The best Android tablets to spend your money on

Once you’ve ruled out iPads and decided on an Android tablet, your options are already narrowed down significantly. At this point, picking the best Android tablet for you comes down to a few key questions:

• How large of a screen do you need? Options range from eight inches up to more than 12 inches.
• How much storage space do you need? Will you be streaming or storing media?
• Will you take your tablet outside of home? How durable do you need it to be?
• What is your ideal budget?

With that under consideration, we’ve done the hard work for you and reviewed all the top Android tablets on the market. Here are our picks for the best tablets Android has to offer.

The best overall Android tablet

Samsung is the obvious leader in the Android world, so it should come as no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series tablets take our top pick. These amazing tablets have powerful performance, gorgeous designs, and awesome functionality.

All three have the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Most also have 12GB of RAM, with the only exceptions being the base Tab S9, which has an 8GB version available, and the Tab S9 Ultra, which can have up to 16GB. Another thing they have in common is the great Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the resolution improves as the screen gets bigger. You’ll also get an IP68 rating and an S Pen with all variants. That’s about where similarities end, though.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the smallest of the three with an 11-inch screen and a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. That’s not really small, though, making this a great productivity tool that can still be easily carried around. The battery is also pretty large at 8,400mAh. Samsung’s specs get even better as you move up the ladder with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus and its 10,090mAh battery. It upgrades the resolution to 2,800 x 1,752, and the screen is quite larger at 12.4 inches.

Now, if you want to go all out, there’s the mighty Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This tablet is quite the beast, and might be the very best Android tablet if money is no object. It’s super-sized with a massive 14.6-inch screen with a 2,960 x 1,848 definition and a massive 11,200mAh battery.

What makes them stand out

• Gorgeous display: The crisp, bright Dynamic AMOLED 2X is everything we’ve come to expect from a Samsung device.
• Included S Pen: The S Pen adds a lot of unique functionality, and it comes in the box.
• Amazing design: The Tab S9 tablets leave nothing to be desired from Apple’s premium iPad Pro models.

The best budget streaming tablet

Not everyone needs or wants a laptop replacement out of their Android tablet, which is why our second pick is the Galaxy Tab A8. It’s still got that Samsung magic, but drops a lot of extras to hit a much lower price point. Frequent sales also make this an irresistible buy for anyone looking for a budget tablet.

It features a combination of metal and plastic for the body, which gives it a more premium look and feel than most cheap tablets. That said, we did find the seam between the plastic and metal parts of the backing to be immediately noticeable, which felt a little out of place. The size of the tablet will also be an adjustment for some, as the 10.5-inch LCD display features a very wide 16:10 aspect ratio.

As soon as we booted up Netflix or any other streaming service, we understood the intended use of this device. The longer aspect ratio means black bars are kept to a minimum while streaming most video content, and the four Dolby Atmos speakers are capable of exceptional volume. If wired sound is more your thing, there’s also a headphone jack, although it’s a bit too close to the corner for our liking.

We were initially concerned by the low-power Unisoc Tiger T618 processor, but those concerns turned out to be unfounded. The Tiger was able to handle everyday use with ease, although demanding games are mostly off-limits. The weaker processor does translate into great battery life, though. We got two days of consistent use on a single charge, although charging speeds left a lot to be desired. The 15W charger took more than four hours to top back off.

What makes it stand out

• Streaming-ready ratio: The 16:10 aspect ratio is built to stream, minimizing black bars.
• Good build quality: The metal and plastic built is a step above other budget tablets.
• Solid performance: It won’t win any speed tests, but the Unisoc Tiger T618 is more than enough for simple daily use.

The best Fire OS tablet

It’s a bit of a stretch to call Amazon’s Fire OS tablets part of the Android ecosystem (the OS is based on Android 9), but Amazon’s App Store is similar enough to the Play Store for the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus to earn a spot on our list. Plus, with a little fidgeting, you can install the Play Store and get nearly the same experience.

The 10.1-inch LCD screen was clean and sharp in our testing, but the brightness left a lot to be desired. It’s fine for indoor use, but don’t expect to have a great experience if using this outdoors. It also features Dolby tuning, but the speakers struggled when we pushed them past mid-volume. Battery life was great, and we consistently got 12 hours, no matter how we used it. Charging was painfully slow, though, with the included 9W charger taking more than four hours to top off.

