The 7 Best Samsung Tablets

Editor's Notes

December 28, 2020:

During this update we focused on removing any models that were released prior to 2019 and, when applicable, replacing them with the newest releases. The S7 series is the company's flagship line of tablets and it is comprised of the Tab S7+ and Tab S7. The former is the more premium version and features a better quality and larger screen, as well as a higher capacity battery, but nearly identical specs besides that. For those who need something rugged, Samsung offers the Tab Active Pro, which can actually be submerged in water as deep as 5 feet for up to 30 minutes with no adverse effects. Despite not being technically a tablet, we thought it worthwhile to include the convertible Galaxy Book Flex Alpha. It is lightweight enough to be used as one when the screen is folded over, though not nearly as light as purpose made tablets, and has premium hardware that can give most high-end ultrabooks a run for their money.

September 12, 2019:

Tablets are somewhat of a shrinking market, but that doesn't mean you can't find plenty of useful models with helpful features and reliable hardware. Samsung seems to have mastered the art of integrating Google's Android operating system into handheld devices, as evidence by their flagship Galaxy S line. If you can find it for a good price, the S4 is still very much a great option, though it has been replaced by the S6, which is nearly as powerful as much larger, clamshell-style Chromebooks. We really like the S5e as well, and it may have even taken the top spot due to its cost-effectiveness, but there's one glaring flaw. The Wi-Fi antenna was placed in the body underneath where many people hold the tablet when in landscape mode, and while not everyone has this problem, for some users the Wi-Fi connection cuts in and out based on how they're holding the device. If you're lucky enough for this not to affect you, then the S5e may be the one for you, but unfortunately there's no software fix for this issue, so we can't recommend it with as much gusto as the others.

Meanwhile, the Tab A series offers plenty of fun and functionality without the relatively high price tag of the top-of-the-line units. We've highlighted one of our favorites, the LTE-enabled 10.1-inch model, but the others are also very good choices. And we've included a few 2-in-1 devices that offer excellent compromises between lightweight but somewhat limited tablets, and actual laptop computers. If you're looking for the convenience of a tablet but the versatility of Windows, check out the Notebook 7 Spin or Galaxy Book, or if you're okay with using Google's versatile PC operating system, look at the Chromebook V2 plus. It's one of the most recent Chromebooks on the market and it can help you accomplish a wide variety of everyday tasks.