With so many new tablets being launched in 2013, it's hard to keep up with them all. It's even harder to know which ones are any good. Well fret not: we've got that covered with this handy chart where we rank and review the 16 best tablets available to buy in the UK right now.
When buying a tablet there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all you need to consider the operating system. The current options are Apple's iOS, Google's Android OS and Microsoft's Windows 8 OS. (Amazon's Kindle Fire range and Barnes & Noble's Nook tablets run a highly customised version of Android.) If you're unsure about which operating system is right for you, read our iPad, Android, Windows 8, BlackBerry tablets buying advice article. Once you've bought your tablet, you can't change your mind about these fundamental things.
If you're not familiar with all the tech jargon, a tablet's specifications can be very confusing. However, rather than ignore them, it's worth bearing these key areas in mind. In general, higher is always better.
Look out for a tablet's screen resolution and pixel density (quoted in ppi); the internal storage (GBs); expandable storage (typically via a microSD card slot); and other features you might want such as cellular (3G or 4G) connectivity, GPS, Bluetooth, video outputs (such as HDMI) and more.
If you plan to use the tablet for taking photos and videos, how many megapixels do the camera(s) have?Anything below around 5Mp should be avoided, but check the sample photos and videos in our reviews to find out what the quality is really like.
Finally, there's battery life. You don't want your tablet to last less than around six hours, and the recharge time is worth knowing, too. Some tablets take almost as long to charge as they do to discharge.
To find out more about what to look out for take a look at this feature: which tablet should I buy?
- See also: Group test: what's the best iPad?
- Visit: Group test: what's the best Android tablet?
- Take a look at: The 6 best tablets with expandable memory too.