The best large tablets of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
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ZDNet
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15 min read
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Large tablets often feel large and unwieldy, but some manufacturers have taken this into consideration by combining lightweight designs with premium materials and excellent viewing angles. These top-tier models excel in performance and can easily be paired with keyboards or even second displays . But nothing beats the convenience of picking up a large tablet and hitting the road.
Tablets are considered "large" if they are 10-15 inches. The larger the screen size, the larger the working area is, which is especially useful if you're using a tablet as a laptop replacement. Not all tablets approach 15 inches, but there's more than enough screen real estate in the tablets available today.
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Through our hands-on testing combined with our researched tablet picks , we did our due diligence to deliver you a list of tablets with wide displays and tip-top performance. Our pick for the best large-screen tablet is the 13-inch iPad Pro for its fast M5 processor and bright display. We also included other big-screen options from Samsung, Microsoft, and more that we have reviewed and recommend.
Also: Best Digital notebooks 2026: Expert tested smart notebooks
In our August update, we added the OnePlus Pad Go 2 as a top pick.
Why we like it: Apple's 2025 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we've seen, and it comes in two large-screen sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. The design is much slimmer than previous Pro models and includes Apple's powerful M5 processor. This chip outperformed every other iPad and two Samsung tablet models by a landslide in our Geekbench 6 testing.
Apple included enhanced connectivity features with the C1X and N1 chips on the iPad Pro. The chips give the iPad Pro Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and faster 5G connectivity, all of which translate to faster downloads, a better and more reliable AirDrop experience, and smoother hotspot use.
Who it's for: ZDNET's Maria Diaz said that Apple "finally made the iPad the intuitively responsive tablet I've always wanted from Apple."The tablet is faster and more consistent in rendering graphics and loading assets than my M1 MacBook Pro, and is even noticeably snappier than my M3 iPad Air," she wrote in her review, adding, "It is the best tablet for power users I've tested -- and one that is finally capable of replacing a laptop for everyday computing."
The Magic Keyboard also received an upgrade with the new model (a stronger construction and an aluminum palm rest along both sides of the wider trackpad), so it makes it even easier for those looking to ditch the MacBook Pro for the iPad Pro.
Who should look elsewhere: This particular iPad is for power users for the highest of high-end professionals, and it's priced as such. However, if you still want a large iPad, the 13-inch iPad Air costs significantly less than the iPad Pro's starting price and still offers approximately 70% of the Pro's CPU performance, making it a compelling alternative.
Apple iPad Pro tech specs: Display : 11- or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display | Processor : Apple Silicon M5 | Storage : 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Biometrics : Face ID | Colors : Silver, space black | Cameras : 12MP wide (4K, ProRes), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide | Weight : 11-inch: .98 pounds, 13-inch: 1.28 pounds | Dimensions : 9.83 x 6.99 x .21 inches or 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches | Connections : USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4 | Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web
Why we like it: This massive display goes beyond what other tablet on this list looks like. It features a 25-inch touchscreen display that enables it to be used for various use cases--all for $500 (though it's often on sale for $350). For example, you could use it in the office to show presentations, in a kid's room for games and fun, or in the kitchen as a smart display to view recipes, calender information, or shopping lists.
It also includes a built-in stand that can be used in either vertical or horizontal mode, allowing for different configurations.
Who it's for: Contributing writer Jack Wallen went hands-on with this larger-than-life tablet and said there was little to be disappointed in. "I ran the display through the gauntlet of apps, such as YouTube, Gmail, Chrome, Keep Notes, and more. Everything performed well, and having the larger display made interacting with them even better than on a phone," he wrote in his review.
Wallen added that gaming enthusiasts would appreciate this tablet as well, since the large screen provides a more immersive experience--although you won't be able to play games that require you to hold the device due to its bigger size.
Who should look elsewhere: While this tablet is definitely large and definitely cheap, not everyone wants a 25-inch screen. If you want a smaller large tablet for cheap, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is also a decent option.
KTC 25-inch Android Display t ech specs: Display: 25-inch FHD IPS panel with hardware-level blue light filtering and PWM dimming | Processor: Qualcomm Chip SM6115 | Storage: 128GB | Memory : 8GB | Camera: Built-in 8MP HD camera, slide-type privacy cover, and chip-level encryption | Weight : 13.7 lb | Dimensions: 13.74 x 22.36 x 1.9 inches | Connections : Type-C port, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.2
Why we like it: Microsoft's Surface lineup helped usher in the 2-in-1 detachable computer market, so I'd be remiss if I didn't include it on this list. 97% of Best Buy customers who have purchased this tablet would recommend others buy it, giving it an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.
