The 10 Best Tablets for Watching Movies & Videos In 2022

You may argue there is not much between tablets and smartphones these days. We can take it even further. Think of devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro. It’s just a display, a brilliant one, with touch capacity and sufficient performance to run multiple G sheets and multi-task.

Add a keyboard and you have a proper work laptop as well. That’s how far tech has progressed.

So, why a tablet?

You can watch your fav movies or videos on your smartphone. Think of the OnePlus 8 Pro, an $800 smartphone with a 6.78-inch display. This is the largest display on a smartphone yet. It’s nearly the same size as the Amazon Fire HD 7, now priced at around $40, 20 times cheaper.

The Fire HD 7 was the go-to tablet in 2017 and now look at it, lost, forgotten, and dirt cheap. Yet, when it comes to watching just movies and videos at HD quality, you can get it from this 3-year-old tablet for just $40.

Confused?

Just why you need to check out this list of the best tablets for watching movies. There’re some added tidbits to help you choose one from them as well!

Our Top 3 Picks

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7– Best Tablet for Watching Movies
2. Vankyo MatrixPad S7– Best 7-inch Tablet for Movies
3. Apple iPad Air 4– Best Apple Tablet for Movies and Videos

Best Tablet for Watching Movies: Buyer’s Guide

There are a number of tablets available on the market. So, how did we choose the best tablets for watching movies and videos?

We started by skimming from the top and a bit from the bottom as well. You obviously don’t need an Apple iPad Pro 2020 to watch movies and videos. You can and the Liquid Retina display is nothing less than a thing of beauty. It’s just that shelling out $1000 on a portable device for only video entertainment does not make sense.

Here is what does. Check out these pointers to help you arrive at a conclusion on what kind of tablet you want, or rather need. Viz. –

Display Size

The only reason why we even have tablets is the added screen real estate. The smallest tablets (one’s worth checking out) are marginally larger than the biggest displayed smartphones.

So how big can you get? The best tablets for watching movies and videos have 7-inch to 12-inch displays. That’s why watching movies on a tablet is the next best thing to doing that on a smartphone or a PC.  

Performance

Now tablets may or may not have a graphics card along with the processor. But do you need a separate graphics processing unit on a tablet for movies?

You do. Only if you get a tablet with maximum resolutions around or above the FHD mark. When you’re watching a movie in 1080p on a tablet that can deliver such resolutions, a powerful processor may not be able to deliver smooth frames.

Bottom line?

Typically, a tablet delivering above HD resolutions will come with an added graphics processing cluster. You don’t need one if you go for a budget tablet for movies though if HD quality is enough.

Resolution and Quality

Simple. Higher the budget you have, the better the display resolutions and quality you can get. You can’t compare the display quality from the likes of iPads and Microsoft Surface tablets or even Samsung ones to others.

In reality, 720p is crisp enough to watch movies on an 8-inch display. So that’s the minimum requirements sorted. As for the maximum, you can just about go for Microsoft Surface Pro or an iPad Pro to enjoy the best resolution quality. But that’s not what you want, is it?

All said, here are the best tablets for movies in 2022 reviewed in-depth, based on first-hand user reviews and expert comments. Enjoy! 

Best Tablets for Watching Movies & Videos

10. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Best Multi-Tasker

Highlights

• Brilliant Display
• Long Battery Life
• Frugal Performance
• S Pen Bundled In
• Powerful Audio
• Headphone Jack

Why Buy?

An affordable and dialed-down version of the 2019 flagship tablet, there’s a reason why the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite is first on this list. In a time when all mid-to-high-end tablets double up as portable workstations, this tablet remains true to its form and function. Just why we loved it!

For starters, you get the uber-smart Samsung design language, 7mm slim and solid build quality somehow merged together. You also get a powerful set of dual AKG speakers as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack, somewhat of a rarity nowadays the moment you want a good-looking and fast tablet.

This tablet is fast as well, with the Octa-core Exynos chipset inside. Breeze through Chrome tabs or multi-screen between Netflix and Duo conferences without breaking a sweat. With a max of 128 GB of storage and 4 GB RAM, you are buying into high-end portable entertainment.

 Another reason why this is justifiably listed as one of the best tablets for watching movies is its battery life. Samsung claims a lot, but you will surely get at least 10 hours+ of video streaming over Wi-Fi at 50% brightness. That’s more than enough for a long flight or a night’s binge.

The display is a 10.4-inch TFT LCD, unlike the excellent Super AMOLED on the S6. Display resolutions max out at 2000×1200 pixels so you’ll enjoy your time gazing at it. 

For around $350, you get your money’s worth no questions asked. This Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite is worth it if you intend to use it for more than just video entertainment.

9. Apple iPad Air 4

Best Apple Tablet for Movies and Videos

Highlights

• Blistering Performance
• Vivid Display
• Intuitive Utility
• Improved Battery Life
• Ultra-Portable

Why Buy?

