Android tablets vary in size and quality, but some are exceptionally good value and can make very superb iPad alternatives for those with smaller budgets. In the chart below we rank the best Android tablets available to buy in the UK in 2023 from the likes of Samsung, Lenovo, Xiaomi and more.
Best Android Tablets 2023
Your buying guide to the best Android tablets in 2023
Android tablets are much like iPads. The main difference is the operating system (or OS) on which they run: Google’s Android platform. Android, as you’re likely to find it on most devices, comes with an app store all its own, called the Play Store.
Stunning display Good performance Slim design
Lacklustre selfie camera MIUI not for everyone
The tablet boasts a thin design that’s fronted by a gorgeous 2.5K 120Hz display and comes backed up by great stereo speakers and solid performance to boot. Just as with its phones, Xiaomi’s tablet-optimised take on its MIUI user experience won’t suit everyone but it’s wholly usable, and while the added connectivity found on the Chinese models doesn’t make it to most markets internationally, there’s still little else on the Android side of the fence we’d recommend around the Pad 5’s asking price.
Excellent flagship performance Long-term software support Slim, lightweight design S Pen stylus included
LCD display No charger included No 5G option in the US
This model has the best balance of price, performance, design and features. For starters, you get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 along with lots of memory and storage to serve you well. It’s also a rare example where you get a stylus included in the box. As well as the kinds of stylish and high-end build you’d expect from Samsung, the firm offers an excellent four years of OS updates so the Tab S8 will keep you going for a long time. It’s a shame the screen is LCD and not AMOLED at this price and there’s no charger in the box. 5G is also awkward as it’s not available in the States and costs a lot in the UK.
Nice design Good battery life Impressive audio
Underwhelming display Limited internal storage Slow charger in-box
The display and the limited internal storage are its biggest shortcomings, holding it back from being an instant affordable media player recommendation, but it still offers respectable battery life and offers an otherwise balanced all-round experience, especially for the price. It can also be easily found at lower prices than its already low RRP.
Versatile design Sharp display Good battery life Decent value
Average performance Android quirks
The Tab 11 might not be the most powerful slate on the block but it delivers a great audiovisual experience, strong battery life and convenient usability, thanks to that signature kickstand; all at a compelling price. Android on tablets still isn’t brilliant but that’s not an issue unique to the Yoga Tab 11.
Stunning 120Hz display Stellar performance Included S Pen
Price Middling software optimisation No charger in-box
On the front, you’ll find an expansive, crisp and colourful 14.6in 120Hz AMOLED display with support for the included S Pen stylus. Performance is top-notch, thanks to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and when paired with the dedicated keyboard cover (sold separately) the Tab S8 Ultra is equally at home as a killer multimedia machine or a productivity slate. Samsung has done well to tailor its user experience to the Tab S8 Ultra’s large display, but Android has its own native quirks that present a few challenges to any tablet running on Google’s mobile OS.
Classy design Decent stereo speakers Strong battery life
No fingerprint sensor Middling performance ColorOS not the best UI
The Pad Air has a stylish and svelte all-metal design with quad speakers and its IPS display is better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. It also has strong battery life making it a reliable device for various tasks. Where it falls behind its main rival is in the performance department where it’s mediocre and the Pad Air could also do with features like a fingerprint scanner to make it more attractive.
Large display Convenient kickstand design Decent performance
Only 60Hz LCD panel Android quirks Overpriced
It shares in the Tab 11’s standout design, complete with an integrated kickstand, although build quality isn’t quite as polished as we’d like and we would have loved an OLED panel in place of the LCD that features. A bigger form factor also means a larger battery, helping with its strengths as a media player, while its ability to function as a second screen is a neat party trick too. Like the 11in model, it falls foul of Android’s inflexibility on tablets and it’s more expensive than its hardware would suggest, which might be enough to put some off.
