Best Tablets For Outdoor Use

Do you love spending time outdoors? Then you know the importance of having the right gear for your outdoor adventures.

But when it comes to tablets, it can be hard to find one that’s rugged enough to handle the elements.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best tablet for outdoor use.

5 Best Tablets For Outdoor Use – Tested & Compared

After hours of research and testing, we’ve narrowed down the best tablets for outdoor use. Each device has been rigorously tested in a variety of settings, including intense temperatures, dust, and humidity. 

The latest trends in outside use have also been considered, such as solar chargers and Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll have the latest gear.

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO 10.1

Key Features:

• Brightness level: 550 nits
• Touch Screen: Water-Resistant
• RAM: 4 GB
• Processor: Snapdragon 670 processor
• Battery Life: 11 Hours
• Storage Capacity: 64 GB
• Shock-Proof: Yes

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Outdoor workers need a device that can survive the harsh conditions of their job. Many devices are too fragile to stand up to the elements, causing frustration for those who need a reliable piece of technology.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro 10.1 is a ruggedized tablet. It is LTE-enabled and is certified and tested to survive extreme conditions, including drops, shocks, rain, sand, mud,  altitude, freezing, and extreme temperature swings.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro 10.1 is an awesome outdoor device due to its high brightness of 550 nits. You can enjoy superb viewing with almost 30% more brightness than typical outdoor tablets. Since it can be seen even in direct sunlight, this brightness level gives it an edge over other tablets.

The tablet has a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor, providing lightning-fast performance and a long battery life of up to 11 hours. 

The touchscreen also has a Wet Touch mode that allows it to function even in the face of water and rain, making it ideal for use in wet weather conditions. The Glove mode allows the touchscreen to be used in cold weather or clinical environments, and the IP68-certified Samsung S Pen provides a convenient and reliable way to interact with the device.

Also, the tab includes the IP68-Certified Samsung S Pen. This will allow you to write, draw, and edit on the device, even if wet.

In terms of photography, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO 10.1 has 8.0 MP (front) and 13.0 MP (rear) cameras with UHD (resolution 3840 x 2160 @ 30 frames per second) quality. 

Its high resolution and frame rate enables it to capture high-quality photos and videos.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 Rugged Tablet

Key Features:

• Brightness level: 400 nits
• Touch Screen: Can be used with Gloves
• RAM: 4 GB
• Processor: ‎2.7 GHz
• Battery Life: 9 Hours
• Storage Capacity: 128GB 
• Shock-Proof: Yes

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 Enterprise Edition is an 8” rugged tablet designed for outdoor use and for those who need a device that can withstand harsh environments and accidental drops. 

If you’re looking for a mobile device that works with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, this tablet is an excellent choice.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Tab Active3 is its military-grade design. It is MIL-STD-810H compliant, which means it can withstand drops from a height of 1.5M and absorb the shock. 

The tablet also has an IP68 rating, which makes it dust, dirt, sand, and water resistant, so you can take it with you in any type of environment without worrying about damaging the device. 

The S Pen is also IP68 rated, making it easy to take notes and draw even in harsh conditions.

You won’t run out of power when you need it most with the tablet’s 9-hour long-lasting, fast-charging, replaceable battery.

The battery can power the tablet for a full workday and if you need to work even longer, you can replace the battery easily. 

When connected to a dedicated power source, the tablet can also operate in No Battery Mode, making it an ideal solution for fixed kiosks or in-vehicle use.

The Samsung Wireless DeX feature allows you to boost productivity and use the tablet like a PC. This way you save money and your team can bring important tools into tough environments without having to haul around multiple devices or even a cable.

The enhanced touch capability is another great feature of the Galaxy Tab Active3. You can take advantage of an intuitive touchscreen even while wearing gloves, so your team stays safe and dry while they get more done. Gloved industrial workers can use their tablets with this feature.

The 8-inch HD LCD display is bright and vibrant, allowing users to view content clearly, even in direct sunlight. A wide color gamut allows for more accurate and realistic colors on the display.

Additionally, the display has a 400-nit maximum brightness for improved visibility in any environment. 

The adaptive brightness feature adjusts the display brightness levels automatically, based on the ambient lighting conditions.

3. Tripltek 8 Pro Ultra Bright Tablet

Key Features:

• Brightness level: 1200 nits
• Touch Screen: Water-Resistant
• RAM: 8 GB
• Processor: ‎Octa-Core 2.0 GHz ARM
• Battery Life: 7 Hours
• Storage Capacity: 256 GB
• Shock-Proof: Yes

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When used in direct sunlight, tablets are difficult to read, browse the web, or play games outdoors.

