If you’re a musician looking for the best tablet that can handle all your music and daily needs, look no further. We’ve reviewed 7 of the best tablets for music on the market today.
So, you’re looking for the best tablet for musicians you can load up with all the music-making apps you can shake a stick at?
Whether you’re after the best tablet for gigging, the best tablet for displaying sheet music or the best tablet to use as a portable recording studio, you’ll also need it to handle all types of everyday use.
And in a world where Apple undeniably has the lion’s share of the tablet market, the devices featured in this review will show you that Android and Microsoft aren’t willing to lie down and submit.
So be it as a multi-tasking music production machine or for chilling out watching YouTube videos, we’ve found 7 of the best tablets musicians and music lovers like you will love.
From the affordable to the pricey, to the feature dripping premium, to the beginner-friendly, let’s dive into the review right after we consider the top 5 uses of a tablet for those of you of a musical persuasion.
Table of Contents
5 Top Uses Of A Tablet For Musicians
1 – Sheet Music (Chord Charts and Tablature)
Get with the program. It’s not 1999 anymore. Cluttering up the place with all those sheet music and tablature print outs is a waste of time and a headache.
Many digital sheet music apps these days allow you to read not just chord charts with lyrics and scores but playback charts, transpose scores, and create set lists.
2 – Apps and Sound Tools
Metronome, timer, amp modellers, digital music, multi-track recording apps, synths… they’re all easy to handle on a tablet.
It’s often a pain to get out your laptop or trudge to the other room to sit at your desktop every time you want to do your musical thang.
Buying a portable, lightweight tablet solves all these irksome pain points, making your playing and listening time more enjoyable.
3 – Music Player
Want to nail that rhythm in the new song you’re learning on guitar? Grab your tablet, load up your music player, and get jamming.
Whether you’re listening to your own uploaded music library or want inspiration from music streaming apps, one thing’s for sure: you’ll have a ton of choices to choose from on your tablet.
Pro Tip
Hook your tablet up to a quality Bluetooth speaker with good frequency response to get extra playback volume and oomph.
4 – Recording (Home and Live)
Whether you want to record regular practice progress clips, catalogue song ideas or create multi-track studio productions, tablets are one of the top gadgets every musician should have.
This is because now it’s easier than ever to lay down music on the go by pairing up your tablet with devices such as iRig and Line 6 Sonic Port and your favourite music software apps.
5 – YouTube and Online Tutorials
From how to play that intro riff to how you change the bpm in your latest music app – most things you need to know are laid out in a video somewhere online.
So whether it’s for work, research or general surfing, for convenience alone a tablet is the wise way to go. And with that extra screen real estate, squinting at your smartphone will become a distant memory.
7 Best Tablets for Musicians
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
12.3″ |
|
Resolution |
1824 x 2736 |
|
Storage |
128GB – 1TB |
|
RAM |
4GB/8GB/16GB |
|
CPU |
Intel Core m3, i5 or i7 |
|
Dimensions |
29.2 x 20.1 x 08.5 cm |
|
Weight |
768g/770g/784g |
|
Battery |
13.5 hours |
|
Front Camera |
5MP |
|
Back Camera |
8MP |
- Long battery life
- Plenty of different spec configurations to choose from
- Bit heavier than most tablets
- Comes with Windows 10 Home, not Windows 10 Pro
Are you tempted to change your Windows laptop or desktop for a tablet but are a little dubious about whether it’ll cut the mustard? The latest Surface Pro from Microsoft is definitely up to the task. And then some.
With its integrated kickstand, optional Surface Pen and detachable keyboard, Microsoft’s flagship tablet gives you outstanding battery life and full laptop functionality.
If you’re looking for a tablet for music production and are wondering about the Surface Pro’s performance and capabilities, you’re in safe hands.
There are three processor configurations; Intel m3, i5, and i7 coupled with a range of storage and memory options to choose from.
For music producers and musicians serious about their craft, the Intel Core i7 option with 16 GB RAM, and a sizeable 1TB SSD will easily handle any CPU-heavy programs thrown at it.
If you want to save yourself some cash and don’t need such lightning-fast processing power, the less expensive i3 or i5 could never be called sluggish and are equally worthy options also.
