High-end iPads and Windows tablets dominate the top of the field with impressive tools for productivity, but Google’s Android operating system is very popular at lower price points. Plenty of RAM Acts as an Alexa smart display Cons Poor app selection Unimpressive cameras No promise for OS updates after Android 12 Read Our Full Review $209.99 at Lenovo See It (Opens in a new window) App compatibility can be hit or miss Not waterproof Read Our Full Review $479.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window) Alcatel Joy Tab 2 4.0 Excellent Best for Affordable 4G Connectivity Bottom Line: The Alcatel Joy Tab 2 is an excellent alternative to Amazon’s Fire lineup, with a clean Android experience, strong LTE connectivity, and impressive audio quality. Strong LTE connectivity Excellent audio for the price Cons Cameras perform poorly in low light Read Our Full Review $199.99 at Metro by T-Mobile See It (Opens in a new window)
Poor cameras Base models include ads on the lock screen Read Our Full Review $59.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window) Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) 3.5 Good Best for Video Playback and Zoom Calls Bottom Line: Amazon’s inexpensive Fire HD 8 tablet continues to be an excellent value for the price, but its poor app store is really starting to feel limiting. Limited app compatibility Sluggish performance Read Our Full Review $89.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window) Very expensive No monitor mode Read Our Full Review $879.99 at Amazon Check Stock (Opens in a new window) You can find an endless array of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates sold at your local CVS or through mysterious “fulfilled by Amazon” drop-shippers. Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Samsung used to deliver solid iPad competitors, but they’ve all slowed down their cadence to once every two years or so.
Speaking of Amazon, it and other large manufacturers like Samsung like to customize Google’s OS by adding a bevy of features, new app stores, and completely revamped user interfaces. These are not for everyone, but those who are familiar with Amazon’s Fire OS or Samsung’s One UI should give the latest devices from each company a try. Even if you don’t have the most recent OS iteration, Android continues to be the most configurable tablet operating system you’ll find. T-Mobile sells unlocked tablets, but some have very limited band support if you decide to 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 tablet will work without any hiccups. Most carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot for those times when you’re not close to Wi-Fi, and many newer cars have built-in LTE connectivity for road trips or keeping your child occupied while you sit in traffic.
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.
The 9 Best Tablets of 2022, Tested for Your Needs
Tablets across these three platforms come in all shapes and sizes, and they hit multiple different price ranges offering a mix of multimedia capabilities and productivity. You also have the option of pairing them with accessories like a keyboard and stylus, allowing you to engage in productivity tasks like working on documents, taking notes, and sketching.
Best Android tablets 2022: which should you buy?
That size sees it dwarfing even the largest iPad Pro, but with its included S Pen stylus this also makes it a superb device for creating artwork, editing documents, taking notes, and other productivity tasks. The display is crisp at 1848 x 2960 and smooth at 120Hz, there’s tons of power from the Tab S8 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and it has a great 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front, making this an ideal device for video calls. While the slate works brilliantly as a conventional tablet, it also has a built-in stand, so you can prop it up without a case, and there’s a micro HDMI port, so you can easily use it as a second screen for a laptop or other device – two features which we found very useful,.
What you don’t get – in another unusual move – is a rear camera, but then tablets are never ideal for taking photos anyway, and we also found the design made it hard to use with a case.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus The best older Samsung tablet Specifications Weight: 575g Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 12.4-inch Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 10,090mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Storage Size 256GB Colour Silver Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Gorgeous OLED screen + Premium design Reasons to avoid – Android lacks quality tablet apps – High price – but it justifies it You also of course get a whole lot of power from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’s Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, enough that we found it the smoothest Android tablet experience we’d come across at launch. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro The best Android tablet for media Specifications Weight: 485g Dimensions: 264.3 x 171.4 x 6.9mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 11.5-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 730G Storage: 128GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 8,600mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP + 8MP specifications RAM 4GB RAM Storage Size 128GB – 256GB Screen Type OLED Read more ▼ Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Lovely OLED display + Loud quad-speakers Reasons to avoid – Weak camera – Middling power Samsung has long been ruling the high-end Android tablet world, but it now faces an unlikely challenger in the form of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro. Coupled with loud quad-speakers, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro makes for an accomplished media machine, and with its long-lasting 8,600mAh battery it’s a great travel companion. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro packs an attractive metal build too, and it supports both a keyboard and a stylus, transforming it into a capable productivity device – though one that’s still no match for a typical laptop. Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) The best big screen, budget Android tablet Specifications Weight: 468g Dimensions: 247 x 166 x 9.2mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 8-inch Resolution: 880 x 1280 CPU: quad-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 5MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB – 64GB Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Well priced + Good quality screen Reasons to avoid – Looks dated – Could be faster That means it’s ideal for watching your favorite movies or shows, especially as we also found that it manages around 12 hours of battery life, so you won’t run out of juice at a pivotal moment.