If you’ve got Amazon Prime, the Fire HD 10 Plus is a beautiful device. This is an excellent entry-level tablet to enjoy Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos, and Amazon Kids Plus. Fire tablets also have tight integration with Alexa, so if you have Echo speakers around the house, they can serve as a natural extension.

We think the Fire HD 10 Plus is the best overall buy, but if you want to save a bit of money, the non-Plus Fire HD 10 ($149 at Amazon) is very similar. It will be a bit slower and cannot charge wirelessly, but the screen and build quality are essentially the same. There are also the smaller Amazon Fire HD 8 ($99 at Amazon) and Fire HD 7 ($59 at Amazon) models, which we’ll touch on a bit later in the list.

What makes it stand out

• Amazon Prime integration: If you are a Prime subscriber, this tablet will help you get the most out of your subscription.
• Good screen: The 10.1-inch screen is sharp and has a great resolution, although it’s a bit too dim to use outdoors.
• Long-lasting battery: Expect to get 12 hours of screen time (and excellent standby time), but you’ll want to leave it charging overnight.

The best Android tablet for Google fans

The Google Pixel Tablet is a nice tablet, but it also attempts to be something more. With the dock included in the box, it can also enter Hub mode to serve as a capable smart home hub, a video chatting screen, a music streaming station, and more. You can also cast to it while in Hub Mode, serving as a small smart display.

When not on the dock, it works like a normal tablet, and now that Google finally has skin in the game, the company has optimized more than 50 of its apps for tablets. That means it’s easier than ever to use Gmail, Docs, and more with split screen. Naturally, third-party apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, and others work and look great on the 10.95-inch display.

Just like the Pixel 7 lineup and Pixel 7a, this tablet is powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G2 processor. Although it’s not as useful on a tablet as it would be on a phone, you still gain access to unique Pixel features like Face Unblur, Magic Eraser, and more.

Starting at just $499 with the dock included, the Google Pixel Tablet is a great tablet for home use. You can also buy extra docks to create more hub stations in your home, creating a more portable way to manage your smart home than stationary options like the Nest Hub.

What makes it stand out

• Charging dock: The included dock charges and turns the tablet into a kind of Nest Hub.
• Tensor G2 chipset: Google’s flagship processor enables lots of machine learning smarts.
• Sleek design: It’s large, but the Pixel Tablet is sleek, with a unique ceramic coating that looks and feels great.

The best iPad-like Android tablet

We don’t often get new entries into the Android tablet race. Samsung tends to corner the market with options at all prices, and Amazon’s Fire tablets give the Alexa crowd an easy answer. However, OnePlus finally threw its hat into the ring in early 2023. It just launched its first tablet, the OnePlus Pad, and it’s an ambitious start from the flagship killer brand.

The OnePlus Pad skips the typical long, thin Android tablet design, instead choosing to challenge Apple with an almost-square aspect ratio. It results in a tablet that’s easy to use for browsing the web and taking notes via Google Docs but is also just as comfortable as a media streaming option.

OnePlus tapped a large 11.61-inch panel for its first tablet and paired it to a 144Hz refresh rate. We had no complaints about quality, even using the tablet as a laptop replacement while dealing with some Wi-Fi issues during a briefing. The Pad is plenty stylish, too, sporting the classic OnePlus green finish — this time known as Halo Green.

The OnePlus Pad also allows for seamless sharing of your phone’s internet connection, as well as a second-screen experience, somewhat like Samsung’s DeX. You just might want to consider picking up the OnePlus Stylo ($99.99 at OnePlus) and Magnetic Keyboard ($149.99 at OnePlus) to round out your setup.

What makes it stand out

• Great charging speed: The OnePlus Pad tops out at 67W wired charging and even includes a charger in the box.
• Punchy speakers: OnePlus packed four stereo speakers with its new Omnibearing Sound Field for immersive audio.
• Premium build: The OnePlus Pad’s slim aluminum construction is light in the hand and comfortable to use for hours on end.

The best Samsung alternative Android tablet

Samsung might dominate the Android tablet space (and phone space, for that matter), but the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro proves that there are excellent alternatives out there. We found that the premium build and excellent screen allow it to compete with the big guys, and it even bests Apple’s iPad lineup in certain respects.

