These are the best Android tablets to buy in 2022

Android tablets have long been a divisive issue for Android fans. Some people swear by them and love the versatility of running Android on a large display. Others absolutely hate them, thinking that Android doesn’t scale really well on tablets and that it’s best left as a phone operating system, telling you to get an iPad instead. The iPad has always had the upper hand when it comes to tablets, mostly due to the way iPadOS works.

Love them or hate them, though Android tablets are a thing. They’ve been around for years just as good phones and good Chromebooks have. And while we may not be able to get them as easily as we might buy a phone from carriers like AT&T, they’re not going away anytime soon. Android OEMs want to fight Apple’s current stronghold in the tablet market, and if you want to try it yourself, we’ve gathered some of the best Android tablets currently available.

With options ranging from Samsung to Amazon, there’s a lot of potential for everyone and every use case, so keep reading to learn more.

Navigate this guide:

Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus

The biggest Android OEM that’s still moving into the tablet game is Samsung, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus shows just how good their tablets can be in the premium spectrum. This particular model has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with up to 12GB of RAM, and Samsung’s excellent 120Hz AMOLED panel manages to drive the show, this time in a nearly 12.4-inch presentation. However, what makes this particular tablet so good is that it’s not just Android stretched out. The Samsung DeX can be enabled without the need for an external display, and with a keyboard and mouse, it actually manages to perform some productivity tasks, further helped by the massive 12.4-inch display.

With a 10,090mAh battery running the show, support for 45W charging, and Android 12, it is one of the best Android tablets one can buy today.

Also great: Xiaomi Pad 5

Before the Xiaomi Pad 5, Xiaomi was absent from the tablet game for many years. The company usually makes products with great hardware, and phones like the Mi 11 Ultra are among the best in the Android world. The company eventually returned with the Xiaomi Pad 5, and it features an 11-inch, 2560 x 1600 IPS LCD panel that refreshes at 120Hz and can display over a billion colors, as well as the DCI-P3 color gamut. may also support.

Under the hood of the Xiaomi Pad 5 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 SoC, an 8,720mAh battery, and 6GB of RAM with either 128 or 256GB of storage. These components are clearly not 2022, but they cement the Xiaomi Pad 5 as an affordable, upper mid-range tablet. The tablet doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner, so you must use a PIN code, password, or non-secure face unlock as protection. Even without the flagship specifications, it’s a steal at a starting price of €349.

Best Overkill: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

While the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is the best tablet for everyone, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the tablet that packs just a bit more In every department, though at a higher premium. It packs the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and identical speakers, though a lot of changes have been made to the rest of the device. There’s up to 16GB of RAM, a larger 14.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel, and a dual front-facing camera system. It’s an overkill tablet that most people don’t need, although if you need one of the biggest screen tablets around, it’s probably for you.

Best for Most People: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

Samsung is at the top of the Android tablet game, which is why the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is also taking another top spot in terms of specifications and quality. It’s pretty much the same package as the Galaxy Tab S7, except for a much smaller package. Most of the internals have been kept as is, except we now get an 11-inch LTPS TFT display (at 120Hz anyway) instead of a 12.4-inch AMOLED panel. While the Tab S8 Plus was more suited to use as a laptop replacement than an actual tablet of that size, the Galaxy Tab S8’s size is more versatile and portable, and you can still use it with DeX, which Samsung has desktop mode. If you really wanted to.

The same Snapdragon 865+ CPU, up to 8GB of RAM, and the same exact software are also in tow, with the only immediate difference being the smaller 8,000mAh battery, which is partly due to the smaller display.

Best Mid-Range: Lenovo Tab P11 Pro

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is really as good as it gets for a tablet with mid-range specifications. Lenovo is a huge fish in the Android ecosystem, being the parent company of Motorola and also making some smartphones of its own. They also make tablets from time to time, and the Tab P11 Pro is currently the best in their lineup. With an 11.5-inch OLED display and internals such as the Snapdragon 730G processor and up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the Tab P11 Pro is certainly a mid-range device at heart, but it excels in aspects like display. The quality and battery life thanks to the 8,600 mAh battery inside.

It runs Android 10, features 20W fast charging, and gets the job done. Lenovo is trying to fill a gap here because there are relatively few actual tablets with these specifications, and so far they’ve done a great job. While we’d love to see improvements in its software, it’s clearly one of the best Android tablets you can get.

Best Budget: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Samsung doesn’t just make flagship tablets. In fact, the flagship tablet is actually a new venture for them, given that the Galaxy Tab lineup has been going on since 2010. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 belongs to Samsung’s lineup of low-end tablets. And honestly? It’s not terrible either. There’s a 1920×1200 TFT LCD panel here, a Unisoc T618 chipset (which Samsung says is 10% faster than the previous Snapdragon 662), up to 128GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM, and One UI based on Android 11 Is. Hopefully, soon it can be fully upgraded to Android 12 as well.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a good choice for anyone who wants a basic Android-powered device with a large display, which is why it’s currently making our list of the best Android tablets available.

If you’re looking for a seamless Android experience similar to what you’d find in a smartphone, Amazon’s Fire tablet isn’t a viable option to look at. While the software is Android-based, you don’t get Google services and you won’t be able to get hold of apps from the Play Store, not to mention that the internals are barely up to spec, meaning nothing too intensive you’re planning. There may be a less than stellar experience to be had. But Amazon is not selling you this tablet to do this. It’s meant for you to watch movies, series, and videos, and for that, it does the job even better.

It’s a media consumption-enabled device that doesn’t break the bank, which is why we’re touting it as one of the best Android tablets available.

Best for Kids: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro

Lastly, if you’re a parent and want to get your child their first tablet as a toy, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is an excellent choice. We chose the HD 8 version because we think it’s the sweet spot between specifications, storage, size, and pricing for most kids. Specs-wise, this is an Amazon Fire HD 8 with a thick, kid-friendly case to protect against drops and bumps, and it also comes with an adjustable kickstand. Amazon also offers a 2-year “worry-free” warranty for these, which means if your child manages to break it, you can return it and Amazon will replace it for free.

While it doesn’t really fit into anything demanding, it is still one of the best Android tablets for kids, as it allows them to get games, watch educational videos, and more. Note that it doesn’t even have Google Play Store on it.

Honorable Mention: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Wait, what’s a phone on this list doing? Well, it technically counts as a small tablet too, as the phone flaunts a 7.6-inch internal display. In fact, Samsung is clearly playing that game here, as these phones with big foldable displays blur the line between phone and tablet more than ever. Especially now that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has fixed a number of flaws affecting the first-generation Galaxy Fold and Z Fold 2, it should be a good option for those who really like top-of-the-line models. Looking for a small tablet with -Line. Don’t stare at the specifications—and the really expensive stuff.

It is one of the best Android tablets and incidentally, one of the best Android phones out there. That’s foldable for you.

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We’ve got plenty of options here for everyone, but those on a budget over $500 should take a look at the Galaxy Tab S7 lineup. As I said earlier, Android tablet competition is currently pretty much non-existent, and only a few companies have managed to put out products worth considering. But if you’re not a fan of Samsung, Lenovo also has a great option with its Tab P11 Pro, and Amazon has a few devices under its belt too, which sell like hotcakes really, but if If you watch then you will probably be disappointed. To work more deeply on that.

Of course, if you want the best possible tablet right now, look beyond Android and see if you can pick up the new Apple iPad Pro 2021. Sorry Android fans, but it’s true.