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The 6 best Android tablets for 2024 are portable dynamos that can do anything

By Jason R. Rich, Brittany Vincent

Edited By Leslie Gornstein

Updated on: August 26, 2024 / 3:13 PM EDT / Essentials

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The 6 best Android tablets for 2024 are portable dynamos that can do anything — Google

Whether you're firmly team Android or you want to ditch your Apple iPad for a new tablet, a new Android tablet is always a great option. There's a lot of variety when it comes to the Android side of tablets. Many offer large screens, zippy processors, and easy compatibility with your smartphone, smart home systems, and smartwatch.

Plus, the latest and best Android tablets are perfect for handling your everyday tasks, as well as your academic or professional needs, like image or video editing, note taking, or word processing. They're also an excellent option for gaming.

What is the best Android tablet?

Our in-house team of consumer tech experts has carefully curated this roundup of the best Android tablets available right now. Whether you're looking to spend less than $170 for a budget-friendly tablet (like the Lenovo Tab M11), or you want the most computing power and best AI integration possible from an Android tablet, we have some great options for you.

Best Android tablet: Google Tablet
Best budget Android tablet: Lenovo Tab M11
Best mid-priced Android tablet: OnePlus Pad
Best premium Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Best Android tablet for kids: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
Best folding phone that doubles as a tablet: Google Pixel Pro Fold

Best Android tablet: Google Tablet

Google Tablet is our top pick for multiple reasons. It's designed by Google, so it makes full use of the company's Android OS. This tablet is also extremely customizable. It runs apps from the Google Play Store and works seamlessly with all of Google's own apps and cloud services. Right out of the box, you get access to Google Chrome, Gmail, the Google Workplace apps, YouTube and more.

What sets the Google Tablet apart is a unique charging speaker dock. When the tablet is connected, the battery charges -- and the tablet and dock transform into a fully functional home hub, complete with Google Assistant. This means you get access to all of the functions of a Google Nest Hub Max.

Of course, the Google Tablet is also compatible with any USI 2.0 stylus and Bluetooth keyboard. This makes it an ideal work- or school-related tool. However, it can just as easily stream TV shows, movies, music, podcasts or audiobooks; play games; display e-books or let you surf the web. Google has packed a lot of functionality into a full-featured Android tablet that costs about half of what comparable tablets cost, which makes it a really good value.

To learn more about this versatile Android tablet from Google, be sure to check out our in-depth review. And with the latest Android updates, the Google Tablet now integrates the latest AI features and functions.

$499 at Amazon

Best budget Android tablet: Lenovo Tab M11

For just $170, you can purchase this entry-level Android tablet from Best Buy. It features a 1,920-by-1,200 pixel resolution touchscreen and runs using a MediaTek Helio G88 processor. It comes configured with 128GB of internal storage.

Unlike most tablets, this one comes with a folio case and pen-shaped stylus. It's also IP53 rated for water resistance. The tablet runs Android 13, along with a generous collection of preinstalled apps. Additional apps can be acquired from the Google Play Store, so you can customize the tablet with additional functionality.

Built into the tablet are four speakers that support Dolby Atmos. You also get a microSD memory card slot, so you can upgrade the tablet's storage as needed. For someone who needs just basic Android tablet functionality at a super affordable price, the Tab M11 is a great option.

$170 at Amazon

Best mid-priced Android tablet: OnePlus Pad

If you're on a budget but still want a decently powerful tablet that has a stylus and detachable keyboard available for it, the OnePlus Pad is worth investigating. The 11.61-inch touchscreen display offers a maximum brightness of 500 nits and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. Integrated into the tablet are four speakers that support Dolby Atmos.

Like the OnePlus smartphones, this tablet runs OxygenOS, which is based on Android 13, so you can easily get apps from the Google Play Store. Plus, a nice selection of Google apps come preinstalled. When it comes to video, it can take advantage of Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support to display detailed and smooth action.

One thing that's lacking with this tablet is options. It only comes in a configuration with 128GB of internal storage and a green casing. There's also no built-in microSD memory card slot. But when you shop for the tablet from the OnePlus website, you can save money by trading in old gear for instant credit toward your purchase. And students get an automatic 5% discount.

$400 at Amazon

$400 at OnePlus

Best premium Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

For a power user looking for an advanced, feature-packed and fast tablet with cutting-edge tech, it's the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra you're looking for. Between its stunning 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display, powerful processor, up to 1TB of internal storage and long battery life, this tablet can handle advanced tasks that require a lot of power -- such as photo or video editing and high-end gaming.

The bright, colorful and detailed display, combined with the tablet's quad-speaker system (that supports Dolby Atmos) makes video, graphic or audio content look and sound incredible. With the Tab S9 Ultra, you get a free Samsung S Pen stylus, so you can handwrite or draw on the screen, as well as annotate files. The tablet runs the latest version of Android, offering advanced functionality that other tablets simply can't match. We also love that this is one of the very few tablets that's IP68-rated for water and dust resistance. The casing is constructed using Armor Aluminum, which makes it considerably more durable than most.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is nicely equipped with two, 12MP front-facing cameras with a wide and ultra-wide FOV. On the back, you get a 13MP wide camera that's accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Another great feature is that the tablet supports Wi-Fi 6E, so you'll get fast wireless connection speeds when accessing the internet. This is among the most powerful tablets available, period. It's also lightweight and extremely thin. And of course, it works seamlessly with other Samsung Galaxy mobile devices and smart gear that's compatible with Samsung SmartThings.

