Which Android Tablet Is Best?
You will have to decide which tablet is best for you based on your specific needs, and no general review is going to give you that information in a useful way. But, among the many tablets there is a handful that rise to the top and should be looked at either to consider purchasing or to use as a benchmark against which to measure others.
Here is some guidance to help you decide which Android tablet are in that category, and that you should consider. Note that I look briefly at a very inexpensive option here (not included in the list below).
First, the Nexus 9 is essentially being replaced by the Pixel, but the Nexus 9 is still an excellent tablet. So, look here for special deals.
Second, have a look at the Lenovo tablet which combines a projector and a tablet. This could be exactly what is needed for certain folks.
Third, note that some of the tablets either come with keyboards or have keyboards as an accessory.
Fourth, do look at the giant tablets (the last two, below). These are a little strange, but may be exactly what you are looking for.
Finally, if the main thing you are going to use your tablet for is reading Kindle books and watching films (mainly from Amazon) do look at the Amazon tablets. I’ve put two examples here, but you will also find a link below comparing them.
Some of the key specifications for these tablets are in a table at the bottom, but click through to get more information.
Google Nexus 9
Approximate price: $350 and up, look for deals.
Classic top of the line, not really replaced yet by Google Pixel, but it will be. Will be supported for the near future. Probably a good value right now because it is a great tablet with a dropping price. Sock Android OS. Generally, a Google Nexus product is going to run Android better than anyone else. Easy to hold because of material used to make the back.
Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 32GB, Black, Wi-Fi)
See also: Google Nexus 10 (Wi-Fi only, 32 GB)
From the makers: “The magnetically attached, fully-responsive keyboard allows you to type at different angles. Sold separately, it helps you get stuff done at home, at the office, and on the go.”
Google Pixel C
Best pure android tablet. This is the new Google tablet, has great features. Probably overepriced because it is so new, but may be the best tablet in terms of technology.
Google Pixel C 10.2-in HD Touchscreen Tablet
From the makers: “Meet the first Android tablet designed and built from start to finish by Google with a full keyboard, USB Type-C charger and multi-angle display functionality.”
Sony Xperia Z4
Approximate price: $680.
Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet 10.1" 32 GB – Wifi Only – Black (U.S. Warranty) with Bluetooth Keyboard
From the makers: “This 10.1” Android tablet stretches the limits of display technology. The highest resolution, the brightest screen and the most vivid colours make Xperia Z4 Tablet the best viewing experience you will hold in your hand.”
Nvidia Shield Tablet K1
Approximate price: $200–250 and up, depending on options.
Inexpensive, good for gaming, has GeForce. Many versions of this tablet exist depending on what you specify. This is a specialty tablet mainly for gaming, not necessarily the best choice for general use. Long battery life. Not a large amount of onboard storage. (The stylus from earlier models is gone.) Maybe one of the best values given quality and price if you are looking for this type of tablet.
From the makers: “The new NVIDIA SHIELD tablet K1 is a high-performance Android tablet that transforms into an amazing gaming machine with the SHIELD controller and GeForce NOW™ game-streaming service.”
Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro
Approximate price: $600.
From the makers: “The YOGA Tab 3 Pro boasts a revolutionary integrated projector that turns any room into your very own theater. Experience a new way to enjoy videos and movies. Use the rotatable hinge and super bright 50 lumen output to project an image of up to 70” (178cm) on any wall or ceiling.”
Dell Venue 10 7000
Comes with a keyboard. Standard Android OS. Heavy, but sturdy. Wraparound front speakers. See also Dell Venu 8. This is a very good tablet, out does earlier Dell models. Probably has a great battery life.
Dell Venue 10 7040 v7040–6980BLK 10.5-Inch 32 GB Tablet
From the makers: “With a sleek design, 10.5-inch OLED touch screen and optional magnetically attachable keyboard, the Venue 10 7000 Series is designed to impress.”
Amazon Fire
Approximate price: $50.
Really cheap, highly modified Android OS, slower and lower quality screen than other tablets, and smallish, but well designed for Amazon kindle reading. I like mine.
Fire Tablet, 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB – Includes Special Offers, Black
Amazon Fire HDX 8.9
Dolby Atmos audio-enhancing technology. Highly modified OS, including parental controls. The Amazon App store is not as good as the Google Play store. Mainly a media tablet, and of coruse, great for reading Kindle books.
Fire HDX 8.9 Tablet, 8.9" HDX Display, Wi-Fi, 64 GB – Includes Special Offers
If one of the main things you do with your tablet is reading and watching movies, an Amazon tablet may be an excellent choice for you, but there is a huge range of technologies and prices.
There is a table here at Amazon allowing you to compare them
Two Giant Tablets
Fuhu Nabi Big Tab HD 20
Approximate price: $550.
“Made especially for children and their parents, the nabi Big Tab HD™ line features a massive 20” and 24” HD display, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, 16 GB of on board storage, Android 4.4 Kit Kat, integrated parental controls and over 400 kid-focused, parent-approved features through nabi’s Blue Morpho OS. Unlike other tablets that are designed to be personal devices, the Big Tab is made for sharing and collaboration in learning, playing, creating and communicating. It features family fun experiences including Two Play (classic 2-player board games), Game Room (arcade games like air hockey), Showtime (popular movies and TV shows), Story Time (interactive bedtime stories), Big Canvas (drawing and editing videos) and more.”
Samsung Galaxy View
Approximate price $500:
Another giant tablet (older model) to check out in case you are looking for one of those.
This is essentially a TV. From the manufacturer: “Knowing how you watch TV, we designed the biggest ever Android-powered full HD screen that’s large enough to double as a beautiful TV and light enough to be portable.”
This tablet is so big it has a handle.
Specifications
| Tablet | Screen Size | Screen Resolution | Processor | Ram (GB) | Storage (GB) | SD slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Nexus 9 | 8.9 | 2048 X 1536 | 2.3 GHz Tegra (2 processors) | 2 | 32 | No |
| Google Pixel C | 10.2 | 2560 X 1800 | NVIDIA Tegra X1 with Maxwell GPU | 3 | 32 | No |
| Sony Xperia Z4 | 10.1 | 2560 X 1600 | Quad Cxore Snapdragon 2 GHz | 3 | 32 | Yes |
| Nvidia Shield Tablet K1 | 8 | 1920 X 1200 | 2.2 GHz Tegra K1 | 2 | 16 | Yes |
| Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro | 10.1 | 2560 X 1440 | 1.4 GHz Atom Z8500 | 2 | 32 | No |
| Dell Venue 10 7000 | 10.5 | 2560 X 1600 | 2.33 GHz Atom Z3580 | 2 | 32 | Yes |
| Amazon Fire | 7 | 1024 X 1600 | 1.3 GHz quad core | 1 | 8 or 16 | Yes |
| Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 | 8.9 | 2560 X 1600 | 2.5 GHz quad core | 2 | 16 – 64 | No |
| Fuhu Nabi Big Tab HD 20 | 19.5+ | 1600 X 900 | 1.6 GHz Tegra 4.0 | 2 | 16 | No |
| Samsung Galaxy View | 18.4 | 1920 X 1080 | 1.6 GHz 8032 | 2 | 32 | Yes |