Looking for a tablet that isn’t an iPad? You’re in luck. The tablet market is brimming with excellent alternatives that cater to every need and budget, from powerful 2-in-1 devices that replace your laptop to sleek Android slates perfect for media consumption and creative work. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who just wants to stream the latest shows, there’s a perfect non-Apple option waiting for you.
This guide cuts through the noise to bring you the top contenders. We’ve compiled a list of the best iPad alternatives, highlighting their unique strengths, from the premium power of the Microsoft Surface Pro to the incredible value of Amazon’s Fire tablets. Our picks are designed to help you find the ideal device for your specific tasks and lifestyle without the Apple ecosystem.
Our Top Tablet Picks Beyond the iPad
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Renewed)
- Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet
- Lenovo Tab P12 with Pen Included
- Google Pixel Tablet
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus (Renewed)
- Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3
- OnePlus Pad 3
- TCL TAB 10 Gen 2
- Microsoft Surface Go 4
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Renewed)
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the ultimate laptop replacement, offering the full power of Windows 11 in a slim and lightweight tablet form factor. Its 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a 2880 x 1920 resolution is brilliant for both work and entertainment, providing sharp details and vibrant colors. Powered by a 12th Gen Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, it handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
This 2-in-1 device is incredibly versatile, featuring a full-size USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a Mini DisplayPort for connecting to external monitors. The optional Type Cover (sold separately) transforms it into a full-fledged laptop, while the integrated kickstand makes it perfect for watching movies or participating in video calls with its 1080p HD cameras. It’s a complete mobile workstation.
Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is designed for all-in-one entertainment, featuring a vivid 11-inch display with 2.4 million pixels for a clear and immersive viewing experience. It’s built with a powerful octa-core processor and 4GB of memory, ensuring fast streaming, responsive gaming, and smooth multitasking. With a 14-hour battery life, you can enjoy your favorite content all day long.
Crafted with a sleek aluminum body, this tablet is both thin and durable. Amazon claims it is three times as durable as the iPad 10.9-inch in tumble tests, making it a robust choice for daily use. The optional stylus and keyboard accessories further increase its functionality, allowing for note-taking and productivity tasks, making it a strong contender in the value segment.
Lenovo Tab P12
The Lenovo Tab P12 boasts a massive 12.7-inch 3K display that is perfect for both productivity and entertainment. Whether you’re taking notes in class with the included pen or streaming movies, the high-resolution screen provides detailed and vibrant visuals. The quad JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos create a rich, surround sound experience that pulls you into your games and shows.
Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Octa-Core processor and 8GB of RAM provide the power needed for fast-paced gaming and efficient multitasking. With 128GB of storage, you have ample space for all your apps, files, and media. This Android 13 tablet is a fantastic all-rounder for anyone who needs a large screen for work and play.
Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet stands out with its unique dual-purpose design, functioning as a standalone Android tablet and a smart home hub when docked on its included charging speaker dock. Its 11-inch screen offers brilliant colors and adaptive brightness, making it ideal for streaming video and video calls. Google AI is integrated throughout the experience, helping with tasks like searching from within any app.
Features like Magic Editor use AI to make advanced photo editing simple, allowing you to change backgrounds and move objects with ease. This tablet is built to be helpful at home, offering a seamless way to control your smart devices and access entertainment. It’s a smart and versatile centerpiece for a connected home.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus (Renewed)
The renewed Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is a premium Android tablet that brings cutting-edge Galaxy AI features to your fingertips. It can help you search in new ways, transcribe and summarize notes, and edit photos with intelligent tools. This is all powered by the super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which handles any task you throw at it with impressive speed.
Its 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is intensely brilliant, delivering vibrant colors and deep contrasts for an unparalleled viewing experience. The Vision Booster feature ensures optimal visibility in various lighting conditions. Best of all, the versatile S Pen is included, making it ready for note-taking, sketching, and precise navigation right out of the box.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is built for relaxation and entertainment, offering exceptional value. Its 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display brings your favorite shows and games to life with vibrant color. With a 25% faster performance than its predecessor and 3GB of RAM, it provides a seamless experience for streaming, reading, and light gaming.
You can binge-watch for up to 13 hours on a single charge, and with 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD), you can carry a massive library of content. The device is thin, light, and features strengthened glass for durability, making it a reliable and portable companion for everyday media consumption.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3 is a fantastic balance of performance and value. Its 10.6″ FHD IPS display provides a clear and sharp window for streaming video services in up to 1080p. The quad speaker system, optimized for Dolby Atmos, creates an enveloping soundscape that enhances movies, music, and games.
This tablet is ideal for students and families, with features like Immersive Reading Mode to reduce eye strain during long sessions. It runs on Android 12 with a promise of three years of security updates, ensuring a safe and modern software experience. With reliable processing power and all-day battery life, it’s a dependable device for everyday tasks.
OnePlus Pad 3
The OnePlus Pad 3 is a performance powerhouse, equipped with the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and up to 12GB of RAM. This combination guarantees blazing-fast speeds, buttery-smooth multitasking, and exceptional responsiveness for demanding games and applications. Its 13.2-inch 3.4K LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate offers stunningly sharp visuals and incredibly fluid motion.