With the Surface Pro, you get a tablet that runs Windows 11 out of the box instead of a mobile operating system like Android or iPadOS. That means you won't have to worry about finding apps or workarounds for your workflows.
Review: Microsoft Surface Pro (11th generation)
Who it's for : ZDNET contributor Ed Bott wrote of the Surface Pro, "This machine absolutely rocks," specifically noting its battery life after putting it through testing. "At an average of more than 10 hours of actual, observed battery life, this Surface Pro is able to run for well over twice as long as my Intel-based Surface Pro 9," Bott wrote. "That's also at least as long as the M2 MacBook Air in my office."
This Surface Pro generation also supports AI functionalities, thanks to the devices' Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chips and built-in Microsoft CoPilot. You can work much faster with Microsoft's new AI features like Cocreator, Recall, Live Captions with live translations, Restyle, and Windows Studio effects.
Who should look elsewhere: This tablet is expensive, starting at a minimum of $1,000, and that doesn't include the pen and keyboard, which make it perform its best. Those looking to spend less money would be better off with a different pick, such as the 13-inch Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus.
Microsoft Surface Pro (11th generation) t ech specs: Display : 13-inch PixelSense Flow 2880 x 1920 display | Processor : Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite | Storage : 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Memory: 16GB or 32GB | Biometrics : Windows Hello | Colors : Sapphire, dune, black, platinum | Cameras : Rear: 10MP Ultra HD, Front: Quad HD front-facing Surface Studio 1440p Camera | Weight : 1.97 pounds | Dimensions : 11.3 x 8.2 x .37 inches | Connections : 2 X USB-C/USB4 ports | Battery life: About 10 hours
Why we like it: Previously, the iPad Air wouldn't have made the cut as a large tablet. After Apple updated the model earlier this year, there is now a 13-inch iPad Air that officially upgrades it to the large tablet category. Along with two size choices, it now also boasts an M2 processor, as well as compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.
The Apple iPad Air still sits confidently between the base iPad and the iPad Pro when you look at the price, but it's effectively caught up to the iPad Pro in terms of performance. Apple says you'll get up to 50% better performance than in the previous model and much faster graphics performance for gaming or video editing. The big draw of the iPad Pro was always its bigger size, but that benefit has now come downmarket to a price tier that's much more accessible.
Another standout feature is the iPad Air's front-facing camera, which has been rotated to the side bezel for landscape mode, which means you'll look a lot better during FaceTime calls.
Who it's for: Whereas the iPad Pro is the model for those who want nothing but the best from Apple, the iPad Air is the model for those who want to use the tablet for work and play, without big sacrifices in performance or features. In our review, we said the iPad Air is "where your search should begin and, likely, end" if you're in the market for an iPad.
Who should look elsewhere: The caveat to the iPad Air is that you must be willing to compromise on the applications you use and likely set up your browser to pull up desktop versions of your most frequently visited websites, since there are still some application limitations.
Apple iPad Air tech specs: Display : 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS, 60Hz | Processor : Apple Silicon M2 | Storage : 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | Biometrics : Touch ID | Colors : Space gray, starlight, purple, blue | Cameras : 12MP rear camera, 12MP webcam (landscape-oriented) | Weight : 11-inch: 1.02 pounds, 13-inch: 1.36 pounds | Dimensions : 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches and 11.04 x 8.46 x .24 inches | Connections : USB-C port and magnetic connector for Apple Pencil Pro | Battery life: 10 hours
Why we like it: If you're looking for an Android tablet , the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is one of the best around. The Tab S11 Ultra features a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, runs on the Android 16 operating system, and includes Galaxy AI features.
The base model comes with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage, and a microSD card for up to 2TB of extra storage. One of the main differences between the S11 series and the previous S10 generation is the redesigned S Pen stylus. The new pen has a cone-shaped tip, making it easier to create shading and angled strokes in a way that feels more natural on a user's hand. It also features a hexagonal body, like a traditional pencil, which could help it feel more comfortable during long periods of use.
Who it's for: ZDNET's Maria Diaz reviewed the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and described it as the "iPad Pro for Android fans." "The new S Pen supports Quick Tools and has a new Sticky Notes integration," she wrote, adding, "So when you're drawing or writing with the S Pen, you can pull up a floating toolbar to change pen styles, colors, or settings quickly, like the Apple Pencil Pro's squeeze gesture does."
