6 Excellent Tablets For Online Teaching

By David Unwin •  Updated: 08/02/23 •  Teach Online

Most online teaching classes are done through a laptop with a built-in webcam and a pair of headsets with a built-in microphone.

But a handful of platforms allow you to teach on your phone using a mobile operating system. Two popular options are Palfish and Cambly. While many teachers love the flexibility of teaching on the phone, it is much more convenient to use a tablet as an alternative.

A tablet has numerous advantages over a smartphone

Since a phone and a tablet use the same operating system (Android or iOS), it only makes sense to purchase a tablet. Not only can a table double as an electronic notebook and multi-media device, but you also get a few key advantages as an online teacher.

Bigger screen

A tablet can range from a mini tablet that has a 7-inch screen up to a large, 12-inch screen marketed to professionals. Regardless, a tablet has a much larger screen, making the class more manageable and enjoyable for all involved.

More viewing space makes the actual class easier to complete because tablets have a touch screen like a phone but can also typically come with a stylus.

Better battery life

A fully charged tablet lasts a lot longer than a phone does. Because tablets are more extensive devices, they have bigger built-in batteries.

This makes a fully charged tablet a fun, and easy device to teach online with as you don’t have to worry about the battery dying, or worse, have some complicated setup where your phone is plugged in and charging while you have headphones plugged in and are teaching at the same time.

Lightweight and mobile

Tablets are fun, lightweight mobile devices. You can pair them with an external keyboard for increased functionality or easily pack them into any backpack. Tablets are thin and light and only take up a little space.

6 Best Tablets for Online Teachers

When looking for a tablet to buy a tablet, there are just a few things to take into consideration. First is the operating system. Apps only work with Android or IOS. You’ll need a tablet running one of these two operating systems.

Next, you need to take note of the front-facing camera. Most tablets have an excellent picture-taking camera and a mediocre front-facing camera. You’re good to go as long as the front-facing camera is 2 MP or better. Here are the tablets we suggest for online teaching with Palfish and other apps:

iPad Air – Best overall tablet for teachers

Apple continues to produce and update its tablet line while other companies have moved on from creating tablets. The iPad Air is, from our usage, the best overall tablet for teachers.

iPad Air

The best overall tablet for teachers. Small, lightweight, excellent screen and powerful.

Not only can you use it for online teaching as this tablet is compatible with various apps and software, but it also performs well when recording screen captures and videos due to the hardware.

The iPad Air will quickly become your favorite device. Lightweight is fast, and it comes with an excellent front-facing camera. If you’ve never experienced an iPad Air, you’re missing out. Apart from Samsung, Apple is one of the only companies producing high-quality tablets for work and play.

The iPad Air is an ideal tablet for teaching English online with Palfish or any other app-based company because it’s got the three essentials: a fast processor, an excellent touch screen, and a good forward-facing camera.

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Surface 9 – Laptop and tablet hybrid

The Microsoft Surface 9 can double as a tablet or a laptop and has the power to handle pretty much anything you throw at it.

Microsoft Surface 9

The hybrid choice, can double as both a tablet and laptop. Has a 13 inch screen so it’s a bit bigger than most tablets.

With a good integrated webcam, pen, and decent audio, if you need something that is a step up from a basic tablet and has all the power of a laptop, then this hybrid Surface tablet is impressive.

The only negative is that the keyboard is not included in this. We consider it essential to get the full use out of this hybrid setup. With the Surface, you can access Windows 11 with ease, it also supports Android apps as well.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 – A big, useful mid range Android tablet

Samsung is a well-known name brand and the primary alternative to an iPad. We love the Galaxy Tab A8 for numerous reasons. First, it comes with a 10.5-inch screen, the perfect size for a tablet.

Samsung Galaxy TAB A8

A big, beautiful 10.5 inch screen, powered by Android. Perfect for those who want an Apple product alternative.

Bigger than your phone, smaller than a laptop, and every bit as portable. Samsung makes great, affordable mid range Android powered laptops.

