Best Active Stylus For S7

Which is the best tablet with a stylus in 2021? There are a lot of choices with Android, Windows 10, and even iPads. I review almost every tablet. Scroll down to find the best ones with pen support.

Pens for tablets haven't been popular for a long time. However, that changed with the Microsoft Surface Pro and Samsung's S-Pen tablets. By now, you can even get all current iPads with an active stylus. And even though Apple is late to the game, they managed to release amazing tablets with pen support.

There are a lot of other choices out there. I've tried most of them and here are the best I reviewed in the last year.

Best Tablets With Pen Support: An Overview

Here is a quick overview of the best options that I can highly recommend.

Best overall: Apple iPad Pro (on Amazon*). The Apple iPad Pro is the best overall tablet with pen support because it has very pretty 11-inch and 12.9-inch screens, is faster than all Android competitors, and the Apple Pencil 2 is well supported on the software side. You can get lots of great note-taking apps, as well as professional programs like Adobe Photoshop. Due to their 120Hz screens, drawing with the Pencil looks super smooth.
Best Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 & S7+ (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ are the best Android tablets out there. With both, the fantastic S Pen is included at no extra charge and works very well. They're the fastest Android tablets available and offer lots of premium features. Both support 120Hz and the 12.4-inch S7+ Super AMOLED screen looks a bit better than the 11-inch LCD of the S7.
Best Windows choice: Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (on Amazon*). The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the best overall Windows tablet. You can get it with the Surface Pen which is well executed and works great together with apps like OneNote or the full desktop version of Adobe Photoshop. It's a great choice if you want to use Windows programs and replace a proper laptop.
Best upper-mid-range: Apple iPad Air 4 (on Amazon*). The Apple iPad Air 4 is a cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro. It does not have a 120Hz screen, but it works with the same Apple Pencil 2. The 10.9-inch display looks pretty and the performance of the Apple A14 processor is amazing. Just like the Pro, it's fast enough for demanding apps like Photoshop.
Best upper-mid-range Android: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a great alternative to the newer Tab S7. Here, we don't get a 120Hz screen either, but the S Pen is included without any extra costs. It offers fast performance, a pretty 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display and the software features are almost the same as on the S7.
Best 8-inch tablet with a pen: Apple iPad Mini (on Amazon*). The Apple iPad Mini is the best 8-inch tablet with active pen support. It's faster than all competitors and offers a nice 7.9-inch Retina display. Like all current iPads, it's running iPadOS and you can get lots of optimized apps. The iPad Min works with the first-generation Apple Pencil.
Best value: Apple iPad 8 (on Amazon*). The Apple iPad 8 with the first-generation Apple Pencil is much cheaper than the previous options but it offers a fantastic value. While the 10.2-inch screen is not laminated, its performance is better than most Android tablets and on the software side, it supports the same apps and features as the much pricier iPad Pro.
Best mid-range Android tablet with a stylus: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a fantastic alternative to the S7 and S6 if you want to save some money. Since the S Pen is included, it's cheaper than the iPad 8. Unlike that one, the 10.4-inch screen is fully laminated and looks great. I think it's a great choice for handwritten notes but it's not as fast as the previous devices on this list.
Best 10-inch Windows tablet: Microsoft Surface Go 2 (on Amazon*). The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the best 10-inch Windows tablet with active pen support. It works with the same Surface Pen that you can get for the Pro 7. In fact, the premium design is similar. But its performance is not as strong. It's a great tablet for OneNote, but it's too slow for demanding Photoshop work.
Great 8-inch Android tablet with a pen: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 is one of few 8-inch Android tablets that you can get with a pen. Here, the S Pen is included and works just as it does on Samsungs other tablets with stylus support. We're getting a good screen, a pretty fast processor, and if you get the LTE version, you can use it as your phone. The Galaxy Tab Active3 is special though because it has a very rugged design meant to withstand tough weather and work environments.

Best Tablets With A Stylus: In-Depth Look

Let's take a more in-depth look at the tablets I mentioned above.

