It's still unfortunately true that the iPad has more apps that are optimized for large screens than any Android tablet. But Android tablet hardware has never been better — or more diverse. If you're shopping for an Android-powered slate today, you've got your pick of great options from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Amazon, and more — many of which offer unique twists on the formula with features like enormous screens and magnetic charging docks.

While more expensive tablets tend to be much more capable in terms of gaming, multitasking, and screen quality, there are also plenty of great tablets on the budget end of the price spectrum if you're after a slate for watching videos, reading e-books, and general doom-scrolling. There are also great Chromebooks and ChromeOS tablets that run Android apps if you're more focused on productivity and longevity in your tablet.

Here are AP's top recommendations across the spectrum. Bear in mind that Samsung has just launched its affordable-ish range of Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets - slightly stripped back versions of its flagship slates. We'll be reviewing these in the coming weeks, and will update our ranking once we've been able to put the Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ fully to the test.

Our favorite Android tablets in 2023

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ bumped its Tab S8+ predecessor out of the way to become our favorite Android tablet. It might be about $200 more than the standard Tab S9, but the extra money lands you a larger 12.4-inch AMOLED display, an extra rear-facing camera, larger battery, and optional 5G connectivity.

The design of the tablet really hasn't changed for this generation, and you're still getting a sleek look with wide aspect ratio and slot on the back to magnetically attach the included S Pen.

The 12.4-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate is absolutely stunning. It might be a bit wide for some people, but it's ideal for sitting back and watching TV and movies. The back of the tablet is home to 13MP and 8MP cameras, while the front has a 12MP selfie camera. If you'd like to remain connected everywhere you go, optional 5G LTE connectivity is available for a $150 premium. This is the only S9 tablet with the option; you otherwise get Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

The Tab S9+ has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset as its other S9 siblings, meaning you won't miss out on any CPU performance by not opting for the Ultra model. It comes with 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage (which can be expanded with a microSD card), and runs on a 10,090mAh battery. Android 13 and Samsung's One UI 5.1 come installed, and you get software and security updates for years to come.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra takes everything good about Samsung tablets and pushes it to a point that some might consider excessive. But if you can stomach the steep price, you'll have in your hands a tablet with a brilliant 14.5-inch AMOLED screen at a 1848x2960 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Bezels remain thin around all sides, though there is a small notch at the top (in landscape mode) to house the tablet's two 12MP front-facing cameras. It's an ideal device for watching movies and TV, plus the larger screen makes it easier to multitask.

Like its smaller siblings, the Tab S9 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It's configurable with either 12 or 16GB of RAM, as well as up to 1TB of storage space (expandable with a microSD card), and it has an 11,200mAh battery — the largest of the S9 lineup — to keep up with the over-sized display.

The biggest drawback to the Tab S9 Ultra (aside from its size) is the price. Base models with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage start at $1,200, with prices climbing all the way to $1,620 for 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, before you add on the extra cost of a case or keyboard. That's more than a lot of great laptops cost, especially if you're shopping for a Chromebook. Still, it's the right choice if you want to get the absolute most out of your Android tablet.

Be sure to check out our picks for best Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra accessories to help you hit the ground running.

Amazon's Fire tablets do technically run Android behind the scenes. The company has been positioning the Fire HD 10 as a productivity device; it's even got a bundle that includes a decent keyboard case. But it's probably better to think of the Fire Hd 10 as a media device first and foremost. At just $150, you're not going to find many other tablets for this price, let alone ones that provide a decent experience. Just be sure to install the Google Play Store if you do pick one up.

The Google Pixel Tablet is the company's long-overdue return to the tablet form factor. The tablet itself is a good midranger, with a perfectly decent 60Hz LCD screen, stereo speakers, and solid performance thanks to its Tensor G2 chipset and eight gigs of RAM — the same setup that drives the Pixel 7 series.

Possibly more interesting than the tablet itself is the Charging Speaker Dock it comes bundled with. When placed on its dock, the Pixel Tablet becomes a quasi-smart display: in Hub Mode, the tablet can accept Hey Google commands and functions as a Chromecast target for both audio and video. Sound is routed through the dock's speaker, giving the tablet's very average built-in speakers a boost.

