The best Android tablets 2024: which should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus with S Pen on top of TechRadar logo
(Image credit: Samsung)

The best Android tablets give you everything you need from a slate, a phone, and a laptop, all at once. You can use them to get work done, play games, create works of art, or just browse the web and doomscroll ad nauseum. If you buy the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, the best premium Android tablet, you can even do all of that by the beach, or the pool, or the tub.

Android fans know that the best iPads can't compete with Android tablets, they simply don't do enough. An Android tablet excels at multi-tasking and gaming, while looking great and offering more customization than Apple's best tablets. Plus, tablets like the OnePlus Pad and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE are even more affordable and give you more screen and battery life than any iPad.

We've got more tablets in Future Labs right now going through our review process, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the OnePlus Pad 2, both sequels to tablets on this list. Check back soon to see if those newest Android tablets rank among the best.

Quick List

The best Android tablets 2024

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We've reviewed every tablet on this list, so you can trust our recommendations and know that each entry has earned its place. Check out our full summary below, with a link to our deeper impressions and review scores.

The best premium Android tablet

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

Best premium Android tablet

Specifications

Weight: 571g
Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.6mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 12.4-inch
Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm)
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 10,090 mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Water and dust resistant
+
Includes an S Pen in the box
+
Excellent multi-tasking features

Reasons to avoid

-
Performance isn't as good as best iPads
-
Software can be overcomplicated
-
No 'magic keyboard' competitor from Samsung

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a premium tablet that comes loaded with features, including many benefits you won't find on any iPad or other Android tablets. It's made for gaming, with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor that excels at graphics performance, but Samsung's software and the included S Pen also make it perfect for multi-tasking and getting things done.

Samsung has wisely continued to build IP68 certified tablets that are water resistant and durable. You can take the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus into the bath or wash it in the sink if it gets dirty. It's still a very attractive tablet, it doesn't look like a tank, but that durability makes it more versatile than an iPad Pro, if you carry your tablet around in the world with you.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus costs the same as an iPad Pro 11-inch tablet, but you get a much larger display, which also means a bigger battery inside, and Samsung happily gives you an S Pen, it's not an expensive accessory like the Apple Pencil.

Samsung also makes the best tablet software around. It's very easy to open multiple apps side-by-side, and you can even connect the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus to a monitor and keyboard to create a desktop-like experience. This is the best Android tablet you can buy, and easily one of the best tablets all around.

Read our hands-on Galaxy Tab S10 Plus review

The best Android tablet for most people

Best Android tablet for most people

Specifications

Weight: 552g
Dimensions: 258 x 189.4 x 6.5 mm
OS: Android 14 with Oxygen OS
Screen size: 11.6-inch
Resolution: 2000 x 2800 pixels
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
Storage: 128GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: 9,510mAh
Rear camera: 13MP
Front camera: 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
Display is sharper than iPad Pro
+
A flagship tablet priced like a cheaper model
+
Big battery and faster charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Performance doesn’t match best phones
-
One option for storage, RAM, color
-
Stylo pen is pricey, needs charging

From our testing and experience with the OnePlus Pad, we can confidently say it is the best Android tablet for pretty much everyone who wants a great tablet but does not want an iPad. And even better, it’s priced competitively, undercutting rival tablets from the likes of Samsung.

So what makes the OnePlus Pad special? Well first off it sports a very impressive display that’s even sharper than the screens you’ll find on an iPad Pro. But not only is the 2800 x 2000 resolution great on this 11.61-inch display, it also refreshes at a speedy 144Hz. So that makes the OnePlus Pad a great device for viewing everything from movies and games to web pages and documents on.

Class-leading charging speeds and a 9,510mAh battery sweetens the deal for the OnePlus Pad. The only minor let down is the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip can’t quite keep up with very demanding tasks like photo editing in Lightroom. So even though there’s the option to use the OnePlus Pad with a keyboard cover, it’s not likely to stand up to being a laptop replacement.

However, that’s by-the-by as at the sweet price of $479 / £449, the OnePlus Pad’s minor shortcomings can be overlooked as it serves up a great Android tablet that’s worth consideration by most people.

