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Nonexistent as recently as 2009, the tablet market has exploded. Even as "phablets," such as Samsung's Galaxy Note and Apple's recently launched iPhone 6 Plus, have

increased in popularity and nibbled at the market, sales of full-blown tablets have mostly held steady. Last year, nearly 200 million tablets were shipped worldwide, and in the first half of

2014, more than 100 million were sold. According to a 2013 Pew Internet study, more than a third of all Americans over the age of 18 own one. Among those between ages 50 and 64, 32 percent

own a tablet, and 18 percent of Americans over 64 are tablet owners. At this point in the tablet's evolution, most devices can reliably offer sharp screens, vivid cameras for photos and

videos, and access to myriad video, music, apps and books. We've chosen these standout devices for overall functionality, reliability and price. But, you might ask yourself, which is

right for me? Read on. THE CAN'T-MISS KIDS: IPAD AIR AND IPAD MINI PRICE: iPad Air: Wi-Fi-only versions run from $499 to $799, Wi-Fi/cellular from $629 to $929). iPad mini with retina

display: Wi-Fi only from $399 to $699, Wi-Fi/cellular from $529 to $829 Apple popularized the tablet market with the original iPad in 2010, then pioneered the small-tablet market with the

iPad mini last year. Consumers have purchased more than 170 million iPads in the past three years. Competition is now stiffer than ever, but the iPad still sets the standard. Upon its

release last year, the iPad Air raised that standard. It's a slimmer, faster version of its predecessor, the now-discontinued iPad 4, and sports the same crystal-clear retina display.

With a 9.7-inch screen, the Air lives up to its name, weighing in at a single pound, more than a half-pound less than the iPad 4. The iPad mini also got a 2013 makeover, with a faster

processor and the retina display of its bigger sibling. Both iPads can run iOS 8, the latest version of Apple's operating system. The benefits remain consistent: iPads are intuitive,

hyperfast, useful and fun, at whatever size. For those partial to reading, the mini may be a better choice (I can't be the only one with bruises on my nose where my iPad has whacked me

after I've drifted to sleep while reading in bed), but for video consumption the larger screen offers fantastic clarity. The depth of inventory at iTunes and the App Store is nearly

unmatched, and it's easy to navigate.