Are you contemplating a more personalized curriculum for your child as a part of a homeschooling plan? Or, do you simply plan on setting up an environment that can help the kids make up for the lost time with the schools not planning to operate at full strength, anytime soon. Getting a tablet device can help you do it all but finding the right tablet for homeschooling can be a daunting task, well not anymore!
As a parent, you should precisely focus on purchasing a tablet that leaves room for multitasking. While a good display and excellent battery life might cut it for some, nothing works better than a top-shelf processing setup. Apart from that, you must also prioritize portability as a child would want something light in his or her hands.
Other specifications to look for include faster connectivity, powerful speakers, perfectly placed vents to minimize overheating, and multi-mode operability, in case your child wants to connect a keyboard along. However, it is often hard to find a tablet that suffices every homeschooling requirement.
More often than not, you end up purchasing gadgets with subpar RAM allotment, basic processors, restricted storage, bulkier chassis, fragile form factor, and sluggish wireless connectivity. To help you subvert the concerning pain points, I have reviewed and enlisted the best homeschooling tablets, with a focus on the specific requirements of children, regardless of age, grade, and skill levels.
Contents
7 Best Tablets For Homeschool in 2023
Access to education should never be discriminatory. Therefore, I shall, in the subsequent sections, enlist 7 of the best tablets that are capable of offering every academic resource to your child. Even with the regular schools closed; these tablets are expected to give unhindered access to online academia, digital study material, and relevant applications.
Plus, each of these 7 products was picked after testing close to 50 tablets, across a wide range of parameters, including processing power, multitasking acumen, portability, autonomy, budget, and more.
1. Best Overall: Microsoft Surface Go 2
Surface Go 2 should be a homeschooler’s tablet of choice, provided the priorities are stacked towards word processing, and even using the MS Office as the go-to on-premise resource. Compared to the dated Surface Go, the Surface Go 2 from Microsoft is a much better choice for homeschooling your child as you get Wi-Fi 6 standard on it as opposed to Wi-Fi 5.
Display & Cameras
For students, the 10.5-inch screen feels adequate enough. Circumventing other display-specific issues is the overall pixel count of 1920 x 1280 pixels. Also, the panel feels strong enough with Gorilla Glass support as children might end up dropping the tablet, every now and then.
Apart from the IPS PixelSense display that boasts near-perfect viewing angles, Microsoft also paves the way for an excellent camera setup with an 8MP rear shooter for clicking and scanning documents and the 5MP front shooter for attending online classes.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
You can always connect an external Type-cover keyboard with this tablet. Plus, it is also compatible with the Surface Pen, which furthers the responsiveness and ease of usage.
Hardware & Performance
The Pentium 4425Y is a chipset meant for low-power laptops. However, for online learning, you cannot wish for anything better as it works rather perfectly with 8GB of system memory when it comes to handling multiple apps and tasks at once. The UHD 615 graphics coprocessor is significant enough towards improving the visual quality.
Students can make good use of the integrated, 128GB SSD module, best known for faster file retrieval and Windows 10 S OS boot-ups. However, you can always envisage additional storage space, i.e. up to 512GB, with the existing microSD card in play.
Design & Build
Long story short, the Surface Go 2 is blissful to hold. While the metal-clad form factor is impressive enough, the dimensions at 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches tread on the lines of marginal bulk. Still, the 1.2-pound tablet is worth carrying around, provided you are planning to take your family elsewhere and do not want the child to discontinue schooling even for a bit.
Connectivity & Battery Life
Microsoft goes all-hands-on-deck with the connectivity, offering a Type-C port, Connect port, Wi-Fi 6 standard, Bluetooth 5.0, and more. The battery life at 10 hours is good enough considering the Windows functionality.
Conclusion
Overall, if you are in the market for an all-around device that scales beyond the rest in terms of minimal heating and maximized performances, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is one of the better Windows-powered tablets to consider.