Storage is limited at either 32GB or 64GB and we’d like speedier performance in an ideal world, as the chipset was a little bit dated even at launch, but at this price, it’s not bad at all. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 The best Android tablet for flagship buyers on a budget Specifications Weight: 420g Dimensions: 244.5 x 154.3 x 7mm OS: Android 9 (upgrade to Android 10) Screen size: 10.5-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 855 Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 7,040mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Storage Size 128GB – 256GB Colour Blue Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at BHPhoto (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Beautiful AMOLED display + S Pen as standard Reasons to avoid – Samsung’s One UI not perfect – No headphone jack
It’s not the perfect device – there isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack and we found that the user interface had its own quirks – but it’s still a top Android slate. It’s an upgrade on its predecessor thanks to 30% more power, improved battery life, double the storage, and the presence of a USB-C (rather than micro USB) port, but that aside this is familiar territory if you’ve used an Amazon slate before.
Huawei MatePad Pro The best Android tablet for productivity Specifications Weight: 460g Dimensions: 246 x 159 x 7.2mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 10.8-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 CPU: Kirin 990 RAM: 6GB/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB Battery: 7,250mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful hardware + Robust lightweight design Reasons to avoid – Limited software functionality – No headphone jack The Huawei MatePad Pro also has a stylish, slim, and lightweight design, plus an optional stylus and keyboard, so it’s premium and built for productivity.
That’s going to be a major issue for a lot of people, but if you can live without that then this comes closer than most Android slates to matching the iPad Pro experience. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) The best super-cheap Android tablet with a large display Specifications Weight: 465g Dimensions: 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 10.1-inch Resolution: 1920 x 1200 CPU: Octa-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 5MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB Colour Black Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Crisp display + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Bit slow – Limited software For the price, you get a good quality and large screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, which we found was ideal for watching films or your favorite YouTube videos. If you plan to use your tablet for work or creative endeavors then it’s also worth seeing whether it supports a keyboard or stylus, and whether any such things are included. Every tablet included in this guide has been reviewed in full, so we’ve spent a lot of time with each of them working out what’s good, what’s bad, and how they compare. We’ve made sure to fully test out their performance with apps and games, how good content looks on their screens, whether their interface is intuitive, how long the battery lasts, and how the cameras hold up, as well as assessing their design and build quality.
12 inch android tablet
With a redesigned, minimal-lag S Pen that lets you control a presentation with the tap of a finger and an expanded edge-to- edge screen(3) for better streaming, gaming and video chatting, the Galaxy Tab S7+ Wi-Fi simplifies life, work and play.
The best Android tablets in 2022
Samsung is the current market leader, with devices that run pure Android and aren’t lacking in apps. However, if you’re a dedicated Amazon user looking for a portable device to enjoy your favorite Prime content on the go, Fire tablets are a great choice. In our path to help you find the right Android tablet for you, we test them all in the lab, measuring battery life and performance, as well as screen quality.
Without further ado, here are the best Android tablets, based on our hands-on testing and review of dozens from Amazon, Samsung, Nokia and more.
If price isn’t an issue, its massive older sibling the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a powerful Android tablet that can double as a laptop. I’d personally recommend people spend almost twice as much, though, as the Fire HD 8 has amazing endurance, the likes of which beats practically every tablet up and down the list. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 The best Android tablet overall Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 120Hz LCD display Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 8GB RAM Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, beautiful display + Excellent battery life + Great sound quality + Surprisingly good cameras + Decent laptop replacement Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance vs. iPads – Camera quality degrades at extremes – Book Cover keyboard feels small, cramped On the couch its great for gaming or reading comics, and at work it’s nice to have as a note-keeping device or secondary display, especially if you go to the trouble of investing in the Galaxy ecosystem and making your workspace DeX-friendly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 The best budget Android tablet Specifications CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel Storage: 32GB Memory: 3GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Facial recognition + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Screen is a little dim – Underwhelming performance On top of that, it’s got thinner bezels than the 10.2-inch iPad and crazy 13+ hour battery life — so you can enjoy more of what you’re watching and reading for a lot longer time.