If you opt for the $210 Book Cover Keyboard (which is cheaper than the previous generation keyboards), you can effectively turn the tablet into an Android-powered 2-in-1 device with plenty of space for multitasking and using more than one app at a time.
Who should look elsewhere: Just keep in mind the tablet isn't as portable as some other options on this list -- it has by far the largest tablet screen we have tested, which isn't always suitable to bring with you everywhere. If you're looking for something more portable, the OnePlus Pad 2 or the Google Pixel tablet are lighter options.
Why we like it: For $400 (by far the lowest price on this list of tablets), you can get a 12.1-inch tablet that works well for multitasking, streaming videos, and reading. As an entertainment tablet, the Pad Go 2 performs exceptionally well, particularly when compared to other Android tablets in its price range. It can be an all-day device with a long battery life, making it easy to transition from work to streaming or gaming.
Who it's for: This tablet can be exceedingly useful for everyone from college students who need more versatility and portability than the average Chromebook to older users who prefer a lightweight device they can rely on for various purposes.
Diaz also went hands-on with the OnePlus Pad Go 2 and said she was surprisingly satisfied with its performance, especially when it came to the stylus.
"The Go 2 Stylo was very responsive and accurate on the tablet and was designed to work with the Pad Go 2," she wrote in her review. "It also has a similar weight and feel to the Apple Pencil Pro--the added weight gives you a sense of control when wielding a pen for drawing, which a lot of graphic artists appreciate."
Who should look elsewhere: If you need a reliable tablet for video editing or more powerful work, this affordable tablet is not the right one for you.
OnePlus Pad Go 2 specs: Display : 12.1-inch 2800 x 1980 display | Processor : MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra | Storage : 128GB or 256GB | Memory : 8GB | Colors : Black | Cameras : Rear: 8MP Front: 8MP | Weight : 1.3 pounds | Dimensions : 10.47 x 7.59 x 0.27 inches | Connections : Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 | Battery: 9,800mAh battery
The best large tablet is the iPad Pro (2025), thanks to its powerful Apple M5 chip, impressive display, and accessory support.
When deciding between one of these big-screen tablets, the biggest question is what operating system you want. Once you figure out if you need a full computer experience or if a mobile-centric operating system is enough, you can narrow it down from there.
Even though there aren't many options for tablets with large displays, we considered a few key points while comparing models:
The ZDNET team chose all of the tablets included in this list based on their performance when tested in the real world . When we test tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.
We also compare the display's performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen's responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer's stylus.
Performance: For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet's temperature during intensive tasks.
For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive tablet testing methodology .
Tablets range in size from small to large. Small tablets are usually five to seven inches. Mid-size tablets have a screen ranging from nine to 11 inches. Then, there are large tablets with screen sizes from 12-14 inches.
Keep in mind that the larger the tablet, the heavier it will usually be.
Yes, the size tablet you choose definitely matters. A tablet's screen size determines its portability, how much you can zoom in and out, and how it feels to hold it and work on it. Bigger doesn't always mean best, but large-screen tablets are handy if you plan on using a tablet as a laptop replacement.
Neither accessory is a requirement. It all depends on how you plan to use the tablet. If you're going to use it for watching movies, playing games, or reading books, a keyboard isn't required.
However, if you plan on using it as a weekend replacement for your laptop or for school , then yes, you'll need to spend the extra money on one. You can get Bluetooth options online or at electronic stores, and they're perfect traveling companions for when you want to work or play on the go.
There is a big difference in terms of the quantity and quality of apps that are available for iPadOS over Android. Apple and third-party developers have spent years fine-tuning the experience on the larger display device.
Google has all but admitted it gave up on making Android tablets , and developers have taken the company's lead. You'll find a lot of apps you can install and use, but ultimately, they're nothing more than the phone version of the app, and many just don't work as they should.
The Fire Max 11 starts at $230 and boasts an 11-inch display, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage with support for 1TB of microSD card storage. If you're looking for a tablet for work and play, the Fire Max 11 Productivity Bundle costs $330 and comes with a keyboard with touchpad, case, and a stylus.
While on the smaller size of our large tablets picks with a 10.2-inch screen, the Kindle Scribe is the perfect size for note-taking. The device's AI features can also summarize up to 15 pages in a notebook, neatly extracting key takeaways from the text. It can also transcribe handwritten notes into text, which might benefit those with questionably legible handwriting.
The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus features a 13-inch, 3K (2944 x 1840) LTPS glossy display that looks fantastic, with up to 900 nits of brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate for the smooth and vivid experience you'd expect from a premium tablet. For reference, that's brighter than both the 13-inch iPad Air and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10+.