This is the latest 4^th gen iPad Air and it’s finally garnering the positive reviews that are expected of it. There are multiple subtle updates that make this perhaps the best Apple iPad Air to date.

Firstly, this iPad Air looks even more like the iPad Pros, borrowing design elements but staying lightweight and highly portable. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is the best display on this list, definitely worth the bucks. Delivering up to 2360×1640 pixels at 264 PPI, it’s almost overkill considering we are reviewing tablets for movies.

Performance is way more than sufficient. This iPad Air punches well above its weight with the new A14 Bionic chip. It can be your go-to digital device even for some 3D graphic designing if need be – that’s how powerful it is.

So, you can run a 3D rendering on Autodesk while catching up on Netflix. Just so, you can use this tablet for some moderate gaming as well.

Battery life is more than modest, and this iPad Air 4 will pull through beyond 7 hours of heavy usage. A major update is the USB-C added to the iPad, and finally, Apple users can connect with the non-Apple world a bit more easily.

For around $600, this is the best Apple iPad for watching movies. You can get even better display qualities with higher models. That may not be the most feasible option considering the price tags will only keep on going north!

8. Microsoft Surface Go 2

Best Windows 10 Tablet

Highlights

• Excellent 10.5-inch display
• Slim and Sleek Design
• Powerful Battery Backup
• Ultra-Portable
• Windows 10 Home Pre-Installed

Why Buy?

There is no doubt that Microsoft’s Surface range of products, including 2-in-1s and laptops is meant to compete with Apple. The aim is to bridge the gap between PC and portable devices, and they are getting closer to the ultimate missing link.

This new 2^nd gen Surface Go 2 does bridge that gap, improving on a lot from its predecessor. The display is bigger, now a 10.5-inch 1920×1280 screen and it’s vividly brilliant. Bear in mind, this new Surface Go 2 is competing with Apple’s iPad Pro so it’s speced up quite determinedly.

Just so, the next big hurrah is the battery life. Expect around 9 hours on a full charge with continuous 1080p video playback on Wi-Fi, more than enough for the whole day.

Performance is not like the iPad Pro range and it is not supposed to be either – the base Surface Go 2 is priced half. At base, you get 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, and an Intel Pentium dual-core processor inside. Higher configurations are available – up to 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and the efficient Intel M3 chipset.

You also get a headphone jack, USB-C connectivity, and a Windows 10 Home. No stylus (Surface Pen) or keyboard bundled in, one wonders if Apple and Microsoft have signed a secret entente!

Either way, launched at $399 for the base configuration, this new Microsoft Surface Go is a sign that Microsoft is getting there. This is one of the best tablets for watching movies and it comes with a full-sized Windows 10 Home.

Add the Surface Pen and the Type Cover (or any other Bluetooth keyboard,) and you have a beautiful work laptop as well!

7. Dragon Touch Max10: Review

Best Budget Display

Highlights

• FHD+ Resolution
• Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity
• Octa-Core Processor
• Android 9 – Zero Bloatware
• Strong Battery Backup

Why Buy?

With the Dragon Touch Max10, we finally enter the true-blue tablet zone. This is the best way to start off, a portable device covering the basics pretty well and doing so while on a budget.

First things first, you get an all-plastic body other than the 2.5D glass display screen. The display is a 10.1-inch module offering max resolutions of 1920×1200 pixels. That’s FHD+, more than decent on a budget tablet. Picture quality is not phenomenal but does justify the price tag.

Performance is commendable. We do have better-spaced tablets up next but this Max10 gets the job done. It comes with a 1.6 GHz Octa-core that can handle multi-tabbing and running multiple apps with the help of 3 GB RAM.

You also get 32 GB internal storage, expandable up to 128 GB via microSD. Note that you are using an Android 9 and not a Windows 10 so that storage is more than sufficient.

Battery capacity is where this Dragon Touch Max10 stands out, comparable with the best. The 5000 mAh unit is enough to make the tablet run beyond 7 hours of video playback with Wi-Fi.

You get a USB-C as well and, surprisingly, an HDMI port too. This can come really handy in case you want to switch to a larger monitor with the on-screen content from the tablet. It also comes with in-built GPS, so you don’t need Wi-Fi to check out Google Maps, and a SIM slot!

For around $140, you get a tablet that does offer a lot of connectivity and a high-res display to enjoy movies on the go. This is one of the best tablets for watching Netflix too!

6. Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus: Review

Best Budget Display

Highlights

• Sharp Accurate Display
• Integrated GPU
• Bundled in Charging Dock
• Integrated Google Assistant
• Engaging Android Interface

Why Buy?

The Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus takes the best features of its predecessors and adds a few more, definitely one of the best tablets for watching movies in 2022.

