The Best Android Tablets for 2024

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Android tablets have grown 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 over a decade ago, so we know the full scope of progress and the aspects 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 of streaming movies, playing games, and browsing online. But you should still click through to our full reviews of each model below since one might suit your particular needs better. Keep scrolling past the list for some useful advice to have in mind while you shop.

The State of Android Tablets

It'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.

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 the major carriers offer a selection of cellular-capable tablets. You can easily 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.

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.

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 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.