When you prepare for travel, your tablet becomes your companion. The purpose of this guide is to help you identify the best tablets for travelling and road trips, showing you the features that turn a tablet into a reliable travel partner. We write this for frequent flyers, long-distance drivers, digital nomads, students on the go, and families who want portable entertainment that never lets them down.
Travel highlights the strengths and weaknesses of technology. A tablet can be your navigation tool, your e-reader, your streaming screen, and your communication lifeline. Yet common pain points appear quickly: poor battery life leaves you powerless mid-journey, weak brightness makes the screen unreadable in sunlight, and limited storage forces hard choices about what to bring. These setbacks break the promise of mobility.
The challenge comes from the travel environment itself. Unlike at home or in the office, you cannot rely on constant charging, stable networks, or quiet conditions. Tablets designed without travel in mind often fail in exactly these conditions. Slow connectivity, fragile build, or heavy weight turns what should be a convenience into a burden.
The solution is to focus on the features that specifically serve travel needs. By understanding these, you can select a device that thrives in airports, cars, buses, and hotel rooms.
The first criterion is battery life. A travel-ready tablet must endure long flights, extended drives, or days spent away from reliable outlets. A capacity that supports at least 10 to 12 hours of mixed use is essential. Weak batteries create stress and limit your freedom to enjoy movies, music, or offline work.
Next is display quality and brightness. Strong brightness levels and anti-glare technology allow comfortable viewing outdoors, while high resolution ensures sharp text and visuals. A dim or low-quality display makes reading difficult and reduces enjoyment during long trips.
Portability and weight follow naturally. A lightweight, slim design makes the tablet easy to carry in backpacks or handbags without strain. Heavier models become inconvenient during travel, discouraging frequent use.
Another key factor is durability and build quality. A sturdy chassis and scratch-resistant glass provide peace of mind during constant packing, unpacking, and handling. Without durability, a tablet risks damage in transit.
Storage capacity and expandability matter too. Travellers often download movies, maps, and playlists for offline use. Sufficient internal storage, ideally starting at 128 GB, paired with expandable options, prevents the hassle of deleting content mid-journey.
Connectivity options transform the travel experience. Wi-Fi 6 ensures fast loading when networks are available, while LTE or 5G models keep you connected where Wi-Fi is absent. For road trips, GPS functionality adds significant value, enabling navigation without requiring a dedicated device.
Finally, audio quality and accessories should be noted. Strong speakers or high-quality headphone support make the difference in entertainment value, while accessories like folding keyboards or protective cases extend functionality and protection during travel.
With these criteria, you can expect the tablets we later recommend to provide endurance, clarity, portability, and versatility.
The Following are the Best Tablets for Road Trips and Traveling:
Contents
- Apple iPad (10th Generation) with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 256GB
- Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 + 5G Cellular
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 11” 128GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 11” 256GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet
- Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) - 2023 - Tablet - Long Battery Life - 11.5 LCD - Front 8MP & Rear 13MP Camera
- Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) with A15 Bionic chip, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB,
- Microsoft Surface Pro Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus 12.4” 512GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet
- TECLAST F5 2 in 1 Touchscreen Tablet
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 512GB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP front12MP
- iPad Pro3 11in 128GB Gray WiFi
- Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 1TB) - Space Gray (4th Gen)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e 128GB WiFi Tablet
- Microsoft Surface Go2 M8128, Silver (MHM-00001)
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5 (i7, 16GB RAM, 1 TB) Tablet
Apple iPad (10th Generation) with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 256GB |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
Operating System | iOS |
Screen Size | 10.9 inches |
Display Resolution | 2360 x 1640 Pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic |
GPU | A14 Bionic 6 Core |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage Space | 256GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | No |
Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
Battery Capacity | Li-Po 7606 mAh |
Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
Battery | Li-Po 7606 mAh |
Pros | Good performance, Quality Display |
Cons | None |
Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 + 5G Cellular |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
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 |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 11” 128GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