The display is one but not the only reason why you should buy this tablet. The 10.3-inch FHD scores surprisingly high on picture clarity and hue depth, perfect to enjoy video content.

Resolutions peak at 1920×1200 pixels but what makes it stand out is the 99% sRGB color coverage, unmatched by any tablet in this price range and even higher.

Another reason why you will enjoy using this tablet is the software. Firstly, you get a stock Android 9 with some meaningful tweaks for an engaging user interface. Integrated Google Assistant can help in more ways than you think, from voice commands to control compatible smart home gadgets. This tablet can essentially be your smart home control center!

Multi-tasking can get difficult despite the Octa-core processor. You can enjoy some moderate gaming thanks to a frugal integrated GPU cluster. The base model comes with 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage. We recommend the 4 GB RAM and 64 GB. Storage is expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.

Battery life is sufficient but there are other tablets in this price range (and up next!) that perform better. Expect around 6 hours of juice to nearly the last day. There’s a USB-C port too.

Priced at around $150 for the 2 GB/32 GB configuration, you can get this Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus for quite cheap considering the excellent display and the smart features.

However, go for the 4 GB/64 GB version, priced at just above $200, for more value. There’s a bundled-in charging dock to sweeten both deals!

5. Vankyo MatrixPad S30

Best Versatile 10-inch Tablet

Highlights

• Great 1080P Display
• Value for Money
• Breezy Performance
• Prolonged Battery Backup
• Noteworthy Camera Setup
• Bluetooth 5.0

Why Buy?

Vankyo tablets are perfectly suited for entertainment purposes while sticking to the budget. This Vankyo MatrixPad S30 does just that and offers a bit more too.

First things first, you get a 10.1-inch FHD display with a 1920×1200 screen resolution. Display quality is second only to the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 in this price range, shout out to Vankyo. It does deliver on better brightness but it’s not as sharp or vividly detailed.

The MatrixPad S30 is quicker off the blocks as well. With 3 GB RAM and a 1.6 GHz Octa-core processor, enjoy the lag-free performance on almost any Android app from Play Store.

Run games like PUBG Mobile at low settings without any lag although that’s the best you can get out of this budget tablet. You will also get a 32 GB onboard memory expandable up to 128 GB via a microSD card.

The camera setup is a plus, including an 8 MP front camera and a 13 MP rear shooter. You also get Bluetooth 5.0, in-built GPS, and Dual-Band Wi-Fi. On the connectivity, there’s a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack too.

Vankyo has managed to add a large 6000 mAh battery. You can expect up to 7 hours of video playback and Wi-Fi, easily up there with the best.

Priced at under $150, this is a budget Android tablet that can fulfill your entertainment requirements with its above-par display and battery life. It will also deliver on easy lag-free usage in case you’re up to some web surfing or basic work tasks too.

4. Lectrus Tablet 10-Inch: Review

Best Budget Tablet

Highlights

• Budget Brilliant IPS Display
• Zero Bloatware Android 9
• Economic Performance
• Overall Bargain Buy

Why Buy?

Now that we’re about to enter the top 3, let us introduce you to a tablet that just about does it all without over-achieving. The Lectrus is the best budget tablet for movies without a doubt.

The display is sharp, crisp, and sufficient. It delivers a 1280×800 screen resolution well complementing the 10.1-inch display size.

Although not specified by the manufacturer, the resolution itself brings the aspect ratio to 16:10, meeting the base industry-standard of 16:9. So, you can stream and watch movies or other video content on full screen without any black bars.

Performance is, again, sufficient. This Lectrus tablet is powered by a Quad-core processor along with a Mali GPU. These are coupled with 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD.

Move through tabs and run apps in the background – this tablet will deliver lag-free performance unless you expect the unexpected!

With a 6000 mAh, Lectrus has stated battery life of up to 7 hours under heavy usage, i.e., streaming live content over Wi-Fi.

This Lectrus tablet comes with a stock Android 9 with zero bloatware. There is no interactive software, and you can customize the barebones Android as per your preferences. On the connectivity front, you get a USB-C, and Bluetooth 4.0, not 5.0.

For under $100, you can get your hands on nearly every single feature you can expect and need from a tablet for movies while sticking well within budget. Buy this if you want just a tablet for Netflix or for general movie and video streaming.

3. Amazon Fire HD 10

Best Value Tablet for Movies

Highlights

• Best-in-Class Display
• Powerful Battery
• Durable Design
• Solid Performance

Why Buy?

We have our reasons to include this Fire HD 10 in our top 3 best tablets for watching movies despite the Amazon Fire OS. And it’s all about value for money.

Firstly, you get an excellent 10.1-inch display delivering a screen resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. This is one of the best displays you can get on any device under the $200 mark. Color production is sharp and deep.

Max display brightness is around 400 nits – this is one of the few displays that can work handsomely outdoors.

