Tablets are important players in the tech world. These devices have given a whole new meaning to efficiency and productivity. With a build less bulky and weighty than laptops, tablets have made work and amusement more portable than ever. Although tablets are four-fold bigger than smartphones, they never really take up the majority of the market. Still, there is a rich array of them available and these are the first ones to check out. 

Tablet hunters should primarily look into the Xperia Z2 Tablet. It is the hottest tablet Sony offers and its effort to doll it up into a much more refined version of its predecessor is very commendable. The Xperia Z2 Tablet has its feather weight as an asset. Despite its 10.1-inch screen, it only weighs a mere pound. Its minimalist design, not to mention its 0.25-inch body, contributes to its streamlined finish. While looking good, the build feels sturdy and durable. Expert Reviews says that the display quality (1920 x 1200 pixels), although unchanged, is nice and crisp, which makes gaming a fun activity to do on the tablet. Its battery life is impressive as it can last up to 15 hours. The Xperia Z2 Tablet is on sale for $480. 

The Google Nexus 9 is also a leader in the tablet category. With a high-caliber 64-bit Tegra K1 processor intact, apps load seamlessly and tasks are completed smoothly. Users also enjoy watching films with the Nexus 9, thanks to the front-facing stereo speakers that turn the audio fuller and much clearer. The Nexus 9 allows 16 hours of usage, significantly better than its competitors. As per Expert Reviews, the Google Nexus 9 can rise above the rest with its hardware alone. The 32 GB variant of the tablet is being sold in the market for $499. 

Microsoft's tablet feat owns a rightful spot in the tablet arena as well. Its design and its specs make the Windows 8-laden Surface Pro 3 enough to replace a laptop. With a hefty 12-inch display, work and play experience is at the utmost. Navigation is smooth as the touchscreen is insanely quick-responding as Expert Reviews remarked, and the display quality is inarguably first class. Its hardware makes the Surface Pro 3 the best-looking in the bunch. Paste Magazine recognizes the Surface Pro 3 as the most excellent tablet-laptop hybrid there is. Without the magnetic keyboard, buyers can get it for $799. 

Those who would like to see gaming in its more portable and most good-looking form yet should check out the NVIDIA Shield Tablet. With GameStream inbuilt, streaming games from a computer straight to the device is surprisingly painless. Although inclined to providing epic gaming action, Paste Magazine believes that the best Android tablet, no matter the tasks users buy it for, is the NVIDIA Shield. Apart from pristine game experience put forward, the tablet's $299 price tag easily snagged it a well-deserved place in the higher ground. 

The list would not be complete without an entry from the company that opened up the tablet sector. Its revolutionary leap to what was then uncharted waters was in the form of the first ever iPad tablet in 2010. In that moment, Apple broke new ground. And it is safe to say that no matter how many tablets emerge, the iPad lineup remains at the forefront. The Cupertino-based company has released its flagship tablets in September. The iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3, as expected, come with high-end hardware and elegant design all while delivering powerful performance. No lags and crashes. Just smooth sailing. The Retina display takes the tablets' visuals on a whole new level. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor makes for better security. Buyers can get the iPad Air 2 for $499. The 16 GB iPad Mini 3 can be purchased for around $400.