[ad_1]
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.
[ad_2]
