Best Tablets for Video Editing to Buy in 2025 (iPad, Android & Windows)
Cutting on a tablet is no longer a novelty. With desktop‑class chips, HDR‑capable screens, and pro apps like DaVinci Resolve, LumaFusion, CapCut, and Adobe Premiere Rush, the right tablet can handle multicam edits, color tweaks, and exports on the go. This guide focuses on current, globally available models that pair fast silicon, accurate displays, and mature editing apps with sensible storage and I/O.
We shortlist new or manufacturer‑refurbished units only. Accessories (Pencil/S Pen/keyboard) may be optional.
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best overall editing tablet: iPad Pro (M4, 11″/13″) – tandem‑OLED XDR, M4 power, Pencil Pro; superb for Resolve & LumaFusion.
- Best value iPadOS editor: iPad Air (M3, 11″/13″) – near‑Pro speed, Pencil Pro, excellent battery; great value.
- Best Android editor (large): Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ – 12.4″ AMOLED, S Pen in‑box, strong LumaFusion performance.
- Biggest Android canvas: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra – 14.6″ AMOLED for timelines, scopes, and preview side‑by‑side.
- Best mid‑budget Android: Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – 12.4″ 90Hz LCD, S Pen included; credible for LumaFusion/CapCut.
- Best Windows tablet for full desktop NLEs: Surface Pro 11 (Copilot+, OLED) – runs full Resolve/Premiere/After Effects with external SSDs.
- Best light travel iPad: iPad (11‑inch, A16) – portable, color‑true; ideal for LumaFusion/Rush and on‑the‑go trims.
What to Look For (Creator‑Grade Checklist)
- Chipset & RAM: Apple M‑series; Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (Tab S9) or X Elite/Plus (Surface Pro 11). More RAM = heavier timelines.
- Display: Aim for OLED/AMOLED or high‑quality LCD with good brightness. HDR preview is a bonus.
- Apps: Ensure availability of DaVinci Resolve (iPad), LumaFusion (iOS/Android), CapCut, Premiere Rush.
- Storage & I/O: Prefer USB‑C/Thunderbolt, U3/V30 microSD (Android), and fast external SSDs for media.
- Battery & thermals: Sustained performance > short‑burst benchmarks.
- Stylus: Apple Pencil Pro/S Pen help for keyframes, masks, and titles.
The Best Tablets for Video Editing in 2025
iPad Pro (M4, 11″/13″) — Best Overall
Why it’s great: The tandem‑OLED Ultra Retina XDR offers elite HDR preview, uniformity, and motion clarity. M4breezes through H.265/ProRes proxies, multicam, and heavy color/masks. Apple Pencil Pro (hover/squeeze/tilt) is perfect for curve edits and rotoscoping.
Best for: Creators using DaVinci Resolve for iPad or LumaFusion who want the fastest, most accurate mobile setup.
Pro setup tips: Use 10‑bit footage when possible; keep HDR Display on for checks but grade in controlled light; store media on a USB‑C NVMe drive; enable background render sparingly to save battery.
iPad Air (M3, 11″/13″) — Best Value iPadOS Editor
Why it’s great: Near‑Pro performance for far less money. Excellent color‑accurate Liquid Retina displays and Apple Pencil Pro support. Handles LumaFusion and most Resolve timelines smoothly (heaviest features slightly slower vs Pro).
Best for: Enthusiasts and working editors who want iPadOS apps without the Pro price.
Pro setup tips: Edit in LumaFusion with proxy media for long travel projects; keep original media on an external SSD and export to that drive.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ — Best Android Editor (Large)
Why it’s great: The 12.4″ Dynamic AMOLED is bright, contrasty, and color‑rich, making grading more intuitive. S Pen is in‑box and low‑latency. LumaFusion for Android/Chromebook runs great, and DeX helps manage files and external drives.
Best for: Android creators who prefer AMOLED contrast and a big canvas with a bundled pen.
Pro setup tips: Record phone footage in 10‑bit HEVC where possible; cut with LumaFusion; archive on a UASP external SSD; enable DeX for multi‑window.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra — Biggest Android Canvas
Why it’s great: A mammoth 14.6″ AMOLED timeline that lets you keep scopes, preview, and assets visible simultaneously. Plenty of RAM and strong sustained performance for long renders; S Pen included.
Best for: Multi‑track edits and creators who value layout space more than portability.
