If you work in the warehouse or manufacturing industry, or any other harsh environment, you may be looking for a sturdy tablet to fit your job requirements. In that case, industrial tablets are just what you’re looking for. They have a more durable design, longer active time, and higher protection level compared to consumer models.
This article shares the top 15 industrial handheld mobile computers available on the market and a few thoughts on industrial tablets in general.
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Why Use Industrial Tablets?
Industrial tablets come with many perks that consumer-grade tablets don’t have. Most industrial solutions are used in tough work environments such as warehouses, manufacturing, logistics, construction, transportation, and more. This means more risk of damaging the device by drops, dirt, dust, or spills. Hence, industrial tablets come with a rugged design and typically have Ingress Protection (IP) ratings that showcase their level of resistance to water, dirt, and other particles.
Also, many industrial tablets use hot-swappable batteries. This makes it easier for the operator to continue working if the battery unexpectedly dies. When it comes to screen size, premium industrial tablets have an additional layer that allows glove-on manipulation.
Overall, thanks to less repair-related costs, industrial tablets have a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to consumer models.
When choosing an industrial tablet, watch out for the type of screen you’re getting. Capacitive screens don’t support glove usage and will make your construction or warehouse tablet purchase less successful.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of industrial tablets, let’s move to the top 15 list for 2022.
1. DT Research DT301 (Our Top Pick)
Our top pick for this year for industrial tablets is without a doubt the DT 301Y. This tablet is everything that you would want from a tablet, all packed into an extremely rugged chasse, and with internal power that out shadows all the competition.
If you’re interested in learning more about the DT 301Y or if you want to get our exclusive pricing, feel free to contact our tech experts. We will respond with 1 business hour.
2. Honeywell RT10A
Honeywell is a renowned player in the rugged tablet industry. The RT10A model is another stunning product for quick user adoption, minimized TCO, and enhanced device management. With built-in data capture features, a compact 10-inch display, and operating temperature from 14 to 122 F, this is a truly versatile device that fits most work environments.
The device runs on Android, has an IP65 rating for water and dust, and can withstand up to four feet of concrete drops.
3. Zebra XBook L10
Here’s yet another beast in the rugged industrial tablet category. The Zebra’s XBOOK L10 2-in-1 mobile computer and tablet is designed to withstand harsh work environments. It’s resistant to drops, shakes, extreme temperatures, features long-term staying power, and has an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The sturdy design and powerful specs make this handheld suitable for warehouses, manufacturing, aircraft hangars, or storage facilities.
4. Sonim RS80
The Sonim RS80 is one of our top choices in the industrial tablet category for the balance of specs, price, and company support. A robust octa-core 2.2GHz processor, plenty of RAM and internal storage, and a built-in high-performance scan engine make this an excellent device for just about any task-intensive job. The 8200mAh battery lasts throughout the shift, and the sunlight-friendly and anti-fingerprint display make all-day outdoor use a breeze.
This tablet isn’t afraid of temperatures, heights, drops, or liquids. It can be used in warehouse, manufacturing, logistics, transport, or field services.
5. Sonim RS60
Sonim RS60 is our second runner. Designed to match the most intensive performance requirements, this tablet can tackle any corporate communication or logistics task. It has everything an industrial tablet should have – a fully rugged design for endurance, water, dust, and dirt-proof rating, a barcode scanner, and long battery life.
The 6-inch display supports FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution and is sunlight readable. Plus, it has anti-fingerprint coating. This makes it convenient for both indoor and outdoor use. The 4GB RAM on an octa-core 2.2GHz processor ensure tasks get performed instantly.
5. Dell Latitude 7220
Dell Latitude 7220 is among the thinnest and most powerful industrial tablets on the market. The 11.6-inch display features whopping 1000-nit sunlight viewable screen, meaning a crystal-clear image at all times. Users can customize their device depending on the needs and choose between 128GB and 256GB hard drive, 8GB and 16GB RAM, and Intel Core i3 and i5 processor.
This device is fully rugged, packed with plenty of ports, and a 5MP infrared frontal camera. The rear camera is 8MP, and they both feature a flash and dual-mic.
Overall, Latitude 7220 is an excellent choice for long-hour, task-intensive use in the warehouse, transport, construction, and logistics sectors.
6. Dell Latitude 7212
Dell Latitude 7212 has made the top of our list for plenty of reasons. Operating on Windows 10 Pro and weighing 2.82 pounds, it’s an excellent lightweight tablet with a familiar system. The rugged design makes sure companies can use this tablet for years to come. The 11.6-inch screen is fully operable with gloves on, under direct sunlight, or in challenging conditions.
Thanks to its durability, it’s among the most reliable tablets on the market in 2022 for warehouse use.
