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Looking for a great Android tablet? We've got you covered, thanks to the results of our independent lab tests.
The real difference when you're looking for the best Android tablet comes in the hardware. How good are the speakers, the screen, the processor, the cameras and the battery?
This is because, unlike Apple, Google is happy for other brands to use its Android tablet operating system. The likes of Lenovo, Samsung and Xiaomi all use it. Then there's Amazon, which uses a variation of Android with a different app store. All these brands put their own spin on Android tablets, but it's still Google's operating system at the core.
We put a range of Android tablets through our tough tests, so you can see which is best.
Want to know how Android tablets measure up against iPads? See our overall round-up of the best tablets.
Which? members can log in to see the best Android tablets. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock all of our best Android tablet recommendations here, plus our tablet reviews and all of our online reviews, from dishwashers to TVs.
This Android tablet scores the best in our tough lab tests.
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If your needs don't extend beyond watching some Netflix, checking social media or using the internet, you'd be wasting your money buying a high-end tablet like a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 or an iPad Pro. Instead, save your money - we've chosen some good, cheaper tablets that will suit what you need.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Few tablets are bang on 10 inches, so our round-up of the best 10-inch tablets considers models between 10 and 11 inches.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
For our pick of the best small tablets, we've looked at models that are eight inches and below. Most tablets tend to be around the 10-inch mark.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
You probably don't want your youngster walking around with a £1,000 tablet. These tablets are more basic but will still be ideal for playing games, watching videos and using the internet. We'd recommend a case to be safe, though.
Digital first month £5, then £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
We've tested many more tablets than this. Check out all our tablet reviews to see if another would suit you better.
Adam Speight, Which? tablets expert, says:
'We test almost every tablet from the major Android tablet brands, so we know what separates a good one from a bad one. And we really put these tablets through their paces.
'The latest benchmarking software pushes the processors to their limits, we exhaust and charge the battery under several conditions to get accurate lifespans, and test everything else a tablet can do. All so you can make an informed choice armed with expert information.
'The best thing about Google spreading its operating system far and wide is the amount of choice you get. Whether you want a smaller model for true portability, or something closer to a laptop size for watching or working at home, there's an Android tablet for you.'
This really depends on what you want to use it for. If you want a solid all-rounder that's quick enough for popular apps, has a nice, clear screen and a decent battery life, then you don't really need to spend more than £400.
If you want something with a sizeable screen, something over 12 inches to act as a laptop perhaps, or you want something that's better for watching videos on, then you're going to be spending upwards of £600.
More powerful tablets, with the best processors and bags of Ram, are designed to make mincemeat of even the most demanding apps. Ones that can handle things like 3D modelling or editing photos and videos can easily cost £1,000. This is particularly true if you want a bigger screen.
If you're happy with something around 10 inches, then you can find high-end tablets for £700 to £800.
Tablets with smaller screens don't tend to get the most cutting-edge components, which is another reason they tend to be cheaper.
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Samsung is the biggest brand in Android tablets by some margin and is the main competitor to the popular Apple iPad.
It makes more of them than anyone else and it makes more high-end ones than anyone else. The top-end S-range has specs that could rival a laptop, with prices to match. It makes entry-level ones too, though, so it caters to most needs and budgets. You can learn more in our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy tablets or peruse all of our Samsung Galaxy tablet reviews.
Having such a wide range and a name people recognise makes Samsung a popular choice. But while many of its tablets do well in our tests, you shouldn't ignore its rivals.
It's true that Samsung doesn't have much competition with its top-of-the-line 'S' range tablets, but things get trickier at the mid and lower end.
In the mid-range, Google released the Pixel Tablet in 2023 with a 10.9-inch screen and powerful processor. Chinese brands, such as Honor and Xiaomi, make cheaper, more basic tablets that can compete with Samsung's A-range. And there's Lenovo tablets, which includes some strong high-end models, too.
Wondering about Apple tablets? Find out how you can save money plus which iPads we recommend – see the best iPads.
There is a tough question to answer because there are such a wide range of Android tablets available at various prices and with different capabilities.
Our testing shows that plenty of Android tablets are excellent, so there is certainly no obligation to buy an iPad when considering a new tablet. The iPad range performs excellently in our testing, but the likes of the Samsung tablets follow closely behind and often with models that come in at a lower price than their Apple rivals.
Android tablets also provide a cheaper entry point for a tablet, with the lowest cost iPad coming in at over £300. There are solid Android options that'll set you back less than £150 in some cases.
If you own an iPhone, AirPods, MacBook or other Apple devices, then an iPad provides a lot of convenience as they all work together seamlessly.
But if you own something like an Android phone or a non-Apple set of headphones instead, then you'll find they'll work just as well, if not better, with an Android tablet. Especially if you've invested money in a specific ecosystem, like Samsung, Honor or Google's, for example.
From the iPad and iPad Air up to the iPad Pro, Apple's tablets are worth considering. Check our Apple iPad tablet reviews to see which ones will best suit you.