Tablets are remarkable. They offer a larger workspace than a smartphone while maintaining better portability than laptops. Particularly for individuals on the move, tablets have emerged as a preferred choice for productivity tasks, social media, and entertainment.
However, tablets these days are not what they used to be 10 years ago. Now, these power-packed machines are fitted with advanced CPUs, high-quality displays, and long-lasting batteries. But does it make them a good device for watching movies? Let’s find out. In this article, we will explore the 10 best tablets for watching movies, covering various platforms such as Android, iPads, Google, and Windows.
Let’s dive in.
10 Best Tablets for Watching Movies in 2023
After getting my hands on more than 25 leading tablets available, I have come up with the 10 best tablets for watching movies, and TV shows and running other streaming apps. This list includes tablets from different categories, catering to specific user groups.
Here’s an overview
MODEL |
DISPLAY SIZE |
BATTERY LIFE |
PRICE |
Rating |
iPad Pro |
12.9 inches |
9 hours |
$1, 149 |
9.9 ★ |
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro |
12.6-inches |
12 hours |
$439 |
9.5 ★ |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus |
12.4 inches |
12 hours |
$1,119 |
9.3 ★ |
Amazon Fire HD 10 |
10.1 inches |
10 hours |
$149.99 |
8.5 ★ |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE |
12.4 inches |
12 hours |
$497 |
8.1 ★ |
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 |
13 inches |
15 hours |
$1,299 |
8.8 ★ |
iPad Pro 6th Gen |
10.9 inches |
9 hours |
$499 |
8 ★ |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 |
10.5 inches |
6 hours |
$209 |
8.4 ★ |
Microsoft Surface Go 3 |
10.5 inches |
11 hours |
$532 |
7.8 ★ |
Google Pixel Tablet |
11 inches |
12 hours |
$499 |
8.7 ★ |
1. iPad Pro 6th Gen
Price – $1, 149
- Display – 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 1000 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2732×2048 pixels
- CPU – Apple M2
- Operating System – iPadOS 16
- Battery Life – Up to 9 hours
- RAM – 8GB
- Storage – 256GB
- Weight – 1.5 lbs
- Connectivity – USB-C with Thunderbolt support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
The 6th generation of iPad comes with a heavy price tag but the investment is worth it, whether you need it for productivity or entertainment.
On a gorgeous 12.9-inch crisp Liquid Retina display, you will have a viewing experience like no other. Despite being a standard 2K panel, the contrast level and deep blacks match the AMOLED, and 1000 nits of brightness will keep the screen illuminated regardless of the lighting conditions. The display also features a 120Hz refresh rate along with TrueTone technology, meaning every content appears to be flowing on the screen, reflecting the natural colors.
The new iPad also excels in the audio department, with a couple of powerful speakers firing from both ends. The sound is loud and contains a perfect balance between bass and clarity. It also supports Dolby Atoms and surround sound. While you’ll be missing the deal old 3.5mm jack, the external speakers are more than enough.
Battery life on the iPad Pro is decent and will easily get you through the day with normal usage. In our test, we were able to stream Netflix for nearly 7 hours straight.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Blazing-fast performance
✔ Industry-leading display quality ✔ Immersive audio experience ✔ Exceptional build quality | ✖ Expensive
✖ No 3.5 audio jack ✖ Underperforming battery |
Verdict – Purchase it only if you are comfortable with the Apple ecosystem and your budget allows it.
2. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
Price – $439
- Display – 12.6-inch AMOLED with HDR Dolby Vision, 600 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1600 x 2560 pixels
- CPU – Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
- Operating System – Android 11
- Battery Life – Up to 12 hours
- RAM – 6GB
- Storage – 128GB
- Weight – 1.06 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is truly a hidden gem in the tablet market. At a sub $500 price point, it offers nearly flagship-level features, good enough for movie streaming, note taking, and even daily productivity tasks.