Samsung has officially rolled out Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra through its newest OS update. This brings new features to the tablet, including circle to search, generative photo editing, live language translation, instant document and website summaries, and much more.

$1,200 and up at Samsung

Best Android tablet for kids: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

This version of the Amazon Fire tablet for kids was released in 2023. It offers a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with 1080p HD resolution, which makes it ideal for watching TV or movies. The storage can be upgraded to 1TB using an optional microSD memory card. Battery life is up to 13 hours, so it can keep kids entertained during trips.

Like other Amazon Fire tablets for kids, this tablet comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, a protective case (available in three colors) and the "Worry-Free Guarantee." With parental controls, an adult can manage the tablet from a smartphone. This includes limiting screen time and the content kids can see. The web browser does provide access to the internet but has filters to block inappropriate content. You can also require an adult to pre-approve content downloads.

The 10-inch display is large enough for kids to handle easily, whether playing games, watching videos, reading e-books or streaming music. This version of the tablet is 25% faster than the previous model, and the internal, front-facing camera is now 5MP (instead of just 2MP). Out of all the tablets for kids offered by Amazon, at the moment, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is the most powerful and has the best screen resolution.

If you're shopping for a tablet specifically for kids, check out our recent coverage of the best tablets for kids.

$150 at Amazon

Best folding phone that doubles as a tablet: Google Pixel Pro Fold

Display size: 6.3 inches (cover), 8 inches (internal) | Display type: Actua touchscreen OLED (cover), Super Actua Flex OLED touchscreen (internal) | Display resolution: 1,080 x 2,224 pixels (cover), 2,076 x 2,152 (internal) | Display brightness: Up to 2,700 nits (cover), 2,700 nits (internal) | Processor: Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security co-processor | Available colors: Porcelain, obsidian | Dimensions: 6.1 x 3 x 0.5 inches (folded), 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches (unfolded) | Weight: 9.1 ounces | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP (wide), 10.5MP (ultra-wide), 10.8MP (telephoto) | Front camera: 10MP | Operating system: Android 14 | Port: USB Type-C 3.2 | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Going head-to-head with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts off almost exactly the same size as the Google Pixel 9 Pro smartphone when it's folded. This means it fits comfortably in your pocket and you can use it just like a traditional smartphone. Simply keep the phone closed and use just the outer 6.3-inch Actua OLED touchscreen.

When you unfold the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you get access to a stunning 8-inch Super Actua Flex OLED touchscreen. So you gain the features and functionality offered by the most advanced Android tablets, including Google AI.

You can display one app across the entire screen; run two apps side-by-side; or even take advantage of the phone's new multi-view feature. This is the phone you want if you need extra on-screen real estate and the ability to multitask with ease.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a must-have smartphone for Android power users, and it offers a slew of features the other Pixel 9 phones don't offer, particularly when it comes to watching videos, shooting and editing photos or video, and multitasking. The phone comes in your choice of porcelain or obsidian colors. And you can choose between 256GB ($1,799) or 512GB ($1,919) of storage.

Head over to Best Buy to pre-order the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, starting at $1,799 and get a free $350 Best Buy gift card and three months of Google One service as a bonus. Best Buy is also offering up $460 instant credit for eligible devices.

$1,799 and up (Pre-Order) at Best Buy

Which Android tablet is the best?

Whether you select one of our top six Android-based tablet picks or purchase one of the many others out there, here are 10 important things to consider:

OS version: Every year or so, Google releases a major new update to the Android operating system. Be sure that the tablet runs the latest version of this popular OS and that the manufacturer plans to keep supporting the tablet for future updates, at least for the next few years. Android 14 is the most current version of the operating system.
Display: The size of the display dictates the amount of on-screen real estate available to display your content, while its resolution will dictate the level of detail, color vibrancy and color accuracy you'll see. Keep in mind that larger displays give you more room to multitask using a split screen.
Resolution: This is measured in pixels. The higher a display's resolution, the more detail you'll see on the screen. The Google Tablet, for example, offers 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, which means that you get 2,560 pixels horizontally and 1,600 pixels vertically, which translates to a total of 4,096,000 individual pixels that make up the screen.
Display refresh rate: This is a measurement of how many times per second the display can draw a new image. It's measured in Hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother high-action content will appear.
Processor: A tablet's processor is its brain. The faster and more powerful the processor, the better performance you'll get out of the tablet.
Storage: At the time of purchase, most tablet manufacturers allow you to choose between several internal storage options, such as 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. The more storage a tablet has, the more it can store.
MicroSD memory card expandability: Most (but not all) Android-based tablets have a microSD slot built in. This allows you to insert a microSD memory card (usually with up to a 1TB capacity) to expand the tablet's internal storage. Optional microSD memory cards are sold separately. Depending on the brand and read/write speed, a card with a 128GB capacity will cost around $20, while one with a 1TB capacity will cost around $100. Other popular capacities include 256GB or 512GB. You'll want an extra-large amount of space if you plan to store a bunch of movies or high-resolution videos.
Size: Ideally, you want a tablet with a large and bright display, but pay attention to the overall dimensions of the tablet, including its thickness.
Weight: The best tablets are very thin and lightweight, which makes them easy and comfortable to hold. If you don't plan on holding the tablet, you'll likely need to invest in a stand.
What's included: Some tablets come with just a charging cable, while others include a case or stylus. Most offer optional accessories, including a keyboard, stylus, stand and case. Another common accessory is a pair of wireless headphones or earbuds. We recommend a pair that offers both noise cancellation and support for spatial audio.

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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