10 Best Tablets for Work & Productivity (Professionals)

Finding the best tablet for work and productivity is not easy for freelancers, business professionals, real estate agents, and tech professionals in general.

The first thing you need to look for is the overall performance of the tablet, which will allow you to complete tasks and install the apps you need to do your job.

Working professionals will find that the best tablets for their requirements are fast, reliable, have with a high resolution display and a battery with both a long lifespan and extended battery length per session in particular.

The display is very important as most of us use tablets, laptops and desktops for hours. There are other aspects that you should consider as a professional such as connectivity, storage space and operating system.

Related: How do Tablets work? [Beginners guide]

Related: Best Tablets for Zoom Calls & Classes

That’s why we have researched and handpicked the 10 best tablets for work, productivity, and jobs. Let us take a look at our top picks.

At a glance – Best Tablets to get for work, business, and productivity

The following tablets choices will work great whether your using the tablet in a large corporate setting or starting a small business.

Heres our top picks for the best work tablets for startups, writing, freelancers, and those looking to increase productivity:

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 9: The Ultimate Windows Tablet Experience
2. CHUWI Hi10 X: Best cheap Tablet for Work use (freelancers)
3. Lenovo Flex 5: Best Tablet for Work productivity on the job
4. iPad Pro: Best Tablet for business and school work with a pen (Apple Pencil)
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 3: Best Cheap Tablet for Business
6. HP Pavilion 14: Best Tablet for Work from Home
7. iPad Air: Best Tablet to Replace a Laptop
8. Fire HD 10: Best budget Tablet for Working Outside
9. Microsoft Surface Pro X: Top Tablet for Office work
10. Amazon Fire HD 8:  A Top Tablet for Working

After extensive research and hands-on testing, I can confidently say that the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 stands out as the best business tablet for professionals in various fields.

If you’re in a corporate environment and need a reliable device, the iPad Pro is arguably the best tablet for office work, especially if you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

For those who prioritize multitasking and seamless app integration, the Lenovo Flex 5 has proven to be an excellent tablet for productivity purposes (see our post comparing the Lenovo flex vs yoga models)

Best Tablets for Work, Productivity, and Business

Below are the best tablets for productivity, work, and business that we’ve compiled based on our research amongst freelancers and the work environment.

We’ve tested these picks hands on and found that these tablets were ideal for anyone in the work environment that needs a tablet for their job productivity. 

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 9: The Ultimate Windows Tablet Experience

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a game-changer in the 2-in-1 tablet market. It’s not just a tablet; it’s a powerful Windows machine that can easily replace your laptop. Running on Windows 11, it’s an excellent fit for those already in the Windows ecosystem.

Performance-wise, the device is a powerhouse. Our review unit came with Intel’s 12th Generation Core i7-1255U CPU and 16GB of RAM, handling everything from web browsing to video editing effortlessly. (and it has upgradable storage)

The display is another high point. The Surface Pro 9 features a 13-inch touchscreen with a finely detailed 2,880-by-1,920-pixel resolution.

See the best tablets for facetime, video calls, and skype 

Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through a workday. The device also includes two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, adding to its versatility. However, the absence of a headphone jack is a drawback worth noting.

Microsoft’s optional Signature Keyboard and Slim Pen 2 enhance typing and inking experiences but add to the overall cost. After spending considerable time with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, I’m convinced it’s the best business tablet for those who need a device that can effortlessly transition from a tablet to a full-fledged laptop.

2. CHUWI Hi10 X: Best cheap Tablet for Work use (freelancers)

If you like the advanced features of the Surface Pro 7 but don’t want to spend that much money on a work tablet, Chuwi’s latest Hi10X is a smart alternative. Chuwi has created a reliable, low-cost tablet that performs smoothly for basic tasks.

Also see: Best Tablets for Adults (Easy to Use)

Of course, the Hi10X’s battery and speed can’t match flagships like the Surface Pro or iPad Pro. So if you want to work with the tablet for a longer period of time, you should opt for a more advanced tablet. Still, the Chuwi is a very useful device that includes a keyboard and a stylus pen. 

For freelancers or anyone on a budget, the CHUWI Hi10 X stands out as the best tablet for office work without breaking the bank. It may not have the raw power of high-end tablets, but it offers a balanced mix of performance and affordability, making it a practical choice for everyday tasks.

So if you need a device for drawing notes or a whiteboard of any kind, this is a reliable solution. All in all, when it comes to affordable tablets for work, there’s nothing better than this.

