The top tablets for Android in 2022

When it comes to tablets, Android has a reputation for being less than optimal. Although there are more apps available for iPadOS that are designed for large screens, the best Android tablets frequently have excellent hardware. The latest big-screen enhancements to Android and the formal announcement of a new Pixel Tablet for 2023 suggest that Google is once again taking tablets seriously.

On an Android tablet, you can pretty much spend whatever you want, however, the more expensive models are typically more powerful. Excellent Chromebooks and tablets with Chrome OS are also available.

Unsure of which tablet to purchase but considering doing so? Here are the top suggestions from AP.

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

In the US, Samsung is the standard when discussing Android tablets. The Tab S8 and Tab S8+ are incremental upgrades over the S7 and S7+, with comparable designs and more powerful internals, and they were released in February. We loved the previous generation, and better versions are, well, better, so that's not exactly a terrible thing.

The 120Hz display, premium design, and included S Pen are all carried over from the S7, and the S8 also improves on the S7 in a number of ways. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and additional RAM, it is significantly more powerful than the S7. The S8 will receive security updates until 2026, which is nearly two years longer than the S7 will (although that is to be expected given that the S8 was released approximately two years later). It also ships with Android 12 and One UI 4.1. The S8 is an excellent place to start your search if you want a high-end Android tablet but don't need all the bells and whistles.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

With a four-figure starting price and "excessive" hardware, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra most definitely matches the premium category. The Ultra's 14.6-inch OLED display, which has a resolution of 1,848 by 2,960 pixels and a refresh rate that can reach 120Hz, is its key selling point. All of its edges have small bezels, but the top (when held in landscape orientation) has a notch to provide room for two front-facing cameras.

The Tab S8 Ultra has the same lightning-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset as the less expensive S8 versions. However, unlike its smaller brothers, the S8 Ultra can be configured with up to 16 gigabytes of RAM and 512 gigabytes of storage. The vast screen allows you more space to multitask, including with Samsung DeX, which is especially useful on a screen the size of a typical laptop. Android tablet apps are still generally not very polished. The Ultra's enormous OLED screen is great for watching TV and movies, and it has four speakers, so you can enjoy stereo sound whether you're viewing in portrait or landscape.

3. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

In reality, Android is actually running on Amazon's Fire tablets. The Fire HD 10 has been promoted by the manufacturer as a productivity tool, and it even comes with a package that includes a respectable keyboard case. But it's probably wiser to consider the Fire HD 10 primarily as a media device. There aren't many other tablets available for $150, much fewer ones that offer a good user experience. If you choose to purchase one, be sure to install the Google Play Store first.

4. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro

A fantastic substitute for the high-end Samsung tablets on this list is the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro. The Lenovo tablet P12 features outstanding build quality and a 1600p, 120Hz, OLED display that's great for watching video or playing games, but it can't compete with the Tab S8 series in terms of raw power due to its older Snapdragon CPU. If you dislike One UI on Samsung tablets, it is also not running over Android.

The Tab P12 Pro may not be the most useful option on this list, but it boasts excellent hardware and a UI experience that is quite similar to vanilla Android tablets.

5. Galaxy Tab A8 from Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, which was released in late 2020, is an updated model of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, which we enjoyed quite a bit. You get an upgraded design and a slightly speedier Unisoc CPU than the entry-level Snapdragon featured in the previous model for the same $230 MSRP. But what's equally intriguing is that you can get updated models with four gigabytes of RAM and up to 128 gigabytes of storage.

6. Nokia T20

Looking for a cheap Android tablet to use on the sofa or give to a teenager? The T20 from Nokia might be suitable. Nokia guarantees security updates for a full three years, finishing in November 2023, and the $250 slate has good performance and long battery life. It will take time to see if it keeps that promise, but the T20 hasn't yet missed too many monthly upgrades. At this budget, they don't really need to be anything special, but its display and speakers are nothing to get excited about either. It's a very acceptable experience at a very acceptable cost.

7. Onyx BOOX Nova Air

An intriguing case is that of the Boox Nova Air. Although Android is installed, it has been modified to work better with the tablet's e-ink display. Reading is the Nova Air's main use, but it also features a stylus for taking notes and Bluetooth so you can connect headphones to listen to music (the tablet has speakers, too, but they're not great). Boox has guidelines to get you started so that you can download all of your favorite reading apps even when the Play Store isn't already pre-installed.

8. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

Although the Chromebook Duet 3 from Lenovo runs ChromeOS rather than Android, it can still run Android apps. The tablet's bright 11" 2K display is the perfect size for casual tablet use, and the Duet 3 has a removable keyboard cover for performing more laptop-like work, which ChromeOS is particularly good at. Additionally, its Snapdragon CPU has enough power for light-duty work.

However, using the Duet 3 in your lap is difficult due to the detachable keyboard design, and its touchpad has too much drag to be used comfortably for extended periods of time. Additionally, it's difficult to obtain the base model with 64 GB of storage, so you'll likely have to pay more for the 128 GB SKU at Best buy

Your ideal Android tablet

Samsung makes excellent tablets, despite the fact that it may seem weird that the firm is garnering so much attention here. A great location to start your search for your next Android tablet is the Galaxy Tab S8. You shouldn't have any trouble making the Tab S8 last because it's well-built, as quick as an Android tablet could possibly be, and it's scheduled to receive Android updates for four years (plus security patches for five).

All of the features of the Tab S8 are there in the Tab S8 Ultra, but it is larger and comes with extra goodies. It is made with the same top-notch materials and is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip as some of the best Android phones. The 14.6-inch display, though, makes it positively gigantic and big enough to multitask without difficulty. Movies appear fantastic on its enormous display because it is an OLED panel running at 120Hz. Additionally, the device comes with up to 16 gigabytes of RAM and half a terabyte of storage, so when combined with Samsung's stellar track record for updates, you should enjoy a fantastic tablet experience for years to come.

Amazon's Fire HD 10 is worth considering if you're looking for something less expensive (or less Samsung). It starts at a much more agreeable $150 and isn't nearly as high-end or as powerful as our top Samsung options. Just be aware that it won't be able to do demanding jobs; the Fire HD range is more suited for consumption than for productivity, but the warranties are solid and it's wonderful for youngsters.