Android tablets might not have the same level of recognition as iPads, but that doesn't mean there aren't some gems. The software for Android tablets isn't always optimized for the bigger screen, and the best iPad games may have more appeal on Apple's powerful hardware. But, a few Android tablets still manage to get things right.
Both Amazon and Samsung have shown ongoing interest in making solid Android tablets. Amazon's stick to affordability, giving you a bigger screen to enjoy content on without having to pay what amounts to the price of a second smartphone. Samsung's tablets deliver on premiums, offering extra features like active stylus support and higher-performance internals that can let the tablet handle some light work tasks. Some 2-in-1 Chromebooks even serve as capable Android tablets thanks to their inclusion of the Google Play app store.
With many Android tablet options, it can reasonably be hard to choose one knowing its actually a product worth getting. That's why we've rounded up quality picks. You'll be able to find a tablet on a variety of budgets knowing it's a good value.
TL;DR – These are the Best Android Tablets
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Lenovo Yoga Tab 11
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
- Asus Chromebook CM3
- Microsoft Surface Duo 2
- Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Best Android Tablet
When it comes to Android, there are few who build hardware around it better than Samsung. Samsung's phones often set a high bar for what Android phones can do, and it's a very similar story for Samsung tablets. Right now, the Galaxy Tab S7 is at the front of that pack with the most up-to-date hardware and no shortage of features.
The Galaxy Tab S7 comes powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset that can zoom through tasks and games alike. The tablet will come fitted with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM to help keep it snappy even if you're multitasking with several apps. The display is also a big perk, as it's a sharp 2,560 x 1,600 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 500-nit peak brightness. It's not just what you can see on the display that matters but also what you can do. With the S Pen, you can get productive marking up documents or get creative drawing digital works of art with fine pressure sensitivity.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Best Budget Android Tablet
Samsung is one of the few companies still putting effort into the Android tablet market, and that helps its models stand out as among the very best. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite takes a lot of what there is to like about the Galaxy Tab S6 and repackages it into a more affordable package.
This model just has one camera on each side, and no super-fancy AMOLED display, but you're still getting a plenty-sharp screen measuring 10.4 inches diagonally. This table also runs Android 10, something you'll be hard-pressed to find other affordable Android tablets doing. It also runs it on an octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM, which should be capable enough for most activities. The real show-stopper is the inclusion of the S Pen, which takes the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite from simple plaything, like most tablets, to a device that can be used for another level of creativity or in-depth note-taking. If you don't need the stylus, you may get more out of the Galaxy Tab S5e at a similar price.
3. Lenovo Yoga Tab 11
Best Ultra Cheap Android Tablet
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 brings a lot to like at an affordable price just a bit over $300. You won’t be settling for some dated quad-core processor with a low-res, dim TFT display and an old operating system. The Yoga Tab 11 runs Android 11 on a MediaTek Helio G90T octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM, which should see it run fairly smoothly in most use cases.
Lenovo has also delivered on a quality media experience with a high-resolution 11-inch display. There’s a colorful IPS panel on deck here that can reach up to 400 nits for easy visibility, and it even supports Dolby Vision HDR. Audio also gets a boost from quad speakers around the tablet, not only making it louder but also easier to hear if you accidentally cover up a speaker or two with your hands. The tablet includes a kickstand to hold it up, so it can double as a smart speaker with an integrated display, and the DSP for far-field voice recognition will help it serve that role even more.
4. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
Best Android Tablet for Families
Amazon makes some of the most compelling budget tablets around, and the Fire HD 8 Plus takes what was already a winner and makes it even better. This new model offers up a decently sharp display to run apps, play games, and watch your favorite content on. It runs all of this on its own special fork of Android, which limits you to the Amazon App store, but you'll still find many popular apps, games, and streaming services available.
The Fire HD 8 Plus is as affordable as it is portable, weighing in at well under a pound and boasting a 12-hour battery life. And, the new model will prove considerably faster than its predecessor, as it has double the RAM and storage capacity as well as a new and improved 2.0GHz quad-core processor.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
Best Android Tablet for Streaming
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is a worthy device whether you plan on chilling on your couch to stream the latest series or need a screen for watching in-flight entertainment. This tablet offers a 10.4 inch display with a 2,000 x 1,200 resolution (just a hair over Full HD). The display uses an IPS panel, so you'll enjoy good colors and viewing angles.
The display is only half the experience when you're streaming, though. The Galaxy Tab A7 includes quad speakers and support for Dolby Atmos for surround sound. And, if you need more private listening, you'll be able to use either Bluetooth or 3.5mm wired headphones. Though the base configuration of this tablet doesn't come with a lot of storage in case you want to store local media, you do get the option to massively increase the storage with a microSD card.
6. Asus Chromebook CM3
Best Chromebook Tablet for Android Apps
If you plan to use a lot of Android apps on your Chromebook, you’ll want a tablet-style model, and the Asus Chromebook CM3 fits the bill wonderfully. This 2-in-1 Chromebook tablet has a stylish design with a simple tablet section made with an aluminum unibody. It also includes a stain-repellent fabric cover that offers up protection and a kickstand to hold the tablet up. Asus even includes a keyboard cover with the Chromebook CM3, so you’re not paying extra just to get basic functionality.
The Asus Chromebook CM3 is very lightweight, making it easy to hold up and use like a traditional tablet while using Android apps. And, it supports a USI stylus, allowing you to be a bit more precise with your inputs. In fact, it has a built-in stylus that slots into the tablet’s chassis and can even fast charge inside, getting 45 minutes of battery life after just 15 seconds charging. To top it off, the Chromebook CM3 offers a bright and sharp 10.5-inch display.
7. Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Best Dual Screen Android Tablet
Microsoft and Android collide with the Surface Duo 2 (see our hands-on impressions). This foldable phone is a stunner, folding into a compact footprint to then unfold and reveal a pair of 5.8-inch displays that add up to 8.3 inches of total screen size. It makes for effective split-screen multitasking on a device that’s about as easy to carry with you as a phone is.
The displays are nice and sharp, plus they use bright OLED panels with a 90Hz refresh rate, giving you smooth visuals and easy visibility — something you’ll likely miss out on with most 8-inch Android tablets. The Surface Duo 2 comes running on the powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset for speedy performance in everyday tasks and even quite a bit of oomph for gaming. And, unlike a typical tablet, the Surface Duo 2 comes with its own modem and can connect to 5G networks — it’s actually a phone after all.
8. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
Best OLED Android Tablet
When it comes to Android tablets, there are few companies doing as impressive things as Samsung. But, every now and then Lenovo comes out of left field with a device that reminds us how good it is at hardware. That's just the case with the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro. This tablet may not be the most power-packed with a Snapdragon 730G chipset, but that's about the only thing holding it back (and it's likely a boost to battery-life by not being the most power-hungry chipset.).
The Tab P11 Pro features a 2,560 x 1,600 display stretching across 11.5 inches, and it's an OLED panel ready to give you a phenomenal viewing experience with rich colors and extreme contrast aided along by Dolby Vision. The viewing experience is backed up by audio coming through quad speakers tuned by JBL and surround sound through Dolby Atmos. You can get creative or mark up documents on this tablet as well thanks to support for the Lenovo Precision Pen 2.
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