- Stellar screen
- Advanced security safeguards
- Excellent RAM allotment
- Sizable storage space
- Reliable battery life
- Windows 10 functionality
- Not the best camera modules around
- The keyboard must be purchased at an additional cost
2. Best Android Tablet: Samsung Tab S6 Lite
The Samsung Tab S6 Lite is arguably one of the best Android-based tablets on the list if you simply seek a performance-intensive tablet for your child. I feel purchasing this tablet makes sense for students in higher grades as they are usually predisposed towards practical work, image modeling, complex mathematical calculations, and other demanding tasks.
Also, the Samsung Tab S6 Lite effectively replaces the older Tab 3 Lite, with a much bigger and brighter screen.
Display & Cameras
The Tab S6 Lite offers a 10.4-inch screen, boasting 1200 x 2000 pixels as the native resolution. The TFT panel seems promising enough, with higher inherent refresh rates for better gaming. As far as the cameras go, the 5MP front unit performs acceptably well but the 8MP rear shooter might fall out of favor with discerning users.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
You can pair an external keyboard with the tablet, via Bluetooth or the existing USB port. As far as the stylus compatibility is concerned, this tablet works perfectly with the S-Pen and lends added functionality to the touch screen.
Hardware & Performance
As far as the internals are concerned, the Tab S6 Lite comes equipped with an Exynos 9611 processor. Working alongside the SoC is 4GB RAM that is instrumental in managing the bulk of your child’s multitasking workload.
Storage-wise, the Tab S6 Lite offers 128GB of space that can be upgraded by an additional 1TB, if needed.
Design & Build
The aluminium-clad tablet is one of the slimmest on the list at 9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 inches. At 1.03 pounds, it is even lighter than some of the premium tablets on the list.
Connectivity & Battery Life
The Type-C port persists followed by Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless standards. Also, you get access to 12 hours of battery life with the Android 10 OS and the layered One UI making life easier for the child with an array of customizable options.
Conclusion
Appraising the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite against other tablets on the list validates its all-encompassing presence, courtesy of the powerful speakers and a brilliant processing setup. Also, the price point helps establish the best possible cost-to-ownership ratio.
- Stellar screen
- Slimmer form factor
- Excellent storage support with upgradability
- Dependable battery
- Fast charging support
- Lacks a fingerprint scanner
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
3. Best from Apple: Apple iPad (9th Gen)
If you prefer the Apple ecosystem over Android, the 9th Gen Apple iPad seems like the best possible bet for home learning. Also, if your children are more inclined towards drawing and other relevant subjects, the 9th Gen Apple iPad is worth investing in.
As compared to the older variant, i.e. the 2020 8th Gen model, the new iPad sports double the base storage, an upgraded selfie camera, and a considerably improved processor.
Display & Cameras
Coming to the display, the 9th Gen iPad features a 10.2-inch Retina screen, boasting an overall resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels. The IPS LCD panel is adequately sharp, vivid, and layered by a scratch-resistant enhancement. Moreover, the 500-nits of brightness level and the True Tone technology ensure excellent sunlight visibility, allowing kids to stay connected with their books, even while traveling.
The 8MP rear shooter with an aperture of f/2.4 works well in well-lit conditions. Also, there is an improved 12MP ultra-wide front camera unit for handling most of your video calling needs.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
Apart from the support for the 1st Gen Apple Pencil, the iPad is also capable of accommodating an external keyboard, via the magnetic link. However, the catch is that you would need to purchase them separately.
Hardware & Performance
Apple’s A13 Bionic chipset is a life-saver. Minimal heating and maximal performance are what this efficient processor is known for. Regardless of what apps you throw at it, the existing 7nm chipset, coupled with a proprietary GPU and 3GB RAM seems more than ready to handle any game.
The 64GB storage support may sound restricting, especially in 2023, but it is a good upgrade over 32GB from its predecessor. The base model should be sufficient for students who would want to store multiple books and resources on the iPad itself.
