Apple iPad Mini
Backpackers and hikers usually try to have as light backpacks as possible. However, it’s practical to have a Wi-FI or LTE enabled device with you while you are on the move, not only for entertainment and communication but also as a source of information. With internet access you can see the weather forecast, bus schedules, book accommodation and much more. Notebooks are too big and heavy to be carried around, especially on hiking trips. On the other hand, smartphones are too small (unless you own a phablet) and their screens usually don’t offer a clear overview. Tablets are a great compromise between notebooks and smartphones and can be super lightweight. Therefore, they are perfect for activities like travelling, hiking, backpacking and even mountaineering.
Here we selected and reviewed the best tablets for backpackers and hikers to make your buying decision a little easier. These tablets can also be used for navigation along the trails; check out our review of the Best Hiking Apps to learn more about navigation apps for hiking.
1. Buying a Tablet for Backpacking or Hiking – What is important?
Protective Case:
A case protects your tablet when it is stored in the backpack among hiking gear. Tablets typically don’t come with protective cases – they are sold separately. Therefore, we also added recommendations of protective cases for the respective tablets in this review. We only included cases which protect both backside and front side of the tablet.
Weight:
A tablet for backpacking or hiking should be lightweight. While you are on the move every gram counts and therefore we listed only tablets that are super lightweight.
Size:
Packing everything into a backpack is a common problem. A tablet shouldn’t take too much space in a backpack and therefore we listed only tablets equipped with screens no bigger than 8”. Such tablets allow you to easily browse the web or even watch movies on your trip but are at the same time small enough to be packed in a backpack without a problem.
LTE Connectivity:
Access to the internet is most likely the main reason why you are buying a tablet. Therefore, it’s a great benefit if the tablet is equipped with LTE (on hiking trips it’s typically hard to get Wi-Fi coverage). All tablets in this review are available in LTE versions.
Performance:
A tablet should allow you to smoothly browse the web, watch movies and play games. We only listed tablets with powerful processors, at least 2GB of RAM and no less than 16GB of internal storage.
We only list top-tier products. Read how our selections of best hiking products differ from others here.
We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
2. The Best Tablets for Backpacking and Hiking Review
Best Tablets for Hiking and Backpacking
The Best Tablets for Backpacking and Hiking – List
- Apple iPad Mini
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
- Lenovo Tab 4 8
- Huawei MediaPad M5 8
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8
Comparison
| Feature/Product | Apple iPad Mini | Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 | Lenovo Tab 4 8 | Huawei MediaPad M5 8 | Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 8 x 5.3 x 0.2 in. | 8.5 x 5 x 0.4 in. | 8.3 x 4.8 x 0.3 in. | 8.3 x 4.9 x 0.3 in. | 8.3 x 4.9 x 0.3 in. |
| Size (Metric) | 203 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm | 215 x 127 x 9.9 mm | 211 x 124 x 8.2 mm | 212 x 124 x 7.3 mm | 210 x 124 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 10.6 oz. | 14.6 oz. | 11 oz. | 11.1 oz. | 12 oz. |
| Weight (Metric) | 300 g | 415 g | 310 g | 316 g | 345 g |
| Display | 7.9” | 8.0” | 8.0” | 8.4” | 8.0 ” |
| Display Resolution | 2048 x 1536 px | 1280 x 800 px | 1280 x 800 px | 2560 x 1600 px | 1280 x 800 px |
| Operating System | iOS 12 | Android OS, 7.1 | Android OS, 7.0 | Android OS, 8.0 | Android OS, 9.0 |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) | Octa-core (1.6 GHz) | Quad-core (1.4 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2 GHz) |
| Memory | 3 GB DDR3 | 3 GB DDR3 | 2 GB DDR3 | 4 GB DDR3 | 2 GB DDR3 |
| Storage | 64/256 GB | 16 GB | 16/32 GB | 32/64/128 GB | 32 GB |
| Camera | Rear: 8 MP; Front: 7 MP | Rear: 8 MP; Front: 5 MP | Rear: 5 MP; Front: 2 MP | Rear: 13 MP Front: 8 MP | Rear: 8 MP; Front: 2 MP |
| Battery Life (Constant Use) | Up to 10 h | Up to 12 h | Up to 10 h | Up to 9 h | Up to 11 h |
Apple iPad Mini
1. Apple iPad Mini
Suitable for:
- Everyday use
- Backpacking
- Travelling
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
The Apple iPad Mini is an extremely powerful and well-designed tablet. Even though some other tablets in this review have better hardware, the Apple iPad Mini outperforms them in usability. The reason for this is the iOS operating system which is much “lighter” than the Android operating system. The Apple iPad Mini is equipped with a superb 7.9-inch, 2048×1536-pixel display which satisfies even the most demanding users. The powerful battery allows you to constantly browse the web or play multimedia for up to 10 hours without recharging the device. This is very practical because it’s often hard to get access to electricity on hiking and backpacking trips – and a device with an empty battery is nothing more than additional weight to carry. The Apple iPad Mini also features the Touch ID technology which allows you to easily and securely unlock the device with the fingerprint identity sensor. Additionally, you can sign in apps and verify purchases by putting your finger on the home button and letting the device scan your fingerprint. The Apple iPad Mini is an outstanding tablet and we would recommend it to everyone who wants a reliable gadget for travelling.
Recommended Case: Shockproof Case
Pros:
- Battery
- Weight
- Screen
- Design
- Touch ID
Cons:
- Price
Where to buy?
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
Suitable for:
- Everyday use
- Backpacking
- Travelling
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 is a super rugged tablet which is designed particularly for harsh conditions. It is also very compact and easily fits in your hand due to the sophisticated design. The tablet features 8-inch display with the resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The display is not as good as the display of the iPad tablet mentioned above. Nevertheless, it provides good brightness and colors. Like the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 offers a fingerprint scanner. However, Samsung’s fingerprint scanner is a bit slower than Apple’s Touch ID. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is a great device for travelers, backpackers, hikers and others who need a powerful and rugged tablet.
Recommended Case: Not required
Pros:
- Durability
- Shockproof
- Battery life
- Fingerprint reader
Cons:
- /
Lenovo Tab 4 8
3. Lenovo Tab 4 8
Suitable for:
- Everyday use
- Backpacking
- Travelling
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
The Lenovo Tab 4 8 is a budget tablet which is best for those who want a very simple device for their trips. The tablet features an 8-inch display with the resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The display offers good color balance, saturation and sharpness. However, the Lenovo Tab’s camera doesn’t take as good photos as the cameras on Apple and Samsung devices mentioned above. Nevertheless, the Lenovo Tab 4 8 is also much less expensive. The tablet is powered by a reliable Quad-core processor which ensures that everything runs smoothly. The battery allows you to play multimedia for up to 10 hours without recharging the device. We recommend the Lenovo Tab 4 8 to those who want an inexpensive but a reliable tablet for their adventures.
Recommended Case: Shockproof Case
Pros:
- Price
- Performance for the money
Cons:
- Camera
Huawei MediaPad M5 8
4. Huawei MediaPad M5 8
Suitable for:
- Everyday use
- Backpacking
- Travelling
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
The Huawei MediaPad M5 8 is an incredibly powerful tablet. It is equipped with an amazing 8.4-inch, 2048×1536-pixel display which offers outstanding color balance and sharpness. The tablet has a more powerful processor and more memory than other tablets in this review. Hence, it is perfect for those who want to play video games or do other (for a tablet) demanding tasks on their trips. The tablet is also equipped with a sophisticated 13-megapixel rear camera (Auto Focus), 8-mexapixel front camera, fingerprint sensor and powerful speakers. The Huawei MediaPad M5 8 is a great option for those who want a fast and reliable tablet for their adventures.
Recommended Case: Shockproof Case
Pros:
- Processor
- Memory
- Display
- Fingerprint reader
Cons:
- /
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8
Suitable for:
- Everyday use
- Gaming
- Backpacking
- Travelling
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 is a budget tablet like the Lenovo Tab 4 8. Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 is slightly more powerful than the Lenovo tablet. It has a better processor, cameras and battery. Furthermore, it comes with Android 9 which introduces drastic changes in terms of user experience and battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 is equipped with 8-inch, 1280 x 800-pixel display which provides good brightness and high contrast. While the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 is not the most sophisticated tablet in this review, it’s a great option for those who want a simple and inexpensive device for their trips.
Recommended Case: Shockproof Case
Pros:
- Price
- Performance for money
Cons:
- /
