The Best Android Tablets for 2024

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Android tablets have gone from unwieldy, oversized phones to exceptional tools for productivity and entertainment as the operating system has matured and app makers have mostly embraced larger screens. PCMag has been reviewing Android slates since the Nexus 7 more than a decade ago, so we know the full scope of progress and what aspects are most important to the experience. Our current Editors’ Choice selections are the low-cost Amazon Fire HD 10, the value-minded Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, and the midrange Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. All these slates are more than capable for watching movies, playing games, and browsing online. But you should still click through to our full reviews of every model below since one might suit your particular needs better. Keep scrolling past the list for some useful advice to keep in mind while you shop.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Best Amazon Tablet Overall
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)

Pros & Cons

Affordable

Good build quality

Decent display

Alexa Echo Show mode

Limited app selection

Amazon-focused content

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Amazon Fire OS

Dimensions

9.69 by 6.49 by 0.34 inches

Weight

15.3 oz

Screen Size

10.1 inches

Screen Resolution

1,920 by 1,200 pixels

CPU

MediaTek

Storage Capacity

32 GB

Battery Life

10 hours, 18 minutes

Why We Picked It

The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is great for media playback thanks to its 10-inch, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screen and surprisingly loud speakers. It can also handle casual games and light productivity tasks. You get either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage but can add up to 1TB of additional space via a microSD card.

Who It’s For

If you want the best balance of performance, screen size, and price within Amazon’s Fire tablet lineup, the HD 10 is the model you should buy, though it won’t provide access to as many apps as a full Android slate.

Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) Review

Best Value Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Pros & Cons

Affordable

Large screen

Good performance

Expandable storage

Software aids productivity

No fingerprint sensor

Low base storage

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Android 13

Dimensions

10.1 by 6.6 by 0.3 inches

Weight

1.06 lbs

Screen Size

11 inches

Screen Resolution

1,920 by 1,200 pixels

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 695

Storage Capacity

64 GB

Battery Life

7 hours

Why We Picked It

At a little over $200, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ provides a spacious, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel display and matches the performance of more expensive tablets thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip. It comes with just 64GB of storage to start, but a microSD card slot lets you add up to 1TB. Finally, the device features a streamlined design and will get OS and security updates until the fall of 2027.

Who It’s For

If you want a low-cost Android tablet that’s enjoyable to use, reasonably fast, and will last for several years, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is the one to get.

Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review

Best Midrange Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

Pros & Cons

Good performance

Long battery life

High-quality, waterproof build

Includes S Pen stylus

Occasional performance stutters

Finicky fingerprint sensor

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Android 13

Dimensions

11.24 by 7.30 by 0.26 inches

Weight

1.4 lbs

Screen Size

12.4 inches

Screen Resolution

2,560 by 1,600 pixels

CPU

Samsung Exynos 1380

Storage Capacity

128 GB

Battery Life

7 hours, 23 minutes

Why We Picked It

The reasonably priced Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers an Exynos 1380 processor, a 12.4-inch screen with a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel resolution, excellent battery life, and a microSD slot that supports cards of up to 1TB. It also uses quality materials and sports an IP68 rating, meaning it’s fully dustproof and waterproof. Artists should like the included S Pen stylus as well. Samsung’s productivity and multitasking software is excellent too, and its promise of four Android OS updates and five years of security patches is top-notch.

Who It’s For

If you want a capable Android tablet that doesn’t cost too much and can handle a bit of rough handling, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is for you.

Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Review

Best Premium Amazon Tablet
Amazon Fire Max 11

Pros & Cons

Big, vibrant display

Stepped-up design

Respectable performance

Amazon ecosystem access

Limited app selection

No clear path to future OS versions

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Amazon Fire OS

Dimensions

10.20 by 6.44 by 0.30 inches

Weight

1.1 pounds

Screen Size

11 inches

Screen Resolution

2,000 by 1,200 pixels

CPU

Mediatek MTK8188J

Storage Capacity

64 GB

Battery Life

7 hours, 55 minutes

Why We Picked It

Outside of portability issues, everyone loves a big screen, and Amazon’s Fire Max 11 offers a much larger panel than other budget-friendly tablets. It performs better than most too, thanks to its 4GB of RAM and MediaTek MTK8188J octa-core chip. The device also supports split-screen multitasking, which is unusual for tablets in this price range. A premium aluminum build further elevates the experience.

Who It’s For

With an 11-inch, 2,000-by-1,200-pixel display, this tablet is ideal for watching movies and playing games. And it’s still an excellent value despite being Amazon’s priciest model.

Learn More
Amazon Fire Max 11 Review

Best Flagship Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Pros & Cons

Gorgeous screen

Fast performance

Tight Samsung integration

Good productivity software

IP68 rating

S Pen stylus included

Pricey

Size makes it awkward to handle

Android on tablets is still limiting

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Android 13

Dimensions

12.85 by 8.21 by 0.21 inches

Weight

1.6 lbs

Screen Size

14.6 inches

Screen Resolution

2,960 by 1,848 pixels

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Storage Capacity

256 GB

Battery Life

9 hours, 30 minutes

Why We Picked It

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is Android’s answer to high-end iPads. Highlights include a vivid 14.6-inch display with a resolution of 2,960 by 1,848 pixels, a speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a minimum of 256GB of storage. Excellent multitasking software and an IP68 durability rating round out the features.

Who It’s For

If you don’t want an iPad but still want a high-end slate, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is your top Android option. It should particularly appeal to artists because it ships with Samsung’s smooth S Pen stylus and serves as a truly immersive canvas. If you plan to take your tablet on the go, however, the 12.4-inch, 5G-capable Galaxy Tab S9+ is a better bet.

Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review

Best for Portability
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)

Pros & Cons

Vibrant screen

Good battery life

Lightweight

Sluggish performance

$10 more than the previous model

Limited app selection

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Amazon Fire OS

Dimensions

7.94 by 5.40 by 0.37 inches

Weight

11.9 oz

Screen Size

8 inches

Screen Resolution

1,280 by 800 pixels

CPU

Hexa-core 2.0 GHz

Storage Capacity

32 GB

Battery Life

10 hours (est.)

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.

Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release) Review

Best for Kids
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2022 Release)

Pros & Cons

Rugged case

Strong parental controls

Good battery life

Vibrant screen

Sluggish performance

$10 more than the previous model

Limited app selection

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Amazon Fire OS

Dimensions

8.7 by 7.1 by 1.1 inches

Weight

18.3 oz

Screen Size

8 inches

Screen Resolution

1280 by 800 pixels

CPU

Hexa-core 2.0 GHz

Storage Capacity

32 GB

Battery Life

10 hours (est.)

Why We Picked It

This tablet offers everything we like about the regular Fire HD 8, but 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 $48 per year for Prime members and $79 for everyone else.

Who It’s For

The Fire HD 8 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.

Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2022 Release) Review

Best Low-Cost Tablet
Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (2022 Release)

Pros & Cons

More affordable than most tablets

Better specs and battery life than predecessor

Hands-free Alexa support

Expandable storage

Sluggish performance

Limited app selection

Low-resolution display

Poor cameras

Base models include ads on the lock screen

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Amazon Fire OS

Dimensions

7.11 by 4.63 by 0.38 inches

Weight

9.9 oz

Screen Size

7 inches

Screen Resolution

1,024 by 600 pixels

CPU

MediaTek MT8168

Storage Capacity

16 GB

Battery Life

9 hours, 30 minutes

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.

Learn More
Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (2022 Release) Review

Best for Doubling as Smart Display
Google Pixel Tablet

Pros & Cons

Solid Android tablet

Flawless audio hand-off

Good sound from Speaker Dock

Expensive

Speaker Dock has limited functionality

Hub Mode could do more

Specs & Configurations

Operating System

Android 13

Dimensions

10.16 by 6.65 by 0.32 inches

Weight

1.1 lbs

Screen Size

10.9 inches

Screen Resolution

2,560 by 1,600 pixels

CPU

Google Tensor G2

Storage Capacity

128 GB

Battery Life

5 hours, 25 minutes

Why We Picked It

Not just a simple slate, Google’s Pixel Tablet doubles as a smart display when you place it in the included speaker dock. It has a sharp screen, runs smoothly, and outputs quality audio. Of course, this tablet also runs a stock version of Android without any of the bloatware you’ll find on most of the other models on this list.

Who It’s For

Get the Pixel Tablet if you want the most Google-centric version of Android possible. The included speaker dock charger is a nice bonus, too.

Learn More
Google Pixel Tablet Review

Buying Guide: The Best Android Tablets for 2024
The State of Android TabletsIt’s easy to find a budget-friendly Android tablet thanks to an endless supply of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates at your local pharmacy or through mysterious “Fulfilled by Amazon” drop shippers. Many of these off-label tabs are serviceable, but we recommend choosing a brand you can count on for hardware quality control and software support. For more details, see our favorite budget-friendly models.  Android tablet innovation was quite stagnant for a while, but even Google has reentered the space with the Pixel Tablet, while Lenovo and Samsung continue to try to blur the line between tablets and laptops. Amazon firmly owns the affordable end of the market with its Fire tablets.Is Android a Good Operating System for Tablets?Although Android has improved as a tablet operating system over time, some of the best ideas still come from hardware manufacturers like Lenovo and Samsung. Both companies typically outfit their tablets with custom productivity software and other features that make them work more smoothly. As for third-party software, Android is home to many great apps, though some are still not designed for the big screen.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)

Google, Lenovo, and Samsung now publicly state how long their tablets will receive OS and security updates. In the past, you could pick up an Android tablet and have almost no information about when or if it would ever get an update. Those days are generally behind us, and this is something you should make sure you know before you buy.Amazon is an entirely different animal. Its Fire tablets run Fire OS, which is built on Android, but exists primarily to highlight Amazon’s services and limited Appstore. You can add the Google Play Store to an Amazon Fire tablet with a bit of work, but it’s not a great (or officially sanctioned) workaround. Amazon devices also tend to target people who want to consume media rather than create content. Should You Buy a Cellular or Wi-Fi Android Tablet?All of the major carriers offer a selection of cellular-capable tablets. It’s easy to find them at a discount when you upgrade your plan or buy a new smartphone. 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 mobile 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 as 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 2 for Galaxy in Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 unlocks high-end mobile gaming potential. Note, however, that the Amazon models get away with less RAM and slower chips because of their performance optimizations.We also recommend at least 128GB of storage for midrange and higher-end tablets, and, ideally, a microSD card slot for additional storage. Basic models are generally fine with just 64GB because they can’t run the advanced games and applications that take up a lot of space anyway. Stay away from tablets with only 32GB of storage.

Google Pixel Tablet (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Low-cost tablets 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.

Recommended by Our Editors

Rear cameras aren’t too important for tablets, but make sure your device has a respectable front-facing camera for video calls. Remember that 2MP is the minimum for 720p video, so use that as a cutoff 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. Some tablet makers even go as far as to specify an IP rating for their devices, which can be important if you plan to use your slate on your porch, in your backyard, or near your pool.Finally, if you want a top-notch 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 iPads.Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.

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