Best tablets of 2013

You're looking to buy a new tablet but are confused by all the options out there? If you're looking for the best tablets of 2013, then you've come to the right place. Here we will guide you through the hottest tablets from 7-inches and up, to help you reach a decision on buying the right device for you.  
Our list of top tablets covers all operating systems, sizes and price points, so you'll be armed with everything you need when choosing to buy. We'll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest tablets we review, so you can see where the smart money is heading. 
Run this question through your head: "Which tablet is best for me?" Think about size first and foremost, what you'll be using the device for and, therefore, how powerful it'll need to be. Is build quality your most important factor, or can you settle for a plasticky finish at a more attractive price point? Each question will impact which tablet best suits your needs.
The tablets market is vast and not all of it is brand, brand new. Refreshes are always on the horizon, but many tablets from back in 2012 remain strong in today's market. We’ll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest tablets that we review - not just the current top 10 that we have listed - but only those we've reviewed and have passed our tests. That way you can see where your money is best spent.
Let us know what you think is the best tablet in the comments below - you may have personal preferance or advice for others and we love to hear it.

10. Microsoft Surface Pro

Some might argue that the Surface is more a laptop replacement than a laptop. It sort of is, sort of isn't. It lives in its own world, but it's a powerful world and one that fans of full Windows 8 will love.
The 10.6-inch screen has a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution that's the perfect match for HD movies. Or you can do anything else on it that you can do with a Windows 8 device. It's just like a laptop, albeit minus a clip-on keyboard like the Asus Transformer Infinity (below) - with Microsoft that's something you'll have to fork out extra cash for.
But all this power comes at a price, and that coupled with the fatter-than-a-tablet design will limit the Surface's appeal for some, whereas others will love it as an alternative to an Ultrabook.
PRICE: £719
QUICK VERDICT: If you're a fan of Windows and want all the power that Windows 8 has to offer then you'll be right at home with the Surface Pro. If, however, you're in no rush to buy then the announcement of the thinner, lighter and all-round better Surface 2 is worth waiting out on.
FULL REVIEW: Microsoft Surface Pro

9. Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

It might not look like a tablet at first glance, but that's the Transformer's crowning glory - it's the most complete Android-based laptop replacement we've seen, yet functions as an excellent standalone tablet too.
Here the Android operating system has evolved to become an operating system that can cope with removable USB drives and office documents almost as easily as Windows does. What you also get is strong cloud back-up and access to a very comprehensive app store, amazing battery life and a great 1920 x 1200 resolution 10-inch screen.
Ok so neither the keyboard nor the mouse are perfect, and it's pricey, but what you do get is the sort of flexibility that's missing from most other tablets. For many, it's likely to be a more enjoyable system than either a Windows or OS X laptop, and it's an easy migration from a smartphone.
Future versions of the Transformer are just around the corner, which may naturally drive down the price of the Infinity - something to keep an eye on.
PRICE: £549
QUICK VERDICT: Aside from the high price, and the ongoing issue of the trackpad being a little bit small, we really like the Infinity. It's a lovely standalone Android tablet but the keyboard makes it so much more attractive. It doesn't place higher on account of its high price is all.
FULL REVIEW: Asus Transformer Pad Infinity review  

8. Samsung Galaxy Note 8

The Note range continues to be a surprise. When it launched, there was much smirking about the included stylus Pen - something that we love - but Samsung's skill here has been to make the device work perfectly without it, but then to offer bundles of extra features if you do want to make use of the stylus.
The Note 8 doesn't have a super-high screen resolution, however, with just 1280 x 768 pixels nestled on that 8-inch touch panel. Not bad, but not as competitive as the likes of the cheaper, higher-resolution Nexus 7. But then that doesn't come with a pen.
PRICE: £339
QUICK VERDICT: There's lots to love in the Galaxy Note 8. The only real letdowns are the screen resolution and the fact that, despite this, it's still quite expensive. If you're after a budget tablet in this size, then look to the Amazon Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7, but just don't expect the same breadth of features and usability.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

7. Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9

One for the readers out there. There's a lot to like about the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and if you're already a fan of Kindle, or of Amazon, then it'll fit into your way of working. Kindle runs a forked version of Google's Android operating system, but you're unlikely to notice as you'll be targeting book and movie content here. The interface makes that easy.
But this isn't a readers-only product. The Amazon Appstore has thousands of games on it too, so you can play away to your heart's content if you fancy it, with dual Wi-Fi for downloading goodies when you're on a network.
As a tablet it looks good and is well built, plus the price is fair to boot. The 8.9-inch screen size is a little smaller than the likes of an iPad, yet a touch larger than something like a Google Nexus 7. But for the money the Fire HD does just about everything you could want.
PRICE: £229 
QUICK VERDICT: The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 offers a great display in a nicely put together package, but ultimately lacks the freedom of regular Android tablets and is a little on the slow side.
FULL REVIEW: Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 review