Apple iPad Pro with Apple Pencil 2

Apple iPad Pro 2020 on* Amazon

The Apple iPad Pro 2020 is the best overall tablet. Here, we get two tablets, to be exact, because you can choose between an 11-inch and a 12.9-inch version. But besides their screen size, both versions are identical. And both work with the Apple Pencil 2 which you must buy separately. It's a great pressure-sensitive pen that is getting charged inductively by the tablets by attaching it to the side.

One reason why the iPad Pro 2020 is on top of this list is that their screens support a refresh rate of 120Hz. That means that drawings with the pen look super smooth, almost instant, just like on real paper.

Apple has added lots of software features for the Apple Pencil 2 in iPadOS over the last couple of years. The official Notes app is a great note-taking app now which supports handwriting recognition. There's a Scribble feature that allows you to use handwriting in almost every text field. And the number of apps that are optimized for iPads in general and support the Apple Pencil, in particular, is huge. You can select between lots of notes apps, use almost desktop-class Adobe Photoshop, and even alternatives like Affinity Photo.

Regarding all other aspects, the iPad Pro is fantastic too. The Apple A12Z Bionic processor together with its 6GB RAM is faster than all Android competitors. We get a premium-feeling metal body, great speakers, Face ID facial recognition, and two optional keyboard covers that are well made. The only major downside is the price because the iPad Pro is crazy expensive – especially if you factor in the accessories.

Read: My Apple iPad Pro 2020 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 & S7+ with S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7/S7+ on* Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ are the best Android tablets you can currently buy. And since the S Pen is included at no additional costs, they're the best Android tablets with active pen support as well. The major difference between the two is the screens. While the 11-inch Tab S7 has a nice LCD screen, the Tab S7+ features a fantastic 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display. It's the best screen of any tablet. Just like with the iPad Pro, both displays support 120Hz. That means if you draw with the stylus, it looks very smooth.

You never have to charge the S Pen for simple handwriting or drawing. But the stylus has a battery that is charged inductively just like on the iPad Pro. In this case, the battery is needed for wireless gestures only. Most of these are just a gimmick but there are a couple of useful once. You can use the S Pen as a remote in Microsoft PowerPoint, for instance.

Samsung has built-in lots of other software features for the S Pen which is pressure sensitive. The Samsung Notes app is a fantastic note-taking program. Handwriting recognition is supported too, you can easily take screenshots, and there are lots of other features you can access by looking at the "Air Commands".

The tablets themselves are great too. With their Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, they're not as fast as the iPad Pro but faster than any other Android tablet. You can get versions with 6GB and 8GB of RAM, as well as 128GB up to 512GB of internal storage. The operating system is Android 10 and Samsung promises to update it for at least three years.

Other premium features are included as well. We get four great speakers, fingerprint scanners, a USB C 3.1 port on each tablet, as well as a microSD card slot. If you want, you can also buy an official keyboard cover.

Read: My Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Review

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with Surface Pen

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 on* Amazon

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the best Windows tablet you can buy and Microsoft has designed it with an active pen in mind from the beginning. You can get it with the Microsoft Surface Pen which supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and is being powered by a replaceable battery. You'll have to buy it separately.

Here, we get a 12.3-inch PixelSense display which is very pretty and works well together with the stylus. This is a standard 60Hz screen though, just like all the other tablets further down this list. It means that compared to the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S7, you can sometimes notice that the drawings lag behind the pen a bit.

Inside Windows 10, the Surface Pen is well supported. There's a handwriting recognition built-in which works great. The stylus seems to be made for Microsoft OneNote which is a good note-taking app for Windows and other platforms. You can use the Surface Pen in lots of other programs like full Adobe Photoshop too.

Besides being a tablet, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 can behave just like any other Windows PC can. In fact, the internal hardware is the same. Depending on the version, you can get it with an Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processor, as well as with up to 16GB of RAM and an up to 1TB SSD.

The built quality with its magnesium body is fantastic. I like that there's a kickstand built-in and you can get it with the Microsoft Type Cover which is an excellent keyboard cover. Together with that keyboard, you can easily replace a full notebook with this tablet.

I think the Surface Pro 7 is a great alternative to the iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S7 if you need Windows 10 and want to replace a full laptop with a tablet.