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 The best Android tablet when you want a big screen Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 870 Camera Resolution: 8MP (front) Display: 13-inch (2160 x 1350 pixels) capacitive touchscreen Storage: 128GB Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI Dimensions: 11.55 x 8.03 x 0.24-0.98 inches Weight: 1.83 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Built-in kickstand + Vibrant 13-inch touchscreen + Impressive speakers + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Lacks 5G support – No rear camera – Hard to find suitable cases for it The slate can even act as a secondary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen a bit of extra versatility.
Amazon Fire 10 HD 2021 Best cheap Android tablet with amazing battery life Specifications CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front) Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Ports: 1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stellar battery life + Sharp and bright screen + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Speakers aren’t that strong – Still lacks Google apps The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) takes an already-good tablet and applies incremental upgrades, such as a slightly brighter screen, 1GB more RAM and a smaller, lighter design.
That said, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still going to be great for the folks who are looking for a device to casually peruse the internet, read e-books, and watch videos. Amazon Fire HD 8 The best Android tablet under $100 Specifications CPU: 2.0 GHz quad-core processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 8-inch 1280 x 800-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Memory: 2GB Ports: headphone jack. Its impressive 13+ hours of battery life stands out in a sea of tablets we already complement for endurance, and, yes, you can get the reversible USB-C port at this wallet-friendly price. Amazon Fire 7 The best Android tablet if you’re on a tighter budget Specifications CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 7 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels Storage: 16GB, 32GB Memory: 1GB Ports: headphone jack.
And while it’s not perfect, Amazon’s cheapest slate got a recent update that put a lot more kick under the hood with a snappy quad-core 1.3 GHz processor. The latest Fire 7 also fixes a mistake of previous updates, allowing you to summon the Alexa digital assistant with your own voice.
Its sub-HD screen is good enough for younger children streaming kids’ shows on Prime, but their older siblings (who’ve seen a few tablets in their time) might ask for something a little sharper. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 The best Android tablet when price is no concern Specifications CPU: Snapdragon Qualcomm 865+ Display: 11-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel TFT panel Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 6GB/8GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic battery life + Beautiful 120Hz display + Thin and light design Reasons to avoid – Book Cover Keyboard has cramped layout – DeX mode still has room to grow This beautiful slate is thin, light and packs slim bezels for an all-screen aesthetic that Apple’s given users for years with the iPad Pro. Its number keys will be too small for some and assembling its two-piece design is a little annoying if you transition from laptop to tablet mode often.
Also, we wish the Snapdragon 865+ had a bit more pep in its step, as benchmarks show Intel Core i5 and Apple A12Z chips running circles around it. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra A powerful Android tablet that could replace a laptop Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 12MP + 12MP UW (front), 13MP AF + 6MP UW (back) Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Big, beautiful OLED display + Svelte design + Snappy Android interface Reasons to avoid – May be too large for some – More expensive than better laptops And with the optional keyboard attachment and improved multi-window mode, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra could potentially replace a laptop. Our web-surfing-based battery test times how long a tablet can browse the internet for, with its display set to 150 nits of brightness.
