The most common tablet problems, from 5,392 verified buyers

1. The most common tablet problem owners report: “Broke down or developed a fault”, raised in 25% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “The battery runs down too soon” (9%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Fast and smooth”, in 12% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 96% of verified buyers rated their tablet 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; tablets rank 7 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 2% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 50.
5. Across the 11 tablets with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 82% to 99%.
6. The cheaper half of these tablets (up to £449) had a median of 96% happy buyers, against 95% for the pricier half, so paying more did not buy happier owners.
7. Owners rate “great choice” and “good with caveats” models about the same here (a median of 95% and 94% happy buyers): the caveats experts raise rarely put owners off.
8. Buyers in Asia, Africa and Oceania were the happiest (98% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (93%).

Share of the 215 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault25%
   Came up on 7 models
2. 2. The battery runs down too soon9%
   Came up on 5 models
3. 3. Hard to set up or use7%
   Came up on 3 models
4. 4. Slow or laggy5%
   Came up on 5 models
5. 5. App, connection or software problems5%
   Came up on 5 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault (25% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

2. 2. The battery runs down too soon (9% of complaints)

   Look for the battery life at the setting you will really use, not the best-case figure, and whether the battery can be replaced when it ages.

3. 3. Hard to set up or use (7% of complaints)

   Look at the buttons, menus and app in photos or a video before you buy, and download the manual: a few minutes there saves a return.

4. 4. Slow or laggy (5% of complaints)

   Look at the processor and memory in independent reviews: cheaper tablets often slow down with many apps or after updates.

5. 5. App, connection or software problems (5% of complaints)

   Check whether the features you want need the app, and that the app supports your phone. Basic functions that work without an account are a plus.

Share of the 786 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Fast and smooth12%
   Came up on 12 models
2. 2. A sharp, bright screen11%
   Came up on 12 models
3. 3. Easy to set up and use9%
   Came up on 8 models
4. 4. Small, light and portable6%
   Came up on 4 models
5. 5. Good value for the money5%
   Came up on 7 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.