Read: My Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Review

Apple iPad Air 4 with Apple Pencil 2

Apple iPad Air 4 on* Amazon

For many, the Apple iPad Air 4 is the perfect tablet if you want to save a little bit of money. Sure, it's still pricy, but not as expensive as the iPad Pro. Many aspects of the two are very similar and both work with the same Apple Pencil 2. While the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is very pretty, it's not as bright as the Pro and it's a standard 60Hz screen. So, in direct comparison, the Pencil 2 does not react as instant. But for many, it's hard to see a real difference.

The Apple Pencil 2 and the iPadOS software are the same. So, what note-taking and drawings are concerned, there's no big difference between the iPad Air 4 and the Pro. The official Notes app continues to be fantastic and the same goes for the Scribble feature. You can use gestures to quickly take a screenshot or start a new note. And apps like Adobe Photoshop and all others from the App Store work great.

Inside the iPad Air 4 runs an Apple A14 Bionic processor which is faster than every Android device. We get 4GB of RAM, 64GB or 256GB of storage, and optional 4G LTE. If you want, you can play the newest games with the highest graphics setting. The performance is really good.

We get a premium-feeling metal body, good speakers, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner that's built into the power button. You can use the Air 4 with the Apple Magic Keyboard and the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio which both work with the Pro as well.

Read: My Apple iPad Air 4 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 with S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 on* Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is the predecessor of the Galaxy Tab S7. But if you can find a good deal and want to save some money, it continues to be a great choice. That's because we're getting a beautiful 10.5-inch Super AMOLED 60Hz screen and the S Pen is included. Basically, it's the same pen that's included with the Tab S7.

Since Samsung released an update to Android 10 already, the basic software features are the same. You can use the Samsung Notes app, the Air Commands are the same, and handwriting recognition is built into the on-screen keyboard. The S Pen is a great pressure-sensitive stylus, and all S Pens are interchangeable. So, if you use a Galaxy Note smartphone, you can use the same pen with this tablet.

Samsung ships the Galaxy Tab S6 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, between 6GB and 8GB of RAM, and you can get it with integrated LTE. The performance is good enough for demanding games including Fortnite.

We get all the premium features you would expect from a former flagship device. That includes four great speakers, a premium-feeling metal body, and a fingerprint scanner that's hidden below the touchscreen. There are a USB C 3.1 port and a microSD card slot.

I would not pay the original price anymore. But again, if you can find a good deal and want to save some money compared to the Tab S7, I think it can be a great choice.

Read: My Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Review

Apple iPad Mini with Apple Pencil 1

Apple iPad Mini 2019 on* Amazon

The Apple iPad Mini is the best 8-inch tablet with a stylus. It's faster than all competitors of its size and it works with the first-generation Apple Pencil. A smaller tablet is great if you mostly want a small notebook-like device for taking notes. Or if you want to draw quick sketches while on the go. The 7.9-inch 60Hz Retina display is well suited for that.

You have to buy the Apple Pencil 1 separately, but it mostly works as well as the Apple Pencil 2. The biggest difference is that you'll have to charge it using the Lightning port of the iPad Mini. Besides that, there's no big difference compared to the other iPads, since the iPadOS software is exactly the same. That means the Scribble feature works here too, and you have access to the huger number of optimized apps inside the App Store.

Apple is shipping the iPad Mini with an Apple A12 Bionic processor that is supported by 3GB of RAM and a 64GB or 256GB internal storage. It's not faster as all, but certainly faster than all Android tablets of its size. That means you could use the iPad Mini as a good gaming tablet as well.

On a negative note, the Mini continues to use the old design. That means why the metal body feels high-end, the black bezels around the screen are quite big. We've got to live with the old Lightning connector too. But I like the Touch ID fingerprint scanner and the speakers are good. There's no official keyboard cover.

Read: My Apple iPad Mini Review

Apple iPad 8 with Apple Pencil 1

I think the Apple iPad 8 is an excellent choice if you're looking for a good mid-range tablet. Unlike with the others on this list, you'll have to start to make a couple of compromises to save money, though. That's mostly because while the 10.2-inch Retina display is a good one overall, it's the only one on this list that's not laminated. It means that you can see a small air gap between the touchscreen and the IPS layer. Now, most people don't even notice that. But if you want to make very precise drawings, it can be annoying.