The best tablets in 2022
You can also check out the Microsoft Surface Go 2, which erases the memory of the lackluster original by lasting longer, thinning its bezels and providing a faster processor option. Apple iPad Air (2022) The best tablet for everyone Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP wide (f/1.8) (front and rear) Display: 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid Retina Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: 1 USB-C Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) View at AT&T (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Thin and elegant design + Sharp, colorful display + Speedy M1-powered performance + Long battery life + Solid 12MP cameras Reasons to avoid – Peripherals are expensive Apple iPad 2021 A dependable Apple tablet Specifications CPU: A13 Bionic Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 12MP (front) Display: 10.2 inches, 2160 x 1620 pixels Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: Lightning, Headphone Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.07 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with optional LTE Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Apple (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright screen + Improved front-facing camera + Speedy performance + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Dated design with big bezels – Nowhere to store Apple Pencil The A13 Bionic chip gives the 2021 iPad that necessary bump in performance to keep it speeding along, as iPadOS 15 brings more machine learning tricks like LiveText. Also, Apple’s sticking with its first-gen Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio for its supported Apple-made accessories, which many may find easier to use than third-party Bluetooth options. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 The best premium Android tablet Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 120Hz LCD display Storage: 128GB/256GB Memory: 8GB RAM Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, beautiful display + Excellent battery life + Great sound quality + Surprisingly good cameras + Decent laptop replacement Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance vs. iPads – Camera quality degrades at extremes – Book Cover keyboard feels small, cramped
On the couch its great for gaming or reading comics, and at work it’s nice to have as a note-keeping device or secondary display, especially if you go to the trouble of investing in the Galaxy ecosystem and making your workspace DeX-friendly. Amazon Fire 7 The best tablet for those on a budget Specifications CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz processor Camera Resolution: 2MP (rear), 2MP (front) Display: 7 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels Storage: 16GB, 32GB Memory: 1GB Ports: headphone jack. Fortunately, the most recent iteration of the company’s cheapest slate packs a snappy quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, which helps you navigate apps and browse the web faster than you’d expect from a tablet this cheap. Microsoft Surface Go 2 The best tablet for Windows 10 Specifications CPU: Pentium Gold, 8th Gen Intel Core m3 Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 5MP (front) Display: 10.5 inches, 1920 x 1280 pixels Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB Memory: 4GB, 8GB Ports: headphone jack, USB-C, microSD, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.22 pounds (1.75 pounds with type cover) Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Buydig.com (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Lengthy battery life + Bright, vivid screen + Great webcam Reasons to avoid – Unimpressive performance – Type Cover requires adjustments
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra The best Android tablet when you absolutely need the biggest screen possible Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 12MP + 12MP UW (front), 13MP AF + 6MP UW (back) Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) Today’s Best Deals View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Big, beautiful OLED display + Svelte design + Snappy Android interface Reasons to avoid – May be too large for some – More expensive than better laptops And with the optional keyboard attachment and improved multi-window mode, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra could potentially replace a laptop.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 The best mid-range Android tablet Specifications CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel Storage: 32GB Memory: 3GB Ports: USB-C, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Facial recognition + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Screen is a little dim – Underwhelming performance Whether you’re browsing the web or streaming movies, you get to focus on your content more, thanks to its super-thin bezels that are thinner than what you get with Apple’s $329 iPad.
And just like Apple’s pricier tablets, the Galaxy Tab A7 charges over USB-C, so you can continue to cut non-reversible microUSB cables out of your life. Especially when Samsung gives you true Android with the Google Play app store, and not the watered-down Amazon Fire tablet experience.
8. iPad mini 6 2021 The best ultra-portable tablet Specifications CPU: A15 Bionic Camera Resolution: 12MP (front and rear) Display: 8.3-inch (2266 x 1488 pixels) Liquid Retina Storage: 64GB, 256GB Ports: USB-C Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches Weight: 0.7 pound Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, optional 5G (Sub-6) Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Super-portable, light design + Speedy A15 Bionic processor + Sharp and bright display Reasons to avoid – No Magic Keyboard or headphone jack – Pricey Currently, Amazon has the market cornered on sub-10-inch tablets with the pricing of its Fire slates, but the new iPad mini gives quality-focused folks an alternative worth investing in.
9. iPad Pro 2021 (11-inch) The best tablet for power users on the go Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP (rear, wide) 10MP (rear, ultra wide), 12MP True Depth (front) Display: 11 inches (2388 x 1668 pixels) Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Ports: USB-C, Smart Connector Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.2 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic screen + Epic battery life + M1 processor is blazing-fast Reasons to avoid – 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s display is better – iPadOS feels limited with M1 power Its bright and colorful display is sharp, its four speakers provide much larger sound than you might expect from such a thin device and.