In the display department, Tab P12 Pro hits out of the park. The 12.6-inch AMOLED panel is simply breathtaking and the 2K resolution ensures every micro-detail on the screen is visible to the viewers. Not to mention the deep blacks and vibrant colors that an AMOLED display offers.
However, the JBL-powered quad-speakers steaks the show. The sound is extraordinary at any volume level, so you won’t miss a beat. The bass is punchy and doesn’t get distorted even at the highest volume level. It also supports surround sound tuned by Lenovo Premium Audio, which will make up for the missing 3.5 mm headphone jack.
On the downside, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is not a powerhouse. However, it’s fitted with SnapDragon 870, a respectable chipset, just not comparable to the flagships in 2023. But, you will be able to multitask, stream movies, use a third-party media player, and play games easily.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Quad speakers powered by JBL
✔ Bright and Vibrant 2K AMOLED screen ✔ Decent performance ✔ Long-lasting battery | ✖ Lacks 3.5 headphone jack
✖ Limited software updates ✖ Average build quality |
Verdict – If you are okay with an outdated yet fast processor and delayed Android updates, the Lenovo P12 Pro is one of the best tablets for watching movies.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
Price – $1,119
- Display – 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED with HDR10+, 650 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1752 x 2800 pixels
- Operating System – Android 13
- CPU – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Battery Life – Up to 12 hours
- RAM – 12GB
- Storage – 512GB
- Weight – 1.29 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 3.2
Samsung Tablets are known for their premium designs, stunning displays, and powerful performance. The Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is no exception. At a price of approximately $1000, it emerges as the best tablet for watching Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime.
Samsung has equipped the Tab S9 Plus with an immersive 2K AMOLED panel, which is a sight to behold. The blacks are so deep that every other color just oozes out of the screen and gives you a pleasant cinematic experience. The 120Hz refresh rate takes it to the next level, making everything appear seamless and flowing. At times, you will struggle to differentiate whether you are watching movies on a tablet or a high-end laptop.
Samsung has opted for the same set of speakers as the previous Tab S8 Plus, however, the sound quality is a little more optimized this time. Now, that’s not a significant difference that you would notice, the output is pleasant, packing just enough details and bass. Overall, the audio-visual experience on this device is no less than the ultra-pricy iPads.
The Tab S9 Plus truly shines in the battery department, lasting nearly 10 hours on a single charge. Our review team was able to stream nearly 4 movies in a row and the device still has 12% juice in it.
PROS | CONS |
✔ IP68 rating; Dust and water-resistant
✔ Extraordinary display quality ✔ Top-notch performance ✔ Premium build quality and looks | ✖ A bit bulky
✖ Comes without a charger brick ✖ Pricy |
Verdict – If you have a budget of $1000 and don’t mind a chunky tablet that doesn’t come with a power brick, it’s the best Samsung tablet for watching movies for you.
4. Amazon Fire HD 10
Price – $149.99
- Display – 10.1-inch IPS LCD, 405 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1920 x 1200 pixels
- CPU – MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T
- Operating System – Android 9 (Fire OS 7)
- Battery Life – Up to 10 hours
- RAM – 3GB
- Storage – 64GB
- Weight – 1.03 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C 2.0
Amazon Fire HD 10 is an entry-level tablet, packing some exciting features. Priced at just $149, itly one of the best tablets for watching movies and TV shows without hurting your pocket.
Fire HD 10 comes with a 10.1-inch IPS LCD which is surprisingly sharp and displays the content very clearly. Now, we can’t compare it with premium Apple and Samsung, but the overall viewing experience is better than you would expect from a cheap tablet. Although the brightness and color production are below par, it will get the job done for the most, especially in the low-lighting conditions.
The biggest plus point of Fire HD 10 is its audio performance. Equipped with dual stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos support, it delivers a reasonably loud and punch sound. However, it may not excel in capturing micro-details, and the volume levels might not be exceptional, potentially leading to distortion when turned up to higher levels. Nevertheless, it’s more than sufficient for media consumption, streaming movies, and casual gaming. Also, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack which you would appreciate.
