Although a laptop or desktop is best for many tasks, tablets are incredibly portable as well as versatile. With an Android tablet, you can stream movies and TV shows, play games, browse the web, and even read ebooks. Often, while traveling I’ll pack my tablet and use it as a laptop replacement since my Samsung Galaxy Tab is much smaller and lighter than my Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop. Looking for an Android tablet? Here are the best Android tablets for all uses and budgets in 2020.
What to Look for in an Android Tablet
When you’re shopping for an Android tablet, there are many considerations. First up, price is a major factor. While good, cheap Android tablets abound, high-end options offer premium amenities such as AMOLED screens and blazing fast processors. Screen size is key. Generally, tablets are available in 7-inch and 10-inch sizes, although you’ll find both larger and smaller options. Although many tablets lack video output capabilities, HDMI or DisplayPort connectivity is a bonus for connecting your tablet to a TV, monitor, or projector to watch movies and achieve a desktop-like experience. Storage space is essential. Think about both built-in storage as well as expandable storage via microSD. You should look for a tablet running a newer version of Android since tablets are notorious for getting phased out of updates.
Read: OnePlus Pad review, a great value Android tablet for work and play
Android tablet buying considerations:
- Price
- Screen size and type
- Processing power, RAM, and onboard storage
- Expandable storage (microSD card slot)
- Video output capabilities
- Specific use case (i.e. gaming, reading, etc.)
Best Android Tablet Overall – Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is hands-down the best Android tablet on the market. Available with up to 512GB of built-in storage, the S7+ rocks a microSD card slot for up to 1TB of additional storage space. Running Android 10, the S7+ delivers a top-notch Android experieence. Its stunning 120Hz 10-inch edge-to-edge sAMOLED screen is paired with four AKG-tuned Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers. There’s an Octa Core prcessor and up to 8GB of RAM. A stylus comes standard for writing and drawing. Samsung’s innovative DeX desktop mode comes built-in so you can connect to an external display for a PC-type display.
Whether you’re working or playing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ can handle it in style. Native Android gaming and emulation work flawlessly on its beefy octa-core processor. Unfortunately, the Samsung Galaxt Tab S7+ is pretty pricey. For the cost, you could buy a perfectly decent budget gaming laptop or desktop. Battery life is good, although it’s not an all-day battery if you’re using it non-stop. You might consider the slightly less expensive Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 which yields much the same feature set. Still, if you can shell out for it, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the best Android tablet in 2020.
Pros:
- Up to 512GB of storage space
- microSD card slot
- Android 10
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- sAMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate
- AKG-tuned quad-speaker array with Dolby Atmos surround sound
- S-pen stylus included
- USB-C charging
- 13MP wide and 5MP ultra-wide rear cameras, 8MP front-facing camera
- Can use as a hotspot or second screen
- DeX desktopmode
- Octa Core (3.09GHz,2.4GHz,1.8GHz)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t include a cover or keyboard (both sold separately)
Best Android Tablet for Gaming – GPD XD Plus
Although it’s easy enough to connect a Bluetooth controller to a tablet for gaming, a built-in controller simplifies the process while offering a streamlined form factor. The GPD XD Plus sports a 5-inch touchscreen. Whereas most tablets come in a standard rectangular form factor, the GPD XD Plus opts for a folding GameBoy 3DS style. You’ll find onboard gamepad controls including dual joysticks, X, A, B, and Y buttons, plus a directional pad (D-pad). Its Mediatek MT8176 hexa-core processor is mated to 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space. Additionally, the GPD XD supports memory expansion via microSD card.
An HDMI output lets you game on the big screen with ease. Disappointingly, the GPX XD Plus runs an older version of Android in Android 7.0. While most apps should work, it’s still several Android releases behind. For mostly emulation and native Android gaming, that should be fine. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is an excellent gaming tablet running Android. However, the GPD XD Plus is a good gaming tablet with a convenient form factor and a gamepad baked in.
Pros:
- HDMI output
- 4GB RAM, 32GB storage space
- microSD card slot
- Mediatek MT8176 hexa-core processor
- Folding form factor
- Android 7.0
- Built-in gamepad controls
Cons:
- Runs an older version of Android
- More powerful hardware available
Best Budget Android Tablet – Vankyo MatrixPad S30
The Vankyo MatrixPad S30 is a good, cheap Android tablet that punches well above its weight class. Sporting a 10-inch 1080p high definition screen, the MatrixPad S30 rocks an octa-core processor, 3GB or RAM, and 32GB of storage space. It runs Android 9.0 Pie and features a 13MP rear camera. Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band W-Fi, and a 6000mAh battery life make the MatrixPad S30 a phenomenal value. What’s more, there’s a microSD card slot for even more storage. Gaming performance is fantastic, so you can play many Android titles such as Fortnite or PubG as well as run emulators. You won’t find certain high-end features such as a video out port but the Vankyo MatrixPad S30 clocks in at low price with specs far exceeding its modest retail value, making it the best budget Android tablet on the market.