See our post on the Best Online Whiteboards for Teaching, Remote work and Zoom

 3. Lenovo Flex 5: Best Tablet for Work productivity on the job

If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 tablet for work, the Lenovo Flex 5 is a great solution. The brand is widely known for its premium yet affordable devices, and the latest Flex 5 is no exception. The tablet runs very fast and has one of the best (and largest) displays on our list.

In fact, the Lenovo Flex 5 is designed specifically for work purposes and will have no problem handling any basic or advanced tasks. If you add to that the great battery, connectivity and keyboard, the Flex 5 is a great all-rounder.

See our post on: Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga: Which is better? (Comparison)

If you’re in the market for a tablet geared towards maximizing work productivity, the Lenovo Flex 5 is a top contender. It offers a compelling blend of performance, display quality, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for professionals who need a reliable, yet cost-effective, tablet for productivity purposes.

So if you don’t need an iPad or iOS device, the Flex 5 is one of the best Windows tablets. And most importantly, it’s cheaper than most Microsoft premium tablets.

4. iPad Pro: Best Tablet for business and school work with a pen (Apple Pencil)

Let’s say your business uses Mac devices exclusively. Then there is no better tablet to use a pen with for work for you than the latest iPad Pro. Apple has exceeded all expectations and created one of the best tablets ever made. 

• The latest iPad Pro is a powerful device that is great to connect and use with the Apple ecosystem and all of its premium apps.

If you need an active stylus, you’ll be happy to hear that the iPad Pro supports the best active stylus for tablets, the Apple Pencil (second generation).

If your workflow is deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro is arguably the best business tablet you can invest in. With support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and an impressive battery life, it’s designed to handle everything from note-taking to complex business applications with ease.

Finally, Apple has included a top-notch battery that will let you use the iPad Pro for more than 10 hours. It becomes clear that the iPad Pro is by far the best tablet choice for professionals who need an iPadOS device.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 3: Best Cheap Tablet for Business

If you are looking for a more affordable alternative to the Surface Pro 7, Microsoft has the perfect solution for you. The Microsoft Surface 3 is the best affordable Microsoft tablet for education and business purposes. Like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, the latest Surface 3 also runs Windows 10 Pro. 

Although the Surface 3 is not as powerful, it has a reliable Atom Quad-Core CPU , 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage.

• This means that the Surface 3 is a great solution for professionals who do not use demanding apps (Auto CAD, Photoshop, etc.).

So if you need a tablet for simple tasks like browsing, note taking or video calling, the Microsoft Surface 3 is a great choice. 

Another important feature of the Surface 3 is its FHD display (10.8 inches), which offers an impressive viewing experience, and its long battery life (10 hours). 

6. HP Pavilion 14: Best Tablet for Work from Home

HP Pavilion 14 is a very similar device to the Lenovo Flex 5 described above. In fact, HP has developed a stunning 2-in-1 tablet for professional use.

The Pavilion’s hardware setup is specifically designed for professionals, as CPU i5 and RAM 16GB can handle just about anything. Also, HP has one of the best internal storage on the list, a 512GB SSD. The display and audio quality are also excellent. 

In fact, it was hard for us to find any drawbacks while testing the latest HP Pavilion. We’d say it’s not an ideal solution for those who need an ultimate portable device.

Nevertheless, the HP Pavilion 14 is an excellent choice for professionals who need a fast tablet with a large screen and plenty of storage.  

7. iPad Air: Best Tablet to Replace a Laptop

Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is designed specifically for professionals who typically get along with the Apple ecosystem. So if you need an iPadOS device but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the iPad Air is simply the best choice.

The device comes with a top-notch hardware kit that allows you to handle any professional task or application. Even though the iPad Air has a smaller display than the Pro version, the 10.9-inch Retina display is still one of the best on the market. 

When it comes to performance, the Air version will be able to handle pretty much anything, from basic tasks to extreme multitasking. The iPad Air can also be paired with an Apple keyboard and the second generation Apple Pencil. Finally, the battery lasts up to 10 hours of continuous use. 

See our post: Apple Pencil 2 vs 1: What is the difference? (Compared)

In short, the iPad Air is the ultimate Apple device for professionals who want to stay within their budget. 

8. Fire HD 10: Best budget Tablet for Working Outside

Amazon has created one of the best budget tablets on the market. The latest Fire HD 10 is a fantastic choice for professionals who don’t want to spend a lot on a tablet.

Although the Octa-Core CPU and 2 GB of RAM memory aren’t ideal for multitasking, the tablet can easily handle everyday work tasks. 

The 32 GB of storage may feel inadequate for professionals, but that can be topped by a micro SD card (up to 512 GB).

See our post: What can you do with the Amazon Fire Tablet?