The battery life is decent, mainly due to the low-spec processor and display. It will easily last for 10 hours on a continuous movie playback. On the downside, the Fire OS is not as advanced as standard Android, and you are stuck with a bunch of Amazon apps that you can’t even uninstall.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Budget-friendly tablet
✔ Dolby Atmos support ✔ Stunning display for the price ✔ 3.5mm headphone jack | ✖ Poor performance
✖ Fire OS feels outdated ✖ No Google app store |
Verdict – It’s a good tablet for kids, offering just enough performance and features to enjoy the streaming apps and do some basic gaming.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Price – $497
- Display – 12.4-inch TFT LCD, 432 nits
- Screen Resolution – 1600 x 2560 pixels
- CPU – Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G
- Operating System – Android 11
- Battery Life – Up to 12 hours
- RAM – 8GB
- Storage – 256GB
- Weight – 1.34 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C 3.2
Tab S7 FE is a mid-range superstar from Samsung that combines the essence of flagship models and the affordability of lower-end ones, without compromising much in performance and style. Currently available at $479, it’s clearly among the top-rated tablets for watching movies in 2023.
There is no AMOLED, but the 12.4-inch TFT panel is bright and carries enough pixels that you will not miss any detail while watching high-definition content. Although the 432 nits brightness doesn’t feel amazing, the punchy colors compensate for it. Interestingly, there is no HDR, which is available in a cheaper Lenovo Tab P12 Pro.
The speakers inside the Tab S7 FE are tuned by AKG. The output quality is decent, containing a balanced loudness and clarity, along with a thumpy bass. Over, the cinematic experience on this tablet is delightful, thanks to the big screen, vibrant colors, and impressive sound.
The biggest letdown is the battery performance. Although Samsung claims a 12-hour battery life, it only lasts for 7 hours with non-stop movie streaming. Also, the lack of a headphone jack might be a deal breaker for many.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Premium build and feel
✔ Expandable storage ✔ Powerful AKG quad speakers ✔ vibrant and sharp screen | ✖ Lags while multitasking
✖ Limited biometric options ✖ Battery life is poor |
Verdict – BUy if you are looking for a premium-looking Samsung tablet for watching movies, without spending a fortune. The Lenovo Tab P12 Plus is a better option.
6. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Price – $1,299
- Display – 13-inch PixelSense Flow display, 450 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2880 x 1920 pixels
- CPU – Intel Evo i7
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home
- Battery Life – Up to 15 hours
- RAM – 16GB
- Storage – 256GB
- Weight – 1.94 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 support
Microsoft Surface Pro is not designed for entertainment by any means. But if you are looking for a solid Windows 2-in-one tablet you can use for both work and entertainment, it’s a viable option to consider.
The Surface Pro features a 13-inch beautiful display, offering a 2K+ resolution. The display is designed using PixelSense technology and passes with flying colors, in terms of image clarity, brightness, and color accuracy. This display brings videos and movies to life, with content seemingly leaping off the screen. Furthermore, it boasts Dolby Vision and HDR support, making it an ideal screen for enjoying movies and TV shows.
Surprisingly, the 2W stereo speakers impress with their loudness and clarity. Each instrument and beat is distinctly audible, ensuring an immersive audio-visual experience on the Surface Pro 9 tablet.
The battery life doesn’t disappoint as well, lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge. In our test, we were able to continuously stream content on Amazon Prime for 11.5 hours. Mind you, it comes with a built-in kickstand, which makes it a perfect desk companion for watching movies.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Can be used as a tablet and laptop
✔ Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos ✔ Good battery life ✔ Loud and punchy sound | ✖ Heavier than traditional tablets
✖ Very expensive ✖ Lacks 3.5mm audio jack |
Verdict – If you need a device for work and entertainment, Surface Pro is the ideal choice. It supports all Windows apps, which is an added advantage.
