On the other hand, Lenovo is typically known for their budget laptop and Chromebook collection, but their tablet included in this lineup can do more than a typical tablet.
I limited what is included in this list to tablets that offer a reliable experience, along with a mix of affordability and features. Not all Android tablets are created equal, so I used our years of research, personal experience, and knowledge about the products included here to make the suggestions below.
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The best cheap tabletsThe best large tabletsThe best rugged tablets The best note-taking tablets The best tablet for kids
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the biggest and best tablet in Samsung’s lineup. Samsung announced the new tablet in February 2022. It features a 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display, runs Android 12, and Samsung’s S Pen stylus is included in the box.
You can fully kit out the Tab S8 Ultra with 512GB of storage and 16GB of memory. The base model comes with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, and a microSD card for adding up to an extra 1TB of storage to the tablet.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review: Stunning hardware, but Android holds it back
With a tablet of this size, you’re most likely looking at it as a laptop replacement. That means you’ll want to pick up the $349 Book Cover Keyboard. Once connected, you’ll be able to use Samsung DeX on the S8 Ultra, effectively turning the tablet into an Android-powered 2-in-1 device with plenty of space for multitasking and using more than one app at a time.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus was intended to be a second-level tablet in the Galaxy S8 line of tablets. But, with specs almost mirroring that of the S8 Ultra, it makes it a little hard to pay $200 more for Samsung’s “flagship” tablet. Though this tablet features a screen that is 2.2 inches smaller than the S8 Ultra, the same Super AMOLED display and refresh rate can be seen in both models.
Included with the purchase of this tablet is Samsung’s S Pen that provides a more realistic experience than ever before. In addition, you can add the $229 keyboard accessory to the tablet, turning it into a DeX-powered 2-in-1 that you can hammer out emails, crush your work reports, or just sit back and watch your favorite YouTube channel.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus review: The best Android tablet for most people
Though photography on a tablet isn’t incredibly popular, Samsung has included a 13MP standard camera along with a 6MP ultra-wide camera so you can capture all the content your creative heart desires. Additionally, when playing back your videos you can listen through the tablet’s 4 AKG Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos technology for high-quality entertainment.
The Tab S8 is one of three new Samsung tablets. The Tab S8 comes with 8GB or 12GB of memory and starts at 128GB of storage which can be expanded by up to 1TB thanks to microSD card support. Inside the Tab S8 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. The 11-inch LCD display is compact enough to make the tablet portable but high-resolution, and clear enough you’ll be happy watching your favorite shows or gaming on it.
If you purchase the optional $199 keyboard cover, you can take advantage of Samsung’s DeX platform that turns the S8 into, essentially, an Android-powered laptop, with apps showing up as small windows instead of full-screen.
Review: Galaxy Tab S8 review: Samsung’s new tablet exceeds expectations
Included in the box with the S8 is an S Pen that you can use to write or draw in your favorite apps, just like you can on the Samsung Galaxy Note lineup.
Though Lenovo isn’t one of the major names in the tablet industry, their newest tablets are excellent alternatives to the expensive Apple and Samsung units. With an impressive 2K resolution with 400 nits of brightness and four stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, you can view your favorite shows and movies just about anywhere.
Streaming content isn’t always the easiest on your battery life. Fortunately, this Lenovo tablet contains a 7700mAh battery that can hold up to 15 hours of charge. That being said, you can work, stream, or play all day without the worry of your battery life coming to an end.
With access to the Google Play Store, you can gain access to work applications, games, streaming services, and so much more. Though you’d likely want a higher-end tablet for work, Lenovo offers a keyboard attachment as well as their Lenovo Precision Pen 2.
Review: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus review: The budget Android tablet to beat
Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy Tab A8 is a compact tablet that can hold its own against the higher-end models. It’s not going to blow you away with overall performance, but it is more than capable of running your favorite apps, some light gaming, and streaming your favorite shows.
It has a 5,100mAh battery, 32GB of included storage, microSD support up to 512GB, and a quad-core processor. Color options include black or silver.
Again, you’re not going to come away impressed with this particular model, but it’s more than capable enough to keep your kids entertained, act as a Kindle, check your email, or stream your favorite Netflix series.
We are only including the HD 8 Plus because it’s worth the extra $20, thanks to the added memory and support for wireless charging.
Review: Fire HD 10 review
I have three children of my own and found that the standard Fire HD 10 model can serve as a solid entertainment device for little ones if you want a tablet that everyone in the household can use.
However, if you want to use it as a laptop replacement, with a dedicated keyboard, windowed apps, and one of the best displays you’ll find on a tablet – Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 lineup is where you’ll want to focus your research.
If you’re looking to jump into a tablet as a mix of work and entertainment, then the Lenovo Tab P11+ is a solid choice. It mixes work, play, and affordability.
As long as you know what you want to get out of an Android tablet, it’s easy to figure out which Android tablet is right for you.
In fact, nearly every single tablet on this list is currently sitting on my desk or a nearby shelf. There are specific use cases for each tablet, and with that comes a specific kind of customer. It’s with both of those factors in mind that I came up with this list.
Apple iPads are favored by creative professionals and content creators for their compatible art programs, larger displays, and accessories. Android tablets are better suited for everyday use: browsing the web, streaming video and music, and even mobile gaming.
Android tablets often allow you to expand the stock internal storage with microSD cards, so they can adapt to your needs, whereas iPads have integrated hard drives that can’t be removed if you need more space.