Therefore, the brand new Fire HD 10 is a good choice for professionals who need an affordable tablet for everyday tasks. If you need an affordable, lightweight tablet, there’s simply nothing better.

A good upgrade to the Fire HD 10 is one of the more expensive Samsung Tablet models or the iPad. Learn more on that in our post, Amazon Fire HD vs Samsung Tablet models (A8, A7, & S8)

9. Microsoft Surface Pro X: Top Tablet for Office work

Like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Microsoft’s latest Pro X is designed by Microsoft for work professionals. The main difference between the two Microsoft flagships is that the Pro X version has a larger screen. 

Apart from that, the Pro X model offers similar performance that can handle all professional tasks with ease. The tablet can also be paired with a premium Microsoft keyboard and the latest Microsoft Surface Pen.

So, if you were excited by the advanced features of the Pro 7 but need a bigger screen, the Pro X is the best choice if you need a good laptop alternative for work.

We would definitely recommend the Pro X for creatives who need a large, premium display, such as animators or photographers and enjoy using Microsoft products over apple or a budget android pick.

10. Amazon Fire HD 8:  A Top Tablet for Working

As one of the most popular tablets on Amazon, the Fire HD is one of the most flexible devices out there. Its 8-inch display is not the most comfortable, but ultimately makes it portable. 

Although this tablet is not the most powerful, it can do basic tasks like browsing, reading books, and taking notes. For this reason, we believe this very affordable device is ideal as a secondary phone with a larger screen. 

You can also use this device to read your emails, browse the web or even make video calls via Skype or Zoom. 

Related: 9 Best Tablets for Zoom Calls & Classes

In conclusion, the latest Fire HD 8 has similar performance to the Fire HD 10 reviewed above, but a smaller screen. For this reason, it is a good choice for professionals who need an affordable and portable tablet. 

What are the advantages of business tablets (pros and cons)

In general, business tablets are the devices that can easily handle the tasks and apps you use at work. For example, if you are a graphic designer, an ideal business tablet will be able to handle software like Adobe Illustrator or Procreate. That being said, professional tablets tend to be the fastest on the market. 

However, what you need from a device depends entirely on your profession. For this reason, the list above includes several options, from flagship Apple and Microsoft tablets to super cheap Amazon tablets for basic tasks. 

So, the first thing you need to consider is what you need and how you will use the device. This way, you will automatically know which choice is the best.

Tablets are Ideal alternatives to a laptop or desktop at work: Tablet computers are a great way to get more done while on the go or walking around the office or freelance work location like WeWork. However, they can also be an easily dropped and can sometimes be less useful than a dedicated laptop if your utilizing very high CPU intensive tasks.

With the advantages and disadvantages weighed out in this post, it still might make sense to invest in one of these business-friendly tablet PCs instead due to the easy navigation and intuitive design a touch screen allows for.

Choosing a Tablet for Work & Startup jobs

Choosing a tablet for work, business or the job you work at means valuing three key features before you choose to buy it. This includes a high resolution display, screen size, long Battery length per session, Operating system type, and whether or not it will run the application you use. Connectivity will be important depending on the office setting you’re in.

Related: See the best Procreate iPad

Display

A Mini LED screen is ideal for a clear tablet viewing experience. Especially at work. The iPad satisfies this and this is just one reason why so many office settings and even restaurant workers utilize the iPad. For example, you could use a iPad with a high resolution display with a large screen size to allow customers or your co-workers to view the work or video. Compare this to a small, unclear display that won’t be optimal in the work setting. 

The best tablets for work will have a 10 inch +, high resolution display, though 4k is not required. You’l want vivid picture, with brightness settings that controls easily (some cheaper laptops do this poorly). If you work in design, the display will be even more important. 

Related: See the best budget drawing tablets with screen built in

Battery

The best tablets for work will have a long battery lifespan I addition to a long battery session per length. We aim for at least 6 hours of battery session length when using a tablet for work, though many modern tablets have evolved to last much longer than this amount and the prices have adjusted for this on average.

The tablet battery is one of the most important components in a large number of electronic devices. The battery supplies power to the device and run through various circuits for use.

For tablets, their batteries are divided into two parts, which are the lithium-ion cells and the circuit board. The long-lasting lithium-ion cells provide energy to power up your tablet while the circuit board provides communication between other components inside your device.

A good tablet for work will also have start and resume from sleep and standby modes faster than other devices.

Operating system

Whether your using Android tablet or iPad with iOs, you’ll want to grab the ideal operating system that works best for you. Some windows tablets like the Surface Go seem to be the ideal replacement for the iPad’s operating system. and allow for a less expensive, useful device for both work and play.