Read our full OnePlus Pad review

The best budget tablet

The best budget tablet

Specifications

Weight: 433g
Dimensions: 246 x 164.8 x 8.6mm
OS: Fire OS
Screen size: 10.1-inch
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
CPU: Octa-core 2.05 GHz
Storage: 32GB/64GB
Battery: up to 13 hours
Rear camera: 5MP, 1080p HD video
Front camera: 5MP, 1080p HD video

Reasons to buy

+
Very inexpensive for a 10-inch tablet
+
Seems quite durable and hardy

Reasons to avoid

-
Only Amazon App Market, no Google Play
-
Tons of bloatware and extra services

The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is not a great tablet, but it is certainly a cheap tablet, and for the price it gives you plenty to like. While it starts at $139.99 / £149.99 (roughly AU$220) for the 32GB version (with a microSD card slot, nice!), Amazon regularly drops the price on this tablet, and we've seen it cut lower than $80 in the US in the past year. For that price it's not just a great budget tablet, it's a real no-brainer if you need a tablet cheap and now.

The Fire HD 10 (2023) has a nice, big screen at 10.1-inches. It's not as big as an iPad or Galaxy Tab, but it will be large enough to watch your favorite shows and streaming movies, or for browsing the web. You'll be restricted to Amazon's App Market instead of the Google Play Store, but all of your favorite streamers and most of the biggest productivity apps are there. You may miss your favorite games, if your favorite game isn't Fortnite.

There are also plenty of accessories available, including a fancy Amazon Stylus Pen, a ton of cases, and more. If you need to step up to a keyboard, you might also check out the Amazon Fire Max 11, Amazon's recent step into more-premium Android tablets.

Read our full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023).

The best battery life

Best battery life

Specifications

Weight: 627g
Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6
Screen size: 12.4-inches
Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm)
RAM: 6GB / 8GB / 12GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 10,090 mAh
Rear camera: 8MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)
Front camera: 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Water and dust resistant
+
Great multi-tasking software
+
Includes an S Pen in the box

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky and heavy compared to iPad Air
-
Slower Exynos processor inside
-
Still expensive considering performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus arrived with the rest of the recent FE clan, including a Galaxy S23 FE phone and new FE buds. The 'FE' tag no longer stands for 'Fan Edition,' now it just means ... nothing. That's fine, because the Tab S9 FE Plus managed to impress in our full review no matter what it's called. It costs the same as an Apple iPad Air, but it manages to beat Apple's tablet in many ways, especially in battery life, making it our pick for longevity in a tablet.

Of course, the Tab S9 FE Plus lasts a long time because it's processor is a bit underpowered, especially compared to Apple's tablet. While the iPad Air gives you a full desktop processor inside, Samsung opts for a much more conservative Exynos 1380 processor, the same chipset found in its bargain Galaxy A54 phone from 2023.

So, it won't be editing 8K video in real time, but you'll have fun watching videos for up to 18 hours, almost twice as long as many other tablets on this list, which typically last between 9 to 11 hours with basic usage. The Tab S9 FE Plus lasts well over a day of use even with the screen on, so if you need a tablet that lasts, this is your first stop.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus review

The best drawing tablet

The best drawing tablet

Specifications

Weight: 732g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 13
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 11,200mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Samsung multitasking is better than iPad and Pixel Tablet
+
Gorgeous display and blazing performance
+
Value is surprisingly good compared to iPad Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
Same price as a Macbook Air (M2)
-
Faster charging would have been nice
-
Flimsy keyboard and no easy S Pen storage

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra was our previous pick for the best overall Android tablet, and if you can afford this premium, 14.6-inch monster, you should absolutely buy it. You may need to find a larger bag, and it's probably bigger than most people need, which is why the Tab S9 Plus is our new premium Android favorite. If you need a serious tablet, with a seriously huge display made for drawing and artwork, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the best you can buy.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra probably gives you more than you need, but if you want to draw in the bathtub or by the pool, its water resistant frame will keep away moisture, even if it takes a dunk. The included S Pen uses the same Wacom technology you trust in professional graphic design tablets, so you can rely on its pressure and tilt sensitivity. You can even use your favorite Wacom pen with the Tab S9 Ultra, it will work the same.

