Summary
best tablets to watch movies.. You can use a tablet to do a lot of different things, like browse the web, check your email, or play games, instead of a bigger, bulkier laptop. Many people, though, like to use their tablets to watch their favorite movies and TV shows. To watch your favorite shows, tablets are great. They’re small enough to fit in a bag and light enough to prop up while lying in bed or on the couch.
best tablets to watch movies
But not all computers are good for watching TV and flicks. Some are made with weak screens that can’t show the details of important scenes, and others are cheap and won’t last, so they’re not worth the money in the long run. That can make it hard to choose the best tablet for watching movies, since so many are promising to be the best. However, it’s simple to discover a high-end computer that will work well for many years.
Here is a list of the best tablets for watching movies, from Apple to Samsung. Some are small and cheap, while others are big and expensive. That way, you should be able to find something that works for you.
iPad (10th Generation)
When it comes to viewing movies, the Apple iPad (10th Generation) is an excellent handheld device. The Liquid Retina display, which is 10.9 inches and has a resolution of 2360 by 1640, is the primary selling point of this product. It meets all of the requirements for watching movies and television programs, making it an ideal choice. In addition to the screen’s outstanding quality, Apple has applied a coating that is resistant to fingerprints, which helps to ensure that smudges and streaks do not interfere with your viewing experience.
When combined with the A14 Bionic Chip, the iPad is not only aesthetically pleasing but also very quick and efficient. You should also have no trouble streaming your preferred material since there are models available that support both Wi-Fi 6 and cellular networks, including 5G bands. This means that you should not have any problems.
On the other hand, the iPad has a maximum storage capacity of just 256 gigabytes, so this is not all good news. Despite the fact that you can simply make use of the iCloud to alleviate the problem, it is a disappointing figure for a tablet that is otherwise well-rounded.
A lightweight design that weighs little over one pound and comes in four different color variations are some of the other features that are included. Additionally, it is compatible with the Apple Pencil and supports recording in 4K resolution.
Specifications
- Display size 10.9 inches
- Resolution 2360 x 1640
- Standout features Liquid Retina display and A14 Bionic Chip
PROS
- Updated, modern design
- Wonderfully vibrant colors
- Larger display is fantastic
- A14 chip is plenty powerful
- Strong battery life
- USB-C is finally here
CONS
- The headphone jack is gone
- Non-laminated screen
- Apple Pencil situation is a mess
- Huge price increase
The best budget tablet for watching movies
Amazon Fire HD 8
The quality of this item is not quite as spectacular as the resolution of anything else on our list; but, the price of $100 is very low and difficult to top. Even if it may not have the same level of visual fidelity as other tablets now available on the market, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet is an excellent choice for watching movies.
The Fire HD 8 is an excellent choice for everyday journeys or for passing the time at the airport since it has a display that is both large and portable, measuring 8 inches. Despite the fact that its resolution of 1280 by 800 appears fantastic on the 8-inch screen, it is not even close to being able to compete with anything either in the iPad or Galaxy series. But taking into account the cost, it is a rather minimal concession.
In addition to its 8-inch display, the Amazon Fire HD 8 has a battery life of up to 13 hours and is compatible with all of the main streaming services, such as Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and HBO. Its built-in storage capacity of 32 gigabytes is quite little; nevertheless, it is possible to increase it to a maximum of one terabyte by using a microSD card. This makes it an excellent choice for those who have a substantial collection of digital films.
A further advantage of the Fire HD 8 is its longevity, as Amazon claims that the aluminosilicate glass used in its construction makes it “twice as durable as the Apple iPad mini (2021).” This might make it an excellent choice for children or for those who like to avoid carrying a case in order to maintain a small and streamlined appearance.
Specifications
- Display size 8 inches
- Resolution 1280 x 800
- Standout features Expandable microSD slot
PROS
- Affordable
- HD display
- Expandable microSD slot
CONS
- Not as vibrant as more premium options
The best premium tablet for watching movies
iPad Pro (12.9-inch)
In terms of tablets, the iPad Pro is about as excellent as they get. Designed with the lightning-fast M2 Chip and with capacities of up to 2 terabytes, it is an ultimate beast that can fulfill all of your computing requirements. Its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display makes it just as amazing when it comes to viewing movies as it is when it comes to watching regular television.
There is no doubting the allure of the Liquid Retina XDR display, despite the fact that it may seem like a sophisticated piece of technology jargon. As a result of its brightness of up to 1,600 nits, its resolution of an astounding 2732 x 2048, and its backlighting technology that has 2596 dimming zones, the iPad Pro is capable of producing visuals that are absolutely stunning regardless of what is taking place on the screen. Additionally, it is compatible with ProMotion Technology, which basically means that it is able to handle refresh rates of up to 120Hz for smooth playing.
