The purpose of this article is to guide you in choosing the best tablets for musicians.
Music is dynamic. From reading scores to recording tracks, from mixing beats to teaching lessons, the tablet becomes an extension of your instrument and studio.
Challenges are common. Many musicians face glare-filled screens under stage lighting, limited storage for high-resolution audio files, weak speakers that distort sound, poor stylus compatibility that hinders notation, and connectivity limitations that make collaborating difficult.
The solution lies in selecting a tablet that combines power, clarity, responsiveness, and endurance. To make that decision easier, we outline the essential criteria: processing power, display, audio, battery life, stylus and accessory support, storage, and connectivity. Each factor contributes directly to how you play, compose, or produce, and each has minimum standards you should expect.
Let us begin with processing power. Music apps like GarageBand, Cubasis, or FL Studio demand significant processing strength. A slow CPU or insufficient RAM results in lag, latency, and app crashes. We recommend at least an octa-core processor at 2.0 GHz with 6 GB RAM. This ensures real-time playback, smooth recording, and uninterrupted layering of tracks. The advantage is clear: you can compose, edit, and play back music without interruptions.
Display quality is equally crucial. Reading digital sheet music or editing soundtracks requires sharp, bright visuals. Musicians benefit from a 12-inch screen with at least 1920×1080 resolution and 400 nits brightness. This size comfortably displays two pages side by side, minimizing page turns during performance. A bright display prevents glare under stage lights, making it reliable in concerts and practice sessions.
Audio performance defines how accurately you hear your music. Built-in speakers should provide clarity, though many musicians also connect external gear. Still, for practicing and reference playback, a minimum of dual stereo speakers with high dynamic range ensures balanced sound. Weak audio systems distort tone, making them unreliable for critical listening. For vocalists and instrumentalists, accurate sound playback helps refine practice and performance.
Battery life is non-negotiable during gigs or studio sessions. A musician should not worry about the device shutting down mid-performance. The minimum requirement is 10 hours of active use with fast charging support. This guarantees reliability during long rehearsals, concerts, or travel. Musicians using tablets for setlists, looping, or live effects especially need consistent power.
Stylus support matters for composers, arrangers, and students. Writing notes, marking annotations on sheet music, or sketching chords requires precision. A tablet should support pressure-sensitive stylus input with low latency. This feature simulates the natural feel of pen and paper, making it invaluable for music theory, composition, and quick edits during practice.
Storage capacity impacts how much you can carry with you. High-quality audio files, sheet music libraries, sample packs, and recording projects consume space rapidly. The minimum recommendation is 128 GB of internal storage with microSD expansion. This prevents constant file management and ensures your full repertoire and projects remain accessible.
Connectivity ensures smooth collaboration. Musicians often share files, connect MIDI keyboards, or link external audio gear. At minimum, a tablet should include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C with OTG support. These allow integration with MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, and wireless accessories. The benefit is versatility, whether you are performing live, syncing with bandmates, or exporting finished tracks to the cloud.
The Following are the Best Tablets for Musicians:
Contents
- Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 + 5G Cellular
- Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) with A15 Bionic chip, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB,
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 15 inch i7 - 32GB Memory - 2TB Tablet
- Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) - Space Gray (2nd Gen)
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 11” 256GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 FE Wi-Fi 10.9” 128GB Android Tablet
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 FE Wi-Fi 10.9” 256GB Android Tablet, IP68 Water
- Microsoft Surface Go2 M8128, Silver (MHM-00001)
- Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Wi-Fi, Mystic Black - 256 GB
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i7
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5 (i7, 16GB RAM, 1 TB) Tablet
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 1TB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 512GB, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Wi-Fi, Mystic Black - 512GB
Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 + 5G Cellular |
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| Operating System | iOS |
| Screen Size | 10.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2360 x 1640 Pixels |
| Processor | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Apple M1 GPU |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 64GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | None |
| Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Ion (28.6 Wh), |
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth, Cellular |
| Pros | Good performance, Quality Display, Large display, Battery life |
| Cons | None |
Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) with A15 Bionic chip, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, |
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| Operating System | iOS |
| Screen Size | 8.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1488 x 2266 pixels |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage Space | 64GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
| Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Ion, non-removable (19.3 Wh) |
| Connectivity | Widi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Lightweight, Portable |
| Cons | None |
Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 15 inch i7 - 32GB Memory - 2TB Tablet |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Screen Size | 15 inches |
| Display Resolution | 3240 x 2160, (260 PPI) Pixels |
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU |
| RAM | 32GB |
| Storage Space | 2TB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 5 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | up to 17.5 hpurs |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Pros | Performance, Storage Capacity |
| Cons | Price |
Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) - Space Gray (2nd Gen) |
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| Operating System | iPad OS |
| Screen Size | 11 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels |
| Processor | A12Z Bionic |
| GPU | Apple GPU |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
| Main Camera | 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner |
| Front Selfie Camera | 7MP TrueDepth front camera |
| Battery Life | up to 10 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular |
| Pros | Storage |
| Cons | NA |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 11” 256GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet |
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| Operating System | Android |
| Screen Size | 11 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 128GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 13 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Po 8400 mAh, non-removable |
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth, |
| Pros | Battery, Performance |
| Cons | N/A |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 FE Wi-Fi 10.9” 128GB Android Tablet |
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| Operating System | Android |
| Screen Size | 10.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2304 X 1440 pixels (WUXGA+) |
| Processor | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage Space | 128GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes, Up to 1TB expandable storage |
| Main Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | 8,000 mAh (up to 18 hrs.) |
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Performance, Quality Display |
| Cons | None |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 FE Wi-Fi 10.9” 256GB Android Tablet, IP68 Water |
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| Operating System | Android |
| Screen Size | 10.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2304 X 1440 pixels (WUXGA+) |
| Processor | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes, Up to 1TB expandable storage |
| Main Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | 8,000 mAh (up to 18 hrs.) |
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Performance, Quality Display |
| Cons | None |
Microsoft Surface Go2 M8128, Silver (MHM-00001) |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Screen Size | 10.51 Inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1280 Pixels |
| Processor | Intel Core M3-8100Y |
| GPU | Intel HD |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 128GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 5 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | up to 10 Hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Affordable, Design |
| Cons | None |
Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB) |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Screen Size | 12.3 Inches |
| Display Resolution | 2736 x 1824 PIXELS |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | Integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage Space | 1TB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 5 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 5 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | 12 hours average |
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Storage, Design, Performance |
| Cons | None |
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Wi-Fi, Mystic Black - 256 GB |
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| Operating System | Android 10.0 |
| Screen Size | 12.4 Inches |
| Display Resolution | 2800 x 1752 Pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm SDM865+ Octa Core |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 13 + 5 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | up to 14 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Storage, Battery, Performance |
| Cons | NA |
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i7 |
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| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Screen Size | 13 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2880 x 1920 Pixels |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 13 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 13 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | 15.5 Hours BATTERY LIFE |
| Connectivity | Wifi |
| Pros | Good performance, long battery life |
| Cons | None |
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5 (i7, 16GB RAM, 1 TB) Tablet |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Screen Size | 13.5 inches |
| Display Resolution | 3000 x 2000 Pixels |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage Space | 1TB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 5 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | up to 17 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Performance, Battery Life |
| Cons | Price |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular |
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| Operating System | iOs |
| Screen Size | 12.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2732 x 2048 Pixels |
| Processor | Apple M2 8 Core |
| GPU | Apple M2 10 Core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 128GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
| Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 10 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Po 10758 mAh |
| Connectivity | Wifi, 5G, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Display, Performance |
| Cons | None |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 1TB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP |
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|---|---|
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| Operating System | iOs |
| Screen Size | 12.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2732 x 2048 Pixels |
| Processor | Apple M2 8 Core |
| GPU | Apple M2 10 Core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
| Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 10 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Po 10758 mAh |
| Connectivity | Wifi |
| Pros | Performance, Display Quality |
| Cons | Quite expensive |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 512GB, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular |
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|---|---|
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| Operating System | iOs |
| Screen Size | 12.9 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2732 x 2048 Pixels |
| Processor | Apple M2 8 Core |
| GPU | Apple M2 10 Core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 512GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
| Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 10 Megapixels |
| Battery Capacity | Li-Po 10758 mAh |
| Connectivity | Wifi, 5G, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Display, Performance |
| Cons | None |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Wi-Fi, Mystic Black - 512GB |
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|---|---|
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| Operating System | Android 10.0 |
| Screen Size | 12.4 Inches |
| Display Resolution | 2800 x 1752 Pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm SDM865+ Octa Core |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 512GB |
| SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 13 + 5 Megapixels |
| Front Selfie Camera | 8 Megapixels |
| Battery Life | up to 14 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Pros | Battery Life, Performance |
| Cons | Price |
You can also take a look at the Best Tablets for DJs in addition to the Best Tablets with an Audio Jack.
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