Tablet Screen Protectors

Glass and film for a tablet screen

A tablet screen is bigger than a phone's and spends more time flat on a table, in a bag or in a child's hands. A screen protector is a thin layer over it that takes the scratches and some of the knocks instead of the screen. It is far cheaper to replace than the glass beneath. This range is for protectors cut to fit a particular tablet: compatible with iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and other models, not made by the tablet makers.

The kinds of tablet screen protector

• Tempered glass is clear, hard and smooth, and feels like the screen itself. The "9H" on the box comes from a pencil hardness test, not the mineral hardness scale, so it means the glass resists everyday scratches, not that nothing can mark it. The phone version is tempered glass screen protectors.
• Matte and paper-feel film cuts reflections and gives a slightly rough surface, so a pen tip has some grip. Many people who draw or write by hand on a tablet choose it. The picture looks a little softer than through clear glass. See anti-glare screen protectors for phones.
• Privacy glass darkens the screen to anyone looking from the side, from about 30 degrees, some wider. On a tablet used on a train or in an office, that keeps the screen to yourself. See privacy screen protectors.
• Hydrogel and plastic film is thin and flexible, and light scratches in it can fade. It resists scratches less well than glass.

Choosing for your tablet

On an iPad, open Settings, then General, then About: the model name is near the top, such as iPad Air 11-inch. Tap the Model Number line and it changes to a number starting with A, which you can look up if two models share a name. On an Android tablet the model is in Settings, in the About section. The inch figure is measured corner to corner across the screen, and the name is a rounded number, so two tablets called 11-inch can differ in shape. Match the model, not the inches.

A protector for the right model leaves the front camera and any sensor clear. If Face ID on an iPad Pro stops working after fitting one, Apple's advice is to remove anything covering the camera at the top, including a screen protector. If you use a case, choose a protector a little smaller than the screen edge so the case does not lift it.

Questions people ask about tablet screen protectors

Does a screen protector affect a stylus?

A pen works through glass and film alike. Glass feels smooth and fast under the tip. Matte film feels more like paper and wears the pen's tip a little faster. See tablet stylus pens.

Is a tablet protector harder to fit than a phone one?

Yes, because it is bigger and harder to line up. Lining it up first and hinging it down from one edge helps, and so does a second pair of hands. The guide to fitting a screen protector goes through it step by step, and the guide to screen protectors explains the kinds.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Tablet and iPad cases
• Tablet stylus pens
• Fitting kits and alignment tools
• Screen sprays and cloths
• Tempered glass screen protectors
• Guide: Screen protectors explained: glass, privacy, anti-glare and film
• Guide: How to fit a screen protector without bubbles