Our appetite for tablet computers shows no sign of relenting as we move into the festive buying season. Retailers predict millions of us will buy a tablet as a Christmas present.

Shops across the country are being flooded with cheaper, low quality devices as companies scramble to get them below the psychologically important £100 mark. Almost all will compromise on parts and quality – which leads to a substandard experience, thanks to unresponsive touchscreens, lower capacity batteries, prehistoric software and washed-out colours. Imagine having to look through a really dirty window all day – that’s the experience you may get.

With close to 1,000 models of tablet on sale, the biggest choice is to decide between the two major operating systems. Google’s Android is licensed to many companies with devices ranging in quality, while Apple’s iOS only powers its iPad range, which delivers high performance and user satisfaction, in line with higher price. My top five tablets for Christmas: 1. Apple iPad Air (from £399.99): This is the gold standard, with a price tag to match. It is the lightest, thinnest and quickest device yet, and uses the new iOS7 operating system. It has the longest battery life and the largest number of available apps and services.

2. Google Nexus 7 (from £199.99): Built to Google’s exacting design and standards, this is the UK’s top selling Android tablet. Small and light with a wonderful screen, it packs in the best components for the price.

3. Tesco Hudl (from £119.99 or £60 with Clubcard Boost): Already sold out – but with new stocks due before Christmas, this is the only ‘own brand’ tablet to feature in my list. Tesco have made a device worth every penny. While corners have been cut in terms of features and it weighs more, it costs from just £60 with Clubcard vouchers.

4. Amazon Kindle Fire HD (from £119.99): A fast and affordable device – the Kindle Fire HD uses custom Amazon software that makes it a family-friendly choice and offers direct access to their massive eBook range.

5. Sony Tablet Z (from £399.99): Matching the iPad in looks, screen size and build quality, this Sony tablet uses Google Android to great effect. The inbuilt speakers sound great, and having used it in the bathtub, I can personally vouch for its waterproof nature.

Next week we’ll look at another key battle for Christmas, the UK’s billion pound video games market, and the two big launches due later this month, Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4.