The best budget Android tablets in 2024

We’ve thoroughly tested each of the tablets listed below, and many of them stand out not only as top Android tablets but also as some of the best tablets available in general.

Explore our selection of the best Android tablets you can purchase today, ranging from excellent all-around options to budget-friendly choices. We also highlight tablets with exceptional battery life and large screens perfect for drawing and design. Continue reading to learn about our testing methods and to find guidance on selecting the perfect tablet for your needs.

1. OnePlus Pad

Based on our testing and experience, the OnePlus Pad stands out as the top Android tablet for those seeking a high-quality device without opting for an iPad. Notably, it is competitively priced, offering a more affordable alternative to similar tablets from brands like Samsung.

What sets the OnePlus Pad apart? First, it features an exceptionally sharp display, surpassing even the screens of the iPad Pro. The 11.61-inch screen boasts a 2800 x 2000 resolution and refreshes at a swift 144Hz, making it ideal for enjoying movies, gaming, browsing the web, and viewing documents. In addition to its impressive display, the OnePlus Pad offers class-leading charging speeds and is equipped with a 9,510mAh battery.

However, the MediaTek Dimension 9000 chip falls slightly short when handling intensive tasks such as photo editing in Lightroom. Despite the availability of a keyboard cover, the OnePlus Pad is unlikely to replace a laptop for demanding workflows.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 552g

Dimensions: 258 x 189.4 x 6.5 mm

OS: Android 14 with Oxygen OS

Screen size: 11.6-inch

Resolution: 2000 x 2800 pixels

CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000

Storage: 128GB

microSD slot: No

Battery:  9,510mAh

Rear camera: 13MP

Front camera: 8MP

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

Samsung has significantly elevated the quality and durability of its tablets with the Galaxy Tab S9 series, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus stands out as the top premium Android tablet you can buy. Boasting a superfast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, identical to that in the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it combines a sleek design with extensive multitasking capabilities, making it an exceptionally capable device. While the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers a larger screen, it doesn’t add extra performance or features. Its 14.6-inch display is ideal for artists, earning it our top spot for drawing tablets.

However, its size may be too cumbersome for some users, which is why we recommend the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus as the better choice for a premium Android tablet. It’s equally fast and has a slightly sharper display due to its smaller size. At 12.4 inches, the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is more portable and slightly slimmer than Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9. Additionally, it includes an S Pen in the box, unlike the iPad, which requires a separate purchase for a stylus. Although the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) outperforms the Tab S9 Plus in speed, and its Magic Keyboard accessory surpasses any Samsung keyboard cover for those seeking a true laptop replacement, the Tab S9 Plus remains competitive.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is significantly more affordable than Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9, offering numerous software features that enhance productivity. It excels at multitasking, allowing multiple windows to be opened simultaneously, and supports a genuine DEX desktop environment. This feature lets you connect the Tab S9 Plus to an external display, mouse, and keyboard, transforming it into a powerful productivity tool.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 586g

Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7mm

OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1

Screen size: 12.4-inch

Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Storage: 256GB / 512GB

microSD slot: Yes

Battery: 10,090 mAh

Rear camera: 13MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)

Front camera: 12MP

3. Amazon Fire HD 10

The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) may not be an outstanding tablet, but it stands out as a budget-friendly option, offering plenty of appealing features for its price. Starting at $139.99 / £149.99 (around AU$220) for the 32GB model (which includes a microSD card slot), Amazon frequently discounts this tablet, sometimes dropping it below $80 in the US over the past year. At such a price, it’s an excellent budget choice, making it an obvious pick if you need an affordable tablet immediately.

The Fire HD 10 (2023) features a 10.1-inch screen, providing ample space for watching shows, streaming movies, or browsing the internet. While it isn’t as large as an iPad or Galaxy Tab, it is sufficient for most entertainment needs. However, you’ll be limited to Amazon’s App Market instead of the Google Play Store, although most popular streaming services and major productivity apps are available. You might miss some games, especially if they aren’t as widely supported as Fortnite.

Additionally, a wide range of accessories is available, including the Amazon Stylus Pen and various cases. If you’re looking for a more advanced tablet with a keyboard, consider the Amazon Fire Max 11, Amazon’s latest venture into higher-end Android tablets.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 433g

Dimensions: 246 x 164.8 x 8.6mm

OS: Fire OS

Screen size: 10.1-inch

Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels

CPU: Octa-core 2.05 GHz

Storage: 32GB/64GB

Battery: up to 13 hours

Rear camera: 5MP, 1080p HD video

Front camera: 5MP, 1080p HD video

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus launched alongside the latest FE series, which includes the Galaxy S23 FE phone and new FE earbuds. The ‘FE’ label no longer signifies ‘Fan Edition’; it has lost its specific meaning. However, the Tab S9 FE Plus impressed us in our comprehensive review, regardless of its naming. Priced similarly to the Apple iPad Air, it surpasses Apple’s tablet in several areas, particularly in battery life, earning our recommendation for durability.

