Summary: If you are looking for the best tablet for travel purpose, this article will help you to determine which one is the best suit for you, read on.
Traveling is fun, isn’t it?
But the fun can be multiplied many times over if you have a gadget with you. Speaking of gadgets, there are a lot to choose from. For instance, you might think a laptop would be a good companion of you while you travel. And we actually (slightly) agree with you on this. Why slightly, but not fully?
Because we think there is a better alternative available. And that is a tablet. Tablets are lightweight, easy to carry, perfect size to fit in your baggage, and last but not the least they look cool too. So, when it comes to traveling, we would recommend you to ditch your laptop and get a tablet instead.
Don’t know which one to get?
No need to worry. Luckily, we have got your back. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best tablet for travel purposes. In this post, we will be comparing them. Added to that we will also share a thorough review of each of these tablets. So that you can choose the best one for yourself without any headache.
Now, if you are ready, let’s get this down to the road…
Key Attributes of the Best Tablet for Travel
Prior to the actual reviews, we should let you know what you should consider while choosing a perfect tablet for traveling. So, in this section, we will talk about some of the key attributes that a great tablet should have. Let’s begin then, shall we?
- Battery Backup:
When you are choosing a tablet for traveling purpose then the single most important feature would be the battery power of your tablet. Because during traveling you might not be able to find the place or time to charge your device timely. Thus, it is very essential to have a tablet which comes with a powerful battery.
You can’t compromise on this. However, if you want a safety net then you might also get a power bank with you while you are traveling. We know that for some of you it is not possible. So, it is better to settle for a tablet that lasts long enough.
- Screen Size:
There’s no ideal size of tablets. So, it is up to you to choose the size you like. But, we would tell you that a tablet with a big screen might not be a good choice while you are traveling. Simply because it will take more space and you will find a hard time to hold it as well.
So, our suggestion would be that you should not pick a tablet which has a screen size larger than 11 inches. From our point of view, 11 inches should be the threshold when it comes to the size of a perfect tablet for traveling.
- Screen Resolution and PPI Density:
When you buy/use a tablet, it is usual that you will spend most of the time staring at it. So, to make your viewing experience comfortable, it is must that you should go for a good quality display. It is better to get a tablet which has higher screen resolution.
On top of that, you need to look for a tablet which has higher PPI Density as well. For your information, PPI stands for ‘Pixels per Inch’. The higher the PPI Density the crispier the screen will be to look at. If you are traveling, some of the times, you might have to use your tablet outdoors. And, a tablet with higher PPI Density will look clearer and brighter in the daylight.
- RAM and Storage Space:
You need to get a tablet which has more RAM. The more the RAM the better the performance will be. However, we think that you don’t need a tablet which comes with more than 4 GB of RAM. Not Yet.
For storage space, it is better if the tablet comes with both internal and external storage space. Yet, if your tablet has only the internal storage, then try to get a tablet which has at least 32 GB of internal storage space.
- Weight:
This might seem strange that we have included ‘Weight’ as one of the key attributes here. But wait (no pun intended), there’s a good reason behind this. When traveling, you need lightweight baggage. If you buy a heavy tablet, it will be very uncomfortable to carry with you all along. So, save yourself from some troubles and get yourself a lightweight tablet.
- Connectivity:
Every tablet comes with a few connectivity features. It is better to go for a tablet which has the most. Nowadays, most of the tablets come without SIM slots which means they lack the cellular connectivity. It can be a snag for the users who want to communicate using their tablets as like as smartphones.
But, almost all of the tablets come with Wi-Fi connectivity. It is good if you need to browse the web via your tablet. So, if you are looking for the best tablets for traveling, you must get a tablet with the most connectivity features.
- Additional Features:
There are some features which are not compulsory but can improve the user experience to a greater extent. For instance, there are multiple types of sensors available. For traveling purposes, you should look for the compass, accelerometer, gyro etc. sensors on your tablet. These sensors can come in handy a lot of times.
Aside from that, the sound quality should also be a concern for you. If you are traveling and want to enjoy a movie without an earphone, the built-in speakers will come into play. Thus, try to find a tablet which has a pair of good quality speakers.
Comparison Between the 5 Best Tablet for Travel
Now that you know about some of the most important aspects of choosing a tablet for traveling, we can proceed to the next section. In this section, we will be sharing a comparison table of the best tablet for travel. So that you can pick the perfect fit for you with just a glimpse. Here we go.
