Best Tablets In Quality Price: Which One To Buy Based On Use And Recommended Models

To watch videos, to take and read notes, to ask questions from the couch or even to work: buying a tablet is enjoying a very versatile device, but for that, it is necessary to be clear about what we expect from them and what they can give us. In the market, we found a rather scarce offer – compared to computers and mobile phones – but enough to get us lost. Which tablet is the best in terms of quality and price?

Choosing the best tablet of quality and price

A screen that meets our needs

The screen is going to be one of the main things responsible for our experience with the tablet, so before choosing a model, think about what you are going to use it for and how much time you are going to spend in front of it.

The balance point in terms of size is found at 10 inches diagonal, although we will find models (generally affordable) at 8″ and others that go up to 12″. A larger screen means that there is more information, but also that it is less manageable and more expensive.

And since we are talking about screen size, two notes: if we want it to be as compact as possible, it is better to pay attention to the models with the thinnest edges and, depending on what we are going to play on it, it is also worth paying attention to the ratio. Thus, while the vast majority opt for book-type formats (16:10), iPads remain at 4:3.

Regarding panel technology, we find ourselves in the eternal battle of LCD vs. OLED. Without dwelling on the characteristics of each one, we will focus on their application and where we find them: OLEDs in the high ranges, offering images with higher brightness and contrast – although it also depends on other factors such as calibration and resolution –, versus to some all-terrain and attractive screens with IPS LCD.

Because for these diagonals and usage scenarios, resolution stands out as an essential characteristic. Combining resolution with screen size we have the density of dots per inch, where 300 dpi offers a good level of detail. Of course, if you want to read books, be clear that an electronic book is much better in terms of text display.

Appearance, materials, and accessories

If you don’t want it to be used on the move, where we want it to be as light and compact as possible, you can save a lot on models with notable frames since, as happens with smartphones, the trend in tablets is to reduce the edges to a minimum. essential … something that is evident in some mid-range and high-end models.

As for materials, the most affordable models usually come in a useful and resistant plastic, although as we go up in ranges and prices we leap aluminum, a material that looks premium and offers better heat dissipation.

The touch screen makes the experience agile, but for tasks such as taking notes or drawing, accessories such as stylus or keyboards can come in handy, so if that is your idea of ​​use, pay attention to compatible models. Of course, taking into account that they are not usually included, consider the additional investment.

Hardware & software, a binomial determined by use

Taking into account the specifications, we will find that tablets generally implement the hardware that we will find in smartphones in terms of processor, RAM, and storage. After all, and with notable exceptions, the software they implement and the usage scenario are similar to that of a mobile phone.

If we are going to use heavy applications, such as games or photo editing, it is better to go for models that integrate high-end chips from Qualcomm, Huawei, or the latest Apple models. If the idea is to browse intensively with several windows open, the more RAM, the better. And if we want to download applications instead of using cloud or streaming services, the starting point will be 64GB of capacity.

But regardless of the raw numbers of the components, the software has great weight in optimizing them. Both Android and iOS or the Windows version of Microsoft tablets offer a stable experience, although Android stands out for its flexibility, iPadOS for homogeneity and update period, and with Windows, we open the doors to desktop software. In any case, it is a matter of taste.

One of the manufacturers’ ambitions is that it ends up being the replacement for laptops and this, the operating system has a lot to say…iPadOS has made progress but in general, it is still very green, so if we look for quality and do Calculations of what a reliable tablet costs for productivity with its respective accessories (because you probably need them), the reality is that in a scenario of professional use it usually pays to go for a laptop .

Connectivity: are you going to use it outside the home?

For many, the tablet is a light device for when they are in bed or on the couch with the undeniable advantage of a larger screen than their mobile phone… in these cases, Wi-Fi will be more than enough.

Even if you are going to take it out sporadically, tethering from your phone can be a good alternative, but if you are going to use it frequently outside the home for tasks that require internet, look for models with LTE to insert a 4G card .