Final thoughts? This premium tablet is a top choice for all professionals and not just music and media creatives but anyone in the market for a high-end suited and booted tablet.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
12.9″ |
|
Resolution |
2048 x 2732 |
|
Storage |
64GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
|
|
RAM |
4GB/6GB |
|
CPU |
A12X Bionic |
|
Dimensions |
28.0. x 21.49 x 0.59 cm |
|
Weight |
632g |
|
Battery |
10 hours |
|
Front Camera |
7MP |
|
Back Camera |
12MP |
- Large screen makes displaying multiple app windows a breeze
- Super fast processor
- Average battery life
- One of the most expensive tablets on the market
The love of the Apple iPad Pro by both working musicians and the masses alike has made it the top dog in the tablet market for many years.
Thanks to its whacking great screen, fast processing power and commanding choice of apps, if you have a generous budget, the iPad Pro should be top of your list to consider.
You can use the tablet with a nifty Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, which will help musicians turn the iPad Pro into anything from a music-mixing workstation to a live recording device.
Having multiple app windows open at the same time in your mobile DAW is now also easier on your eyes thanks to the high res 2048 x 2732 retina display. And despite the large 12.9-inch screen size, the Pro is easy to stick in your backpack on the go.
Featuring a super-fast A12X Bionic processor chip, if you’re planning on using the tablet for live music performance, you’ll be pleased to know the iPad Pro gives ultra-low-latency and thus solid execution of multiple tasks running at once.
Above all, from the guys that brought the world GarageBand and Logic Pro, the iPad Pro is built to make you feel you can trust it won’t let you down when you need it the most.
If you’re looking to use a tablet only to do basic tasks, this high-end iPad would be a waste of your money as it’s by no stretch of the imagination cheap.
If, on the other hand, you have large-scale professional and pleasure reasons to get a new tablet, the new iPad Pro may be one of the best future-proof investments you’ve made all year.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
10.5″ |
|
Resolution |
1600 x 2560 |
|
Storage |
128GB/256GB
|
|
RAM |
6GB/8GB |
|
CPU |
Snapdragon 855 |
|
Dimensions |
24.45 x 15.95 x 0.57 cm |
|
Weight |
420g |
|
Battery |
14 hours |
|
Front Camera |
8MP |
|
Back Camera |
13MP + 5MP |
- Light-weight and easy to carry
- AMOLED display makes YouTube viewing a delight
- No headphone jack
- S Pen stylus prone to falling off the back
The versatile Galaxy Tab S6 is lightweight and portable with performance to impress anyone doubting that Android can pull up their sleeves and go the full twelve rounds with Apple.
The crisp 10.5-inch AMOLED display and Quad AKG speakers make both work and play a pleasurable experience on the S6.
The speedy Snapdragon 855 processor means multi-tasking between taking notes, checking emails and using music applications is as easy as pie.
From music to movies, media loaded quickly and streamed like clockwork over WiFi, many users report.
The battery life is very decent on the Tab S6. However, despite Samsung claiming you get 15 hours, standard video playback battery tests have reported 11 hours.
Because battery life is deadly important to anyone using a tablet for music performance, bear in mind when using more power-hungry apps, you’ll likely get less than 11 hours of juice.
Luckily though, this isn’t an issue for those of us not planning on entering the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-ever recorded live show in history. And it’s still longer than you get from most similar spec Apple iPads (iPad Air 3 2019 = 10 hours approx).
With its stellar processing performance, optional S pen and detachable keyboard, for those of you who prefer to get an iPad alternative without compromising on performance and speed, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is one of the best non-iOS Android tablets on the market today.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
10.5″ |
|
Resolution |
1668 x 2224 |
|
Storage |
64GB/256GB |
|
RAM |
6GB |
|
CPU |
A12 Bionic |
|
Dimensions |
25.06 x 17.41 x 0.61 cm |
|
Weight |
456g |
|
Battery |
10 hours |
|
Front Camera |
7MP |
|
Back Camera |
8MP |
- Works with 1st gen Apple Pencil
- Easy to set up thanks to iCloud
- Battery life is not the best due to upgraded spec
- Can’t add extra storage
Want an iPad but can’t justify paying the eye-watering cost of the iPad Pro? With its compatibility with a Smart Keyboard Cover and 1st Gen Apple Pencil, the latest iPad Air is well worth your attention.
First off, for those of you using hefty music production multi-tracking and apps, you’ll be pleased to know Apple has upped the storage size to 64GB/256GB on the Air.
The battery life also has been upgraded from the previous model, with you getting around 10 hours of normal use.
Due to its laminated display, the screen’s thinner top glass layer sits snugly on top of the LCD panel underneath. What this means is the colours and clarity of the colours shine through on this latest Air model noticeably more than previous ones.
