The days of shuffling paper scores on stage and dealing with awkward page turns are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Digital sheet music has transformed how musicians practice, rehearse, and perform. As someone who's performed with both paper and digital scores, I can tell you firsthand: the right tablet will revolutionize your musical life.
But here's the challenge: not all tablets can handle the unique demands of musicians. That tiny screen that works fine for browsing social media? It's a nightmare for Rachmaninoff's dense piano concertos. And that budget tablet with poor battery life? It might die right before your big solo.
In 2025, the tablet market offers several outstanding options for musicians, but choosing the right one depends on your specific needs. As a professional who's been using an iPad Pro 12.9" since 2022, I'll share my real-world experience along with a comprehensive look at the best tablets that will help you perform at your best.
What Makes a Great Tablet for Musicians?
Before diving into the best options available, let's consider what musicians should look for:
- Screen size: Large enough to read sheet music without squinting
- Display quality: Clear and visible under various lighting conditions
- Battery life: Lasts through long rehearsals and performances
- Processing power: Handles sheet music apps without lag
- Storage capacity: Holds your entire music library
- Compatibility: Works with page-turning pedals and other accessories
Now, let's explore the best tablets for musicians in 2025.
1. iPad Pro 13" (2022-2024 Models) - The Gold Standard
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience in an impossibly thin and light design. Featuring the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, outrageous performance from the M4 chip, superfast wireless connectivity,* and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro.* Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — Ultra Retina XDR delivers extreme brightness and contrast and exceptional color accuracy and features advanced technologies like ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Plus a nano-texture display glass option is available in 1TB and 2TB configurations.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — Up to 10-core CPU in the M4 chip delivers powerful performance, while the 10‑core GPU provides blazing-fast graphics. And with all-day battery life, you can do anything you imagine on iPad Pro.* Up to 2TB of storage means you can store everything from apps to large files like 4K video.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Pro comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
Last updated on 2025-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As a professional musician myself, I've been using the iPad Pro 12.9" (2022 model) for years, and it remains my top recommendation. The newer 13" version maintains the same excellent quality with some upgrades.
Why It's Great for Musicians:
- Perfect screen size: At 13 inches, it's nearly the size of a standard sheet of music
- Exceptional display: The Liquid Retina XDR display offers incredible clarity, even in bright environments
- Powerful performance: The M2/M3 chip handles even the most complex scores and notation software without lag
- Battery endurance: Easily lasts through a day of rehearsals and performances
- Apple Pencil support: Make annotations and markings directly on your scores
- forScore app: The industry-standard sheet music reader app music reader app that's exclusively available for iPad and Mac
forScore deserves special mention as it's widely considered the gold standard for digital sheet music management. It offers powerful features like intelligent indexing, setlist creation, automatic page turns, and integration with music services like Musicnotes and Virtual Sheet Music.
In my personal experience, this setup with an Apple Pencil and an Airturn DUO Bluetooth pedal for hands-free page turning has been absolutely transformative for my performances. I no longer worry about pages falling or struggling to turn pages while playing.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Premium price point
- No SD card slot for easy file transfers
- 4:3 aspect ratio isn't ideal for all types of sheet music
Perfect for: Professional musicians who need reliability and are willing to invest in a premium product.
2. iPad Air 13" (2025) - Best Value for Serious Musicians
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air is powerful, versatile, and comes in a choice of two sizes. Featuring the incredible performance of the M3 chip built for Apple Intelligence and a stunning Liquid Retina display along with Touch ID, advanced cameras, blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6E, and a USB-C connector.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections integrated into the core of iPad, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — M3 is a powerful chip built for Apple Intelligence that brings amazing performance for advanced creative and product tasks, graphic-intensive games, and smooth multitasking. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage depending on the room you need for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- 13-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Air comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
Last updated on 2025-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The latest iPad Air 13" offers nearly all the benefits of the Pro model at a significantly lower price point, making it an excellent value proposition for musicians.
Why It's Great for Musicians:
- Same 13" screen size as the Pro
- M2 chip provides excellent performance for all music apps
- Great display quality for reading sheet music
- Solid 10+ hour battery life
- Compatible with Apple Pencil and most Bluetooth page turners
- Access to the same excellent music app ecosystem
Potential Drawbacks:
- Slightly less vibrant display than the Pro model
- Not as future-proof as the Pro with less RAM
Perfect for: Semi-professional musicians, music students, and serious amateurs looking for quality without the highest price tag.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra - Best Android Option
- 14.6-inch AMOLED Touchscreen (2960 x 1848) WQXGA+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X Technology
- 256GB SSD Storage, 12GB RAM, MicroSD Expansion Slot (Up to 1.5TB)
- 3.3GHz Media Tek MT6989 Processor (8-Core)
- Android 14 OS, 16 Hour Battery, Fingerprint Reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 12.0 MP Front Camera, 13.0 MP Rear Camera, S-Pen Included
- Enjoy peace of mind knowing your Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is built to protect against bumps, dust, and splashes.
Last updated on 2025-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For musicians who prefer the Android ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra stands out as the premier option.