Design & Build
The 9th Gen iPad weighs only 1.09 pounds and assumes an aluminum-clad form factor. It measures 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches, making it a thin and portable-friendly device. One thing that makes me complain in terms of design is the fact that even the new iPad boasts the same thick bezels as its predecessor.
Connectivity & Battery Life
This entry-level iPad still happens to be one of my go-to tablets as it still persists with the 3.5mm audio jack, making it suitable to plug earphones and enjoy music on the go. Plus, there is a lightning connector for charging. The features keep getting better as this is one of the more secured tablets around, courtesy of the fingerprint scanner on the home button.
Not to mention the dual-band Wi-Fi 5 followed by a dated Bluetooth 4.2 standard. The battery life at close to 10 hours sweetens the pot further for children requiring uninterrupted access to the web.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the 9th Gen iPad is quite promising and yet surprisingly affordable for an Apple-branded device. Also, the iPad OS 15 offers a pleasant experience to the students, a rare feature that sets it apart from some of the other products on the list if you want a good tablet for under $350.
- Fast and reliable SoC
- Touch ID for security
- Supports 1st Gen Apple Pencil
- Durable build quality
- Upgraded front camera
- Headphone jack
- Thick bezels
- No Type-C port
4. Best 2-in-1 Tablet: CHUWI Hi10X
You would be surprised to see the CHUWI Hi10X placed this low on the list, despite packing feature-pack tablet. While the Windows compatibility makes it good enough for most students who are heavily reliant on MS Office and relevant tools, the storage and multimode operability also add to the brilliance.
Display & Cameras
The 10.1-inch screen is probably the standard size for a tablet. What works even well for this 2-in-1 tabler is the full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 followed by the 16:9 aspect ratio exhibited by the IPS panel.
The cameras, however, underperform with the 5MP rear shooter barely managing standard pictures and the 2MP front shooter being prone to a lot of image noise.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
This is where the CHUWI Hi10X scales beyond any other product on the list. The bundled, full-size keyboard can be attached magnetically and offers the best possible typing experience. Students who need to type in their assignments can make a good meal of this feature. The H3 HiPen is also a brilliant inclusion, allowing your child to draw and write with a paper-like feel.
Hardware & Performance
The Intel N4120 is one of the more dependable processors to invest in. Despite being a quad-core processor with no HyperThreading capabilities, the chipset is more than capable of assuming the highest possible clock speed of up to 2.6GHz. This means, your child can use the Hi10X for drawing, designing, and learning, simultaneously.
Working alongside the processor is the UHD 600 graphics, 8GB RAM, and 128GB eMMC storage. The existing storage is decent and loads the Windows 10 OS quicker than expected, making it one of the best 2-in-1 tablets. Also, if you want some additional storage space, the microSD slot in-play offers upgradability up to 128GB.
Design & Build
The 2-in-1 is crafted to perfection, boasting a metallic body and an overall weight of 1.15 pounds. However, it isn’t the slimmest tablet on the list and measures 14.2 x 9.8 x 3.5 inches. Also, there is a keyboard bundled with the tablet for supporting multimode operability.
Connectivity & Battery Life
When it comes to connectivity, the Hi10X resembles a laptop, featuring dual Type-C ports, dual USB Type-A ports, a micro-HDMI slot, and even the 3.5mm jack. The dual-band wireless support is more on the expected lines and lets the homeschooled kids set up fast internet connections. The battery, on the other hand, is limited, offering only 6 hours on mixed usage.
Conclusion
The CHUWI Hi10X is probably the best 2-in-1 tablet to consider if you want something to double up as a laptop for your child. Also, the processing setup, along with the aesthetics, makes it better than most of the premium tablets on the list.
- Decent processor
- Decent RAM & Storage
- A wide array of connectivity specs
- Bundled Keyboard & Stylus
- Reasonable price
- Subpar cameras
- Not an SSD storage module
5. Best with SIM Support: Vastking Kingpad M10
The Vastking Kingpad M10 is one of the few tablets that actually justify the faith of the customers. While this statement isn’t meant to belittle other products, the Kingpad M10 only does the job of living up to its price tag, especially for students who prefer excellent display and cellular support on tablets.