The Pixel Tablet is sold bundled with its dock for $500 — a decent deal on a double-duty device. The speaker dock's audio is okay at best, and Hub Mode lacks some features you'll find on Google's Nest speakers and smart displays, but if those limitations won't bother you, the Pixel Tablet may be an interesting option.

As OnePlus's inaugural tablet, the OnePlus Pad gets quite a bit right. Performance is solid, battery life is very good, and the screen has an aspect ratio of 7:5, which makes it comfortable for many tablet tasks, like reading and browsing the internet — though it's not ideal for standard 16:9 video.

The OnePlus Pad has OnePlus's characteristically quick charging, too, at up to 67W. OxygenOS is occasionally annoying and the tablet doesn't have a fingerprint sensor, but if those don't sound like major drawbacks to you, it's a great pick.

If you're in the market for a midrange media tablet, consider the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2. With a middling MediaTek chipset and four gigs of RAM, P11 Pro isn't a powerhouse, but it's got a great display: an OLED panel with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,536 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Comics, videos, and games look excellent on this tablet. At $400 or less, it's a good option, unless you want to use your tablet for productivity tasks.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a refreshed version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 that we liked quite a bit in late 2020. For the same $230 MSRP, you're getting an updated design and a Unisoc processor that's a bit faster than the low-end Snapdragon found in the previous generation. Equally interesting, though, is that you can get upgraded versions that have four gigs of RAM and up to 128 gigs of storage.

Amazon's latest Fire HD 8 tablet is a great option if you're looking for something affordable, but still want something a little nicer than the company's rock-bottom-priced Fire 7. It's got an 8-inch display that's higher-res than the one on the Fire 7, though it's really only "HD" in the technical sense at a resolution of 1,280 x 800. Still, it's plenty good enough for reading, browsing social media, and some light gaming.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 doesn't run Android, but being a ChromeOS device, it can run Android apps. The tablet's 11", 2K display is sharp and just the right size for casual tablet use. The Duet 3 also comes with a detachable keyboard cover for doing more laptop-like tasks, which is something ChromeOS excels at. Its Snapdragon chipset provides ample horsepower for light-duty work, too.

However, the detachable keyboard design makes using the Duet 3 in your lap a hassle, and its touchpad has too much drag to use comfortably for long periods of time. But if that all sounds good to you, the Duet 3 is a fine tablet for running Android apps.

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra is an Android tablet with a 10.3-inch E Ink display, making it a fantastic option for reading, but a non-starter for many normal tablet use cases like watching videos or playing games. However, it's bundled with a stylus and may be a good option for note-takers. You can also grab an optional keyboard case for an additional $109. Unlike some of Onyx's Boox tablets, the Tab Ultra has access to the Play Store, where you can download e-reader apps like Kindle and Kobo.

At a starting price of $600, the Tab Ultra is decidedly not for everyone. Performance out of the tablet's Snapdragon 662 chipset and four gigs of RAM is solid but not spectacular, and the tablet's E Ink display can make it feel even slower. But if your tablet use primarily comes down to reading and writing with a side of audio streaming, and you want a big, high-res screen to do it all on, this could be an appealing pick.

The best Android tablet for you

It may seem strange that Samsung's getting so much representation here, but the company really does make great tablets. The Galaxy Tab S9+ is an excellent place to start your search for your next Android slate. It's well-built, it has a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it's got a great display, and it's set to receive Android updates into 2027 (plus security updates for a year longer). You shouldn't have any trouble making the Tab S9+ last.

The OnePlus Pad and the Google Pixel Tablet are both interesting midrange options for different reasons. OnePlus's tablet features a high-refresh rate display and super-fast charging, while Google's comes bundled with a Charging Speaker Dock that lets it function like a smart display while it's charging.

If you're after something less pricey, Amazon's Fire HD 10 will be worth a look. It's not nearly as premium or powerful as our top picks from Samsung, but it starts at a much more palatable $150. And, if you need something really affordable, the Fire 8 HD costs a mere $100. Just don't expect either tablet to handle heavy-duty tasks. The Fire line is more about consumption than productivity, but the warranties are good, and the devices are great for kids.