The small tablet market has slowed down significantly over the last few years, so much so that the likes of Sony and HTC don’t even make them anymore. Google’s hugely popular Nexus 7 seems like a lifetime ago and in the UK, Tesco sadly ended the amazing Hudl range a few years back too. That said, although many are a distant memory, there are a handful of small tablets still around that you can buy brand new. Smaller tablets are typically cheaper than larger models and this also makes them more portable. Small tablets are great for travelling, so you can take TV shows and books with you, without adding much weight to your luggage. With the tablets below, there is something for everyone, with a range of different sizes, prices and features on offer. Why not take a look at the best overall tablets and the best cheap tablets for more options.
Best small tablet 2023
Compact design Apple Pencil support Superb performance
A little pricey No Magic Keyboard support
The Mini’s 60Hz display has jumped to 8.3in, but without changing the physical size of the tablet – allowing for more display real estate without affecting the Mini’s portable nature. It’s a gorgeous display too, with the highest pixel density of any iPad, even if it is a bit on the small side for true split-screen multitasking. It’s powered by the same A15 Bionic silicon as the iPhone 13 range, with plenty of power for all you might want to do on the tablet. The Touch ID sensor has been moved to the Power button – like with the iPad Air – and there’s support for the second-gen Apple Pencil to boot. However, the lack of a Smart Connector on the rear means that it doesn’t have its own Magic Keyboard; a real boon for the iPad Air and Pro ranges, and the only real chink in the Mini’s armour.
Premium materials Apple Pencil support
Ageing design Ageing hardware
With the A12 processor at an affordable base price, the 2019 Mini is still a tiny powerhouse of a slate. Yes, the design is seven years old but with the addition of Apple Pencil compatibility, ongoing OS updates from Apple and decent battery life, even this older Mini proves not everyone wants or needs to spend thousands on an iPad Pro.
Premium, compact design Great battery life Affordable
Poor cameras Slow charging Limited update support
Despite being new to the tablet market, Realme is expanding its tablet portfolio with the Realme Pad Mini, which offers a surprisingly premium design in a small 8.7in form factor, and for an impressively low price. Great battery life and a clean user experience, make this a great slate for basic media consumption, productivity and even full-colour eReading, however, its low-resolution display and mediocre performance hold it back from being an instant recommendation. It’s also difficult to get a hold of in the UK, though it retails starting at €179.99 in mainland Europe.
Hands-free Alexa Improved battery life
Entry-level performance Limited selection of apps
While performance isn’t markedly different from the previous Fire HD 8, this model will last longer and we’d say the addition of the wireless charging dock is wholly worthwhile if you’re considering picking one of these slates up.
Very affordable Upgraded USB-C connectivity Decent battery life
Sluggish performance Array Array
Highlights include a 30% bump in performance, an increase in overall battery life and the switch to USB-C for connectivity, which might not seem like much, but considering the other sorts of tablets you can expect to pick up at this price point/size, there’s little else out there that comes close to consideration.
Well protected against the elements Removable battery S Pen support
Chunky build Niche appeal Pricey
With military-grade protection and IP68 water and dust resistance, the Tab Active 3 can withstand submersion in sand, water and drops from 1.5m. There’s even a setting that means you can use the touchscreen with gloves on, while the S Pen offers a useful alternative for navigation and productivity. You pay a premium for such a hardy slate but if that’s a feature of importance, nothing else on this list can match the Tab Active 3. While some big-screen tablets like the iPad Air offer compatibility with Apple’s laptop-esque Magic Keyboard, the same can’t be said for the Mini – though there are plenty of third-party accessories looking to fill that gap. The biggest factor will likely be the apps you’ll use on a day-to-day basis. While most big school-focused apps like Microsoft Office are available across iOS and Android, there are some exclusive to either platform. Apple’s App Store has more tablet-optimised apps than Google Play, and it offers compatibility with the Apple Pencil for enhanced note-taking, which makes the iPad mini the ideal small-screen tablet for students in most scenarios. When it comes to Android users, the choice is a little tougher. The iPad is still a strong competitor, especially in the small tablet market where there frankly isn’t a lot of Android competition, but there has been a resurgence of decent small-screen Android tablets recently. The issue is that small-screen Android tablets are still usually budget-focused, unlike Apple’s iPad range, which targets a higher quality overall experience, often at the cost of the latest hardware available. So, while high-end Android tablets make a good iPad competitor, iPads generally rule the small-screen tablet market unless you’re simply looking for a budget tablet for web browsing. For standard browsing, gaming, and word processing, a 7in tablet may well be good enough for your needs. However, if you plan on editing photos and videos, undertaking other creative work or using it as a replacement for a TV for Netflix binges, you might want to opt for something a little larger. Of course, the biggest benefit of a small-screen tablet is portability. Small screen tablets are much easier to transport than larger tablets, making them ideal for use at work or at school. Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You’ll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
