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These Android tablets are excellent options if you're not an iPad fan
Those who are tried and true Android users probably stay far away from Apple's products, so when it comes to finding the right tablet, there are plenty of options that aren't an iPad. However, if I'm being honest, finding alternatives that match what Apple has done with their iPads is hard. Fortunately, tablets from Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo can provide what you need at just a fraction of the price of an iPad.
Samsung's tablet lineup consists of several different models, with a wide range in price and features, most of which are ideal for students thanks to dedicated keyboard accessories, performance, and display size. Meanwhile, Amazon's tablets, which technically run a forked version of Android called Fire OS, are designed and sold at budget prices, integrating all of the online shopping giant's stores and services.
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.
More:
- The best cheap tablets
- The best large tablets
- The best rugged tablets
- The best note-taking tablets
- The best tablet for kids
- Giant display
- Comes with S Pen
- Fantastic battery life
- Keyboard isn't included
- Very expensive
Tech specs: Display: 14.6-inch, 120Hz, Super AMOLED 2,960 x 1,848 display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, microSD up to 1TB | Memory: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | Colors: Graphite | Cameras: 13MP and 6MP rear. 12MP and 12MP ultrawide front camera | Weight: 1.6 lbs | Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 11,200mAh
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.
- Stellar display
- Comes with an S Pen
- Exceptional battery life
- 5G option
- Doesn't include keyboard accessory
Tech specs: Display: 12.4-inch, 120Hz, Super AMOLED 2,800 x 1,752 display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, microSD up to 1TB | Memory: 8GB | Colors: Graphite, silver, pink gold | Cameras: 13MP and 6MP rear, 12MP ultrawide front camera | Weight: 1.27 lb | Dimensions: 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 10,090mAh
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.
- Stunning display
- 5G option
- S Pen in box
- Keyboard costs extra
Tech specs: Display: 11-inch, 120Hz 2560 x 1600 display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB | Memory: 8GB, 12GB | Colors: Graphite, silver, pink gold | Cameras: 13MP, 6MP ultra-wide, 12MP ultrawide front camera | Weight: 1.1 lbs | Dimensions: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 8,000mAh
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.
- Dolby Atmos supported speakers
- Solid camera quality for the price
- Bluetooth 5.1
- No headphone jack
- No fingerprint sensor
Tech specs: Display: 11-inch, 2000 x 1200 display | Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T | Storage: 128GB | Memory: 4GB, 6GB | Colors: Slate grey | Cameras: 13MP rear, 8MP front camera | Weight: 1.08 lb | Dimensions: 6.42 x 10.17 x 0.3 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 7,700mAh
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
- Affordable
- Expandable storage
- Excellent battery life
- Sluggish performance
Tech specs: Display: 8-inch, 1200 x 800 display | Processor: Qualcomm SDM 429 | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Colors: Silver, black | Cameras: 8MP rear, 2MP front camera | Weight: 345g | Dimensions: 8.27 x 4.90 x 0.31 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0 | Battery: 5,100mAh
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.
- Very affordable
- MicroSD card expandable storage
- Battery life
- Not the fastest tablet
- No access to Google apps or services
Tech specs: Display: 8-inch, 1280 x 800 display | Processor: Quad-core 2.0GHz | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Memory: 3GB | Colors: Black | Cameras: 2MP front and rear | Weight: 12.5oz | Dimensions: 8.0 by 5.4 by 0.4 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C | Battery: 12 hours
Gone are the boxy and square tablets from Amazon. The company completely redesigned the Fire HD 8 lineup with a more rounded look and feel. There are actually two new tablets: The Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus.
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.
The Fire HD 8 runs Amazon's Fire OS. It runs Android apps, but you're limited to apps that are available in Amazon's own Appstore. Like with most tablets in this price range, performance can be sluggish at times, but you'll have no issues shopping, browsing Facebook, or checking your email on the Fire HD 8 Plus.