Starting with the screen, the speedy 120Hz AMOLED was our favorite part of the device in our review. The Dolby Vision and HDR10+ capable display featured great contrast, brightness, and color accuracy in our testing. At 12.6 inches, it can also serve as a light laptop replacement or media-centric device, although we did find that the viewing angles were very limited.

Unlike Samsung’s offering, Lenovo didn’t opt for the latest and greatest processor for the Tab P12 Pro. Instead, it packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 system on a chip and an Adreno 650 GPU with 6 or 8GB of RAM. In our extensive testing, we found that to be more than enough power.

One area where the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro has all others beat is battery life. We got an incredible 14 hours of battery life when streaming video and 11 hours of battery life when browsing the web over Wi-Fi. That’s better than any comparable tablet we’ve tested. Charging was also relatively speedy, taking roughly two hours using the included 30W charger. The tablet is compatible with 45W chargers, too, so you can further reduce those times with an additional charger.

What makes it stand out

• Gorgeous screen: Crisp, high-res, with great contrast, this is one of the best tablet screens in its price range.
• Great performance: It’s not the fastest, but it’s more than fast enough for anything you can throw at it.
• Best-in-class battery life: The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro lasts for a full day of use and then some.

The best Android tablet for media lovers

The Tab P12 Pro isn’t the only tablet Lenovo makes, as there are plenty more options in its Yoga lineup. These have built-in kickstands or hand holds to make them a bit more comfortable to use. Of them, our favorite is the larger, more premium Yoga Tab 13, which really excels as a media consumption device for more demanding users.

This is the largest of any tablet on our list outside of the Tab S9 Ultra. It’s an LTPS LCD panel limited to just 60Hz. Regardless, we found it to be more than adequate for watching movies or other media. Brightness was sufficient for indoor or outdoor use, and the 2,160 x 1,350-pixel display was nice and sharp. Speakers were also great, although we were slightly disappointed by the lack of a headphone jack.

Like the other Lenovo tablet listed above, this one runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, which, again, is great for everyday use. This is the right level of power for an Android tablet, offering the best tradeoff of performance for battery life. Speaking of which, we got 10-11 hours of juice in our testing, which is average for tablets at this price point. There is not, however, a stylus in the box, so you’ll have to pay extra if you want one.

Again, the lack of software support is a bit of a concern, as this is only set to receive one version update. We also would have liked to have seen additional models since there’s only one 8GB/128GB SKU on offer, and it doesn’t feature expandable storage. Still, this is a very compelling tablet that’s great for entertaining the whole family.

What makes it stand out

• Huge screen: The 13-inch LCD panel is the largest we’ve tested, and it’s great for media consumption.
• Useful kickstand: In addition to a convenient handhold, the kickstand is sturdy in a wide variety of viewing angles.
• Solid performance: The Snapdragon 870 is great for a tablet this size, offering the best combination of power and battery longevity.

The cheapest Android tablet we recommend

If you want a dirt cheap Android tablet, we recommend the Amazon Fire HD 8 from 2022. Coming in at just $100, you’ll have to temper your expectations a little, but overall we were pleasantly surprised by what we found. It’s one of the most portable tablets at just 8 inches, and it is actually pretty capable, considering what you pay.

While the hardware is all pretty standard (or perhaps below-standard with the basic display) budget affair, what makes the Fire HD 8 shine is its integration with Amazon’s services. Like all Fire tablets, it features Amazon Prime shopping, ebooks, Prime Video, and other Amazon services front and center. If you’re a subscriber who likes to shop, this tablet is a great option for you.

If not, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. We found performance to be pretty lacking, with noticeable input latency when typing in simple social media apps. Browsers are also usually slow, so you’ll need to either be patient or spend a bit more. It’s hard to complain or be picky at this price range, though.

At the end of the day, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is by no means an amazing Android tablet. That said, the price and value are unbeatable. If you’re already invested in the Amazon ecosystem, you’ll find no shortage of things you can do with the Fire HD 8.

What makes it stand out

• Unbeatable price: The Fire HD 8 is incredibly cheap, although it makes many concessions to get there.
• Amazon integration: If you’re a Prime subscriber, you’ll have no shortage of content to consume on this tablet.
• Good battery life: With moderate use, this can get you through the better part of a week on a single charge.

