When it comes to technology, bigger often means better. The bigger the TV, the monitor, or the tablet screen, the more impressive a device is. But this isn't always the case.

Sometimes you need something lightweight and portable, or you might simply prefer a smaller screen. A small tablet can work just as well as (or even better than) larger ones, especially when it comes to lugging one around between classes.

Also: The best large tablets

Small tablets can range from 6 to 10 inches, with 8 inches being the standard size of a small tablet. Despite the size, these devices still offer long battery lives, crisp displays, and impressive cameras.

Our pick for the best small tablet is theiPad Mini , but we also included tablets from Amazon, Samsung, and more. We've rounded up the best small tablets to prove that big things can come in small packages. 

The best small tablets of 2023

Apple iPad Mini6th Generation

Best small tablet overall

CNET Pros & Cons Pros

• USB-C port for charging and data transfer
• Support for the second-gen Apple Pencil
• Touch ID in the top button

Cons

• Cellular connectivity is additional cost
• Expensive

More Details

iPad Mini tech specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retinadisplay  Processor: A15 Bionic  Storage: 64GB or 256GB  Colors: Space gray, pink, purple, starlight  Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 12MP FaceTime camera with Center Stage  Weight: 0.65 pounds  Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches  Connections: USB-C  Battery life: 10 hours

Apple's iPad Mini is our top pick for the best small tablet thanks to its A15 Bionic chip, making it a powerful tablet packed into a small package.

The iPad Mini was last updated in the fall of 2021 with new features like support for the 2nd gen Apple Pencil, a slightly bigger screen size, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.

Review: Apple iPad Mini(6th Gen.) review

There's a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, making it a great tablet to draw or write notes on. Plus, the size makes it portable enough to bring wherever you need it.

Of course, you'll also get iPadOS 16 with features like shared tab groups, Stage Manager, and external display support if you ever need to see something on a bigger screen. Ultimately. you get all these things for less than what you would pay for an iPad Air or an iPad Pro.

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Amazon Fire 7Tablet

Best budget small tablet

Amazon Pros & Cons Pros

• Affordable
• Good battery life
• Can double as an Alexa smart display

Cons

• Performance is slightly slow
• Cameras aren't as great as other options

More Details

Amazon Fire 7tech specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024x600 display  Processor: MediaTek MT8168V/B  Storage: 16GB or 326GB  Colors: Black, denim, or rose  Cameras: 2 MP 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

If you're looking for something even smaller than the iPad Mini -- and cheaper, too -- the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great budget tablet pick. The 7-inch screen has a 1024x600 display, so you can stream movies or play video games without hauling around a bulky tablet. 

Review:Amazon Fire 7 (2022) review: Good enough for the basics

Plus, the tablet can double as a dedicated Alexa smart display and smart home controller since Alexa is built directly into the device. Along with the ability to ask Alexa questions, you can view and manage your Alexa-connected smart home devices. You can control cameras, lights, and outlets using your voice or by tapping the dedicated Devices button in the bottom navigation bar. 

Aside from a slower performance and an average display compared to Apple's iPad Mini, this is a well-rounded tablet that's great for the price. 

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

Best Samsung small tablet

Samsung Pros & Cons Pros

• Expandable storage
• Low price point
• Long-lasting battery

Cons

• Performance could be better

More Details

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch, 1340x800 display  Processor: MediaTek MT8768N  Storage: 32GB or 64GB  Colors: Gray  Cameras: 2MP front and 8MP rear  Weight: 0.81lbs  Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches  Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C  Battery: 10-12 hours

Samsung's tablet lineup spans all aspects of price, capability, and screen size. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small Android tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. The 8.7-inch screen features a 1340x800 display, making it a small tablet worthy of streaming, working, and more.

Also: The 5 best Samsung tablets

The lightweight design and small display make it portable enough to take anywhere, especially if you're using it to entertain kids with educational apps. Plus, the Tab A7 Lite has a metal frame for some added ruggedness.

In addition, you can expand your storage beyond the 32GB or 64GB allotted. The tablet allows for up to 1TB of expandable storage, which is twice as much as the previous model.

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Amazon Kindle11th generation

Best small tablet for reading

Allison Murray/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Same features expensive Kindle models
• Super lightweight and portable
• Dark mode

Cons

• Web browser functionality could be better
• No warm light option

More Details

Amazon Kindletech specs: Display:6-inch, 300ppi glare-freeStorage:16GBColors:Black or denimWeight:5.56 ouncesDimensions:6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inchesConnections:USB-CBattery: Up to 6 weeks

Amazon last updated its basic Kindle model earlier this year. The upgraded 11th generation Kindle offers 16GB of storage instead of 8GB, 300ppi instead of 167ppi, six weeks of battery life compared to four weeks, and charging via USB-C instead of a micro-USB.

The new Kindle is the smallest and most lightweight Kindle out of any of the models. The previous generation clocked in at 6.1 ounces, but this new one weighs only 5.56 ounces, and it's drastically easier to carry and hold than an actual book (especially those thick hardcovers). 

Review:The new entry-level Kindle has officially converted me to e-readers

Its 300ppi is the same display as the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis. The anti-glare display makes it easy to read in any light, and dark mode is a warm welcome when you're trying to read at night without letting blue light interrupt your sleep cycle. 

