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Tablets have become a very popular gift during the holiday season. They’re often on sale during this time of year, and you don’t have to worry about a tablet working with your friend’s carrier. Buying someone a tablet is definitely a baller move. But which tablet should you choose? The latest batch of iPads are pretty boring this year, but there are several great Android options. Check out our top 5!
5. LG G Pad
If you’re looking for a great tablet at an even greater price, look no further than the LG G Pad line. The base model will cost you less than $200. The specs mimic what we saw in the LG G3 (which happens to be on our best phones list). The G Pad line has solid devices that will please most people.
4. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
We’re unabashedly big fans of Sony products, and the Z3 Tablet Compact is no exception. The 8-inch display is the perfect size, it’s waterproof, and if you have a PS4 you can remotely play games right on the tablet. We haven’t even mentioned how sleek and beautiful it is. This is an awesome tablet.
3. NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet
The SHIELD Tablet came out of nowhere, but now we don’t know how we ever lived without it. Gamers will love the hardcore specs and streaming capabilities, plus the optional controller adds a lot of functionality. Even if you’re not a gamer this tablet has plenty to offer.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Samsung’s strategy for tablets has always been the spaghetti approach. Throw a bunch of stuff out there and see what sticks. With the Galaxy Tab S they’ve found something very sticky. This tablet is the ultimate productivity machine. Samsung’s gimmicky software features somehow work nicely on this 10.5-inch device.
1. Nexus 9
The newest device on our list also happens to be the best. HTC and Google teamed up again to create an awesome Nexus device, but this time it’s the 9-inch Nexus 9. We love the size, powerful specs, and stock Android 5.0 Lollipop. If you’re on the market for a great Android tablet right now this is the obvious choice.
Honorable Mentions
These five devices just didn’t have what it takes to make our top 5. They are all great tablets in their own right, but just a step below the devices up above.
- Nexus 7 – The new Nexus 9 makes this tablet look a little old, but it will be one of the first to get Android 5.0 Lollipop.
- Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet – It’s not Sony’s newest tablet, but we still really dig it. Apparently Sony does too, because they didn’t announce a new 10-incher.
- Lenovo Yoga HD 10+ – If you like tablets that are flexible, both literally and figuratively, the Yoga HD is a must-have.
- Amazon Kindle Fire HDX – A different take on Android with the familiar digital content options of Amazon.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active – If you want a mid-sized Galaxy Tab, might as well get one with added protection against wear and weather.
Upcoming Tablets
There is really only one major tablet that has been announced, but is not yet available. That device is the LG Tab Book. It’s a hybrid device with a slide-out keyboard. A lot of LG’s crazy designs never leave Korea, but we’re hoping to see this productivity machine make its way to America.
What Say You?
Now it’s your turn. We gave our rankings, but we want to know how you would rank the best Android tablets. Have your picked up a Nexus 9? Do you even own an Android tablet? Let us know in the comments below!
[polldaddy poll=8424533]
I would like to know what you guys think of the nexus 10 (yes i know its more than 2 years since it launched) but i really like the form factor, but i’m afraid that the dual core isn’t no longer enough for the apps and some games
Had no problems with my nexus 10 but for the larger tablet I got the Galaxy tab pro 12.2 and sold the nexus 10 but you can get it for a great price on swappa.com. I really liked the front speakers also on the nexus 10 sound better than the 12.2 I got now where the speakers are on the sides. I did just pick up a nvidia tablet got speakers on sides and front and sound great also got the lte version so I can take it on the go very exciting to not kill my phone battery while I’m out and about
I’m interested to see how the N10 handles 5.0 before I make my next tablet decision. If I do it will be the Shield Tablet because of the gaming aspect.
I love the Nexus 10 but had to flash Trinity or Franco kernel to play the one graphic intensive game I used to play smoothly (Critical Strike Portable). It’s hard to beat the value of the shield tablet if you can live with 8″.
I will replace my Nexus 10 ONLY for a lighter one, it’s heavy, the rest is PERFECT. Just compare weights.
I’m surprised to see the Nexus 9 ahead of the Tab S, esp with the Tab’s OLED screen, extra GB of RAM, and SD card. Plus, if you watch a lot of videos, the 4:3 screen on the Nexus 9 will not be ideal.
I know a lot of folks don’t like Touchwiz, but I’ve found that Nova Launcher on the Tab Pro gets rid of most of the Touchwiz jank. It’s as smooth as any phone or tablet I’ve owned. I’ve read in a couple of reviews that the performance of the Nexus 9 is a little spotty in places, so it’s not like ithe N9 is perfect in that regard.
You should replace the Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+ on the honorable mentions list with the new Yoga 2 Tablet. Same design, but vastly improved performance.
I have not been hearing good things about the Nexus 9.
I bought my N9 black 32 from Best Buy yesterday! Screen — great. Battery — great. Power — great. Sound — awesome.
Samsung galaxy note 10.1 2014 edition.
There is another big tablet coming up on my radar. The Dell Venue 8 7000. I’m surprised that it didn’t make your list.
Where’s iPad?
Hah.
IPad is a great tablet. IOS is a poor phone os but a great tablet os.
Read the title of the article…
Talk about being on queue, I’m in the market for a new tablet but I want a 10+ model.
I can’t seem to find a proper answer to the following question maybe you guys can.
I’m debating between Galaxy tab Pro 12.2 and the Galaxy tab S 10.5.
They have the same specs except for the screen.
So I’m wondering how much better/worst is the Galaxy S screen vs the Pro 12.2?
Thanks
torie, can i suggest you strongly consider mindfulness meditation? I honestly think it would be a powerful help in stress mitigation
I don’t get it