A massive 12,140mAh battery ensures you can use the tablet for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. When you do need to recharge, the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging gets you back to full power quickly. The slim aluminum body and eight-speaker Dolby Atmos system round out this premium, high-performance package.
TCL TAB 10 Gen 2
The TCL TAB 10 Gen 2 offers a premium viewing experience with its 10.4-inch 2K Full HD+ display, enhanced by NXTVISION technology for improved picture quality. With 128GB of internal storage, expandable to 1TB, you have plenty of room for all your apps, games, and media files without constant management.
This Android 13 tablet is built for convenience and long-lasting use. The 6000mAh battery supports up to 9 hours of streaming on a single charge, making it a reliable companion for travel or a full day of use. Its slim design and capable performance make it an excellent choice for everyday entertainment and browsing.
Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Microsoft Surface Go 4 is the more compact and portable sibling in the Surface lineup, perfect for users on the move. It maintains the versatility of the Surface family, functioning as both a tablet and a laptop with the optional Type Cover. It runs the full version of Windows 11, giving you access to all your desktop applications in a lightweight form factor.
Ideal for students and professionals who need a device for note-taking, light productivity, and web browsing, the Surface Go 4 balances performance and portability. Its built-in kickstand and high-resolution PixelSense display make it adaptable for various tasks, from giving presentations to watching movies during your downtime.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Best Alternatives to iPad
When I’m looking for a tablet that isn’t an iPad, the first thing I consider is the operating system. This is the biggest fork in the road. You have Android, which is incredibly flexible and integrates well with Google services and a huge app library. Then there’s Windows, which is basically a full desktop computer in a tablet form, perfect if I need to run specific software like the full version of Photoshop or Microsoft Excel. And finally, there are specialized options like Amazon’s Fire OS, which is a heavily modified version of Android that’s super affordable and tied tightly to the Amazon ecosystem, great for media consumption.
Next, I think hard about what I’ll actually use the tablet for. My needs dictate everything. If I’m mostly watching videos, reading, and browsing the web, I don’t need the most powerful processor. A mid-range chip and a high-quality screen are my priorities. For artists or note-takers, the stylus support is non-negotiable. I look for things like pressure sensitivity and palm rejection. If I’m planning to use it for work or school, I check if it has a robust keyboard accessory and a desktop-like mode for multitasking.
Performance and battery life go hand-in-hand. I don’t just look at the processor’s name; I read reviews to see how it handles real-world tasks. A tablet that stutters when I have a few apps open is frustrating. Battery life is equally crucial. I look for claims of at least 8-10 hours of mixed use, but again, I trust independent review tests over manufacturer promises. There’s nothing worse than a tablet dying in the middle of my day.
Build quality and design matter more than you might think. A tablet feels good in my hands, and a metal or glass build not only looks premium but is also more durable. I also pay close attention to the display. Resolution, brightness (especially for outdoor use), and color accuracy are all key specs. For media lovers, an OLED screen is a massive upgrade for its deep blacks and vibrant colors.
Finally, I never forget about the ecosystem and accessories. How well does the tablet work with my other devices? Does it have a good selection of cases, keyboards, and styluses? A tablet might be great on its own, but if it lacks a good keyboard for typing, it might not serve my productivity needs. By thinking through these points—OS, use case, performance, build, and ecosystem—I can find the perfect tablet for me among the many excellent alternatives to iPad available today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Android alternative to an iPad for drawing?
For drawing, my top pick is often the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series. The S Pen is included in the box, and it’s a fantastic stylus with great pressure sensitivity and low latency, making it feel very natural. The screens on these tablets are also brilliant and color-accurate, which is crucial for art. Other solid options for creators include the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro, which also supports a high-quality active stylus for a more desktop-replacement feel.
Are there any good iPad alternatives for kids?
Absolutely. The Amazon Fire HD Kids tablets are specifically designed for this. They are very affordable, come with a bulky, protective case, and most importantly, include a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. This service gives you robust parental controls and access to a huge library of age-appropriate content, apps, and books. It’s a much more controlled and cost-effective environment than giving a child a standard tablet.
Can I get a tablet that runs full Windows programs?
Yes, and this is a key area where Windows tablets shine as alternatives to iPad. Devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 or the Lenovo Yoga are 2-in-1 convertibles that run the full version of Windows 11. This means you can install and use any desktop software you would on a laptop, from the full Microsoft Office suite to advanced video editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro. They are essentially laptops with detachable keyboards.
How does the app selection on Android compare to iPadOS?
This is a common concern. The Google Play Store has a vast number of apps, and for most everyday tasks—social media, streaming, web browsing—you’ll find excellent apps. However, the iPad still has an edge with certain professional-grade applications, particularly in creative fields like video editing (LumaFusion) and music production. Many Android tablet apps are also just blown-up phone apps, though this is improving with better optimization from Google and developers.
Is a cheaper Android tablet a false economy?
It can be. While there are some great budget options, extremely cheap tablets often have underpowered processors, low-resolution screens, and poor build quality. They can become slow and unresponsive very quickly. I recommend looking at trusted brands in the mid-range segment, like Samsung’s A-series tablets or Lenovo’s offerings, for a much better balance of price and performance that won’t leave you frustrated after a few months.