Building Your Business Office Setup The 9 Best Business Tablets of 2023 Portable powerhouses for all your work needs By Dawn Papandrea Updated on September 13, 2022 Fact checked by Hilarey Gould We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. More and more professionals are using tablets for work rather than traditional laptops or desktops, and with good reason. Their lightweight and compact design make them great for traveling, and most tablets are equipped with the latest processors, high-capacity solid-state drives and hard drives, and improved security. Some tablets not only have Wi-Fi capabilities but also offer LTE cellular data connections, too. Improved OLED displays and high-resolution screens give you better color ranges and detailing for precise artwork. Whether you're a creative professional or a loyal Apple user, here are the best business tablets available today. Best Overall: Microsoft Surface Pro X Buy on Amazon Buy on Microsoft The Microsoft Surface Pro X is an excellent 2-in-1 tablet. Powered by an updated SQ1 processor and Windows 10 Home, you'll get quick access to files and apps you need for work. There's also 8 or 16GB of memory and the choice between 128, 256, and 512GB of storage. Even more, the tablet features LTE cellular data connections so you can work without an internet connection. With a 13-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth capabilities, you can connect the Surface Signature Keyboard and Surface Pen to the device. This tablet, which has a folding kickstand on the back, measures just 7.3 millimeters thin and weighs under 2 pounds—making it slim and lightweight for travel. The rechargeable battery gives you up to 13 hours of use on a single charge (on average). Best for Creative Professionals: Wacom Cintiq 16 Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Ideal for digital artists, animators, and 3D modelers, the Wacom Cintiq 16 is a 15.6-inch display with 1080p full HD resolution and over 16.7 million colors. It also comes with a battery-free pen that draws power from the tablet. The pen features two programmable side buttons for quick access to frequently used brushes or settings in art programs like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Paintshop Pro. The tablet has folding feet that give you some incline for a more comfortable drawing. The screen also features a scratch-resistant and anti-glare coating for protection and increased visibility. To charge the device, connect it to your Windows PC or Mac with a 3-in-1 HDMI cable. Best for Travel: Google Pixel Slate Buy on Amazon For anyone who often travels for work, the Google Pixel Slate is the perfect tablet. It runs on ChromeOS for a streamlined experience and is powered by an 8th generation Intel Core m3 processor for plenty of power. The tablet has 8GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD for blazing-fast boot times and access to your files and programs. It weighs 1.6 pounds and measures 7 millimeters thin, so you can slip it into a laptop or carry-on bag. With a 12.3-inch screen, the tablet supports split-screen and multi-window browsing for seamless multitasking. Bluetooth capabilities allow you to connect wireless keyboards and stylus pens to the tablet. It also has two USB-C inputs for connection to wired peripherals, headsets, and an external 4K display. The battery gives you up to 10 hours on a single charge. Best Budget: Lenovo Chromebook Duet Buy on Amazon The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a great, budget-friendly option. It runs on ChromeOS for a streamlined work experience and access to apps like Google Docs and Google Sheets right out of the box. Powered by an 8-core MediaTek Helio P60T processor, the tablet has 4GB of RAM and a 128GB hard drive for storage. With Bluetooth, you can wirelessly connect the included keyboard and other peripherals. There are also USB-C ports for hardwired connections and to charge the battery. Along with a 3.50-millimeter audio jack, the tablet has both front- and rear-facing cameras. Plus, it has a battery life of up to 10 hours. Best for Apple Users: Apple iPad Pro Courtesy of Apple Buy on Apple Perfect for loyal Apple users, this 11-inch iPad Pro boasts edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display technology for true-to-life color. It's powered by an A12X chip and can perform up to 5 trillion processes a second, giving you unparalleled speed and power over previous iPad models. With iOS 12, you'll get access to features like Group FaceTime for virtual meetings, as well as split-screen windows for multitasking. The tablet's front-facing camera uses Face ID for password-free protection, while the rear-facing camera can shoot video in 4K. You can choose Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi/LTE models for internet access without a network. There are also memory storage options available from as low as 64GB to 1TB. The battery gives you up to 10 hours of use. Best HD Display: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Buy on Amazon Buy on Samsung With a high resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 wins points for superior detailing. The tablet is powered by an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and runs on the Android operating system. Although it has 128GB of memory storage, there is a microSD card slot if you need more space. It also comes with an S-Pen as well as Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant built-in. You can control other smart devices in your home and even make calls with this tablet. A fingerprint reader ensures your work and personal data are protected. With both Bluetooth and USB-C connections, you can use wired and wireless peripherals like keyboards and headsets. Better yet, the battery gives you up to 15 hours of use. Runner-Up, Best HD Display: Samsung Galaxy Book Flex Alpha Buy on Amazon The Samsung Galaxy Book Flex Alpha tablet uses a QLED screen, giving you 1440p HD resolution and an exceptional color range. It's available with either a 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch touchscreen, and the 360-degree hinge lets you quickly switch from laptop to tablet mode. You