Next is the gorgeous touchscreen on this device. The colors are bright and vibrant. It’s also using Android’s latest and most up-to-date version. Last, this table has a fantastic and affordable price point.

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iPad Pro – High end specs in a tablet for professionals

The iPad Pro is a professional-level tablet aimed at being used for creative work. It’s excessive for most people, but if you want to get the most premium tablet on the market, this is it.

iPad PRO

A big, beautiful 10.5 inch screen, powered by Android. Designed for creative work and can function as a laptop replacement.

The first feature we like is the excellent front-facing camera at 7 MP. This is more than acceptable for teaching online. It also has the most giant screen and the best processor on the list.

This tablet is quick, responsive and it can handle multiple applications at the same time. As it’s marketed and designed for professional use, you can technically use this device as you would a laptop.

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Galaxy Tab A – Budget friendly

The Galaxy Tab A 8″ is the smaller model of the Tab A 10.1″, and it tops the list for one main reason. It meets all the requirements for teaching English online for any mobile app platform.

Galaxy TAB A

A cheap tablet with an 8 inch screen. Good as an alternative to using your phone.

An awesome 5 MP front facing camera, bright and colorful touch screen, lot’s of internal storage, long battery life and it’s small and light weight.

It has all the features of the 10.1 inch model but it simply comes in a smaller package and less weight. While we personally love the iPad Mini, the Tab A 8 inch is a good, entry level tablet.

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Galaxy Tab A7 – A good, cheap Android tablet

The Galaxy Tab A is an 8.7-inch tablet that is wonderful for online teaching with Palfish. It comes with a beautiful touch screen, a lot of internal storage, a handy stylus, and some weight, so it feels like a book.

Galaxy TAB A7

Another cheap tablet with an 8.7 inch screen. The front facing camera could be better. More convenient than your phone when using online teaching apps.

This tablet comes with its case designed to prop up the tablet at different angles and is multi-purpose. Because the screen is 10.1, videos can be watched in full HD. It’s also a comfortable device to use as a reading device.

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iPad Mini – Small, high quality tablet

The iPad Mini offers portability and convenience in a smaller form factor, allowing teachers to enjoy many of the features of an iPad while in a smaller form factor.

iPad MINI

Small, lightweight and powerful. Get an Apple Pen for this and you have a very functional tablet for both work and play.

If you’ve not held an iPad Mini, it’s really the perfect size for a tablet. Small, squarish, lightweight, with a vibrant screen and powered by the latest IOS.

You can also use the Apple Pen with the iPad mini and get a Bluetooth keyboard. However, if you really want a keyboard, the iPad Pro is a better choice as you can buy a keyboard case instead of using a 3rd party keyboard like you must do with the mini.

The only drawback of the iPad Mini is its very average front-facing camera (12 MP). Good enough to teach an online class, but nothing outstanding.

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Fire Tablet – Avoid for online teaching

One thing we want to quickly mention is the Fire Tablet from Amazon is an excellent device for what it is, but we’ve noticed this device being recommended for online teaching and learning on Facebook and other websites and our readers asking why it’s not on the list.

Fire Tablet

Avoid for online teaching. This tablet while useful for reading books, does not support IOS or Android. As such, you can’t use online teaching apps on it.

This tablet does not use IOS or Andriod. As such, you don’t get access to the Play Store for Android or the App Store on IOS. With online teaching apps like Gimkit and Blooket you won’t be able to download and install such apps.

Get a Fire Tablet if all you’re looking to do is read books, watch videos and listen to music.

Best Consumer Tablets For Online Teaching – Conclusion

So there you have it, Teach and GO’s list of the best tablets for online teaching for apps. Overall if you’re teaching online and want to use a tablet over a laptop, our favorite is the classic iPad mini.

If however you’re looking for a dedicated writing tablet with a pen however we have a separate guide on that you can check out.

David Unwin

I've taught as an ESL teacher in Thailand for 5+ years at all levels of education, from elementary to University. I was also one of the first 1000 VIPKID teachers. Here I create content on teaching abroad, online and helpful tips for the classroom. Learn more.

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