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 is one of the few rugged tablets released by the South Korean tech giant, and it’s one of the most popular industrial tablet models. It has an IP68 certificate for water, dust, and dirt, a water-resistant S Pen for note-taking, and enough battery life to operate for 11 hours straight.
The 8-inch screen, 1.6 GHz octa-core processor, and 3GB RAM ensure most tasks get done on time, even though the specs are a bit below the industrial tablet standard. This device is excellent for the transportation, field service, warehousing, and manufacturing sectors but can be used in other mobility-seeking industries as well.
8. Vanquisher 10-Inch Industrial Tablet
Vanquisher’s 10-inch industrial tablet is the go-to solution for business owners looking for fully rugged, simple, and powerful devices. Like other tablets from the list, this one has an IP65 rating for water and dust. Thanks to the sturdy design and a Corning Gorilla glass panel, the tablet can withstand most outdoor and weather conditions.
This powerful tablet runs on Windows 10 Pro, has a quad-core processor, and up to 128GB of expandable memory. It’s best suitable for warehouse and manufacturing industries but does an excellent job in enterprise application too.
9. Vanquisher 8-Inch Industrial Tablet
Enterprise and warehouse managers looking for budget-friendly, rugged tablets may want to check out the Vanquisher’s 8-inch solution. Running with pretty much the same specs as the 10-inch version above, this military-grade IP67-rated tablet is a better option for performing tasks that don’t require much screen space. You get the same robust device, but more suited to your needs and for less money.
10. Panasonic Toughbook CF-33
Panasonic’s 12-inch rugged tablet comes with a groundbreaking 3:2 display, making handling and readability better. The device can be as versatile as you need – it’s packed with an infrared camera, swappable batteries, and plenty of ports. The Intel Core i5 processor and IP65 rating make this tablet strong in every sense of the word. Dust and water pose few problems, and performance-intensive tasks can be done with ease.
If you’re looking for a functional 2-in-1 laptop and tablet for your enterprise, Panasonic Toughbook 33 may be an excellent choice for you.
11. Panasonic Toughbook G2
Much like its cousin, Toughbook CF-33, the 10-inch G2 model is made with durability in mind. The 2-in-1 tablet and laptop design make sure productivity never lags, and the 18.5-hour battery only enhances performance. Other key features include a three-expansion-area modular design, infrared webcam, and many connectivity options, including USBs, SD, and SIM cards.
Retail shops, logistics, and most enterprises can count on the Panasonic Toughbook G2 for reliable service.
12. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro
Galaxy Tab Active Pro is yet another venture into the rugged tablet market by Samsung. This water-resistant, fully-rugged device comes with a 10-inch screen, Android 9 Pie OS, and 64GB memory storage. It’s certified for drops, vibration, rain, shocks, water, sand, mud, and humidity, and has 15 hours of battery life.
You can think of Galaxy Tab Active Pro as an upgraded version of their consumer tablets, with the same connectivity and hardware specs.
13. Zebra ET51/ET56
Looking for a Windows tablet for an enterprise? Zebra ET56 is just that. This light, compact tablet can provide employees with long-hour, damage-proof operating both indoors and outdoors. The durable Corning Gorilla Glass display is scratch- and shatter-free, and it’s ideal for just about any vehicle, including forklifts, warehouse, delivery, or trucks.
This tablet can handle most everyday business needs thanks to its Intel Atom quad-core 1.6Hz processor and 4GB RAM. However, note that the capacitive screen makes it unsuitable for glove usage.
14. Mobile Demand Flex 10A
Anyone on a budget looking for an Android rugged tablet with plenty of storage room should consider Mobile Demand Flex 10A. For only a fraction of the price compared to some of the industrial giants on this list, users get a fully functional, quad-core, 6000mAh battery tablet. The Snap Mount Plate on the back of the case allows for quick mounting to a wall or vehicle, and there’s also a hand strap for carrying the device around.
The tablet is super durable, as it can survive a five-foot drop onto concrete. It’s suitable for work in outdoor, industrial, and manufacturing environments.
15. SOL PA501
This 10.1-inch tablet and Android 10 OS is a fully functional, modern, and stylishly designed rugged device. The SOL PA501 runs on a Qualcomm Octa-Core processor, has a sunlight-readable display, and supports 4G LTE and SIM cards. The hot-swap batteries make sure the device operates a long time, and the IP65 certificate means it’s dust- and water-proof.
Overall, this tablet is excellent for most industries that depend on mobile handhelds for inputting, processing, and analyzing data.
Talk to a Tech Expert
If you’re still indecisive about which industrial tablet to choose, we understand your concerns. With so many options, making a final choice can often be overwhelming. Fortunately, Energy Electronics can help.
Reach out to us for suggestions on the perfect industrial tablet for your company. We will respond within 1 business hour.