And if you’re willing to pony up the cash its amazing (optional) Magic Keyboard offers the simplest and smoothest tablet typing experience there is. 10. iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch) The best tablet for power users, period Specifications CPU: M1 Camera Resolution: 12MP (rear, wide) 10MP (rear, ultra wide), 12MP True Depth (front) Display: 12.9 inches, 2732 x 2048 pixels Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Ports: USB-C, Smart Connector Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1.5 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + XDR display gets super bright + M1 processor sets new iPadOS records + Center Stage is pretty cool Reasons to avoid – Display needs HDR content to look its best – Expensive with accessories That said, the super-bright XDR display needs HDR content to thrive, and that’s not always available — as the likes of Hulu and HBO Max have yet to adopt it. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 The best Windows 11 tablet Specifications Display: 13-inch screen (2880 x 1920) CPU: Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1185G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 8GB | 16GB | 32GB Storage: 512GB | 1TB (128GB or 256GB removable SSD options) Weight: 1.96 pounds Today’s Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Large, vibrant display + Tailor-made for Windows 11 + Supports external devices + Sharp webcam Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming gaming performance – Slim Pen 2 and Signature keyboard sold separately
While you’ll probably want to pay extra for the detachable keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus accessories, even if you don’t this is the best Windows 11 tablet you can buy right now. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro 8 disappoints as a gaming device and didn’t live up to the promised 16 hours of battery life in our testing. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 The best Android tablet when you want a big screen Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 870 Camera Resolution: 8MP (front) Display: 13-inch (2160 x 1350 pixels) capacitive touchscreen Storage: 128GB Ports: USB-C, micro-HDMI Dimensions: 11.55 x 8.03 x 0.24-0.98 inches Weight: 1.83 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Built-in kickstand + Vibrant 13-inch touchscreen + Impressive speakers + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Lacks 5G support – No rear camera – Hard to find suitable cases for it The slate can even act as a secondary monitor for your laptop or tablet, giving its 2K screen a bit of extra versatility.
13. reMarkable 2 The best tablet for writers Specifications CPU: 1.2 GHz dual core ARM processor Display: 10.3-inch, 1,872 x 1,404 digital paper Storage: 8GB Memory: 1GB Ports: USB-C Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.2 inches Weight: 14.1 ounces (0.88 pounds) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz and 5GHz Today’s Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) $299 at reMarkable (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Amazingly slim design + Faster stylus input + Excellent writing feel Reasons to avoid – More expensive than an iPad – Just for writing and reading, no apps The reMarkable 2, however, is a much more seductive device, now measuring a sleek 0.2 inches and ditching its plastic frame for a sleeker metallic chassis. The reMarkable 2 also translates your handwriting to editable text, so you can share your notes with your whole team, or turn your draft ideas into a manuscript. And its two weeks of battery life means you can just leave it on your coffee table, for when inspiration strikes, rather than keep it plugged in all the time. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite The best cheap Android tablet Specifications CPU: Samsung Exynos 9610 Camera Resolution: 8MP (rear), 5MP (front) Display: 10.4 inches, 2000 x 1200 pixels Storage: 64GB Memory: 4GB Ports: USB-C, headphone jack Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1 pound Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Samsung (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Slimmed down bezels + Lengthy battery life + Bright display Reasons to avoid – Underwhelming performance – Some Android apps still need tablet optimization Android tablets don’t have the strongest track record, but on hardware, Samsung’s caught up with the iPad with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.
This excellent tablet has a ton of battery life — lasting over 12 hours on a single charge — and offers a sleek design with a bright screen and solid sound. Oh, and the S-Pen stylus, which offers low-latency drawing, is included by default, and it snaps to the top of the Tab S6 Lite, so you’re less likely to lose it.
Amazon Fire 10 HD Best cheap Android tablet with amazing battery life Specifications CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core CPU Camera Resolution: 5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front) Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel Storage: 32GB, 64GB Ports: 1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Reasons to buy + Stellar battery life + Sharp and bright screen + USB-C charging Reasons to avoid – Speakers aren’t that strong – Still lacks Google apps The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) takes an already-good tablet and applies incremental upgrades, such as a slightly brighter screen, 1GB more RAM and a smaller, lighter design. That said, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still going to be great for the folks who are looking for a device to casually peruse the internet, read e-books, and watch video. Its bright screen and epic 13+ hours of battery life make it great for consuming content, and its reversible USB-C port is a feature we wish was in the cheaper Fire 7 tablet. On top of that, this $90 tablet is good enough at everything else — decent audio, OK performance — for its price that I can’t deny how many will find it a great value. I also found its front camera surprisingly crisp when I snapped some selfies while writing the review, as more expensive laptops have much worse webcams.