Review: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) review: Primed for Amazon superfans
Tech specs: Display: 10.1-inch display | Processor: Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Storage: 32GB (expandable up to 1TB) | Memory: 3GB | Colors: Sky blue, black, doodle, intergalactic | Cameras: 2 MP front-facing and 5 MP rear-facing | Weight: 25.3 ounces | Dimensions: 7.4 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 12 hours
Looking for a tablet geared toward kids? Amazon's Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is perfect for kids ages six through 12. Thanks to the 10.1-inch display, you'll get a larger screen without adding much to the overall cost. The Kids Edition version comes with the same perks as the Fire 8 Kids Edition, including a protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year subscription to Amazon Kids+.
Either way, you get Amazon's largest tablet with a 1080p display. It has a USB-C port for faster charging, and up to 12 hours of battery life. Performance isn't on par with an iPad, but in my experience testing, it's better than the Fire 7 or 8.
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.
What is the best Android tablet?
So by now, we know which Android tablet is the best when comparing the features. But now, we lay out some of the most important specs of these tablets to help find which one is the best to suit your needs.
Android Tablet | Price | Display size | Storage |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | $1,080 | 14.6 inches | Up to 1TB |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ | $800 | 12.4 inches | Up to 1TB |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | $600 | 11 inches | Up to 256GB |
Lenovo Tab P11+ | $210 | 11 inches | Up to 256GB |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 | $160 | 8 inches | Up to 64GB |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus | $120 | 8 inches | Up to 64GB |
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro | $200 | 10.1 inches | 32GB |
Which Android tablet is right for you?
But, how do you choose? I think the first question you should ask yourself is what you want the tablet to do. Or maybe it's better phrased as what you want to use the tablet for? If it's some lightweight web browsing, email checking, watching videos, and the occasional game, then a low-end tablet like the Fire HD 10 or Samsung's Galaxy Tab A is more than enough for you.
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.
Choose this Android tablet… | If you want… |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 ultra | The best Android tablet on the market |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ | Screen quality that matches the flagship model |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | A well-rounded Android tablet with a 4K display |
Lenovo Tab P11+ | The perfect tablet for streaming your favorite shows at a low price |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 | An affordable, basic Android tablet |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus | An Android tablet with a smaller, 8-inch display |
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro | An Android tablet built with kids in mind |
How did we choose these Android tablets?
When going through the list of available Android tablets, it's quickly clear you don't have very many options. I took those limited options and evaluated what the tablet has to offer and looked at the price. I've been testing tablets and smartphones for over a decade, and have used numerous tablets over those years.
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.
Is the Amazon Fire an Android tablet?
Yes! Both the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus and HD 10 Plus use the Android operating system. This means that not only will you be able to use Amazon streaming services and apps, but you'll also get access to programs and services on the Google Play store.
Should I buy a tablet or a laptop?
That depends on what you want to use your tablet or laptop for. Digital artists tend to prefer tablets since they're easier to draw on with a stylus. Tablets are also great for photo editing and streaming movies if you get one with a large enough screen size. But if you want to do things like create spreadsheets, type in a word processing program, or do intensive 3D animation or modeling, you're better off with a laptop.
Are Android tablets better than iPads?
That's a pretty subjective question, but each type of tablet has its pros and cons.
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.
Are there alternative Android tablets worth considering?
Tablets that have Android software come from brands like Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo. Here are a few other options for tablets within the Android ecosystem.
HIGH RESOLUTION
Lenovo Yoga Tab 11
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 has a large screen 2K display and Dolby Atmos sound built right in.
BEST BATTERY LIFE
Lenovo Tab M8
Another tab from Lenovo, the Lenovo Tab M8, is smaller with an 8-inch screen, but has up to 15 hours of battery life.
MOST STORAGE
Amazon Fire HD 10
Amazon's largest tablet has hands-free Amazon Alexa and expandable storage of up to 1TB.