Models with the best quality-price ratio

Amazon Fire HD 8 2022

AMAZON FIRE HD 8 2022
SCREEN	8″ HD IPS 1280 x 800 (189 PPI)
PROCESSOR	2.0 GHz Hexa-Core
MEMORY	2GB
STORAGE	32/64 GB + microSD
BATTERY	until 1 pm
CAMERAS	Rear: 2MP, 720p video Front: 2MP, 720p video
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	201.90 x 137.34 x 9.60mm 337g
OTHERS	Stereo speakers, microphone, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band), USB-C, 3.5mm jack, VoiceView screen reader
PRICE	84.99 euros (with ads)

The veteran Fire HD 8 ( 84.99 euros ) is a super affordable tablet optimized for basic use, for example for people who are going to make their first technological steps: older people, and teenagers… among its assets are autonomy, its system simplified and intuitive operation, and its price. Of course, with notable frames, a battle chassis made of polycarbonate, a rather low-quality screen – but sufficient for sporadic use – and very tight hardware.

The Fire HD 10 ( 99.99 euros ) indeed goes up a notch in diagonal and hardware, but it also does so in price, positioning itself against a range where there are other very solvent alternatives.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A8 (2021)
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm 508 grams
SCREEN	10.5 inch TFT WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200 pixels)
PROCESSOR	Octa-core, 2 GHz
RAM	3/4GB
INTERNAL STORAGE	32/64/128GB MicroSD up to 1TB
REAR CAMERA	8MP
FRONT CAMERA	5MP
BATTERY	7,040 mAH 15W fast charging
OS	Android 11 with One UI
CONNECTIVITY	LTE (optional) Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.0 USB type C GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
OTHERS	3.5mm jack 4 x stereo speakers Dolby Atmos Facial recognition Samsung Knox
PRICE	167.99 euros

Samsung is one of the few manufacturers that remains in the sector offering a portfolio of tablets that cover different needs and budgets. For quality-price and within a context of “family” use, that is, the typical tablet that can also be used to ask questions, watch movies, play a game from time to time, or for the little ones in the house to use (it has a child profile), the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) ( 167.99 euros ) is a great candidate.

The Korean firm usually stands out for the quality of its screen and this Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) is no exception. Other details to take into account are its metal chassis and its sound proposal, with four speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos, which make it a splendid option for audiovisual consumption.

Lenovo Tab P11

The veteran Lenovo Tab P11 ( 237 euros ) stands as one of the most interesting options in terms of performance and cost for those looking for a quality screen, good design, and a configuration suitable for general use.

To highlight its ambitious screen both diagonally and in 2K resolution reinforced by its stereo speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos, a very solvent combo for content consumption.

Xiaomi Pad 5

CHARACTERISTICS
SCREEN	11-inch IPS LCD with WQHD+ resolution (2560 x 1600 dots), 120 Hz refresh rate, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 16:10 aspect ratio, and support for Dolby Vision content
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 with 8 cores and 7nm photolithography
GRAPHICS	Adreno 640
PRINCIPAL MEMORY	6GB
STORAGE	128 or 256 GB UFS 3.1
FRONTAL CAMERA	8-megapixel sensor and optics with f/2.0 aperture value Video recording at 1080p and 30 FPS
REAR CAMERA	13-megapixel sensor and optics with f/2.0 aperture value Video recording up to 4K at 30 FPS
ACCESSORIES	Xiaomi Smart Pen digital pen. It is not included in the package and costs 99.99 euros
SOUND	stereophonic audio Four 16 x 20 mm speakers Dolby Atmos processing Hi-Res Audio
OS	MIUI 12.5 for Xiaomi Pad based on Android 11
CONNECTIVITY	USB-C
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11ac Bluetooth 5.0
SENSORS	Gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and digital compass
BATTERY	8720mAh 22.5-watt charger included in the package (the tablet can charge with a maximum power of 33 watts)
DIMENSIONS	254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9mm
WEIGHT	511g
COLORS	Cosmic gray and pearl white
PRICE	From 449.99 euros

Return of the Chinese firm to the sector through the front door with this Xiaomi Pad 5 ( 449.99 euros ), a model that stands out in terms of quality and price within Android if what we are looking for is power, a quality that makes it ideal for productivity (even has a compatible stylus) – always within the limitations of this operating system – and gaming. The icing on the cake is its 120 Hz panel and its autonomy figures.