After that, we put them through our in-house battery test, which times how long it takes — while surfing the web with brightness at 150 nits — to drain a tablet of a charge.
Best Android Tablet for 2022
And since Android tablets have fewer makes, models and even manufacturers these days, it’s easier to skip the category altogether and head straight to Apple. Use our CNET Shopping extension to compare top products or find coupon codes before buying your next tablet.
Just like its smaller 8-inch sibling, the Fire HD 8, the tablet is packed with benefits for Prime subscribers making it easy for members to stream and download movies, TV shows and games. Updates to Samsung’s DeX software even makes the Tab S8 a possible laptop substitute, letting you connect to a mouse and even an external display.
A keyboard cover isn’t included but one of Samsung’s fantastic S Pens is, so you can use the big screen for note-taking and content creation right out of the box. This Lenovo tablet comes with Android Oreo, front and rear cameras, fingerprint scanner and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor.
Best Android tablet 2022
Android tablets vary in size and quality, but some are exceptionally good value and can make very superb iPad alternatives for those with smaller budgets. The tablet boasts a thin design that’s fronted by a gorgeous 2.5K 120Hz display and comes backed up by great stereo speakers and solid performance to boot.
Just as with its phones, Xiaomi’s tablet-optimised take on its MIUI user experience won’t suit everyone but it’s wholly usable, and while the added connectivity found on the Chinese models doesn’t make it to most markets internationally, there’s still little else on the Android side of the fence we’d recommend around the Pad 5’s asking price.
As well as the kinds of stylish and high-end build you’d expect from Samsung, the firm offers an excellent four years of OS updates so the Tab S8 will keep you going for a long time.
Slow charger in-box MSRP: From $229.99 Best Prices Today: The Galaxy Tab A8 makes a welcome return to Samsung’s tablet range, sporting an attractive design and other standout qualities, including impressive audio chops. Android quirks MSRP: From $319.99 Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga Tabs have often experimented with unusual designs, embodied most obviously by their versatile integrated kickstands. The Tab 11 might not be the most powerful slate on the block but it delivers a great audiovisual experience, strong battery life and convenient usability, thanks to that signature kickstand; all at a compelling price. On the front, you’ll find an expansive, crisp and colourful 14.6in 120Hz AMOLED display with support for the included S Pen stylus.
Performance is top-notch, thanks to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and when paired with the dedicated keyboard cover (sold separately) the Tab S8 Ultra is equally at home as a killer multimedia machine or a productivity slate.
Samsung has done well to tailor its user experience to the Tab S8 Ultra’s large display, but Android has its own native quirks that present a few challenges to any tablet running on Google’s mobile OS. Pricey at RRP MSRP: From $529.99 (Wi-Fi), $669.99 (5G) Best Prices Today: The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is definitely more of a basic productivity and entertainment slate, rather than a laptop replacement, like the full-fat entries in the Tab S7 family that it followed, but that means its talents lie in its featherweight design and as a brilliant tool for note-taking, with Samsung including its S Pen stylus in-box, for good measure. Competition in the mid-range tablet space is also finally hotting up, with Xiaomi’s Pad 5 trumping it at practically every turn, for less.
Overpriced MSRP: From $679.99 Best Prices Today: If the Yoga Tab 11 is too small for your needs, Lenovo also released a 13in model, which boasts superior performance and even better audio output from its quad-speaker setup. It shares in the Tab 11’s standout design, complete with an integrated kickstand, although build quality isn’t quite as polished as we’d like and we would have loved an OLED panel in place of the LCD that features.
A bigger form factor also means a larger battery, helping with its strengths as a media player, while its ability to function as a second screen is a neat party trick too.
Like the 11in model, it falls foul of Android’s inflexibility on tablets and it’s more expensive than its hardware would suggest, which might be enough to put some off. The HD 10 Kids Pro runs on the same underlying hardware as its general-purpose alter ego but comes with a protective case, one year’s access to Kids+ (which includes entertainment, apps, books etc.) The user experience is closer to that of stock FireOS but makes for easy activity monitoring and leaves out access to certain age-gated content or apps (like Netflix), which have to be approved by a parent before being installed.
It’s a shame the kid-friendly version of Alexa isn’t supported – even though the tablet itself does facilitate such functionality – and certain kid-suitable Prime movies just don’t make an appearance without reason. Nokia’s return to the tablet market looks to fill a space that’s littered with poor quality unknown brands by offering the T20 up with many of the sensibilities that make its budget smartphones so appealing.
