The best Android tablets for every task

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is a nifty, nimble tablet that doubles up as an entertainment system. It boasts a 13-inch OLED display, with a 2,160 x 1,350 resolution (that's 2K, tech fans), plus Dolby Vision and Netflix HD support. Make no mistake, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is a little beast.

Its speakers blow other tablets away, and the kickstand props the slate up like a mini TV. You can watch just about anywhere. The stand flips out, allowing you to hang the tablet from a wall, hook, or shelf. A mini HDMI port also allows you to also connect with other devices and use the tablet as a second screen. The tablet is seriously, wonderfully versatile.

If you want to go Android and premium, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. It’s big and mighty enough to challenge the iPad Pro for all-round performance. Sure, the S8 is the previous-gen model, but this is still impressive and comes for a slightly lower price than the S9 Ultra. Not that it's cheap, of course.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra packs in plenty of oversized spec — a 14.6-inch super AMOLED screen, 512GB of storage, 4K video recording, powerful quad speakers, and both rear (13MP) and front-facing (12MP) cameras. It also comes equipped with an S Pen for design tasks. Digital artists will appreciate the super low latency and seamless fluidity. It also attaches to the tablet itself, which is standard for the Galaxy Tab.

If anything, it might be a touch too big. The giant screen is impressive, but that could make it tough to lug around or stream on the commute.

The high-resolution Huawei MatePad Pro is a great example of Huawei tablet technology, and isn't all that expensive. It features a 2K display, up to 12 hours of battery life, and plenty of power.

This tablet is also a great multitasker. It has 6 GB of RAM — which far outstrips the mighty iPad — plus a split screen feature, which allows you to run multiple apps side-by-side. You’ll feel the benefit if you’re already plugged into the Huawei ecosystem. It's still catching on in the UK, but there's no doubt that Huawei devices are impressive.

The MatePad Pro looks great too, thanks to a large 10.8-inch display that delivers impressive visuals and crisp colours. You'll also find that the curved design of the tablet fits comfortably into your hands. 

The lack of the Google Play Store means you can’t access some apps, but Huawei’s own selection of apps is always improving.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is an attractive tablet that combines elements of the S7 and S7+ but pares down the overall spec for a mid-range price point (FE stands for Fan Edition). In truth, you’d need to be pretty picky to not appreciate this solid all-rounder.

It’s ultimately a contender to the iPad and has some edge over the Apple device. It has a bigger screen — a 12.4-inch LCD display — plus an S-Pen and better battery life. This tablet can go for up to 13 hours — one of the best batteries on this list. Impressive for a device that's now a few years behind the pack.

Where it struggles is its less-capable processor, a Snapdragon 750G, which can get sluggish compared to Apple’s offering. That might not be an issue if you’re only after something that’s well priced for everyday tasks and fun.

You might not think of Nokia as a go-to brand for tablets. Indeed, we mostly associate the Nokia name with gloriously retro mobile phones. But if you want an affordable tablet for watching Netflix, responding to emails, and general web browsing, the Nokia T20 is a stellar option.

It’s powered by the family-friendly Android 11. Kids Space keeps your little ones both entertained and safe online, while Entertainment Space puts all your streaming and entertainment apps in one easy-to-access location.

Its cameras are a bit lacklustre but it’s a hard-wearing piece of kit that will go the distance with regular, robust use. Sure, this can’t match the performance or complexities of a high-end Samsung Galaxy or the iPad, but at this price it’s unlikely that you’re looking for that calibre anyway.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is Samsung’s latest attempt to outdo the mighty iPad — and it’s getting closer with every generation. It's also a noticeable upgrade on the previous Tab model, with a souped-up Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU.

It looks great, with an 11-inch AMOLED display. If design is your thing — or perhaps you’re an enthusiastic note-taker — it comes with Samsung’s S-Pen, which has super low latency for slick, fluid artistry.

Being a true alternative to the iPad, the Galaxy Tab S9 makes sense if you’re already stocked with Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy phone or earbuds. They all sync seamlessly.

This tablet is all about big performance — immersive game playing, pro-level creative apps, and Vision Booster viewing for bright days — but if you want something bigger still, you can try the 12.4-inch Tab S9 Plus and 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra