The best Android tablet selection has recently had a bit of a boost, as not only has the iPad 10.2-rivaling Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite landed, but so too have new Amazon Fire HD 8 and Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus slates, and the Huawei MatePad Pro has been announced too.
We haven’t yet put any of these through a full review so you won’t find them on our best Android tablet list below, but check back soon if they interest you, as they’re all likely inclusions.
And if you want a tablet now then there’s no need to wait. Aside from these new releases there are a whole bunch of top Android slates, the best of which you’ll find below.
These include the top-end Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, the compact Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4, and many more.
We’ve ranked ten in all, so if you’re looking for the best Android tablet one of these should suit. And to make it easier to decide which we’ve also included pros, cons, an overview, and a full specs list for each.
But if ten choices isn’t enough, make sure to check out our best tablet, best iPad, and best cheap tablet guides for more great tablet options.
Best Android tablets in 2020 at a glance:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
- Asus ZenPad 3S 10
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
- Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4
- Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
- Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
- Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018)
- Amazon Fire 7 (2019)
Best Android tablets: which should you buy?
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The ‘money’s no object’ best Android tablet
Weight: 420g | Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm | OS: Android 9 | 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 + 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
Beautiful AMOLED display
S Pen as standard
Samsung’s One UI not perfect
No headphone jack
You want the very best Android tablet and you’re not worried about how much you’ll be spending? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is undeniably the best product you’ll find with a plethora of cutting-edge features.
It comes with an S Pen stylus in the box that you can use to take notes, draw and much more on the tablet’s display. You can also buy a smart keyboard to make it an experience that is close to a laptop.
The 10.5-inch AMOLED display on the Galaxy Tab S6 is one of the highlights with an impressive resolution of 1600 x 2560. This tablet also comes with two cameras on the rear too, so you can get better photography than on other slates.
It’s not the perfect device – there isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack and the user interface has its own quirks – but if you’re desperate for an Android tablet, this is the very best you’ll be able to buy right now.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review
2. Asus ZenPad 3S 10
One of the best Android tablets out
Weight: 430g | Dimensions: 240.5 x 163.7 x 7.2 mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 9.7-inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2048 | CPU: Mediatek MT8176 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: up to 10 hours | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 5MP
Strong, hi-res display
Swift response
Mediocre battery life
Not great build quality
Nope, that’s not an iPad you can see just above. That’s the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 – and it’s our second favourite Android tablet you’re able to buy right now.
There’s decent power inside this slate as well as a super bright and beautiful display to look at on the front.
The battery life and build quality aren’t the best on the market, but considering the lower price point than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 above, we’d recommend picking this up if you’re looking for something a touch cheaper.
Read our Asus ZenPad 3S 10 review
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Now cheaper, but still impressive
Weight: 482g | Dimensions: 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 10.5-inch | Resolution: 1600 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64/256GB | Battery: 7,300mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 8MP
PC desktop-like Dex interface
S Pen stylus included in box
Poor keyboard design
Desktop interface needs work
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 was once our best Android tablet, but now it has been bumped down by the Galaxy Tab S6, among other things. It’s not exactly cheap – although its price has dropped significantly in recent months – but it comes packing a whole host of features to ensure you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck.
Unlike Apple’s iPad Pro range, the Galaxy Tab S4 comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus included in the box, while under the hood you get the powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset alongside 6GB of RAM ensuring Android runs super-smoothly on screen.
That’s only half the story though. Pair the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 with a keyboard and mouse and it’ll transfer from Android into a desktop-like experience as it attempts to replace your laptop as well as your tablet.
The desktop aspect of the tablet is limited, but still useful. In short, the Galaxy Tab S4 is one of the most versatile Android tablets around.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review
4. Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4
A great Android alternative to the iPad Mini
Weight: 316g | Dimensions: 212.6 x 124.8 x 7.3mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 8.4-inch | Resolution: 1600 x 2560 | CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 960 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB/128GB | Battery: 5,100mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 8MP
Excellent speakers
Sharp screen and design
No headphone jack
Slightly dated chipset
The Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4 is a strong Android slate and the combination of its small size and metal shell makes it a real alternative to the iPad Mini.
This has more than just good looks though, as the MediaPad M5 8.4 also has impressive stereo speakers, and coupled with its sharp 1600 x 2560 screen that ensures it lives up to its name as a media machine.
It’s less good for gaming, and there’s no 3.5mm headphone port – so you probably will be relying on those internal speakers a lot, but if you want a very portable slate that’s great for movies and music then the Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4 is a top option.
Read our Huawei MediaPad M5 8.4 review
5. Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro
Taking ‘Netflix and chill’ to the next level
Weight: 665g | Dimensions: 246.9 x 179.1 x 4.6mm | OS: Android 6 | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | CPU: Intel Atom quad-core | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 16GB/32GB | Battery: 10,200mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP
Integrated projector
Great audio
Heavy
Glitchy interface
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro is packed full of media-focused features and sports a unique, distinctive design.