As compared to the Kingpad K10 Pro, this one fares better with a 2K display, improved SoC, and cellular support which seems more inclined towards the cause of homeschooled children.
Display & Cameras
The Kingpad M10 brings home a 10.3-inch 2K display, which is fairly color accurate. The Full HD IPS panel exhibits a native resolution of 2000 x 1200, thereby lending visible sharpness and vividness. The narrow bezels add to the viewing expanse and even house the 13MP rear shooter.
You also get hold of an 8MP front shooter that might just help your kids with online classes over Zoom, Google Meet, and other platforms.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
The best thing about this tablet is its ability to project a PC-like experience, courtesy of the docking keyboard that needs to be purchased separately. The brighter and vivid display is also stylus-compatible to work with drawing and designing apps.
Hardware & Performance
As far as the processing performances are concerned, the Kingpad M10 accommodates an octa-core chipset, assisted well by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space that can be upgraded up to 2TB, if needed.
Design & Build
This sub $200 tablet measures 9.7 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches, which authenticates its stance as a pretty slim product. As far as the heft goes, it weighs 0.99 pounds only.
Connectivity & Battery Life
The Kingpad M10 deftly places a Type-C port on its chassis followed by a 3.5mm audio jack. Coming to the connectivity part, you get access to a hybrid SIM slot, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. Deploying each of the mentioned traits is possible even without a charger in sight with Vastking delivering by its promise of a 12-hour battery backup.
Conclusion
Overall, the Kingpad M10 is one of the best tablets to buy under $200 that scales beyond the rest in terms of multimode functionality i.e. the ability to use the same in PC, tablet, and studio mode.
- Sharp and vivid 2K display
- Cellular connectivity
- Reliable processor
- Premium metallic design
- Decent battery life
- Offers great value for money
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
6. Best with 2K Display: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
If your child prefers placing the tablet in the open for attending to his or her online sessions, there isn’t a better option than the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus. While the headphone audio performance is more than respectable, the powerful speakers ensure added leverage.
Compared to the dated Tab M10 Plus, the new variant is a better bet for students owing to a high-resolution 2K screen, improved processor, and a lot more.
Display & Cameras
Furthering the discussion about screens, the Tab P11 Plus offers an 11-inch 2K display, with an overall resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. The Full HD IPS screen is bright and exhibits excellent viewing angles, more so due to the higher resolution.
The 13MP camera in the rear clicks decent pictures, provided you restrict the usage to clicking pages, assignments, and later sharing the same with friends. There is also an 8MP front shooter to work with, bolstered further with face unlock support.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
The Tab P11 Plus does offer a stylus and keyboard support, however, they don’t come bundled with the package. Upon my testings, I realized that it works seamlessly with any active pen and external keyboard integration was smooth too.
Hardware & Performance
The upgraded Helio G90T chipset runs flawlessly and is more than capable of handling several academic apps, online platforms, and even programming tools, with ease. Working alongside Helio G90T is 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage space.
But then, if your child still prefers truckloads of on-device storage space and not just cloud coverage, expanding the ROM using an SD card is also an option.
Design & Build
Metallic accents are quite prominent on the Tab P11 Plus, which weighs 1.08 pounds and measures 10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 inches. Despite the thickness, it feels good to hold.
Connectivity & Battery Life
There is a Type-C slot to work with, both for data transfers and charging. Plus, you also get access to Wi-Fi AC, BT 5.0, and the elusive 3.5mm audio jack. As far as the battery life goes, 15 hours of support seems promising which can serve a localized student well.
Conclusion
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus isn’t about the pomp and show. Instead, it offers a great specs sheet with acoustic performance and a high-resolution display sets it apart from the rest of the herd.
