Buying guide for best Android tablets

Tablets are great for many computing tasks: web browsing, emailing, streaming TV shows and movies, gaming and more. They typically have better battery life than laptops, and the price tag on many Android tablets is lower than many laptops.

An Android tablet runs the Android operating system explicitly. They offer tremendous customization when it comes to settings, features, applications and layout. They’re also quite user-friendly. You can use an Android tablet to stream your favorite music, videos and podcasts and for practically anything else you can do on a smartphone. Think of a tablet as a larger smartphone that connects to Wi-Fi instead of a wireless network.

What should you look for in a quality tablet? For the most part, getting one with a powerful processor and enough random-access memory for multitasking and fast performance is crucial. You should also consider the quality and size of the display.

We tested and reviewed a few of the latest Android tablets in our Testing Lab to determine the best. Our top pick, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, is the best for a handful of critical reasons, but we love it primarily for its stunning display, fast processing chip and excellent camera setup. However, it is a pricey unit, so we recommend its cousin, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, as a suitable bargain alternative for anyone on a budget.

Best Android tablets

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 

Samsung is known for making some of the best smartphones, but it’s also a notable player in the Android tablet market. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is our favorite Android tablet because of its impressive specs and features. It has a blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and a 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 120-Hertz refresh rate that’s great for streaming HD content, gaming and editing videos.

The camera setup of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is particularly impressive. It boasts an ultra-wide dual front camera for recording 4K video and a high-quality selfie camera. Further, it supports Samsung DeX for screen mirroring and includes an S Pen stylus that makes many tasks a breeze, such as taking notes, editing photos and drawing.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

The Galaxy Tab S8 is an entry-level tablet and a fine choice for most casual users. It has an excellent camera and includes an S Pen stylus. Although the screen isn’t as big as the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, at 11 inches, it appeals to those who want a compact unit for traveling.

The Galaxy Tab S8 is a terrific bargain pick compared to other Galaxy tablets, and we feel you’d get the most bang for your buck with this one. Like the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, it has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM, so you can run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing any lag or dip in performance.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

We checked out the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet in our Testing Lab and can confidently say that it’s an excellent choice. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but its user-friendly interface is a big plus, especially for anyone who’s never used a tablet.

The screen is 10.1 inches wide, making it an excellent portable tablet, and the battery lasts just under 12 hours on a full charge. Although the processor isn’t as fast as the ones found in Samsung tablets, it’s perfectly adequate for the average user who will use their tablet for things like web surfing, streaming movies and TV shows and light gaming.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus 

If you’ve never owned a tablet or want something compact for traveling or casual use, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is for you. It’s not as powerful as other tablets, but unless you want to do graphic editing or run high-powered gaming applications, you should be fine with this tablet since the quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM still let it run smoothly.

It has a crisp 8-inch display and 64GB of internal storage, which can be upgraded to 1TB with a micro SD card. The battery life is comparable to other top tablets; it can last up to 12 hours on a full charge and supports wireless charging. Plus, you can access Alexa hands-free to set alarms and reminders, manage music playback, get weather updates and more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

Tested and reviewed in our Testing Lab, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is the middle-tier model of the latest Galaxy Tab tablets. We found it to be an excellent tablet for the price, and although the screen isn’t as large as the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, at 12.4 inches, it’s sufficient for streaming, gaming and more. Plus, it’s more portable and easily fits in backpacks and purses.

Similarities with the higher-end Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra that make this a solid alternative are the 120-refresh rate, 4K camera, fast processor, long-lasting battery life and included S Pen stylus. It’s available in 128GB and 256GB options, and unlike the Ultra, which is only available in a graphite hue, this tablet also comes in pink gold and silver.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

If you have your heart set on a Samsung Galaxy tablet but don’t want to shell out the money for one of the newer Galaxy Tab S8 tablets, the Galaxy Tab S7+ is an older unit that’s still worth every penny. You’ll get it at a much lower price than any Galaxy Tab S8 tablet while enjoying similar performance, features and specs.

It has a crisp 12.4-inch edge-to-edge display with a 120-Hertz refresh rate and a side-mounted scanner for biometric security. It supports Quad, AKG and Dolby Atmos audio. The quad-core processor lets it run nearly as fast as the latest Samsung Galaxy tablets, and the battery charges fast through the USB-C port. An S Pen stylus is included as well as four months of ad-free Youtube Premium.

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OnePlus Pad

The OnePlus Pad is a tablet that offers excellent performance at a lower price than comparable high-quality tablets. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor is fast and, combined with 8GB of RAM, allows for lag-free multitasking.

The 11.6-inch display looks excellent, providing crisp visuals and vibrant colors, and it supports a 144-Hertz refresh rate, making it one of the best tablets for streaming sports, reading e-books and gaming. Plus, it supports Dolby Vision HDR imaging for enhanced picture quality.

The 7:5-ratio screen is an innovative feature that gives the screen a squared look for an improved view. Omnibearing Soundfield technology makes the integrated speakers sound better than most tablets, and the battery life lasts long and can be fully charged in under an hour.

How we tested

After researching what each Android tablet offers, we tested the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet.

Ease of use 

• Setup: We tested the entire setup process, from unboxing the tablets and powering them on to running the setup wizards and connecting to Wi-Fi.
• Interface: We evaluated the Android operating system and experimented with it by tweaking settings, downloading apps and adjusting customizability features.

Quality 

• Display quality: We paid close attention to each display’s picture quality to analyze image sharpness and color vibrance.
• Apps: We tested several popular apps including Google Chrome, YouTube, Netflix and Google Docs.
• Camera: We tested the camera quality by taking photos and recording videos using the rear and front cameras and engaging in video calls.