7. iPad Air 5th Gen
Price – $499
- Display – 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1640 x 2360 pixels
- CPU – Apple M1
- Operating System – iPad OS 14.1
- Battery Life – Up to 9 hours
- RAM – 4GB
- Storage – 64GB
- Weight – 1.02 lbs
- Connectivity – USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
My next recommendation is the iPad Air, a low-end version of the iPad Pro. While you will be missing some of the flagship features, the device is still among the best in terms of design, performance, and display quality. At a price of just $559, it’s the best iPad for watching movies without sacrificing much.
The screen on the iPad Air is not as bright as the one on the iPad Pro, but you still get a compact 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2K+ resolution. Content is extremely sharp and unless you put the iPad Pro next to it, you won’t be able to pick a false note in terms of overall viewing experience. You also get the natural colors and vibrant settings, thanks to TrueTone technology and the P3 wide color gamut.
The device is rocked by a couple of powerful speakers on the top and bottom. The sound is not as premium as the iPad Pro, but better than 90% of the competition. The bass is punchy and the balance is just fantastic, making your movie-watching experience soothing and enjoyable.
The battery performance of the iPad Air is not up to the mark. On a continuous run, we were only able to extract 5 hours of movie streaming, which is surprisingly underwhelming.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Bright and sharp display
✔ Powerful performance ✔ Premium build quality ✔ Lightweight | ✖ Thich display bezels
✖ Poor battery backup ✖ Heating issues |
Verdict – If you are strictly looking for an iPad for watching movies and can look beyond thick bezels, and average performance, the iPad Air is a good choice.
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Price – $209
- Display – 10.5-inch TFT LCD, 327 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1200 x 1920 pixels
- CPU – Unisoc Tiger T618
- Operating System – Android 11
- Battery Life – Up to 6 hours
- RAM – 4GB
- Storage – 64GB
- Weight – 1.12 lbs
- Connectivity – USB-C 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the cheapest Android tablet on my list and is an ideal pick for those looking for a device just to watch movies and flick through social media apps. Although it doesn’t have the power of the high-end S series tablets, at a price of just $209, it’s the best cheap tablet for watching Netflix, Prime, and HBO.
It features a 10.5-inch full-HD display that has sufficient brightness and sharpness to give you a respectable viewing experience. Interestingly, the colors remain punchy, despite being a TFT LCD, which will compensate for the low-resolution display. While it’s not an ideal display to look at while you are out in the sun, inside a room, 329 nits brightness is enough to illuminate the screen to your liking.
The sound performance is decent but not fantastic. You will hear clear vocals and instruments on a medium volume level. But, to be honest, it’s not for audiophiles. Thankfully, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can connect any high-quality speakers or earphones for an enhanced audio experience.
The biggest disappointment comes from the battery department. While Samsung claims a battery life of 6 hours, which is already low, the actual performance falls even shorter. Don’t expect the tablet to last for more than 4 hours if you are binge-watching.
PROS | CONS |
✔ 3.5mm headphone jack
✔ Budget-friendly option ✔ Decent display and sound ✔ Expandable memory | ✖ Poor performance
✖ Battery drains too fast ✖ Not enough RAM |
Verdict – If you need a secondary device on your desk for just watching movies, you can pick the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
9. Microsoft Surface Go 3
Price – $532
- Display – 10.5-inch PixelSense Display, 400 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 1920 x 1280 pixels
- CPU – 10th Gen Intel Core i3
- Operating System – Windows 11
- Battery Life – Up to 11 hours
- RAM – 8GB
- Storage – 128GB
- Weight – 1.3 lbs
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C
Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a cheaper hybrid tablet, a perfect solution for students or professionals seeking an affordable device for streaming and basic productivity tasks. Surface Go 3 is not a power-packed machine, instead, it offers a balanced mix of capabilities, making it it a convenient on-the-go tablet that can also double as a laptop.