A tasteful design, nice 2K display and great battery life are the main highlights, while cameras and general performance are less capable than we’d hoped (although not entirely surprising, considering the T20’s affordable nature).
For starters, it has a large 12.6in AMOLED screen with excellent colour performance and, combined with the Dolby-Atmos supporting quad speakers, make the P12 Pro suitable for a wide range of tasks. You also get a stylus included making it even more versatile; buy the optional keyboard and you’ve potentially got yourself a laptop replacement. Lenovo’s asking price is a tad high and it’s worth noting that the older Snapdragon 870 processor means this isn’t as well future-proofed as some rivals.
That said, if you intend for your new slate to spend most of its life propped up on your lap or on a desk, weight isn’t likely to be so much of an issue. If you’re going for a tablet with no slot, make sure you buy the biggest capacity you can afford, as videos and some apps can use up an awful lot of storage in a single hit. However, you can use most Android tablets with Google’s Chromecast for watching catch-up TV, YouTube and other internet video services that are supported. If you want to know if a particular model is great for gaming or too slow for web browsing, then read our reviews, which include benchmark results for a more empirical comparison; you can’t rely on specifications such as processor speed or number of cores it possesses to guarantee good performance.
The best Android tablets to spend your money on
So many, in fact, that they have an entire phablet category dedicated to the extra real estate. Picking your operating system is a great place to start, though, and it means we don’t have to worry about iPads later on. Since you’ve already landed on Android, it’s time to move to the finer points of your tablet.
For example, the Amazon Fire HD 8 has an 8-inch screen, while Samsung’s premium Galaxy Tab S8 Plus sports a massive 12.4-inch display. On the other hand, those of you hoping to download movies, games, and more will want extra space and possibly an expansion slot. Many of Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs come with aluminum bodies, which can usually handle wear and tear.
Yet, the cheaper tablets on the market opt for plastic builds to save weight and cost. The tablet is ready for action with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 8GB of RAM, and as much as 256GB of storage.
The inside of the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus isn’t the only way it earns points — the outside is pretty good too. You get an aluminum build, a crisp Super AMOLED display, and an S Pen for good measure. As a result, the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is by far the best Android tablet on the market, even if it has a high price tag to match. Samsung doesn’t just stop at the premium tablets, as is evident with the Galaxy Tab A8.
Don’t worry, though, this Android tablet still packs more than enough power and a streaming-friendly design. The Galaxy Tab A8 runs on a UniSoc Tiger T618 chipset with 3 or 4GB of RAM to back it up. You get another one of Samsung’s brilliant displays with a sharp resolution and great color reproduction. It’s not a top tablet for gaming with its limited RAM and storage, but the Galaxy Tab A8’s four Dolby Atmos speakers are perfect for catching up on your favorite shows. It packs a 10.5-inch display, a solid metal build, and improved RAM and storage options to power through your day. If you prefer Amazon’s Alexa as your smart assistant of choice, these next two tablets may fit your needs perfectly.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus was brand-new for 2021, and it kicked off at a very low price with ad support. You’ll get the same 10.1-inch display you know and love from previous generations, but Amazon has added an extra gig of RAM and wireless charging to the mix.
You can still choose from ad-supported or ad-free versions, which means that this Android tablet can set you back as little as $89.99.
As another Fire OS tablet, you won’t find Google apps, but there are plenty of ways to make do without.
If you want the absolute smallest Amazon tablet you can get, the company introduced a new and updated Fire 7 in 2022. It offers updated RAM over the previous version but stays at a wallet-friendly sub-$100 price tag.
IT comes with a smaller screen, great functionality, and a price tag that will keep your wallet very healthy. Lenovo’s premium new tablet offers excellent hardware with a gorgeous display that you can happily use all day long. It measures 12.6-inches across and offers a 120Hz refresh rate complete with Dolby Vision support. While it’s not the newest chipset, it offered plenty of punch throughout our testing — especially when paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro Lenovo Tab P12 Pro A perfect entertainment, gaming, and productivity powerhouse that’s built for use outdoors and indoors, with an all-day battery and bright display. Generally, those no-name brand tablets for sub-$100 prices aren’t worth buying!
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