Tablet Mode | Screen Size | Battery Power | Storage Space | Operating System | Weight | Camera | Connectivity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 | 8" HD display | 3210 mAh Li-Po (Non-removable) | 16/32 GB Internal & Up to 400 GB external micro SD slot | Android (customized by Amazon) | 363 grams | Front: 2 MP Rear: 2 MP HD | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, No cellular connectivity |
Apple iPad 2018 Retina Display with Touch ID | 9.7" Retina display | Up to 10 hours of mixed use, Non-removable | 32/128 GB, No external storage slot | iOS | 469 grams (Wi-Fi) / 478 grams (Wi-Fi+cellular) | Front: 1.2 MP Rear: 8 MP HDR & 1080p | Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi+LTE cellular connectivity versions |
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 | 12.3" PixelSense Display | Up to 13.5 hours of mixed use, Non-removable Li-Po | 128/256/512 GB or 1 TB versions | Windows 10 Home | Starting from 771.107 grams | Rear: 8 MP | Wi-Fi |
Lenovo Tab 4, 10.1 | 10" HD display | Up to 20 hours of battery life | 16/32/64 GB internal, micro SD slot up to 128 GB | Android 7.1 Nougat | 503 grams | Front: 2 MP Rear: 5 MP | Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi+cellular connectivity versions |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 | 9.7" AMOLED display | 6000 mAh battery | 32 GB Internal and External slot supports up to 400 GB | Android 7.0 Nougat | 429 grams (Wi-Fi)/ 434 grams (LTE) | Front: 5 MP Rear: 13 MP | Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi+cellular connectivity versions |
Detailed Review of the 5 Best Travel Tablets:
At this point, we will be sharing our views about the 5 best tablet for travel we have just compared above. So, let’s find out more about these down below.
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8
If you are searching for a budget-friendly tablet then this could be the one you are looking for. This tablet comes from Amazon. So, if you love or already using Amazon products then it will be a great addition to your collection. You will have the Alexa voice assistant, Amazon Echo support, and Amazon Prime free for a month with your Kindle Fire HD 8 tablet.
Besides the affordable price, we have also liked the build quality and the design of the tablet. This tablet comes with an 8-inch screen but it is very lightweight which makes it easy to carry around. There are 2 versions of this tablet out there. One comes with 16 GB internal storage and the other one has 32 GB internal storage.
On top of all these, Amazon has a lot of additional features which are exclusive to their Kindle Fire tablets. And, you will receive all of those awesome features free with your tablet. Thus, if you are a fan of Amazon, you can give this tablet a try without any hesitation.
Main Specs:
- Full HD 8 inches IPS Display
- 1280 x 800 screen resolution
- 3 GHz Quad Core processor
- 5 GB of RAM
- Body Dimension: 214 mm x 128 mm x 9.7 mm
Pros:
- Very reasonably priced
- Compatible with all types of Amazon suit gadgets
- Good battery backup
- External Micro SD card slot
- Lightweight but good build quality
Cons:
- Comes with customized Android OS. So the Google Play Store won’t be available on the tablet. However, you can root it to add that
- Camera Quality is not great
- No cellular connectivity
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Apple iPad 2018 Retina Display with Touch ID
For Apple lovers, the Apple iPad 9.7 can be one of the best choices. Besides that, if you are one of them who likes to have a few options to choose from, it will be a great tablet to look at. Because there are 2 versions of it. You can get the 32 GB one or the 128 GB one. We are talking about the internal storage here. But remember that you will have to pay a lot more for the 128 GB version.
Also, you can select the Wi-Fi only version or the Wi-Fi+LTE version. The price difference is not that much between these two. So, for traveling purpose, it would be a good idea to go with the latter one. The display of this tablet is breathtakingly vibrant. The weight and the size are also perfect when it comes to carrying it comfortably. So, if you own other Apple devices and are already connected to the Apple ecosystem, then this device could be the perfect fit for you.
Main Specs:
- 7 inches Retina Display
- 1536 x 2048 pixels screen resolution
- 34 GHz Quad Core processor (2x Zephyr + 2x Hurricane)
- 2 GB of RAM
- Body Dimension: 240 mm x 169.5 mm x 7.5 mm
Pros:
- Compatible with other Apple gadgets
- There’s a Wi-Fi + LTE version
- Apple’s Security
- Good quality rear camera (comparing to other tablets only)
- Fingerprint Sensor
Cons:
- No external Micro SD slot
- A bit pricey
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Recently, Microsoft is trying its hands on manufacturing tablets. And, you could say that they have done it quite successfully. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is one of the prime examples of that. This gadget is not your usual type of tablet. Why, though?
The answer is in the specifications of this tablet. It runs on Windows 10 whereas other popular tablets come with either an Android or iOS operating system. Microsoft’s intention here is clear that they want to push their Windows 10 as much as possible.