Pro setup tips: Use magnetic stand to work at an ergonomic angle; plug a USB‑C hub for SD reader + SSD + HDMI preview.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ — Best Mid‑Budget Android
Why it’s great: Color‑consistent 12.4″ 90Hz LCD, S Pen in box, IP68, and reliable battery. Excellent for LumaFusion/CapCut cuts, social exports, and simple color.
Best for: Students and budget‑minded editors who still want a big screen with a pen included.
Pro setup tips: Shoot/edit 1080p/1440p for speed; keep project cache on internal storage, media on microSD/SSD; export to external to free space.
Surface Pro 11 (Copilot+, OLED) — Best for Full Desktop NLEs
Why it’s great: Runs full DaVinci Resolve/Premiere Pro/After Effects/Audition with plug‑ins, hardware scopes, and your complete preset/library ecosystem. The 13″ OLED panel is color‑rich; Snapdragon X Elite/Plus + NPU acceleration deliver excellent sustained performance for mobile workstations.
Best for: Editors who need desktop plug‑ins/codecs, complex audio, advanced color, or multi‑app workflows (Resolve + After Effects + Photoshop).
Pro setup tips: Keep cache and renders on a fast NVMe via USB‑C/Thunderbolt; use optimized media/proxies for 4K long‑GOP; calibrate the OLED with a probe when grading for delivery.
iPad (11‑inch, A16) — Best Light Travel iPad
Why it’s great: Very portable with a bright Liquid Retina display. Great for on‑site cuts in LumaFusion and quick exports. It can open Resolve projects, but Resolve’s heaviest features are best on M‑series iPads.
Best for: Journalists and travel vloggers who prioritize portability and battery life over maximum render speed.
Pro setup tips: Shoot at 24–30 fps; use proxy media; export H.265 for smallest files on the road.
You can check related laptops here: Best Laptops for Creators in 2025: From ASUS to Apple
Comparison Table (At a Glance)
| Model | Display | HDR | Stylus | Chip/CPU | Apps (notable) | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro (M4, 11/13) | Tandem OLED (XDR) 120Hz | Excellent | Apple Pencil Pro | M4 | Resolve, LumaFusion | Pro edits/HDR grading |
| iPad Air (M3, 11/13) | Liquid Retina 60–120Hz | Very good | Apple Pencil Pro | M3 | LumaFusion, Resolve (most) | Value iPadOS editing |
| Galaxy Tab S9+ | 12.4″ AMOLED (high refresh) | Very good | S Pen (in‑box) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | LumaFusion, CapCut | Android large canvas |
| Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | 14.6″ AMOLED (high refresh) | Very good | S Pen (in‑box) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | LumaFusion | Biggest Android layout |
| Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | 12.4″ LCD 90Hz | Good (SDR focus) | S Pen (in‑box) | Exynos 1380 | LumaFusion, CapCut | Mid‑budget Android |
| Surface Pro 11 (OLED) | 13″ OLED 120Hz | Very good | Surface Slim Pen | Snapdragon X Elite/Plus | Resolve, Premiere Pro | Full desktop workflow |
| iPad (11‑inch, A16) | 11″ Liquid Retina | Good (SDR focus) | Apple Pencil (USB‑C/1st gen) | A16 | LumaFusion, Rush | Travel edits/trim |
Specs/features vary by region/SKU. Verify stylus inclusion and storage options.
Workflow Tips (to Edit Faster on Tablets)
- Use proxies/optimized media for long 4K timelines (smoother playback, fewer thermals).
- External SSDs: Keep originals and exports on NVMe drives; leave internal storage for apps/cache.
- Color management: Turn off True Tone/Night Mode while grading; use P3 or Natural profiles.
- Audio: Monitor with wired USB‑C DAC or good Bluetooth codecs (aptX Adaptive/LDAC on Android).
- Backups: Archive project folders to SSD + cloud (Drive/iCloud/Dropbox).
- Controllers/Keyboards: Map shortcuts in LumaFusion/Resolve; a keyboard speeds titling and trimming.
Final Thoughts
For pure mobile editing power and display accuracy, the iPad Pro (M4) leads in 2025. If you want Pro‑like performance for less, the iPad Air (M3) is the sweet spot. On Android, the Galaxy Tab S9+ (or S9 Ultra for space) pairs wonderfully with LumaFusion and an S Pen. If your workflow depends on desktop plug‑ins and codecs, the Surface Pro 11 (OLED) is the only tablet here that runs full Resolve/Premiere with your existing ecosystem. Bring a fast SSD, shoot 10‑bit, and let proxies do the heavy lifting.
