Best Android tablets to buy in 2025
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Android tablets have sort of, kind of made a return to form. Spearheaded by Samsung and its excellent Galaxy Tab S series — now up to Galaxy Tab S9. But Google also came out with an interesting offering in the form of the Pixel Tablet — half tablet, half smarthome hub. There are plenty of cool slates to pick from, be it for actual work, or just short bursts of entertainment. And they do cover a wide range of budgets, so we'd best get to sorting through them!
So, what are the best Android tablets to buy right now?
Here's our concise list, pick your winner:
Higher end
Mid-range
Also read: Best budget tablets
High-end Android tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a 4rd generation massive tablet by Samsung. The trend was started with the Tab S8 Ultra and this newest model still looks the same and feels the same — it's just packed with the latest hardware. Well, it also reduced the ridiculous dual-selfie camera notch to only have one selfie camera and look more like a droplet.
Since last year, Samsung has used MediaTek chips instead of Qualcomm for its flagship tablets. What we have here is the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, which is pretty powerful... but is, again, a step behind the latest generation, which is the Dimensity 9500.
The performance of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra does not disappoint none the less. It comes with an S Pen ready in the box, which is fair for the asking price. The software is crafted and optimized for multi-tasking, too — whether you like the Android side with full split-screen and some floating apps, or you engage DeX, which simulates a desktop platform and experience. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra can be a casual laptop replacer and a huge canvas for artists to work on.
It's worth noting that there are probably Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra units out there in the wild at clearance prices. If you find one — shop confidently, the upgrade to the S11 is small.
The performance of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra does not disappoint none the less. It comes with an S Pen ready in the box, which is fair for the asking price. The software is crafted and optimized for multi-tasking, too — whether you like the Android side with full split-screen and some floating apps, or you engage DeX, which simulates a desktop platform and experience. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra can be a casual laptop replacer and a huge canvas for artists to work on.
Read more: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
If you prefer a more manageable tablet size, you are in luck this year. In 2024, Samsung skipped the "normal" 11-inch Galaxy Tab, but it's back now. With the newest specs and the anti-reflective coating on the screen, which is now a beautiful Dynamic AMOLED panel. It's a perfect pickup for a tablet that you can just carry anywhere.
Just like the Ultra, it has the split-screening, it has the DeX, it comes with an S Pen. And it has the same processor. With its 11-inch screen and quad speakers, it strikes the balance between being a Netflix machine that you can bring anywhere, but still have enough screen real estate to work on if you are in a pinch. And, you can always connect it to an external monitor when you get to the office.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
Just like with its Galaxy phones, Samsung began introducing FE variations of the Galaxy Tab line as well. There are Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, repeating the screen size choices, just at lower price points. The speakers are two drivers in a stereo setup, and the screen is downgraded to an LCD panel, while the processors inside are Samsung's own Exynos make.
In the end, you get tablets that are not powerhorses as the main Tab S11 line, but are still perfectly adequate. If you just want to dabble in S Pen use, or for student work — they are a good midrange offer that can provide enough power for some work and some leisure time all the same.
Google Pixel Tablet
The Pixel Tablet comes with a dedicated Speaker Charger dock in the box. It's meant to "live" on that charger, transforming into a stationary media machine or smart home hub with a screen. Need a tablet? Simply pull it off the dock. The Speaker sound quality is akin to that of a Google Nest mini, so don't expect earth-shattering sounds. But it's definitely useful, and is one solution to the problem that tablets face — being left unused for long periods.
Our Pixel Tablet has lived on its speaker dock here in the office ever since it has arrived. It has turned into the display we turn to for a quick weather forecast look, quick music streaming, or anything that requires a fast info check on an always-on screen. It's pretty easy to take off the stand and carry into a separate room. All in all, very good innovation from Google, we wish to see a version 2.0 with an even better-sounding speaker.
OnePlus Pad 3
The OnePlus Pad 3 pushed the envelope further this year, with a new 13.2-inch screen, which is LCD but still manages to look stunning. Its sound is also massive with four woofers and four tweeters for a really huge sound. Top that off with a really solid performance, and we can say that the OnePlus Pad 3 is an excellent multimedia machine — movies, gaming, even music sounds and looks great on it.
It does have a keyboard accessory and a pen stylus, but those aren't... as developed. They feel finnicky and the stylus is not as accurate or have the robust controls and options as an S Pen or Apple Pencil.
So, it's definitely better for someone who is only looking to dabble in the productive capabilities, but would wholeheartedly love a multimedia monster for a fair flagship price.
Read more: OnePlus Pad 3 review
Budget Android tablets
Amazon Fire HD 10
"Best" can mean a lot of things and while Amazon's Fire HD 10 can't keep up with the rest of the tablets on this list when it comes to specs, it has them all beat in one department: the price. Costing between 2 and 5 times less than the rest, the Fire HD 10 offers incredible value. So, it can easily be the best Android tablet to buy on a budget, especially since it has a keyboard accessory (sold in a bundle or separately) for that hybrid experience.
While the Fire HD 10 is technically an Android tablet, it's running on a heavily modified Amazon-centered software and doesn't come with Google's Play Store (there are ways to install it, if you insist). Still, Amazon's own app store offers enough variety to fit the relatively narrow focus of this tablet, so for most people this won't be an issue. The new Fire HD 10 tablet comes with 12 months of Microsoft 365, too, as to underline its new aim at productivity features.
Keep in mind that the Amazon Fire HD tablets have historically not had the best performance. They are great as simple slates to enjoy some media on, but don't expect a laptop replacement unit here.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the latest and only midrange tablet from Samsung, as the rest have been slowly phased out and discontinued.
If you simply want a tablet for media consumption and you don’t care about S Pen shenanigans or productivity — the Galaxy Tab A9+ offers just that. A quad-speaker system provides full stereo sound in any orientation and a 11-inch, 90 Hz, LCD screen gives you plenty of real estate to watch movies or browse the Internet on. It’s easily the best Android tablet for Netflix binging or to satisfy your kid’s gaming cravings. In fact, Samsung markets its top-notch parental controls that make it an easy pick for parents.
You can still slap a Bluetooth keyboard case on it, but there’s no DeX on this one.
Conclusion
Whether you are after a budget device or a productivity machine, you’ve got a few options laid out here. And yeah, Samsung is definitely dominating the best Android tablet field right now, but who knows — maybe someone will try to step up in the months to come. We will certainly be keeping an ear to the ground, our eye on the market, and our fingers on a fresh touchscreen, hunting out those devices for you!
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