Tablet technology is improving fast to the point some people have replaced their personal laptops with them. This new development in tablets is great news for any traveler. You can take your work on the go or stay entertained during long trips. The best tablets for travelers who want to be productive should have 10 to 11-inch screens and a battery life of at least 10 hours. If you need a keyboard, most support keyboard add-ons or even come included with one. Good news? This feature doesn’t reduce their portability.
Best Tablets for Travel
Tablets are the best compromise between a smartphone and a laptop. They are lightweight and compact devices that don’t take up luggage space while letting you stay productive wherever you travel.
Amazon Fire HD 10
This tablet is the best budget option and Amazon’s thinnest, with the largest display. It has a full HD display of 1080p with 2 million pixels that’s 10% brighter than previous generations. For certain content, you can also access Amazon’s unlimited cloud storage for additional space. The Fire HD 10 is compatible with Android and Samsung app store applications, including Dropbox, Microsoft Office, and OneNote. Also, enjoy Alexa integration for your electronic devices and hands-free use.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 12 hours
- Screen Size | 10.1-inch
- Screen Resolution | 1,920 x 1,200 pixels
- Operating System | Android 9.0, Amazon Fire OS 7
- Processor | Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
- Memory | 3GB RAM
- Storage | 32GB or 64GB
- GPU | Mali-G72 MP3
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks
- Keyboard | Supports add-on
- Dimensions | 9.73 x 6.53 x 0.36 inches
- Weight | 16.4 ounces
- Stylus | Supports
Pros
- Affordable
- Fast processor for the price
- Easy-to-use interface
- Quality display
- An Alexa smart display
Cons
- Limited app selection
- Amazon-specific interface
- Low quality camera
Microsoft Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 runs Windows 10 and allows productivity for real work. It’s also versatile with an adjustable built-in kickstand. For additional storage, you can add a microSD card. If you want a faster processor and double the RAM, consider upgrading to the Core M3 model.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 10 hours
- Screen Size | 10.51-inch
- Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1280 pixels
- Operating System | Windows 10 Home
- Processor | 4425Y 8th Gen Intel Core m3
- Memory | 4GB or 8GB RAM
- Storage | 64GB or 128GB
- GPU | ULP GeForce (72 cores)
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, WiFi
- Keyboard | Supports the backlit keyset Surface Go Signature Type Cover
- Dimensions | 0.33 x 9.65 x 6.9 inches
- Weight | 1.2 pounds
- Stylus | Supports
Pros
- Good for work and play
- MicroSD slot
- Impressive display
- Solid design with aluminum chassis
Cons
- Battery life sometimes not as good
- Recommended upgrade is expensive
Apple iPad Air
The Apple iPad Air is the perfect balance of the price of an iPad mini with the power of an iPad Pro, including fast processing and internet speeds. It comes with a Touch ID for secure authentication, Apple Pay, and the durability common in Apple products. This tablet has a stunning Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone. The anti-reflective coating makes it less reflective and comfortable to work long hours on.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 10 hours
- Screen Size | 10.9-inch
- Screen Resolution | 2360 x 1640 pixels
- Operating System | IPadOS
- Processor | 1.4 GHz dual-core 64-bit
- Memory | 6GB RAM
- Storage | 64GB
- GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, WiFi 6
- Keyboard | Supports Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio
- Dimensions | 10.2 x 7.44 x 1.97 inches
- Weight | 1.01 pounds
- Stylus | Supports Apple Pencil
Pros
- Touchscreen and Touch ID
- Excellent build quality
- Very fast processor
- Quality front and back camera
- True Tone and P3 wide color
Cons
- iPadOS doesn’t multitask as well as Mac or Windows
- Hard drive space is not expandable
Apple iPad Pro
The iPad Pro comes with all the quality features of Apple products similar to the iPad Air. It’s also great for creatives who want a large screen and professionals who want to complete work-related tasks. It can play three simultaneous 4K videos in iMovie and has a 64-bit A9X chip for the power you need to be productive.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 10 hours
- Screen Size | 12.9-inch
- Screen Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels
- Operating System | iPadOS 14.5.1
- Processor | Octa-Core 2.26 GHz
- Memory | 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM
- Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 802.11
- Keyboard | Supports Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio
- Dimensions | 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.23 inches
- Weight | 1.41 pounds
- Stylus | Supports Apple Pencil
Pros
- Large screen with good image quality
- Very fast processor
- Quad speaker Audio system
- Face ID authentication feature
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as portable compared to other tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
For frequent travelers, the Galaxy Tab S7 has one of the best battery life for tablets. It holds over 15 hours, depending on what you use. This tablet’s touchscreen response and accuracy are amazing. You can also upgrade to a microSD external memory up to 1TB. For a similar product but with a bigger display of 12.4 inches, check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 15 hours
- Screen Size | 11-inch
- Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels
- Operating System | Android 10
- Processor | Octa-Core 1.8GHz
- Memory | 6GB or 8GB RAM
- Storage | 128 GB, 256GB, or 512GB
- GPU | Adreno 650
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, WiFi
- Keyboard | Supports QWERTY Keyboard
- Dimensions | 0.25 x 6.51 x 9.99 inches
- Weight | 1.1 pounds
- Stylus | Included
Pros
- Great battery life
- High-quality camera
- Crystal clear audio
- Expandable storage
- Included stylus
Cons
- Higher price point
- LCD screen instead of OLED
HP Elite X2
The HP Elite X2 is a detachable 2-in-1 business tablet that comes with a travel keyboard. It also comes with a rechargeable stylus pen attached to the tablet with a user-installable string loop. This tablet has a stylish design that’s also sturdy, remaining unscathed after a 32-inch drop onto wooden floors. There is also biometric access control through a fingerprint reader.
Key Features
- Battery Life | 10.25 hours
- Screen Size | 12-inch
- Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Operating System | Windows 10
- Processor | Intel Core M7 6Y75
- Memory | 8GB
- Storage | 256GB
- GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620
- Connectivity | Bluetooth 5, WiFi 5
- Keyboard | Included
- Dimensions | 11.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
- Weight | 1.8 pounds
- Stylus | Included
Pros
- Good performance
- Durable with great build quality
- Stylus and keyboard included
- Good battery life
Cons
- Camera has no flash
- Keyboard magnets to tablet and sometimes comes off easily