can choose between 10th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, 8 or 12GB of RAM, and 256 or 512GB SSD. With an HDMI port, you can connect your tablet to an external display for presentations or working across different monitors. Along with an HD webcam, there's a dual-microphone array and Alexa built-in with this device. The fingerprint reader also allows you to protect your data and personal information from unauthorized access. Best for Travel: Microsoft Surface Go 2 Buy on Amazon Buy on Microsoft Buy on Best Buy This compact tablet is just over 1 pound, making it perfect for portability. The full HD front- and rear-facing cameras can keep you connected to client meetings (and take great photos), while the Surface Go Signature Type Cover offers a backlit keyboard and trackpad for getting reports done after a day of travel. You won’t get as much memory and storage in this model as you can with other business tablets, but it’s a good backup tablet to bring with you to a conference or meeting. Best Lower Cost Apple: iPad Air Courtesy of B& H Photo Buy on Apple Buy on Best Buy Buy on B&H Photo Video People who do multimedia work will enjoy working on the second Apple tablet to make the list. The 10.9-inch iPad Air offers enhanced graphics, advanced video editing, and machine learning capabilities, powered by its A14 Bionic chip. It pairs well with the Apple Pencil for note-taking or illustrations, too. Choose between 64 and 256 GB models. Final Verdict The mighty Microsoft Surface Pro X (view at Amazon) is tough to beat as it allows people the best of both worlds—part laptop, part tablet. It’s slim and lightweight but has a higher price point and is on the larger side with a 13-inch screen. Of course, if you’re an Apple enthusiast, then the iPad Pro would be the better pick for you (view at Apple). The top-notch speed and crisp display make it a powerful tool in your business arsenal, especially if you use it for video meetings. If you don’t want to spend a ton, budget shoppers will be well-served by the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (view at Amazon). What To Look for When Shopping for a Business Tablet Connectivity For business on the go, you want to make sure that you can always stay connected. Think about if you prefer to have LTE connectivity or if you can get by on Wi-Fi. That will help narrow down your choices. Battery Life Most business tablets should get you through the 9-to-5 work day, but if you need to power through for some overtime, you’ll want to check out the battery life. Tech Specs If you’re going to be using multiple programs and apps at once or advanced graphic design or multimedia software, you’ll want to pay attention to RAM. Keep in mind that the operating system of your table will use up a bit of RAM as well. The other spec to check is memory storage, especially if you plan to download and store large files. Keyboard Style Business tablets can either use a hybrid design, in which there is a detachable keyboard so you can use it as either a laptop or a tablet, or it can be a regular tablet that can be connected to a separate keyboard using Bluetooth or plugged in that is bought separately. Depending on your work style, you might rarely need a keyboard (such as if you’re an illustrator), or you may spend the day typing away. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What are the advantages of business tablets? Business tablets are lightweight, portable, but powerful pieces of technology. They allow people to work from anywhere using the same sophisticated software that you’d find on a desktop or laptop, but without the bulk. Usually, if there’s a keyboard, it’s detachable, making it easy to tap and swipe using a stylus or fingertip. They also travel well and can get you through the workday when fully charged. What’s the difference between a tablet and a laptop? Choosing between a tablet and laptop really comes down to preference and how you plan to use the device. Although there is a lot of overlap between the two, especially for hybrid 2-in-1 styles that can work as a laptop or a tablet, there are a couple of key differences. The first is size. Tablets are usually smaller and lighter and have a longer battery life, making them ideal for travel or on-the-go business presentations or processing sales. Although tablets can often handle common business software suites, people who used very specialized software will likely need a laptop. People who do a ton of typing might also opt for a laptop, which has a larger keyboard and screen size. But keep in mind that tablets can be paired with an external keyboard as well. Price-wise, you can find both laptops and tablets to fit every budget. Are there any disadvantages of tablets? Tablets can do an awful lot, but there are a few drawbacks to consider. For starters, they may not be best for people doing long typing sessions when it comes to ergonomics such as typing comfort or screen size. There’s also no keyboard and mouse (although some have keyboards that attach, or you can connect to one wirelessly). Meet the Expert This roundup was written by Dawn Papandrea, a personal finance reporter who also covers consumer topics. She is a full-time freelancer with two decades of writing experience. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Microsoft. "Surface Pro X." Amazon. "Microsoft Surface Pro X – 13" Touch-Screen – SQ1 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive – Wifi, 4G Lte – Matte Black," Best Buy. "Wacom - Cintiq 16 Creative Pen Display Drawing Tablet - Black." Amazon. "Google Pixel Slate 12.3-Inch 2 in 1 Tablet Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 64GB, Aspect Ratio 3:2." Amazon. "Lenovo Chromebook Duet, 2-in-1, 10.1" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMCP SSD, Integrated ARM G72 MP3 Graphics, Chrome OS, ZA6F0031US, Ice Blue + Iron Grey." Apple. "Buy iPad Pro." Amazon. "Samsung Galaxy Tab S6- 10.5" 128GB, Wifi Tablet - SM-T860NZAAXAR, Mountain Gray." Amazon. "Samsung - Galaxy Book Flex Alpha 2-in-1 13.3" QLED Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Royal Silver - NP730QCJ-K01US." Microsoft. "Surface Go 2." Apple. "Buy iPad Air."