
Are you looking for the best tablet for watching movies? You know…Netflix and chill. Do you want to have an optimal experience? You will find many tablets to enjoy your movies. As all tablets are not created equal, it is important to look for a few features to find the best tablet for movies. The screen size, battery life, audio and resolution, sound are some key determining factors. You will certainly prefer the one that comes with vibrant colors, excellent screens, and sustainable life.
These are the most important specs people are checking before buying a tablet. Now our hypothesis was – screen resolution and sound. Which makes sense, because when I watch movies on a tablet I care about the quality and sound of the picture if I don’t have any headphones. Turns out a lot of people also care about battery life, because they travel a lot and they don’t have the opportunity to charge the tablet. Many people also care about the size of the tablet, especially elderly people, since their sight is not the best, so they rather choose a bigger tablet.
Needless to mention, you will find countless options ranging from iOS to Andriod and Fire OS. A few might be specifically designed for some unique streaming apps. You can take the example iPad. This type can be fully integrated with Apple TVs and iPhones. The same is about Amazon Fire Tablets. These are the best for Amazon prime videos. You will have to take all these factors into account to choose the best tablets for movies.
Are you still confused? Go through our buyer’s guide at the bottom and slowly read all your options.
1. Apple iPad Pro (2021)
When watching movies it’s all about pictures, sound, plot, and details. iPad Pro certainly can’t make the movies great, but it can definitely make the process enjoyable and bring the best available performance to the table from all the tablets/iPads.
The 2021 variant of iPad Pro provides seamless processing for any activity, and movie watching is no exception. With four speakers, the device can deliver top-notch sound quality that is favorably loud, and clear featuring great bass. The intelligent speakers embedded within the iPad Pro 2021 are sure to take your hearing experience to a whole new level. In case you like to have a quick private listening session., there is a USB-C port to deliver quality performance with wired headphones. (No 3.5mm audio jack, sorry)
The display is another essential section to consider while watching movies. There is no denying that the 2021 variant iPad Pro features the best display ever made for tablets. Both the 11-inch and 12.9 -inch model bags all the standard features, including the P3 Wide Color, True Tone, ProMotion capturing that support refresh rate up to 120Hz. However, the larger variant is a bit special. It comes with a liquid Retina XDR display, which is powerful enough to deliver a next-level viewing experience.
There is no doubt that the 12.9-inch variant is a better option than the 11-inch model. Regardless, if budget seems to a bit of an issue, the 11-inch is never a bad choice. If you love to live to the fullest and price isn’t a factor 12.9 inch iPad Pro will be the best pick for watching movies.
Pros 👍
- The Liquid Retina XDR display is undoubtedly one of the best in tablets so far (only available in the 12.9-inch variant)
- Availability of USB-C port
- Excellent speakers
- Excellent Battery Life.
Cons 👎
- Rests on the expensive end
- It might feel a bit heavy for some users
Specification 🔧
- OS: Apple iPadOS 14
- Processor: Apple M1 Silicon
- Storage: 128GB up to 2TB
- RAM: 8GB and 16GB
- Camera: Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture, Ultra-Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture and 125° field of view
- Display: 11-inch, 12.9-inch
- Resolution: 2732×2048-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (12.9-inch), 2388×1668-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (11-inch)
- Weight: For 12.9-inch: 1.51 lbs., For 11-inch: 1.03 lbs.
- Port: USB-C port
- Battery: up to 10 hours
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
When it comes to entertainment such as movies, YouTube, and other video type media – what are the most important qualities? Speakers, display, and battery life.
Samsung S7 has a hell of a speaker, excellent display, but the battery part..well it could be better. Besides that fact, Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 will provide an excellent movie-watching experience that you can hold in your hands. Samsung aimed high and hit the mark with the Tab S7 and S7+ the difference is that Tab S7 uses an LCD display while S7+ uses an AMOLED display. On both displays the colors are magnificent.
Pros 👍
- 5g connectivity
- Excellent speakers
- USB-C port, connectivity possibilities
- Great display (makes it great for YouTube and movies)
- Includes Stylus Pen
Cons 👎
- Mediocre battery life (especially if watching movies)
- Widescreen aspect ratio
- No audio jack
Specification 🔧
- OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5
- Processor: Octa-core (1×3.09 GHz Kryo 585 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 585
- Storage: 128GB up to 512 GB
- RAM: 6GB – 8 GB
- Camera: Back – 13 MP, f/2.0, Front – 5 MP, f/2.2
- Graphics: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+
- Display: 11-inch, 12.4-inch
- Resolution: 1600 x 2560, 1752 x 2800
- Size: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in, 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 in
- Weight: 1.1lbs, 1.27lbs
- Port: USB-C port
- Battery: up to 9.5 hours
3. Apple iPad Air 4 (2020)
A stunning 10.9-inch liquid retina display with true tone and p3 wide colors. This makes the new Apple iPad Air 4 an incredible device for watching YouTube, Netflix, and just movies in general. It has wide stereo audio, Just like the devices above it doesn’t have a dedicated audio jack, but you can connect your headphones or another audio system through Bluetooth or USB-C port. It’s a bit more expensive than Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and the screen isn’t as great, due to those facts it’s ranking in 3rd position for this specific category.
Check how it’s updated since the new iPad Air 3 – iPad Air 3 vs iPad Air 4
Pros 👍
- Supports Apple Pencil 2
- Supports Apple Magic Keyboard
- High-performance
- USB-C
- Touch ID
- Fastest ever A14 processor
Cons 👎
- No 120Hz ProMotion display
- High-end price
- 64GB base storage
- No face ID
- True depth camera
- No audio jack
Specifications 🔧
- OS: iOS
- Processor: A14 Bionic processor
- Storage: 64GB, 256GB
- RAM: 4 GB
- Camera: back – 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, front – 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm
- Display: 10.9-inches
- Resolution:1640 x 2360 pixels
- Size: 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in (247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm)
- Weight: 1.04lbs (471g)
- Ports: USB Type-C + magnetic connector
- Battery: Up to 10-hours
4. Microsoft Surface Pro X SQ2
Coming from the home of Microsoft, we’ve got the Surface Pro X SQ2 as a promising tablet for watching movies. The Surface Pro’s 13-inch display with 2880 x 1920-pixel touch screen resolution produces sharp and vivid visuals. The best thing about the display is that it covers around 73.7% of the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, making sure every frame produces natural life-like color. Besides, the peak brightness of 420 nits also adds up to the overall efficiency of the device’s display.
Shifting our attention to the audio section, the device is capable of producing an excellent hearing experience thanks to the dual speakers flanking the Pro X’s display. The speakers are well built to bring up crisp and clear sound, rich in details.
Pros 👍
- Gorgeous 13-inch display
- Dual speakers for high-quality audio
- Good battery life
Cons 👎
- Pretty expensive (The keyboard and stylus doesn’t come integrated)
- App availability
Specifications 🔧
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Octa-Core Microsoft SQ 2
- Storage: 256 GB/ 512GB
- RAM: 16 GB
- Camera: 10MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Graphics: Adreno 690
- Display: 13-inch
- Resolution: 2880×1920 pixels
- Size: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 inches
- Weight: 1.7 lbs.
- Battery: Up to 15 hours
5. Apple iPad 8 (2020)
Apple iPad 32 GB can be the best tablet for movies. However, Apple does not charge more for this tablet. You can expect a 10.2-inch retina display, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, two-speaker audio, and a 10 fusion chip. The retina display will offer clear images with vibrant colors. You can use this device to do multiple tasks smoothly. As it comes with sustainable battery life, you will have enough time to watch movies, read, surf, and do whatever you want. Good if you have a limited budget. Otherwise, go with iPad Pro for extra features.
The 10.2-inch display is a bit smaller and not as vivid as the 2020 Air. But it’s still more than good enough. But it’s also less expensive than Air or Pro model.
Pros 👍
- Versatile and can be used like camera, notepad, and many more
- Compatible with all kinds of Bluetooth keyboards
- Collection of built-in apps
- Stereo speakers
- Gorgeous Retina Display
- Faster charger
Cons 👎
- Fragile
- Low storage (32GB)
Specifications 🔧
- OS: iOS
- Processor: A12 Bionic processor
- Storage: 32GB / 128GB
- RAM: 3GB
- Camera: Back – 8 MP, f/2.4, Front – 1.2 MP, f/2.2
- Display: 10.2-inch
- Resolution:1620 x 2160 pixels
- Size: 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in (250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm)
- Weight: 1.08lbs (490g)
- Ports: Lightning, USB 2.0
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
6. Microsoft Surface Go 2
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is another efficient option among tablets for watching movies, primarily thanks to the promising display that it bags in. Although not much different from its predecessor, the Surface Go 2 features a slightly larger 10.5-inch display with shrunk bezels, which is perfect for watching movies and similar kinds of stuff. Moreover, thanks to the 1920 x 1280-pixel resolution and the 3:2 aspect ratio, viewing content is quite a seamless activity in this budget device from Microsoft.
Pros 👍
- Solid build quality
- Decent cameras
- Excellent Battery Life
Cons 👎
- Low storage options
- Lacks standard USB ports
Specifications 🔧
- Display Size: 10.5-inch
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y
- RAM: 4 GB
- Camera: 8MP Rear, 5MP Front
- OS: Windows 10
- Storage: 64 GB.