Looking for an Android tablet for kids? Here are three great options

If your kids have been begging for smartphones of their own, but you’re not quite ready for the monthly cost, a tablet might be a great alternative. Luckily, there are several kid-focused tablets that come tailored with educational apps and games. Here are three of our favorites:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro ($149 at Amazon): Amazon’s kid-focused tablet is one of our favorites because it’s not actually different from the full-fledged device. It comes loaded with kid-friendly apps and games, as well as plenty of books to dig into. The Fire HD 8 Kids comes with a durable rubber case for when it inevitably gets dropped.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8($179.99 at Amazon): We’ve already mentioned the Galaxy Tab A8 as one of our favorite affordable Android tablets, but Samsung Kids makes it a great option for young ones, too. You can limit screen time and control the apps your kids can access. This gives them a chance to learn block coding and create music on the large 10.5-inch display.
• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 ($325 at Amazon): Alright, so the Lenovo Chromebook Duet might not be a true Android tablet, but it’s a good way to bridge your kids from a tablet to a laptop. The Chromebook Duet runs Android apps but also connects to a keyboard for schoolwork and comes with a handy case for learning on the go.

Want an Android tablet for business? We recommend these 3

Likewise, there are plenty of business-focused tablets to keep you productive without the weight of a laptop. Some of these picks appeared higher up on our list because they make for great everyday slates as well. Here are just three that we recommend:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ($1119 at Samsung): Samsung’s largest Galaxy Tab to date is also its most powerful. Sure, you’ll pay a pretty penny for it, but the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers up to 16GB of RAM with 1TB of expandable storage to match its laptop-rivaling 14.6-inch display. It has all of the real estate you could as for when it comes to working on the go.
• Lenovo Tab P12 Pro ($692 at Amazon): We haven’t tried Lenovo’s upcoming Tab Extreme beyond a brief hands-on at CES, but the Tab P12 Pro offers many of the same perks. It has a hefty 10,200mAh battery to power its sweeping 12.6-inch 120Hz OLED and pairs seamlessly with your other Lenovo products.
• OnePlus Pad ($479 at OnePlus): It’s not often that a first-generation tablet works its way into our hearts so quickly. However, the OnePlus Pad is a great example of what to look for in a business tablet. Mostly thanks to its ability to share 5G with your OnePlus phone and its unique 7:5 aspect ratio. It’s taller and easier to use in landscape orientation than Samsung’s long, thin tablets. The 67W wired charging doesn’t hurt, either.

What to look for in an Android tablet

We’ve spent years testing and reviewing Android phones and tablets. Most of the important buying decisions can be summed up in a few simple points.

Size matters

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to Android tablets. If you want something to chill out and watch on the sofa, larger devices will really start to tire your hand. Books will also display poorly on large devices. On the flip side, if you want to stream videos, small screens won’t allow you to capture as much detail. Think about what you’ll use the tablet for and decide from there.

Files and storage

Storage space is a major selling point on phones, since you’re probably snapping a lot of pictures and videos. The same is not necessarily true for tablets. Generally you can get by with far less storage. If you like to load up your device with downloaded videos and large, storage-heavy apps, many tablets support microSD cards to make this an easy upgrade.

Metal vs plastic

Build quality is a bit subjective, but no one doubts that a nice aluminum build feels great in the hand. That said, plastic can perform fine too, and it won’t get as cold in winter months. Premium aluminum builds also generally feature more resistant glass on their screens, which is something to look out for if you plan on taking your tablet out of the house.

To 5G or not to 5G

5G support is nearly ubiquitous on Android phones at this point, but the same is not true for tablets. However, for most people, we recommend sticking to a Wi-Fi-only model. They are far cheaper and offer better battery life. If you need to connect in a pinch, you can simply tether your tablet to your phone.

Brand strength

Samsung is the undeniable king of Android devices, and that holds true for tablets. However, Lenovo makes a variety of options that can easily compete, some of which surpass Samsung’s offerings in certain aspects. Amazon’s Fire tablets are another option if you’re on a budget, although Amazon’s software is far more limited than standard Android. Beyond that, it’s slim pickins.

Frequently asked questions