Updated: 10 best Android tablets in the world

Best Android tablets: 10-6

Update: The Pixel C has made it into our 10 best Android tablets - read on to find out where it placed.

Our list of the best Android tablets in the world - regularly updated

If you're looking for a tablet and don't fancy an iPad, then Android is currently the way to go.

There are other options out there with Windows 10 tablets such as the Surface Pro 4 - but Android Lollipop remains the main rival to the iOS 9 toting iPad Air 2, iPad Pro and iPad mini 4.

Read: 10 Best tablets in the world today

Some Android tablets have 10-inch screens, others seven, some land somewhere in between and a handful even push the boundaries past 10 inches. There are big differences in battery life, processing power, RAM and price.

We've gathered together the best the Android tablet market has to offer, so read on to see which Google-powered slates you should be considering.

Amazon Fire HD 6

10. Amazon Fire HD 6

Small enough to be smartphone, it packs a punch

Compact size

Sharp screen

A bit too chunky

Awful cameras

The Fire HD 6 is one of the most enticing tablets to come from Amazon, mixing efficient integration with the Prime services and a compact footprint that makes it easy to drop in your bag.

It's no tablet king, but it does what it sets out to well, and considering its price tag the Amazon Fire HD 6 is difficult to knock.

The cameras are worth avoiding, and the built in speakers aren't great, but as long as you can get over Amazon's slightly restrictive Fire OS and the lack of Google's services then the HD 6 is a perfect pocket slate.

Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 6

EE Harrier Tab

9. EE Harrier Tab

4G internet on the go, on a budget

4G mobile internet

Decent price

Poor cameras

Mediocre battery life

A decent price, good screen and solid design make the EE Harrier Tab a respectable budget 4G tablet.

The cameras are pretty dreadful and the battery life pedestrian, but by essentially nailing the basics, the EE Harrier Tab is great to use 98% of the time.

Read the full review: EE Harrier Tab

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

8. Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

Samsung throws everything into the fledgling maxi-tablet category

Large, bright screen

Improved Samsung UI

Creaky build quality

Unwieldy form factor

Sometimes bigger can be better - and Samsung will certainly be hoping that's the case with the huge Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 which sports a - yup you've guessed it - 12.2-inch display.

As you'll see from the name, this slate falls into Samsung's "Note" series, which means it comes equipped with an S Pen stylus, and with such a large canvas to work with it can be genuinely useful.

Unsurprisingly the Note Pro 12.2 isn't a small tablet, so it's not something you'll be carry around with you everyday, but with a meaty octa-core (yes, eight!) processor, 3GB of RAM and Android 4.4 KitKat OS it's a serious powerhouse capable of some very heavy lifting.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

Samsung Galaxy Tab S

7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S

If you're after a tablet with a great screen... this is it

Excellent screen

Plenty of power

Still behind on design

Small on-board storage

The exterior design of the Tab S is nothing to write home about but it's thin and it's light and that counts for a lot when it comes to tablets. It helps the frame get out of the way of the screen, which is the real winner here.

Available in 8.4- and 10.5-inch variants, the Tab S range packs in a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, microSD slot, 8MP rear camera, 2.1MP front snapper and Android 4.4 KitKat.

Both tablets have fingerprint scanners for added security, but the plastic body may put a few off with Apple's slates sporting a more attractive design.

There's a new Tab series on the block, in the form of the Galaxy Tab S2, but the original S duo are still a great buy - especially now they're a little bit cheaper.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro

6. Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro

Taking 'Netflix and chill' to the next level

Integrated projector

Great audio

Heavy

Glitchy interface

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro is packed full of media-focused features and sports an unique, distinctive design.

There's a built in stand to take the heft off your hands, while the integrated projector means you can enjoy big screen entertainment away from your TV.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro

Number 5: Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

5. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Solid specs in a compact frame

Waterproof, slim design

PS4 Share Play

Annoying port flaps

When it comes to watching video or playing games, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact excels with a decent slug of power and its eye-pleasing display.

Add in the thin, light, waterproof body and you have a great tablet for long trips and boring work commutes which can be happily slid into a bag without taking up too much space or weighing you down.

The components inside the Z3 Tablet Compact are getting on a bit now, and it doesn't have the slickness of the 8-inch iPad mini 4 or Galaxy Tab S2 - but it's certainly still worth considering.

Read the full review: Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Number 4: Google Nexus 9

Nexus 9

4. Google Nexus 9

Google's Nexus tablet is big in size and price

Ideal 4:3 aspect ratio

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Pricier than before

Subpar display quality

It's been a while since we last had a large Nexus slate and even longer since HTC went anywhere near a tablet, yet here we are with the HTC made Nexus 9.

It was worth the wait too, thanks to a powerful 64-bit processor, BoomSound speakers, a long lasting battery and Android 5.0 onboard.

It's found itself a fairly unique size point too at 8.9 inches. Too big to be considered a small or even medium sized tablet, but some way smaller than the 10.1-inch Android slates that there are so many of. Whether that's a good or bad thing is subjective but it certainly helps it stand out.

Read the full review: Google Nexus 9

Number 3: Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

3. Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

A stunning, waterproof tablet with a great screen

Gorgeous display

New improved design

Expensive price tag

Problematic UI

Sony's Xperia Z4 Tablet is one of the best Android tablets on the market right now, ensuring the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and iPad Air 2 get a real work out.

We'd like to see a 64GB option, but 32GB plus the inclusion of a microSD slot will suit most people, and while the cameras don't cover themselves in glory they're more of a vanity feature on a tablet.

The Xperia Z4 is a great tablet, and it's one of the genuine alternatives to the iPad. Android is still not the perfect ecosystem for tablets, but with a 2K display on the front and such a nice-looking design Sony has made something rather lovely.

Read the full review: Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Number 2: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Samsung Galaxy S2

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Samsung's latest Android slate is super

Thinner, lighter design

Great screen

So-so battery life

Camera is mediocre

There are plenty of reasons to invest in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 - especially if you're after one of the best Android tablets on the market.

It's reading and web surfing-friendly, while the new 4:3 screen and general size and shape is better suited for most things. Videos work better on its predecessor thanks to elongated aspect ratio - but they don't exactly look bad here.

You can pick the Tab S2 up in 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants, to challenge Apple's iPad and iPad Mini ranges, with the smaller option being more portable and cheaper.

Almost impossibly thin, pumped full of power and with a slicker version of Samsung's TouchWiz interface on board the Galaxy Tab S2 gives the iPad Air 2 and Pixel C a real run for their money.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Number 1: Google Pixel C

Google Pixel C

1. Google Pixel C

The best Android tablet around

Fantastic screen

Premium design

Heavy

Keyboard is pricey option

Google's done it – it's made the best Android tablet around. The Pixel C has it all: a fantastic display, heaps of power and a premium design.

Okay, it's not quite got it all - it's a little on the heavy side and the pricey (yet rather clever) keyboard dock isn't fully utilised by the Android interface which is made very much for touch and not physical keys and productivity.

Those points aside, the Pixel C goes toe-to-toe with the iPad Air 2 with its clean stock Android interface, sultry metal body and super screen.

If you're looking for the best of Google in a tablet, the Pixel C gives you just that.

Read the full review: Google Pixel C