So what if you’ve done your research, come across the iPad Mini and can’t make up your mind about which one to go for? If you’re planning on using your tablet predominantly for making music, we’d recommend you go for the Air.
The larger storage size options combined with the 10.5-inch Retina screen alone make the Air more ideal for musicians – the virtual controls and dials on many music-making apps are much easier to use. Oh, and as usual, latency on music software is excellent.
This iPad is a great choice for professionals who need a versatile device that can handle anything they throw at it, and anyone who loves to consume media in all its forms.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
10.1″ |
|
Resolution |
1920 x 1200 |
|
Storage |
32GB/64GB |
|
RAM |
2GB |
|
CPU |
Octa-Core 2.0 GHz |
|
Dimensions |
26.2 x 15.9 x 0.98 cm |
|
Weight |
432g |
|
Battery |
12 hours |
|
Front Camera |
2MP |
|
Back Camera |
2MP |
- Affordable small price tag
- GPU big upgrade to the previous model
- Build quality feels a bit cheap
- 2MP camera is not amazing
Amazon Fire HD 10 is our most inexpensive tablet on the list. Whilst it won’t be the tablet of choice for serious musicians, it will easily cope with the bedroom musician’s everyday demands of using practice tool apps, making notes or general web browsing.
The Fire HD 10 features an upgraded octa-core 2GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and a capable battery life of up to 12 hours. Many users testify that thanks to its improved processing power, the new HD 10 feels snappier than the HD 7 or 8.
The 1080p 10.1 inch screen makes reading and watching videos more enjoyable than the other models also.
If you want to binge-watch your favourite shows on apps like Netflix or download movies, these larger files can very quickly gobble up the storage space on any tablet.
Fortunately, the Fire HD now supports microSD cards up to 512GB – double that of its predecessor.
With its dual-band Wifi connectivity and easily navigable interface, you’ll be up and running virtually out of the box. Our top tip, however, would be to install the Google Play Store app, as whilst the Amazon Store is good, some users report it lacking some of their favourite choice apps.
In conclusion, Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet is perfect for those looking for a cheap, easy-to-use tablet for general entertainment and leisure use.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
10.1″ |
|
Resolution |
1920 x 800 |
|
Storage |
32GB |
|
RAM |
2GB |
|
CPU |
Quad Core |
|
Dimensions |
25 x 18 x 1 cm |
|
Weight |
798g |
|
Battery |
10 hours |
|
Front Camera |
2MP |
|
Back Camera |
5MP |
- Very affordable
- Surprisingly good battery life
- The speakers could be better quality
- Not the lightest
Another tablet great for musicians and everyday peeps alike, the Tablet 10-inch Android tablet can easily replace your bulky laptop. This sleek, modern tablet delivers snappy performance, all thanks to the 1.3 GHz Quad Core CPU.
The 32GB internal Storage is expandable to 128GB, which makes the Tablet 10 ideal for running your favourite apps such as Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, etc.
If you’re after a tablet to put your music sheets in it so you don’t have to carry around that large binder anymore, you’ll be happy with this Android tablet for sure.
| TECH SPEC | INFO |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size |
14.6″ |
|
Resolution |
1848 x 2960 |
|
Storage |
128GB – 1TB |
|
RAM |
12 GB / 20GB |
|
CPU |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen |
|
Dimensions |
32.64 x 20.86 x 0.55 cm |
|
Weight |
737g |
|
Battery |
15 hours / 11,200 mAh |
|
Front Camera |
12MP + 12MP UW |
|
Back Camera |
13MP + 8MP UW |
- Large and immersive display
- Long battery life
- S Pen, you can write notes or draw sketches
- Ample Storage
The Samsung Galaxy Tab series is the ultimate tablet for musicians and music producers. It comes in three sizes: 11.0 inches, 12.4 inches, all the way up to 14.6 inches for the Tab S9 Ultra.
Each model features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that offers vivid colours and sharp details, making it ideal for video editing, music mixing, or simply enjoying your favourite music. The Ultra S9 model is particularly impressive.
The tablets are also water-resistant with an IP68 rating, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
The Galaxy Tab S9 series gives you the freedom to store all your music creations, with up to 1TB of internal storage and the option to expand with a microSD card on the Ultra.
The tablet is also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is one of the fastest processors on the market. This means you can run even the most demanding music production software without any lag.
From making set lists to keeping your digital practice planner up to date, this guy is perfect for daily use.
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Best Tablets for Musicians FAQ.