Why It's Great for Musicians:
- Massive 14.6" display provides even more screen real estate than iPads
- 16:10 aspect ratio can be advantageous for certain types of sheet music
- Excellent S Pen included for annotations
- MicroSD card slot for easy file transfers and expanded storage
- Excellent for multitasking between sheet music and other apps
- Compatible with MobileSheets Pro, the premier Android sheet music app
Potential Drawbacks:
- Android music apps, while good, aren't quite as polished as iOS offerings
- Large size might be cumbersome on some music stands
- Premium price point
Perfect for: Musicians who prefer Android, especially those who work with large format scores or need to display multiple pages simultaneously.
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 11 - Best for Notation Software
- 1️⃣ 🚀 Snapdragon X Plus (10-Core) & Copilot+ PC – AI-powered speed for seamless multitasking and productivity. 2️⃣ 🌟 13" PixelSense Touchscreen – Ultra-clear, vibrant display with precise touch for work, design, and streaming. 3️⃣ 💾 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD – Fast boot-up, smooth performance, and ample storage for files and apps. 4️⃣ ⌨️ Inateck Bluetooth Keyboard – 7-color backlight, touchpad, and built-in pen holder for enhanced workflow. 5️⃣ 💼 2-in-1 Laptop & Tablet – Easily switch between laptop and tablet mode for work, school, or entertainment.
Last updated on 2025-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Microsoft's newest offering, the Surface Pro 11th Edition, has raised the bar for 2-in-1 devices. Released as a Copilot+ PC, it features either Snapdragon X Plus (10 cores) or Snapdragon X Elite (12 cores) processors, making it an excellent choice for musicians who need a device that can handle both sheet music and resource-intensive notation software.
Why It's Great for Musicians:
- Runs full desktop music notation software like Sibelius, MuseScore, and Dorico
- Versatile 2-in-1 design works as both tablet and laptop
- 13" display with optional OLED screen for exceptional clarity
- Significantly improved battery life over previous generations (advertised up to 14 hours)
- Surface Pen offers precise notation and annotations
- Multiple ports for connecting audio interfaces and MIDI controllers
- Windows compatibility makes file management more straightforward
Potential Drawbacks:
- Premium price point, especially for OLED models
- Still heavier than dedicated tablets
- Windows interface less optimized for touch than iOS or Android
Perfect for: Composers, arrangers, and musicians who need to both create and perform music with a single device.
5. iPad Pro 11" (2024) - Best Portable Option
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air is powerful, versatile, and comes in a choice of two sizes. Featuring the incredible performance of the M3 chip built for Apple Intelligence and a stunning Liquid Retina display along with Touch ID, advanced cameras, blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6E, and a USB-C connector.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections integrated into the core of iPad, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — M3 is a powerful chip built for Apple Intelligence that brings amazing performance for advanced creative and product tasks, graphic-intensive games, and smooth multitasking. And with all-day battery life, you can keep working and playing wherever you go.* Choose up to 1TB of storage depending on the room you need for apps, music, movies, and more.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything look stunning.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Air comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
Last updated on 2025-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For musicians who prioritize portability or have limited space on their music stand, the iPad Pro 11" offers a more compact option without sacrificing too much screen real estate.
Why It's Great for Musicians:
- More portable and lighter than larger tablets
- Same powerful M2/M3 chip as larger models
- Works with the same excellent music apps
- Perfect for chord charts, lead sheets, and simpler scores
- Fits easily on crowded music stands
Potential Drawbacks:
- Screen size can be challenging for complex orchestral scores
- May require more zooming and adjusting for comfortable reading
Perfect for: Touring musicians, jazz performers, guitar/bass players using chord charts, and musicians with limited stand space.
My Setup as a Professional Musician
As mentioned earlier, I use the iPad Pro 12.9" (2022 model) with an Apple Pencil and an Airturn DUO Bluetooth pedal. I run forScore as my primary sheet music app, which has become the industry standard for professional musicians on iOS and macOS.
As a freelance musician, this combination has proven perfect for my needs across rehearsals, practice sessions, and live performances. forScore's intuitive interface makes managing my extensive library of scores effortless, while its annotation capabilities are unmatched.
The large screen matches almost perfectly with traditional sheet music dimensions, the pencil allows me to make quick annotations during rehearsals, and the Bluetooth pedal lets me turn pages without taking my hands off my instrument.
For most serious musicians, I recommend this exact setup or its current equivalent (the iPad Pro 13"). The investment pays for itself in convenience, reliability, and the elimination of paper sheet music management.
How to Choose the Right Tablet for Your Musical Needs
When selecting a tablet for music, consider these factors:
- Performance type: Orchestral musicians typically need larger screens than those using lead sheets
- Budget: Premium options provide better experiences but at higher costs
- Ecosystem: Consider which apps you need and which platform they run on (forScore, the industry standard, is only available for iPad and Mac)
- Accessories: Factor in the cost of pencils, page turners, and iPad stand
- Longevity: Higher-end models typically receive software updates for longer
Conclusion
In 2025, the 13" iPad Pro and iPad Air remain the gold standards for musicians seeking digital sheet music solutions, with the Pro offering the best overall experience. However, excellent alternatives exist for those who prefer Android (Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra) or need Windows compatibility (Surface Pro 10).
Based on my professional experience and years of using tablets on stage, I highly recommend investing in a quality tablet with a sufficient screen size—preferably 13" or larger—and a reliable page-turning solution. This combination will transform your musical workflow and eliminate many traditional frustrations of paper sheet music.
Have you made the switch to digital sheet music? What tablet are you using for your performances? Share your experiences in the comments below!