That's the only major downside of the iPad 8 and one reason why it can be so much cheaper than the iPad Air 4. You'll have to buy the Apple Pencil 1 separate, of course, but it works as well as it does on the iPad Mini. All the software features of iPadOS are the same here too. Yes, that also means you can use almost desktop-class Photoshop on this inexpensive tablet.

Inside the iPad 8 sits an Apple A12 Bionic processor with 3GB of RAM which is faster than many Android tablets. When buying it, you can choose between 32GB and 128GB of internal storage and you can get cellular versions. The performance is noticeably weaker than the iPad Air or iPad Pro. But it's a great gaming tablet too – you just might not be able to play everything with the highest graphics settings.

Apple uses the older design here with a premium metal body but with big screen bezels. It uses the older Lightning connector. On a positive note, it's one of the very few iPads left with a standard headphone jack. And it has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

I think the iPad 8 with the first-generation Apple Pencil is an amazing choice for students on a budget. But as I said earlier, if you want to make precise drawings, it might be worth it for you to spend a little bit more due to the non-laminated screen.

Read: My Apple iPad 8 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite on* Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is one of the cheapest tablets with active pen support that I can comfortably recommend. It's a cheaper version of the Galaxy Tab S7 and S6. But what the S Pen is concerned, you have to make no major sacrifices. That stylus is included again at no extra charge and all the basic software features like the Samsung Notes app and the Air Commands are the same. The pen is a bit smaller, but if you want, you can buy bigger pens for the S4, S6, or S7 and they'll work fine.

Now, you do have to make some compromises, of course. The 10.4-inch full HD screen is good but it's a standard LCD screen and not a Super AMOLED one. And while the Exynos processor with 4GB RAM is fast enough for all standard tasks including Office work and some multitasking, it's not powerful enough to enjoy demanding games like Fortnite.

With its metal body, the build quality is the same and the sound of the two speakers is good too. But it's lacking a fingerprint scanner and it has a USB C 2.0 port only. That means you can't connect external monitors.

Samsung is shipping the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with Android 10. And, as I said, most of the software features are the same as on the S7 and S6. But unlike with those, the Samsung DeX desktop mode is not supported and you can't use the S Pen as a remote in apps like Microsoft PowerPoint.

Read: My Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Review

Microsoft Surface Go 2 with Surface Pen

Microsoft Surface Go 2 on* Amazon

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the best 10-inch Windows tablet you can buy at the moment. It has a pretty screen and works with the same Microsoft Surface Pen that you can get for the Surface Pro 7. And since it's running Windows 10, the software features including handwriting recognition and Microsoft OneNote are the same. Actually, this tablet seems to specifically be made to be a OneNote tablet.

I think the Surface Go 2 is a great choice if you need a Windows device and want to use it for handwritten notes or sketches. But since it's shipping with either an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor or with an Intel Core m3, it's not perfect for more demanding programs like Adobe Photoshop. You can get versions with 4GB and 8GB of RAM, as well as a 64GB eMMC flash storage or a 128GB SSD.

The Surface Go 2 has a magnesium body and is as premium-feeling as its bigger brother. We're getting a great kickstand and you can buy the Microsoft Type Cover separately which is a fantastic keyboard cover.

Out of the box, it's running Windows 10 in S Mode but you can switch to standard Windows 10 Home with just a couple of clicks for free.

Read: My Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 with S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 on* Amazon

I loved the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 during my review. It features a pretty 8-inch full HD screen that you can navigate with the S Pen stylus which is included. The pen is smaller than the one for the Galaxy Tab S7 but the basics work the same. You can use it for handwritten text or to annotate PDFs in Samsung Note, draw with it, sign contracts, and so on. The pen is very responsive and just works great.

Due to its Exynos 9810 processor, it's faster than all other 8-inch Android tablets and gets close to the iPad Mini. You can play demanding games like Fortnite. When buying it, you can choose between 64GB and 128GB of internal storage. All versions have 4GB of RAM. The LTE version is interesting too since you can use it to make phone calls and send text messages.

