Looking for a tablet that will be used primarily for media consumption? Android offers the most flexibility in hardware choices. Here’s what to look for in an Android tablet, along with our top choices.
You might think that Apple’s iPad has won the tablet wars, but think again. High-end iPads and Windows tablets dominate the top of the field with impressive tools for productivity, but Google’s Android operating system is very popular at lower price points. The least expensive new iPad will set you back $329. The range of Android tablets is much broader, with an option for every budget. Android tablets also sometimes show up with interesting and unusual features, such as E Ink screens. In 2021, most Android tablet options fall in the budget category. You can find an endless array of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates sold at your local CVS or through mysterious „fulfilled by Amazon“ drop-shippers. Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Samsung used to deliver solid iPad competitors, but they’ve all slowed down their tablet production. The top name-brand Android tablet is the Galaxy Tab S7+. The onn.8-inch tablet is a serviceable, low-cost Android option Start With Software Android tablet manufacturers rarely use the latest version of the OS, and software upgrades are even less common. Though most Android smartphones ship with Android 11, you’ll be hard pressed to find tablets running it. We recommend skipping over tablets running anything older than Android 10, with the exception of Amazon’s Fire lineup. Speaking of Amazon, it and other large manufacturers like Samsung like to put their own spin on Google’s OS, adding a bevy of features, new app stores, and completely revamped user interfaces. It’s not for everyone, but those who are familiar with Amazon’s Fire OS or Samsung’s One UI should give the latest devices from each company a try.
