The Best Android Tablets of 2018

Android Means Many Options

More than other tablet operating systems, Android goes from low to high. The broad flexibility of Google's OS lets manufacturers build useful products ranging from $50 to more than $500, fitting a broader range of niches and tastes than the Apple iPad, which has dominated the tablet market since it first came out. We've rounded up our top picks here.

While Android dukes it out with the iPad and Windows tablets at the top of its range, and doesn't always win, its strengths at smaller sizes and lower price points can be hard to beat. Android tablets also sometimes show up with crazy experimental features, like a pico projector or a separate Wacom touchpad for artists. But all of those innovative ideas make Android a little harder to program for than the iOS or Windows, so you may find that hot games and top productivity apps come to one of the other platforms first. To get the skinny on the latest whizbang features, make sure to read our full reviews on your prospective device.

Start With Software

Unfortunately, Android tablet manufacturers don't tend to keep their software up to date. While the most recent version of Android is 8.1 Oreo, most tablets are still on Android 7.0 Nougat. Samsung has confirmed an Oreo update is coming for its Galaxy Tab S3. Amazon updates its tablets regularly with its own Android-derivative OS.

Companies like Amazon and 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 user experience should give the latest devices from each company a try. And if you're already heavily invested in the Amazon Appstore, you might want to stick with one of the latest Fire tablets.

Even if you don't have the most recent OS iteration, Android continues to be the most configurable tablet operating system you'll find. It's a master multitasker, with an excellent notification system and top-notch integration with Google services like Gmail, Hangouts, and Google Maps. Android is home to plenty of great apps, but there still aren't as many tablet-specific options as you'll find for the iPad.

Cellular or Wi-Fi?

All of the major carriers are currently selling cellular-enabled tablets. You can add them to a monthly family plan, or pay for data by the day. T-Mobile tablets are unlocked and can be used on any service that the tablets' radios are compatible with, while AT&T and Sprint tablets tend to be locked to that service. Verizon recently said it is changing its policy this spring. Previously, all of its devices were unlocked, but it is switching to selling locked devices that you will be able to unlock on request.

See How We Test Tablets

If you have a hotspot option on your smartphone plan, you can save money by just using that with a Wi-Fi-enabled tablet. But that will burn your smartphone's battery, of course (that's where battery packs come in). And unless you're on an unlimited data plan, be aware that streaming video on a tablet will quickly eat up an LTE service plan.

Some of our favorite tablets are available in both LTE and Wi-Fi versions. The Galaxy Tab S2 has an LTE version, the AT&T Primetime is an LTE tablet, and the Asus Zenpad Z10 is sold by Verizon with LTE.

Don't Forget About Design

Performance on even the least expensive devices tends to be passable these days, so pay extra attention to design and display quality. The software experience might improve over time, but that chintzy plastic body isn't getting any upgrades.

Low-cost tablets also tend to have dull, 1,024-by-600 or 1,280-by-800 screens, that can look grainy to the modern eye. Higher-quality tablets are often in the 2,048-by-1,536 range, which is notably sharper. We recommend IPS and AMOLED displays for their wide viewing angles, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast.

There are plenty of bargain bin options out there promising the same Android experience as big names. While many of these off-label tabs are perfectly serviceable, we recommend choosing a brand you can count on for software support and hardware quality control.

Check out the selection here for the best Android-based tablets we've tested. Have a favorite we didn't include? Tell us in the comments. If you're looking for a great phone to complement your new tablet, head over to our Best Android Phones roundup. Or if you want to look beyond the realm of Android, check out our roundups of the Best Tablets across all operating systems.