As you may anticipate, Apple has loaded the iPad Pro with a plethora of opulent features like never before. This includes a camera system that is equipped with both wide and super wide lenses, capability for recording in 4K resolution, four speakers for audio playback, five microphones for better clarity during conversations, and the possibility to connect to both Wi-Fi 6 and cellular networks (including 5G).
With all of those features, the iPad Pro is not only an ideal tablet for viewing movies, but it also has the ability to handle everything else that you throw at it. Without a doubt, it is pricey, but if you are looking for the greatest product available on the market, the iPad Pro is difficult to better.
Specifications
- Display size 12.9 inches
- Resolution 2732 x 2048
- Standout features M2 Chip and Liquid Retina XDR display
PROS
- Sleek and modern design
- Bright, vivid, gorgeous display
- Wild performance from the M2 chip
- Apple Pencil hover feature
- iPadOS 16 is super robust
CONS
- Stage Manager needs more work
- Lackluster, awkward front camera
- Prohibitively expensive
The best compact tablet for watching movies
iPad mini
There is yet another device from Apple that has made its way into our list. This time around, it is the iPad mini, which takes a significant portion of what made the iPad and iPad Pro so enticing and condenses it into a compact that is more manageable.
Its screen is just 8.3 inches, making it the only device in our roundup that comes close to matching the size of the Fire HD 8 in terms of screen size. On the other hand, despite the fact that it has a Liquid Retina Display with a resolution of 2266 x 1488, it is still every bit as premium as you would anticipate receiving from an Apple device. It is also capable of reaching a brightness of up to 500 nits and comes with an antireflective coating, which makes it much simpler to watch your favorite programs without a distracting glare interfering with the presentation.
Apple also included the A15 Bionic Chip in the iPad mini, which has a 6-core central processing unit (CPU) and a 5-core graphics processing unit (GPU). This means that you should have no trouble running numerous applications, browsing the web, or engaging in some light gaming. A tiny tablet that packs a powerful punch despite its weight (which happens to be less than one pound) is created when you include features like as support for 4K video recording, an ultrawide camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels, and compatibility for Wi-Fi 6 and cellular technology.
Specifications
- Display size 8.3 inches
- Resolution 2266 x 1488
- Standout features Liquid Retina display and tiny footprint
PROS
- Big enough to perform most tasks
- Compact enough to travel easily
- Powerful performance
- Loud speakers
- USB-C
CONS
- Screen is not bright enough
- Too small for content creation
- No headphone jack
The best large tablet for watching movies
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Looking for a large screen that can accommodate all of your movie-watching requirements? If such is the case, then the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with its 14.6-inch display is the model you should choose. It is not only one of the largest displays available on the market, but it is also one of the most attractive displays available, since it is an AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2960 x 1848. The fact that it has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which enables it to generate visuals that are silky smooth, is the cherry topping.
The remaining specifications are just as high-end, including a microSD slot that can accommodate up to 1 terabyte of extra storage space, a solid-state drive (SSD) with a capacity of 1 terabyte (TB), and 16 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM). When it comes to viewing movies, you will also have four AKG stereo speakers that are compatible with Dolby Atmos. This is a feature that is uncommon on tablets and is a perfect option for those who do not want to constantly have their earphones in while watching their favorite movies.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra’s big screen size, of however, also means that it may become a little difficult to handle. Additionally, the fact that it weighs more than 1.5 pounds means that using it for extended periods of time can cause your hands to get uncomfortable. However, those who are interested in purchasing a huge tablet should not be discouraged from purchasing the Tab S9 Ultra since it has a lot of fantastic qualities. If you have a beautiful area to dock the tablet and would benefit from the additional real estate, you should make sure to give it a closer look.
Specifications
- Display size 14.6 inches
- Resolution 2960 x 1848
- Standout features Gigantic AMOLED 2X display
PROS
- Stunning 14.6-inch display
- Loud, rich speakers
- Excellent performance
- Very good battery life
- Water and dust resistance
CONS
- It’s. So. Heavy.
- App optimization issues
- Outrageously expensive
- Pricey, necessary accessories
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
When compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which was previously mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the more cost-effective relative. It is still an AMOLED 2X display, and it still has an excellent 120Hz refresh rate, despite the fact that its screen is significantly smaller than other displays, measuring just 11 inches. Additionally, it is far more economical, making it a superior choice for the majority of consumers.
The Tab S9, which is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, is capable of doing more than simply watching movies. It has the power to tackle everyday duties like as reading your email and browsing the web, in addition to gaming. It has a maximum of 256 gigabytes of internal memory and 12 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), but it has a microSD card port that allows you to extend its capacity to 1 terabyte. Additionally, it is constructed with four AKG stereo speakers and supports Dolby Atmos, exactly as the Tab S9 Ultra.