The Galaxy Tab Active 3 is a very versatile tablet. Thanks to Android 10 and Samsung's OneUI you can also use the Samsung DeX desktop mode. Once attached to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, the tablet can behave similar to a desktop machine. So, it can be a normal 8-inch tablet, a phone, and a desktop device.

Now, there are some downsides, of course. The biggest drawbacks and also one of its highlights is the design. It's a very rugged tablet for tough work environments and that's what it looks like. Sure, it's by design and meant to be this way, but it just looks like an old device. Right now, there's no real competitor running Android though.

Read: My Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 Review

Other Interesting Options

As I said at the beginning, I'm reviewing almost every tablet that gets released. And there are a couple of other devices that have been released in the last couple of years that haven't made it to the main part of this list. That's because, for most, I think the upper ones are a way better choice. But if you're looking for something specific, you might be interested in one of the following ones.

Microsoft Surface Pro X with Surface Slim Pen

Microsoft Surface Pro X with keyboard and pen

Microsoft Surface Pro X on* Amazon

With its improved design and bigger 13-inch screen, the Microsoft Surface Pro X looks like a better version of the Surface Pro 7 from the outside. And regarding some aspects like the design and screen, I think it is better. But instead of a standard Intel processor, it features an ARM chipset that's made by Qualcomm and Microsoft.

It means that the Surface Pro X is running an ARM version of Windows 10 instead of "normal" Windows 10. Many Windows features including the Microsoft Office apps run great. So, if you're just looking for a good 13-inch OneNote tablet, this might be perfect for you. But because of its ARM processor, you can't install all standard Windows app you might be used to from your PC as seamlessly. And that's why I can't recommend it to most. If you want a Windows tablet, you usually want to use specific Windows apps that might not run well on the Surface Pro X.

Besides that, the Pro X is a fantastic tablet and the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen works well on here. As I said, this can be a great tablet to use with Microsoft OneNote. We get a premium design, a nice screen, and an excellent keyboard. 4G LTE is integrated too and you can replace the SSD.

If you're interested in the Surface Pro X, you'll need to read my review first and better also read what other buyers are saying. Because, as I said, for many people I can't recommend getting it.

Read: My Microsoft Surface Pro X Review

Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i with Lenovo Active Pen

Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i on* Amazon

The Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i can be a good alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 if you want to save some money. But before you get it, please compare prices. It is a bit slower than the Surface Pro 7 if you configure it with similar hardware. So, make sure it's cheaper. Since the official keyboard cover and the active Lenovo stylus usually are included, it can be quite a lot cheaper.

Lenovo is shipping the Yoga Duet 7i with a 13-inch IPS display which looks good and is great for editing photos. With the Lenovo Active Stylus, you can do exactly what you can do with the Microsoft Surface Pen. It's good for handwritten notes in Microsoft OneNote works with demanding apps like Adobe Photoshop, and is pressure sensitive. You'll have to replace a battery occasionally.

You can get it with an Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processor, as well as up to 16GB of RAM and an up to 1TB SSD. As I said, the performance is a bit weaker than the Surface Pro 7. But it still behaves just as any other Windows PC does.

The Yoga Duet 7i has a premium design, an integrated kickstand, and it ships with an interesting keyboard cover. Unlike the Surface one, you can't use it at an angle. But because it has Bluetooth and a separate battery built-in, you can use it separately from the tablet. That means the 7i can stand on a table while the keyboard sits on your lap, for instance. I like that unique design.

Overall, I liked the Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i in my review, so feel free to check it out. Just remember that it's slower than the Surface Pro 7.

Read: My Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i Review

Huawei MatePad 10.4 with Huawei M Pencil

The Huawei MatePad 10.4 is a fantastic alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite because many aspects are the same. You can buy it with the Huawei M Pencil which is a pressure-sensitive stylus as well. But I think it does not perform as well as the S Pen does.

But the major reason why I can't recommend the MatePad 10.4 for most is the missing Google Play Store. While it is running Android 10, because of the trade war between the US and China, all Google Services including the Play Store, YouTube, Gmail, and Chrome are missing. And you can't install them as easily.