Stylish & lightweight Good warranty Well-designed case
No Alexa in kids profiles Lacks Prime Video content Overpriced
The HD 10 Kids Pro runs on the same underlying hardware as its general-purpose alter ego but comes with a protective case, one year’s access to Kids+ (which includes entertainment, apps, books etc.) and a two-year warranty that includes a no-questions-asked replacement if your little ones manage to decommission the slate the first time around. The included case is a little more grown-up looking than the conventional Kids bumper, as is the UI that shows up on-screen. The user experience is closer to that of stock FireOS but makes for easy activity monitoring and leaves out access to certain age-gated content or apps (like Netflix), which have to be approved by a parent before being installed. It’s a shame the kid-friendly version of Alexa isn’t supported – even though the tablet itself does facilitate such functionality – and certain kid-suitable Prime movies just don’t make an appearance without reason.
Good display Solid battery life Highly affordable
Underwhelming performance Basic cameras No productivity accessories
Nokia’s return to the tablet market looks to fill a space that’s littered with poor quality unknown brands by offering the T20 up with many of the sensibilities that make its budget smartphones so appealing. A tasteful design, nice 2K display and great battery life are the main highlights, while cameras and general performance are less capable than we’d hoped (although not entirely surprising, considering the T20’s affordable nature).
Superb 12.6in AMOLED display Crisp sounding quad speakers Responsive stylus included Well-considered software
Expensive Performance solid but not top tier Sub par battery life
There’s a lot to like about this stylish Android tablet, as long as you like the Storm Grey option as it’s the only one. For starters, it has a large 12.6in AMOLED screen with excellent colour performance and, combined with the Dolby-Atmos supporting quad speakers, make the P12 Pro suitable for a wide range of tasks. You also get a stylus included making it even more versatile; buy the optional keyboard and you’ve potentially got yourself a laptop replacement. Software is useful for different use-cases and the tablet should be one of the first to get Android 12L, too. Lenovo’s asking price is a tad high and it’s worth noting that the older Snapdragon 870 processor means this isn’t as well future-proofed as some rivals. Battery life is also not as good as we’d expect for a premium device. Chances are all the popular apps you’d find on an iPad running iOS will also be available to Android users too, however, there are the odd exceptions or those times where an Android version of an app takes a little longer to appear than it does on iPadOS.
With bigger screens comes more weight. Aim for a maximum of around 450g, as anything heavier can be uncomfortable to hold for long periods, such as when watching a film. That said, if you intend for your new slate to spend most of its life propped up on your lap or on a desk, weight isn’t likely to be so much of an issue. Many, but not all, Android tablets feature a microSD card slot, so you can add more storage when you need it. If you’re going for a tablet with no slot, make sure you buy the biggest capacity you can afford, as videos and some apps can use up an awful lot of storage in a single hit. And don’t forget that the big number on the box – 32GB, say – is the total amount. The usable amount, i.e. the amount which is empty and available for you to use after the Android OS itself is installed, can be quite a lot less than that headline figure. In terms of resolution, higher is better, but the more important number relates to pixel density. Aim for 300 pixels per inch (often abbreviated to ‘ppi’) or higher, as this will ensure a sharp-looking image that’s not jagged or blocky. What’s more useful is a video output so you can connect your tablet to your TV (usually via HDMI). However, you can use most Android tablets with Google’s Chromecast for watching catch-up TV, YouTube and other internet video services that are supported. Some tablets have GPS – which makes them useful for navigation – but not all do. Another thing to watch for is a SIM slot. This is useful if you want to get online when you’re traveling or out of Wi-Fi range. However, you’ll usually pay more for a cellular (3G/4G/5G) tablet, and you will need a dedicated SIM card with a data-only plan to enable in. In truth, it’s better to tether your tablet to your smartphone, if your mobile plan/carrier allows this. We also test battery life, to give you an accurate idea of how long each tablet should likely last between charges. The best tablets last around ten hours or more, while the worst only manage four to five hours on a charge. The same applies to cameras, and as with performance, you shouldn’t judge by the number of megapixels. Instead, check out our test photos in each review to see whether you’re happy with the quality on offer. Few Android tablets have great cameras, and quite a few have awful ones, so if photos, videos and video calls are important, don’t buy before you’ve read our reviews. Once you’ve got your Android tablet, you might do yourself a favour by investing in one of our best tablet stands, to make usage more comfortable, reduce neck strain, and improve your posture. Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