Advanced features 

• Screen mirroring: Samsung tablets offer Samsung DeX, and we tested this feature to review its functionality as a two-window setup.
• Stylus pen: We tested how well the Samsung tablet responded to the included S Pen stylus and its Air Action function, which lets you take photos from a distance.

What to know before buying an Android tablet

Brand

Every manufacturer has its own approach to Android tablets, from the quality of the build materials to the look and feel of the tablet. Many brands, such as Samsung and Amazon, have a strong reputation for making great Android tablets. It’s generally a good idea to stick with a brand you know that has a proven track record; it just may help you avoid getting an Android tablet that’s frustrating and underpowered. 

Processing power

A tablet with a powerful processor delivers better performance than one with a slower processor. A tablet with a slower processor takes longer to load apps and pages, and you may experience a significant dip in performance. That makes getting a tablet with a fast processor and at least 3GB of random-access memory crucial for efficient multitasking.

Portability 

All tablets are portable, weighing anywhere between 2 and 5 pounds. That may not sound like much, but your shoulders will be able to tell the difference after a day of carrying your tablet around. If you plan on taking your tablet to many places, consider a lighter model or one with a screen on the small side. If you mainly keep your tablet in one place, portability matters a lot less, so that might be a good reason to go with a larger tablet.

Battery life

A portable electronic device with poor battery life can be frustrating. The last thing you want is to only get a few hours of use from a fully charged tablet, so look for one that offers several hours of battery life with moderate use. The best tablets last 10 to 13 hours on a full charge. Some can last several days on standby mode.

Android tablet features

Screen size

The screen size defines the tablet. This is one of the first vital decisions to make when you set out to purchase one. If you want a portable Android tablet that fits in a purse or pouch, look at models of 7 to 8 inches. If you want one about the size of a sheet of paper, look for a mid-size option of 9 to 10 inches.

Camera

Although you may not purchase a tablet intending to capture photos and videos on the go, it’s a nice feature to have, especially if your smartphone should die on you and you can’t charge it. Most tablets don’t offer the same camera setups as smartphones, but they can be impressive. The best ones have rear cameras with 12 megapixels or more and can record 4K or HD video. Note that if you want to use your tablet for video calling, a high-quality front-facing camera is a must and should be at least 8 megapixels.

Stylus

Using your fingers for tasks such as drawing or video editing can be frustrating, as it can be challenging to get pinpoint accuracy. Fortunately, some tablets come with a stylus pen or at least support them, giving you an extra layer of accessibility. Having a stylus makes tasks such as editing, taking notes and gaming much more manageable.

LTE and 5G support

Most Android tablets are Wi-Fi-only, but some premium models contain an LTE or 5G radio. This means you can pair them with a subscription to your wireless provider and get LTE or 5G internet on your tablet. 

If your tablet is primarily used in areas with Wi-Fi, you don’t need to get an LTE-enabled model. But if you’re often out and about without Wi-Fi and want to go online, you should consider getting one.

Tips 

• Run the software updates when you first power up your tablet. Tablets are computers, so they need software updates to provide you with a stable experience and deliver new features.
• Delete any “bloatware” apps you can. Although all Android tablets run the Android operating system, most manufacturers make significant customizations to the OS and include proprietary apps. In most cases, the manufacturer’s apps aren’t super useful, and sometimes they’re coded, so you can’t delete them. This varies from tablet to tablet, but here’s the bottom line: When you first get your tablet, look for any proprietary, non-native Android apps, and research online to see if they can safely be deleted.
• Carry a power bank if you’re taking your tablet somewhere without power. Tablet batteries can last anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the size of the tablet and what it’s doing. For example, a tablet can last in standby mode longer than it can if it’s continually streaming movies. If you’re going to be in a situation where you suspect your tablet might run out of juice and you won’t be able to power it with a standard charger, grab a power bank, which is a portable battery with USB ports, and always carry an extra charge with you.
• Set up app-specific passwords for your Android tablet’s app if you store a lot of personal or sensitive data on your Google account. App-specific passwords are a standard Google security feature, so you can validate your identity with specific Google apps without using your primary Google account password.  
• Decide if you’ll need a tablet with a microSD port. This is the port you’ll use to insert a microSD card. It’s an essential feature for expanding a device’s memory, as microSD cards are available with various memory capacities for storing large or multiple files.

FAQ

Q. How much do Android tablets cost? 

A. If you want a basic tablet for simple computing tasks such as emailing, web surfing and casual streaming, there are plenty of terrific options for $50 to $200. However, if you’re looking for something faster with a better display, you can expect to pay $200 to $500 for a mid-tier tablet. High-end tablets can cost up to $1,200. These offer premium features such as fast refresh rates, powerful processors, long-lasting battery life and a superior camera setup.

Q. Do I need a screen protector for my Android tablet?

A. It’s not required, but it’s a good idea if you want to keep your tablet’s screen free of scratches and cracks. If you’re not going to get a protective case for your tablet, it’s probably a good idea to get a screen protector. But if you are planning to get a case, get one with a cover for the screen so you can skip the separate screen protector.

Q. Why does it matter how much internal storage a tablet has if I can upgrade it with a memory card?

A. Not all tablets have upgradeable storage, and some SD cards can be relatively expensive. Also, storing all your local files in one place rather than across several locations is more practical. If you have limited internal storage space, you may have to use multiple memory cards.

Q. Can I use a tablet as a monitor?

A. Sort of. With the right app, you can use your Android tablet as an additional laptop or desktop computer screen, but you can’t use a tablet as a primary monitor for another computer. If you need to work with a monitor, another option is to purchase a high-end tablet like the Samsung Tab S8, compatible with the Samsung DeX system.