This tablet comes with a 12.3-inch display. Microsoft calls it the PixelSense display. Along with that, it has an Intel processor. You can choose between Intel Core i5 and i7 CPU while buying. There are also other versions to choose from. For example, it comes in 4 versions if the storage capacity and the RAM are concerned which are 128 GB + 8 GB RAM, 256 GB + 8 GB RAM, 512 GB + 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB + 16 GB RAM. As usual, the prices will vary depending on the version.
To be honest, it is more of a laptop than a tablet. If you buy the optional ‘Type Cover’, you can easily convert it to a laptop. You can detach it anytime you want to return to the tablet mode. So, it has become one of the most powerful tablets on our list. This tablet can be a perfect choice for designers, artists, writers etc. So, if you are searching for a powerful tablet then this is the one.
Main Specs:
- Intel Core i5 or i7 8th generation CPU
- 8 GB/16 GB RAM
- Comes with Windows 10 OS
- Starting from 1.7 pounds
Pros:
- Powerful Tablet and Laptop combo
- Battery backup is incredible
- A lot of options to choose from
- Camera quality is great
Cons:
- Highly Priced
- Additional accessories can be pricey too
Lenovo Tab 4, 10.1
If you want a 10-inch tablet but within a budget-friendly price range then this can be a great tablet for you. You can get this tablet in 3 versions. You have the option to pick between a 16/32/64 GB one. In terms of connectivity, you have the Wi-Fi only version or the Wi-Fi+LTE version.
It has an FHD display which is great for viewing purposes. You can add a Bluetooth keyboard to make it a laptop (kind of). It also comes with a fingerprint scanner which makes sure that your device is far more secure. You can also create multiple accounts on this device so that the whole family can use the device as their own.
So, if you are looking for a tablet which has all the essential features to be a perfect travel tablet but with a reasonable price then this could be your next tablet. This is undoubtedly the ‘Bang for your buck’ tablet from our list.
Main Specs:
- 4 GB RAM
- IPS display with 1920 x 1200 screen resolution
- 2-in-1 tablet
Pros:
- Price is reasonable compared to the specs
- Fingerprint sensor available
- Good battery backup
- Multiple account feature
Cons:
- No compass sensor
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
If you are not in a tight budget but want a higher-end tablet then Samsung has the answer for you. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 comes with a 9.7-inch AMOLED display. Added to that, it is packed with a 6000 mAh battery which is powerful enough to provide you with about 10 hours backup.
This tab will come with the Samsung S Pen. Recently they updated the design and core system of this pen. So, it is now more pressure sensitive and it does not need to be charged anymore. So, you can use it whenever you want to use your tablet more comfortably. So, we can say that this is a powerful tablet which is good for creating, playing, or even gaming. If you love Samsung then it can be a perfect match for you.
Main Specs:
- Screen resolution 2048 x 1536 pixels
- RAM 4 GB
- 7″ AMOLED display
- Only 430 grams
Pro:
- Free S Pen
- Comes with external micro SD slot
- Great quality cameras
- Quad-Speakers
- Fingerprint sensor
- Samsung Flow compatible
Cons:
- The price could be a little less
How to Determine the Best Tablet for Your Travel?
Everybody is different. So, our choices and necessities would also be different from each other. Thus choosing a tablet also depends on your personal interests. As a result, when you are going to buy your next tablet, make sure that the tablet ticks all the boxes of your requirements.
For instance, if you want a tablet for just watching videos and playing games then you have to look for a tablet which has a good display, CPU, and RAM. But, if you don’t watch many videos rather you use your tablet for just browsing the web then you don’t need a tablet with a powerful CPU.
Again, if you use your tablet for works, emails, chatting etc. then it is better to go with a tablet which comes with cellular connectivity. Because Wi-Fi is not everywhere. For traveling purposes, you must have a tablet with a powerful battery. The battery can save you from a lot of hassle.
Wrapping it up:
We hope this post has helped you to gain some important information about tablets. If you are still here with us, then you should already have a crisp and clear idea about some of the best tablets for travel. Now that you know the details about these tablets, it is time to get one for yourself. If you like to find a best tablet for reading ebooks, you could check our list of best tablets for reading ebooks.
However, in this case, we can’t help you anymore. This is the time where everything depends on you. So, don’t get tangled in your decision making, go and get the best tablet which has the specs and features that you need the most. We have planted the seed. Now it’s time for you to water the plants. We believe you will find the perfect match for you from the list above.
Ipad still the king of tablets for reading or watching movies, excellent for traveling.
Thank you for sharing this post with us. I love the way you described every single detail of all the tablets.