If you think the iPad has won the tablet wars, think again. High-end Apple and Windows tablets might dominate the top of the field as impressive tools for productivity, but Android slates are still very popular at the more affordable end of the market. And Android tablets sometimes show up with interesting and unusual features, such as E Ink screens.
We’ve gathered the best Android tablets we’ve tested here to accommodate a wide range of needs and budgets. Read on for our top picks, followed by what you need to know before choosing one.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
Best for Amazon Users
Why We Picked It
Outside of portability issues, everyone loves a big screen, and Amazon’s Fire HD 10 offers a much larger panel than other budget-friendly tablets. It performs better than most too, thanks to its 3GB of RAM and MediaTek Helio P60T chip. The device also supports split-screen multitasking, which is unusual for tablets in this price range.
Who It’s For
This Fire HD 10’s large, sharp 1080p display makes it ideal for watching movies and playing games. It’s an excellent value overall.
PROS
- Fast processor for the price
- Plenty of RAM
- Acts as an Alexa smart display
CONS
- Poor app selection
- Very Amazon-centric interface
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Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2021)
Best for Kids
Why We Picked It
Everything we like about the regular Fire HD 10 applies to this edition, but this version is specifically great for kids because it comes with a durable kickstand case and a two-year warranty. You also get a free year of the Amazon Kids+ subscription, which unlocks access to an age-appropriate library of smaller-format picture books, videos, and games. That service ordinarily costs $69 per year for Prime members and $99 for everyone else.
Who It’s For
The Fire HD 10 Kids is for kids, of course. Parents who don’t want to worry about their child accessing dangerous content or breaking an expensive device are the target market.
PROS
- Excellent parental controls
- Library of brand-name kids’ content
- Two rugged case options
- Long warranty
CONS
- App store lacks some popular comics apps and games
- Not enough power for action gaming
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Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Best Value
Why We Picked It
Although the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus isn’t the newest option on the list, it’s still a good choice. We’re big fans of the quad Dolby Atmos speakers for watching movies and listening to music, while the octa-core MediaTek Helio G90T processor is plenty powerful. Its microSD card slot adds value, too.
Who It’s For
If you’re in the market for a budget tablet but don’t want an Amazon Fire device, Lenovo’s affordable Tab P11 Plus offers a relatively uncluttered Android experience and is capable enough to handle mainstream entertainment and productivity tasks.
PROS
- Sharp display
- Loud, clear speakers
- Perky performance
CONS
- Unimpressive cameras
- No promise for OS updates after Android 12
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Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2
Best Midrange Tablet
Why We Picked It
Apple tends to dominate the $400 to $500 tablet segment, but there are still some quality Android options. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, for instance, has a spacious 11.2-inch display and a powerful MediaTek Kompanio 1300T processor. The base model has 128GB of storage and a microSD card slot, so you should never have an issue storing all your favorite games and media.
Who It’s For
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 strikes an optimal balance between size, price, and performance. If you like the concept of Apple’s entry-level iPad but want the flexibility of Android, this Lenovo model won’t disappoint.
PROS
- Large, sharp display
- Powerful speakers
- Solid performance
- Attractive design
CONS
- Average cameras
- A bit heavy
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Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (2022 Release)
Best Ultra-Cheap Tablet
Why We Picked It
$60 usually doesn’t get you much in the tablet realm, but the Fire 7 is a perfectly serviceable slate. It won’t compete with the latest iPad or high-end Samsung models, but it runs basic apps just fine and doubles as a decent ebook reader. That’s about all you can expect from a device with an entry-level processor and 2GB of RAM.
Who It’s For
If you just want a tablet for occasional entertainment and have no intention of running high-end games, the Fire 7 is a suitable choice. That said, you should upgrade to the Fire HD 10 or HD 8 if you watch a lot of movies because their larger, higher-resolution screens are more enjoyable for media consumption.
PROS
- More affordable than most tablets
- Better specs and battery life than predecessor
- Hands-free Alexa support
- Expandable storage
CONS
- Sluggish performance
- Limited app selection
- Low-resolution display
- Poor cameras
- Base models include ads on the lock screen
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Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)
Best for Video Playback and Zoom Calls
Why We Picked It
The Fire HD 8’s screen is an inch larger than that of the Fire 7 and benefits from a resolution bump to 1,280 by 800 pixels (compared with 1,024 by 600 pixels). Therefore, it’s a better choice for gaming and HD video playback. It also offers solid battery life, lasting just over 10 hours in our tests.
Who It’s For
If the Fire HD 10 feels too big or costs too much for your liking and you don’t want to go with a super-cheap slate like the Fire HD 7, the midrange Fire HD 8 splits the difference. You get decent performance at a price just south of $100.
PROS
- Vibrant screen
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
CONS
- Sluggish performance
- $10 more than the previous model
- Limited app selection
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Best High-End Android Tablet
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is Android’s answer to high-end iPads. Highlights include a vivid 11-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels, a speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and respectable battery life. Of course, you pay a premium for these top-notch specs.
