Best Android tablets in 2022

If you’re looking for the best Android tablet, then you’ve got more than a few options to choose from. The open-source nature of the Android platform has enabled a lot of companies to make their own devices, which means you’ll need to sift through them all to find the one that fits your needs. Luckily, we can help.

If you want the best Android tablet, then you’ve got a few things to look out for. First, think about why you need the tablet. Are you going to use it for writing or productivity work? Do you want to watch a lot of shows or movies on it? Do you plan to play games on it often? Or is it just something you’ll use occasionally. You’ll also want to think about what kind of apps you plan to use, and whether you’re confident side-loading apps, too.

Once you’ve figured all of that out, you can start narrowing down the list. We’ve also put together a handy breakdown of some of the best Android tablets out there, too, which should make it easier for you to find one that works for you. If you aren’t tied to the Android operating system, we also recommend checking out our best tablets guide for even more options.

Best Android tablet overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

Few Android tablets have managed to get close to the overall performance and functionality of Apple’s iPads. If you had to choose the closet option, though, the Galaxy Tab S8 series is one of the best. This Samsung-manufactured tablet combines standard features like fast charging combined with a beautiful 11 or 12.4-inch display, depending on which model you get.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the Galaxy Tab S8, though, is the ease at which the device turns into a portable PC. This makes it easy to equip the tablet with various peripherals, including those that make use of Samsung DeX. The 2560 x 1600 display means clean and slick visuals, while a 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth performance in games and applications.

The biggest downside for the Tab S8 comes down to its price. It is considered expensive for an Android tablet, but you’re getting a lot for the price. That said, it’s also worth considering the even higher-end Galaxy Tab S8+ and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, if you’re truly looking for the best of the best. All three tablets offer the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is Qualcomm’s highest-end chipset to date.

Best Android tablet for students: Amazon Fire HD 10

In 2011, Amazon launched the Kindle Fire, which would go on to birth a myriad of Amazon Fire tablets over the coming years. One of the latest offerings, the Amazon Fire HD 10 brings all the benefits of previous Amazon tablets to the table, with some added bonuses. If you’re looking for a solid Android tablet that gives you access to Alexa, then we highly recommend the Amazon Fire HD 10.

This tablet also isn’t as expensive as some other options out there, and you can find a few different configurations available on Amazon when purchasing it. If you’re a student, then one of the best options out there is the Productivity bundle. This bundle combines the Amazon Fire HD 10 with Microsoft Office 365 and a detachable keyboard peripheral. It’s the perfect tablet-to-laptop combination, and it’s easy to switch between the two modes depending on what you need. Amazon also runs sales on the Fire tablets constantly, so you can usually find one for a discount if you wait long enough.

The biggest downside with choosing an Amazon tablet over a more traditional Android tablet, though, is Google Play Store access. You can still sideload the Play Store on the tablet, but if you aren’t comfortable doing so, you may find yourself disappointed with the limited available apps on the Amazon App Store.

Best Android tablet for kids: Amazon Fire 7 Kids Pro

If you’re looking for an Android tablet that comes with great parental control options and doesn’t break the bank, then Amazon’s Fire 7 Kids Pro is a perfect fit.

This tablet blends all the lovely features of Amazon’s other Fire tablets with a kid-friendly design. The tablet is surrounded by a protective case, which is perfect for kids to hold onto. You’ll also find a slew of built-in parental control options, which makes it easy to keep track of what your kids are doing on their tablets. You can also set up guards that keep your kids from talking with strangers on their tablets, and approve certain contacts they are allowed to speak to.

The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Pro also comes with ready access to Amazon Kids+, a special feature-rich system designed to provide your kids with shows, books, and kid-friendly games they can play. Kids can read content from National Geographic, Rabbids Coding, LEGO, and more. It’s a great way to put interactive content in front of kids, and the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Pro won’t cost you a small fortune to get them set up with their first smart device.

Best budget Android tablet: Amazon Fire HD 8

If you need a good tablet that’s under $100 and offers a solid experience, then Amazon’s Fire HD 8 is a good choice. This tablet builds off the success of the company’s Fire 7, but adds more storage and overall power. You’ll find access to a ton of apps on the Amazon App Store, as well as easy access to Alexa and other Amazon-powered services.

The only real downside here compared to other budget tablets out there is that Amazon’s version of Android doesn’t come with the Google Play Store installed by default. You can sideload the app, giving you access to more applications via the Play Store, but sideloading can be a bit technical for users who don’t know how to do it.

You’ll find support for up to 12 hours of battery life on the Amazon Fire HD 8. The included 2GB of RAM, which should also be enough for basic tasks. It’s not as high of RAM as you’d see in the more expensive options on our list, but budget devices come with their own sacrifices. Like all of Amazon’s other tablets, the Fire HD 8 also comes with Amazon Kids, the company’s built-in parental controls. You can use it to control screen time, determine which apps can be installed, and more.

If you want a solid tablet that isn’t going to break the bank, then the Amazon Fire HD 8 is one of the best budget offerings you’ll find out there.

Best budget Android tablet with Google Play: Lenovo Tab P11+

If you’re looking for a budget Android tablet that does come with the Google Play Store, then it’s worth considering the Lenovo Tab P11+. This tablet looks and feels premium, offers a solid set of features, and doesn’t break the bank.

Under the hood, the Lenovo Tab P11+ comes with a MediaTek Helio G90T processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It’s not the fastest tablet out there, but it should be able to handle most basic tasks that users will throw at it.

The tablet also comes with Android 11, and Lenovo says it will get an update to Android 12 — but you shouldn’t expect it to get anything beyond Android 12.