Tablets manufactured by Samsung are not quite as popular as the iPad range; but, if you are an Android aficionado, the Tab S9 is an excellent option that fulfills all of your requirements. It is not quite as powerful as some of the tablets that Apple offers, but if you like the open nature of Android and adore the appearance of the AMOLED 2X display, the Tab S9 will be an excellent choice for meeting all of your requirements for viewing movies.
Specifications
- Display size 11 inches
- Resolution 2560 x 1600
- Standout features AMOLED 2X display and Dolby Atmos
PROS
- AMOLED display
- Expandable microSD slot
- Supports Dolby Atmos
CONS
- Not as powerful as the iPad lineup
A look at how we selected the top tablets for viewing movies at home
Selecting the most suitable tablet for viewing movies is not a simple task, as there are several aspects to take into consideration. See how we filtered down all of the possibilities and decided on the six fantastic goods that are mentioned above. Here is a peek at how we did it.
Exhibit at
Having a nice display is the first and most important need for a tablet that is capable of streaming movies. It must be of an exceptionally high quality, with format options like as QHD, 4K, OLED, and Retina being at the forefront of the competition. In addition to having a high pixel density, you will benefit from having a screen that is not only big enough to be enjoyable but also compact enough to be portable and simple to take care of. Although the majority of individuals will find this to be somewhere around the 12-inch mark, you always have the option of selecting something smaller if you are looking for something that is additional portable. On the other hand, if you like using a docking station or stand, a bigger tablet can be an excellent option for you to consider.
Whatever the case may be, a tablet that is intended for watching movies must have a screen that is vivid. In the event that it does not, we did not comprise it on this list.
Build something of high quality
When purchasing a tablet, you will want to be sure that it is of great quality since you will be spending a significant amount of money on it. If you get a low-cost tablet or a knockoff, it is possible that it may function well for a few months; but, sooner or later, you will begin to have problems with it. On the other hand, purchasing a product from a recognized company like as Apple or Samsung almost certainly ensures that you will get a device that is constructed to a high quality. In addition to having hardware that is dependable, these manufacturers also have software that is regularly updated and should continue to function well with minimal levels of slowdown for a considerable amount of time after the original purchase.
Hardware that is really powerful
The hardware industry is always undergoing change, and it seems that every year there is a new CPU or graphics processing unit (GPU) that replaces the equipment that was available the previous year. Although it is not feasible to prevent this, there are a few things that you may do to assist reduce the severity of the condition. To begin, you should look for tablets that are loaded with strong technology. This will ensure that even if the tablet becomes obsolete in a few years, it will still be more than sufficient for streaming movies and television programs.
In point of fact, if you are just streaming movies, there is no need for the most powerful technology that is now available on the market. You won’t need a massive amount of random access memory (RAM) or a powerful central processing unit (CPU), but you will want a fantastic display. You will also want to ensure that your tablet is capable of establishing strong connections over Wi-Fi and maybe even 5G networks if you are going to be streaming movies rather than playing copies of films that you have downloaded.
Apps and applications that are supported
People who watch movies and television episodes that they have downloaded will want to make sure that their tablet has a slot for an SD card and a big solid-state drive (SSD) built in. On the other hand, people who watch movies on services such as Netflix or Hulu will want to make sure that their potential tablet is compatible with these applications. Your ability to access a broad variety of programs is made possible by the fact that the majority of devices support either Google Play or the App Store. This is often not a problem. In spite of this, it is always a good idea to verify anything twice before making a purchase, since it is conceivable that some of the less expensive gadgets may not allow you to quickly download your preferred streaming applications.
Capacity for Change
Although it is possible that you will be using your tablet mainly for the purpose of watching movies, there is a strong possibility that you will also be using it for other purposes. All of the tablets on our list are flexible enough to do a variety of tasks in addition to watching movies. These tasks include activities such as gaming, responding to emails, and surfing through Facebook. The majority of these devices have access to the App Store or Google Play, which means that there is an abundance of excellent games and other applications to investigate. Some of these devices are even powerful enough to function as actual gaming rigs.
Putting away
Streaming videos from services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video does not actually present a problem in terms of storage space. If you want to download movies onto your smartphone, however, you will need to ensure that you have a large amount of storage space accessible. For the majority of users, a solid-state drive (SSD) with a capacity of 1 terabyte (TB) is more than sufficient. On the other hand, the maximum storage capacity of other tablets is just 256 gigabytes. In situations like these, it is advantageous for tablets to feature a microSD slot, which enables you to increase the amount of storage space available or switch out cards in order to access alternative libraries. In addition, you have the option of using cloud services; however, these services are less desirable since they are dependent on a reliable internet connection.