Next up, you get a mammoth battery life, extending well beyond 10 hours of video playback on Wi-Fi. You cannot expect any more from any other tablet in this price range.

Performance is surprisingly zippy. The Fire HD 10 sports an Octa-core 2 GHz processor along with 2 GB RAM. Breeze through tabs and apps that you commonly use without any lag.

Other than this, you also get 32 GB of internal storage on the base model along with a 64 GB option. Storage is expandable up to 1 TB, another extra something that Amazon has cleverly added in.

Here’s the deal:

You can get all this for just around $100. The 64 GB version is priced, comparatively overpriced, at around $140. Yet, this is why the Amazon Fire HD 10 makes it to our top 3 best tablets for movies in this list.

Word of caution:

Make sure to check out if the streaming app/s you want to run on this tablet are available on the Fire OS. An unpopularly tweaked and trimmed down version of the Android OS, it does tend to leave out quite a few basic Google apps, no Gmail or Google Play Store. It does have Netflix though!

2. Vankyo MatrixPad S7

Best 7-inch Tablet for Movies

Highlights

• Ultra-Portable
• HD Display Resolution
• Sufficient Performance
• Best Price-to-Performance Ratio

Why Buy?

Going by first-hand user reviews, we had to put this tablet at no. 2. This is the second entrant from Vankyo on this list and deservedly so as well. Why? Mostly because it’s cheap and it delivers way more than its price tag.

This MatrixPad S7 is an entry-level tablet from Vankyo. It comes with a 7-inch and resolutions max out at 1024×600 pixels, not much at all. It’s the picture quality that does it for us.

Common with low-res displays, there is no pixelation with HD screen. This is the best 7-inch display on any tablet, other than the Fire 7.

Inside, you get a 1.3 GHz Quad-core processor coupled with 2 GB RAM, pretty basic configurations on this list. Performance-wise this tablet can handle the basics quite well without leaving much room for complaint. There’s 32 GB of internal storage added in too, expandable via a MicroSD slot up to 128 GB.

The 2900 mAh battery may seem small as well. It will, however, churn out at least 8 hours of video playback with Wi-Fi.

As always, Vankyo offers a bloat-free Android experience. In this case, you get to enjoy the simple barebones Android 9. You will miss out on USB-C and instead get microUSB 2.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi.

So why is this our 2^nd best tablet for watching movies? This Vankyo MatrixPad S7, with its 7-inch display and entry-level configurations, is priced at around $75. Dirt cheap.

For less than half the price of most other tablets in this list, this simpleton can do the one thing you want it to, stream movies for hours on end. This is the best cheapest tablet for movies ever!

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Best Tablet for Watching Movies

Highlights

• Vibrant Display
• Excellent and Durable Design
• Best-in-Class Battery Backup
• Sufficient Performance
• Facial Recognition
• Zero Bloat Android
• Value for Money

Why Buy?

This is the best tablet for watching movies. That would be the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ based on configurations only. We consider This Galaxy A7 as better because it offers more value for the price tag than any other tablet around.

The A7 is Samsung’s entry into the budget tablet segment and this is as minimalist as they can get. So, there’s no Super AMOLED display that you get on the full-blooded S series tabs.

Instead, you get a vividly colored 2000×1200 pixels display, perfect for video playback. Color density and brightness are second only to the Fire HD 10, no mean feat.

Battery life is another big thumbs up. You can expect this tablet to manage around 10 hours of video playback with Wi-Fi at above-half brightness simulating indoor and outdoor usage.

Performance is enough if you do use this tablet for movies or casual web surfing and not for graphics editing. With a Snapdragon 662 processor and 3 GB RAM, the A7 handles everything within its limits without lag.

Deeper inside, the A7 comes with Android 9 minus bloatware. A surprise but much welcome addition is the Facial Recognition straight from the S series. Few tables in this price range deliver on security.

Internal storage options include both 32 GB and 64 GB. We suggest opting for the latter considering the price. Other than these, you also get a powerful 4-speaker setup that does not sound tinny with the volume turned up. Plus, there’s a USB-C port as well.

It’s the price tag that makes this Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 the best tablet for movies. Currently available for around $200, this is pricier than most other $150-ish tablets.

Yet, with Facial Recognition, a big battery, and a brilliant display, this is a must-buy whatever your budget!

Conclusion

The best tablet for watching movies should have a crisp and vivid display, sufficient battery backup, and enough processing power to deliver a lag-free experience. We have reviewed all 10 tablets based on these pointers. But we have ranked them considering primarily value for money. Or in other words, price-to-performance.

We cannot recommend between either of these tablets. Choose wisely based on what you want, what you can afford, and what you may do with the tab after the movie’s over. Either way, these are the best tablets for movies and videos. There is no better. We will keep updating this list if something pops up!

FAQs