As if the Apple iPad 2 needed its seal of approval.

Apple iPad 2, the darling of digital media consumers, has won over the researchers at Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports, an organization that has built up an enviable reputation for unbiased testing of a variety of consumer products, examined several tablets from Motorola, Samsung, Dell, Archos and a bunch of iPad models from Apple.

It seems each tablet was tested on 17 criteria including touch-screen responsiveness, versatility, portability, screen glare and ease of use.

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi plus 3G (32G), $730, topped the Ratings survey, scoring Excellent in nearly every category.

Apple’s first-generation iPad, $580, also outscored many of the other models tested but tied with the Motorola Xoom, $800.

Consumer Reports’ Electronics Editor Paul Reynolds said:

So far, Apple is leading the tablet market in both quality and price, which is unusual for a company whose products are usually premium priced. However, it’s likely we’ll see more competitive pricing in tablets as other models begin to hit the market.

Here’s a look at the Consumer Reports Tablets Rating:

  iPad, iPad2