### The Best Small Tablets of 2025: Expert Tested and Reviewed #### Overview The market for small tablets in 2025 offers a variety of options that balance portability, performance, and affordability. These tablets, with display sizes ranging from 6 to 10 inches, are designed to be convenient for travel, entertainment, and productivity. Key factors to consider when choosing a small tablet include screen size, display quality, performance, battery life, operating system, and price. After extensive hands-on testing, the ZDNET team has identified several top picks, each excelling in different areas. #### Top Picks 1. **Apple iPad Mini (7th gen)** - **Display:** 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display - **Processor:** A17 Pro - **Storage:** 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB - **Colors:** Space gray, blue, purple, starlight - **Cameras:** Rear: 12MP, 4K video; Front: 12MP UltraWide with Center Stage - **Weight:** 0.65 pounds - **Dimensions:** 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches - **Connections:** USB-C - **Battery Life:** 10 hours - **Price:** $399 (128GB model) - **Expert Review:** ZDNET writer Maria Diaz praised the iPad Mini 7 for its compact and fast performance, making it an excellent choice for entertainment. The tablet's A17 Pro chip, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, Siri, and Summarization tools, enhance its versatility and user experience. 2. **Amazon Fire 7 (2022)** - **Display:** 7-inch, 1024x600 display - **Processor:** MediaTek MT8168V/B - **Storage:** 16GB or 32GB - **Colors:** Black, denim, or rose - **Cameras:** 2MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording - **Weight:** 9.9 ounces - **Dimensions:** 7.11 x 4.63 x 0.38 inches - **Connections:** 2 USB-C, 3.5mm jack - **Battery Life:** 10 hours - **Price:** $80 (32GB version) - **Expert Review:** Former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani noted that the Amazon Fire 7 offers a well-rounded experience, particularly given its budget-friendly price. It functions as a colorful Kindle, a dedicated Alexa smart display, and a smart home controller, making it a versatile option for various tasks. Despite slower performance, its low cost and multiple functionalities make it a solid choice. 3. **Boox Tab Mini C** - **Display:** 7.9-inch screen, electronic ink - **Processor:** Advanced Octa-core - **Storage:** 64GB - **Colors:** Black - **Cameras:** None - **Weight:** 11 ounces - **Dimensions:** 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.33 inches - **Connections:** USB-C - **Battery:** 5,000mAh Li-ion Polymer - **Price:** $399 - **Expert Review:** ZDNET editor Nina Raemont found the Boox Tab Mini C to be a stylish and sleek deskside companion, ideal for note-taking, managing work-life calendars, and more. The tablet's four customizable refresh modes, adjustable warm and cool lights, and long-lasting battery life (up to a week or two) make it a standout option for e-reading and drawing. The magnetically attached stylus with pressure detection further enhances its utility. 4. **Amazon Kindle (12th generation)** - **Display:** 6-inch, 300ppi glare-free - **Storage:** 16GB - **Colors:** Black or denim - **Weight:** 5.56 ounces - **Dimensions:** 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches - **Connections:** USB-C - **Battery:** Up to six weeks - **Price:** $100 - **Expert Review:** Nina Raemont was impressed with the 12th-generation Kindle's lightning-fast performance, brighter front light, and higher contrast ratio. The anti-glare 300ppi display and dark mode are particularly beneficial for reading in various lighting conditions. Its small size and long battery life make it highly portable and suitable for carrying a library on the go. 5. **Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite** - **Display:** 8.7-inch, 1340x800 display - **Processor:** MediaTek MT8768N - **Storage:** 32GB or 64GB (up to 1TB expandable) - **Colors:** Gray - **Cameras:** 2MP front, 8MP rear - **Weight:** 0.81 pounds - **Dimensions:** 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches - **Connections:** 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C - **Battery:** 10 to 12 hours - **Price:** $170 - **Expert Review:** ZDNET author Charlie Osborne selected the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite for a family member starting a new business due to its affordability, portability, and ability to handle day-to-day tasks. The tablet's metal frame adds ruggedness, and its expandable storage (up to 1TB) is a significant advantage. It is also highly recommended by Best Buy customers for its overall performance and reliability. #### Considerations for Purchase - **Size:** Tablets range from 6 to 8 inches. Consider your portability needs and whether you prefer a smaller or larger screen. - **Display:** High-resolution displays and advanced display technologies are crucial for a good user experience, especially for media consumption and productivity tasks. - **Use Cases:** Determine your primary use case, whether it's entertainment, reading, note-taking, or drawing, to select a tablet that best meets your needs. - **Battery Life:** Look for tablets that can last all day, with battery life varying from 10 hours to up to six weeks. - **Operating System:** Choose a tablet based on your preferred mobile operating system (iOS, Android, etc.). - **Accessories:** Consider the availability of accessories like styluses, cases, and specific colors. - **Price:** Small tablets are generally more affordable, with prices ranging from $80 to $399, depending on brand and features. #### Testing Process The ZDNET team rigorously tests each tablet to ensure their recommendations are based on real-world performance. Key tests include: - **Display:** Brightness, color accuracy, touch responsiveness, and performance of extra features. - **Performance:** Reaction time to input, game performance, multi-tasking capabilities, app launch times, and temperature during intensive tasks. - **Battery Life:** Scenarios such as streaming, web browsing, productivity app usage, and gaming. - **Camera and Audio:** Resolution, low-light performance, autofocus accuracy, dynamic range, color accuracy, image quality, and sound clarity at different volumes. #### Conclusion Small tablets offer a range of advantages, including portability, faster charging, and lower costs. The iPad Mini (7th gen) is the top pick for its powerful A17 Pro chip, vibrant display, and versatile features. However, the Amazon Fire 7, Boox Tab Mini C, 12th-generation Kindle, and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are also excellent choices, each excelling in specific areas such as budget-friendliness, e-reading, and expandable storage. Consider your primary use case and budget to find the best small tablet for your needs.