1. Best tablet for musicians?
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9.
This is one of the most powerful and versatile tablets for music production, with a stunning 12.9-inch display, an A14 Bionic chip, a long battery life and a large storage capacity.
2. Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra.
This is one of the best Android tablets for music production, with a massive 14.6-inch display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, a long battery life, and a large storage capacity.
Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is a powerful tablet that excels as a laptop replacement. With a built-in kickstand, optional Surface Pen, and detachable keyboard, it offers exceptional battery life and full laptop functionality.
Musicians and music producers will appreciate the Intel Core i7 option with 16GB RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD, perfect for CPU-heavy programs.
4. Apple iPad Air
This music tablet has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and up to 10 hours of battery life.
You can use apps like GarageBand, Logic Remote, Cubasis, and ForScore on the iPad Air to create, record, edit, mix, and display your music.
5. Fire HD 10 Tablet.
The Fire HD 10 Tablet is a good option for musicians on a budget who want a large and bright screen, a long battery life, and decent sound quality.
The tablet has a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display that can show sheet music, lyrics, or music apps clearly and vividly.
6. Tablet 10-inch Android 9.0.
The Android 9.0 tablet for music has a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage, which can handle multitasking and browsing without lagging or freezing.
The tablet also has a microSD card slot that can expand the storage up to 128GB
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
The Galaxy Tab S6 is a lightweight, high-performance Android tablet. Its 10.5-inch AMOLED display and powerful Snapdragon 855 processor offer a smooth experience for multitasking and using music apps.
While its battery life may not reach Samsung’s claim of 15 hours, it still outlasts most comparable Apple iPads.
2. What tablets do musicians use?
Musicians use different tablets for different purposes, such as music production, sheet music, recording, playback, etc.
Some of the most popular tablets among musicians are:
3. Best tablets for lyrics on stage?
To choose the best tablet to use for lyrics on stage when you play live you need to consider these factors:
- Screen size and brightness: You want a tablet that has a large and bright screen that can display the lyrics clearly and vividly in different lighting conditions.
- Battery life and portability: You want a tablet with a long battery life that can last for your entire performance without needing to charge it.
- App compatibility and functionality: You want a tablet that is compatible with the app that you use for displaying and managing your lyrics.
Based on these factors, the three best tablets for lyrics on stage are the Apple iPad Pro 12.9, Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra and Apple iPad Air.
4. Can I use a regular tablet for music notation and sheet music?
Yes, you can use a regular tablet for music notation and reading sheet music. There are many apps available for both iOS and Android that allow you to view, annotate, and play sheet music.
These sheet music apps offer features like customisable notation, transposition, metronome, and playback options.
The tablet’s touchscreen interface makes writing, editing, and highlighting musical notations easy.
5. How do I connect my tablet to musical instruments?
There are two main ways to connect your tablet to musical instruments; the first is by using an audio interface. An audio interface converts analogue audio signals to digital data and ensures high-quality audio during connection.
The second way to connect your tablet to your guitar, keyboard, computer or other device is to use a direct USB connection.
Some tablets support direct USB connections, which can be especially convenient if you have a tablet with a USB-C or micro USB port.
Which method you choose will depend on your needs. Audio interfaces tend to offer more flexibility, while direct USB connections can be quicker and simpler.
6. Are iPads better than Android tablets for musicians?
iPads often take the lead when it comes to professional musicians’ tablet preferences. One of the main reasons for this is the extensive app ecosystem offered by Apple’s App Store.
Musicians can find a wide range of high-quality music apps, including virtual instruments, digital audio workstations (DAWs), effects processors, and notation software.
This broad selection provides musicians with ample tools to create, record, and perform their music.
However, Android tablets have also made significant strides in recent years, offering robust and affordable options.
The choice between an iPad and an Android tablet often depends on your specific needs, familiarity with the operating system, and budget considerations. It’s worth exploring both options to see which best aligns with your musical objectives.
Summing it Up
And that’s a wrap. In this article, we have covered some of the top tablets for music lovers, music producers and musicians.
- If you want the best tablet for lyrics on stage or the best tablet for sheet music, go for the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 or Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra.
- If you’re a hobby musician on a tight budget, check out the Fire HD 10 Tablet.
- If you’d love an iPad Pro but are looking for a cheaper alternative, go for the Apple iPad Air.
These tablets are fantastic for music lovers. Of course, not every tablet will be perfect for you, but no matter which one you choose, you’re sure to have an amazing time jamming out to your favourite tunes.