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

There's something about the Samsung Note 10.1 that "just works". It comes complete with a Pen which is a brilliantly useful addition.
If you have any artistic talent, then there's a very real chance you'll be able to make the Note 10.1 work for you as a creative tool. The big screen means you can use it for all manner of illustrations and layouts and it's an ideal companion for throwing together notes in a meeting.
However its 1280 x 800 resolution 10.1-inch screen is more limited than, say, the Google Nexus 10.1 - which is around the same price point. If you're into watching movies then the Google device is likely the preferable choice.
But if you want a tablet with a stylus Pen then there's a whole lot of good in the Galaxy 10.1 If only it had a higher-resolution screen, we'd demand everyone rushed straight out to buy one.
PRICE: £349
QUICK VERDICT: We aren't pretending that Samsung has quite the same build quality as the Apple iPad, and we know people are beholdent to the iTunes ecosystem, but the Note has so much going for it, particularly the inclusion of a stylus Pen. That makes it an individual product in a crowded market.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review

5. Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Previous Sony Android tablets were late to arrive to the party and blighted by quirky design that just didn't quite deliver.
Then Sony flipped that on its head with the Xperia Tablet Z. It's a stylish, lightweight Android tablet that is also waterproof so you can take it in the bath. How about that?
The 10.1-inch display isn't qute the best out there, though, as it's bettered by the Samsung-built Nexus 10 (below), which offers a more natural colour palette as well as a higher resolution for sharper details, but at 1920 x 1200 the Xperia is still very good.
The thing that the Xperia Z tablet does deliver is build quality. It's more luxury than the likes of Google's slightly more affordable tablets, so if Android is a must have then Sony has a true competitor for the Apple iPad 4 here.
PRICE: £399
QUICK VERDICT: Excellent design and specification at an impressive price, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is a great Android tablet with plenty on offer. It's got a more luxury design than the Google Nexus 10, but then it comes in at a price point that's on par with the Apple iPad 4. If you're not an Apple fan and must have Android, however, then this well built and waterproof tablet has a whole lot going for it.
FULL REVIEW: Sony Xperia Tablet Z review

4. Google Nexus 10

Another 2012 model in the ranks, the Nexus 10 brings that pure Android experience, meaning you'll be the first to get updates and it's free from the bloat of additional apps and services you don't want and that some manufacturers add.
Larger than the Nexus 7 (see further down the page), it's the Nexus 10's display that's its real beauty. The sharp 2560 x 1600 resolution looks fantastic and packs in more pixels than even the iPad 4.
All that res means you can revel in the desktop experience of websites with less zooming, and it makes for a great, sharp, reading device too. Or watch movies and play games - there's enough power for that too.
This Samsung-constructed device is well built too, even if it's not in quite the same league as the iPad 4. But if you're an Android fiend then this will likely be your preference product, and if you're undecided then the more accessible price point might help in your decision making. 
PRICE: £319
QUICK VERDICT: The Nexus 10 fill our hearts with joy when we look at that screen. In many ways, this typifies the difference between Android and iOS. The Nexus is competent and powerful, but it lacks that whiff of passion and build quality that you get from Apple products. A great buy at a great price though, Android tablets don't come much better than this.
FULL REVIEW: Google Nexus 10 review

3. Apple iPad 4

The original tablet and the big daddy of the pack. The iPad 4's Retina display - which at 2,048 by 1,536 pixels is better-than an HD TV - powerful specs, and huge collection of dedicated apps make this a hard tablet to beat if your plan is for it never to leave the home.
That's the thing, the 9.7-inch display makes it a larger experience than the often more preferable and portable 7- and 8-inch mini devices out there. But that extra size will be a benefit for many.
For the cash there's also both front- and rear-facing cameras and up to 64GB of internal storage (depending on how much you're willing to pay) for all those apps and movies. There's no way to expand storage, however, so have a good think about that before buying.
There's a reason Apple is number one in the tablet market and the iPad 4 shows us why. It's not cheap, but the quality build and performance won't disappoint. 
PRICE: £399
QUICK VERDICT: The iPad 4 represents quite a modest improvement on its predecessor. Although it certainly is faster, iPad 3 owners are probably not going to feel the need to spend another £400. That said, if you're a first-time buyer, what are you waiting for - this is the best iPad yet, and it has some incredible performance to back it up. 
FULL REVIEW: Apple iPad 4 review

2. Nexus 7 (2013)

The Nexus device range from Google has always been the benchmark for an Android device. The clean state in which to deliver an experience that is pure, that Google owns, before the likes of Samsung, Sony or LG get their hands on it.
The original Nexus 7 was hot stuff: a 7-inch tablet experience that just worked. Enter the 2013 Nexus 7 update and we've got a rip-roaringly good tablet that continues to deliver the goods anew, complete with a 1920 x 1200 resolution screen that - at this price point - knocks many other tablets out of contention.
If you're new to tablet land and want an affordable, portable offering that's got access to the wide range of Google's apps then the Nexus 7 II is probably the best balance of features to price. Indeed it's one of the best Android tablets out there.
It's not as luxury in build as the iPad mini, but if that doesn't both you then save yourself over £100 and invest - Google's got a winner on its hands here.
PRICE: £159
QUICK VERDICT: It is just an incremental update to the original Nexus 7 - so existing users may want to stick with what they've got - but for those who don't have the original, and are keen to get a small and brilliant tablet, then this is the Android device for you.
FULL REVIEW: Nexus 7 (2013) review

1. Apple iPad mini