There are really two main options you’ll see outside of Microsofts options, iOS or Android.

The operating system that you choose will largely determine what type of apps you can access on your tablet, as well as what music, video, and download formats will be supported. (source)

Like most types of computers, tablets come with storage capacity of 64 GB, 128 GB and so on. It is important to consider how much of your data you can store on the tablet.

Processor and RAM

The processor is the “brain” of the tablet. A fast processor with good graphics is ideal for watching video and playing games. However, if you’re working, you won’t need a super high amount of RAM compared to that of a gamer. So as far as work productivity goes, the tablet’s processor needs to be as fast as the applications that you require. Weaker processors with less graphics capability can still access basic apps with ease, such as email, video, and web browsing. 

Because they run on fast-paced operating systems, most tablets can perform multiple tasks at once without slowing down at work. The best tablets for productivity will also tend to have the fastest memory in their portable form factor, which speeds up your computer’s overall performance.

Weight

A lightweight tablet is ideal for work because you’ll be walking at work, showing co-workers solutions to problems, and using it on the fly. A lightweight tablet is ideal for work because it is portable, and a tablet that is too heavy for many work tasks is not going to be ideal. Have a less bulky, sleek tablet like the iPad will provide a better experience over a cheap android tablet you find that is a no name brand.

Can I use a Tablet for Work?

Yes, you can use a tablet for work. In fact, tablets are used in work settings due to the increased portability compared to a laptop or desktop. It’s also useful to move the tablet’s viewing angle without a hassle so that employee’s, co-workers, your boss and others can seamless observe the screen you are intending to show. Compare this to a laptop screen where the viewing angle must be more static without picking up the entire heavy device.

The tablet also allows users to perform research on their own by typing queries into search engines (like google) and receive instant results with fairly well, credible information which is the ideal and expected usage outside of work specific applications and YouTube viewing.

Here area few key features you’ll want to consider:

• A screen that is touchscreen-sensitive.
• Memory to store files, applications, and personal data.
• A built-in or attachable camera for taking pictures and videos on the fly for work and productivity.
• A battery that provides near instant stand by and sleep modes
• Quick charging capabilities.
• An strong processor for business related applications and tasks.

Is an iPad good for work?

Yes, an iPad is good for work since they have been able to offer a more immersive experience for users as well as being easy on the eyes. One feature that tablets have helped improve is screen size. It is now possible to see a huge amount on one screen without having to turn your head or tilt your device left or right often.

Yes, an iPad is good for work since they have been able to offer a more immersive experience for users as well as being easy on the eyes. One feature that tablets have helped improve is screen size. It is now possible to see a huge amount on one screen without having to turn your head or tilt your device left or right often.

An iPad specifically can run iPad apps that will help you with utility and work related tasks. For example, you can use the Apple Pages app for creating or updating your presentations. It will make it easier to distribute the presentation to clients, managers and peers.

There are also other apps like Evernote, Google Docs and OneNote that make it easy to create documents concerning various tasks. You can even import scanned documents on your tablet or even use your digital camera to take pictures of whiteboards or any document that you might need in the future.

Is a stylus worth it for work

A stylus is ideal for work if you need to draw, scribble, or write down notes on a digital whiteboard. It’s especially useful if you want to more easily navigate your iPad or tablet without smudges and do so in a much faster, more efficient manner.

Tablets have been used in the work environment more and more over time for various tasks. One of the many functions that are possible with this device is to type text into documents or emails using an onscreen keyboard that appears whenever you place your fingers close enough to activate it.

My Experience Using a Tablet for Productivity Purposes

Switching to a tablet for work-related tasks was a game-changer for me. The portability and touchscreen interface made it incredibly easy to manage my workflow on the go.

The stylus support was the icing on the cake, allowing me to jot down notes during meetings and even sign digital documents effortlessly.

Additionally, the robust battery life meant I didn’t have to worry about finding a power outlet during long work sessions. This freedom to work from anywhere, without the constraint of battery life, made the tablet an indispensable part of my professional life. Overall, the tablet became an essential tool that significantly enhanced my productivity.

Conclusion

The tablets listed in this post are good for work, business, productivity and using a tablet at your job. These were chosen because they are affordable, but also should satisfy the requirements of work (google suite, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams). 

The best tablets for work & productivity will have a powerful processor to utilize for work applications as well as RAM to handle multiple work & business tasks at one time. The best tablets will have compatibility with blue tooth devices and also have easy connectivity to a laptop or desktop device. These tablets are also capable of running most of the second screen display softwares such as duet display. (see the best duet display alternatives)