The Tripltek 8 Pro Ultra Bright Tablet is designed to make outdoor activities easier and more enjoyable, with its enhanced brightness.

With a brightness level of 1200 nits, it is one of the brightest tablets on the market, making it ideal for use in bright, sunny conditions. 

The 8GB of RAM and the Android 10 operating system provide the tablet with a smooth and fast performance, making it easy to use for demanding applications.

With a 12200mAh battery, the Tripltek 8 Pro offers long battery life and can be used without recharging for extended periods.

The rugged military construction of the tablet makes it tough and durable, capable of withstanding even the harshest conditions.

The tablet is dust- and water-resistant to IP-68 standards. Because of this, it can withstand harsh outdoor conditions such as rain or dust. 

Furthermore, the tablet is designed to operate in extreme temperature ranges, from 0°F to 120°F.

4. Apple iPad Pro 12.9

Key Features:

• Brightness level: 1000 nits
• Touch Screen: Water-Resistant
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: M2 chip
• Battery Life: 9 Hours
• Storage Capacity: 256 GB
• Shock-Proof: Not Really

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Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9 features a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, which is not only large (12.9 inches) but also offers vivid and lifelike colors, thanks to P3 Wide Color and True Tone.

With a 2D backlighting system and 2596 full-array local dimming zones, the display is bright and offers deep blacks and sharp images.

Displays can be challenging to use outdoors, especially when it comes to reflections and brightness.

However, the iPad Pro 12.9 is designed accordingly. It has an antireflective coating that reduces reflections, and a high brightness level of 1000 nits max full screen, which makes it easy to view in bright sunlight. If you’re an iPad user and often find yourself in direct sunlight, don’t miss our guide on how to use your iPad in direct sunlight, packed with practical tips and solutions.

The 1.8% reflectivity is also impressively low, making it even easier to view the screen even in direct sunlight.

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 12.9 is powered by the M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, making it more than capable of handling demanding tasks. The 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide back camera, and LiDAR Scanner allow for immersive augmented reality experiences, and the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage is superb for outdoor video calls.

The contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 ensures vivid, accurate images, and the device supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil hover. 

It has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, so no matter how you use it, it can handle it.

5. Fusion5 10″ Windows 11 Pro Tablet PC

Key Features:

• Brightness level: 1280×800 IPS screen
• Touch Screen: 10-Inches Graphic Display
• RAM: 4GB
• Processor:  Intel Quad-core Processor
• Battery Life: 5 Hours
• Storage Capacity: 64 GB
• Shock-Proof: Not Really

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The Fusion5 10″ Windows 11 Pro Tablet PC boasts an ultra-slim and ultra-stylish design and runs the latest user-friendly Windows 11 operating system. 

While working or playing, users will experience a smooth and seamless experience with the Intel Quad-core processor.

The tablet’s ultra-slim design can also be a drawback for outdoor use. The slimness means that the tablet is more fragile and prone to damage if dropped or bumped, and it also limits the amount of protection that can be added to the device.

While the device features a 5MP primary camera and a 2MP front camera, these cameras are not particularly high quality and may not be suitable for professional-level photography or videography. However, for basic snapshots and video calls, they should be more than adequate.

Also, its display excels, with a 1280×800 IPS screen providing excellent clarity and brightness, even when in direct sunlight. The tablet also supports 5GHz Wi-Fi, ensuring that users can stay connected even in remote locations.

What To Look For When Buying the Best Tablets For Outdoor Use?

Whether you want to watch a movie on your patio or take your workout to the beach, you need a tablet that can withstand the elements and still be user-friendly. 

An outdoor tablet should be rugged and able to handle the occasional bump or drop. It should also have a long-lasting battery so you don’t get stranded without power. Let’s get into details:

1. Display/Brightness

Make sure you’re maxing out your outdoor tablet brightness so you don’t miss a beat. Brighter displays are easier to see outdoors, and higher brightness levels are generally better for ambient use. Generally, displays with a brightness level of at least 350 nits (a unit of measure for brightness) are considered suitable for outdoor use.

The amount of brightness (nits) a tablet requires depends on the environment in which it will be used. For example, a tablet used in direct sunlight may require a higher brightness level than one used in a well-shaded area.

To ensure the best visibility, it is essential to select a tablet with a high enough brightness level to be seen in the environment in which it will be used.