There’s a built in stand to take the heft off your hands, while the integrated projector means you can enjoy big screen entertainment away from your TV, though the screen is sharp enough that you won’t always feel the need to use a projector anyway.
All that tech does make it less portable than most tablets on this list and the UI could be better, but it’s a fairly unique option.
Read our Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro review
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Samsung’s former flagship Android slate is still super
Weight: 429g | Dimensions: 237.3 x 169 x 6mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 9.7-inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2048 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 6,000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP
Great premium design
HDR-ready display is excellent
Keyboard is a costly extra
High price tag
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3 may have been replaced by the Galaxy Tab S4 and Tab S6, but it’s still a top tablet and one that’s now more affordable.
This tablet ranks among the best Android slates thanks to a powerful processor and an excellent display that’s prepped to show you HDR content.
There’s an S-Pen stylus in the box and you’ll also have the option of buying a keyboard, but that will cost you extra.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 review
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
A few years old, but now much cheaper
Weight: 256g/389g | Dimensions: 198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6mm/237.3 x 169 x 5.6mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 8.0-inch/9.7-inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2048 | CPU: Octa-core | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 4000mAh/5870mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 2.1MP
Thinner, lighter design
Great screen
So-so battery life
Camera is mediocre
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 may now be quite old, but there are still reasons to buy it – and that main reason is its price.
Out of all the Samsung tablets featured on this list, the Galaxy Tab S2 is by far the cheapest now and it offers a web and video friendly experience with its 4:3 high resolution display.
You can pick the Tab S2 up in 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants – that’s likely designed to challenge Apple’s iPad and iPad mini ranges – with the smaller option being the most portable and cheapest.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 review
8. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
A cheap tablet with a huge screen
Weight: 504g | Dimensions: 262 x 159 x 9.8mm | 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: 2MP | Front camera: 2MP
Large, clear screen
Dependable battery life
Divisive software
Only okay speakers
The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) is essentially built for Amazon Prime members, since its big 10.1-inch 1200 x 1920 screen is a great way to consume the films, TV shows and even ebooks it gives you access to.
And the Amazon-centric interface used – which won’t appeal to everyone – ensure you’re never far from Amazon Prime content.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) if you’re not an Amazon Prime member. This is a durable, affordable slate with reasonable specs for the money, so it’s also a strong choice for anyone on a tight budget. But some of the options above in this list will likely be a better fit if money is no object.
Read our Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) review
9. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018)
The best you can get at this price
Weight: 363g | Dimensions: 214mm x 128mm x 9.7mm | OS: Fire OS | Screen size: 8-inch | Resolution: 1280 x 800 | CPU: Quad-core 1.3GHz | RAM: 1.5GB | Storage: 16/32GB | Battery: Up to 10 hours | Rear camera: 2MP | Front camera: 2MP
Great value
Decent speakers
Weak screen
Average battery life
The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018) is among the best of the retail giant’s tablets, as while it’s in many ways lower end than the similar HD 10, the smaller screen makes it more portable.
It also delivers surprisingly strong gaming performance, with a decent amount of power for the money. The speakers aren’t great and the cameras are awful, but tablets aren’t for taking photos and you can always use headphones.
What you do get is solid if not spectacular performance, and tight integration with Amazon’s other services through Fire OS, all at a price that’s well below most of the non-Amazon branded competition.
You should also note that if you already own the 2016 or 2017 version of this tablet, it won’t be worth upgrading to the 2018 version as the differences are minimal.
Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018) review
10. Amazon Fire 7 (2019)
Almost unbelievably cheap
Weight: 286g | Dimensions: 115mm x 192mm x 9.6mm | OS: Fire OS | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1024 x 600 | CPU: Quad-core 1.3GHz | RAM: 1GB | Storage: 16/32GB | Battery: Up to 7 hours | Rear camera: 2MP | Front camera: 2MP
More storage
Decent media performance
Screen is dull and low res
Limited app selection
Tablets don’t get any cheaper than this – well, functional ones don’t anyway. The incredibly low price and sturdy design make the Amazon Fire 7 (2019) a great choice to give to a kid – in fact, Amazon’s even built a (slightly pricier) version specifically for children.
But even for a grown audience the Amazon Fire 7 far exceeds expectations, with a fairly bright 7-inch screen, acceptable speakers, solid battery life and even reasonable performance, with a snappy interface and the ability to run most games.
The last gen Fire 7 was remarkably similar to this latest product, but this comes with the choice of 16GB or 32GB of storage and there are some improvements to the front camera too.
Fire OS won’t suit everyone and this isn’t a tablet that impresses once you take the price out of the equation, but for what the Amazon Fire costs it would almost be rude not to buy it.
Read our Amazon Fire 7 (2019) review