Who It’s For
If you don’t want an iPad, the Galaxy Tab S8 is your best Android alternative. It should particularly appeal to artists because it supports Samsung’s smooth S Pen stylus.
PROS
- Fast, smooth performance
- Includes S Pen
- Dex mode enables a multi-window UI
CONS
- Fewer pro-level creative apps than iPadOS
- Android apps don’t often play well with tablets
- Some authentication bugs
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TCL Tab 10 5G
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
Why We Picked It
The TCL Tab 10 5G is a relatively affordable tablet for anyone who doesn’t want to constantly search for a Wi-Fi connection, thanks to its built-in 5G connectivity. It’s peppy enough for most use cases, lasts more than 10 hours per charge, and even has a decent 8MP camera on the back.
Who It’s For
TCL’s Tab 10 5G is a smart choice for travelers and commuters on T-Mobile’s network thanks to its reliable cellular performance. Just make sure to check the price of data plans before you commit to it.
PROS
- Quality screen for the price
- 5G support
- Good performance and battery life
- Decent stereo speakers
- MicroSD support
CONS
- Disappointing Android upgrade commitment
- Only 32GB of built-in storage
- Lackluster cameras
Learn More
Buying Guide: The Best Android Tablets for 2023
The State of Android Tablets
In 2023, many Android tablets fall in the budget category. You can find an endless array of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates at your local CVS or through mysterious “Fulfilled by Amazon” drop shippers. Many of these off-label tabs are perfectly serviceable, but we recommend choosing a brand you can count on for software support and hardware quality control. For more details, see our favorite budget-friendly models.
Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Samsung used to deliver solid iPad competitors, but now they release new models once every two years or so, if that. Google might be entering the space again, however, and has teased a Pixel Tablet.
Is Android a Good Operating System for Tablets?
Android tablet manufacturers rarely use the latest version of the OS, and software upgrades are even less common. Though most Android smartphones now ship with at least Android 12 (with many shifting to Android 13), it’s difficult to find a tablet that runs the latest version. We recommend skipping over tablets running anything older than Android 11, except for those in Amazon’s Fire lineup.
Speaking of Amazon, it and other large manufacturers like Samsung like to customize Google’s OS by adding their own features, app stores, and completely revamped user interfaces. These are not for everyone, but those familiar with Amazon’s Fire OS or Samsung’s One UI should try the latest devices from those companies.
Even if you don’t have the most recent OS iteration, Android remains the most configurable tablet operating system you can find. It supports multitasking, has an excellent notification system, and features top-notch integrations with Google services like Gmail, Meet, and Google Maps.
Android is home to many great apps, though there are far fewer tablet-specific versions than on Apple’s App Store, and they tend to get less frequent updates.
Should You Buy a Cellular or Wi-Fi Android Tablet?
All of the major carriers offer a small selection of cellular-capable tablets. It’s easy to find them at a discount when you upgrade your plan or buy a new smartphone. Tablet data plans tend to run around $10 per month, although some carriers offer daily plans.
T-Mobile sells unlocked tablets, but some have limited band support if you switch carriers. If you’re thinking of switching to a different carrier, be sure to check out LTE and 5G band support to ensure your device continues to work without any hiccups.
Frequent travelers and commuters are likely to find cellular connectivity invaluable, but if you primarily use your tablet for streaming at home, a Wi-Fi-only model is perfectly fine. If you ever do need to take a non-cellular tablet on the go, most carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Of course, using your phone as a hotspot quickly depletes its battery, so you might also need to pick up a power bank. Just make sure to check out the details of your phone plan before making any decisions because some carriers limit the amount of data you can use with a mobile hotspot.
What Specs Do You Need in an Android Tablet?
At a minimum, you should look for an Android tablet with at least 4GB of RAM for smooth switching between media streaming and web surfing. A midrange MediaTek processor should be fine for most tasks, but a higher-end Qualcomm CPU like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 unlocks gaming potential. Note, however, that the Amazon models can get away with less RAM and slower chips because of their performance optimizations.
We also recommend at least 64GB of storage for midrange and higher-end tablets, and ideally a microSD card slot for additional storage. Basic models can get away with just 32GB because they can’t run the advanced games and applications that take up a lot of space anyway.
Recommended by Our Editors
Low-cost tablets also tend to have dull 720p or even lower-resolution screens that look grainy. If you want a better viewing experience, opt for at least a 1080p or 2K display.
Rear cameras aren’t too important for tablets, but make sure your device has a respectable front-facing camera for video calls. 2MP is the minimum for 720p video, so use that as a cut-off in your searches.
Just as specs won’t change over time, neither will the build quality. Think twice before buying a tablet with a flimsy plastic body and make sure whatever you choose feels comfortable to hold.
Finally, if you want a great phone to complement your tablet, head to our roundup of the best Android phones. Or, if you want to look beyond the realm of Android, check out our roundups of the best tablets overall, which include our favorite Apple models.
Steven Winkelman contributed to this story.
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