Best Tablets for Seniors in Australia: Simple Buying Guide

What makes a tablet good for seniors?

A tablet for an older person should be easy to live with. The things that matter are simple and practical, not the spec sheet.

A screen that is easy to read

Most older people are better off with a larger tablet. An 11-inch screen is a good size for many: big enough for reading, video calls, photos and websites, but still light enough to use on the couch or at the kitchen table.

Simple to set up and keep going

The tablet should be easy to unlock, charge and update. An iPad is usually simpler if the family already uses Apple devices. An Android tablet can be simpler if the person already has a Samsung or other Android phone, because the menus and the login will feel familiar.

Sound you can hear

Sound matters more than people expect, for video calls, YouTube, the radio and alerts. If hearing is a concern, a tablet stand and a pair of Bluetooth headphones can make a real difference.

Battery that lasts the day

A tablet should get through normal daily use without being tied to the charger. Be wary of very old second-hand tablets unless you are confident the battery is still healthy, as a tired battery is the first thing to go.

Easy family support

This is often the deciding factor. The best tablet is usually the one a family member can actually help with. If the family knows Apple, an iPad will be easier. If the family knows Android, a Samsung or Lenovo tablet will be easier. The brand matters less than who is on the other end of the phone when something goes wrong.

iPad or Android tablet: which is better for seniors?

There is no single right answer. It comes down to what the family already uses and what the budget allows. If you are weighing the two, our guide on tablet vs iPad for seniors compares them side by side.

Choose an iPad if:

• Family members already use iPhones or iPads
• You want a simple, reliable option with strong app support
• You want the easiest all-round choice and the budget allows for it

Choose an Android tablet if:

• The person already uses an Android phone
• You want a lower-cost option, or more choice at different prices
• The tablet is mainly for light everyday use

The best choice is usually the one the person can get help with.

Wi-Fi or mobile data?

Most older people only need a Wi-Fi tablet. A Wi-Fi tablet uses your home internet, and that covers nearly everything a tablet is for at home: video calls, the news, email, Facebook, YouTube, games and online shopping.

A tablet with mobile data can also get online away from home, like a phone does, but it costs more to buy and usually needs its own mobile plan. Unless the person is often out and about and wants the internet with them, Wi-Fi is simpler and cheaper.

How much storage does a senior need?

For most people, 128GB is a good starting point. Storage just means how much room the tablet has for apps, photos, videos and files. A smaller amount can be fine for very light use, but it fills up faster than you would think once the photos start adding up.

• 64GB: Fine for light use, but may fill up sooner.
• 128GB: The sensible starting point for most people.
• 256GB: Worth it for lots of photos, videos, or long-term use.
• More than 256GB: Usually more than most people need.

Accessories worth buying

A tablet is much easier to live with once it has the right few extras. None of these are expensive, and they save a lot of bother.

Setup tips before giving a tablet to a senior

A tablet is far easier to enjoy when it has been set up properly first. The most common mistake we see is handing one over straight out of the box, untouched, which is exactly when it feels overwhelming. Ten minutes up front saves a lot of confusion later. On an iPad, our guide on how to make an iPad easier to use for seniors shows the exact settings to change.

What to avoid

The one trap to avoid is buying a tablet just because it is cheap. Very cheap tablets are often slow, confusing and frustrating, and that can leave someone feeling like they are “bad with technology” when the real problem is the device. A slow tablet teaches people to stop trying.

Steer clear of very small screens, unknown brands with poor support, very old second-hand tablets with tired batteries, and models with so little storage they fill up in a month. Simple and reliable beats powerful and confusing every time.

Your rights when you buy in Australia

Whichever tablet you choose, the law in Australia protects your purchase. Under the Australian Consumer Law, a tablet bought from a shop comes with automatic consumer guarantees: it must be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time. These guarantees sit on top of any manufacturer’s warranty and can outlast it, so a tablet that fails too soon is the retailer’s responsibility even after the warranty year has passed. The same protection covers a refurbished tablet bought from a business, though not a private cash sale.

Your agreement is with the shop that sold it, not Apple or Samsung, so that is where you go if there is a problem. For a minor fault the retailer may repair it; for a major failure you can choose a refund or a replacement. Keep the receipt, and if a shop will not help you can escalate to your state consumer body, such as NSW Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs Victoria, or the ACCC at accc.gov.au.

More tablet guides for older Australians

If you want to go deeper on a particular model or price, we have separate guides to the best iPads, best budget tablets, best tablets for video calling family and best tablets for reading and large text. To compare types, see iPad, iPad Air or iPad Mini, iPad versus Samsung tablet, tablet versus iPad, which iPad to buy for an older parent and new versus refurbished iPads. The right tablet accessories can make any of them easier to hold and read.

Once a tablet arrives, our step-by-step guides walk you through setting up a new iPad for a parent, setting up a new Android tablet, creating an Apple account, making an iPad easier to use, downloading apps safely and backing up an iPad.

For everyday use, see how to video call on an iPad, have a video doctor appointment, order groceries online, borrow library eBooks, watch ABC iview and Netflix and print from an iPad, plus the best apps for seniors, best free apps and brain and puzzle apps. If something goes wrong, we cover why an iPad runs slow, what to do if a tablet will not charge and a forgotten iPad passcode.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest tablet for seniors to use?

For many older people, an iPad is the easiest tablet to use, especially if family members already have iPhones or iPads and can help.

Is an iPad better than a Samsung tablet for seniors?

An iPad is usually better if the family uses Apple devices. A Samsung tablet can be better if the person already uses a Samsung phone. The better choice is the one the person can get help with.

What size tablet is best for seniors?

An 11-inch tablet suits many older people. It is large enough for comfortable reading and video calls, but still easy to use around the house.

Is 64GB enough for a senior’s tablet?

64GB can be enough for light use, but 128GB is the safer choice for most people and leaves room for photos.

Should I buy a tablet with mobile data?

Most older people only need a Wi-Fi tablet. Mobile data is useful only if the person often uses it away from home and wants the internet while out.

What should I set up before giving a tablet to an older parent?

Set up the account, Wi-Fi, video calling, larger text, important contacts, automatic updates and a simple home screen. A short practice session together helps it stick.