- Weight: 1.19lbs
7. Lenovo Tab P11
When we talk about the budget tablets that are efficient enough to serve the purpose of watching movies, the tab P11 from Lenovo needs to have attention. The 11-inch display of Tab P11 is capable of producing a 2K resolution of 2000×1200 pixels. When that resolution corresponds to a pixel density of 213 PPI, the outcome is genuinely a brilliant viewing experience.
Talking about the brightness section, Lenovo Tab P11 is able to produce 400 nits, ensuring you never miss out on details. Another best thing about the display is that it comes with auto sensors, which toggles the brightness in accordance with the light around.
Although the OLED panel is not as promising as an iPad, considering its price, the viewing performance is undoubtedly fantastic. From rich colors to sharp resolution, combined with quad speakers, get ready for a great experience while watching movies or videos.
Pros 👍
- High-definition OLED Display
- Clear and loud audio speakers
- Good battery life
Cons 👎
- Not suitable for heavy multitasking
- Weak camera
Specifications 🔧
- Display Size: 11 inch
- Dimensions: 10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in
- OS: Android 10
- Weight: 1.08 lbs.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm)
- GPU: Adreno 610
- Camera: 13 MP Wide Angle
- Resolution: 1200 x 2000 pixels
- Battery Life: 8 hours
8. Fire HD 10 Tablet #Best Budget
Fire HD10 tablet is one of the best tablets for watching movies. If you spend time on Amazon Prime, then you should not look beyond this option. You can also use it to enjoy some other popular streaming apps including Hulu and Netflix. It features Alexa’s hands-free mode to enable users to pause videos, open apps, display weather, and playing games. The large HD10 display, high resolution, and 12 hours battery life make it a preferred choice for watching movies. It has also ample storage space expandable up to 256 GB. You can use this tablet to enjoy all your favorite programs such as movies, Kindle eBooks, TV shows, games, and whatever you want. You can use voice control to make your home smart. Alexa can work with your switches, lights, security cameras, Nest, Ring, Wink, and many more.
Pros 👍
- Compatible with Alexa
- Supports reading, listening, playing, and watching
- Hands-free voice call and messages
- Perfect for parents and kids
Cons 👎
- Compatibility issues with many apps
Specification 🔧
- Display Size: 10.1″ 1080p full HD
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200 (224 ppi)
- Storage: 32 or 64 GB and expandable up to 512 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 17.8 oz
- Dimensions: 10.3″ x 6.3″ x 0.4″
- Camera: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras
These are the best tablets for movies. In this list, you can find super affordable options and expensive as well. From the above, you might have realized that you can even buy the best tablet for movies within a limited budget. The key is to go through the features and know the compatibility so that you can make the right decision. If you have still some specific questions in your mind, you can have a look at the following. It might help you to make a smart decision.
What is the Best Tablet for Watching Netflix?
As stated earlier, there are different types of tablets. Most of them are compatible with all types of apps. However, they might not work best for your specific app. You can take the example of the HD Fire. All these versions can complement well Amazon prime and many other apps. For Netflix, you need to choose a tablet that works as an all-around device instead of focusing on a few. You can take the example of the
The most important factors are – resolution, battery life, audio, and Netflix availability. We believe due to these reasons iPad Pro 2020 is the best tablet for watching movies, Netflix, YouTube, or any other sorts of video content. The best budget tablet for watching movies – Amazon Fire HD 10. It won’t be as good as other devices for multitasking, but for movies it’s good and it fits the needs.
Can You Watch Movies on a Tablet?
Yes, we can watch movies on a tablet. Nowadays, tablets are coming with advanced technologies to be versatile and to serve you more than one way. You can use tablets to stream your movies. Some popular streaming apps including Apple TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix perform very well on tablets. Tablets come with some specific technologies and designs to offer a smooth viewing experience. The durable life and vibrant colors make them a popular choice in the current condition. For the best experience, you can consider some specific models such as Fire HD 10, Lenovo Android tablet, and Apple iPad. All these are highly appreciated by users.
Related: How to Watch Movies on iPad without WiFi or Internet
Why the iPad Pro 2021 is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7 for Watching Movies?
There is no denying that both iPad Pro 2021 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 are one of the best in the tablet industry. But to specifically talk about the better device for watching movies, the tablet from Apple wins the battle.
Whether movies or videos, efficient media playbacks correspond to two significant features, the display, and the speaker. While both the iPad Pro 2021 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 bring in the 120 Hz display, providing a seamless viewing experience, the Liquid Retina XDR display from Apple seems enough to turn the tables. Also, with iPad Pro 2021, you have a brighter screen with a 1 million:1 contrast ratio which is again a plus while watching movies.
Talking about speakers, both the devices feature quad speakers placed in a stereo setup and are fantastic for playing media files. However, the iPad Pro sounds a bit better thanks to the detailed quality blended with a good amount of bass. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has 3 varied Dolby Atmos settings. Still, no matter how you tweak them, the sound’s overall quality will feel more polished out of the iPad Pro.