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Wacom Intuos

Best small tablet for drawing

Wacom Pros & Cons Pros

• Industry-leading amount of pressure sensitivity levels
• Customizable keys
• Included stylus

Cons

• Need an external screen to use
• Need to replace stylus tip often

More Details

Wacom Intuostech specs: Display: 7 inches Memory:2MBWeight: 0.99 pounds  Dimensions: ? ?7.87 x 6.3 x 0.35 inches  Connections: USB and Bluetooth

When it comes to drawing tablets, Wacom is one of the industry leaders. With virtually no lag and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity in the battery-free pen included, this no-screen tablet is the best one on the market for professional artists looking to create while providing a natural drawing experience. And it just so happens to be small and portable.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creativity with the Wacom Intuos Pro tablet. It comes with fully customizable ExpressKeys located on the side of the active area. These buttons allow artists to add their most-used tools to them for easy access.

Also: Designers and artists: You need a drawing tablet

Its lightweight design is perfect for using it on a desk or your lap, clocking in at just 7 inches, so you can use this practically anywhere. The tablet also connects to both Windows and Mac devices.

You'll get free access to drawing-specific apps and services, like Clip Studio Paint Pro for two years, Boris Optics for one, and have the option to test Corel Painter Essentials 8 and Corel AfterShot Pro 3 for 90 days. 

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What is the best small tablet?

The best small tablet is the iPad Mini because of its sharp display and impressive cameras. Plus, the A15 Bionic chip is packed with power in a small package.

Tablet	Price	Screen size	Display
Apple iPad Mini	$469	8.3 inches	Liquid Retina
Amazon Fire 7	$60	7 inches	1024x600 pixels
Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite	$129	8.7 inches	1340x800 pixels
Amazon Kindle	$100	6 inches	300ppi glare-free
Wacom Intuos	$82	7 inches	N/A

Which small tablet is right for you?

It really depends on what size tablet you're looking for, which operating system you prefer, and how much money you're willing to spend. Below, we've broken down the best small tablets to help make your decision easier.

Choose this small tablet...	If you want...
Apple iPad Mini	The best overall small tablet with USB-C port for quicker charging and data transfers. It also comes equipped with Apple's A15 bionic chip.
Amazon Fire 7	A budget-friendly and well-rounded tablet with excellent battery life and smart assistant functionality. Its 7-inch screen has a 1024x600 display.
Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite	A small Samsung tablet with expandable storage and an exceptional battery life. The tablet allows for up to 1TB of expandable storage.
Amazon Kindle	A small and portable tablet designed for reading with dark mode and six weeks of battery life. Its 300ppi is the same display as the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis.
Wacom Intuos	A 7-inch drawing tablet with an included stylus, customizable keys, and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for unrivaled responsiveness.

How did we choose these small tablets?

We know there are a lot of tablets and e-readers to choose from, so we used our own experiences with these tablets and conducted research to find our top choices.

Size:We paid attention to tablets between six and eight inches, which defines a tablet as small. We also looked at a tablet's weight to ensure they were portable. 

Display:Small tablets shouldn't have to compromise on an already smaller display, so we also considered display resolution.

Battery life:A device's battery life is important no matter its size, so we considered devices that can last you all day. 

Price:Tablets vary in price range from affordable to expensive depending on brand and purpose, so we made sure to choose tablets at various price points to accommodate different budgets. 

What is the smallest tablet screen size?

The smallest tablet screen size on the market is 6 to 7 inches. Anything smaller would be more similar to a smartphone.

It's why you want to consider your primary uses when considering which small tablet is right for you. To demonstrate, if you travel often, one with a smaller screen will be perfect for carrying/using on an airplane. If your aim is to read more e-books or draw, you'll want one with a larger screen. 

What brand of tablet is best?

Tablets made by Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft are the best-made tablets in terms of quality. Amazon has well-rounded tablets in its Fire lineup but with fewer performance-focused features.

Keep in mind in certain cases (Apple, Samsung), you can pair your other devices with the tablet. In the case of Apple tablets, you can log in using your Apple ID to access the same apps, pictures, and more from your phone on your iPad. 

Meanwhile, with Samsung devices, you can implement Samsung Flow. Download the app on your phone and tablet. You can connect your tablet to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 

Are mini Android tablets worth it?

Yes, they can be. Small Android tablets allow you to do everything you would normally do, like reading e-books and video calling, without the higher price tags. 

And their lightweight body and compact design make them perfect traveling companions. So, if you're searching for the best Android tablet with great battery life and lightweight design, the minis are an enticing choice.

Are there alternative small tablets worth considering?

Small tablets aren't as popular as large tablets, so the market is relatively small (so to speak). However, these are some alternative small tablets worth looking into.

Best kid-friendly alternative

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet

This tiny tablet is big on fun with its one-year of Amazon Kids + included. It also features easy to set up parental controls and a sturdy case. 

View at Amazon

Best budget alternative

Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet

This tablet offers a stunning, eight-inch HD screen that brings your movies to life. And it's fast, thanks to the Quad-Core, 2.0GHz processor. 

View at Amazon

Best durable alternative

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 Enterprise Edition

Its military-grade design ensures it can withstand your most rugged adventures with aplomb. It also offers exceptional battery life and fast charging capabilities. 

View at Amazon

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