Times have inevitably changed since the halcyon days of the twentieth-century car journey. No longer do passengers expect to be entertained by cows, road signs, and amusing number plates. Today, car passengers demand connectivity at all times and require a screen or a tablet for modern in-car entertainment.
Beam or baulk as you wish, that is the reality of today’s car journeys.
For those who do want a device that is great for providing entertainment for passengers during a long drive, we have put together this guide to some of the most appropriate tablets for the task. Whether you’re on a budget or after the absolute pinnacle, our recommendations cover many bases.
What tablet is best for you?
There are a few things to consider here. One of the most obvious is size. There is considerable debate over which screen size is best and that debate will remain until the end of time. But for the traveller, one doesn’t need to go for anything beyond 11 or so inches. There is not much to be gained from a large screen unless you wish to use it for work or hobbyist (photo editing for example) purposes too.
Do you want cellular data? If you do expect to pay a bit more (the iPad Pro with cellular is about £100 more than the model with just Wi-Fi, for example). But if you want just Wi-Fi connectivity (check out our guide to getting mobile Wi-Fi for your car), then a standard tablet will have you covered.
Given that the tasks you have in mind for your travel tablet will most likely be entertainment-oriented, features such as screen resolution are important when watching films and shows. You might want to consider battery life too, though this is less important because you can charge the tablet while in the car.
The best tablets for car journeys
Best for car journeys
Rrp: £219.00
Rrp: £219.00
Pros
- Great value
- Large display
Cons
- Not the fastest
| Camera: | 8MP rear, 5MP front |
| Battery: | 7040mAh |
| Screen: | 10.5-inches |
| Resolution: | 1920x1200 |
| Storage: | 32GB |
Best budget option
Pros
- Value
- USB-C
- Colour options
Cons
- Amazon app store only
| Camera: | 2MP rear, 2MP front |
| Battery: | Up to 12 hours |
| Screen: | 8-inches |
| Resolution: | 1280x800 |
| Storage: | 32GB/64GB |
Best mini tablet
Rrp: £569.00
Rrp: £569.00
Pros
- Fantastic specs
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive
| Camera: | 12MP rear, 12MP front |
| Battery: | Up to 10 hours |
| Screen: | 8.3-inches |
| Resolution: | 2226 x 1488 |
| Storage: | 64GB, 256GB |
Best for kids
Pros
- Perfect for kids
- Rugged case
- Different profiles on one tablet
Cons
- Doesn't come with any screen covers
| Camera: | 2MP rear, 2MP front |
| Battery: | Up to 12 hours |
| Screen: | 8-inches |
| Resolution: | 1024 x 600 |
| Storage: | 32GB |
Best of the best… but pricey
Add a keyboard and the iPad Pro becomes the portable device you can use for everything, not just passing the time.
Pros
- Some of the best specs around
- Great to use
Cons
- Expensive
| Camera: | 12MP and 10MP rear, 12MP front |
| Battery: | Up to 10 hours |
| Screen: | 12.9-inches |
| Resolution: | 2732 x 2048 |
| Storage: | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1T, 2T |
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