When it comes down to the price, both the devices rest on the premium side. So, if you’re tight on the budget, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is the one that deserves your attention. This tablet from Amazon comes with a high-resolution display and a remarkable 12 hours battery life to effectively help you watch your favorite movies.
Buyers’ Guide
Now you have the list of best tablets for movies. You also know a few names that can meet your specific needs. After this, we will move into the things that decide the reliability and versatility of your tablets. Almost all the tablets come with some basic features such as resolution, display size, storage, and battery life. If you want to make a smart decision, you will have to give a close look at all these.
While looking for the best tablet for movies, you will have to be more specific. You will have to go with the one that comes with big screen size, durable battery life, impressive look, good processor, and storage. These are the basics and you need to go through all these basics. Also, you will have to consider the color, design, weight, display, easy operating, and so on. Here are the details of some features that you should consider while buying a tablet for movies.
Operating System
When it comes to the operating system, a few names are dominating the market. These are iOS, Android, and Windows. You might be familiar with all these names. All these leading names come with distinctive features. For example, Android is popular for its open-source nature, user-friendly setup, high compatibility, and budget-friendly features. Android can be perfect for both tech-savvy and non-tech savvy crowd. The key benefit is the combination of compatibility and affordability.
The next popular option is iOS. This is prevalent and most popular for advanced security features. These devices are very secure with a limited chance of malware. You can expect many advanced features as well. The disadvantage is the price. You might need to spend a little more on iOS. Also, Android devices come with expandable storage that you might not expect from iOS. Another downside is limited customization.
Windows are not less popular than the above two. It is more than a tablet. You can expect all the features of your laptop. You can say that it is the best alternative of a laptop that comes with the versatility to meet your tablet needs. It can offer you a full desktop experience. However, this operating system is not user-friendly like the previous two.
From the above, you must have an idea about the three types of operating systems. You know the benefits and cons. You can match them with your needs to choose the best one. For example, if you want an open-source, more compatibility, affordability, better customization, then you can go with android. If you want enhanced security, then iOS will be the right choice. For the desktop experience, the windows tablet is incomparable. Your end needs will decide the end product.
Size & Ratio
You are here to know more about the best tablets for movies. While thinking of a movie, a few things will dominate your mind. These are a large screen and high resolution. If the display size is small, you are not going to enjoy your movies for sure. You will need better clarity and a large screen to have an optimal viewing experience. So, follow a thumb rule and choose the one that comes with large screen size. However, you will have to ensure that the tablet is easy to carry. For this, you will have to focus on lightweight and slim design. If you choose something with more than eleven inches of screen size, you might enjoy your movies more. But you might have difficulties to carry your tablet. So, choose a size that is neither too large nor too small. You can choose the one that features 16:9 or 4:3 ratios. This ratio is considered the best for watching movies.
Resolution
HD is very popular nowadays. People normally consider HD to get high resolutions. But many other options offer high-quality displays. When the classic HD is known for 720p, the FHD grabs attention with 1080p. With ultra HD, you can expect an amazing 4K screen. But this feature is not available on all the top-rated tablets. You will get a Retina display on Apply devices that come with high pixels. For movies, you will need a minimum of 1080p.
Storage
Storage is also one of the key determining factors if you prefer to download your movies. You can try the one that comes with expandable storage. You can store as much as you want. You can get this feature with the Android operating system. You can expect better storage with almost all the operating systems. But the benefit of expandable storage is that you might not need to spend more.
Battery
You will need a durable battery life for running your videos continuously. Just imagine, what will happen if you will suddenly get a low battery signal while watching your favorite movie. Also, movies drain your battery fast. So, make sure that the battery life of your tablet is not less than ten hours. Also, you will have to ensure that it does not take long for charging.
Compact & Slim Design
Slim design and compact size are considerable since you can easily carry a lightweight tablet. Now manufacturers are focusing on these to ensure easy usage.
Price
In the current condition, you can buy one of the best tablets without hurting your budget. All you need to do is thorough research to find out the one that fits your budget. Some cheaper models offer higher resolution, more storage, and even bigger display.
Final Verdict
Now your mind must be in a better position to decide. All the above information might have educated you about the features and benefits of tablets. If you want to make a smart decision, first, know your budget, and then know your unique requirements.
Once you have the budget in your mind, you can narrow down your search, and then you can match them with your specific requirements to find the best one. Find the one that can enhance your experience and can help you most to enjoy your movies for a long time.
Better to go with a versatile option so that you will not find yourself restricted while browsing the internet.
That’s it for the best tablets for watching movies. We hope it was helpful to you. If there are any questions, leave us a comment below and we will try to reply as soon as possible.
Have a good one! Cheers!
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