Brightness is measured in nits, or candelas per square meter (cd/m2). A higher number of nits means the display is brighter. Most tablets on the market today range from 200-500 nits of brightness. Some tablets may go as high as 1000 nits, but these are not as common.

Also, when using a tablet outdoors, it is important to consider the reflectivity of the display. If the display is too reflective, the sunlight can wash out the display and make it difficult to read. To reduce reflectivity, it is important to select a tablet with an anti-glare coating.

The viewing angle should also be considered. Outdoor use often requires the tablet to be used from various angles and distances, which can affect the visibility of the display. A wide viewing angle makes them suitable since the display can be viewed from multiple angles.

2. Rugged/Durable construction

They need to be constructed to be as durable as possible in order to withstand the elements, such as rain, dust, and shock. To achieve this, manufacturers must prioritize durability in the design and construction.

The outer casing of the tablet should be made from materials that are both scratch-resistant and waterproof. For example, the casing could be made from a polycarbonate material, which is lightweight yet tough. Additionally, the casing should feature a rubberized finish to provide extra shock absorption against any accidental drops or bumps.

The internal components of them should also be designed to be durable. This includes the display, as it is especially vulnerable to damage. A display made from high-quality glass, such as Corning’s Gorilla Glass, can help protect against scratches and cracks.

The tablet should also feature a ruggedized design, which involves a combination of hardware and software modifications designed to make the device more durable.

A tablet’s circuit board could be coated with epoxy resin to prevent moisture or dust damage. Moreover, device software should be updated regularly to ensure compatibility with the latest operating system and security patches.

3. Battery

Don’t Get Caught In The Dark – Choose Your Tablet Wisely For Optimal Outdoor Enjoyment. The length of battery life is mainly determined by the size of the battery, the type of battery material used, and the milliamp-hour (mAh) rating of the battery.

The size of the battery can have an impact on the total battery life, as larger batteries can store more energy and therefore last longer than smaller batteries. Furthermore, the type of battery material used can also have an impact on the device’s battery life.

Common battery materials used in tablets include lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH).

Li-ion batteries are often preferred for their high energy density and low memory effect, whereas NiMH batteries are preferred for their low cost.

In addition to the size and material of the battery, the mAh rating of the battery can also have a significant impact on the battery life of a tablet used outdoors.

The mAh rating refers to the amount of energy that the battery can store and is measured in milliamp-hours.

Generally, the higher the mAh rating of the battery, the longer the battery life. Typically, a battery rated at 4000mAh will last longer than a battery rated at 2000mAh.

4. Operating System

Embrace the Possibilities of Exploring the Outdoors with an Operating System that Fits Your Needs and Lifestyle.

Android is an open-source OS developed by Google which is used on most tablets. It is highly customizable, allowing users to customize their devices to meet their specific needs. 

Android tablets come with a wide variety of apps and features pre-installed such as Google Maps, Google Play Store, and access to a variety of Google services. 

It also offers a wide range of offline apps and services, such as navigation and weather apps. Additionally, they are also very secure and can be used with a variety of security measures.

iOS is Apple’s proprietary OS which is used on its iPads. It offers a wide range of features and apps that are designed to be used outdoors. These include features such as Apple’s mapping app, which offers detailed maps and directions for your location. 

Apple’s App Store also offers a variety of outdoor-related apps, including weather, navigation, and fitness apps. iOS tablets are also secure, as they are equipped with multiple layers of security and encryption. 

Windows is Microsoft’s proprietary OS which is used on its tablets. Windows tablets come with a wide range of features and apps that are designed to be used outdoors. 

These include features such as Microsoft’s mapping app, which offers detailed maps and directions for your location. 

Additionally, the Windows Store offers a wide range of apps, such as weather, navigation, and fitness apps. They are also secure, as they are equipped with multiple layers of security and encryption.

Related: How To Use Your iPad In Direct Sunlight?

FAQs

Over To You!

For any outdoor adventure, you need the right device to ensure your activity is a success. But if you choose the wrong tablet for outdoor use, you could be in a world of trouble. 

Low-end tablets may not have the necessary waterproofing, dust-proofing, or battery life to hold up outdoors. This means you could end up with a dead device or worse, water or dust damage to your tablet.

So make sure to avoid low-end tablets! With the right device in hand, you’ll be ready to explore the great outdoors in all its glory.

John Williamson

I am the Founder and Senior Editor at TheTablofy. I am an experienced professional in the digital media industry and hold a degree of Bachelor of Science degree in Advance Technology. Meet My Meet