We weren't huge fans of the keyboard Samsung offers for the Tab S9 Ultra, and it's really better as a massive canvas than a productivity took. This belongs on a huge drafting desk with great lighting, not stuffed onto a tray table on a plane. The Tab S9 Ultra is an ultimate tablet, but only if you have the space for it, and artists will appreciate what this huge display adds to the studio.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review

The best tablet for work

The best tablet for work

Specifications

Weight: 732g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: Yes
Battery: 11,200mAh
Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)
Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

Reasons to buy

+
Samsung multitasking is better than iPad and Pixel Tablet
+
Gorgeous display and blazing performance
+
Value is surprisingly good compared to iPad Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
Same price as a Macbook Air (M2)
-
Faster charging would have been nice
-
Flimsy keyboard and no easy S Pen storage

With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, you get the best productivity software on any tablet, especially if you want to do a lot at one time. Samsung's software shines on the larger tablet display, with great multi-window support, and excellent tools that keep you up-to-date all the time.

Samsung goes even further with DeX, a feature that turns the Galaxy Tab S9 into a real desktop with a task bar and floating windows. Just connect a mouse and keyboard, and maybe even a second display, and you're ready to get more done. It's an incredibly useful tool that makes it easy to access your work email and business documents in a comfortable way on the go, using a larger tablet screen instead of a smaller phone.

The Galaxy Tab S9 is even water resistant, so you could work from the beach safely near the waves, we won't tell. That durability, plus Samsung's great service and support, makes the Galaxy Tab S9 our favorite tablet for getting work done.

Read our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 review

The best compact Android tablet

The best small Android tablet

Specifications

Weight: 355g
Dimensions: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm
OS: Fire OS
Screen size: 8-inch
Resolution: 880 x 1280
CPU: quad-core
Storage: 32GB/64GB
Battery: up to 12 hours
Rear camera: 2MP (wide)
Front camera: 2MP

Reasons to buy

+
Wireless charging
+
Can be used like an Echo Show

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor screen quality
-
Not swift, even with extra RAM

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is our favorite small Android tablet for a few reasons. First of all, it's inexpensive and packed with apps for streaming your favorite movies and shows, connecting to your social networks, or getting some work done.

Second, most Android tablet makers have backed away from small tablets, so there isn't a professional-strength Apple iPad mini competitor from Samsung or OnePlus, unless you buy an expensive foldable phone with a mini tablet inside. Instead, you can spend less than a hundred bucks on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus and get most of what you need from a simple, small tablet.

Don't expect much power, because the Fire HD 8 Plus is made for media, not business. You'll still find plenty of tools from Microsoft and your favorite productivity apps on Amazon's App Market. You just won't have access to Google Play or any Google services, since this is an Amazon-only affair.

This tablet goes on sale often, making it an even better deal if you're shopping at the right time.

Read our full Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review

How to choose the best Android tablet for you

When you're buying an Android tablet, the first thing to consider is not the tablet, but which phone you carry. Samsung tablets have features that only work with Samsung phones, and the OnePlus Pad also has features that work exclusively with OnePlus devices. Before other considerations, you might want to match your phone to your tablet to get the most out of both.

The next thing to consider is how much you want to spend. If you can spend on an Android tablet what you might spend on an iPad, you can get our favorite Android tablets from OnePlus and Samsung, with robust features, a great display, and plenty of extras like an included stylus.

If you only have a hundred bucks or so, you'll be looking at Amazon Fire tablets, which don't run Android with Google Play but instead rely on Amazon's own App Market. You still get plenty of your favorite apps and streaming services, so hopefully, you won't have to miss much to save money.

Is mobile data important?

No, if you buy an Android tablet that matches the brand of your phone, your tablet will probably be able to use your phone's network connection without much trouble. Even if you buy a different brand, it isn't hard to connect an Android tablet to your phone's network signal.

Of course, buying a tablet from a mobile carrier often means you can get a discount or a deal that lets you buy a more expensive device, but this usually comes with a multi-year commitment to stay a customer until you've paid off the price of the tablet.

How we test

Every tablet included in this guide has been reviewed in full or in a long hands-on session, so we've spent plenty of time with each working out what's good, what's bad, and how they compare.

We've made sure to fully test tablet performance with apps and games, productivity software and social networks, and especially our favorite streaming services. We compare how content looks on each screen, whether their interface is intuitive, how long the battery lasts, and all of the extra features each offers, as well as assessing design and build quality.

We only consider tablets that are available to buy new, directly from the manufacturer or at major retailers. Tablets that are older may still be available, but we are looking for tablets with the longest support.

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Philip Berne
US Mobiles Editor

Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.