Even though 10-inch tablets like the Apple iPad were an absolute rage in the markets, a need was felt for a more comfortably sized tablet. The recent flurry of 7-inch tablets is a result of this phenomenon. Over the past few months, close to half a dozen tablets have hit the market, the most recent of them being the iPad Mini. The biggest USP of a 7-inch tablet is the size, it is smaller than a regular tablet and larger than a smartphone. It has almost all the features of a regular tablet even as it is relatively cheaper.

If you are planning to buy a 7-inch tablet, there are quite a few options to choose from. Here is a list of the best 7-inch tablets available in the market as of now:

1. Google Nexus 7 - Right at the onset, the Google Nexus 7 boasts of some very solid technical features- it is powered by a quad core processor and comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, both of which gaurantee a stellar performance. The tablet has a sharp display and the touch screen is pleasantly smooth to use. Being a Google device, it gives you access to all Google apps including Google Maps, Gmail, Chrome and many more. As with all other 7-inch tablets, you can hold it in one hand or you could even squeeze it in a pocket.

2. Amazon Kindle Fire HD - The Amazon Kindle Fire HD ships with a dual core processor and 512 MB RAM. These might seem lacklustre compared to other 7-inch tablets but the Kindle Fire HD was one of the earliest 7-inch tablets to be released in the market. Even though it lacks a camera, 3G and a few other features, it does deliver on the performance front.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 - In terms of technical specifications, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 boasts of Android 4.0 and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. It also offers features like a dual camera and expandable memory. Recently, Samsung also released a 7.7 inch tablet, Galaxy Tab 7.7 which has some notably improved features like AMOLED display and super slim body.

4. Blackberry Playbook- While Blackberry OS has been under severe criticism for slow performance, one has to give credit where it is due. The Blackberry Playbook comes with a 1GHz dual core processor and Blacberry Playbook OS 2.0. It makes for a decent tablet with a very few problem areas like lack of apps or a slower OS. Besides these options, you can also check out the Barnes and Noble HD and Amazon Kindle Fire.