The Surface Go 3 has the same PixelSense display but with a lower (full HD) resolution. However, the brightness goes up to 400 nits, which won’t let you miss the sharpness of a 4K panel. Surprisingly, the color production and saturation are on-point, making pictures and videos appear more natural and lively on the screen.
In terms of audio quality, the tablet packs the same set of speakers as its high-end counterpart Surface Pro 9. The output is loud and carries decent bass and punch. The overall audio-visual experience exceeded my expectations, considering the low price point.
While on one hand, you will enjoy a full-fledged Windows ecosystem on a tablet, it’s just not powerful enough. At times, it takes 2-3 seconds just to rotate the screen, which is extremely frustrating. Also, the battery life, despite all the claims underperforms.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Desktop class Windows experience
✔ Sharp picture quality ✔ Bright screen with vibrant colors ✔ Impressive sound quality | ✖ Mediocre performance
✖ Disappointing battery life ✖ Low-resolution display |
Verdict – If you are looking for an affordable 2-in-1 tablet for watching movies, the Surface Go 3, priced at just $532, is not a bad deal at all.
10. Google Pixel Tablet
Price – $499
- Display – 11-inch IPS LCD, 500 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2560×1600 pixels
- CPU – Google Tensor G2
- Operating System – Android 13
- Battery Life – Up to 12 hours
- RAM – 8GB
- Storage – 128GB
- Weight – 1.08 lbs
- Connectivity – USB-C 3.0, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
To conclude the list, I recommend you Google Pixel Tab, the device I prefer. At a price of just $500, you get the goodness of stock Android, Google’s huge ecosystem, and a unique charging speaker dock. But what puts it among the best tablets for watching movies?
It features an 11-inch IPS display which, in my opinion, is the perfect size for watching movies, 12+ displays feel chunky in hands, and 10 inches is just not convenient enough. The combination of 2K resolution and 500 nits brightness produces one of the best cinematic experiences you can enjoy on a portable device.
The speakers are just decent and deliver standard output, good enough for watching movies and TV shows. However, in the hub mode, you will notice a significant improvement in terms of bass and clarity. Unfortunately, the popular 3.5mm headphone jack doesn’t make its appearance, and you are stuck with Bluetooth speakers to improve the audio experience.
Battery life is impressive, mainly due to the minimal stock Android. You don’t get any pre-installed bloatware apps running in the background, which saves a lot of battery. The performance of the Tensor G2 is notably faster than its predecessor, although it may not be on par with heavyweights like the iPad Pro or Samsung S9 Plus.
PROS | CONS |
✔ Comes with charging speaker dock
✔ Stock Android experience ✔ Excellent built quality ✔ Crisp and punchy display quality | ✖ Lacks 3.5 mm audio jack
✖ Not enough bass in sound ✖ Average performance |
Verdict – Pick the Google Pixel tablet for a free speaker dock, a cleaner Android experience, and a fantastic display to watch movies.
Frequently asked questions:
Apple iPad Air and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 are among the best tablets for watching movies and live TV.
iPad Pro (6th Gen) is a premium tablet for Netflix in 2023. However, you can grab an iPad Air (5th Gen) for less than half the price, if you need a device solely for entertainment.
At just $200, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is among the best tablets for watching movies online. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is another lucrative offer at just $439, featuring a 2K AMOLED screen and Dolby Atmos.
Compared to laptops and smartphones, tablets are more convenient for watching movies. They offer a sufficiently large screen size while remaining highly portable, making them an excellent choice for various occasions.
Final Word:
Tablets are useful, whether you need a portable device for movies on-the-go, or a secondary device to pass the leisure time on your desk. While the overall movie-watching experience is unmatched compared to large laptop screens and TV monitors, tablets still can do the job. Especially these days, as companies continue to innovate with features and display quality, they have become excellent entertainment devices.
I am an engineer by education, tech writer by profession, and a motor sport fan by heart.