There was a time when laptops and tablets were rare, but in 2024, it isn’t surprising to see multiple tablets in a household. When considering the Best Tablet 2024, CGM needed to take into account the multiple use cases for tablets in general.
Drawing tablets, household displays, content creation, and general watching and scrolling all come into play when we think of our favourite tablets. Some come with extras, like a dock, keyboard, drawing pen or case, and though we love extras, the base device is what really needs to stand out. Whether we were creating with the newest iPad, using it as a display as we did with Google, working away on our Xiaomi, or drawing with UGEE and Wacom, there were a few tablets that earned the winning slots for Best Tablet 2024.
Best Tablet 2024:
GOOGLE PIXEL TABLET
Writer: Brendan Frye
The Google Pixel Tablet is a major return to the tablet market for the tech giant. After a somewhat rocky journey over the years, marked by hits and misses, Google is back with a new attempt at carving a niche for itself in a landscape dominated by Apple’s iPads and other offerings from Amazon and Samsung. While there are some issues, the Google Pixel Tablet is one of the best Android tablets I have used in recent years.
Google needs to remain committed to the Pixel Tablet, particularly in the areas of software optimization and performance improvements. The tech giant’s history of shifting product focus could put potential buyers off. However, if Google stands by the Pixel Tablet, it has the potential to become a staple in the Android tablet landscape and an attractive non-phone option for those in the Google ecosystem. App makers need to see a commitment to the platform in order to invest in making tablet apps, and the rapid changes may make developers pause before committing.
While not perfect, the Google Pixel Tablet’s robust multimedia and smart home features make it a stand-out, premium offering for users looking for a unique tablet experience beyond work productivity.
- Engineered by Google, the Pixel Tablet is the first tablet with the Google Tensor G2 chip built in; it features Google AI for smooth streaming, high-quality video calls, an efficient battery, and more
UGEE U1600 DRAWING PAD
Writer: Zubi Khan
Getting into digital art can be a daunting task. With so many different avenues available, it can be difficult to make the right choice, particularly if you’re just starting and want to transition from paper to pixels. Enter the UGEE U1600 Drawing Pad, or in other words, a full HD 15.4” screen-based drawing tablet. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Android/Linux-based devices, this review will focus on Windows performance as the model sent did not include the additional USB type-C cable required for mobile platforms.
The overall drawing experience on the UGEE U1600 is great and feels right at home with the higher-end tablets I’ve used. Outside of the lack of a kickstand, the only area the UGEE U1600 seemingly cuts some corners is the lack of any additional shortcut keys on the device itself. With the stylus featuring two buttons, the drawing experience feels limited in terms of quickly having hotkeys for your desired shortcuts. Thankfully, this isn’t a big deal.
If you’re a first-time artist looking for a budget-friendly drawing tablet, the UGEE U1600 is the perfect entry point for those requiring a screen-based solution that doesn’t break the bank.
- 【Wide Compatibility】Computer Graphics Tablets Plug-And-Play, Widely Compatible With Mac, Windows, and Linux, and can Easily Connect to Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac OS X10.10 (or later) Versions of Computers And Laptops, And Chromebooks (Note: Chrome Os 88.0.4324.109 And Newer Versions Are Required). The Device Supports Adobe Photoshop, Paint Tool Sai, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Corel Painter, Sketchbook, Manga Studio, Clip Studio Paint, Etc.
WACOM ONE 13 TOUCH DRAWING TABLET
Writer: Jordan Biordi
I’ve got to admit working with the Wacom One 13 Touch awakened feelings in me that I had long forgotten. When I reviewed the Bosto Kingtee 22U Mini Pen Display tablet back in the long-forgotten time of 2016, I mentioned how monumental it was when I finally got myself a Wacom Bamboo tablet and started drawing digitally. Back then, I used to draw pretty regularly, but recently, I’ve only found myself ever picking up the digital pen to draw thumbnails for my YouTube channel.
The One 13 Touch is an incredible artist tablet, but it also comes at an incredible price. I couldn’t help but laugh when the tablet’s product page claimed it was “specifically crafted for aspiring artists” because there’s no way any aspiring artist could afford this—starting at $599 USD, and that’s before you get into any add-ons like the adjustable stand. A big part of the reason I invested in the Surface Book 3 was to be able to bridge the gap between having something I could draw on and something I could work/play on.
If you can get past the immense price tag, the One 13 Touch is an incredible tablet that is perfect for digital artists, both beginners and experts.
- TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Whether sketching or brainstorming, get hands on with your creations in a full color spectrum on this 13.3″ HD fully-laminated anti-glare touchscreen display designed for drawing, editing photos or visual communication
XIAOMI PAD 6 TABLET
Writer: Dayna Eileen
Every time I turn around, there seems to be a new tablet on the block, the newest of which is the Xiaomi Pad 6 (and the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14, coming soon). I use the Xiaomi 13 Pro smartphone regularly, so it only made sense to see how the Xiaomi experience translates from smartphone to tablet. After recently performing the same experiment with the One Plus 10T and OnePlus Pad, seeing how popular branded tablets compare and perform alongside their smart device counterparts is a new fascination of mine, and the Xiaomi Pad 6 has blown me away.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 tablet has become a staple in my day-to-day life, from work to travel to casual use. It comes at a competitive price, close to the OnePlus Pad ($479 USD), and way under the new Samsung Tab S9 (over $700 USD), with some great features, making it hard to beat. Whether I’m scrolling on TikTok, watching Netflix or writing away in Google Docs, the Xiaomi Pad 6’s outstanding battery life, incredible display, sleek style, and extreme portability make it my device of choice, especially on the go. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Pad 6 Max 14 will compare.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 tablet hit every nail on the head when it comes to what I’m looking for in a powerful but portable device. Paired with its accessories, the Pad 6 is the tablet to beat right now.
- WIFI Version, NO SIM CARD OR SD SLOT . FCC ID: 2AFZZRP34G
APPLE IPAD PRO (6TH GEN)
Writer: Chris De Hoog
As a creative type, I look to tablets (like laptops) to serve as an extension of my workspace when I’m away from it—when daily life or assignments necessitate working away from my desktop. That means research, writing, and sometimes media editing.
Given the portability and easy use of the product line, the iPad Pro served these needs with nearly universal success. I wanted an extension of my desktop, and it did exactly that. Thanks to iOS’ integrations with various cloud services, it was easy to swap between working in my home office to a cafe, waiting room, or hotel room.
What really sold it for me was the moment when I plugged in an external SSD via the device’s USB-C connection and loaded sizable 4K videos into DaVinci Resolve without a hiccup. Knowing that I can harness similar power to my desktop PC in a more convenient form factor (even a form this big), I’m not sure I can go back to traditional laptops.
The iPad Pro approaches overkill for the average consumer, but professional creatives may want to consider shelling out the cash for its laptop-busting power.
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience, with the astonishing performance of the M2 chip, superfast wireless connectivity, and next-generation Apple Pencil experience. Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS.