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 11” 256GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
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 |
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) - 2023 - Tablet - Long Battery Life - 11.5 LCD - Front 8MP & Rear 13MP Camera |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
Operating System | Android |
Screen Size | 11.5 inches |
Display Resolution | 2000 x 1200 pixels |
Processor | Mediatek |
GPU | Mediatek |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage Space | 128GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
Main Camera | 13 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 8 Megapixels |
Battery Capacity | 7700amh |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, wifi |
Pros | Performance |
Cons | Display |
Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) with A15 Bionic chip, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
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 Pro Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB |
|
---|---|
![]() View This on Amazon |
|
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 | 512GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
Main Camera | 5 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 5 Megapixels |
Battery Life | 12 hours average |
Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth |
Pros | Storage, Good performance |
Cons | Price |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus 12.4” 512GB , WiFi 6E Android Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
Operating System | Android |
Screen Size | 12.4 inches |
Display Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
Processor | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
GPU | Adreno 740 |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage Space | 512GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
Main Camera | 13 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 12 Megapixels |
Battery Capacity | Li-Po 10090 mAh, non-removable |
Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth, |
Pros | Display Quality, Battery, Performance |
Cons | N/A |
TECLAST F5 2 in 1 Touchscreen Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() See This on Amazon |
|
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Screen Size | 11.6 inches |
Display Resolution | 1920×1080 Pixels |
Processor | Intel 8th generation Gemini Lake N4100 processor with up to 2.4GHz burst frequency |
GPU | 9th generation UHD 600 Graphics |
RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 RAM |
Storage Space | 256GB high-speed SSD |
SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
Main Camera | Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | Megapixels |
Battery Capacity | 26600mWh |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Pros | Battery life, design and build quality, performance, Display Quality |
Cons | NA |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) with M2 chip, Liquid Retina XDR Display, 512GB, Wi-Fi 6E, 12MP front12MP |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
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 |
Pros | Large storage, Performance, Display Quality |
Cons | Quite expensive |
iPad Pro3 11in 128GB Gray WiFi |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This On Amazon |
|
Operating System | iOS |
Screen Size | 11 INCHES |
Display Resolution | 2388-by-1668-pixel |
Processor | Apple M1 |
GPU | Apple M1 GPU |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage Space | 128GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | None |
Main Camera | 12 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 10 Megapixels |
Battery Capacity | Li-Po 7538 mAh |
Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Pros | Performance |
Cons | n/a |
Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 1TB) - Space Gray (4th Gen) |
|
---|---|
![]() View This Latest Price on Amazon |
|
Operating System | iPad OS |
Screen Size | 12.9 inches |
Display Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels |
Processor | A12Z Bionic |
GPU | Apple GPU |
RAM | 6GB |
Storage Space | 1TB |
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 | Cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Pros | Storage, Display Quality, Performance |
Cons | None |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e 128GB WiFi Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This Latest Price on Amazon |
|
Operating System | Android 9 Pie |
Screen Size | 10.5 Inches |
Display Resolution | 2560x1600 pixels |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 |
GPU | Adreno |
RAM | 6GB |
Storage Space | 128GB |
SD Card Expansion Slot | Yes |
Main Camera | 13 Megapixels |
Front Selfie Camera | 8 Megapixels |
Battery Life | up to 15 hours |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS |
Pros | Display, Performance |
Cons | Price |
Microsoft Surface Go2 M8128, Silver (MHM-00001) |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This on Amazon |
|
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 Book 2 13.5 (i7, 16GB RAM, 1 TB) Tablet |
|
---|---|
![]() Check This Latest Price on Amazon |
|
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 |
You should also have a look at the Best Tablets for GPS Navigations in addition to the Best Tablets for Ride Hailing Apps for Drivers.
MORE TABLET RECOMMENDATIONS:
Best Tablets for Point of Sale Apps