a 6000mAh battery, the Tab 10 Gen 2 supports up to 9 hours of use.This endurance is adequate for a full workday, reducing the need for frequent recharging. However, the device supports only 10W charging, which may result in longer charging times compared to some competitors.
The tablet comes with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, providing ample space for business documents and applications. For users requiring additional storage, the microSD slot supports expansion up to 1TB, accommodating larger files and media libraries.
The TCL Tab 10 Gen 2 presents a balanced mix of performance and affordability, making it a viable choice for businesses requiring reliable tablets for everyday tasks. While it may not cater to power users demanding high-end features, it effectively serves the needs of professionals seeking a straightforward, cost-effective device.
Why Get A Business Tablet?
Tablets offer fantastic portability, long battery life and fast boot times. For field-based roles, retail environments or client-facing staff, a tablet can be more convenient and practical compared to a laptop. accessories like detachable keyboards or styluses, many modern tablets can comfortably handle day-to-day business tasks.
Can tablets run the same software we use on PCs?
Many core business applications now offer full-featured mobile or web versions optimised for tablets. This includes tools such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, and cloud-based CRM platforms. While tablets may not support legacy or highly specialised software, they cover most mainstream business needs.
Is it cost-effective to roll out tablets across a business?
Business tablets — particularly budget or mid-range models — offer strong value for money, especially when bought in volume. They are cheaper than many laptops and even flagship mobile phones, and typically have lower maintenance overheads. With fewer moving parts, longer battery lifespans, and a wide choice of management tools, they can be a cost-efficient solution for many teams.
Can tablets be managed centrally by our IT team?
Yes. Most modern tablets support Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems, allowing IT teams to configure devices, push updates, enforce security policies, and remotely wipe lost or stolen units. Whether your business uses Android Enterprise, Samsung Knox, or Apple Business Manager, there are solutions for maintaining control at scale.
