Whether you want to watch movies, play games, or just surf the Web, tablets are often the best computer option for consumers. They come in a range of sizes, prices and capabilities, too, so be sure to select the one that's best for what you plan to use it for.
Best tablet for playing games
Whether someone has only a few moments to get their game on or are settling in for an immersive session, the lightweight iPad Air 2 is ideal. The category-leading tablet is only 6.1 millimetres and weighs less than a pound, but has a 9.7-inch screen. The powerful new processor delivers faster and better graphics performance that is on par with some desktop computers, and the new Metal technology makes all games better. All this and a 10-hour battery life makes the iPad Air 2 difficult to pass up. ($549-$899)
Best tablet for watching movies
The super AMOLED screen on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S is difficult to match. The resolution of the display – 2560 by 1600 pixels – is unmatched, and it reproduces rich, vivid colours that make it ideal for movie watching. And because the Galaxy devices support memory cards, you can carry dozens of movies around wherever you go. The Android device also supports ten of the leading movie-file formats, too. (10.5-inch: $520; 8.4-inch: $420)
Best tablet for transit riders
When battling the crowds and having to stand up when there are no seats to be found, having a tablet that you can control with one hand is key. The iPad mini 3 is equipped with Apple’s fingerprint identity sensor, so you can unlock it while you turn it on. And it’s not too cumbersome to hold in one hand while the other holds onto the nearest handle. Despite its smaller size, the iPad mini 3 has the same resolution as Apple’s larger tablets, so you’re not sacrificing screen quality for size. ($439-$799)
Best budget tablet
The HP Stream 7 has an Intel quad-core processor and runs Windows 8.1. It’s also got 16 GB of storage space but you won’t necessarily need it because you also get 1 TB of cloud storage with Microsoft OneDrive. Getting a Stream 7 also gets you a one-year subscription to Office 365, in case you decide to edit that briefing you’ve been procrastinating. ($120)
Best tablet for the accident prone
From ASUS comes the VivoTab Note 8, which includes a stylus pen to use with the built-in Wacom drawing technology. It also comes with a full-featured version of Microsoft Office, and that’s what makes this device stand out. An ASUS sales rep explained that because the VivoTab Note 8 includes MS Office, it’s considered to be a laptop, which grants the tablet accidental damage protection. No other tablet on the market has that. ($270)
Best tablet to take to the beach
One thing that books have always had over tablets is that you could use them in the bathtub worry-free. Well, the Kobo Aura H2O is waterproof and dust proof, so it’s good for the bath and the beach. The electronic ink touchscreen display has a backlight for reading at night and is anti-glare so it won’t strain your eyes in the sunlight, either. Add a battery that will last up to two months, and the Aura H2O is perfect for a winter vacation somewhere warm. ($180)
Best tablet for sharing
The new Nexus 9 tablet from HTC is the first tablet to use Google’s new Android operating system, “Lollipop,” and it’s the features from that software that set this device apart. It displays notifications on the lock screen and you can run multiple programs at the same time without suffering much of a slowdown. But one of the best features is that you can have multiple profiles to make it easier for a single family to share a single tablet. And there’s a “guest” profile, too, for when the in-laws are visiting. (16 GB: $430; 32 GB: $530)