Pros:
- Android 9.0 Pie
- 13MP camera
- 3GB RAM, 32GB storage space
- microSD card expansion
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Good gaming performance
- 6000 mAh battery
- 1080p screen
- USB-C connectivity
- Cheap as chips
Cons:
- No video output
Best Android Tablet for Drawing – Simbans Picasso Tab
If you need an Android tablet for design purposes, the Simbans Picasso Tab is a neat option. Featuring a stylus included, the PicassoTab as its name suggests targets digital designers. Its large 10-inch screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage space, and HDMI connectivity make it the best Android tablet for drawing. A MediaTek quad-core CPU handles most tasks pretty well, and the micro HDMI port lets you dock the Picasso Tab with a TV or monitor for a desktop-type experience. Unfortunately, the processor and RAM combo mean the Simbans tablet for artists isn’t going to necessarily win any benchmarking contests. For everyday use it should be fine. But power users should consider the high-end Android tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 or S7+ which also comes with a stylus.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great for drawing
- Quad-core MediaTek processor
- 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
- microSD card expansion
- micro HDMI output
- Android 9.0 Pie
- 10-inch FHD screen
Cons:
- Not the strongest processor
Best Small Android Tablet – Vankyo MatrixPad S7
Bigger isn’t always better. When it comes to tablets, a compact Android tablet boasts improved portability. The Vankyo MatrixPad S7 is the best small Android tablet for the money. It’s incredibly affordable, and its seven inch IPS display looks lovely. 2GB of RAM and 32GB make for a good combo. Running Android 9.0 Pie, the MatrixPad S7 is cheap and tiny. Unfortunately, its screen is only 1024 x 600. A full HD 1080p screen would have been a welcome addition, though admittedly, at this screen size you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. It’s nonetheless crisp and clear. For a small, lightweight Android tablet, the Vankyo MatrixPad S7 is an excellent option.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Small and lightweight
- 7-inch screen
- 2GB RAM, 32GB storage space
- microSD card expansion
- Android 9.0 Pie
- 2900 mAh battery life
- IPS display
- micro-USB
Cons:
- No USB-C
- Lackluster cameras
Best Android Tablet for Reading – Onyx Boox Nova Air
While you can buy dedicated e-readers such as Kindle and Nook devices, a tablet offers more functionality. I regularly use my tablet for ebooks, and my only minor complaint is the screen. Enter e-ink. An e-ink, or electronic ink, display is easier on the eyes and more closely approximates the look and feel of a book page. The Boox Nova Air is an Android tablet outfitted with an e-ink display. Its 10.3-inch epaper screen looks absolutely gorgeous.
Onboard, you’ll find Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Its 3000 mAh battery is plenty for hours wotrh of use. At under one pound, it’s light and easy to tote around. The 227 dpi 1872×1404 screen is where the Onyx Boox Nova Air really shines though. The epaper display looks stunning partifularly for reading and work. MakeUseOf praised the Boox Nova Air as the ultimate distraction-free notetaking and reading machine. Sadly, you’ll pay a premium for the Nova Air. What’s more, the Onyx Boox Nova Air lacks the Google Play Store pre-installed, so you’ll have to load that up with a firmware update. Still, if you’re a bookworm or student, the Onyx Boox Nova Air is undoubtedly the best Android tablet for reading.
Pros:
- 10.3-inch 227 dpi 1872×1404 epaper display
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack
- USB_C
- 3000 mAh battery
Cons:
- Eink display isn’t for everyone
- Google Play Store isn’t installed by default
Best Android Tablet for Kids – Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition
While you could give a child pretty much any tablet on the market, a dedicated tablet for kits offers many benefits. Often, an Android tablet for kiddos is more durable and accident-proof. Plus, the onboard operating system and physical controls are generally engineered for extreme user-friendliness and simplicity. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition tablet is the best Android tablet for kids.
Technically, the Fire 7 doesn’t run true Android, however. Instead, it runs Fire OS, a variant of Android. You’ll find a kid-proof case complete with a stand, available in several different colors. Its 7-inch display looks lovely, and 16GB of internal storage space is more then enough for apps and games. A 7-hour battery life should provide all-day fun. With Amazon Kids+, there are tons of movies, books, TV shows, apps, and games specifically catering to a young demographic. Additionally, parents can allow access to apps such as Netflix. This sort of extreme user control makes the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition the best kid-friendly Android tablet on the planet. Alternatively, Vankyo offers its MatrixPad S8 kids tablet which runs Android 8.1 Go.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Kid-proof case with stand available in several colors
- Easy to use
- Great user-permissions for restricting access to certain apps
- Amazon Kids+ content library
Cons:
- Runs Fire OS, not true Android
- No Google Play Store
Best Android Tablets for All Uses and Budgets in 2020 – Final Thoughts
Android tablets abound, from cheap, small tablets to expensive high-end Android tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the best Android tablet on the planet, although it doesn’t come cheap. For reading, the e-ink display on the Onyx Boox Nova Air is gorgeous. Vankyo makes several awesome Android tablets including its MatrixPad S30, S7, and Z1 kids tablet. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition is great for youngsters, while the Simbans Picasso Tab is perfect for designers. Gamers should snag the GPD XD for its clamshell form factor and built-in game controls.
Your turn: What Android tablets do you recommend?
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