- Vibrant 2K display
- High-fidelity speakers
- Reliable MediaTek SoC
- Portable-friendly
- Premium alumnium body
- Underwhelming battery life
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
7. Best for Reading: Fire HD 10
Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is one of the better tablets on the list if you want a reliable product for your young kids, who need assistance with visuals, audio, and digital reading. This tablet is quite a potent substitute to the Fire HD 8, courtesy of a larger screen real-estate.
Display & Cameras
The 10.1-inch IPS screen exhibits a display resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. What’s interesting enough is that the Fire HD 10 is at least 10 percent brighter as compared to the previous model. In addition to a fantastic screen, HD 10 also brings in a 5MP rear shooter and a basic 2MP front camera for helping your kids get through video calls.
The 10.1-inch IPS screen exhibits a display resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. What’s interesting enough is that the Fire HD 10 is at least 10 percent brighter as compared to the 2020 model. This whole setup makes it even more suitable for reading books, comics, worksheets, etc.
Stylus & Keyboard Support
Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is compatible with almost every active pen there is. Also, if you seek keyboard support for your homeschooled kids, pairing an external one via Bluetooth is also possible.
Hardware & Performance
The Fire HD 10 is helmed by the Helio P60T processor, capable of handling almost every app, task, and resource with ease. Multitasking is hardly an issue with 3GB RAM onboard whereas the 32GB of storage space takes care of most trivial requirements. In case your child complains of storage issues, you can always upgrade the same by 1TB, via the microSD slot.
Design & Build
When it comes to overall dimensions, this tablet reads 9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 inches to be exact. It weighs 1.03 pounds, which is quite modest considering the plastic-clad chassis.
Connectivity & Battery Life
You get a Type-C port with this tablet, boasting On-the-Go compatibility to manage data hubs and charging even when on the move. Plus, Amazon allows access to BT 5.0 and the Wi-Fi 5 standards. The battery life isn’t set in stone but still manages to offer 12 hours at a stretch.
Conclusion
Overall, the Fire HD 10 is quite a tablet to get for your kid, provided you want to offer him or her the best educational experience at home. Also, the Alexa compatibility makes it one of the better tablets under the $150 price range.
- Integrated microphones
- Comes with a VoiceView reader
- Sharp display
- Portable
- Affordable
- Not the best set of shooters
- Lesser RAM for mode demanding students
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is recommended to use a tablet for homeschooling as it displaces any laptop in terms of portability. While a laptop might seem a bit more powerful and loaded with typing prowess, tablets offer better customizability and the ability to pair external keyboards at will.
A tablet that comes with a decent processor and at least 3GB RAM is considered good enough for homeschooling. However, no RAM count is enough if you are a student with a penchant for apps and resources. Also, the best tablet for homeschooling must have good battery life and dependable wireless standard for faster internet connections.
Yes, tablets are easier to carry around the house, which means children across grades can study idling at their balconies or terraces. This improves concentration as compared to use a laptop that often restricts children to their desks.
To be honest, tablets are independent of age-specific constraints. As a parent, you can consider a tablet for homeschooling children across diverse age groups, starting from Grade 1 to even college-goers. However, the choice of the tablet is important as certain products cater better to students in higher grades, with requirements including better RAM count, keyboard support, and more.
Verdict
Each of the 9 tablets mentioned on the list is rather perfect for homeschooling your child, in varied capacities. However, if you are still confused as to which one makes more sense to the needs of your children, here are a few use-cases specific options to invest in:
- Invest in the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is your goal is to provide a seamless PC-like experience to your child.
- The 9th Gen Apple iPad seems like a decent choice if your child is privy to the Apple ecosystem and finds it easier to work with.
- If you want a good Android tablet for your kid, with access to Play Store apps for added productivity, the Samsung Tab S6 Lite is the one to pick.
- Finally, if you prefer a tablet that reminisces your love for laptops, there isn’t a better budget option than the CHUWI Hi10X.
Despite these suggestions, you are free to pick any other tablet of choice by appraising them against the exact needs of your child, budget, additional traits, audio quality, and other parameters
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