The Tab S9 FE Plus achieves its long battery life partly due to its less powerful processor compared to Apple’s. While the iPad Air boasts a full desktop processor, Samsung has chosen the more modest Exynos 1380, the same chip found in the budget-friendly Galaxy A54 phone from 2023.

Although it’s not suited for editing 8K videos in real-time, it excels at video playback, offering up to 18 hours of viewing time, nearly double the duration of many other tablets, which typically last between 9 to 11 hours with basic use. The Tab S9 FE Plus easily endures over a day of usage even with the screen constantly on, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a long-lasting tablet.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 627g

Dimensions: 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5mm

OS: Android 14, OneUI 6

Screen size: 12.4-inches

Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels

CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm)

RAM: 6GB / 8GB / 12GB

Storage: 128GB / 256GB

microSD slot: Yes

Battery: 10,090 mAh

Rear camera: 8MP (wide); 8MP (ultra wide)

Front camera: 12MP

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Previously, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra was our top choice for the best overall Android tablet. If you’re willing to invest in this premium 14.6-inch device, it’s an excellent buy. However, its size means you might need a larger bag, and it may be more than most people need. This is why the Tab S9 Plus has now become our favorite premium Android option. For those who require a serious tablet with a substantial display ideal for drawing and artwork, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra remains the best option available.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers more features than most users will need, but its water-resistant design makes it perfect for drawing by the pool or in the bathtub, as it can withstand moisture and even a brief dunk. The included S Pen incorporates the same trusted Wacom technology found in professional graphic design tablets, ensuring reliable pressure and tilt sensitivity.

Additionally, your favorite Wacom pen can be used with the Tab S9 Ultra, delivering the same performance. While we were not impressed with the keyboard accessory for the Tab S9 Ultra, the device excels as a large canvas rather than a productivity tool. It’s best suited to a spacious drafting desk with excellent lighting, rather than being squeezed onto a tray table on a plane. The Tab S9 Ultra is the ultimate tablet for those who have the space for it, and artists will particularly value the expansive display it brings to their studio.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 732g

Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm

OS: Android 13

Screen size: 14.6-inch

Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB

microSD slot: Yes

Battery: 11,200mAh

Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)

Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as the premier tablet for productivity, especially for multitasking. Its software excels on the expansive tablet screen, offering robust multi-window capabilities and outstanding tools that ensure you stay updated.

Samsung enhances this experience with DeX, a feature that transforms the Galaxy Tab S9 into a full-fledged desktop environment complete with a taskbar and floating windows. By connecting a mouse, keyboard, and potentially a second display, you can significantly boost your productivity. This functionality allows for seamless access to work emails and business documents in a more convenient manner, leveraging the larger tablet screen rather than a smaller phone display.

Additionally, the Galaxy Tab S9 is water-resistant, allowing you to work worry-free from the beach or other wet environments. This durability, combined with Samsung’s excellent service and support, makes the Galaxy Tab S9 our top choice for work-oriented tablets.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 732g

Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm

OS: Android 14, OneUI 6.1

Screen size: 14.6-inch

Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB

microSD slot: Yes

Battery: 11,200mAh

Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide)

Front camera: 12MP + 12MP

7. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus stands out as our top pick among small Android tablets for several reasons. Firstly, it’s affordable and comes loaded with apps for streaming movies and shows, staying connected on social media, or even tackling some work tasks.

Secondly, many manufacturers of Android tablets have moved away from producing small tablets, leaving a gap in the market. Unlike Samsung or OnePlus, which do not offer a direct competitor to the Apple iPad Mini without opting for a pricey foldable phone, Amazon provides a cost-effective alternative. For under a hundred dollars, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus offers a compact and functional solution.

While it doesn’t boast high performance, the Fire HD 8 Plus is tailored for media consumption rather than business use. You’ll still find useful tools from Microsoft and other productivity apps in Amazon’s App Market. However, it’s worth noting that you won’t have access to Google Play or Google services, as the tablet operates within Amazon’s ecosystem. Additionally, this tablet frequently goes on sale, making it an even more attractive option if you time your purchase right.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 355g

Dimensions: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm

OS: Fire OS

Screen size: 8-inch

Resolution: 880 x 1280

CPU: quad-core

Storage: 32GB/64GB

Battery: up to 12 hours

Rear camera: 2MP (wide)

Front camera: 2MP

Samsung Galaxy A9 Plus