If you want an Android tablet, you usually want to use Google's stuff. And many want to watch Netflix with HD resolution which is not possible here. That's why I think most are better off with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.

Besides that, the MatePad 10.4 is a decent tablet with a good 10.4-inch screen, a fast mid-range performance, and great speakers. The built quality is good too.

Read: My Huawei MatePad 10.4 Review

Lenovo Duet Chromebook with a USI stylus

Lenovo Duet Chromebook on* Amazon

The Lenovo Duet Chromebook is a fantastic choice for many students that are looking for an affordable tablet with a keyboard. It's running Chrome OS which has many advantages over Android. Since Google is updating it directly, it'll get updates longer. And you can use full desktop Chrome. Since the Google Play Store is preinstalled, you can continue to use almost all Android apps.

But I can't recommend the Duet Chromebook if the stylus is the most important feature for you. It works with a USI stylus which you can buy separately. The only one I was able to buy is the HP USI Stylus and that one disappointed me a bit in my review. It just wasn't as accurate. So, if the pen is a very important feature for you, I think you're better off with the Apple iPad 8 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.

Otherwise, the Lenovo Duet Chromebook offers an outstanding value thanks to Chrome OS and the good keyboard that's included at no additional charge. I enjoyed it a lot in my review. The performance is fine and the 10.1-inch screen is decent. It's a nice tablet – without the stylus.

Read: My Lenovo Duet Chromebook Review

Questions & Answers

Here are a couple of answers to questions that I get frequently.

Can I use a stylus on any tablet?

Not all tablets support an active pen. In fact, many don't and that means the stylus won't be as accurate and the tablet won't be able to ignore your palm if you rest it on the screen. For handwritten notes and drawings, I can recommend tablets with active pen support only. But if you really want to, you can get generic pens for capacitive screens that work with almost every tablet. Just don't expect a good experience.

What Samsung tablets have the S Pen?

Current Samsung tablets with the S Pen are the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S4, Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Galaxy Tab A SM-P200/205, and Galaxy Tab Active 3.

What is the best cheap drawing tablet?

I think the best cheap tablet to draw on with the most value are the Apple iPad 8 with the Apple Pencil and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with the S Pen. Both are quite affordable but are good enough for basic drawings.

Can I use the S Pen on any tablet?

No, the S Pen is compatible with a couple of Samsung tablets only. And it works with smartphones of the Galaxy Note series, of course. But it's not compatible with devices from Apple, Huawei, Lenovo, and so on.

How To Decide Which Is Best For You

Which is the best tablet with pen support for yourself? That depends on your personal needs, of course. First, you should ask yourself if you specifically need a certain operating system. Do you need a tablet with Windows 10 because you also want to run a program that does not exist for the other ones? That narrows down your options quite significantly. Or do you want an iPad because you're also using an iPhone? Or do you prefer a Samsung tablet because you're using a Galaxy Note smartphone and want to use the same pen?

After you thought about that, you should think about your budget. If you don't have a limit, then the iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro 7, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 are amazing choices. They're the best of the best. But all of them are quite expensive, and unless you need lots of performance, you'll get a very similar experience with one of the cheaper ones.

You should also consider the screen sizes. The 12-inch iPad Pro and Surface Pro 7 are very big. You'll need a proper backpack or laptop bag to transport them. The iPad Mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 with S Pen, on the other hand, will probably fit in the pocket of your jacket or your purse.

How I Review Tablets

To get comparable results, I review all tablets the same way. Usually, I start by running a couple of benchmarks to test their performance. I also do a battery test and check if they're capable of running Netflix in HD. After I'm done with that, I use them as my daily driver. I watch YouTube and Netflix, play games, browse the web, and work with them with apps like Microsoft Word.

If the tablet supports an active pen, like the ones on this list all do, I also test the stylus. Does it support different levels of pressure sensitivity? Does it have a battery and do you need to recharge it? How do you recharge it?

Usually, I use the pens to write down handwritten notes and, if the tablet supports it, to edit photos in apps like Adobe Photoshop. Handwriting notes in apps like OneNote are a great way to test if the tablet supports palm rejection and how good it is. All tablets on this list are very good at that.